With such a big focus on being healthy these days, everyone thinks about how well they’re eating and how much they exercise.
However, many people overlook the benefits of a decent night’s sleep.
Having the right pillow can be a fantastic aid for getting a comfortable, deep sleep. As everyone is different, there are pillows for every sleeping style.
In this article, I’ll be showing you the best pillows for side sleepers, as 63% of Americans sleep in this position.
Sleeping on your side can be difficult with conventional pillows as they don’t provide the support your body needs.
Your head is held at the wrong angle, putting strain on your neck and in turn putting extra pressure on your shoulder and back.
Using the correct pillow can eliminate these issues, helping you to get comfortable quicker and so drift off to sleep.
As this is a big market there are numerous shapes, sizes and materials to choose from. Hopefully, this guide will help you make your choice.
Comparison Table: Best Pillows For Side Sleepers
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Hypo – Allergenic |
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Yes |
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Yes |
Is It Healthy To Sleep On My Side?
Many of us have a habitual sleeping position, but did you know that the way you sleep can have an impact on your posture, back pain, and general wellbeing?
Many experts will recommend sleeping on your back as it provides great support for your spine.
However, back sleeping is hugely problematic if you’re a snorer, and it can be terribly uncomfortable for many.
Sleeping on your side is excellent for your breathing as your airway is kept open. This makes it a brilliant alternative for those with snoring or breathing problems, such as sleep apnea.
Sleeping on your side is also recommended during pregnancy as it increases circulation for both mother and baby.
There’s an ongoing debate as to which side is better to sleep on, but both are extremely safe.
Sleeping on the left side is said to alleviate heartburn whilst lying on your right has potential to make the problem worse.
Either way, despite these benefits, sleeping on your side does have the potential to cause neck pain if an inappropriate pillow is used.
This article will help you understand what type of pillow you need to help you get the most restful sleep on your side and wake up pain-free, every day.
Benefits Of Owning And Using A Side Sleeper Pillow
Sleeping comfortably on your side requires a good mattress and an appropriate pillow.
To maintain good posture throughout the night, you must keep your head in line with your spine.
An ordinary pillow is unlikely to help you perform this function, causing you to wake with neck pain triggered by poor spinal alignment throughout the night.
For this reason, a pillow designed for side sleepers is an essential and worthwhile investment for those who spend the nighttime hours sleeping on their side.
Pillows designed especially for side sleepers do an excellent job at supporting the neck and spine, ensuring a high-quality sleep and no pain upon waking.
Naturally, there are different side sleeping positions. Some people sleep curl up, whilst others lay straight.
Either way, support of the spine is crucial and is just not offered by an ordinary pillow. In fact, many side sleeper pillows are designed to support the whole body, including the legs.
This is an added feature to ensure the spine is kept in correct alignment for the entire night.
A pillow that is too firm has the potential to lift the head to an uncomfortable degree.
For this reason, side sleeper pillows are softer, although still firm enough to allow for plenty of support.
They are also made from materials that are designed to contour around your neck, such as memory foam, to help cradle your head in the correct position all night long.
Pillow Brands For Side Sleepers
Brookstone Pillows
From humble beginnings in 1965, Brookstone offers a unique collection of pillows, including body pillows for side sleepers.
Made from hypoallergenic materials, these pillows offer whole body support to ensure that those who sleep on their side are cradled in comfort whilst they sleep.
Easily accessible online, Brookstone Pillows are competitively priced, high quality, and comfortable – exactly what you want from a pillow!
Coop Home Goods Pillows
Coop Home Goods is a family -business that works with a highly specialized team who have your comfort and sleeping quality as their priority.
They offer an extensive range of pillow. In fact, it’s what they specialize in.
Each pillow is designed for optimum support and comfort and can be individualized to suit each and every need.
Their prices are competitive and a large number of positive reviews speak for themselves.
Different Types Of Pillow For Side Sleepers
There are many different styles of pillow to choose from for side sleepers, each offering their own benefits.
Contour Pillow
Contour pillows are shaped to adapt to your movements in the night to ensure your head stays supported and your spine is aligned.
This makes you more comfortable when sleeping and wiping out stiffness when you wake up.
These can be the best pillows for side sleepers with neck pain.
U Pillow
U pillows are so called because of their shape and are generally recommended for women during pregnancy, as they are incredibly supportive.
However, they’re also perfect for side sleepers and are extremely comfortable pillows.
They can alleviate pressure, not just from your neck and shoulders but also your back and hips, giving you the best sleep possible.
Latex Pillow
Latex pillows are normally traditionally shaped but the latex means they have more benefits than a conventional pillow.
The latex is anti-bacterial, increases airflow and in turn reduces humidity. It also protects against dust mites and allergens.
Memory Foam Pillow
Memory foam pillows can be constructed from either a single piece of foam or from shredded foam.
These mould to your head and neck while staying firm to ensure you stay supported through the night no matter how much you move.
While both single piece and shredded foam pillows give amazing support, pillows with shredded foam filling can be adjustable.
This means that you can remove and add foam as you please and completely customize your pillow.
Body Pillow
Body pillows are another example of a product generally bought by pregnant women.
These large pillows are designed to provide as much support as possible, replacing the need for multiple pillows, great if you tend to sleep with a pillow between your knees or wedged behind your back.
Upper Body Pillow
Upper body pillows are a hybrid of full body and traditional pillows.
They curve round in an ‘L’ shape and give support from your head to the middle of your back, taking stress off your pressure points and meaning there’s no pain and stiffness in the morning.
Top 10 Pillows For Side Sleepers
With the massive range of products available, finding the right pillow for you can be overwhelming.
I’ve listed the top five pillows for side sleepers that I’ve found to help narrow it down for you.
1. WeNerya Memory Foam Contour Pillow
This contour pillow by WeNerya is made from memory foam, so it’ll keep your head and neck supported at a constant height no matter where you position it.
It’s breathable, naturally antimicrobial and resistant to bacteria, dust mites and other allergens.
All of this combines to give you the best sleep possible.
2. BioSense Shoulder Pillow for Side Sleepers by Brookstone
The Bio-Sense Pillow by Brookstone is a memory foam pillow specifically designed for side sleepers with the added feature of perforations in the foam for added breathability and cooling.
Lighter than traditional memory foam, this pillow offers the great compromise of firmness and softness that side sleepers require!
The comfortable outer layer is hypoallergenic and luxurious and can be easily removed for washing, whilst the inner part of the pillow is specifically shaped to support the heads and necks of side sleepers.
A perforated design allows for airflow and breathability to help you keep cool and comfortable all night long. All these factors combined help make the Brookstone BioSense Shoulder Pillow a no-brainer for side sleepers.
It’s more expensive than other, similar pillows, but the quality and comfort is second to none. Natural ingredients neutralize odors and the contour of the memory foam around the neck and shoulders will help eliminate pain for good! It’s a valuable investment for any side sleeper seeking a restful night’s sleep!
3. Coop Home Goods Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
This traditionally shaped pillow is made from shredded memory foam and is a fully adjustable, ergonomic pillow.
This is a feature unique to shredded foam as you can add or remove foam as you wish to personalise your pillow for your needs, ensuring the best night’s sleep possible, whatever position you sleep in.
The manufacturer even offers a 30-day guarantee with this pillow so if it’s not for you, you can get a full refund.
4. Mkicesky Memory Foam Contour Pillow
This memory foam contour pillow is shaped with ‘wings’ either side of a channel allowing you to place your head at any height you want.
This helps to maximise your comfort and makes it the best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain we’ve seen so far.
Not only does this design reduce stress on your neck, back and shoulders, it also opens your airways, easing breathing and helping to cut out snoring.
5. Leachco Total Body Pillow
This body pillow by Leachco is the best pillow for side sleepers who find themselves using multiple pillows at night.
Specifically designed to provide ultimate support, this can replace the pillow you might normally wedge behind your back or between your knees.
This’ll keep you in a comfortable supported position giving you an amazing nights sleep and eliminating stiffness when you wake up.
6. Contour Memory Foam Pillow by Sleep Innovations
The Bamboo pillow by Relax Home Life is another example of a customisable pillow, filled with shredded poly fiber, ideal for getting your perfect night’s sleep. Relax Home Life offers a fully adjustable pillow.
This means that you can simply add or remove filling according to your own personal needs and preferences.
As you lie down, the filling will contour around your head and neck to create individualized support.
The dust mite and allergen-resistant material ensures a restful sleep all night long, even for allergy sufferers.
For sleepers who frequently wake with headaches and neck pain, the Bamboo Pillow offers a solution.
As the pillow contours to your own head and neck, it holds its shape to eliminate discomfort often caused by tossing and turning.
One of the greatest things about the Bamboo Pillow by Relax Home Life, is the customer service.
If you feel you need more filling to add to your pillow to provide greater neck support, simply contact them and more filling will be sent your way!
It’s a truly valuable investment that promises years of ongoing, supportive sleeping!
8. Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Pillow by Snuggle-Pedic
The Utopia Bedding Super Plush Gel-Fiber 3D comes in a dual pack of 2 pillows.
The gel fibre provides maximum comfort as well as being hypo allergenic.
This two pack of queen size pillows contain 700gm of fiber filling in each pillow to provide maximum comfort all night long.
The 240 thread count cotton outer layer is free from allergens and chemicals to help alleviate respiratory problems and help you breathe clearly throughout the night.
Utopia Bedding pillow cases have anti-microbial properties to inhibit the growth of microbes. This has an enormous benefit on your health and well-being.
The pillows are compressed packed for easy shipping, but will fluff up immediately upon opening and will be ready to be comfortably slept on in around 24 hours.
The man-made fiber will contour to your neck and spine to offer a bespoke and comfortable sleeping position.
When it comes to price, the Super-Plush Gel Fiber Pillow is very reasonable, especially when you consider you receive two pillows.
The best thing about them is that they can be easily washed on a gentle cycle whenever you feel the need to clean them.
These pillows will stand the test of time and you’ll very quickly notice the improved quality of your sleep!
10. LinenSpa Dual Feel Pillow
This dual sided pillow by LinenSpa gives you two options depending on how much support you need when you go to sleep.
One side is made from latex giving you a springy, responsive feel while the other side is made from memory foam providing support when you need it.
This gives you maximum control over your sleeping position and comfort.
The Side Sleeper Pillow Buying Guide
There are many things to consider when buying a new pillow, especially if you sleep on your side, as this can be a particularly uncomfortable position to sleep in with the wrong pillow. I’ve listed some features below to help you know what to look for when deciding which pillow to go for.
Pillow Style/Shape
The shape of the pillow you buy can make a huge difference in the quality of your sleep.
The best way to decide which one to go for is to look at your sleeping position and issues.
For example, a contour pillow could help to alleviate neck pain, or a full body pillow could be the one to go for if you find yourself sleeping with multiple pillows.
Keep this in mind and it can really narrow down the amount of products you’re considering.
Pillow Filling
Another very important point to consider is what’s inside your new pillow.
Different materials offer different benefits; memory foam is very supportive and can help reduce neck pain.
It’s also breathable so it reduces moisture and humidity keeping you cool.
If you suffer with stiffness or joint pain on waking you may want to avoid pillows with softer fillings, as these won’t provide the support you need.
Also consider whether the filling is synthetic or not. Down pillows have been around since Roman times, but resting your head on a goose or duck feather pillow may not be the best idea for people with allergies.
Firm Versus Soft
When considering which pillow to go for think about how solid it is going to be. Whilst the Romans liked their soft pillows, the ancient Chinese believed a soft pillow would steal your energy whilst you slept and preferred wood.
You, on the other hand, probably want a happy medium. Too soft and the pillow’s longevity will be affected as it won’t hold it’s shape or thickness very well.
Another issue with a pillow that’s too soft is that it can cause severe neck, shoulder and back pain due to your head not being properly supported, which puts your spine out of alignment.
On the other end of the scale, while a firm pillow will provide the support required to keep your body in a comfortable position for the night, if it’s too firm you won’t be able to sleep.
You need to find where you fit in between these two points to make sure you get the pillow that’s right for you.
Extra Features
Once you’ve decided on the shape, filling and solidity of your pillow you can have a look at any extra features you may want.
Cooling is always a good feature, especially in the summer as heat can have a big effect on your sleep quality.
Different pillows offer different cooling methods ranging from breathable covers and materials, to venting perforations and gel cooling pads.
Another thing to consider is a hypoallergenic pillow if you have any allergies that could be triggered.
Anti-bacterial pillows can also help as they can be anti-allergen, but always check the product details to be sure.
If you find your sleeping habits changing regularly and a position you find comfortable one night may not be another, you may want to consider an adjustable pillow.
One of these will give you complete control over your level of comfort and support.
Conclusion
Not only is your pillow an essential household item, it’s also very important for your sleep quality and in turn your health.
As soon as you search online you’ll see that there are hundreds of products out there to choose from.
This guide should hopefully have given you an idea of what to look for.
Keep in mind the various points to look for, shape, solidity, filling, etc. and also your own issues, which may be preventing you from getting the best sleep possible.
Side sleeping can be a very uncomfortable position to sleep in, so choosing a pillow is a personal choice which no one else can make for you.
Keep your own needs in mind when making your decision.
The final thing I’ll say is that you shouldn’t put all of your trust in customer reviews: use them for feedback on product quality but don’t let them influence what’s right for you as only you should decide that.
I hope this guide has been helpful and you can find the best pillow for side sleeping quickly and easily .
