People who sleep on their side may have trouble finding a mattress that supports their spine while also relieving pressure areas on their shoulders and hips. For side sleepers who are waking up uncomfortable or aching, a mattress topper may be a great option for better comfort and support.
We’ve compiled this list to help you find the best mattress topper for side sleepers that would accommodate you comfortably. From innovative cooling technologies to plush memory foam options, this article will guide you through the best choices to help you wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
The best mattress topper for side sleepers: a shortlist
- Amerisleep — best mattress topper for hip discomfort
- Leesa — best budget-friendly mattress topper
- PlushBeds — best overall mattress topper
- Nolah — best cooling mattress topper
- Latex for Less — best for combination sleeping mattress topper
Comparing the best mattress toppers for side sleepers
| Product | Price of queen size with a discount* | Thickness | Firmness | Warranty |
| Amerisleep | $321.75 | 3-inches | Comfort firmness option | 5-year |
| Leesa | $239.00 | 2-inches | Medium | 1-year |
| PlushBeds | $301.00 | 2 or 3-inch options | Soft, medium, medium-soft, medium, medium-firm, firm | 5-year |
| Nolah | $292.00 | 2-inches | Plush option | 10-year |
| Latex for Less | $269.00 | 2 or 3-inch options | Soft, medium, or medium-firm options | 5-year |
The best mattress topper for side sleepers: an overview
If you are waking up with discomfort in your neck, back, or hips, a mattress topper may be a good solution to helping you wake up feeling refreshed.
While not all mattress toppers are made for side sleepers, some materials offer advantages over others for people who favor this sleeping position.
Here, we share our top picks to help you find a side sleeper mattress topper that would suit your personal needs best.
1. Amerisleep — best mattress topper for hip discomfort
The Lift By Amerisleep Mattress topper has two firmness options: Comfort and Support. We suggest the Comfort support level for people who prefer side sleeping as this option will give you more contouring for your hips and shoulders while also providing a neutral spine alignment.
The mattress topper is made using the company’s HIVE technology, which helps provide comfortable support for sensitive pressure areas like the hips and shoulders. The cover is made of ultra-breathable materials and has a zipper to make cleaning your mattress topper easy.
Customers give this mattress topper 4.7 stars out of 5-star rating.
The current price for a queen-sized mattress topper is $321.75. The company offers free shipping within 3–7 business days.
2. Leesa — best budget-friendly mattress topper
The Leesa Mattress Topper is made from 2 inches of CertiPUR-US® memory foam that helps provide comfort for various sleep positions, including side sleeping.
The Cool-Knit Cover is made from a blend of 87% polyester and 13% viscose, which promote breathability.
This mattress topper is great for people who need to add a little extra cushion to their firm mattress. For maintenance, the manufacturer recommends spot-cleaning with a mild detergent or simply airing it out.
Customers give this mattress topper a 4.6 out of 5-star rating.
The current price for the queen-sized mattress topper is $239. Leesa offers complimentary shipping.
3. PlushBeds — best overall mattress topper
The PlushBeds Natural Latex Mattress Topper is made from GOLS-certified latex and does not contain any blends, synthetics, or chemicals.
It comes in 2-inch or 3-inch and has several firmness options ranging from the softest mattress topper in the selection to extra-firm. We suggest picking soft, medium-soft, or medium for pressure comfort, depending on your mattress.
If you prioritize natural materials and eco-friendly products, you’ll be happy to know that this topper has received the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 and GREENGUARD Gold certifications. A GOTS-certified cotton cover is also available as an optional addition.
Customers give this mattress topper an amazing 4.9 out of 5-star rating.
The current price for the 2-inch medium-soft topper is $301. The company also offers free shipping and an optional monthly payment plan.
4. Nolah — best cooling mattress topper
The Nolah Mattress topper is great for side sleepers and comes with two firmness choices. If you prefer your side while you sleep, we suggest going with the Nolah Plush comfort option, as it will help cradle your hips and shoulders while providing spinal support.
The mattress topper is constructed with premium AirFoam technology, a blend of polyfoam that provides support without making you too hot. Because of that, we nominated it as our best cooling mattress topper for side sleepers. The cover is organic cotton that is soft and breathable and comes with corner elastic bands to prevent sliding around on the mattress.
Customers give this topper an outstanding rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
The queen size is currently $292. Nolah offers a flexible monthly payment option and free shipping.
5. Latex for Less — best for combination sleeping mattress topper
The Latex for Less Natural Latex Mattress Topper is made from organic latex and offers three levels of firmness: soft, medium, and medium-firm. Depending on your mattress's firmness, you may want to consider the soft or medium option if you prefer to sleep on your side.
You can also choose from either a 2-inch or 3-inch height, depending on how high you want your bed to be.
An optional organic cotton cover is available for purchase to help keep your topper clean.
Both the topper and organic cover have natural hypoallergenic properties, making it a great choice if you suffer from allergies.
Customers give this mattress topper an impressive rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
The current price for a queen-sized 2-inch topper is $269, and the company offers free shipping.
How did we choose the best mattress topper for side sleepers?
| Firmness level | Support and comfort | Material | Sleeping position and specific needs | Price |
| Supportive for your spine while cushioning your hips and shoulders | Even distribution of your weight | High-quality and supportive materials | Cushioning and contouring for your hips and shoulders | Reasonable prices without compromising quality |
- Firmness level. The firmness of the mattress topper may impact your spinal alignment and pressure relief on your hips and shoulders. We prioritized firmness levels that may cradle you in a way that minimizes discomfort and reduces your chance of waking up uncomfortable.
- Support and comfort. While you sleep on your side, you need support and comfort that evenly distributes your weight and reduces pressure on your hips and shoulders.
- Materials. The materials of mattress topper are made from affect support, durability, and the overall feel of the topper. We prioritized materials like memory foam or latex that provide comfort while sleeping on your side.
- Sleeping position and specific needs. If you tend to sleep on your side, you may need additional cushioning and contouring to stay comfortable while at night.
- Price. The cost of the mattress topper is a practical concern for many people. We tried to find mattress toppers that fit your budget without compromising your sleep quality.
Why should side sleepers use mattress toppers?
When people sleep on their sides, their hips and shoulders press into the sleeping surface, which can cause discomfort if their mattress is too firm. Adding a mattress topper made from certain materials can help relieve discomfort and may help preserve the life of the mattress.
Extra support to help relieve pressure areas
Mattress toppers can add extra cushioning and support while you sleep on your side. They can help relieve pressure areas by conforming to your body’s curves and reducing discomfort in your shoulders and hips. All this while helping promote proper spinal alignment, which may help you wake up feeling more refreshed.
Body contouring and cooling technologies
Mattress toppers that are best for side sleepers often contain materials like memory foam or latex. These materials are known for their ability to contour and adapt to your body’s shape, creating a customized sleep surface for you.
Many toppers are also designed with cooling technologies, which may help you if you get hot while sleeping.
Protecting the mattress
Mattress toppers may enhance the longevity of your mattress and slow down typical wear and tear. They can act as a protective layer against spills, stains, and allergens, which helps ensure your mattress stays clean and free of possible damage. Ultimately this may extend the life of your mattress and save you money in the long run.
Key criteria for selecting the right mattress topper
Knowing several key criteria while you explore mattress toppers can help you choose the one that is best for you.
Material choice, softness level, discomfort relief properties, and durability are important considerations. If you prefer sleeping on your side most of the time, memory foam and latex toppers stand out as the preferred materials as they excel in adapting to your body’s shape.
Thicker mattress toppers may give you more comfort for your hips and shoulders, but sometimes people get hot while they sleep when their mattress topper is too thick.
Also, you may want to consider how easily you can keep your mattress topper clean. Some come with removable covers which make keeping your mattress topper clean easy.
Other ways for side sleepers to improve their sleep
Improving your sleep goes beyond just picking the right mattress topper. You can further enhance your sleep quality with a few simple adjustments.
Choosing the right pillow
If you sleep on your side, choosing the right pillow is important. Look for a pillow with good neck support that will keep your spine aligned. This may help reduce any neck discomfort. Memory foam or latex pillows are good choices as they can form to the shape of your head and neck, giving you comfort and support.
Using a body pillow between legs
When sleeping on your side, it is a good idea to keep your knees slightly bent and place a pillow between them. This helps relieve pressure on your lower back and may reduce discomfort in your hips. You may want to consider using a body pillow that mimics the natural curves of your body.
Creating a good sleeping environment
Create a good sleep environment for yourself by making your room dark, relaxing, and comfortably cool. It’s a good idea to remove all electronics from your room and to try and go to bed and wake up at the same time each night.
A good mattress
Keep your mattress quality in mind. While a topper can sometimes improve the comfort of a mattress, if the mattress is sagging or has lost its ability to support your weight, a mattress topper will not fix the problem.
The best mattress topper for side sleepers — conclusion
Selecting the right mattress for side sleeping is important. When you sleep on your side, you need to make sure your spine and neck are in alignment and that your shoulders and hips are comfortably supported. If you wake up with discomfort or aching, you might need to consider a mattress topper.
Memory foam and latex are great options for side sleepers as these materials help provide comfort while contouring to your specific body shape. While mattress toppers can significantly increase your comfort, you also need to make sure your mattress is still in good condition and is providing enough support.
With the right mattress topper, you may start waking up feeling refreshed and without aching and discomfort.
Other bedding products for ultimate sleep
Explore our top picks for the best body pillows for side sleepers.
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FAQ
How thick should a mattress topper be for a side sleeper?
The ideal thickness for a mattress topper for a side sleeper depends somewhat on the mattress the topper will go on. If it is super firm, a thicker mattress topper, around 3 or 4 inches, may be best. If the mattress needs a little more cushion, you may need a topper around 2 inches thick.
Are memory foam mattress toppers good for side sleepers?
Memory foam mattress toppers can be a great choice if you like side sleeping. Memory foam contours to your body’s shape and can help support your shoulders and hips.
Which type of mattress topper is best for side sleepers?
Latex and memory foam are typically good choices if you sleep on your side. Latex offers comfortable support and is naturally hypoallergenic, while memory foam provides contouring comfort.
Which type of mattress topper is the worst for side sleepers?
Mattress toppers that are very firm or lack comfortable cushioning are not good choices for side sleepers. People who sleep on their side need a sleep surface that allows their hips and shoulders to have some comfort.
4 resources
- Sleep Science and Practice. Effects of mattress support on sleeping position and low-back pain.
- Sleep Health. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; systematic review of controlled trials.
- CDC. Tips for better sleep.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Brain basics: Understanding sleep.
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