The best pillows for side sleepers, tried and tested by us

If you sleep on your side, you’ll know that not just any pillow will do. Unlike back or front sleepers, side sleepers need a bit more height and support under the neck to fill that gap between shoulder and head, which is why you won’t find any pancake-flat pillows here. The right one should feel comforting and supportive, not like you’re stacking cushions in a desperate bid to get comfy.

Even then, it’s a fine balance. Too thin and your neck feels unsupported; too thick and you’re pushed out of alignment. That’s why, over the past year, the woman&home health and homes teams have been properly testing the best pillows for side sleepers, sleeping on them, squishing them, and waking up with them, to sort the genuinely brilliant from the just-okay.

To make things easier, we’ve tried and tested pillows from well-known brands like Snuggledown, Dreams, and Bensons for Beds, and leaned on expert advice too. Dr Sherry McAllister, leading chiropractor and President of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, recommends that side sleepers “place a thin pillow between your legs and hug another pillow. This setup naturally encourages you to shift positions,” helping to ease pressure on the body and make side sleeping feel even more comfortable.

The quick list

The best pillows for side sleepers, tried and tested by us

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The Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow is a winner for side sleepers as it's so versatile. Two of the inner pillows are made from soft recycled fibres (Simba Renew), and the other is made from tiny foam-encased springs of titanium alloy, creating stackable layers of different materials you can take out and put into the pillow as you please. This makes it so easy to find the right firmness.

If you like soft pillows, put the springy layer at the bottom. If you like medium pillows - you guessed it - use this layer as the middle layer.

This is my favourite pillow for side sleepers, says tester Caramel. "I loved the way I could adjust the firmness and depth of the pillow. It's also comfortable, a big win, and the final point that earns the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow a 5-star review in my eyes."

Another bonus is that the patented 'Stratos' coating ensures the pillow stays at just the right temperature throughout the night. Meaning there's no need to flip the pillow to the cool side and risk altering the pillow's position and the alignment of your neck.

"It's such a versatile pillow, so you can find the fit that works best for you, without having to worry that you've spent serious money on a pillow you don't like - and can't return after using. The pillow is fully adjustable, and it has a trial period so you can use it and return it within one month if you don't like it."

Read our full review of the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow here.

The best firm pillow for side sleepers

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Dreams are known for top-quality pillows and the Side Sleeper pillow is no different. It was awarded a strong four stars by our tester, who loved how firm and supportive it felt while still being lightweight and breathable.

Much like the Snuggledown Hotel Collection Side Sleeper Pillow, this one by Dreams has a deep-walled construction and is made of hollow fibre, giving it a light and springy feel. Our tester said it was much firmer than the Snuggledown pillow though and among the more firm pillows for side sleepers out there.

"It sometimes takes me a couple of sleeps to get used to the 'new pillow' feeling but I didn't have that problem here. From the first night, this pillow felt firm and fit nicely into the space between my head and neck, offering enough support to align my spine. It also kept its shape all night, even as I tossed and turned onto my back," says Caramel Quin, the tester for this pillow.

However, she notes it's not a pillow you'd necessarily want on your bed in the warmer months as it didn't feel as breathable as other options on the list. If you're a naturally warm sleeper or have regular night sweats as a menopause symptom, this might also not a good option for you. Try one of the best cooling pillows instead.

Read our full review of the Dreams Side Sleeper Pillow here.

The best budget friendly pillow for side sleepers

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Looking for a cheap and cheerful set of pillows suitable for side sleepers? The Slumberdown Super Support Firmer Pillow set could be for you. It's a set of firm pillows, filled with soft fibres with a core block in the middle, which helps to hold the head in the correct position for good support.

"I was ready for a bad night's sleep when I took these pillows out of the box for the first time. But, as it turns out, first impressions can be wrong. The pillow was actually very comfortable to sleep on with enough support to align my spine and neck when I was lying down on my side," says our tester Caramel Quin.

"Two pillows may have looked and felt like a lot, but they dipped down under my head's weight to put my spine in a good position. So the fact that the Slumberdown Super Support Firmer Pillow comes in a pack of two for a very keen price was perfect," she says.

The Slumberdown Super Support Firmer Pillow is also one of the cheaper options on this list, while still offering great quality and supreme support for side sleepers.

Read our full review of the Slumberdown Super Support Firmer Pillow here.

The best cooling pillow for side sleepers

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With so many pillows on the market now, side sleepers, especially those who tend to overheat, no longer have to put up with restless, sweaty nights. Memory foam can be a brilliant choice for comfort, as it moulds to your shape and relieves pressure around the shoulders and neck, but traditional foam can trap heat. That’s where cooling upgrades really matter, helping to keep your pillow feeling fresh rather than stuffy as the night goes on.

The Bensons for Beds iGel Side Sleeper Deep Pillow is designed with hot sleepers in mind. Its iGel-infused foam works to draw heat away from the head and neck, while the shape supports healthy alignment for side sleepers without feeling overly firm or bulky. It also comes in a regular construction, so if you like the idea of cooling foam but don’t get on with a deep-walled design, this offers a more familiar feel.

“I saw this pillow becoming a regular on my bed from the first night. It doesn't do anything radical. The high-tech materials are invisible after all, but you can feel them. I slept consistently well with it, which is more than I can say for other pillows,” says tester Caramel. It’s worth noting that, like many memory foam pillows, there was a noticeable foam smell when first unwrapped. “I did notice it smelled a bit of foam, a phenomenon called ‘off-gassing’. I didn’t like the smell but it doesn't last and, being CertiPUR labelled, the pillow should at least be free from harmful substances,” she adds.

Read our full review of the Bensons for Beds iGel Side Sleeper Deep Pillow here.

The best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain

This beautifully ergonomic pillow has been designed specifically for side sleepers, with a unique shape that promises to follow the natural curve of your body and keep your head in perfect alignment. We had high hopes for this one, having been fans of Tempur’s mattresses and pillows for a while (they sell some of the best pillows for back pain), and we’re glad to report that it didn’t disappoint. Made from the iconic TEMPUR material, born from NASA technology, this pillow feels instantly responsive and pretty much moulded around our tester’s head when we lay on it.

It’s a firm pillow, so no feathery-light texture here, but the fact that it adapts to pressure means you get the support you need without feeling that your neck is strained in an uncomfortable position. The firmness also helps the pillow to stand up, should you want to sit back against it, and we found absolutely no difference in support after four days – it definitely holds its shape well.

We tested the Queen Medium, but there are two larger sizes available and we’d suggest you try these out before committing because the pillow height does make a difference to the support depending on your size. Our only gripe is the fact that because it’s a unique shape, you can’t use this pillow with regular pillowcases. But that’s a small price to pay for a design that's great for side sleepers, and also one of the best pillows for neck pain on our list.

The best luxury pillow for side sleepers

If you’re looking to elevate your sleep setup, Piglet’s pillows feel like a truly luxurious choice for side sleepers. With three firmness options, from soft to firm, they offer a tailored, made-to-measure feel that’s hard to come by, allowing you to choose the exact level of support your neck and shoulders need. We tested the medium option and found it beautifully comfortable for side sleeping, with a gently supportive feel that still invited you to sink in and relax.

The real indulgence lies in the filling. Made with naturally breathable merino wool, this pillow excels at temperature regulation, keeping you comfortably cool in warmer months and cosy when the temperature drops, the kind of thoughtful detail you’d expect from a premium sleep investment. While it benefits from a quick nightly plump to keep the wool evenly distributed, it’s an easy ritual that adds to the pillow’s plush, cloud-like feel. It also doubles as a supportive backrest for evenings spent reading in bed.

Care is refreshingly simple for something so refined. The pillow is machine washable, and Piglet recommends airing it out in the sunshine a few times a year to naturally refresh and sterilise the wool. With its customisable firmness, breathable luxury materials, and understated comfort, this is a pillow that makes side sleeping feel quietly indulgent every single night.

How we tested the best pillows for side sleepers

We took on the task of finding the best pillows for side sleepers by testing and reviewing the pillows ourselves. We recruited side sleepers at woman&home, including Lifestyle Editor Tamara Kelly and health and technology specialist Caramel Quin, to try out each of the pillows to find designs that fit the brief.

The brief: pillows not so full they cause neckache, or so flat they felt as though we might not be using a pillow at all.

We tried a range of designs over four nights with varying fillings, materials, shapes and price points.

We specifically looked at:

• Comfort: How comfy and squishy did the pillow actually feel whilst lying on it? Did we sink into it, or did it feel firm and supportive? Did we feel like one pillow was enough, or would the average side sleeper need two for optimal spinal alignment?
• How our bodies felt after sleeping: Did we wake up without aches and pains, or did our neck and shoulders feel tight and sore? Did we wake up feeling relaxed and well-rested, or were we recovering from a bad night's sleep?
• Ease of maintenance: How easy was each pillow to clean, and do they plump up well and keep their shape? Plus, would they fit a normal pillowcase, and do they look good generally in a bedroom?

If you want to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page on how we test pillows.

How to choose a pillow for side sleepers

• Firmness: Not all side sleepers will require/want a firm pillow as such, so keep in mind the type of pillow you would prefer for your comfort level. Traditional memory foam designs will feel firmer than Down or feather fillings. You could opt for a smart design, such as the top pick on our list - the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow - where you are free to choose the firmness of your pillow.
• Material: Are you looking for an option that doesn't use animal materials? Would you prefer a pliable material like memory foam to fit your body shape exactly?
• Washability: As with all pillows, a factor that may sway your decision of which pillow is best for you is the washing credentials. If you're a hot sleeper, for instance, washing may be more crucial for consideration. Look whether the pillow can be washed with ease. Does it have a removable, machine-washable casing?
• Price: When it comes to how to choose a pillow, the price tag may be a very important factor. To cater to every budget we have tested pillows at a range of prices to ensure there's a best side sleeper pillow for all budgets.

What kind of pillows should side sleepers use?

Side sleepers should use a pillow that is firm enough to support the correct neck alignment but forgiving enough that the side of the face feels comforted too. "Generally, people who sleep on their side need a plump but firm pillow. They should avoid pillows that are too flat or under-filled," says Mary Love, head of product and innovation at sleep tech brand Simba.

A pillow that's too flat or under-filled may lead to issues like neck pain, says Joel Moses, an osteopath at Pure Sports Medicine. "Using a pillow that doesn't support the natural curve of your neck can lead to misalignment and strain," he says. "Pillows that are too high, too flat, or too firm can exacerbate neck pain by failing to provide adequate support."

The same goes for sleeping positions. "Certain sleeping positions can place undue strain on your neck, in particular sleeping on your stomach with your head turned to one side for extended periods and having your head propped up too high or too low," he says.

However, it's worth consulting your doctor as it may be a sign of another medical condition if you are experiencing consistent neck pain while you sleep. "Cervical spondylosis, herniated discs, or muscle strain from previous injuries can contribute to neck pain during sleep. These conditions can be exacerbated by awkward sleeping positions or inadequate pillow support," he warns.

The best pillows for side sleepers strike that sweet spot between comfort and support, keeping your neck aligned while still feeling lovely to sink into. Whether you prefer cooling gels, plush fibres, or supportive memory foam, the right choice can make a noticeable difference to how well you sleep. Invest wisely, and you’ll wake up feeling more rested, comfortable, and ready to take on the day.