Most people don’t put much thought into the best pillows for side sleepers. They’ll buy whatever’s cheapest on Amazon and use it until it’s flat, lumpy, or both. But if you sleep on your side, that lack of support can show up fast—usually as a stiff neck, sore shoulder, or general crankiness when you wake up. The right pillow matters. A lot.
The ideal pillow for side sleeping should be firm enough to keep your neck aligned but soft enough to feel like an actual pillow (and not a giant brick.) I tested over a dozen of the best pillows for side sleepers—as I am one myself—and alternated positions at night to see how how supportive and comfortable they felt throughout the night. Here are the ones I’d actually recommend.
The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, According to GQ
In This Guide
Best Overall Pillow for Side Sleepers: Buffy Cloud Pillow
If you primarily sleep on your side but also find yourself in other positions throughout the night, the Buffy Cloud Pillow strikes a delicate balance. It’s soft and breathable, with enough loft to support your head in a side-lying position—as long as you choose the firm version. (It’s not overly firm, just more structured than the other models.)
What stood out most is how adaptable it felt. I shift positions a lot throughout the night, and this one managed to feel comfortable whether I was on my side, stomach, or sprawled somewhere in between. It’s not as sculpted as some of the others on this list, but it nails the balance between comfort and support and earned a permanent spot on my bed after testing was over.
Best Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers: Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow
If you like the feel of memory foam but hate how dense and heavy it can be, this pillow is a solid middle ground. It’s filled with shredded memory foam instead of a solid block, so it conforms to your head and neck without feeling stiff or overwhelming. Sijo also includes a pack of extra fill so you can adjust the loft to your liking.
During testing, I noticed the cooling effect immediately—even through a pillowcase. I often woke up next to it after switching positions mid-sleep, and the temperature difference was obvious. It’s a great option if you sleep hot and want something that still feels soft and moldable. It does have a slight chemical smell out of the box that needs time to off-gas, and the shredded fill gives it a lumpy appearance—especially without a pillowcase. But those were minor issues, especially once I felt how well it conformed to my face and shoulders during side sleep.
Best Down Pillow for Side Sleepers: Downright Intera WGD Pillow
The Downright Intera is one of the firmest down pillows I tested—surprisingly so, given that it’s labeled medium-firm. But just because it’s firm doesn’t mean it’s uncomfortable: In the middle of the pillow is a firmer core, surrounding by airy white goose down that you sink into as soon as your head hits the pillow. It feels plush and luxe, like something you’d get at a high-end hotel. (It has the price tag to match, because Downright hand makes all of its products in Brooklyn.)
Because it’s made of down, it doesn’t bounce back like latex or memory foam. Instead, your head sinks in gradually, and the fill gently shifts to contour around you. It held its shape overnight better than expected, which made a difference in how my neck felt the next morning. That said, you may have to do some occasional fluffing to maintain the shape.
Best Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
Latex pillows feel different from anything else. They’re soft and squishy when you lie down but immediately spring back to shape the second you shift positions. That bounce makes them ideal for side sleepers who tend to move around during the night—you never have to fluff it or rearrange the fill to get support.
This one felt especially breathable and didn’t trap heat like some memory foam options. I also liked the feel of the cover—it’s soft, woven fabric with a slight cooling effect. Go with the high loft if you want better alignment in a true side-sleeping position.
Best Down Alternative Pillow for Side Sleepers: Quince Down Alternative Pillow
Quince’s down alternative pillow is a great pick if you want the plush feel of a down pillow but you’re prone to allergies, want to stay away from animal products, or just want something a bit easier on your wallet. I tested both the medium and firm versions, and the firm was more effective at keeping my head and neck aligned without feeling stiff. It also held its loft better than other down-alternative pillows I tried, which tend to compress too easily overnight.
The cotton shell feels smooth and breathable, and the whole thing has a clean design. If you’re a strict side sleeper and don’t want to fuss with memory foam or latex, this one delivers straightforward comfort and support at a very reasonable price.
More Pillows for Side Sleepers We Love
This one’s all about options. The Luxome LAYR lets you mix and match three different inserts (with different firmnesses) to create the loft and feel you want. You can go firm or soft—high or low—and switch it up later if your preferences change. It’s a good pick for anyone who wants a little more control or hasn’t quite figured out their ideal setup yet. The softer inserts are made of a combo of shredded memory foam and down alternative while the firm one is solid memory foam.
This blocky little guy looks weird, but works great if you sleep on your side and stay there. The Cube slots neatly between your shoulder and head without collapsing or forcing you into a neck crunch. It’s one of the most supportive pillows I’ve tested, while still being a soft, contouring memory foam. But it’s not for toss-and-turners—it’s far too high if you end up on your back or stomach.
This funky, curved pillow is a great solution for side sleepers who never quite know what to do with their arms. It has a built-in space for your shoulder, which makes side sleeping feel a lot more natural—especially if you tend to hug something while you sleep. I wouldn’t call it sleek (you’ll probably skip the pillowcase, which can look questionable on a freshly made bed), but the cooling cover feels great, and the shape genuinely helped me settle in at night. It has a pretty high height, but you can also take out some of the foam to adjust it to your preferences.
If your hips or lower back get tight from sleeping on your side, adding a knee pillow can make a noticeable difference. This one nestles in between your knees to reduce tension through your hips and spine. It took a couple nights to get used to, but once I did, I found myself sleeping more evenly. Even though it comes with a strap to hold it in place, if you’re a restless sleeper, it may not be worth the splurge.
What to Look in Pillows for Side Sleepers
- Firmness: Side sleepers need a pillow that keeps the head, neck, and spine in alignment—which usually means something firmer than average. A too-soft pillow can let your head sink too far, putting stress on your neck and shoulders. Look for pillows labeled “firm” or “medium-firm,” especially if you tend to stay in one position overnight.
- Loft: The distance between your head and the mattress matters, and when it comes to pillows, this factor is known as loft—or height. A pillow that’s too low won’t fill the space between your shoulder and ear, and one that’s too high can tilt your neck at an awkward angle. High-loft pillows (or adjustable ones) tend to work best for strict side sleepers, especially if you have broad shoulders. Most pillows on this list will be medium loft, which strikes a balance for most sleepers and allows you to move around a bit without feeling uncomfortable.
- Material: Memory foam, latex, down, and down alternatives each feel a little different. Memory foam and latex tend to be more structured and supportive, while down and down alternatives offer a softer, more compressible feel. If you want contouring and support, foam or latex are solid bets. If you like something that squishes and molds around you, down might be a better fit.
- Temperature: If you sleep hot, consider a pillow with breathable materials or cooling tech. Latex and shredded memory foam tend to retain less heat than solid foam, and some covers are designed to feel cool to the touch.
Side Sleeper Pillow FAQ
What kind of pillow is best for side sleepers?
Generally, side sleepers need a firmer, higher-loft pillow that keeps the head and neck aligned with the spine. That could be a firm down-alternative pillow, a block of memory foam, or something adjustable—it’s less about the material and more about how well it supports your head in that side-lying position. You may need to experiment to find the blend of firmness and loft (height) that works for you.
What if I switch positions during the night?
If you switch positions during the night, you’re like most people. Look for a pillow that’s supportive enough for side sleeping but not so firm that it feels uncomfortable if you roll onto your back or stomach. Medium-firm or adjustable-fill pillows are usually your best bet. Skip the pillow with the high loft, as it will bend your neck at odd angles when you’re on your back or stomach.