Best Mattress for Side Sleepers in Canada
Yurii Brown
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Don’t you just love to curl up on your side and drift away to the Land of Nod? You’re not alone!
Around 60% of Canadians prefer the lateral position to others (1).
But did you think that the right mattress can drastically improve your sleep quality?
Well, you know about it now, and our team has done all the research and came up with a detailed guide on how to choose the best mattress for side sleepers in Canada, as well as the finest recommendations, so check them out right below!
A Quick Preview
Best Overall — Editor’s Choice
Thickness: 10 inches
Firmness: medium
Layers: 3
Trial: 101 nights
Warranty: lifetime
Best for Those with Back Pain
Thickness: 13 inches
Layers: 7
Trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Best for Adjustable Firmness
Thickness: 11 inches
Layers: 3
Trial: 120 nights
Warranty: 15 years
Best for Those Who Sleep Hot
Thickness: 10 inches
Firmness: medium-firm
Layers: 3
Trial: 120 nights
Warranty: 15 years
Best for Overweight Side Sleepers
Thickness: 10 inches
Firmness: medium-firm
Layers: 3
Trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Our List of the Bed Mattresses for Side Sleepers in Canada
Best Overall — Editor’s Choice
Puffy
Highlights:
- one firmness fits all users;
- features proprietary materials to make your sleep cooler;
- the washable and stain-resistant cover protects you from dust mites and bacteria;
- low motion transfer prevents any sleep disturbances;
- instant contouring for your pressure points.
So, let’s start with the absolute best mattress for side sleepers in Canada, according to user reviews, the Puffy. This medium memory foam mattress with an incredible hug and breathable design easily moulds to your body and relieves tension in hips and shoulders in no time.
The medium feel of the Puffy suits lightweight and average-weight sleepers, and, if combined with a good supportive base, for sleepers with a bit of extra weight. The mattress perfectly supports the natural spine alignment in the lateral position by adopting your body shape, so your sleep will be comfy and relaxed.
Along with that, the upper layer of the Puffy is made of the proprietary Cooling Cloud gel foam, which kind of speaks for its name. Gel beads effectively withdraw body heat and let it dissipate into the air, so you’ll never sleep hot on this mattress.
To sum it up, the Puffy is the perfect choice for any side sleeper — it’s cradling, supportive, doesn’t trap your movements, and will prevent you from overheating even on summer nights.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Medium is a perfect firmness level for side sleeping | The zipper on the cover seems a bit weak |
| Instantly adjusts to your body curves and doesn’t create pressure points | Off-gassing may occur for the first couple of nights |
| Doesn’t accumulate body heat | |
| Easy to maintain a fresh look due to a washable cover | |
| Absorbs movements but doesn’t feel like quicksand |
Best for Those with Back Pain
GhostBed Luxe
Highlights:
- Mixes memory foam with latex for a little responsiveness.
- Firm enough for side sleepers but at the same time soft enough for extra comfort.
- One of the best mattresses for its cooling capabilities.
Next comes this great mattress from GhostBed. The structure and engineering of this mattress is absolute jaw-dropping. There are seven different layers here, each with special gifts to the side sleeper. Here we will analyze a few of the important ones. Firstly, there are several cooling and soft layers on the top for extra breathability and coziness. There are 4 thinner layers on the top, including gel-infused memory foam layers and fine fabrics.
GhostBed refers to these cooling layers as Ghost Ice, which is truly comfortable. Next, the memory foam layer that adapts to the shape of the body comes, which is super supportive. Latex comes beneath that to complete the package with its responsiveness. Keep in mind that a mattress having latex is very fine and luxe. GhostBed Luxe has a thick layer of dense memory foam, which supports the edges, provides zero disturbance, and distributes the weight. If you are not happy with other mattresses for putting your pressure points at rest, this one will not disappoint you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fantastic cooling and breathability | Mixed sleepers might find it a little soft |
| Top-tier motion isolation | |
| Firmness level of 6 which is perfect for side sleepers | |
| Relieves the pressure points like the shoulders and the hips | |
| Corrects the positioning of the spine |
Best for Adjustable Firmness
Novosbed
Highlights:
- Prevents back pain due to its firmness.
- Offers a kit that allows you to add to the firmness level.
- Top-tier edge support even though it is a foam mattress.
The Novosbed comes next on our list, and we think it is a fantastic choice for people who need more support from memory foam. This mattress performs well when it comes to edge support. A lot of side sleepers also don’t feel like their mattress has the right firmness level. The Novosbed has a Comfort+ kit that allows you to add or reduce the firmness of your mattress to get to your desired level.
To mention the structure of this mattress, we should say that it is different from the other options like the GhostBed Luxe. The Nobosbed is absolutely simple in its structure, which makes it easy to analyze and understand. These layers bring the feeling of balance to the side sleeper by distributing the weight and relieving pressure from the pressure points like the shoulders or the hips. Memory foam is great for adapting to the shape of your body, which is important for a side sleeper.
Finally, we should mention how cool Novosbed feels. Even though it is made up of all foam, they have thought about you feeling hot, and they have added cooling gel to the memory foam layers. Besides that, this mattress features an open-cell memory foam layer that feels exactly as responsive and breathable as a latex layer. On the top of that, there is a tencel layer that can easily be removed and washed to keep your mattress clean long-term. The Novosbed is a great choice for side sleepers who like quality memory foam that gives them the ability to adjust their mattress as they desire.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Features a breathable open-cell memory foam layer | Might lack motion isolation |
| Washable and removable cover for extra hygiene | |
| Enables you to adjust your mattress’s firmness level | |
| It can be a good choice for other types of sleepers as well. |
Best for Those Who Sleep Hot
Douglas
Highlights:
- is designed with more breathable and eco-friendly materials to make your sleep like a breeze;
- removable Tencel cover wards off the dust mites and keeps the mattress fresh;
- great spinal support and instant responsiveness to your body shape;
- absorbs movement from the other side of the bed and mitigates any disturbances;
- made from local materials, which makes it a bit cheaper than similar models.
Moving on to the next candidate on our list of the best mattresses for side sleepers in Canada, the Douglas. This mattress is designed to fight probably the most common issue of the memory foam beds — the hot sleeping. And with the combo of instant responsiveness, an open-cell base, and a gel-infused upper layer wrapped in the Tencel cover, it’s pretty much succeeded.
The Douglas has a medium-firm feel, which is a great choice for side sleepers regardless of their body composition. The comfort layer, made of gel-infused foam, quickly moulds to your body and relieves the pressure points without sucking you in like a swamp.
One more thing worth noticing about the Douglas is it’s pretty decent edge support as for a memory foam bed. So you can surely use every bit of surface and won’t feel cramped if your partner is a fan of the starfish position.
Overall, the Douglas is a well-made bed for those who typically sleep on a memory foam mattress. It’s made of breathable design and won’t make you feel trapped even if you’re an overweight sleeper. So if you want a combo of breeze-like sleep and that familiar memory foam hug, this mattress can become your go-to choice.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works for side sleepers of any weight | Might feel a bit too bouncy for some |
| Designed to sleep cool and delivers the promise | The cover might generate static in the dry air |
| A washable cover makes the maintenance straightforward | |
| Pretty good edge support as for a memory foam bed | |
| Good motion absorption makes it a good pick for active sleepers |
Best for Overweight Side Sleepers
Polysleep
Highlights:
- made of denser foams that can hold larger weights;
- liquid-repellent top cover with mesh sides minimizes any accidents;
- medium-firm feel ensures perfect spinal support in the lateral position;
- comfort layer with pincore perforations keeps your sleep cool;
- a great pick for active sleepers thanks to low motion transfer.
If you’re an overweight sleeper who tends to sleep on the side, you know how excruciating the search for the right mattress can be. That’s why we’ve included the Polysleep in our selection of the best mattresses for side sleepers in Canada: its sturdy build and excellent supportive properties will make you enjoy your shut-eye for years.
The Polysleep has a three-layer construction with a dense base and a responsive transition layer that effectively distributes your weight around the mattress surface. No more pressure points and awkward angles: only sound and comfortable sleep
As for the comfort layer, its design is more focused on the targeted pressure relief and heat removal. It’s the softest layer of all that adapts to your body shape and support the spine in the correct position. Plus, the holes across the surface direct the airflow towards the deeper layers and prevent you from overheating.
So, if you want a memory foam mattress that will ensure cool sleep and won’t collapse under your weight to the point where it becomes uncomfortable, the Polysleep will be a perfect candidate for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great at supporting overweight sleepers without creating pressure or painful points | Might lack edge support |
| Perforated comfort layer contributes to cool sleep | Might feel a bit too rigid for small sleepers |
| The washable cover prevents dust buildup and keeps you from allergies | |
| Dense foam base ensures zero motion transfer | |
| No off-gassing and weird odours |
How Side Sleeping Impacts Your Mattress Choice?
When you sleep on your side, the main pressure points fall on the shoulders, lower abdomen, and hips. if your mattress doesn’t cradle these areas properly, you may experience pain and discomfort.
To prevent this, make sure that the mattress has enough comfort layers. Hybrid, latex, and foam mattresses are the ones you can rely on. Innerspring, on the other hand, might not offer you enough hug unless you’re an overweight sleeper.
Also, you want to be sure that the mattress doesn’t interfere with your movements, so you can freely shift between positions. Mattresses with coils, open-cell foams, and latex layers typically have better responsiveness and don’t trap you like a swamp, so you can count on them if you’re mixing between side and back sleeping, for example.
Now, let’s sum up all of the above in the rating of best and worst mattress types for side sleeping:
- Latex. According to studies, latex mattresses proved to have the most prominent pressure-relief regardless of the user’s sleeping style (2). That’s because natural latex has an open-cell structure and quickly adjusts to your weight, thus creating a uniform surface that can support your spinal alignment. Plus, the higher rebound makes latex more comfortable for those who don’t like the cradling feeling of memory foam. However, since the latex is natural material and isn’t native to Canada, the prices for these mattresses might be out of the budget-friendly segment.
- Traditional memory foam. If you’re feeling a bit intimidated by the prices for latex beds, try memory foam, which is well-known for contouring abilities. This material adapts to your shape and uses your body heat to soften up and relieve any pain. It closely contours your hips and shoulders and prevents your spine from bending at an awkward curve, which may result in pain. Note that it’s normal for the memory foam to be temperature-sensitive, so if you want to prevent overheating, choose foam with gel or copper infusions.
- Polyfoam. Polyfoam is a cheaper alternative to a traditional memory foam that has more of a spongy feel. Along with that, this material has a higher rebound and won’t mess with your movements if you decide to change your position. Plus, polyfoam is temperature-neutral and effectively withdraws heat, so you can count on cooler sleep.
- Hybrid with pillowtop. We’re moving to mattresses with coils, which have a more rigid core than all-foam and latex beds. To make a hybrid more suitable for side sleepers, a manufacturer can stack up the comfort layers and create a cradling surface. Adding a pillowtop does create that extra moldable layer that can adjust to your hips and shoulders and alleviate tension.
- Standard hybrid. Standard hybrid mattresses also are compatible with side sleeping. They typically feature a zoned coil layer that can adjust to your body shape: the zones for shoulders and hips are softer and more cradling. Plus, you can go for more comfort layers and medium feel, both of which ensure sound sleep for you.
- Finally, here’s a traditional innerspring bed. Since the innerspring mattress often features a pretty basic construction — a solid coil unit with a comfort layer and/or a pillow top — it can feel too firm for an average side sleeper. However, if you’re an overweight user in need of a mattress that won’t collapse under your body mass and will ensure proper support for your spine and hips, you can definitely go for an innerspring bed.
Also read: Best King Size Mattresses in Canada
How Much Does a Mattress Weigh?
What Else You Should Know?
Now, discovering the right type is only one important step. The mattresses within one type can differ drastically because of the difference in materials. That’s why you should check a couple of other things before making your choice, such as:
- Opt for natural covers along with open-cell or gel-infused foams if you need a cool mattress. Or, get yourself a natural latex mattress if you can afford it: this material is the best when it comes to heat removal.
- Edge support. Most of us share a bed with a partner, so a good mattress should offer enough space for both. Beds with a coil core and reinforced perimeter are the perfect choice for couples but don’t forget sufficient padding above it that will eliminate motion disturbances if your partner is an active sleeper.
- Maintenance. The mattress accumulates debris and dust particles over the years, and these particles can become home to dust mites. Dust mites are among the most common allergens for susceptible people and can aggravate existing conditions, such as asthma (3). To prevent this, choose mattresses with a washable cover or encase your bed in a removable mattress protector. The latter will also prevent stains and spills that can void your warranty.
- Consider Your Budget. Like with any major purchase, it is important to consider your budget when shopping for a mattress. There is a wide range of mattresses available at different price points, so it is important to find one that fits your needs and budget.
While not everyone can afford the most expensive option, everyone deserves a comfortable bed. That means considering what kind of budget you have and what your needs are. Don't be afraid to shop around and compare prices before making a final decision.
Are softer mattresses best for side sleepers?
Yes. Softer mattresses are usually best suited for side sleepers. However, there are a few other things to consider when answering this question. First, what is the sleeper's weight? Heavier individuals tend to sink further into a mattress, which may cause the hips and shoulders to align uncomfortably with the spine.
Second, how wide is the sleeper's body? Wider sleepers may also find that their hips and shoulders sink too deeply into a soft mattress, again causing alignment issues.
Consequently, it will be easier to find the perfect mattress for a comfortable night's sleep by taking into account the sleeper's weight and body width.
Do You Have Any medical condition?
If you suffer from any medical condition, please take this into consideration when choosing a mattress. This applies whether you are a side sleeper or not. A softer mattress may not be the best choice for you.
You might want to consider a firmer mattress if you have:
- Back pain
- arthritis
- osteoporosis
- Scoliosis
A good rule of thumb is that the heavier and wider you are, the firmer your mattress should be. If you have any doubts, please consult with a medical professional to find the best mattress for your condition.
F.A.Q.
What firmness of the mattress is best for side sleepers?
Lightweight side sleepers should opt for soft-medium mattresses while those weighing 230 lbs and above should go for medium-firm options. Generally, the right firmness level should provide the necessary support while softly cradling the shoulders and hips, reducing stress and injury.
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
A memory foam mattress is perfect for side sleepers because it conforms to the body's natural position, providing pressure-relieving comfort. This helps to align vertebrae and reduce pressure points.
What factors should I consider when buying a mattress for a side sleeper?
When selecting a memory foam mattress for sleeping on your side, consider support, comfort, and durability. You'll want to find a mattress with an adequate support level for your body's natural alignment and shape.
Memory foam mattresses tend to deliver a higher comfort side sleeping position than a traditional innerspring mattress. Finally, while the life expectancy can vary based on its usage, many memory foam mattresses can easily last for over 10 years without showing any significant signs of wear and tear.
Summary
Good ingredients for a mattress compatible with side sleeping include thick padding, a supportive core layer, breathable design and targeted pressure-relieving effects for hips and shoulders. Also, note that the perfect firmness for most users who sleep on their side is medium but the exception can be made for large sleepers who might need a firmer mattress.
All of the above perfectly combines in our top recommendation, the Puffy mattress. It gently hugs your hips and shoulders and evenly distributes your weight around the surface, so you won’t feel any pressure. The Puffy also is made of materials that adapt to body temperature changes and prevent overheating.
What things are essential to you when choosing a mattress for side sleeping? Share your thoughts below!
References
- 7 of the Most Common Sleep Habits and What They Say About Your Nighttime Needs. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://torontolife.com/style/home/7-common-sleep-habits/
- Fan-Zhe Low, Matthew Chin-Heng Chua, Ph.D., Pan-Yin Lim, and Chen-Hua Yeow, Ph.D. (2017, March, 16). Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5310954/
- Government of Canada (2018, December 21). Dust and Dust Mites. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemicals-product-safety/dust-mites.html
Yurii Brown
Yurii Brown is the Founder and Sleep Content Writer at SleepingNorth. Within his first year running the website, he has published over 50 articles that educate readers on sleep and help them find the most suitable sleep products. He pays more attention to analyzing each mattress construction, the different materials used within it, the feel each material contributes, and the best sleeping position they would work for. Having properly examined each product, he provides in-depth reviews that cut to the chase and provide readers with the value they need for more restorative sleep hygiene.