Side sleeping is the most common sleep position — and the hardest on a mattress. Your shoulders and hips carry most of your weight on a narrow area, so a bed that’s too firm jams them up toward your ears and ribs, while one that’s too soft lets your hips sink and bend your spine. The right mattress lets the shoulders and hips sink in just enough to keep your spine level. Here’s what to look for, and the mattresses we’d shortlist.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall for side sleepers: Amerisleep AS3
- Best plush mattress: Amerisleep AS5
- Best innerspring: Saatva Classic (Plush Soft)
- Best flippable and value pick: Layla Memory Foam
What side sleepers need in a mattress
- Pressure relief at the shoulders and hips. Memory foam and plush comfort layers let these points sink in; that’s why foam and soft hybrids are popular with side sleepers.
- A soft-to-medium feel. Most side sleepers do best around 3 to 6 on a 1–10 firmness scale. Lighter people often prefer the softer end; heavier people usually need a bit more support.
- Zoned or targeted support — softer under the shoulders, firmer under the waist and lower back — helps keep the spine straight.
- A matching pillow. Side sleepers need a higher-loft pillow to fill the gap between ear and shoulder. See our memory foam pillow review.
The best mattresses for side sleepers
1. Amerisleep AS3 — best overall for side sleepers
The AS3 is a 12-inch, medium (5/10) all-foam mattress built around Amerisleep’s plant-based Bio-Pur® memory foam. Its standout feature for side sleepers is the HIVE® zoned layer, which adds cushioning at the shoulders and hips and firmer support under the back. The foams are CertiPUR-US® certified, and it’s made in the USA. A queen was $1,149 on sale ($1,749 list) in October 2026, with a 100-night trial, free returns, and a 20-year warranty.
Want coils? The AS3 Hybrid keeps the same medium feel but adds pocketed coils for bounce, airflow, and edge support (queen $1,349 sale / $1,949 list).
Best for: average-weight side and combination sleepers. Read our full Amerisleep AS3 review.
Check the current Amerisleep AS3 price →
2. Amerisleep AS5 — best plush mattress
Amerisleep’s softest model is rated plush (3/10) and stands 14 inches tall, with what Amerisleep calls the added bounce of its springiest foam. Amerisleep recommends it for side sleepers, and the deeper, softer feel suits lighter side sleepers and anyone with sensitive shoulders and hips. It starts at $1,599 on sale (smallest size, October 2026).
Best for: lighter and petite side sleepers, and anyone who wants a plush, sink-in feel. Heavier side sleepers may find it too soft. Torn between Amerisleep models? See our AS2 vs AS3 vs AS5 comparison.
Check current Amerisleep prices →
3. Saatva Classic (Plush Soft) — best innerspring
The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring with a dual-coil design, offered in three comfort levels. Its Plush Soft (3/10) version is the one Saatva recommends for side sleepers and lighter-weight sleepers. It comes in 11.5- or 14.5-inch heights and includes free delivery and setup. Saatva lists CertiPUR-US® certified foams and GREENGUARD Gold certification, a 365-night home trial, and says the mattresses are made to order and assembled in the U.S. Saatva displayed a price of $2,229 in October 2026 — confirm the price for your size.
Best for: side sleepers who want the bounce and airflow of springs rather than memory foam’s hug, and shoppers who value in-home setup.
4. Layla Memory Foam — best flippable and value pick
Layla’s 10.5-inch memory foam mattress is flippable: one side is medium soft, the other medium firm, so you can switch if your needs change. Side sleepers will generally prefer the soft side. It uses copper-infused memory foam, is CertiPUR-US® certified and fiberglass-free, and comes with a lifetime warranty. Layla advertised a 120-night trial (its terms ask you to try it for at least four weeks) and a sale price of $999 in October 2026 — check the price for your size.
Best for: side sleepers on a tighter budget, couples who aren’t sure about firmness, and anyone who wants the option to flip.
Comparison table
| Mattress | Type | Firmness | Height | Price* | Trial / warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amerisleep AS3 | All-foam (hybrid available) | Medium (5/10) | 12 in | Queen $1,149 sale | 100 nights / 20 years |
| Amerisleep AS5 | Foam | Plush (3/10) | 14 in | From $1,599 sale | 100 nights / 20 years |
| Saatva Classic (Plush Soft) | Innerspring (dual coil) | Plush Soft (3/10) | 11.5 or 14.5 in | $2,229 displayed | 365 nights / see Saatva |
| Layla Memory Foam | Flippable foam | Medium soft / medium firm | 10.5 in | $999 sale displayed | 120 nights / lifetime |
*Prices shown on each brand’s website in October 2026; not all brands label which size a displayed price applies to, so confirm the price for your size. Trial and warranty terms as advertised by each brand.
See current Amerisleep prices and offers →
How to choose: match firmness to your body weight
- Under about 130 lb: you won’t sink as far, so a plush mattress like the Amerisleep AS5 or Saatva Plush Soft often feels best.
- About 130–230 lb: a medium feel like the Amerisleep AS3 balances pressure relief and support for most side sleepers.
- Over about 230 lb: you’ll sink further into soft foam, so consider a medium mattress with coils (like the AS3 Hybrid) for extra support and durability.
- Combination sleepers who also sleep on their back should stay closer to medium; frequent stomach sleepers need firmer support than most side-sleeper mattresses provide.
Don’t forget a protector — see our best organic waterproof mattress protectors for quiet, breathable options.
Whatever you choose, use the sleep trial: your body can take a few weeks to adjust to a new mattress. See our mattress buying guide for more on types, trials, and warranties.
Frequently asked questions
What firmness is best for side sleepers?
Most side sleepers do best with a soft-to-medium mattress — roughly 3 to 6 on a 1–10 scale. Lighter sleepers lean softer; heavier sleepers usually need medium support.
Is memory foam good for side sleepers?
Yes, for most people. Memory foam contours around the shoulders and hips to relieve pressure. If you sleep hot or want more bounce, a hybrid with coils is a good alternative.
Can a mattress be too soft for a side sleeper?
Yes. If your hips sink much lower than your shoulders, your spine bends sideways, which can lead to stiffness. Heavier side sleepers in particular should avoid very plush all-foam beds.
Do side sleepers need a special pillow?
A higher-loft pillow helps keep the head level with the spine. See our memory foam pillow review for side-sleeper picks.