Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Finding a high-quality pillow with a reasonable price-point can be somewhat challenging. The Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow is constructed with fill and cover materials that our testers found both breathable and long-lasting. Our testing team gave the pillow high marks for durability and affordability, making it a great option for shoppers with limited budgets.

How It Performed

Our testing found the down alternative construction and medium feel a great option for side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds, as well as back sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds. People in higher weight categories may find their heads sink too deeply, which may cause neck strain, while stomach sleepers will likely find the pillow too firm and thick.

While the pillow was thick enough for most side and back sleepers on our team, the fill may flatten over time. Whenever this occurs, you can re-expand the shape by placing the pillow in any household dryer. The entire pillow is fully machine-washable, so cleaning is a quick and easy process. Simply wash on a cold, gentle cycle and tumble dry on low.

What It’s Made of

The fill is composed of plant-based down alternative fibers that mimicked the soft feel and loft of real down during our tests, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a pillow that feels like down but does not trigger allergy symptoms or use animal-based components. A cotton cover encases the fill. The fabric felt luxuriously smooth, making it well-suited to people with sensitive skin.

Queen and king sizes are available for the Plant-Based Pillow. Both sizes are competitively priced. Sweet Zzz offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. and reasonable flat rates for Canadian customers. Each purchase is backed by a 50-night trial period and a 1-year warranty against structural defects.

Down pillows are known for their luxurious plushness, and the Boll & Branch Down Pillow is a standout example. The fluffy feel of this well-constructed pillow is synonymous with high-end bedding, and the multiple firmness options appealed to many of our testers, regardless of their preferred sleeping position.

How It Performed

The pillow is available in soft, medium, and firm models. The softer options catered to our stomach sleepers who enjoy a flatter pillow. Meanwhile, the firm model felt best to our side sleepers who need additional support to keep the head and neck aligned with the spine. Down tends to trap heat, but we found the breathable cover kept the pillow cool throughout testing. The pillow also feels quite moldable, making it a great option if you prefer to snuggle your pillow at night.

What It’s Made of

Regardless of firmness, all Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillows have the lightweight, lofty feel that people typically associate with down. The insert is encased in a shell made of 100% cotton, which has breathable properties to help keep the pillow cool at night. The pillow is fully machine-washable, provided your machine is large enough to accommodate it, as down pillows can damage machines with agitators. Wash in cold water and tumble dry on low heat.

Shoppers may choose between standard and king size. All pillows come with a 30-night sleep trial, and Boll & Branch provides free shipping for all orders to the contiguous U.S.

The Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow is constructed with a distinctive U-curve on the bottom end, designed as a space for your shoulder to rest while sleeping. The top of the pillow provides plenty of support and conforming for your head and neck to help reduce neck pain and keep your spine aligned.

How It Performed

The Side-Sleeper Pillow has a medium to high loft that suited the needs of side sleepers on our testing team. You can adjust the loft by adding or removing fill, with additional bags of fill available for a small charge. Adjusting the pillow’s loft will also affect its firmness, which we found allows it to adapt to a variety of different sleepers.

What It’s Made of

The pillow is filled with a combination of 75% shredded latex and 25% polyester fiber, which resulted in a medium firm feel for our testers. The outer casing is made from a breathable blend of 37% cotton, 61% polyester, and 2% spandex. The zippered casing can be machine washed for easy care. To adjust the loft, simply unzip the cover and add or remove fill.

The Eli & Elm pillow ships free to the contiguous U.S. The pillow is backed by a 45-day return period as well as a 5-year warranty.

If you feel painful pressure in the neck and shoulders but don’t like the close contouring of foam, then you’re a prime candidate for a latex pillow. Latex lightly cushions these areas without hugging too tightly, and the material has a natural bounce to maintain an even surface with minimal sinkage. 

How It Performed

The latex offers natural cooling properties, so hot sleepers on our team favored this pillow. You can pick between two loft levels. The 4-inch option is a mid-range profile that is most suitable to back sleepers but could also benefit combination sleepers who switch between the side and back positions. If you sleep exclusively on your side, you should opt for the 6-inch loft. The thicker profile offers ample support by filling in the space between your neck and the bed surface. Both thickness options carry the same sticker price.

What It’s Made of

Solid Talalay latex forms the pillow’s core. The material is ventilated with small holes that allow air to circulate throughout the interior chamber to avoid bothersome heat buildup. A breathable organic cotton cover encases the latex for added cooling. You may remove and machine wash the cover whenever it needs to be cleaned, but the latex should only be spot cleaned if necessary. Latex pillows can be fairly expensive but that isn’t the case with this model, which carries a below-average price tag without sacrificing quality or performance.

Standard ground shipping is free for all Brooklyn Bedding orders within the contiguous U.S. The Talalay Latex Pillow is backed by a 30-night trial period, during which you may return the pillow at no extra charge, as well as a 1-year warranty against structural defects.

MedCline goes above and beyond the typical side-sleeper pillow with the Shoulder Relief System. This advanced design consists of a J-shaped body pillow and a firm wedge with a compartment for your arm. When used properly, the system properly aligns the head and neck with the rest of your spine, supports your shoulder, and reduces pressure in the hips.

How It Performed

The Shoulder Relief System is one of the most complex pillows our team has tested firsthand. There was an initial learning curve during setup, but once we’d determined how to arrange the various components, most side and combination sleepers on our team found the system very comfortable. The body pillow’s memory foam is dense and adaptive, allowing you to squeeze the fill without compressing it too much, and the J shape tucks nicely between your legs. Paired with the firm wedge, this pillow checks a lot of boxes for anyone who uses the side position some or all of the time.

The “arm pocket” is a nice addition. By sliding your downward arm into the compartment, you can hold the body pillow without pressure or soreness in your shoulder — as any side sleeper can attest, this discomfort is a common occurrence. We also appreciated the multiple length options for the body pillow, as our team members vary considerably in terms of height.

What It’s Made of

The body pillow is constructed with shredded memory foam fill, resulting in a soft and squishy feel. Solid memory foam is used for the wedge and pocket insert. All three components come with polyester covers, which can be removed and machine washed as needed. This helps maintain a hygienic sleep surface, though reassembling the covers can be time-consuming — especially for the wedge.

Two sizes are available. The small/medium is recommended for people who stand 5 feet 9 inches or shorter, and the medium/large is designed for anyone taller. When used on a flat surface, the wedge should elevate your head about 10 degrees. MedCline does not recommend sleeping at this angle if you have a herniated or bulging disk, fused vertebrae, scoliosis, or other conditions that cause lower back pain.

Although the Shoulder Relief System is somewhat expensive, this pillow could prove a solid long-term investment if you’re a side sleeper who frequently wakes up feeling sore or stiff. MedCline offers a 60-night sleep trial, during which you must use the pillow for at least 30 nights to determine whether it’s right for you. Those who return their pillow within this time frame receive a full refund minus a processing fee. If you decide to keep the pillow, MedCline further backs your purchase with a 1-year warranty.

Luxome’s LAYR Customizable Pillow has three core layers with distinct feels at an affordable price-point. You can remove or swap each layer with others to achieve the loft and firmness level that fits your needs or preferences. Our testing team found the pillow comfortable for most sleepers, regardless of sleep position or body weight.

How It Performed

Down alternative fibers in the softest layer had a plush feel during testing, while the medium-feel layer features a blend of down alternative and shredded gel-infused memory foam. These materials offered excellent contouring to the head and neck during our pressure relief tests. The firmest layer has solid gel-infused memory foam to support the head and prevent uncomfortable sinkage. This layer is composed of a 1-inch and 2-inch insert, and you can use one or both. The gel infusions in both foams are intended to absorb and dissipate excess heat.

What It’s Made of

The outer pillow shell is made from viscose derived from bamboo, a naturally breathable material with a soft hand feel. Meanwhile, an inner pillow shell made of breathable cotton encases each layer and encourages airflow. These breathable components earned the pillow high marks during our temperature neutrality tests. These covers are also fully machine-washable for easy cleanup.

Customers can pick from standard/queen and king sizes. Luxome ships free to customers living in the contiguous U.S., and it accepts returns within 30 days of delivery. If you buy two pillows, you’ll receive a 50% discount on the second pillow.

Side sleepers often prefer pillows with a firmer feel and higher loft to keep their spines in healthy alignment. The Helix Shredded Memory Foam Pillow – Side Sleepers is a prime example. Our side-sleeping testers found the pillow offers excellent cushioning for the neck while maintaining robust support and promoting healthy sleep posture. 

How It Performed

The pillow’s standard size has a 6.5-inch profile, while the king size is 7.5 inches thick. Side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds should enjoy the standard model, but those weighing more than 230 pounds may find the king size a bit more supportive. Back sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds also found the pillow comfortable. 

Compared to many other memory foam models, the pillow performed quite well in our temperature regulation tests. Airflow through the shredded fill and a breathable Tencel cover keep the surface cool to the touch. We noticed minimal heat buildup during testing. The shredded fill also makes the pillow a great choice if you prefer snuggling with your pillow at night. 

What It’s Made of

The fill is made from a 90/10 blend of shredded memory foam and gel-infused polyester fibers. This combination adapts closely to the head and neck to alleviate pressure, and the gel infusion is meant to reduce heat buildup. A breathable and moisture-wicking Tencel cover encases the pillow. The cover is fully removable and machine-washable, but Helix recommends only spot-cleaning the foam insert. 

Helix ships free to customers in all 50 states. The pillow comes with a 100-night sleep trial, during which you can test it and return it for a full refund. If you decide to keep the pillow, it is backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

For many side sleepers, down pillows tend to sink excessively, and this lack of support often leads to neck pain. With the Brooklinen Down Pillow, you can choose from three designs based on density and firmness. Our testing shows the firm option should provide adequate loft for side sleeping. If you’re a combination sleeper who switches between your side and back or stomach positions, the plush or mid-plush pillows might be more comfortable.

How It Performed

Our team tested each of the Brooklinen Down Pillow’s designs. The firm pillow was most popular among our side sleepers, who appreciated the thick profile, dense feel, and limited sinkage to keep their heads aloft. The back sleepers on our team preferred the mid-plush pillow, and our stomach sleepers felt most comfortable on the plush pillow.

Like other down pillows, the Brooklinen model is highly moldable and snuggly. Overheating wasn’t a major issue during our tests due largely to the breathable cotton sateen shell, and initial odor was minimal. We’ve also given the pillow high marks for durability. The double-stitched edges should prevent rips and tears that allow fill to escape, resulting in a longer-than-average expected lifespan.

What It’s Made of

Down clusters make up the pillow’s fill. The design we recommend for side sleepers feels fairly firm, as the fill density is high. As their names imply, plush and mid-plush designs feel softer due to their lower densities. All pillows are encased in soft, breathable cotton sateen shells. Double-stitching along the perimeter is intended to protect the shell from wear and tear.

In addition to its affordable sticker price, the Brooklinen Down Pillow qualifies for free ground shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. Customers who purchase two or four pillows save 10% and 15% on their order, respectively. Brooklinen’s 365-night trial period is one of the longest in the online bedding industry. After your trial expires, you’ll receive an additional year of manufacturer’s warranty coverage.

Many foam pillows we test trap too much heat for many of our hot sleepers, but the Layla Kapok Pillow is a notable exception. Cooling infusions, airflow through the shredded foam and kapok fiber fill, and a breathable cover kept the pillow cool throughout testing.

How It Performed

The pillow measures 4 inches thick, which we rate as medium loft. The side sleepers on our team enjoyed the loft because it provided excellent cushioning for the head and neck without sinking too deeply or feeling too tall. For many, this results in even spinal alignment. We found the pillow was highly moldable and snuggly, making it a good option for people who prefer cuddling with a pillow while they sleep. Our testers also enjoyed using the pillow beneath the legs or between the knees.

What It’s Made of

The Layla Kapok Pillow features a fill made from shredded memory foam and fibers from the kapok tree. Our testers found the kapok fibers exceptionally soft with a down-like consistency, giving the pillow a very plush surface as the memory foam conforms to the head and neck to relieve pressure. The memory foam is infused with copper, which is meant to prevent the pillow from retaining too much body heat.

The Layla Kapok Pillow has a mid-range price-point compared to other shredded memory foam pillows we’ve tested. Shipping is free for those who live in the contiguous U.S. The pillow is backed by a 120-night sleep trial and a 5-year warranty.