We Tested 200 Pillows to Find the Best Ones for Side Sleepers
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Side sleeping is my sleep position of choice. I find it the most natural; yet, it can feel impossible to find a pillow supportive enough. If you've ever woken up with a crick in your neck after sleeping with a new pillow, remember this: The right pillow will be thick enough to fill in the gap between your head and shoulders to provide proper spinal alignment. A pillow that's too thick, too thin, too soft, or too firm can lead to a myriad of issues. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab , I set out to find the most comfortable and supportive side sleeper pillows that'll have me waking up neck-pain free—and (spoiler alert) I did.
Our top picks:
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Best Overall: Pillow Cube Side Cube
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Best for Neck Pain: Coop Home Goods Premium Original Adjustable Pillow
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Best Cooling: Purple Harmony Pillow
The other fiber scientists and I rigorously test pillows from popular brands designed for all sleeping positions, including memory foam, down, and latex fills, before making our recommendations. We conduct in-Lab tests like durability evaluations and washability assessments before having side sleepers test the pillows at home to give feedback on neck support, comfort, temperature regulation, and more.
Pillow Cube Side Cube
✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT:Pillow Cube's innovative pillow is a total game-changer for side sleepers. It has a unique rectangular shape with 90-degree edges to fill the gap between your shoulder and neck for unparalleled support and proper alignment.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW:It comes in one universal 5-inch height, but if you need a shorter or taller pillow, check out the brand's new Side Cube Deluxe
for multiple pillow-height options. Note that the shape is best suited to true side sleepers, rather than those who change sleep positions throughout the night.
✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:Despite our initial skepticism, the Pillow Cube impressed us in the Textiles Lab and our consumer testers, winning over many with its support. The foam maintained its shape when weights were applied in our pressure tests. "I like that it has the same amount of support right to the very edge and doesn't taper off, so my neck is totally supported. Before, I'd ball up an extra pillow under my neck or sleep with my hand there," said one of our consumer testers.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Pillow Cube
- Its unique shape offers proper alignment
- Designed specifically for side sleepers
- The foam held up under pressure in our Lab tests
- Not ideal for sleepers that change sleeping position
Beckham Hotel Collection Down Alternative Bed Pillows, Set of 2
✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT:Don't let the affordable price fool you: This Beckham Hotel pillow outperformed styles over triple its price. It's also an Amazon best-seller.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW:It has a down-alternative polyester fill with a 100% cotton outer cover for a softer and more luxurious feel. Because it's not made with foam like most pillows for side sleepers, this pick is entirely machine washable for easy care. It's only sold in one height, so this pillow may not be suitable for side sleepers with larger frames.
✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:This pillow fit perfectly in a standard-size pillowcase and held up fairly well in our pressure tests in the Textiles Lab. "The down alternative filling is so fluffy and cushiony, yet still supportive," noted one of our consumer testers, who is a side and back sleeper. She added, "The outer material is amazingly soft and looks so luxurious!"
Our consumer testers appreciated how well the fill kept its shape without clumping or feeling lumpy. While some praised its support, others found it too flat to offer sufficient neck support.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Beckham Hotel Collection Pillow
- Just $30 a pillow
- Over 250,000 Amazon reviews
- Soft and fluffy feel
- Not as supportive as other picks
Coop Home Goods Premium Original Adjustable Pillow
✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT:This crowd-pleasing Coop pillow offers a supportive yet plush fill that's entirely adjustable at an excellent value. It was also a top performer in our tests in the Textiles Lab and a favorite among consumer testers who suffer from neck pain.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW:If you're waking up with a sore neck, it's likely due to poor spinal alignment. Luckily, this pillow offers a simple solution: adjustable fill. You can add or remove fill until you find your perfect firmness level, and it works well for those who tend to change positions during the night. This innovative pillow is made with a blend of shredded memory foam and polyester clusters for both support and plushness.
✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:This pillow comes with high praise from our consumer testers, who gave it high marks across the board for comfort and support. "It really helps my neck pain around my C3," said one tester, who has had whiplash twice. "It's nice to wake up in the morning without pain and stiffness."
Another noted, "It wraps around my head, and I sink into it." Unlike similar pillows we've tested, both the cover and inner pillow can be machine-washed, and both looked great after our test washes. One downside is that the outer cover does tend to pill over time.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Coop Home Goods Pillow
- Adjustable height
- Great if you change sleeping positions throughout the night
- Aced Lab and consumer testing
- Outer cover pills over time
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Pro Pillow
✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT:Nothing beats the supportive, sink-in feel of Tempur-Pedic foam. The durable material holds up well to continued use, bouncing back into shape.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW:This cooling pillow comes in two different heights, high and low, with the high style being ideal for side sleepers. In addition to the solid memory foam interior, there is also a gel layer designed to help keep you cool.
✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:Our consumer testers liked that the outer cover is machine washable, and in our Textiles Lab evaluations, it did not show significant signs of wear or shrinkage after washing.
Some consumer testers noted that while the pillow quickly conforms to your head, it takes longer to return to the original shape if you move, so opt for something more responsive if you toss and turn while sleeping. It's also the priciest on our list.
- Two heights available
- Gel layer for cooling capabilities
- Brand's signature sink-into-your-pillow feel
- Expensive
Purple Harmony Pillow
✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT:The Harmony Pillow features a latex core designed with Purple's innovative polymer grid material for plush support and excellent cooling capabilities.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW:The open channels in the grid offer extra airflow while cradling your head and neck. The bouncy latex core provides excellent support. The breathable nylon-spandex cover helps wick away moisture, too. It's available in three heights.
✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:It received some of the highest scores from our testers, who loved how supportive it felt. It also quickly bounced back when we applied weighted pressure in the Textiles Lab.
Beyond that, the material was a hit among testers, with one commenting that "the texture of the pillow was very unique, very soft and supportive." Hot sleepers also noted it helped maintain a comfortable body temperature at night. It is heavier than other pillows.
- Innovative polymer grid
- Breathable, moisture-wicking cover
- Three height options
- Heavier than other pillows
Layla Sleep Kapok Pillow
✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT:Layla's unique fill was a hit among our testers. They liked the adjustable design, making it great for anyone who switches sleeping positions throughout the night.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW:This pillow has an innovative hybrid fill made with kapok (a fluffy, silky natural fiber that's similar to cotton) and shredded memory foam. This results in a supportive and plush feel.
✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:It earned a near-perfect score from each of our consumer testers, who gave it top marks for comfort, support, and overall satisfaction. One tester said, "It was perfect as a back and side sleeper, providing the right neck support in both positions." Another shared, "It provides a level of support that is comfortable and somehow still soft." Our testers also appreciated the cooling effects of this pillow, with one tester sharing that this pillow keeps her "from waking up with a sweaty neck and hair."
The downside is that the gray cover is visible through some pillowcases, and the pillow may be too thin for users with broad shoulders.
- Mix of kapok and shredded memory foam fill
- Adjustable height
- Nearly perfect score from testers
- Grey cover is slightly visible through light-colored pillowcases
Naturepedic Organic 2-in-1 Adjustable Latex Pillow
✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT:This Naturepedic pillow has reputable organic certifications from the Global Organic Latex Standard
(GOLS) and the Global Organic Textiles Standard
(GOTS), certifying that the materials are made adhering to strict standards.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW:It's reversible! One side is designed with plush, quilted PLA batting (a plant-based fiber made from sugarcane), and the other side is filled with shredded latex. The entire pillow is encased in an organic cotton cover. The shredded latex fill is also plush and adjustable, so you can find your ideal height and firmness level.
✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:Ideal for a more restless sleeper or someone who switches sleeping positions, the reversible design was a hit with our consumer testers, who also liked how supportive it felt in any sleeping position. Many appreciated the adjustable nature, but one noted that "it can be messy when taking out the stuffing." This didn't deter our testers, though, and one even dubbed it "the greatest pillow I have ever slept on."
- Organic cover and fill
- Amount of fill is adjustable
- Reversible design
- Some found adjusting the fill messy
Honeydew Essence Side Pillow
✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT:A contoured shape can help provide better neck support. Honeydew's pillow has a gentle curved design with a plush feel for comfort and support.
✔️ WHAT TO KNOW:It's filled with a blend of shredded memory foam and microfiber clusters for a balance of softness and stability. The fill is adjustable to find the best pillow height for optimal alignment. The cover is removable and machine washable. This pillow was a GH Bedding Awards
winner!
✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS:Our testers reported that the fill was easy to adjust to find their favorite height. A few testers reported that their old memory foam pillows were too firm, so they were impressed with this pick's plush feel.
"The curve was just the right space to let me lie comfortably on my back or my side," noted a tester. Another added, "It was comfortable from the first time I laid my head down."
We found the pillow to maintain its shape in pressure tests in the Textiles Lab. The curved shape helps better fill the gap between your head and shoulders, but that did make this pillow fit awkwardly in a Standard-sized pillowcase.
- Supportive curved shape
- Super soft cover
- Adjustable height
- Doesn't fit perfectly in a Standard-sized pillowcase
Other pillows we recommend
Aside from our picks above, here are some other pillows that performed well in our tests to consider:
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Best Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers: Saatva Latex Pillow
This shredded latex style from Saatva was popular among our side sleeper testers. It's a substantial 6 to 7 inches thick and has a gusset for extra structure. One tester said it felt "very plush and soft," and they appreciated the organic cotton sateen cover and the responsive latex fill for excellent support and cushioning. The pillow maintained its shape after weights were applied in our Lab test, and it fit perfectly in a Standard-size pillowcase. However, this pillow isn't adjustable, so it won't work for everyone, especially those with smaller frames.
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Best Body Pillow for Side Sleepers: Pluto Puff Body Pillow
This body pillow from Pluto is ideal for side sleepers, thanks to its full-length design, which helps keep your whole body in alignment. Compared to similar models, this one stood out for its soft and fluffy down-alternative fill. It wasn't overstuffed, allowing users to comfortably adjust as they moved throughout the night. Testers also liked that it felt cool and was fairly heavy and substantial. Our pros appreciate that it's fully machine washable, but did note some signs of wear on the cover after multiple laundering cycles.
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How we test pillows for side sleepers
Over 1,000 consumer testers nationwide tried pillows that matched their preferences (sleeping position and desired fill) at home and reported on the pillow's comfort, support, and much more after multiple nights of use. In our Textiles Lab, we wash-tested each pillow multiple times, if applicable, to make sure it was durable and could withstand proper care without warping or shrinking.
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We apply weights to each pillow that are a similar size and weight to the average head to ensure each pillow can keep its shape after repeated use. From tester feedback and Lab evaluations, we had over 6,800 data points to analyze.The featured styles are pillows specified for side sleepers that had excellent performance in our evaluations.
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What to look for when shopping for the best pillows for side sleepers
Side sleepers should choose a thick, firm pillowthat will "keep their ears in line with their shoulders" to prevent their neck from extending in either direction when sleeping on their sides, according to Dr. Jaspal R. Singh M.D. , co-director of the Center for Comprehensive Spine Care at Weill Cornell Medicine. The best pillow will keep your head and neck aligned while you are lying down.
✔️ Fill:Any fill from down to foam can work for side sleepers as long as the pillow is thick enough to support your neck. Solid foam or latex options offer the most uniform support, while hybrid, down, and down-alternative options offer more flexibility. Note that down or down-alternative fills may require routine fluffing to maintain their height.
✔️ Loft:This refers to the pillow's height. Look for a pillow that's high enough to maintain a neutral alignment. Remember: The ideal loft can vary based on your height and body. If you're unsure what loft you need, an adjustable pillow allows you to find a height that's just right.
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A quick testyou can do at home is to lie on your side and place books under your head. Keep adding or removing books until you feel you're properly aligned. Then measure the height of the book stack to get a rough idea of how thick your pillow should be. Just remember that some pillows may sink in a little more than others, so don't concentrate too much on the exact height.
✔️ Sleeping style:If you are a restless sleeper, look for options with plusher fill that can easily change shape as you move. If you stay put on your side all night, a solid memory foam pillow can support your head in one position to help keep you asleep.
✔️ Care:Don't forget to check the pillow's care instructions . In our evaluations, some pillows could not be washed at all, while even more pillows only have machine-washable covers. If you are sensitive to allergens, look for an entirely machine-washable pillow, and keep in mind that memory foam is usually not machine washable.
✔️ Return policy:With so many different pillows on the market, make sure to look at the return policy to ensure you can return or exchange the pillow if it doesn't work for you.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Grace Wu is a senior textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has tested over 40 pillows. Prior to joining GH, she earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Emma Seymour is the associate director of the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has evaluated more than 150 pillows in the Lab and coordinated at-home consumer testing with hundreds of testers. Seymour has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for over six years at Good Housekeeping. A side sleeper herself, she's personally tried several of the pillows on our list and currently alternates between Pillow Cube and Coop.
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