The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, According to Bedding Experts

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: Pillow Cube

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."