Side sleepers have a unique challenge with mattress toppers — you need enough pressure relief at the hips and shoulders to sleep comfortably, but the thicker toppers that provide the most cushioning also trap the most heat. Here's how to get both without compromising either.
Side sleeping is the most common sleep position — and the one that puts the most pressure on specific points of the body. The hip and shoulder on your downside bear the full weight of your body at a concentrated contact point. Without adequate cushioning this creates discomfort and pressure pain that can wake you up or cause you to compensate with an awkward posture that leads to neck and back pain.
The challenge is that the thicker, softer toppers that provide the best pressure relief for side sleepers — dense 4-inch memory foam options — are also among the worst for heat retention. The deep contouring that feels so comfortable for side sleeping also means more surface area in direct contact with your body, which creates more heat buildup.
What Side Sleepers Actually Need in a Topper
- Pressure relief at hip and shoulder — the topper needs to allow these pressure points to sink in enough to relieve concentrated pressure without bottoming out
- Spinal alignment support — soft enough to cushion pressure points but with enough underlying support to keep the spine aligned rather than creating a hammock effect
- Cooling technology — copper or graphite infusion rather than standard gel, because side sleeping increases the contact surface area which increases heat buildup
- Breathable cover — a bamboo or cooling-fabric cover adds moisture wicking at the surface level
The Side Sleeper Dilemma
Thickness vs cooling — finding the balance
For side sleepers specifically, 3 inches is often the sweet spot — enough depth to cushion hip and shoulder pressure points meaningfully without creating the heat trap that a 4-inch dense foam topper produces. A copper or graphite-infused 3-inch topper delivers better cooling than a standard 4-inch option while still providing significant pressure relief.
Our Top Picks for Side Sleepers
⭐
Best Overall for Side Sleepers
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Topper
Graphite-infused memory foam has a slightly softer, more contouring feel than copper-infused alternatives at the same thickness — making it particularly well suited for side sleepers who need both pressure relief and cooling. Organic cotton cover adds breathability at the surface. Well reviewed by Amazon customers for pressure relief and cooling.
Shop on Amazon →
⭐
Best Pressure Relief + Cooling
TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling Topper
TEMPUR material adapts to your shape, weight and temperature — distributing pressure evenly across the hip and shoulder rather than creating point pressure. The cooling cover keeps surface temperature down. One of the most well reviewed toppers on Amazon for side sleepers who also sleep hot.
Shop on Amazon →
⭐
Best Copper Option for Side Sleepers
ViscoSoft Active Cooling Copper Topper
Copper-infused foam with a breathable bamboo-blend cover. Provides good pressure relief for side sleeping while the copper continuously conducts heat away from the body rather than absorbing it. Well reviewed by Amazon customers for cooling performance and comfort.
Shop on Amazon →
💚
Best Budget Option for Side Sleepers
ViscoSoft 4 Inch Pillow Top Memory Foam Topper
Four inches of gel memory foam with a plush quilted cover. The extra thickness provides the pressure relief side sleepers need at the hip and shoulder. The open-cell construction breathes better than standard 4-inch foam options. Well reviewed for side sleepers who need significant cushioning.
Shop on Amazon →
Don't Forget the Pillow
Side sleepers need a higher-loft pillow than back or stomach sleepers to keep the spine aligned from head to hip. A cooling pillow is equally important — the Coop Home Goods Cool+ is a particularly good match for side sleepers because its adjustable fill lets you dial in the exact loft you need while the gel-infused shredded foam keeps it cooler than a solid foam pillow.
💚
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
KUCEY Cooling Side Sleeper Pillow
Curved crescent design specifically built for side sleeper neck and shoulder support. Shredded memory foam with adjustable fill and a cool-touch surface. Well reviewed by Amazon customers for side sleepers with neck and shoulder pain.
Shop on Amazon →
The Verdict
Side sleepers need a topper that balances pressure relief with cooling — and the two goals work against each other when you pick the wrong product. The Saatva Graphite delivers the best balance of pressure-relieving softness and cooling performance for side sleepers at the premium level. Budget buyers should look at the ViscoSoft 4-inch for pressure relief or the ViscoSoft Copper for cooling — which one you prioritize depends on whether pain or heat is your bigger problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cooling mattress topper for side sleepers?
The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Topper is our top pick for side sleepers who sleep hot — graphite-infused foam has a softer, more contouring feel than copper alternatives at the same thickness, which provides the hip and shoulder pressure relief side sleepers need while still delivering strong cooling performance. The TEMPUR-Adapt + Cooling is the best option for side sleepers who need maximum pressure relief alongside cooling.
How thick should a mattress topper be for side sleepers?
Three inches is typically the sweet spot for side sleepers who also sleep hot. It provides enough depth to cushion hip and shoulder pressure points without creating the significant heat trap that a 4-inch dense foam topper produces. If pressure relief is your primary concern over cooling, a 4-inch option may be worth the additional warmth. If cooling is the priority, a 2-3 inch copper or graphite option delivers better temperature performance.
Is memory foam or copper foam better for side sleepers who sleep hot?
Copper-infused or graphite-infused memory foam is better than standard memory foam for side sleepers who sleep hot. Both provide the same pressure relief as standard memory foam while significantly improving cooling performance. Graphite-infused foam tends to have a slightly softer feel which is particularly well suited for side sleeping. Standard gel memory foam is a step up from uninfused foam but less effective than copper or graphite for severe hot sleepers.
Can a mattress topper help with hip pain for side sleepers?
Yes — a topper that provides adequate cushioning at the hip allows the joint to sink in slightly rather than bearing concentrated pressure against a firm surface. Memory foam and TEMPUR material are the most effective at this because they distribute pressure evenly across a wider area rather than creating a point pressure response. The key is choosing a topper with enough depth to allow meaningful contouring at the hip rather than a thin pad that bottoms out under body weight.
What pillow should a hot side sleeper use?
Side sleepers need a higher-loft pillow than back or stomach sleepers to keep the head and neck aligned with the spine. The KUCEY Cooling Side Sleeper Pillow is specifically designed for this — its curved crescent shape supports the neck and shoulder while the shredded memory foam fill keeps it cooler than a solid foam pillow. The Coop Home Goods Cool+ is also an excellent choice because the adjustable fill lets you dial in the exact loft needed for your shoulder width.