Best Mattress Topper for Side Sleepers (2023): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

If you’re in the market for a mattress topper, it’s important to consider your sleeping position. The best mattress topper for side sleepers isn’t necessarily the same as for a back sleeper or a stomach sleeper.

In fact, side sleepers experience different pressure points, due to the shape of the human body—shoulders and hips stick out and hit the mattress first, bearing more weight than other parts of the body. Without the proper pillow and mattress topper, there’s a good chance that side sleepers will wake up with shoulder, hip, back, or neck pain. With a whopping 74% of Americans reporting that they prefer side sleeping, getting the right bed topper is critical for a good night’s sleep.

The best mattress toppers for side sleepers are supportive in all the right places. They’re also durable and breathable to avoid excessive sweating in the night. High-quality materials that provide pressure relief are top priorities when choosing the right bed topper.

Whether you’ve just purchased a new mattress and discovered it needs some extra cushion for your sleeping position or you’re simply trying to extend the life of your aging mattress, choosing the right mattress topper can make all the difference in your sleep quality.

The Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers

Brand	Model	Highlights	Price (Queen)
	Lift® by Amerisleep	Contains HIVE® technology to relieve pressure points and promote a healthy spine	$299
	Zoma Balance Pad	Reactiv™ foam bounces back quickly, deterring sag and absorbing motion transfer	$275
	Viscosoft Serene Hybrid Mattress Topper	Down alternative for cushion and gel memory foam for supportive pressure relief	$199 or $249
	GhostBed Memory Foam Topper	3" of contouring & cooling gel memory foam	$239
	Isolus 2.5 Inch Gel Memory Foam	Features cooling gels to prevent night sweats	$225
	Sleep on Latex Pure Green Natural Latex	Features all-natural latex	$99
	Sleep Joy 3″ ViscO2 Ventilated Memory Foam	Features plant-based memory foam	$89
	eLuxury Rayon Foam Bamboo Mattress Pad With Fitted Skirt	Contains ultra-breathable bamboo to keep you cool and comfortable	$125
	Best Price Mattress 4-Inch Memory Foam	Four inches thick for cloud-like cushioning	$134
	Sure2Sleep Soft-Plush 3LB High-Density Open Cell Gel Memory Foam	Hypoallergenic, features cooling gels	$89
	Red Nomad 3-Inch Ultra Premium Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattress Pad	Features Cool Cycle Technology for superior cooling	$135
	Molecule Triple Zone Mattress Topper	Contains technology to adapt to your temperature and keep you cool	$250

These toppers run the range of pricing but are all of stellar quality. They check all or most of the boxes for supporting side sleepers. They’re backed by warranties that range from 1-5 years, are made with hypoallergenic materials, and feature machine washable covers. They also offer technology to distribute your body weight rather than allowing it to concentrate on pressure points.

The biggest differences you’ll notice are in the materials used and the level of customization. While there are a number of memory foam options, there are also other material choices to give you a variety of options at different price points.

Our recommended mattress topper for side sleepers is the Lift® by Amerisleep because it has a perfect 3-inch thickness and is available in soft and firm options. We also like this mattress topper because it features dynamic HIVE® technology to offer full-body support.

The Lift® by Amerisleep is available in Comfort and Support options. The Comfort Lift® is 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, a pressure-relieving, plant-based memory foam, and the Support Lift® is 3 inches of more responsive, firmer Affinity foam.

Both the Comfort and Support Lift® contain HIVE® technology. HIVE® is firmer under the head, feet, and torso to keep you lifted in neutral alignment, and this technology is especially beneficial for side sleepers because it allows for deeper compression under the shoulders and hips.

Whether you feel your mattress is too firm or too soft, Amerisleep’s Lift® can mitigate sleep issues. You can buy the Amerisleep mattress topper on their website, and they come with a 5-year warranty.

The Zoma brand is relatively new to the mattress scene, but their founders come to the industry with over 25 years of experience. With their new Zoma Balance Pad, they offer an extra layer of firm support for sleepers with too-soft mattresses.

The Zoma Balance Pad has a soft, ventilated performance cover that protects the pad and keeps you cool. The material inside will be familiar to Zoma Mattress owners. Reactiv™ is a latex-like, bouncy foam that lifts you while contouring to sensitive pressure points, preventing pain or numbness. The high-quality foam absorbs motion transfer at its source and resists sagging even with prolonged use. 

Reactiv™ is CertiPUR-US® certified, ensuring it’s free from formaldehyde, PBDEs, and it’s low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The bottom of the mattress pad is covered in non-skid fabric to keep it in place, a big plus for restless sleepers. 

The Zoma Balance Pad is made here in the USA and shipped free within the contiguous 48 states. The 5-year warranty protects against manufacturing defects and sags deeper than .75 inches.

If you’re experiencing aches and pains when you wake up or your current mattress has developed sags, the Zoma Balance Pad may be right for you.

Some side sleepers want a less solid feel than what a foam topper offers, seeking a weightless pillowtop sensation. However, the drawback of pillowy down and down alternative toppers is that it’s easy to sink into the surface and feel unsupported. The Viscosoft Serene Hybrid Mattress Topper sidesteps this pitfall by combining the feel of down alternative with memory foam support.

The topper comes in 3 or 4-inch thicknesses, with the construction varying slightly depending on what you pick. The 4-inch option has 1.5 inches of down alternative with 2.5 inches of gel-infused memory foam, while the 3-inch topper has 3 inches of gel memory foam. The downy clumps that provide the primary comfort promote airflow, while the gel memory foam works to limit heat retention.

The topper’s cover is a 300-thread count fabric with an elastic skirt with pockets that can fit a mattress up to 18 inches, securing the topper like it was a fitted sheet. This cover can be removed and washed for easy cleaning, too.

The Viscosoft Serene Hybrid Mattress Topper ships free and comes with a 90-day trial period and a 5-year warranty.

Along with a cooling gel infusion, this mattress topper from GhostBed also features contouring cutouts for increased comfort. The squiggles and whorls establish five distinct zones of support, helping the topper adapt to the body’s positions.

The topper is wrapped in a removable, waterproof cotton-blend cover. This exclusive fabric is known as Ghost Ice fabric, promoting a plush and breathable mattress surface. You can take the cover off and clean it in a washer on a gentle cycle with cool to warm water.

One last feature we have to mention is the elastic bands attached to the topper. These GhostGrip elastic bands keep the topper from sliding out of place, a vital part of ensuring the bed feels consistently comfrotable.

The GhostBed Memory Foam Topper comes with free shipping and a 5-year warranty.

4. Isolus 2.5 Inch Gel Memory Foam Topper

The Isolus 2.5 Inch Gel Memory Foam Topper provides superior support with breathable, cooling technology so that you don’t get too hot in the night. A mix of cooling gel and memory foam helps ventilate the topper while providing contoured support for the hips and shoulders.

This topper comes with a removable bamboo cover that’s machine washable, along with a three-year warranty against defects. It’s CertiPUR-US® certified, which means that its foam has been analyzed by independent, accredited testing laboratories and meets CertiPUR-US® standards for content, emissions, and durability.

5. Sleep on Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper

The Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper offers an excellent alternative for those who don’t enjoy the feeling of sinking into memory foam. This all-natural latex provides springy support in three different densities to help you find the perfect match. You have the option of adding a machine-washable cover for it at checkout for an additional $49, which we recommend in order to keep it clean and in good shape for longer.

Because this topper is made with plant-based ingredients, it doesn’t emit any unpleasant odors when you remove it from the package. It comes with a five-year warranty.

6. Sleep Joy 3″ ViscO2 Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper

For those who want a slightly thicker foam, this three-inch ventilated memory foam topper by Sleep Joy is a great option. It features open-cell memory foam, which offers superior airflow to traditional memory foam and prevents overheating. It also bounces back faster than your average memory foam, preventing the sinking feeling that many people report disliking in traditional memory foam.

This topper is also made from plant-based materials and doesn’t emit any VOCs (volatile organic compounds) when it’s removed from the packaging. This means you won’t have any unpleasant odors coming off your mattress. This topper comes with a two-year warranty.

7. eLuxury Rayon Foam Bamboo Mattress Pad With Fitted Skirt

This bamboo mattress stands out from the pack. It feels soft and light like goose down rather than foam. It achieves this soft feel with fiberfill, which traps air for continued and consistent airy fluff. Bamboo has a reputation for softness and breathability, offering a cooling effect for any style of mattress. Specifically, if you’ve chosen a mattress that doesn’t breathe well, this topper works as a great tool to counteract that effect. It could save you from having to get rid of an expensive mattress that feels too hot.

This plush, quilted topper is made of bamboo, polyester, rayon, and cotton. It’s hypoallergenic and can go directly into the washing machine using the gentle cycle with cold water. It also comes with a one-year, hassle-free warranty, and it’s made in the USA.

This topper is very soft, so it might not be the best choice for sleepers with a higher body weight, but it’s the highest-rated mattress topper on the market, so there’s a chance that it’s just right for you.

8. Best Price Mattress 4-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Best Price offers the thickest topper on today’s list. Coming in at four inches thick, this foam topper provides superior cradling for side sleepers. For better support, it has 2.5 inches of high-density foam and 1.5 inches of memory foam. This breakdown provides cushion and support where you need it. It also comes with a zippered cover that you can remove and machine wash. Backed by a five-year warranty, this topper is an excellent choice.

While the price of this topper might not seem like the “best price” on this list, this is a 4-inch topper, whereas almost every other topper on the list is 2-3 inches.

9. Sure2Sleep Soft-Plush 3LB High-Density Open Cell Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Also made in the USA, Sure2Sleep offers a very dense gel memory foam topper. This means it provides support in all the right places with a very high-quality, durable material. The dense foam helps prevent motion transfer in the night, resulting in more restful sleep.

This foam topper is CertiPUR-US certified and hypoallergenic, giving it a leg up on other toppers. It also features the cooling gel to keep you comfortable.

10. Red Nomad 3-Inch Ultra Premium Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattress Pad

Red Nomad bedding products are made in the USA with hypoallergenic materials. They claim that due to the Visco Elastic technology in their foam, their toppers will spruce up any mattress—even an old sagging one if you’re on a budget and can’t replace yours right away.

Featuring Cool Cycle Technology for superior cooling in the night, this mattress pad offers just about everything you need. It’s CertiPUR-US certified to be free of formaldehyde, flame retardants, heavy metals, phthalates, and ozone depleters. It’s also backed by a money-back guarantee for quality and fit. This pad doesn’t come with a cover, but you can purchase one to fit it for $27.

11. Molecule Triple Zone Mattress Topper

This modern mattress topper offers its patented Air-Engineered technology to aid in faster recovery. It’s the most expensive topper on the list, but it offers some unique features. According to the Molecule website, “as your body temperature changes throughout the night, an embedded temperature-sensitive polymer responds dynamically, adjusting evaporation and cooling to bring you a cool night’s sleep.”

This temperature control feature comes together with the open-cell memory foam layer and the two-inch RECOVERYFLO™ layer to create a restorative sleep experience. Molecule boasts eco-friendly manufacturing practices, is CertiPUR-US certified, and is even endorsed by NFL legend Tom Brady.

Why Invest in a Mattress Topper?

Getting a new mattress topper can serve a few different purposes. If you’ve recently purchased a new bed and discovered it’s a bit firmer than you wanted, adding a 2-4-inch thick mattress topper could make your bed more comfortable. This solution can also help extend the life of your mattress if you’re looking to hold off a bit longer on the larger purchase. That being said, if your mattress is sagging in the middle, a mattress topper probably won’t do the trick.

For side sleepers specifically, using a mattress topper can add cushion and support in all the right places. Side sleepers tend to experience shoulder, hip, and knee pain if they don’t have the proper bedding support. That’s because those areas are the points of contact on the mattress, also known as pressure points.

These pressure points bear the weight of your body as it lays against the mattress (especially against a firm mattress, which doesn’t have as much give to cushion the pressure points), so finding a bed topper that provides support in all the right places can help ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.

What to Look for in a Mattress Topper

The best mattress toppers are breathable, durable, and hypoallergenic. They should also have a machine washable cover and come with at least a 3-year warranty. These qualities not only help ensure you’re getting a good night’s sleep, but they also give you the best bang for your buck.

Breathable

Breathable mattress toppers provide good airflow to help you stay cool in the night.  A common complaint with traditional memory foam is that sleepers get hot while they sleep. That’s because memory foam is a dense material that can trap body heat. This can get uncomfortable, even if the topper itself is super supportive. Heat retention might seem like a great quality during the winter months, but it’s never a pleasant feeling to sweat in your sleep—even in the winter.

Look for mattresses and mattress toppers that advertise breathability in their cushioning. There are also some technological innovations in the world of memory foam, including ventilation and open-cell technology that allow for airflow. Other types of supportive foam, including memory foam made from eco-friendly, plant-based materials may also provide more breathability. And there are mattress toppers available that feature a cooling gel or gel swirl memory foam, both of which are cooling materials, to accomplish the goal of keeping you cool while you sleep.

Durable

A high-quality mattress topper won’t break the bank, but they aren’t cheap. The last thing you want to do is spend the money on a mattress topper that falls apart and degrades too quickly. Mattress toppers should be able to withstand daily wear and tear. They shouldn’t chip, clump, or fall apart with standard maintenance, and you should be able to spot clean the topper itself without having the foam degrade.

The product’s warranty will give you a good idea of its durability. A longer warranty is a sign that the company stands by the durability of its mattress topper. You can also extend the life of your topper by adding a protective cover.

Hypoallergenic

While allergies and tolerances differ from person to person, it’s a good idea to seek out a hypoallergenic mattress topper. This means that it repels common allergens like dust mites, mold, and dander, and it doesn’t make allergies worse. The most hypoallergenic material choices are polyester, latex foam, memory foam, and wool. That’s because these materials are resistant to mold and dust mites.

If you’re not allergic to down and prefer the soft plush of a down topper, look for one with an allergy-free warranty. This type of warranty is a signal that the down has been washed thoroughly before being added to the topper, and it guarantees that there’s no dander or bacteria hiding in the topper. That being said, down isn’t the best material to support side sleepers, as it’s very soft, thus not adding a lot of top layer support. Instead, we recommend looking for a natural latex or a memory foam topper.

Machine Washable Cover

Removable covers make your mattress last longer. It provides a barrier between you and your foam that you can wash. If your topper doesn’t have a removable cover, it will likely need to be professionally cleaned. This makes it a lot less likely that you’ll wash it on a regular basis. Being able to easily remove and machine wash your cover will help keep your mattress dust mite and allergy-free and keep your bed and bedroom smelling fresh for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Warranty

If you’re shopping for a mattress topper in the hopes of extending the life of your old mattress, you want to make sure you’re accomplishing your goal without wasting money. Most high-quality mattresses are meant to last around 10 years and are a substantial investment.

While a mattress topper is a much smaller investment, you still want it to hold up for at least a few years. Getting a topper with at least a 3-year warranty will guarantee that your mattress topper will give you the extra time you’re looking for. A money-back guarantee for allergens and a hassle-free return policy are also things to consider when searching for the best warranty.

Support for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers have extra considerations beyond what everyone else should look for in a mattress topper. As we mentioned previously, side sleepers can experience pressure points in certain areas of the body while sleeping. This means they need specific support for those areas.

The areas of concern for side sleepers are the neck, shoulders, hips, and knees. Ensuring proper spine alignment as you sleep is the first step in avoiding pain in these parts of the body. Key ingredients for alignment are the right pillow or pillows in the right places, and a contouring bed topper.

Your Pillow

Use a pillow that keeps your head in line with your spine and consider adding another one between your knees. Your neck shouldn’t be bent at all while you’re sleeping on your side. If your pillow is too flat, the top of your head will be tilted downward and could cause neck pain.

The same goes for a pillow that’s too fluffy. The top of your head will tilt upward, creating stiffness and discomfort in the morning. The best pillows for side sleepers are memory foam because they adapt to the neck, we also suggest contour pillows for side sleepers since they’re designed to keep your spine in healthy alignment while in the side sleeping position.

Using a pillow between your knees also helps reduce pressure on the hips by lifting the knee that rests on top. This mirrors the natural alignment you’d experience when you stand with your knees hip-distance apart. Squaring your hips by separating your knees with a supportive pillow allows you to keep your spine aligned and prevent not only knee pain, but also hip pain in your top hip.

Your Topper

Finding the right pillow also helps alleviate shoulder pain, but even more important for avoiding shoulder pain and hip pain is a supportive sleeping surface. When you sleep on your side, you have a shoulder and hip sinking into the surface of the bed. If you have a firm mattress, this can create uncomfortable pressure points as you sleep and result in a stiff hip and shoulder in the morning. If you have a soft mattress, you could sink in and sway your spine downward, which creates lower back strain and pain.

This is why a supportive topper comes in handy, especially if your mattress is too firm. The best mattress toppers for side sleepers give a soft cushion at the pressure points—shoulder and hip—and offers cradling support for the middle of the body and legs. Your body weight should be evenly distributed across your mattress rather than concentrated just on your shoulder and hip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What thickness mattress topper should I get?

That depends on the kind of sleeper you are. A mattress topper that’s 1 to 2 inches thick will provide some cushion but still feel firm, so it’s a good choice for sleepers who need support. A 3-inch topper can suit side and combination sleepers. Toppers thicker than 3 inches can provide sleepers with a plush feel and extra support.

How do I choose a mattress topper?

You should keep your sleeping position in mind as you shop for a mattress topper. Stomach and back sleepers often benefit from sleeping on firm toppers that are only a couple of inches thick. Side sleepers need softer and thicker toppers for conforming pressure relief.

If you choose your topper at a bedding or home goods store, you might be able to feel some samples and get an idea of how firm or soft a topper is.

What’s the best mattress topper for side sleepers with back pain?

The best mattress topper for side sleepers with back pain will likely have a medium firmness. A medium topper is soft enough to cushion the joints but supportive enough to reduce excess sinking and spinal misalignment.

What’s the best mattress topper for side sleepers with hip pain?

The best mattress topper for side sleepers with hip pain will likely to soft to medium. A topper with a soft yet supportive feel will cradle the hips to reduce pressure points, but it will also keep the hips from sinking too far into the mattress and putting pressure on the hip muscles.

What’s the best mattress topper for side sleepers with shoulder pain?

When side sleeping, the shoulder bears a lot of body weight. Therefore, mattress toppers for side sleepers with shoulder pain should be soft enough to cushion and cradle the should joint. In most cases, side sleepers with should pain prefer a soft to medium mattress topper.

Time to Make Your Choice

When it comes to choosing the best mattress topper for you as a side sleeper, there’s a lot to consider. Your size and weight will affect the level of support you need. You’ll also need to consider price. Mattress toppers range widely in price and quality. Your best bet is to choose a high-quality bed topper to ensure you’re getting what you pay for. Skimping on quality won’t do you any good if the ultimate goal is to improve your sleep. That doesn’t mean choosing the most expensive one, but choosing the one that’s right for your sleeping style.

Look for mattress toppers that have machine washable covers to keep your topper clean and fresh. Check for a warranty or a money-back guarantee. And make sure the topper you choose will keep you cool in the night by choosing one with good ventilation.

If you find that you’re experiencing pain in your pressure point areas like your shoulders and hips, shop for toppers that provide cradling support, and make sure you have a good pillow to go along with your topper. You want your body weight to be evenly distributed across the mattress rather than concentrated on those pressure points. Keep your spine aligned by using a supportive pillow under your head and a small pillow between your knees.

Memory foam is a good choice but look for toppers that offer open-cell technology or the gel swirl so that you don’t get hot in the night. To avoid exposure to off-gassing and the smell that comes with it, consider toppers made from plant-derived materials and look for the CertiPUR-US certified label. If you do choose a synthetic topper, open it in a well-ventilated space with open windows or doors to avoid breathing in toxic VOCs, and allow it to fully air out before sleeping on it.

By choosing a high-quality, supportive mattress topper specifically designed for side sleepers, you’ll ensure a better, more restful night’s sleep.