Comfortable and supportive, these pillows are perfect for getting a good night’s rest.
We have assessed the best pillows for side sleepers in terms of their quality, breathability, durability and overall value and most importantly how well they do for side sleepers. There are many people who sleep in this side sleeping position. However, where does this sense of difficulty in choosing a pillow come from?
If you’ve ever woken up with a crick in your neck after sleeping with a new pillow, remember this: It should be thick enough to fit between the head and shoulder area to help in correct positioning of the spinal cord. If a pillow is too thick, too thin, too soft or too firm, then it can result in different problems.
The Pillow Cube Side Cube Pillow is the best overall pillows for side sleepers because of its shape that ensures the proper support of the neck area and of the body in general. Testers referred to this pillow as game-changing and some of them reported a reduction in neck discomfort. For combination sleepers who tend to change positions during the night, we suggest the Coop Home Goods Original Pillow since it is a shredded foam which helps to support the head.
In our tests, we consider all the aspects such as washability of these products, their buoyancy after certain weights are placed on it to simulate usage. Also, we have at-home sleep testers, side sleepers in particular, who sleep on each of the pillows and provide feedback on comfort level, support, temperature change and anything else.
The first thing we usually try to achieve in constructing our perfect bed set is to get a right pillow that will suit us, especially for the side sleepers. Side sleepers are most likely to have more needs when it comes to head and neck support since they have a significant space between their head and the bed.
Best Memory Foam Pillows | Best Pillows for Neck Pain | Best Down Pillows | Best Cooling Pillows
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1
Best Overall Pillows For Side Sleepers
Pillow Cube Ice Cube, Cube Pillows for Side Sleepers
PROS
- Designed specifically for side sleepers
- Its unique shape offers proper alignment
- The foam held up under pressure in our tests
CONS
- Not ideal for sleepers that change sleeping position.
Sizes: Standard | Fill: Solid memory foam | Care: Only the cover is machine washable.
This pillow is without any doubt a game changer for anyone who sleeps on his or her side. It is constructed with 90-degree edges to fit perfectly around the shoulder and neck region to provide maximum support and balanced positioning. It is available in only one height which is 5 inches but if you require the short or tall pillow then there is a new product from the brand called Side Cube Deluxe. Just remember that the shape is ideal for true side sleepers who do not switch positions at night.
At first, we were rather doubtful, but both our experts and consumer testers were won over by its support. One said: ‘I like that there is an equal amount of support from one end to the other, so my neck feels fully supported. Another one said “Previously I would roll up an extra pillow under my head or even put my hand there”.
2
Best Value Pillows For Side Sleepers
Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows
PROS
- Just $60 a pillow
- Soft and fluffy feel
- Over 241,500 Amazon reviews
CONS
- Not as supportive as other picks.
Sizes: Queen and King | Fill: Polyester | Care: Machine washable.
Don’t let the affordable price fool you: this Beckham Hotel pillow outcompeted styles more than three times its price. This is a bestselling product on Amazon and has more than 241,500 reviews on the internet. It has a down alternative made of polyester fill that has a 100% cotton outer cover for a softer and more luxurious touch. In practical tests, it is easily accommodated in a standard size pillowcase and performed well in pressure tests. Unlike most pillows for side sleepers, this pick is not made with memory foam; it is also entirely machine-washable for convenience.
The down like filling material is so soft and bouncy yet Firm, said one side and back sleeper the outer fabric is so comfortable and gives the look of luxury. Consumers also liked how easily it retained its shape without forming lumps or being grainy. While some testers appreciated the support provided by this model, others stated it was too thin to provide adequate support to the neck. It may not be ideal for side sleepers with a bigger size because it is only available in a single height.
3
Best Pillow For Side Sleepers With Neck Pain
Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
PROS
- Adjustable height
- Consumer testing
- Great if you change sleeping positions throughout the night
CONS
- Outer cover pills over time.
Sizes: Queen and King | Fill: Shredded memory foam and microfiber clusters | Care: Machine washable; wash cover and inner pillow separately.
If you wake up with a sore neck, it means that your spine is out of alignment. Luckily, this pillow offers a simple solution: Adjustability of the filling. It comes with a firmness level fitted with fill that you can add or remove to get your best comfort and useful particularly when one has a changing sleeping pattern throughout the night. Also, in contrast to other similar pillows that we tried, both the outer and inner shells are washable in a washing machine, and both came out clean and unblemished after the tests.
Testers assigned this pillow higher scores for comfort and support and had only good things to say about it. One of the testers has experienced whiplash twice and stated that ‘It really helps my neck pain around my C3’. One patient said,It was wonderful to wake up, there was no stiffness and no more headache. Another remarked,It encases my head and is able to sink into it. The outer layer of the cover is prone to pilling.
4
Best Cooling Pillows For Side Sleepers
Purple Harmony Pillow | The Greatest Pillow
PROS
- Three height options
- Innovative polymer grid
- Breathable, moisture wicking cover
CONS
- Heavier than other pillows.
Sizes: Standard, King with Low, Standard and Tall heights | Fill: Hyper-elastic polymer grid, latex core, nylon and spandex cover | Care: Only cover is machine washable; lay flat to dry.
The core of the Harmony Pillow is made of latex with a polymer grid material used in the production of all Purple’s pillows to provide Heavenly Comfort and Cooling Factor. The channels in the grid provide extra airflow as you have your head and neck supported and the core is made of latex. It comes in three size options as well.
Some of the best scores were given to it by our testers who found its feel very supportive. This also rose rapidly when we applied weighted pressure in the test as well bounced back independently. In addition, the material was appreciated by testers, and one of them highlighted that “the texture of the pillow was very unique, very soft and supporting.” Those who overheat at night also found that it helps to keep cool at night. it is much heavier than other pillows.
5
Best Combination Pillow For Side Sleepers
Layla Adjustable Fill Kapok Pillow, Fully Adjustable
PROS
- Adjustable height
- Nearly perfect score
- Mix of kapok and shredded memory foam fill
CONS
- Difficult to adjust
- Grey cover is slightly visible through light-colored pillowcases.
Sizes: Queen and King | Fill: Kapok and shredded memory foam | Care: Only cover is machine washable.
The Layla pillow also has a hybrid fill of kapok, which is a fluffy and silky natural fiber akin to cotton and shredded memory foam. This creates a supportive and soft touch that was highly received by all our testers. The fill is also modifiable, meaning that you can set your preferred height and do not have to worry about regaining the support you had shifted during the night.
Our testers based on their experiences awarded it a near perfect score in the aspects of comfort, support and satisfaction. Specifically, one of the testers captured everyone’s imagination on how it “molds to your sleeping posture” for the correct posture. The drawback is that the gray cover can be seen through some pillowcases and the pillow can be too thin for the users with large shoulders.
6
Best Down Alternative Pillow For Side Sleepers
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow
PROS
- Subtle stylish piping
- Affordable price for two pillows
- High marks for comfort
CONS
- Some testers wish it were softer.
Sizes: Standard and King | Fill: Polyester fibers | Care: Machine washable.
Alternative down pillows are available for those who are allergic to down or who want to reduce their cost. Out of all the dozens of pillows we’ve tried, Tuft & Needle’s holds up best — it’s supportive and retains its structure throughout our tests over multiple nights. Additionally, all pillows have discreet side gusset which gives a subtle hint of class that is not visible through the pillowcase.
In addition to shape retention, it could fit into a Standard pillowcase and garnered positive comments from the testers. Everyone said it was highly supportive and comfortable for them to sleep on and some said they wished it can be softer. Another tester appreciated it for being neat and adding that it was “good quality with adequate material and stitches.”
7
Best Memory Foam Pillow For Side Sleepers
Tempur Breeze Cooling ProHi Pillow
PROS
- Two heights available
- Gel layer for cooling capabilities
- Brand’s signature sink-into-your-pillow feel
CONS
- Expensive
- Takes longer to return to its original shape after use.
Sizes: Queen, King with Low and High heights | Fill: Solid memory foam | Care: Only the cover is machine washable.
The Tempur Breeze Cooling ProHi Pillow is available in two height options: high and low, and the high style is designed for side sleepers. Continuing the comfort and support there is a firm base layer with a gel insert for extra cooling.
This pillow was also appreciated by the testers and, in our tests, the outer cover did not look or feel much worse for the wear after washing. Several of the testers pointed out that while the pillow does mould to the head immediately, it takes a longer time to regain its shape if the head moves an inch, thus those who rotate during the night should go for a more reactive type of pillow. It’s also the most expensive one on our list.
8
Best Organic Pillow For Side Sleepers
Naturepedic Organic 2-in-1 Adjustable Latex Pillow
PROS
- Reversible design
- Organic cover and fill
- Amount of fill is adjustable
CONS
- Some found adjusting the fill a bit messy
Sizes: Standard, Queen and King | Fill: Shredded latex | Care: Only cover is machine washable
This Naturepedic pillow has certification from the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS). undefined One side features lush, quilted PLA batting, which is a plant-based fiber derived from sugarcane while the other side highlights shredded latex. The outer portion of the pillow is made from an organic cotton material. The shredded latex fill is also comfortable and can be adjusted to achieve your desired height and firmness.
This is perfect for someone who tends to move around a lot, or switches sides often during sleep, the flip side design received very favourable reviews from our testers who also found that they received good support regardless of the position that they were sleeping in. Some loved its versatility, while one pointed out that “it could get chaotic when trying to remove the stuffing.” Our testers were not bothered by this though, and one even called it “the best pillow I have ever used.
9
Best Orthopedic Pillow for Side Sleepers
UTTU Adjustable Orthopedic Sandwich Pillow
PROS
- This pillow is both supportive and compressible
- To a removable center insert
CONS
- The cooling cover was too slick to grip a silky pillowcase.
Sizes: Queen, King and Travel | Fill: Memory foam | Care: Machine Washable.
The memory foam pillow also has a cutout in the middle for your head to rest on and support your neck and when we slept on our side or back it was great. We slept well at night, and the next morning just felt slightly less achy.
The pillow is tall -4.7” at its edges and the middle was 3.9 inches . However, it is equipped with an extractable 1-inch insert that you can remove to get a shorter pillow. This is one unique feature that we did not utilize since we felt that the thickness of the pillow that was provided was sufficient. It might be too thick for stomach sleepers, but we believe that removing the insert should do the trick.
Following the si of testing and machine washing the pillow maintained its supportive structure and the cooling cover felt as cool as described. That cover also turned out to be very soft—so soft that the fabric of our pillowcase slid off the pillow. And since it’s adjustable, breathable and easy to wash, it meets many of the parameters of our top pick.
10
Best Splurge Pillows for Side Sleepers
Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillows for Side
PROS
- It’s adjustable and supportive pillow
- stays cool throughout the night.
CONS
- The return window is only 30 days.
Sizes: Standard, Queen, King and Kids | Fill: Shredded memory foam | Care: Machine Washable.
We consistently give the Snuggle-Pedic Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow top marks for its adjustability, cooling feel, and supportive structure. Its capacity to release pressure and hold its shape while still being cozy for sleeping amazed us.Therefore, we believe it is the ideal pillow for individuals who sleep on their side, as it offers sufficient support without sacrificing comfort or softness.
Because the pillow is made with memory foam filling, you can add or remove foam to adjust it to your preferred height and firmness—it even comes with a bag of extra filling if you like an extra firm pillow. The manufacturer recommends that side sleepers first try the pillow as is, then add or remove filling as needed. The perforated bamboo cover stays cool, rising just 4 degrees Fahrenheit after we laid on it for 15 minutes. However, this pillow is different from most of the memory foam pillows since it is fully washable by machine.
This cooling memory foam pillow is especially useful for side sleepers as it offers enough support to maintain the alignment of your head and neck while also fulfilling all the extra requirements, such as breathability, ease of cleaning, and flexibility. After six months of use, this pillow is still supportive, comfortable, and cool—although it’s gotten a little flat, but you can always add more fill. In real-world testing, we especially liked how easy it was to switch from side to stomach sleeping.
11
Best Body Pillows for Side Sleepers
Utopia Bedding Full Body Pillow
PROS
- This body pillow helped us sleep more soundly
- It stayed fluffy and supportive night after night.
CONS
- The pillow is hand-wash-only.
Sizes: 20 x 54 Inch (Pack of 1) and 20 x 54 Inch (Pack of 6) | Fill: Polyester | Care: Only hand wash.
Body pillows can never be a substitute for your favorite pillow. But they can help you sleep better, supporting your lumbar region, evenly distributing your weight, as well as decreasing pressure on your shoulders and hips. This option from Utopia Bedding provided a body pillow with the additional support we were looking for.
Unlike many other body pillows that tend to become flattened or compressed with use, this one remained soft and supportive. In fact, it was so thick that one had to rearrange the pillow several times to get a comfortable position to sleep on. Once we did, the pillow did its job: We fell asleep more quickly than on the previous night and awoke feeling refreshed – no stiffness or soreness. It also becomes evident that the pillow is soft, highly breathable, comfortable for use when sleeping.
The only concern that can be raised is that this pillow is meant to be washed by hand only. But for the price it comes at, you feel you are getting more than what you have ever paid for. We would be willing to pay even more for it and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone in search of a body pillow.
What to keep in mind when buying the best pillows for side sleepers
For side sleepers, it is recommended to use a thick and firm pillow that will make the ears aligned with the shoulders to avoid straining the neck either backward or forward when sleeping on one’s side. The best pillow will ensure that your head and neck remain in the correct position when you are asleep.
✔️ Fill: Any fill from down to foam would be suitable for side sleepers as long as the pillow is of adequate thickness to support the neck. Hybrid, down, and down alternative choices provide the most adapting support, whereas solid foam or latex alternatives offer the most consistent support. It is also important to know that some down or down alternative fills may need to be refluffed often to keep them lofty.
✔️ Loft: This has to do with the thickness of the pillow. Ensure the pillow raises the head enough to ensure that you are in a neutral position throughout the night. Remember: The loft that is ideal may be different depending on your height and body type. If you are not sure what loft you require, an adjustable pillow will help you to attain a perfect height.
- One simple thing you can try at home is to lie on your side, and put the books under the head. Continue making changes until you believe that you are in balance. Then measure the height of the book stack to determine approximately how thick your pillow should be. Just remember, some of the pillows may be slightly sinking, thus it is not important to focus on the thickness.
✔️ Sleeping style: If you consider yourself a tossing and turning kind of person, choose a pillow with softer stuffing as fill to be able to easily shift its form according to your position. If you tend to remain still throughout the night, using a proper memory foam pillow can help support your head and keep you sleeping right.
✔️ Care: Don’t omit checking the care instructions. In our assessments, several pillows cannot be washed at all, and more still have pillowcases that can only be washed in machines. If you have an allergy, choose a pillow that can be completely washed by a washing machine and remember that often memory foam pillows cannot be washed in this way.
✔️ Return policy: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the different types of pillows available on the market, check the return policy to see if you can get your money back or exchange the product if it doesn’t suit your needs.
