The Best RV Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Sleeping on your side on the wrong RV mattress can spell trouble for you in more ways than one. You could (1) wake up with intense hip, back, or shoulder pain, (2) develop body aches and pains over time, or (3) become so uncomfortable that you don't sleep soundly enough to feel rested in the mornings. All of these scenarios are unfortunate and can put a real damper on your travels. 

But what if we told you that you don't have to settle for an RV mattress that doesn't suit your sleeping style? There are many side sleeper-friendly mattresses on the market that can give you comfortable sleep on the road. Still, not all of them are as comfortable as you'd think. And that's where we can help. 

In this article, we'll introduce you to 3 RV mattresses that were built from the ground up for side sleepers. Let's get right into it!

Side Sleeping in an RV: The Problem

Side sleeping in an RV can be super problematic. And it's mainly because standard RV mattresses aren't geared toward side sleepers. They are usually super thin and firm, which can leave you sore and restless in the morning. And that's no way to start the day. 

Without the right mattress, you won't have the energy to fully immerse yourself in the sights, smells, and treks that come along with RVing. And if your sleep quality is bad enough, it could even change your attitude for the worse, ruining your adventures before they’ve even begun. 

So, it’s incredibly important to get your hands on a mattress that works for your sleeping position. 

What You Need in a Side Sleeper RV Bed

Thin, firm mattresses aren't ideal for any side sleeper. They put undue pressure on your joints and increase the chances that you'll toss and turn all night rather than rest. But what exactly do you need in a side sleeper mattress? That's what you'll find out below: 

Softness

When you sleep on your side, you have to stay away from any mattress that's too firm. You need one that's at least moderately soft - both medium firm and medium soft mattresses are soft enough not to leave your shoulders and hips sore. They will also give your body enough support to keep your spine in the right anatomical position for optimal back health. 

If you weigh more than 130 pounds, you may want to go for a medium firm mattress over a medium soft one. The medium soft mattress may not be able to support your weight sufficiently, which could lead to premature mattress aging and more money you'll have to spend over time in mattress replacements. 

The Right Materials

Some mattress materials, like innerspring coils, can push against your body as you rest. In order to get the best sleep possible, opt for mattresses that don't have any materials that press against you. 

Memory foam and latex are fantastic options for side sleepers because they are pressure relievers. While they do envelop your body and hug your form (memory foam more than latex) they won't press up against your body and make you sore.

Sufficient Structure

As a side sleeper, you need a bed with enough structure to gently support your body. The best mattresses for side sleepers will have a base material (like strong foam) at the bottom to keep you from sinking down to the bottom of the mattress. 

If you do purchase a mattress with insufficient support, when you lie down on the mattress, it will bottom out and you'll feel whatever surface you've set the mattress on. This may be the bed frame or platform, or it may be the floor. In a case like this, you might as well be sleeping direcly on the floor.

The Best RV Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Now that you know what to look for in an RV mattress for side sleepers, it's time to get into three of the absolute best RV mattresses for side sleepers.

RV 10" CoolBreeze Gel Memory Foam Mattress

To start, consider the 10" CoolBreeze Gel Memory Foam Mattress by Dynasty Mattress. It was meticulously designed for side sleepers.

The mattress comes in 4 RV sizes:

• RV King
• RV Queen
• RV Short King
• RV Full

When it comes to comfort ratings, this one is a medium firm, which is ideal for side sleepers. The great thing about this comfort rating is that it is the perfect combination of soft and firm. So, side sleepers will get the softness they need to cushion their joints. But, at the same time, they'll enjoy the support necessary to keep their spines in a healthy position as they catch their Zs.

But that's not all - this mattress isn't made with just any memory foam. This mattress utilizes gel infused memory foam. What this means for sleepers is that they will be able to rest without getting too hot throughout the night. The gel has a cooling effect which helps with temperature regulation.

In addition to the above, this mattress has a hefty portion of support foam to ensure that the mattress doesn't bottom out when you lie down on it.

Here are a few more things you should know about this mattress:

• It comes with a silky smooth washable cover.
• It is hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and CertiPUR-US certified.
• It won't transfer motion like other mattresses will, so those who sleep with a partner won't be distrubed when their partner moves around.
• Shipping is free and setup is super easy.
• It has a 30 year lifetime limited warranty, which is a true testament to the durability and longevity of the mattress.

RV 12" CoolBreeze Gel Memory Foam Mattress

The 12-inch CoolBreeze Gel Memory Foam Mattress by Dynasty Mattress is another great choice for side sleepers. It comes in RV King and RV Short King sizes. You can get this mattress in 3 different comfort ratings:

• Medium firm
• Firm
• Extra Firm

Note: Though you can get this mattress in firm and extra firm, you will likely be most comfortable sleeping on the medium firm. A mattress that's too firm is likely to leave you with all of the sleep problems we mentioned earlier. 

Our previous pick - the 10" model is composed of a support layer and a gel memory foam layer. The 12" is a bit more nuanced. This one is made up of the following:

• 1.5 inches of CoolBreeze Gel Memory Foam - This is the top layer of the mattress. If you choose the medium firm comfort rating, you'll have all the benefits we went over in the previous section for the 12" model - conforming comfort and pressure relief for snug, comfy side sleeping.
• 1.5 inches of luxury memory foam - This layer further enhances the bed's comfort. It ensure that your hips, shoulders, and back are cradled as you dream on.
• 2 inches of latex - This layer of latex helps with the longevity of the mattress and gives it a little bit more give.
• 7 inches of foam base layer - This layer is all about support and durability. With such a substantial base layer, you don't have to worry at all about feeling your bed's foundation, frame, or platform as you rest.

The construction of this mattress ensures a balance of softness and support that'll keep you sleeping soundly without joint or muscle issues in the morning.

In addition to the above, the bed features:

• CertiPUR US certified materials.
• Cooling gel to keep you cool.
• A 30-year limited warranty.
• Quick set up and free delivery.

RV 14.5 Inch CoolBreeze Plush Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Do you find that softer mattresses result in better sleep for you? Then, the 14.5 Inch CoolBreeze Plush Gel Memory Foam Mattress is a great fit for you. This mattress comes in a medium soft comfort rating and one RV size - RV Queen.

One of the main benefits of this mattress is its comfort rating. Medium soft is considered to be the ideal comfort rating for side sleepers. Why? It's more on the soft side than the supportive side. And side sleepers usually find that they're more comfortable on a softer surface than a firmer one.

This mattress is plushy and feather soft - it'll give side sleepers the softness they crave to drift off right away and stay asleep for full rejuvenation. But it also has quite a bit of support for optimal spinal support. After all, too much softness can be as detrimental as too much firmness when it comes to side sleeping in an RV.

The mattress is made up of 4 main layers, and they include:

• 2 inches of CoolBreeze memory foam to envelop your body in coolness and softness.
• 2 inches of luxury memory foam to impart the plush texture and feel that you'd expect from this type of mattress.
• 2 inches of high density memory foam to enhance the recovery rate of the mattress, making it last longer.
• 8.5 inches of base construction foam to give you the support you need at the bottom of the mattress. It also lengthens the longevity of the mattress.

Like the other mattresses we've mentioned, this mattress is CentriPUR certified, free to ship, and comes with a silky smooth mattress cover.

If you tend to sleep on your side, you can feel confident that any of the above mattresses will give you the comfort and support you need for the best rest you ever had. We hope that this article has made it easier for you to choose your next side sleeper-friendly mattress. Good luck!