Best Mattress for Side Sleepers UK 2023 – Top 7 Picks Compared

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

Our Favourites

Editor’s Choice: The Simba Hybrid
Gel Memory Foam Choice: The Nectar
Hybrid Choice: The Otty Hybrid

There’s a lot more planning involved in getting a good night’s sleep than you might think. Making sure that you avoid caffeine is a good start. Ensuring that you stick to the same schedule each day is another critical step to take. However, few of those things matter if you don’t have a mattress that supports your individual style of sleeping. The question you may need to ask yourself is which is the best mattress for side sleepers in the UK?

Many of us toss and turn each night before we find the perfect position for us to drift into a peaceful slumber. However, no matter what you do, you might find that you always sleep a little better when you’re on your side. In fact, according to national sleep studies, around 74% of people prefer to fall asleep on their side to their back or stomach.

The good news is that because the world is full of self-professed side sleepers, you have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding a mattress that supports you just right during your slumber. The bad news is that you might find it incredibly difficult to select the ultimate mattress when there are so many different brands to browse through.

If you’re in the market for a mattress you can rely on to offer years of excellent sleep, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve done our research into the most popular mattress options for people who sleep sideways, to help you have the sweetest dreams.

How We Compared Mattresses for Side Sleepers

To find the right mattresses for side sleepers we considered multiple factors including:

• Firmness
• Comfort and Support
• Accessories
• Smell

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

To find out more about our process please see here.

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers – Top 7 Picks

1. The Simba Hybrid (Editor’s Choice)

Simba is one of the well-known names in the mattress industry. Their hybrid mattress consists of a unique combination of 2,500 conical springs, designed in conjunction with memory foam layers to give extra support to customers, no matter their sleeping preferences.

The Simba hybrid mattress combines five layers of comfort into a unique nighttime experience, intended for exceptional comfort and support. The breathable sleep surface, supportive pocket springs, and responsive memory layer conform perfectly to your body during the night. What’s more, thanks to the unique cooling comfort layer, you don’t have to worry if you are the kind of person who tends to sweat while you sleep. This hybrid mattress also comes with a zoned durable base, intended to make your investment last longer.

It’s worth noting that this mattress is a little firmer than some of the other side sleeper mattress options on the market. It will eventually contour to your shape, but it will take some time to break the bed in.

2. The Nectar (Best Gel Memory Foam)

Nectar claims to be the “last mattress you’ll ever need to buy.” Not only does this bed come with a 365-night trial to ensure that you’re fully happy with your investment, but it’s also Which? certified. For people who are making a significant investment in their new mattress, this little bit of extra reassurance can go a long way.

The Nectar Sleep mattress comes with a unique gel filling that’s designed to cushion your body in all the right places. For a person who sleeps sideways, it’s soft enough that parts of your silhouette will be able to sink into the mattress, without making you feel smothered. Nectar’s gel-based layer doesn’t have as much hug as some of the other mattresses on the market – which makes it excellent for people who want to avoid over-heating.

If you sleep with a partner, the mattress construction also ensures that if you’re tossing and turning during the night, your other half won’t feel the impact. There’s even a unique cooling cover included that draws heat away from your body during the night. Unfortunately, there’s little to no edge support – so be prepared to roll out of bed accidentally if you’re the kind of sleeper who moves around a lot.

3. The Otty Hybrid (Best Hybrid)

The Otty hybrid mattress is one of the most-loved mattresses on the market today. As a luxury hybrid, it’s arguably the best type of mattress for side sleepers as it meets the highest quality standards.

Made from a combination of pocket springs and foam, you get the perfect blend of highly breathable, hypoallergenic and comfortable bedding, combined with consistent support. So far, the Otty mattress has won countless awards, including accolades from Which? and Expert Reviews.

If you’re not sure whether the Otty is right for you, there’s a 100-night trial to get you started. In case you’re not satisfied with your quality of sleep, the company will come and collect your mattress and give you a complete refund. On top of that, there’s also a 10-year guarantee included. The only real caveat with the Otty mattress is that it does offer a slightly firmer level of support than some people like.

If you’re looking for the softest and squishiest mattress on the market, then this might not be the bed for you. However, most people will enjoy Otty’s level of comfort.

4. The Leesa

When you’re looking for the best mattress for side sleepers in the UK, it’s worth starting your search for some of the well-known award-winners on the market. For instance, the Leesa Mattress has won countless accolades since it first launched in 2014 as one of the first companies to sell mattresses directly to customers online.

The Leesa comes with a proprietary 3-layer construction that combines a dense core with memory and “Avena” foam. Many of the reviews available online about the Leesa commends the company for its exceptional combination of comfort and bounce. Although this bed is classed as a full foam mattress, it offers a similar bounce to a hybrid mattress. it is also very supportive and durable. Additionally, the bed is capable of adapting exceptionally well to sleepers of all shapes and sizes. It’s particularly useful for couples who have different styles of falling asleep.

Unfortunately, like many compression-shipped mattresses, this bed comes with a bit of an odd odour when you first open it which can be off-putting for some. There’s also very little edge support – which is a common problem with memory foam mattresses.

5. The Dormeo Octaspring Hybrid

Dormeo is another well-known brand name in the UK and across Europe when it comes to excellent sleeping options. The company has a number of different mattress varieties to choose from, depending on the kind of sleeping style you’re most comfortable with. For a person who sleeps sideways, the octaspring hybrid is a great pick.

One of the things that make the octaspring hybrid mattress so special is its revolutionary use of octaspring all-foam coil. The coil provides excellent relief from joint and back problems. Additionally, because the mattress isn’t wholly made from foam, you’ll also be able to reduce some of the common issues associated with sinkage and overheating related to foam mattresses. Customers love the combination of pressure relief and cooling comfort that they get from this bed, although some reviews suggest that the springs and various sections of the bed can begin to sag over time.

Unfortunately, the construction of the bed also means that you can’t just flip it over to stop it from sagging. This might be a major problem for you especially if you are looking for a long-term investment.

6. The Casper

Finally, we come to the final option on our list of side sleeper mattresses, the Casper bed. It is another positively-regarded mattress expert in the UK, known for offering high-quality construction when it comes to their mattresses.

With four layers of premium support built into each bed, the mattress makes sure that every user gets the most restful sleep, through balanced support, breathability, and excellent alignment. This mattress also has plenty of positive reviews online. This can be accredited in part to how thick and cosy it is.

For side sleepers, the great thing about this mattress is its zoned support functions. The bed adjusts to your whole body differently – everything from your shoulders to your feet and even your hips. This means that no matter which way you turn during the night, the mattress will continue to be supportive and will cushion your body well. Notably, however, it doesn’t give quite the same level of sinkage that you might expect from other luxury mattress brands. It’s one of the firmer options on the market. The memory foam layer is only 1.5 inches thick so it’s not as squishy as you might hope. For couples with different styles of falling asleep, Casper can be an ideal choice for both side and back sleepers.

7. The Tempur CoolTouch Sensation Elite (Best Soft)

The Tempur CoolTouch, Sensation Elite mattress, is one of the more luxurious options in the Tempur range. Designed for people who like a super-soft and cushioned experience from their mattresses, the Tempur Sensation is ideal for adapting to your body’s needs.

It is our choice for the best soft mattress for side sleepers as it provides state-of-the-art pressure relief for all joints and nerve points. Not only that, but it also comes with one of the thickest comfort layers around.

Compared to some of the other Tempur mattresses on the market, the Sensation Elite is probably the softest there is. It lets your body sink into the mattress material fully. Another great point is that it also has a removable fabric cover – something you’re not likely to find in most memory mattress options in the market. Intended for those who fall asleep on their back and side specifically, most customers will feel comfortably nestled into the cosy warmth of this soft bed.

However, because it’s wholly a memory-foam mattress, it’s worth noting that you may have a few more problems with heat retention than you would with a hybrid option.

Choosing the Best Type of Mattress for Side Sleepers

When you’re trying to improve your nighttime routine, one of the most important decisions you can make is which mattress to buy. After all, while everything from your schedule to the kind of pillow you use can change the way you sleep, there are few things more important about your mattress that may guarantee you have sweet dreams.

These days, as health studies continue to reveal just how important a good night’s sleep can be to our wellbeing, mattress manufacturers are investing in new strategies to deliver premier comfort to their customers. This includes designing a specific kind of mattress to suit back, stomach and especially side sleepers. After all, different sleeping positions have different needs. A person who sleeps sideways often needs more malleability in a bed, while a person who sleeps on his or her back may prefer a higher level of firmness to eliminate spinal problems. So, what should you be looking at when you’re shopping for a side sleeping mattress?

1. Start with Firmness Rating

The firmness rating of your mattress is going to be particularly relevant when you’re a side sleeper. If you choose something that’s too firm, then your shoulder and hips won’t be able to sink into the bed properly to give you a better supportive feeling. On the other hand, if you choose a bad that’s too soft, you could end up sinking uncomfortably into the cushioning, which means that you’re more likely to overheat. One obvious way to determine which bed is firm enough for you is to try mattresses out for yourself. However, if you’re buying something online, then you may want to consider your mattress needs based on your BMI. Lighter people generally feel the firmness of a mattress more than heavier people. Try this guide:

• BMI between 26 and 31- Firm
• BMI between 19 and 25 – Medium
• BMI below 19 – Soft

2. Consider Your Sleeping Partner

Although you might be committed to getting a better night’s sleep, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you want to make your significant other uncomfortable. Unfortunately, if you sleep with a partner, then finding a mattress that perfectly suits both of your needs can be quite difficult. To get your firmness rating just right, you might have to compromise. A lot of couples meet in the middle and choose a “medium” mattress to keep things simple.

Aside from firmness, you’ll also have to consider how capable your bed is when it comes to limiting motion transfer between you and your partner. Memory foam mattresses often soak up some of the movement from one person to reduce the impact on the other person. However, hybrid and spring mattresses are more likely to bounce your partner around if you move a lot when you sleep. For people who are particularly picky about their experience while asleep, there are bed companies out there that create mattresses with different comfort levels on different sides. You need to note that if you’re going to splash out for a specially-made mattress, you may need to expect to pay a little more.

3. Do You Need a Mattress Cover or Pillow Top?

Finally, depending on your BMI, you might decide that a softer mattress is what you need to get a really good night’s sleep. Sometimes, the softer and deeper your bed is, the more of a contour you can get when you are sideways on the bed. This can be ideal if you don’t want to feel as though you’re getting a bruise on your hip whenever you turn over. While many companies offer comfort adjustments to help you get the right firmness for your mattress, you might need to consider buying accessories too.

Pillow tops and covers for your mattress can offer a little bit of extra depth. The right kind of topper can also be an excellent thing to buy if you want to improve your sleeping space, but you don’t have the money to pay for a brand-new mattress.

The Benefits of Falling Asleep Sideways

If you’re concerned that shopping for a side-sleeping mattress is too much hard work, or you think that you should just give up and try to sleep on your back instead, keep in mind that there can be some benefits of falling asleep sideways. Some reports show that it’s a particularly good idea to sleep on your left-hand side. Falling asleep on your left leads to:

• Reduced heartburn
• Better digestion
• Lymph drainage
• Better brain health
• Reduced snoring

Ultimately, when you are asleep on your left-hand side, your body and organs are better aligned to function properly. Learning to adjust your sleeping preference so you can relax more comfortably in this position could change your life. Some people have even found that changing their sleeping position has allowed them to reduce their experiences with sleep apnoea, insomnia and more.

Of course, if you do have significant health issues in relation to sleeping, then you might need to take additional steps to protect your wellbeing. Speaking to a doctor is ultimately the right way forward if you notice that you’re always waking up tired, or with aches and pains. However, a great mattress can eliminate some of the most common issues associated with poor sleep.

Choosing Your Side Sleeper Mattress

As with any bedding decision, selecting the best mattress for side sleepers in the UK is a personal choice that will depend on your individual preferences. Though there’s no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to the ideal mattress, we believe that the Simba bed, which offers five different layers of comfort and support – is one of the greatest options for sideways sleepers.

The Simba hybrid mattress is comfortable enough to keep you feeling properly cushioned all night, but it also has cooling features built-in, so you don’t feel as though you’re being swallowed up by your bedding. Additionally, one particularly impressive feature that this mattress has is the fact that it doesn’t come with the unpleasant off-gassing smell that’s all too common among today’s vacuum-packed mattresses.

What’s your idea of the ideal mattress for falling asleep sideways? Have we covered it in our reviews above? If not, let us know all about it in the comment section below. As always, sweet dreams.