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The best pillows for side sleepers 2025, tested by experts
The best pillow for side sleepers will be one that comfortably fills the space between your ear and your shoulder, holding your neck in correct alignment with your spine. Why is this important? A pillow loft that is too high or too low will place pressure on your neck, leading to pain and discomfort.
We’ve tested and reviewed the best pillows on the market for all sleepers and budgets. Below you’ll find our top 6 pillow recommendations for those who sleep on their sides, based on their performance in our in-house tests. Whether you’re a side sleeper with neck pain or a chronic hot sleeper, we’ve got a option to suit you.
Price is often a key factor when choosing a new pillow. Happily, several of the below selections are often discounted. We track the latest deals in our best bedding sales guide, so it’s worth bookmarking if you’re on the hunt for a new pillow. But which should you buy? Here’s our top 6 pillows for side sleepers, chosen by sleep experts…
1. The best pillow overall
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The Nest Easy Breather is the top side sleeping pick in our best pillows guide, simply because it combines everything you need for a comfortable sleep in this position.
The highlight of the Easy Breather Side Sleeper model is definitely the unique crescent shape. This unique shape provides the right support for your neck, head and shoulders while lying on your side, keeping them in a healthy alignment with the rest of your body.
The fully-adjustable fill contours to the natural curve of your neck, offering both support and pressure-relieving comfort, thanks to the blend of 80% CertiPUR-US certified shredded foam (both memory foam and high response foam) and 20% polyester fiber.
It comes encased in a top cover made of Icecore (Nest’s proprietary cooling material), polyester and spandex. The result is a soft and cool-to-touch feeling, perfect for hot sleepers. Our tester was so impressed by the temperature regulation properties of the Easy Breather, that it earned a solid 5 out of 5 stars for temperature regulation, which matches the specialized cooling tech of the popular Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology. Prefer an alternative with more naturally cooling elements? Check out the Coop Latex Adjustable pillow at #6.
The Easy Breather is available to buy at $119 and includes sleep benefits like a 30-night sleep trial, 2-year warranty and free shipping. One drawback is that it’s only available in a single standard size, which means it might be insufficient for larger body types.
What we like about it…
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✅ Dedicated side sleeping design: The crescent design provides excellent support for your neck, head and shoulders while lying on the side.
✅ Excellent cooling: Our tester noted that the temperature regulation feature of the Easy Breather can be compared to the cooling benefits of our best pillow overall, the Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology.
✅ Adjustable fill: The foam and fiber fill can simply be added or removed to create the ideal firmness and cushioning you prefer.
What we don’t like about it…
❌ No king size available: The Easy Breather is, unfortunately, only available in a standard size. So if you’re someone with a larger frame, you might feel there’s not enough of the pillow for your body type.
Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper pillow: Our Verdict
The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper is an excellent choice if you need a cooling, contouring pillow to suit your side sleeper position.
While our tester felt the crescent design worked well for supporting the neck in the side sleeping position, the fully adjustable foam and fiber fill was also comfortable for back and stomach sleeping too — making it a great choice for combination sleepers.
The Easy Breather is priced at $119 but we see frequent discounts up to 30% which drops the MSRP to $83.30, especially during major sale events like Black Friday and Memorial Day. This also includes benefits like a 30-night sleep trial, two-year warranty and free shipping.
2. The best affordable pillow
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The Beckham Hotel Collection gel cooling model is an Amazon bestseller, with an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars (based on 251,140 reviews on Amazon.) How did it fare in our tests? Our lead reviewer was impressed with its premium feel at an affordable price, plus its suitability for all sleep positions.
The hypoallergenic down-alternative 100% polyester fill and 250-thread count cotton cover, creates a plush yet supportive pillow which maintains its support all night, no matter your sleeping position. Our combination sleeping tester (side and stomach), was so comfortable in both positions that it felt like sleeping on a cloud, offering enough support for a goodnight’s rest.
Aside from its comfort, the next biggest advantage of the Beckham Hotel Collection pillow is its price. Compared to the other options in the guide, it packs a lot of benefits for the money you pay — $59.99 for a pair of two queen pillows.
However, you won’t get a sleep trial or warranty and it’s only available to buy on third-party retailer websites (like Amazon). But that shouldn’t put you off. If you would prefer something with better benefits, our top recommendations are the Layla Kapok at #5 (30-night trial, 5-year warranty and free shipping) and the Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Latex Pillow at #6 (100-night sleep trial, 5-year warranty and free shipping).
What we like about it
✅ Suitable for sleeping positions: The hypoallergenic down-alternative fill is build to support your neck, head and shoulders in every sleeping position.
✅ Hypoallergenic fill: Love a down pillow but have allergies? The Beckham Hotel Collection pillow consists of hypoallergenic polyester fiber, which is ideal for those who struggle with allergies.
✅ Cooling comfort which prevents overheating: Our tester gave the Beckham pillow a 5 out of 5 score for temperature regulation, thanks to its breathable design and moisture-wicking cotton cover.
What we don’t like about it…
❌ No warranty or trial period: While it boasts a number of benefits, the lack of of a sleep trial or warranty is a slight disadvantage.
❌ Might not be supportive enough for some side sleepers: If you’re someone who struggles with neck pain or aches while lying on the side, you need a more contouring and pressure relieving option like the Tempur-Pedic Tempur Neck at #4.
Beckham Hotel Collection Pillow: Our verdict
Need a simple traditionally designed pillow offering a reliably goodnight’s rest? In our reviewer’s words, the Beckham Hotel Collection pillow provides “a 5-star sleep experience without overheating or nightsweats.”
The medium-firm pillow is ideal for all sleeping positions and specifically for side-sleeping, since it provides both cradling comfort and plush support which eases your neck muscles.
In our quest to find the best pillow on the market, we haven’t come across another one which beats the Beckham Hotel Collection in terms of the price — just $59.99 for a pair of luxury queen pillows. However, the lack of a sleep trial or warranty is a slight disadvantage, compared to the other side-sleeping options in this guide.
3. The best luxury pillow
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Like their mattresses, the Purple Harmony pillow offers a unique sleep feel. Comprised of Talay latex and Purple’s proprietary gel flex grid layer, the result is a breathable pillow with contouring support across the head, neck and shoulders.
Even though the build is quite similar to other customizable models in the guide, our reviewer felt the Purple Harmony was best suited for side sleepers who prefer responsive support from their pillow. The mid-loft model strikes a balance of squishy comfort and the right amount of push back, comfortably bridging the gap between ear and shoulder while lying on your side.
The pillow consists of an inner core made from adaptable Talalay latex, surrounded by the brand’s Grid Hex, a gel-like material which promotes airflow with approximately 2,000 channels. It comes in two sizes (standard or king) and three loft options (low, medium and tall) to adapt it your side-sleeping style.
What we like about it…
✅ Customizable loft options: You can choose from the loft options to cater it to your sleeping style and body type.
✅Bouncy support: Purple’s proprietary Gel-Flex Grid technology combined with the Talalay latex core offers a responsive support, so you don’t feel like sinking into your pillow.
✅ Breathable design: The pillow features a honeycomb-like layer which promotes airflow and dissipates heat, enhancing the overall breathability.
What we don’t like about it…
❌ Not actively cooling: The breathable construction, however, might not be enough for very hot sleepers or extremely warm weather. It’s ideal to go for an option with more naturally cooling elements like the Coop Latex Adjustable (#6) or those with specialist layers like Nest Bedding Easy Breather (#1).
❌High maintenance: Neither the top cover nor the inner latex core is machine washable. The Purple Harmony can only be spot cleaned which is a serious drawback considering the hefty price tag it comes with.
Purple Harmony Pillow: Our verdict
If you’re a side sleeper who prefers a plush yet supportive pillow and dislikes the sink-in feeling of memory foam alternatives, the Purple Harmony is the ideal pick for you.
Our reviewer felt the medium-loft model is perfect for side sleepers since it offers both pressure relieving comfort for your neck, head and shoulders. Meanwhile, the Talalay latex core gives it a responsive feel, which works well if you’re prone to change positions during the night.
The right time to buy a Purple Harmony is during major events like Black Friday and the upcoming 4th of July sales, when we have previously spotted a 10% discount which drops the price of a standard medium loft pillow from $199 to $179. This also includes a 100-night sleep trial, one-year warranty and free shipping.
4. The best pillow for neck pain
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Tempur-Pedic is a brand known for their proprietary pressure-relieving specialised Tempur foam material, used in both mattresses and pillows to target specific sleep concerns.
The Tempur-Neck is their second bestselling pillow (after the Tempur-Cloud for back and stomach sleepers) crafted from a single block of firm Tempur foam. The biggest advantage of the Tempur-Neck pillow is the unique curved design, which follows the natural curve of your neck while lying on your side or back.
In our reviewer’s words, “the instant pressure relief offered by the Tempur-Neck feels like a neck massage”. With its firm support and ergonomic design, the pillow holds your neck in correct alignment with your spine. This prevents pressure from building in your neck, which can quickly lead to neck pain.
You can opt from three pillow sizes (small, medium and large) based on your body type. All Tempur-Pedic pillows comes with a 5-year warranty and free shipping.
What we like about it…
✅Excellent pressure relief: The pressure relieving Tempur foam is just what you need if you struggle with neck aches or pains, as it instantly soothes discomfort to help you sleep better.
✅Ergonomic design for side sleepers: The unique curved design is specifically crafted for side and back sleepers, following the natural curvature of the neck. This prevents any further injury to your neck and shoulder muscles.
✅Consistent support: Crafted from a single block of Tempur foam, the Tempur Neck is a firm pillow which maintains the shape and support all night long, without requiring any fluffing up or readjustments.
What we don’t like about it…
❌Not great for hot sleepers: If you’re a hot sleeper, we’d recommend you either upgrade to include Tempur’s cooling features or opt for another specialized cooling pillow instead, like the Coop at #6.
❌Doesn’t include a sleep trial: It’s worthy to note that your Tempur Pedic Neck purchase is always final. Unlike some of the other models in the guide, the Tempur Pedic pillows only come with a 5-year warranty and free shipping and no sleep trial.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur Neck Pillow: Our verdict
Struggling with neck pains or aches? The Tempur-Neck is the one pillow we recommend, thanks to the instant pressure relief and consistent support it offers. This means an uninterrupted night’s rest without shifting or turning, effectively relaxing your neck and shoulder muscles.
The top-selling Tempur-Pedic Temour-Neck pillow stands out in the market with its unique ergonomic design which follows the curve of your neck, aligning it with the rest of your body, perfect for side and back sleeping.
The Tempur-Neck is not frequently discounted, but we have seen it up to 68% off during the time leading up to or after major events. Additionally, you can also grab this in their rare ‘buy one get one free’ sale during Black Friday or Presidents’ Day.
5. The best adjustable pillow
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If you’re looking for a more natural blend of materials in your pillow, the Layla Kapok should be on your radar. While adjustable pillows can be prone to flattening easily, the Layla emerged to be the most supportive model we’ve tested so far, especially for side-sleeping.
The Layla Kapok pillow is crafted from a fully-adjustable fill of contouring shredded memory foam and soft natural kapok fibers, which you can add or remove, based on personal preferences. However, the brand suggests little to no adjustments for side-sleeping, since this position requires a taller pillow, which can fill the gap between your ears and shoulder.
The last thing you want for side sleeping is a pillow which loses support during the night, but the Layla nails down the sweet spot of comfort and firm support for your head, neck and shoulders, which impressed our combination sleeping tester (side and back) during the hands-on review.
Additionally, both memory foam and kapok fibers are hypoallergenic in nature, perfect if you need a pillow which is resistant to bed bugs, dust mites and other common allergens.
What we like about it…
✅Right loft for side sleepers: Side sleepers need to do little to no adjustments to the Layla Kapok pillow thanks to the tall loft and medium-firmness construction.
✅No-shift support: Our reviewer was impressed by how the Layla Kapok maintained the shape and support consistently without the need for regular readjusting, compared to other adjustable pillows we’ve tried so far.
✅Excellent benefits: Layla offers almost the same benefits as Coop Sleep Goods for their Kapok pillow, with the 30-night sleep trial, 5-year warranty and free shipping.
What we don’t like about it…
❌Might be too firm for some: If you’re someone who prefers a plush and fluffy feel to your pillow and likes the cushioning effect it has on your neck and shoulders, opt for the Nest Bedding (#1) or the Beckham Down-Alternative (#2.)
❌Not cooling enough for hot sleepers: Aside from the natural breathability of kapok fibers, the Layla pillow has no specialist cooling elements. This results in a neutral temperature which would be suitable for most sleepers. However, those who sleep very hot might require something more actively cooling, like the Coop Latex (#6).
Layla Kapok Pillow: Our verdict
Need an adjustable pillow without the constant need to fluff up the fill? The Layla Kapok Pillow is the top adjustable model we’ve tested, ideal for side sleepers thanks to the right balance of loft, comfort and consistent support.
While the hexagonal designed top cover is striking to look at, it has little cooling benefits, which is why we recommend the Nest Bedding Easy Breather (#1) or the Coop Latex Adjustable (#6) for very hot sleepers.
The Layla Kapok pillow is not a cheap purchase priced at $109 for a queen. However, the frequent discounts (the ‘buy one get one 50% off) mean that you mostly never end up paying the full MSRP. The sleep benefits it comes with (30-night trial, 5-year warranty and free shipping) also make it worth the price you pay.
6. The best cooling for side sleepers
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Coop Sleep Goods is a popular bedding brand which has pioneered the adjustable pillow model with their Original Pillow. They recently launched the Latex variant, which promises both better breathability and cushioning comfort, which we’ve now had chance to test.
The Coop Adjustable consists of a dreamy combination of cross-cut Talalay latex and microfiber, which not only makes a plush pillow for side sleepers but also a cooling headrest. This is down to the natural breathability of latex, thanks to its opencell construction and tiny air channels present on the surface, which disperses excess heat away. There’s no complicated cooling tech involved, just the cooling prowess of natural plant-derived latex.
The latex and fiber fill core comes encased in a soft-to-touch cotton-blended cover (also includes recycled polyester and spandex) which also adds to the breathability.
Compared to their other adjustable models, the Latex is as expensive as their Cool+ range, starting at $145 for a queen. The good news is that it includes their industry-best benefits: 100-night sleep trial, 5-year warranty and free shipping.
What we like about it…
✅Doesn’t trap heat: The shredded latex fiberfill and breathable cover dissipates any heat, preventing overheating or nightsweats.
✅The plush responsive feel: Once our tester found the right level of fill for her sleeping style, she found the Coop latex pillows to have a bouncy yet comfy feel which cradles to you neck, head and shoulders.
✅Industry-best sleep benefits: Coop Sleep Goods is the only brand we’ve seen so far which offers incredible benefits for bedding products, including a 100-night trial, 5-year warranty and free shipping.
What we don’t like about it…
❌Constant readjusting required: The lack of consistent support is perhaps the biggest advantage pointed out by our reviewer, which can dampen the sleep experience overall.
❌May not be firm enough for some side sleepers: While you can adjust the fill to better suit your sleeping preferences, our tester categorizes the Coop Adjustable Latex under plush pillows. The Layla Kapok at #5 or the Tempur-Neck at #4 are the ideal firmer alternatives.
Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Latex Pillow: Our verdict
Coop combines the cooling benefits of latex and pressure-relieving comfort of microfiber in the newly launched Latex Adjustable Pillow, suitable for all sleeping positions. We recommend this for side sleepers who like a plush, supportive and cool pillow, complete with a breathable top cover made from recycled polyester, cotton and spandex.
Yes, it’s an expensive pillow but one which you can grab at 20% during all major sale events. Not to mention the incredible benefits it comes with, so you can easily return it within the 100-night sleep trial period if for some reason you’re unhappy with your purchase.
Best Pillows for Side Sleepers FAQs
What pillow is recommended by chiropractors for side sleepers?
“People are different sizes and shapes, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all pillow,” says Dr Kevin Lees, Director of Chiropractor Operations at The Joint Chiropractic.
“Side sleeper pillows typically need more loft or height,” he explains. A medium-firm to firm pillow, depending on your body type is required to fill the gap between the head and your mattress while lying on the side.
What pillow for side sleepers is best for neck pain?
It is generally advisable to use a firm pillow if you struggle with neck pain or aches. This is essentially to avoid shifting your neck and shoulder muscles during the night, which can further exacerbate the existing condition.
However, a super firm pillow also runs the risk of creating new pressure points. This is why a pressure relieving yet firm pillow like the Tempur Neck is our recommendation for most sleepers with neck pain.
Another option is to go for adjustable pillows, made from contouring foam and firm blend, which you can customize to suit your sleeping preferences.
Can side sleepers use multiple pillows?
Stacking pillows during sleep can either prove to be supportive or can completely throw off your spinal alignment.
“The key is balance—too many pillows can push your head forward, while too few can leave your neck unsupported,” says Dr Leah Kaylor, clinical psychologist who specializes in sleep and trauma.
If you’re a side sleeper used to propping up multiple pillows, Dr Kaylor recommends doing it the right way. “Choose one firm pillow under your head and stack a second thinner one to fine-tune the height. A third pillow between your knees prevents hip misalignment and reduces lower back tension,” she explains.
