Did you know that your pillow can significantly influence the quality of your sleep, especially if you’re a side sleeper? Choosing the best memory foam pillow can alleviate neck pain, ensure proper spinal alignment, and provide the necessary support for a rejuvenating night’s rest. But with so many options on the market, how do you find the best pillow for your unique needs and preferences? Worry not, fellow side sleepers! We’ve researched and tested the top pillows to bring you our recommendations for the best supportive pillow for side sleepers in 2023.
Best Contoured Support – Eli & Elm Side-Sleeping Pillow
The Eli & Elm Side-Sleeping Pillow is specifically designed to cater to the needs of side sleepers. It features a unique U-shape design that conforms to the head and neck, providing proper support and promoting spinal alignment. This design addresses the common issue with flat pillows that fail to adequately support the head like other alternative pillows, often leading to chronic neck pain.
Specifications:
- Filling: 75% latex; 25% polyester fiber
- Removable cover with an interior liner
- Certified by OEKO-TEX
The pillow’s firmness can be customized to individual preferences by adjusting the removable latex and polyester filling. Users can either remove some filling for a softer feel or add more for firmer support. The Eli & Elm Side-Sleeping Pillow is also certified by OEKO-TEX, ensuring it is free from harmful chemicals, making it a safe side sleeper pillow.
âś… Pros:
- Contoured shape provides optimal support for side sleepers
- Plush memory foam makes it an adjustable pillow that conforms to the shape of your head and neck
- Breathable cotton cover helps regulate temperature
❌ Cons:
- May be too firm for some users
- Pillow cover is not removable for washing
Best Luxury Feel – Saatva Latex Pillow
The Saatva Latex Pillow is designed to offer a luxurious and restful sleeping experience. This medium firm pillow is crafted with high-quality materials and construction, ensuring durability and comfort. It is particularly suitable for those who prioritize quality in their bedding accessories and suffer from back and neck pains, as it provides the necessary support to alleviate discomfort.
Specifications:
- Material: Latex
- Trial Period: 45 nights
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Shipping Method: Free shipping
- Return Policy: Free returns
The pillow’s hypoallergenic nature and its construction with shredded latex core surrounded by microdenier fibers are highlighted features. Despite its high price, the pillow’s design and materials make it a consideration for those seeking a premium sleeping experience.
âś… Pros:
- Combines the softness of a down alternative pillow with proper neck support, similar to feather pillows
- Temperature neutral feel
- Pillow-within-a-pillow design
❌ Cons:
- Not suitable for full-time stomach sleepers
- Expensive for budget shoppers
Most Customizable – Sleep Is the Foundation Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
The Sleep Is the Foundation Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is designed to cater to the unique needs of side sleepers, offering an adjustable and customizable sleeping experience. It features a cross-cut memory foam fill, which can be adjusted for firmness and size, ensuring a personalized fit for every individual. The pillow is designed to provide optimal support and alignment for the head and neck, promoting pain-free sleep.
Specifications:
- Fill Material: 100% polyurethane 45D crushed memory foam
- Pillow Type: Bed Pillow
- Color: Original White
- Size: King
In addition to its customizable nature, the pillow emphasizes cool, comfortable sleep. It incorporates a cool sleep system with enhanced breathability and airflow, aimed at reducing heat absorption and maintaining a cool temperature throughout the night. The pillow is constructed with high-quality materials, including a quilted bamboo-infused outer case and solid memory foam fill. It is easy to maintain, with a machine-washable outer case, and is developed by experts in sleep education and product reviews, ensuring a product that is both expert-approved and user-friendly.
âś… Pros:
- Adjustable cross-cut memory foam for personalized comfort
- Cool sleep system for maximum breathability and air flow
- High-quality materials and easy-to-clean quilted bamboo infused outer case
❌ Cons:
- Some users may find the shredded memory foam to have an initial odor
- Pillow cover is not removable for washing
Best Value for Money – Marlow Pillow
The Marlow Pillow is a premium adjustable shredded foam pillow that caters to a wide range of sleep preferences. It is designed to provide the perfect balance of comfort and support, making it an ideal choice for side sleepers. The pillow features a unique adjustable design with two zippers, allowing users to easily modify the pillow’s firmness.
Specifications:
- Firmness: Medium
- Size: Standard
- Dimensions: 20 x 26 inches
By opening the zippers, the pillow reveals breathable bolsters that enhance airflow, or when zipped, it offers a firmer feel. This adjustability ensures that users can tailor the pillow to their specific needs for a better night’s sleep. In addition to its adjustable nature, the Marlow Pillow is vegan and allergy-friendly, appealing to a broad audience.
âś… Pros:
- Exceptional comfort and support
- High-quality materials
- Soft and breathable cover
- Hypoallergenic
- Suitable for all sleep positions
❌ Cons:
- The pillow may retain heat and is not as cool as they expected, which can be uncomfortable for those who prefer a cooler sleeping surface.
- For some the body pillow may be too firm, leading to discomfort such as ear pain due to the hardness of the pillow. This can be a significant issue for those who prefer a softer pillow to those who want thicker pillows.
Best Natural Option – Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Pillow is a premium quality pillow designed to offer a comfortable and healthy sleep experience. It is made from 100% Talalay latex, known for its impressive bounce, contouring, and breathability, all derived from natural sources. The eco-friendly process used in its creation involves extracting sap from rubber trees, resulting in a durable and responsive pillow. The pillow’s cover is made from 100% TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers, which are sustainably sourced and produced. Tencel™ is known for its ability to maintain an ideal sleep temperature, wick away moisture, and its hypoallergenic properties, making it an excellent choice for those with allergies or sensitive skin.
Specifications:
- Material: 100% Talalay Latex
- Cover Material: 100% TENCEL Lyocell
- Loft Options: Low (4 inches) or High (5 inches)
- Cooling: Naturally Cooling
In addition to its natural and sustainable materials, the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Pillow is designed for cooling and hypoallergenic comfort. The pillow’s natural construction includes tiny breathable airways that draw excess heat away from the body, ensuring a cool and refreshed feeling upon waking. The 100% Talalay™ latex is also seven times more breathable than other latex foams and offers protection against allergens and dust mites.
âś… Pros:
- Made with eco-friendly and sustainable materials
- Dynamic bounce, contouring, and breathability
- Available in two loft options for different sleep positions
❌ Cons:
- Some users may find the high loft option too firm
Essential Considerations for Pillow Shoppers
Before finalizing your choice of various pillows, for example solid foam pillows, consider key elements like pillow’s loft, firmness, materials and pillow shapes.
These aspects play a significant role in ensuring proper spinal alignment and pressure relief for side sleepers.
Understanding Loft and Firmness
The loft and firmness of a pillow are key considerations for side sleepers. A pillow with the right loft and firmness can ensure proper spinal alignment and alleviate pressure points. Medium-to-high loft pillows seem to work best, providing the necessary support for head and neck.
Adjustable pillows like the Sleep Is the Foundation Shredded Pillow can significantly benefit side sleepers with diverse preferences. These pillows allow you to adjust the loft and firmness to suit your unique sleep position and body type.
Note that side sleepers might find firmer pillows beneficial, as they offer sufficient support without being overly soft. Memory foam, latex, and buckwheat hull pillows are some examples of materials that offer the right balance of support and comfort for side sleepers.
The Importance of Material Choices
Selecting the right pillow materials can influence comfort, support, and temperature regulation. For a side sleeper, pillows made from memory foam, latex, and buckwheat hulls provide adequate support without being overly firm.
Especially for those who tend to get hot during sleep, temperature regulation is another factor to think about. Latex and gel-infused memory foam pillows tend to offer a cool sleep surface, which may help stay comfortable throughout the night.
In addition, hypoallergenic materials, such as those found in the Marlow Pillow and Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Pillow, can be beneficial for allergy sufferers. These materials can protect against allergens, dust mites, and more, ensuring a healthy sleep environment.
Pillow Shapes and Their Benefits
Different pillow shapes offer various benefits for side sleepers. Ergonomically designed pillows, such as the Eli & Elm Side-Sleeping Pillow, can help reduce pressure around the neck and offer optimal contoured support for side sleepers. A pillow for side sleepers like this one can make a significant difference in comfort and overall sleep quality.
Contoured pillows are specifically designed to conform to the natural curvature of your body, providing targeted support for your head and neck. These firm pillows can help alleviate pressure points and minimize neck pain, as well as shoulder pain or relieve pressure for sleeping comfortably.
Choosing a pillow shape that matches your sleep position is key to a comfortable and restful sleep. By considering factors such as loft, firmness, materials, and pillow shapes, you can find the perfect pillow to suit your unique needs as a side sleeper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the best pillows?
For the best overall pillows, we recommend Coop Sleep Goods Pillow with adjustable shredded foam fill. For a combination of fluffiness of an entire pillow and support, try a down-feather blend pillow; for a softer feel and affordability, opt for a down alternative pillows; and if you need more support, try a memory foam pillow. Each offers different benefits, so it’s important to compare and contrast the features before making your choice.
What is the ideal pillow loft for side sleepers?
Side sleepers should opt for a medium-to-high loft pillow, measuring at least 4-5 inches thick, to ensure proper head and neck support.
What materials are recommended for side sleepers looking for a cool sleep surface?
Side sleepers looking for a cool sleep surface should consider using latex or gel-infused memory foam pillows, which are proven to regulate temperature throughout the night.