What is the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers? 2024

Best Pillow For Side Sleepers

Research shows that we spend about a third of our lives sleeping. Where every human needs sleep, it is not common that they sleep in the same position. As we all are different in terms of looks, feelings, habits, and opinions, so are the sleeping positions we adopt.

Sleepers are creative in the way they sleep at night. More specifically, it’s their brain.

Some sleepers lie straight on their back whereas others sleep on their stomach. Some are spread out on the bed with arms and legs wide apart. And for some, sleeping in a fetal position is the way to go.

But the most popular sleeping style is the one where you lie on your side. This position gives birth to the most popular term amongst the sleepers known as Side Sleepers.

What is a Side Sleeper?

Side Sleeper is simply somebody who lies on his side.

The hip and arm are attached right to the bed, leaving a large gap between the back and the mattress. Moreover, the head is no longer in a linear position with the back.

Heather Turgeon, the author of The Happy Sleeper, says “Because of the greater distance between their heads and the mattress, side sleepers often need a thicker pillow to keep their head and neck in a neutral position”.

Where side sleeping has its pros, especially if the sleeper sleeps on his left side, it certainly has its cons too, especially if you aren’t using the right pillows.

The Result: Negative effect on your Well-Being!

• Squished-Arm-Numbness

  Side sleepers tend to take support of a single arm for the entire night. Given the amount of weight it has, they are likely to experience a distressing condition of arm numbness in the morning.

  Resting on a single arm can cause limited blood flow. Along with the pressure it has on the nerves, the arm is bound to experience the prickling and tingling feeling, like a thousand ants crawling under your skin.

  As named by the experts it results in the popular “Rubber Arm Condition.”

• Shoulder and Neck

  Side sleeping means you are putting further pressure on your shoulder and neck. This will lead to a great amount of strain on both. The sleepers will wake up to stiffness. As a result the feeling of an incomprehensible pain will last throughout the day.

  You cannot afford to have your shoulder nerves damaged as shoulders support most of the body weight.

  It can also undermine the stomach and lungs because of the pressure. The more time is spent on the side, the further impact it will have on your entire body.

• Wrinkles and Acne

  Side sleepers have the side of their face resting against the pillow almost every night. This can result in a breakout of acne if your pillows aren’t regularly washed. At times it is the material or the texture of your pillow that can cause an allergic reaction.

  Moreover waking up with side sleeping wrinkles is another nightmare encountered by the side sleepers. Individuals with dehydrated and dry skin are most likely to suffer more than those who moisturize their face before sleeping.

  It is most definitely not a pretty sight when you wake up with giant imprints of bamboo blinds covering half of your face and neck.

  Given the luck, it appears on one of the most important days of your year, like a tragic comedy.

• Anxiety

  Many sleepers aren’t aware of the fact that your sleeping position can tire your muscles. As a result it could affect your anxiety.

  Which eventually starts a pattern; your anxiety makes you tense which further increases your anxiety and as a result you wake up feeling depressed.

Recommendations

1. Get the right mattress. One which has the perfect

• Material
• Thickness
• Size
• Layer

2. Get your sleep schedule on point!

3. Put yourself to sleep the right way just like you’d put a baby to

• This means that you should work your muscles throughout the day so that you tire them down but not an hour or two before the sleep. By the time you lie down on your bed, you are exhausted. And you will jump right into sleep without a hint of pondering
• Make sure the lights are dim
• Pull down the blinds
• Take a hot shower
• Drink warm milk like our ancestors used to

4. Setting up Aromatherapy in your bedroom would take the blues away and help you relax

5. Choose the most accurate pillow!

On that account, this article investigates the perfect pillow for Side Sleepers. As it is one of the prerequisites for a comfortable sleep. Therefore there are several questions one must have regarding the perfect pillow.

What kind of pillow makes the best choice? More importantly what type makes the best pillow? What are their pros and cons?

While Side Sleepers struggle with their never ending pillow hunt, we have gladly come to their rescue!

For the aid of Side Sleepers, we list down different types of pillows along with their pros and cons.

Our Picks of Top 10 Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Brand	Pillow Name	Pillow Category	Trial Period	Warranty
	Layla Best Features & Benefits	Molty Foam and Kapok Tree Fibre Fill	120 nights	5 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits Best value for money with an excellent sleeping experience
	Wamsutta Extra-Firm Best Features & Benefits	Polyfill	100 nights	3 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits Provides firm support at an affordable price
	Leesa Hybrid Pillow Best Features & Benefits	Polyfill and Gel	100 nights	3 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits Customizable headrest that can be changed according to your comfort level
	TEMPUR- Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Best Features & Benefits	Gel	90 nights	5 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits The best cooling gel pillow
	Down Pillow Best Features & Benefits	Down and Feather	90 nights	3 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits Good in quality(both firm and plush) and lightweight
	The Luxe Pillow® (Down and Feather) Why Choose this Mattress	White goose down and Waterfowl feather	100 Nights	5 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits Works great for those with neck and shoulder pain
	Xtreme Comforts Kool-Flow Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow Best feature	Shredded Memory Foam	30 Nights	3 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits Multipurpose portable pillow( use in bed, office chairs or car) as it provides support
	Tuft and Needle Best Features & Benefits	T&N Adaptive® Foam	100 nights	3 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits Uses unique material to provide the perfect support
	Pancake Adjustable Layer Pillow Best Features & Benefits	Down and Gel	30 nights	2 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits It has an adjustable thickness which is worth the price
	The Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow Best Features & Benefits	Virgin gel	60 nights	3 years	Read Full Review
Best Features & Benefits Shaped like an arc to nestle the neck

Overview of Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

1. Layla

Manufacturers present Layla pillow as distinct because it offers distinguishable features in terms of nature, form and quality. It is authentic memory foam pillow filled with kapok tree fibre fill (100% natural) hence making it the best of both.

Because of the fibre filling, the air flow is easy. It is also lofted in terms of shape. In other words, it provides a great support which makes it neck friendly.

Layla Pillow is also known as the copper pillow. This is an example of innovation at its best. Both sides of the pillow remain cool throughout the night and take away all the extra heat radiating from your body.

That means no more waking up to a sweaty neck and damp pillow covers. You will for sure sleep like an angel. Great, isn’t it? But this isn’t where it ends. There is more to it.

The cover is equipped with CuTECⓇ. This is a copper-infused yarn which lowers the possibility of your pillow oozing bad odor and therefore has an easy maintenance than any other pillow. It further assists in eliminating any kind of dead skin, which makes it a must for those who take their skin care quite seriously.

The pillows have a zip sewed into it, which makes it easy to take out the filling and adjust the firmness according to your preferences. This further makes it very easy to clean.

Layla Pillow comes with a 5 year warranty. This means it will not lump overtime no matter how overly used it is. Moreover it doesn’t require smacks to retrieve its original shape as the fluff is constant.

2. Wamsutta Extra-Firm

Wamsutta promises a luxurious experience with a 100 % cotton cover and a 100% polyester fill, an ideal option for the side sleepers. Manufactured in the USA, it has various features. It is corded. It has a 300 thread count and includes two gussets.

It is designed to offer a firm support which lasts throughout the night. This will help keep any kind of neck or lower head pain at bay.

What makes it stand out is the level of comfort offered at an affordable price along with a three year guarantee. There is also a Price Match Promise. So for those of you who are consistent side sleepers but are budget conscious, this is a great option for you.

You can shop it at the Bed Bath and Beyond, both inhouse and online. It is not offered in set but sold separately. The sizes available are standard, queen and king. You can find it in the Bedding Basics section online. The website outlines its features, reviews and ratings. This will help make your selection options easier.

3. Leesa Hybrid Pillow

Leesa Hybrid Pillow is equipped with a cooling gel that would keep you cool throughout the night. It has Down-like quilted pockets to its one side which gives off a padded-like style. The down like filling gives a very quilt like feeling and hence makes a very comfortable sleeping experience.

Between these pockets are removable pillow inserts that can be taken out or added to suit your sleeping preferences. It has a zipper sewn into it that doesn’t get stuck. You can easily open or close it to add or remove inserts suiting your comfort level.

The cover made with TencelⓇ and Nylon is Silpure Treated. This means it is an antimicrobial treatment which destroys bacteria that causes odor. The fabric is easy to maintain and can be washed in a washing machine.

From Inner pillow fabric to interlining and quilted pocket filling, everything is made up of polyester.

4. TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling

Tempur Pedic is yet another spectacular case of innovation. They claim to have one of a kind pillows since they use layers of cooling gel on both sides. This keeps your body cool the entire night, no matter how much heat your body radiates.

The cover is 100% Quilted Cotton. This makes it very soft to place your face on. The cover can be easily removed as it is made up of fabric that is easy to maintain. It is also easily washable, unlike those covers that you fear putting in a washing machine.

The use of Lightweight TEMPUR® material makes it very soft. It feels like a breeze to lay your head down on it. This experience leaves no room for tossing or turning as you feel like you are sleeping in the clouds.

It gives you the perfect support and holds your head gently while keeping you cool. This makes the whole sleeping experience all the more fun with comfort at its best. The Hybrid Pillow is available in two sizes, standard, and queen along with a three-year limited warranty.

5. Down Pillow

Down Pillow is another name for a Deluxe sleeping experience as claimed by its manufacturers. With a firm yet plush quality to it, this serves multiple purposes for a side sleeper. It also provides a perfect backward slope to the head. In contrast, provides a comfortable time with its plushness.

It is offered in three different densities: soft, medium, and firm. Firm is constructed especially for the use of side sleepers as it provides a significant amount of support for the neck.

Manufactured in Cincinnati, Ohio, it is made of authentic European white down with 100% sateen cotton shell. It has multiple certifications, which makes it all the more reliable.

The website provides excellent insight and detailed information on the use of Down Pillows. You must go through it before stopping by their store.

6. The Luxe Pillow® (Down and Feather)

Voted best Down and Feather pillow, it is made up of high quality, authentic white goose down and waterfowl feather. This makes it the best package full of firm, soft, and lightweight qualities.

But if you think that it is a cruel way through which the feathers are plucked off ducks and geese that is not the case. Luxe Pillows are Responsible Down Standard Certified; this means no animal cruelty is used in the process of making these pillows.

For individuals with sensitive skin, there is some good news. The Luxe Pillow are Certified Hypo-allergenic, which means they are unlikely to cause any allergies. The covers can also be removed to wash regularly.

It is also equipped with a 300TC Pillow Protector. In simpler terms, this means it has a 300 thread count which makes it a high-quality product.

It also is shipped without any delivery cost. In case you are not satisfied with the pillow you can arrange for a free return.

7. Xtreme Comforts Kool-Flow Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow

It has been rated as THE BEST BED PILLOW by WIRECUTTER, an independent review organization. This means it is made for the sole purpose of providing comfort to the consumer.

Xtreme Comforts has all your typical pillow problems in mind. They believe you suffer from Migraines, Insomnia, Snoring, Neck Pain, Allergies, Asthma and Tingling in Your Fingers because your pillow fails to provide the right alignment which as a result disrupts the flow to your cervical nerves.

Xtreme Comforts Pillows promises you a solution to these problems. The pillow suits every sleeper’s preference and provides just the right support to the head, alignment, and the perfect curve to the neck.

The Kool-FlowTM Bamboo Cover will keep your skin cool. It also has a smooth zipper sewn into the pillow; this is easy to use whenever you want to customize the filling according to your comfort level. This means you can determine the thickness of the filling, by taking it out to putting it back in.

Even though you have to wait longer for your order to arrive than you are used to, but Xtreme Comforts promises to bring you the best products from all over the world at the lowest prices possible.

8. Tuft and Needle

Made in the USA, this brand takes positive results quite seriously; therefore, it has invested in a unique design and manufacturing process.

It doesn’t believe in using Down, Fiber, Shredded Foam, or Molded Foam as they don’t give the desired result. Instead, it is equipped with T&N Adaptive® Foam, which makes it the most comfortable pillow ever.

It comes with a soft cover that can easily be washed. Also, the material allows easy air flow, which prevents any chances of foul smell. It is also Hypo-allergenic, which means they are unlikely to cause any allergies.

The softness shouldn’t be confused with it lacking firmness because it is the kind of firm that provides the perfect support. Hence it is the ideal blend of soft and firm.

It is also equipped with cooling qualities radiating from both the sides which last throughout the night.

9. Pancake Adjustable Layer Pillow

This pillow filled with Down alternative and soft puff gel microfiber is a prominent example of customization at its best.

You can adjust the thickness of the pillow to your heart’s desire. You can test out with all the six layers to find out what gives the complete loft to your head, the perfect arc to your neck and the absolute alignment for your back.

The inner layers can be easily added or removed without any hassle to get the soft, medium, or firm support. With a 300 thread count, it immediately becomes a high-quality product.

The cover is 100% cotton. This makes it very soft to place your face on. It also has a three-side zipper which is very smooth to open and close whenever the layers have to be adjusted

10. The Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow

The twist is in the name. Unlike your traditional rectangular pillows, this is innovative in shape to fully support the neck. The unique curve in the pillow is made to nestle the neck and the back of your head.

Since it is made especially for the side sleepers, it considers all the minute details from the loft for your head, the arc for your neck and lastly the alignment for your back.

The ribbon with scrumptious engraved on it runs around the pillow. It is not just for decor purposes but certainly has a more significant role to play. The ribbon, in reality, keeps the shape of the pillow intact and helps it from de-shaping.

The brand stresses the importance of beauty sleep that can be achieved when you have had a well-rested night on the Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow. It is also made up of Certipur-US certified foams; this means they are healthy and unlikely to cause any allergies.

To get a detailed insight into the specifications, you must go through their website.

Pricing Information

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About The Author

Dustin Morgan

Sleep Expert & Store Manager

Dustin Morgan is the Chief Mattress Analyst and Sleep Technology Expert at SleePare. He combines his computer science background with his passion for sleep innovation. With personal experience testing over 200 mattresses, Dustin offers unmatched insights into finding the perfect sleep solution for various needs. His work focuses on delivering honest and detailed comparisons and advice to help individuals achieve their best sleep. When he is not exploring the latest sleep technology, Dustin enjoys spending time in the great outdoors and gaming in his Virginia home.

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