Best Side-Sleeper Mattress 2025: Picked by a Sleep Science Coach
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a five-layer hybrid mattress that stands 14 inches tall and is firmer than many other side-sleeper mattresses. The top layer is a quilted pillowtop that gives the Bear Elite a luxury feel that’s surprising at this price, and the layer of copper-infused foam keeps you cool during the night. I liked this hybrid mattress so much that I used it for nearly a year between testing other mattresses.
After a short break-in period—noticeable on all mattresses but especially important with hybrids—I found the Bear Elite in medium firmness gave just the right sag to my hips and elbows while supporting me on my side. This lighter cushioning didn't interfere with lumbar support. I have periodic lower back pain, and I seek out medium-firm mattresses that offer the right amount of pressure relief without being so soft that I sink to a spot where my spine is out of alignment. The Bear Elite strikes the perfect balance. I sometimes roll off my side, and I appreciate that because the Bear is not employing any aggressive features aimed at making your spine conform to a certain shape, meaning it's good for the times I'm on my stomach or back.
Since it’s a hybrid, there’s airflow in the innerspring layer that makes it breathable. It’s among the sturdiest mattresses in this guide, and the outer pillow top gets cooling benefits from Celliant fiber, a trademarked blend that has been studied for its benefits in athletic wear. —Martin Cizmar
Bear Elite Hybrid ranges from $1,998 for a twin mattress to $4,282 for a split king.
Mattress type Memory foam hybrid Firmness Three options, luxury firm is a 7.5/10 Height 15 inches Cooling Yes Trial period 365 nights Warranty Limited lifetime - Medium firmness good for getting just enough pressure relief without throwing spine alignment out of sync
- No “stuck” feeling for sleepers who move around often
- If you want the cooling Celliant cover, expect to pay extra for it
Most mattresses aiming to solve sleeping problems target one issue—back problems, say, or preventing motion transfer to stop disturbances from a partner. The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid is special for solving two big problems by offering excellent spinal alignment for side sleepers and using cooling fibers that will maintain a surface temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Sapira Chill has an attractive European-style quilted top with nice deep divots from the stitching, which also seems to help hot air escape. The cooling cover is made from polyethylene and polyester with a dash of Lycra, and while it's not icy to the touch, it did keep me comfortable during two weeks of testing. What I really liked, though, was the way two layers of springs separated by one of three layers of foam added up to a medium-firm feel, with my hips sinking deep but not too deep. It was the best at cooling among the side-sleeper mattresses I've tested. —Martin Cizmar
Leesa Sapira Chill ranges from $1,499 for a twin mattress to $2,589 for a California king.
Mattress type Memory foam hybrid Firmness Three options, firm is an 7/10 Height 14 inches Cooling Yes Trial period 100 nights Warranty Limited lifetime - Surface designed to keep a more even-keeled temperature (88 degrees Fahrenheit, to be exact)
- Distributes body weight well, so that the hips aren't sinking in more so than other areas and increasing your risk of back pain
- To be seen if it's actually 88 degrees, we'll need to do another round of testing to confirm that.
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