Check Out the Best Side Sleeper Pillows For A Comfortable Night’s Sleep
Side sleeping is believed to be the most comfortable position, although it is not always the most correct one. Sleeping on the side can put stress not just on your spine, but also on your neck and shoulders. Aside from sleeping on a good mattress that helps alleviate pressure points, the pillow that you choose as a side sleeper can also impact the quality of your sleep. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best side sleeper pillows, but not before talking about what it is that you should look for in such a product.
Quick Pick: What is the best rated pillow for side sleepers?
A luxurious pillow, plush and airy, soft and supportive at the same time.
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Engineered specifically for side sleepers, this Eli & Elm pillow conforms to your head and neck allowing for proper support.
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Ergonomically shaped to support you as you move side-to-side while you sleep.
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Cover is 60% Polyester, 40% Rayon Derived from Bamboo.
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What to Look for in a Side Sleeper Pillow
Sleeping on the side helps reduce acid reflux, it lowers the chances of snoring, and it’s the most comfortable position for pregnant women. But when it comes to choosing a good pillow for this particular position, what are the actual specifications that you need to look for?
- These types of pillows come in a variety of different sizes, but you need to pick one that offers the best level of support depending on your weight, height, and other factors.
- The shape of a side sleeper pillow is also important, as it can have a curved or an even surface. The latter category includes pillows that are easier to find and can have flat or full shapes. Curved pillows, on the other hand, are generally recessed under the head and elevated in the neck area. They are really good for sleepers who suffer from chronic shoulder or neck pain.
- The loft of the pillow plays a major role in the level of support it can offer. Low-loft pillows are those with less than three inches in thickness; medium-loft pillows generally measure between three and five inches; high-loft pillows are those thicker than five inches. For side sleepers, medium and high-loft pillows are generally the best options. That’s because sleeping on the side will create a gap between the neck and the pillow and this space can be filled with the right amount of loft.
- Moldability is another characteristic you want to look out for. That means that a pillow can be flexible when you need it, and the materials that are used to make said pillow will highly impact its moldability.
- Needless to say, the materials that are used to make the pillow will surely have a say in whether or not you will find the product suitable for your needs. Buckwheat is one option and they are great because they allow you to adjust the loft and they provide a decent amount of support. Feather pillows are another great option because the loft is adjustable and the sleepers can customize the level of support they’re getting. Memory foam in another completely viable option when you consider the fact that this material has great contouring properties and will feel very comfortable to sleep on. Other fill options that are relatively decent include: down (it is highly comfortable, but doesn’t provide the best type of support for side sleepers), latex (these pillows are good at alleviating pressure but there are plenty of models that will now allow you to adjust the lost unless you’re looking into a shredded latex product), and polyfoam (these pillows provide a great deal of support and contouring, but they are not very durable in the long term).
Top 6 Best Side Sleeper Pillow Reviews
1. Layla Kapok Pillow
Layla is a brand that knows its way around mattresses and their flagship model has found its way into countless homes and has kept sleepers happy for years. Now, Layla returns with what is, hand down, one of the best pillows for side sleepers that you’ll ever find. It may not be the least expensive option we’re going to give you today, but the specifications completely justify the price.
Made with kapok fibers, this is a pillow that best characterized by its generous loft and high breathability. The fill of the pillow is a combination of reactive memory foam and the aforementioned kapok fibers that work together to contour to the shape of your head and neck and provide you with optimal support levels.
The cover is made from a blend of copper fibers and polyester/viscose to ensure breathability and prevent your head from feeling all sweaty during hotter nights. The cover is zippered and it allows access to the loft. The pillow arrives with slightly more loft so that you can remove it to the point where it’s just the right thickness for your particular body configuration.
Who Should Buy This?
The Layla pillow is designed for side sleepers who are looking to buy a product from a brand with experience in the bedding industry, but also for those who aren’t too shy to spend a little bit more money to get a quality product.
A luxurious pillow, plush and airy, soft and supportive at the same time.
View DealPros:
- Copper infusion for higher breathability.
- Soft cover.
- Adjustable fill.
- Quality construction.
- Good-looking cover.
Cons:
- A bit expensive.
2. Eli & Elm Pillow
For some of our readers, going organic as much as possible is a priority and it’s something that we truly respect. Be it for your own safety reasons or because you don’t want to contribute to an industry that revolved around toxic materials and waste, buying organic bedding items is an intelligent thing to do as long as you can afford it, since these types of products aren’t exactly the cheapest ones.
The Eli & Elm side sleeping pillow is a product made with organic cotton that eliminates the use of chemicals in the growth and fabrication process. Aside from its organic qualities, the cover is also soft and breathable, providing a healthy and cool sleeping environment. Inside the pillow, you can find a combination of polyester and latex, while the loft itself is adjustable to the thickness of your preference.
As you will notice from the first moment you look at it, the pillow is designed with the comfort of the side sleeper in mind, providing special support for the head, neck, and shoulders.
Who Should Buy This?
The Eli & Elm pillow is a good choice for side sleepers that feel they would benefit out of sleeping on an organic cotton cover, cut also for those who want a product with adjustable loft.
Engineered specifically for side sleepers, this Eli & Elm pillow conforms to your head and neck allowing for proper support.
View DealPros:
- Organic cotton cover.
- Adjustable thickness.
- Breathable construction.
- Side-sleeping design.
Cons:
- Not fully-organic construction.
3. Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Contour Breeze Side-To-Side Pillow
Are you ready for one of the ultimate side sleeping pillows? One that can provide you with unimaginable levels of comfort, but also one that’s considerably more expensive than the rest? Then you have to feast your eyes on this Tempur-Pedic pillow, a product designed to take the shape of your neck and your head and give you all the support and comfort needed.
The Breeze pillow was created with a foam fill that’s meant to combat heat retention thanks to a layer of cooling gel that’s placed on top of the pillow so that you can experience temperature regulation at all times. The cover of the product is made from a quilted polyester fabric, which makes it breathable and really soft to the touch. The cover is also removable and machine washable.
Overall, the pillow is basically a Queen size and weighs about five pounds in total. When you apply pressure, the foam seems to fall rather on the firm side, so you might want to look into another product if you want something that’s more on the soft side.
Who Should Buy This?
The Breeze pillow is a product designed for people who are looking for a premium sleeping item that’s made with high-quality materials and by a brand with experience in the industry. It is a good choice for side sleepers looking for a firm pillow, but also for those who would love a cooling product.
Ergonomically shaped to support you as you move side-to-side while you sleep.
View DealPros:
- Washable cover.
- Cooling gel pad.
- Quality foam.
- Firm edges.
- Soft center.
Cons:
- Doesn’t fit well in standard pillowcases
4. Coop Home Goods Pillow
We continue our series of reviews with a pillow from Coop Home Goods, a product that comes at a more convenient price compared to the other models we’ve shown you so far, and also that is available in a Queen and King size. But even if the price is lower, you should still expect to get a quality product and one that has been very well received by its community of buyers.
The pillow is made with a cover that blends polyester and bamboo-derived rayon in a 60/40 percentage. This helps create a breathable fabric that is capable of keeping you cool even when the temperature inside your bedroom doesn’t seem to be working in your favor. Inside it, you can find a mix of memory foam and polyester which is removable, meaning that you can achieve the level of thickness you’re most comfortable sleeping on.
One of the best things about buying a Coop Home Goods pillow is the fact that you will always receive an additional bag of fill, in case you want the pillow to be fluffier than the original version it’s shipped in. With a vegan and cruelty-free construction, it’s definitely a product you want to try if you’re not into the shady practices behind the manufacturing process of natural down pillows.
Who Should Buy This?
The Coop Home Goods pillow will do you justice if you’re looking for a quality and affordable product, but also if you want a pillow with adjustable loft, a breathable case, and a cruelty-free construction.
Cover is 60% Polyester, 40% Rayon Derived from Bamboo.
View DealPros:
- Bonus fill included.
- Breathable cover.
- Adjustable loft.
- GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certified.
Cons:
- Slight off-gassing.
5. Hullo Pillow
Are you a side sleeper who is looking for a fully-organic pillow? Are you also a sleeper who is ready to pay the price needed to own a fully organic product? Do you like firm pillows? If you’ve answered “yes” to all these questions, the Hullo pillow is a good product for you.
You might have heard about buckwheat already. If you have, then you already know that these tiny, but very firm shells are often used to make really supportive and firm pillows that might serve those who experience neck or shoulder pain. However, if you are not into firm pillows, this won’t help you a lot.
This particular pillow is made with organic buckwheat pilling which was completely grown in the US. Because of the spacing between the hulls, the pillow will naturally promote airflow while sleeping. It comes with a concealed zipper that grants you access to the loft for higher levels of adjustment, but keep in mind that removing the loft does not make the pillow softer; only thinner.
Who Should Buy This?
If you’re looking for a fully organic pillow, if you’re a lover of firm pillows, if you’re experiencing chronic neck or shoulder pain, or if you simply want to try out a buckwheat pillow, the Hullo might be the best option for you.
Pros:
- Organic twill cover.
- Organic buckwheat fill.
- Highly breathable.
- Adjustable loft.
Cons:
- Very firm.
6. Drift Pillow
The Scrumptious pillow is yet another great example of how great pillows can be designed to accommodate a specific sleeping position. This is a product that is designed with a special shape that provides support for the head and neck without keeping your shoulders elevated.
The pillow is designed to accommodate a fill that’s made with copper-infused foam, which is a measure used to make sure that the foam doesn’t retain any heat. This will prevent thermal discomfort which is always known for being one of foam’s weakest points. It is also important to note that foam used in the filling of the pillow is CertiPUR-US certified.
The hidden zipper will provide you access to the fill, allowing you to remove it and make the pillow thinner. Out of the box, the pillow measures about five inches in thickness.
Who Should Buy This?
We’ve chosen the Drift pillow to be a part of our reviewed items because it provides different cooling measures, being the ideal product for side sleepers who tend to sleep hot.
Pros:
- CertiPUR-US certified foam.
- Curved designed.
- Adjustable loft.
- Concealed zipper.
- Copper-infused foam fill.
Cons:
- Adjusting the loft is a trial and error thing.
Bottom Line
Luckily, the market is very generous when it comes to providing us with options for a decent side sleeping pillow and even if the shopping process might seem overwhelming, it is always better to have more options than to have just one or two products to choose from.
Side sleeping is a position that you can really benefit from, but sleeping on the wrong pillow is just as severe as sleeping on the wrong mattress. While the wrong type of bed can create massive pressure points and could cause you to wake up with pain, the wrong type of pillow can put a lot of strain on your neck or cause pain in the shoulder region.
Remember that when you’re looking to buy a pillow for just about any sleeping position, it’s very important to look for a product with adjustable loft (unless, of course, you are already sure of the thickness of the pillow you’re considering buying).