Best mattresses for side sleepers in the UK (2026)
Side sleeping loads your whole body weight onto two narrow points, the shoulder and the hip. If a mattress does not let those sink in, you get pressure, numb arms and a spine that curves sideways all night.
These are the soft and medium-soft mattresses that scored highest for comfort in our testing, with enough underlying support that the rest of the body stays level.
Our picks
Luxe Mattresses
Luxe Nova Hybrid
from Luxe Mattresses
Luxe Mattresses
Tempure Velure Pillow-Top
from Luxe Mattresses
Luxe Mattresses
Tencel 1000
from Luxe Mattresses
Luxe Mattresses
Reverso Memory
from Luxe Mattresses
Best for side sleepers: at a glance
| # | Mattress | Type | Firmness | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luxe Nova HybridLuxe Mattresses | Hybrid | Medium-soft | £449£599 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Tempure Velure Pillow-TopLuxe Mattresses | Memory foam | Medium-soft | £449 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Tencel 1000Luxe Mattresses | Pocket spring | Soft | £339£399 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Reverso MemoryLuxe Mattresses | Memory foam | Soft | £329 | 8.1/10 |
How we picked
We ranked every soft and medium-soft mattress in our catalogue by comfort score, which is where pressure relief shows up, then by overall score. Firmer mattresses were excluded: they can work for lighter side sleepers, but they are not where most side sleepers should start.
Scores are set by Alexander Bowman using the criteria on our how we score page. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links; this never affects a score or a ranking.
Not sure this is your category?
Four questions about how you sleep and your budget, and we rank every mattress we have scored against your answers.
Take the quizBest for side sleepers: frequently asked questions
What firmness is best for side sleepers?
Soft to medium for most people. Side sleepers need the shoulder and hip to sink in so the spine stays straight. Heavier side sleepers (over about 100kg) often do better on medium, because a soft mattress lets them sink too far.
Is memory foam good for side sleepers?
Usually, yes. Memory foam contours to the body and takes pressure off the shoulder and hip better than most other materials. The trade-off is heat retention and a slower response when you change position, which is why many side sleepers prefer a hybrid with a foam comfort layer.
Why does my shoulder hurt when I sleep on my side?
Almost always because the mattress is too firm for your weight and is not letting the shoulder sink in. A softer mattress or a thicker comfort layer usually resolves it. A pillow that is too low, forcing the shoulder to take more load, is the other common cause.
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