The Best Pillow For Side Sleepers – Say Goodbye to Neck Pain

A question comes to mind that does a pillow have anything to do with your sleep comfort? Well, your pillow is as necessary as your mattress because it provides the support to your neck and shoulder and keeps your head aligned.

There is a natural curve between neck and shoulder that needs to be balanced while you are sleeping. You need to know which pillow is best for your comfortable sleep according to your sleeping posture. It means that there are different pillows for side and stomach sleepers.

We are focusing on the side sleepers in this post. There are plenty of high-quality pillows available that are specially designed for side sleepers to fill the distance between the head and the mattress and keep the spine aligned as well.

Best Pillow For Side Sleepers

Let’s find out about some of the best pillows for side sleepers!

Find out more about The Best 5 Bolster Pillows in our full review.

Compare Best Pillow For Side Sleepers

Products Dimensions Best for Filling Cover Price
Zen Chi Buckwheat 30” x 20” x 3” Adjustable Support Organic buckwheat hull Cotton
Save & Soft Gel Memory Foam 20” x 12” x 3.7” Neck Pain Gel memory foam Cotton
The Scrumptious 29″ x 16″ x 6″ People with Wide Shoulders Silk-like fiber N/A
Sable Hypoallergenic pillow 17.7″ x 7.8″ x 7.7″ People Sensitive to Allergy Shredded memory foam Bamboo fiber
Z Gel Memory Foam L-Shape 10.2″ x 10.2″ x 2″ Reduce Snoring Gel dough memory foam Tencel
Marnur Orthopedic 25.3” x 14.5” X 5.5” Orthopedic Pillow for Neck pain Memory Foam High-grade air cotton
Remedy Contour Pillow 5″ x 17.5″ x 21″ Ear Pain Polyurethane foam Cotton

What should be the ideal height of a pillow for a side sleeper?

According to research, there are three different heights such as tall height pillow, medium height pillow, and small height pillow depending on your sleeping postures like side sleeper, stomach sleeper, and back sleeper.

For a side sleeper, a pillow with more height is requiredto provide comfortable sleep because it has to match the height of your spine plus give support to your shoulder. The pillow should be legitimately firm or stable and can also be positioned between your legs to prevent spine twisting. There are various spine alignments, but neutral spine alignment is best for side sleeper that will straighten your spine.

Is it better to sleep without a pillow for a side sleeper?

Generally, the healthiest and fittest sleeping position is side sleeping where a pillow is essential to keep your spine straight. Without a pillow, the weight of your head will jerk or twist the neck down, and become out of alignment. A supportive pillow plays a critical role that supports the head or shoulder and keeps your spine in proper alignment.

See our complete review of The Best Anti-Snoring Pillows and find out more.

The best type of material fills for side sleepers

For the relaxation of the human body that have to perform multiple task or functions whole days, plenty of top quality materials are used for side sleeper pillows to provide the best and comfortable sleep, discussed as below:

Memory foam

There are various types of foam, but memory foam is best because it comes back into its original foam quickly. It has the quality of moldable which means foam match or ties your body curve as well as shape and aid to instantly change as you change your position without additional or added fluffing. Shredded foam is an excellent choice as it gives you to mold the pillow more comfortable or calmer than other solid pillows.

Water fill

For the body conformity, a specially designed pillow is available whose inner core is filled with water. Water fill help to give your neck and shoulder a very calm posture as well as your spine also become straight while sleeping on your side. But here a drawback of the water filled pillow is that heat conductor is the excellent property of water which means due to body heat or temperature pillow becomes warm.

Buckwheat

For a side sleeper, buckwheat pillows are the excellent choice that gives you more conformity level while sleeping. It is small in size and more gracefully as compared to water-filled pillows. Filled with tiny gains materials as its inner core that prevents you from uncomfortable loops and gives you a more soothing and calm surface. The significant feature is that it discharges heat and permits the pillow to keep calm and levelheaded. You can fill buckwheat interiors according to your requirements to for your perfect comfort.

Gel-fill

As the name implies, the gel is like sticky stuff that you do not want in the bed. But as water and buckwheat filled pillows do nothing, it will also not stick anywhere and provides you comfier feeling. The gel is micro-fibers of memory foam that can increase the level of conforming especially for side sleepers. It gives more enhanced support to your neck and spine; cleanness is easy and it contains hypoallergenic property as well.

Latex

It is more stable or well-founded material in comparison to other material for side sleepers. It gives your body comfort because it maintains the structure and did not flatten out. For those people who are used to sleeping on their sides, this is an excellent choice as it aids to support your spine, neck, and shoulder.

What type of pillow would be most suitable for side sleeping position if I have neck pain as well?

The Shredded Memory Foam is a more supportive and comfy pillow that keeps your head and neck in a straight and reasonable position for a good night's sleep.

Additionally, this pillow is very soft and luxurious. Its core is made up of high quality and heavy-duty memory foam which isn't any solid or sturdy surface. It allows passing air through its inner core that will not produce heat when you sleep plus provides your neck a proper positioning and align it with adjustable posture.

What traits to look for in these pillows?

Loft

You should know about the proper attic which contains various factors. Those factors include sleeping position, overall body size, pillow settlement, Head size, weight, shoulder width especially for side sleepers, whole body size as well as mattress insistence.

The loft is a crucial element for selecting the right pillow for side sleeper that provides you a highly comfortable sleep. If you will not use a pad with proper loft means knowing about appropriate pillows height or thickness, can result in lousy neck position or alignment and irregular pressures on shoulder and head plus having pains in the spine, difficulty to breath, discomfort, and snoring can also be included.

Additionally, higher loft pillows are recommended to those people who like to sleep on their sides because you are supported on your shoulder as well as keep your neck in a higher position that gives extra comfort to your spine as well.

Firmness

There are multiple layers required for those people who like to sleep on their sides such as shredded memory foam with or without gel. These are available in different various thickness or firmness but for a side sleeper, you need a medium firmness.

The term firmness means padding that how much padding is used inside the pillow that is the thickness of pillow for side sleeper comfort. The most recommended materials of pillows for side sleeper are buckwheat and water-filled which can be movable or adjustable by the users.


Our Top Picks – Best Pillow For Side Sleepers


1. Zen Chi Buckwheat – Best for adjustable support

Zen Chi Buckwheat Organic Natural Cooling Pillow

Features
  • Organic material
  • Chemical free
  • Buckwheat filling
  • Natural Therapy
  • Adjustable position

 

The excellent feature of Buckwheat is chemical free filling with tiny organic grains that provide best adjustable support to your neck, head and spine to sleep deeper. Its interior is designed to facilitate airflow or air circulation that gives you cooling effect naturally and does not generate any heat while sleeping.

The Buckwheat pillow is best for you because it is 100% organic or chemical free as well as it provides you naturally relieves from many pains like shoulder pain, head pain and spine pain which disturbs your sleep. There is a distance between your neck and shoulder that cause to sleep disturbance especially to side sleepers and buckwheat pillow support your head and shoulder and keep your spine in line which helps to sleep deep and soundly.

There are various features of Zen Chi Buckwheat, but natural therapy is the second best property which aids to support your body or provide relieves from multiple diseases such as tension, stiff neck, tension, muscular pain, stress, and headache. It gives natural support to your neck and head and allows you to sleep cool all night plus act as a natural remedy for the type as mentioned above of pains.

Pros
  • Buckwheat hull can be refilled as you needed
  • Support to recover sleeping problem like muscular pain, neck, head, shoulder and spine pains
  • Odor-free buckwheat pillow gives cooling facility during sleep
  • Four sizes available with four different dimensions
Cons
  • Not used for long lasting because later bugs are produced in its inner core
  • After some use, you can feel any funky smell

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Adjustable position: For high-quality sleep, it is the best adjustable pillow that helps you to improve the alignment of your neck and shoulder and also decrease snoring at night. In addition, you can also adjust it as per your requirement according to your sleeping position.

2. Save & Soft Gel Memory Foam – Best for Neck pain

Save and Soft Gel Memory Foam Cervical Support Pillow

Features
  • Cervical shape
  • Gel infused memory foam
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Orthopedic properties
  • Ergonomic design
  • Cooling feature

As the name implies, the cooling pillow is the best adjustable pillow for supporting neck which contains two other pillows features as well as orthopedic and contour pillows. The orthopedic pillow keeps cervical care and sustains the neck level in proper alignment according to your spine. The contour pillow is suitable for athletics that likes to play sports and also helps to relieve you from injuries, arthritis, and issues related to stroke.

Save & Soft is an excellent choice for those who are facing neck pain as well as any muscular pain because it provides you best support to your neck that is between your head and shoulder. By using it, you will experience the better night sleep and wake up in the morning cool and feel fresh.

It is made up by Save & Soft that comprises no latex, so there is no need to worry about any allergy related issues because breathable hypoallergenic is the best feature of it. Additionally, those people who want snore pillows, here it is that's excellent soft and also washable.

Pros
  • A cooling gel pad is used in it for keeping the pillow and your head cool in the sunny days.
  • If you are a side, back or stomach sleeper, you can get great sleep with the help of this pillow.
  • Chiropractic pillow supports your neck, head or spine for your comfort.
Cons
  • The size is smaller than regular pillows
  • Support is inferior

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Cervical shape: This type of pillow is best for neck pain as compared to others. The cervical pillow is also called chiropractic pillow because it provides excellent support to your musculoskeletal system as well as maintains the gap between head and shoulder that gives more comfy and deep sleep in all night long.

3. The Scrumptious – Best for people with wide shoulders

Drift Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow for Neck Pain

Features
  • Neck Alignment
  • Rectangle shape
  • Height Adjustability
  • Supportive construction

It is proved as incredibly supportive that is specially made for those people who have broad shoulder and sleeps on their sides. Generally, rectangle pillow is not suitable for side sleeper as well as those who have broad shoulders for the reason that they need to support or need proper level alignment of their shoulder, neck as well as spine.

The Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow is best for you because it is the best supportive pillow for those people who are sleeping on their sides as well as who have broad shoulders. Supportive pillow allows providing excellent support to your head and shoulder. If you don't have knowledge which size you have to choose, purchase any and through its adjustable height feature you can add or remove its inner filling as per your requirements through the hidden zip.

Here’s the great feature when you are not sure about the height and thickness of your pillow as your body needed. There is a hidden zip in this pillow made by Drift where you can adjust the height and breadth of pillows according to your requirements for making your sleep perfect.

Pros
  • Extremely supportive for broad shoulders
  • The height can be adjustable by using hidden zip.
  • Improve neck alignment as well as breathing system
Cons
  • Any chemical smell come off from the pillow
  • Not long lasting can be flattened out in less than three months

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Neck Alignment: For an excellent sleep, you need to maintain your neck in proper alignments that will also help to improve your breathing system as well as reduce snoring. For broad shoulder people, neck balancing is essential element while sleeping because it can also affect shoulder and your spine.

4. Sable Hypoallergenic pillow– Best for people sensitive to Allergy

Sable Back Support Washable Bamboo Cover Queen Pillow

Features
  • Supportive soft comfort
  • Rayon material
  • Bamboo fiber
  • Breathable
  • Machine Washable
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Bamboo Fiber

A unique Bamboo fiber material is used to give comfort to the people who face allergy issues with their pillows. It does not trap heat and designed to avoid sweating. In some cases, if the light goes out at day or night, by using this pillow, you will feel fresh just because of its fabric.

Sable is available in different sizes; you can choose your right option or size according to your needs or posture. The primary objective of this pillow is to give comfort to allergenic people and it is served by using rayon material. You will find a balance pillow between firmness and fluffiness plus give you a more comfortable sleep.

Best pillow for sensitive people to allergy is Sable, manufactured using Bamboo fiber or cloth as well as polyester which gives you a full and relaxing sleep. By using these materials in Sable pillows, you can be prevented from sweat in day or night. You can also choose different sizes of this pillow according to your requirements.
Pros
  • Bamboo fiber material is used to prevent sweat.
  • Long lasting as easy to care and keep it clean by washing it.
  • Made it without using any harmful material.
Cons
  • For limited users like side, back and stomach sleeper.
  • Not made of pure cotton.
  • Unpleasant smell from inner foam.

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Hypoallergenic: It is compulsory to keep your pillow clean to save yourself from any allergy. It is straightforward to keep it clean because inner filling consists of memory foam, bamboo fiber is used externally as a pillowcase as well as a side zip. We can quickly wash it through a washing machine without separating all material. But keep in mind, always dry it at low temperature to meet the comfort just like you use it the first time.

5. Z Gel Memory Foam L-Shape – Best to Reduce Snoring

Z Gel Memory Foam L Shape Comfort Pillow for Neck Pain

Features
  • Dampness resistant characteristics
  • Ergonomic design
  • Reduce Snoring
  • L-shape Ergonomic Design
  • Gel Formula

L-Shape Pillow made by Z is specially designed in L-shape plus ergonomically which give support to your body spine like shoulder, head, and neck. Those people who are like to sleep on their sides feel more comfortable and perfect sleep.

Gel Memory Foam L-Shaped Pillows are the best to reduce the snoring because the size and features it contains, help to balance the alignment of your whole body. Unique gel infusion is used to give you more calm and comfy sleep as well as help to reduce the sleeping pains like shoulder and neck. An exceptional trait of this pillow of it is to have the ability to control or manage the optimal temperature and keep the pillow cooler which will give you excellent sleep.

By using this pillow, side sleeper can manage the property of moisture that will help you to sleep in different temperatures.

Pros
  • Multiple pillows can be replaced for your right support
  • Body measurements are available which helps in choosing an option.
  • It comes with 5-year warranty.
Cons
  • Some of the side sleepers might find it bit thick
  • It is more expensive as compared to others pillow

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Gel Formula: There are plenty of gel formulas that are used in pillows available on the market. However, L-Shaped pillows have a unique gel infusion that is best suited for the side sleepers. An excellent feature of this pillow is that it gives calmer, more cooling, and soft memory foam feeling. It also helps to reduce your sleeping pains like shoulder, head, neck, etc.

6. Marnur Orthopedic – Best Orthopedic Pillow

Marnur Contour Memory Foam Orthopedic Pillow for Neck Pain

Features
  • Contoured pillow
  • RoHS certified
  • Ensures sleep quality
  • Ergonomic armrests
  • Suitable for side sleepers
  • Maintains neck and spine alignment
  • Perfect as a gift

The contour memory foam pillow from Marnur is designed to treat the neck pain and features an ergonomic design. It has a natural curve that maintains the cervical shape of your neck. In addition to that, it assists in cradling your head for optimal support. It also has a wedge extension to maintain proper spine alignment while the unique armrests enable you to relax your hands during your bedtime as well.

This pillow will give you orthopedic treatment if you have chronic neck pain. The pillow works well for the side sleepers because you can place your hand on its armrests as well.

It also comes with a removable zipped pillowcase and it is made of rayon which not only makes the pillowcase very smooth and easy on your skin but also makes it machine washable. You can conveniently prevent any stains and prolong its life because the inner cover keeps the foam breathable and clean.

Pros
  • The pillow is ergonomically designed to provide support to your neck and back
  • It also features armrests to enable you to sleep on your side with extreme comfort
  • It is made of skin-friendly materials to prevent you from developing any allergies
  • The pillow cover is machine washable and is made of rayon.
Cons
  • It might be slightly hard for some of the side sleepers.
  • Getting used to it might take a while for the people who are new to its ergonomic design.

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Ensures sleep quality: The pillow is designed to ensure excellent sleep quality with its high and low curved surface at both of its ends. These ends make sure that you get a customized fit and enable you to breathe freely and enjoy a comfortable sleep at night.

7. Remedy Side Sleeper – Best for Ear pain

Remedy Contour Back Pain Relief Hypoallergenic Pillow

Features
  • Travel Size
  • 100% comfortable all night long
  • Contour effect
  • Pain relief for your entire body

The U-shaped pillow is specially designed in a way to give pain relief to your body. It enables your body to maintain a healthy posture all night long so that you can enjoy a sound sleep. The pillow is best suited for side sleepers as it contours your head and neck region.

This pillow is best for you if you prefer to sleep on your side and don’t move a lot at night. People who prefer to use thin pillows will like this contour pillow a lot.

When you start using the Contour Pillow, you will no longer require other pillows because it alone will do the job for you. You won't need to toss and turn around to make adjustments during your sleep. Your head, neck, and shoulders will stay aligned all night long.

Pros
  • Works great to provide you with full body pain relief.
  • The travel size contour pillow is very easy to carry when you are traveling.
  • It is designed for side sleepers to maintain alignment among your head, neck, and shoulders.
  • It is made of hypoallergenic poly-fiber while the cover is made of cotton to keep you fresh at night.
Cons
  • Some of you might find it to be a bit thin.
  • You cannot turn over effortlessly with this pillow so not an ideal option for you if you move a lot during your sleep.

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Travel Size: Gone are the days when you weren't able to take your pillows anywhere else except your bed. You can take this contour pillow anywhere you go. Whether you are traveling on a plane or in an automobile, you can place it behind your head and take rest anywhere you want.

Conclusion

From the above roundup, we can say that the Zen Chi Buckwheat Pillow is the best option for people who prefer to sleep on their sides. It comes with adjustable support and is one of the best products to provide you with this feature. In addition to that, the pillow has the traditional shape to enable you to sleep relaxed at night whether or not you move a lot during your sleep. So there you have it, now you have all the information that you want to have before buying a pillow for your side sleeping posture. In case if you have any comments or query, you can contact us through the comment section below.

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