Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers

Over 74% of Americans sleep on their side. Side sleeping is the most common and healthiest sleep position. Side sleepers may have more pressure buildup in their shoulders and hips, but the right mattress relieves this pressure and ensures a good night’s rest.

In our article, we discuss the best hybrid mattresses for side sleepers in the industry today and share a guide on what to look for in your next bed.

Our Top Mattress Recommendation

View on Amerisleep

AS3 Hybrid Highlights

• 100-night sleep trial
• 20-Year Warranty
• Designed to reduce pain points
• Heat reducing mattress cover
• Comes in King, Queen, Twin, Full, and Splits

Best Hybrid Mattresses for Side Sleepers

The Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress is the hybrid variation of Amerisleep’s best-seller, the AS3. The hybrid model is 12 inches thick and contains 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, 8 inches of pocketed coils, and 1 inch of base foam. A soft, breathable cover keeps air circulating throughout the mattress so you sleep cool and comfortable.

Bio-Pur® is plant-based memory foam— manufacturers partially replace petroleum with castor oil for a memory foam that is more breathable and more responsive than traditional memory foam. Bio-Pur® prevents sleepers from feeling stuck and reduces the risk of overheating.

The pocketed coil layer evenly supports the body and encourages healthy spinal alignment. The coils are reinforced on either side of the mattress to provide edge support. This way, you can comfortably sit on the edges of the bed and aren’t at risk of rolling off your mattress at night.

The base foam reinforces the bed’s structure and adds durability to the mattress.

The medium feel of the AS3 Hybrid is the perfect choice for side sleepers—the comforting feel of Bio-Pur® conforms to the body, relieving pressure points in the shoulders and hips, while pocketed coils evenly support the body. Amerisleep also offers one other hybrid mattress, the AS5 Hybrid, which we mention later.

Amerisleep includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty, covering sagging. During the first 10 years, Amerisleep will replace the mattress free of charge to the customer. During the last 10 years, Amerisleep will choose to repair or replace the mattress at a prorated charge.

The next mattress on our list is another Amerisleep hybrid, but in this section, we’re highlighting their softer AS5 Hybrid—perfect for sleepers who like a little extra cushioning softness from their bed. Lots of customers love the AS5 Hybrid for its luxurious feel and pressure relief.

The AS5 Hybrid is Amerisleep’s softest hybrid and is recommended for side and back sleepers. One unique thing about this soft hybrid is that it can accommodate sleepers of all body types, too. (Most of the time, sleepers over 250 pounds struggle to find a soft but supportive bed, but the AS5 fits that bill perfectly.)

The AS5 Hybrid has a somewhat simple construction with only 4 layers: 3 inches of Bio-Pur®, 2 inches of Active Flex, 8 inches of pocketed coils, and 1 inch of base foam.

Now, we’ve talked about most of these materials while reviewing the AS3 Hybrid; however, we did not touch on Active Flex. Active Flex is found exclusively in Amerisleep’s AS5 models, and it’s a proprietary latex-like transition foam in place to give the bed a little extra bounce. Active Flex is cushioning, like memory foam, but also super responsive, like latex, so it offers comfort and responsiveness—the inclusion of Active Flex is what makes this mattress so versatile.

Amerisleep’s AS5 Hybrid also comes with their 100-night risk-free guarantee, a 20-year warranty, and free shipping.

The Zoma Hybrid stands tall at 12 inches. The bed’s foams, coils, and unique sleep technology can promote an uninterrupted night of sleep, increasing the time you spend in the deeper sleep stages. Not getting enough deep sleep is one reason you might feel less than your best when you wake up in the morning.

Currently, the Zoma Hybrid is Zoma’s only hybrid mattress. Their other beds include the Zoma Start and Zoma Mattress, but both beds are made entirely of foam and are firmer than the Zoma Hybrid. Based on customer feedback, people enjoy how the Zoma Hybrid rapidly hugs their curves for near-instant pressure relief.

The Zoma Hybrid has a medium-soft feel that’s well suited for most side sleepers, with a top layer of gel memory foam that’s 2 inches thick. The gel foam can mold to sensitive areas such as the shoulders and hips for pressure relief while also keeping you cool.

Underneath the gel foam is another foam layer, known as Reactiv™. Reactiv™ foam increases the bed’s responsiveness so it can adapt better to your movements. The material also maintains spinal alignment, preventing you from sinking in too deeply.

The mattress’s support layer is made from pocketed steel coils designed to promote air circulation throughout the bed, further preventing overheating. Not only that, but the coils are sturdier on the edges of the mattress so you don’t accidentally roll out of bed.

Every Zoma Hybrid includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty that covers sagging indentations. If you decide to return your mattress, Zoma will offer a refund.

The Vaya Hybrid has a plush foam comfort layer and a base of pocketed spring coils. Vaya aims to offer high-quality beds at budget prices, with the Vaya Hybrid being their second of two mattresses they offer. Despite being one of the more affordable hybrid beds on our list, the Vaya Hybrid is loved by customers, with people comparing the bed to popular luxury mattresses.

The Vaya Comfort Foam used in the top layer is soft and conforming to keep the joints cushioned and protected from pressure points. However, this material also has an elastic quality which gives it a slight bounce. When resting on Vaya Comfort Foam, the hips and shoulders never sink too far into the mattress and force the spine to bow.

This mattress’s pocketed spring coil base is reinforced with firmer edges to make getting in and out of bed more comfortable. Plus, each coil spring is triple wrapped in a lightweight yet durable material for added comfort and pressure relief. Since these coils move independently of one another, rather than as a unit, they contour more closely to the body for maximum support.

Beneath the spring coil base, a 1-inch layer of support foam absorbs shock and helps reduce motion transfer.

The Vaya Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial, allowing sleepers to test out the mattress in the comfort of their own home. They also include a 10-year warranty covering manufacturing defects such as sagging and indentations.

The Nest Alexander Signature Hybrid Mattress is Nest Bedding’s best-selling mattress. It’s luxurious, breathable, and suits all types of sleepers. It’s 14 inches thick and contains 3 inches of Energex™  foam, 1 inch of SmartFlow support foam, 8 inches of Quantum Edge pocket coils, and 1-inch base foam. The quilted mattress cover is made of a thermic phase change material to regulate temperature and includes 1 inch of convoluted gel memory foam.

Energex™  foam is a memory foam that pulls heat away from the body. This foam also conforms to the body’s natural curves, relieving pressure points and reducing aches and pains.

SmartFlow support foam is a special poly-foam with ventilation holes to provide better airflow inside the mattress.

Quantum Edge pocket coils distribute weight across the sleep surface and restrict motion transfer, reducing the risk of sleep disruptions from movement. The support layer also has good edge support so sleepers won’t have to worry about rolling off the bed. The base foam reinforces the shape of the mattress.

The Nest Alexander Signature Hybrid mattress is available in three firmness options: plush, medium, and luxury firm. Another option which Nest provides is their internal split— for king or California king sizes only, customers can choose two firmness levels inside one uniform mattress, an option couples with differing sleep preferences love.

Nest includes a 100-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. The warranty lasts as long as the original purchaser owns the mattress, and covers sagging greater than 1 inch. At any time, Nest will repair or replace the mattress, with the customer covering the shipping and handling costs.

The Brentwood Home Oceano Mattress is 14 inches tall and contains 2 inches of gel-infused swirl memory foam, 2.5 inches of pocket microcoils, 1 inch of Air Luxe Foam™, 8 inches of pocketed coils, and 1 inch of base foam. The mattress is topped with a Euro-style topper filled with organic wool and poly-silk fiber. The Tencel® stretch knit mattress cover includes organic cotton canvas accents to improve breathability and provide a soft, plush sleep surface.

The Oceano is Brentwood Home’s best-seller out of their seven mattress line-up. Each Brentwood Home mattress is unique, but in terms of feel, the Oceano is most similar to the Crystal Cove or Cypress mattresses.

Gel-infused swirl memory absorbs and disperses heat while relieving pressure points in the shoulders and hips.

Pocketed microcoils give precise support to high-pressure areas of the body for extra comfort.

Air Luxe Foam™ enables better airflow within the mattress through its open-cell structure.

Pocketed coils form a 5-zone support layer with firmer support to the hips, back, and shoulders, and softer support to the head and legs with little risk of sagging.

The base foam layer provides padding, protecting the bed frame or floor from the pocket coil support layer.

The medium-soft mattress of the Brentwood Home Oceano mattress provides a luxurious feel for side sleepers with optimal cushioning in the shoulders and hips for a better night’s sleep. For an extra $275 fee, Brentwood Home offers White Glove Delivery and Old Mattress removal services.

The Brentwood Home Oceano mattress comes with a 1-year sleep trial and a 25-year warranty, covering sagging greater than 2 inches. During the first 10 years, Brentwood Home will repair or replace the mattress with customers paying the shipping and handling costs. During the last 15 years, Brentwood Home will repair or replace at a prorated charge.

The Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress is the most luxurious of Purple’s mattress options. It contains a thick layer of Purple Grid™ and pocketed coils, combining features from Purple’s other mattresses, the Purple Mattress and the Purple Hybrid.

The Purple Hybrid Premier 11.5 inches tall and contains 3 inches of Purple Grid™, 1 inch of poly-foam, and 7.5 inches of pocket coils. The Lycra® blend mattress cover provides sleepers with a cool sleep surface.

The Purple Grid™ contains Purple’s patented hyper-elastic polymer and is found in all Purple mattresses. This gel-like material is temperature-neutral and forms a grid system, with open channels encouraging better air circulation. The Purple Grid™ gives under body weight to relieve pressure points without losing support.

Poly-foam acts as a transitional layer between the comfort and support layers. Poly-foam gives extra cushioning and encourages spinal alignment.

Pocket coils restrict motion transfer and reduce noise, preventing sleep disruptions from movement. Pocket coils also evenly support the body with little risk of sagging.

The Purple Hybrid Premier mattress comes in either 3-inch or 4-inch Purple Grid™ comfort layer options. Pressure-relieving Purple Grid™ eases tension in the shoulder and hip area for side sleepers for a better night’s sleep. Regardless of what thickness you choose, customers describe the Purple Hybrid Premier as the best sleep experience they’ve ever had.

Purple includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty with each of their mattresses. The warranty covers sagging greater than 1 inch. During the 10 years, Purple will repair or replace the mattress, with the customer paying the shipping and handling cost.

The Bear Hybrid Mattress is 14 inches tall and contains 2 inches of Serene® comfort foam, 1 inch of transition foam, 8 inches of Quantum Edge pocket coils, and 1 inch of high-density base foam. The mattress is topped with 2 inches of quilted cooling gel memory foam to absorb and disperse body heat. FDA-determined Celliant® technology is incorporated into the mattress cover to transform heat into energy and may provide faster muscle recovery.

Cooling hypersoft gel foam offers more pressure relief in the shoulders and hips than traditional memory foam.

The transitional layer consists of an open-cell, responsive foam for deeper compression and better airflow inside the mattress.

Quantum Edge pocket coils support the body with little risk of sagging and provides additional edge support to prevent sleepers from rolling off the bed. Pocket coils transfer 28% more heat than traditional memory foam beds.

The high-density foam base adds durability to the mattress and reinforces the bed’s shape.

The medium-firmness of the Bear Hybrid makes it a great option for side and back sleepers. It’s also the softest Bear mattress available, with the Bear Original and Bear Pro both having a medium-firm feel. Customers enjoy the Bear Hybrid because it relieves pressure points in the shoulders while cradling their hips with enhanced lumbar support.

Bear includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty, covering sagging greater than 1.5 inches. During the first 10 years, Bear will replace the mattress free of charge. During the last 10 years, Bear will choose to repair or replace the mattress at a prorated charge.

SEE ALSO: Mattress Size and Dimensions Guide

What is a Hybrid?

A hybrid mattress combines memory foam layers and innerspring coils to form the perfect mattress. Hybrid mattresses are a good option for those wanting the responsive bounce of an innerspring without losing the conforming feel of memory foam. A hybrid mattress contains a comfort layer, a transitional layer, and a support layer.

Comfort Layer

Comfort layers include memory foam or latex, conforming to the body to relieve pressure points. A true hybrid mattress will have at least one comfort layer that’s 2 inches thick or more.

Transitional Layer

A transitional layer rests between the comfort and support layers, and usually consists of poly-foam. Poly-foam provides extra cushioning to the body and encourages healthy spinal alignment. Some transitional layers may include a zoned support system for even pressure relief.

Support Layer

The support layer usually contains individually-wrapped innerspring coils, or pocket coils. This form of support reduces motion transfer and lessens noise. The open structure of the pocketed coil layer also allows air circulation inside the mattress for better cooling.

Pros and Cons

Hybrid mattresses provide all the benefits of both memory foam and innerspring mattresses, but they also come with drawbacks. Take a look at the pros and cons of a hybrid mattress to determine if it’s the right type for you.

Pros

• Pressure Relief
• Motion Isolation
• Cooling
• Edge Support

Cons

• Heavy
• Expensive
• Noise Potential
• Overheating

Other Mattress Types

If you feel a hybrid isn’t the right mattress for you, other types of mattresses including memory foam, innerspring, and latex might suit your needs better.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam softens under heat and pressure, contouring to the body’s natural curves and relieving pressure points. Memory foam is also known for its motion isolation and sleeping silently. A memory foam mattress contains a comfort layer of memory foam and a support layer of high-density foam.

Innerspring Mattress

Innerspring mattresses are more well-known. They have a bouncy surface with excellent cooling and edge support from innerspring coils. An innerspring mattress contains a thin top layer of foam or fiberfill (usually in pillowtop form) and a base layer of innerspring coils.

Latex Mattress

Latex shares similar properties with memory foam— body-contouring pressure relief and motion isolation. Unlike memory foam, latex sleeps cooler and has a responsive bounce. A latex mattress contains a comfort layer of latex and a support layer of either high-density foam or latex.

What is a Side Sleeper?

A side sleeper feels most comfortable lying on their side at night. Side sleeping is the healthiest sleep position— it allows better breathing, reduces acid reflux, and improves heart health. The best mattress for side sleepers will have a soft to medium feel for optimal pressure relief in the shoulders and hips.

Benefits

• Better Breathing

Sleeping on the side opens up the throat and lungs, preventing gravity from obstructing airways.

• Reduced Acid Reflux

Side sleeping positions the stomach below the esophagus, causing gravity to keep stomach acid down.

• Improved Heart Health

Side sleeping lessens pressure on the heart and increases blood flow.

Drawback

Side sleepers face the risk of misaligning the spine, but placing a pillow between the knees straightens the hips and reduces pressure on the back.

Other Sleeping Positions

While side sleeping is the most common, other sleeping positions include back, stomach, and combination. Like side sleeping, each sleep position requires a level of comfort and support to keep the spine in alignment.

Back Sleeping

Back sleeping allows for natural spinal alignment because of the back’s direct contact with the sleep surface. Some risks to back sleeping include snoring potential and developing sleep apnea.

Back sleepers need a medium to firm mattress to cradle the hips and provide enhanced support to the lower back. Adding a pillow under the knees reduces pressure in the back.

Stomach Sleeping

While side sleeping is the healthiest sleep position, stomach sleeping is the least healthy. Stomach sleepers place large amounts of pressure on the spine, leading to neck strain and back pain. Placing a thin pillow under the hips lessens spinal pressure and reduces pain.

Stomach sleepers need a medium-firm to firm mattress to keep the body resting on top of the sleep surface and prevent deep sinkage.

Combination Sleeping

Combination sleepers toss and turn each night, switching between 2 to 3 sleep positions. Combination sleepers receive benefits of each sleep position, including improved heart health and natural spinal alignment. They also face drawbacks, like snoring and neck strain.

Combination sleepers need a medium to medium-firm mattress to maintain spinal alignment no matter the sleep position.

What to Look For in a Hybrid Mattress

Before committing to a new mattress, consider price, firmness, quality, and any available sleep trials, return policies, and warranties. Doing so will help you find the best hybrid mattress for a better night’s sleep.

Price

Because of the amount of materials and layers they contain, hybrid mattresses come at a higher price point than other types of mattresses. Price ranges between $800 to over $4000 for high-end models. The average price of a queen size hybrid mattress is $2077.

Firmness

The firmness level you choose should be based on your body weight. Body weight is separated into three categories— light, average, and plus-size.

• Light: weighs less than 130 pounds

Light sleepers need a softer mattress to enable contouring, pressure relief.

• Average: weighs between 130 and 230 pounds

A medium feel mattress is the best choice for average sleepers with a balance of comfort and support.

• Plus-Size: weighs more than 230 pounds

Plus-size sleepers sleep best on a firmer surface for good support without risk of sagging.

Quality

Quality materials ensures a long-lasting bed and better sleep. Look at density and ILD rating for foam and coil count and gauge for innerspring coils.

Foam

Density determines how the foam supports the body by measuring how long it takes for the foam to bounce back to its original shape. Density is measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF)— the higher the measurement, the slower the recovery. Hybrid mattresses contain a blend of low- and high-density foams.

• Low-density: 2.5 to 3.9 PCF
• Medium-density: 4.0 to 5.9 PCF
• High-density: 5.5 PCF or higher

ILD, or Indentation Load Deflection, rates the amount of pressure it takes to make a 4-inch indent on the surface of a foam. Firmer foams have higher numbers. Most ILD ratings in a comfort layer range between 8 to 20, but the ideal number for the best comfort and support is a 10.

Coils

Coil count is the number of coils in a single layer (usually the support layer in a mattress). The ideal coil count falls between 500 to 1000 for the best support. Avoid mattresses with a coil count less than 300— it could be a sign of poor-quality.

Gauge measures the thickness of a coil (measured in millimeters) The thicker the coils, the more durable the mattress. Thicker coils give firmer support, while thinner coils have softer support— higher measurements result in thinner coils.

• Thickest: 12mm
• Thinnest: 18mm

Some hybrid mattresses may contain high-gauge coils in the comfort layer or as part of a zoned support system, but beware of mattresses with high-gauge support coils— they’re more likely to break down within 2 years and lead to premature sagging.

Sleep Trials, Return Policies, and Warranties

Sleep trials, return policies, and warranties are perks from mattress companies which reassure customers of a quality purchase. Always read the fine print of each policy to know what to expect from manufacturers and what manufacturers can expect of you.

Sleep Trial

A sleep trial allows customers to try a new mattress in the comfort of their own home. This trial period lasts between 90 to 120 nights. If the customer doesn’t like the mattress, most companies will issue a full refund. Some companies will ask you to try the bed for a month so you can be certain its not for you.

Return Policy

If a mattress doesn’t include a sleep trial, a return policy is a good substitute. Return policies last 30 days, roughly the same time it takes most sleepers to adjust to a new sleep surface. Customers can return the mattress for a refund if they’re not happy with the bed.

Warranty

Warranties usually cover sagging greater than 1 inch and any manufacturing defects which could damage the mattress. Most beds come with a standard 10-year warranty and only applies to the original purchaser.

Other Things to Consider

Which hybrid mattress is best for side sleepers with back pain?

Side sleepers with back pain should choose a hybrid mattress with proper support to keep their backs neutral with their spine. At the same time, the mattress should still have a thick enough layer of cushioning so the hips and shoulders aren’t irritated, which would only lead to other issues.

A few of our favorite hybrid mattresses for side sleepers with back pain include the Amerisleep AS3, Vaya Hybrid, and Purple Hybrid Premier.

Which hybrid mattress is best for side sleepers with neck pain?

When dealing with neck pain, side sleepers should look for softer hybrid mattresses, such as the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid, the Zoma Hybrid, or the Bear Hybrid. Neck pain is often correlated to shoulder pain, and a soft mattress will provide ample cushioning to ease the shoulders, in turn alleviating neck pain.

A key factor to note when dealing with neck pain is your pillow. As a side sleeper, it’s essential to use a firm, high-loft pillow to ensure your neck stays aligned with your spine, preventing cramps and stiffness around the neck.

Which hybrid mattress is best for side sleepers with hip pain?

The hips are one of the widest parts of the body and as a side sleeper, they’re vulnerable to pressure build-up and pain. Minimize hip pain when side sleeping using a cushiony and soft hybrid mattress.

Some hybrid mattresses we typically recommend for hip pain relief include the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid, the Brentwood Home Oceano, and Nest Alexander Signature Hybrid.

How long does a hybrid mattress last?

Despite being a luxurious mattress with lots of benefits, hybrid mattresses don’t always have the longest lifespans. A hybrid mattress typically lasts between 5 to 7 years, while the average mattress has a lifespan of 7 to 10 years.

Still, most mattress manufacturers have warranties lasting 10 years or more. So, if your hybrid bed wears out within 5 to 7 years, you can file a warranty claim to have the bed repaired or replaced for free or a small fee, depending on the type of warranty it has.

Is a soft or firm hybrid mattress best for side sleepers?

Softer mattresses are almost always the best choice for side sleepers. A soft mattress provides ample cushioning for side sleepers’ shoulders and hips so they don’t deal with pressure or pain. High-quality soft mattresses still offer spinal support so side sleepers maintain good posture at night.

Conclusion

For side sleepers, a hybrid mattress might be a great choice— the combination of pressure-relieving memory foam and responsive innersprings evenly supports the body and reduces pressure points. Take advantage of a sleep trial to try out a hybrid today and see if it’s the right mattress for you.