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Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers

Candace Osmond

If you’re a side sleeper, you know how hard it is to find the right mattress for you. Covering all the pressure points seems almost impossible, so you end up tossing and turning throughout the night, trying to find the best possible position to sleep in. And you wake up feeling horrible. This is where mattress toppers come into the picture, because they can turn your uncomfortable bed into a plush, yet supportive cloud. There are so many high-quality mattress toppers out there, and finding the right one will be super easy if you take into account your specific needs. We’ve put together the best mattress toppers specifically for side sleepers in our list below, so scroll down to determine which might be the perfect fit for you.

We bought and tested the best memory foam mattress toppers on the market. A memory foam topper is a great way to extend the life of an older mattress!

1. Best Price 4“ Memory Foam Topper – Editor's Choice

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  • Durable materials
  • Perfect support for side sleepers
  • Will arrive with a cover
  • 3 Year Warranty
  • 100 Night Risk-Free Trial
Memory foam topper on a bed that's drawn like a diagram

2. Lucid 2″ Gel Infused Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper

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  • Gel infused
  • Light and easy to handle
  • Hypoallergenic
  • 3 Year Warranty

3. TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper

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  • Plush support
  • Relieves pressure
  • Responds to your body’s temperature
  • Breathable cover is machine washable
  • Limited Warranty

4. Sleep Better 3-Inch Extra Firm Mattress Topper

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  • Good topper for side sleepers
  • Simple and easy to handle
  • Excellent support
  • 1 Year Warranty

5. LUCID 3″ Gel Memory Foam Topper

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  • Affordable
  • Great for soft sleepers
  • Cooling gel-infused for added comfort
  • No major off-gassing reported
  • 3 Year Warranty
ghostbed-memory-foam-topper

6. GhostBed Memory Foam Topper

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  • Extremely breathable with cooling properties
  • 5 zones of head to toe comfort
  • Elastic band to securely hold topper in place
  • Waterproof cotton cover
  • 5 Year Warranty

7. Pure Green 100% Natural Latex

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  • All-natural materials used
  • Quality materials and production
  • Latex foam naturally stays cool
  • OEKO-TEX Class 1 certified

Best Mattress Toppers for Side Sleepers

1. Best Price Mattress 4-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper – Editor's Choice

Has your mattress lost its fluffiness and you feel like you’d want to postpone buying a new one because it’s not the time for a new investment just yet?

Highlights

  • Warranty: 3 year warranty, 100 night risk-free trial
  • Size: 80 x 60 x 4 inches (Queen)
  • Material: Memory foam
  • Suitable for: Side sleepers

Pros

  • Durable materials
  • Perfect support for side sleepers
  • Will arrive with a cover

Cons

  • Difficult to repack in case of return
  • Slight heat retention in high temperatures, as with many memory foam products

This Best Price mattress topper offers plenty of support due to its thickness, so it’s ideal for side sleepers. Your body weight will be distributed evenly on the surface, and finding the most comfortable sleeping position will be instant. The Best Price 4-Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper is made to last, and the combination of high-quality materials ensures the longevity of this product. It’s soft, comfortable and will help you fall asleep quickly and easily.

It’s important to mention that this mattress topper has a CertiPUR-US certificate, which speaks volumes about the quality of the materials used in the process of manufacturing this memory foam topper. If you’re a side sleeper and need extra cushioning underneath you, this is the topper for you. It’s not too soft, and the support will be just right.

Read Our Full Best Price Review

2. Runner Up – LUCID 2-Inch Gel Infused Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Picture of an aerated topper

Highlights

  • Warranty: 3 years
  • Size: 60 x 80 x 2 inches (Queen)
  • Material: Gel-infused memory foam
  • Suitable for: People who want extra comfort, stomach sleepers

Pros

  • Gel infused
  • Light and easy to handle
  • Hypoallergenic

Cons

  • You have to order the cover separately
  • Spot clean only

The Lucid Gel Infused Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress is high-quality and perfect for those looking to improve the quality of their firm mattress, making it better for side sleeping. It’s a great product and has been well-received by online buyers.

To make it even better, the ventilation is excellent and heat retention is almost non-existent due to the gel infusion. If you live in a warm climate, you’ll find this mattress topper quite practical as it will keep you comfortably cool during the night. It’s commonly known that most side sleepers retain a lot of body heat due to the position they sleep in, and it’s hard for it to release properly. This mattress topper will take its shape quickly and the initial offgassing odor will be gone after a couple of days. It won’t arrive with a cover, so you’ll have to place a separate order if you want one of these. Since this topper is three inches thick and isn’t considered firm, we’d suggest pairing it with a firm mattress for best results, but it would work on a softer bed as well.

Read Our Full Lucid Review

3. Best Premium – TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper

Highlights

  • Warranty: Limited warranty
  • Size: 80 x 60 x 3 inches (Queen)
  • Material: Memory foam
  • Suitable for: People who want plush comfort and are willing to splurge a little

Pros

  • Plush support
  • Relieves pressure
  • Responds to your body’s temperature
  • Breathable cover is machine washable

Cons

  • More expensive than other options out there

This 3-inch topper has rave reviews and offers tons of support from a premium brand that’s a pioneer in the mattress industry. The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Supreme 3-Inch Medium Firm Mattress topper comes in a variety of sizes including Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King. This topper is designed with the same pressure-relieving and patented TEMPUR material found in Tempur-Pedic’s famous mattress. This topper will add much needed support to your existing mattress, while conforming to your body in order to deliver a more restful sleep. The TEMPUR material can respond to your body’s temperature, weight and shape for totally custom support. The breathable cover can be easily removed and tossed in the washing machine, keeping it clean and protected.

4. Best for Back Pain – Sleep Better 3-Inch Extra Firm Conventional Foam Mattress Topper

Highlights

  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Size: 80 x 3 x 60 inches
  • Material: Memory foam
  • Suitable for: People suffering from back pain, side sleepers

Pros

  • Good topper for side sleepers
  • Simple and easy to handle
  • Excellent support

Cons

  • Some reports of initial offgassing odor
  • Tight packaging which may damage the topper
  • Slight heat retention

This Sleep Better mattress topper is thick and firm enough to give you the right amount of support as you enjoy a restful sleep. Side sleepers will absolutely love it because it conforms well to all body shapes and positions, providing you with an amazing sleeping experience. This topper will arrive in a simple packaging that might not seem impressive, but once you open it you’ll see how quickly the topper expands to its full size. It won’t take more than a few hours for the topper to be completely set. The initial offgassing odor may be there to begin with, so give it enough time to air out and dissipate, then place the mattress topper on your bed.

This is an exceptional topper that will fit the needs of every side sleeper out there, regardless of their weight. It will reduce pressure points where needed and give that cushiony, plush feeling to your old mattress. Heat retention is very minimal and it won’t make you overheat during the night. This particular topper may not be gel-infused and therefore containing cooling properties, but it’s still a great purchase and you’ll be able to finally rest properly on your side.

Read Our Full Sleep Better Review

5. Best Cooling – LUCID 3″ Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Highlights

  • Materials: Memory foam, cooling gel
  • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, California King
  • Thickness: 3 or 4 inches recommended

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Great for soft sleepers
  • Cooling gel-infused for added comfort
  • No major off-gassing reported

Cons

  • Cover not included
  • Not for those who prefer firmer mattresses or toppers

This gel-infused memory foam mattress topper is a perfect quick upgrade to your old mattress without too much of a commitment. If you aren’t sure where to start looking for a new mattress topper, the Lucid gel memory foam mattress topper is a well-liked and safe starting point. Customers, especially pregnant women and restless sleepers, love the support and comfort that this mattress provides. 3 inches of memory foam is enough to provide a comforting and cradling sleep experience, and there’s even a 4-inch option available if you want some extra loftiness.

This memory foam topper is on the softer side, and feels very airy to better ventilate and distribute heat. If you enjoy your mattress topper to be on the softer side and like the feeling of sinking in a bit, this is a plus. On top of that, the gel-infused captures heat to control temperature and you can avoid waking up in a sweat, most likely if you sleep hot as well. The mattress topper arrives rolled up and compressed, and can take up to 2 days to decompress after opening. The Lucid gel memory foam mattress topper comes with a 3-year warranty for a hassle-free buy.

Read Our Full Lucid Review

6. Best Breathable – GhostBed Memory Foam Topper

ghostbed-memory-foam-topper

Highlights

  • Warranty: 5 years
  • Size: 80 x 60 x 3 inches (Queen)
  • Material: Memory foam
  • Suitable for: People who want a breathable topper with cooling properties

Pros

  • Extremely breathable with cooling properties
  • 5 zones of head to toe comfort
  • Elastic band to securely hold topper in place
  • Waterproof cotton cover

Cons

  • More expensive than others on our list

Finally, GhostBed offers a three-inch memory foam topper that will keep you feeling cool and comfortable throughout the night as you sleep on your side. The memory foam will conform to the shape of your body so it’s completely customizable to suit your size and go-to sleeping position. There are five targeted comfort zones – focusing on the head, shoulders, torso, legs and feet – to give your body pressure relief, as well as individual raised zones for optimal airflow. This topper comes in every size ranging from Twin to Cal King and everything in between. It also comes with an impressive 5-year warranty, so if you’re not completely satisfied with this topper – or if it happens to come with any defects at all – you can return it for a full refund.

7. Best All-Natural – Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper

Highlights

  • Materials: 100% naturally sourced latex
  • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
  • Thickness: 1 to 3 inches

Pros

  • All-natural materials used
  • Quality materials and production
  • Latex foam naturally stays cool
  • OEKO-TEX Class 1 certified

Cons

  • Heavier than other foam toppers
  • Off-gassing

You may be looking for a mattress topper that doesn’t use synthetic materials like memory foam or gel, and that’s why there’s natural latex as an alternative. This mattress topper from Pure Green is made with high-quality all-natural latex that provides both sustainability and comfort without compromise. Unlike memory foam toppers, the Pure Green doesn’t sink far while it supports and contours your body and reduces pressure. Latex tends to be far more durable than regular polyurethane foam or memory foam. For that matter; this topper will likely last you a longer time than others.

The Pure Green natural latex is also breathable and neutral to heat without the need for a cooling gel. The open-celled construction allows for ventilation and prevents the further collection of heat, making it a perfect buffer between you and a hot mattress. The latex is OEKO-TEX and eco-INSTITUT certified, so you know that not only is it sustainable, but there are no harmful emissions or heavy metals used when making the mattress topper. Buying a cover for this topper is optional and will cost you extra, though it is worth enhancing the longevity of this topper. For side sleepers, it’s recommended that they use the 2 inch or 3-inch versions of this mattress topper.

Things to Look for When Buying a Mattress Topper For Side Sleeping

Side sleepers have more specific needs than back sleepers, so the process of choosing the best mattress topper for you will take some extra time. You have to go over each and every product thoroughly in order to find out as much as possible about your potential future mattress topper. What are some of the main features you should look for?

— Materials

Mattress toppers will come in a variety of materials with everything from latex and memory foam to wool and down feathers. Material choice can be narrowed down based on how soft or firm you want your mattress topper to be along with other considerations like motion transfer properties, pressure relief, and allergies.

Some people may prefer to go for organic options such as natural latex or natural wool fleece while others may have a budget to watch and choose less expensive materials such as polyester blends instead. But given the fair variety of topper materials available, there is one for everyone’s needs to help them experience a good night’s sleep.

– Thickness

Different sleeping styles require different thickness. For instance, stomach sleepers will feel super comfortable on a very thin mattress topper, while side sleepers may not – depending on the firmness level of the mattress. This should be your first clue in determining the actual size of your future mattress topper.

We suggest that you choose a thicker mattress topper, as it will cover all pressure points easily and form around the contours of your body, keeping the spine as aligned as possible. Three or four inches will work just fine for side sleepers.

– Heat Retention and Breathability

Heat retention is probably the only issue users have with memory foam toppers. If you live in a warm climate and you purchase a cheaper mattress topper without proper ventilation, you may feel stuffy and hot throughout the night, making your rest time super stressful. In this case, it won’t matter if you’re a side sleeper or not – you won’t be able to have a restful night’s sleep.

Luckily, manufacturers have found a way to deal with this issue, and they generally improved the airflow within a mattress as well as ventilation. This means that the topper itself will release the heat quicker and easier, enhancing the airflow underneath the covers and regulating your body temperature.

On the other hand, there are always gel infused mattress toppers which distribute the body heat evenly over the surface, making you feel super comfortable. They may not have actual cooling properties, but can be useful when the temperatures outside are on the rise.

– Maintenance

Memory foam mattress toppers aren’t waterproof, so they can’t be cleaned in a washing machine. This will damage the structure and make it completely unusable in the future. With that said, you can spot clean the topper if needed. Just make sure you use a dry cloth afterwards in order to take out the moisture.

You can also make your memory foam mattress topper completely water repellent by using a waterproof cover. This is an excellent way to ensure your topper won’t be stained by accident, and it’s particularly useful for parents who have small children who may wet the bed.

— Warranty

Given their daily use, mattress toppers will typically last between 4-5 years. And because of this average lifespan, you should get a topper that covers this entire period of 4-5 years. A warranty will come in handy with issues like excessive sagging or other material deterioration or in case of receiving a defective product.

– Offgassing: The Infamous Odor

Even if you’ve never purchased a memory foam topper (or a mattress) before, you’re probably familiar with the well-known odor that emerges once you unwrap the product and lay it down to unravel. It’s a strong smell that’s very specific to memory foam. Yes, it’s a chemical odor and may be unpleasant for more delicate noses, but some users will still remain unbothered by it.

The good thing about this odor is that it will go away in a few days if the topper is made of high quality materials. If not, the smell will stay and you’ll definitely notice it while sleeping on your bed.

If you want to avoid the permanent offgassing odor, check for any certificates that prove the quality of the product and provide you with the list of materials used in the manufacturing process. Finding the country of origin is also quite useful, as some toppers are imported and are not required to pass the same quality tests.

Conclusion

Selecting the best mattress topper for side sleepers can be difficult. There are many features to consider such as thickness, density and comfort. However, the Best Price mattress topper really has it all. The support is excellent, and it will conform to your body and relieve all pressure points. You should wake up feeling well-rested every morning, and any pain from side sleeping should certainly subside. If any of these recommendations helped you in your decision to purchase a product for side sleeping, let us know in the comments below!

Recent Updates

August 23, 2021: The SleepJoy 2″ ViscO2 Memory Foam Topper, eLuxury Bamboo Mattress Pad, Morphiis Pressure Topper and eLuxury 2″ Topper have each been removed due to unavailability, replaced with the popular TEMPUR Supreme Mattress Topper and GhostBed Memory Foam Topper. Additional Resources and more FAQs have also been added.

October 18, 2021: The ISOLUS 2.5″ Ventilated Gel Mattress Topper has been removed due to decreased popularity, replaced with two highly-rated products: LUCID 3″ Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper and the Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper.

Additional Resources