Side sleepers tend to have a longer list of needs than most, and if your current mattress isn’t up to the task, a mattress topper can provide some relief. The best mattress topper for side sleepers can add cushioning where it’s needed most (usually around the hips and shoulders) and help keep your spine healthy. After testing and reviewing dozens of options, we’ve found the Nolah mattress topper to be the best choice for most side sleepers. Its foam construction provides plenty of support and pressure relief, plus it’s available in two comfort levels to suit different body types.
In addition to the Nolah, we found six other mattress toppers that met our needs for comfort and support for side sleepers. It’s worth noting, however, that a mattress topper isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution: If your mattress is sagging, cracking, or sagging under your weight, it’s probably time for a new bed. (We also have a guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers.) But if your mattress just needs a little extra TLC, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best mattress topper options for side sleepers, below:
Material: Airfoam Memory Foam | Height: 2 inches | Trial Period: 30 Days | Warranty: 10 Years | Shipping: Free
The Nolah mattress topper is our top recommendation for side sleepers, as its dense Airfoam structure provides extra support and pressure relief—two features that are most important for a good night’s sleep for side sleepers. Nolah’s proprietary material is similar to memory foam in terms of pressure relief, but it’s said to be more durable and more breathable than traditional foam. We also like the thick corner straps on this mattress topper, which help secure it to the mattress.
Available in two firmness levels (soft and plush-firm), Nola recommends the soft option for light-to-medium-weight side sleepers and the plush-firm option for heavier sleepers. “I personally think this is a great option for side sleepers (unless you sleep on a firm mattress and want a mattress topper for extra cushioning),” said one of our testers, who sleeps on a firm mattress topper. “While the topper doesn’t feel particularly firm, it does add a noticeable amount of bounce and support to our super-soft foam mattress.”
Material: Memory Foam | Height: 2, 3, and 4 inches | Trial Period: 90 Nights | Warranty: 5 Years | Shipping: Free
The Viscosoft Select High Density Mattress Topper is the least expensive mattress topper on our list, but that doesn’t mean it’s inferior in quality. “This mattress topper blew me away, in a good way,” said our tester, who slept on the 3-inch version. “Even though the king-size topper costs less than $200, its quality is comparable to others we’ve tried that cost two to three times as much.” It’s made with dense gel memory foam that’s both pressure-relieving and cooling, which is good news for side sleepers who get hot at night. We also like that the cover is removable and washable, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning it.
It also comes in three heights, ranging from 2 to 4 inches. According to Viscosoft, the 2-inch version is best for softening firmer mattresses, while the 3- and 4-inch models can provide deeper pressure relief for side sleepers who like their bed to envelop them.
Material: Natural Latex | Height: 2 inches | Trial period: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years | Shipping: Free
Birch, one of our favorite mattress brands (its Birch Natural mattress topped our list of the best organic mattresses), has similar features and certifications for its mattress toppers. It’s made from natural latex, organic cotton, and organic wool, all of which are certified by third parties like the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Greenguard Gold. This means the mattress topper is free of harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds that are associated with new-bed odor. Another benefit of this mattress topper’s organic latex is its excellent pressure-relieving properties. And because latex is naturally breathable, the Birch mattress topper is also a great choice for those who are afraid of the heat.
In our testing, we found it to be a medium firmness, which is good for side sleepers of all sizes. However, we wish the Birch included some other type of firmness straps to help it stay in place; since there are no straps included, the mattress pad is likely to shift if you toss and turn a lot.
Memory foam is great at reducing pressure, and the same can be said for the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam. Inside the soft, antimicrobial cover is three inches of cooling graphite foam. Like the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress, it contours to your body and supports your joints. While its medium-firmness is suitable for all sleeping positions, the thick foam layer is especially good for side sleepers.
For those who tend to shift positions during the night, the straps on this mattress are thick and sturdy, so it stays secure no matter how you toss and turn. However, if you already have a thick mattress, we wouldn’t recommend this option unless you have deep-pocketed sheets.
A medium to firm firmness level is generally best because it strikes a balance between pressure relief and support, which is especially important for side sleepers who suffer from back pain. Of all the mattresses we looked at, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress does this job the best. It’s made with Tempur’s proprietary foam, which is soft and bouncy but still provides excellent support. One of our testers said, “When I lay down on it, I could almost feel it compressing certain areas of my pressure points and filling in the gaps in others to keep my spine in a healthy alignment. It made for a very comfortable sleep.” While this mattress comes with a moisture-wicking cover for added breathability, it’s still all foam, which means it might not be the best choice for hot sleepers; you can add a cooling layer for an extra $100.
Material: Natural Latex | Height: 2 inches | Trial period: 100 nights | Warranty: 6 years | Shipping: Free
A medium-firm mattress topper works well for many people, including most side sleepers, and this latex mattress topper from Earthfoam provides enough cushioning to make a firm mattress feel softer (without losing support). It helps provide ample pressure relief for your hips and shoulders, and is a great choice for couples with different sleep styles thanks to its universally appealing medium-firmness.
Like the Birch Plush Organic, the Earthfoam mattress pad is made from GOLS and GOTS-certified organic latex, cotton, and wool, making it suitable for both eco-conscious shoppers and allergy sufferers. However, the Earthfoam mattress pad does not have a stay-in strap (like the Birch), so it may shift when you change positions.
Material: Memory Foam | Height: 2.5 inches | Trial Period: 101 Nights | Warranty: Lifetime | Shipping: Free
The Puffy Deluxe Mattress Topper is our top pick for side sleepers looking for a soft, cloud-like mattress topper. It’s made from dense memory foam and feels similar to the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress Topper, but a little firmer. This mattress topper is also one of the most secure mattress toppers on our list, as it comes with a cover that secures it to your mattress. In other words, if you’re a side and back sleeper who switches frequently, you won’t have to worry about this mattress topper shifting with you. While we recommend the soft version of the Puffy for those looking for the softest possible feel, the brand also offers a firmer version for those who need extra support.
We’ve spent thousands of hours testing and researching products designed to help you sleep better. That’s why we publish tons of mattress and bedding guides, including mattress topper recommendations like the best cooling mattress topper and the best mattress topper for hip pain relief.
To find the best mattress topper for side sleepers, we first researched our favorite mattress brands for side sleepers and then compiled a shortlist.
To make sure your mattress topper is right for you if you sleep on your side, be sure to consider factors like material, firmness, and thickness. We’ll cover all of these factors and more in the following guide.
Similar to mattresses, memory foam or latex mattress toppers typically provide ideal support and pressure relief, protecting sensitive joints.
Because side sleepers need adequate pressure relief, we recommend choosing a soft or medium-firm mattress that provides adequate cushioning. However, be sure to consider your body type. Heavier side sleepers will sink more easily, so they may benefit from a firmer, more supportive option.
Mattress toppers range in height from 1 to 5 inches. Side sleepers should choose a mattress topper that is at least 2 inches thick to provide adequate cushioning for your hips and shoulders, which bear the bulk of your weight when you sleep on your side. A thick mattress topper will help distribute your weight more evenly across the bed, reducing the pressure you feel in these sensitive areas.
After testing and reviewing dozens of options, we found the Nolah mattress topper to be the best choice for most side sleepers. The 2-inch thick memory foam construction provides a good balance of support and pressure relief. It’s also available in two comfort levels (Plus and Luxury-Hard), so you can tailor it to your preferences.
While a mattress pad isn’t a necessity for all side sleepers, it can soften a mattress that’s too firm and help you sleep more comfortably.
If you sleep on your side, we recommend choosing a mattress that is between 2 and 5 inches thick. A 2-inch mattress is best for medium to light weight people, while a 3-5 inch mattress is best for heavier people who sink deeper into bed.