During my years at CNET, I've tested over 30 pillows. From down and down alternatives to memory foam, shredded foam and silk, I've tested just about every kind of filling on the market. When it comes to the best pillows for side sleepers or those who spend half the night on their side and half on their back or stomach (like me), it's important to find the right level of support. For side sleepers, the best pillow type is one that is tall and lofty (another word for height, in pillow terms). Pillows that are too thin or unsupportive can promote misalignment along your spine.
After testing over 30 different pillows over the years, this roundup showcases six of what I think are the best pillows for side sleepers.
What's the best overall pillow for side sleeper?
My extensive testing (or sleeping) found that the best pillow for side sleepers is the Purple Harmony. It's comfy, unique and made with Purple's GelFlex Grid and Talalay latex. This makes the pillow feel soft, airy and light without compromising support. It's also great at regulating temperature. I feel well supported on this pillow since it's available in a tall height option.
Best pillow for side sleepers 2024
Our take: There is no other pillow like the Purple Harmony. It’s made with Purple’s open cell GelFlex Grid and Talalay latex. It's not fluffy like a down pillow, instead it feels like a light and airy cloud. I slept on the Purple Harmony for a month, and I found that the top layer was soft and squishy, but the latex core provided ample support for head and neck.
THE REVIEW:
- The cover is machine-washable and made of soft and stretchy mesh material.
- Since it’s made with ventilated latex and its GelFlex Grid, the pillow allows air to easily pass through, making it a good option for hot side sleepers. The materials keep this pillow from falling flat.
- There are three loft heights to choose from (low, medium, tall), so this pillow can suit all sleeper types.
- The tall option should work for most side sleepers, and the medium might work better for side sleepers under 150 pounds.
Pros
- Three height options
- Open cell design allows for airflow and cooler sleep
- The cover is machine washable
Cons
- Expensive
- Might feel too unique for people who want a standard foam pillow
Runner up: The Coop EdenCool Plus Adjustable Pillow is also great for side sleepers who sleep hot. It is adjustable, available in three shapes and the cover is cool to the touch. During my testing, I found it to be light and airy due to its shredded memory foam and microfiber fill. It’s about $40 cheaper than the Purple Harmony, and I recommend it for anyone who isn’t sure what pillow firmness they enjoy.
Our take: The Sleep Number ComfortFit pillow in the Ultimate shape is a customizable pillow that’s great for side sleepers due to its unique design that allows you to choose your firmness and loft. When testing, I found the pillow’s blend of memory foam and fibers to offer great support for my neck, reducing strain on my shoulders. Due to this, I repositioned my pillow less during the night while testing.
THE REVIEW:
- It’s filled with a blend of memory foam pieces and down alternative fibers that can be adjusted to your preferred level of firmness and height.
- The breathable Lyocell blend cover which is hypoallergenic, which is great for sleepers who get allergies often. The cover is also removable and machine washable.
- It comes in three shapes: Classic (best for stomach and back sleepers), Curved (best for side sleepers) and Ultimate (great for all sleeper types as it comes with three inserts that allows you to customize support and height).
- It’s made of quality materials that retain their shape over time.
Pros:
- Fully customizable levels of loft and support
- Hypoallergenic and easy to clean
- Offers great pressure relief
Cons:
- Has a heavy feel
- When using all three inserts, a regular pillow cover may fit too snugly and cause the pillow to feel really firm
Runner-up: If choosing the right shape and height for your pillow is too intimidating, I recommend the Pluto Pillow, instead. It’s completely personalized to you; I filled out a survey on Pluto’s website and I was sent a pillow perfect for my sleeper and body type (a petite combination sleeper who heats up at night). It’s now the pillow I sleep on every night. The hybrid design is soft enough for me when I’m on my side, and the loft is perfect for when I switch to my stomach.
Our take: I had high expectations for a pillow with the name snow in it, and it didn't disappoint. The Casper Hybrid pillow actually tops our list for the best cooling pillows because of how well its phase-change and other cooling technology works. It's physically cool to the touch and promotes airflow so you stay more comfortable throughout the night. Out of all the cooling pillows I have tested, this one actually keeps me at a neutral temperature all night.
THE REVIEW:
- It's physically cool to the touch and promotes airflow so you stay more comfortable throughout the night.
- The inside of the Casper Hybrid pillow consists of layers of polyfoam and soft fibers, giving it a blended feel that's more responsive than memory foam and more supportive than down.
- Not only is the cover cooling, but it's also removable and machine washable.
- Its loft is medium to high, making it great for average-sized side sleepers. However, heavier side sleepers may require a higher loft.
Pros
- Coolest pillow I have ever tested
- Has a removable and machine-washable cover
- Layers of polyfoam and soft fibers
Cons
- High price tag
- Heavier sleepers may need a loftier pillow
Runner up: Hot sleepers may be interested in a more affordable cool-to-the-touch pillow, such as the Bear Pillow. Similarly to Casper, the Bear Pillow is made of a neutral foam and when I put my head on it, the material is not too soft nor too firm. The medium firmness and loft feels comfortable and supportive when I'm on my side.
Our take: When sleeping on your side, if the pillow between your neck and shoulder is not properly supportive, your neck can ache. The Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow has a V-like shape that keeps your head and neck supported while nestling around the curves of your shoulder. It's filled with shredded latex and fluffy polyester fibers, making the pillow soft, bouncy and supportive at the same time.
THE REVIEW:
- When lying on this pillow, I can feel the pressure relieving from my neck and shoulder. I don’t get that with the standard design.
- Side sleepers can adjust the height and firmness by removing or adding the fill. You can even order a pillow with additional fill if you're a larger side sleeper or like your pillow extra firm.
- The fill includes shredded latex and polyester fibers.
- Shredded fill allows for airflow and helps to keep you temperature neutral at night
Pros
- Removable filling so you can adjust the height
- An ergonomic design that’s specific for side sleepers
- You can buy extra stuffing if it isn’t firm enough for you
Cons
- Requires a specific pillowcase
- Not for side and stomach combination sleepers
Runner up: If the V-shaped design of the Eli and Elm pillow is too polarizing for you, the Honeydew Scrumptious Cooling Side Sleeper pillow might be a better match. It is similarly designed for side sleepers like Eli and Elm, but the shape is more of a “U” with a slight curve. When I lie my head down on it, the pillow feels more like a standard pillow with only a small lip on each side. It is also cool to touch, which is great for hot sleepers.
Our take: Another adjustable pick for side sleepers is the Layla Kapok pillow. Right out of the package, it is extra lofty, stuffed with memory foam shreds and soft, eco-friendly kapok fibers. I had to remove a bit of the filling, but once I found the right feel for me, it was the perfect balance of airy memory foam and support. Your head will feel gently nestled by the foam without sinking too far into the material.
THE REVIEW:
- The pillow feels the fluffiest and allows for pressure relief on your side.
- If you want to make the pillow lower and softer, all you have to do is remove the stuffing.
- The cover is the softest on this list and it adds to the overall comfort of the pillow. It is removable and machine-washable.
- It’s filled with shredded memory foam and kapok fibers that allow for maximum airflow.
Pros
- You can remove the filling to adjust the height
- Soft, machine-washable cover
- Eco-friendly kapok fibers
Cons
- Expensive
- May be too lofty right out of the box
Runner up: If you like adjustable memory foam pillows but need a cooling cover, the Nest Bedding Easy Breather pillow is for you. Similarly to the Layla Kapok pillow, it is extra lofty and feels like a stuffed, memory foam cloud. It is filled with shredded CertiPUR-US foam and polyester fibers. If you find this pillow on sale, it will be slightly cheaper than the Layla.
Our take: Lofty pillows for side sleepers can be expensive, so affordable pillows can be a hard find. Thankfully, GhostBed’s GhostPillow is usually around $80 after discounts. It is one of the coolest pillows I’ve tested for hot sleepers and is made with a supportive, perforated gel memory foam core, a layer of phase-changing materials and an inner aerated mesh. It feels like dense memory foam that’s relieving pressure off my shoulder and neck.
THE REVIEW:
- I like how the pillow conforms to my head and neck and feels cool on my face.
- It has less give than shredded memory foam pillows.
- The cover is truly cool to the touch.
- It's a great value and can support combination sleepers who switch from side to back.
Pros
- Often on sale for around $80
- Cool-to-the-touch, removable cover
- 101-night trial
Cons
- Is not adjustable
- Cooling cover is only on one side
Runner up: I’ve had the Tuft and Needle Original Foam pillow for years. While it doesn’t have any cooling technology like the GhostBed GhostPillow, it is a bit cheaper. It’s made of one slab of neutral foam and feels a bit bouncy. If you don’t like dense memory foam like the GhostBed pillow, this Tuft and Needle pillow might be better for you.
How we tested the best pillow for side sleepers
I have tested around 30 or more pillows and used my experience with the products to round up the ones that were best suited for side sleepers. I considered the height, firmness, adjustability, materials, fill, shape, price and additional features, like cooling abilities, for each pillow.
Each pillow was tested for at least two nights, and I liked some of the pillows so much that I still sleep on them. Since this list focuses on side sleepers, the goal was to sleep through each night on my side without feeling a kink or discomfort in my neck. If I couldn't sleep through the night on my side with a certain pillow, it wasn't considered for this list.
Read more on how we test our products.
What to consider when choosing the best pillow for side sleepers
- Loft: Side sleepers need a pillow with a tall loft. If a pillow is too flat, it won't properly support the head and neck, which can lead to pain. I especially like pillows that offer multiple height options or come with removable filling because they accommodate a wider range of side sleepers.
- Firmness: Side sleepers should consider medium to medium-firm pillows. Softer pillows can fall flat and not provide proper support. Adjustable pillows are great because you get to customize its firmness level to your liking.
- Materials: The best pillow for side sleepers should be filled with memory, poly or latex foam. These fillings make pillows lofty and help to keep their shape all night.
- Price: Pillows range from under $20 all the way up to $300 or more. This means almost anyone can find an accommodating pillow within their budget. However, I suggest straying away from too cheap of a pillow since those are usually made with down alternative fillings that may fall flat. Many pillows also come with a sleep trial, so you can get your money back if you don't think your purchase was worth it.
| Pillow | Price | Sizes | Firmness | Materials | Machine washable? | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Harmony | $179 | Standard, King | Medium | Hyper elastic polymer, Talalay latex | Cover is machine washable | 100 nights |
| Sleep Number ComfortFit | $100 | Standard, King | Adjustable | Memory foam, down alternative fibers | Cover is machine washable | 100 nights |
| Casper Snow Hybrid | $134 | Standard, King | Medium | Polyfoam, fibers | Cover is machine washable | 30 nights |
| Eli & Elm | $110 | Curved | Adjustable | Latex shreds, polyester fibers | Cover is machine washable | 45 nights |
| Layla Kapok | $109 | Queen, King | Adjustable | Memory foam shreds, Kapok fibers | Cover is machine washable | 30 nights |
| Ghost Pillow | $83 | Standard, Queen | Medium | Gel memory foam | Cover is machine washable | 101 nights |
Side sleepers should use a lofty or tall pillow that properly supports the head and keeps the neck in proper alignment with the spine. Petite side sleepers, however, might need a medium loft pillow since their bodies are on the smaller side.
The best filling for a side sleeper is foam filling, whether it be shredded or a whole slab of foam. Pillows made solely of down or down alternative materials tend to fall flat, which can throw off the alignment of a side sleeper's spine and neck.
Side sleepers should use a medium or a firmer pillow to keep the head and neck propped up and in a straight alignment with the spine. Softer pillows will fall flat, throwing off alignment.
Feather pillows that do not retain their shape and fall flat are not recommended for side sleepers. Pillows filled with shredded foam or full slabs of foam are better suited for side sleepers since these will retain shape and prevent misalignment during the night.