Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers 2021 – Our Top 6 Picks
Did you know that an approximation of about 15% of all adults prefer to sleep on their sides with their legs outstretched as much as possible? Another 41% of adults would prefer to sleep in an actual fetal position as their back is hunched and their legs are bent. So is there an appropriate mattress type for side sleepers?
Side sleeping is quite common amongst women who are currently pregnant as this is amongst the best ways to accommodate the bumps of their growing babies. Keep in mind that this is a challenging position to sleep in and there are a lot of pressure points which could potentially cause you quite a lot of pain in the long run. So, what bed type can be useful for side sleepers?
A great mattress is undoubtedly amongst the most important things that are capable of providing you with the necessary rest and comfort. Additionally, if picked correctly, it could also prevent snoring and improve circulation.
Choosing the right one, however, is quite overwhelming as there are quite a few serious things that you should account for. This is where we step into the picture to provide you with a helping hand. We synthesized the most useful information about picking a side sleepers mattress, and we also reviewed a few of the best ones currently on the market.
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Challenges as a Side Sleeper
Pressure Points Cause Pain
When it comes to side sleeping, there is one rather significant drawback that you should account for and handle as quickly as you can in order to have the best rest – pressure. The truth is that as much as people like sleeping on their sides, it causes a lot of weight concentration over a small area and can make certain parts of the body more prone to experiencing discomfort if you are not careful.
One of the most common parts of the body that can experience pressure in this position is the lower back. The more constant the pressure is, the more severe the pain can become. The risk of continually repeating this cycle is development into chronic pain.
Through the usage of the best mattress type for a side sleeper, you can relieve a lot of the pressure and, hence, help prevent any further conditions. This is quite critical, and it needs to be taken into consideration during your search.
Hip/Shoulder Pain
Hip pain usually starts to manifest and to become especially tricky and bothersome in women who are pregnant and prefer to sleep in the fetal position. Their lower back is usually hunched, with knees facing towards the chest area.
This puts a severe amount of constant pressure on hips as they are not in a relaxed position. Even though it wouldn’t happen immediately, pain can start radiating throughout the entire area when you wake up early in the morning. Perhaps it will go away in a few hours, but it could ruin your morning or become a chronic condition if not monitored correctly.
A proper mattress can help ensure that the pressure is taken off of your hips.
If you are a side sleeper, you may also be placing a significant amount of constant pressure on your shoulder, which can result in stiffness and pain in the morning. Keep in mind that this is also attributed to the fact that your side sleeping position can put the shoulders in awkward poses that should be accounted for. A proper mattress that locks the position of your shoulder socket could potentially alleviate a serious amount of stress when it comes to it.
Neck Pain
When you sleep on your sides, the original allocation of pressure will concentrate on your neck. This can cause a lot of unpleasant stiffness, and it might even restrain your neck movements to a certain extent. That’s the last thing anyone would look forward to.
With this in mind, if you take advantage of a mattress that is plush enough to relieve pressure off of the pressure points, you might help yourself quite a lot. This is why the beds intended for side sleepers usually provide a significant sinkage, as your weight is focused and more targeted.
If the mattress is too firm, it is likely to cut off a significant portion of the blood circulation that takes place in your body. This is going to cause serious aching and pain just because it won’t contour the widest points in your shoulders. This could also be attributed to a severe spinal misalignment which most commonly results in severe pain in your neck area. That’s why a side sleeper’s mattress is likely to be a bit softer and, in any case, it should deliver an expressed contouring to make sure that everything is handled properly.
Back Pain
Back pain could also be a result of inappropriate mattress combined with the awkwardness of the side sleeping position. If the mattress is too soft, or too plush, this can cause your lower back to sink in deeper, as that’s where more weight is being concentrated. On the other hand, if it’s too firm, this could cause serious discomfort, especially if you are lighter regarding weight.
With all this in mind, the thing that you need to consider is the density of the foam as well as the softness of the mattress. Ideally, you’d be looking for a solution that hugs you without inducing the feeling as if you are trapped.
At the same time, you are looking for a combination of softness and support to contour your body line while relieving you of pressure.
Back pain could quickly escalate and cause a myriad of associated issues. It is most commonly caused by inappropriate postures as well as a lack of support while you sleep. If your mattress is softer than it should be, this can disrupt your alignment and cause a sensation of stiffness that will quickly translate to aching and severe pain. Make sure to take this into account when you pick up a top rated mattress for side sleepers.
How the Mattress Type Affects Side Sleepers
Memory Foam
The most popular choice when it comes to this category, a great memory foam mattress (for side sleepers) is something that you might want to consider. The truth is that there is a lot of merit for purchasing a solution of this kind for a range of different reasons.
Right off the bat, when you look at the mattress types for side sleepers, the most important thing that you want to consider is whether or not it conforms to the contours of your body. This is undoubtedly something quite important, and you should take it into account. If it doesn’t, the firmness of the mattress, regardless of whether it’s harder or softer, can play a detrimental role, and that’s not a risk you should be willing to take.
With this in mind, a proper mattress could easily be a great solution, but you may have to do a little testing and make sure that the foam aligns to your body in a relieving way that doesn’t alter neutral alignment. The softness should be adequate, but the support should not be compromised. Additionally, make sure that the foam is of high quality and that you do not get that trapped sensation typically indicative of lower-quality solutions.
Innerspring
Innerspring constructions bring a significant amount of value to your mattress because of the convenience that they provide. First of all, the overall breathability and air flow of these mattresses are incomparable to anything else on the market. Additionally, they are known for being quite supportive and reliable in this particular regard.
Of course, they do have their drawbacks. For instance, if the coils are not individually wrapped, you may not get the same level of individualized tailoring or pressure relief.
So, is this a good side sleeper option? Overall, some traditional coil mattresses may not be the best choice. The reason for this is simple – they bring in significant support, but there is a definitive lack of conformity in some models.
This could put more pressure on specific points, and that’s not something that you ought to consider. If the top layer is covered with a comforter of this foam-type, or if the coils are pocketed, the picture can change completely. However, the foam layer falls into an even more specific category (below) that you can consider.
Hybrid
Even the top-rated traditional innerspring mattress designed for a side sleeper may not provide you with the same level of convenience as a hybrid solution.
A hybrid mattress is one that combines the comfortable support brought by the steel coil system with an additional or more than one layers of foam. The type of foam could be different, but it’s usually high-quality memory foam that you should be looking forward to.
In any case, there are quite a lot of benefits that stem from using a solution of this kind. While you can receive the necessary conformity that is lacking in traditional innerspring mattresses, the support that is brought by the coil system is something that foam mattress sometimes miss. This is a solid option because it brings a beautiful combination of comprehensive solutions intended to deliver the best sleeping sensation for a side sleeper with mixed materials.
Latex
Lying on your side tends to produce the most pressure points because this narrow surface area is bearing your full body weight. To relieve pressure, foam tends to reign supreme, but some foams, especially traditional memory foam, might make you feel trapped or hot. Latex is in a number of new products because of its ability to address pressure points without holding your body in place or overheating.
Latex is typically buoyant and allows lots of air to flow through it – qualities that help it remain temperature neutral and easy to navigate. Since the material is quick responding, it should immediately spring right back into its original shape. If you are a combination sleeper or an otherwise active sleeper, these constructions make repositioning easier.
Not all latex is created equal and, depending on how it is processed, it can produce a remarkably different feel to suit different preferences/budgets. You can choose naturally sourced latex produced from rubber tree sap or synthetic blends or alternatives that tend to be more affordable. The Talalay process produces foam considered more luxury level because consistency and lightness, while the heavier Dunlop latex is processed more naturally and may contain less chemicals.
Other Buying Considerations
Firm or Soft
Although there are some general trends, you need to consider your personal preferences as well as any issues that you might be facing. With this being said, it is quite essential to land the most appropriate balance between softness and firmness. A mattress that’s too soft could turn out to be applying more pressure on your lower back and shoulders while firmer options bring tension to the area around your neck and hips.
The solution is a balanced mattress aligned with your specifications. Remember to consider your weight. This is one of the most characteristic properties that you should account for.
Heavier folks will usually prefer a firmer mattress because it will resist sinking too deep. Hence, solutions with thicker top layers may be preferable. On the other hand, if you are lightweight, you might consider a plush bed to avoid creating pressure points.
Of course, it’s also important to consider the type of pain you might be feeling. All in all, when it comes to optimal bed firmness for side sleepers, you should aim for one that brings perfect spinal alignment when it comes to it.
Bed in a Box vs. Retail
Though traditional mattress stores and furniture stores selling beds still do good business, bed-in-a-box online brands are thriving and new and more innovative choices are cropping up every day, enticing potential customers away from brick and mortar shops.
It may be more comfortable for you to shop in-store because you’d prefer to speak face-to-face with a person about which brand works best for you. However, many people are intimidated by salespeople, many of whom work on commission and are motivated to sell higher-priced items when upgrades may not be necessary. Almost all boxed brands have online chat functions that allow you to talk with reps about the product, many of whom do not work for commission.
Additionally, exclusive side sleepers typically have highly specific pressure relief needs, and they may feel it’s better to make sure that a product properly aligns their spine and soothes their pressure points before purchasing. To address this, online companies offer generous trials that let you try the mattress at home, and you may have a better idea after a few nights than from 15 minutes in a store.
Expensive or Budget
The quality of your sleep might not correspond to a price tag, as there are many considerations outside of craftsmanship and materials that might drive up the price of a mattress. Housing and displaying brands in a retail store, for example, may increase the price because the supply chain is longer, and there are many more middlemen who must be paid.
A direct-to-consumer online sales model can save you thousands on the same quality of pressure relief side sleepers need. These brands can offer significant savings because the supply chain is much shorter, and oftentimes, a bed is coming directly from a factory right to your door. Beds that compress and roll into boxes also save the companies on storage and shipping.
It’s more important to evaluate a bed in terms of its value and its suitability to your specific sleep needs rather than only thinking about the bed’s extra bells and whistles. Evaluate your sleep priorities, and shop for a product that delivers in these categories. You might find you spend a lot less money than you originally budgeted to invest.
Benefits of Sleeping Sideways
If you feel naturally tempted towards sleeping on your left side, there is a valid, scientific reason for that. A lot of reports show that there are actual benefits of sleeping on your left in spite of on your right side. Some of them include:
- Reduced heartburn
- It prevents snoring
- It boosts your digestion properties
- Helps to clear your lymph
- Improves your overall brain health
The reasons for that are numerous. In a nutshell, it comes down to better alignment of your entire body, including your internal organs and not just your spine.
In fact, learning to adjust to resting in this position may seriously cut down on sleep apnea episodes for a significant amount of people (click here to read about beds for sleep apnea sufferers).
Of course, as we’ve mentioned above, there are also challenges which associated with sleeping on your side. When you’re considering the benefits, make sure not to forget weighing in the side effects and potential risks as well.
Top 6 Mattresses for Side Sleepers
1. Nectar
With a thick memory foam layer and deeper contouring, pressure relief is a strong suit of Nectar. Not only does Nectar contour heavier parts of the body, but lighter areas experience contouring, creating a balanced feeling with proper alignment.
Construction
This mattress is compatible with practically all foundations, including platforms, divans, boxsprings, slatted frames, and adjustable bases. If you choose, you can buy a foundation designed specifically for Nectar through the company’s website, and this foundation is also covered by a Forever Warranty.
The cover is made from durable long-staple cotton and Tencel, an eco-friendly, bed bug resistant fabric that promotes airflow and temperature regulation. It is fully removable, which is great if it needs to be spot cleaned.
Quilted into the cover is a 1-inch layer of breathable gel memory foam that gives the top of the bed a luxuriously plush feel that also works to reduce heat retention. On the underside of the cover, there are small bumps that act like little grips to help prevent the mattress from sliding around on its frame, which is especially nice for adjustable base set-ups.
Overall, the bed is 11 inches thick with the following layers beneath the gel-quilted cover.
Firmness
One of the first things you notice about Nectar is how plush and soft the quilted cover feels while giving you an extra layer of pressure-relieving memory foam. Lying down on the bed, you will feel your entire body slowly sink into the upper layers for a deep hug. These comfort layers are slow responding, unlike the quicker-responding layers at the base.
The bottom two layers are noticeably firmer, and the brand has done a nice job of combining pressure relief and comfort with support. It is also important to note that even lighter parts of the body sink in comfortably, creating a nice uniform feel to lying down.
Though mattresses that cradle your body can sometimes retain heat, Nectar’s cooling features, like the gel and breathable cover, will help keep you from sleeping hot.
Customer Service
Nectar’s memory foam bed is delivered to your front door rolled up into a bag with handles for easier transport through your house to the bedroom. If you prefer, the company will also arrange an optional White Glove Delivery service to have your mattress professionally unwrapped and installed.
The company offers an impressive 365-night trial period for you to decide if you want to keep it. This is a risk-free trial, so if you are unsatisfied in any way, you can return it and claim a full refund.
Besides that, Nectar ships for free within the continental USA or to Hawaii, Alaska, or other U.S. Territories, excluding Puerto Rico, for an additional fee.
Pros
If you prefer feeling like you’re slowly melting into the bed and experiencing a deeper-cradling hug, this mattress has classic features you will enjoy. Nectar delivers great pressure relief to your entire body, as well as in the shoulders and hips, where it is needed most. It contours to curves and reduces pressure, which works wonders for people who tend to sleep on their sides.
There are high-quality materials in this bed at a truly affordable price. The brand even provides a full year in its trial period to see if you feel well rested, which translates into overall peace of mind with the purchase.
Cons
Nectar has crafted their memory foam bed to be supportive and comfortable, however, this mattress does not have the same level of bounce that innerspring beds are known for and will have a different feel from them. If you are interested, you can check out our full Nectar Mattress Review too.
Although it should quickly dissipate, there is some noticeable off-gassing, or “new mattress smell” from the materials that are released from this bed when it is first unpacked.
2. The Casper
Casper is making strides in ergonomic design. The Casper has been updated with an exciting new feature that improves upon their original model. It now includes Zoned Support™, which is why we are featuring this bed as our Spine Alignment pick for side sleepers.
Construction
Casper is an all-foam bed that ships straight to your door compressed in a box. As with most all-foam constructions, you will want to use a flat surface, platform, or closely slatted bed frame for best results. Foundations and adjustable bases specially designed for Casper mattresses are available on the company’s website.
The cover is made from a durable two-toned polyester with quality stitching that holds well when the fabric is pulled in multiple directions. It is also fully-removable for spot cleaning. Overall, the mattress is 12 inches thick and has four distinct layers.
Firmness
On the firmness scale, we scored the Casper at a 6 out of 10, with 10 being the firmest, which we would classify as a medium level of firmness. Beds in this range tend to work best for couples who have differing sleeping preferences as they more versatile.
With this mattress, there is slightly less sinkage than expected of brands with a memory foam layer, which is ideal for individuals who prefer to sleep more on top of their mattress. There is also an average bounce for an all-foam product, which is largely due to the top comfort layer and the base layer. The soft cover gives it a cozy feel.
Lying down on the mattress, you should feel as if your weight is evenly distributed. With the Zoned Support™, a firmer transition foam under your hips will keep your spine even with your shoulders. Though you will sink in a small amount for pressure relief and a gently cradled feeling, you will not feel stuck.
Customer Service
You may test this bed for 100 nights, and if you do not like it, the company will come pick it up for free. If you do choose to go with this mattress, it comes with a 10 year warranty so you can use it without worrying when will it tear down. Besides that, free shipping and free returns are available in the USA and Canada.
Pros
People who tend to change position should not have any difficulty with the Casper, due to the combination of its quick-responding top and transition layers with a supportive base. The specially-designed foams are also extremely accommodative for all sleeping positions, making this bed a good choice for couples.
Furthermore, this brand really goes to work to blend comfort with excellent alignment. Softer foam under the shoulders paired with firmer foam under the hips help to keep the spine straight while you sleep.
Cons
The all-foam structure is extremely supportive and versatile for a lot of individuals, but it will feel different from beds that incorporate coil systems. Still interested in the Casper mattress, you can find out whether its worth it in our Casper Mattress Review.
3. The Winkbed
The WinkBeds is our hybrid pick, meaning that it combines a supportive coil base with the luxurious comfort of foams on top. It has three firmnesses options, as well as a Plus option for heavier individuals, and we recommend their Softer model for the ultimate pressure relief for side sleepers.
Construction
Each WinkBed hybrid mattress is made to order and shipped from the company’s manufacturing facility in Wisconsin after being compressed and rolled into a smaller box. White Glove Delivery, which will professionally unwrap and install your mattress, is available upon request.
The company recommends sturdy frames with stable centers, platforms, and/or new high-quality box springs. Foundations, including a coolControl™ foundation that can heat and cool your mattress to your preferred temperature, can be purchased on the company’s website.
The cover is made from a stretch-knit fabric and Tencel, a breathable and eco-friendly textile made from sustainable wood pulp, that wicks away moisture. This fabric is tufted with two layers of comfort foam, which gives the bed a plush pillow top look.
Each mattress is handcrafted so the dimensions may vary slightly, but both the Luxury Firm and Firmer options are approximately 14.5 inches tall. The Softer is 15.5. The following specifications refer to the Luxury Firm option.
Firmness
The soft tufted cover feels plush and luxurious to the touch and gently cradles your body’s weight when lying down on the top of this mattress. There is less sinkage compared to some hybrids and many all-foam designs, but both the foam layers and the micro coil unit should contour to your curves and evenly distribute your weight to relieve pressure.
The 8-inch coil system will help keep your spine aligned. It also supplies a deep bounce and strong support that can help when repositioning, and the overall fast response combined layers and micro coil unit should prevent you from feeling rooted in position.
Because you will sleep closer to the surface instead of inside the mattress, more air can circulate around your body to keep you cool. Open cell foams and coil units also promote airflow that keeps the temperature well-regulated.
Overall, the Luxury Firm option, which is the company’s best-selling model, will be the most accommodative for most sleeping styles and especially attractive for combination sleepers who rotate between positions.
Motion Transfer
Motion transfer refers to how much movement travels from one end of the bed to another. Old-fashioned innerspring mattresses with connected coil units usually transfer the most motion, memory foam tends to transfer the least, and hybrids are right around the middle.
The WinkBed performs on average for hybrids in this space. Both the foam and two rows of individually pocketed coils that flex independently do a decent job isolating motion. People who share this bed should be able to move without the worry of disturbing their partners.
Pros
This mattress has two distinct pocketed coil units, which make its level of support that is hard to beat. One is specially designed to contour to your curves, while the other keeps your weight evenly distributed and spine straight. Individuals who alternate between sleep positions will enjoy the Luxury Firm’s versatility and features like support and bounce that make this mattress easy to move around on.
Moreover, there are two separate coil units keep air flowing through this mattress, which can help it sleep cool. There is also an optional coolControl™ base that lets you set a preferred temperature with your smartphone for customized comfort.
Cons
This hybrid’s springs promote more airflow than foam and offer greater bounce for easy repositioning, though it will not have quite the same motion isolation or feel of all-foam.
4. The Bear Mattress
Bear’s construction puts it in a medium-contouring tier with balanced pressure relief and support. Individuals who want comfort from memory foam without getting stuck can enjoy this bed since it has a shorter one-inch layer on top.
Construction
Bear is a foam bed with a layer of memory materials that ships in a box to the USA and Canada. Their product can be set on a solid, flat surface and works with an adjustable base. The company sells their own foundations on their site.
Its cover is a major selling point for many buyers, not only due to its appealing two-toned design but because of the materials used to create it. The company uses a highly unique Celliant® technology that they claim has FDA-determined infrared yarn technology.
The brand says that this technology has many clinically proven benefits to overall wellness and sleep quality, as well as improved tissue oxygen levels. They say the Celliant® converts energy from the body into infrared light, providing many of these benefits.
If you are interested in this aspect, we encourage you to conduct your own additional research on this topic, as we are not experts in this field. The brand believes it is especially significant for those with active lifestyles, which is something to take into account if you are in that category.
Its non-removable cover can be gently spot cleaned. In its 10-inch thickness, there is a gradual transition from soft to the firmer layers from the top down. Instead of traditional adhesives, the brand utilizes a water-based bonding solution.
Firmness
Our 10-point scale with 10 being the firmest, we describe this model’s feel as a 6-6.5 level of firmness. It is on the firmer side of a medium range, meaning most people should like it.
When putting weight on the bed and releasing it, most of the levels respond quickly. It is the inch of memory foam on top that is slower to respond. However, the memory layer responds quicker than many out there. Even though there is a memory layer, it does not feel predominantly like a memory foam bed. However, it remains soft and comfortable while lying down.
Despite the top memory layer, there is a noticeable bounce. It is not as much as innerspring models or some all-foam brands we have reviewed, but it is there (see all our mattress reviews). There is also a gentle cradling effect, where the contouring starts a little bit away from the body.
Sometimes memory foam can cause sleepers to feel stuck, but that should not be the case with this bed and most should move freely on it. Again, because it is a thinner memory layer and the nature of the product is quick-responding, repositioning should be easier.
Motion Transfer
Overall, motion transfer is minimal. However, because the cover is stretched tight, there can be a slight pulling effect horizontally when pushing directly down on the cover. Still, we do not think that light sleepers (the group that needs high isolation) will be bothered at night.
Pros
Graphite gel and a cover with Celliant® technology are specially designed to keep you cool. While not all beds can be used with adjustable bases, Bear can. Its foam construction allows it to conform to positions that other beds cannot.
The company often does donations, not only has the company donated to every state, they have donated over $20 million in sports equipment and helped over 4 million children be active.
Cons
As an all-foam model, you will not experience a traditional innerspring feel. However, this mattress still has bounce and additional comfort layers. They offer another model, the new Bear Hybrid, that has springs and pressure reducing foam. Also, the brand does not currently offer services to remove your previous bed, which is something to keep in mind if you want to find a company that can. However, if the mattress does not work for you, they will remove it from your home for free.
If you are a side sleeper and this mattress seems really interesting for you, you can read the Bear Mattress Review and have an in-depth look on it.
5. Layla
Construction
Layla is a memory bed-in-a-box option that works with a variety of different foundations or slatted bed frames and is adjustable base compatible. There is a foundation designed specifically for this mattress available through the company’s website.
The fully-removable cover has a top that is a polyester/viscose/lycra blend infused with cooling ThermoGel®, which is activated when it comes into contact with moisture. These proprietary soft and durable materials are noticeably cooler to the touch.
The newly updated cover with a sleek hexagon design clearly designates which firmness is facing up, taking the guesswork out of which feel you’re experiencing. The cover also can be dry cleaned, which is a great feature, and replacement covers are available for purchase through the website.
Firmness
Layla is delivered with the Soft foams facing up, and we scored this at a 4 out of 10 on our firmness scale, with 10 being the firmest. Flipping it over, the Firm side scored a 7 out 10.
On both sides, Layla offers a classic memory bed feel that cradles the body’s curves while providing good support. If you wake up on firmer mattresses feeling pain in pressure points like your hips, back, and knees, you will likely love waking up in memory foam. The pressure relief of this product truly excels, especially on the Soft side.
Like many beds in the memory space, there is next to no bounce. That said, the response time – or the amount of time the foam requires to regain its shape once pressure is released – is relatively quick compared to other memory beds, but does not snap immediately back into place, and your weight is well-supported by the base foam.
The Soft foams really cradle your body in a deep and cozy hug. Either side of Layla will accommodate a variety of sleep positions, however, if you are an active (combination) sleeper and ease of repositioning is exceptionally important to you, you may want to try the Firm side for additional ease of repositioning.
Motion Transfer
Layla really delivers in motion isolation, where memory foam beds are known to perform extremely well. Jumping or simply getting in and out of bed produces a very minimal transfer of movement from one part to the other. This is important to consider for couples who sleep light and have different sleeping schedules. You should sleep undisturbed by your partner moving around in this bed.
Pros
Layla is double-sided, with Soft and Firm sides. By designing one bed with two firmness levels, you can discover the type of support and pressure relief that suits your body best. The brand provides a generous risk-free 120-night trial period to help you decide if their product is the right fit. With the soft side up, this product really excels in relieving pressure along all of your body’s heaviest points with the deep cradling of memory foam. Firmer supportive layers underneath will help ensure that your spine remains in neutral alignment.
Besides that, the cover is infused with the company’s proprietary cooling ThermoGel®, and the first layer of memory foam incorporates copper, a “thermal superhighway.” Both work together to noticeably reduce heat retention, which is often associated with traditional memory materials.
Cons
This bed really delivers on all the advantages that make memory products great, including pressure relief and contouring, and has added features to reduce heat retention. However, people who are looking for more bounce and prefer to sleep on the top of their mattress may not appreciate the deep hug of Layla, especially when turned to its Soft side.
Want to know more about the Layla Mattress? I would highly recommend that you read the Layla Mattress Review too.
6. Purple Mattress
Purple takes an incredibly scientific approach to comfort and pressure relief for side sleepers. The company is well-known for their egg test, where they attach raw eggs to glass (with weights on top) and drop the eggs onto the bed without cracking.
Construction
Purple is a 9.5-inch tall mattress with a gel-like top and foam base that ships to your door compressed and rolled in a bag. The package has convenient handles to make it easier to move to the room of your choice.
It can be used with almost every type of foundation. The company sells their own Platform Base and adjustable PowerBase through their website.
The white knit cover has some padding and is a viscose, polyester, and Lycra blend. It has good construction, holding up well to tugging and pulling. If necessary, the cover can be removed for spot cleaning, but it is not machine washable.
Firmness
Purple’s feel is unique. The firmness level feels slightly different depending on the sleeping position and weight of the person on it. Even so, we rated it a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale, with 10 being the firmest. Therefore, it falls into a medium range of firmness, which is seen as a versatile level of firmness that caters to the widest variety of people.
The cover is breathable and soft to the touch. When pushing down into the mattress, the Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ grid is its most prominent feature. Pushing down further reveals the foam layers beneath.
The materials gently contour the body when lying down. However, the cradling is different depending on the position. Side sleepers can expect to sink into the mattress further than back and stomach sleepers as the gel-like grid interacts with pressure points. Unlike slow-responding memory foam, it responds quickly when pressing down and releasing. There is a bounce in the top layer and repositioning is easy.
Purple’s top layer makes it wonderful for a variety of sleep positions. The material buckles or releases in heavier areas. The column structure supports other areas evenly that do not need pressure relief.
Motion Transfer
Motion transfer is something to consider when buying a new bed. While it is not an issue for a wide range of people, light sleepers need a product that does not interrupt their sleep cycle when partners or pets jump into bed.
Purple performs well in this category. While the memory foam products are the industry heavyweights in this area, it has minimal movement to other parts of the mattress.
Pros
The Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ top has been scientifically engineered to provide pressure relief to any area of the body that needs it. In fact, the brand has deemed it the “World’s First No Pressure™ mattress.” This is great news for side sleepers with pressure in their shoulders and hips.
Purple works well for nearly all sleep styles. Its structure helps with pressure relief and support while having a medium-level firmness. Couples with different styles can have a great night in the same bed. Furthermore, the Hyper-Elastic Polymer™ grid is temperature neutral and promotes airflow. If you are hyped out about the purple mattress, check out a comprehensive Purple Mattress Review too.
Cons
This model is not made with innersprings. However, its comfort layers provide pressure relief not found in typical innerspring brands. While memory materials are slow responding and can trap in heat, Purple stays temperature neutral and its quick responsiveness helps with ease of repositioning.
FAQ
How often should I buy a new mattress?
While it’s not exact science, it’s recommended that you change your mattress once every 7 to 10 years. By this point, your mattress is probably not giving you the support or comfort that you need to get a good night’s sleep.
Is an orthopedic mattress comfortable?
Orthopaedic mattresses offer high levels of support, pressure relief and comfort. Whilst they are particularly beneficial for those who have a bad back or experience aches and pains throughout the night, this type of mattress isn’t only for those who suffer from back pain.
What’s the difference between memory foam and orthopedic mattress?
A memory foam mattress doesn’t transfer motion, which means you’re very unlikely to be disturbed by your partner’s movements during the night. Memory foam mattresses are perfect for couples of different weights. Memory foam mattresses generally last longer than pocket sprung mattresses.
Is foam better than spring mattress?
The pressure of the coils from the spring mattress and uneven body support may acerbate aches and pains instead of relieving them. Spring mattresses tend to have a shorter lifespan and warranty then memory foam due to the coil system design and manufacturing causing them to eventually sag from body weight
How long does an orthopedic mattress last?
There are no absolute rules when it comes to the longevity of the mattresses, although generally, they last longer than traditional innerspring mattresses. A good memory foam mattress might last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, but the very best ones might last even longer.
About the Author Jessica Larsen
I am a big advocate that having great sleep is something everyone deserves. With over 10 years of experience in this field, I would love to use this platform as a means to help you achieve a good night's sleep.
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