Lagoon Chinchilla Pillow
The Lagoon Chinchilla has a wonderfully fluffy feel that will especially appeal to stomach sleepers.
Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
If you are a stomach sleeper who has been sleeping without a pillow specific to your needs, you may be all too familiar with the strain it can put on your neck, spine, and shoulders every night. Picking the right pillow can make all the difference in your posture, relieve pressure on fragile joints, and give you a blissful night’s sleep that actually leaves you feeling well-rested.
In this guide we are diving into some of our top pillow picks for people who sleep on their stomachs, and taking a closer look at what special considerations need to be made for these sleeper’s pillows.
For more ways that will help you optimize your stomach sleeping, check out our guides on the best mattresses for stomach sleepers, as well as how to properly sleep on your stomach. Additionally, note that with the listed prices, we are excluding any sales or discounts. By clicking the “check price” buttons on our page, you can check out each brand’s current discounts and sales on their products, so that you’re getting these quality products at the best price.
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Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
- Nerd’s Pick – The Lagoon Chinchilla Pillow
- Best Hypoallergenic Pillow for Stomach Sleepers – Tempur-Cloud Adjustable Pillow
- Best Down Pillow for Stomach Sleepers – Brooklinen Down Pillow
- Best Customizable Pillow for Stomach Sleepers – Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow
- Best Cooling Pillow for Stomach Sleepers – Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow
Watch Our Review
Lagoon Chinchilla Pillow
Nerd’s Pick
If you sleep on your stomach then your face is going to make direct contact with the pillow, there’s no two ways about it. As such, you’ll want a pillow that feels nice and soft when its smushed against your nose and eyes—you’ll almost want it to feel like it’s not even there. The Lagoon Chinchilla Pillow delivers this cloud-like quality that stomach sleepers adore.
Reason to Buy – The airy softness of the Chinchilla isn’t the only thing that makes it wonderful for stomach sleepers. It also features a fully adjustable construction, which means you can make it flat enough to where your neck doesn’t rest crookedly while you’re on your belly. Also, it has a breathable design that can help make waking up sweaty a thing of the past.
Tempur-Cloud Adjustable Pillow
BEST FOR ALLERGIES
TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow
This unique Tempur-Pedic pillow comes with an adjustable, shredded memory foam fill that can be added to or removed, to cater to your own personalized loft and feel preferences—meaning it’ll work for all sleeping positions and body types.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.00 / 5
Read Full Review
If you tend to have trouble with allergies and are looking for a hypoallergenic pillow, then the Tempur-Cloud Adjustable Pillow may be the perfect choice for you. Not only that, but the Tempur-Cloud should also cater to all three sleeping positions, including stomach sleeping.
Reason to Buy – Using high-quality memory foam products, this pillow is specifically designed so that your neck, back, and shoulders stay in proper alignment throughout the night. This alignment is paramount for all types of sleepers, and just by removing or adding the memory foam fill, you can find a loft that’s best for you. Additionally, those with allergies can rest easy knowing that the Tempur-Cloud’s 100% polyester cover is not only hypoallergenic, but also machine washer safe. Another added bonus about this pillow is that it sleeps cool, thanks to the shredded interior that provides good airflow.
Brooklinen Down Pillow
BEST DOWN PILLOW FOR STOMACH SLEEPERS
Brooklinen Down Pillow
Fans of comfort should love the softness of the Brooklinen Down Pillow.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.30 / 5
Folks often get down and feathers confused for the same thing. To be fair, they do both come from ducks (or geese) but they’re very different when it comes to feel. A down pillow will usually be more expensive, but for good reason, as the fill is as soft and fluffy as a stomach sleeper could imagine. At least, such is the case with the Brooklinen Down Pillow.
Reason to Buy – Brooklinen specifically recommends the plush version of their down pillow for stomach sleepers, and so do we. It is the softest pillow they offer, and has a lower loft than the firm version, which is recommended if you want to rest without your neck and spine being in an awkward position.
Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow
BEST FOR CUSTOMIZABILITY
Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow
The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow is made with a shredded latex foam filling that supports all types of sleepers.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.60 / 5
Read Full Review
The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow takes customizable to a new level, and we think that stomach sleepers will absolutely love it. The pillow, packed with hypoallergenic latex fill, is made to be stuffed (or unstuffed) by the customer, depending on their preferred sleep position and pillow feel.
Reason to Buy – For a belly sleeper, it is ideal to be as close to the mattress as possible to prevent neck and back pain. The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow should be great for stomach sleeping, since all you have to do to get that proper alignment is adjust the pillow’s loft to your needs. One of the other outstanding aspects of this pillow is the quality of materials. Eco-conscious shoppers are likely to fall in love with the 100% organic cotton fabric and certified chemical-free shredded latex foam. On top of that, it’s really easy to wash and dry this pillow, since you can toss in the whole pillow for cleaning!
Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam
Best Cooling Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
Belly Sleep Pillow
The Belly Sleep pillow is exactly as advertised—a slim pillow for stomach sleepers. The Belly Sleep pillow has a thin-profile pillow made of memory foam strong enough to lift your head enough, but not too much.
Read Full ReviewNothing is worse than waking up with neck pain, except for waking up with neck pain in a puddle of sweat. This gel-infused memory foam pillow aims to never let that happen to you again! With its moisture-wicking design and low loft, it should be excellent for those of us who tend to sleep hot, and primarily on our stomachs.
Reason to Buy – This pillow gives stomach sleepers the balance they crave with a design focused on all aspects of the sleeper’s comfort. Memory foam can get hot, so they infused it with a cooling gel to ensure you (and your pillow) stay as cool as possible. This pillow is soft enough to be a comfortable place to rest your head but firm enough to keep your neck in a safe, neutral position. The Belly Sleep pillow also comes with a removable cover, making it extremely easy to keep clean.
Why Should You Use a Pillow for Stomach Sleepers?
Stomach sleepers can put their neck, spine, and shoulders in a compromised position very easily. Many people think of pillows as a “one-size-fits-all” product and that is simply not the case. If you want to optimize your comfort level while you sleep, and wake up feeling refreshed without aches and pains, then picking a pillow specific to your needs is crucial!
Types of Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Pillows for stomach sleepers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types. Among the most popular choices are super thin pillows, memory foam pillows, shredded foam pillows, and gel-infused options.
When it comes to staying comfortable, the name of the game is keeping your neck in alignment while you sleep. If you can accomplish that, you will solve a lot of your sleeping issues. You do not want a pillow that is too thin or too thick, so you may have to try a few before you find the perfect one. Also, keep in mind how soft or firm your mattress is because that will dictate how much you sink down and change the alignment of your neck and back as well.
What Makes a Good Pillow for Stomach Sleepers?
Loft
Most pillows for stomach sleepers want your head and neck to be elevated as little as possible while also giving you needed support. The thin nature of many of these pillows should relieve pains, but you’ll want to make sure there is enough pillow there to give your neck the support it needs.
Material
Stomach sleeper pillow models come in a variety of materials. Among the most popular are memory foam, shredded foam, cotton and polyester fibers. The type of material that is best for you depends on how you sleep with the pillow.
Cost
Most picks in our guide typically cost much less than shown, since websites often add sales and discounts to their products. There are several options on the market that cost more and some that cost less. It is always a good idea to read the customer reviews on both ends of the spectrum to see if a more expensive option is really worth it, or to find out if a cheaper pillow can still provide you with a great night’s sleep.
Durability
The National Sleep Foundation recommends switching out your pillows every one to two years, but some will start to wear down quicker than that. Customer reviews and company warranty can be a good indicator of how long you should expect your new pillow to last.
FAQ
What type of pillow is best for stomach sleepers?
We recommend stomach sleepers sleep with a low-loft (thin) pillow, as it will help keep your neck properly aligned and your head from resting at an awkward angle.
What pillow firmness level is best for stomach sleepers?
Because you should be using a thin pillow, you’re likely to feel the firmness of the mattress coming through a bit. As such, we recommend you go for something soft to add a little bit of cushion between you and the surface of your bed.
How many pillows should a stomach sleeper sleep with?
One pillow. More than one pillow and you’re likely to throw your neck out of alignment.
Conclusion
If you are a stomach sleeper and have never paid close attention to what pillow you use, I hope you have recognized the impact it can make in your sleep moving forward. If you are consistently waking up with aches and pains, investing in a pillow made for your sleeping style may be the perfect place to start.
