Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers in Canada: 2026 Guide

Key Takeaways

• Side sleepers need a mattress that cushions shoulders and hips while keeping the spine aligned to reduce pain and stiffness.
• Memory foam and hybrid mattresses provide strong pressure relief, and newer cooling and smart features address common issues like overheating and motion transfer.
• Adjustable beds give side sleepers more control over elevation, which can support comfort, breathing, and individual health needs.
• Canadian couples can reduce sleep conflict with Split King and Split Queen setups that allow each partner to control their own side of the bed.
• Leva Sleep offers adjustable bed packages and compatible mattresses for Canadian side sleepers and couples who want customizable comfort. Explore Leva Sleep adjustable bed packages.

The Side Sleeper’s Unique Needs: Pressure Relief and Spinal Alignment

Side sleepers place most of their body weight on narrower areas like shoulders and hips. These pressure points push into the mattress and can reduce circulation, cause numbness, and trigger frequent position changes.

Spinal alignment also becomes more challenging in this position. A mattress that feels too firm can leave a gap under the waist and bend the spine out of its natural curve. A mattress that feels too soft can let the hips sink too deeply, which may lead to lower back or hip pain.

Partners with different body types or comfort needs often struggle to find a single mattress that works well for both. Climate adds another layer for Canadians, since contouring foams that relieve pressure can feel warm without cooling features.

Side sleepers usually benefit from a mattress that combines:

• Gentle contouring for shoulders and hips
• Consistent support through the midsection
• Stable edge support for couples sharing space
• Cooling elements that suit Canadian seasons

Key Mattress Technologies for Side Sleepers in 2026

Memory Foam Mattresses for Pressure Relief

Modern memory foam still ranks as a strong option for side sleepers who want pressure relief. High-density foam can cushion shoulders and hips while supporting the spine, which may reduce morning stiffness.

Current foams respond more quickly to movement and resist excessive sinking. This balance helps keep the body supported while still easing pressure on joints. Many memory foam mattresses now include cooling infusions or breathable covers to offset heat build-up.

Hybrid Mattresses for Balanced Support

Hybrid mattresses combine pocketed coils with comfort foams or latex. This design blends contouring with a slightly bouncier, more supported feel.

For side sleepers, hybrid models offer pressure relief at the surface with targeted support from individually wrapped coils. The coils can improve edge support and limit motion transfer, which helps couples who share a bed.

Cooling Features for More Comfortable Foam

Foam comfort layers often feel warmer than other materials. In 2025, cooling upgrades such as gel-infused foam and breathable covers became more common for hot sleepers, and those features continue into 2026.

Common cooling elements include:

• Open-cell foam structures that promote airflow
• Gel or phase-change infusions that draw heat away from the body
• Moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics in the cover

These details can be especially helpful for Canadian side sleepers who enjoy the contour of memory foam but want a cooler sleep surface year-round.

Smart and Adjustable Mattresses for Personalized Support

Smart mattresses use thick foam layers and adaptive cores to support pressure relief and motion isolation. Some systems track sleep data and adjust firmness or support zones automatically.

Adjustable and customizable mattresses allow users to tune firmness for different sleep positions, and many brands offer dual-firmness designs for couples. Emerging AI features aim to refine pressure relief and support over time, which may benefit side sleepers with changing needs.

Side sleepers who want direct control over position often pair these mattresses with an adjustable base for head and foot elevation.

The Leva Sleep Difference: Options for Canadian Side Sleepers and Couples

Mattresses Designed to Work with Adjustable Bases

Leva Sleep offers memory foam and hybrid mattresses built to pair with their adjustable bases. These combinations give side sleepers contouring comfort on the surface and positional support from below.

The system approach means you can adjust posture with the base while the mattress manages pressure relief. This setup can support side sleepers who want both cushioning and the ability to fine-tune elevation.

Adjustable Bases for Side Sleep Comfort and Support

A mattress on a flat frame limits how much you can change your sleep posture. Leva adjustable bases add head and foot elevation so side sleepers can experiment with angles that feel better on their back, hips, or shoulders.

Features include:

• Independent head and foot elevation
• Whisper-quiet German motors to reduce disruption during adjustments
• Optional lumbar support and pillow tilt on select models

Some users also use mild elevation to support breathing or manage issues such as snoring and reflux, following guidance from their health care provider.

Split King and Split Queen Setups for Couples

Leva Sleep focuses on couples who have different comfort needs but want to share a bed. Split King and Split Queen adjustable bases let each partner control their own side using the Leva Sleep app.

Key benefits for couples include:

• Independent elevation on each side of the bed
• The ability to change position without shifting a partner
• Support for different health or comfort preferences on each side

An anti-snore mode is expected in spring 2026. This feature is designed to gently adjust the head position when snoring is detected.

Added Features for a Tailored Sleep Environment

Leva adjustable bases include options such as massage modes, programmable presets, lumbar control, and pillow tilt on select models. Integration with heating and cooling pads can further refine temperature control.

These tools give Canadian side sleepers and couples more ways to adjust comfort beyond mattress firmness alone.

Browse Leva Sleep adjustable bed packages to see configurations that can support side sleeping.

Comparing Leva Sleep for Side Sleepers: Value and Features

Leva Sleep delivers its mattresses and adjustable bases directly to consumers, which helps keep pricing below many traditional luxury brands while still offering specialized features.

The Split Queen option stands out for Canadian couples who prefer a smaller bed size yet still want independent control on each side.

Frequently Asked Questions for Canadian Side Sleepers

What type of mattress is best for side sleepers with hip and shoulder pain?

Side sleepers with joint discomfort often do well on memory foam or hybrid mattresses. Memory foam contours closely to ease pressure on shoulders and hips while supporting alignment. Hybrid designs combine this contouring with pocketed coils that add lift and edge support. Leva Sleep mattresses use these materials and can be paired with adjustable bases to add elevation and lumbar adjustments for further comfort.

How do adjustable beds help side sleepers, especially couples?

Adjustable beds let side sleepers change head and foot height to find positions that feel easier on the spine and joints. Mild head elevation can also support breathing and may reduce snoring for some people. For couples, Leva Sleep Split King and Split Queen bases give each partner independent control, including massage settings, lumbar support, and the upcoming anti-snore mode, so both can pursue comfortable settings without compromise.

Are cooling features important for side sleepers?

Cooling features can be very helpful, especially for side sleepers who choose foam for pressure relief. Traditional foams tend to trap heat, which may disturb sleep. Modern options use gel-infused foam, breathable covers, or coil systems that allow airflow to keep temperatures more stable. Leva Sleep systems can integrate temperature regulation tools to support consistent comfort through Canadian seasons.

What makes Split Queen adjustable beds useful for Canadian couples?

Split Queen adjustable beds provide two independently controlled sections within a footprint similar to a standard Queen. This format suits couples who share a smaller bedroom but still want separate elevation, lumbar settings, and comfort preferences. Each partner can adjust their side through the Leva Sleep app without affecting the other.

How can a side sleeper know if an adjustable bed is a good choice?

An adjustable bed may be worth considering if you wake with hip, shoulder, or back stiffness, use several pillows for support, or share a bed with someone whose needs differ from yours. It can also help if your health care provider has recommended elevated sleeping for snoring, sleep apnea management, or reflux. Side sleepers who are thinking about separate beds due to comfort conflicts may find that a Split King or Split Queen system from Leva Sleep offers a way to stay in the same room while maintaining individual settings.

Improving Sleep Comfort with Leva Sleep in 2026

Finding the best mattress for side sleeping in 2026 means looking at pressure relief, spinal support, temperature control, and adjustability together. Many Canadians now combine a supportive mattress with an adjustable base to create a more adaptable setup than a flat mattress alone.

Leva Sleep focuses on these combined solutions. Mattresses designed for contouring comfort, adjustable bases with targeted features, and split configurations for couples all work together to support side sleepers across Canada.

With direct-to-consumer pricing and a focus on practical technology like app controls, quiet motors, lumbar support, and planned anti-snore functions, Leva Sleep aims to make these options more accessible.

Canadian side sleepers who want more personalized comfort, especially when sharing a bed, can explore Leva Sleep packages for a tailored sleep system. Shop Leva Sleep adjustable bed packages to see which configuration best fits your space, body type, and sleep needs.