The Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers in 2023

Side sleeping is one of the most common sleeping positions for Americans. There are benefits to sleeping on your side but there are also side effects.

Side sleepers are less likely to experience acid reflux and/or snore throughout the night, but they’re also more likely to experience aches and pains in their hips and shoulders. 

With the proper sleeping gear, side sleepers can avoid any negative side effects and sleep soundly each night. Here are our top picks for the best mattress toppers for side sleepers and how to choose the proper one for you. 

Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers 

• Best Overall – Linenspa 2 Inch Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper
• Best Cooling for Side Sleepers – LUCID 4 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper
• Best for Back Pain – ViscoSoft 3 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper
• Best Budget – Milemont Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

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How a Mattress Topper Helps Side Sleepers

If you’re a side sleeper and you wake up with aches and pains, then a mattress topper is a great way to ease that pain. Side sleepers tend to experience more pain in their hips and shoulders because more pressure builds up in those areas overnight when you sleep on your side, rather than your back.

To help relieve pain in the shoulders and hips, you need to improve your mattress’ pressure relieving qualities. The best way to do this without buying a whole new mattress is to buy a mattress topper that helps distribute pressure more evenly.

How to Choose the Best Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers need a mattress that contours to the body and relieves pressure on the joints. A mattress topper can be the fix you’re looking for to get a better night’s sleep. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best topper for your sleeping position. 

Firmness

As a side sleeper, a mattress that is too firm or too soft can be detrimental to the alignment of the body. A medium to medium-firm mattress topper can provide the extra cushion needed to give the proper support and comfort a side sleeper is looking for. 

Materials

Most mattress toppers are made up of memory foam, but you can also see toppers made of fiber, feather, latex, or wool. The right material for you will depend on your preference, price range, and desired temperature. 

Thickness

It’s common to think that the thicker the mattress topper, the more comfortable it will be, but that’s not always the case. The density is what accounts for the support and firmness of your mattress topper. You can find mattress toppers as thick as one to four inches.

Your Weight

You must consider your weight when picking out a mattress topper. You’ll need to find a topper that is dense enough to prevent your body from sinking in too deep. For instance, heavier people will most likely need a more dense topper than someone who is lighter. 

Budget

Mattress toppers have a large price range. You can find an affordable topper for $25-$60 and luxurious toppers anywhere from $150-$300. The materials, density, and cooling technology designed into the topper will increase the price. 

FAQs

Do side sleepers need a mattress topper?

Whether or not you need a mattress topper is really up to you as an individual, but side sleepers can definitely benefit from a mattress topper. Memory foam toppers can help distribute pressure more evenly to prevent aches and pains in your shoulders and hips. This pain reduction can then help you get a better night’s sleep as well.

How do I know if I need a mattress topper for my mattress?

If you wake up with pain in your shoulders or hips, or if your mattress is visibly sagging and you can’t afford a new one yet, you definitely need a mattress topper. You also might need a mattress topper if your mattress is too firm for your liking or if you often find yourself waking up tired.

Which mattress topper thickness is best for side sleepers? 

Side sleepers typically need more cushioning and contouring memory foam out of their mattress topper, so the thicker, the better. A two-three inch topper should work well. If you choose one that is thinner, you may not get all of the pressure-relieving benefits, and if you go much thicker, you may not be able to change position very easily throughout the night.

Is memory foam good for side sleepers?

Memory foam is a great option for side sleepers because it contours to the body and absorbs pressure, preventing pressure buildup in the pressure points throughout the body, like the hips and shoulders. Side sleepers are even more prone to pain in these areas than other sleepers, which is why memory foam is a great option for getting a great night’s sleep as a side sleeper.

Summary

Compare the best mattress toppers for side sleepers below:

Product	Material	Best for	Customer Rating
Linenspa 2 Inch Mattress Topper	Polyurethane Memory Foam with Gel Beads	Best Overall	4.4/5
LUCID 4 Inch Mattress Topper	Ventilated gel memory foam	Best Cooling for Side Sleepers	4.1/5
ViscoSoft 3 Inch Mattress Topper	Gel-infused high-density memory foam	Best for Back Pain	4.3/5
Milemont 3 inch Mattress Topper	Gel memory foam	Best Budget	4.5/5

Side sleepers should avoid an extremely firm, as well as extremely soft mattress. A mattress topper can offer the perfect medium firmness to get the best night’s sleep for a person who sleeps on their side.