How To Choose A Pillow For Side Sleepers
The best pillow for side sleepers will provide adequate cushioning to support the head and neck. 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. In the next few sections, well discuss how side sleepers can find a pillow that will work for them.
What Were Looking For:
Loft: The loft, or height, of your pillow is a crucial factor for side sleepers to consider. Dr. Toussaint-Keshinro explains that keeping your head, neck, and shoulders in a neutral and even position is most important. If a pillow is too flat or too high, it can create an uneven muscle tone in the neck and shoulders, leading to spasms over time. While there isnt a formula to figure out the ideal loft of your pillow, Dr. Dennis Colonello, celebrity and professional-athlete chiropractor at Peak Wellness and all33 co-founder, suggests that your pillow be around four inches off of your mattress. But dont go breaking out your ruler just yet, as there is wiggle room with this number. For taller people with broader shoulders, a higher loft may be more comfortable, and conversely, a petite person with more narrow shoulders will likely rest comfortably with a lower loft.
Firmness: All of our experts agreed that medium-firm pillows tend to be the best option for people sleeping on their side. While there is room for personal preference here, a medium-firm pillow helps your head stay in the right position without sinking while you sleep. For people who like to dream on a bed that feels like fresh brioche buns instead of a firmer surface, gusseted-down and down-alternative pillows can be a plush compromise. Additionally, Cushner and Foley suggest memory foam pillows, as they sort of mimic the softness of down by contouring to your body, while still providing support.
Snuggledown Goose Feather & Down White Pillow
Best for sleepers who want a high quality down pillow with natural materials!
Snuggledown Goose Feather & Down White Pillow is ideal for back and side sleepers as it provides the necessary support to keep the head in a proper position relative to the spine while sleeping in these positions. The head of back and side sleepers must be raised to achieve a spine alignment.
A blend of 85% Goose Feather and 15% Goose Down was used for filling, which guarantees you comfort, but also breahability. It is suitable even for hot sleepers. You also get a 230 thread count cotton cover for added comfort and softness, which is often what sleepers look for in their top pillow. You can wash this down pillow for side sleepers in the washing machine and use dryer afterwards.
- Materials: Cover:- Cotton Filling:- Goose Feather & Down
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Special Concerns For Side Sleepers
When it comes to side-sleeping, flat pillows can be a pain in the neck literally! Sleeping laterally with or without your arms under the pillow presents some potential issues.
Supporting your head and neck are the most important things your pillow does for you, whether you realize it or not. If your neck is in a position that irritates other joints, you may experience headaches, shoulder tension or pain, and back pain.
A medium loft/height and firmness pillow that provides temperature control is highly recommended for side sleepers, says Dr. Religioso. Head and neck support and maintaining a cool body temperature will improve sleep quality, recovery from injury/pain, and improve work performance.
Side-sleepers should take certain things into consideration when shopping for a pillow:
Is A Memory Foam Pillow Good For Side Sleepers
Wondering whether the memory foam pillows are good for side sleepers or not. Memory foam pillows are getting framed because the server is the perfect alternative to the conventional fellows. Your ultimate support for the neck and head with spine alignment.
Memory foam pillows are made using polyurethane, which transforms into the original shape as shown as the pressure is released. The memory foam pillows are available in different sizes and shapes, designed for side and back sleepers.
For side sleepers, it is best advised to have a higher pillow underneath the neck than the head if you plan on keeping the spine straight in a neutral posture.
Also Check: What Type Of Foundation For Memory Foam Mattress
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.
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.
Also Check: What Is The Average Price Of A Mattress
What Makes A Good Side
To stay comfortably aligned, most side-sleepers should look for a pillow that has 4 to 6 inches of loft, or height, and provides the right combination of softness and firmness . People who sleep on their side need more support than those who favor any other sleep position because, on their side, they have a larger gap between their head and the mattress. As a result, if you have broad shoulders, you need a loftier pillow. The goal of any pillow should be to keep your head and neck in roughly the same position as they are when youre standing straight.
The goal of any pillow should be to keep your head and neck in roughly the same position as they are when youre standing straight.
Terry Cralle, a registered nurse and clinical sleep educator, told us that keeping your body correctly positioned at night is crucial to your physical health and the quality of your sleep. Your sleeping posture is just as important as your waking posture, she said. Your head will be angled downward if the pillow is too thin and angled upward if too thick. Aim for neutral, to keep the head, neck, and spine in alignment. And your neck isnt the only part of your body that needs support. Cralle also told us, If you are a side sleeper, a thinner pillow placed between your knees can help make you more comfortable and help keep your spine in a neutral position. We also recommend using a body pillow to get full-length support while youre on your side.
Best Overall Pillow For Side Sleepers
Dr. Thomas Schuler, chairman of the National Spine Health Foundations Medical and Scientific Board and founder of the Virginia Spine Institute Dr. Janet Kennedy, clinical psychologist and founder of NYC Sleep Doctor
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Sleep Artisan Side Sleeper Pillow
Price: $$
Customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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.
What To Consider When Looking For A Pillow
We asked a physical therapist and a sleep posture researcher all about the most important qualities in a pillow that will relieve neck pain. Overall, research shows that the ideal pillow for neck pain should be soft but not too high, provide neck support, and be allergy-tested and washable. Hereâs a more detailed breakdown of what to look for:
Also Check: Is A Soft Mattress Good For Back Pain
Our Pick: Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow
*At the time of publishing, the price was $50.
In four years of testing, the Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow has consistently outperformed many pricier pillows, but in recent testing two of the four Xtreme Comforts pillows we tried had a strong chemical odor that made them unusable . If you get one that doesnt smell, its a great pillow that typically costs about half the price of our favorite shredded-foam pillow from Nest Bedding. It offers comfortable neck support without being too stiff, a problem with many loftier pillows. The breathable, micro-perforated cover, a bamboo viscose and polyester blend, keeps hot sleepers cooler, and the removable shredded-foam fill makes the pillow easy to adjust for your body. Although its lumpier than the Easy Breather, and the texture took getting used to for some of our testers, most of our back- and side-sleepers, as well as a few stomach-sleepers, have liked it over the years. This pillow gives much better support for my neck than any down/synthetic down pillow I have owned in the past, one side-sleeper told us.
The Xtreme Comforts best surprise is its low price, half as much as that of the other shredded-memory-foam pillow we liked, our pick, the Nest Bedding Easy Breather. And despite the Xtreme Comforts popularity with our testers, it wont work for every body, so a 30-day return policy gives you the flexibility to try it without risk.
How To Position Your Pillows As A Side Sleeper
Before you drift off to sleep, consider positioning your pillows like this to improve your sleep posture and prevent pain.
- When you lie down on your pillow, make sure your ears are in line with your shoulders and your chin is neutrally positioned. Tucking your chin against your chest or curving your neck down can lead to pain over time.
- Place a second pillow between your knees and lift them up towards your chest. This helps keep pressure off your knees and hips, which means your back will stay straighter at night.
- Make sure your arms and hands are below your shoulders. Some people find hugging another pillow near their waists can make this more comfortable. You can also try using a body pillow as a between the legs and under the arm solution.
Read Also: What Is The Best Twin Mattress
How Long Does A Pillow Last
Take pillows, for example. When is the last time you got a new one?
We should replace our standard pillows every one to two years. Most people wait until theyre sleeping on an old pillow thats flat as a pancake.
Not only can your pillow harbor smell and dirt but it can hold on to allergens as well.
As gross as this is, your old pillow makes a perfect home for dust mites
Your old pillow also can go very flat. The pressure from your head and neck and as you push and pull the pillow to get comfortable.
This continually mushes the pillow down until there is very little support left.
We know what youre thinking. You should get a new pillow, immediately.
Best Memory Foam Pillow For Side Sleepers
Casper Foam Pillow
Price: $
Three layers of low and high density foam in Caspers foam pillow are both supportive and cooling, with a signature huggable feel. The foam is designed to align the head and neck for proper support and spinal alignment, whether youre on your side or your back.
Side sleepers noted theyre sleeping better on the Casper pillow thats a balance of soft yet supportive.
Try it at home for 30 days. Casper offers free shipping and returns.
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What Is The Best Pillow For Side Sleepers With Neck Pain
Side sleepers make up more than half of the American population, so weâre not surprised to see this question so frequently!Side sleepers with neck pain really need to focus on finding a pillow that has enough loft and height to support the 4â³ to 6â³ gap that resides between the top of the shoulder and the side of oneâs head and neck.When the head and neck are properly supported and the shoulder does not have increased pressure on it, the neck can stay free from tensions and stress and neck pain should go away.The goal is to look at oneself in a side sleeping position and see a straight line from the forehead, nose, chin down to the neck and sternum â this means neutral alignment is achieved.
How Can Side Sleepers Rest More Comfortably
Side sleeping is comfortable for most people, so its no wonder this is among the most popular sleeping positions. However, sleeping on one side for too long can result in pressure build-up and soreness. Heres what you can do to prevent these issues from happening.
Find a Good Mattress
Side sleepers typically need a mattress with a medium-range firmness. A bed thats too soft would let the body sink in too deeply, whereas a bed thats too firm would cause pressure build-up on the shoulders, hips, and knees. A good mattress makes all the difference in your sleep quality, especially if you rarely switch sides. The right mattress includes quality materials that will help deliver critical pressure relief and support. Weight is also an important consideration when mattress shopping. While most average-size sleepers would do best with medium-firm beds, lightweight side sleepers can utilize softer beds.
Use a Topper
If you already have a mattress youre unwilling to replace, you can add a topper to modify how it feels. If your bed is too firm or no longer as supportive, adding a foam topper could make a significant difference. Mattress toppers are available in many sizes and firmness levels to fit all sleeping positions, including side sleeping.
Place a Pillow Between the Knees
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Amerisleep Comfort Classic Pillow
This classic soft pillow is ideal for side sleepers.
Comfort Classic pillow by Amerisleep is the best pillow you can buy. The Comfort Classic, a memory foam offers, is excellent for relieving neck aches and pains. Comfort Classic pillow is 6-inches tall and explicitly designed for back and side sleepers.
Amerisleeps trademarked BioPur® foam is plant-based Environmentally memory foam. It has an open-cell structure for moisture-wicking and temperature regulation. In addition, the plant-based foam makes this Pillow 5 times comfier than solid memory foam pillows.
BioPur® foam responds quickly, making transitions easy and eliminating sluggishness. In addition, foam lovers will love this Pillows Bio-Pure core.
Amerisleep pillows have cooling channels to let hot air escape while you sleep. This advanced combination of open-cell structure and cooling channels helps you stay cool all night.
The cover of this pillow is made of a soft, breathable knit. The moisture-wicking cover allows air to flow and pulls heat from the sleeper. It has a zipper to make removal and cleaning easier. In addition, the cover can be machine washed.
Amerisleep also provides excellent mattresses to their customers based on their needs. If youre a side sleeper, choose Amerisleep AS2 memory foam mattress.
This mattress is Perfect for:
- Side sleepers and the majority of back sleepers
- Individuals who prefer medium contouring
Plushbeds Organic Shredded Latex Pillow
Best pliable pillow with ultimate comfort
The plush organic shredded latex pillow is ideal for sleepers with a resilient bounce and shape that molds according to your neck and body type . The latest version of this pillow is pliable and soft, conforming well to your curves and offering ultimate comfort.
It is covered with a breathable organic cover, which allows you to sleep naturally and be healthy. This pillow is available in three different sizes: standard, queen, and king. It is a good mattress for adjustable bed.
It comes with highly supportive technology with a pressure-relieving effect. First of all, the breathable fibers in this pillow keep you cool with the ultimate airflow.
This pillow is free from any harmful chemicals, which means it gives you natural comfort. There is no addition of synthetic fillers or latex. It also includes a 100% organic cover for a better sleeping experience.
It is highly safe for sleepers who suffer from allergies. There are no such chemical odors in this pillow, and it comes with a natural light scent. It is certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard.
You can easily pair this plush bed pillow with organic cotton bedding, including the cover, sheets, and mattresses, keeping you comfortable throughout the night.
Also Check: How To Box A Mattress For Shipping
