Some of the best pillows for side sleepers are marked down right now for Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale, so we’ve updated pricing below and added a slew of Prime Day pillow deals for you to browse. You can also check out our favorite October Prime Day deals across all categories—but hurry, the sale ends tonight, October 12.
Pillows for side sleepers are generally designed to keep your neck and shoulders aligned. But the amount of loft is important; too “high” and your head might end up craned at an angle; too “low” and it could crunch toward your shoulders. In short, the wrong pillow can cause unnecessary neck and shoulder pain. Luckily, all of this can be eliminated with a simple switch to one of the best pillows for side sleepers.
The best pillows for side sleepers offer just the right amount of support to alleviate neck and … [+]
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
Ahead, browse our picks for the best pillows for side sleepers that offer enough comfort and support for better sleep and brighter mornings. For more help making your final selection, scroll to the bottom of this story, where we answer some frequently asked questions and identify the top features to look for, and we do have a bit of expertise in selecting the best bedding as we’ve tested and researched dozens of beds and their accessories over the years, including the best mattresses, sheets and comforters.
Best Pillow For Side Sleepers Overall
A Side Sleeper Pillow That Checks All The Boxes
Fill: Shredded memory foam, kapok fibers | Trial period: 120-night trial period | Adjustable: Yes
In a nutshell, the Layla kapok has it all: softness and support, sustainability, adjustability, washability, hygienic and cooling features, and of course, great customer reviews. It’s stuffed with a blend of kapok fibers—a responsibly-sourced, natural plant material with a “down-like” feel—and body-molding memory foam for a mix of cushiness and support. The cover is infused with copper, known for its hygienic and cooling properties and the fill can be removed or added to customize your comfort level. According to Layla, it’s “the only pillow you’ll ever need,” and thousands of 5-star reviewers agree.
What the reviews say: “Without doubt, the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever used,” says one buyer. “I love the fact that I can remove or add the filling as needed. Somehow it manages to be soft, firm and cozy at the same time. It’s also malleable—you can press it into a shape that it will retain until you change it.”
Best Two-Sided Pillow For Side Sleepers
A Dual-Sided Pillow With Two Different Textures
Fill: Microfiber, cooling gel | Trial period: 30-day return policy | Adjustable: Yes
Adjustable and designed to give consistent support, this pillow, from popular mattress company Leesa, is ideal for side sleepers. It’s reversible, featuring one down-like quilted side and a cooler side to help regulate temperature. It also has an additional insert between the layers that can be removed to adjust the height of the pillow, allowing you to get absolutely perfect alignment.
What the reviews say: “I loved the original Leesa pillow,” one reviewer begins, but the hybrid is “the best of both worlds.” They continue, “One side is super soft and fluffy but then when you need a pillow a little taller and firmer, all you have to do is flip it over and it’s the perfect height! Love love love.” Another says, “…Since I bought this pillow, I’ve slept better than I’ve slept in several years. It’s amazing how a good pillow can make a difference in a good night’s sleep. It’s well worth the investment.
Best Cooling Pillow For Side Sleepers
An All-Positions Pillow With Cooling Gel On Both Sides
MOST POPULAR
Fill: Memory foam, cooling gel | Trial period: Not returnable; 5-year limited warranty | Adjustable: No
This Tempur-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling pillow is made with all sleepers in mind, but it’s especially great for side sleepers. It has adaptive technology that provides medium firmness that keeps your head properly propped up. But the real star of the show? This pillow has Tempur-Breeze Gel on both sides that keeps it cool so there’s no need to constantly flip and flop to find that beloved “cool side.”
What the reviews say: With nearly 2,500 reviews, shoppers have found that the Tempur-Cloud Breeze keeps them cool while relieving sleeping aches and pains. “This pillow is amazing. My neck and upper back don’t hurt anymore and it stays cool all night long,” says one 5-star reviewer. “This pillow is worth every penny. The most supportive cooling pillow I have used,” writes another.
Best Value Pillow For Side Sleepers
This Pair Of Soft, Popular Pillows From Amazon
Prime Day Deal: This affordable two-pack of pillows is discounted to $31 in a limited lightning deal.
Fill: Down alternative fill | Trial period: 30-day return policy | Adjustable: No
Amazon’s bestselling pillow has gel memory foam filling and a rectangular shape that offer an ideal combo for side sleepers. It’s important to have a pillow that contours to the head and neck, and this pillow does just that. Its no-shift design makes it ideal for the side sleepers who switch sides during the night and don’t want to constantly adjust to find that perfect angle for a quality night’s sleep.
What the reviews say: With more than 155,000 reviews, happy sleepers agree that the Beckham pillows are the ideal balance of firm and soft. “When you lay down on them your head sinks into the pillow but is still supported enough to stay slightly elevated,” writes one 5-star reviewer. “For side sleeping, this is one of the very few pillows where it is just the right height and I don’t have to use a second pillow with it,” writes another.
Best Adjustable Pillow For Side Sleepers
Customize This Pillow To A Just-Right Height
Prime Day Deal: A popular adjustable foam pillow on sale for $58.
Fill: Shredded memory foam | Trial period: 100-night sleep trial | Adjustable: Yes
The pillow that’s right for someone else might not be perfect for you—that’s why Coop’s pillow is adjustable. You can remove or add the foam fill (”for more oomph,” as the company says) until you find the firmness level that’s just right for you. It’s also GreenGuard Gold certified and contains no toxic or harmful chemicals. Also worth noting: The cover and fill are machine-washable, so you can keep both your pillow cases and your actual pillow super clean.
What the reviews Say: With nearly 50,000 ratings, the vast majority of which gives five stars, it’s a winner for lots of folks: “I am a side sleeper who desires a great deal of support. Because this pillow has pieces of memory foam instead of a solid piece, it does not condense and it is airy, providing airflow [and] keeping it cool. My highest recommendation!”
Best Down Pillow For Side Sleepers
A Sustainable Down Pillow With Three Firmness Options
Fill: Down and feathers | Trial period: 365-day return policy | Adjustable: No
Soft but still firm enough, the Brooklinen down pillow is constructed of sustainably sourced Canadian down clusters and feathers, which provide the cushion side sleepers need. Brooklinen lets you choose between plush, mid-plush and firm options, but recommends that side sleepers opt for firm for that extra support and spine alignment.
What the reviews say: The overall comfy feel seems to do the trick for most reviewers. “I haven’t had a down pillow in years, but I thought I would give this a try because I haven’t been able to find a pillow that works for me. I really like the pillow and am happy I bought it. I am getting a good night’s sleep and wake up without a neck ache,” writes one newly pain-free sleeper.
Best Pillow For Side Sleepers On Amazon
An Affordable Foam-Filled Premium Pillow
Fill: Shredded memory foam | Trial period: Lifetime replacement and warranty | Adjustable: Yes
Finding a pillow with the right amount of support is critical for side sleepers. Made with the brand’s trademark shredded memory foam, the DreamyBlue pillow allows sleepers to add and remove foam until they achieve their ideal feel, ending their days of stacking pillows. Plus, the pillow case is breathable and Certipur-US certified so you can sleep cool without worrying about harmful chemical exposure.
What the reviews say: Shoppers appreciate how the DreamyBlue has minimized aches and pains that are often caused by low-quality pillows. “I have serious back problems that can also impact my neck and I am in chronic pain pretty much 24/7….but not anymore,” one shopper says. “Stiff neck? Gone! Neck pain? Gone! Twisting and turning all night? Completely and totally gone!” raves another.
Best Pillow For Side Sleepers With Neck Pain
A Luxurious Option That Helps Relieve Strain
Fill: Down | Trial period: 60-day return policy and 3-year warranty | Adjustable: No
This Parachute Down Sleeper Pillow has a special design with a 3.5-inch gusset that takes the strain off your neck and shoulders so you sleep—and wake up—pain free. The medium-density pillow is constructed with luxurious 750 fill power European white down stuffed inside a 100% cotton sateen shell that’s woven extra tight so no feathers poke through.
What the reviews say: Reviewers rave about this pick, with one person gushing: “This pillow has changed my life…I now sleep through the night, wake with no neck or back pain and feel rested and happy!”
Best Pillow For Side And Back Sleepers
A Carefully-Designed Curved Pillow
Fill: Shredded memory foam | Trial period: 60-day trial period | Adjustable: Yes
This unique-looking pillow was purpose-built to cut down on neck pain, headaches and other commonly experienced issues of side sleepers. The curved design is aimed at supporting not only your head, but your neck and shoulders when you sleep on your side and your back. The fill consists of shredded copper gel memory foam that’s designed to keep you cool. It’s also adjustable so you can customize your perfect loft.
What the reviews say: The shape of this pillow is what stands out to many customers happy. “I spent years feeling like I was in a constant fight with my regular-shaped standard pillow,” shares one buyer. “It just wouldn’t give in to my shoulder constantly pressing into it. When I saw this side sleeper pillow from Drift, I stopped dead in my tracks. Now I sleep straight through the night and can turn my head to both sides in the morning.”
The Best Prime Day Pillow Deals
We’ve gathered up our favorite October Prime Day deals in beauty, baby gear, vacuums, mattress toppers and towels, but here are some more top savings on pillows. Don’t forget that the Prime Early Access Sale is winding down and scheduled to end tonight, October 12.
One Of Our Top Rated Pillows Is 20% Off
This high-end memory foam adjustable pillow from Coop Home works well for side, stomach or back sleepers as it’s adjustable by removing or adding some of the stuffing, which by the way is all CertiPur-US and Greenguard Gold certified. It’s rated medium-soft, and we’ve rated it one of our best pillows overall. Score this Prime Day pillow deal for 20% less, while it lasts.
A Pair Of Goose Feather Pillows For $44
This pair of down pillows from Puredown can be had for just $44 right now. They’re made of mostly goose feathers (95%) and a bit of goose down (5%) , and it’s all double stitched into a cotton liner to keep those feathers from flying out.
Save 24% On This Adjustable Down Alternative Duo
Or, if you’re hoping to keep allergies away, this two-pack of down alternative pillows might be more your pick. The synthetic fill keeps things light and airy, and you can simply unzip it to remove or add filling, adjusting the height of the pillow and its level of support. The Prime Early Access Sale has knocked this duo down to $99 tonight.
An Affordable, Stylish Pair On Sale
These cooling Utopia pillows want you to feel like you’re staying at the Ritz. The plush fiber fill lets you sink right into these plush pillows. Take 25% off the top of these cotton pillows with their stylish black borders.
This Supportive, King-Size Three-Layer Pillow Is 30% Off
The Casper king-size of this foam pillow is discounted 30% right now in this Prime Day pillow deal. The huggable three-layered foam pillows works to align your spine while providing the perfect amount of cushioning. The jersey knit cover is Oexo-Tex Standard 100 approved and the foam filling is CertiPUR-US to offer you a chemical-free sleep.
Snag A Reversible Memory Foam Pillow For $35
Flip this memory foam pillow from Sealy over to see which side is best for your sleep style. There’s a temperature neutral side and a cooling side. The medium-firm pillow comes with a machine washable cover to boot. A single pillow is discounted 44%, down to just $35.
To find more Prime Early Access Sale savings opportunities, head over to our Amazon Prime Day coupon page to see deals from some of our favorite brands.
What Kind Of Pillow Should A Side Sleeper Use?
Jessalynn Adam, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Baltimore’s Mercy Medical Center, suggests using a thicker pillow to keep your head and neck aligned if you sleep on your side. This can be achieved with any fill, including memory foam, down or cotton. So, consider your other sleep preferences: Do you love the contouring feel of memory foam? The luxe loftiness of down? How about a cooling sensation when your head hits the pillow? Considering these factors will help you make your final decision.
How Thick Should A Pillow Be For Side Sleepers?
Generally, side sleepers should aim for a pillow that’s 3 to 6 inches thick; the goal is to keep your head and neck in a straight line with your spine. That said, your pillow shouldn’t be so high that it makes your head tilt, nor should it be so low that it collapses toward your shoulders.
If you’re unsure or if your preferences change, adjustable pillows are a smart choice for all sleepers. These include the Leesa Hybrid, the Drift Side Sleeper Pillow, the Layla Kapok Pillow and the Coop Adjustable Loft Pillow, all on this list.
Should Side Sleepers Have A Firm Pillow?
To hit the sweet spot of comfort and support, medium-firm pillows are usually preferred by side sleepers.
Are There Benefits Of Sleeping On Your Side?
Believe it or not, sleeping on your side has its health benefits. Lying in this position tends to keep your airway open and it can also decrease acid reflux. Further, it can reduce back pain, which often plagues back sleepers when they don’t have the proper mattress.
What To Consider When Buying A Pillow For Side Sleepers
Fill
The fill is important; after all, it can completely change the way the pillow feels underneath your head. Dr. Grant Radermacher, a chiropractor in Brookfield, Wisconsin, recommends a firm memory foam block pillow over more malleable fills like down, poly-fil or natural fiber materials. “Side sleepers generally need more support than back or stomach sleepers to keep their neck, upper back and shoulders in proper alignment throughout the night,” he explains. If you really want something more malleable, he suggests the firmest shredded foam pillow you can find.
Firmness
Most pillows come with different firmness options, but Dr. Radermacher strongly recommends a medium-firm pillow for side sleepers. “Anything softer will usually end with your head sinking down too deep while your sleep,” he says.
Loft
The loft of a pillow refers to the height of the pillow when your head is on it. “Your pillow should lift your head high enough that it keeps your neck in line with your spine, but not so high that it cranes your neck to the opposite side,” Dr. Radermacher says. The best way to determine the right loft for you is to test out several different options. Choosing the wrong loft can lead to neck pain, shoulder pain and tension headaches.
Adjustability
If you don’t want a memory foam pillow, you might want to look into an adjustable pillow, which allows you to remove or add fill to make it as plump as you want it to be. “A customizable fill level can help you figure out the loft that works best for your body,” Dr. Radermacher says. This isn’t a necessary option, but it certainly is a nice feature.
Trial Period
Many pillows come with trial periods (usually 30 days) that allow you to test out the pillow as needed. This is really the best way to find a pillow that works for you, since pillows can change shape as you lay on them. Buying a pillow with a trial period makes it a little easier for you to find the pillow that is most comfortable for you.
