We tested over 150 pillows so you can have your best sleep ever.
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Side sleeping is one of the most common sleep positions. But why does it feel so difficult to find the right pillow? If you've ever woken up with a crick in your neck after sleeping with a new pillow, remember this: The right pillow will be thick enough to fill in the gap between your head and shoulders for proper spinal alignment. A pillow that's too thick, too thin, too soft or too firm can lead to a myriad of issues
That said, pillow shopping doesn't have to feel like a nightmare. At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, we take the guesswork out of finding the perfect pillow by putting popular styles to the test with all types of sleep styles in mind, including side sleepers. We've put hundreds of pillows to the test in our Lab and with consumer testers over the years, from down pillows and down alternative options to memory foam, latex and even cooling pillows, and we've tested more than 150 different styles in the last few years alone. We used our Lab data and feedback from real consumer testers to choose the best pillows for side sleepers.
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. It comes in one universal 5-inch height, but if you need a shorter or taller pillow, check out the brand's new Side Cube Deluxe. Just note that the shape is best suited to true side sleepers, rather than those who change sleep positions throughout the night.
Tester notes: Despite our initial skepticism, it impressed both our Lab experts and consumer testers, winning over many with its support. "I like that it has the same amount of support right to the very edge and doesn’t taper off, so my neck is totally supported," said one, "Before, I’d ball up an extra pillow under my neck or sleep with my hand there."
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Pillow Cube Is the Answer for Side Sleepers
Don't let the affordable price fool you: this Beckham Hotel pillow outperformed styles over triple its price. It's an Amazon best-seller with over 230,000 online reviews. It has a down alternative, polyester fill with a 100% cotton outer cover for a softer and more luxurious feel. In our Lab tests, it fit perfectly in a standard size pillowcase and held up fairly well in our pressure tests. Because it's not made with memory foam like most pillows for side sleepers, this pick is entirely machine washable for easy care.
Tester notes: "The down alternative filling is so fluffy and cushiony, yet still supportive," noted one side and back sleeper tester. She added, "The outer material is amazingly soft and looks so luxurious!" Users appreciated how well the fill kept its shape without clumping or feeling lumpy. While some testers praised its support, others found it too flat to offer sufficient neck support. Because it's only sold in one height, this pillow may not be suitable for side sleepers with larger frames.
If you're waking up with a sore neck, it's likely due to poor spinal alignment. Luckily, this pillow offers a simple solution: Adjustable fill. You can add or remove fill until you find your perfect firmness level, and it works well for those who tend to change positions during the night. Plus, unlike similar pillows we've tested, both the cover and inner pillow can be machine-washed, and both looked great after our test washes.
Tester notes: This pillow comes with high praise from testers who gave it high marks across the board for comfort and support. "It really helps my neck pain around my C3," said one tester, who has had whiplash twice. "It's nice to wake up in the morning without pain and stiffness." Another noted, "It wraps around my head and I sink into it." One downside is the outer cover does tend to pill over time.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Coop Home Goods Pillow Is the Best Pillow We've Ever Tested
The Harmony Pillow features a latex core designed with Purple’s innovative polymer grid material for plush support and excellent cooling capabilities. The open channels in the grid offer extra airflow while cradling your head and neck, and the latex core provides excellent support. It's also available in three heights.
Tester notes: It received some of the highest scores from our testers, who loved how supportive it felt. It also quickly bounced back when we applied weighted pressure in the Lab. Beyond that, the material was a hit among testers, with one commenting that “the texture of the pillow was very unique, very soft and supportive.” Hot sleepers also noted it helped maintain a comfortable body temperature at night. It is heavier than other pillows.
The Layla pillow has an innovative hybrid fill made with kapok (a fluffy, silky natural fiber that's similar to cotton) and shredded memory foam. This results in a supportive and plush feel, which garnered high praise from our testers. On top of that, the fill is adjustable, so you can tailor it to your ideal height and switch positions at night without losing support.
Tester notes: It earned a near-perfect score from each of our testers, who gave it top marks for comfort, support and overall satisfaction. One tester especially loved how it “forms to your sleeping position” for proper alignment. The downside is that the gray cover is visible through some pillowcases, and the pillow may be too thin for users with broad shoulders.
Down alternative pillows are a great substitute for down if you have an allergy or want a more affordable option. Among the dozens we've tested, Tuft & Needle's stands out for its firm support, keeping its shape in both in-Lab and at-home tests, night after night. Each pillow also comes with subtle side piping for a touch of elegance that won't show through your pillowcase.
Tester notes: Beyond how well the pillow maintained its shape, it fit perfectly in a Standard pillowcase and received praise from testers. All rated it highly supportive and comfortable to sleep on, although some said they wished it were softer. One tester also highlighted its attention to detail, saying it was "excellent quality with good materials and stitching."
The Tempur-Pedic Breeze ProHi 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 interior, there is also a gel layer designed to help keep you cool.
Tester notes: 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 opt for something more responsive if you toss and turn while sleeping. It's also the priciest on our list.
This pillow from Naturepedic is certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS). It's reversible! One side is designed with plush, quilted PLA batting (a plant-based fiber made from sugarcane) and the other side is filled with shredded latex. The entire pillow is encased in an organic cotton cover. The shredded latex fill is also plush and adjustable, so you can find your ideal height and firmness level.
Tester notes: Ideal for a more restless sleeper or someone who switches sleeping positions, the reversible design was a hit with our testers, who also liked how supportive it felt in any sleeping position. Many appreciated the adjustable nature, but one noted that "it can be messy when taking out the stuffing." This didn't deter our testers though, and one even dubbed it "the greatest pillow I have ever slept on."
Aside from our picks above, here are some other pillows that performed well in our tests to consider:
Best Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers: Saatva Latex Pillow
Best Down Pillow for Side Sleepers: Parachute Home Down Side Sleeper Pillow
Best Body Pillow for Side Sleepers: Pluto Puff Body Pillow
Over 700 at-home testers nationwide tried pillows that matched their preferences (sleeping position and desired fill) and reported on the pillow's comfort, support and much more. In our Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, we wash-tested each pillow multiple times, if applicable, to make sure it was durable and could withstand proper care without warping or shrinking.
We apply weights to each pillow that are a similar size and weight to the average head to ensure each pillow can keep its shape after repeated use. From tester feedback and Lab evaluations, we had over 5,400 data points to analyze. The featured styles are pillows specified for side sleepers that had excellent performance in our evaluations.
Side sleepers should choose a thick, firm pillow that will “keep their ears in line with their shoulders” to prevent their neck from extending in either direction when sleeping on their sides, according to Dr. Jaspal R. Singh M.D., co-director of the Center for Comprehensive Spine Care at Weill Cornell Medicine. The best pillow will keep your head and neck aligned while you are lying down.
✔️ Fill: Any fill from down to foam can work for side sleepers as long as the pillow is thick enough to support your neck. Solid foam or latex options offer the most uniform support, while hybrid, down and down alternative options offer more flexibility. Note that down or down alternative fills may require routine fluffing to maintain their height.
✔️ Loft: This refers to the pillow's height. Look for a pillow that's high enough to maintain a neutral alignment. Remember: The ideal loft can vary based on your height and body. If you're unsure what loft you need, an adjustable pillow allows you to find a height that's just right.
✔️ Sleeping style: If you are a restless sleeper, look for options with plusher fill that can easily change shape as you move. If you stay put on your side all night, a solid memory foam pillow can support your head in one position to help keep you asleep.
✔️ Care: Don't forget to check the care instructions. In our evaluations, some pillows could not be washed at all, while even more pillows only have machine-washable covers. If you are sensitive to allergens, look for an entirely machine-washable pillow, and keep in mind that memory foam is usually not machine-washable.
✔️ Return policy: With so many different pillows on the market, make sure to look at the return policy to ensure you can return or exchange the pillow if it doesn't work for you.
Emma Seymour is the senior textiles analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has evaluated more than 150 pillows in the Lab and coordinated at-home consumer testing with hundreds of testers. Emma has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for over five years at Good Housekeeping. A side sleeper herself, she's personally tried several of the pillows on our list and currently alternates between Pillow Cube and Coop.
Grace Wu most recently updated this story. She's a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and oversaw recent in-Lab pillow testing of 40 pillows. Grace has previously written about the best mattresses for side sleepers and interviewed medical experts for additional insight. Prior to joining GH, she earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
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