The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, Tested by Experts

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Pillow Cube's 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.

✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: 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 for multiple pillow-height options. Note that the shape is best suited to true side sleepers, rather than those who change sleep positions throughout the night.

✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: Despite our initial skepticism, the Pillow Cube impressed both our Lab experts and consumer testers, winning over many with its support. The foam maintained its shape when weights were applied in Lab pressure tests. "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. Before, I’d ball up an extra pillow under my neck or sleep with my hand there," said one tester.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Pillow Cube

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: 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 250,000 online reviews.

✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: It has a down-alternative polyester fill with a 100% cotton outer cover for a softer and more luxurious feel. Because it's not made with foam like most pillows for side sleepers, this pick is entirely machine washable for easy care. It's only sold in one height, so this pillow may not be suitable for side sleepers with larger frames.

✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In our Lab tests, it fit perfectly in a standard-size pillowcase and held up fairly well in our pressure tests. "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.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: This crowd-pleasing Coop pillow offers a supportive yet plush fill that's entirely adjustable at an excellent value. It also was a top performer in our tests and a favorite among consumer testers who suffer from neck pain.

✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: 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. This innovative pillow is made with a blend of shredded memory foam and polyester clusters for both support and plushness.

✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: 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." Unlike similar pillows we've tested, both the cover and inner pillow can be machine-washed, and both looked great after our test washes. One downside is the outer cover does tend to pill over time.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Coop Home Goods Pillow

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Down pillows tend to go flat, making them a nightmare for side sleeping. This innovative pick from Parachute has wide 3.5-inch gussets on the side to help it maintain its shape and height.

✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: It has a 750-fill power with 85% down clusters and 15% feathers for a luxuriously plush feel at a medium density. The smooth cotton sateen cover features chic double-stitched piping that helps keep the fill secure. This pick is also machine washable (on the gentle cycle) and dryer safe. For tall or larger individuals, this pillow may not be high enough for proper support.

✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: "Absolutely dreamy" and feels "like a marshmallow" were some of the descriptions testers used for this pillow. One tester reported, "It feels luxurious, plush and puffs back up to its shape after sleeping on it."

Another added, "Many other down pillows I have tried in the past would be totally flat by now, and this one is as fluffy as the day I started using it." In our Lab pressure tests, this pillow quickly bounced back to its original shape.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: The Harmony Pillow features a latex core designed with Purple’s innovative polymer grid material for plush support and excellent cooling capabilities.

✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: The open channels in the grid offer extra airflow while cradling your head and neck. The bouncy latex core provides excellent support. The breathable nylon-spandex cover helps wick away moisture too. It's available in three heights.

✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: 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.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Layla's unique fill was a hit among our testers. They liked the adjustable design, making it great for anyone who switches sleeping positions throughout the night.

✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: This 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.

✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: 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.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: Nothing beats the supportive, sink-in feel of Tempur-Pedic foam. The durable material holds up well to continued use, bouncing back into shape.

✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: This 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.

✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: 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.

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: This Naturepedic pillow has reputable organic certifications from the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS), certifying the materials are made adhering to strict standards.

✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: 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.

✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: 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."

✔️ WHY WE LOVE IT: A contoured shape can help provide better neck support. Honeydew's pillow has a gentle curved design with a plush feel for comfort and support.

✔️ WHAT TO KNOW: It's filled with a blend of shredded memory foam and microfiber clusters for a balance of softness and stability. The fill is adjustable to find the best pillow height for optimal alignment. The cover is removable and machine washable. This pillow was a recent GH Bedding Awards winner!

✔️ HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: Testers reported that the fill was easy to adjust to find their favorite height. A few testers reported that their old memory foam pillows were too firm, so they were impressed with this pick's plush feel.

“The curve was just the right space to let me lie comfortably on my back or my side,” noted a tester. Another added, “It was comfortable from the first time I laid my head down.”

We found the pillow to maintain its shape in Lab pressure tests. The curved shape helps better fill the gap between your head and shoulders, but that did make this pillow fit awkwardly in a Standard-sized pillowcase.