Does Your Mattress Make A Difference In Your Pillow Choice As A Side Sleeper
The short answer is yes. “In order to maintain your head and neck in neutral alignment, you will want to consider your mattress type when selecting your pillow,” says Dautovich. “If you have a softer mattress, you’re more likely to sink compared to a firmer mattress.” Be sure to choose a pillow that will fill the gap between your head and the mattress. If you have a softer mattress, this may mean choosing a thicker pillow.
How We Chose Our Products
Our team of sleep specialists tested many pillows currently on the market, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing 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 Buyers 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 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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Other Tips For Side And Back Sleepers
A pillow is just one part of the equation when it comes to sleeping soundly.
The right mattress will go a long way in maintaining a comfortable sleep environment if you switch from your back to your side during the night. And if youre not in the market for a new mattress, a mattress topper can be a good alternative.
Additionally, consider adding a small pillow behind your knees while youre on your back, and between your knees when on your side. This will help maintain the natural curvature of your spine and keep your hip joints from collapsing.
Remember to keep your arms and hands below your face and neck when on your side and try to avoid ducking your chin.
Lay On The Pillow For At Least 15 Minutes
Susan J. Gordon research professor at the Flinders University College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Adelaide, Australia, who has studied the effect of pillow types in relation to sleep quality and their effect on waking back and neck pain, recommends laying on a pillow for at least 15 minutes to try it out. Thats the time it takes for the body to fully settle so youll know whether or not the pillow is right for you.
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How Did We Test And Review The Best Pillows For Side Sleepers
By using product reviews from customers combined with data on what you’ve been searching for, as well as checking thoroughly to see which products feature high-quality versus less durable materials, we curated what we feel is a selection of the best pillows for neck and shoulder pain on the market for year-round use, no matter the weather. We’ve rifled through the good and bad comments, so you don’t have to, not to mention we – as a team of fashion, interiors and beauty experts – happen to know a thing or two about which brands have earned their respective places as the best in the business. Plus, with a team of 30+ here at GLAMOUR HQ, of course some of us here are fellow side sleepers, so we have some dos and don’t knowhow, too. Our aim is to find you pieces which will last and, should anything about a product signal that that’s not the case, you’ll be the first to know – happy shopping!
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Using A Pillow While Sleeping On The Stomach
Sleeping on the stomach is the most stressful position for the back and neck. Patients may be advised by their doctors to avoid sleeping on the stomach if they have certain spine conditions, or following spine surgery.
If sleeping or resting on the stomach is preferred, the pillow should be relatively flat, or the head should rest directly on the mattress, so the head and neck aren’t strained. In this position, it is often best to place another relatively flat pillow under the abdomen or pelvis to help the lower back keep its natural alignment.
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Zoey Side Sleeper Pillow
Made of a memory foam blend, this side sleeper pillow is fully adjustable. You can add or remove the shredded foam to fit your loft preference. The pillow is designed with your body shape in mind, with a concave lower half to accommodate your head, neck and shoulders.Promising review: “I have been trying so many different pillows and finally found this one. Im a side sleeper and have been having serious neck issues. I wake up in the morning after sleeping on this pillow and my neck feels good!!! I love it. I tossed it in the dryer when I first got it. I did not take any filling out. Its been perfect as is! Im very happy with it” Judith C. Aldrich
You can buy the Zoey side sleeper pillow from Amazon for around $80.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Best For Back Sleepers: Tri
- Sizes: petite , mid-size , full
The Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow is designed for back sleepers. The center dips down to cradle the head and promotes proper alignment in the spine.
For back sleepers, the sturdy cervical roll supports the neck while the head rests in the contour. One side of the pillow has a larger neck roll for more support, while the other has a smaller neck roll for less support.
The manufacturer advises that the pillow may not suit side sleepers but also states that if a side sleeper decides to use the pillow, they should use the side areas because they are higher, allowing for proper neck alignment.
Adjusting to pillows such as this can take time because it requires changes in sleep posture. The manufacturer recommends that people alternate between this pillow and a standard pillow while adjusting to a new one. This will help their body adjust to the new sleeping posture.
The company describes this pillow as very firm. The pillow has a polyester fiber fill and a cotton-polyester blend cover.
- Sizes: small , standard , king
Buckwheat pillows are a suitable option for people who want an adjustable pillow, or a product made with natural materials.
These pillows contain thousands of buckwheat hulls instead of foam or fibers. The company describes buckwheat hulls as firm but malleable and breathable.
According to Hullo, the cotton case is certified organic.
Pros:
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Zamat Adjustable Cervical Pillow
If you’re a side sleeper who frequently suffers from neck pain, it may be time to consider a cervical pillow like this one. It’s made of odorless memory foam and has an ergonomic, butterfly-like shape that has a place for your head, neck and shoulders to rest comfortably. And hot sleepers, fear not the case is made of a moisture-wicking bamboo and polyester blend.
Promising review: “I bought this pillow at the time because my pillow then was just not doing it for me. I’d sleep well, but I’d wake up with really bad neck pain and it made my day difficult especially going in to work. Once I got this pillow however, I haven’t had any neck pain at all! The shape was definitely new to me as well as the memory foam and it’s great for side sleepers like myself. And if anyone is wondering, it fits the average pillow case well enough.” Geovanne Fregoso
You can find the Zamat adjustable cervical pillow on Amazon for around $57.
Who Is It For
The best pillows for side sleepers are equipped with a higher loft, which helps with spinal alignment.
The Nolah Squishy Pillow is an ideal loft for side sleepers, providing a wonderful balanced feel. You should achieve pressure relief without feeling like youre sinking too much into the material.
Our favorite part about this pillow is its adjustability. You can remove or fill in more shredded foam, changing the pillow loft to what suits you best.
Also Check: What Mattress Firmness Do I Need
What Is Real Simple Selects
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our teamput through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. If that’s the case, we test the product just like we test anything we buy, but we also disclose that we received it for free to be as transparent with you as possible.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
The Comfiest Pillows For Side Sleepers According To Reviews
Its time to support your neck and get cozy.
BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. All products were independently selected by our editors, and the prices were accurate and items in stock at the time of publication.
If youre a side sleeper, theres one item on your bed that may be wreaking havoc on your sleep qualityand neck: your pillow. As someone whos experienced plenty of flat-tire pillows over the years, I can say that all pillows are definitely not created equal. Luckily, there are ones made specifically for side sleepers that offer the necessary support.
Pillows are especially important for side sleepers. To prevent a painful awakening in the morning, your spine, neck and head all need to be in proper alignment. Theres nothing worse than waking up with a stiff neck and an achy back. Luckily, side sleepers are not rare, so if you prefer facing your wall, window or the person who snores beside you every night, there are highly rated pillows that will make you much more comfortable as you count sheep.
Below, we rounded up the best pillows for side sleepers, according to those who actually went cheek to cheek with these ergonomic headrests.
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Sleep Artisan Side Sleeper Pillow
- Customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
- Firmness: adjustable
- Material: organic cotton and hemp
If youre looking for a green pillow thats specifically made for side sleepers, you may enjoy the Sleep Artisan Side Sleeper Pillow. It has an ergonomic design that protects the neck and shoulder from cramping, plus its handcrafted in the United States with organic cotton and hemp. The fill is made from organic latex and poly silk.
Users like this pillows complete lack of chemical smell. They also like how easy it is to adjust the amount of fill in the pillow to a preferred height.
Unlike other pillows with a curved side, this pillow fits comfortably into a standard pillowcase.
The manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty.
Pillows For Combination Sleepers
Individuals with varying sleep positions should look for a pillow that has higher areas for side sleeping and lower areas for back sleeping. A pillow with a mix of different fillers or a buckwheat hull pillow might be helpful as well. Using a single all-purpose pillow is likely to result in a pillow that is too high for sleeping on the back and too low for sleeping on the side.1
Recommended Reading: How To Find The Right Pillow
Why You Can Trust Us
Our expert team includes product testers and researchers who bring years of experience to our guides and reviews. We also cover a wide range of body types and sleep positions to ensure every type of sleeper is represented. To select the best pillows for side sleepers, we heavily relied on feedback from testers who exclusively or primarily use the side position. However, we also sought input from back, stomach, and combination sleepers to make our recommendations as comprehensive as possible.
Choosing The Right Pillow Materials For Side
The pillow fill material you choose has a big impact on how your pillow feels. While the right loft and firmness level for side sleepers are fairly universal, fill materials can impact more specific preferences. For example, do you want a pillow that feels warm or cool? Bouncy or moldable? Lets go over a few different pillow materials:
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The Best Side Sleeper Pillows At A Glance
Short of time and just want a who’s who of side sleeper highlights? Here are our top picks in each category:
- The Best Pillow for Most Side Sleepers: Coop Eden”, $96
- The Best Firm Pillow for Side Sleepers: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck, $119
- The Best Breathable Pillow for Side Sleepers: Sijo Clima, $110
- The Best Down Pillow for Side Sleepers: Brooklinen Mid-Plush, $109
- The Best Down-Alternative Pillow for Side Sleepers: Sferra Arcadia, $99
- The Best Wedge Pillow for Side Sleepers: Helix, $95
- The Best Budget Pillow for Side Sleepers: Beckham Hotel Collection, $46
Coop Home Goods Original Pillow
The Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow from Coop Home 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
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The Best Pillow For Side Sleepers
Weve updated this guide to reflect the redesigned Nest Easy Breather Pillow, which is now washable.
Nothing highlights the importance of a good pillow like trying to sleep on a bad one, and people who sleep on their side, in particular, can have a tough time finding the right fit because they need more neck and head support. After more than 1,000 nights testing 119 pillows, weve found a number of options for side sleepers and think the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow is the best for a range of side-sleepers.
Our pick
This pillow has a customizable and washable filling that offers firm support for back- and side-sleepers. What it doesnt have: the lingering chemical smell weve noticed in some other shredded foam.
Buying Options
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We recommend the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow for both side- and back-sleepers in our full guide to bed pillows, and we know some stomach-sleepersthose who sleep half on their side, half on their stomachalso find it comfortable, and it offers neck support that doesnt cause pain.
Many companies advertise their pillows for specific sleep positions, but in our experience their recommendations dont match up all that well. Overwhelmingly, our side-sleeping testers have preferred pillows with shredded memory foam because of its moldability.
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 weve saved you some time and energy by rounding up the 10 that we think are the absolute best pillows for side sleepers.
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Why Its Good For Back/side Combo Sleepers
- The ergonomic memory foam keeps the neck supported without causing any craning.
- It has a slow-sinking memory foam thats comfortable for side sleepers. But it still has a firm feel, thus creating enough support for back sleepers.
- It comes in three different sizes, so you can pick the right one for you.
Price: $109$149 with a 5-year warranty.
What To Consider When Purchasing A Pillow For Side Sleepers
In your research for a pillow that is compatible with side sleeping, youll no doubt come across pillow manufacturers who claim their products are suitable for all sleep positions, or that their pillows construction and materials offer universal comfort for all sleepers regardless of body type or personal preference. These marketing claims are misleading. Each pillow is uniquely designed to provide a distinct feel. Given the demands of different sleep positions, any pillow you select will be better suited to some sleepers and less so for others.
Rather than using marketing jargon to guide your pillow search, focus on the following attributes instead.
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