Updated on November 19th, 2022 at 07:53 pm
Most people prefer side sleeping more than any other sleep position. Side sleeping can promote spinal alignment when you have proper cushioning and support. However, when you don’t, you can wake up with neck ache, shoulder pain, and just like you were run over by a truck!
To help you choose the right pillow, we have reviewed some of the best pillows for side sleepers on the market and choose our top 7 picks. Our selection is based on experiences from verified customers and our own product research and testing.
Contents
Pillows for Side Sleepers
Layla Sleep Pillows
Layla is a very reputable mattress and pillow brand, and it wouldn’t make sense not to review at least one of their products. Their standard pillow is medium-loft and made from copper-infused memory foam that softly contours to your head and neck. Layla sleep pillow promotes proper spinal alignment for side sleepers.
Personally, I loved that unlike other memory foam pillows, this one doesn’t feel hot. How is that possible? The trick is that this pillow is filled with shredded memory foam that is infused with copper, which has natural cooling properties and prevents the pillow from retaining a lot of heat.
The pillow is very soft and has a consistency similar to down pillows. While sleeping on this pillow, I didn’t feel like my head and neck were sinking too deeply or feeling too tall. The Layla pillow is very snuggly, and I recommended it if you love cuddling with a pillow while you sleep.
To sum things up, the Layla Sleep pillow is an excellent option for people looking for a medium loft pillow, preferring a soft and conforming feel and are hot sleepers.
Pros:
- Reputable brand
- 4-inch thick, medium-loft pillow
- Made from shredded memory foam and fibers from the kapok tree
- Memory foam is infused with copper to reduce heat retention
- Copper-infused memory foam pillow also has antimicrobial properties
- Mid-price range point
- Free shipping for those who live in the contiguous US
- 120-day sleep trial and a 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a removable cover
- Not machine washable
Coop Home Goods – Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow for Side Sleepers
This is another pillow from a highly reputable brand. The Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow by Coop Home Goods is made from shredded, gel-infused memory foam pillow filling mixed with polyester fibers. A notable feature that this pillow has is an adjustable pillow loft. You can quickly and easily remove or add the fill at any time, and additional foam is available for purchase separately.
The customizable design is definitely the biggest perk side sleepers can get from this pillow. If your preferred loft height varies from night to night, this product will solve your problems easily. While trying out this product, I found that it sleeps relatively cool. The pillow’s cover is also quite breathable. It’s made from polyester and rayon from bamboo blend.
I found it very convenient that the entire pillow can be washed in a regular washing machine. The fill is contained in a removable liner, which can easily be removed for the cover too. Lastly, I have to mention that this pillow is eco-friendly and made from non-toxic materials. It’s CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified, which is a major plus!
Pros:
- Reputable brand
- Made from shredded, gel-infused memory foam
- Adjustable pillow loft
- Additional pillow filling sold separately
- Breathable and sleeps relatively cool
- Eco-friendly materials
- Can be washed in a washing machine
- Affordable price
- The company offers bundling packages
- CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified
- Free shipping in all 50 states
- 100-day sleep trial and a 5-year warranty
Cons:
• May have an off-gassing odor
Casper Sleep Foam Pillow
The Casper Foam Pillow is another product that comes from a highly reputable sleep product brand. This pillow is made from cooling polyfoam and highly-conforming memory foam, aiming to provide ultimate support and promote natural spinal alignment for side sleepers.
The interior of the Casper Foam Pillow has three layers of blended memory foam, and it’s dense enough to properly support your head and neck without sinking too much or feeling uneven. The foam layers have tiny holes which improve ventilated and promote better airflow to keep you cooler during the night. The jersey knit cover also adds to the breathability of the pillow.
The pillow is 6 inches thick, and that makes it a high loft model. If you like tall pillows, this one is the right choice! It’s also very firm, and it can significantly alleviate neck ache. However, some people may find it too firm.
Personally, I prefer medium loft models, but I found this one great to put between my knees to relieve lower back pain and to align my hips. The cover is removable and machine washable making the pillow easy to maintain. It makes one of the cheapest twin mattress much more tolerable.
Pros:
- Reputable brand
- All-foam pillow – 3 layers of blended memory foam
- 6-inch thick – high loft pillow
- Medium-high firmness
- Fairly breathable and sleeps cool
- Removable, machine washable pillow cover
- Free shipping to the contiguous U.S. and Canadian provinces
- 100-day sleep trial and 1-year warranty
Cons:
• May be too firm and stiff for some people
Pacific Coast Touch of Down Standard Pillow Set
If you are into the plush luxury feel of hotel pillows, you will love the Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillows! This product is found in various hotels around the world, and for a good reason.
The Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillow has a unique pillow-in-a-pillow construction that combines down feathers and down, and goose down. The inner pillow is filled with Resilia feathers and surrounded by quality down. As a result, you can enjoy a luxurious, warm, fluffy, and durable pillow.
The pillow cover is made from cotton, and it’s very soft and breathable. The pillow sleeps fairly cool. If you like fluffy pillows and hotel pillows, you won’t make a mistake by choosing Pacific Coast Touch of Down pillows.
Pros:
- Unique pillow-in-a-pillow construction
- Made from duck feathers and down, and goose down
- Very fluffy
- Sleeps fairly cool
- Comes in a set of two
- 30-day sleep trial and 3-year limited warranty
Cons:
• Need fluffing from time to time when they lose shape or become flat
TEMPUR-Contour Side-To-Side Pillow
Another model coming from a highly-reputable mattress and pillows brand, Tempur-Pedic. The first thing I liked about this pillow is that it has a deep curve on one side, and a shallow curve on the other, so you can choose the level of support that feels most comfortable to you.
This pillow has firm edges and a soft center that aim to provide proper support and natural spinal alignment to side sleepers. Some Tempur-Pedic pillows that I have reviewed felt too squishy, and the angles didn’t provide me adequate support. However, this one feels just right, and you can really feel that it was tailored for side sleepers.
I loved the side-to-side design, which gently cradled my head, neck, and shoulders as I moved in sleep. There wasn’t a minute I felt uncomfortable or in pain! The pillow basically moves with you and adjusts to you as you move side to side in your sleep.
Pros:
- Reputable brand
- Product designed for side sleepers
- Unique side-to-side design for ultimate contouring
- Dual feel design for adjustable level of support
- Soft center and firm edges for ultimate side-sleeping experience
- Washable and removable cotton pillow cover
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
- Needs a break-in period
- May come with a “new product” odor
Luxury Side Sleeper Pillow with Curved Pillow Design
The Luxury Side Sleeper Pillow by Sleep Artisan is a customizable pillow with an adjustable pillow loft. This product is specifically designed for side sleepers and has a unique curved shape that helps relieve pressure from your neck.
The pillow is made from latex and down alternative microfiber, both Oeko Tex 100 Certified materials. Suppose you suffer from allergies or hate off-gassing odor from new products. In that case, you will absolutely love Sleep Artisan’s luxury side sleeper pillow because latex is naturally hypoallergenic and doesn’t emit the typical “new product” odor. The cover is made from a blend of organic cotton, hemp, and polyester.
I would highly recommend this product to people with neck pain. The adjustable loft and unique curved pillow design allow a fair amount of customization to provide your neck with proper support and much-needed relief—definitely one of the best pillows for neck pain.
Pros:
- Product designed for side sleepers
- Adjustable pillow loft
- Made from soft latex and down alternative microfiber
- Hypoallergenic pillow
- Oeko Tex 100 Certified materials
- Handmade product in California
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a pillowcase
Z Gel Memory Foam L-Shape Pillow for Side Sleeping Comfort
The Gel Foam L-Shape Pillow by Z is a pillow specifically designed for side sleepers. The ergonomic L shape design is super helpful if you toss and turn during the night due to pain or discomfort. While sleeping on this pillow, I felt like it provided even support to my head, neck, and shoulders.
What I liked the most is that this pillow sleeps exceptionally cool. If you are a hot sleeper, definitely consider this product because it has a gel dough formula that promotes more refreshing and more comfortable sleep. The Tencel removable cover also adds to the cooling effect, which I found a very nice touch.
Overall, this is an excellent option for side sleepers and restless sleepers like me. I tend to round my shoulders and tuck them close to my head, which causes tons of discomfort in the morning, and this pillow prevents me from doing so, which is a huge relief! It’s also super helpful to stay put (and ensure you stay comfortable) if you tend to roll on your back.
Pros:
- Product designed for side sleepers
- Ergonomic L-shape design
- Made from polyurethane foam
- Has a gel dough formula that sleeps cooler and softer
- Tencel removable cover for added cooling during sleep
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
• May have an off-gassing odor
Our Top Choice is:
Coop Home Goods – Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow
Our winner for the best pillows for side sleepers is the Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow by Coop Home Goods because it tips all the right boxes. It’s specially designed for side sleepers, and it’s one of the rare high-quality pillows that have an easy-to-use adjustable pillow loft feature. You can quickly remove or add the filling at any time, and additional foam is available for purchase online.
Unlike other reviewed models that are made from memory foam, this pillow has gel-infused memory foam, which gives it a great cooling effect. The entire pillow is machine washable, and the liner with the fill can be separated from the pillow cover. Lastly, this pillow is made from eco-friendly and non-toxic materials that are CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified. It’s available at an affordable price, and it has a generous sleep trial period and a 5-year long warranty.
Things to Consider When Buying a Pillow for Side Sleepers
Is A Firm Pillow Good for Side Sleepers?
Pillow firmness depends on personal preference, and while some side sleepers may find firm pillows rather comfortable, others will wake up in pain and stiffness. Typically, if a pillow is too firm, you may experience around the neck and shoulders. Your best option, and a much safer choice, is to opt for medium to firm pillows that balance support and conforming.
How Many Pillows Should a Side Sleeper Use?
As a side sleeper, you will benefit from using more than one pillow during sleep. However, the second pillow won’t be for your head, but to put between your knees. This is the best way to align your spine and relieve pressure off your hips.
A medium-firm pillow is recommended for your head, and a firm pillow will prevent your knees from touching while lying on the side.
Who Makes the Best Side Sleeper Pillow?
Many sleep product brands make excellent mattresses and pillows for side sleepers. Our top choices include pillows from reliable brands such as Layla, Casper Sleep, Tempur-Pedic, and others. All of the mentioned brands make one of the best pillows for side sleepers, but in this roundup review, we have decided to choose Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow due to its unique features.
We hope you are able to find exactly what you are looking for. Be sure to check out all of our Pillow reviews including the best for Neck pain, Sitting up, Watching television, Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, TMJ and many more. If you haven’t done so already, you may want to check out a Chair pillow for bed. We also recently completed reviews on the top rated Sunscreen for protecting a Tattoo, along with helping those with Rosacea. These are just a few of our most recent. Please be sure to check back often for more up to date information.