Although around 70% of adults sleep on their sides, it is still a tiresome battle to find the right pillow for this position. While back sleepers and stomach sleepers can get by on low-loft or thin pillows, many side sleepers require a specific amount of support to avoid neck pain and discomfort.
The ideal pillow for side sleepers will fill the gap between your ear and shoulder, aligning the spine, in turn. Medium-loft and high-loft bed pillows tend to do the best job at this, but there are other factors to consider, including your weight, shoulder width, and personal preferences.
We’ve rounded up the best pillows for side sleepers in 2026 at a variety of price points. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide at the bottom of the article with tips on how to choose the best side-sleeper pillow for your body type.
And if you’re looking for a new mattress while you’re at it, here’s our top mattress picks for side sleepers.
Our experts chose the Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow as the Nerd’s Pick for the best pillow for side sleepers due to its customizable fill, high-quality cushioning and contouring, and affordable pricing. Plus, its firmer construction allows for a responsive feel perfect for combination sleepers who may shift in their sleep.
To put together this list of the best pillows for side sleepers, our Certified Sleep Science Coaches performed live testing. This includes elements like pressure relief, head and neck support, and firmness level.
The Silk & Snow pillow comes with an adjustable, shredded memory foam core with a down-like microfiber fill for an airy, yet supportive feel. Even better, this quality pillow comes at an affordable price and excellent customer policies, including a three-year warranty.
If you want your pillow to last any considerable length of time, you’ll need a pillow like the Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow—our top pick for side sleepers. It retails for $75 but is often on sale for closer to $60. Sure, that’s pricier than the cheapest pillows online, but it’s also backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a three-year warranty, making it a fantastic deal. Along with its adjustable loft and durable materials, there’s exceptional value found within this pillow.
Our in-house testers raved about the feel and quality of this pillow, giving its materials a perfect 5-out-of-5 score. The inner core, made of shredded memory foam, can be removed to adjust to your preferred loft, and that core is surrounded by an outer shell made of plush, down-like microfiber fill. The pillow cover is made of pure, breathable cotton, as well, which our tester said felt cool to the touch.
It strikes a solid balance between firmness and cushioning with its inner core and outer shell, providing nice lift and support for side and back sleepers, although stomach sleepers may find the pillow too lifted for their liking.
Our Nerd’s Pick is always based on the sleep product we think works for the widest range of people. We chose the Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow as our best overall option because we’re fans of its construction, and its price point is hard to beat (given the quality). Its customizable loft can also accommodate more body types and sleeping positions. While we think this is the best option for side sleepers looking for a new pillow, we encourage you to read the rest of our mini-reviews to see if another option on our list better suits your preferences.
What our testers say: “The outer shell gives a down-like feel that I like, but it doesn’t clump in areas or go flat. It’s supportive, bouncy, and plush, plus the cover is cool. This pillow is high-quality and feels luxurious, even at its low price.” – Mattress Nerd In-House Tester
According to Silk & Snow’s website, this adjustable pillow has earned an average score of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 1,500 customer reviews. Most positive reviews rave about being able to find the perfect level of lift for their sleeping preferences, while negative reviews said that the pillow runs a little hot, and it’s hard to keep the pillow even after removing some of the shredded foam core.
Need a lower loft from your pillow? Check out the best pillows for stomach sleepers for some great options.
The Saatva pillow features a pillow-on-pillow design that enables users to easily adjust the height to their needs, leading to a great night’s sleep. Its hypoallergenic design stays cool thanks to its shredded Talalay latex foam creating a breathable construction.
The Saatva Latex Pillow features a Talalay latex core along with a down alternative fill, and has an innovative three-layer design and medium firmness level. Its loft is adjustable, meaning that side sleepers of any size can customize it to their liking.
Latex can be more supportive and resilient than other pillow fill styles, which makes it a popular option for shoppers looking for durability and shape retention. The interior of the Saatva Pillow contains shredded Talalay latex, and the outer layer is filled with a down alternative. You’ll have the option to adjust the pillow so that the loft can measure anywhere between 2 and 8 inches thick.
The temperature-neutral inner lining on the pillow helps it sleep cool, as does the organic cotton cover. This breathable, moisture-wicking cover can be removed for machine washing, and, as with most Saatva products, this pillow lasts longer than average. The Saatva pillow is available in queen and king sizes, and comes with free shipping and a 45-night sleep trial. Check out the Saatva Classic mattress review for more details on the brand.
What our testers say: “Ever since I started sleeping on this pillow, my neck pain is virtually gone.” – Spencer, Accessories Tester
On Saatva’s website, the Latex pillow scored a 4.7 out of 5 based on over 160 reviews.
Check out our Saatva Latex Pillow Review for more information.
With its high loft and shredded memory foam core, the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow provides ample support and pressure relief for side sleepers. Additionally, GlacioTex fabric and a gel grid both help to keep this pillow cool and crisp throughout the night.
This lofty and supportive pillow from Helix is the perfect match for average to heavyweight folks looking to stay propped up throughout the night. Especially for larger folks with broader shoulders, the 7.5-inch loft on the king-size version will be plenty tall to keep you elevated and comfortable. Gone are the days of stacking multiple pillows!
That said, Helix doesn’t just bank on one feature. This pillow features a shredded memory foam core and cooling Tencel cover that offers some nice pressure relief without making you feel stuffy or hot. Best yet, you can try out this pillow for 100 nights, or your money back!
What our testers say: “The very high loft on this pillow works great for supporting side sleepers in proper spinal alignment!” – Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
As of this writing, this pillow has no customer reviews currently available on Helix’s website. We’ll update this section if any ratings come in, though.
This shredded memory foam pillow is premium and adjustable, sold with a customization option that allows it to accommodate virtually any body size and sleep position.
The Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow has a medium-soft feel and contains shredded, gel-infused memory foam along with microfiber. Retailing for roughly $89, it sleeps cooler than most memory foam options and can be adjusted, making it one of the better value options on our list. It’s not quite as affordable as the $5 models you may be able to get from the supermarket, but the Coop Sleep Goods pillow will last much longer than those bargain-deal pillows, thanks to the adjustable pillow’s durable materials and solid construction.
Additionally, if you enjoy the cradling feel of memory foam around your head and neck, the Coop Sleep Goods pillow is a good option to prevent pressure points from developing. The original design will likely work for lightweight side sleepers, but average-weight and heavyweight sleepers may need to add extra fill to the pillow to achieve a loft that’s supportive enough. The good news is Coop Sleep Goods sells extra fill in bulk.
Another highlight of this pick is its breathability. Most memory foam pillows retain heat, but the pillow’s shredded foam mixture, along with its cooling polyester and bamboo cover, prevent that from becoming too much of an issue. That said, very hot sleepers may still need something with more cooling capabilities. This pillow is backed by a 100-night sleep trial and comes with a five-year warranty, as well.
What our testers say: “This adjustable pillow from Coop is a great memory foam option that offers the pressure relief and softness you expect, with the customization that guarantees comfortable sleep.” – Loren, Accessories Tester
On Coop Sleep Good’s website, the brand’s original pillow scored a 4.7 out of 5 stars based on over 18,000 user reviews. The consensus is that the pillow was a great investment, that it’s held up over time, and that it’s improved the users’ quality of sleep. However, a few customers had trouble finding a comfortable position and lift from the pillow, even after removing or adding more fill.
Check out our Coop Sleep Goods Pillow Review for more information.
The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow is crafted from natural Talalay latex to provide breathability for hot sleepers. Available in a high and low loft, it can offer support for differing sleep positions as well.
The Talalay Latex Pillow from Brooklyn Bedding is a standout for sleepers dealing with neck pain due to its size and height options, meaning you can find the ideal lift and support for your sleeping position. In particular, our testers found the latex to provide a natural bounciness and support while sleeping on their side, which helped keep their neck and spine properly aligned.
Additionally, its breathable latex design helps accommodate hot sleepers, combination sleepers, and those with allergies. Latex is a great bedding material because it’s breathable, bouncy, and mite-resistant. You don’t have to worry about sweating, neck pain, or any unwanted bacteria while sleeping.
Brooklyn Bedding claims that those with an allergy to latex are still able to use this pillow. According to the brand’s site, the latex insert and cover are designed to be hypoallergenic and are suited for those with allergies because the latex is natural and not synthetically made. Plus, Brooklyn Bedding backs up the quality of its product with good policies, including a 30-night trial and three-year limited warranty.
What our testers say: “Latex pillows are great for just about everyone. Brooklyn Bedding created the perfect cooling, responsive, and relatively affordable option with their Talalay Latex Pillow!” – Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
On Brooklyn Bedding’s website, the Talalay Latex Pillow scored a 4.4 out of 5 based on nearly 3,000 user reviews. Most customers praise its ability to stay cool and admit that its high loft helps alleviate their neck pain, although some customers aren’t fans of the pillow’s lumpy texture.
For more latex models, check out our picks for the best latex pillows.
With a quilted cool-to-the-touch cover, the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow is designed to wick away heat and moisture. Plus, its side zippers allow for sleepers to adjust this pillow's firmness.
Fans of the soft contouring feel of memory foam will appreciate the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow, which uses a combination of memory foam clusters and microfiber to create a soft, down-like feel that’s fantastic for relieving pressure on the neck. This pillow’s firmness can also be adjusted to your preference, using two zippers on the side. Both zippers can be opened for a softer touch, while zipping each one makes for a medium and then firm feel.
Using the adjustable firmnesses, our product tester found this pillow ideal not just for a side sleeper, but for any sleeping position, really. She liked it best on the soft setting while sleeping on her side, however, as it properly aligned her neck with her spine and kept her comfortable throughout the night.
Another feature of this Nectar pillow is the cool-to-the-touch quilted cover. It’s made with a special fabric designed to wick away heat and moisture, and our tester could feel how cool the pillow was, even through a pillow case.
What our testers say: “I’m a side sleeper who prefers softer pillows and typically stays away from memory foam, but I loved this pillow with its soft setting. My head sank in just the right amount and kept my spine aligned and neck and traps comfortable.” – Mattress Nerd In-House Tester
The Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow has an average score of 4.2 out of 5 stars on the brand’s website with over 900 customer ratings. Positive reviews say that the memory foam pillow provides a great mix of support and comfort, although some customers complained that the pillow proved too firm or soft for their liking.
For more options, check out our picks for the best memory foam pillows.
The LUXOME LAYR pillow is a fully customizable option that allows you to cater the feel and firmness to your sleeping position and body type. This luxury pillow is also easy to clean and maintain with its machine-washable pillow and insert covers.
If you’re looking for the right amount of lift and cushioning from your pillow, you may need an adjustable pillow like the LUXOME LAYR Customizable Pillow. This pillow comes with a bamboo outer cover and three different inserts, each with different materials for different firmnesses: a soft down-like insert, a medium insert combining down alternative and shredded memory foam, and a firm insert constructed from solid memory foam. Using any combination of these can help you find your preferred level of comfort from this luxury pillow.
While our product tester found this to be good for side sleepers, he also found it to work well for most other sleeping positions—particularly, on his back. This can be a solid pick for combination sleepers, too, since its adjustable inserts can help sleepers find their ideal loft for their unique needs.
If there’s any sort of drawback to this pillow, it’s mostly the price. The standard pillow is $150, while a king-size retails at $180. Still, our tester saw its value, from its extreme customization to its quality materials, including a heavy-duty zipper on the pillow cover. Along with its easy care and maintenance, this can be a worthwhile investment to those looking for solid value from their sleep accessories.
What our testers say: “This pillow was pretty comfortable right away, and I’ve now been using it for several weeks and it has only become more comfortable. Honestly, I was just really impressed with the thoughtfulness of this product. LUXOME set out to make a truly adjustable pillow, and they really nailed it.” – Mattress Nerd In-House Tester
With more than 1,800 reviews on the brand’s site, the LUXOME LAYR Customizable Pillow has a score of 4.9 out of 5 stars from customer ratings. Many customers are pleased with their purchase, saying that the pillow is easy to adjust and made with quality in mind, but a few customers say that finding the perfect combination of inserts for their needs has been tough.
Check out our list of the best adjustable pillows for more solid recommendations.
The Layla pillow combines all-natural Kapok fibers with shredded memory foam for a feel that’s plush yet supportive. With an adjustable fill level and cooling copper fibers, the Layla Pillow sleeps temperature neutral and suits all sleeping positions.
The Layla Kapok Pillow is composed of all-natural, silky Kapok fibers and includes shredded memory foam for a feel that’s not only supportive, but also plush. The Layla pillow also has an adjustable fill level and cooling copper fibers that allows for a colder sleep to suit side sleepers.
No matter how soft a pillow’s cover or how perfect its loft, if it sleeps hot, chances are a healthy sleep pattern won’t always be achievable. Layla incorporates its open-cell foam and natural Kapok yarns, which helps to facilitate more airflow than an average foam pillow. Not only is the interior fluffy and breathable, but the Layla pillow cover is composed of a breathable fabric, as well, and has temperature-regulating copper fibers woven in.
Additionally, the Layla Kapok Pillow has a convenient zipper enclosure that will allow you to adjust the loft to better fit your side-sleeping needs. The cloud-like feel and all-night support make this high-quality pillow an excellent option for side sleepers who tend to also sleep hot. The Layla pillow comes in queen and king sizes with prices starting around $99.
What our testers say: “The Layla Kapok Pillow is one of my go-to recommendations. It’s cooling, totally customizable, and much less expensive than similar models.” – Loren, Accessories Tester
On Layla’s website, the Kapok pillow scored a 4.5 out of 5 based on over 3,300 reviews.
Check out our Layla Kapok Pillow Review for more information.
The Tuft & Needle Pillow provides plush yet lofty support with a medium firmness that’s great for side and back sleepers. Made from a slab of T&N Adaptive foam, this pillow is squishy, responsive, and supportive.
The T&N Pillow features the company’s proprietary Adaptive Foam, which combines the contouring of memory foam with added bounce and support. The foam has open-cell technology, heat-wicking graphite, and cooling gel to help you sleep cool.
This pillow sets itself apart with its proprietary T&N foam construction that resembles memory foam without losing shape or support. It’s one of the only memory-foam-like pillows that’s appropriate for side sleepers of all sizes, and it has multiple design details to promote temperature neutrality.
The pillow is moldable, so it will contour to your neck in the side-sleeping position—but you’ll never have to fluff it. The pillow is also hypoallergenic and eco-friendly, and the soft cover is machine-washable. The T&N pillow is available in standard and king sizes, and it comes with free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial (30 nights if ordered on Amazon.com) and a three-year limited warranty.
What our testers say: “As a side sleeper, I was hesitant that this all-foam pillow would work for my sleeping position and broader shoulders. That said, I was pleasantly surprised!” – Daniel, Accessories Tester
On T&N’s website, the brand’s original foam pillow scored a 4.4 out of 5 based on over 4,000 user reviews. The most helpful favorable review mentioned the height and firmness was tall enough to accommodate their side sleeping and help their partner stop snoring.
Read our Tuft & Needle Original Pillow Review for more details.
There are several factors we consider and score each pillow on while performing in-depth testing in the Mattress Nerd lab: durability, cooling, price, feel, and more. However, here are the main points we evaluated while selecting our top picks for side sleepers:
Beyond just finding a quality pillow, side sleepers need a supportive pillow with a high enough loft to keep their neck in proper alignment. When selecting the best pillows for side sleepers from the dozens of pillows we’ve reviewed, we ensured each pillow provided the necessary lift and support needed for a side sleeper to have a good night’s sleep.
What did we look for, exactly? An ideal side-sleeping pillow often has a high loft of roughly 4 inches thick, but the exact loft needed will vary from person to person depending on their unique anatomy. As a rule of thumb, larger and broader-shouldered people will likely need a higher loft that can properly fill the space between their ear and neck. A firmer feel in a pillow can also prevent the head and neck from sinking.
Each of our Mattress Nerd testers did rigorous testing in and out of the lab; we tested pillows over multiple nights in our homes to gather how the pillows would perform over a long-term period. We noted how durable the materials were, and whether or not the pillows would retain their support throughout each night.
We also tested each pillow in different sleeping positions—back, stomach, and side—to ensure that these pillows would feel comfortable for different sleeper types. For our side-sleeping picks, if our in-house testers didn’t like how a pillow felt on their side, or woke up each morning with a new ache or pain, then we simply didn’t add it to this list.
Unless you’re spending next to nothing at the supermarket for your sleep accessories, a good pillow can be a bit of an investment. Unlike the supermarket pillows, the pillows we recommend are made with durable materials that should last for years, rather than wear and flatten out in a couple weeks.
In selecting our top picks, we favored pillows made from high-quality materials like latex, memory foam, and down alternatives that can better maintain their shape over time. Maintaining a pillow’s shape and loft is important for side sleepers, since a flatter shape means a lower loft and less support for your head and neck. As such, we made sure the materials used in each pillow held up over time before adding them to our list of recommendations.
While some materials and styles may lend themselves to a firmer feel and add a bit more support or lift, all pillow styles can be a good fit for side sleepers, so long as the loft is high enough for your needs. For you, the right type will come down to personal preferences.
Here, we’ll go over the various materials and pillow styles that can be suitable for side sleepers.
Memory foam pillows can be filled with large chunks of shredded memory foam or a solid block of the material. A solid memory foam pillow with the right loft and firmness level can best support your head if you don’t toss and turn. On the other hand, a shredded memory foam pillow is usually adjustable, meaning you can add or remove fill to create a loft that suits your body and sleeping position, even as you move around.
Latex is an increasingly popular pillow fill because it’s comfortable yet resilient, and it commonly sleeps cooler than memory foam. Some latex pillows are adjustable, but most have a solid block of latex at their core. They contour the neck and head well and alleviate some pressure, and they’ll feel a little bouncier to the touch.
Down is a luxury pillow fill made from the plumage of geese and ducks. It’s very soft and lightweight, so side sleepers will need a down pillow with a very dense fill in order to achieve adequate support. Keep in mind, too, that down is soft and comfortable, but it requires some fluffing, is usually more expensive, and some folks may have an allergy to the material.
If you like the feel of down but can’t foot the bill, a down alternative offers a similar lightweight body and often comes without the allergy risk. Like the luxury pillows they take inspiration from, down alternative pillows also require fluffing, may not always hold their shape well, and will need to have a high-density fill to support side sleepers’ necks.
To learn more, check out our article comparing down vs. down alternative pillows.
As mentioned, the ideal loft for a side sleeper’s pillow is around 4 inches, although it can vary slightly depending on the width of your shoulders. If your pillow has too low of a loft, it may position your head at an unhealthy angle.
If you’re not entirely sure of the ideal loft for you, you may want to go with an adjustable pillow that can be modified to your ideal height. Remember that you want a pillow that will fit snugly into the gap between your shoulder and your head, so that your spine maintains alignment throughout the night.
We recommend that side sleepers seek out a pillow on the firmer side. Something on the softer side will allow your head to sink too far into it, thereby compressing the loft and potentially throwing your spine out of alignment. A firmer pillow, on the other hand, can better maintain proper spinal alignment and keep its shape.
While we do suggest a firm pillow for side sleepers, you want to make sure the firmness is balanced out by some comfort, as well. Even with a high loft and firm support, you’ll still want enough pressure relief so that you can feel nice and cushioned as you drift off to sleep; this way, you won’t wake up with a sore ear.
The upkeep needed from bedding accessories can vary a lot; from simply throwing covers in the washing machine, to them only being able to handle spot-cleaning and air-drying. It’s good to factor in the level of care required for a pillow before making a purchase, as some folks prefer a simple pillow whose cover can be conveniently tossed in the laundry and tumble-dried.
If you tend to sleep hot, a cooling pillow might be able to help regulate your temperature at night. Pillows can vary in their cooling capabilities, starting with using more breathable materials such as a cotton cover or a shredded foam fill. Look for cooling technologies if you’re a particularly hot sleeper, though; gel infusions in memory foam or cooling fabric designed to wick away moisture and heat are a good place to start.
Ultimately, the ideal pillow for you will come down to the amount of money you’re willing to spend on it. While bargain brands can cost as little as $10, we usually recommend spending a little more than that. Ultra-budget options tend to wear down quickly and lose their shape within weeks or months. To make sure your pillow will last for longer than a year, we recommend pillows that start around $50 or so. For people looking to spend even more on a luxury option, those prices often start around $125.
Another important factor to consider are company policies, notably sleep trials, returns, and warranties. For sleep accessories, most sleep trials last about 30 nights, although some companies offer up to 100 nights. On the other hand, some brands don’t allow returns on pillows, as they’re considered a “personal item.” Make sure you’re comfortable with the sleep trial and return policy from the company before making your purchase.
As far as warranties go, pillows are generally covered for a shorter time period than the best mattresses, but warranties typically last a year, nonetheless. Quite a few of our top picks are covered with longer three- or five-year warranties, however, from brands like Silk & Snow and Coop Sleep Goods. Make sure you’re happy with the coverage period, and be sure to read the fine print of each warranty: Some might have guarantees for certain issues you may run into while owning your new pillow.
Just like you need a pillow that supports your sleeping position, having the right mattress can make sleeping on your side much more comfortable. Look for something on the soft to medium-firm end of the mattress firmness scale. This can help ensure that your hips and shoulders sink comfortably into the mattress when you’re on your side.
In order to prevent or reduce back pain, it’s important to keep your spine aligned on its natural curve as you sleep. When sleeping on your side, your hips can rotate in either direction, which might result in throwing your spine out of whack.
If you believe this may be happening to you, try sleeping with a pillow between your knees. This can help keep your legs directly on top of one another, your hips squared, and your spine aligned. For more tips, take a look at our steps on how to properly sleep on your side.
Believe it or not, sleeping on your left side can sometimes actually be healthier than sleeping on your right. According to research, sleeping on your left side can help with breathing, digestion, heartburn, and more! For a deeper dive, take a look at our article, “What is the Best Side to Sleep On?”
The best side-sleeping pillow for you will depend on a few different factors, such as your budget, ideal loft, and other needs like cooling capabilities or adjustability. That said, Nerd’s Pick for most users is the Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow. It’s priced competitively and made of durable materials. Plus, its adjustable loft can help you customize your pillow to your specific needs.
Yes, dozens of pillows that are appropriate for side sleepers are available on Amazon.com. Examples from this list include the Coop Home Goods and the Tuft & Needle pillows.
Side sleepers should opt for pillows with a high loft and medium-firm or firm feel. A dense fill that’s also comfortable will allow the shoulders to relax and the neck to be supported, leading to pressure relief that makes it easier to fall asleep.
If you’re experiencing neck pain in the side-sleeping position, your current pillow may be to blame. By purchasing a new pillow that encourages proper neck alignment, you may notice that your pain subsides. If pain continues with a proper side-sleeping pillow, consider transitioning to a back-sleeping position, which is the healthiest sleeping position, according to doctors.
Side sleepers will benefit most from a thicker pillow with a high loft, typically around 4 inches thick. However, the ideal height will vary depending on your body type: A broader-shouldered individual will likely need a higher loft to fill the gap between their ear and the mattress.
The majority of pillows that we recommend start around $50, and some can reach over $100. Spending less than that price usually leaves you with a pillow made with lower-quality materials that will wear and tear prematurely, or the pillow won’t hold its shape very well, at all. Spending a bit more on a pillow can ensure that materials are high-quality, durable, responsibly sourced, and will last much longer than just a few months.
| Pillow Model | Award |
|---|---|
| Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow | Nerd’s Pick |
| Saatva Latex Pillow | Best Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow | Best King-Sized Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow | Best Affordable Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow | Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain |
| Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow | Best Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| LUXOME LAYR Customizable Pillow | Best Adjustable Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Layla Kapok Pillow | Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Tuft & Needle Original Pillow | Best Pillow for Side & Back Sleepers |
