What level of firmness is best for side sleepers?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 07, 2026
A side sleeper should use a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress. Side sleepers should watch out for hip and shoulder pain and a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress can give the correct support while gently cradling the hips and shoulders to prevent stress and injury.
What firmness should a side sleeper be?
Medium to Medium Firm is ideal for average-weight side sleepers and will contour well to your body.
What is a comfortable level for side sleepers?
Comfort Scale ratings 5-6: Medium
They're soft enough for most side sleepers, firm enough for most stomach sleepers. They provide a near-perfect balance of comfort and support for back sleepers.
Is firm better for side sleepers?
Softer mattresses are generally preferred by side sleepers, as firm beds can cause pressure points where the mattress doesn't give. So if you're a side sleeper and you regularly wake up with shoulder, hip or neck pain, your mattress could be to blame.
Is a medium firm mattress good for side sleepers?
“In general, a medium-firm mattress is ideal for side sleepers, as it allows for spinal support, but it is flexible to adjust to the body curvature,” she says, adding that those who weigh more will see greater benefits by opting for a firmer mattress.
16 related questions foundWhat firmness do hotels use?
First, hotel beds are most commonly either hybrid or innerspring mattresses that fall around a medium on the firmness scale to suit most people. Additionally, most hotels turn to classic brands such as Sealy, Serta-Simmons, and Beautyrest.
How do I know if my bed is too firm?
Here are a few of the main signs that your mattress is too firm for you:
- It doesn't contour to your body.
- It feels uncomfortable.
- You wake up with back or neck ache.
- You get a better sleep when you sleep on a softer mattress elsewhere.
Should side sleepers have a firm pillow?
Side sleepers should choose a thick, firm pillow compared to stomach sleepers who need a thinner one. The best pillow will keep your head and neck aligned when lying down. Any fill from down to foam can work for side sleepers as long as the pillow is thick enough to support your neck.
Is memory foam good for side sleepers?
Memory foam is one of the most popular materials within the best mattresses for side sleepers because it contours to the shape of your body and delivers high levels of pressure relief. This reduces shoulder and knee pain as you press down into the mattress when sleeping on your side.
Are pillowtop mattresses good for side sleepers?
One of the best features of a pillow top mattress is that it's great for every style of sleeper, including side sleepers! Regardless of your preferred sleep position, they offer long-lasting support to promote pain relief. Pillow tops are often made on innerspring mattresses.
What is the most popular mattress firmness?
4-7 - The most common range for mattresses. Right in the middle of soft and firm, with some minor sink and contouring. 8-9 - Very firm and solid, with little softness and sink.
Is plush firmer than medium?
A firm mattress is a mattress that has a hard and firm surface while a plush mattress is a mattress that has a soft feel. A medium mattress, on the other hand, is a mattress that is not too soft or too firm.
How do I know the firmness of my baby's mattress?
To test a crib mattress to determine whether it's firm enough, press on the mattress in the center and at the edges. The mattress should snap back readily and shouldn't conform to the shape of your hand if it's indeed firm enough for your baby.
What kind of bed should a side sleeper get?
A side sleeper should use a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress. Side sleepers should watch out for hip and shoulder pain and a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress can give the correct support while gently cradling the hips and shoulders to prevent stress and injury.
Why is my sleep number bed so uncomfortable?
If you're still not comfortable you can try changing your setting by 5-10 and leaving it there for a few nights. Adjusting a little at a time can help you find the perfect combination of support and pressure relief. You might also need a new pillow. Our pillow quiz can help you choose the right pillow.
Can a firm bed hurt your back?
If you go to bed feeling great and wake up miserable, it's a good sign your mattress is causing back pain. A mattress that's too soft will cause your spine to fall out of alignment all night long, and a mattress that's too firm will cause joint pressure in your hips that leads to pain in your lower back.
Is Casper mattress good for side sleepers?
Side sleeping, the Casper mattress does feel softer under the shoulders because of the Zoned Support, which makes it a good mattress for side sleepers. The mattress is actually softer in that area, so the pressure relief is quite noticeable.
Are waterbeds good for side sleepers?
Pros. Some people swear by the comfort of water beds, saying they relieve pain and pressure in a way that no other bed really can. This might be due to water's ability to conform to each person's unique shape. The amount of press relief a waterbed is capable of offering can make it a great mattress for side sleepers.
Is Nectar good for side sleepers?
Nectar's design feels great in any sleep position, but it works especially well for those who prefer to sleep on their sides because it curves to support your body as it rests on less surface area (unlike a back sleeper which has weight evenly dispersed).
How thick should a side sleeper pillow be?
Side sleepers usually need a medium to high loft pillow in order to keep their head, neck, and spine in proper alignment. This usually means using a pillow that is at least 4 inches thick.
How do you know if your pillow is too high?
The simplest way to tell if your pillow is too high is by checking where your chin is when lying on your back in bed. Does your chin point upwards because your head is tilted back very far? If so, your pillow might be too high and could cause discomfort.
What is the truth about side sleepers?
Side sleepers are more likely to wake up with shoulder pain than stomach or back sleepers; the shoulder they're lying on can push too far into the mattress, causing spinal misalignment. If you tend to experience shoulder pain, you might try slipping a thin pillow under your shoulder.
Do you need a softer mattress as you get older?
Seniors often need a mattress with excellent pressure relief to help reduce pressure points in key areas like the shoulders, hips and back. Generally, a medium to medium firm mattress will provide this optimal level of support and help alleviate back and joint pain.
How do I make one side of my bed softer?
Add a mattress topper on one side for enhanced cushioning, while your partner retains the firm feel they enjoy. On the other hand, one partner can firm up a mattress that's a bit too soft. Try a firming pad over your mattress (but beneath the topper, if you're using one) for added support.
How long does it take for your body to adjust to a new mattress?
Most mattresses take anywhere from 30 to 90 days to fully “break in." Your new mattress may be different from your old one, or it may seem stiff from its newness, and thus may seem uncomfortable for a little while. Like a new pair of shoes, the mattress materials haven't had time to soften and conform to your body.