5 Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers with Hip Pain (November 2026)
The best mattresses for side sleepers with hip pain include the DOWNCOOL 5 Inch Cooling Queen Mattress Topper for plush cooling comfort, the NightHug King Mattress Topper for King beds and deep mattresses, and the 5 Inch Dual Layer Memory Foam Queen Mattress Topper for a firm Queen mattress.
On this page (5 sections)
The best side sleeper mattress for hip pain is the BedStory 13 Inch Medium Firm King Mattress when you need a complete mattress with gel memory foam and pocketed coils. If your current mattress is still supportive but too firm, the DOWNCOOL 5 Inch Cooling Queen Mattress Topper offers the softest pressure-relieving setup in this group.
Hip pain during side sleeping often starts with a poor match between your body and the sleep surface. A surface that is too hard can leave the hip carrying too much pressure, while one that is too soft may let your body sink unevenly.
This guide compares mattress toppers and one complete mattress. We checked the listed materials, thicknesses, firmness descriptions and support designs against the needs of side sleepers with sensitive hips.
Our picks at a glance
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1
Best for plush cooling comfortDOWNCOOL 5 Inch Cooling Queen Mattress Topper
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
-
3
Best for a firm Queen mattress5 Inch Dual Layer Memory Foam Queen Mattress Topper
9.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itBedStory 13 Inch Medium Firm King Mattress
Best for replacing the whole mattress - 5
Check itSleepmax Extra Firm Mattress Topper Cal King
Best for firm adjustable support
The best mattresses for side sleepers with hip pain
The right pick depends on whether you need more cushioning from your current mattress or a complete replacement. Toppers are useful when the base still feels level and supportive, while a new mattress makes more sense when the underlying bed no longer suits your body.
DOWNCOOL 5 Inch Cooling Queen Mattress Topper: Best for plush cooling comfort
- 5-inch thickness
- Bamboo-derived viscose and cooling fiber fabric
- Gel and blended memory foam
- 21-inch deep pocket elastic skirt
A thick Queen topper with gel and blended memory foam creates a softer surface around the hips. Its cooling fabric and elastic skirt suit side sleepers who want plush comfort without replacing the mattress.
Pros
- Thick pressure-relieving surface
- Cooling bamboo-derived viscose fabric
- Deep pocket skirt
Cons
- Queen size only in this product
- Hand wash only
The DOWNCOOL 5 Inch Cooling Queen Mattress Topper is the strongest match for side sleepers who want a thick, soft surface around the hips. Its 5-inch height gives the body more cushioning than a thin pad, and its gel memory foam plus blended memory foam is designed around pressure relief.
The surface uses 21% bamboo-derived viscose, 21% polyethylene cooling fiber and 58% polyester air-layer fabric. That fabric blend and waffle weave are aimed at airflow, which may help hot sleepers avoid a stuffy feel.
A full-edge elastic skirt wraps mattresses up to 21 inches deep. That matters for side sleepers because a shifting topper can create uneven support beneath the hip.
Choose this pick for a Queen bed that feels too firm but remains level. It is hand wash only, so plan care around the cover’s instructions.
NightHug King Mattress Topper: Best for King beds and deep mattresses
- 1700 GSM shredded memory foam fill
- Medium-firm memory foam comfort
- 8 to 21-inch mattress fit
- Viscose from bamboo air-layer cover
This King topper adds shredded memory foam cushioning around the hips while its integrated pocket fits mattresses from 8 to 21 inches thick. It is a practical match for hot side sleepers who want a medium-firm feel.
Pros
- Wide mattress thickness range
- 1700 GSM shredded memory foam
- Breathable air-layer cover
Cons
- King size
- Spot clean only
The NightHug King Mattress Topper suits side sleepers who need hip cushioning on a King mattress and want a medium-firm feel. Its 1700 GSM shredded memory foam fill is designed to cushion the shoulders, hips and spine without making the whole surface rigid.
The integrated elastic pocket fits mattresses from 8 to 21 inches thick. Measure your mattress depth before ordering, especially if you use an existing pad or another layer beneath it.
Its cover combines viscose from bamboo with an air-layer design. This gives the topper a clear advantage for hot side sleepers who want pressure relief with more airflow.
The topper arrives vacuum compressed and needs 24 to 48 hours for full expansion. It is spot clean only, so use a separate washable protector if you want simpler routine care.
5 Inch Dual Layer Memory Foam Queen Mattress Topper: Best for a firm Queen mattress
- 2-inch support foam
- 1-inch cooling memory foam
- 2-inch pillow top
- 8 to 21-inch deep pocket fit
The three-part Queen design combines support foam, cooling memory foam and a pillow top for side sleepers changing a firm surface. A removable washable cover makes regular care easier.
Pros
- Dual-layer foam construction
- Deep pocket fit
- Removable washable cover
Cons
- Queen size
- Needs 24 to 48 hours for full expansion
The SurChic 5 Inch Dual Layer Memory Foam Queen Mattress Topper is a good fit when a Queen mattress feels hard across the hip and lower-back area. Its design combines 2 inches of support foam, 1 inch of cooling memory foam and a 2-inch pillow top.
That three-part structure gives side sleepers both cushioning and a support layer beneath it. The maker describes the feel as medium firm, which may suit people who want softness without a deeply sinking surface.
A 360-degree elastic skirt fits mattresses from 8 to 21 inches thick. The removable cover is machine washable, giving this pick a practical care advantage over hand-wash and spot-clean-only options.
Allow 24 to 48 hours for the topper to expand after unboxing. Choose it when you want a thick Queen topper with a washable cover and a balanced feel.
BedStory 13 Inch Medium Firm King Mattress: Best for replacing the whole mattress
- 13-inch hybrid construction
- Gel memory foam
- Individually pocketed coils
- Medium-firm feel
This King hybrid combines gel memory foam with pocketed coils for side sleepers who need a new sleep surface. Its medium-firm design balances cushioning with support across the body.
Pros
- Complete mattress replacement
- Gel memory foam comfort layer
- Pocketed coil support
Cons
- King size
- Requires 24 to 72 hours for full shape recovery
The BedStory 13 Inch Medium Firm King Mattress is the best complete-bed choice here for side sleepers who do not want to layer a topper over an older mattress. Its hybrid construction uses gel memory foam with pocketed coils.
The medium-firm feel gives side sleepers a balance between cushioning and support. Gel memory foam conforms to body curves, while the pocketed coil system supports the mattress beneath the comfort layer.
This is a King mattress measuring 80 x 76 x 13 inches and weighing 103 lb. Its size and weight make delivery and setup more involved than adding a topper, so plan the room and bed frame before ordering.
The mattress typically expands quickly, but allow 24 to 72 hours for full shape recovery and comfort stabilization. Choose it when the existing mattress is worn, uneven or simply the wrong firmness.
Sleepmax Extra Firm Mattress Topper Cal King: Best for firm adjustable support
- 4-inch two-layer memory foam
- 38D high-density foam
- Firm and extra-firm sides
- CertiPUR-US certified materials
The reversible California King topper gives you a firm side and an extra-firm side. It suits side sleepers who need more support than a plush topper provides, though it offers less surface softness.
Pros
- Two firmness options
- 4-inch thickness
- High-density memory foam
Cons
- Extra-firm feel
- California King size
The Sleepmax Extra Firm Mattress Topper Cal King is for side sleepers who need more support than a plush topper gives. Its 4-inch two-layer memory foam design has a firm side and an extra-firm side, so you can change the feel by turning the topper over.
The 38D high-density memory foam is designed to mold to the body while redistributing weight. This may help a side sleeper who feels unstable on a soft surface, but the extra-firm feel is less suitable if your main problem is a hard hip area.
This topper is made for a California King bed and has no cover. Its spot-clean-only care instructions make a separate mattress protector especially useful for routine maintenance.
Choose Sleepmax when your current mattress feels too soft or lacks support around the hips and lower body. If your mattress is already hard, one of the softer pillow-top options may be a better match.
How we compared mattresses for side sleepers with hip pain
We gave the highest scores to products that combine hip cushioning with a clear support design. Thickness, foam layers, firmness, mattress fit and care requirements also matter because they change how practical the product is in daily use.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you’re shopping for. It does not mean every sleeper will feel the same level of comfort.
The DOWNCOOL leads for plush Queen-bed comfort and cooling fabric. NightHug follows closely for King beds, medium-firm comfort and a broad 8 to 21-inch mattress fit.
SurChic is a strong middle option because it combines three comfort layers with a washable cover. BedStory is the best replacement mattress because its hybrid build avoids relying on an old mattress underneath.
Sleepmax earns its place for adjustable firmness and extra support, but its extra-firm feel makes it a more specific choice for side sleepers with hip pressure.
| Product | Best for | Size | Thickness | Care | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOWNCOOL 5 Inch Cooling Queen Mattress Topper | plush cooling comfort | Queen | 5 inches | Hand wash only | 9.6 |
| NightHug King Mattress Topper | King beds and deep mattresses | King | Spot clean only | 9.5 | |
| 5 Inch Dual Layer Memory Foam Queen Mattress Topper | a firm Queen mattress | Queen | Machine wash removable cover | 9.4 | |
| BedStory 13 Inch Medium Firm King Mattress | replacing the whole mattress | King (U.S. Standard) | 13 inches | 9.0 | |
| Sleepmax Extra Firm Mattress Topper Cal King | firm adjustable support | California King | 4 inches | 8.9 |
What should you look for in a mattress for side sleepers with hip pain?
Look for enough surface cushioning to let the hip settle without losing support beneath the body. A 4 to 5-inch topper can make a clear change to a firm mattress, while a medium-firm mattress may offer a better long-term base when the old bed is worn.
Should the mattress feel soft or medium firm?
A medium-firm feel is a useful starting point when you need both hip cushioning and stable support. NightHug and BedStory are the clearest medium-firm choices here.
A very soft surface can feel comfortable at first but may allow the hips to sink more than the shoulders. Sleepmax takes the opposite approach with firm and extra-firm sides, so it suits a different problem.
How thick should the comfort layer be?
Choose 4 to 5 inches when your hip needs noticeable cushioning from a firm surface. DOWNCOOL and SurChic are 5 inches thick, while Sleepmax is 4 inches thick.
Remember that thickness raises the overall bed height. Check your fitted-sheet depth and make sure getting into bed remains comfortable.
Does mattress size matter for side sleepers?
Size affects fit, movement and the amount of surface available, but it does not decide pressure relief by itself. Match the topper or mattress to your existing bed and confirm the exact size before ordering.
The products here cover Queen, King and California King beds. NightHug fits a wide range of mattress depths, while Sleepmax is specifically for California King.
How can you make a firm mattress more comfortable?
A thick topper is usually the simplest way to soften a firm mattress without replacing it. Start with a topper that matches your bed size, then check whether the mattress remains level and supportive beneath the added cushioning.
For a step-by-step approach, read How to Make a Firm Mattress Softer Without a New Bed. If you need a quicker adjustment, How to Make a Hard Mattress More Comfortable Fast covers practical changes to try.
A mattress can also feel different as materials settle. Read [Do Mattresses Get Softer Over Time?
What to Expect](/do-mattresses-get-softer-over-time/) before deciding that a new bed or topper is necessary.
Which mattress is best for your hip pain while side sleeping?
Choose the BedStory 13 Inch Medium Firm King Mattress if you are replacing the whole bed and want gel memory foam over pocketed coils. Choose the DOWNCOOL for thick, soft Queen-bed cushioning, or NightHug for a King topper with medium-firm memory foam comfort.
Pick SurChic if a washable cover matters, and choose Sleepmax only when you want firm or extra-firm support on a California King bed. If pain continues or affects sleep, speak with a qualified health professional.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for plush cooling comfort
DOWNCOOL 5 Inch Cooling Queen Mattress Topper
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
-
3
Best for a firm Queen mattress
5 Inch Dual Layer Memory Foam Queen Mattress Topper
9.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What is the best mattress firmness for side sleepers with hip pain?
A medium-firm surface is often a useful starting point for side sleepers with hip pain because it can balance cushioning and support. Your hips should sink enough to reduce pressure without pulling your spine out of alignment.
A thick topper can soften a firm mattress, while a new medium-firm hybrid may suit a mattress that no longer supports you well.
Is a mattress topper good for side sleepers with hip pain?
A mattress topper may help when your current mattress is supportive but feels too hard around your hips. The DOWNCOOL, NightHug and SurChic toppers add several inches of memory foam or pillow-top cushioning.
A topper cannot correct a mattress that is sagging or otherwise worn out.
Should side sleepers choose memory foam or a hybrid mattress?
Memory foam can cushion the shoulder and hip area closely, while a hybrid combines foam with pocketed coils. Side sleepers who want a more cushioned surface may prefer a topper, while shoppers replacing the whole bed may prefer the BedStory hybrid.
Choose based on the feel and support your current mattress lacks.
How thick should a mattress topper be for hip pressure?
A topper around 4 to 5 inches gives side sleepers more room for the hip area to settle into the surface. The DOWNCOOL and SurChic toppers are 5 inches thick, while Sleepmax is 4 inches thick.
Check your bed height and fitted-sheet depth before adding a thick topper.
Can making a firm mattress softer help hip pressure?
Softening a firm mattress may reduce pressure around the hip for some side sleepers. Start with a supportive topper and give your body time to adjust before making more changes.
For step-by-step ideas, read How to Make a Mattress Softer: Simple Steps That Work.
Ongoing pain should be discussed with a qualified health professional.
