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The Best Pillows For Side Sleepers (According To Chiropractors & Sleep Doctors)

Sarah Regan
Author: Expert reviewer:
January 02, 2023
Sarah Regan
mbg Spirituality & Relationships Editor
By Sarah Regan
mbg Spirituality & Relationships Editor
Sarah Regan is a Spirituality & Relationships Editor, and a registered yoga instructor. She received her bachelor's in broadcasting and mass communication from SUNY Oswego, and lives in Buffalo, New York.
Sarah Kostyukovsky, PT, DPT, OCS
Expert review by
Sarah Kostyukovsky, PT, DPT, OCS
Sarah Kostyukovsky, PT, DPT, OCS, is an orthopedic physical therapist who specializes in treating pelvic floor dysfunction and the perinatal population. She earned her B.S. from the University of Virginia and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is co-founder of Flow Physiotherapy and the owner of Mom in Balance New York, which offers pregnancy and postpartum outdoor fitness classes in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Image by Austin Rogers / Stocksy
January 02, 2023
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

If you're reading this, odds are you're a side sleeper. And you're in good company: One 2012 survey found that up to 74% of people opt to sleep on their sides. But while common, this position can wind up disrupting your good night's sleep by contributing to shoulder pain and neck cramps. That's why it's extra essential for side sleepers to find the right pillow.

Here, sleep specialists name their top pillow picks for side sleepers and spill some tips on how to position them for your most comfortable night's rest:

What pillow types are best for side sleepers?

Side sleepers will want a pillow that can adjust to the shape of their head, neck, and shoulder "to prevent any kinking of the neck to either side," explains chiropractor B.J. Hardick, D.C. It's important to keep a neutral spine when standing, sitting, and especially sleeping, and this kind of pillow will prevent your spine from being out of alignment over night.

The size:

Hardick says that down-filled and feather pillows tend to be best for side sleepers, as they can more easily fit the shape of the neck's crevice. "Something too thin will cause the neck to flop toward the bed, and something too thick will cause it to kink the other way," he explains.

The shape:

And for the shape, sleep medicine specialist and psychiatrist Nishi Bhopal, M.D., recommends a body pillow or U-shaped pillow to help keep the spine aligned, as well as the hips.

The upkeep:

Naturopathic sleep doctor Catherine Darley, N.D., notes that you should be cleaning your pillows quarterly and replacing them every two years. Once your pillow has run its course, it simply won't offer you (or your head) the necessary support.

She also emphasizes the importance of finding a pillow that's just right for you and sticking to it. "Each person should have their own [pillow] set that has the correct sizes rather than bed partners sharing pillows night tonight." Find a store that has a good return policy and try out several pillows to find one that gives you the best night’s sleep and the best head support for side sleeping.

How we picked

Expert recommendations

When considering the best pillows for side sleepers, we took our expert's recommendations in mind, looking for pillows that offer adequate head and neck support, as well as quality materials.

Variety

Whether you want a firm memory foam pillow or a plush down pillow, there's something for everyone on this list—and many of the options are customizable or adjustable, too.

Reviews

All of the selections on this list have stellar reviews and tons of happy customers.

Warranty

All of the selections on this list offer a warranty program, ranging from at least one year, up to 10 years.

mbg's picks for the 7 best pillows for side sleepers:

Avocado Green Pillow

Pros:

  • Additional filling for custom loft
  • All organic materials

Cons:

  • Only one option for firmness

Material:

Organic kapok and organic latex

Care instructions:

Dry clean as needed

Support level:

Adjustable

As with any product you're bringing into your home, Hardick notes it's so important to go for organic options that do not off-gas any potentially toxic chemicals. This organic cotton pillow by Avocado Green Mattress meets that bill—and it's also vegan and handmade in Los Angeles. It also comes with an extra bag of filling for customizable comfort.

Snuggle-Pedic Full Body Pillow

Pros:

  • Chiropractor designed
  • Cooling

Cons:

  • Some reviews mention flattening over time

Material:

Foam

Care instructions:

Machine washable

Support level:

Soft

If you're a side sleeper who likes to prop a leg up or sleep with a pillow between your knees, Bhopal says body pillows can offer the comfort and support you're looking for. This body pillow by Snuggle-Pedic is sure to cover all your bases, with memory foam inside, a breathable bamboo cover, and cooling technology. It's also hypoallergenic.

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Cozy House Collection Luxury Bamboo Pillow

Pros:

  • Customizable support
  • Hypoallergenic

Cons:

  • Not organic materials

Material:

Bamboo viscose blend

Care instructions:

Machine washable

Support level:

Soft, medium, or firm

Speaking of bamboo, Hardick notes it's a great choice when it comes to pillows, and this bamboo pillow by Cozy House Collection won't disappoint. Not only can you adjust the amount of filling to create the perfect level of support, but the filling itself is shredded memory foam, ensuring your pillow will never lose its shape.

Brooklinen Down Pillow

Pros:

  • 3 different support options
  • Ethically sourced down

Cons:

  • Some reviews mention the pillow going flat

Material:

Down

Care instructions:

Dry clean as needed

Support level:

Plush, mid-plush, or firm

As Hardick explained, down pillows are great for a pillow that's supportive but moldable to your specific needs. This one by Brooklinen comes in three different firmness levels, though their website notes the "firm" variety is the most supportive—and is recommended for side sleepers. With over 2,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, folks seem very into this down pillow option.

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TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow

Pros:

  • 5-year warranty
  • Patented TEMPUR® material

Cons:

  • Only one option for feel/support

Material:

TEMPUR® Material and TEMPUR-Breeze® Gel

Care instructions:

Washable cover

Support level:

Medium

This super-well-rated pillow is also recommended by Hardick, as it was designed with neck support in mind. It's made with Tempur-Pedic's "EMPUR-Breeze Gel" on both sides of the pillow, to help you stay cool, plus its knit cover is 100% cotton—and 100% washable, so you can keep it in good shape night after night.

Pros:

  • 10-year warranty
  • Cooling material

Cons:

  • Only one option for feel/support

Material:

Foam

Care instructions:

Machine washable

Support level:

Medium

Darley tells mbg she's seen her patients who get too hot at night have success with cooling pillows, and with this pillow by Vaya, that's exactly what you'll get. Its shredded foam filling gives support that contours to your head and neck, which is essential for keeping your head, neck, and spine aligned. Plus, the cooling cover and perforations will keep this pillow cool all night.

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Lincove Classic Natural Goose Down Pillow

Pros:

  • Ethically sourced down
  • Customizable feel and support

Cons:

  • Pricey compared to other pillows

Material:

Down

Care instructions:

Dry clean as needed

Support level:

Soft, medium, or firm

And last but not least, for another down-filled option that's able to be bunched perfectly into your neck and shoulder, per Hardick's recommendation, Lincove's natural goose down pillow offers just that, with the guarantee of ethically sourced down. It's also available in three different sizes and firmness levels, so you can find the right one for you.

How side sleepers should position their pillows.

  1. Put one under your head: The pillow your head is resting on, Darley notes, should be "the height of the distance from the outside of the shoulder to the ear" or be able to be bunched up to fit perfectly in that crevice.
  2. Put one between your knees: This will ensure that your lower spine isn't twisted.
  3. Put one next to you: Darley adds it can be helpful to have a pillow next to you to rest your top arm on so your shoulders aren't twisting or crouching in a way that could leave you with a neck kink.

Again, the main objective here is to keep the spine in alignment. When sleeping on your side, either go with a longer pillow like a body or U-shaped option, or use a few pillows to achieve a similar effect. Here's how to place them:

The takeaway.

At the end of the day (literally), too many of us are sleeping on our sides for us not to have the best pillows available. After all, we spend nearly a third of our lives asleep. So, rather than waking up with a stiff neck and tense shoulders, we'd all be better off with quality pillows that offer the perfect balance of comfort and support.

Meet The Experts

Sarah Regan is a Spirituality & Relationships Editor, and a registered yoga instructor. She received her bachelor's in broadcasting and mass communication from SUNY Oswego, and lives in Buffalo, New York.
Sarah Kostyukovsky, PT, DPT, OCS, is an orthopedic physical therapist who specializes in treating pelvic floor dysfunction and the perinatal population. She earned her B.S. from the University of Virginia and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is co-founder of Flow Physiotherapy and the owner of Mom in Balance New York, which offers pregnancy and postpartum outdoor fitness classes in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

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