As we spend roughly one third of each year sleeping, finding a pillow that keeps us comfortable and aligned with our spine is paramount for quality restful slumber – this is particularly important for side sleepers.
Side sleepers need pillows with higher loft than their counterparts for optimal support of their neck while maintaining spinal alignment. An ideal loft will fill in between your head and shoulders to maintain proper spinal alignment while supporting both neck and spinal health.
Size
Size matters when it comes to sleeping soundly. A pillow that’s too big will strain your shoulders while one that’s too small will fail to support your head properly. Side sleepers should look for pillows with higher loft for optimal alignment of their spines – this may help avoid neck pain as well.
We have observed that most side sleepers tend to prefer medium to high loft pillows, as these provide ample cushioning without exerting excessive pressure on your neck or shoulders. If you are uncertain which thickness would work best with your sleeping position, choose a model with adjustable loft so you can find one with just the right thickness for you.
Beyond size, material choice of your pillow is also key to its success. Foam and cotton tend to be good options for side sleepers as these materials offer soft yet durable comfort while remaining breathable for cooling nighttime sleeping conditions.
Other materials, like shredded foam and polyester fiberfill, may provide less support but still offer sufficient comfort to meet your neck and head needs. While these pillows tend to be less costly than dense memory foam ones, they still can provide enough support to keep you resting peacefully through the night.
Another consideration should be whether or not your pillow is hypoallergenic. If you suffer from allergies or are sensitive to dust mites, look for one with anti-fungal and hypoallergenic properties; this will keep your bed free of unwanted guests.
If you prefer heavy side sleeping positions, search for a pillow designed specifically to support them. For example, the Coop Home Goods Lite Coop Pillow’s cube shape makes it suitable for fitting snugly into your “shoulder gap,” the space between your head, neck and shoulder. Plus its height and firmness make this an excellent option for heavy side sleepers.
Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow offers another top option, featuring a removable cover that can be machine washed for optimal neck alignment while you sleep. Notable features of this pillow include its superior construction materials as well as its unique adjustable loft feature – features that set this pillow apart.
Firmness
Loft and firmness go hand-in-hand when it comes to providing support. For side sleepers, having a pillow with higher loft is necessary to prevent their neck from craning forward which may result in shoulder, hip or lower back discomfort.
For side sleepers, the ideal pillows offer adequate head and neck support that maintains optimal spinal alignment throughout the night. Unfortunately, finding one with the ideal loft and firmness may be challenging when first starting to sleep on their side; for this reason it would be wise to consult a medical professional about which pillow(s) will suit their specific needs best.
One of the best pillows for side sleepers are filled with natural materials like feathers or cotton that are highly breathable and hypoallergenic – as well as more likely to maintain their shape over time than synthetic alternatives.
When selecting a pillow, opt for one with medium firmness to ensure proper head and neck support and maintain an ideal neutral spinal position while sleeping. For longer lasting durability, look for one made of buckwheat or another material which naturally feels firm – these may last up to 10 years before needing replacing, making this investment worthwhile!
Memory foam mattresses tend to be ideal for side sleepers as it provides a firm support that keeps your neck aligned with the rest of your spine. You could also opt for traditional feather or down pillows like Puredown’s Goose Feather Pillow (Standard, Firm). With its gusseted design providing support for neck and shoulders while remaining soft enough for multiple sleeping positions.
Brooklyn Bedding’s memory foam pillow boasts an innovative three-layer design and medium firmness level that’s ideal for side sleepers. Inside is filled with shredded Talalay latex while its exterior combines down alternative fill and organic cotton fibers for eco-friendliness and breathability – two top criteria among our testers! Plus it’s certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX which ensures it meets environmental and health standards set forth by this organization.
Material
Pillows come in various materials, so the one you select must provide adequate support for both your neck and spine. Memory foam is the go-to fill for side sleepers as it offers both support and conformability – enabling it to cradle your head and neck comfortably while alleviating pressure off shoulders. Plus, its breathable materials come with different levels of firmness for an ideal fit!
Some foam pillows are constructed from a single piece, like the Lagoon Hippo Pillow. Perfect for those seeking an authentic sleeping experience, its contoured design features memory foam material with 100 percent CertiPUR-US certification certifying it free from harmful emissions.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Sidney Sleep Side and Back Sleeper Pillow might be just what you need. With its boomerang-shaped shape and built-in contoured edge for extra support for neck and shoulder areas, as well as being generously filled with shredded memory foam fill, this pillow allows you to mold it and shape it to meet your individual needs – simply take out some fill until the feel suits you perfectly!
Buckwheat pillows provide an alternative option, boasting firm support that can alleviate neck and back pain for side sleepers. With an average lifespan of 10 years and available in multiple sizes to meet individual height requirements, they’re an ideal long-term investment.
Latex is another highly durable pillow option and provides optimal support for side sleepers. Its springiness prevents sinkage while its ability to dissipate heat makes it a good fit for hot sleepers.
If cotton is your go-to material, look for pillows made of it. Cotton provides natural breathability and softness – ideal for those who suffer from allergies or are sensitive to chemicals – plus, its hypoallergenic nature ensures no risk of irritations.
Design
Back and stomach sleepers may do fine with low-loft pillows, while side sleepers require higher loft pillows in order to align their necks properly with their spines. An appropriate pillow height can help avoid discomfort in your neck and shoulders as well as other pressure points like hips and knees.
The ideal pillows for side sleepers feature a unique shape designed to fill in between shoulder and neck gaps, offering head and neck support while preventing their head from tilting forward or dropping too far. Furthermore, such designs promote airflow for cooling comfort during sleep.
One of our top picks is the Brooklyn Bedding Pillow Cube Sidekick, which offers a cube shape to comfortably support neck and shoulders for optimal sleeping posture on all sides of your body. Our Certified Sleep Science Coaches reviewed this pillow and found that it reduces neck pain, prevents over-arching of back, and offers optimal head/neck alignment when sleeping on one’s side.
Layla Kapok Pillows offer another great solution, featuring all-natural kapok fibers combined with shredded memory foam to deliver a comfortable experience and support for the neck. Their zippered enclosure allows you to adjust fill levels according to individual needs; additionally, this hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant option ensures allergy-friendly comfort.
Feather and down-alternative pillows offer soft, lightweight support that’s comfortable for most sleepers; however, they require regular fluffing and may be more costly than alternative materials. Furthermore, feather and down-alternative pillows may lack sufficient density to support side sleepers’ heads or provide enough support for people with larger frames.
Many pillow brands now feature dual-sided designs with firm and soft sides, which is beneficial to individuals who like alternating between different feels while sleeping. A medium-firm to firm feeling pillow usually works best for side sleepers as it helps maintain proper spinal alignment whereas too soft a pillow could sink beneath your head and create misalignments which lead to discomfort or pain in neck and back regions.
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