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Best Pillow for Side Sleepers 2025 to Cradle Your Neck and Align Your Spine

We tested the best pillows for side sleepers. Our top pick is the Saatva Latex Pillow.

Product Resources
  • The Saatva Latex Pillow is our top pick for side sleepers because of its supportive material and Saatva’s excellent customer service.
  • The pillows on this list range from $65–$165.
  • Side sleepers should look for pillows that keep their neck, shoulders, and spine aligned.

NCOA supports everyone’s right to age well. So we take the time to research, test, and recommend products that can help you live a healthier life. We’ve spent more than 2,500 hours researching and testing pillows to give you the most accurate product reviews. To find the best pillows, we: 

  • Consulted with sleep specialists like doctors, occupational therapists, and physical therapists for guidance on choosing the best pillow
  • Put more than 130 models through a series of 19 different tests at our in-house lab
  • Mystery-shopped more than 40 brands
  • Surveyed more than 2,000 older adults on their sleep quality
  • Interviewed experts on the importance of good sleep for older adults
  • Worked with older adult testers to evaluate pillows and get their opinion
  • Read thousands of verified customer reviews

We’re constantly testing new pillows and sleep products to give you the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations. Read more about our sleep accessories review methodology.

Our Top Pick

Saatva Latex: Best Overall

Saatva Latex pillow
  • All-around high scores
  • Promotes spinal alignment
  • Comfortable and supportive
  • Luxurious, quality feel

Luxome LAYR: Best Adjustable Pillow

Luxome LAYR pillow
  • Three different inserts to mix and match
  • Most adjustable pillow we tested
  • Helps relieve pressure on neck

Layla Kapok: Best for Back Pain

Layla Kapok pillow
  • Responsive fibers cradle neck and help keep spine aligned
  • Kapok fibers stay cool
  • Adjustable firmness and height

A good night’s sleep is important for your overall health. And knowing your preferred sleep position (side, back, stomach, or combination) can help you avoid common pressure points (Pressure buildup can disrupt your sleep or cause you to wake with aches and pains). Side sleepers want to keep their necks, shoulders, and spines aligned correctly to wake up feeling refreshed. If your current pillow feels too lumpy or thin to provide support in those areas, a new pillow designed for side sleeping may improve your rest.1

In our review of the best pillows for side sleepers, we highlight the top picks for a good night’s sleep. Learn more about our testing process, what to look for in a pillow for side sleeping, and how to choose the right one for you.

Best pillows for side sleepers in 2025

Comparing the best pillows for side sleepers

Comparison Features
Score (out of 10)

8.7

9.3

9.7

9.4

9.4

Best for

Overall

Adjustable

Back Pain

Cooling

Neck Pain

Fill material

Latex

Down alternative and memory foam

Memory foam

Memory foam

Microfiber and memory foam

Adjustability and loft height (inches)

Not adjustable; 5–7''

Adjustable; 9.5''

Adjustable; 7''

Adjustable; 5''

Adjustable; 5”

Trial period (nights)

45

30

30

365

100

What we look for in a pillow for side sleepers 

We looked for the following features when choosing the best pillows for side sleepers:

Spinal alignment support

A pillow should help maintain the natural curve of the spine, especially at the neck and upper back. For side sleepers, this means filling the gap between your head and the mattress so your neck isn’t bending up or down during the night. 

Loft (height)

Loft is how high the pillow is, and height impacts whether your head and neck are aligned with your spine. Too flat, and your head will tilt down. But too high will tilt your head up. Both options can cause tension and discomfort.

Adjustability

Side sleepers often benefit from customizing a pillow’s height and firmness based on their pain level and sleep habits. Features like removable fill, adjustable inserts, or customizable layers let you fine-tune your pillow to match your body type and comfort preferences.  “I recommend looking for an adjustable pillow with an ergonomic curve that cradles the natural bend between the neck and shoulder,” said Dr. Suzanne Manzi, MD, FAAPMR, CLCP, co-founder at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine in Houston, Texas.

Firmness level

The right firmness balances comfort and structural support for your head, neck, and upper back. Many side sleepers find that a firmer pillow offers them the best of both worlds.2 This firmness can support the head and neck while still feeling cushioned.

Saatva Latex Pillow: Best Pillow Overall

We chose the Saatva Latex Pillow as our Best Pillow Overall because its loft and shape provide excellent head and neck support for side sleepers. Testers praised the Saatva Latex Pillow for its pressure relief and consistent comfort across all categories. No other pillow performed as well in every test.

Saatva Latex

Best Pillow Overall
Saatva Latex pillow
  • Medium loft keeps spine in neutral position
  • Comfortable and supportive while side sleeping
  • Luxurious, quality feel
  • Fill material: Cotton and shredded latex
  • Adjustability and loft: Not adjustable; standard (4–5'') or high loft (6–7'')
  • Firmness level: Medium
  • Free trial period: 45 nights
  • Cooling: Breathable latex
  • Shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose the Saatva Latex as the Best Overall Pillow for Side Sleepers

We chose the Saatva Latex as the Best Overall Pillow because its 5” loft and supportive latex interior help keep your spine in a neutral position while side sleeping. The Saatva Latex Pillow’s thoughtful construction provides excellent neck support. It earned near-perfect scores in every single category we tested. Testers said it provided superior pressure relief for their necks and heads—two common pressure points for side sleepers. Testers also loved the combination of good support and a plush, comfortable feel.

Saatva Latex pros and cons

Pros

  • Supportive latex cradles your neck and head
  • 5” loft keeps spine in neutral position
  • Luxurious, hotel-pillow feel

Cons

  • More expensive than other pillows on this list
  • Average cooling score

Our testing experience with the Saatva Latex

We tested the Saatva Latex to see how well it supported our head, neck, and shoulders while maintaining a neutral spine position during side sleeping. Our testers thought the Saatva Latex’s shredded latex filling performed well. “I think that this pillow has a good amount of pressure relief,” one tester said while lying on their side. “The second layer is very plush, which gives support and comfort around my neck. I feel lifted off the bed, but not so much that my neck would hurt.”

A woman sleeps on her side on a Saatva latex pillow.
The Saatva latex pillow is great for side sleeping.

We also liked that the Saatva responds well to movement, making it a good option for people who move around during the night. “It has a medium loft which will keep your head and neck flat with your spine,” one tester said. “But it has enough responsiveness that switching positions is still comfortable.” This adaptability makes the Saatva a good choice for most sleepers.

Our testers liked the high-quality feel of the Saatva Latex. “This pillow is made with very nice materials,” said one tester. “It feels soft and cool to the touch. This feels like a luxury pillow to me.” Although testers said it felt plush and cool, the Saatva Latex earned only an average cooling score.. If you sleep hot or live in a warm place, then a pillow designed specifically for cooling, like Brooklinen’s Marlow pillow, might be a better choice.

A tester displays the interior of the Saatva latex.
The Saatva has a shredded latex interior protected by two different covers—a nice touch our testers appreciated.

While Saatva’s 45-night trial is shorter than some other brands, we do like that the customer service staff is so helpful and responsive. Saatva customer service is open seven days per week and offers three different ways to contact (phone number, email, and chat). Most brands on this list don’t offer customer service every day of the week, along with multiple ways to contact them.

The Saatva customer experience

  • Trial period: 45 nights
  • Shipping: Free delivery
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime
  • Financing: Yes, through Affirm

Customer service

You can contact Saatva customer service by:

Payment options
Saatva accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Google Pay, and PayPal. Financing is available through Affirm.

Saatva offers a $225 discount on purchases of $1,000 or more to adults age 65 and older, military members and their families, first responders, health care professionals, government employees, teachers, and college students. This discount cannot be combined with other offers.

Luxome LAYR: Best Adjustable Pillow

We chose the Luxome LAYR as our Best Adjustable Pillow for Side Sleepers due to its unique mix-and-match interior. Its design makes it easier to create a customized pillow that fits your specific sleep style. No other pillow we tested offered this amount of personalization.

Luxome LAYR

Best Adjustable Pillow
Luxome LAYR pillow
  • Three distinct layers you can mix and match
  • Simple to personalize for side sleeping
  • Most customizable pillow we’ve tested
  • Fill material: Down alternative and memory foam
  • Adjustability and loft: Adjustable; 9.5''
  • Firmness level: Adjustable firmness
  • Free trial period: 30 nights
  • Cooling: Gel-infused foam, breathable fabric
  • Shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose the Luxome LAYR as the Best Adjustable Pillow

We chose the Luxome LAYR as the Best Adjustable Pillow for Side Sleepers because we like its three unique mix-and-match layers. The layers make it easier to create a pillow that’s designed for your preferences and sleep style. Testers said the Luxome LAYR did a great job relieving pressure on their necks while lying on their sides. They also found they were able to easily find a comfortable fit with a little experimenting. The Luxome LAYR is the most customizable pillow we’ve ever tested.

Luxome LAYR pros and cons

Pros

  • A soft, medium, and firm layer you can mix and match
  • Easier to customize for side sleeping
  • Supportive and comfortable

Cons

  • Might need to experiment to find the right firmness
  • Short trial period (30 nights)
  • Not the best for combination sleepers
  • Traps heat (lowest cooling score on the list)

Our testing experience with the Luxome LAYR

Testers weren’t shy about how much they loved the customization of the Luxome LAYR. “This is the easiest and most customizable pillow I’ve tested,” one tester said. “I’ve never seen a combination of material choices inside the case to provide the support it does. I loved the materials and the design.” 

An unzipped Luxome LAYR shows the three inserts.
The three inserts for a Luxome LAYR let you choose your loft and firmness: One is a plush down alternative, one is a solid block of cooling memory foam, and one is a shredded memory foam.

The Luxome LAYR has a unique design with three different inserts you can mix and match to find the right firmness and height for you. “There is a plush down-alternative filling, a solid piece of cooling memory foam, and then one more filling with shredded memory foam,” one tester said. “This is a truly high-tech pillow.” Testers enjoyed trying out different combinations of inserts to find the most comfortable formula. “I liked taking out the larger memory foam piece to lower the loft of the pillow for my neck and shoulders,” one tester said. “That made it good for lying on my side. I also removed the two memory foam inserts so it was plush, which made it more comfortable on my stomach.”

The back of a person sleeping on their side with their head resting on the Luxome LAYR pillow
The Luxome LAYR’s three layers make it easier to create the right side sleeping pillow.

This customization is great if you only sleep in one position, but if you move a lot during the night, you might not find the pillow as comfortable. Combination sleepers would be better off with a pillow that’s responsive to position changes, like the Layla Kapok. 

It’s also worth noting that the Luxome LAYR earned the lowest cooling score of any pillow we tested. It warmed up by 17 degrees, and the average temperature increase was 12.5 degrees.  This makes it a poor choice if you’re a hot sleeper or live somewhere warm. If you’re looking for the best cooling pillow, we recommend the Brooklinen Marlow pillow.

Luxome LAYR customer experience

  • Trial period: 30 days
  • Shipping: Free standard
  • Warranty: Limited
  • Financing: Yes 

Customer service

You can contact Luxome customer service by:

Payment options 

Luxome accepts all major credit cards as well as Shop Pay, AmazonPay, PayPal, and Google Pay. It offers financing through Affirm.

Layla Kapok Pillow: Best for Side Sleepers with Back Pain

We chose the Layla Kapok as our Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Back Pain because of its combination of responsiveness and support. This pillow excels at keeping the neck, shoulders, and spine aligned while sleeping on your side. It minimizes pressure buildup, helping to reduce back pain.

Layla Kapok

Best for Side Sleepers with Back Pain
Layla Kapok pillow
  • Highly responsive kapok fibers keep the spine in a neutral position
  • Adjustable filling for personalized firmness and loft
  • Great for side sleeping and combination sleeping
  • Fill material: Shredded memory foam and kapok fibers
  • Adjustability and loft: Removable fill, 7''
  • Firmness level: Adjustable firmness
  • Free trial period: 30 nights
  • Cooling: Breathable cover
  • Shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose the Layla Kapok as the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Back Pain

We chose the Layla Kapok as the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Back Pain because it provides excellent neck and spine support. Our testers found this helped reduce pressure buildup during the night. They said it cradled their backs and sides, providing plush comfort. It also kept their spines aligned without sacrificing solid support. We feel this pillow would pair well with a mattress for back pain for further pain relief. Its interior molds to your movements and promotes airflow, which is likely why it was one of the best pillows we tested at limiting heat buildup.

My pain is in my shoulders, neck, and lower back. My pillow allows great neck support and removes my lower back and neck pain. I can just sink into my pillow. My neck is supported really well!”

—NCOA July 2025 sleep accessories survey participant

Layla Kapok pros and cons

Pros

  • Extremely supportive for back pain
  • Adjustable and responsive
  • Limits heat buildup
  • Long warranty (5 years)

Cons

  • Limited customer service options
  • Short trial period (30 nights)

Our testing experience with the Layla Kapok

What struck our testers first about the Layla Kapok pillow was its comfort and the quality of materials. “This is a very well put together pillow,” one tester said. “It has cooling and breathable properties, which I notice as soon as I put my head on the pillow.”

Although it’s on the softer side, testers said the Layla Kapok still supported their pressure points. “Even though this pillow is pretty soft, it still has good support,” one tester said. “I felt really comfortable as soon as I lay down on my side, and my neck and shoulders were aligned with my spine.” Testers said the Layla Kapok “hugged” their neck and back, which provided more support. “I didn’t feel any strain on my back or neck,” one tester said.

A hand holding the inside of the Layla Kapok pillow open to see its filling
The Layla Kapok is filled with shredded kapok fiber that makes it easily customizable.

Not only did the Layla Kapok promote a neutral spine and support side sleeping pressure points, like the neck, it was one of the best pillows we tested for limiting heat buildup. The average pillow we tested heated up by 12.5 degrees. The Layla Kapok only warmed up by 10.4 degrees—one of the lowest readings we recorded.

A temp gun shows the Layla Kapok’s retained heat after testing.
 The Layla Kapok has great cooling properties. It warmed only 10.4 degrees, a full two degrees cooler than the average pillow we tested.

The Layla Kapok likely does so well at staying cool because of its removable, shredded kapok fiber interior. Kapok is a natural fiber that resists moisture, dries quickly, and resists compression over time.3 Testers like the ability to customize, but said removing the fill made it too soft. “It was really easy to adjust the firmness and loft and put the shredded memory foam in the travel bag they provide,” said one tester. “But removing some of the filling made it a little too soft in my opinion, which took away some of the pressure relief and support. I prefer it as is.”

For all its great performance in testing, it’s worth noting that the Layla Kapok pillow ties with the Luxome LAYR for the shortest trial period on this list (30 days). If you’re looking for a cooling pillow with a longer trial period, we recommend the Brooklinen Marlow pillow.

Layla customer experience

  • Trial period: 30 nights
  • Shipping: Free
  • Warranty: 5 years
  • Financing: Yes

Customer service

You can contact Layla customer service by:

  • Phone: 855-358-1676
  • Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7

Payment options
Layla accepts major credit cards, Amazon Pay, and PayPal. Financing is available through Affirm.

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow: Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers

We chose the Brooklinen Marlow pillow as the Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers because it only warmed up by 8 degrees in our testing. It earned a 5/5 for cooling and the best score on this list. The Marlow also excelled at keeping the testers’ necks and spines aligned while sleeping on their side.

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow

Best Cooling Pillow
Brooklinen Marlow pillow
  • Breathable and cool (earned a 5/5 for cooling)
  • Soft and supportive
  • Adjustable loft and firmness
  • Fill material: Memory foam
  • Adjustability and loft: Adjustable; 5''
  • Firmness level: Adjustable firmness
  • Free trial period: 365 nights
  • Cooling: Cooling memory foam
  • Shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow as the Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers

We chose the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow as the Best Cooling Pillow for Side Sleepers because it minimized heat buildup better than any pillow we tested. Its temperature only increased by 8 degrees, while the average pillow we tested warmed by 12.5 degrees. It also provided excellent neck, spine, and shoulder support, making it a great fit for side sleepers. One of our favorite features of the Marlow is its two zippers to adjust the loft and firmness, so you don’t need to remove and store the filling.

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow pros and cons 

Pros

  • Great support for neck, spine, and shoulders
  • Excellent cooling and breathability
  • Zippers make adjusting the pillow simpler than removing material

Cons

  • Less customization options than removable fill pillows
  • Spot-clean only

Our testing experience with the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow

The first thing our testers noticed about the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow was its luxe feel. “I like this pillow a lot,” said one tester. “It feels like the type of pillow you’d get at a hotel—fluffy and plush.” But that fluffiness didn’t skimp on support. “This pillow is really supportive. The combination of memory foam and polyester fiber give it a unique fill that balances neck and head support with pressure relief.” 

Although the Brooklinen Marlow is adjustable, you don’t need to remove the filling. It has two zippers—one on each long side—you can zip or unzip to change the pillow’s firmness and loft. “It's super easy to modify this pillow,” one tester said. “When both zippers are closed, it's the firmest. With only one closed, it's medium. With both zippers open, it's the softest.” Testers said they appreciated the ability to adjust firmness and height with just a zip—no need to remove filling.

A woman sleeps on her side on the Brooklinen Marlow pillow.
The Brooklinen Marlow pillow provides excellent support for your neck while side sleeping.

After experimenting with the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow, our testers found the right combination for comfortable and supportive side sleeping. “I recommend side sleepers keep both zippers closed for the loftiest and most supportive feel that fills in the space between the neck and shoulders,” one tester said. “The 80-20 blend of memory foam and fiber did a great job providing support while still being soft and fluffy.”

When we tested the Brooklinen Marlow’s cooling properties, it earned the best score of any pillow we tested. 

Temperature gun pointed at the Brooklinen Marlow pillow
The Brooklinen Marlow was the best cooling pillow we tested. It warmed by only 8 degrees, compared to the average of 12.5 degrees.

Testers thought the shredded material and mesh panels on the outside helped promote airflow, which kept this pillow cool.

A tester displays the Brooklinen Marlow’s breathable mesh panel.
The Brooklinen Marlow has breathable panels and hypoallergenic materials.

We also liked that the Marlow is made out of hypoallergenic materials. “As someone with allergies, I appreciate that this pillow is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial,” one tester said. “I think this adjustable pillow would be great for anyone seeking a medium-plush feel that's not too hard but still offers neck and head support.”

While the Brooklinen Marlow is adjustable, because you don’t remove the filling it may have fewer customization options. With removable-fill pillows, you can remove the filling piece by piece until you find the best feel. With the Brooklinen Marlow, you can only experiment with zipping and unzipping, which may not be enough customization for some. 

Brooklinen customer experience

  • Trial period: 365-day return policy
  • Shipping: Free over $100
  • Warranty: 365-day warranty
  • Financing: Yes

Customer service

You can contact Brooklinen customer service by:

Payment options
Brooklinen accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, ShopPay, and Venmo. It offers financing through Afterpay.

Silk & Snow: Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain

We chose Silk & Snow as our Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain because its microfiber interior cradles the neck, reducing pressure buildup. This ultra-comfortable pillow earned a 4/5 for comfort and does a great job of keeping the spine in a neutral position while sleeping on your side.

Silk & Snow

Best for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain
Silk & Snow pillow
  • Shredded memory foam and microfiber support your neck
  • High-quality feel
  • Adjustable loft and firmness
  • Pillow type and fill material: Microfiber and memory foam 
  • Adjustability and loft customization: Removable fill
  • Firmness level: Adjustable
  • Free trial period: 100 nights
  • Cooling: Breathable materials
  • Pillow shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose Silk & Snow as the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain

We chose Silk & Snow as the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain because its shredded memory foam and microfiber interior do a great job of keeping the neck in a neutral position while sleeping on your side. This may help to reduce pressure buildup and minimize pain. We also liked that Silk & Snow has a high-quality and extra-comfortable feel.

I think the memory foam pillow and mattress are giving my neck and back more support so I'm not experiencing the neck and shoulder pain I did previously."

—NCOA July 2025 sleep accessories survey participant

Silk & Snow pros and cons

Pros

  • Supportive and comfortable
  • May help to reduce neck pain
  • Adjustable

Cons

  • Filling pieces are very small and messy
  • Fewer options to contact customer service

Our testing experience with Silk & Snow

When we tested the Silk & Snow pillow, our testers were impressed by the high-quality look and feel of the materials. “This feels like a luxury pillow,” one tester said. “Overall, this is a very well-made pillow with great intention behind their material and design choices.”

A woman sleeps on her side on the Silk & Snow pillow.
Silk & Snow provides a luxury feel and ample neck support. Note how the pillow cradles our tester’s neck while keeping her spine straight.

We liked how supportive the pillow was for side sleeping. The responsive filling cradled the neck and head and kept the spine aligned correctly. “When I slept on it throughout the night, I woke up feeling very refreshed,” one tester said. “I had no neck pain or shoulder tension.” This is important for people who might experience chronic pain due to an injury or arthritis. The pillow’s supportive alignment may give them a better chance of getting a restful night’s sleep.

“I love this pillow!” another tester said. “I would use this pillow every night if I could. It’s the perfect amount of cushioning and support for my head and neck, especially because I have old shoulder injuries.”

A tester displayed the shredded interior of a Silk & Snow pillow.
The removable fill is small and somewhat messy.

You can adjust the Silk & Snow pillow by removing the filling, but some of our testers thought the pieces were too small and messy. “The small pieces of foam fall out quickly and are a pain to pick up,” one tester said. If this sounds like a drawback to you, you might enjoy the Luxome LAYR more, because those interior pieces are large and designed for easier removal.

For more information on reducing neck pain, see our review of the best mattresses for neck pain.

Silk & Snow customer experience

  • Trial period: 100 nights
  • Shipping: Free
  • Warranty: 3 years
  • Financing: Yes

Customer service

You can contact Silk & Snow customer service by:

Payment options 

Silk & Snow accepts most major credit cards and PayPal. They offer financing through PayPal Pay Later.

Our process testing the best pillows for side sleepers

Our team has spent thousands of hours researching and testing mattresses, pillows, and other sleep accessories so you can feel confident in our reviews. We work with experts in sleep, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, so we know what features are most important when searching for the best pillows for side sleepers.

For this review, we personally tested 15 pillows identified through our research to help ease pain and promote restful sleep. Each pillow was put through rigorous testing by older adults with pain to ensure we have real-world data about how they perform. For more tips on side sleeping, see our review of the best mattresses for side sleepers.

We considered these important factors when testing the best pillows for side sleepers:

Spinal alignment support 

For side sleepers, it’s important that a pillow keeps the neck, shoulders, and spine aligned in a neutral position. Any misalignment can result in pressure buildup and pain. We noted how well each pillow did at keeping our spines aligned while sleeping on our sides.

Pressure relief 

Side sleepers need a pillow that prevents pressure buildup in the neck and shoulders. We noted how high the pillows’ lofts were and if they lifted the neck too much, or didn’t support it enough.

[Switching to a] memory foam pillow puts less pressure on my neck and upper spine.”

—NCOA July 2025 sleep accessories survey participant

Loft retention and height adjustments

If your pillow sinks into a thinner height (also known as “loft”) over time, you might find yourself out of alignment and uncomfortable when you wake up. We tested the pillows to make sure that they retained their loft over multiple nights.

“Pillow height matters a lot,” says Dr. Manzi. “Studies show that if the pillow is too high or too low, it can increase neck muscle tension and disrupt normal spine alignment. That’s why I recommend my patients choose a pillow that is neither flat nor overly lofty, but one that supports the head and keeps the neck neutral.”

Firmness and responsiveness

We tested how responsive the pillows were by evaluating how quickly the pillow bounces back. This is important for people who might change positions during the night but still want the same support and spine alignment.

Why pillow choice matters for side sleepers

Pillow choice matters for side sleepers because the right pillow will keep your spine aligned and your pressure points cradled while on your side. Unlike back or stomach sleepers, side sleepers have pressure points along their shoulders, necks, and ears. Side sleepers need a pillow that fills the gap between the head and shoulder. A pillow that’s too thin or too high can put too much pressure on the neck, which throws your spine out of alignment.

icon of three people

63% of surveyed respondents are side sleepers, and 74% of those respondents said they  experience some type of pain that affects their ability to sleep well at night.

— NCOA March 2025 survey of older adults who sleep with chronic pain5

How much do the best pillows for side sleepers cost?

The pillows on this list cost anywhere from $65–$165. The cost depends on the pillows’ materials and features. When choosing the right pillow for your budget, look for ones that offer the perks you like and a trial or refund period that makes you feel comfortable.

Comparison Features

Saatva Latex Pillow

Saatva Latex pillow

Luxome LAYR Pillow

Luxome LAYR pillow

Layla Kapok Pillow

Layla Kapok pillow

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow

Brooklinen Marlow pillow

Silk & Snow Pillow

Silk & Snow pillow
Price range

$165

$150

$109

$65

$80

Shipping costs

Free

Free

Free

Free over $100

Free

Warranty

Limited

Limited

5-year

1-year

3-year

Return fees

None

Decided at return

None

$9.95

None

How to save money on pillows

The easiest way to save money on pillows is to wait until they are on sale before making a purchase. Look for holiday sales, such as the 4th of July or Labor Day. Some companies will send you a discount if you sign up for their email and text lists, too.

You can also save money by taking advantage of the company’s promotions, such as a free trial period or free returns.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best pillow height for side sleepers?

The best pillow height for side sleepers is between 4–6 inches, according to experts we spoke with. This height keeps the head, neck, shoulders, and spine aligned.

Should side sleepers use memory foam or latex?

Side sleepers can use either memory foam or latex. Both materials provide responsiveness and support, so choosing between the two comes down to personal preference.

Can the wrong pillow cause shoulder pain?

Yes, the wrong pillow can cause shoulder pain. It’s important to choose a pillow with the correct height and firmness to keep your neck, shoulders, and spine aligned.

Are contoured pillows better for side sleeping?

Yes, contoured pillows are better for side sleeping. Their shape fills the gap between the neck and shoulders that side sleeping creates.

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org

Sources

  1. Prommanon, B., et al. Effectiveness of a back care pillow as an adjuvant physical therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain treatment: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. July 22, 20215. Found on the internet at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4540812/
  2. Harvard Health Publishing. Is your pillow hurting your health? Feb. 15, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/is-your-pillow-hurting-your-health
  3. Encyclopedia Britannica. Kapok plant fibre. Dec. 17, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.britannica.com/topic/kapok
  4. NCOA. Sleep Accessories survey. 300 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched July 2025
  5. NCOA Sleep Pain and Position Survey. 300 respondents. Conducted using Pollfish. Launched March 2025

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