Top Choices By Sleeping Position
We all have a different sleeping style. Some of us like to sleep on the stomach while some are side sleepers and back sleepers, or a combination of a few. When it comes to your pillow choice, the sleep position will play a major role. For example, loft, density, and firmness level play a significant role in overall comfort and experience.
If you are not familiar what loft is, its the height of the pillow when its on a flat surface without any additional pressure applied. Its useful to determine which type of sleeper you are and choose according to that.
How To Pick The Best Pillow For Side Sleeping
Side sleeper pillows have a medium to high loft than back and stomach sleeper pillows. Thats because they need more material to plug the natural gap that forms between your head and shoulders when you sleep on your side. How far your sink into your mattress also determines how much loft you need from your pillow when sleeping on your side. Why? Because if you sink into your mattress, you may need a low-loft pillow even in a side sleeping position.
For people who switch between side sleeping and other positions , wed advise choosing an adjustable pillow so that you can customize the loft to suit your body better. Customizing the loft means removing or adding as much fill as needed to best plug the gap between your head and shoulders. Generally speaking, the broader your shoulders, the more loft you need. An adjustable pillow will help you create the perfect loft.
If you struggle to sleep in the heat, be sure to check out how to stay cool to get a better nights sleep.
Popular Pillow Fill Types
Down fill is the softest option. It’s made from goose or duck down and is very fluffy airy and light. Although down doesn’t offer firm support and will fall flat, it’s easy to re-fluff and re-shape it after a run through the dryer. Down is also one of the most expensive fills.
Down alternative is plush and light, like down, but much cheaper and easier to care for. It’s made from cotton or polyester clusters and is often blended with other synthetic materials like gel or memory foam for additional loft and support. This is a good option for those with sensitivities to natural down.
Memory foam is available as either a solid form, for more structured support, or shredded pieces, for a fluffier feel. Shredded memory foam fill is often adjustable for a customized shape that’s tailored to your sleep style. A standout feature of memory foam is its ability to hold its shape while contouring to your body, however, some may find it too firm, clunky and not very cooling.
Latex is bouncier and holds its shape better than memory foam. It comes in two fill types, shredded or solid, and is one of the most natural, sustainable materials available. Latex pillows can be pricey, though, and may not be suitable for those with a latex allergy.
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Match Your Pillow To Your Sleep Position
Start your search by matching the pillow to your dominant sleep position: side, back, stomach, or combination. Thats the position you settle into and is likely to be your favorite, says Rebecca Robbins, PhD, an instructor at the Harvard Medical School and co-author of Sleep for Success! . Many pillows are now labeled this way, but the terms vary from brand to brand.
Use our advice to fine-tune your shopping. And make sure to check pillow return policies, so you dont get stuck with a closet full of rejects.
Almost 70 percent of us sleep on our side, according to a Consumer Reports survey. A firm or extra-firm pillow is the best pillow for side sleepers. It maintains the proper alignment, or curve of the neck and head, at the most comfortable heightwhich, according to a 2015 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, is 10 centimeters . Either a traditional or contoured pillow in memory foam or latex can support your head at the proper angle without flattening as quickly over time when compared with a polyester or down pillow.
The best pillow for back sleepers supports or cradles your head without losing the natural curve of your neck. Start with medium-loft, medium-firm models filled with a down alternative, memory foam, or latex foam.
Soak & Sleep Soft As Down Microfibre Pillows
Get luxury for less with these Soft As Down pillows from Soak & Sleep. If youre a fan of the down feel but have a smaller budget, or aren’t a fan of sleeping on feathers, then you’ll be pleased to hear our reviewer now recommends these pillows to anyone who will listen.
Just as soft as down-filled options, with the plushness to match, theres no being poked by feathers with this microfibre filling. Our reviewer likes to sleep on two of these and loves the squishy sleep surface. If youre a front sleeper who requires a thinner profile, sleeping on one may just do.
The non-natural synthetic filling also comes with hypoallergenic properties. So, allergy suffers, this one is for you.
Oh, and the non-natural fill also means you can wash the whole thing. No faff with removing the cover or insides. Though while its easy to care for, weve only cleaned it a couple of times. So far theres been no compromise to its quality, but well continue to test whether this changes.
“As a hay fever sufferer during the summer months, I like to have a synthetic pillow option. Soak & Sleep’s ‘Just Like Down’ pillows are by far my favourite. They’re plush but firm enough that I don’t sink down too much and this didn’t change after being put through the wash either.”
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Which Pillow Is Best For Neck Pain
There isnt one single pillow out there thats perfect for everyone, but the best pillow for neck pain has two main characteristics: its firm enough to keep your head at a neutral angle so your spine stays aligned while you sleep, but yet somehow soft enough to allow some give to help alleviate pressure points. Thats why we like the Tempur-Pedic Tempur Neck Pillowit checks all the boxes.
Memory foam and feather pillows are excellent options because they provide support, but also cradle your head to keep your spine neutral. Cervical pillowsthe ones that have a depression in the center and raised edgesare also top picks. Keep in mind that the best pillow for neck pain may not feel totally comfortable at first. It can take some getting used to, so give it a little time.
Best Pillows To Sleep On: 4 Facts To Know
When it comes to getting a good nights sleep, having the right pillow is essential. Not only do they provide comfort and support, but they can also reduce neck and back pain.
Whats equally important is buying a pillow made with materials that are actually healthy. Pillows are mass-produced these days and if you arent buying an organic, hypoallergenic product, youre missing out on real, daily health benefits.
With thousands of pillows available both online and offline, how do you know which pillow is the right choice? In this blog post, well look at the best pillows to sleep on, how to get the most out of them, and what type of pillow is best for different sleeping positions.
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Are Soft Or Hard Pillows Better For Sleeping
You might prefer your pillow to have a specific feel but dont forget to take your sleeping position into account. Soft pillows are ideal for stomach sleepers, while side sleepers typically do better with firmer pillows. Back sleepers may want to consider medium-firm pillows for the best support.
When shopping for the right pillow, youll want to consider more than just size and type. Keep these important elements in mind:
Best Pillows For Side Sleepers Video
Watch our video below to learn more about our labs top picks for pillows for side sleepers.
We provide an overview about each of our picks, covering features that set each pillow apart from the competition. Further down, well take a closer look at how pillows affect side sleeping and offer a few tips for choosing a pillow based on thickness, material composition, price, and other factors.
Black Friday is a great time to buy a pillow, with many companies offering some of their biggest discounts of the year. Head to our complete list of Black Friday discounts to learn about the most up-to-date deals. You can also check out our list of Cyber Monday mattress and bedding sales to learn about deals happening after Black Friday ends.
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More Pillows We Recommend
Pillows under $60
- FluffCo Down Alternative Pillow: FluffCo set out to create hotel-style pillows at an affordable price point. We liked its soft fluff pillow, which is an excellent option if you’re looking for simple, high-quality pillows for your bed.
Pillows under $100
Pillows over $100
- LAYR Pillow: This adjustable pillow offers three layers that can be added, removed, or independently adjusted for your perfect pillow. It’s a good option for guests since each layer is made of a different material and firmness, but it feels pretty underfilled with layers removed.
- Leesa Hybrid Pillow: This dual-sided, adjustable pillow is another great choice for neck pain. It has a soft polyester microfiber side and a gel side to keep you cool. You can remove the insert for a lower loft. The biggest drawback is its short, 30-day trial.
- Saatva Memory Foam Pillow: Previously our pick for “best luxury pillow,” we still think this is a great option, but feel you can get a “luxury” experience from any of our top picks. This pillow isn’t adjustable, but it’s supportive and firm and has a tremendous spa-like feel.
- Pillow Cube Side Sleeper Pro: A rectangular version of the popular cube-ish pillow, the polyurethane block is meant to keep your neck well aligned . It’s available in a few heights but lacks the adjustability of some of our other picks. Still, if one of the sizes happens to fit you, you’ll probably find it soft and supportive. Read our full Pillow Cube Side Sleeper Pro review.
The Purple Harmony Pillow
- Pros: hypoallergenic, nontoxic, cooling
- Cons: core isnt machine washable
With its combination of Purple Grid Hex technology and a Talalay latex core, this pillow instantly adapts to your head and shoulders to eliminate pressure and pain. It comes in two sizes and a choice of three heights to accommodate back and side sleepers.
Thousands of reviewers give it a 5-star rating, and the Harmony comes with a 1-year warranty and has a 100-night trial window.
While the pillow cover can be tossed in the washing machine, the core is spot clean only.
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How To Pick A Pillow
Choosing a pillow from the vast field of options might feel daunting, and whats right for you will depend on all kinds of factors. As Dr. Eric Landsness told me, It’s a combination of your personal preferences, like whether you sleep on your side or your back, and it varies from one individual to the next.
There are four main types of pillow filling: down, down alternative, solid memory foam and shredded … memory foam.
Most pillows come with a trial period, and Dr. Landsness recommended doing your own sleep testing to find out which pillow is best for you by tracking how well it works for you over a period of time. There will always be some degree of trial and error in finding the right pillow for you. To help narrow down your choices, heres what to consider.
Comfortable And Supportive With A Generous Warranty
- You want a less expensive pillow
- You want a pillow that maintains its shape
Of all the down options that we tried, the best was Parachute Down Pillow. It comes in three firmness options: soft, medium, and firm. . Most down pillows I tried had these options, and a nice thing to have if, for example, you prefer the softness and warmth of down but would like a firmer choice.
Down pillows tend to be more expensive and require more upkeep than pillows stuffed with other material, but many people prefer their softer feel. John Spear, general manager of the Hotel Drisco, noted that of all the selections on their pillow menu, down was by far the most popular. Down is the traditional material of luxury pillows: its great at insulation, so it retains warmth, and it’s very soft. On the other hand, down is not not so great if youre a hot sleeper. There are also animal welfare concerns with down, since it comes from geese and ducks. While some people may think they have a down allergy, they might actually be reacting to dust mites living inside the down or feathers in their pillow, and prefer a foam option.
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Why Its A Good Pillow
Because the Nolah Squishy Pillows cover features bamboo, hot sleepers should sleep cool at night. When used in pillows, bamboo viscose is known for naturally cooling down sleepers, and the Nolah Squishy Pillow is no exception. The shredded foam allows for extra breathability.
Those concerned with quality of materials should like to know that the foam in this pillow is OEKO-TEX certified. So, its free of harmful toxins and chemicals.
Need more information? Head over to our full Nolah Squishy Pillow Review.
Price: $198, with a two-year warranty and free shipping.
How To Choose A Pillow For Side Sleepers
The best pillow for side sleepers typically has a higher loft and firmer feel to support the head and neck, while still providing adequate cushioning. Our testing shows that pillows that either sink too deeply or feel too thick can interfere with spinal alignment, and neck and shoulder aches typically occur as a result. In determining the best pillow, you should look at several factors, including loft, firmness level, and material composition. Youll want to choose a pillow that is thick and firm enough without propping up your head too high. In the next few sections, well discuss how side sleepers can find a pillow that will work for them.
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Best Pillow For Neck Pain
Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow
Research from 2011 found that switching to a new latex, polyester, or foam contour pillow may reduce your chances of experiencing neck pain when you wake up. The curved ComfortFit pillow from Sleep Number is contoured and made from polyester a win-win.
The company recommends this breathable, hypoallergenic pillow to side and back sleepers, especially those who need a little extra neck support.
This pillow blends memory foam and synthetic down fill to provide firm but not too firm support. Several reviewers say it really does help relieve neck and shoulder pain and morning stiffness.
A few people find this pillow a little too firm, but others call it soft and comfortable and say its the perfect pillow. Others love how the foam contours to their head and stays cool through the night.
Choosing A Pillow For Sleep Apnea
When shopping for a pillow for sleep apnea, your first consideration should be whether you need it to accommodate a CPAP mask or not. If the answer is yes, youll need a specialized pillow with an indentation for your mask and its tubing.
If you dont use a CPAP device, the next consideration is whether you prefer to sleep on your back, side, or stomach. Sleeping on your back can worsen sleep apnea symptoms, but some people simply cant fall asleep in any other position. If this describes you, you might find relief with a pillow that elevates your head like one with a wedge design.
Stomach sleepers should look for a soft pillow, while side sleepers need firmer support.
If possible, look for a company with in-home sleep trials, so you can test whether the pillow helps with your symptoms, fits with your mask, and lets you sleep comfortably.
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Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow
If a super-soft hotel-style pillow is more to your liking, then consider the Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow in Plush or Mid-Plush. Soft, breathable, and easily moldable, this is a great choice for stomach sleepers because of how flexible yet supportive it is, without being too thick or too flat.
How We Picked And Tested
- Quality materialsWe looked for pillows that offered great comfort, support, and or breathability. We played close attention to filling and cover materials.
- Design Great pillows are more than feathers and thread. We looked for pillows that had accommodating designs, unique features and supportive profiles.
- Objective testingWe measure loft or height to help determine the sleeping positions a pillow suits best, and deconstruct pillows to test the inside filling.
- Subjective testingMutliple testers sleep with the pillows in every sleep position. It helps determine how comfortable it feels from different weight and size perspectives.
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What Is Spruce Approved
Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure that we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all of these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.
