Side sleeping is the most common of all the sleep positions out there. In fact, estimates suggest that over 70% of all people sleep on their sides.
If you sleep on your side like so many other people, then you must be familiar with the whole toss-fluff routine. Side sleepers generally need extra support that can make up for the distance between their heads and the mattress. As such, they need pillows with a higher loft.
In order to achieve the high loft and support, people toss in their sleep, fluff their pillows up, and then go back to sleep — only to repeat the process soon after again. Some people make up for this by using two pillows stacked atop each other instead of one.
Neither of these is the correct solution and they’re likely to leave you tired and suffering from neck pain. If you sleep on your side, you need a side sleeper pillow that’s been made precisely for people like you.
In this article, we will show you how to find the most comfortable pillow for side sleepers and we’ll review some of the best side sleeper pillows in 2021.
Qualities of the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
Before you start looking for the best side sleeper pillows, you need to understand what are the primary qualities of the best pillows for side sleepers.
High Loft
When you sleep on your side, there’s a large distance between your head and the mattress. The distance is usually several inches wide, which is why most pillows can’t cover that distance or offer support. That’s why you need a high-loft pillow that can cover that distance and support your head without letting your neck tilt down.
Firm Support
One of the biggest issues with regular soft pillows is that your head sinks when you lie on them. This is especially true for heavier individuals. While soft pillows may seem comfortable at the time, they can lead to spinal misalignment and neck pain. That’s why you should look for a side sleeper pillow with firm support so it doesn’t sink and keeps your neck stable.
Cervical Support
Cervical pillows are those that have contoured or elevated sides that can support your neck. This is necessary because your neck and head may need different levels of elevation. As such, you can rest your neck on the elevated side like a neck roll and rest your head in the lower crater.
Breathability
Side sleepers generally rest one side of their face on the pillow. As such, you need to find a breathable and well-ventilated pillow that facilitates air circulation so you don’t get night sweats.
Top 5 Side Sleeper Pillows
Contour Memory Foam Pillow By Elite Rest — Best Memory Foam Contour Pillow Side Sleeper
Contour Memory Foam Pillow By Elite Rest is a memory foam pillow with a contoured design, which makes it the best memory foam contour pillow for a side sleeper. This pillow is 12 inches wide so you can roll around on it without falling off it. It’s a cervical pillow with the higher contour being 4 inches and the lower contour being only 2.75 inches. You can rest your neck on the ergonomically rounded sides of the pillow so your head rests comfortably in the middle. The contoured sides basically function like a neck roll.
Contour Products Memory Foam Leg Pillow — Best Pillow for Neck Pain Side Sleeper
Are you a side sleeper who suffers from lower back pain and neck pain? If so, Contour Products Memory Foam Leg Pillow is the perfect pillow for you. This is a contoured pillow that can be lodged between your knees while sleeping on your side. As such, it supports your lower back and facilitates proper spinal alignment from your neck to your hips. It’s made of visco-elastic memory foam so it’s extremely comfortable as well. While this pillow can’t be used in isolation, it’s a great addition to your regular neck pillow while you’re in the fetal position.
Coop Home Goods Premium — Best Side Sleeper Pillow
Coop Home Goods Premium is one of the best side sleeper pillows if you often change your sleep position. This is a shredded memory foam pillow, which means you can unzip the pillow and add or remove the memory foam filling at will. As such, you can increase or decrease the pillow’s loft height, making it the best side sleeper that’s also suitable for stomach sleepers and back sleepers. The pillow itself is extremely comfortable since it’s made of memory foam and offers optimal support to all your pressure points.
Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury — Best Pillow for Shoulder Pain
Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury is the best pillow for shoulder pain, neck pain, back pain, and all kinds of sleep positions. This is an especially brilliant choice of pillow if you sleep on your side but often roll over on your stomach at night. You can cuddle with this pillow, resting your stomach against it, so that you don’t roll over on your stomach in the middle of the night. This pillow is also filled with shredded memory foam so it’s completely adjustable.
EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow — Best Cervical Pillow
EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow is the best cervical pillow for side sleepers and back sleepers. This is a highly breathable memory foam pillow with a slight curve in the middle so you can easily rest your neck on the ergonomically curved side and support your head. This pillow also features a ventilated design to keep your head cool at night.
