What Is the Best Mattress for Hot Side Sleepers?
The best mattress for side sleepers that also has cooling properties is made from highly breathable materials. These mattresses allow side sleepers to sleep cool by allowing air to flow. As a side sleeper, it is also important to find a mattress that provides adequate support for your hips and shoulders. Without the proper mattress, you might end up either sweating throughout the night or wake up with aches and pains. Finding the best mattress is crucial to a good night’s sleep!
What to Look for in a Mattress if You're a Hot Side Sleeper
Breathability
When you wake up sweating, you might wonder “why do I get so hot while sleeping?” The answer usually comes down to how breathable your mattress is.
The main thing that dictates whether a mattress will keep you cool at night or not boils down to the material it is made from. Some materials breathe better than others, such as latex and AirFoam™. This means they allow for better air circulation which in turn results in a cooler sleep.
On the other hand, ultra-dense foams tend to trap heat and do not breathe as easily - resulting in an uncomfortable hot sleep for many people.
If you are a hot side sleeper you should find a mattress that does not trap body heat but also allows for superior pressure relief and support. This will allow for a cool sleep while reducing pressure on the hips and shoulders when sleeping on one’s side.
Adequate Support and Pressure Relief
As a side sleeper, it is important to find a mattress that offers adequate support for your hips and mitigates side sleeper shoulder pain. A mattress that is too firm does not absorb your body weight, shifting that pressure directly into your hips and shoulders instead. This can result in pain and your body being misaligned when you sleep.
Side sleepers tend to prefer softer mattresses as this provides them with the pressure relief that they need. However, a mattress that is too soft can cause your body to sink resulting in bad posture. The best mattress for side sleepers should be a happy middle ground, not too firm and not too soft. This is key to how to sleep on your side without hurting shoulder.
Let’s break down the main materials used for bedding to find the best mattress for hot side sleepers.
Types of Mattresses for Hot Side Sleepers
Mattresses are made from a variety of materials, each with their own pros and cons. Let’s start with the most common mattress types:
Memory Foam Mattresses
Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers
✗
✓
Memory foam mattresses are popular and are widely available. They contour, providing pressure relief for a side sleeper's shoulders and hips. However, some memory foam mattresses are too soft and can allow sinkage.
While having a soft memory foam mattress can be an OK choice for side sleepers as they provide average support for your shoulders and hips, they are notorious for retaining heat. The viscoelastic chemicals used in memory foam make it hard to get a cool, night’s sleep as they envelop the sleeper and trap their heat inside.
Innerspring Mattresses
Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers
✓
✗
Innerspring mattresses have been a staple in the industry for the past 200 years. While they might not be the best mattress for hot sleepers, they are quite breathable. What's more, innerspring mattresses range from being soft to firm so you can easily find the right mattress for you.
That being said, innerspring mattresses have a relatively short life as the springs can wear out, which can cause lumps and dents. In fact, an old inner-spring mattress can be the cause of a host of night aches and pains.
AirFoam™ Mattresses
Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers
✓
✓
Our foam mattresses are made with a proprietary material called Nolah AirFoam™. AirFoam™ is a responsive, pressure-relieving, and highly breathable foam. We also offer mattresses with AirFoam™ ICE, which is infused with copper for active heat dissipation.
AirFoam™ mattresses are designed especially for side and back sleepers. They sit on the softer side of the firmness scale without being too soft and without lacking support for the back and spine. This makes them ideal for side and back sleepers looking for a comfortable night. They provide pressure relief around your hips and shoulders helping you get a relaxing night’s sleep. It is an excellent choice for those looking for targeted support on a cool and durable mattress.
Latex Mattresses
Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers
✓
✓
Latex mattresses can be a great choice for those looking to stay cool at night. As a material latex is effective at dissipating body heat, it also contours around the body which helps to keep the sleeper’s spine aligned. They tend to be springy and bounce back once pressure has been lifted making it a good choice for those who toss and turn during the night.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers
✓
✓
Hybrid mattresses that use cool, pressure-relieving materials on top make excellent mattresses for hot side sleepers. At Nolah, our hybrid models use breathable AirFoam™ or natural latex. Check out the Nolah Evolution, a hybrid mattress for side sleepers who want contouring comfort and deep support.
Conclusion
Usually, the best mattress for side sleepers is one that is soft and provides adequate support for your body. To avoid overheating during the night find a mattress that allows hot air to escape the mattress.
If you want to find the best mattress for cool sleeping, consider the materials that your mattress is made from. Some materials are better than others at resisting temperature changes. And above all, find a mattress that is comfortable for you!
Nolah's foam mattresses are made from cooling, pressure-relieving AirFoam™ which is not only a breathable material (meaning that you’ll stay cool throughout the night) but it is also designed to provide the support that side and back sleepers need for a healthy night’s rest. Also important is ensuring you have the right accessories and finding the best pillow for side sleepers with the right structure and loft to support the head and neck.
If you’re looking for the best mattress for hot side sleepers, consider giving Nolah Mattress a try. You can have a full 120 nights to try it out for yourself from the comfort of your own home! The best part is that if you find out that a Nolah mattress doesn’t work out for you, you can return or exchange it easily. Try one out for yourself and fall in love with falling asleep!
Disclaimer: Nolah does not provide medical advice. All resources on the Nolah blog, including this article, are informational only and do not replace professional medical counsel. Talk to your doctor about any health, mental health, or sleep-related issues.
You May Also Like These Articles
Featured Articles
Don't Sleep on Exclusive Offers
Sign up for our newsletter, and you'll be the first to know about discounts, deals, and what's new at Nolah.
Ready for Bed?