Best Pillows for Side Sleepers 2023

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!

The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

• Saatva Latex Pillow – Best Pillow for Side and Back Sleepers
• Eli & Elm Side Sleeper – Best Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers
• Pillow Cube – Best Pillow for Heavy Side Sleepers
• Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex – Best Cooling Pillow
• Purple – Best Pillow for Overweight Side Sleepers
• Layla Kapok – Best Customizable Pillow
• COOP Sleep Goods – Best Memory Foam Pillow
• Helix Down & Feather Pillow – Best Down Pillow for Side sleepers
• Tuft & Needle – Best Pillow for Neck Pain

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 2023: Video Roundup

Best for Side and Back Sleepers- Saatva Natural Latex Pillow

Saatva Latex Pillow

The Saatva Pillow has an organic cotton cover that is removable. Underneath is an outer pillow made up of hypoallergenic microfibers.

Mattress Clarity Score

4.80 / 5

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If you switch between your back and your side while you sleep, you’ll want a pillow that still supports both sleeping positions, and is easy enough to move around on! That’s what the Saatva Latex pillow is for.

Back sleepers can enjoy the plush comfort from the outer down alternative layer, while the dense, supportive shredded latex foam core keeps this pillow nice and tall. No matter how much you use this pillow, it won’t go flat on you!

The latex also makes this pillow easy to move around on, so you won’t feel trapped. And with multiple breathable materials in this pillow, it won’t trap heat!

What Makes the Saatva Latex Pillow Stand Out?

• The inner pillow is filled with plush micro denier fibers which give the pillow a down-like feel, but in the pillow’s core, you will a small sack filled with 100% American Talalay latex pieces.
• The materials used to make this pillow are hypoallergenic.
• It helps relieve some pressure in your head and neck to give you comfortable rest.

Read our full Saatva 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

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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 Makes the Eli & Elm Pillow Stand Out?

• 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.
• It boasts a soft and responsive feel thanks to the combination of soft microfibers and springy latex noodles.
• It has a washable cover making for easy care!

Read our full Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow review.

Best Pillow for Heavy Side Sleepers- Pillow Cube

Pillow Cube Sidekick

Side sleepers, are you looking for a pillow made just for you? Look no further than the Pillow Cube! This uniquely shaped pillow fits your "shoulder gap" (the space between your neck and your shoulder) perfectly! Get the best rest you can get with the Pillow Cube!

Mattress Clarity Score

4.90 / 5

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The best pillow for heavy side sleepers has to be the pillow designed for side sleepers: the Pillow Cube! This pillow’s cube shape will fit very naturally into your “shoulder gap,” or the space between your head, neck, and shoulder. Heavy sleepers should experience pressure relief without sinking into the pillow too far.

There are two height options, 5” or 6”, and what you get will depend on how tall you are. It’s made from a single piece of thick memory foam, which gives it a slow-moving feel. You’ll sink in a little bit, but because this pillow is so tall, your head and neck will stay in a neutral alignment while you sleep.

What Makes the Pillow Cube Stand Out?

• If you tend to toss and turn, this pillow comes in a longer, rectangular shape called the Side Sleeper Pro.
• If you’re a hot sleeper you can opt for the cooling cover.
• It’s a pillow designed for side sleepers, by side sleepers!

Read our full Pillow Cube 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

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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.

Besides side sleepers, this pillow is great for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and those who suffer from allergies.

What Makes the Brooklyn Bedding Latex Pillow Stand Out?

• 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.
• It has a washable cover. We also loved that the cover is so easy to take off.

Read our Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex 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

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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. Additionally, those looking for a good cooling pillow should find a lot to love in this product.

What Makes the Purple Pillow Stand Out?

• 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.

Read our full Purple 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

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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 Makes the Layla Kapok Pillow Stand Out?

• 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.

Read our full Layla Kapok 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

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If you’re looking for one of the best memory foam pillows, you’ll definitely 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, 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 Makes the COOP Sleep Goods Pillow Stand Out?

• 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.
• The pillow can be fluffed. Putting the pillow in the drier on low heat for 10 minutes or letting it air-dry for an hour lets it become full and fluffy.

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!

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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 Makes the Helix Down & Feather Pillow Stand Out?

• This pillow has a very supportive design to keep its shape and height for side sleeping.
• It combines plush down with supportive feathers for down lovers.
• You can test this pillow out for 100 nights, and it has a 1-year warranty if you keep it.

Read our full Helix down & Feather Pillow review!

Best Pillow For Neck Pain- Tuft & Needle Foam Pillow

Tuft and Needle Original Pillow

Made with special responsive foam, the Tuft & Needle pillow feels both soft and supportive. It has many cooling features, and it's super durable. It's a great match for back and side sleepers.

Mattress Clarity Score

4.40 / 5

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We get it, flat pillows can be a pain in the neck. If you consistently run into this problem, it might be time to consider the Tuft & Needle foam pillow. (Fun fact: this pillow helped my neck pain so much, I rest on it every single night).

Because of its support, back sleepers and heavier sleepers should find a lot to love with the Tuft & Needle. Additionally, if you’re someone who sleeps hot, you might want to consider this pillow. It has ventilated foam and a breathable cover to prevent from trapping heat.

What Makes the Tuft & Needle Pillow Stand Out?

• It doesn’t sag overnight. The Tuft & Needle’s foam construction allows it to keep its shape overnight. This is important for people with neck pain who rely on a pillow that keeps its shape and proper loft.
• It has a responsive feel. While it is made of foam, this pillow still has some bounce to it. You shouldn’t feel stuck when moving around on the Tuft & Needle.
• It’s priced at an excellent value. Its Standard price is $85 and its King price is $105 without discounts.

Read our full Tuft & Needle 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:

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