How We Evaluated These Pillows
Our hands-on testing process involves each person lying on the pillow for several minutes to evaluate support, pressure relief, and other qualities. While these particular evaluations focused on side sleeping, we asked the testers to change positions to see if the pillow felt more or less comfortable. We also test pillows for temperature control, shape retention, odor potential, and other factors that dont impact your sleep position. The top picks listed above reflect pillows that earned the most favorable ratings during these tests.
What Kind Of Pillow Is Best For Side Sleepers With Neck Pain
If you are a side sleeper with neck pain, you may want to consider a pillow that is specifically designed for side sleepers. These pillows are usually softer in the middle and firmer on the sides, which helps to support the neck and head in a more natural position. You may also want to consider a pillow with a higher loft, which will help to keep your head and neck in alignment.
Approximately 70% of adults experience neck pain at some point in their lives. The sleeping position of each sleeper has a significant impact on their needs. Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow is a soft and springy pillow that has polyester microfiber and a cross-cut polyurethane that has been infused with gel for added cooling. Tempur-Pedic is well-known for its mattresses, but it also produces pillows in the same materials. It is similar to the Eden Pillow in terms of design, but some key differences exist. Despite the fact that it is soft, it is not the best pillow for those seeking firm neck support. It is made of a pillow-in-pillow design, which means that the inner latex core is sandwiched between a layer of filling.
Finding The Best Pillow For Side Sleepers
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Since the side sleeping position is by far the most popular among adults, its only natural that weve been investigating what the best pillow for side sleepers looks and feels like. And though there are many reported benefits to sleeping on your sidelike reduced sleep apneawhen done improperly, it can cause neck and shoulder strain, potentially leading to nerve pain and soft tissue issues in the spine.
Pittsburgh-based Premier Chiropractic Clinic owner and chiropractor Dr. Brian Meenan regularly advises his over 1.6 million followers on TikTok and treats patients for sleep-related pain everyday. According to him, your ideal pillow should put the least amount of stress on your spine and neck. You want your neck mostly in neutral, not bending too far to the right or left when lying on your side, he says. So to help you achieve the most restful nights sleep, weve rounded up the 16 best side sleeper pillows we could findincluding recommendations from Dr. Meenan, top-reviewed online picks, and cushions my colleagues at AD and I have tried ourselves.
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True Temp Pillow Loft
Pillow loft refers to the pillows height. Pillows typically come in three lofts: low, medium, and high. Low loft pillows are best for stomach sleepers, medium loft are the best pillows for back sleepers, and high loft are ideal for side sleepers.
Side I felt pretty comfortable on my side on this pillow. I got the support I needed to keep my head and shoulders aligned. However, if youre a side sleeper with neck pain, Id go for the contour or ultimate version of this pillow, which is going to offer just a bit more support.
Back I felt really comfortable sleeping on my back on this pillow. I got just enough support to feel my neck aligning perfectly with the rest of my spine.
Stomach This position wasnt very comfortable. I found that my head was propped up too high, which over time would result in neck pain.
Under the Arm I thought this pillow had a nice under-the-arm feel. However, if you like to really squeeze your under arm pillow, Id recommend going for something softer.
Between the Legs I liked this pillow between my legs. Personally, as a side sleeper, I always sleep with a pillow between my legs to prevent my knees from rubbing together. This pillow kept my knees separated and upper leg supported.
The Sleep Number True Temp Pillow is made with special cooling technology and has a medium-firm feel.
Who Might Not Want A Sleep Number
- Couples who like to sleep close together One of the biggest complaints from couples is that a sagging/division is created in between the dual air chambers on the bed. Couples who like to sleep close or cuddle in the center of the bed feel as those they are sinking into the middle of the bed.
- People who do not want to deal with technology People who prefer a simpler tech-free bed, Sleep Number may not be the best fit. Sleep Numbers 360 Smart Beds will adjust to the sleepers needs automatically. Sleepers who want insight into their sleep habits will need to utilize the SleepIQ technology, which can be connected to other apps on a persons smartphone.
- People on a tight budget Of the 11 models currently available at Sleep Number, none of them are available for under $1000 for a Queen-size . Those wanting additional comfort layers, cooling features and maybe a specialized FlexFit base will need to be ready to spend upwards of $5,000 for a Queen bed with added comfort features.
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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.
Breakdown Of The Sleep Number Comfortfit Classic Pillow
Sleep Number made a breakthrough in comfort and reached the sleep industry headlines with their introduction of the adjustable air mattress. It was created to become a custom fit sleep experience unrivaled by anything found on the mattress market. Their innovative approach to body care addresses each persons unique shape, weight, height, and personal comfort to provide a fully adjustable experience.
Their pillows are no exception to their comfort rule, and the ComfortFit series of pillows provide three choices of shape and loft for proper body support. The Classic pillow is one that follows a more traditional pillow shape and size and is made to be a thinner choice for stomach and back sleepers. It also works well for smaller, more narrow shouldered side sleepers.
- Variable support for back, stomach, and some side sleepers
- May have slight off-gassing
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Who Might Want A Sleep Number
- People who like air beds- First and foremost, the core of the Sleep Number bed is the adjustable air mattress. Those who have had a positive experience with air beds, they will probably like what Sleep Number has to offer especially with all of its adjustable features.
- Couples who sleep differently Couples who have different support level preferences may like Sleep Number beds because most beds can be made with dual air chambers that allow each person to decide how firm their side of the bed will be. Some models like the I-10 even have comfort layers that can be adjusted on each side.
- People with physical injuries or medical conditions Whether its a bad back, occasional heartburn or recovery from an accident, Sleep Numbers adjustable mattress, and FlexFit bases allow people to get comfortable easily and then re-adjust when theyre back to normal.
- People who want options and flexibility Individualized comfort is the name of Sleep Numbers game, so its no surprise that people who want to be able to change things up on a nightly basis will like these models. Sleepers can adjust the firmness, pick a model whose layers fit their needs some can even help to sleep cool and they can add a FlexFit base for even more sleeping options.
Coop Home Goods Original Loft Pillow
We recommended this pillow for side sleepers in our general guide to pillows for its adaptive qualities: You can add or remove the memory foam fill to adjust the thickness and firmness. All you have to do is unzip the outer case and liner to access the fill. The pillow has an average rating of 4.5 stars from over 49,000 reviews on Amazon. The company also offers a 30-day return policy.
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Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
- Types: Classic, contour, and ultimate
- Sizes: Standard and king
The TRUE TEMP Pillow is designed to resist heat and humidity buildup. A Healthline editor slept on the contour version of this pillow for several weeks and confirms that it lives up to this claim. The editor says it stays cool to the touch all night.
The pillow has a layer of poly fill on top of a memory foam center. That means that the contour version doesnt quite feel the same as a traditional contour pillow.
If youre looking for a true contour pillow, this may not be the right pillow for you. But if youre open to a different feel, the TRUE TEMP Pillow is comfortable and supportive.
One thing to note is that, since the pillow has a memory foam center, it has a slight chemical smell upon opening. This fades quickly, and, after a week, its barely noticeable.
The cover is removable and washable. In testing, it held up well after a wash, and the filling remained smooth and comfortable.
This hypoallergenic option is made from memory foam pieces and premium down alternative fibers.
I tried this pillow and found the outer material to be incredibly soft and breathable.
The ultimate model includes three removable inserts, so you can adjust the height of the pillow to fit your sleeping needs. Sleep Number suggests using one or two inserts for stomach sleeping, and two or three for side and back sleeping.
The cover is removable and washable.
- Types: Ultimate, curved, and classic
- Sizes: Standard and king
What Does The True Temp Pillow Feel Like
Now that you have an idea of whether or not the True Temp pillow could suit your sleep needs, Ill share my experience testing it. Id like to highlight that feel is subjective, and how this pillow felt to me might be a bit different to how it feels to you.
Right off the bat, this pillow had a very cool feel, which isnt surprising since the cover fabric was designed that way. I definitely felt that this pillow was made to keep me cool. As I pressed down on the pillow, I found that there was a bit of sink, but certainly nothing like a down pillow it had a decidedly solid feel, without much compression. Overall this pillow is going to feel quite supportive.
The Sleep Number True Temp Pillow is made with special cooling technology and has a medium-firm feel.
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Sleep Number Series/model Breakdown
While Sleep Number previously offered two types of beds , the company now only offers the Smart Beds, which automatically adjust to meet the sleepers needs.
The 360® Smart Beds are organized into three categories:
Each series essentially builds off the other. The Classic Series beds, the C2, and C4 offer the most standard options while the Innovation Series has the largest, thickest layers and most added features.
Create Your Perfect Pillow Service
Sleep Number offers the option of designing your own pillow with their Create Your Perfect Pillow service, should their provided options not meet your sleeping needs.
To do this, youll select your preferred filling for both the inner core and the outer shell. For the outer shell, your options are:
- down alternative
For the inner core, your options are:
Reviewers say they love the ability to select specific qualities to create an ideal pillow for their sleeping needs.
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Best Cooling: Layla Sleep Kapok Pillow
If you’re someone who prefers the feel of a soft pillow but would like the support of something firmer, this option which can mold to your head and neck thanks to memory foam might be the ticket. It also features a washable, breathable covering designed to keep you cool while you snooze.
Customers say:Fans of this side-sleeper pillow claim it’s helped with their neck pain and led to better sleep. “I love this pillow,” wrote one person. “I literally want to buy enough to make my own birds nest out of them so I can just lay in this super soft, but comfortingly firm pillowy embrace all the time. It’s like your head is being held securely, but so gently that your just floating in soft fluffy sleep clouds.”
True Temp Pillow Vs Casper Pillow
- The Casper Original Pillow is a down alternative pillow made with a polyester microfiber fill.
- The Casper pillow comes in a mid loft and low loft. Stomach sleepers will get a better sleep on the low loft Casper than any of the True Temp models.
- The Casper pillow is cheaper than the True Temp pillow.
- Learn more in my full Casper pillow review.
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Sleep Number Pillow Top Shell
SHIPPING: Ships via FedEx Ground Normally Ships out within 2-5 Business Days once the order is placed.
Made to fit Sleep Number beds by Select Comfort. This complete shell is for those who need to replace both the top quilted section and the bottom section. This model fits both duel chamber and single chamber beds, as there are three hose outlets at the head of the bed. The Ultra shell features the same YKK zipper used by Select Comfort. Not only is this shell made in the U.S.A., but all components are as well. We use only the best fabrics, foams, upholstery threads and padding. This complete shell is specifically designed to fit Select Comfort Sleep Number beds this is not a waterbed encasement that has been remarketed as a Select Comfort shell. That is why we guarantee a snug fit, just like the original. Questions? Talk directly to one of our experienced craftspeople who sews these covers right here on site!
Note: We are not affiliated with Select Comfort / Sleep Number Beds
What To Consider Before Buying A Pillow
Finding the best pillow match depends on several different factors, and the truth is there isnt a one-size-fits-all formula. Some people with neck pain may insist on a firm feel, while others find a plush pillow more beneficial. It all depends on your sleep positions and where your pain is localized. Alternatively, cloud-like plushness isnt a universal desire when it comes to pillows, and many of us could actually need something firmer and not yet realize it. In short, there are a whole lot of factors, which made compiling this list fairly difficult. As always, we did our best to be unbiased, and what worked for us might be a little different for you.
With that said, the two main things you should keep in mind while pillow shopping are fill and firmness. Fill refers to the material that makes up the inside of the pillow, such as foam, gel, and down. As for firmness, most pillows are considered either firm, plush, or somewhere in the middle.
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How Often Should You Replace Your Pillow
“Many doctors recommend replacing pillows every two years,” Dautovich says. Odors, stains, lumps, and flattening are all signs that it might be time to replace your pillow. Increased neck pain or allergy symptoms can also be signs that your pillow is no longer serving you. When cleaning, be sure to refer to the care label on your pillow to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Save 24% On This Adjustable Down Alternative Duo
Amazon
Or, if youre hoping to keep allergies away, this two-pack of down alternative pillows might be more your pick. The synthetic fill keeps things light and airy, and you can simply unzip it to remove or add filling, adjusting the height of the pillow and its level of support. The Prime Early Access Sale has knocked this duo down to $99 tonight.
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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.
Labor Day Sales Are Still Going On!
Labor Day is now behind us, but many companies are still offering major holiday discounts. Check our product reviews below for discount information. You can also head to our list of Labor Day deals and discounts.
Who Should Not Try The True Temp Pillow
- I dont think this pillow is right for stomach sleepers. Id steer these sleepers to a low-loft pillow, which will help keep their spines in a neutral alignment.
- Though this pillow should be fine for most side sleepers, those with neck pain should opt for the contour version of this pillow, which has a higher loft, or the ultimate version of the pillow, which is adjustable. Id also take a look at some of our best memory foam pillows.
- Budget-conscious shoppers might find this pillows price point too high .
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