9 Best Organic Mattresses for Side Sleepers (Fully Tested)

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James Miller
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James is an environmentalist, sustainability expert and senior editor at TheRoundup, specializing in testing non-toxic, organic and eco-friendly products. James, his wife and two daughters believe in chemical-free and zero-waste living. They aim to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, for future generations to enjoy.
James Miller
Category: 
Updated: April 1, 2024

Side sleepers, I feel your struggle! I'm from a family that sleeps predominantly on their side, so I know that finding the right organic mattress tailored to your unique posture can be frustrating.

The market is flooded with options, but which truly cater to your needs while still protecting your health?

After several months of extensive testing, I've picked out the best organic mattresses for side sleepers that combine eco-friendly, natural materials with the support and comfort you need.

This guide is your shortcut to a restful, pain-free night. I'll help you invest in a perfect mattress that respects both the planet and your sleep quality.

Best Organic Mattress Options for Side Sleepers in 2024

Type: All Natural Latex Hybrid
Sizes: Twin to Cal King
Firmness: Firm, Medium or Plush

Why it's the best overall: I've picked out the Avocado Green Mattress as the best mattress for side sleepers overall, due to its impeccable organic credentials combined with its superior comfort and pressure point support tailored for side sleepers.

Personal Experience: The Avocado Mattress consistently impressed me during my sleep tests. This hybrid latex mattress gave me excellent contouring support, which makes it perfect for side sleepers who need a little extra cushioning under their pressure points.

You get a choice of three firmness options, I'd recommend choosing the medium or plush if you're a side sleeper who suffers from neck or back pain. Many people have reported that switching to the Avocado mattress has helped or even cured these symptoms.

The organic credentials, from the GOLS-certified latex to the GOTS-certified organic wool, allow you to sleep with a clear conscience and without worrying about toxic chemicals. From an ethical perspective, Avocado's commitment to sustainability made me feel even better about recommending this mattress.

While it's a premium product, I feel the investment is justified for any side or combination sleeper who wants the best in organic comfort.

Pros & Cons

Pressure relief on hips and shoulders
Keeps the spine aligned
No polyester or toxic chemicals
Premium price point

Verified Customer Reviews

  • Perfect Sleep
    My Avocado Green is heaven sent! So comfortable and giving me serious deep sleep .

    Irma T
    ★★★★★

  • Totally worth it
    I loved it since day 1. It has a completely different feeling than a traditional mattress or a memory foam mattress. I sleep on my side, and it’s very comfortable, no body aches and I sleep longer without a need to keep turning.

    Victoria.
    ★★★★★

  • Sleeping Better
    The bed was heavier than thought so it took two us to get it up the stairs. Once we opened it the setup was easy. I'm a side sleeper and it’s very comfortable. I’m waking up with no hip or back pain. I’m giving it a 5!

    Angelique.
    ★★★★★

Type: All Natural Latex  Hybrid
Sizes: Twin to Cal King
Firmness: Firm to Ultra-Plush

Why it's the best for Extra Features: The Naturepedic EOS can be fully customized to meet your exact tastes. You can rearrange and even swap the material layers as many times as you need, to achieve the perfect feel. The left and right sides can even be customized independently, so both partners can get their ideal configuration.

Personal Experience: The Naturepedic EOS Pillow Top Mattress feels extremely comfortable right out of the box, but it's the option to change the configuration to suit your tastes that really takes it to a different level.

At first I thought this was just a novelty. But when I actually tried it I realized that this is a unique and useful feature that most organic mattresses don't offer, and it's kinda fun too!

In the end, I settled on the Cushion-Firm configuration as my favorite (Soft Latex / Firm Latex / Firm Coils) but my wife preferred the Medium (Soft Latex / Medium Latex / Firm Coils) so it was great to have the option to assemble both sides independently. This means no arguments, and everyone gets exactly what they want.

The organic materials, from the GOLS latex to the organic cotton casing, are very high quality. For side sleeping, the pressure relief is exceptional, ensuring a restful night without any discomfort. The coils offer edge support so neither side gets disturbed by a restless partner.

All this comes at a price, and that is bound to be a barrier for some people. But if you have the budget, the EOS Organic Pillow Top Mattress is going to be a game-changer for side and combination sleepers everywhere.

Pros & Cons

Rearrange layers to achieve personalized comfort
Independent left and right side setup with edge support
Very high quality materials
Sustainable brand
Premium price point
Options may be confusing for some
Type: All Natural Latex Hybrid
Sizes: Twin to Cal King
Firmness: Medium-Soft

Why it's the best Value: The Oceano offers a premium organic experience at a mid-range price point, so you get an excellent balance of quality and value.

Personal Experience: The Brentwood Home Oceano Luxury Hybrid is a testament to quality craftsmanship. The zoned support system features 2,697 individually wrapped coils (no I didn't count them personally). Its medium-soft feel is tailored for side sleepers, and provides targeted relief, ensuring a comfortable night. 

The mattress is made from a combination of certified non-toxic and organic materials which gave me peace of mind, and the overall sleep experience was luxurious. It's a bit of a bargain at under $1300 for a twin, and the value it offers in terms of comfort and organic credentials is undeniable.

Pros & Cons

Eco-friendly yet affordable
Perfect firmness for side sleepers
Hand-tufted craftsmanship
Some new mattress smell, which soon dissipates
Type: Hybrid Mattress
Sizes: Twin to Cal King
Firmness: Medium Firm

Why it's the best Balanced: Combining the benefits of organic latex with responsive coils, it offers a balanced sleeping experience that's both supportive and comfortable, and all at a very fair price.

Personal Experience: The Awara Organic Luxury Hybrid Mattress was a very pleasant experience. It gave me a nice balanced feel, combining the contouring support of latex with the responsiveness of coils.

The firmness is rated as 6.5 out of 10, which is good for side sleepers who prefer a more supportive feel.

Some customers have commented that the Awara Hybrid helps with hip and lower back pain, which a too-soft mattress can sometimes exacerbate. If you're a side sleeper and you often wake with aches and pains then this could be just what you're looking for.

The organic credentials are top-notch, and I appreciated the breathability, ensuring a cool sleep. Some might find it a tad bouncy, but I generally prefer a slightly firmer surface, so I really liked it.

Pros & Cons

Can help with hip pain
Breathable design
Good edge support
Affordably priced
Might be too bouncy for some
Type: Memory Foam Mattress
Sizes: Twin to Cal King
Firmness: Medium Firm

Why it's the best Cooling Option: The gel memory foam is breathable so you get a cool, comfortable night. It's great for people like me who tend to sleep hot.

Personal Experience: The PlushBeds Cool Bliss mattress was a refreshing experience that genuinely made a difference to the temperature of my bed.

Some mattresses claim to be breathable but in reality don't really do much. But the Cool Bliss mattress features a gel memory foam layer which was far more effective at keeping me cool throughout the night. 

The firmness (6/10) and the support offered by the 5 comfort layers were great for side sleepers. My wife and I both felt the hip support was just right.

Like all PlushBeds products, the organic credentials and manufacturing quality are both first-rate, and the certifications give you added peace of mind if you're worried about chemicals or VOCs (you won't find any of either here).

The price might be on the higher side, but the comfort, build quality, and cooling benefits make it worth it.

Pros & Cons

Cooling gel layer can realy help hot sleepers
Optimal firmness with hip and shoulder support
Made in the USA
25 Year Warranty
Premium price point (but regularly discounted)
Type: Latex Hybrid Mattress
Sizes: Twin to Cal King
Firmness: Medium Firm

Why it's the best Handcrafted: The attention to detail, handcrafted quality, and use of premium organic materials make the My Green Mattress Natural Escape stand out from msot other organic mattresses on the market.

Personal Experience: The handcrafted quality of My Green Mattress Natural Escape is evident from the first touch. Each stitch and layer felt meticulously crafted.

The Avocado, Brentwood Home, and PlushBeds products are also made by hand, and I wouldn't say that the Natural Escape is any better than those in terms of quality. However, it does come in at a cheaper price point, albeit with fewer features.

The combination of wool and latex offered a supportive yet comfortable sleep experience. When I slept on my side, I felt well-supported throughout the night.

At 7.5/10 this is the firmest side-sleeper mattress I'm recommending, and it's getting toward the level that might be better for stomach sleepers. If you happen to be a side and stomach combination sleeper though, I think you'll find this to be just right.

Pros & Cons

Handmade quality
Recommended for stomach or side sleepers
Affordable price range
Might be too firm for some
Type: Hybrid Mattress
Sizes: Twin to Cal King
Firmness: Medium Firm

Why it's the best for Allergy Sufferers: The hypoallergenic materials, including natural Talalay latex and organic cotton, ensure a sneeze-free sleep.

Personal Experience: The Birch Living Mattress was a haven for my sensitive nose. The hypoallergenic materials ensured a sneeze-free sleep, and the support was just about soft enough to be comfortable for side sleepers.

The combination of latex and coils provided a balanced feel, ensuring a restful night. The organic credentials, from the latex to the cotton, added to the overall comfort.

Pros & Cons

Suitable for side sleepers
Hypoallergenic
Good edge support
Might be too firm for some
Type: All Natural Latex Mattress
Sizes: Twin to Cal King
Firmness: Medium or Medium Firm

Why it's the best Budget Option: Offering a quality organic experience at an affordable price point, it proves that you don't need to compromise on quality when on a budget.

Personal Experience: The Eco Terra Latex Mattress is a testament to the fact that you don't need to break the bank for quality. The natural Talalay latex offers excellent support for side sleepers.

The organic materials gave me peace of mind, and the overall sleep experience was luxurious.

It might lack some bells and whistles, but it delivers where it counts.

Pros & Cons

Eco-friendly
Suitable for side sleepers
No polyurethanes or toxins
Might lack some premium features
Type: Hybrid Mattress
Sizes: Twin to Cal King
Firmness: Medium

Why it's the most Breathable: The breathable cover combined with the hybrid design ensures maximum airflow, ensuring a cool sleep.ress is a testament to the fact that you don't need to break the bank for quality. The natural Talalay latex offers excellent support for side sleepers.

Personal Experience: The DreamCloud Mattress was a breath of fresh air. The breathable cover, combined with the hybrid design, ensured maximum airflow. As a side sleeper, the support was spot-on, ensuring a comfortable night without any heat buildup.

The mattress provides a balance between foam and coils, giving a unique feel that I believe many side sleepers will appreciate.

Pros & Cons

Lifetime Warranty
Breathable design
Good edge support
Might be too bouncy for some

What Type of Mattress is Best for Side Sleepers?

Side sleepers have unique needs when it comes to mattresses. Unlike back or stomach sleepers, they require a delicate balance of support and contouring to ensure proper spinal alignment and pressure relief.

Here's a breakdown of the challenges side sleepers face and the mattress types that best address them:

Challenges for Side Sleepers

  1. Pressure Points: Side sleepers often experience pressure on their shoulders and hips. Sleeping on a mattress that's too firm can exacerbate this, leading to discomfort or even neck and hip pain.
  2. Spinal Alignment: Proper spinal alignment is crucial. If a mattress doesn't provide adequate support, a side sleeper's spine can curve, which causes back pain.
  3. Neck Support: The gap between the mattress and the neck can strain the neck muscles if not filled with a proper pillow or mattress contour.

Mattress Types Not Suitable

  1. Innerspring Mattresses: Traditional innerspring mattresses might not offer the contouring side sleepers need. They can push against the body's natural curves, which forms pressure points.
  2. Very Firm Mattresses: While they offer support, a mattress that is too firm might not provide the necessary give at the shoulders and hips. A slightly softer mattress is therefore generally best for side sleepers.

Mattress Types Suitable for Side Sleepers

  1. Memory Foam: Memory foam mattresses are known for their contouring properties. They mold to the body's shape, providing relief at pressure points and supporting the spine's natural curve.
  2. Latex Mattresses: Natural latex offers a blend of support and cushioning. It's responsive, meaning it'll bounce back quickly, but still offers the contouring side sleepers need.
  3. Hybrid Mattresses: These combine the best of both worlds. They have coils for support and a top layer of foam or latex for contouring. This combination can be ideal for side sleepers looking for both support and pressure relief.

In conclusion, while back and side sleepers have specific challenges to address, the right mattress type can make all the difference. It's essential to prioritize both support and contouring to ensure a restful, pain-free night.

Why Should Side Sleepers Buy an Organic Mattress?

Choosing an organic mattress over a synthetic one offers a myriad of benefits, both for your health and the environment. Here's a quick rundown:

  1. Healthier Sleep Environment: Organic mattresses are free from harmful chemicals and off-gassing toxins, ensuring you breathe cleaner air as you sleep.
  2. Hypoallergenic Properties: Natural materials like GOTS certified organic cotton and GOLS certified organic latex are less likely to trigger allergies, making them ideal for sensitive individuals.
  3. Durability: Organic materials tend to be more durable than their synthetic counterparts, ensuring a longer mattress lifespan.
  4. Eco-friendly: Eco-friendly mattresses have a smaller carbon footprint, contributing to a healthier planet.
  5. Temperature Regulation: Natural materials like wool and latex inherently regulate temperature, ensuring a comfortable sleep environment. This is especially beneficial for side sleepers who might experience heat build-up at pressure points.

For people who sleep on their side, the contouring and pressure-relieving properties of natural and organic materials can offer enhanced comfort.

Plus, the absence of chemicals means a reduced risk of skin irritations, which can be exacerbated by the increased contact side sleepers have with their mattress.

For a deeper dive into the benefits of organic mattresses, check out our detailed article here.

10 Top Tips for Side Sleepers

Sleeping on your side can be incredibly comfortable, but it also presents unique challenges. Here are some top tips to ensure side sleepers get the most restful night's sleep:

  1. Pillow Perfection: Invest in a contoured organic pillow designed for side sleepers. It should support the neck and head without tilting, ensuring spinal alignment.

  2. Knee Comfort: Consider placing a pillow between your knees. This helps maintain hip alignment and reduces stress on the lower back.

  3. Shoulder Care: Rotate which side you sleep on occasionally to avoid putting constant pressure on one shoulder. This can help prevent soreness or stiffness.

  4. Mattress Matters: A medium to medium-firm mattress usually works best for side sleepers. It provides support for the spine while offering cushioning for the shoulders and hips.

  5. Stretching Routine: Incorporate a daily stretching routine to alleviate any muscle tension or stiffness, especially targeting the shoulders, neck, and back.

  6. Avoid Arm Compression: Ensure your arm isn't tucked under your pillow or head as this can reduce blood flow and lead to pins and needles.

  7. Spinal Alignment: Ensure your spine remains in a straight, neutral position. If your mattress is sagging or too firm, it can misalign your spine.

  8. Stay Hydrated: Hydration helps maintain muscle function. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep muscles and joints in optimal condition.

  9. Regularly Rotate Your Mattress: This ensures even wear and can prolong the life of your mattress. It also helps prevent any indentations from forming.

  10. Mind Your Posture: Even during the day, maintaining good posture can have positive effects on your sleep (and vice versa). It helps train your body to maintain alignment, which can translate to better sleep posture at night.

By following these tips, side sleepers can optimize their sleeping position and environment, leading to deeper, more restorative sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s not in an organic mattress?

In an organic mattress, you won't find synthetic materials, harmful chemicals, or petroleum-based foams. Instead, they are made from natural materials like organic cotton, wool, and latex, ensuring a healthier sleep environment.

Look for certifications such as USDA Organic or GreenGuard GOLD to give you peace of mind that you're choosing a mattress that's non-toxic and made with natural materials which will not off-gas.

Why do people buy new mattresses?

People buy new mattresses for various reasons, including the desire for better comfort, the need to replace an old or worn-out mattress, health reasons, or a change in life circumstances such as moving or getting married.

How long does an organic or natural mattress last?

An organic mattress typically lasts between 8 to 15 years, depending on the materials used and the quality of construction. With proper care, some high-quality organic mattresses can even last longer.

When is the best time to buy an organic mattress?

The best time to buy an organic mattress is during major sale events, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, or end-of-season sales.

However, even though we all like to make savings, it's essential to prioritize quality and comfort over discounts.

Also bear in mind that some sales events are final, meaning you wouldn't be able to return the mattress if you didn't like it.

What is edge support and why is it important for side sleepers?

Edge support refers to the level of firmness and stability around the perimeter of a mattress.

For side sleepers, good edge support is crucial as it allows them to utilize the entire surface of the mattress without feeling like they might roll off, ensuring a comfortable and safe sleep.

The Final Word

For side sleepers, finding the right mattress is crucial to ensure a restful night and proper spinal alignment.

A non-toxic mattress, made without harmful chemicals or synthetic materials, offers a healthier sleep environment. They are especially beneficial for side sleepers, providing the necessary support and contouring to the body's curves.

This article delved into the best organic mattresses tailored for side sleepers, highlighting their unique features and benefits. The Avocado Green Mattress is a great option that came out top in our tests.

Your key takeaway is that investing in a high-quality organic mattress can significantly enhance sleep quality, especially for those who prefer sleeping on their side.

James Miller
James Miller
James is an environmentalist, sustainability expert and senior editor at TheRoundup, specializing in testing non-toxic, organic and eco-friendly products. James, his wife and two daughters believe in chemical-free and zero-waste living. They aim to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, for future generations to enjoy.

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