Many adults prefer to sleep on their side without thinking much about it.
Dove Medical Press pointed this out in 2017, saying “the predominant sleep position in adults is on the side,” which explains why so many people look for a mattress that can ease pressure in this posture.
And, you might be one of them.
Key Takeaways
- The best mattress for side sleepers cushions the shoulders and hips while keeping the spine in a steady, neutral line.
- Ecosa mattresses such as the Ecosa Mattress and Pure Mattress offer adjustable comfort and responsive support, giving side sleepers flexible options to match how their body feels night after night.
- Foam or hybrid designs work well because they contour to your curves and ease common pressure points like the shoulders, hips, back, and neck.
- Adjustable firmness, breathable materials, and the right pillow setup help side sleepers stay comfortable, supported, and properly aligned through the night.
The right setup softens pressure on your shoulders and hips while keeping your spine steady. So if mornings feel stiff, a mattress designed for side sleeping can make a noticeable difference.
This guide walks you through how to find a mattress that genuinely supports the way you sleep.
Best Mattresses For Side Sleepers
Side sleepers often feel discomfort first in the shoulders and hips, which makes the right mattress more important than many realise.
Here are options that work well for side sleepers:
| Mattress | Side Sleeper Suitability | Best For |
| Ecosa Mattress – Plush Edition | ✅ Yes | Side sleepers who want adjustable firmness and contouring support for shoulders and hips |
| Essence Mattress – Medium Firmness | ✅ Yes | Side sleepers who prefer a balanced feel with zoned springs and eco-friendly materials |
| Pure Mattress | ✅ Yes | Side sleepers who want breathable, responsive comfort with adjustable firmness options |
| CoolComfort Mattress | ✅ Yes | Side sleepers who sleep warm and need cooling airflow with steady support |
| AeroLux Mattress | ✅ Yes | Side sleepers who love plush cushioning with the option to switch to a Medium feel |
Ecosa Mattress – Plush Edition
Side sleepers often need a mattress that cushions their joints, and the Ecosa Mattress does that well.
Foams gently shape around the shoulders and hips to ease pressure while keeping the spine level. You can tweak the firmness at home to find the sweet spot for your body.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Three firmness options let you fine tune your comfort at home
- Contouring foams help reduce pressure on your shoulders and hips
- Ergonomic support encourages a level spine through the night
- Breathable TENCEL™ cover feels soft and helps keep your mattress fresh
- Delivered in a compact box with wheels for an easier move-in
Essence Mattress – Medium Firmness
If you like a mattress that keeps you supported yet still gentle on your joints, the Essence Mattress in Medium works well.
Its zoned springs and foam layers reduce pressure where side sleepers feel it most. The Medium firmness offers a clear middle ground between soft and firm.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Five zoned pocket springs provide targeted support where side sleepers need it most
- Medium firmness offers a balanced feel that keeps you comfortable on your side
- Breathable cover made with TENCEL™ and recycled materials keeps things fresh
- Added foam layer helps reduce partner disturbance
- Eco-friendly construction with renewable-energy manufacturing and zero-waste springs
Pure Mattress
If you like softness that still holds you up, the Pure Mattress is a strong option for side sleeping.
Latex and springs pair with micro coils to cradle your shoulders and hips while promoting steady airflow. And because the comfort layer is adjustable, you can change the feel from Medium-Plush to Medium in minutes.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Adjustable firmness lets you choose between a more cushioned Medium-Plush or a steadier Medium
- Seven ergonomic zones help support your spine while easing shoulder and hip pressure
- Micro coil layer boosts airflow and creates gentle contouring
- Natural latex and BounceTech™ foam deliver durable comfort without trapping heat
- Breathable, washable cover made with TENCEL™ and recycled materials
CoolComfort Mattress
Side sleepers who heat up during the night often struggle to stay comfortable, and the CoolComfort Mattress solves that problem with clever cooling materials.
The surface feels noticeably cooler, while the layers underneath draw warmth away so you can settle in without feeling sticky or restless. Its balanced medium feel gives side sleepers gentle cushioning along the shoulders and hips while still keeping the body steady.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Cooling cover and breathable layers help you stay up to 80% cooler to the touch
- FlexMatrix™ Grid and Ice Mesh side panels promote strong airflow for sweat-free sleep
- Graphene and copper-infused foams draw heat away quickly and stay fresh
- Medium-firm firmness level offers contouring comfort without losing support
- Precision pocket springs provide stability and help reduce partner disturbance
AeroLux Mattress
If you prefer a mattress that feels plush but still steady, the AeroLux Mattress delivers a smooth mix of softness and support.
The pillow top cradles the shoulders and hips, and the core prevents sinking. When you take off the pillow top, the mattress becomes Medium, giving you a bit more lift while staying comfortable for side sleeping.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Removable pillow top lets you choose between Medium-Plush and Medium
- Seven-zone precision springs help support common side-sleeper pressure points
- Gel memory foam and breathable fill work together to keep your temperature comfortable
- Pillow top blends plant-based fibres and responsibly sourced down for soft, airy comfort
- Two-piece delivery makes setup easier, even in tight spaces
What Type Of Mattress Is Best For Side Sleepers?
You need a surface that can soften pressure without letting you sink too far. Some mattress types do that well. Others struggle.
Here is a simple breakdown to help you sort the good from the not-so-great.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses stay cool and feel familiar, which is why many people like them.
But they don’t contour closely, and that extra pressure on your shoulders and hips can make side sleeping uncomfortable.
If you really want a spring type mattress, pocket springs are usually the kinder choice for side sleepers. They contour more evenly around your shoulders and hips, and we explain how they differ from innersprings in our pocket spring vs innerspring mattress blog post.
Latex
Latex mattresses are known for their bounce and strong airflow. The material responds quickly when you move, so you never feel stuck. Perforations and natural breathability also help heat move away from the body.
What they lack is contouring. Latex doesn’t contour closely to your curves, so it can add pressure to your shoulders and hips. It suits people who like a firmer, buoyant feel, but many side sleepers find it a bit too rigid.
Memory Foam
Memory foam performs well for side sleepers because it softens pressure points while still keeping your spine level. The material adapts to your shape, giving your shoulders and hips the gentle sink they need to relax.
Older memory foams ran hot, but modern versions use cooling gels, open-cell designs, and breathable covers to stay comfortable. Side sleepers often enjoy the mix of cushioning and steady support this type of foam provides.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine the contouring of foam with the stability of springs. This gives side sleepers the best of both worlds. Foam layers ease pressure through your joints while the spring system keeps your body lifted and supported.
Good hybrids also promote strong airflow, which can help reduce heat buildup. If you want cushioning without feeling swallowed, a well-made hybrid can be a great match.
A Side Sleeper’s Pressure Points
Side sleeping feels natural for many people, but it can be demanding on your shoulders, hips, and back. When your mattress doesn’t support you well, those points start to feel tender.
Below are the common pressure spots side sleepers deal with and how to ease them:
Shoulder Pain
If a mattress presses into your shoulder or lets it dip too deep, the joint quickly becomes tense and sore. Aim for a gentle cradle that supports the shoulder without forcing it up or letting it collapse.
Quick fix: Try using a higher pillow to reduce the weight on your shoulder. Our Ecosa SideSupport Pillow reaches around 10 to 15 centimetres in height depending on the pad combination, offering the support side sleepers usually need.
Hip Pain
Because your hips take on so much pressure when side sleeping, they dip more easily into an unsupportive mattress. That uneven sinking can cause hip pain, back discomfort, and even sharper strain during pregnancy.
Quick fix: Place a pillow between your knees to steady your hips and keep your spine level. Our Ecosa Cooling Knee Pillow is great for this, especially if you warm up easily at night.
Back Pain
Back pain often starts when your hips dip deeper than your shoulders, creating an awkward bend through the spine. This happens most on mattresses that do not offer balanced support.
Quick fix: Keeping a pillow between your legs can reduce twisting and ease pressure. If the problem keeps returning, consider replacing the mattress rather than managing it every night.
Neck Pain
Neck pain often comes from sinking too far into a soft pillow, which creates a small tilt that builds into morning tightness. Side sleepers feel this quickly because they need a more lifted, supported position.
Quick fix: A firmer pillow with extra height can prevent that drop and keep your spine aligned. Our Ecosa MemoryFirm Pillow is about 10 to 12 centimetres tall, giving side sleepers the support they need to stay comfortable through the night.
How To Choose A Mattress As A Side Sleeper
Choosing a mattress as a side sleeper is easier when you know where to focus. The right one should ease pressure, support your curves, and keep you cool and comfortable through the night. Here are the simple steps that help you get there.
1. Start With the Right Firmness
Side sleepers need a mattress that supports their curves without creating pressure, which is why most people land somewhere in the middle of the firmness scale.
Your body weight also plays a part. If you are lighter, a firmer mattress can feel too hard on your shoulders and hips. If you are heavier, a soft mattress can let your hips drop too far.
Use this simple guide to get a sense of where you might fit:
| Weight | Recommended Firmness |
| Below 90 kilograms | Medium-plush to Medium |
| Above 90 kilograms | Medium to Medium-firm |
2. Look for Strong Pressure Relief
Your shoulders and hips carry most of your weight in this position, so your mattress needs to soften that pressure.
Foam layers, especially slower-moving ones, help spread your weight more evenly. This reduces that tight, pinchy feeling you get when a mattress pushes back too much.
3. Check How Well It Contours to Your Body
Side sleepers need a surface that follows their curves. Contouring creates that “held but not stuck” feeling that lets your joints relax.
Memory foam and certain hybrid designs usually perform well here because they respond naturally to your body shape. The goal is gentle hugging, not sinking like quicksand.
4. Make Sure It Has Good Support Underneath
Cushioning is important, but support is what keeps your spine in a healthy line.
A mattress with stable support layers stops your hips from dipping and keeps everything balanced through the night. Hybrids with zoned springs or firmer base foams are great options for this.
5. Consider Motion, Cooling, & Edge Stability
If you share a bed, motion isolation helps stop every wiggle from waking you up.
If you sleep warm, cooling foams, breathable covers, or hybrid designs can make a big difference. And if you like sleeping near the edge, look for strong mattress edge support so you do not feel like you are sliding off.
What Mattress Is Best For Side Sleepers?
For side sleepers, the best mattress is the one that keeps your spine level while taking the pressure off your shoulders and hips.
A medium or medium-plush feel usually works well, especially when paired with contouring foam or a hybrid design that blends cushioning with steady support.
If you are ready to upgrade, our Ecosa mattress range is built with side sleepers in mind, with adjustable firmness options, breathable designs, and supportive structures that help you fine tune your comfort at home.
Every Ecosa mattress comes with generous warranties and a 100 night sleep trial, so you can test it in your own bedroom and see how your body feels over time.
FAQs
What mattress firmness is best for side sleepers?
Most side sleepers feel comfortable on a Medium or Medium-Plush mattress because it cushions the shoulders and hips without letting the body sink too far. This balance helps your spine stay level and reduces morning aches.
If you are unsure, Medium is usually a safe starting point.
What is the best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder and hip pain?
A mattress with strong pressure relief works best, especially one with contouring foams or a supportive hybrid design.
Look for materials that soften pressure around your joints while still keeping your spine steady. Cooling or breathable layers can also help if heat makes discomfort worse at night.
How can I make my mattress more comfortable for a side sleeper?
A memory foam mattress topper is an easy way to add extra cushioning for your shoulders and hips. It fills in the gaps your current mattress misses and helps your spine stay level.
Pair it with a supportive pillow and a knee pillow for even better alignment.