Best Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers
Does your mattress hurt your shoulders and hips? It's a common issue for side sleepers. If your bed is too firm, you may need a mattress topper designed for side sleepers. Read on for a list of top choices that can transform your bed from too firm to just right.
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What to Look for in a Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers
With the wrong level of firmness, side sleepers may lose out on restful sleep. Before you spend a lot of money on a new bed, try a mattress topper to alleviate discomfort and improve your quality of sleep.
As a side sleeper, you'll want a topper that:
- Keeps your spine aligned
- Cushions your pressure points
- Measures between 2 and 4 inches thick
- Wicks away body heat
- Stays in place either with anchors or an anti-slip backing
Keep reading to learn the best mattress topper options for side sleepers.
- Best Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers Overall
- Best for Side Sleepers with Hip Pain
- Best for Side Sleepers with Shoulder Pain
- Best Mattress for Back Pain
- Best Mattress Topper to Keep Cool
- Best Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers During Pregnancy
- Best Memory Foam Topper for Side Sleepers
- Best Latex Mattress Topper
- Best Feather Bed Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers
- Best Down Alternative Mattress Topper
- Best Wool Mattress Topper
- Best Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Side sleepers generally need medium firmness. You want the stability to keep the spine aligned but enough comfort to avoid excessive pressure point pain in the shoulders and hips.
Best Overall Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers: Malouf
The Malouf ISOLUS Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper cradles your pressure points while aligning your spine. The naturally hypoallergenic mattress topper helps side sleepers rest without feeling excessive pressure on the joints.
ISOLUS Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper features:
- 2.5-inch thickness that isn't too thin or too thick for side sleepers
- Gel-infused memory foam to keep your body cool
- Ventilated construction for even more airflow
- CertiPUR-US-certified for optimal health and wellness
- 100% rayon and bamboo cover that resists mildew and is machine washable
- 3-year warranty
- Free shipping
Mattress toppers sometimes come with a free trial. Many companies offer a 30-day trial while some offer as long as 120. Read the fine print to learn when and how to return your mattress topper in order to get your money back.
Best Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers with Hip Pain: Linenspa Convoluted Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Hip pain sufferers need a mattress topper that evenly distributes body weight. Choosing a 3-inch mattress topper typically provides the most comfort, especially in the hip area.
The Linenspa Convoluted Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress Topper comes in a 3-inch model. It's also available in a 2-inch model, but the 3-inch offers more support for hip pain.
Linenspa Convoluted Gel Swirl Memory Foam Mattress Topper features:
- Open-cell memory foam for breathability
- Egg crate structure for even more airflow
- Soft memory foam to align the spine and relieves pressure points
- Even distribution of body weight, taking the pressure off your hips
- Two thickness options depending on the amount of contouring you desire
- 3-year warranty
- Free shipping
A mattress topper can be a great investment if you buy for the right reasons. It won't help a mattress that is beyond use. If your bed sags, has indents, or just isn't supportive anymore, the topper won't fix those issues. However, if your mattress is in good shape, but just not comfortable enough, a topper can be an economical purchase that lengthens the life of your mattress.
Best Mattress Topper for Shoulder Pain: SleepJoy 3" ViscO2 Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Side sleepers put a lot of pressure on the shoulders. If you have shoulder pain, side sleeping may feel easier with a mattress topper like the SleepJoy 3" ViscO2 Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper.
The 3-inch thickness provides the comfort your pressure points need for proper cradling while also providing your spine with the proper alignment.
It features:
- Open-cell memory foam for maximum airflow and breathability
- Odor-neutral materials eliminate the need for off-gassing
- Long-lasting memory foam to lengthen the life of your mattress
- Available in 3-inch thickness for maximum shoulder cushioning and support
- CertiPUR-US-certified materials to reduce the toxicity of the topper
- 2-year warranty
Side sleepers do best with a thicker mattress topper, typically around 3 inches thick. A too-thin topper won't provide the support your body needs, especially around the shoulders and hips. Some mattress toppers are even thicker—as much as 4 inches.
Best Mattress Topper for Back Pain: Langria 3-Inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Side sleepers may suffer from back pain due to the way that they sleep. If your pelvis rotates while you sleep, you knock your spine out of alignment. The Langria 3-Inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper helps position your body so that you don't twist and cause yourself more pain.
The Langria is available in a 3-inch thickness and is ideal for side sleepers who need extra contouring while providing support to the spine. Langria 3-Inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper features:
- Cooling gel to keep your temperature down
- Washable and hypoallergenic bamboo cover
- Non-slip fabric to keep the topper in place
- CertiPUR-US-certified
- Little motion transfer
Best Mattress Topper to Keep Side Sleepers Cool: Layla Memory Foam Topper
Memory foam mattresses often trap heat, which can make side sleepers uncomfortably warm. The Layla Memory Foam Topper helps dissipate the heat with its copper-infused gel particles. These particles whisk the body heat away while allowing you to enjoy the numerous benefits of a memory foam mattress topper.
Layla Memory Foam Topper features:
- 2-inch thickness that adds support and cushion is not a firm mattress
- Copper-gel particles to cool and provide push-back resistance on pressure points
- Firm or soft support options
- Antimicrobial surface
- 120-night trial and a 5-year warranty
- Free shipping
Best for Side Sleepers During Pregnancy: Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Pregnant women often sleep on their side, which leaves them with aching shoulders and joints. A supportive mattress topper can cradle those points and allow for some much needed rest.
The Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress provides a supportive sleeping environment during those times when it feels like you'll never get comfortable.
Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper features:
- Choice of 2- or 3-inch thickness options
- Responsive memory foam material
- Ventilated memory foam for maximum airflow
- Gel-infused memory foam for temperature control
- Superior spine alignment
- 3-year warranty
Best Memory Foam Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers: SleepJoy 2-Inch ViscO2 Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Memory foam is one of the best materials for side sleepers because it helps cushion pressure points and alleviate pain. But a memory foam topper can get too hot or make you feel trapped.
The SleepJoy 2-Inch ViscO2 Memory Foam Mattress Topper provides the perfect amount of cushioning and cooling for a good night's sleep.
SleepJoy 2-Inch ViscO2 Memory Foam Mattress Topper features:
- 2-inch thickness that helps contour, yet align your body
- Open-cell construction that keeps the memory foam cool
- Made in the USA with plant-based materials
- CertiPUR-US-certified for safety and durability
- Responsive memory foam that allows easy movement
- 2-year warranty
Best Latex Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers: Saatva Durable Latex Topper
The Saatva Durable Latex Topper is a great option if you don't like the feeling of memory foam. It's made of latex rather than foam and provides comfort for sleepers of any position, all while extending the life of your mattress.
Saatva Durable Latex Topper features:
- Proper spinal alignment to prevent back issues
- Adequate pressure point relief for the shoulders and hips
- Breathable design for temperature regulation
- Organic cotton cover
- Makes even the firmest mattress feel comfortable
- 120-night trial
Best Feather Bed Topper for Side Sleepers: Pacific Coast Mattress Topper
The Pacific Coast Mattress Topper makes your bed felt like a cloud. This feather bed topper adds a feeling of luxurious softness, making you comfortable even while sleeping on your side.
Pacific Coast Mattress Topper features:
- Two-chamber design creates a feeling of luxurious softness
- Gusseted design to make you feel like you're sleeping on a cloud
- 525-fill power down
- 230-thread count cover for maximum comfort
- Baffle box design to keep the topper in place even while you move
- 30-night guarantee and a 3-year warranty
Best Down Alternative Mattress Topper: LUCID Hybrid Down Alternative + Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
The Lucid Hybrid Down Alternative Mattress Topper is a great choice if you love the feeling of down mattress toppers but want a more affordable option.
You get the comfort of down alternative material with the temperature control of gel-infused memory foam for the best of both worlds.
Lucid Hybrid Down Alternative + Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper features:
- 2 inches of down alternative material
- 2 inches of gel-infused memory foam
- Gel-infused memory foam enhances the mattress' breathability
- Fitted sheet style construction for maximum stability
- Hypoallergenic materials
- 3-year warranty
Flipping a memory foam mattress topper can ruin it. Rather than flip it, try rotating the topper periodically to avoid overuse in one place. Just make sure to keep it properly anchored to avoid slippage while you sleep.
Best Wool Mattress Topper: PlushBeds Luxury Wool Topper
If you need a balance between comfort and temperature regulation, a wool mattress topper may be the right choice. The PlushBeds Luxury Wool Topper provides comfort, pressure point relief, and stability no matter which position you sleep.
PlushBeds Luxury Wool Topper features:
- A soft surface that is cushioning to the pressure points
- Moisture wicking and heat dissipating technology for temperature regulation
- An antimicrobial surface
- No allergens or toxins used during construction
- Free of chemicals and fillers
- Free shipping
The average mattress topper lasts 3 to 5 years. Pay close attention to how your body feels when you wake up. Thinner mattress toppers need replacing even sooner because of the lightweight construction.
Best Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper: LANGRIA 3-Inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
If you love the feeling of memory foam but don't like how warm it gets, consider the Langria Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper. It's a comfortable memory foam topper that provides a stable surface for side sleepers without the "sunken in" feeling.
This topper also evenly distributes weight so your shoulders and hips stay comfortable while your body stays at a cool temperature.
Langria Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper features:
- Gel beads to help diffuse body heat away from you and the mattress
- Washable antibacterial cover
- Non-slip bottom for stability even while you move
- CertiPUR-US-certified for safe use
- Open-cell construction that resists body impressions
- 30-day return period
Bottom Line
If you sleep on your side but just can't seem to get comfortable, consider buying a mattress topper. Your shoulders and hips will feel cushioned and your spine will stay aligned. A good mattress topper is a great, inexpensive alternative to buying a new bed.
Write to Kim P at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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