Best Pillows For Side Sleepers [Review] in 2021

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers Buyer’s Guide:

Now side sleeping is one of the most common positions to sleep in; most of us sleep on either our side or back. Side sleeping is an excellent way to keep your back aligned and relieve pressure points if you have the right amount of support.

Choosing a comfortable pillow is the most important step in quality, supportive and comfortable night’s sleep. Choosing a good quality pillow that works for you is so important as otherwise, you could suffer from head, back, shoulder, and even neck pain.

Pillows for a side sleeper may have a slightly different loft to pillows for back sleepers. This is because when sleeping on your side, your pillow should fill the gap between the bed, your shoulders, and your head.

I would recommend going for a higher loft pillow for side sleeping as it will provide you with the support you need. But if you’re a combination sleeper, then going between a medium and high loft may be your best fit.

Let’s break down everything you need to know so we can improve your quality of sleep in no time!

What are the benefits of side sleeping?

Despite this being the most popular sleeping position is not only in the US but across the world, sleeping on your side has many advantages over stomach or back sleeping. Knowing how to sleep on your side is key to reaping the most benefits of this sleeping position.

Be sure to check out my full guide for all the details, but here are some of the benefits of sleeping on your side. 

Minimizes snoring: This is because it allows for effective airflow and keeps your airways open. Back sleepers will often find that their tongue falls into their throat, causing them to snore due to airway obstruction. It is also beneficial for those with sleep apnea or acid reflux as it opens the airways.

More comfortable while pregnant: Side sleeping is extremely beneficial for pregnant ladies, this is because it is much more comfortable as it provides support for your belly. Getting yourself a bolster pillow also helps with comfort and support while pregnant too.

Aligns your spine: Side sleeping also helps promote effective spine alignment; it also helps reduce discomfort in your shoulders, hips, neck, and much more as it relieves pressure points. Some have also said that sleeping on your side also reduces migraines or pressure headaches as it relieves pressure points in your head.

Things to consider and check before buying a pillow for side sleepers:

While hunting down for a the best pillow for side sleeping, there are some key things to check. While some manufacturers offer pillows that are best suited for all positions, its crucial to check these key factors as this may not always be the case:

Loft: The loft is also referred to the thickness of the pillow and how high it elevates your head. The best pillow for side sleepers offer a loft between medium and high. This is because it provides enough cushioning for the head and shoulders and will fill the gap in between.

It also prevents you from sinking into the pillow too much and provides the optimal support you’ll need. Now thicknesses are also down to preference, but the most popular is between medium and high; I wouldn’t recommend going for a low loft. 

In my list, I have also provided some adjustable options, so you can add or remove shredded memory foam to meet the ideal height and loft that feels comfortable for you. 

Support: Along with loft comes support; this refers to how well the pillow maintains an even surface for your head and neck. Most memory foam options conform to your head, neck, and shoulders curves to provide you with the support you need.

Spinal alignment is a crucial factor to consider for a side sleeper. You don’t want a pillow that sinks too much, nor do you want one that’s too firm. Those made with latex or memory foam often offer the best support.

Firmness Level: As well as the two above, this is another crucial factor to consider, not everyone is the same, and we all prefer different firmness levels. Still, you will need a certain amount of firmness to provide support. 

If a pillow is too soft, it will probably sink too much under your head and won’t align your spine properly; this could even cause added pressure on your head. The same goes for a pillow that is too firm; you may experience discomfort and even restlessness. 

The best pillow for a side sleeper offers an excellent balance of contouring and support, and you will find that in a mid-level firmness pillow.

Pressure Relief: The only issue with a side sleeper sleeping with a pillow that isn’t right for them is the pressure they’ll experience on their shoulders because their pillow isn’t supportive enough.

A good quality pillow for a side sleeper will relieve pressure points around the head, neck, and shoulders and contour to your head shape and body to provide ultimate comfort and support needed.

Quality Materials: This is yet another crucial factor to consider when buying yourself a pillow. This can range from added durability, temperature regulation, and shape retention. You will want a pillow that will provide you with comfort and support for a long time.

I would recommend looking at reviews and the warranty of the product and seeing if it’s CertiPUR US certified as these are great indications of quality.

Shape: Of course, you need to consider the pillow’s shape and feel; you cannot miss this one out. Some fill materials will compress over time and make the pillow feel less comfortable for side sleepers over time.

You should look for shape retention and remembering to regularly fluff and plump up these pillows to retain their shape. Memory foam and latex pillows for side sleepers will require less effort when it comes to this.

Price: Last but not least is the price; the price is another key indicator of the pillow’s quality. Pillows for side sleepers made out of polyfoam or down alternative are often the cheapest, but those made with memory foam, latex, down, or buckwheat may come with a tall price tag.

You should find the balance between quality and fitting within your budget! As I said before, though, buying yourself a pillow that will last a long time will end up being much more affordable than having to replace a cheap one constantly.

Which factors are most important when choosing the best pillow for a side sleeper?

The two absolute most important things to look at when choosing a pillow for a side sleeper are the height of the pillow and the pillow’s firmness. Different people will have different needs – for example, a larger person will need much more support than a child or a petite person.

Good pillows for a side sleeper are usually over four inches in height and have medium to extra firm density. If you choose a pillow that is too thin or too soft, your head won’t be supported well enough, and you’ll likely have pain on one side of your neck. Health is of the utmost importance when choosing a pillow for a side sleeper, as many people sleep on their sides specifically to help relieve pain.

There are other factors that you should always consider when buying an investment pillow, whether you are a side sleeper or not. You should look for a pillow that is durable and will last you a long time. After all, if you will pay more to get a pillow that will really support you, you don’t want it to lose its shape after a few months.

You should also look for pillows that are healthy to sleep on. This means they should be hypoallergenic and easy to clean. You should avoid pillows that could trap dust mites and bacteria during the night – you’d be surprised by what can build up during the night.

Another thing to consider is how easy it is to clean – virtually all pillows have machine washable cases. Still, many pillows themselves can also go in the washer, which is a huge bonus.

For many people, it is also important to look for a pillow that is made with eco-friendly materials, but this depends on your preferences. Luckily, many high-end pillow manufacturers now use materials that are environmentally friendly if this is important to you. Another thing that is very important to many consumers is that their pillow stays cool at night.

Ventilation and moisture-wicking are key, especially if you tend to sleep hot at night or if you just live in a warm climate. There are many different design features that are intended to keep you cool as you sleep. Gel inserts or open-cell designs are great for this, and they are definitely something to watch out for.

What Materials are Best for The Best Pillow for Side Sleepers?

As you may already know, there is a wide range of pillows for side sleepers to choose from, and they range in different materials. The best pillows for side sleepers range from latex, buckwheat to memory foam and much more that provide effective support without feeling too firm.

How comfortable or uncomfortable a pillow feels can be determined by the material of the pillow:

Memory Foam: Memory foam is made out of viscoelastic polyurethane foam and is engineered to conform and mold to your body when it comes in contact with your body heat. It conforming to your head’s shape also aligns your spine and reduces pressure points in your body.

Memory foam pillows also come in shredded options. I feel like this is the best pillow for side sleepers as it provides you with the support you need while also allowing for movement and extra breathability regular memory foam pillows don’t have.

Buckwheat: Buckwheat is another pillow for side sleepers that is very popular; buckwheat pillows are filled with buckwheat kernels’ hard outer casing. They are quite firm, but they offer a very supportive feel, and the loft can be easily adjusted through adding or removing.

They also offer a good amount of airflow thanks to them being separated.

Latex: Latex is another popular pillow for side sleepers as it provides a similar feel and support to memory foam. Latex is a substance derived from the sappy extract of rubber trees; it is molded into a foam and contours to your body as memory foam would.

Side sleepers may find that latex is more supportive as the material is much more responsive and won’t sink as deeply as other materials would; it also promotes effective spinal alignment.

Feather: Feather is not as popular a pillow for side sleepers as the others but it is still very effective when it comes to supporting your head and neck. Feathers are plucked from the plumage of ducks and geese, they offer a light and airy feel.

Side sleepers won’t sink as deeply into the pillow and they will provide gentle support while being very cool and durable in comparison to other pillows.

Down on the other hand is the inner plumage of a duck of geese, this material is quite airy and light but also promotes insulation. They are much firmer than the outer plumage of feathers but still prevent side sleepers from sinking excessively.

Polyfoam: Polyfoam is similar to latex, it is very responsive and conforms to the body. You won’t feel the same deep contour as you would with memory foam but it is much more adaptive than latex.

The only probably with polyfoam is that it sleeps hot, so if you do go for a polyfoam design make sure it is well ventilated or infused with gel to circulate airflow and dissipate heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do side sleepers need different pillows than back or stomach sleepers?
When you sleep on your side, the height difference between your head and neck is much larger than when you sleep on your front or back. Because of this, it is more difficult to sleep in proper alignment. Therefore, side sleepers need a thicker pillow to compensate for this large difference in joint height and keep their spine aligned.

Without a thick, supportive pillow, side sleepers are likely to experience stiffness and chronic pain, leading to larger problems like pinched nerves. Side sleepers who don’t have a properly supportive pillow are also more likely to experience snoring and headaches than other types of sleepers.

Therefore, side sleepers need a thicker pillow to compensate for this large difference in joint height and keep their spine aligned. Without a thick, supportive pillow, side sleepers are likely to experience stiffness and chronic pain, leading to larger problems like pinched nerves.

Side sleepers who don’t have a properly supportive pillow are also more likely to experience snoring and headaches than other types of sleepers. Side sleepers who don’t have a properly supportive pillow are also more likely to experience snoring and headaches than other types of sleepers.

How much can a pillow really affect your health?
You may be skeptical, but your pillow can actually have a huge effect on how we feel during the day. We spend so much of our time sleeping that if we don’t take care of ourselves while we do, our bodies compensate for pain and discomfort.

The bones and muscles in your neck and shoulders are very small and intricately connected, and they also are what connects your head to the rest of your body. Thus, it is very important to treat them with care to avoid future problems, especially as you age.

The bones and muscles in your neck and shoulders are very small and intricately connected, and they also are what connects your head to the rest of your body. Thus, it is very important to treat them with care to avoid future problems, especially as you age.

How much will a good pillow for side sleepers cost?
This depends on your own specific needs, but generally, a good pillow will cost you anywhere between $50 and $200. Although this may seem like a lot, you’ll definitely get bang for your buck by investing in a better quality pillow. This is because they will keep you more comfortable and last you much longer, so you won’t need to spend money on replacing them.

Where can I purchase a good pillow for a side sleeper?
The best place to purchase high-quality pillows designed for side sleepers is online. Retailers such as Amazon.com and other similar sites carry a wide range of options.

This is the most convenient because you can have them shipped to you. However, you may also be able to find the same brands in-home or furniture stores if you want to feel them before buying them.

Summary of the Side Sleeper Pillows

All in all, pillows for side sleepers are actually fairly easy to come by nowadays, deciding the best fit for you is something that can be slightly more tricky. Us side sleepers will need much more support and loft than a back sleeper would.

It is also important to consider spine alignment, this will ensure you’re getting the right level of support and will help to relieve certain pressure points while you rest.

Side sleeping actually has more benefits than you may think, from reducing back and neck pain, to even reducing migraines, pressure headaches, and backaches as it allows your head to sit in a comfortable position.

If you do decide to choose one of the above today or any pillow, make sure you check for the support and ensure it has a loft between medium and high as this will provide you with the support you need and the comfort when sleeping on your side.

Choose any out of the pillows for side sleepers today and I can guarantee it will transform your quality of sleep, even after one night.

Happy sleeping, my friends!