The best mattress for side sleepers overall
Helix believes that when it comes to your mattress, there is no such thing as one size fits all. And for side sleepers, that's excellent news. Buying a mattress from this online company starts with a quiz and ends with a customized mattress.
The quiz asks basic questions about your height and weight, as well as how many people are normally in your bed and what size you'd prefer. But then, it also gets into whether or not you toss and turn at night, your sleeping position, pressure points, whether or not you feel hot in the night, how firm your current mattress is, and how much you like it. From there, Helix begins to create a mattress that suits your body and your sleeping preferences.
I found that the Helix is particularly useful for side sleepers because of its relative softness. For years, I was convinced that I was a fan of firm mattresses, only to find that the firmer the mattress, the more pain I felt on my pressure points. But Helix's version of "firm" seems to be a bit less severe than other mattresses. That means that even if you're as overzealous as I am, you'll likely end up with a mattress that won't cause you to wake up stiff or in pain.
The Helix also features a Dynamic Foam top layer, which responds quickly to your movement so you never feel like you're sinking too far into the mattress (which could also affect your alignment). And if you're a hot sleeper, this layer of foam works with the microcoils of the mattress to aid in heat dissipation.
Another important thing to note: Helix can actually personalize a mattress for two people, which means that if you and your partner don't have the same preferences when it comes to your bed, you can still lay on the same mattress. You'll have to stick to your respective lanes quite literally, of course, but at the very least, it allows you to comfortably share a bed.
Pros: Total customization allows for a soft (yet not too soft) mattress, plush feel, great for couples who have different sleeping positions
Cons: Some customers report that the Helix mattress does not age particularly well
The best mattress for side sleeping athletes
If your muscles are already tired and sore from hours of sports practice and training, the last thing you need is a mattress that leaves you even tighter than before. Bear is here to ensure that doesn't happen. The mattress is made of a high-density memory foam, which is quick to respond. Because it's relatively soft, it certainly helps to relieve pressure points, and as one happy buyer noted on Mattress Guides, the Bear "doesn't cause too much shoulder or neck tension."
Sleepopolis also created a pressure map to visualize what sleeping in different positions on the Bear did for the body, and happily, there were no dangerous red zones for folks sleeping on their sides.
The real differentiating factor of this mattress, however, lies in its use of Celliant technology, a relatively new innovation that is rarely found in mattresses. All of Bear's mattresses are woven with Celliant's FDA Determined Infrared Yarn Technology, which claims to "harness your body's natural energy to aid recovery time and overall well-being."
As per Celliant's own website, the material applies a blend of minerals and "proprietary ingredients" in order to enhance tissue oxygen levels, improve athletic performance, and perhaps most importantly, improve sleep quality.
While this sounds a bit like magic, don't be so quick to write these claims off. I found that my rest on a Bear mattress seemed to yield better results than sleeping on other products — at the very least, it was easier to go to kickboxing in the morning.
Celliant technology also doesn't seem to result in any overheating (despite its leveraging of infrared energy). In fact, because the mattress utilizes graphite gel-infused memory foam, I found that my body temperature was quite well-regulated, and I didn't have to kick off all the covers in the middle of the night.
Pros: Celliant technology, memory foam support and softness, accessible price point, 10-year limited warranty
Cons: While some side sleepers love memory foam, it's not for everyone. Some reviewers also noted that the bed could be a bit too firm.
The best contouring mattress for side sleepers
Some of the best things in life have layers, and the Nectar mattress is among them. Nectar's mattresses boast an impressive five layers, topped with a Tencel Cooling cover, the same material that is often used in workout apparel and heralded for its sweat-wicking capabilities.
But heat dissipation aside, the Nectar is a fantastic mattress for folks who have sensitive pressure points in their hips and shoulders. That's thanks to the mattress' layers of memory foam and contouring gel layers. Together, these two materials create a soft yet supportive mattress.
So what exactly are these various layers comprised of? Once you get past the Tencel cover, you'll find a quilted pad of gel memory foam. The next layer is Nectar's patented LushFoam, which promises to distribute weight and heat evenly across your body. Then, there's the Hi Core adaptive foam, which seems to be the key to Nectar's ability to support your weight, and finally, there's a base layer of high-density foam, which contributes to the mattress' overall stability.
When I first lay down on the Nectar, I felt as though I were sinking into my bed in quite a luxurious manner. That's thanks largely to the one-inch quilted top layer, which is the first stage of the mattress' pressure relief. There's actually another inch of gel memory foam that is key to the contouring aspect of the mattress. I found that the Nectar conformed well to the shape of my body, rather than fighting against it (and my sleeping habits).
Underneath these layers is a three-inch layer of memory foam, which Sleepopolis notes is "slow to respond to pressure," which means that you won't meet with a whole lot of resistance when you sink into the mattress for a long night's rest. Underneath these three inches is yet another layer of memory foam, which again adds some pressure relief.
In essence, you're getting a bed whose whole purpose is to ensure that you don't wake up with pain points, which is all I've ever asked for in a bed. As SleepAdvisor says, Nectar "contours to curves and reduces pressure, which works wonders for people who tend to sleep on their sides."
Pros: Provides great pressure relief (particularly to the hips and shoulders), bed bug resistant, great value
Cons: Some customers have noted that the mattress sleeps too hot
The best mattress for spinal alignment
When it comes to bed-in-a-box brands, it often feels as though you're sacrificing luxury for convenience. But Casper is here to prove that just because your bed comes to you rolled up and in the back of the truck, it doesn't mean that it can't be a truly sumptuous experience. The Capser Wave Zoned Support is the company's higher-end mattress, and while it certainly costs more than other mattresses in our guide, it's worth the extra dough.
The key to the Zoned Support mattress is its ability to properly align your body, which is of the utmost importance for folks who tend to sleep on their sides. With the right alignment, your shoulders and hips will receive the support they need to keep your spine in check, but without causing any pressure or pain.
While this is particularly useful for side sleepers, one of the great things about the Casper Wave is its ability to please sleepers of all persuasions, so if you find yourself moving from your stomach to your back to your side throughout the night, you'll still be well-supported and comfortable.
In order to provide proper alignment, this mattress treats different parts of your body. Unsurprisingly, your hips likely do not need the same level of firmness as your shoulders, and Casper's luxury mattress makes these adjustments. The upper half of the mattress (the part where your shoulders ought to go) is made of a softer foam, whereas the lower half is a bit firmer, providing extra support where it's needed.
For this luxury mattress, Casper implemented its Natural Geometry System. The precisely contoured foam actually has grooves cut directly into the material to make it more forgiving, and to provide relief where you might otherwise experience the most pressure.
Pros: Zoned Support is great for side sleepers, but also for other positions, luxury feel, soft yet supportive
Cons: Luxury feel comes at a luxury price
The best mattress for any kind of sleeper
The Leesa mattress has long been one of my favorites. Not only does it provide great pressure relief, but it's also one of the best looking mattresses on the market. I know, I know — Once you put your sheets on and actually get into bed, you're not actually seeing the mattress itself.
But the incredibly soft cover really does go a long way in providing some extra comfort, and in fact, buyers have liked this top layer so much that Leesa even offers a blanket inspired by the design and fabric of its mattress cover.
One of the best things about the Leesa from a sleeping perspective lies in its consistency. I've never had a problem sleeping on the Leesa on my side, but I've also found that during nights when I end up on my front or on my back, I'm still extremely cozy. So if you're a toss and turner or are generally sharing a bed with someone who doesn't prefer the same sleeping position as you do, the Leesa tends to be a good compromise.
When it comes to firmness, Leesa qualifies as a medium, or for some folks, a medium-soft. The amount of give the mattress offers is ideal for folks who often suffer from pressure points, and while most foam mattresses aren't particularly bouncy, the Leesa actually does have a bit of a spring associated with it. That means that you can easily move around the bed without feeling as though you've sunk into your side.
The Leesa also avoids sleeping too hot thanks to its top layer of two-inch Avena foam. This material promotes airflow and cooling, while the pinholes and egg crate-esque surface underneath this layer also ensures that you won't wake up sweating.
And if getting a good night's sleep is contingent upon knowing that you've done some good for the world, Leesa can certainly help out there. For every 10 mattresses sold, the company donates one to the needy. The company also prides itself on other social impact initiatives, including planting trees for each product sold, and volunteer work in its local community.
Pros: Great design; competitive price; innovative use of Avena foam; great social mission
Cons: If you're on the heavier side, this may not be the most supportive mattress
Check out more great buying guides for bedding
A great mattress can be the difference between a good night's sleep that results in a productive day or a horrible night that makes you feel like you didn't sleep at all. Here are the best mattresses you can buy:
- Best mattress overall: Leesa Hybrid Mattress
- Best high-end mattress: Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze Mattress
- Best all-foam mattress: The Casper Mattress
- Best mattress for people with back pain: Saatva Classic Mattress
- Best natural mattress: Birch Mattress by Helix
- Best ultra-firm mattress: Plank Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding
Your bed is not only the highlight of your bedroom, it's the only piece of furniture you spend 33% of your life on. Here are the Insider Picks:
- Best overall: Zinus Upholstered Square Stitched Platform Bed Frame
- Best cheap frame: Zinus 14 Inch SmartBase Platform Bed Frame
- Best sturdy frame: Zinus Sonoma Metal & Wood Platform Bed
- Best high-tech frame: Reverie 9T Adjustable Bed Base
- Best simple frame: Casper foundation and frame
- Best faux leather frame: DHP Dakota Faux Leather Platform Bed
- Best canopy frame: DHP Rosedale Metal Canopy Bed Frame
- Best platform frame: Murray Platform Bed with Wooden Box Frame
Few would deny that at the end of a long, hard day, sliding into a comfortable bed outfitted with soft, smooth sheets that pamper your skin is one of life's greatest pleasures. After all, you spend nearly a third of your life between those sheets, so why wouldn't you want the best?
So we've made it easy for you: We checked out all the top consumer buying websites, listened to opinions from bed sheet buyers, and tried sheets ourselves to compile our list of the five best bed sheet sets you can buy. Here are our top picks:
- Best sheets overall: L.L. Bean 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets
- Best sateen cotton sheets: Brooklinen Luxe Sheets
- Best linen sheets: MagicLinen
- Best Supima sheets: Casper Cool Supima
- Best sheets with patterns and colors: Crane & Canopy Sheet Sets
- Best flannel sheets: Pinzon Velvet Flannel Sheets
- Best organic cotton sheets: Boll & Branch Signature Soft Hemmed Sheet Set
- Best modal sheets: Pure Beech Modal Sateen Sheets
- Best microfiber sheets: Brooklyn Bedding Microfiber Sheets
- Best budget sheets: Room Essentials Jersey Sheet Set
