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Finding the best pillows for side sleepers can be difficult, especially when you’re trying to tick both the support and comfort boxes. So, we’ve tested and reviewed some of the best pillows out there, to help you choose the right one for laying on your side as opposed to your back.
For side sleepers, a good pillow should hold your head in alignment with your shoulders and spine. This is why side sleepers need a deeper level of support – and often a thicker pillow – than a back sleeper, for example. Even the best thin pillows simply won’t provide enough cushioning, while ones that are too thick can over-compensate and be just as detrimental to your head’s alignment as something that has no support at all. Look for one that holds your head in place without placing any strain on your neck, and go for medium to firm support if possible.
We assessed a range of the best pillows from popular brands over multiple nights, in order to find the best pillows for side sleepers on the market at the moment.
How we tested the best pillows for side sleepers
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
We took on the task to find the best pillows for side sleepers, risking our necks (literally!) to find designs that weren’t so full they gave us neckache, or so flat they felt as though we may as well not be using a pillow at all. We tried a range of designs over four nights with varying fillings, material, shape and price points.
We specifically looked at:
- Comfort: How comfy and squishy did the pillow actually feel whilst lying on it? Did we sink into it, or did it feel firm and supportive? Did we feel like one pillow was enough, or would the average side sleeper need two for optimal spinal alignment?
- How our bodies felt after sleeping: Did we wake up without aches and pains, or did our neck and shoulders feel tight and sore? Did we wake up feeling relaxed and well-rested, or were we recovering from a bad night’s sleep?
- Ease of maintenance: How easy was each pillow to clean, and do they plump up well and keep their shape? Plus, would they fit a normal pillowcase and do they look good generally in a bedroom?
So if you’re in need of a new pillow (see how often you should change your pillows here), or simply need one that better supports your side sleeping, see our list of expertly tested options below.
The best pillows for side sleepers according to an expert
(Image credit: Tempur)
This beautifully ergonomic pillow has been designed specifically for side sleepers, with a unique shape that promises to follow the natural curve of your body and keep your head in perfect alignment. We had high hopes for this one, having been fans of Tempur’s mattresses and pillows for a while (they sell some of the best pillows for back pain), and we’re glad to report that it didn’t disappoint. Made from the iconic TEMPUR® material, born from NASA technology, this pillow feels instantly responsive and pretty much molded around our tester’s head when we lay on it.
It’s a firm pillow, so no feathery-light texture here, but the fact that it adapts to pressure means you get the support you need without feeling that your neck is strained in an uncomfortable position. The firmness also helps the pillow to stand up, should you want to sit back against it, and we found absolutely no difference in support after four days – it definitely holds its shape well.
We tested the Queen Medium, but there are two larger sizes available and we’d suggest you try these out before committing because the height of the pillow does make a difference to the support depending on your size. Our only gripe is the fact that because it’s a unique shape, you can’t use this pillow with regular pillowcases. But that’s a small price to pay for a design that’s great for side sleepers, and also one of the best pillows for neck pain on our list.
(Image credit: Ikea)
If you’re looking for a pillow that’s not too costly, then you’d do well to consider this option from Ikea. Similar in shape to that of the Tempur design, but at a fraction of the price, the Rosenskärm may not have the same quality feel to it, nor the same history and research into the technology, but it still makes a good ergonomic choice if you like to sleep on your side.
Two layers of foam (one soft and one denser) offer good support and what we particularly like about this design is that if you generally switch between back and side sleeping during the night, you can use either the higher or lower part of the pillow, depending on what suits you best.
We found this pillow slightly higher in comparison to the Tempur option, which meant it did place a bit more strain on the neck for our tester. As such, we suggest it would work best for those with broader shoulders. Again, it stood up well, didn’t lose its shape, and has removable covers, which combined with its support and comfort made this a solid contender for our best pillows for side sleeper round-up.
(Image credit: Scooms)
Before we talk to you about how this pillow performed during testing, we want to point out how much we love its eco-friendly factors. It comes in a reusable fabric bag and recyclable cardboard box, with a Downafresh Certificate to state that Scooms’ Down is ethically sourced, traceable, and rigorously tested. Plus it has a No-mite Anti-Allergy Standard certificate, proving its usefulness for house dust mite allergy sufferers.
Back to its performance though: when someone says the words ‘goose down’, we often think of a super-soft pillow that flattens into nothingness, not ideal for a side sleeper. However, we were pleasantly surprised with this medium-support design that’s actually pretty plump and yes is as soft and light as a feather but also springs back almost instantly after each night’s sleep. After the fourth night, we gave our pillow a quick plump and it was exactly as we’d tested it on night one.
Another thing we should mention is that one of the benefits of goose down is that it provides three to four times more air circulation than synthetic materials. This means moisture escapes quicker, and so if you’re a hot sleeper, or your bedroom is generally humid, then it’s a particularly beneficial pick. It didn’t make our top spot, but only because side sleepers generally prefer a slightly firmer feel. However, it’s easily supportive enough and a fantastic option for those after a pillow with a luxurious look and feel.
(Image credit: Panda)
While our tester didn’t find the Panda pillow to be the perfect fit for her, what it does offer is good support for those that prefer a firmer feel from their pillow. Think of this pillow as a fine wine, which gets better with time – the more it’s slept on, the more it molds to your head and neck, without losing its shape or density, something that can’t be said for many other pillows.
It’s pretty solid, which makes it even more surprising that it’s so comfortable. If you’re after a pillow that stays solid and doesn’t flatten over time, then this is a great option. It is slightly bulkier than some of the other designs we tested, so we’d recommend it for larger beds rather than smaller ones.
Another great plus point for this pillow is its eco-credentials. The removable bamboo pillow cover is naturally breathable and sustainable (bamboo is an organically grown plant, so it’s kinder to the environment), and it is antibacterial and hypoallergenic. We were impressed with the plastic-free packaging too. So convinced is Panda that you’ll love its vegan-friendly pillow, it offers a whopping 10-year guarantee. A good contender that could transform the way you sleep.
Read our full Panda Memory Foam Pillow review.
(Image credit: The Fine Bedding Company)
Now, we all love the sensation of sinking into sumptuous bedding and soft hotel pillows when we stay at a luxurious hotel or spa (don’t we?), and this ultra-comfortable pillow is designed exactly for those who want to emulate that feeling at home to make your bedroom feel like a luxury hotel.
A beautifully rich silk-blend filling is encased in a soft-touch cotton cover that had us instantly feeling relaxed and our heads incredibly supported as we lay on our sides. We were surprised at how well this pillow reshaped after use too, and while we’d be interested to see how it does after a few more months, our test left us feeling confident that we’d still be happy with it for a long while to come.
This pillow also has an elegant and timeless stripe design which we love, and there’s a matching duvet available should you want the full set. Beautifully comfortable, we have no hesitation in recommending this as one of the best pillows for side sleepers.
(Image credit: Piglet in Bed)
If you know exactly what firmness you like in a pillow, Piglet’s selection is ideal, as it offers three different supports, from soft to firm, so you can tailor your choice to your needs. We trialed the medium firmness and found it to be particularly comfortable when sleeping on our side, and, although we did need to give it a plump each night to disperse the wool out evenly and help it bounce back into shape, it was easy enough to do. This pillow also made a comfortable backrest when we sat up in bed to read.
One particular selling point to this option is the filling. The best cooling pillows can be hard to come by, but the Merino wool in this pillow is great for regulating your temperature during the night, ensuring you don’t wake up too hot or cold.
When it comes to cleaning, the pillow can be washed in a machine, however, Piglet recommends laying it to air out in the sunshine or washing line at least four times a year, so the sun can sterilize the wool. A great all-rounder with fantastic personalized firmness and cooling properties.
(Image credit: Soak & Sleep)
We’ve called this one the ‘best fluffy pillow’ which may sound odd but it’s actually a very worthy category, as fluffy pillows can be some of the most comfortable and cloud-like of all. Many down pillows can be too low for side sleepers, but this goose-down design was not only indulgently light and soft but also beautifully supportive as we slept.
Although at first, it had that tell-tale ‘crinkling’ sound often found with these types of pillows, once we were used to that we got on with it very well. Another factor we liked, is that while goose down isn’t necessarily the filling you might consider if you’re an allergy sufferer, this pillow is an exception. It is washed in naturally warm spring water with fewer chemicals, and it’s cased in NoMite fabric, which is ideal for anyone that suffers from house dust mite allergies.
Soak & Sleep is known for all-natural pillows – its Soak & Sleep New Zealand Wool Standard pillow is also brilliant for those with allergies. One thing we would point out about their Goose Down pillow is that although it was high enough for us, anyone with broad shoulders may need to go for a larger size than the standard that we tested.
(Image credit: Amara)
Not everyone sleeps on their side all night long, and if you’re someone who alternates between back and side, then you need a pillow that can adjust with you. That’s where this design from Brinkhaus comes in, with its super-soft down filling that makes it the perfect height, whichever way you’re sleeping.
Sleep mostly on your side? Then choose a firm option and give it a good plump each morning after use. Mostly a back sleeper but switch to your side occasionally? Then you may prefer the softer, thin pillow option which won’t put such a strain on your neck.
Our only gripe is that it’s recommended to spot clean or dry clean only, but that’s a small price to pay for one of the best pillows for side sleepers, which is super soft, easy to adjust, and gave us four nights of truly quality sleep.
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Aside from the fact it’s super comfortable for a side sleeping position, the innovation behind this supportive pillow is what we really love. The clever design can be adjusted to suit your personal requirements to offer the perfect solution for side sleepers. Being able to adjust the level of firmness makes this design like no other pillow in our best pillow for side sleepers round-ups.
The exterior is made of soft cotton, coated with Simba’s active temperature regulator – while the interior is filled with 640g of foam Nanocubes® that can be removed and added to adjust the pillow’s level of firmness. The cotton casing can be removed and machine washed.
Our tester found that removing one to two handfuls of the innovative memory foam cubes (over the course of the first few days of testing) produced the optimum plumpness, firm but forgiving enough for maximum comfort while sleeping on the side.
Another bonus is that the patented ‘Stratos’ coating ensures the pillow stays at just the right temperature throughout the night. Meaning there’s no need to flip the pillow to the cool side and risk altering the positioning of the pillow and the alignment of your neck.
Read more in our full Simba Hybrid pillow review.
What kind of pillow should side sleepers use?
Side sleepers should use a pillow that is firm enough to support the correct neck alignment but forgiving enough that the side of the face feels comforted too. “All side sleepers should ensure that their pillow offers good support to the neck to maintain the neutral spine position,” says Mary Love, head of product & innovation at sleep tech brand Simba.
“Generally, people who sleep on their side need a plump but firm pillow and should avoid pillows that are too flat or under-filled.”
What are the benefits of sleeping on your side?
Being a side sleeper isn’t actually thought to be the most beneficial position for your health – laying on your back takes the top spot. But there are still many health benefits associated with it, these include:
- Relieving and reducing joint pain, especially in your upper body
- Better brain function: According to the experts at the Sleep Foundation (opens in new tab)the brain of those who sleep on their sides is able to function faster when it’s working at night to eliminate toxins.
- Reducing snoring: It can help to reduce snoring (back sleeping can make it more likely)
- Improved digestion and gut health: Side sleeping can give you better gut health – it is generally a better position for digestion
- Easing heartburn and stomach discomfort: For the same reason, it can help to ease issues such as heartburn and bloating
Of course, one of the few drawbacks of side sleeping can be niggling shoulder pain, which often occurs if you’re sleeping on your side but your head isn’t in complete alignment with your shoulders and spine. In order to rectify this, try alternating your sleeping positions throughout the night, and try to sleep on your back as much as you sleep on your side.
How to choose the best side sleeper pillow to suit you
“Neck support is crucial for side sleepers to maintain the neutral spine,” says Mary “so don’t overlook the importance of a good pillow.” The criteria of what makes a good pillow for you are:
- Firmness: Not all side sleepers will require/want a firm pillow as such, so keep in mind the type of pillow you would prefer for your own level of comfort. Traditional memory foam designs will feel firmer than Down or feather fillings. You could opt for a smart design, such as the Simba, where you have the freedom to tailor your own bespoke level of firmness.
- Material: Are you looking for an option that doesn’t use animal materials? Would you prefer memory foam to prove more pliable to exactly fit your own body shape?
- Washability: As with all pillows, a factor that may sway your decision of which pillow is best for your are the washing credentials. If you’re a hot sleeper, for instance, washing may be more crucial for consideration. Look whether the pillow can be washed with ease. Does it have a removable casing that can be washed?
- Price: An all-important factor may well be the price tag. To cater to every budget we have tested a range of different prices to ensure there’s a best side sleeper pillow for all budgets.
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