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Mattress quiz
Find a bed that’s the best fit for you

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Sleeping on your side is considered to be the most common sleeping position. Side sleeping also has major benefits including reduced back pain, improved breathing, and better digestion. However, side sleepers often experience shoulder pain and lower back pain if their mattress is unsupportive or uncomfortable. The type of mattress you sleep on directly affects how much support and comfort you get each night.
We’ve found that side sleepers often prefer a mattress that contours to the shape of the body and provides pressure point relief. These features reduce back and shoulder pain while cushioning the areas of the body that press deeper into the mattress. We’ve tested scores of mattresses, analyzing how each performs for side sleepers across a variety of weight groups. Our testers also assessed each mattress through our battery of tests in terms of important criteria like durability, temperature neutrality, and motion isolation.
Watch our video below to learn more about our lab’s top mattress picks for side sleepers.
With so many different mattress types and features on the market, it can feel overwhelming to decide which mattress is right for you. Taking our testing team’s scores into account, we narrowed down the best mattresses for side sleepers. Take a look at our top picks to find in-depth information on the models we chose.
We’ve also put together a buyer’s guide to help you learn how to choose the best mattress for your lifestyle and personal preferences. We’ve covered different mattress constructions, firmness levels, materials, and how each of these affect side sleepers. Our guide also breaks down what to expect when it comes to a mattress’ price, warranty, and lifespan. Lastly, we talk about the benefits and drawbacks of sleeping on your side, as well as how laying in this position can affect your sleep.
Many mattresses are constructed with materials that make them comfortable for side sleeping, but the Helix Midnight is one of the only mattresses on the market that is designed specifically with these sleepers in mind. We’ve found that side sleepers typically need a strong balance of contouring and support to cup their shoulders and hips for comfortable sleep. If you have too much contouring you can sink too far into your bed, pushing your spine into a painful, unnatural alignment. Too little contouring and your pressure points will press into a stiff surface, leaving you uncomfortable through the night and sore in the morning. If you frequently switch between your right and left sides while you sleep due to shoulder pain or stiffness, the Midnight provides the balance of give and support you’ll need to ensure you’ll be comfortable staying in one position.
The breathable cover of the Helix mattress increases airflow throughout the mattress and prevents heat retention. A layer of Memory Plus foam relieved undue pressure on our team’s shoulders and hips, while a second layer of high-grade polyfoam backed up the memory foam’s contouring with ergonomic support and cushion in these areas.
Individually wrapped coils in the support base minimized motion transfer and helped circulate air during our temperature testing. This support layer also gently contoured to the shape of our bodies. While we couldn’t directly feel it that much, a bottom layer of DuraDense foam works behind the scenes to enhance the support and durability of the overall Helix mattress.
Our testers felt the Helix Midnight mattress had a medium firm (6) feel with impressive pressure point relief. The Memory Plus foam contoured closely to our bodies, cushioning our high-impact areas and preventing aches and pains. The foam layers of the Helix Midnight mattress have different densities that work together to provide the best combination of relief and support for side sleepers.
We found that edge support is another area where the Midnight performed well. The coil base has a reinforced perimeter, which kept us well-supported as we sat on and laid near the edges. Strong edges like those in the Helix Midnight increase the sleepable surface area of the bed and work to prevent sagging along the perimeter over time.
Helix gives you 100 nights to try out the Midnight mattress, with a 30-day break-in period. The mattress is covered by a 10-year warranty, though the customer is responsible for shipping costs. In the event of a defect, Helix will reimburse up to $100 in shipping charges.
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-0066 with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
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