If you’re a side sleeper, then you know having the right pillow is just as important as having the perfect mattress.
Without proper support for your head and neck, your nights can turn into hours of tossing and your mornings into a stiff, achy mess.
To help you wake up refreshed and pain-free, we’ve rounded up a list of the very best pillows for side sleepers, and at the top of the list is the PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow.
So get comfortable, explore our options, and pick the best pillow for side sleepers based on your needs, because a quality pillow is where better sleep begins.
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers: Quick Overview of Our Top Picks
| 1. PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow | Best pillow for side sleepers overall |
| 2. Eco Terra Buckwheat Pillow | Best body pillow for side sleepers |
| 3. Leesa Ultra Cool Reversible Memory Foam Pillow | Best pillow for side and back sleepers |
| 4. Bear Contour Pillow | Best pillow for side sleepers with shoulder pain |
| 5. Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow | Best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain |
What To Consider When Shopping for the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
Finding the right pillow is crucial for side sleepers, as it directly impacts your comfort and spinal alignment. A good pillow keeps your head, neck, and spine in a straight line, preventing aches and pains. Here’s what to look for when shopping:
Loft
Loft refers to the height of the pillow and the angle it creates between your head and shoulders. A too-high or too-low angle can create neck pain. Look for the best pillows that offer multiple loft options.
Support
When a pillow is supporting your head properly, you should feel no tension whatsoever in your neck or shoulders. If you feel things even slightly off, it will be amplified as neck pain in the a.m.
Firmness
Side sleepers need medium or medium-firm pillows. A softer pillow can allow your head to sink too low and create stiffness. Look for adjustable pillows that let you customize their firmness.
Pressure Relief
Side sleepers need to make their pillow experience all about pressure relief. When you lay your head down, if you’re aware of the pitch of your head and can feel it at the base of your neck, that’s exactly the pressure you need to relieve.
Materials
The best materials for a side sleeper’s pillow are memory foam, polyfoam, or latex foam. These pillows will hold their loft and adjust to create the perfect angle for your neck and head.
Price
Pillows can cost as little as $20, but those are usually filled with cheap material and easily fall flat. A great pillow can be had for under $100 and comes with a sleep trial, so you can return it.
>>Buy a PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow
Materials Used in the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
A recent study on the relationship between the quality of a pillow and sleep indicates that the design and materials used in a pillow significantly influence how well the pillow supports the natural curve of your neck (cervical curve), how warm or cool the pillow feels, and your overall comfort.
Here are the top materials you’ll find and why they work best for sleeping on your side.
Memory Foam
Memory foam or viscoelastic foam is a special kind of polyurethane foam that softens to the sleeper’s contours based on heat and pressure. This is an excellent material for a side sleeper’s pillow due to its ability to mold the perfect cradle for the sleeper’s head.
Polyfoam
Polyfoam is the general term used to describe polyurethane foam. It comes in a wider range of densities than memory foam and is generally more resilient because it returns to its original shape more easily. This is also a good choice for side sleepers.
Latex
Latex pillows are also good for side sleepers. They are both supportive and responsive, which are key qualities when it comes to the support a side sleeper needs. The firmness and loft of many latex pillows can also be adjusted to suit individual preferences.
Down
Down-filled pillows are generally not a good choice for side sleepers. That’s because down is not a supportive material, so it flattens easily and can ultimately result in neck strain for a side sleeper.
Feather
For side sleepers who like a less firm pillow that is more moldable but still offers support, a feather pillow is an option. However, a feather pillow can also flatten out too much overnight and ultimately not provide the proper support.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat pillows are another good choice for side sleepers. The option to pack or remove the amount of buckwheat hulls in the pillow allows you to customize the firmness and loft to your special needs, making them excellent for alleviating neck pain or stiffness.
>>Buy a PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow
Detailed Reviews of the Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
Below, we dive into some top options specifically designed to offer the support and comfort most side sleepers need. We’ll explore what we like, what we don’t, key features that make them stand out, cost, and what people who have used them think.
1. PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow – Best Pillow for Side Sleepers Overall
Pros
- Ergonomic design for side sleeping
- Adjustable height and density
- Helps prevent shoulder and neck pain
- Hypoallergenic & dust mite resistant
Cons
- Not returnable
Features
Specifically designed for side sleepers with an ergonomic contoured shape to support the head, neck, and shoulders, this hypoallergenic pillow is adjustable for height and density.
It is filled with Shropshire wool and natural latex and encased in 300-thread count natural cotton sateen that will keep you pressure-free and cool.
This side sleeper pillow is also OEKO TEX and WOOLMARK certified, BPA and phthalate free, and includes an additional wool-filled pillowcase.
Pricing
- Queen size: $164
- Free shipping
- 100-night sleep trial
User Reviews
One user on the official site says they love their side sleeper pillow. It offers great neck support, and they like the wool and latex combo. Another user on the official site likes the pillow so much that they even pack it in their suitcase when they travel [1].
>>Buy a PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow
2. Eco Terra Buckwheat Pillow – Best Body Pillow for Side Sleepers
Pros
- Known to help with migraine headaches
- Easily adjustable
- Cooling organic buckwheat
- Organic cotton pillowcase and cover
Cons
- Only a 1-year warranty
Features
Every 3D-shaped buckwheat hull is like a tiny cushion for ultimate comfort and support. When you add buckwheat’s natural circulatory and cooling properties, it’s no wonder these pillows have been traditionally used to alleviate migraines.
Adjustable, moldable to your body, and cooling, this buckwheat pillow is like a dream you can keep coming back to night after night. Plus, it has an organic cotton pillow case and cover material, and with proper care, this pillow is like an intimate partner you can get old with.
Pricing
- Traditional size: $80
- Free shipping
- 50-day return policy
User Reviews
This user on the official site loves their new buckwheat pillow and says it’s the coolest sleeping pillow they’ve ever had [2].
Meanwhile, this user was not so happy with the cooling pillow. They mistakenly ordered the wrong pillow, and when they notified Eco Terra, they were told there are no returns on pillows. They wanted the buckwheat, but now they’re stuck with another $120 pillow they don’t want [3].
>>Buy the Eco Terra Buckwheat Pillow
3. Leesa Ultra Cool Reversible Memory Foam Pillow – Best Pillow for Back and Side Sleepers
Pros
- Adjustable loft
- Cooling gel side/cradling memory foam side
- Disperses heat & increases airflow
- Cool-to-the-touch cover
Cons
- The pillow is cumbersome to adjust
Features
If you’re a side sleeper who also sleeps hot, the Leesa Ultra Cool Reversible Memory Foam Pillow is actually two pillows in one.
One side has cooling gel, and the other is cradling memory foam. It can also be unzipped and expanded into a higher loft for side sleepers or returned to a lower loft for back sleepers. So, whether you need cooling or custom comfort, this Leesa pillow can handle either.
Pricing
- Queen size: $111
- Free shipping
- 30-day risk-free trial
User Reviews
On the official Leesa review page, Kurtis loves his reversible Ultra Cool memory foam pillow so much that he bought another so there’s always one within reach. Another user felt their pillow was good, not great. It’s only usable at the higher loft since the normal size is much too flat for a side sleeper not to get a neck ache [4].
>>Buy the Leesa Ultra Cool Reversible Memory Foam Pillow
4. Bear Contour Pillow – Best Pillow for Side Sleepers With Shoulder Pain
Pros
- Reduces stress on shoulders & neck
- Cool Ice fabric
- Alleviates snoring
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Too firm for stomach sleepers
Features
If you’re a side sleeper sensitive to neck and shoulder stress, then this Bear Contour pillow could be the solution to your woes.
The natural curves of this pillow support both your head and neck, and if you tend to sleep hot, its cool-to-the-touch Cool ICE fabric will keep you deliciously ventilated all night long.
If snoring is a problem, the curvature of this pillow can help to alleviate that, along with the fact that it’s also hypoallergenic, so dust mites need never be a problem either.
Pricing
- Queen size: $82
- Free shipping
- 30-day return policy
User Reviews
One customer on the official site bought the Bear Contour pillow for their husband, who is a committed side sleeper, and he loves it. Another user disagreed, saying unless you’re a side sleeper with really broad shoulders, it’s a bit high. Also, it’s a little inconsistent with the firmness [5].
>>Check the best price for the Bear Contour Pillow
5. Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow – Best Pillow for Side Sleepers With Neck Pain
Pros
- Cooling gel grid
- Adjustable comfort for all sleeping positions
- Adaptive memory foam
- Shape-retaining durability
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Features
Regardless of your sleep position, the Luxury Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow will cradle your head like your mother would. That’s because it’s adjustable and the loft can be raised or lowered depending on whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper.
This pillow also features a cooling gel grid that helps to dissipate heat, and it’s durable, meaning it resists flattening and will continuously retain its shape over time.
Pricing
- Queen size: $139.30
- Free shipping
- 30-day return window
User Reviews
On the Brooklyn Bedding website, Vicki says she loves her new pillow. It’s very comfortable and the perfect height for her as a side sleeper. Tyler said it’s not a bad pillow, he just doesn’t feel it cools as much as advertised [6].
>>Buy the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow
Some Additional Considerations for Side Sleepers
These extra strategies can make a big difference in supporting your body and improving sleep quality.
Adding a Mattress Topper
This article has been focusing on pillows, yet the hips are also a major point for side sleepers who need both pressure relief and support. A mattress topper can add extra cushioning that can alleviate low back pressure and help with the alignment of the lower lumbar area.
Place an Additional Pillow Between Your Knees
Sleeping on your side and letting your knees knock together can end up twisting your spine enough so that by the time the morning comes, you may end up having a stiff lower back.
Putting a pillow between your knees while sleeping on your side will raise the knee on top and keep your spine aligned. The next time you’re shopping for bedding, look for the best knee pillow for side sleepers to add to your collection.
Is Your Mattress Providing the Right Support?
If you’re experiencing morning stiffness or even pain after sleeping on your side, then it may be time to replace your mattress.
Side sleepers need a responsive mattress to provide the proper pressure relief, yet one that is too responsive may not provide adequate support to keep your spine properly aligned. It’s a delicate balance, yet one that your overall spinal health depends on.
>>Buy a PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow
Best Pillow For Side Sleepers: FAQs
These are some questions readers have been asking regarding the best pillow for side sleepers.
What Type of Pillow Is Best for a Side Sleeper?
Memory foam or latex pillows are generally best for side sleepers in order for them to get the proper loft, as well as the right contoured and cushioned support for their head and neck.
Do Side Sleepers Need a Soft or Firm Pillow?
A medium firm to firm pillow is usually best for a side sleeper so that they get the proper elevation and support for their head. A soft pillow will allow their head to sink too low and lead to neck stiffness and pain.
What Is the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers To Avoid Neck Pain?
A medium firm to firm pillow made from a cushioning material like memory foam or latex is often the best pillow for side sleepers with neck and shoulder pain.
What Pillow Is Recommended by Chiropractors for Side Sleepers?
Generally, chiropractors will recommend firmer, supportive pillows for side sleepers that will keep their heads at the proper height to maintain adequate cervical spine alignment. Memory foam and latex pillows are also suggested for their ability to provide contoured support to the head and neck.
How Often Should You Replace Pillows?
The lifespan of a pillow can vary, but a good rule of thumb is to replace them every one or two years in order to be sure they are still buoyant enough to provide support and keep them allergen-free.
Final Thoughts on the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
If you’re a side sleeper, then you’re well aware that a major concern for you in bed involves the elevation of your head and the pressure on your neck and shoulders.
The best pillow for side sleepers is, therefore, one that cradles the head at the proper loft, while also supporting where the neck joins with the shoulders.
Hopefully, we’ve presented you with a wide enough array of choices for the best pillow for side sleepers, like PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow. This way, you can find the right level of affordability and comfort for a good night’s sleep.
Good luck.
>>Buy a PlushBeds Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow
References
- “Contoured Side Sleeper Pillow.” PlushBeds, https://www.plushbeds.com/products/side-sleeper-pillow-wool-latex. Accessed 4 July 2025.
- Beds, Eco Terra. “Buckwheat Pillow.” Eco Terra Beds, https://ecoterrabeds.com/products/buckwheat-pillow. Accessed 4 July 2025.
- “John S. Gave Ecoterrabeds 1 Star. Check out the Full Review.” Trustpilot, https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/67774a4f34e9b8ff2b43b6cf. Accessed 4 July 2025.
- “Mattress Reviews & Ratings.” Leesa.Com, https://www.leesa.com/pages/reviews. Accessed 4 July 2025.
- “Contour Pillow.” Bear Mattress, https://www.bearmattress.com/products/contour-pillow. Accessed 4 July 2025.
- “Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow – Brooklyn Bedding.” Brooklynbedding.com, https://brooklynbedding.com/products/luxury-cooling-pillow#8680a039-905e-4988-83a7-b45b35105184. Accessed 4 July 2025.