Top mattress for couples 💯 Emma Premium Price Range: £413 - £786 Mattress Type: Hybrid Trial Length & Warranty: 200 nights | 10 years Sizes: Single, EU Single, Small Double, Double, EU Double, King, EU Queen, Super King My Firmness Rating: 7 /10 Exclusive Get 60% OFF the Emma Premium £918
⚠️ Show discount code Exclusive:10% off Get 10% off when you buy any size mattress from Emma. Some items excluded, see the Emma UK website for terms.
Valid until 31 May 2025
Combine the above discount code + the discount on the Emma Premium website .
Best for: Those looking for a cheaper hybrid Back & Side sleepers Couples wanting minimal motion transferHighlights: Six-layer hybrid design Machine-washable breathable cover Lots of sizes available (inc. EU)In terms of firmness, the Emma Premium is medium-firm, making it a good choice for back sleepers who need spinal alignment or side sleepers who want pressure relief on their hips and shoulders. The mattress also has good motion isolation, meaning you’re less likely to feel your partner’s movements during the night.
One potential downside is that some side sleepers have reported the mattress retaining heat on very hot nights , but overall the temperature management system works well. Another thing to consider is that the Emma Premium only comes in one firmness option, so it may not be suitable for those who prefer a very soft or very firm mattress.
Who should buy: Those who want a medium-firm, supportive mattress that provides excellent pressure relief and motion isolation. Ideal for side sleepers who need good cushioning for their hips and shoulders. Who should avoid: Those who prefer a very soft or very firm mattress. The Emma Premium may not be suitable for those who prefer a bouncier or more responsive mattress. However, with a 200-night sleep trial and a machine-washable cover, the Emma Premium is a solid choice for anyone looking for a supportive, comfortable mattress at a reasonable price point.
Feature Details ?️ Firmness Genuinely medium-firm! ? Depth 25cm ? Sleep trial 200 nights ? Price £409+ ? Certifications UKFR certified, CertiPUR ??? Sizes Single, Double, King, Super King and more ? Comfort layers Airgocell foam, viscoelastic foam, HRX foam, Halo memory foam, 12.5cm pocket springs ? Delivery bed-in-a-box , free delivery and returns? Cover Removable and machine-washable top cover (99% polyester) ?? Materials Eco-friendly, CertiPUR certified ?️ Temperature Regulation Temperature-regulating UltraDry cover, AeroFlex springs and open-cell foams provide exceptional breathability
5. Hypnos Wool Origins 6 – Best for Bigger Budgets
My top choice for those who are looking for a mattress that’s environmentally friendly, so if that’s you, go no further than the Hypnos Wool Origins 6. This pocket-sprung mattress is perfect for side sleepers because of the relief it provides to pressure points in the hips and shoulders. Unlike most pocket sprungs it’s not too boucny either.
The wool filling in the mattress is great for keeping you comfortable no matter how hot or cold you get in the middle of the night, which is especially important if you sleep on your side. Red Tractor guarantees the eight wool layers in the Hypnos Wool Origins 6 are fully traceable and meet strict guidelines for animal welfare and environmental preservation. Those who are concerned about their impact on the planet will no doubt give special consideration to this part.
The Hypnos Wool Origins 6 comes in either a medium or a firm rating so if you want to sleep on your side and strike a happy medium between support and comfort, go with the medium option, which clocks in at roughly a 6 on the WhatMattress firmness scale.
On the other hand, the firmer alternative has a rating of about 7 out of 10 and is great for those who like (or require!) more support owing to back problems or back pain . When looking for a natural, supportive, and eco-friendly mattress, the Hypnos Wool Origins 6 is a great option for side sleepers.
The only downside is that it’s very pricey.
6: Silentnight Just Snug – Budget Choice
This is my ‘budget’ choice – formerly known as the Silentnight Studio Original.
Just Snug is a hybrid mattress that provides excellent support and comfort for side sleepers. It comes from the seven-strong range of mattresses known as ‘Just Sleep’ by Silentnight.
The Just Snug features 1000 zoned springs that provide enhanced spinal alignment and targeted support where you need it most. The memory foam layer gently moulds to your body’s contours, relieving built-up pressure and absorbing energy as you sleep. The mattress also has a medium-firm firmness rating, making it perfect for sleepers who need just a little extra support.
What’s more, the hypoallergenic soft-knit fabric sleep surface is designed for both supreme comfort and a refreshed night’s sleep. The mattress is approved by Allergy UK, making it a great option for anyone with allergies. The breathable fabric borders also allow air to circulate freely throughout the mattress, ensuring a cool and comfortable night’s sleep.
If you’re looking for a mattress that’s convenient and easy to move around, Just Snug is a great choice. It’s rolled for transportation, making it easy to maneuver up tight staircases. Plus, with free delivery within 48 hours (Mon-Fri, excl. bank holidays), a 365-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty, you can buy with confidence. Overall, Just Snug by Silentnight is an excellent mattress for side sleepers who value support, comfort, and convenience.
If it’s not for you then you can send it back without charge. This is approved by Allergy UK and is also Which? Best Buy too. What’s more, as well as being my top budget choice, it’s actually possible to get a discount code if you hunt around for one; or just use one of my plethora of mattress discounts from here .
Why You Can Trust WhatMattress We're completely independent from any mattress company. We've spent countless hours curating and reviewing mattresses that anyone can buy in the UK, and have been doing so since 2018. Mattresses tested: 82 Total hours testing: 602 Pillows tested: 24 Total hours testing: 183 Duvets tested: 35+ Funds spent on testing: £7,500+
Are my aches & pains caused by side-sleeping? While I’m not a medical professional, I have prepared this guide to cover the main types of pain related to side sleeping:
Shoulder pain Side sleepers frequently have shoulder pain because they rest more of their body weight on their shoulders during the night. It’s crucial to locate a mattress with sufficient shoulder padding if you suffer from shoulder ache. If your mattress is overly hard, you may end up with painful pressure points. If you experience soreness in your shoulders, it may be time to consider a softer mattress. This will assist provide your shoulders the cradling support and padding they need while you sleep.
Hip pain Side sleepers may also have trouble with hip pain . This is because your hips may become misaligned and experience pressure if you sleep on your side. A mattress with strong contouring and plushness is appropriate if you experience hip pain. Try to get a mattress with a firmness rating of 5.5 out of 10 or lower. This should give sufficient padding for your hips, allowing you to sleep more comfortably and with less pain.
Back pain Side sleepers are more likely to experience back pain too, so it’s important to select a mattress that promotes healthy posture while you sleep. If your mattress is overly soft, your hips and shoulders may sink in too much while you sleep, causing further misalignment and discomfort.
However, pressure points brought on by a mattress that is overly firm might exacerbate preexisting back problems. If you sleep on your side and suffer from back pain, you should look for a mattress that sinks in at the hips and shoulders to assist correct your spine.
Zoned assistance can be useful here as well. To properly support your complete body, a mattress with zoned support must have varying degrees of hardness in different parts of the mattress. This ensures your spine is in the correct position and helps prevent pressure points.
So my weight affects which mattress I should get? Yes.
If you are on the heavier side and you sleep on your side, then you’ll probably find that a firmer mattress will work better . Sadly terms like “medium-firm” and “firm” aren’t standardised in the UK, so they are pretty much open to interpretation. One man’s soft could be another man’s, err… hard!
3 things for Side-Sleepers to consider Think about where you feel the most pressure: as you sleep on your side, it’s likely to be in your hips, shoulders, or neck. It’s crucial to pick a mattress and pillow set that gives your head, neck, and shoulders the right amount of support and cushioning. To help relieve pressure in key areas, some mattresses feature strategically placed zones of increased firmness. Experiment with pillows: Adding extra pillows can help side sleepers find a more comfortable sleeping position. Hugging a pillow between your legs or placing a pillow behind your back can provide extra support and help align your spine. Experiment with different pillow combinations to find what works best for you. Choose a medium-firm memory foam mattress: A medium-firm memory foam mattress can provide the right balance of support and cushioning for side sleepers. Memory foam conforms to the contours of your body, providing pressure relief and promoting proper spinal alignment. Avoid pure inner spring mattresses as they may not provide enough support and can lead to discomfort over time and are hugely bouncy. What mattress prevents snoring? You might not think that snoring is a consideration when choosing a mattress, but it should be.
Generally, the best position to avoid snoring is to sleep on your side (the so-called foetal position). Why? Because sleeping on your back lets your tongue stick toward the back of your throat. This is a main factor in the vibrating (and often very loud!) sounds we call snoring .
But if you’re one of the side sleepers who still snores, then read on.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your throat muscles relax and block your airway at irregular intervals. This in turn interrupts your breathing over the course of your sleep. Aside from snoring, people with obstructive sleep apnea may experience waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air or waking up with a dry mouth. It’s best to check in with your doctor to make sure you’re not confusing snoring for something more serious.
Here at WhatMattress we take mattress research seriously - all our product tests are done as fairly and honestly as possible.
That's quite a bold claim, but we're proud of the attention to detail that you're hopefully seeing within our reviews. Our methodology sets us apart from many other review websites. I like to think this is because WhatMattress is only run by two people - Carrie and Anthony. Over the years we've hand-tested multiple mattresses, pillow and other bedding products - so that you don't have to!
Every single mattress is put through its paces using the following tests:
We make sure to live with the mattress for at least a week. We always sleep on the mattress we're testing - every single night. We will always be 100% honest when we weigh up the pros and the cons of each mattress. And in most cases, we've bought the mattress ourselves and haven't been given a free one. What about pillows for side sleepers? The author of The Happy Sleeper , Heather Turgeon , says that “because of the greater distance between their heads and the mattress, side sleepers often need a thicker pillow to keep their head and neck in a neutral position.”
And she’s right. This means that you might struggle to sleep with your face on your arms directly, but frankly that’s probably not advisable anyway if you are a frequent side-sleeper as it can create problems with circulation. While a fluffy soft pillow seems comfortable, in reality, it’s the firmer pillows that often give your head the lift it really needs.
What is the best TYPE of mattress for side sleeping? Memory foams: Because of their ability to mould to your body’s contours and alleviate pressure, memory foam mattresses are a good choice for those who prefer to sleep on their sides. Memory foam’s unique ability to conform to the shape of the body can be helpful for those seeking respite from chronic pain. However, if the mattress’s base layer is overly soft, those who sleep on their sides may find that they sink too far into the foam . For heavier people who sleep on their sides, this can be a serious issue and I clarified what to do, above.
Hybrid mattresses: Hybrid mattresses are a combination of a coil base with either a foam or latex layer(s) on top. They are one of the most universal options for most sleeping positions, including side-sleeping. Hybrid mattresses are known for being very supportive, while also having that cushioning, cradling feeling that a lot of side sleepers look for. Memory foam hybrid mattresses are also a great option for couples because the coils make them easy to move around on while the foam absorbs a lot of the movement. The coils also allow for additional airflow, making these mattresses more breathable than solid memory foam beds.
Latex mattresses: Latex mattresses are well-liked due to their buoyant feel and eco-friendly production. Those who sleep on their sides will find them quite comfortable since the material gives great pressure relief and moulds to the body edspite being bouytant. Make sure the latex is flexible enough for your hips and shoulders if you sleep exclusively on your sidethough; latex mattresses are also a fantastic choice for people who switch positions throughout the night “(combination”), ie. whether they sleep on their back , side, or stomach.
Innerspring mattresses: Inner-spring mattresses are the most traditional type of mattress, typically made with a coil base constructed from steel. While these mattresses provide a very bouncy feel and decent responsiveness, side sleepers should be cautious as they tend to be on the firmer side. If you’re a fan of the classic innerspring feel and sleep on your side, make sure the mattress is soft enough to prevent jamming at your shoulders and undue pressure at your hips.
What about mattress toppers? Side sleepers who prefer a softer mattress may benefit from using a mattress topper , particular if you’re on a budget and don’t want to splurge on a brand new mattress.
If you prefer to sleep on your side but find that your mattress is too firm, a high-quality mattress topper can soften the overall sensation and help you find the ideal firmness too. 🙂
So you should look for mattress toppers with a higher profile ideally, that means if your mattress is already on the firm side, a low-profile topper won’t do much to soften it, and it may even make it feel firmer. To achieve the ideal degree of softness , begin with one of my best plush mattress toppers guide here
Lastly, I can’t say enough good things about memory foam mattress toppers for side sleepers. This is due to the fact that memory foam is cheap to buy but also excellent at relieving pressure and has a pleasant, yielding texture. Memory foam is suited to side sleepers as it moulds to the shape of one’s body, providing cushioning and support for your shoulders, hips, and other pressure points.
More from WhatMattress... Verdict In conclusion, finding the best mattress for your side-sleeping needs doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
In my expert opinion, Brook & Wilde Lux, the Nectar Memory Foam, the Vispring Plymouth Supreme, and the Emma Premium are the best mattresses for side sleepers. These mattresses are perfect for side sleepers because they provide support, contouring, and pressure reduction.
The Brook & Wilde ‘Lux’ is particularly good for those who want a customisable sleep experience, while the Nectar Memory Foam is a great, affordable (fairly!) option. The Vispring Plymouth Supreme is a luxurious choice for those who want a traditional, handcrafted mattress.
Finally, the Emma Premium is a versatile mattress that can accommodate a range of sleeping positions, making it a good choice for those who switch between sleeping on their side and other positions.
With a little bit of knowledge on what to look for, now you can find a mattress that will give you the support and comfort you need to get a good night’s sleep. Remember to keep in mind factors like support, contouring, and firmness, and consider any specific areas of pain you may experience. Whether you choose a memory foam, hybrid, or latex mattress, make sure it’s tailored to your individual needs. Sweet dreams!
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What is the best mattress type for side sleepers? There's no one-size-fits-all solution here, but generally memory foam mattresses are best. Most side-sleepers could find pocket sprung mattresses to be too firm. Your own individual preferences can help guide you to the right mattress, if you just take note of what you want from your next mattress... For instance, side sleepers who like a bouncy bed might want to look at a good hybrid mattress or possibly a decent inner/pocket spring mattress.
What is the best place to put your arms? A lot of people call it side sleeping but the correct scientific term is actual lateral recumbent. According to Physiomed, your arms should be up by your ears. But this isn't always preferable, particularly if you like heavier pillows.
How firm should a mattress be for a side sleeper? Side sleepers generally need a mattress that is on the firmer side, meaning it provides enough support to keep the spine aligned while also contouring to the curves of the body. This helps to prevent pressure points and promote a comfortable sleep.
How we reviewed this article: Edit History:Our experts continually monitor the mattress & sleep tech space, and we update our reviews & articles when new information becomes available.
5th February 2024 Current Article - By Carrie Taylor13th August 2024 Checked & Reviewed - By Jean Marshall26th April 2023 Copy Edited - By Carrie Taylor3rd October 2024 Reviewed - By Carrie Taylor