What Type of Mattress Should I Get if I’m a Side Sleeper?

woman lying on bed

An overly soft mattress can lead to back and hip pain as your shoulders and hips sink into it, so instead, look for one with enough contouring that can cradle your body and prevent pressure buildup.

On our firmness scale, most side sleepers typically opt for a medium-firm mattress between 5-7 on our scale.

Memory Foam

As a side sleeper, your hips and shoulders are particularly susceptible to pressure points when sleeping on their side. To minimize soreness during sleep, select a mattress which contours to your body to minimize joint pressure while relieving stress on the spine – memory foam mattresses make a fantastic option as they offer ample support and pressure relief while sleeping on their sides.

Firmness is also an essential consideration for side sleepers. Selecting too soft a mattress could cause your back to sink into it and alter its alignment; too firm can leave gaps in hips and shoulders that increase pain or discomfort; choosing a medium-firm mattress provides just enough sinkage while supporting joints at once.

Memory foam mattresses are also an excellent choice for side sleepers, as they serve as an efficient temperature regulator that will keep you cool all through the night. A layer of cooling gel is infused into its foam construction for extra cooling comfort; plus it is hypoallergenic – meaning no chemicals could irritate skin or trigger allergies!

Latex mattresses provide another excellent choice for side sleepers. Durable and adaptable to individual body shapes, latex cushions help relieve joint pressure while providing different firmness options to suit the preferences of side sleepers. Furthermore, organic latex materials offer eco-friendly advantages as an eco-friendly choice.

Hybrid mattresses offer the ideal balance of support from memory foam and bounce from innerspring coil mattresses, helping align your spine while supporting hips and shoulders in an ideal sleeping posture. Plus, hybrid mattresses feature high-quality materials like natural latex or organic cotton which are both highly durable yet breathable – ideal options for people who share their bed.

Latex

Sleeping on one’s side puts enormous strain on mattresses. To best accommodate such pressure, organic latex mattresses offer superior support that won’t sag over time due to its natural properties – providing durable comfort that lasts.

Latex mattresses are made from latex derived from rubber trees, which produce liquid that can be easily molded into various shapes and sizes. Not only is latex an eco-friendly and sustainable material choice; its hypoallergenic qualities also make it suitable for people with respiratory ailments and allergies. Sap is harvested without harming the tree so latex production continues for decades after tapping is stopped.

Latex mattresses offer side sleepers an ideal combination of natural bounce, breathability and resistance against dust mites and mildew – key features that help regulate body temperature while sleeping. Furthermore, latex is antibacterial, making it perfect for people with allergies as it prevents mold growth while being resistant against dust mites and mildew growth.

Many companies provide natural latex mattresses; however, not all are created equal. When searching for one that meets these standards – look for third-party certifications like OEKO TEX Standard 100 or Green Guard certification that confirm that its materials meet environmental and health criteria as well as retailer reviews or an availability return policy from its manufacturer.

Latex beds may seem expensive at first glance, but their costs have decreased steadily without compromising on quality or durability. You could opt for hybrid models featuring pocketed coils to further bring down costs.

Another way to save money when purchasing a natural latex mattress is opting for synthetic latex instead. SBR, the most prevalent synthetic latex material today, uses both natural and chemically produced rubber as its foundation. While SBR may be cheaper than its natural counterparts, it doesn’t last as long or perform as well compared to natural latex; also known as synthetic rubber; although it might contain strong odors. Most mattresses today feature blends containing 30% natural latex and 70% SBR for use as synthetic latex mattress fill.

Gel

Gel mattresses may be particularly well suited for side sleepers as they conform closely to their bodies to reduce pressure points and are designed with cooling materials like phase change material or cooling gel in order to keep sleepers cool throughout the night. Unfortunately, due to closely guarded foam formulas these materials make sleeping surface feel cooler than traditional memory foam.

Most of these beds also include a thick layer of support foam for additional comfort and stability, helping prevent the mattress from sinking in the middle while also creating an effective foundation for spinal alignment. Furthermore, most beds feature medium-soft to medium-firm firmness levels; thus providing enough comfort and support to most sleepers while still remaining soft enough for heavier sleepers who may require firmer mattresses to alleviate pressure points in hips and shoulders.

Although many individuals tend to switch between back, stomach, and side sleeping positions during the night, those who typically favour sleeping on their sides should make sure their mattress supports this position. A memory foam or gel mattress are both great choices because they help alleviate tension across shoulders and hips to ease any associated pain or discomfort associated with side sleeping positions.

These mattresses may also be beneficial to those experiencing lower back or chronic neck issues, since these types of mattresses provide significant relief from pressure that accumulates throughout the day and evening.

If you prefer a more natural sleep solution than gel or memory foam mattresses, hybrid latex beds might be just what you’re searching for. Crafted with layers of both latex and foam and featuring a foam core with pocket coil base. This bed type is known for its springy bouncy feel – making it an excellent option for people who tend to change sleep positions frequently during the night.

If you’re on a tight budget and considering purchasing either a hybrid or memory foam mattress, try investing in a mattress topper instead. They provide more economical ways of adding comfort while simultaneously improving sleep.

Hybrid

Hips and shoulders can become vulnerable when sleeping on your side, so the ideal mattress for side sleepers should provide cushioned support while aligning the spine in proper fashion. Too firm of a mattress could cause back discomfort; therefore a hybrid mattress featuring foam comfort layers would be best.

If you enjoy the feel of all-foam mattresses but struggle with memory foam’s propensity for trapping heat, latex or gel could be more suitable. Both materials offer excellent temperature regulation while offering responsive support with limited motion transfer for couples sharing beds.

Hybrid mattresses that combine an innerspring base and layer of foam are an ideal choice for side sleepers, such as the Helix Sunset mattress. Its seven layers of comfort include contouring soft foam, pressure-relieving memory foam and individually wrapped coils for support; available in twin XL, full, queen, king and California king sizes.

Some hybrid mattresses are tailored to specific comfort preferences, like the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed which features 20 firmness settings for you and your partner to customize the experience. Other options include the Bear Hybrid Mattress with its cooling cover or Big Fig Mattress which is specifically tailored for larger individuals and provides superior edge support and firmness levels.

When selecting the mattress of your choice for sleeping positions that best suit you, take into account factors like type of foam used for comfort layers, firmness level and foundation materials used. Each of these will impact its feel and performance.

Although most shoppers view firmness on a scale from 1-10, it’s essential to realize that firmness varies significantly depending on your body weight, mattress size and the type of mattress chosen. Heavier individuals press deeper into the mattress than lighter people do and this will affect its firmness level and create different experiences when sleeping on one side versus the other. Keeping these factors in mind can help ensure you find the perfect mattress to complement your side-sleeping style and enjoy healthy restful slumber for years to come!