Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Most side sleepers feel comfortable using high-loft pillows because added thickness ensures adequate head and neck support. However, some who favor this position prefer low- to medium-loft instead. The Saatva Latex Pillow has an adjustable design that served all side sleepers on our test team regardless of their loft leanings.

How It Performs

The pillow contoured closely without buckling or sinking during our tests, while the outer chamber contains plush microdenier fibers that felt similar to natural down. The pillow has an 8-inch profile if you use the core and outer chamber, but you can also separate the two components to create less loft if that’s what you prefer. Since latex has natural cooling properties, this model felt cool to even the hot sleepers on our team.

Construction Breakdown

The core consists of shredded Talalay latex and the shell is composed of organic cotton. You may add cotton-sateen pillowcases to your order for a small surcharge. Both the cover and the microdenier chamber are fully machine-washable for easy care at home, though the latex should never be laundered or exposed to moisture. Saatva recommends washing the pillow two times per year. The expected lifespan is about 3 years.

Given the Saatva Latex Pillow’s luxurious materials and high-quality construction, its price-point is quite reasonable, and shipping is free for all customers in the contiguous U.S. Your purchase comes with a 45-night sleep trial, as well as a 1-year warranty with coverage that begins after the trial period ends.

The Sleep Is the Foundation Loft Pillow is filled with shredded memory foam that you can adjust and mold to your desired loft and shape. The adaptive feel and customizable design make this a great fit for side sleepers who either aren’t sure of their ideal pillow preferences or who enjoy a high degree of customization options.

How It Performs

All the side sleepers on our team enjoyed the soft to medium feel of the Loft Pillow, regardless of their body type. The pillow measures 8 inches thick when completely filled, which is considered a high loft. Thick pillows are helpful for side sleepers, since it keeps the head supported and properly aligned with the neck and spine. However, you can remove fill at any time to achieve a lower loft if this feels more comfortable. Each pillow comes with a bag of shredded fill to use as needed.

Our testers unanimously agreed that this pillow excelled at moldability. The adaptive shredded fill lets you shape the pillow with ease, whether you’re folding the pillow to boost support or snuggling it for comfort. We noted that the pillow does not regain its shape easily, so you may need to fluff it to return it to its original shape.

Construction Breakdown

The Loft Pillow is filled with shredded memory foam that’s been infused with cooling gel to minimize heat retention, which is a common problem associated with this type of fill. The shredded design allows air to circulate between the foam pieces, so this pillow runs cooler than solid foam pillows.

The outer cover is composed of polyester and bamboo-derived viscose, a fabric blend that feels fairly cool. You may remove and machine wash the cover in cool water on a gentle cycle, then tumble dry on low heat. The pillow has an inner cover that is machine-washable, as well, but you’ll want to make sure to first remove the fill.

The Sleep is the Foundation Loft Pillow is available exclusively on Amazon, with free shipping available to customers in the contiguous U.S. You may return the pillow within 30 days of delivery. The pillow is further backed by a one-year warranty.

The Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow is constructed with a distinctive U-curve on the bottom end, designed as a space for your shoulder to rest while sleeping. The top of the pillow provides plenty of support and conforming for your head and neck to help reduce neck pain and keep your spine aligned.

How It Performs

The Side-Sleeper Pillow has a medium to high loft that suited the needs of side sleepers on our testing team. You can adjust the loft by adding or removing fill, with additional bags of fill available for a small charge. Adjusting the pillow’s loft will also affect its firmness, which we found allows it to adapt to a variety of different sleepers.

Construction Breakdown

The pillow is filled with a combination of 75% shredded latex and 25% polyester fiber, which resulted in a medium firm feel for our testers. The outer casing is made from a breathable blend of 37% cotton, 61% polyester, and 2% spandex. The zippered casing can be machine washed for easy care. To adjust the loft, simply unzip the cover and add or remove fill.

The Eli & Elm pillow ships free to the contiguous U.S. The pillow is backed by a 45-day return period as well as a 5-year warranty.

If you feel painful pressure in the neck and shoulders but don’t like the close contouring of foam, then you’re a prime candidate for a latex pillow. The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow lightly cushions these areas without hugging too tightly, and the material has a natural bounce to maintain an even surface with minimal sinkage.

How It Performs

The latex offers natural cooling properties, so hot sleepers on our team favored this pillow. You can pick between two loft levels. The 5.75-inch option is a mid-range profile that is most suitable to back sleepers but could also benefit combination sleepers who switch between the side and back positions. If you sleep exclusively on your side, you should opt for the 7-inch loft. The thicker profile offers ample support by filling in the space between your neck and the bed surface. Both thickness options carry the same sticker price.

Construction Breakdown

Solid Talalay latex forms the pillow’s core. The material is ventilated with small holes that allow air to circulate throughout the interior chamber to avoid bothersome heat buildup. A breathable Tencel cover encases the latex for added cooling. You may remove and machine wash the cover whenever it needs to be cleaned, but the latex should only be spot cleaned if necessary. Latex pillows can be fairly expensive but that isn’t the case with this model, which carries a below-average price tag without sacrificing quality or performance.

Standard ground shipping is free for all Brooklyn Bedding orders within the contiguous U.S. The Talalay Latex Pillow is backed by a 30-night trial period, during which you may return the pillow at no extra charge, as well as a 1-year warranty against structural defects.

For all of its health benefits, side sleeping can compromise proper alignment and leave you feeling stiff in the morning. The right pillow can make a world of difference. Helix’s GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow is available in two profiles, each intended for different sleep positions. The thicker 5.25-inch model provides ample cushioning to support the neck, cradle the head, and keep these areas aligned with the rest of your spine.

How It Performs

All side sleepers on our team awarded favorable ratings to the GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow during hands-on tests. Our back sleepers were also impressed with the pillow — despite the higher profile, none of them experienced excessive neck strain. Stomach sleepers will probably find the 5.25-inch loft too thick. We recommend the 4.75-inch pillow if you sleep on your stomach, or if you’re a combination sleeper who sometimes uses the stomach position.

Pressure relief is a major strength of this pillow. The solid memory foam conforms closely without sinking or compressing too much, resulting in optimal neck support and little to no pressure buildup. We also found the pillow sleeps fairly cool compared to other memory foam models we’ve tested. This can mostly be attributed to the GlacioTex cover that dissipates heat and feels cool to the touch.

Construction Breakdown

A single piece of memory foam makes up the pillow’s core. Copper fibers infused into the foam are intended to offset heat retention and help the pillow sleep cool. A cover made of GlacioTex phase change material encases the pillow. You may remove and machine-wash the cover, making the pillow easy to care for, but the foam should only be spot cleaned if stains occur. Standard and king sizes are available.

Competitive pricing and free shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. make the GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow a solid option for budget-conscious shoppers. Helix’s sleep trial lets you test the pillow for up to 100 nights. Full refunds are issued for those who initiate a return during this time frame. If you choose to keep the pillow, you’ll also receive a one-year warranty against material defects.

Boll & Branch has a reputation for producing luxurious and comfortable bedding, and the Down Chamber Pillow is no exception. This model comes in several firmness options, all containing down or a combination of down and feathers that offer the mix of support and cushioning preferred by most side sleepers.

How It Performs

The pillow is available in a soft, medium, and firm design. All models offer the luxe cushioning that down pillows are known for, but the medium and firm options generate stronger support while the soft design is exceptionally plush and compresses deeply. Our product experts agree that the firm and medium options are a better fit for side sleepers, since this group usually needs a fair amount of loft and support to keep the head and neck in proper alignment.

A major strength of this pillow is its natural cooling properties. The shell is made with lightweight and breathable cotton, while the down and feathers retain minimal heat. Hot sleepers should find this pillow comfortable.

Construction Breakdown

The Down Chamber Pillow is designed with three chambers that carefully balance contouring and support. The soft pillow contains down in all three chambers. The medium and firm models contain a combination of feather and down in the inner chambers and additional down in the outer chamber. The shell is composed of 100% long-staple cotton, which is higher quality and more durable than short-staple cotton.

You can wash this pillow in a machine using cold water on a gentle cycle. You can also tumble dry on a low setting, though it may take a few cycles to completely dry.

Boll & Branch offers free shipping to addresses in the contiguous U.S. You’ll receive a 30-day sleep trial with your pillow.

Finding a high-quality pillow with a reasonable price-point can be somewhat challenging. The Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow is constructed with fill and cover materials that our testers found both breathable and long-lasting. Our testing team gave the pillow high marks for durability and affordability, making it a great option for shoppers with limited budgets.

How It Performs

Our testing found the down alternative construction and medium feel a great option for side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds, as well as back sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds. People in higher weight categories may find their heads sink too deeply, which may cause neck strain, while stomach sleepers will likely find the pillow too firm and thick.

While the pillow was thick enough for most side and back sleepers on our team, the fill may flatten over time. Whenever this occurs, you can re-expand the shape by placing the pillow in any household dryer. The entire pillow is fully machine-washable, so cleaning is a quick and easy process. Simply wash on a cold, gentle cycle and tumble dry on low.

Construction Breakdown

The fill is composed of plant-based down alternative fibers that mimicked the soft feel and loft of real down during our tests, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a pillow that feels like down but does not trigger allergy symptoms or use animal-based components. A cotton cover encases the fill. The fabric felt luxuriously smooth, making it well-suited to people with sensitive skin.

Queen and king sizes are available for the Plant-Based Pillow. Both sizes are competitively priced. Sweet Zzz offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. and reasonable flat rates for Canadian customers. Each purchase is backed by a 50-night trial period and a 1-year warranty against structural defects.

When you think of pillow fill, silk may not be the first material that comes to mind, but this pillow from Cozy Earth is a nice showcase for how soft, breathable, and long-lasting a pillow can be. Hundreds of individual silk fibers create a surface for your head and neck that feels remarkably plush, but also supportive enough to promote even alignment. A moisture-wicking cover made from bamboo-derived viscose completes the luxurious design.

How It Performs

Our testing team was very impressed with the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow, as many of us had little to no hands-on experience with this pillow type. Silk has a unique feel, toeing the line between the softness of down and the support of solid foam. Since the fibers are naturally pliant, the pillow creates a cradle for your head and neck without compressing too deeply. Side sleepers on our team found this to be a valuable attribute. We all agreed another strength of this pillow is temperature control — the silk is exceptionally breathable, and the bamboo-derived cover feels cool against your skin.

Construction Breakdown

The fill consists of long-strand Mulberry silk fibers, which are soft and durable in equal measure. This creates a supportive feel comparable to soft netting to cushion your head and neck without sinking too much. A shell made of viscose derived from bamboo encases the fill. The pillow should never be machine-washed, as this can damage the silk and void your warranty. Dry clean or spot clean as needed instead. Standard and king sizes are available.

The Silk Pillow is on the expensive side, but it should hold up very well over time. Cozy Earth backs this product with a 10-year warranty that includes shifting fill as a warrantable defect. Shipping is free for customers in all 50 states, and returns are permitted within 100 nights of the delivery date.

MedCline goes above and beyond the typical side-sleeper pillow with the Shoulder Relief System. This advanced design consists of a J-shaped body pillow and a firm wedge with a compartment for your arm. When used properly, the system properly aligns the head and neck with the rest of your spine, supports your shoulder, and reduces pressure in the hips.

How It Performs

The Shoulder Relief System is one of the most complex pillows our team has tested firsthand. There was an initial learning curve during setup, but once we’d determined how to arrange the various components, most side and combination sleepers on our team found the system very comfortable. The body pillow’s memory foam is dense and adaptive, allowing you to squeeze the fill without compressing it too much, and the J shape tucks nicely between your legs. Paired with the firm wedge, this pillow checks a lot of boxes for anyone who uses the side position some or all of the time.

The “arm pocket” is a nice addition. By sliding your downward arm into the compartment, you can hold the body pillow without pressure or soreness in your shoulder — as any side sleeper can attest, this discomfort is a common occurrence. We also appreciated the multiple length options for the body pillow, as our team members vary considerably in terms of height.

Construction Breakdown

The body pillow is constructed with shredded memory foam fill, resulting in a soft and squishy feel. Solid memory foam is used for the wedge and pocket insert. All three components come with polyester covers, which can be removed and machine washed as needed. This helps maintain a hygienic sleep surface, though reassembling the covers can be time-consuming — especially for the wedge.

Two sizes are available. The small/medium is recommended for people who stand 5 feet 9 inches or shorter, and the medium/large is designed for anyone taller. When used on a flat surface, the wedge should elevate your head about 10 degrees. MedCline does not recommend sleeping at this angle if you have a herniated or bulging disk, fused vertebrae, scoliosis, or other conditions that cause lower back pain.

Although the Shoulder Relief System is somewhat expensive, this pillow could prove a solid long-term investment if you’re a side sleeper who frequently wakes up feeling sore or stiff. Your purchase includes a 60-night trial period.

In today’s market, a well-made pillow for side sleepers can run on the expensive side, but some models prove you can pay a low price without sacrificing quality or performance. Quince’s Luxe Goose Alternative Pillow is a great example. Packed with down clusters, the pillow provides the ample cushioning side sleepers need to ensure proper alignment and less pressure along the spine.

How It Performs

The pillow is available in soft/medium, medium/firm, and firm/extra firm densities. Our team tested all three, and we found that the latter two designs are best suited to side sleepers. Both nicely fill the space between your head and downward-facing shoulder when you lie in the side position. Those who prefer extra loft should opt for the firm/extra firm pillow, while the medium/firm is a solid match for combination sleepers who switch between the side and back positions.

Our tests show the pillow offers excellent temperature control. The fill doesn’t retain too much heat, and the cotton cover provides extra breathability while you sleep. Moldability is another defining quality — this pillow is great for snuggling — but at the same time, frequent fluffing is needed to maintain a full shape.

Construction Breakdown

The pillow’s down clusters have 700 fill power, meaning the pillow feels exceptionally lofty. All three designs offer at least some plushness, but the denser the fill, the less the pillow will compress. The shell is made of pure cotton rendered in a sateen weave, which leaves the fabric feeling soft and silky-smooth.

Although the pillow is technically machine-washable, some household appliances such as washers with agitators may not be large enough to accommodate it. Dry cleaning or a trip to the laundromat may be necessary in these cases. Standard and king sizes are available.

In addition to its below-average sticker price, the Luxe Goose Down Pillow qualifies for free ground shipping to any destination within Quince’s delivery zone. The company’s 365-night trial is one of the lengthiest in the online bedding industry, giving you up to a year to sleep on the pillow and decide if it’s right for you.

In addition to the pillow under their heads, side sleepers who deal with frequent pain and pressure buildup should consider a second pillow tucked between their legs. The Knee and Leg Posture Pillow from The Company Store is designed for this very purpose, and our hands-on tests show it works as intended.

How It Performs

Not all of our testers sleep with a pillow between their knees, but the Knee and Leg Posture Pillow was a big hit among side sleepers who do. The down alternative fill is densely packed, but there’s enough give for the pillow to compress as much as needed to accommodate your specific sleep style. Back sleepers can also benefit from sleeping with the pillow beneath their legs – especially those who live with frequent knee or ankle pain.

Since the fill is synthetic, it won’t absorb as much heat as real down, and a breathable cotton-poly cover provides additional cooling. We were also impressed with the pillow’s shape retention. Many down alternative pillows lose their shape easily, but the fill is dense enough for this pillow to spring back to its full shape when not compressed.

Construction Breakdown

Down alternative fibers make up the pillow’s fill. This material is light and fluffy much like real down, but it doesn’t trigger allergies or retain heat and the fibers are completely animal-free. Dense packing ensures a good balance of plushness, support, and shape retention. The blended cover is made from 77% cotton and 23% polyester, resulting in a soft and breathable feel. You may remove and machine-wash the cover whenever a cleaning is needed.

The Knee and Leg Posture Pillow is competitively priced, and The Company Store offers low flat-rate shipping for orders within the contiguous U.S. If you purchase two pillows, you’ll qualify for free shipping. Returns are accepted within 30 nights of the delivery date.