Did you know 74% of sleepers rest on their sides at night? Even with such a large number, folks still struggle to find the best pillow for side sleepers. At Mattress Clarity, we’re here to change that. We’ve made it our mission to help people find the ideal bedding accessories.
In this article, we will provide everything you need to know about the best pillows for side sleepers, including materials, special features, and pricing. For additional guidance on your pillow-buying journey, you can scroll to the bottom of this article and check out our buyer’s guide!
Our Verdict
We named the Saatva Memory Foam pillow as our best overall pick for side sleepers. This pillow uses two slabs of memory foam that surround a shredded foam core. This pillow is quite tall on its own, but it is an adjustable pillow, which makes it versatile for combination sleepers. Even though it’s made of memory foam, hot sleepers shouldn’t have to worry about this pillow trapping a lot of heat, thanks to a cooling cover and the compartments of the pillow that allow for airflow.
The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
- Saatva Memory Foam Pillow – Best Overall
- LUXOME LAYR – Best Pillow for Side and Back Sleepers
- Coop Sleep Goods – Best Pillow for Neck Pain
- Helix Down & Feather Pillow – Best Down Pillow for Side Sleepers
- Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex – Best Cooling Pillow
- Eli & Elm Side Sleeper – Best Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers
- Layla Kapok – Best Customizable Pillow
- Purple – Best Pillow for Overweight Side Sleepers
How We Chose Our Products
Our team of sleep specialists tested many pillows currently on the market, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing by our team of Certified Sleep Coach Specialists to find the best of the best for our readers. When building our roundup for the best pillows for side sleepers, we paid special attention to support, durability, loft, and quality of materials.
Pillows made for side-sleeping require different attributes than pillows made for other positions like stomach-sleeping, so we made sure to keep this in mind when it came to selecting pillows with a proper loft. Additionally, we featured pillows that should maintain their support and durability through the night to keep your spine properly aligned. Lastly, we wanted to place an emphasis on pillows featuring quality materials.
For more, we encourage you to check out our Buyer’s Guide at the bottom of the page. There we take a deeper dive into all of these attributes so you can make the most informed purchase possible.
Best Side Sleeper Pillow 2024: Video Roundup
Best Overall – Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
If you love high-quality memory foam that is soft but supportive, check out the Saatva memory foam pillow.
Our Expert’s Take
When it comes to picking the best pillow for side sleeping, you want to make sure you pick a pillow that’s tall and supportive. Keeping your ear in line with your shoulder is the ideal position for side sleepers. One such pillow that can help out with that is the Saatva Memory foam pillow.
This pillow is designed with two dense slabs of memory foam that sandwich a softer, shredded foam core. This gives the pillow a slow-moving quality to it. But you won’t sink right through this pillow, and it does a great job at supporting your head and neck if you’re a strict side sleeper. This pillow is easy to move around on, and you can remove the inner core, but for side sleeping, you’ll probably find it most comfortable to leave it as is.
What We Love About the Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
- Memory foam has been known to trap heat, but this pillow’s foam has a graphite infusion which draws heat away from you. The inner core has shredded foam, which allows for some airflow, and the outer cover is breathable as well. All this to say, this is a great choice for side sleepers who run hot.
- This pillow will likely work best for side sleepers because of its tall loft. This can keep your head from craning too far downward, and instead supports a healthy spinal alignment.
What to Keep In Mind About the Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
- At full price, this pillow costs over $150, which could be pricey, especially for those with a tight budget. But if you do decide to splurge, it should be well worth it, as this pillow will likely last you several years.
Read our full Saatva Memory Foam pillow review.
Best Best for Side and Back Sleepers – LUXOME LAYR
Luxome LAYR Pillow
The LUXOME LAYR Pillow is a high-quality adjustable option that allows you to create your own comfort.
Our Expert’s Take
Not everyone stays in one sleeping position during the night. And finding a pillow with the right loft and firmness for whatever position you find yourself in can be tough. But that’s why we love the LUXOME LAYR because it offers plenty of customization options.
When you order a LUXOME LAYR pillow, you’ll receive the pillow’s cover and three inserts (soft, medium, and firm) that you can use to find the right fit for both side and back sleeping. There’s even a how-to video on their site that will walk you through the process of setting up your perfect pillow.
Featuring a breathable bamboo cover and gel-infused memory foam, this versatile pillow can also help you sleep cool. While it’s not the most budget-friendly pillow out there, if you’re looking for an adjustable pillow made with high-quality materials, the LAYR is a great choice.
What We Love About the LUXOME LAYR Pillow
- This pillow’s OEKO-TEX certified materials provide peace of mind that you’ll be resting your head on a pillow that’s made without harmful chemicals.
- Thanks to its three unique inserts, you have options you can mix and match to build a pillow that works best for your needs.
- You can buy two LUXOME LAYR pillows at once and get the bundle at a discounted price.
What to Keep in Mind About the LUXOME LAYR Pillow
- This is a relatively expensive pillow. While it’s not as pricey as some of the other pillows on this list, it’s still more than $100 to get a single pillow at retail price.
- Even though it has a high price tag, this pillow doesn’t come with a warranty. That said, it does have a free return window of 30 days, so you can get a refund if you don’t like it.
Read our full LUXOME LAYR pillow review.
Best Memory Foam – COOP Sleep Goods
Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow
The Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow from Coop Sleep Goods is distinct in more than one way. The memory foam shredded filling is responsive and guarantees the pillow will never go flat, plus sleepers can remove as much filling as they like which makes it great for people who sleep in several positions.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.70 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
If you’re looking for one of the best memory foam pillows, you’ll want to take a look at the COOP Sleep Goods adjustable loft pillow. Its high loft and customizability make it great for side sleepers. If you want to make adjustments to the loft, it’s easy to remove and readjust the foam inside so it fits your needs.
Of course, side sleepers and memory foam lovers should find a lot to like about the COOP Sleep Goods pillow. However, combination sleepers should appreciate how easy it is to move around on this pillow, and back sleepers should like the balance of comfort and support.
What We Love About the Coop Sleep Goods Pillow
- It should maintain its firmness through the night. This is a great sign for any sleeper, because they can be sure the pillow continues to support their sleeping position through the night.
- It’s easy to clean. The soft outer cover comes right off and is washable. However, what’s most impressive is the entire pillow can be machine-washed and dried.
- This pillow uses shredded memory foam for its fill. This has that classic, slow-moving foam quality to it that fans of memory foam love.
What to Keep In Mind About the Coop Sleep Goods Pillow
- Just like some other memory foam pillows on this list, this pillow will need some time to expand after taking it out of its packaging. It may also have a slight chemical smell from the packaging process, so it will need time to off-gas as well.
Read our full Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Loft Pillow review.
Best Down- Helix Down & Feather
Helix Down & Feather Pillow
Helix’s down and feather pillow combines the plush comfort of white down with supportive feathers at the center of the pillow. Its reinforced stitching around the perimeter of the pillow helps it retain its shape. It’s a great down pillow for those that love supportive pillows!
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
If you’re a side sleeper who loves down pillows, but worries about them losing their shape, then the Helix Down & Feather pillow is what I’d recommend.
The Helix pillow is made with a three-chamber design, with a core made of a down and feather blend. The presence of feathers gives this pillow ample support, while the outer two chambers are full of plush down. So you’ll get both comfort and support here.
But it doesn’t stop there. The pillow’s edge has a reinforced double-stitched edge. This gives the pillow a strong seam that can fit all sleeping positions, but gives the shape enough support to not deflate.
What We Love About the Helix Down & Feather Pillow
- It combines plush down with supportive feathers for down lovers. This feather core should help side sleepers keep their heads elevated and supported.
- You can test this pillow out for 100 nights, and it has a 1-year warranty if you keep it. Helix also includes this pillow in its seasonal discounts, so if you shop at the right time, you should be able to get a deal.
What to Keep In Mind About the Helix Down & Feather Pillow
- Though it does feature a feather core for support, down pillows tend to deflate over time. This pillow might need frequent fluffing to stay tall and supportive.
Read our full Helix Down & Feather Pillow review!
Best Cooling – Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex
Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
Brooklyn Bedding’s Talalay Latex Pillow is a supportive and pressure relieving blended latex foam pillow. It has a ventilated core and removable soft knit cover. It comes in two loft options, making it a good choice for any sleep position.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.70 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Nobody likes to wake up feeling stuffy and uncomfortable, so if you’re a hot sleeper, we know just the pillow for you. The Brooklyn Bedding is made of aerated latex foam, and latex is a material known for its cooling properties. Because of this, the pillow won’t trap a lot of heat. Latex is also much more responsive than traditional memory foam, so because you won’t be sinking into the pillow, your body heat won’t be reflected back on you.
This pillow comes in two different loft options, which can accomodate different body types. For most side sleepers, however, the high loft will work best.
What We Love About the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
- This pillow comes in two different lofts. For side sleepers and larger back sleepers, we recommend the high loft for proper neck support. Smaller back sleepers and stomach sleepers are likely going to need the lower loft.
- It has a wonderful balanced feel. We felt so much support and also great pressure relief from this pillow. It has a bit of bounce and airiness that we appreciated as well, and this is due to the feeling that the latex provides.
- The latex foam has been perforated with holes, which promote airflow within the pillow. This means it won’t trap a lot of heat.
What to Keep In Mind About the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
- While some may love its bouncy and responsive feel, latex foam feels very different from plush down alternative or slow-moving memory foam.
Read our Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex pillow review.
Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers – Eli & Elm Side Sleeper
Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow
If you’re a side sleeper looking for a supportive and comfy pillow, the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow has you covered. This U-shape pillow was specifically designed to alleviate neck pain and promote the proper spinal alignment.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
The Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow was specifically designed for folks who rest on their sides. With its U-shape construction, sleepers can easily keep their necks in the proper alignment throughout the night.
We like this pillow for not only side sleepers, but also some back sleepers. It’s full of shredded latex noodles and plush microfibers making it a great combination of soft and supportive.
What We Love About the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow
- It’s a customizable pillow, meaning you can take out or add in fill! This makes it great for side sleepers with narrow or broad shoulders.
- The unique U-shaped cut out allows room for your shoulder. For some, this can feel much more natural while side sleeping.
- The latex fill is soft but responsive. And because the latex is shredded, it allows for airflow. This pillow should be a good choice for side sleepers who are worried about overheating.
What To Keep In Mind About the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow
- Because of the U-shape design, this might not be a super comfortable pillow for combination sleepers. Especially those that are stomach/side combination sleepers.
- This pillow is roughly $130, which might not make it the most budget-friendly option for some.
Read our full Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow review.
Best Customizable – Layla Kapok Pillow
Layla Kapok Pillow
The Layla Kapok pillow combines shredded foam and natural kapok tree fibers to give you a great balance of comfort and support. You can also take out some of this fill to adjust the height of the pillow to make it work for you.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
With its removable fluff, the Layla Kapok pillow works for a wide variety of people. If you need firm support, keep the fibers stuffed inside. If you need it softer, simply unzip the cooling cover and take out some of the filling.
Because of its adjustability, the Layla Kapok pillow suits many different body types. Of course, we love it for side sleepers, but its responsiveness means it’s great for combination sleepers as well.
What We Love About the Layla Kapok Pillow
- It’s one of the best cooling pillows. Designed with cooling in mind, the pillowcase is made with breathable polyester fabric and has copper fibers sewn in. Copper not only has antimicrobial properties, but it also helps pull heat away from the body.
- It boasts a plush feel. For additional comfort, Layla includes shredded pieces of open-celled memory foam. If it’s fluffiness you’re after, you can’t go wrong with the Layla Kapok.
- This pillow is made with high-quality materials. The filling comes from Kapok tree fibers, so it feels similar to down feathers.
What to Keep In Mind About the Layla Kapok Pillow
- Because this is a memory foam pillow, it will take some time to expand after you unbox it. This also means it’ll need time to air out, so it may not be ready for immediate use.
Read our full Layla Kapok pillow review.
Best for Overweight Side Sleepers – Purple
Purple Pillow
Purple’s original pillow is made with their signature Smart Comfort Grid polymer material that gives the pillow a plusher feel but without losing the support.
Mattress Clarity Score
3.80 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Big and tall side sleepers need high loft pillows that feel super supportive, and that’s exactly what you should find in the Original Purple pillow. Because it compresses under pressure, heavier sleepers typically find that the pillow feels especially firm.
This pillow works for heavy side sleepers and back sleepers because of its customizable nature. It comes with boosters that can change the loft of the pillow. For side sleepers with broad shoulders, adding in the boosters can help make the pillow tall enough to support your head and neck. Additionally, those looking for a good cooling pillow should find a lot to love in this product.
What We Love About the Purple Pillow
- It has a proprietary gel grid. This layer should offer a similar feel to Purple mattresses. So, if you like the feel of a Purple mattress, you will likely enjoy the pillow as well. It feels both squishy and firm at the same time.
- This pillow comes with boosters. The Purple pillow is adjustable, so if you need to heighten the loft, just add a booster and zip the stretchy case around it
- It has a washable pillowcase. and it’s made with durable materials.
What To Keep In Mind About the Purple Pillow
- Because this uses Purple’s gelflex grid, the feel of this pillow won’t feel like your traditional pillow. This could be off-putting to some.
- At full price, this pillow is over $200. This isn’t your cheapest choice.
Read our full Purple pillow review.
How to Choose the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
With so many options available, it can feel dizzying trying to find the perfect pillow. However, we believe the most important thing to consider is spinal alignment. Side sleepers will want to make sure their ears line up with their shoulders and their chins align with their sternums. Selecting the correct pillow with the proper loft should prevent and alleviate aches and pains along your neck.
So, how do you reach a neutral alignment when you’re resting on your side? Keep reading to learn more about what you should look for.
Loft
In the bedding industry, ‘loft’ is another way to describe a pillow’s height. It’s crucial to find the proper loft for your sleeping position. Side sleepers typically need pillows with a higher loft. If the pillow is too thin, you may feel your neck crane out of alignment. Over time, this can lead to tension headaches and muscle pain.
Firmness
We spend a lot of time examining the firmness level of mattresses, and pillows are no different. Side sleepers definitely want to make sure their pillow is supportive enough to keep their neck elevated. The pillow may have the perfect loft size at first, but if it sags throughout the night, you won’t maintain the correct spinal alignment.
Feel
This last category boils down to your personal preference. Do you prefer something that feels soft and malleable, like a feather pillow? Or do you want your head to gently sink into layers of slow-moving memory foam? Either way, our roundup is sure to help you find something that feels both comfy and supportive.
Popular Side Sleeper Pillow Materials
As you shop for pillows, you’ll soon realize that they’re not all the same. A pillow’s construction can change a number of other qualities and alters your sleeping experience entirely. So, we’ve outlined some of the most popular pillow materials below so you don’t have to!
Down
Down pillows contain feathers plucked from geese, duck, and swan undercoats. Fans of down pillows love their soft and fluffy feel. Plus, they evoke a feeling of luxury. You’ll often find these pillows in five-star hotels!
RELATED: Best Down Pillows
Down Alternative
Down pillows may not work for everyone. They tend to cost more than other bedding products, and they’re not vegan-friendly. But if you love the malleable and airy feel, you don’t have to settle for anything less.
Many companies now sell down alternative pillows. Instead of using animal feathers, these pillows contain pieces of shredded memory foam, polyester fibers, or tiny pieces of latex. These fillings give pillows the classic down pillow feel, but without harming any animals. And perhaps best of all, these types of pillows come at a lower price point.
Memory Foam
Memory foam pillows create a lovely slow-moving feel. If you press your hand into the material, it will take a few moments for the foam to snap back into place. These pillows provide wonderful pressure relief, and they tend to keep their firmness as the evening goes on.
Over the years, memory foam has gotten a bad reputation for trapping body heat. However, many companies have combated this issue by adding gel or copper infusions. Ventilated memory foam also helps promote airflow, which can keep sleepers cooler at night. So don’t write this material off immediately! If you’re a hot sleeper, you’ll still find tons of great options.
RELATED: Best Memory Foam Pillows
Latex
Eco-friendly shoppers gravitate toward latex pillows and mattresses. This material doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, and it’s especially kind to the earth.
Better yet, latex foam feels responsive and bouncy. You shouldn’t feel your head sink too deeply into a latex pillow. And because of this, these pillows don’t trap heat easily. As a naturally breathable material, latex works exceptionally well for hot sleepers.
RELATED: Best Latex Pillows
Benefits of Side-Sleeping
When it comes to sleeping positions, resting on your side is one of the best. Not only does it help prevent pesky aches and pains, it helps with numerous other conditions. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of side-sleeping.
Heart Health
Though not conclusive, a 2018 study found that people who slept on their right side had no changes in the electrical activity in their heart. The study found that when people slept on their left side, their hearts shifted and turned.
People with congestive heart failure have reported feeling uncomfortable when resting on their right side. Some folks even said they had difficulty breathing, but more objective research needs to be done in order to reach a full conclusion.
Snoring
Snoring occurs when airways get blocked at night. When you’re resting on your back, you’re more likely to experience blocked nasal passages. So, the best sleeping position for snoring? You guessed it: side-sleeping. For even more information, take a look at our list of the best mattresses for snoring.
RELATED: This Smart Pillow Promises to Help Curb Snoring
Pregnancy
According to Medical News Today, the fetus may be safer when a pregnant person sleeps on their side. Back sleeping may create extra pressure on the blood vessels that supply the uterus, which can potentially reduce the amount of oxygen leading to the fetus.
In fact, some studies said that sleeping on the left side is even better for the baby. This sleeping position allows more blood to flow toward the fetus, and it can alleviate pressure on the liver.
RELATED: Best Pregnancy Pillows
How to Sleep on Your Side
As you now know, side-sleeping has many benefits. But if you’re a back or stomach sleeper, it can be difficult to shake up your habits.
Need some help? Here are a few tips to follow if you want to join the side sleeper club.
- Opt for a medium-firm mattress that offers a good balance of comfort and support, such as one of the best mattresses for side sleepers.
- Find a pillow that helps you maintain a neutral alignment. Again, when you’re side-sleeping, you want to ensure your ears line up with your shoulders.
- When resting on your side, place your arms and hands beneath your shoulders.
- If you suffer from joint pain, place a pillow between your knees.
- Lift your knees toward your chest to alleviate back pain.
How Sleeping on Your Side Affects Sleep
Side sleeping is the most highly recommended sleeping position by specialists and medical professionals due to the major benefits that come along with it. Side sleeping can help reduce sleep apnea symptoms, improve neurological issues, and reduce gastrointestinal issues.
Side sleeping can also help with spinal alignment. While you sleep, you want your spine to sit in a straight position, and side sleeping helps achieve this. Additionally, using a pillow that supports the neck can further achieve this.
Can Side Sleeping Cause Pain?
If your neck and shoulder aren’t properly supported, you may wake up with some pain after sleeping on your side. It’s important to have a supportive mattress and a pillow that aligns the neck properly with the rest of your spine.
Summary
Here is our list of the best pillow for side sleepers:
| Pillow | Best For |
| Saatva Memory Foam Pillow | Best Overall |
| LUXOME LAYR | Best Pillow for Side and Back Sleepers |
| Coop Sleep Goods | Best Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Helix Down & Feather Pillow | Best Down Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow | Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Eli & Elm Side Sleeper | Best Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Layla Kapok Pillow | Best Customizable Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Purple Pillow | Best Pillow for Overweight Side Sleepers |
The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers FAQs
What pillow is best for side-sleeping?
There are so many great options out there, but it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and body type. If you’re a larger person who needs more support, opt for the Purple pillow. If you suffer from neck pain, I recommend the Tuft & Needle foam pillow.
Are flat pillows good for side sleepers?
Flat pillows don’t typically work well for side sleepers. In this sleeping position, people need a thick and firm pillow that will help keep the neck in the proper alignment. If you’re unsure whether your pillow is too flat, check and see if your ears align with your shoulders whenever you rest on it. If your ear faces upward, you may need to get a pillow with a higher loft.
Are side-sleeper pillows different?
Yes! Some companies create pillows specifically for side sleepers. These pillows have a U-shape design, which allows the head to rest at the proper position and the shoulders to sit closer to the top of the mattress. Of course, you don’t need a U-shape pillow if you rest on your side. Our list of the best pillows for side sleepers has many different options.
How many pillows should you sleep with if you are a side sleeper?
There is no specific number you should shoot for. The most important thing to consider is your alignment. If your pillow is especially thin, you may need to stack two of them on top of each other to reach the ideal loft.
How do you sleep on your side with a wedge pillow?
Wedge pillows have many benefits. They help people sleep apnea and those who suffer from acid reflux. But they can also aid side sleepers! If you choose a wedge pillow, however, make sure to place your head at the correct place. This differs from person to person, but no matter what, your ears should line up with your shoulders. For the best results, find a wedge pillow with a 35-45 degree incline.