BackTop 10 Mattresses For Side Sleepers
March 2023
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Puffy Lux Performance
Recommended by Consumer Reports, the versatile construction of the Puffy Lux comes through with ‘Very Good' support for nearly every size and style of sleeper. We've tested the Lux in different sleep positions to determine the level of comfort. In addition to comfort, sleepers experience less back pain and feel relief with Puffy's body-adaptive Plush Dual Cloud Foam. We found the mattress to be extremely comfortable and provided great full-body support for side sleepers and back sleepers.
A luxury mattress without the markups, the Puffy Lux provides pressure relief, advanced cooling, and targeted support with Climate Comfort™ and Cooling Cloud™ foams. The perfect mix of soft and firm, the Puffy Lux's medium-plush feel truly worked numbers on nearly everyone that tried it.
Material
While a hybrid mattress isn't a new concept, Puffy added an ‘all-in-one' twist to it like no other. The Puffy Lux is made of 6 layers, from a hypoallergenic cover to gel-infused cooling foam layers and pocketed coils, it works on every level to improve your sleep experience.
The foams used in the mattress are CertiPUR-US® Certified, which means they're free of harmful chemicals.
Favorite Things About Puffy
- The cooling technology and optimized airflow wick away moisture and prevent night sweats. We would recommend this mattress to hot sleepers.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
Like most of the best bed-in-a-box brands, Puffy offers a 101-night sleep trial with all of its mattresses (though we don't think you'll need it!). If it's not a fit, you can return it for free and get a full refund. Additionally, a generous lifetime warranty builds a lot of trust between sleepers and Puffy. If there are any manufacturing or workmanship defects, Puffy will repair or replace the mattress for free.
Puffy Mattress Unboxing
Sleep on it the same night! Puffy mattresses are super easy and quick to unbox. This bed-in-a-box will need a few hours for decompressing and off-gassing but you won't need to air it out before sleeping on it.
Awards for Puffy Mattress
Besides being a product officially recommended by Consumer Reports, the Puffy Lux Hybrid has topped the list of best mattresses by People, CNET, Forbes, and numerous others. After running our tests, we agree with their assessments regarding full-body support, back pain relief, and cooler sleep.
Final Verdict on Puffy Lux
If you're searching for that top-of-the-line mattress without breaking the bank, there is no better option than the Puffy Lux. With its one-of-a-kind design, durable support, and exclusive contour layers, the Lux takes everything that is great about the traditional hybrid mattress to the next level.
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Purple Premier 4 Performance
The Purple Hybrid Premier 4 is the latest model of the Purple mattresses. It performs exactly as you would expect a luxury mattress to perform, which is the bare minimum considering the near $3,000 price tag. This mattress provides enough support for light and average-weight sleepers, but may not support heavy-weight sleepers properly.
The thick layer of GelFlex™ Grid is a marvel when it comes to comfort and it does a good job at pressure relief, especially with back and shoulder pain.
Material
The Purple Premier 4 touts the signature purple GelFlex™ grid; well known for developing and passing the egg test. The Premier 4 features the thickest grid in all of the Purple mattresses. Other layers include transition foam and responsive support coils.
Favorite Things about Purple Premier 4
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
This mattress comes with a 100-night trial period. You can return it after testing it for a minimum of 21 days and before the end of the trial to receive a full refund. Paired with a limited 10-year warranty, you can expect that this mattress might be swapped for a much newer model later down the line. Free shipping & returns are also included.
Purple Premier 4 Unboxing
The high price tag does come with its perks, however. While the flagship Purple Mattress is manageable and easy to carry, the Premier 4 is the opposite. Luckily Purple provides a white-glove delivery and unboxing experience.
We recommend unboxing the Purple mattress and waiting at least 24 hours before sleeping on it for off-gassing and to avoid trapped odors from decompression. However, you don't need to decompress it in a separate room and move this impressively sized mattress yourself when it's ready.
Awards for Purple Premier 4
While the rewards have yet to pour in for the Purple Premier 4, it is no stranger to a great deal of top 10 lists across the internet and other publications.
Final Verdict on Purple Premier 4
While the Purple Premier 4 is an excellent mattress with a great mix of softness and firmness due to its GelFlex™ layer, it is not without its downsides. With its high price tag and limited warranty, it can be a little difficult to justify the price, even if the mattress is quite impressive.
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Leesa Legend Performance
The aim of the Leesa Legend mattress appears to be to offer a higher quality of fast and easy bedding. With multiple memory foam layers and recycled materials, does the Legend meet those expectations? We found that the Leesa Legend does bring a lot to the table to warrant the luxury label and price tag.
The well-designed memory foam layers are ideal for light and average-weight sleepers in different positions but heavy sleepers may want to look for a firmer option. This mattress offers a decent level of comfort, especially to side sleepers with the lower zoned support layer. In terms of pressure relief, we would recommend this option for those with shoulder pain.
Material
The Leesa Legend mattress is a hybrid model sporting an interesting amount of thought put into the design of each foam layer. The eco-friendly mattress consists of recycled materials, organic cotton, and a merino wool cover. From hole punching the top foam layer for comfort to designing the lower levels to support side sleepers and other non-conventional sleepers, a lot is going on here.
Favorite Things about Leesa Legend
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
The Leesa Legend comes with a 100-day trial period and a limited 10-year warranty, which might seem like enough for the lifespan of a mattress for some - but it's a little disappointing when considering the price of this model. Leesa offers free and standard shipping with all of its mattresses.
Leesa Legend Unboxing
Like many other bed-in-a-box mattresses, the Leesa Legend requires 24 hours of a decompression period. Luckily, the familiar off-gassing smell dissipates much faster than other models that we have tested.
Awards for Leesa Legend
The Legend mattress from Leesa has received some well-earned awards for its support of side sleepers with the middle comfort zone.
Final Verdict about Leesa Legend
Overall the Leesa Legend does prove to be an extremely comfortable mattress for the side and back sleepers but we wouldn't recommend it for stomach sleepers. While we think that the price doesn't exactly match the quality, especially if you are a stomach sleeper, we do not believe you'll be disappointed if you try it out.
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Sleep Number 360® i8 Performance
There are few names with as much weight as Sleep Number when it comes to premium mattresses. The Sleep Number 360® i8 is one of five mattresses in Sleep Number's Smart Bed Series and possibly the softest. It is an adjustable air bed that adapts to your every movement, but the comfort it provides is outstanding.
The i8 comes with SleepIQ® technology, which uses sensors inside the bed to track your breathing, heart rate, and movements. Some of the bed's most prominent downsides include it being vulnerable to tech defects and how it handles our furry friends. Lightweight animals, like cats, won't be much trouble but heavier animals like dogs can disrupt the sensor.
Material
The Sleep Number 360® i8 is more or less an air mattress, albeit the most technically advanced air mattress we have ever slept on. The mattress is made of a blend of polyester/polypropylene foam layers, which are both soft and breathable. It includes air chambers under the mattress surface that is expandable and adapts to meet your specific needs at pressure points.
Favorite Things about Sleep Number 360® i8
- Different levels of comfort and firmness as the bed senses your movements. This was a strange but unique experience - we would recommend this for couples with different firmness preferences.
- Intuitive and smart interactions using SleepIQ® technology that provides interesting insights to sleep patterns.
- The i8 provides great back and spinal support, which makes it a great option for side and back sleepers.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
There's a 100-night sleep trial, but this is only for the mattress, not the bed frame. If you purchase a frame with the mattress - you can only return the mattress, not the frame. It also comes with a 15-year limited warranty. The first two years cover repairs, but wear and tear are not covered and after that coverage depends on the issue.
All in all, it's just important to read the full warranty on this one. Unlike most mattress brands, shipping isn't free either. You can end up paying $200 for delivery and setup or $90 for UPS delivery and assemble it yourself.
Sleep Number 360® i8 Unboxing
Being such an intricate piece of technology, the Sleep Number 360® i8 is not something you can just open from a box, watch it unroll, and forget about. Delivering and setting up the bed costs $200, which is a luxury tag you won't find with the other beds on this list. If you decide on setting it up yourself, it can take a few hours and you may need troubleshooting.
Awards for Sleep Number 360® i8
Sleep Number is no stranger to receiving rewards, and the Sleep Number 360® i8 is no different. Earning the editor's choice award from PC Mag and recognition from Insider and more, this is definitely a very well acclaimed mattress, if not a little expensive.
Final Verdict on Sleep Number 360® i8
The Sleep Number 360® i8 is in a league of its own for a reason. With an incredible design and impressive technology behind it, the Sleep Number earns most, if not all, of its price tag - but the maintenance is something worth considering.
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Amerisleep AS5 Performance
The AS5 model is considered the most luxurious mattress from the Amerisleep line. However, they've decided to take a different route with the AS5 and look to perfect the soft mattress for lighter sleepers everywhere. We've tested it and confirmed that the AS5 outsleeps every model of Amerisleep that has come before it if you like softer mattresses.
While we definitely have some fans of softer mattresses here, those that need a more supportive firmer mattress may feel the AS5 is just too soft. We found that the mattress adapted quite well to any changes in posture or position and the multiple foam levels certainly do their job.
Material
The AS5 is an all-foam mattress that has a comfort layer of 3 inches of memory foam, a 2-inch compression layer, a transition layer, then a base made of high-density poly foam for structure and support.
Favorite Things about Amerisleep AS5
- This mattress performs well under pressure and is great for side sleepers, as it allows for the shoulders and hips to sink in a bit.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
The Amerisleep AS5 comes with a 100-night trial period and a limited 20-year warranty. This mattress comes with free shipping and returns.
Amerisleep AS5 Unboxing
This bed-in-a-box needs an average of 24 to 48 hours of decompressing and off-gassing so be sure to air out your new mattress. There is a slight odor when unboxing but lucky enough, it airs out within the decompression time and doesn't linger for long.
Awards for Amerisleep AS5
With many awards from Forbes, Sleep Foundation, and CNET on the AS5's performance as a soft mattress, there is definitely enough to back up their claims to be the best plush mattress.
Final Verdict about Amerisleep AS5
So while the firm supporters will find little to love here, the soft mattress enthusiasts might just have hit the jackpot. Side sleepers and back sleepers looking to fall into their bed will find a lot of positives here, maybe even their perfect mattress.
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Nolah Evolution Performance
The Evolution mattress is Nolah's most popular mattress, the hybrid option utilizes their signature AirFoam™ and newly designed support coils to create a medium-soft mattress that still has a good bounce.
The Evolution proved to provide much-needed structure to softer mattresses. While it offers a lot of comfort for back sleepers, side sleepers will probably get the most out of this option from Nolah. The foam contours all the necessary pressure points, while the spring allows for the rare support that side sleepers often don't get with soft mattresses. This is ideal for lightweight sleepers looking for a medium-firm feel.
Material
Nolah's first hybrid mattress includes a graphite-infused version of their patented AirFoam™ and cooling ArcticTex™ fibers to improve breathability and sleep cool. The newly added support coils are intriguing as they provide added pressure relief, breathability, and support for the mattress's top layer.
Favorite Things about Nolah Evolution
- A great mix of softness and support, which isn't common among softer mattresses.
- We found the motion transfer to be exceptionally good for a spring base mattress, so antsy sleepers and couples will enjoy this.
- The side sleeping experience is decent with this mattress. With so many companies looking to find the perfect level of firmness, we like that Nolah is looking to perfect the soft approach.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
The Nolah Evolution comes with a lifetime warranty and an extended 120-night sleep trial with a money-back guarantee. It also comes with free shipping and returns.
Nolah Evolution Unboxing
Like most bed-in-a-box mattresses, there is a decompression and off-gassing period of one to two days. It is worth noting that one should get assistance when opening the bed as these are rather bulky mattresses.
Awards for Nolah Evolution
Nolah's AirFoam™ and pocketed coils are deserving of recognition. With awards from Forbes, Martha Stewart, and Good Housekeeping, there is a lot to back up their claims here.
Final Verdict about Nolah Evolution
We find the Nolah Evolution to be an excellent option for sleepers who need a softer bed and have been looking for support that those models often lack. However, if you're seeking a firm mattress, this isn't for you.
This is certainly a great soft mattress with unique support for side and back sleepers and a good amount of cooling and comfort.
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Bear Elite Performance
The Bear Elite performs more or less in a standard way. Upon further inspection, we found that the zoned polyfoam top-layer targets pressure relief in areas like the hips and shoulders. The luxury firm and extra firm options offer more support than the luxury plush. The zoned support provides much-needed contouring for side and off-side sleepers but did little to aid in comfort for back sleepers.
Material
The Elite Hybrid model from Bear offers a unique split design. The bottom half is a traditional firm support base with individually encased pocketed spring coils. This allows for both flexibility and structure. While the top half features zoned comfort foam and a lot of cooling technology like PCM fabric, Celliant fiber, and copper-infused memory foam.
Favorite Things about Bear Elite
- The cooling ability of the memory foam prevents sleepers from overheating.
- With zoned support, this bed is perfect for couples.
- The top memory foam layer is good enough for comfort, while the traditional firm base offers proper support.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
The Bear Elite comes with an extended 365-night trial so you can return the mattress within the year if you don't like it. The lifetime warranty is also an excellent addition as you'll want this pricier option to serve you well for years to come. Shipping is free to the contiguous U.S., except for Hawaii and Alaska.
Bear Elite Unboxing
Once the mattress is unboxed it will start to regain volume, but it may take 24 hours to fully decompress before you can sleep on it. On the bright side, it is certified to not give off any strong chemical scent - which is a much-welcomed addition.
Awards for Bear Elite
As this product is Bear's newest line, it has yet to receive any awards. We could see it picking up one or two awards for its cooling or side-sleeper support, but won't exactly shatter any records.
Final Verdict about Bear Elite
All in all, the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is a very solid but perhaps expensive sleep option. The Bear Elite might be worth the plunge for side sleeping couples, but others might need to continue their search.
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Helix Midnight Luxe Performance
The Helix Midnight Luxe is the most popular option in the Luxe line. It is recommended for side sleepers as it targets pressure points like the shoulders and hips due to its zoned lumbar support and pocketed coils. We were pleased with the responsiveness of the mattress and the way it reforms to meet new sleeping positions.
Material
The mattress consists of a high-density memory foam layer, a gel-infused Visco layer, and a polyfoam transition layer. It is topped with a TENCEL™ cover or pillow top that adds cushioning and coolness. The bottom half features pocketed coils and a foam base layer that adds stability and improves the mattress's edge support.
Favorite Things about Helix Midnight Luxe
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
Helix offers a 100-night sleep trial and a limited 10-year warranty, which is shorter than a lot of other bed-in-a-box companies. All mattresses are shipped for free via FedEx, which can take from 6 to 10 business days.
Helix Midnight Luxe Unboxing
The Midnight Luxe follows the bed-in-a-box pattern by needing at least 24 hours to decompress. But we recommend leaving it for an average of 3 days to off-gas as the trapped odors were stronger with this one than others. The mattress is also heavier than usual so you'll need assistance unboxing it and setting it up. A ventilated spare bedroom should be enough for this, but we wish we didn't need the process at all.
Awards for Helix Midnight Luxe
The Helix Midnight Luxe has earned Wired and CNET awards and received recognition from GQ.
Final Verdict about Helix Midnight Luxe
While the Midnight Luxe proves to be a good improvement over Helix's previous midnight models, it all comes down to how sleepers will adjust to the firmer pillow-top layer.
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Nectar Premier Copper Performance
Similar to the rest of their mattresses, the Nectar Premier Copper is an all-foam mattress, but it has more advanced cooling technology. This design offers contouring to your personal sleep postures. While this is great for more sensitive sleepers, we found the lack of structure to be a bit of a downside. It has the traditional memory foam comfort, but it can be too soft for heavy sleepers or stomach sleepers looking for more support.
Material
The top layer is made of PCM-infused gel memory foam to enhance cooling followed by two layers of soft and high-density memory foam for added support and comfort. While this is great for back and stomach sleepers as there are more points of contact to provide support from the mattress, side sleepers might find themselves sinking into their mattress.
Favorite Things about Nectar Premier Copper
- This is an excellent option for those with a restless partner or pets for its unique motion isolation.
- The memory foam gel is great at regulating temperature naturally.
- The bed contours greatly to solid back and stomach sleepers.
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping
With a 1-year trial period before commitment and Forever Warranty™, sleepers definitely won't be put out if anything negative happens along the way. Shipping and returns are also free for all Nectar mattresses.
Nectar Premier Copper Unboxing
This bed-in-a-box unfolds quite easily and fills out quickly, but there's a distinct odor that'll need an off-gassing period of 2 to 3 days to air out. This can be a real pain for anyone in desperate need of a new mattress or those with limited space.
Awards for Nectar Premier Copper
The Premier Copper does sport awards from Forbes for back pain and overall mattress. The Nectar Premier Copper also does have its fans for its memory foam, as its received an award for best memory foam from Women's Health, Tuck, and Sleep Foundation.
Final Verdict about Nectar Premier Copper
For transparency, we must note that Nectar has had FTC charges due to claiming its Chinese-made mattresses were "Assembled in USA". For heavy back sleepers, this mattress could be a dream. For lighter alternative sleepers, the memory foam gel could prove to be a bit unpleasant.
Top 10 Mattress Comparison Chart
#1
PuffyLux 
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#2
PurplePremier 4 
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#3
LeesaLegend 
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#4
SleepNumber 360 i8 
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#5
AmerisleepAS5 
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#6
NolahEvolution 
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#7
GhostBedLuxe 
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#8
BearElite 
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#9
HelixMidnight Luxe 
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#10
NectarPremier Copper 
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| Save | $1,350 | $300 | $500 | $500 | $450 | $700 | 50% | 35% | 20% | 33% |
| Starting Price | $999 | $2,899 | $1,599 | $3,049 | $1,649 | $999 | $1,298 | $1,119 | $1,099 | $999 |
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| Free Pillow | ||||||||||
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What's a good budget?
Buying a new mattress is a significant investment in your sleep health so it’s important to have a good budget for it. The budget for a high-quality mattress will usually range from $1000 to $1,700. With this budget, you should be able to buy a great mattress that is comfortable, supportive, and will last for a long time. -
What is the best cooling mattress?
The best choices for cooling mattresses are the Puffy Lux Hybrid and the Amerisleep AS5. While the AS5 has plant-based Bio-Pur® memory foam with an open-cell design for breathability, the Puffy Lux Hybrid has a cooling gel-infused layer for cooling comfort and a Climate Comfort™ Foam layer that wicks away moisture and regulates your temperature all night long. -
What mattress is best for back pain?
Our favorite mattresses for back pain are the Puffy Lux Hybrid and the Leesa Legend Mattress. The Leesa Legend features two layers of springs that relieve pressure and reduce lower back pain. As for our number-one choice, the Puffy Lux Hybrid, the mattress’s specialized foam layers and coils base target key pressure points and provide unique support for back pain. Additionally, the Puffy Lux Hybrid was ranked the #1 mattress for side sleepers with back pain by Forbes. -
Is a memory foam or hybrid mattress better?
While memory foam mattresses offer classic all-foam comfort, hybrid mattresses take the benefits of a memory foam mattress to the next level. Hybrid mattresses contain multiple memory foam layers with a spring base. This provides added support so sleepers won’t sink in and the mattress won’t sag. As a result, hybrid mattresses have a longer lifespan than memory foam mattresses, thanks to the extra-sturdy layer of springs. Additionally, hybrid mattresses disperse body heat away from the mattress, allowing for extra air circulation so you won't sweat or overheat while sleeping. -
What is the best hybrid mattress?
For sleepers who prefer a hybrid mattress with quick responsiveness, the Puffy Lux Hybrid is a first-rate option. This mattress consists of a body-adaptive coils base and a cooling gel-infused layer for optimized airflow, which allows for breathable and cool sleep. With multiple memory foam layers, including Plush Dual Cloud Foam, the Puffy Lux Hybrid minimizes strain from the shoulders, hips, and lower back area, and offers total comfort for sleepers. -
Are these mattresses made in USA?
Most of the mattresses on our list are made in the USA, except for DreamCloud and Nectar. Both DreamCloud and Nectar mattresses are made and assembled in China. Mattresses that are made domestically in the USA spend less time being transported or sitting in a warehouse so you’ll get the mattress in its best condition. Additionally, American-made mattresses are usually constructed using higher quality materials and processes. -
How important is a mattress warranty?
When a product is expensive, having a generous warranty will give you peace of mind when making your purchase. The warranty protects the product against defects in craftsmanship or any physical flaws, so you can either exchange the product or get the issue fixed during the warranty period. Buying a mattress with a lifetime warranty is the safest option because the mattress will be protected for as long as you’re sleeping on it. Additionally, a lot of brands offer lengthy trial periods so you can test your mattress before committing to it.