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For many side sleepers, hip pain can make it difficult to get comfortable and enjoy restful sleep. A mattress that is too firm or lacks proper support may make hip soreness feel worse. Choosing a comfortable mattress can help reduce pressure on the hips, but no mattress treats the cause of hip pain. A good mattress for side sleepers with hip pain should balance cushioning and support without allowing the body to sink too deeply. Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are popular choices because they cushion the hips and shoulders while supporting the rest of the body. In this guide, we’ll explore common causes of hip pain for side sleepers and how to choose a comfortable mattress.Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not medical advice. No mattress treats hip pain or its cause. See a doctor if hip pain lasts or keeps you awake.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| # | Construction | Height | Feel | Certification | Fiberglass-free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green tea memory foam | 8" | Medium firm | CertiPUR-US | Yes (maker claim) |
| 2 | Gel memory foam | 10" | Medium | CertiPUR-US | Yes (maker claim) |
| 3 | Bamboo charcoal memory foam | 8" | Medium firm | CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX | Not confirmed |
| 4 | Gel memory foam | 12" | Firm | CertiPUR-US | Not confirmed |
| 5 | Gel memory foam | 10" | Medium | CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX cover | Yes (maker claim) |
✓ yes · ✗ no · – not confirmed · Specs as stated on the Amazon listing or by the maker · Not a treatment for any condition
Why Side Sleeping Can Cause Hip Pain
Side sleeping can put extra pressure on the hips, especially when your mattress does not provide enough cushioning and support. Existing hip conditions, such as hip bursitis, can also make lying on one side uncomfortable during the night.- Body Alignment – When your hips and spine are not well supported, some areas may carry extra pressure, which can lead to soreness and stiffness.
- Lack of Mattress Support – A mattress that is too soft or too firm may not support your hips comfortably, creating pressure points while you sleep on your side.
- Hip Bursitis and Inflammation – Inflammation of the bursa at the point of the hip (trochanteric bursitis) causes pain at the outside of the hip that is typically worse at night and when lying on the affected hip.[1]
- Existing Hip Problems – Injuries, muscle strain, arthritis or other conditions can cause hip pain that becomes more noticeable during side sleeping.
Sleeping with hip pain (AAOS, NHS)
- Try the other side. If one hip is sore, avoid sleeping on that side. When you sleep on the other side, try one or two pillows between your knees so the painful leg doesn’t cross over.[2]
- See a doctor if hip pain lasts, keeps you awake, follows a fall or injury, or comes with swelling, fever or trouble walking. Many people with hip bursitis get relief without surgery.[1]
Understanding Mattress Qualities for Side Sleepers
A good mattress for side sleepers should balance pressure relief and support. The right mattress qualities can reduce pressure on the hips and shoulders and make it easier to sleep comfortably.
- Pressure Relief – A mattress with a cushioning top layer can soften the pressure on the hips and shoulders when you sleep on your side.
- Medium Firmness – A medium-firm mattress can provide a balance of cushioning and support, helping side sleepers stay comfortable without allowing the body to sink too deeply.[3]
- Spinal Alignment – A supportive mattress helps keep the spine in a more neutral position, which may reduce strain on the hips, lower back, neck and shoulders.[3]
- Supportive Materials – Memory foam and hybrid mattresses combine cushioning with support and are popular with side sleepers.
What the Research Says About Mattresses
- We found no good studies showing that a particular mattress improves hip pain.
- A 2021 review of 39 studies, mostly on people with low back pain, found that medium-firm mattresses were linked to better comfort, sleep quality and spinal alignment than soft or very firm ones.[3]
- Comfort is personal. A mattress trial period lets you return a bed that doesn’t suit you.
Importance of Memory Foam Mattresses for Side Sleepers
Memory foam mattresses are a common choice for side sleepers who feel pressure around the hips and shoulders. Because the foam contours to the body, it spreads your weight over a larger area.- Pressure Relief – Memory foam contours to the body, cushioning pressure points around the hips and shoulders.
- Body Contouring – The conforming feel of memory foam adapts to your body’s shape, so the hips and shoulders can sink in a little further than the waist.
- Support – A memory foam mattress with a firm support base can help keep the spine in a more neutral position. A very soft one may let the hips sink too deeply.
- Motion Isolation – Memory foam absorbs movement well, making it a practical choice for couples who want fewer sleep disturbances when one person changes positions.
- Certifications – CertiPUR-US covers the foam[4]; OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 covers the fabric.[5]
How we chose these mattresses
We did not test these products ourselves. We compared them using the research steps on our How We Research page:- Type, height and certifications: taken from the maker’s listing.
- Recall check: we searched the CPSC recall database for each brand.[6]
- Availability: each product was listed as in stock on Amazon when we last checked (October 2026).
Reviews: Mattresses for Side Sleepers With Hip Pain
1
- Best for: side sleepers who want a medium-firm foam bed.
- It is an 8-inch memory foam mattress infused with green tea gel. The maker calls the feel medium firm.
- The maker says the foam is CertiPUR-US certified and the mattress is fiberglass-free.[4][7]
2
- Best for: a medium feel with a thicker cushioning layer.
- It has 3 inches of gel memory foam and a 1.5-inch transition layer over a 5.5-inch high-density base.
- The maker says the foam is CertiPUR-US certified, the mattress is fiberglass free and made in the USA with U.S. and global parts, and it works on adjustable bases.[4][8]
3
- Best for: a lower-profile medium-firm foam bed.
- It is an 8-inch memory foam mattress with bamboo charcoal foam. The maker calls the feel medium firm.
- The maker says it uses CertiPUR-US certified foam and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 textiles.[5][9] It does not say whether the mattress is fiberglass-free, so we list that as not confirmed.
4
- Best for: side sleepers who want a thick foam bed and don’t mind a firmer feel.
- It is 12 inches thick, with 1 inch of quilted foam, 1.5 inches of ventilated gel foam and 2 inches of cooling gel foam over a 7.5-inch charcoal-infused base. The listing describes a firm, supportive feel, not a plush one, so some side sleepers with sore hips may want a topper.[10]
- The maker says the foam is CertiPUR-US certified and the mattress is made in the USA.[4] The listing does not say whether it is fiberglass-free.
5
- Best for: a medium-feel foam bed on a budget.
- It is a 10-inch gel memory foam mattress. The maker calls the feel medium.
- The maker says the foam is CertiPUR-US certified, the cover is OEKO-TEX certified and machine washable, and the mattress is fiberglass-free.[4][5][11]
Index Table: Mattresses for Side Sleepers With Hip Pain
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EGOHOME Green Tea Foam - Eight-Inch Medium Firm Memory Foam Mattress |  |
| EGOHOME |
| 2 | LUCID Gel Foam - Ten-Inch Medium Gel Memory Foam Mattress |  |
| LUCID |
| 3 | NapQueen Bamboo Charcoal - Eight-Inch Medium Firm Memory Foam Mattress |  |
| NapQueen |
| 4 | Perfect Cloud Elegance Gel - Twelve-Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress |  |
| Perfect Cloud |
| 5 | GAESTE Cooling Gel - Ten-Inch Medium Gel Memory Foam Mattress |  |
| GAESTE |
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo). Hip Bursitis. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. Lateral hip pain: modifying activities. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- Caggiari G, et al. What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. J Orthop Traumatol. 2021;22(1):51. PMID 34878594. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- CertiPUR-US. About Certified Foam. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- OEKO-TEX. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Recalls. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- EGOHOME. Dreamer Foam Medium Firm Classic Mattress. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Amazon. LUCID 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress, Medium (listing). Accessed October 17, 2026.
- NapQueen. Bamboo Charcoal Infused Memory Foam Mattress. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Amazon. Perfect Cloud Elegance Gel 12 Inch Memory Foam Mattress (listing). Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Amazon. GAESTE 10 Inch Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress, Medium (listing). Accessed October 17, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Matched the hip pain sleeping advice to the NHS source (removed an unsourced back-sleeping tip); corrected the Perfect Cloud feel to firm per its listing; checked fiberglass-free and Made in USA claims (NapQueen and Perfect Cloud not confirmed); filled the Key Specs table; renumbered citations in order of use; added Sources (maker pages, Amazon listings)
- Oct 2026: Product picks reviewed and updated; added a Key Specs table; added Sources (AAOS OrthoInfo, NHS, PubMed Central, CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX, CPSC)
- Sep 2026: Added EGOHOME Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress, NapQueen Bamboo Charcoal Foam Mattress, GAESTE Cooling Gel Foam Mattress and an illustration
- Feb 2026: Added LUCID Gel Foam Mattress
- Feb 2022: Added Perfect Cloud Elegance Gel Foam Mattress
- Nov 2016: First published
