Technologies
Top 10 Mattresses for Side Sleepers of 2025, Expert-Tested and Approved
Mattresses for side sleepers need to promote spinal alignment and give proper support throughout the night. These picks from our sleep experts will deliver.
Our Experts
- American Board of Family Medicine, Family Medicine
- State of Illinois, Medical Examining Board License
Education
- University of Northern Iowa, BA
- Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO
Your sleeping position is an important factor to consider when mattress shopping. If you sleep on your side, a soft yet supportive mattress is the one you’ll need. These will relieve pressure and keep joint pain at bay, all while maintaining proper spinal alignment. However, finding the perfect mattress can be tricky, which is why CNET’s sleep experts have done the legwork to find the top options that provide ample support to help you get a good night’s sleep.
A recent CNET survey found that 46% of US adults are willing to invest in a better bedroom setup to improve sleep quality. Our team has tested hundreds of beds from myriad brands, ranging from household names like Tempur-Pedic and Purple to unique brands such as Sonu and Airweave. So, whether you’re a hot or heavy sleeper, on a strict budget or dealing with back or hip pain, there’s a bed on this list for you.
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What’s the best overall mattress for side sleepers?
After countless hours of testing over 300 beds, our team chose the Layla Hybrid as the best overall mattress for side sleepers. Thanks to its unique flippable design, it offers two sides with varying firmness levels — a quality we rarely see among hybrid mattresses. Both lean on the softer side of the firmness scale, offering the pressure relief side sleepers need. It has an airy memory foam feel that’s more responsive than traditional memory foam, so it’s a nice accommodating middle ground in terms of feel.
Video: Best mattress for side sleepers
Watch CNET senior video producer Owen Poole review the best mattress for side sleepers.
Best mattresses for side sleepers in 2025
Why we chose the Layla Hybrid mattress: If you’re a side sleeper unsure what firmness profile you need, Layla Hybrid could be the right bed for you, thanks to its dual-sided design. This unique, flippable mattress has a different firmness level on each side, and both are suitable for side sleepers.
How it sleeps: Our one-of-a-kind Mattress Smasher 9000 device rated the Firm side of the Layla Hybrid a 5.3 out of 10 on the firmness scale and the Soft side a 3.1. This 13-inch-tall bed has a soft, airy memory foam feel that leans on the responsive side. It features a layer of long-lasting pocketed coils in the middle, increasing the support and durability of the mattress. On either side of this coil system are poly foam and copper gel-infused memory foam layers. Though the copper gel infused into the memory foam is intended to help keep you cooler, it sleeps more temperature-neutral than actually cooling.
One of the main reasons we chose this mattress as the best overall for side sleepers is that you have two chances to get the firmness right for your personal preferences — if one side feels too soft or firm, all you have to do is flip it over. This flippability also adds to the lifespan of your mattress.
Overall, it’s a comfortable and accommodating two-in-one mattress with a price that’s hard to beat for the quality. A queen-size Layla Hybrid retails in that middle-tier price range for $1,699, but Layla frequently offers discounts that bring the price point down a couple of hundred dollars.
Runner-up: The Nest Bedding Sparrow is a responsive, pressure-relieving hybrid mattress with a pillow-top feel that sits between medium and medium-soft, making it perfect for side sleepers. At $2,132 for a queen, it’s slightly more expensive, but it’s worth noting that Nest Bedding offers solid discounts and superb company policies, such as a 365-night trial period and a lifetime renewal exchange.
Why we chose the Titan Plus Elite mattress: We were immediately impressed by how supportive and luxurious this mattress feels. Specifically designed to hold up to 1,000 pounds, the new Titan Plus Elite by Brooklyn Bedding offers the perfect combination of support and cushioning for heavier side sleepers. To top it off, there’s a 2-inch plush pillow top with cooling fibers to help keep you cooler throughout the night.
How it sleeps: This responsive bed has a slight hint of a memory foam feel due to a layer of thousands of individually wrapped micro-coils. These small coils increase the bed’s motion isolation capabilities (which is great if you sleep with a partner) and enhance that cushioning sensation.
Thanks to its heavy-duty coil system and high-density foams, you won’t have to worry about sagging with this ultra-durable mattress. It has zoned support and pressure relief in the right places, which is crucial for side sleepers. It lands around a medium (perhaps a hair into medium-firm), ideal for heavy individuals and couples — the heavier you are, the more you’ll sink into the mattress and the softer it usually feels.
Though it has Titan’s GlacioTex materials on the top, this mattress sleeps more temperature-neutral than actively cooling. It offers excellent edge support — another feature to look for if you share the bed.
At $2,398, it’s not necessarily a budget option, but the brand frequently offers discounts that can bring the price for a queen down to $1,800, which we think is a steal for a bed this nice.
Runner-up: The Saatva HD is another great choice designed to support heavier people. This high-end mattress has a super supportive innerspring system and Lumbar Zone technology to promote healthy spinal alignment. One downside is that this bed requires a particular Saatva HD Foundation, as it’s not compatible with regular foundations or box springs. At $3,399, it’s on the pricier end, but it is worth looking into if you’re considering a premium mattress.
Why we chose the Helix Sunset Luxe mattress: The Helix Sunset Luxe is surprisingly soft yet offers a ton of support. This responsive hybrid mattress has a comfortable and plush pillow-top feel that most people like. Thanks to the soft and cradling comfort foam layers, its medium-soft firmness profile is ideal for side sleepers seeking pressure relief around the shoulders and hips.
How it sleeps: The Helix Sunset Luxe has a plush pillow-top feel that’s mostly neutral with a trace of memory foam — it’s like sinking into a cloud. We were impressed by how supportive it is despite feeling so soft. Its durable coil system has a specific Zoned Lumbar Support design intended to keep your spine neutrally aligned, which is a great feature to look for in a mattress if you have back issues. The heavy-duty pocketed coils provide plenty of support for all body types, including heavier sleepers.
The Tencel cover on the Helix Sunset Luxe is a breathable, hypoallergenic material that helps wick moisture away. However, it isn’t truly cooling, so if you are a very hot sleeper, you may want to consider adding the optional cooling cover for an additional cost.
While it’s ideal for side sleepers, this mattress could also work for some combination sleepers who favor their sides. The bed’s perimeter is reinforced with durable steel coils, creating solid edge support — important for those sharing the bed with a partner, kids or pets.
Helix frequently offers discounts that slash the prices way down, often taking the price for a queen from $2,374 to $1,899 or less, which we think is pretty good for a premium bed like the Helix Sunset Luxe.
Runner-up: The Helix Moonlight Helix Sleeps offers multiple mattress lines with varying feels and firmness levels through its Core, Luxe and Elite collections. If you’re interested in a Helix bed but need help determining which one is right for you, check out Helix’s nifty sleep quiz.
Why we chose the Purple Mattress: The original Purple Mattress is simultaneously soft and supportive, providing the pressure relief needed if you have hip or shoulder pain as a side sleeper. Its responsive GelFlex Grid comfort layer cradles those pressure points while supporting your back and spine. Not to mention, the breathable grid design helps you sleep cooler — another perk if you’re suffering from chronic pain.
How it sleeps: Purple mattresses all incorporate this unique GelFlex Grid feature made of hyper-elastic polymer. This proprietary material is incredibly stretchy and durable, providing a soft surface that cradles and supports your curves. Shaped in a grid with thousands of individual air channels, it naturally sleeps cooler by allowing your body heat to escape.
«One benefit of the GelFlex Grid is it does an excellent job of helping the mattress sleep temperature. Because the material has very little surface area, the bed has amazing airflow, which helps prevent heat buildup and it doesn’t retain heat like some types of foam. I slept on a Purple Hybrid mattress for years, and I noticed this benefit a lot during the summer months,» says Owen Poole, CNET senior video producer and mattress expert.
Lying on the Purple Mattress, you can feel the grid beneath you more than most of the other more expensive Purple mattresses. Our experts rate the Purple Mattress medium on the firmness scale or around 5 out of 10. Its all-foam construction (meaning no coils) is best for sleepers on the lighter side, under 230 pounds. If you’re heavier, we recommend checking out the Purple Restore Hybrid.
Runner-up: The Nolah Signature Hybrid is a medium-soft mattress with a perforated AirFoam layer that cushions your shoulders and hips. It also has targeted support zones to help relieve tension in high-stress areas.
Why we chose the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe: The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is a super cool bed — literally. In addition to its exceptional cooling technology, this mattress comes in three firmness options, so you can choose the right one for you. It has a soft, neutral foam feel and a supportive hybrid design that works for all body types.
How it sleeps: Many mattress brands claim their beds are cooling, but few actually are — Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe being one of them (which is why it also took the crown as the best for hot sleepers on our top cooling mattresses list). I was impressed by how cool-to-the-touch its GlacioTex cover is, which truly helps you sleep cooler rather than just temperature neutral.
This supportive hybrid design of the Aurora Luxe includes a high-density foam base, durable pocketed coils and Brooklyn Bedding’s proprietary foam layers: Gel Swirl memory foam, Supreme Response comfort foam and CopperFlex.
For strict side sleepers, we recommend opting for the Soft model. If you’re on the heavier side or more of a combination sleeper, check out the medium firmness option. The firm version, which we think is more medium-firm, is best for stomach and back sleepers.
Runner-up: If you’re looking for another maximum cooling mattress and budget isn’t a concern, check out the Tempur-Pedic Luxe Breeze. At $5,599, it’s one of the more expensive beds we’ve tested. It comes in multiple firmness options, with soft being the best for side sleepers.
Read more in our Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe review.
Why we chose the Nolah Original mattress: Though a queen-size Nolah Original 10″ retails for $1,449, it’s typically on sale for as low as $999 — a smoking deal for the quality. This all-foam mattress has a unique yet accommodating mixed or blended foam feel. It has some sinking sensation like memory foam but is much more responsive and bouncy.
How it sleeps: The Nolah Original has a simple design of three layers of various foams and a Tencel cover on top. The foams include Nolah’s 8-inch SolidSleep foam foundation, 1 inch of AirFoam Ice and 1 inch of Zoned AirFoam Ice. The zoned layer is perforated around the shoulders to add pressure relief and softness for side sleepers, while it’s firmer in the middle for lumbar support.
If you’re of average to heavy weight, you’ll likely find this mattress to feel somewhere between medium to medium-soft, like most of our CNET sleep experts found. If you’re lighter like me, this mattress may feel slightly firmer than that, around a 5 to 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale.
We recommend a hybrid mattress if you are on the heavier side or weigh 230 pounds or more. The Nolah Original Hybrid is $300 more and offers a medium firmness profile and a neutral hybrid feel, another great option for heavy side sleepers.
Runner-up: The Dreamfoam Hybrid mattress retails for $799 but is often a couple of hundred dollars cheaper during the brand’s frequent sales. Thanks to its supportive comfort foams, it offers a soft neutral foam feel and an accommodating medium firmness level. This is another option for side and combination sleepers that offers impressive bang for your buck.
For more discounts, check out our Best Mattress Deals.
Why we chose the Sonu Sleep mattress: Designed explicitly for strict side sleepers, the Sonu Sleep System is one of the most unique beds we’ve ever tested. It has a patented «comfort channel» in the top third of the mattress, a large cutout designed to keep your arm comfortable while lying on your side.
How it sleeps: Sonu has three firmness options: Push, Hybrid and Firm. Our sleep experts found the Hybrid model to be a flat medium on the firmness scale, and it has a soft and accommodating neutral foam feel — it’s not sinking like dense memory foam, yet not overly bouncy, either. This mattress is an excellent choice for couples who sleep primarily on their sides. With your arm and shoulder nestled in the cutout, they won’t fall asleep or go numb as they might on regular mattresses. It makes cuddling a whole lot more comfortable. This bed also offers solid edge support and sound motion isolation, two great features for couples to look for in a bed.
There are a few downsides to this bed’s unique construction, one of which is that Sonu’s custom-made fitted sheet is required to accommodate the comfort channel. Sonu’s sheets are 100% long staple cotton; no other materials are currently offered. So if you strongly prefer a certain material for your sheets, this mattress may not be for you. Given its firmness level and the comfort channel cutout, we don’t recommend this mattress for back sleepers.
Firmness data for the best mattresses for side sleepers
At CNET, our sleep experts use subjective and objective methods to test mattress firmness to thoroughly assess how it feels and who it’s best for. Subjectively, we use our extensive experience and expertise to test and analyze a bed’s construction, describing where it lands on the firmness scale to the best of our ability. How firm a mattress feels can differ drastically from person to person, so we describe firmness from the perspective of varying body types, weights, genders and sleeping positions.
Our Mattress Smasher 9000 is a super cool, proprietary CNET device that objectively assesses mattress firmness. This unique machine presses down into the mattress with a predetermined amount of force (to simulate whatever body weight we want to test), calculating how far its arm goes into the mattress to determine its firmness on a scale of 1 to 10. We always test a new mattress subjectively first, then follow it up with the Mattress Smasher to see how well it backs up our claims.
From softest to firmest, here are the objective firmness levels gathered when testing the best mattresses for side sleepers with our Mattress Smasher 9000.
How we tested the best mattresses for side sleepers
Our sleep experts have been testing mattresses, bedding and sleep technology for years, dedicating thousands of hours to honing our craft of honestly and thoroughly reviewing beds and sleep-related products. We’ve tested well over 300 beds from dozens of brands like Casper, Helix, Nectar, Purple, Leesa and many more.
Our bed testers have varying body weights and types, heights, genders and sleep preferences, allowing us to provide an overarching assessment of each mattress from multiple viewpoints. We take pride in our mattress testing methodology, which includes analyzing characteristics such as firmness, feel, temperature regulation, motion isolation, edge support and special features.
Firmness
One of the primary characteristics we look for when selecting the best mattresses for side sleepers is firmness, which implies the amount of pressure relief the bed offers. During our testing process, our experts of varying weights and body types take turns lying on the bed in each sleeping position to determine how well they’ll cradle our primary pressure points — mainly shoulders, hips and knees. When lying on your side, the mattress must offer some «give» around these areas. If a mattress is too firm, it can push back on these pressure points too much and cause soreness, pain and even numbness.
As I mentioned, firmness is subjective and varies from person to person — the driving force behind the creation of our Mattress Smasher 9000. With the mattress placed on the platform, we activate the device, which presses its arm into the middle of the bed. Our corresponding software then provides the objective firmness level on a scale of 1 to 10, with being the softest and 10 the firmest.
We never recommend a mattress with a high firmness score for side sleepers. The sweet spot for side sleepers is typically around medium-soft, give or take some, depending on your weight, body type and personal preferences.
Feel
The feel of a mattress is another important element we analyze and review. Influenced by the types of foams and coils used in its construction, the feel of a bed is exactly how it sounds — what does it feel like when you lie on it? Is it bouncy and responsive? Is it easy to switch positions? Or does the dense memory foam conform around your body and hold your shape for a while? Does the mattress have a soft, plush pillow top feel, or is it more neutral? Are the coils or zoned support noticeable? We do our best to describe precisely what it feels like to lie on each bed to help you determine if it’s right for you without having to test them all yourself.
In determining the best feel for side sleepers, we look for beds with a softer and more plush sensation that cradles your curves and offers plenty of pressure relief for your hips and shoulders.
Read more: Why The Foam in Your Mattress Matters
Temperature regulation
Each individual’s preferences, body type and even health conditions can influence how hot or cold a mattress feels. We’ve also found that mattress brands exaggerate the cooling capabilities of their beds. This is why we detail how hot or cool the mattress sleeps during our testing process so that you have a more accurate understanding of how it feels to lie on it. Does the mattress sincerely feel cool to the touch and give a satisfying chilling sensation for hot sleepers? Or will it sleep more temperature-natural? Do the materials retain body heat and keep you warmer?
Other external factors affect what the temperature of a bed feels like to you, such as bedroom environment, the bedding you use and the pajamas you sleep in. At our mattress facility, we test beds in temperature-controlled rooms without sheets or bedding to analyze their construction and materials and explain how they affect the overall temperature of the bed.
Motion isolation
Motion isolation is a simple term for how well the mattress deadens movement across its surface. A bed with good motion isolation is essential for light sleepers or those sharing the mattress with a partner or pets. We test a bed’s motion isolation capabilities by having one expert lie on the bed while another flops around and switches positions. Does the person lying feel the movement through the mattress, or is it subtle and less noticeable?
For the second method, we set a glass of water on the edges, rolling toward and away to see if the glass falls or the liquid sloshes over. Typically, beds with dense memory foam perform the best in this category. More responsive mattresses tend to have worse motion isolation.
Edge support
Edge support refers to the strength of the bed’s perimeter, another important factor to keep in mind if you sleep with a partner or pets or tend to sleep on the edge. Testing the edge support involves analyzing how well the mattress holds its shape and structure when we sit and lie on the perimeter. Does it cave in and give the sensation we’ll roll off, or is it super sturdy and supportive?
We also push down on the edges with our fists to observe how much it compresses under pressure. Many mattress brands add reinforcements around the edges — whether coils or firmer foams — to enhance the edge support. Having solid edge supports helps to create a stable and consistent sleeping surface across the entirety of the mattress.
Special features
Mattress brands often offer beds with special features, such as covers with cooling technology for hot sleepers or zoned support specifically for people with back issues like sciatica. We always test and review these additional characteristics to determine if they live up to the brands’ claims and to let you know which sleeper type would benefit most.
Learn more: How We Test Mattresses
What to consider when buying a mattress for side sleepers
The mattress characteristics that side sleepers should look for are different from those of strict stomach or back sleepers. Here are the main things to keep in mind if you favor your side when you sleep.
Firmness
Soft mattresses are typically more pressure-relieving than firm beds. With firm mattresses, the surface pushes back into your pressure points, which can cause pain and soreness and may even throw off the alignment of your spine. Softer beds are better for side sleepers (and combination sleepers who favor their sides) as they offer more contouring and cushioning beneath pressure points like your hips and shoulders.
Body type
In most cases, the heavier you are, the softer a mattress feels because you’ll typically sink deeper into the layers than a lighter individual, and vice versa. It’s worth mentioning that this is not always the case, as it largely depends on the bed’s construction, the materials used and the placement of its layers of foam and coils.
Heavier sleepers over 230 pounds can usually get away with side sleeping on a firmer bed because it’ll feel a tad softer than for average or lightweight individuals. The reverse applies to lighter individuals under 150 pounds, who may want to opt for a true soft to medium-soft mattress so it won’t feel too firm.
Mattress type
The design and construction of your mattress directly influence how it feels and how long it lasts. Hybrid beds with coils tend to last longer than all-foam mattresses. Knowing what you want your bed to feel like will help narrow down your options. Do you like the sinking, contouring feel of dense memory foam that’s super slow to respond? Or do you like a bouncier mattress that’s more responsive and easier to switch positions? A soft and plush pillow top that feels like floating on a cloud? Or a mixed, neutral feel somewhere in the middle?
Sleeping position
We review four main sleeping positions on each mattress: back, stomach, side and combination. If you’re a strict side sleeper, a softer mattress is going to be key as firm mattresses are going to be too uncomfortable and unforgiving.
Back and stomach sleepers should opt for firmer mattresses that provide enough support to keep your spine neutrally aligned through the night. If the mattress is too soft while you’re lying on your back or stomach, you’re more likely to experience discomfort and even pain from the curvature of your spine and neck.
Combination sleepers switch positions throughout the night. We typically recommend a middle-of-the-road medium (leaning into medium-firm at times) for combination sleepers, but it will depend on which position you spend the majority of your time in.
Health concerns
If you suffer from pain — whether back, hip or joint — it’s important to keep this at the forefront while mattress shopping. Side sleepers with back pain should seek a bed that lands around a medium and offers a balance of support and pressure relief. If you have hip or shoulder pain, a softer mattress can help take some pressure off those sensitive joints.
What we’re testing next
At our expansive mattress testing facility in Reno, Nevada, our team of sleep experts is constantly reviewing new beds from all sorts of brands. We’re currently testing brand-new mattresses from brands including:
Mattresses you should avoid
If you’re a strict side sleeper, we recommend steering clear of mattresses on the medium-firm to firm end of the scale. Beds that fall under this category include:
Saatva Classic: This mattress comes in three firmness levels, all of which we deem too firm for strict side sleepers. The plush soft model of the Saatva Classic could be doable for heavier side sleepers or combination sleepers who favor their sides, but we wouldn’t recommend the luxury firm or firm models.
Plank by Brooklyn Bedding: As the name implies, Plank is extremely firm. Plank Firm and Plank Firm Luxe are flippable, one side being medium-firm and the other a true firm — both sides much too firm for side sleepers. These mattresses are better for back and stomach sleepers who need substantial spinal support.
DreamCloud Hybrid: The Mattress Smasher 9000 scored the DreamCloud Hybrid a 7.13 out of 10 on the firmness scale, confirming our consensus that it’s between medium-firm and firm.
Tips for sleeping comfortably on your side
The numbers vary, but studies have shown that anywhere from 50% to 75% of people sleep on their sides. Aside from being comfortable, this sleeping position has certain health benefits, such as reducing the risk of sleep apnea and improving gut functioning. Side sleeping is also recommended during pregnancy (many providers specifically recommend the left side) as it can help improve blood flow to the organs and keep pressure off the liver. Having the right mattress is key, as side sleeping can have adverse effects if you’re lying on one that’s ill-suited for it.
There are a few things you can do to ensure that you’re sleeping soundly and comfortably on your side, including:
Use the right pillow
The pillow you use can drastically affect your overall sleep experience. Side sleepers typically need taller, loftier pillows that adequately support the head and align the spine and neck. A pillow that’s too flat will cause your head and neck to bend down and out of alignment with your spine, which can cause pain and discomfort.
Read more: Best Pillows for Side Sleepers in 2024
Add more cushioning
Using more pillows for extra padding is another way to increase comfort while sleeping on your side. Try keeping a soft and fluffy pillow between your knees to help relieve pressure on your back and promote better spinal alignment. You can also keep a pillow under your armpit if you have shoulder pain and need some additional pressure relief.
Consider a mattress topper
If your mattress is too firm but you’re not in a position to spend the money on a whole new bed, consider adding a mattress topper to your sleep setup. Doing so can change the firmness of your current bed, so side sleepers should look for a soft and plush topper.
Mattresses for side sleepers FAQs
What type of mattress is best for side sleepers?
Memory foam is one of the best mattress types for side sleepers because it allows you to sink in, hugging your body’s curves and helping to relieve pressure points. According to our testing, the top memory foam mattress for side sleepers is the Nectar Luxe.
A soft hybrid mattress with a plush pillow top is another great option for side sleepers who don’t like that dense memory foam sensation and would rather feel like they’re more “on top” of the bed.
Should side sleepers have a soft or firm mattress?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — side sleepers should opt for a soft to medium mattress. Mattresses in this range offer enough give to alleviate pressure around the hip and shoulder joints and usually retain enough support to keep your spine aligned while lying on your side.
Are firm mattresses bad for side sleepers?
Firm mattresses aren’t always bad for side sleepers. But they aren’t typically great for side sleepers, especially those under 150 pounds. If your mattress is too firm, it won’t offer the give and cushioning your shoulders and hips need. This can disrupt your sleep by causing you to wake up with pain and even numbness or tingling from insufficient blood flow.
It ultimately comes down to personal preference, but most side sleepers do best with softer options or more medium-firm mattresses, like our top pick, the Layla Hybrid.
Is a memory foam or hybrid mattress better for side sleepers?
Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are both good for side sleepers. The best option will depend on your preferences and needs. Our top overall pick for side sleepers, the Layla Hybrid, is a hybrid mattress. Side sleepers tend to do well with hybrid mattresses because they offer a nice balance of pressure relief and support, but those who like an even softer mattress may prefer all foam options.
Can a mattress topper help side sleepers?
If you’re a side sleeper in need of a new sleeping setup but aren’t in a position to spend money on a whole new bed, a soft and plush mattress topper is a reasonable investment to consider. It will change the feel of your current bed and may help relieve pressure from your joints.
Technologies
I Spent Some Time With Samsung’s AI Appliances. Is the Cost Worth The Hype?
AI-powered dishwasher, fridge, oven, washer and vacuum may sound cool but after comparing the cost to non-AI appliances, I’m not sure you’re getting more value.
Every company is working hard to put AI in all your home appliances. Samsung is no exception. It showcased a range of AI-powered appliances during CES 2024 and CES 2025. Highlighting smart fridges, dishwashers, ovens, washing machines and dryers, Samsung’s smart home appliances integrate AI features, LCD touchscreens, cameras, auto-open doors and other features to improve your day-to-day cooking, clothes washing and cleaning.
None of these AI features are particularly new. All of them have existed on previous iterations of Samsung’s lineup but it’s become increasingly clear that home appliances are going to get AI in them, regardless of need.
Samsung invited me to Samsung Home Studio to see how the AI-powered features work but what I really looked at was how much of this AI is actually useful for you as a customer. Is it worth the hype and the extra cost?
Here’s what I learned and why I ultimately think the AI revolution for home appliances isn’t quite there yet.
Samsung Bespoke AI Kitchen Appliances
Samsung is introducing four bespoke refrigerator models (some of which were showcased at CES). The largest of which is the Bespoke AI 4-Door Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ and AI Vision Inside. All the models (with exception to the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator) are available for preorder starting now on Samsung.com for $1,000 off and come with an additional year of warranty.
AI is back, but not significantly improved
The first thing I noticed with Samsung’s 4-door refrigerator is the 32-inch LCD touchscreen on the front. It’s the largest I’ve ever seen on a home appliance and, according to Samsung, the largest in the industry. But it’s not particularly new or notable. AI Family Hub has appeared on previous models of Samsung fridges, giving you access to apps such as YouTube and TikTok, showing recipes, setting reminders, creating a grocery list and more.
I’ve never been a huge fan of putting a touchscreen on everything; I err on the side of having physical controls whenever possible. That said, the 32-inch screen is big and bright and serves the same function as my Amazon Echo Show 8: it provides a hub to control your smart home, add things to your calendar, and keep an eye on reminders. It’s useful enough as a general home screen.
AI Vision Inside also returns. It’s basically a camera inside the fridge that can identify the food you put in and take out, letting you know when things are getting low. It can automatically add things to the SmartThings grocery list and alert you when food is about to expire. If you’re a big grocery delivery person, like I am, you also can set it up to add things directly to your Instacart grocery list.
Currently, the AI Vision recognizes about three dozen food items automatically but you can also add things manually. I expect that it’ll learn new items over time, although Samsung has been saying that for some time now. This, to me, would be the biggest selling point. Too often I’ve opened a carton of berries that I thought were new to find them covered with mold. Getting a warning a few days before an expected expiration would help me reduce food waste.
The fridge comes with Wi-Fi and SmartThings integration, naturally. It also has auto open doors so you can stock the fridge even if your hands are full, which is a nice quality-of-life feature. I imagine it will also help reduce staining and streaking on the fridge (a curse of stainless steel appliances) if you don’t need to grab the handle anymore.
The Bespoke AI Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ will be priced at $4,699 and available in stainless steel, white glass, and charcoal with matte black. It also has a range of customizable door panel colors and finishes. Three other models are in the lineup, including a 4-door model with a 9-inch AI Home Screen and the same AI Vision Inside feature for $3,999.
AI cooling? Kind of, but the real magic is with the Peltier module
Another model worth mentioning is the Bespoke AI Hybrid 4-Door Flex priced at $3,999. The AI name is slightly misleading because it doesn’t have AI Vision inside. Instead, the Hybrid model uses AI to optimize cooling efficiency and energy use. It does this by combining two power sources, a compressor and a Peltier module. During normal use, the compressor is the cooling mainstay, while the Peltier module kicks in during other scenarios for added cooling.
AI algorithms can detect changes to the fridge’s interior, such as warm air entering when you open the door or an increase in temperature when you put in food that’s still hot. When this happens, it’ll deploy the compressor and Peltier module at the same time. According to Samsung, the hybrid cooling technology gives the interior of the fridge an additional 2.5 inches of usable space compared with a traditional compressor-only refrigerator.
I like this use of AI quite a bit more than AI Vision. It’s less in your face than having a screen and camera on your fridge. If energy bills are a major concern for you, this hybrid cooling model seems like it could be worth considering.
A space-saving fridge
Last, with price and availability still to be determined, is the Bespoke 4-door Flex Kitchen Fit Refrigerator. As the name suggests, it is designed to fit into tight places, with a 4-millimeter installation gap on both sides. The doors can be opened to 90 degrees and Samsung says its SpaceMax technology allows the refrigerator walls to be thinner, creating more interior space without compromising insulation. I’m giving it serious consideration for my 800-square-foot apartment because I’m long overdue for a new fridge but very limited in space.
Samsung’s ovens are still oddly targeted to influencers
Once again, this isn’t a new feature, but the Bespoke 30-inch Double and Single Wall Ovens come with AI-powered cooking, as with previous members of the lineup. The double wall oven comes with a 7-inch AI home screen that acts as a control center, the same as the one you get on the fridge. It supports a smart home hub, apps such as YouTube and Spotify, and it can pull up a camera view of the dishes inside your oven if you want to monitor it and upload a clip to social media. It seems oddly targeted for cooking influencers but the other features are more useful for people looking to do actual cooking.
With the Samsung AI Pro Cooking software, the camera can automatically recognize 80 recipes (others you can save manually) and display the optimal cook time and temperature for different dishes. It can even tackle different types of meat in the same dish. Samsung showed me a bizarre example of salmon and a whole chicken being baked together, which sounded truly disgusting. A more reasonable combination I might actually try is bacon-wrapped chicken, which require different temperatures to be eaten safely.
There are also no physical handles. It has a Push to Open feature that makes opening it easy if you have your hands full with a dish, letting you bump it with a shoulder or elbow. I like this tech in theory and it worked just fine in practice but I’m curious how it’ll fare in a less curated environment. For instance, if my cat gets the zoomies and runs face first into the oven while it’s baking, will it open? I assume it’s too smart for that but there are some things you can only find out with testing.
Wi-Fi and SmartThings connectivity also allows you to monitor and preheat the oven from your phone, monitor energy use and search for recipes. This is something I already do with my much less smart LG oven but the feature is hit and miss so I’m hopeful that Samsung’s take on it is more reliable.
The Double-Wall Oven costs $4,649, and the Single-Wall Oven costs $3,759. Both are available now on Samsung.com.
Samsung is also releasing a 30-inch and 36-inch Induction Cooktop with some smart features focused on energy efficiency. Samsung says the cooktops are Energy Star-certified and come with four and five burners, respectively. Both have a 4.3kW Power Burner for more intense heat. All the burners also have a Power Boost function for faster cooking and the Sync Burner lets you control two at the same time with one control. As with all the other appliances, Wi-Fi and SmartThings are integrated.
The 30-inch model costs $1,499, and the 36-inch model costs $1,699. These are both available now for preorder on Samsung.com.
Dishwashing gets the AI stamp
Cooking can be fun but the dishwashing that comes afterward is usually less so. The Bespoke Auto Open Door Dishwasher should make things a bit easier. The smart features here aren’t really new either, which is a fairly common theme in this article. The AI Wash feature is intended to help remove stubborn food residue more easily and works together with the rotating StormWash dual arms. There’s a high-resolution sensor that keeps an eye on your dishes and the machine learning algorithm automatically adjusts washing and rinsing cycles based on the soil level.
To some extent, this is tech that already exists on dishwashers. My LG dishwasher has an Auto mode that uses sensors to detects the soil level of my dishes and clarity of the water and adjusts the cleaning cycle to accommodate it. Unfortunately, I’ve found that it doesn’t always do a great job of figuring out how dirty something is and I get dishes that still have food particles on them. If Samsung can use AI to make this soil detection feature smarter, I could definitely see myself using AI Wash but I still question if this feature is actually AI.
You also get a 2.25-inch LCD panel with controls and there are features including Smart Dry that lets warm air circulate better, which Samsung says results in 2.5 times better drying performance. The dishwasher itself is quiet at 38 decibels. For reference, appliances with a decibel rating from 38 to 40 are generally considered quiet. A regular conversation is usually around 60 decibels and many dishwashers are generally in that range so that makes Samsung’s new dishwasher quite a bit quieter than the competition.
The Wi-Fi connectivity and SmartThings app let you remotely start and stop the dishwasher and monitor its power use.
It’ll cost $1,399 at launch and is available for preorder on Samsung.
All-in-one laundry machine with — you guessed it — AI
Laundry isn’t spared from AI. The Bespoke AI Laundry Vented Combo is a washing machine and dryer combined, meaning you can do your washing and drying in one unit without having to move clothes. Like the fridge and oven, the 7-inch AI Home touchscreen acts as the hub for the controls, cycles, settings and various apps, just like the other features in the lineup.
All-in-ones tend to have bad reputation about how well they clean and dry but Samsung is implementing some features to improve things — in theory. Opti Wash & Dry adjusts the settings on the cycle automatically and the vented electric dryer has an internal heater and fan to move hot air through clothes more easily. The entire wash and dry cycle happens in 77 minutes, with the AI and sensor determining temperature and cycle time. The AI learning model predicts when the rinsing process ends and can have the other cycles take over when it thinks things are sufficiently clean.
If you chose not to start an automatic dryer cycle, the Auto Open Door automatically opens after the washing cycle to release humidity and moisture, preventing your wet clothes from festering if you forget about them.
You also don’t need to constantly top up on laundry detergent. The Flex Auto Dispense System can automatically dispense up to 47 loads of detergent or you can split the compartment to dispense 34 loads of softener and 25 loads of detergent.
Like almost every other appliance in Samsung’s lineup, it comes with Wi-Fi and SmartThings for remote monitoring but also adds voice control for starting and stopping cycles hands-free.
The Vented Combo will cost $3,099 and doesn’t require any additional laundry hookups for installation. It’s available for preorder now through Samsung.
Does a vacuum need AI? Samsung thinks so.
Finally, Samsung is putting the AI branding on cordless vacuums, although once again I hesitate to say that it’s actually new because an earlier version of the model was released in 2023. There’s an LCD panel to show you suction levels, battery life and alerts. When you start vacuuming, the so-called AI senses floor types and automatically adjusts suction power and brush speed to optimize runtime and maneuverability on those types of floors. I was able to briefly run the vacuum in Samsung’s demo area and I found it to be fairly lightweight and easy to maneuver, although it was hard to judge cleaning performance in the fairly clean environment.
The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra Cordless Stick Vacuum has 400 air watts (a measure of suction power) and the company’s proprietary HexaJet motor. For reference, most vacuums have between 150 and 200AW of suction, with 200AW being considered good.
Samsung also says it has the longest battery life of any stick vacuum, with 100 minutes of runtime. If true, that would be a pretty incredible runtime, although I’d be curious to see what suction power level it was tested at. With my Ryobi vacuum, I’m lucky if get a half-hour at full suction power before I have to swap out the battery and it’s not like I have a particularly big apartment. A 100-minute runtime should be more than enough to handle all the rooms in my apartment with plenty to spare so it may be a great option for people with bigger spaces.
We’ll undoubtedly be getting the Jet Ultra into CNET’s testing lab to put it through the paces, so keep an eye on our list of best vacuum cleaners and best cordless vacuums to see where it ranks.
Other features include an All-in-One Clean Station that charges the vacuum and automatically empties and closes the dustbin. Samsung says it traps 99.99% of fine dust particles. This is a huge quality-of-life feature if you’ve never used a vacuum with a dock before, sparing you from getting dust everywhere when you empty it into the trash.
Like everything else, the vacuum has built-in Wi-Fi and SmartThings connectivity. If you get a phone call or text while vacuuming, the vacuum display will alert you about the message so you don’t miss anything important while cleaning up. This strikes me as being a little bit of a solution in search of a problem. Most people, including myself, have a smartwatch that does that and unless the suction on the vacuum is totally deafening, you’re unlikely to miss a phone call if it rings or vibrates. Still, I suppose it’s a nice-to-have feature if you have a vital phone call you’re expecting that you can’t miss but decide you also need to vacuum.
The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra will cost $1,099 and it comes with a 10-year warranty on the motor and a 2-year warranty on the battery. It’s currently available for preorder through Samsung. This is pretty pricey for a cordless vacuum, putting it in the same price range as Dyson’s $949.99 Gen5 Detect Absolute.
Are these AI appliances worth the cost?
With prices ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the appliance in question, I hesitate to say that any of the AI features showcased by Samsung are game-changing enough to warrant the price premium compared with a similar «dumb» product.
Take one of the ventless all-in-one washers and dryers, for instance. Samsung’s smart model costs $3,099, while a quality ventless one from GE will run you $2,599 at MSRP but is currently on sale at $1,798. Notably, it’s also Energy Star-certified and has some smart chops on its own, like the SmartHQ app for notifications and specialty cycles, even if it isn’t as fancy as the one from Samsung.
Compared with a regular four-door refrigerator from Whirlpool or KitchenAid, you’re looking at spending approximately $1,000 more for the Samsung refrigerator’s AI features and screen. By themselves, I’m not sure any of these features are worth an extra $1,000, but I suppose if you’re already in the market for a smart fridge, it’s not too bad. A high-end LG Signature fridge with similar smart features such as auto opening doors can cost you twice as much at $7,199, though there are also more affordable smart models available that match Samsung’s pricing.
Of course, you can get a perfectly good «dumb» fridge from a quality brand like Whirlpool for significantly less. While undoubtedly there are some promising features at play for some of this lineup, ultimately I don’t think AI features are worth the premium compared with buying a simpler, high-quality appliance from a reputable brand at a similar or lower price.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for March 30, #658
Hints and answers for Connections for March 30, #658.
Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.
I love today’s blue category in the NYT Connections puzzle, but then I’m a big fan of plays and musicals. If you are too, you should have no problem with that grouping. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.
The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.
Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group, to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Midpoint or median.
Green group hint: Symbol of national identity.
Blue group hint: The play’s the thing.
Purple group hint: Not woman, but…
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Average.
Green group: Pictured on the US Great Seal.
Blue group: Proper nouns in Broadway musical titles that are spoken phrases.
Purple group: ____ man.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is average. The four answers are mean, norm, par and standard.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is pictured on the US Great Seal. The four answers are arrows, eagle, olive branch and shield.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is proper nouns in Broadway musical titles that are spoken phrases. The four answers are Birdie, Dolly, Kate and Yankees.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is ____ man. The four answers are bogey, crafts, gentle and spokes.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for March 30, #392
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 392 for March 30.
Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
My daughter is very involved in her high school choir, so today’s NYT Strands puzzle was a fun one for me. If you’re ever been involved with singing, you should do well. If you need hints and answers, read on.
I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: Join the chorus
If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Sing out
Clue words to unlock in-game hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
- POOL, LOOP, SPOT, COLA, RONE, CHAR, TORE, POOT, TRAP, TOPS, MEAT, MATE, BRINE, PART, CHIRP, CHIT.
Answers for today’s Strands puzzle
These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you’ve got all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:
- ALTO, BASS, TENOR, SOPRANO, MEZZO, TREBLE, BARITONE
Today’s Strands spangram
Today’s Strands spangram is CHOIRPART. To find it, start with the C that’s three letters down in the far right column, and then wind down and across.
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