Best Mattress for Side Sleepers in Australia (2026 Guide)

Why side sleepers need a different mattress

Side sleeping puts most of your body weight on two narrow areas — the shoulder and the hip. On a mattress that's too firm, those points can't sink in, so they absorb all the pressure (hello numb arm and sore hip). On one that's too soft, the hips sink too far and the spine bends out of line. Sleep-health guidance consistently stresses keeping the spine in a neutral, straight line through the night (see the Sleep Health Foundation for general sleep-position advice). The sweet spot for side sleepers is a surface that lets the shoulder and hip sink just enough while still holding up the waist — so your spine stays straight from neck to tailbone.

What to look for in a side-sleeper mattress

• Pressure relief: a comfort layer that cushions the shoulders and hips.
• Zoning: softer under the shoulders, firmer under the lower back keeps you aligned without losing support. Newentor's 7-zone pocket springs are built around exactly this.
• The right firmness: most side sleepers do best between medium-soft and medium-firm (see the weight guide below).
• Cooling: Australian summers are hot — a hybrid with a spring core breathes better than dense all-foam.

Best firmness for side sleepers, by body weight

Tip: if you're between two options, side sleepers are usually safer going slightly softer.

Which Newentor mattress is best for side sleepers?

Our top pick: the Newentor Hybrid

For most Australian side sleepers, the Newentor Hybrid hits the brief:

• 7-zone pocket springs cushion the shoulder and hip zones and firm up under the waist for alignment.
• Cooling hybrid build — a breathable pocket-spring core paired with pressure-relieving foam for hot nights.
• Medium-firm feel that suits the widest range of side sleepers.
• 120-night trial, 10-year warranty, CertiPUR-US certified foams.

Want more support (heavier build, or shared with a partner)? The Newentor Hybrid Pro adds a dual-spring system and stronger edge support. On a tight budget? A soft mattress topper on your current bed is the cheapest way to add instant shoulder relief.

Side sleepers with specific needs

• Heavier side sleepers (around 90 kg+): go medium-firm with stronger support so the hips don't sink too far — the Newentor Hybrid Pro is the safer pick over soft all-foam.
• Shoulder or hip pain: prioritise a contouring, zoned comfort layer and pair it with a higher-loft pillow — this combination relieves the most pressure on the down-side shoulder.
• Side sleeping during pregnancy: sleeping on the side (often the left) is widely recommended in later pregnancy; look for pressure relief at the hips and add a knee or body pillow to keep the spine neutral.
• Couples: pocket springs isolate movement so you're less likely to feel your partner shift; the Hybrid Pro's reinforced edges also make the full mattress usable.

Don't forget the pillow

A mattress alone won't fix side-sleeper neck pain. Because your shoulder lifts your head further off the bed, side sleepers need a higher-loft, supportive pillow to fill the gap and keep the neck neutral. The Newentor adjustable pillow has multiple height inserts (9–14 cm) so you can match the loft to your shoulder width.

Quick checklist for side sleepers

• ✓ Medium-soft to medium-firm feel
• ✓ Zoned or contouring comfort layer
• ✓ Cooling, breathable build
• ✓ A higher-loft pillow
• ✓ A real sleep trial so you can test it at home

How Newentor compares

See the full picture: Best Mattress Australia, Newentor vs Emma, and Newentor vs Ecosa.

How we make these recommendations

These picks are based on each mattress's construction and firmness against the needs of side sleeping (shoulder and hip pressure relief plus spinal alignment), how well it suits Australia's warm climate, the length of the sleep trial and warranty, and feedback from thousands of verified Newentor customer reviews. We update this guide as the range and customer feedback change. Last updated: June 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a soft or firm mattress better for side sleepers?
Most side sleepers do best on a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress — soft enough to cushion the shoulder and hip, firm enough to keep the spine aligned. Heavier sleepers should lean medium-firm, lighter sleepers softer.

Is a hybrid or memory foam mattress better for side sleepers?
A hybrid is usually the better all-rounder in Australia: the foam comfort layer relieves shoulder and hip pressure, while the pocket-spring core adds support and sleeps cooler than dense all-foam.

What's the best mattress for side sleepers with shoulder pain?
Look for a softer comfort layer and zoning that lets the shoulder sink in, like the Newentor Hybrid's 7-zone design. Pairing it with a higher-loft pillow makes the biggest difference for shoulder pain.

Can a side sleeper use a firm mattress?
A firm mattress can leave side sleepers with shoulder and hip pressure. If your bed is too firm, adding a soft mattress topper is an affordable fix before replacing the whole mattress.

What pillow height is best for side sleepers?
Side sleepers generally need a higher-loft pillow than back or stomach sleepers to fill the gap between the neck and the bed. An adjustable pillow lets you fine-tune the height to your shoulder width.

Is Newentor a good mattress for side sleepers?
Yes. The Newentor Hybrid's medium-firm, 7-zone pocket-spring design cushions the shoulders and hips while supporting the waist, which is exactly what side sleepers need. It also sleeps cool and comes with a 120-night risk-free trial, so you can test it at home.

What is the best mattress for heavier side sleepers?
Heavier side sleepers (around 90 kg and up) need more support so the hips don't sink too far. A medium-firm hybrid like the Newentor Hybrid Pro, with its dual-spring system and reinforced edges, holds up better than soft all-foam.

What is the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain?
Side sleepers with back pain need both pressure relief and spinal alignment. A zoned, medium-firm hybrid keeps the spine neutral while cushioning the shoulder and hip; pairing it with a supportive, higher-loft pillow helps keep the neck and lower back in line.