The 5 best mattress for side sleepers in 2021, tested and reviewed

Updated

2021-12-08T22:14:12Z

Image of man and child on bed Casper Nova Hybrid Best Mattress for Side sleepers 2021

Casper
  • Here are the best mattresses for side sleepers in 2021
  • Best mattress for side sleepers overall
  • Best budget mattress for side sleepers
  • Best foam mattress for side sleepers
  • Best mattress for side sleepers with back pain
  • Best customizable mattress for side sleepers
  • What else we tested
  • Our side sleeper mattress testing methodology
  • Side sleeper mattress FAQs
  • Glossary
  • Check out more mattress guides

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According to the Better Sleep Council, nearly two-thirds of Americans prefer to sleep on their sides. If you're a side sleeper, you must find a mattress that fits your style. While we have recommendations for all types of sleepers in our guide to the best beds, side sleepers make up such a large proportion of the population that a dedicated buying guide was warranted.

Side sleepers typically benefit from mattresses that have an average firmness or are a little bit softer. You'll also want a bed that supports you while providing pressure relief, especially around the shoulders.

For this guide, I tested more than two dozen mattresses and consulted with experts. I should note that I am a side sleeper but occasionally sleep on my stomach and my back. My wife mainly sleeps on her back. Between the two of us, we have all of the major sleeping styles covered.

In addition to our top pick, we list how we tested, other models we recommend, common FAQs, and terms worth knowing at the end of the guide. Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.

Here are the best mattresses for side sleepers in 2021

Best overall mattress for side sleepers: Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress, $1,885.50 at Casper
The Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress is ideal for side sleepers who are looking for plush comfort, excellent heat dissipation, and good edge support.

Best budget mattress for side sleepers: Nest Bedding Robin Flippable Hybrid Mattress, $899.10 at Nest Bedding
With its outstanding edge support, impressive heat dissipation, and sub-$900 price, the Nest Bedding Robin Flippable Hybrid Mattress is the best mattress for side sleepers on a budget.

Best foam mattress for side sleepers: Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress, $1,399.30 (with promo code BI30) at Tempur-Pedic
The Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress features contouring foam that cradles side sleepers of all body types while providing excellent heat dissipation and pressure relief.

Best mattress for side sleepers with back pain: Leesa Hybrid Mattress, $1,614 at Leesa
The combination of pocket springs and memory foam makes the Leesa Hybrid Mattress ideal for side sleepers with back pain, and the excellent edge support and motion isolation make it great for couples.

Best customizable mattress for side sleepers: Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed, $ 3,299 at Sleep Number
The Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed is designed for couples with different comfort preferences thanks to the 20 firmness levels that are independently adjustable on each side

Best mattress for side sleepers overall

James Brains/Insider

The Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress is ideal for side sleepers looking for plush comfort, excellent heat dissipation, and good edge support.

Overview of the Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress

Our review of the Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress

Pros: Plush comfort is ideal for side sleepers, made with eco-friendly materials, excellent heat dissipation, good edge support, 100-night risk-free trial

Cons: Poor motion isolation, lingering new bed odor

After testing five of Casper's best-selling mattresses, my favorite is the Casper Nova Hybrid. It's the softest of the company's mattress line, and it did the best job of cradling my body and ensuring I didn't wake up with aches and pains.

The environmentally friendly construction of the Nova Hybrid is designed for pressure-relieving comfort and breathability. The top foam layer features small perforations to help with airflow to keep you from overheating. It was effective at keeping me cool, even though I tested the bed in the summer.

The following foam layer features ergonomic zones that are firm around the lower back, waist, and hips but soft under the shoulders. Under that is another zoned support foam layer aimed at keeping your spine aligned, a must for side sleepers. Lastly, the base features individually wrapped coils with a firm border for added edge support. The Nova Hybrid's edge support was good and ideal for those who share a bed with partners.

The Nova Hybrid comes shrink-wrapped in a box. Once unwrapped, the mattress needed significant time to air out. I still caught whiffs of the "new bed smell" two or three days after unboxing. The mattress is somewhat hefty, but it comes with handles, making it easy to move around.

Other than the odor, the biggest negative is the Casper Nova Hybrid has poor motion isolation, and I could feel it when my wife or dog were moving around on the bed.

I recently tested Casper's new Nova Hybrid Snow, which features materials that are supposed to provide better cooling. However, at $450 more than the Nova Hybrid, I didn't find the Snow provided an appreciable improvement on cooling. The Nova Hybrid already does a great job of dissipating heat. Plus, it has better edge support.

Read our full Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress review.

Best budget mattress for side sleepers

James Brains/Insider

With its outstanding edge support, impressive heat dissipation, and sub-$900 price, the Nest Bedding Robin Flippable Hybrid Mattress is the best mattress for side sleepers on a budget.

Overview of the Nest Bedding Robin Flippable Hybrid Mattress

Our review of the Nest Bedding Robin Flippable Hybrid Mattress

Pros: Affordable, two levels of firmness to suit all sleeping styles, outstanding edge support, excellent heat dissipation, lifetime warranty, easy setup, made with CertiPUR-US certified foams

Cons: Heavy, poor motion isolation

The Nest Bedding Robin Flippable Hybrid Mattress (formerly known as the "Flip Hybrid") gets its name from the different firmness levels on each side of the bed. One side is medium-firm, which I found suitable for side sleeping. The other side of the reversible mattress is very firm — far too firm for side sleepers — so this review focuses on the medium firmness side.

The unboxing process was effortless and took about five minutes. However, the Robin Hybrid weighs close to 100 pounds, and I needed help lifting it, though it doesn't flop around much.

The pocket coil center of the Robin Flippable Hybrid is sandwiched by gel-infused support foam on the medium-firm side and high-density base foam on the firm side. All of the foams are CertiPUR-US certified.

The Nest Bedding Robin Flippable Hybrid is a smart solution if you're looking for a mattress that quickly dissipates your body heat. Based on my temperature readings, it promptly removed the heat built up in bed when I got up.

The mattress also had impressive edge support. When sitting on the side of the bed, I felt supported thanks to the minimal sinkage. Lying on the edge felt comfortable. The motion isolation wasn't as good, though. It failed the bowling ball test each time. However, the mattress does have some good bounce to it, and I found it was easy to shift from one side of my body to the other during the night.

Best foam mattress for side sleepers

James Brains/Insider

The Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress features contouring foam that cradles side sleepers of all body types while providing excellent heat dissipation and pressure relief.

Overview of the Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress

Our review of the Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress

Pros: Most comfortable mattress I've slept on, three layers of supportive and comforting  CertiPUR-US certified Tempur foam that caters to all sleeping types, outstanding motion isolation, excellent heat dissipation, easy to move around

Cons: No white-glove delivery, unimpressive edge support, the shipping charge is deducted from your refund if you choose to return your bed

For my body type and sleeping style, the Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress is the most comfortable mattress I've slept on. Each night on the Cloud, I fell asleep within a few minutes, and it kept me cool through the night. I didn't want to give it up to test the next mattress.

While firmer mattresses aren't generally recommended for side sleepers, the Tempur-Cloud bucks the norm thanks to the outstanding pressure relief provided by the company's patented foam. The top layer features this CertiPUR-US certified foam designed to cushion your pressure points. The next layer, also Tempur material, is firmer and adapts more slowly to your body for additional pressure relief. Finally, the base foam layer offers support and durability.

Setup was a snap, thanks to the light weight of the mattress and the easy-to-maneuver duffel bag-like packaging. While it had a bit of an initial odor, it was gone by bedtime 10 hours later.

The Tempur-Pedic Cloud does a great job of dampening motion transfer. Not only did it pass our bowling ball test, but when my wife and dog moved around in the night, I didn't notice.

The Cloud isn't perfect, though. The foam sinks significantly when you sit on the edges, and when I lay close to the edge, I felt like I was going to fall off. All-foam mattresses also aren't for everyone, especially those who like some bounce to their bed.

Finally, Tempur-Pedic's policies leave something to be desired. It doesn't offer white-glove delivery for the Cloud. The company deducts $175 from your refund if you decide to return your mattress. And, the 90-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty are the shortest of the beds in our guide.

Save 30% off when you use our exclusive code BI30 at checkout.

Read our full Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress review.

Best mattress for side sleepers with back pain

Leesa

The combination of pocket springs and memory foam makes the Leesa Hybrid Mattress ideal for side sleepers with back pain. The excellent edge support and motion isolation make it great for couples.

Overview of the Leesa Hybrid Mattress

Our review of the Leesa Hybrid Mattress

Pros: Made of CertiPUR-US certified foam and pocket springs for support and breathability,  motion isolation and edge support are ideal for couples, average firmness that will appeal to a broad range of sleepers

Cons: Heavy and hard to move around

The Leesa Hybrid was the main mattress I slept on for about a year when I wasn't testing other models. When I slept on it, I rarely experienced back pain, which is impressive considering my history of chronic lower back pain that's regularly aggravated by unsupportive mattresses.

The mattress is made of pocket springs and four layers of CertiPUR-US certified foam. The top layer is cooling foam, which did its job; I stayed cool while testing, even when the heat was pushing my AC to its limits.

The next layer is contouring memory foam that offers pressure relief where your body needs it most. Individually wrapped coils are sandwiched between two core foam support layers.

The Leesa Hybrid is an ideal option for couples for several reasons. First, the average firmness caters to all sleeping styles. Second, the bed has excellent motion isolation and did well in my objective tests and subjective experience. Lastly, with the coils going all the way to the peripheries of the mattress, the Leesa Hybrid has excellent edge support.

The biggest negative is its weight. I risked aggravating my back and decided to unbox the 142-pound king mattress on my own. Even the queen weighs 115 pounds, which is more than most mattresses. When it was time to replace the Leesa Hybrid, I relied on the white-glove delivery people to remove it for me.

Read our full Leesa Hybrid Mattress review .

Best customizable mattress for side sleepers

James Brains/Insider

The Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed is designed for couples with different comfort preferences thanks to the 20 firmness levels independently adjustable on each side.

Overview of the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed

Our review of the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed

Pros: Automatic air adjustments based on sleeping position, built-in sleep tracker, white-glove delivery included, good edge support, 20 firmness options make it ideal for all sleeping styles

Cons: Poor heat dissipation, poor motion isolation, tough to move

What do you do if you and your partner have completely different firmness preferences or sleep styles? Get an adjustable airbed. The Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed is the best I've tested and has features you won't find in other adjustable mattresses.

There are 20 firmness options, or "Sleep Numbers." Each side is independently adjustable so you can have a softer experience (my Sleep Number is 35), while your partner might prefer something firmer (my back-sleeping wife likes 80).

As someone who shifts from one side to the other with occasional pit stops on my stomach or back, I love the adjustable air option in the SleepIQ app (available for iOS and Android). When you activate this feature, the 360 i8 Smart Bed automatically adjusts the firmness as you shift positions to provide you with consistent comfort and pressure relief.

Another great feature of the app is sleep-quality monitoring and recommendations. As it collects data about your habits, it gives personalized advice for improving your sleep. However, I found the SleepIQ app's sleep data wasn't as accurate as my Garmin Forerunner 945 smartwatch, but Tempur-Pedic is constantly making tweaks to improve the app. I noticed minor improvements even during the month I tested the bed.

Sleep Number has a team that comes into your home to set up your mattress and ensure it pairs with your phone. The white glove delivery took about 45 minutes.

While I never felt like I would fall off when lying on the edge of the bed, there was significant sinkage when I sat on the edge to put on my socks and shoes. Another negative is the motion isolation: It failed my bowling ball test on every firmness setting.

Read our full Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed review.

What else we tested

James Brains/Insider

We've tested dozens of mattresses over the years, and there are none that we outright don't recommend. Every mattress we've tested could potentially be a good fit for the right individual. However, here are a few that missed the cut for our guide but that side sleepers might want to consider.

What else we recommend and why:

Under $1,100

Nectar Memory Foam : This mattress's 365-night risk-free trial and lifetime warranty are obvious pros. Additionally, it was easy to set up and move around, has great motion isolation and heat dissipation, and is constructed from CertiPUR-US certified foams. The Nectar mattress just wasn't tops in any of our categories. Subjectively, I didn't find it exceptionally comfortable, and the edge support was poor.

Bear Mattress : In a previous version of this guide, the Bear Mattress was the pick for athletes because of its Celliant technology, which is supposed to aid in faster recovery and better temperature regulation. That may be so, but we removed the category because we didn't find it as useful as our current categories. Also, after testing the Bear firsthand, I found it was too firm for side sleeping. We look forward to trying the Bear Hybrid, which is softer.

Bear Pro Mattress: With its breathable Celliant cover and foam layers, the Bear Pro is terrific for a cool sleep. Setup was effortless, though the mattress experienced some damage in transit. The bed has impressive motion isolation. However, the edge support was poor, and while it's comfortable, it wasn't noteworthy enough to earn a top spot in any of our categories. Read our full review.

Under $2,000

Bear Hybrid Mattress:The best mattress for hot sleepers in our newly updated guide to the best mattresses for back pain, the Bear Hybrid is the softest bed from Bear. This makes it ideal for side sleepers. It's also easy to move and made from CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified materials. The biggest negative is its subpar motion isolation.

Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress: The Puffy Lux did a great job keeping my spine aligned while sleeping on my side. It comes with a lifetime warranty, and the motion dampening was impressive. However, the edge support was poor, and the "new bed smell" took days to go away.

DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress :We named this mattress the best overall pick in our guide to the best beds. So, why isn't it a top pick in any of our side sleeper categories? In my subjective opinion, the DreamCloud Premier just wasn't as comfortable for side sleeping. If I had to rank it, it would be the fourth most comfortable mattress I've slept on behind the Tempur-Pedic Cloud, Leesa Hybrid, and Casper Nova Hybrid. But when you consider all factors — including the 365-night trial and lifetime warranty — this is a superior mattress worth your consideration. Read our full review.

Birch Mattress by Helix : If we had a best latex mattress for side sleepers category, the Birch Mattress would be our pick, provided you spring for the plush mattress topper add-on ($450). The eco-friendly latex is responsive, offering nice bounce and easy mobility on the bed while still dampening motion transfer. The most significant negatives are that the topper doesn't attach to the mattress and is slightly smaller than the bed.

Over $2,000

Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress : If our customization pick isn't available or you don't want a Sleep Number mattress, the Solaire is an excellent option. It has 50 firmness options, white-glove delivery, and better edge support than the Sleep Number. It's the mattress my teenager sleeps on. I prefer the Sleep Number because of the automatic adjustable air feature and sleep monitoring. Read our full review.

Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress : We strongly recommend considering the Purple Hybrid Premier if you tend to overheat at night. It has excellent heat dissipation and comes with free white-glove delivery. The patented Purple grid offers outstanding pressure relief. The most significant negatives are it weighs 145 pounds (so don't plan on moving it) and that it failed our motion isolation tests. It comes in three-inch and four-inch-thick grid sizes. I tested both and found they were great for side sleeping, but the four-inch was slightly more comfortable.

For a complete listing of the mattresses we've tested, check out our guide to the best mattresses.

Our side sleeper mattress testing methodology

We used an infrared thermometer to evaluate heat retention and dissipation.
James Brains/Insider

I tested all of the mattresses featured in this guide. In addition to sleeping on each bed for at least two weeks, I put each through a series of objective tests. The most important factors to consider when testing a mattress are comfort, edge support, and motion isolation.

Here are some of the test results for the main attributes we tested:

Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:

Comfort: This is based on my subjective experience, having tested dozens of mattresses over the years. Side sleepers typically benefit from a softer mattress than other sleeping styles. I considered that when evaluating comfort for this guide. Fortunately, I'm a side sleeper myself, so my subjective comfort played a significant factor here. While sleeping on each mattress, I pay close attention to how firm it is, which sleeping positions my wife and I gravitate to, and if I wake up feeling refreshed or in pain in the morning. I also measure how well it dissipates heat by using a laser thermometer to compare readings before I lay down for at least an hour, as soon as I get up, and two minutes after I get up.

Motion isolation: If you've ever shared a bed with a partner who tosses and turns, you know how vital motion isolation is to getting a good night's sleep. I test this by setting a soda pop can in the middle of the mattress. Then I drop a 15-pound bowling ball from four feet above the bed so that it lands 12 inches from the can. If the can stays upright, the bed has sound motion isolation. If the can falls over, the motion isolation could use some work. In future updates to this guide, watch out for more detailed assessments using a vibration meter.

Edge support: Edge support is essential for feeling comfortable and supported on all parts of the bed. While we are developing an objective test to roll out in future updates to this guide, we currently use a helpful quasi-subjective test. First, I note how much the edge sags as I sit on it to put on my socks and shoes. Secondly, I lay on the very edge of the bed and slowly — and literally — roll off. The edge support is excellent if I can get to a 45-degree angle without falling. Otherwise, it could use some work.

Portability: I look at how heavy the mattress is, if it has handles, and if it flops around when I try to move or rotate it. Also, as a mattress tester who is constantly setting up and rearranging mattresses, I move the bed and rotate it several times throughout the time it's in my possession. My chronic lower back pain serves as a helpful meter for how much effort I'm putting in, though we also look at objective measures like weight.

Trial and warranty: The most foolproof way to know if a mattress is right for you is to sleep on it for an extended period, so a lengthy trial is a must. I look at how long the trial is (100 nights was the median for the mattresses I tested) and hidden costs. Since a bed is a big-ticket item that should last you up to a decade, I look at the warranty length. (Twenty years was the median for the mattresses I tested.)

Setup: Unless a mattress comes with free white-glove delivery, I set up each bed myself. I note how long it takes, how difficult it is, if it comes with special instructions and tools, if there's an initial odor, and if the smell dissipates and the mattress expands by bedtime (always at least 10 hours after setup). I also note whether white-glove delivery is available for a fee.

Side sleeper mattress FAQs

James Brains/Insider

What should side sleepers look for in a mattress?

The only way to know if a mattress is right for you is to sleep on it for several nights in normal circumstances. Therefore, your top consideration when looking for a bed is a long trial period.

Dr. Rebecca Robbins, PhD, associate scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, recommends shopping around before choosing a mattress and trying it in person if you can.

Yet, with the coronavirus pandemic, many folks may feel unsafe visiting showrooms, and several remain closed. Thankfully, our mattress picks come with sleep trials of at least 90 nights. If you find the bed isn't suitable for your sleeping style, you can return it.

While she appreciates the benefits of a home trial, Robbins warned about the environmental implications of this policy, though. "Some of the mattresses will go into a landfill after they're returned," she said.


What types of mattresses are best for side sleepers?

There are essentially four main types of mattresses on the market: foam, hybrid/innerspring, latex, and adjustable airbeds. Though no one type is the best or worst for side sleepers, they each have pros and cons.

Foam: Popularized by the bed-in-a-box industry, foam mattresses feature layers of gel-infused foam, open-cell foam, or viscoelastic memory foam. The best foam mattresses adjust to the contours of your side-sleeping body for optimal spinal alignment and pressure relief. All-foam mattresses tend to be more affordable than other varieties, but they are likelier to trap heat.

Hybrid/innerspring:Hybrid and innerspring mattresses feature metal coils that add durability, airflow, and support. Though the line between the two types of beds gets blurrier each year, traditional mattresses with pillow tops are generally called innerspring mattresses, while hybrids typically arrive at your door in a box and feature latex or memory foam. However, you can find innerspring beds-in-a-box and hybrids with pillow tops. The suitability of these mattresses for side sleepers will depend on the model, but consider a bed with a pillowtop for the added softness that side sleepers typically need.

Latex: Natural latex mattresses are usually more eco-friendly than the other alternatives. Look for OEKO-Tex or Greenguard Gold certification. As for feel, latex is more responsive than other materials. It quickly contours to your body to relieve your pressure points. Plus, the responsiveness makes it easier for you to move around on your bed. You can also count on a cooler sleep, ideal for hot side sleepers.

Adjustable or airbeds: Adjustable airbeds feature a combination of foam, latex, wool, or other layers and air chambers to which you can add or remove air to fit your comfort needs. Though they cost more than the other varieties, adjustable mattresses are ideal for couples who have drastically different firmness preferences since you can typically adjust the air of the two sides independently. Also, as your body and sleep preferences change, the feel of your mattress can change with you, making this an ideal long-term solution.


Is memory foam good for side sleepers?

It depends on the mattress. Good memory foam mattresses will conform to the contours of your body to relieve pressure points and keep your spine aligned. This is ideal for side sleepers. Tempur-Pedic beds are particularly good at adjusting to your body.


What type of mattress is best for side sleepers, firm or soft?

Dr. Luis Javier Peña-Hernández, a lung and sleep health specialist at the Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Disorders Institute of South Florida, recommends mattresses that are not too firm. "Vast research exists to support side sleepers benefit from medium-firm mattresses," said Peña-Hernández.

Robbins agreed. "The body's curves need a little bit of support, so a side sleeper should look for a mattress that is cushiony supportive and has a plush top," she said.

Only one of our picks is firmer than average, the Tempur-Pedic Cloud. Still, I found the mattress's foam did an excellent job of contouring to my side-sleeping body and offering pressure relief, support, and spinal alignment.


Are firm mattresses bad for side sleepers?

The short answer is sometimes. Both experts said most side sleepers would benefit from a medium-firm mattress. Firmer mattresses don't have as much give at the pressure points. When your hips and shoulders don't sink in, your spine doesn't stay aligned, leading to discomfort.

However, heavier soft sleepers tend to benefit from firm mattresses because their weight allows them to sink in more. Thus, they can achieve spinal alignment.


What if I'm a side sleeper and my partner is not?

If you and your partner have sleep preferences that are drastically different, Robbins suggests a mattress topper for one side of the bed. "It's a stopgap measure if you're not in the market for a new mattress," she said.

She is also a strong proponent of couples sleeping apart to improve sleep quality. "A good night's rest will allow you to be a better partner," she said. "So prioritizing sleep is critical for couples."

If separate beds or bedrooms isn't an option for you, we suggest an adjustable air bed that allows you to customize the firmness of each side of the bed independently. Our top pick for customization in this guide and our best mattress guide is the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed, with 20 firmness options.

For more answers to your mattress questions, check out our guide to the best mattresses.


Is it bad to sleep on your side?

No. Side sleeping may be the best position for you. With stomach sleeping, your head is to the side, leading to spinal issues. Back sleeping is generally good for your spine, but you're more susceptible to snoring and breathing problems.

On your side, you reduce your risk of sleep apnea, acid reflux, and back pain, to name just a few benefits.

Glossary

CertiPUR-US certified: CertiPUR-US is a not-for-profit certification program that evaluates the foams used in consumer products to ensure they are made without phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals, hazardous flame retardants, ozone depleters, and other harmful substances. Each foam must also emit less than 0.5 parts per million of volatile organic compounds to earn certification.

Edge support: Edge support is important if you like to sit on the side of your bed or tend to gravitate to the edges when sleeping. The term refers to how supportive a mattress is to its very periphery. Some mattresses will sag significantly as you get to the edge. We say these models have poor edge support.

Hybrid: When referring to mattresses, a hybrid has coils and another material, typically foam or latex. Hybrid mattresses are a lot like traditional innerspring mattresses, and "hybrid" and "innerspring" are often used interchangeably. We think the line between the two mattress types is so blurred these days that there isn't much value in differentiating between them.

Motion isolation/motion transfer: These terms are two sides of the same coin. Motion isolation refers to the mattress's ability to keep movement on one part of the bed from disturbing other parts of the bed. So if your partner gets up in the night, you aren't jostled. A bed with good motion isolation will have minimal motion transfer. A mattress with awful motion isolation will have easily noticeable motion transfer.

James Brains

Home & Kitchen Reporter, Insider Reviews

James is a Home & Kitchen Reporter for Insider Reviews, where he specializes in sleep, HVAC, and kitchen appliances. He has tested more than 30 mattresses from startups like Casper and legacy brands like Tempur-Pedic, using his background in experimental psychology to develop objective tests and evaluate comfort, support, motion transfer, and more. He authors our guide to the best mattresses. In addition to being Insider Reviews' mattress expert, James has extensively covered robot vacuums, air conditioners, air purifiers, and more within the HVAC space. He's tested more than 20 robot vacs from brands like iRobot and Roborock over the years and is no stranger to keeping his house at a chilly 60 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks on end all in the name of testing air conditioners. He's a multifaceted writer who has covered everything from health and fitness to consumer technology. His mission is to help people get the most value for their money by guiding them in making informed buying decisions. James is currently based in Lansing, Michigan, where he lives in "The Barn Mansion," a three-story Dutch colonial home, with his wife, two sons, two cats, and a rambunctious rat terrier. When James isn't testing products and writing for Insider, he's helping to run a popular local Facebook group, Lansing Foodies. See below for some of his work: The best mattress for every type of sleeper in 2021, according to our rigorous testing The 6 best robot vacuums we tested in 2021 The 6 best air conditioners we tested in 2021 The best Instant Pots and electric pressure cookers we tested in 2021 10 grilling essentials that chefs and pitmasters swear by for making the best BBQ The 5 best mattress toppers we tested in 2021 Contact info: jbrains@insider.com Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test kitchen products.

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