Best Mattress for aching hips and side sleepers?

Hi Imelda,

Many thanks for your question about the best mattress for aching hips and side sleepers. It's great news to hear you've been doing so much mattress research this will undoubtedly help you choose the best bed or mattress, rather than just guessing.

Well, we say that, but you really need to know exactly what's inside any mattress you're looking at to fully assess it.

Sadly most retails don't want to give this detail to you to prevent you from comparing beds. That's where we are different. So let's have a look at those two mattresses and give some advice.

Medium/Firm mattresses

The first thing to explain is the mistake of thinking a half medium and half firm mattress means each side has a different comfort feel. This is completely wrong!

This split refers to the spring tension which is always based on your bodyweight. The upholstery layers used in all split tension mattresses will be the same on both sides. You simply can't have one side containing one type of fillings and the other side a different number, type of upholstery or amount. This is because the mattress would be at different heights and would settle at different rates, leading to very awkward split down the middle of the bed!

Spring tensions should be chosen solely based on your bodyweight. This is because pocket springs are manufactured with weight tolerances in mind, not comfort levels. Comfort is always provided by upholstery ie the mattress fillings.

Side Sleeper and Aching Hips:

Given you're a side sleepers and already have aching hips, that suggests your current mattress is too firm and not providing enough sink into your side. Hence the aching hips. We've written extensively about the best mattresses for side sleepers and they all feature deep slightly softer upholstery than mattresses for back sleepers.

Disturbing each other during the night advice:

It's common for two sleepers to disturb each other during the night, especially in a double-sized mattress. The best remedy is to choose a zip and link mattress. Which are two separate sides zipped together below the join. This practically eliminates roll together and transference, especially in a quality pocket spring mattress. It also means that the mattress is far easier to turn and offers more support over its lifetime for heavier sleepers as there is an extra row of perimeter support springs where the mattresses join together compared to a one piece.

Mattress recommendations:

Both the mattresses you are looking at are very firm in the comfort layers. To be honest we wouldn't advise you look at a firm feel mattress given you're a side sleeper with already aching hips. You need a more forgiving set of upholstery fibres.
The Sealy Sanctuary Senses is a completely synthetic one sided mattress.

It also features a dreaded pillowtop which we always advise against due to the thousands of excess settlement complaints that customers write about each year. It features inergentic latex which you can read more about here. Given its a firm feel we wouldn't say its the best fit if you're a side sleeper needing more pressure relief during the night.

The Harrisons Natures Haven All Seasons by Dreams is also a firm mattress. It uses Cortec springs - which are Harrison's version of a pocket spring, you can read more on them here. The sad fact is there is no GSM given for the amount of fillings and it's also a one sided mattress. Meaning you can't turn and rotate it to even out settlement. In our experience, one sided mattresses usually last half the time of a two sided model. So bear that in mind given its £999 for a kingsize.

What we would recommend for a side sleeper:

Given your sleeping position, we would recommend a medium feel mattress in the comfort layer. That will both allow you to sink and also be supported at your bodyweight.

Have a look at our Artisan Naturals mattress in the spring tension to suit your bodyweight. It features the highest spec calico pocket spring and is available in a zip and link preference to. It can be partnered with a sprung edge divan or one of our gorgeous hand made bed frames.

Artisan Naturals Mattress

1: 1200GSM BLENDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON

2:HAIRPROOF CAMBRIC COVER

3: 1250GSM REBOUND POLY COTTON

4: 1500GSM 100% PURE MOHAIR

5: 1600 CALICO ENCASED POCKET SPRINGS [49MM ] [1.28MM ]

TOTAL:: 3950GSM

DEPTH:: 27-30CM

CHEMICAL FREE COVER

Alternatively, look at our Origins 1500 mattress. It's at the entry level price point and is our best seller for side sleepers due to its forgiving upholstery layers and 1.4 medium gauge pocket spring unit.

Origins Pocket 1500 Mattress

1: 300GSM WOOL

2: 750GSM VERY SOFT POLYESTER

3: 500GSM POLYESTER PAD

4: ONE INCH FOAM INSULATOR LAYER

5: 1500 SPUN BOND POCKET SPRINGS

TOTAL: 1550GSM

DEPTH: 30-33CM

Bases for Beds:

Lastly, we would avoid sprung slats where possible. They cause endless issues with mattress settlement and discomfort for sleepers. Likewise, an Ottoman is a good idea if you need bags of storage, though some people struggle to lift the lids. Especially with a heavy high end mattress like the models we supply.

A Divan base is usually the best option as there are multiple drawer configurations, you can also select from an array of headboard styles and fabrics.

We hope that helps and if you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on info@localhost or 0161 437 4419.

Sleep well
John & Ryan