Tamara Kelly
Not all the best pillows for side sleepers are equal, and finding the right one for comfort can be difficult. So, we've tried and reviewed picks from some of the most popular brands to help you choose the right one for sleeping on your side.
For side sleepers, a good pillow should align your head with your shoulders and spine. This is why side sleepers need a deeper level of support – and often a thicker pillow – than a back sleeper. Even the best pillows may struggle to provide the right cushioning, with thin pillows offering too little and thick pillows offering too much.
Look for one that holds your head in place without strain on your neck and go for medium to firm support if possible. To help you make a decision on which pillow to buy, we assessed a range of options from popular brands like Snuggledown, Dreams, and Bensons for Beds.
The quick list
Best pillow for side sleepers overall
This versatile stacking pillow is a firm favourite among the side sleepers at woman&home. It's totally unique to other pillows we've tested as each of the layers is removable and interchangeable, so you can find the perfect support for you. And if you can't, it's one of the few pillows on the list with a trial period so you can return the pillow (even after use) and get your money back.
Best firm pillow for side sleepers
The Dreams Side Sleeper Pillow has a firm construction that raises your head above the bed, keeping the spine aligned. It's an ideal option for anyone looking for a little more support around their neck and shoulders, while still being light and springy. Our tester found it comfortable from night through to morning and the deep-walled design meant it held its shape well. It's also on the more affordable side of the price spectrum at £25 per pillow.
Best pillow for those on a budget
Just because you need a specialist pillow doesn't mean you should have to break the budget. The Slumberdown Super Support Firmer Pillow is a comfortable option and relatively versatile as there are two pillows in the pack, giving you the option of having just one or both - for less than many of the other pillows. It's soft and supportive, making it a very comfortable option.
The best pillows for side sleepers, tried and tested by us
The best pillow for side sleepers overall
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 positioning of the pillow 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 thin pillow for side sleepers
The Snuggledown Hotel Luxurious Side Sleeper Pillow is a hollow fibre pillow with a deep-walled construction, meaning it has flat edges on all four sides and is constructed like a cuboid. This is a win for side sleepers - the pillow retains its shape even after many nights of use and offers more support for the head and neck than a traditional pillow would.
It's on the thinner side, perfect for side sleepers who don't like as much cushioning and anyone who switches between side sleeping and sleeping on their back.
Caramel Quin, health and tech writer, reviewed the pillow for two weeks. She said: "I was initially disappointed with this pillow, after waking up on the first morning with an ache in my neck. That said, after day three, the ache faded and enjoyed sleeping with this pillow. My favourite thing about it is the plush feel. With its 2300 thread count cotton cover, it's rightfully billed as a 'hotel' pillow. It feels luxurious, plump, and premium."
She also commented on its practicality. Despite the luxury feel, it's actually machine washable at 40° and can be tumble-dried - something that can't be said for many of the best pillows for side sleepers. "Plus, being hollow fibre, the materials in the pillow are unlikely to cause allergies to any visiting guests in your home," she says.
Read our full review of the Snuggledown Hotel Luxurious Side Sleeper Pillow here.
The best firm pillow for side sleepers
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
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 luxury pillow for side sleepers
Before we talk to you about how this pillow performed during testing, we want to point out how much we love its eco-friendly factors. It comes in a reusable fabric bag and recyclable cardboard box, with a Downafresh Certificate to state that Scooms’ Down is ethically sourced, traceable, and rigorously tested. Plus it has a No-mite Anti-Allergy Standard certificate, proving its usefulness for house dust mite allergy sufferers.
Back to its performance though: when someone says ‘goose down’, we often think of a super-soft pillow that flattens into nothingness - not ideal for a side sleeper. However, we were pleasantly surprised with this medium-support design that’s actually plump and as soft and light as a feather. It also springs back almost instantly after each night’s sleep. After the fourth night, we gave our pillow a quick plump and it was exactly as we’d tested it on night one.
Another thing we should mention is that one of the benefits of goose down is that it provides three to four times more air circulation than synthetic materials like hollow fibre. This means moisture escapes quickly. So if you’re a hot sleeper or your bedroom is generally humid, it’s a particularly beneficial pick over options like the Dreams Side Sleeper Pillow and Snuggledown Hotel Luxurious Side Sleeper Pillow. It didn’t make our top spot, but only because many side sleepers generally prefer a slightly firmer feel. However, it’s easily supportive enough and a fantastic option for those after a pillow with a luxurious look and feel.
The best memory foam pillow for side sleepers
With so many options out there these days, there's no need for side sleepers to compromise. Memory foam can be a particularly comfortable option as the material conforms to the body's shape and helps to relieve pressure points around the shoulders and neck that may otherwise make sleeping uncomfortable.
The Bensons for Beds iGel Side Sleeper Deep Pillow is specially sized to help align the head, neck, and spine for those who sleep on their sides. It has a regular construction too, so if the deep-walled design isn't for you, then this could be a good option.
"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.
However, like many memory foam pillows, the Bensons for Beds iGel Side Sleeper Deep Pillow had a particular smell to it on the first opening. "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 says.
Read our full review of the Bedsons 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 cooling pillow for side sleepers
If you know exactly what firmness you like in a pillow, Piglet’s selection is ideal, as it offers three different supports - from soft to firm - so you can tailor your choice to your needs. We trialled the medium firmness and found it to be particularly comfortable when sleeping on our side, and, although we did need to give it a plump each night to disperse the wool out evenly and help it bounce back into shape, it was easy enough to do. This pillow also made a comfortable backrest when we sat in bed to read.
One particular selling point to this option is the filling. Merino wool is great for regulating your temperature during the night, ensuring you don’t wake up too hot or cold.
When cleaning, the pillow can be washed in a machine. However, Piglet recommends laying it to air in the sunshine or washing line at least four times a year, so the sun can sterilize the wool. This is a great all-rounder with fantastic personalised firmness and cooling properties.
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, material, shape 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?
What kind of pillow 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.
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.
