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Best Pillows for Side Sleepers – Our Picks and Buyer’s Guide
Our Research
70
Pillows Considered
105
Hours of Research
4
Sleep Experts Consulted
Quick Overview
Side sleeping is the most common sleep position, and is also generally considered the healthiest. Those who sleep in this position enjoy good spinal alignment, which can help alleviate aches and pains throughout the body. Additionally, side sleeping opens up airways and improves circulation in the sleeper’s breathing passages; as a result, it can be beneficial for sleepers with certain medical conditions triggered by back sleeping, such as acid reflux and sleep apnea.
Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
- Editor’s Pick – Helix Pillow
- Best Value – Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam Pillow
- Best Luxury – Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Down Precise Support Pillow
- Best Down Pillow – Brooklinen Down Pillow
- Best Memory Foam Pillow – Coop Home Goods Eden
- Best Latex Pillow – Saatva Pillow
However, comfortable side sleeping depends on a mattress and bedding system that provides adequate support to the sleeper’s body. In terms of pillow selection, many side sleepers prefer pillows that have a fuller shape and keep the neck and spine aligned. Soft, conforming materials like memory foam and buckwheat are also popular with side sleepers because they alleviate pressure points that develop in the neck and shoulders.
This guide will discuss pillow recommendations for side sleepers. First, let’s look at the top six pillows for side sleepers. Our picks are based on verified customer and owner experiences, as well as intensive product research and analysis.
Our Top 6 Picks
Best Pillows for Side Sleepers – Reviewed
Editor's Pick – Helix Pillow
Highlights
- Adjustable firmness and loft
- Memory foam and down alternative fill
- Tencel® lyocell and polyester cover
- Consistent temperature neutrality
- 100-night sleep trial and 3-year warranty
Tuck readers can purchase the Helix Pillow at the lowest available price
Check PriceEditor’s Pick Overview
Finding the correct loft is essential to a good night’s rest – and for many side sleepers, loft preferences fluctuate from night to night.
Our Editor’s Pick, the Helix Pillow, has a customizable design that allows sleepers to choose between three loft settings. The interior contains memory foam and down alternative fibers; these materials cushion the head and neck, offering a ‘Medium Soft’ feel on their own.
The pillow also comes with two removable memory foam/down alternative inserts; when added, these components make the pillow feel firmer and fuller. As a result, the Helix Pillow is ideal for side sleepers with varying loft preferences.
The Helix Pillow also sleeps fairly cool, due in part to its breathable cover made from Tencel® lyocell. It also has gusseted edges for easier loft adjustments.
The pillow comes in Standard and King sizes. Helix offers free shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. The Helix is also backed by a 100-night sleep trial and three-year warranty.
Good for:
- Side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers
- Sleepers with fluctuating loft preferences
- Those who tend to sleep hot
Best Value – Brooklyn Bedding Shredded Foam Pillow
Highlights
- CertiPur-US Certified foam
- Includes anti-microbial pillow cover
- Wicks away moisture, letting you sleep dry
- Removable, machine-washable cover
Brooklyn Bedding Shredded Foam Pillows are available to Tuck readers at the lowest price
Check PriceBest Value Overview
If you want a moldable, highly customizable foam pillow but don’t want to overspend, the Brooklyn Bedding Shredded Foam Pillow is a great option.
This pillow uses a blend of memory foam and gel foam, allowing it to draw away heat. In addition, the inclusion of latex with memory foam provides increased airflow. The foam is CertiPUR-US Certified. It will provide a dry, comfortable, and hygienic environment for sleepers.
The pillow comes with a charcoal bamboo cover that is antimicrobial, removable, and machine washable. It’s good at wicking away moisture, making it perfect for hot sleepers. The cover is The zipper component allows you to fill the pillow with as much or as little foam as you like, letting you decide your own level of sleep comfort.
Good for:
- Side sleepers who experience chronic neck pain
- Hot sleepers
- Sleepers who want an adjustable pillow
Best Luxury – Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Down Precise Support Pillow
Highlights
- 'Medium' feel
- 7-8" loft
- Memory foam and down fill
- Supportive, pressure-relieving shape
- 5-year warranty
Buy a TEMPUR-Down Precise Support Pillow at the lowest price
Check PriceBest Luxury Overview
For years, Tempur-Pedic memory foam pillows have exemplified luxury and high-quality construction. Our pick for side sleepers is the TEMPUR-Down Precise Support Pillow, which is also our Editor’s Pick for Best Tempur-Pedic Pillows.
The pillow features a memory foam core padded with premium down fill. These components offer a balanced, ‘Medium’ feel that supports the sleeper’s head and neck for targeted pressure relief and better spinal alignment. The pillow is very malleable, and should provide comfortable cushioning and contouring for most side sleepers.
The TEMPUR-Down Precise Support Pillow also sleeps very cool, due to good airflow throughout the interior of the pillow. The 500-thread count polyester cover is also very durable; it can be washed and dried in machines, making it low-maintenance as well.
Tempur-Pedic offers free shipping in the contiguous U.S.; the pillow is backed by a five-year warranty.
Good for:
- Side sleepers with chronic neck pain
- Those who prefer pillows with extra padding
- Those who tend to sleep hot
Best Down Pillow – Brooklinen Down Pillow
Highlights
- 3 firmness options
- White down/feather fill
- Cotton casing
- Durable design with double-stitched edges
- 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty
Save 10% at Brooklinen as a Tuck reader. Use this code at checkout: TUCK10.
Check PriceBest Down Pillow Overview
Down pillows are popular with side sleepers because the material is extra soft, allowing the pillow to contour very closely. Our pick for this category is the Brooklinen Down Pillow, a supportive pillow containing a combination of down and feathers.
Three firmness settings are available: ‘Plush,’ ‘Mid-Plush,’ and ‘Firm.’ The pillow’s composition varies by feel: the ‘Plush’ design is 100% down; the ‘Mid-Plush’ has an 80/20 feather-down ratio; and the ‘Firm’ has an 86/14 feather-down ratio. This range ensures most side sleepers can find a suitable option regardless of their firmness preferences.
The Brooklinen Down Pillow also sleeps fairly cool, thanks to its breathable cotton casing. All down and feathers used in the pillow are ethically and sustainably sourced from Hutterite farms, making it a good choice for animal-conscious shoppers.
Brooklinen offers a 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty for the pillow, both of which are much longer than average. Free shipping is also available.
Good for:
- Any side sleeper regardless of their firmness preference
- Hot sleepers
- Animal conscious individuals
Best Memory Foam Pillow – Coop Home Goods Eden
Highlights
- 'Medium Soft' feel
- Adjustable loft
- Shredded, gel-infused memory foam and microfiber fill
- Sleeps exceptionally cool
- 100-night sleep trial and 5-year warranty
Tuck readers can buy the Coop Home Goods Eden at the lowest available price
Check PriceBest Memory Foam Pillow Overview
Many side sleepers enjoy the conforming feel of memory foam pillows. The material molds to the head and neck to alleviate discomfort and prevent new pressure points from developing.
Our pick for this category is the Coop Home Goods Eden, a comfortable pillow padded with shredded, gel-infused memory foam and polyester microfibers; the cover is a combination of polyester and rayon made from bamboo.
In addition to providing consistent conforming, these materials are also very breathable, allowing the pillow to sleep cool. The Eden offers adjustable loft; owners can add or remove fill at any time to increase of decrease the volume of the pillow. This makes it ideal for sleepers with fluctuating loft preferences.
Coop Home Goods also sells extra fill in bulk for owners who need a replenishment. The company provides free shipping to all 50 states. The Eden is backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a five-year warranty.
Good for:
- Side sleepers with fluctuating loft preferences
- Those with chronic neck pain
- Hot sleepers
Best Latex Pillow – Saatva Pillow
Highlights
- 'Medium' feel
- Adjustable loft
- Talalay latex and down alternative core
- Innovative 3-layer design
- 45-night sleep trial
Buy the Saatva Pillow at the lowest available price
Check PriceBest Latex Pillow Overview
Latex is a popular pillow material because it is supportive and resilient; it also tends to sleep cooler than memory foam. The Saatva Pillow is our pick for this category, due in part to its customizable design.
The interior contains a shredded Talalay latex core, along with a middle layer of down alternative microdenier and organic-cotton. Owners can remove the interior components to adjust the loft anywhere from 2? to 8? thick. This makes it ideal for side sleepers with varying loft preferences.
The Saatva Pillow also sleeps fairly cool; in addition to the temperature-neutral inner components, the pillow also has a breathable organic-cotton cover. And because of its durable material construction, the product has a longer-than-average expected lifespan.
Saatva offers free shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. The pillow is backed by a 45-night sleep trial.
Good for:
- Side sleepers with fluctuating loft preferences
- Hot sleepers
- Those who prefer pillows with extra padding
Buying Guide – How to Shop for a Pillow as a Side Sleeper
Side sleeping is considered the healthiest sleep position because it opens up the airways to improve circulation. This position can also benefit sleepers with certain medical conditions, such as acid reflux and sleep apnea, and it also provides more comfort for pregnant women.
However, using the right pillow can be a deciding factor between comfort and discomfort for side sleepers. Certain pillow sizes and materials are conducive to side sleeping, while others can cause pain and pressure points to develop.
This guide will look at the mechanics of side sleeping, explore the different pillow types, and list the top-rated pillows for side sleepers according to the people who use them every night.
What You Need to Know About Side Sleeping
Generally speaking, there are three specific side sleeping positions (as illustrated below).
More than 40% of side sleepers utilize the fetal position, with their knees tucked in and their elbows bent. Other positions include the log, which involves straightening out the legs and arms, and the yearner, where the sleeper straightens out their legs and stretches out their arms.
Advantages of Side Sleeping
Side-sleeping is very common, and there are some great advantages to sleeping in this position. It’s easier on the neck and back than some other sleep positions, and very comfortable. Some of the best benefits of being a side-sleeper include:
- Improved spinal alignment: Sleeping on one’s side aligns the spine with the pelvis, which can decrease pain and alleviate pressure points. However, mattress and pillow choice are crucial. Supportive mattresses and pillows can improve spinal alignment, while others with less support can worsen pain and pressure symptoms.
- Reduces acid reflux: People with acid reflux experience chronic heartburn because stomach acid moves up the esophagus. Sleeping on one’s back or stomach can worsen heartburn symptoms, but sleeping on one’s left side improves circulation through the airways and helps alleviate heartburn. Sleeping on the right side, however, may exacerbate heartburn (since it puts pressure on the heart).
- Reduces snoring: People with obstructive sleep apnea often snore the most when lying on their backs. Side sleeping, on the other hand, can reduce snoring for apnea patients, as well as people who snore for other reasons (such as obesity).
- More comfortable for pregnant women: Pregnant women may experience discomfort when sleeping on their back because of the weight concentrated in their stomachs. Sleeping on one’s side transfers the weight away from the body. The side sleeping position is also safe for fetal health.
Disadvantages of Side Sleeping
One of the reasons it’s so instinctive to sleep on your side is because of how comfortable it is, especially if you happen to have back issues or find yourself snoring. However, there are a few drawbacks to constantly sleeping on your side. Some common disadvantages that arise due to sleeping on your side are:
- Added pressure on organs: As discussed above, sleeping on the right side can increase the discomfort of heartburn. Sleeping on the left side can also cause discomfort by putting pressure on vital organs like the liver, stomach, and lungs. Sleepers can mitigate this problem to some extent by sleeping with a pillow beneath their neck, as well as pillows under their waist and between their knees.
- Fetal position issues: Those who sleep in the fetal side position are susceptible to unique problems. These include increased symptoms of arthritis, as well as diaphragm restriction that may lead to problems with deep breathing. People with arthritis or circulatory issues may be more comfortable sleeping in the log or yearner side positions.
- Wrinkles: Unfortunately, this position forces sleepers to lie with one side of their face on the pillow. This can cause wrinkles to form over time — and those who strictly sleep on one side may notice more wrinkles on one side than the other.
Choosing the Right Pillow for Side Sleepers
If your best sleep position is on your side, then you want to make sure you choose a pillow that lets you rest comfortably through the night. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure the pillow properly cradles your head and neck and offers good back support.
There are various considerations to take into account when selecting the right pillow. Read on to learn about these important factors so that you’ll be better prepared to buy a pillow that suits your sleep needs.
Size
Size is a very important aspect when choosing your pillow. In addition to choosing a good size for sleeping on your side, you’ll want to make sure it offers a practical amount of support based on your height, bed size, etc. Below are standard pillow sizes and the related advantages of each size.
- Small (20W” x 12L”): This size is usually found with specialty pillows, such as cervical memory foam and buckwheat models. They are elevated around the neck and dip down beneath the head in order to provide targeted support.
- Standard (20W” x 26L”): This is the most common standard pillow size, as well as the most compact. It may not be ideal for people who tend to toss and turn, but Standard-size pillows are usually the cheapest option.
- Super Standard (20W” x 28L”):This is a good alternative for people who find the Standard-size too compact, including those who toss and turn.
- Queen (20W” x 30L”): The Queen is the second most popular size after the Standard. It will accommodate most sleepers who toss and turn.
- King (20W” x 36L”): In addition to being a good option for people who toss and turn, the King-size is usually long enough to provide a comfortable backrest or headrest for reading or watching TV in bed.
- Euro (dimensions vary): Euro-size pillows are unique, in that they are always square. They come in a wide range of dimensions; common examples include 26W” x 26L” and 20W” x 20L”. Many people find they are not comfortable for sleeping, but they make good head and backrests.
- Body (48-54W” x 20L”): Body pillows are exceptionally long, making them suitable for side sleepers who prefer to snuggle with a pillow while they sleep, as well as pregnant women.
Shape
Generally speaking, pillows come in even or curved surfaces. Even-surface pillows are far more common. They may have full or flat shapes, depending on the material. The best-known example of a curved-surface pillow is a cervical memory foam pillow, which is elevated beneath the neck and recessed beneath the head. These pillows are popular with sleepers who experience chronic neck and shoulder pain.
Loft
Loft, or thickness, is important for side sleepers. Generally speaking, there are three categories of pillow loft:
- Low-loft: Pillows that measure less than three inches (3?) thick.
- Medium-loft: Pillows that measure three to five inches (3? to 5?) thick.
- High-loft: Pillows that measure more than five inches (5?) thick.
Side sleepers tend to prefer medium- or high-loft pillows. The reason is simple: sleeping on one’s side creates more space between the sleeper’s head/neck and the pillow, and thicker pillows compensate for this gap. Low-loft pillows may cause the next to bend, which can lead to pain and pressure.
However, in addition to sleep position, there are several other factors that should be taken into account when choosing the right pillow loft. These include the sleeper’s weight, head size, and shoulder width, as well as the mattress firmness. The table below illustrates optimal conditions for each of the three loft categories.
| Loft | Thickness | Optimal Sleeper Weight | Optimal Head Size | Optimal Shoulder Width | Optimal Mattress Firmness |
| Low | Less than 3" | More than 230 lbs. | Small | Narrow | Soft to Medium Soft |
| Medium | 3" to 5" | 130 to 230 lbs. | Average | Average | Medium |
| High | More than 5" | Less than 130 lbs. | Large | Broad | Medium Firm to Firm |
It’s important to note that some pillows offer adjustable loft; the owner simply removes or adds more filling to decrease or increase the thickness. Adjustable-loft pillows may be most suitable for side sleepers whose thickness preferences tend to fluctuate.
Material
Our analysis of different pillow materials for side sleepers is found below.
| Pillow Material | Filling Description | Pros | Cons | Side Sleeper Rating |
| Buckwheat | Roughly five to 10 lbs. of removable buckwheat hulls (outer shells) | Adjustable loft Close conforming Good support Sleeps cool | High price-point Too firm for some Noise potential Heavy | Very Good: Buckwheat pillows are suitable for side sleepers due to their above-average support and adjustable loft |
| Down | Soft inner plumage of geese and ducks found beneath the outer feathers | Adjustable loft Very soft and lightweight Sleeps cool Short break-in Long lifespan | High price-point Poor shape retention Fluffing needed Allergy and odor potential | Good: Down is soft and comfortable, but some pillows may not be supportive enough for side sleepers |
| Down Alternative | Polyester puffballs that mimic the softness and weight or authentic down | Adjustable loft Low price-point Very soft and lightweight Short break-in No allergy risk | Short lifespan Poor shape retention Fluffing needed Short lifespan | Poor: Down alternative pillows lose their shape easily and deteriorate quickly, and most side sleepers find them unsupportive |
| Feather | Outer feathers of ducks or geese (may also include some down for extra softness) | Adjustable loft Close conforming Very soft and lightweight Long lifespan | High cost Quills can poke Fluffing needed May sleep hot Odor potential | Very Good: Feather pillows may be quite soft, but adjustable loft allows side sleepers to customize the supportiveness |
| Latex | Solid latex, which is a natural substance extracted from the sap of rubber trees | Close conforming Good support Close conforming Long lifespan Sleep cool No noise | Non-adjustable loft High cost Too dense and heavy for some Odor potential | Good: Latex pillows conform closely and alleviate some pressure, but most cannot be adjusted for loft |
| Shredded or solid memory foam, or viscoelastic polyfoam, which softens when warm and retains shape when cool | Adjustable loft (shredded) Close conforming No noise | High cost Short lifespan Odor potential | Very Good: Memory foam pillows (including cervical pillows) conform closely and provide good support for most side sleepers | |
| Polyester | Shredded or interlocking polyester fibers; polyester is a synthetic fabric | Low cost Good shape retention (interlocking) No allergy risk No odor potential | Short lifespan Poor shape retention (shredded) Noise potential | Fair: Interlocking polyester pillows have a fuller shape, which provides more support to side sleepers, but shredded polyester pillows flatten easily and are not recommended |
| Polyfoam | Foam made by adding water to polyurethane plastics | Lightweight Inexpensive Springy Resilient Durable | Doesn’t provide much airflow Can degrade easily | Good: A high-quality polyfoam pillow will provide great neck and back support |
Moldability
In addition to the qualities listed in the table above, moldability is a pillow characteristic that is somewhat unique to side sleepers. Some pillows retain a full shape no matter how tightly a sleeper holds them, while others are moldable, or scrunchable, meaning they can be reformed to match the sleeper’s position.
Moldability comes down to personal preference. The most moldable options include shredded memory foam, feathers, down, and buckwheat, while the least moldable options are solid memory foam and latex pillows.
Price
Lastly, let’s look at price-point — which may be the main deciding factor for many pillow shoppers. All pillow materials vary by brand and model in terms of cost, but the table below contains a general price breakdown for the eight most common pillow types.
| Pillow Material | Buckwheat | Down | Down Alternative | Feather | Latex | Memory Foam | Polyester | Polyfoam |
| Average Price Range | $50 to $75 | $75 to $100 | $20 to $30 | $25 to $50 | $40 to $60 | $50 to $60 | $10 to $15 | $40 to $100 |