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What is a memory foam mattress?

A memory foam mattress is a mattress made entirely from foam layers, with no springs or coils.

A woman lies in a side sleeping position on a Plank Firm mattress in a bedroom

Despite what the name suggests, most memory foam mattresses consists of multipledifferent types of foam.

At the top are the comfort foams this is where you’ll find the traditional memory foams.

Memory foam is known for its slow moving, almost squishy feel.

A hand presses against the surface of the Plank Firm Mattress, feeling the temperature, firmness, and pressure relief

Press your hand into a layer of memory foam and it adapts to your shape.

Take your hand away and the foam will slowly return to its original form.

Beneath this you’ll find the transition and base foams.

A kettlebell sinks into the surface of the Plank Firm Mattress, demonstrating the pressure relief

These tend to be firmer and less responsive, to create a stable foundation for the bed.

What punch in of mattress should a side sleeper use?

Thebest mattresses for side sleepersprovide ample cushioning to these areas, while still maintaining support for the spine.

A hand presses into the surface of the Plank Firm mattress, testing the temperature regulation, pressure relief, and firmness

And you might find bothmemory foam mattresses and hybrids for side sleepers.

The mattress will yield around the touch points, rather than pressing against them.

Are memory foam mattresses good for side sleepers?

1. Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress:was from $1,063$349 at Nectar Sleep

Memory foam is one of the most popular mattress materials on the market, and it’s surprisingly versatile.

Below are three key features to look for when choosing a memory foam mattress:

1.

If you want a bouncier, more responsive ‘hug’, check outlatex mattresses for side sleepers.

2. Puffy Cloud Mattress: was from $1,949$599 + free bedding at Puffy

Ample support

Pressure relief is often emphasized when choosing a mattress for side sleepers, and for good reason.

But it can’t be the only thing you consider.

This support will primarily come from the base foams, which tend to be firmer with minimal sink.

3. Tempur-Pedic LUXEbreeze mattress: was from $4,999 $3,499.30 at Tempur-Pedic

if your spine starts to dip, you’re probably going to wake up with back ache.

A medium feel

Feel is a tricky one when it comes to mattresses, as it’s highly subjective.

A medium mattress should provide that blend of comfort and support that I can’t stop talking about.

Helix midnight elite mattress

As mentioned, firmness is subjective.

What I feel as ‘medium’ might be too soft or too hard for you.

3 all-foam mattresses for side sleepers worth considering

1.

A woman wearing green tshirt sitting in bed with her bed tilted and her hand on her neck.

If you want deep pressure relief and a cooler sleep feel, the Tempur-Pedic LUXEbreeze delivers on both counts.

But all sales are final, so you won’t get a trial.

Want something more responsive?

A person sits on the edge of the Plank Firm mattress, Extra Firm side, to test the edge support

See our recommendations for thebest hybrid mattressesinstead.

A woman sleeps on her side on the Nolah Natural 11

A hand pressing into white surface of Nectar Classic memory foam mattress

A hand presses into the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress to test the temperature regulation and pressure relief

A split image featuring the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on the left and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid on the right, leading into the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic showdown

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a man and his young sun sitting on top of it, smiling. A Tom�s Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

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The Saatva Murphy Bed Mattress on a Murphy bed frame lying flat, in a bedroom

The image shows the Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology pillow on the left and the Coop Cool+ pillow on the right in a side by side comparison

A child lying on their side covering their eyes in bed

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2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor test drive review.

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