Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Set
- Easy to clean and keeps its shape
- Good value for the pair
- Too high for those who switch positions to their stomachs
- Fill material: Polyester down alternative
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
Designed specifically for side and back sleepers, the poly stuffing is lightweight yet still significantly firmer than other down alternatives. It aced all of our Labs evaluations, including pillowcase fit, shrinkage after laundering and how well it kept its shape after we applied weight. This is especially important because side sleepers need their pillow to keep its shape all night for proper alignment.
On top of that, it uses a synthetic down alternative, which is ideal for easy care and a lower cost. In fact, this set of two pillows cost less than other individual ones. The fill also prevents it from feeling too dense, which can sometimes be a downside to pillows made for side sleepers.
Tester notes: Our entire panel was impressed with how it stood up to pressure, and a user told us it kept its shape better than any other pillow Ive ever used. More importantly, they all rated it supportive and comfortable to sleep on. One even called out its luxurious attention to detail, saying it had excellent quality with good materials and stitching.
Best Pillow for Back Sleepers
What Are The Best Pillow Sizes
Make sure you choose a pillow size that fits your body and bed just right!
Standard Size
Standard pillows are the most common type of pillow out there. Standard pillows fit on a twin bed, or two of them can adequately fit on a full or queen-size bed.
Super Standard
Super standard pillows are slightly larger than standard pillows. This slight increase in size can help you to better maximize your surface use of a twin bed, for example.
Queen
A queen-size pillow is more compatible with a full or queen-size mattress. Furthermore, as with all pillows, the larger they are, the more sleeping surface you create for your neck and head on your bed.
King
Snag A Reversible Memory Foam Pillow For $35
Amazon
Flip this memory foam pillow from Sealy over to see which side is best for your sleep style. Theres a temperature neutral side and a cooling side. The medium-firm pillow comes with a machine washable cover to boot. A single pillow is discounted 44%, down to just $35.
To find more Prime Early Access Sale savings opportunities, head over to our to see deals from some of our favorite brands.
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The Best Cervical Pillows For Side Sleepers
by Summer | Oct 30, 2022 | Sleeping FAQ’s |
A cervical pillow is a type of pillow that is specifically designed to support the neck and head. When used correctly, a cervical pillow can help to alleviate pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulders. For people who suffer from chronic neck pain, a cervical pillow can be a lifesaver. There are a few things to keep in mind when using a cervical pillow as a side sleeper. First, it is important to choose the right pillow for your personal needs. There are many different types of cervical pillows on the market, so it is important to find one that is specifically designed for side sleepers. Second, it is important to adjust the pillow to your own comfort level. Some people prefer to have the pillow higher, while others prefer to have it lower. Experiment until you find the perfect position for you. Finally, it is important to use the pillow consistently. Using the pillow every night will help to improve your neck and shoulder pain over time.
While sleeping on your back, keep your cervical curve normal by using a cervical pillow. You will be able to relax and regain your normal length of muscle and ligaments as a result of this. They can also help with sleep by relieving tension and supporting your shoulders and neck.
Other Tips For Side Sleepers
In addition to selecting a supportive pillow that promotes spinal alignment, side sleepers can use the following strategies for sleeping comfortably each night.
Choose the Right Mattress: The best mattress for side sleepers will provide ample cushioning to the shoulders and hips in order to align the spine and alleviate pressure in different areas. Most side sleepers on our test team prefer mattresses with softer feels that conform closely to the body without sinking too much beneath their heavier areas.Use a Pillow Between the Knees: A pillow between the knees can also improve spinal alignment and reduce pressure in the lower back and hips. Pillows filled with down/feathers, shredded foam, and other moldable materials tend to be most comfortable. You may also find more comfort and pressure relief by placing the pillow beneath your legs.Invest in a Mattress Topper: A topper is a single layer of cushioning material placed on top of your mattress. Toppers can measure up to 4 inches thick, so using one can make your mattress feel significantly softer or firmer. For side sleepers, the right topper can mean closer conforming, better spinal alignment, and less pressure.
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Do Lumbar Support Pillows Really Work
A 2015 study notes that lumbar pillows can help relieve back pain and reduce tension in the body.
However, a person should consider how they are intending to use a lumbar support pillow before purchasing one.
For example, some companies may offer pillows that are suitable to sit against while in a chair, and others only offer pillows that are suitable for use while lying down.
Parachute Down Side Sleeper
From $159 at Parachute
Down pillows can fall flat throughout the night, but the Parachute down side sleeper pillow has a side gusset, and when we tested this pillow it kept its shape fairly well. It contains some feathers as opposed to 100% down, which is not ideal, but we found the feathers didnt poke through the material or make too much noise. It also comes in a down alternative version for those that are allergic to down or prefer synthetic fill.
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A Luxurious Option That Helps Relieve Strain
Parachute
Fill: Down | Trial period: 60-day return policy and 3-year warranty | Adjustable: No
This Parachute Down Sleeper Pillow has a special design with a 3.5-inch gusset that takes the strain off your neck and shoulders so you sleepand wake uppain free. The medium-density pillow is constructed with luxurious 750 fill power European white down stuffed inside a 100% cotton sateen shell that’s woven extra tight so no feathers poke through.
What the reviews say: Reviewers rave about this pick, with one person gushing: This pillow has changed my life…I now sleep through the night, wake with no neck or back pain and feel rested and happy!
What Makes The Coop Home 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 support their sleeping position through the night.
- Its easy to clean. The soft outer cover comes right off and is washable. However, whats 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.
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Coop Home Goods Eden Memory Foam Pillow
Best for neck strain
Made of a soft blend of cross-cut, gel-infused memory foam and microfiber, this adjustable pillow can accommodate individual preferences.
Achieving the ideal loft and density of a pillow allows people to avoid neck strain after sleeping. A person can control the height of this pillow by adding or removing some fill.
Adjusting the pillow height may help reduce snoring as well. It is suitable for back and stomach sleepers, so people who turn in the night may prefer this pillow.
Pros and cons
An advantage of this product is that people can change the loft to suit their preferences. Additionally, positive customer reviews on the pillows Amazon page state that they noticed less neck and shoulder pain after using this product.
However, more negative reviews state that this pillow becomes flat after several uses. Additionally, some reviewers say that their pillow did not have much memory foam.
Using A Pillow While Sleeping On The Side
When lying on one’s side, a pillow should support the head and neck so the spine maintains a straight and natural horizontal line. A thicker pillow is needed for sleeping on the side than sleeping on the back.
Bending the knees and placing another pillow between the knees keeps the spine in the neutral position. When there is no support between the legs, the upper leg rotates downward, pulling the pelvis and distorting the natural line of the spine. A firm pillow between the knees usually prevents this downward rotation better than a softer pillow.
Adding support between the knees can prevent back pain and allow the back to heal and rest better while sleeping.
See Common Causes of Back Pain and Neck Pain
There is limited research on pillows for side sleepers. One small study found the latex pillow the most helpful of five types considered (foam contour-shaped, regular foam, polyester, feather, and standard latex. Study participants reported the most cervical stiffness upon waking after using feather pillows, with the symptoms continuing well into the day.1
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Best Cooling Pillow For Side Sleepers
Leesa Hybrid Pillow
Price: $$$
The Leesa Hybrid Pillow is made with a cooling, ventilated gel layer and polyester microfiber to keep you cool all night. Its both adjustable and reversible for double-sided comfort. A removable insert between the quilted outer layer and cooling gel layer lets you customize support, so you sleep comfortably on your side and back.
Leesa offers a 30-day trial and a 3-year limited warranty.
Noble Lower Body Pillow
- Fill materials: Wool, latex or a mix of both
- Firmness level: Varies
Most pillows are for your head, but if you suffer from back pain then it’s a good idea to consider a body pillow as well. This unique style is triangular shaped and keeps your hips and spine aligned: It goes between your legs if you’re a side sleeper or underneath them if you’re a back sleeper.
It’s pricey, but it uses quality materials including your choice of a wool, latex or hybrid fill. It’s also adjustable and comes with extra fill so you can personalize the height to your body, and it held up to wash testing in the Lab so you can expect it to last over time.
Tester notes: From pregnant users to those with injuries, all testers said they had relief from pain or discomfort while sleeping with it and woke up without feeling sore. As an added bonus, they enjoyed its versatility, with one saying, “I liked using this pillow to sit up and read in bed as a backrest.”
Best Cooling Pillow
- Less supportive than other pillows
- Fill material: Polyester down alternative
- Firmness levels: Soft/medium or medium/firm
This down alternative pillow stands out for its temperature-regulating cover that’s made with Outlast viscose, which stores and releases body heat to prevent you from overheating while you sleep. Unlike other cooling pillows that feel instantly cool to the touch, this one works all night long to help keep you at a comfortable temperature.
Best Gel Pillow
- High scores for comfort from testers
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Epabo Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Best for a contour pillow
This pillow may provide relief for all types of sleepers with neck pain. It contours to align the head, neck, shoulders, and back.
People can adjust this pillow to suit their height preference by removing the bottom piece of memory foam.
Pros and cons
An advantage of this product is that people can adjust the loft of the pillow by adding or removing the bottom piece of memory foam. Additionally, customer reviews on Amazon state that the pillow can help relieve neck pain.
However, other reviewers state that the pillow did not provide enough support. Others say that the pillow was too firm and too high, causing more neck pain.
Check The Return Policy
Since one pillow will not work for everyone, make sure to check the brands return policy. Many brands offer a trial period or returns, but some brands do not allow you to return the pillow. Youll want to choose a pillow with a good return policy in case the pillow does not work for you, unless youre willing to take the risk of not being able to return it.
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Best Pillow For Neck And Back Pain
The Coop Home Goods Original Pillow offers thoughtful features like adjustable fill, a washable pillow cover, and an impressive 100-night trial, making it an excellent choice for individuals with neck and back pain.
- Best for: All sleeping styles
- Available sizes: Queen and king
- Fill: CertiPUR-US certified shredded memory foam and microfiber
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
- Care instructions: Remove foam fill before washing in cold water, delicate cycle. Do not use fabric softener or bleach. Tumble dry low until the inner casing is completely dry before use.
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 5 years
Pros: 5-year warranty, machine-washable encasement, removable fill that lets you customize the feel, 100-night home trial, hypoallergenic, comes with extra fill for extra loft
Cons: Has as an initial odor firmer, sinking feel of memory foam may not appeal to some sleepers
The Coop Home Goods Original Pillow has much in common with our top pick, the Layla Kapok. Both are on the firmer side and have adjustable shredded memory foam fill, so you can get a customized feel to match your sleeping style.
The Coop pillow is usually about $40 cheaper, but the Kapok has a little longer trial period. Both come with a five-year warranty.
A few mornings, I awoke with neck pain after sleeping on the Coop pillow, even after adjusting the loft. However, I didn’t experience back pain while testing it, a rarity.
We tested 17 pillows for this guide. These are the ones that didn’t make the cut.
Best Pillows For Side Sleepers
Welcome, side sleepers! If youre reading this, that means youre well on your way to finding the right pillow to support you in your go-to position. Yes, its true that there are literally hundreds maybe thousands! of options out there, but Ive saved you some time and energy by rounding up the 10 that I think are the absolute best pillows for side sleepers.
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Choose The Right Loft
According to Josh Tal of Josh Tal & Associates Sleep and Health Psychotherapists, people who sleep on their sides need to look for a pillow that provides support for the shoulder, neck and head, and allows for a neutral, supportive position. Because of this, Tal says, side sleepers usually prefer a pillow with more loft to cradle the head, paired with an indentation to comfort the shoulder and a potentially an elevated bump in the bottom of the pillow to support the neck.
Also, keep in mind that everyones neck is different, so the type of contour or density of fill that achieves this will vary from individual to individual. If youre smaller-framed, you may need a lower loft pillow if youre bigger, you may need a higher loft pillow to keep the neck aligned with the spine.
Best Pillow For Stomach Sleepers With Neck Pain
Pros: The low loft is great for stomach sleepers, easy-to-clean cover, lifetime warranty
Cons: Not recommended for side or back sleepers, short trial, you can’t adjust the loft
At 2.5 inches, the Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow offers the lowest loft of the pillows we tested, making it ideal for stomach sleepers. While you can’t adjust the loft, the gel memory foam is pliable enough to fold in half to get extra lift if you occasionally shift to your side.
Insider Reviews senior reporter Owen Burke suffers from neck pain and has tested several thin pillows designed for stomach sleepers but was never impressed by them. At times, he’d even give up and rest his head on his shoulder without a pillow.
Right away, Burke appreciated the Belly Sleeper’s ability to gently adapt to the curvature of his head and neck. He also found the machine-washable cover was particularly soothing under his usual pillowcase. “Overall, I’m sleeping far better, longer, and much more comfortably than any other time in recent memory,” he said.
I also tested the Belly Sleep pillow. I found it comfortable enough when falling asleep on my stomach, but when I wanted to shift to my preferred side-sleeping position, it did not provide enough loft. When I folded the pillow, it just felt too awkward. You may want to choose a different pillow if you don’t primarily sleep on your stomach.
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Fill Types And Firmness
There are many different types of fill available for pillows the most common are shredded foam or latex, down, down alternative and molded foam. Its also becoming popular to mix different types of fills to reap the benefits of each fill type. Tal says that just about any type of fill would work for back sleepers, but the key is to make sure the fill is supportive enough so it doesnt fall flat but also not so bulky that it makes the pillow too high.
