Attention all side sleepers! After months of research and testing, we found the best mattress toppers for you.
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We Found the 6 Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers After Weeks of Testing
Updated on Sep. 26, 2024
We called on two expert product testers to find the best mattress toppers for side sleepers. After testing nearly a dozen, our testers, Lois Alter Mark and Spencer Kildare, picked their absolute favorites.
If you’re wondering what makes a good mattress topper for side sleepers, we asked Derek Hales, founder and CEO at NapLab. In the past 10 years, he has personally tested 360+ different mattresses. “Side sleepers typically want a soft or medium feel,” he says. “Additionally, side sleepers should go with toppers that are at least three inches thick. The additional thickness provides better pressure relief.”
Of course, there are other things to consider when shopping for a mattress topper for a side sleeper. Things like material type and density also play a role, which I’ll explain in more detail later. We considered such factors as we shopped for mattress toppers to be tested by our expert product testers.
Here are the six best mattress toppers for side sleepers, tested by our staffers.
Best Overall
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pros:
- Ideal for side sleepers who want contouring memory foam
- Made with eco-friendly CertiPUR-US® foam
- Medium firmness
- Cooling technology
- Corner straps
- Cover is moisture-wicking organic cotton
Cons:
- Pricey
- Branding on cover is visible under some sheets
- Spot clean only
I’ve tried the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper, and it’s a great mattress topper overall. If you’re new to mattress toppers, it’s a safe starting point, as it offers three inches of memory foam encased in an organic cotton cover with corner straps—plus, it has cooling technology—all the features I look for in a mattress topper.
Side sleeper Lois Alter agrees. “This topper is very comfortable because the foam is so flexible,” she says. “It was less ‘mushy’ feeling than my soft mattress, but the foam still allowed my hips to have a cushiony spot to rest while I was sleeping on my side.”
The premium mattress topper’s foam is pressure-relieving and hugs your body to minimize motion transfer. After trying the topper on her beloved Tuft + Needle Hybrid Mattress, Lois says, “The real positive difference to me was that when I slept facing out of the bed (rather than facing my husband), I was able to keep my legs, knees and feet comfortable, as well. On my soft mattress, the edges are so soft that my knees and feet sometimes slip off the bed, and I have to move more into the side of the bed or turn over. Not having to do that was a real plus.”
Best Supportive
Helix GlacioTex Premium Mattress Topper
Pros:
- Hybrid design uses high-density foam and steel microcoils
- CertiPUR-US® and Greenguard Gold certified
- Contains zero fiberglass
- Two options for firmness
- Cooling technology
- Corner straps
Cons:
- A little pricey
- Spot clean only
If memory foam doesn’t provide enough support to you as a side sleeper, check out the Helix GlacioTex Premium Topper. It has a hybrid design and includes steel micro-coils for enhanced support between foam layers. Also, you can choose between plush and firm, so Helix has you covered if you like an extra firm, supportive topper.
Product tester Spencer Kildare tested the plush version of the topper, which he still rated a 4 out of 5 on firmness. “My sleep quality improved when sleeping on this mattress topper,” he says. “It’s a great mattress topper; I appreciated how comfortable it was and how well it stayed centered on my mattress.”
The hybrid mattress topper is also encased in cooling fabric to ensure you don’t overheat at night. Underneath the cooling fabric are four layers of support: 1-1/2 inches of high-density foam for support, 3/4 inches of micro-coils for a cradling effect, another 1-1/2 inches of high-density foam and a base layer to maintain the topper’s support and durability.
Best Down-Alternative
Saatva Down Alternative Featherbed Mattress Topper
Pros:
- Great alternative to a foam topper
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100® certified
- Machine washable
- Super plush feel
- Corner straps
Cons:
- Tester would have preferred it to go on like a fitted sheet (instead of with corner straps)
If you like the hotel feel of down-alternative bedding, you might love this mattress topper: It’s a favorite for Lois. “I loved this topper,” she says. “It was so plush and cozy, yet it kept me cool even when burrowing into it. All parts of my body felt well supported when I slept on my side, and nothing was digging into my hips or shoulders. They felt totally cushioned.”
The Saatva Alternative Featherbed Topper is filled with hypoallergenic down alternative fiber, so you don’t have to worry about feathers sticking out to poke you at night. Its cover is made with long-staple percale cotton in a 200-thread count, and—wait for it—it’s machine washable!
If that’s not enough, Lois also says she wants to take this topper in its carry bag with her when she travels. “It feels like it’s part of the bed; it just naturally integrates right into the whole sleep experience,” she says. “It adds a layer of luxurious plushness to our mattress. My hips were able to sink in, but I could move around comfortably without getting stuck during my nights of tossing and turning.”
This hotel-esque mattress topper guarantees a healthier sleep, too. It’s OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified and free of harmful chemicals. It’s also ultra-plush yet breathable, so you shouldn’t overheat on this one.
Best Organic
Avocado Eco Organic Mattress Topper
Pros:
- Affordable
- 2 height options
- 2 feel options (medium and plush)
- Certified to the highest standards for being organic, sustainable and safe
- No polyurethane or memory foam
- Covers are replaceable and can be purchased online
Cons:
- No corner straps
This affordable, organic mattress topper from Avocado comes in both 2-inch and 3-inch options, but we suggest going with the 3-inch if you’re a side sleeper, as Derek from NapLab says. Depending on your desired feel, you can also choose between medium and plush. Both are made with an organic cotton cover, and no polyurethane foams are used. The latex used is vegan-certified, too.
“This mattress topper has a ‘cakey’ sort of feel, and it mushes when pressure is applied,” Spencer says. “It provided excellent support to my sides. My overall sleep quality improved with this mattress topper. It’s definitely a 5/5 in terms of comfort.”
Spencer also noted that the mattress topper was slightly larger than his mattress, so it did slide around a bit, especially without corner straps to help secure it. “It’s such a great topper, but straps are important,” Spencer says.
If your top priority when shopping for a mattress topper as a side sleeper is safe ingredients, then you’ll be able to rest easy on this eco topper. The Eco Organic Latex Mattress Topper is certified to MADE SAFE standards, which means it’s screened for toxic ingredients known or suspected to harm human health, animals, aquatic life or ecosystems. This Avocado mattress topper is truly one the whole family can enjoy. If you’re looking for more options, then the Birch Natural Mattress is a good non-toxic mattress made with certified organic materials.
Best Budget
Dreamsmith Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Climate- and health-friendly
- Cooling gel infused
- Removable, washable cover
- Multiple height options
- Corner straps
Cons:
- Corner strap placement isn’t the best for preventing movement
Mattress toppers can be expensive, so we tested this budget pick from Amazon to see how it holds up against the competition. Spoiler alert: Our tester rated it a 4 out of 5 in terms of comfort. “My sleep improved with this topper, too,” Spencer says, “It’s quite comfortable.”
One hiccup with this mattress: You won’t be able to sleep on it as soon as it’s opened. It needs time to expand. The manufacturer recommends about 24 to 48 hours of expansion time, but Spencer said he thought it expanded to a satisfactory point in around 4 hours. “It’s uncomfortable to sleep or lay on this mattress topper when it’s not fully expanded,” he adds. “It’s best to set up the topper early in the morning or at least 4 hours before you sleep on it.”
After expansion, the mattress topper has a plush fullness. “I still tossed and turned, but I didn’t experience any soreness on my sides,” Spencer says.
Best for Combination Sleepers
Bear Pro Topper
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic
- Temperature regulation technology
- Plush feel provides medium level of support for pressure point relief
- CertiPUR-US® Certified
- Fast, free shipping
- Corner straps
Cons:
- No corner straps
- Long off-gassing time
- A bit slippery
This Bear mattress topper is made of ultra-plush, contouring memory foam, which provides pressure point relief. It’s ideal for side and combination sleepers. The topper is also hypoallergenic and helps regulate temperature during sleep.
“This mattress topper is soft and has some give to it,” says Spencer. “The feeling is almost like tiny bubble wrap under a sheet. If you lay your hand on it, there is some resistance, but you feel it can give if pressure is applied. I guess a more accurate description is that it feels like a firm sponge that can be compressed.”
“Bear was my first experience with a mattress topper, and I was hooked from the beginning,” Spencer adds. “My circadian cycle improved with the use of the Bear mattress topper. There were no issues with pressure points on my body; I didn’t feel pain or soreness. Bear opened my eyes to the benefits of mattress toppers.”
Regarding comfortability, Spencer rated the Bear topper a 4 out of 5. However, upon unboxing it, he noticed a considerable chemical smell and suggested that it be given more than five days to off-gas completely. Furthermore, he thinks that the addition of corner straps on this topper would prevent it from sliding around on the mattress, which was a concern of his and other reviewers.
What to Look for When Buying a Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers
We talked to Derek Hales, CEO of NapLab, about what to look for when shopping for a mattress topper as a side sleeper. Here’s what he said to consider:
Material Type
“Most side sleepers are best served by memory foam and poly foam mattress toppers,” Derek says. Those materials contour the body, allowing side sleepers to achieve a more neutral spinal alignment while alleviating pressure along the spine, back and side of the body. “For side sleepers who prefer a dramatic hugging sensation around the body, go with memory foam, and for those who want a hug, but something that’s less polarizing, go with poly foam,” he says.
Thickness
Most toppers are 2-4 inches in height. “In general, thicker toppers are going to create more comfort, last longer and provide a higher level of performance,” Hales says. “Side sleepers should go with toppers at least 3 inches thick. The additional thickness provides better pressure relief.”
Density
According to Hales, this is a technical way of determining how much material is actually in this foam. “Denser materials last longer and perform better but are also more expensive, as more material is required to create that foam,” he says. “A 3-inch memory foam topper with a density of 2 PCF means each cubic foot of foam weighs 2 pounds. Ideally, I want to see a PCF of 3 to 4. If the topper manufacturer doesn’t disclose the PCF, look at the product’s weight. Toppers that weigh more have a higher foam density. All sleeping positions will benefit from a denser foam layer.”
Firmness
Toppers typically come in soft, medium and firm feels. “Side sleepers typically want a soft or medium feel,” Hales says. “However, as a general rule, lighter-weight sleepers, especially those under 150 pounds, should go with soft toppers. Sleepers over 150 pounds should go with medium firmness.”
Why You Should Trust Us
Real-life side sleepers tested every mattress topper on this list and then some. If a mattress topper was rated poorly, we didn’t include it in this list—it’s that simple. To test each mattress topper under true conditions, our testers slept on each topper for multiple nights in their own homes and on their own mattresses. They also received, unboxed and set up each topper to tell us what the buying process is really like.
We also consulted sleep expert Derek Hales, CEO of NapLab, who tests and reviews mattresses. Hales has reviewed beds since 2014 and tested over 360 mattresses and other sleep products. He told us what to look for when shopping for mattress toppers for side sleepers.
How We Found the Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers
At Family Handyman, we’re always looking to help readers discover top bedding products, and finding the best mattress toppers is no different. Here, we took it a step further and tailored our search for side sleepers because we all sleep differently, and you deserve bedding that works with you. We analyzed many top-selling mattress toppers for side sleepers before narrowing our list down to about a dozen we wanted to try.
From there, we found side sleepers to evaluate each mattress topper for quality, performance and comfortability. Our testers had these mattress toppers delivered to their own homes as any consumer would. They unboxed them, let them air out, and put them on their own beds. Each mattress topper was tested for a a minimum of five nights, except one: the Nolah Plush Mattress Topper, which our tester found uncomfortable and couldn’t sleep on for more than three nights.
During testing, our product testers collected dozens of data points for each mattress topper, including details on the setup, off-gassing, firmness, sinkage, and more. These rigorous tests over the last months gave us insight into six of the best mattress toppers for side sleepers on the market.
FAQ
How thick should a mattress topper be for a side sleeper?
According to Derek Hales of NapLab, side sleepers should choose toppers at least 3 inches thick. “The additional thickness provides better pressure relief, which is especially critical for being comfortable while lying on your side,” he says.
Are mattress toppers any good for side sleepers?
Yes! An additional mattress topper can provide the cushion and support you need as a side sleeper while alleviating aches and pain caused by too much pressure on the joints.
What kind of topper is best for side sleepers?
According to Hales, side sleepers will want a mattress topper with a soft or medium feel (not firm) since they’ll benefit from more cushioning and pressure relief.
