The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Side sleeping happens to be the most common sleep position: approximately 56% of people sleep on their sides or in the fetal position. Head and neck support is crucial in this position, and not all pillows offer that, meaning over half the population may not be getting all the benefits of sleep simply because of their pillow. 

But we are here to help. We’ll share what we’ve discovered to be the best pillows for side sleepers everywhere and help you understand why your pillow choice is so important for good sleep.

The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

• Best Overall – Leesa Hybrid Pillow
• Best Memory Foam Pillow – Xtreme Comforts Bamboo Memory Foam
• Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain – Layla Kapok Pillow
• Best Firm Pillow for Side Sleepers – Nectar Pillow
• Best Cooling Pillow – Coop Home Goods Pillow
• Best Organic Pillow – Eli & Elm Pillow

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Why Side Sleepers Need a Specific Type of Pillow

When sleeping in the side position, it’s important that your head is properly supported at the correct height to keep your spinal alignment in the proper position. 

Side sleepers often have a hard time keeping their head propped up high enough because average pillows tend to be too flat. To keep the head up and the spine aligned, side sleepers should choose a thicker, more firm pillow.

Most side sleeper pillows have an ergonomic design to provide pressure relief to the neck and shoulders. Shoulder broadness comes in a variety of sizes, so many pillows made for side sleepers are customizable to your shoulder height. With a good side sleeping pillow, you can have perfect posture while you’re sleeping, even when turning from side to side.

Some side sleepers may not have an issue with their pillow, but if you are experiencing chronic neck pain, back pain, snoring, acid reflux, or if you are pregnant, it may be time to make the switch. Regardless, if you sleep on your side, wouldn’t you rather have a pillow made specially for you?

What to Consider When Searching for a Side Sleeping Pillow

Being the most popular sleep position, there are a wide range of pillows designed just for side sleepers. Check out this list of things to keep in mind while shopping.

1. Size

Like with most pillows, side sleeping pillows come in a variety of sizes. Standard is the size of a typical pillow and is ideal if you don’t tend to toss and turn. Queen and king sizes, however, allow room for tossing. Often times, companies will make a standard/queen size hybrid which is longer than a standard, but shorter than a queen. 

Body pillows are designed to be the width of a person and are perfect to cuddle with. Side sleeping is the only position body pillows work for and are especially good for pregnant women.

2. Loft

The loft of a pillow is the height—essentially, how high it lifts your head off of the mattress. It’s best to have a pillow with a height around 5 to 7 inches for side sleeping.

Because your head will be lifted higher than if you were a stomach or back sleeper, a higher loft would be more suitable. Many side sleeping pillows come customizable, so you can find the perfect loft for your shoulder size. All of the pillows on our list are adjustable.

3. Firmness

The firmness level seems like a personal choice, but it is actually crucial in the effectiveness of a side sleeper pillow. The firmer the pillow, the less your head sinks into it. Because alignment is key in this sleep position, side sleepers should look for a firm to extra firm pillow.

4. Comfort/Pain Relief

If you are shopping for a side sleeper pillow for your health or a medical condition, make sure it has qualities that are compatible with your needs: i.e. if you are pregnant, make sure the materials in the pillow are safe and suitable for pregnancy, if you are snoring look for one with the best neck alignment, etc. See if there is anything you can pair the pillow with to amplify the effects such as a knee pillow or a side sleeper specific mattress.

5. Material

The best materials for side sleeper pillows are:

• Feather: soft, adjustable, and supportive
• Memory foam: great shape and contouring
• Buckwheat: firm and moldable
• Latex: alleviates pain and is responsive
• Down: comfortable and adjustable

The materials that make up the pillow are what makes the pillow itself side-sleeper friendly.

6. Temperature

If you are a hot sleeper, make sure the pillow you choose accommodates that. Every pillow on our list has a cool sleeping component: make sure your choice does as well if needed.

7. Cleaning

To ensure the pillow lasts for as long as possible, accessing how to keep your pillow clean is important. All of the pillows on our list have a machine washable component, but not all pillows are designed this way. See the directions on any pillow you plan to purchase to get a sense of how to care for it.

8. Cost

Side sleeper pillows range from $20-$200 in price. Check your price point and compare it with the qualities you need in your side sleeping pillow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What pillow firmness is best for side sleepers? 

A firmer feeling pillow is best for side sleepers who need extra firmness to maintain proper posture and support the neck. Medium-firm to firm pillows work best.

How do you pick a side sleeper pillow? 

Side sleepers should look for a pillow with a high-profile of at least 5 inches that is medium-firm to firm. It’s important that the pillow side sleepers use keeps the spine aligned while laying down.

How high should a pillow be for side sleepers? 

Side sleepers need a high-profile pillow with a height between 5 to 7 inches. Any less than 4 or 5 inches will not support proper posture for comfort and pressure relief.

Summary

As a quick recap, see our table below to compare the best pillows for side sleepers: 

Pillow	Type	Best for	Customer Rating
Leesa	Hybrid	Overall	3.9/5
Xtreme Comforts	Memory Foam	Memory foam comfort	4.1/5
Layla	Kapok Memory Foam	Neck pain	4.4/5
Nectar	Memory Foam	Firmness	4.4/5
Coop Home Goods	Memory Foam	Cooling	5/5
Eli & Elm	Organic Cotton	Organic	5/5

Being a side sleeper means you are in the majority. This position offers great support and health benefits, but only with the right sleep accessories. The perfect side sleeping pillow is lofty, firm, and cooling. If you’re looking to make the switch, your body will thank you every morning. If you’re looking to improve your sleeping situation even more, head over to our top rated mattresses for side sleepers.