Mattresses
Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers
Quick answer
The Novilla Queen Size Mattress is our top pick for side sleepers at $264.03, a 14 inch profile with a manufacturer-described cooling feature and more cushioning depth than an 8 or 10 inch mattress.
The Novilla Queen Size Mattress is our top pick for side sleepers at $264.03, a 14 inch queen memory foam mattress with a manufacturer-described cooling feature. Side sleepers put more concentrated pressure on the shoulder and hip than back or stomach sleepers do, which is why many side sleepers prefer a thicker comfort layer or a softer stated feel, as the maker describes it, rather than a firm surface. None of the mattresses below are medical products and none of them treat or cure any condition; they are simply the picks whose published thickness and feel most commonly suit side sleeping.
Why does mattress thickness matter more for side sleepers?
Lying on your side puts your body weight through two narrow points, the shoulder and the hip, instead of spreading it across your whole back the way stomach or back sleeping does. A thicker comfort layer gives those points more foam to sink into before they reach a firmer support core underneath, which is why side sleepers often prefer a mattress on the thicker end of what is available, generally 12 inches or more in this catalog, over the thinnest options. A softer or medium stated feel usually reinforces that same cushioning. This is a widely repeated preference among side sleepers, not a requirement, and plenty of people sleep on their side comfortably on a thinner or firmer mattress too.
Firmness labels like "medium," "medium firm" or "extra firm" are set by each manufacturer on its own scale rather than a standardized industry number, so the same word can feel different from one brand to the next. Reading the stated feel alongside the thickness, as we do for every pick below, gives a fuller picture than either figure alone.
Cushioning depth is not only about the shoulder and hip either. Side sleepers with their knees drawn up also load the lower back and the space between the knees, which is one reason a mattress with more even, consistent give across the surface is often mentioned favorably in owner reviews compared with a mattress that feels firm in the middle and soft at the edges. A pillow between the knees is a common, low-cost addition many side sleepers pair with any of the picks below, though that is a comfort habit rather than something this page can verify improves alignment for a specific person.
Beginner picks
Budget queens that still publish at least a medium stated feel or a cooling layer.
GAESTE Queen 10 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress
$188.97A 10 inch queen with a medium feel as the maker describes it and a cooling gel layer, at $188.97.
Best for: Side sleepers on a tight budget who run warm
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Zinus Memory Foam 10 Inch Green Tea Mattress
$229.99A straightforward 10 inch queen memory foam mattress at $229.99.
Best for: Side sleepers who want the lowest-cost option in this catalog
Check price on AmazonIntermediate picks
More thickness for the hip and shoulder, without moving into Expert-tier prices.
Novilla Queen Size Mattress
$264.03A 14 inch queen with a cooling feature, at $264.03, four inches thicker than the Beginner picks.
Best for: Side sleepers who want extra cushioning depth
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EGOHOME Queen Mattress 12 Inch
$249.99A 12 inch queen with a medium firm feel as the maker describes it, at $249.99, for side sleepers who want a little more support under the cushioning.
Best for: Side sleepers who also spend time on their back
Check price on AmazonExpert picks
The thickest profiles in the catalog, in memory foam and in hybrid.
Novilla Bliss Mattress Queen Size
$339.99A 14 inch queen memory foam mattress with a cooling feature, at $339.99.
Best for: Side sleepers who want the deepest all-foam cushioning available here
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Queen Mattress 14 Inch
$499.99A 14 inch queen hybrid with a cooling feature and CertiPUR-US certified foam, at $499.99.
Best for: Side sleepers who want thickness with a hybrid coil base
Check price on AmazonWho should not buy this tier: Anyone with a diagnosed shoulder, hip or back condition, who should get guidance from a clinician rather than choosing a mattress based on this page; a thicker or softer stated feel is a comfort preference, not a treatment.
How do these side sleeper picks compare on specs?
| Spec | GAESTE Queen 10 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress | Novilla Queen Size Mattress | Queen Mattress 14 Inch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $188.97 | $264.03 | $499.99 |
| Size | Queen | Queen | Queen |
| Thickness | 10 in | 14 in | 14 in |
| Construction | Memory foam | Memory foam | Hybrid |
| Feel | Medium | - | - |
| Cooling | Manufacturer describes a cooling feature | Manufacturer describes a cooling feature | Manufacturer describes a cooling feature |
A dash means the manufacturer does not publish that figure for this product. We do not estimate it.
What thickness do side sleepers commonly look for?
This is a widely repeated shopping convention among side sleepers rather than a published industry standard, and it will not apply to everyone.
| Mattress thickness | Often described as |
|---|---|
| 8 inch | A thinner profile some side sleepers find firm under the hip and shoulder |
| 10 to 12 inch | A common middle ground for side sleepers in this catalog |
| 14 inch | The thickest profile in this catalog, chosen by side sleepers who want the most cushioning depth |
Convention, not a standard
This is widely repeated guidance rather than a measured standard. Treat it as a starting point.
How we chose
We did not test any of these mattresses in person. Picks are researched from each manufacturer's own published thickness and stated firmness, price at the time of research, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews about pressure relief for side sleeping. Where a maker does not publish a figure, we leave it out. Nothing here is a substitute for medical guidance about diagnosed joint or back pain.
Frequently asked questions
What mattress thickness is best for side sleepers?
There is no single correct thickness, but many side sleepers in owner reviews prefer mattresses of at least 12 inches, since the extra foam gives the shoulder and hip more room to sink in before reaching the firmer support layer underneath. Thinner mattresses, 8 to 10 inches, can still work well for lighter side sleepers or as a guest room upgrade. This is a common preference, not a fixed requirement.
Should side sleepers choose a soft or firm mattress?
Many side sleepers prefer a medium to medium soft stated feel because it lets the shoulder and hip sink in slightly rather than staying under pressure all night. Firmness labels are set by each manufacturer on its own scale, so "medium" on one brand is not guaranteed to feel the same as "medium" on another. Trying a mattress within its trial period, when one is offered, is the most reliable way to confirm the fit.
Do side sleepers need a cooling mattress feature?
A cooling feature is not required for side sleeping specifically, but thicker memory foam mattresses, which many side sleepers prefer, can also trap more body heat than a thinner or hybrid design. That is why several of the thicker picks here, including the Novilla Queen Size Mattress, add a manufacturer-described cooling layer. Sleepers who run warm at night may want to weigh that feature alongside thickness when choosing.
Can a mattress help with shoulder or hip pain from side sleeping?
A mattress cannot treat or cure a shoulder or hip condition, and this page is not medical advice. What owner reviews commonly describe is that a thicker, more cushioned surface reduces pressure at those points compared with a thin or very firm one, which some side sleepers find more comfortable. Persistent joint pain is a reason to see a clinician rather than to rely on a mattress choice alone.
Is a hybrid or memory foam mattress better for side sleeping?
Both can work well for side sleeping as long as the thickness and stated feel suit the sleeper. Memory foam tends to contour more slowly and deeply around the shoulder and hip, while a hybrid like the Queen Mattress 14 Inch adds some coil responsiveness under a similar comfort layer. The choice usually comes down to whether a slower sink or a bouncier feel is preferred.
How to read the numbers on this page. Standard mattress and bedding dimensions are industry-wide and the same across manufacturers. Guidance like replacement intervals, firmness by body weight and walking clearance is convention rather than a measured standard, and every table here says which it is. Where a manufacturer does not publish a figure we leave it out instead of estimating. This is not medical advice: a mattress is not a treatment for a medical condition, and persistent pain is a reason to see a clinician.