Individuals have different preferences for sleeping postures due to varied reasons. Side sleepers, however, may find it challenging to drift off to sleep when lying on their backs or stomachs.
Thankfully, there are several pillows that are excellent for side sleepers. Nevertheless, it could take you forever to find the very best of the best.
So, here's a list of several pillows that are great for those who prefer to sleep on the side and the things to keep in mind while selecting the best pillow for your situation.
Let's get right on it!
Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
1. Coop Home Goods Original Pillow
- FINALLY – YOU HAVE FOUND THE ONE! – Meet the world’s best...
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE, YOU ARE IN CONTROL – Experiencing pain,...
- IS YOUR PILLOW GREEN GUARD GOLD CERTIFIED? – Our Coop Home...
- WE CARE – ONLY THE HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIALS USED! - The case...
- Made in the USA with domestic and imported materials. Unlike...
Out of the many products we reviewed, the Coop Home Goods Original Pillow ranks as the overall best pillow for side sleepers. This pillow is stuffed with shredded memory foam, which provides a plush feel similar to that of feather pillows. This adjustable pillow allows someone to add or reduce the amount of filling for a customized experience that favors the side sleeper, making it the best memory foam pillow you can buy.
Both the covers and internal bag of the Coop Home Goods pillow are entirely machine washable. Only ensure they go through multiple dry cycles to ensure they are ready for you to sleep on. The manufacturer recommends washing them once a year which could make it necessary to have pillow protectors.
With a generous 100-night sleep trial offer, you'll have enough time to find out whether this is the best pillow for side sleepers.
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2. Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows
- SUPERIOR COMFORT - Queen pillows have a 250 thread count cover...
- KEEP COOL - If you easily overheat, or maybe you're looking for...
- SAFE & SOUND - These fluffy bed pillows are made in an OEKO-TEX...
- EASY CLEAN - Unlike memory foam pillows, our pillow for side...
- NO SHIFT DESIGN - Whether you're a back, side, or stomach sleeper...
The Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows are perhaps one of the finest for side sleepers; they are comfortable, luxurious, and long-lasting. These pillows distinguish themselves with their soft down-like fill, allergy-free construction, and gel-infused material, all of which will help provide comfortable, non-sweat-inducing sleep to their users. It has a gentle yet effective support to provide a correct neck and spinal column positioning and comes specially customized for side sleepers and is friendly on other sleeping positions too .
The pillows have been constructed with a soft yet luxury down-alternative fill that gives all the feel of soft down without being able to beat it for support. It has fibers that are infused with gel, thus allowing it to control the heat buildup during the night. The cover is made of 100% cotton which allows air to pass through the cover and the pillow provides good support and bounciness regardless of whether it is new or old. These mattresses are hypoallergenic and have poor resistance to dust mites that makes them ideal for people with allergies or asthma.
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3. Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow
- DESIGN - Engineered specifically for side sleepers, this pillow...
- CUSTOM FIRMNESS - Adjust the Eli & Elm side sleeper to your...
- PREMIUM MATERIALS - So soft even your pet will fall in love with...
- REMOVABLE PILLOW COVER: The Eli and Elm Pillow comes equipped...
- HOW TO CARE FOR - Remove cover, machine wash with cold water....
The Eli & Elm pillow is an ideal choice for side sleepers looking for an adjustable loft and firmness pillow. It has a distinct U-shape curve on its lower end designed for resting your shoulder while in the side sleeping position. As such, it is one of the best pillows for side-sleepers on the market.
The pillow top offers plenty of support for the head and neck to reduce neck pain while maintaining proper spine alignment. With it medium-firm feel, the Eli & Elm combines a latex and polyester fill to provide both comfort and durability.
The high thread count cover comprises a breathable blend of organic cotton and polyester which you can machine wash for easy care.
This pillow's loft ranges from medium to high, providing the exact thickness that side sleepers need. Since it is adjustable, you can add to or reduce the amount of fill in your pillow. However, they are not included in the package so you'll have to buy them separately at a small charge. Plus, with a 5-year warranty, you don't have to rush your experience with the Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper pillow.
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4. Casper Sleep Original Pillow for Sleeping
- 100% cotton cover features a breathable percale weave which...
- Innovative pillow-in-pillow design packed with microfiber fill,...
- Removable, machine-washable outer layer for easy cleaning.
- 2" gusset serves as the backbone of our pillow’s construction....
- Resistant to clumping, meaning it can bounce back with just a...
The Casper is the best pillow for side sleepers because it supports and contours to the shape of the head and neck superior to shredded foam and other pillow fills. A major demerit seen with most microfiber fabrics is that they have a tendency of trapping and holding body heat: this might make your nights really warm. Nevertheless, with the Casper pillow, one of the side sleepers best options, this doesn’t have to be a problem.
This pillow's medium feel ensures the fill conforms to your head while still providing sufficient reinforcement for decent spinal alignment. This offers more stability and reduced head-neck pressure for side-sleepers.
The single-piece design of this pillow means that you won't need to fluff or shake it to maintain its shape. The cover is easy to remove and is machine washable.
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5. Utopia Bedding Bed Pillows
- Polycotton Stripped Pillows - Enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep...
- Provide Excellent Support - Filled with super plush hollow fiber...
- Soft and Breathable Cover - Our pillows are encased in a premium...
- Luxury at Home - The no-shift construction ensures that the...
- Easy Care – It is recommended to spot clean the pillow or hand...
Overall, the Utopia Bedding Bed Pillows for Sleeping Queen Size are perfect for those who want to have quality sleep and enjoy hotel-like pillows at home. Having a fill weight of 1000 grams, these pillows have been especially developed for side sleepers, providing the necessary density and softness for providing a cool comfort for the neck and head while maintaining the right position throughout the night.
These pillows come with a luxurious combination of poly fiberfill meaning they are free from any form of allergies while having the same feel as down fill. Made from breathing, wear-resistant microfiber material, it’s designed to hold shape and prevent clumping. They don't overheat even during the warm night and their queen size makes it possible to accommodate people who prefer wide sleeping space. It can be laundered with ease, and remains fluffy and effective each time it’s used.
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Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
As you look through our list of the best pillows for side-sleepers, you don't want to go in blind. So, here are several factors to keep in mind as you decide to buy the best pillow for side-sleepers.
1. Types of Side Sleeper Pillows
i. Standard Pillow
This is the most common pillow type on the market. It features a flat and even shape and could have a gusset around the edges for added support.
ii. Cervical Pillow
This type of pillow has raised edges and a centrally placed divot. The edges keep the neck in proper alignment with the spine making it one of the side sleepers best options for resolving neck pain.
iii. Full-Body Pillow
The full body pillow is excellent for providing support to pregnant women and side sleepers. They are ideal for someone who needs extra hip and knee support in the side position.
iv. U-Shaped Pillow
While a full body pillow provides support on one side of the body, the U-shaped pillow supports both sides. As such it is a great option for side sleepers who turn a lot throughout the night.
2. Types of Materials in the Side-Sleeper’s Pillow
The pillows suitable for side-sleepers use different materials for filling. Each material has its unique characteristics and disadvantages. Depending on which one is most suitable, you should select the best pillow for your situation.
i. Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam can come in two different forms; solid or shredded.
- Solid Memory Foam
A solid memory foam pillow has a single thick layer of foam or several layers fused together. They could seem like a giant sponge or could take a contoured form. These memory foam pillows can hold up well over time and as a result, are more durable than down, or down alternative types.
A downside to this material is that it emits a chemical odor for the first few days after opening. This is because the memory foam off-gases itself. The best memory foam pillows can have a way around this issue. Due to its resilience and support, a memory foam pillow can be a side sleepers best option.
- Shredded Memory Foam
As opposed to the solid type, a shredded memory foam pillow feels a lot like a down or down alternative pillow. They are usually completely stuffed and could come with a bag of extra fill to allow the side-sleeper to find the perfect loft for their situation. As such, these pillows have a wider appeal among side sleepers.
ii. Down Fill
Down filling has a plush and responsive feel to pillows making it one of the best options for someone who prefers to sleep in the side position. Over time, the delicate feathers become permanently compressed but this could take up to a year to occur.
Down pillows tend to be pricier than other pillows. Plus, since they don't have a firm structure, they could leave the head of side sleepers without sufficient support which could lead to pressure points. You can only dry clean down pillows since they are not machine washable, which makes them bothersome to care for.
iii. Down-Alternative Fill
This material comprises polyester or rayon-polyester blends which aim to duplicate the feel of down pillows at a lower price.
iv. Latex Pillow
A latex pillow is more responsive and doesn't contour like that made of memory foam. Because of their cooling capabilities, latex can make the best cooling pillow for side-sleepers. As such, it's great for hot sleepers looking for a cool time in bed.
3. Pillow Loft
To maintain a healthy posture, you should consider the loft of your pillow. The loft is the thickness of your pillow when it's not under pressure. To get a proper head and spinal alignment, you'll need a medium or high loft pillow with extra firm support. This will relieve pressure from your neck and shoulders and prevent muscle pain as a result.
4. Pillow Size
Your pillow could come in a variety of sizes; standard, queen, or king sizes. Nevertheless, some manufacturers offer additional sizes for sleepers with different preferences. The size of your bed and mattress will determine the number of pillows you need to buy.
The standard size is the most common and least expensive. It's suitable for a twin, twin XL, or full-size mattress. The queen size pillow is several inches longer than the standard one, thus providing more room for tossing and turning. The king-size offers the most length but is the most expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of pillow does a side sleeper need?
Standard, cervical, full-body, and U-shaped pillows are the most ideal for side sleeping.
2. What is the most comfortable pillow for side sleepers?
A down pillow with a feather core is the best for side sleepers in terms of comfort.
3. What is the best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain?
The best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain is the purple harmony pillow since it promotes proper spine alignment across the head, shoulder, and neck areas.
4. How thick should a pillow be for side sleepers?
A pillow of 3-6 inches is the best since it keeps your head above the mattress enough to keep your head, neck, and back in proper alignment.
