Best pillow for side sleepers

When you sleep on your side, the pillow you use can really matter in the level of comfort you experience in your neck, shoulders, and upper back once you are awake. A good pillow to use when you sleep on your side must offer adequate support that allows your head and neck to be in a comfortable position relative to your spine without causing much pressure on your shoulder.

If we talk about the best pillow for side sleepers, you can never choose one because it can vary from person to person. It’s all about knowing your body, sleep, and the level of comfort you need. Believe us when we say, just like a mattress, your pillow is up for an upgrade, and it should be the one that matches your needs.

Why Does Your Pillow Matter When You Sleep On Your Side?

When you sleep on your side, you have your head above the mattress, not resting on it.

This puts a distance between your head and your mattress, which must be filled by your pillow. If the pillow is excessively flat, your head can lean down towards the mattress. When it is excessive in height, your head can be pushed upwards.

Either situation can be the reason why your neck feels so sore even after 8 hours of sleep.

The key benefit of a good side sleeper pillow is to ensure adequate support to assist in placing the body in a comfortable and neutral position, as well as cushioning the head and shoulders.

What Is the Best Pillow For Side Sleeping?

The most effective pillow to sleep on the side is the one that allows you to acquire enough height, cushioning support, and enough firmness to keep your head from sinking into the pillow.

You should start with a good pillow loft, which is medium-high, although the optimum height depends on your body and mattress.

Feature	What Side Sleepers Should Look For
Loft	Medium to high, depending on shoulder width and mattress
Firmness	Supportive without feeling excessively hard
Shape	Contoured or traditional shapes can both work
Material	Memory foam, latex, or adjustable fills
Neck support	Should help keep the neck comfortably aligned
Shoulder comfort	Enough room to accommodate your shoulder

Are Memory Foam The Best Pillow For Side Sleepers?

Memory foam is a solid choice for many side sleepers and is one of the most commonly recommended options. However, your body and medical condition can require a different shape or type of pillow, so it's best to consult with a professional.

Specially shaped memory foam pillows may also be made to offer more cervical support.

The memory foam is, however, not necessarily the best choice for every person. Other individuals like the classic feel of pillows composed of fibers, whereas others like latex or adjustable ones.

The right material now comes down to:

Shoulder support
Responsiveness
Firmness
Comfort that you like

How To Tell If Your Side Sleeper Pillow Is Too High?

Your pillow may be too high if:

You lie on your side, and your head is pressed upwards
Your neck is tilted instead of being comfortable
You are always adjusting or folding the pillow
You wake with the feeling that you have been hanging about with your neck

How to Tell If Your Pillow Is Too Low?

Your pillow may be too low if:

Your head is drawn downwards significantly toward the mattress
You even have to put your hand under the pillow to get you higher
Your neck doesn't feel adequately supported
You frequently fold or pile pillows to make it higher

Conclusion

As a side sleeper, you should consider the:

Appropriate loft
Comfort level
Support for your body
Medical requirements

Also, take into account your shoulder size, mattress firmness, the way you like to sleep, and the amount of support you require around your neck and shoulders instead of just picking a pillow because it is thicker.

And if you still cannot decide between the best pillow for side sleepers, a personalized assessment by Health Haven will help you reduce the number of options.

Not sure which pillow fits you? Book a sleep assessment, and let’s sort out the right pillow for you today.

FAQs

How thick should a pillow be for a side sleeper?

There isn't one ideal thickness for everyone. Side sleepers usually require higher loft than the stomach sleeper, yet the correct height will be based on the extent to which your shoulder will be dipping into your mattress as well as the natural curves of your body.

Is a firm pillow better for side sleepers?

A side-sleeping supportive pillow may be beneficial, yet very firm is not always the best. It depends on your requirements, and if you feel comfortable, then it’s definitely an ideal choice because you get:

Stable and supportive feel
Prevent sinking
Can feel more comfortable
More supported sleep

Are memory foam pillows good for side sleepers?

Yes, memory foam pillows may be suitable for side sleepers. They are able to support the head and neck on a regular basis and maintain their shape. A contoured memory foam shape could also offer further cervical support.