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.
A Sustainable Down Pillow With Three Firmness Options
Brooklinen
Fill: Down and feathers | Trial period: 365-day return policy | Adjustable: No
Soft but still firm enough, the Brooklinen down pillow is constructed of sustainably sourced Canadian down clusters and feathers, which provide the cushion side sleepers need. Brooklinen lets you choose between plush, mid-plush and firm options, but recommends that side sleepers opt for firm for that extra support and spine alignment.
What the reviews say: The overall comfy feel seems to do the trick for most reviewers. I haven’t had a down pillow in years, but I thought I would give this a try because I haven’t been able to find a pillow that works for me. I really like the pillow and am happy I bought it. I am getting a good night’s sleep and wake up without a neck ache, writes one newly pain-free sleeper.
Our Top Picks For The Best Flat Pillows
There is not a singular component that makes a flat pillow great. There are many different kinds of flat pillows made from an assortment of materials to suit individual preferences. In choosing our best picks, we considered a variety of materials and cost ranges, but our all choices are high quality and readily available.
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Side Sleepers Rejoice The Perfect Bed And Pillow For Your Best Nights Sleep
July 26, 2017 Filed under: Sleep Solutions
Side sleeping is a common position, and although there are numerous variations, they all place pressure on a sleepers hips and shoulders. So its important that if you prefer sleeping on your side, or if thats your dominant sleeping position, you find a mattress and pillows that work for your body.
The best mattress for a side sleeper
The best mattress for a side sleeper provides relief at pressure points to keep the spine, neck, and back in alignment.
If youre a side sleeper, the best mattress for you will provide plenty of support and be soft enough to contour to the curves of your body, especially your shoulders, waist, and hips.
Memory foam mattresses, including hybrids, are made to help distribute weight evenly and offer support at pressure points across your body. Plus, mattresses with foam are good at isolating movement and keeping your side of the bed calm when your partner tosses and turns, allowing you to sleep comfortably all night long.
The right pillow for side sleeping
Side sleepers also need a different style of pillow to get the best neck support throughout the night. The right pillow will give you consistent and stable support by cradling your neck and head. The best pillow for a side sleeper will have a tall enough profile to keep your head and spine aligned. Generally, that means very soft or flat pillows wont do the trick.
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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Back And Neck Alignment
Your overall health is highly influenced by your quality of sleep each night. How well your back and neck are supported is an important part of your overall comfort, and when your body is poorly positioned, it can result in a restless and sleepless night. These interruptions to your sleep keep you from progressing normally throughout the stages of sleep, which is vital for your mental and physical health. In other words, a poor nights sleep can negatively affect pivotal parts of your daily life. This is why its crucial to determine your ideal sleeping position, pillow, mattress and bedding to suit your needs. Otherwise, this is greatly restricting you from living your best life!
As you sleep, your spine should be kept in alignment to avoid stress and strain on both your vertebrae and the soft tissue surrounding them. If your spine isnt properly aligned and well-supported as you sleep each night, you could be on the road to a painful, long-lasting injury, so this is a huge responsibility to take seriously!
Why Did We Choose These Pillows For Side Sleepers In Canada
Each of the pillows on our list of recommendations earned its spot. As we evaluated the pillows and received tester feedback, we were able to determine the best pillows in several categories. The best pillows made our list. Out of the dozens of pillows we tested, these are the ones we recommend.
The Silk & Snow Pillow is the best pillow for side sleepers in Canada. The adjustable loft is made of shredded memory foam, which provides comfortable support at whichever loft option you prefer. Meanwhile, a layer of down-like microfibre provides a plush feel.
Hushs Hybrid Pillow is one of the best adjustable pillows in Canada. The shredded Hush foam allows you to find your perfect loft and firmness, while a perforated bamboo cover prevents bacteria from growing and promotes airflow throughout the night.
The best pillow shell in Canada is found on the Endy Luxe Foam Pillow. The use of charcoal-infused memory foam and a bamboo cover helps to promote great temperature control. Its great at relieving pressure as well.
The Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology uses the best propriety materials to keep you cool. These technologies include HeatDelete Bands, their snow technology package, and AirScape foams to keep you from overheating all night long.
QE Homes Seventh Heaven SilkSurround Pillow is the best microgel pillow for side sleepers in Canada. The layers of silk, microfibre, and cotton create a smooth, soft down-like feel.
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Side Sleep Position Needs
Gusseted pillows with higher lofts are a favorite among slide sleepers due to how much support is needed between the head and shoulders. Thick pillows that provide plush contouring and firm support is your best option if the side is your go-to sleep position. This is important in order to keep the soft tissues of your neck well supported and allow it to rest without placing additional strain on the spine.
You may be interested in: Best Pillows For Side Sleepers
What Else Should Side Sleepers Look For In A Pillow
No one is expecting you to switch pillows every time you change sleeping positions. But if you know you’re a diehard side sleeper for a decent portion of your eight hours, or you’re a pregnant person who must now navigate doctor’s orders to sleep on your side, shopping with these features in mind could decrease your middle-of-the-night fluff and flip sessions.
Once you find a good loft and firmness, you can start shopping based on personal preference:
The prices listed are the starting prices for each pillow, but know that most of these will increase if you buy a bigger pillow . Here are the best pillows for side sleepers and side binge-watchers in 2022:
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Find Your Sleeping Style
Side sleeper, back sleeper, stomach sleeper: your sleep posture is as much a part of you as your personality. And while your style of snoozing may change over time, it may not be something you feel you have control over. What’s comfortable is comfortable, right?
Actually, most of us turn throughout the night due to discomfort. Some of us even take the covers with us to the consternation of our sleeping partners. While we dont usually stick to one position, we do tend to have a dominant position. Your dominant position is often the one you are in when you wake up.
Best Pregnancy Pillow: Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Support Pillow
For pregnant women, side sleeping can help take the pressure off their bladder and reduce back pain, says Foley. This Boppy support pillow is versatile and will aid back sleepers in feeling more comfortable on their side. It also can sit in between your legs as you sleep, which Foley adds can also help maintain the alignment of your spine. While there are giant C-shaped options on the market for a pregnant mother to hug, this smaller option is less of a commitment.
Next, read this review of the Pillow Cubeand why wed recommend it for side sleepers.
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Best Splurge: Eli & Elm Cotton Side
While not every splurge is worth it, this one definitely is. Just by its appearance, with the cutout that creates its distinctive U shape, you can see that this a unique pillow. Specifically engineered to elevate the neck and head, this style also has a removable latex and polyester filling, which allows the user to control the level of softness. While both Foley and Dr. Okubadejo recommend this Eli & Elm pillow, its the comments posted on the site for this cult favorite that will make you spend $130 on this pillow. In them, customers rave that this pillow improved their sleep and reduced neck and shoulder pain in ways they never imagined was even possible.
via Amazon.com
Back Sleepers: Your Best Pillow Has A Medium Or Soft Conforming Support
To keep the neck in good alignment, the best pillows for back sleeping are those with support that allows the head to lay flat but not be propped up at an angle. Some back sleepers need a little support while others need almost no support.
A medium support pillow is a good choice for those with larger frames, particularly one that may side sleep as well. Some people just prefer a firm pillow and sleep on their back, thats okay too.
If you are a back sleeper and prefer your head to be close to the mattress, a softer, conforming pillow will mold to your body’s form and give you some cushioning on top of the mattress. A soft pillow is also a good choice for people with thicker necks since they will have less space to fill.
Best pillows for back sleepers:Double DownAround Medium or Soft, Tria, Slumber Core or Grand Embrace. For more conformance, an all-down pillow is best like the Classic Medium or Soft
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What Kind Of Pillow Should A Side Sleeper Use
Jessalynn Adam, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Baltimores Mercy Medical Center, suggests using a thicker pillow to keep your head and neck aligned if you sleep on your side. This can be achieved with any fill, including memory foam, down or cotton. So, consider your other sleep preferences: Do you love the contouring feel of memory foam? The luxe loftiness of down? How about a cooling sensation when your head hits the pillow? Considering these factors will help you make your final decision.
Best Organic Pillow: Naturepedic Organic Cotton Pillow
Non-toxic, sustainable, and made from 100 percent organic cotton, and sustainable, this 300-thread-count pillow contains all the buzzwords people who shop eco-friendly products love to hear. Reviewers speak to the quality as being superb, and many note that they purchased it for their kids. With no harmful chemicals, you dont have to worry about that gross smell either.
via Amazon.com
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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.
Why Would You Want A Thinner Pillow
If youre a back sleeper, thin pillows should be a go-to for your sleep comfort needs. As mentioned above, they provide the proper alignment needed for these positions, as well as neck support to allow a more restful, relaxed night.
Of course, not all thin pillows are made the same, and for back sleeping youll want one that conforms to your neck without elevating your head too much. Youll also need to ensure your head doesnt sink too far back, which will compress your vertebrae. For stomach sleepers, look for a pillow that keeps your head level with your shoulders and again, wont lift your head too high to avoid stress to your upper and lower back.
Side sleepers should avoid thin pillows as it will make your head angle downwards, placing strain on your spinal column and creating compression and strain on the soft tissues of your neck.
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Are Flat Pillows Good For All Sleep Positions
Every sleep position has its own set of needs when it comes to both mattresses and pillows. Firm beds arent for all sleep positions and neither are flat pillows. They are, however, great for some positions including stomach and back sleepers who make up roughly 30% of the population. They can work well for small frame people who sleep on their sides, and side sleepers who sleep with an arm under the pillow raising the height.
Stomach sleepers need a lower profile pillow, or their heads will be bent back in an unnaturally angled arch that can cause headaches, restless sleep, or back problems.
Back sleepers have a similar situation. Having too thick a pillow can cause a curvature of the spine that may result in pinched nerves, neck and back pain, and tossing and turning for a restless nights sleep.
Side sleepers in general, need a loftier pillow. The space between the head and shoulders requires the pillow cover more space and support a deeper area between you and the bed. If you are very small and the space between your neck and the bed is minimal or if you routinely put an arm under your pillow, then a flat pillow can work for a side sleeper. For the most part, flat pillows are not a good choice for side-sleepers. Check out our article on the best pillows for side sleepers to find great pillow options for this sleep position.
Get New Pillows Regularly
No matter what you spend on a pillow , the materials break down over time and offer less support. Replace pillows about every 1 to 2 years.
Show Sources
Harvard Health Publishing: âSay âgood nightâ to neck pain,â âIs your pillow hurting your health?â
University of Rochester Medical Center Health Encyclopedia: âGood Sleeping Posture Helps Your Back.â
Mayo Clinic: âSnoring.â
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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.
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
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How Should You Position Your Pillow As A Side Sleeper
How you position yourself and your pillow is just as important as which one you buy. If you sleep on your side, it’s best to keep a firm pillow under your head with your ears in line with your shoulders. Avoid tilting your chin down towards your neck. You can also sleep with a pillow between your knees to create better alignment in your spine.
How Many Pillows Do I Need
Cotton pillows are usually the least supportive option because the material is unable to maintain its proper shape. This is primarily why they are most commonly used in combination with other types of materials. The upside to cotton is that its more breathable, though, so in conjunction with other materials, it could still be useful to side sleepers.
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