10 Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, According to Bedding Experts

This innovative pillow is a total game-changer for side sleepers. It has a unique, rectangular shape with 90-degree edges to fill the gap between your shoulder and neck for unparalleled support and proper alignment. Although hesitant at first, GH analysts and sleep testers were blown away that the foam kept its shape night after night. One tester even raved that it “decreased my soreness.” The stretchy cover has a cool-to-the-touch feel, but it did show some signs of wear after laundering. Because of its shape, this pillow isn't suited for someone who changes sleeping position throughout the night, so this one is truly for side sleepers.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Pillow Cube Is the Answer for Side Sleepers

The Coop Home Goods Original pillow received top scores from testers and in Lab evaluations. Unlike many pillows filled with shredded memory foam, both the cover and fill can be machine-washed, and both looked great after our test washes. Testers gave high marks across the board for comfort and support, and no testers reported feeling sore after sleeping. All of the testers said they plan to continue to use this pillow. Plus, we love that the fill is adjustable, so you can add or remove foam and microfiber clusters until you find your perfect firmness level. With over 55,000 Amazon reviews and an average 4.5-star rating, many online reviewers agree.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Coop Home Goods Pillow Is the Best Pillow We've Ever Tested

The Harmony Pillow features a latex core for a plush feel covered with Purple’s innovative grid material for support and excellent cooling capabilities. It received some of the highest scores from our testers, who loved how supportive this pillow is. The latex core features open-air channels that testers said helped maintain a stable body temperature while sleeping; it also bounced back quickly when we applied weights in the Lab. The grid material was popular among testers with one commenting that “the texture of the pillow was very unique, very soft and supportive.”

This Layla pillow has a hybrid fill with both kapok (a fluffy, silky natural fiber that's similar to cotton) and shredded memory foam for a supportive and plush feel. The amount of fill is adjustable, so you can take some out if you prefer a lower height. Note that the fill is loose within the cover, so the pillow cannot be washed. With a nearly perfect score from each of our testers, one tester especially loved how it “forms to your sleeping position” for proper alignment. The pillow is only available in a grey color, which was slightly visible through a white pillowcase.

Down alternative pillows are a great substitute for down if you have an allergy or want a more affordable option. This polyester-filled down alternative pillow by Tuft & Needle received high scores for fitting perfectly in a Standard pillowcase and maintaining its shape in our Lab tests – many testers appreciated how it kept its shape too. The pillow features subtle side piping that’s stylish but won’t show through a pillowcase. Testers gave it rave reviews for comfort, especially if you prefer a firmer pillow. Plus, this pillow is actually sold as a set – two pillows for the price of one!

The Tempur-Pedic Breeze° Pro + Advanced Cooling Pillow comes in two different heights, high and low, with the high style being ideal for side sleepers. In addition to the solid memory foam inside, there is also a gel layer designed to help keep you cool. Testers liked that the outer cover is machine washable, and in our Lab evaluations, it did not show significant signs of wear or shrinkage after washing. Some testers noted that while the pillow quickly conforms to your head, it takes longer to return to the original shape if you move, so this style isn’t well suited for you if you toss and turn while sleeping.

If you prefer organic products, this pillow from Naturepedic features an organic cotton cover with an organic latex core. The latex is shredded for a plush feel that our testers loved, giving high marks for comfort and support. The shredded latex fill is adjustable – albeit a bit messy – so you can find your ideal height and firmness level. Testers liked that this pillow was reversible and supportive not just when sleeping on their side, but on their back and stomach too – ideal for a more restless sleeper or someone who switches sleeping positions.

This shredded latex style from Saatva was popular among our side sleeper testers. Testers said that it felt "very plush and soft," appreciating the organic cotton sateen cover and the responsive latex fill for excellent support and cushioning. The pillow maintained its shape after weights were applied in our Lab test, and it fit perfectly in a Standard-size pillowcase. Note that while the cotton cover is organic, the latex fill is not.

While down pillows offer ultimate fluffiness for that sleeping-on-a-cloud feeling, they usually don't have enough height for proper neck alignment when sleeping on your side: enter this Parachute side sleeper pillow. This pillow features a 3.5-inch gusset on the side and it's stuffed with 750 fill power European down and feathers to keep your neck properly aligned. And it still keeps the classic fluffy down feel. In our Lab, we found that Parachute down pillows held up well to repeated washing and drying. Testers described them as "absolutely dreamy" and feeling "like a marshmallow." For tall or larger individuals, this pillow may not be high enough.

This body pillow from Pluto is ideal for side sleepers thanks to its full-length design that helps keep your whole body in alignment. Compared to similar models, this one stood out for its soft and fluffy down-alternative that wasn't overstuffed, allowing users to comfortable adjust as they moved throughout the night. Testers also liked that it felt cool and was fairly heavy and substantial. Our pros appreciate that it's fully machine washable, but did note some signs of wear on the cover after multiple laundering cycles.