Best Pillows for Side Sleepers (2025), Field-tested Support for Your Neck and Shoulders 

The Saatva Latex Pillow is my pick for the best pillow for side sleepers, thanks to its soft yet responsive design, sturdy materials, and simple care instructions. Product tester Cait Giddings gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 in all three of my key testing categories for this list: experience, materials, and care. She is also a side sleeper, so who could be more qualified to crown the champion?

During testing, Cait praised the Saatva Latex Pillow for being comfortable and fluffy enough for side sleeping, and awarded it a perfect 5-star score in the experience category. However, she noted that it didn’t have the springy feel that is typical of latex pillows.

“This pillow doesn’t feel like most latex pillows, which tend to be bouncy,” Cait said. “However, it has the perfect loft for side sleeping and is responsive enough to prevent you from sinking in too much during the night.”

Cait gave the Saatva Latex Pillow another 5 out of 5 for its materials. She noted that its materials felt soft and breathable, yet durable enough to withstand regular use. According to her, there wasn’t a stitch out of place.

“Saatva uses high-quality materials in their mattresses, and its pillows are no different,” Cait said. “This pillow has a removable and machine-washable outer fill layer. I also appreciate that Saatva used organic cotton here.”

Speaking of machine-washable, Saatva earned another 5 out of 5 for care, thanks to how easily it can be laundered. While the shredded latex core is not machine washable, the cover and outer fill layers hold up well in the wash, making this pillow easy to refresh alongside the rest of your bedding.

However, even a pillow that snagged three 5-star scores during testing has its downsides. Cait noted that this pillow’s higher loft might not be the best option for side sleepers who spend some of their time on their stomach or backs. This pillow will likely elevate the neck too much for comfort in these positions. 

Additionally, this is a luxury pillow with a premium price tag. At $165 for the queen size before any discounts, this may be out of range for some budgets. That said, if you’re a side sleeper looking to invest in a durable and supportive pillow, then the Saatva Latex Pillow should deliver for years to come.

If your company is bold enough to claim your pillow belongs in a resort, it had better deliver a comfortable experience with long-lasting, durable materials. Fortunately, the Cariloha Resort Pillow executed on both fronts during testing, scoring a 4 out of 5 or higher in the experience and materials categories.

After spending a few nights at home with it, our in-house product tester gave the Cariloha Resort Pillow a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 in the overall experience category. As a combination back and side sleeper, she appreciated that its kapok layer provided enough loft to alleviate strain around her neck.

“I was surprisingly happy with how this pillow felt after lying on it for a bit,” she said. “I don’t usually love high-lofted pillows, but the kapok inside this soft pillow lets me sink to the point where I didn’t have strain in my neck when lying on my side. The latex also provided enough neck support that when I moved from my side to my back, it bounced back enough that my head wasn’t in the hole it created when I lay on my side.”

Our tester also gave the Resort Pillow a 4 out of 5 in the materials category. She praised its high-quality and naturally derived construction for being thick and sturdy.

“The cover is a thick-quilted, bamboo-based material,” she said. “It feels so soft that I can sleep on it without a pillowcase. The inside contains natural latex and kapok, which gives it a plush feel. The latex provides enough support, and I don’t sink too far into the mattress when my head is on the pillow.”

While our in-house tester gave it a 4 out of 5 or higher across the board, she pointed out that some customer reviews on the Cariloha website complained that it had flattened for them during the night. She didn’t have this issue with the Cariloha Resort Pillow, but it is something to keep in mind.

For side sleepers, having a pillow that contours to the head while maintaining alignment is essential to preventing pressure buildup. As Dr. Raj Dasgupta explains, “A pillow that’s too flat or too thick can push your neck out of alignment. If you frequently awaken with neck pain, shoulder pain, or back pain, your pillow might be at fault.”

Fortunately, the sleep gear veterans at Tempur-Pedic designed their very own neck pillow with these sleepers in mind. The TEMPUR-Neck Pillow offers sturdy support while gently cushioning the areas that matter most for side sleepers with neck pain. Product tester Matt Schickling preferred this pillow for side sleeping, giving it a rating of 4 out of 5 or higher in the experience, materials, and care categories.

Matt was immediately impressed by the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow’s materials during testing. He noted that the pillow provided him with sturdy support around his neck. His initial impressions after his first night with the TEMPUR-Neck were that it felt high-end and durable. After spending some more time with it, he believes that this pillow should provide steady support without degrading or sagging over time. He awarded the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow a 4.5 out of 5 in materials and experience.

“It is hard for me to find something wrong with this pillow,” Matt said. “The material of the cover feels comfortable, high-quality, and durable. I like that the bump in the pillow provides support and removes neck strain to keep you properly aligned while side sleeping.”

Matt also gave the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow a 4.5 out of 5 in the care category. The TEMPUR-Neck Pillow’s cover is removable and machine washable, meaning it is incredibly easy to keep clean, which is a big plus for hot sleepers and people with allergies. Tempur-Pedic even recommends washing the cover at least once every month to stay as fresh as possible.

That said, Matt noted that the TEMPUR-Neck had a couple of drawbacks. First, he said that the unorthodox shape of the pillow made it too small for a traditional queen-sized pillow case. While it wasn’t enough to deter him from using the pillow regularly, he pointed out that there was some excess fabric.

“It is significantly smaller and has less loft than a traditional pillow,” Matt said. “I just really wish it were bigger so it would fit in a traditional pillowcase.”

He also thought the price of the TEMPUR-Neck was steep, particularly for budget shoppers. At $129 before any discounts, it might be a tough pill to swallow for some shoppers, especially considering it’s smaller than your average pillow.

The Luxome LAYR Pillow is an excellent option for side sleepers who regularly overheat, thanks to its blend of breathable materials. The LAYR is also fully customizable, meaning there are many ways side sleepers can get comfortable on this pillow. Product tester Matt Schickling said this was one of his favorite pillows he’s tested so far, awarding it a 4.5 out of 5 or higher in materials, experience, and care.

During testing, Matt was impressed with how comfortable and durable the Luxome LAYR’s materials were. He gave the pillow a 4.5 out of 5 in our materials category, because they balanced being sturdy and tear-resistant with being breathable enough for hot sleepers.

“This pillow felt very comfortable right away,” Matt said. “The cover is thick, but still stretchy enough to expand and adjust. It feels durable without being stifling.”

Thanks to its adjustability, Matt also awarded the LAYR pillow a 5 out of 5 in the experience category. After some tinkering, he found the perfect configuration for his sleep style. He thought the pillow was most comfortable in the back and side-sleeping positions, noting that most of the neck strain came while testing it on his stomach.

“Side sleeping with this pillow is great,” Matt said. “My neck felt comfortable, supported, and free of pressure. That said, if you tend to gravitate toward the edge of the pillow, you might feel the zipper of its cover.”

The icing on the cake for Matt, however, was its easy-care instructions. He gave the LAYR another 4.5 out of 5 in this category because all of the care instructions were laid out on the Luxome website and on the packaging of the LAYR pillow. The pillow cover and insert covers are all machine washable. However, the pillow stuffing materials were not.

The LAYR is a near-perfect pillow. However, there are two drawbacks to consider. Alongside its zipper being in a potentially awkward position for some sleepers, Matt noted that its $150 price tag may cause some sticker shock. However, he also emphasized that this pillow was well worth the price of admission.

Side sleepers need a pillow that is supportive enough to elevate their necks and align them with their spines and the rest of their bodies. In many scenarios, latex is the perfect material for the job, thanks to its responsive yet cushioning support. 

The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow is my pick for the best pillow in this category because it offers enough support to keep sleepers’ necks in a healthy position at night, without excessive compression or stiffness. Product tester Cait Giddings awarded this pillow a 4 out of 5 or higher in the experience, materials, and care categories.

Cait praised the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow for its bouncy and responsive feel, awarding it a perfect 5 out of 5 for overall experience.

“I absolutely love this pillow, and I would sleep on it every night if my daughter hadn’t absconded with it,” Cait said. “As a side sleeper, I prefer a bouncier latex pillow that fills in the gap at my neck to support my head, but also collapses down when I’m lying on my back. This pillow is perfect for that: It’s super-springy and ideal for combination side and back sleeping.”

Cait was also pleased with the Brooklyn Bedding pillow’s construction at its price point, giving it another 5 out of 5 in the materials category. At $129 with ongoing discounts, Cait felt that the price was beyond reasonable for the quality and comfort.

“The materials feel durable and high-quality,” Cait said. “The latex never loses its responsive feel or compresses too much throughout the night. For what you get, I would say $129 is a fair price for this pillow.”

Better yet, Cait gave the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow a strong 4 out of 5 in the care category because it’s comfortable and easy to clean. The cover of the pillow zips off for machine washing, while the latex fill can be spot-cleaned.

However, as great as this latex pillow is, Cait wouldn’t recommend it for all sleepers. She noted that its loft would be too high for stomach sleepers and most back sleepers. However, for side sleepers, this should be a home run.

Beyond being better for the environment, organic bedding comes with benefits that can enhance your overall sleep experience. Materials like organic latex, for example, are known to be hypoallergenic, breathable, and responsive. 

The Birch Organic Pillow has organic latex and fair trade cotton. It also holds a Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certification. During testing, Matt Schickling awarded the Birch pillow a 4 out of 5 for value and materials.

After sleeping with the Birch Organic Pillow for a few weeks, Matt appreciated its high-quality construction and comfortable materials, especially in the side-sleeping position. He gave it a 4 out of 5 in the materials category, noting that it had plenty of filling to make it feel comfortable and supportive while still having some space to mold the pillow to fit his personal preferences.

“This pillow feels durable, thanks to the dense, high-quality materials that Birch uses,” Matt said. “When it comes to comfort, I think this pillow feels the best on my side. I appreciate how malleable it is in this position. On my side, I’m able to fold it beneath my head and scoop my arm under it at night without worrying about it losing its shape or compressing too deeply.”

Matt also praised the value behind the Birch Organic Pillow, awarding it a 4 out of 5 in this category.

“At right around $200, this one is a little pricey,” Matt said. “That said, I think this pillow should hold up well over time. The materials feel rock-solid and worthy of investment.”

However, he noted that he would have liked to see some additional features or extras thrown in. On the bright side, Birch often discounts this pillow to $149, which puts it at about the same price point as other luxury options.

If you’re someone who tends to buy and return a lot of pillows before settling on something long-term, then an adjustable pillow might help you save time, money, and headaches. Product tester Nicole Davis is a side sleeper who suffers from neck pain unless she has the correct loft. 

During testing, she praised the Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow for being flexible enough to find the sweet spot for her neck. She gave the Coop pillow a 4 out of 5 or higher in the experience, features, and materials categories.

Nicole awarded the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow a 4 and 5 out of 5 for experience and features, respectively. As someone who frequently adjusts her pillow throughout the night, she was the perfect candidate to test this pillow. Nicole was impressed by its supportive comfort and the flexibility the adjustable fill offered her.

“The beauty of this pillow is that I think it could work for anyone; you’ll just have to remove the filling or add more based on preference,” Nicole said. “I’m a side sleeper with chronic neck pain, and this pillow works great for me. It offers the perfect amount of support to keep strain off my neck while lying on my side.”

Nicole also gave the Coop pillow’s materials a 4 out of 5. She appreciated that the extra pillow fill came in a zippered bag for easy storage. You can also machine wash and tumble dry the pillow and its outer cover. After a few cycles through the laundry, Nicole was impressed by how well it maintained its shape.

“It’s very well-made,” Nicole said. “The cover feels nice and luxurious, and the zipper is heavy-duty.”

The only area that Nicole was critical of was the care instructions. While the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow is easy to wash, there are no instructions regarding when to replace the filling. However, after hopping online with their chatbot, she found that it should last up to five years.

A good night’s sleep free from pain should be attainable regardless of your budget. If you’re in the market for an adjustable pillow that is under $100, the Marlow Pillow by Brooklinen is a budget-friendly option at just $49 each. The company also offers 4-packs that come out to $34.40 per pillow. During testing, I gave the Marlow Pillow a 4 out of 5 or higher in the materials, experience, and price categories.

When you see bedding described as “cheap” or “affordable,” you might think of something that sags and wears down easily. Thankfully, that is not the case with the Marlow Pillow. I spent a few weeks with this pillow and found that its materials were durable and capable of withstanding regular use. 

It’s also hypoallergenic, which is a feature typically reserved for pricier bedding. Overall, I was impressed with its construction, so I gave this pillow a 4 out of 5 in the materials category. I docked a point because Brooklinen claims that this pillow is cooling, but I didn’t think it felt particularly cool to the touch while sleeping with it.

The solid materials also yielded a comfortable sleeping experience that really impressed me. I gave it a 5 out of 5 in the overall experience category because it is easy to adjust, very supportive, and pressure-relieving (once you find the right setting for you). 

To adjust the settings, you use the zippers. If you unzip both sides, the pillow is plush. If you unzip one side, it becomes medium-firm. If you leave both sides of the pillow zipped up, then it becomes firm. I preferred the medium-firm setting for lying on my side. In this setting, I could feel the tension leaving my neck, and it felt like my upper body was well-aligned with the rest of me.

Despite this pillow being a steal, I still have a couple of complaints. I gave the Marlow a 3 out of 5 for care because it is spot-clean only. There is no removable, machine-washable cover, which might be a deal-breaker for sleepers who regularly wash their bedding. As someone who tends to overheat, I was also disappointed by its lack of cooling.

Many side sleepers prefer medium-firm pillows because they offer just enough loft for support without throwing their neck and upper body out of alignment. “Side sleepers need a medium-firm or thicker pillow to fill the gap between the head and shoulders,” says Dr. Dasgupta.

The Otter by Lagoon is a memory foam pillow that hits the sweet spot for many side sleepers, including our in-house tester, who gave it a 5-star score for experience, materials, and care.

The Otter is the “glass slipper of pillows for side sleeping,” according to our product tester,  earning it a perfect 5 out of 5 for experience. 

“I never fluffed or readjusted the pillow when getting comfortable at night,” she said. “As a side sleeper, this pillow feels amazing. There is enough loft to support my upper body, yet plush enough to take the pressure off my neck.”

She also gave the Otter pillow a 5 out of 5 for materials because of how well it has held up over time. During testing, she praised the materials for living up to their description, being cool to the touch, and supporting her neck night after night. She also appreciated that you could customize this pillow by adding or removing filling. However, the extra filling comes at a cost on the Lagoon website. 

“This pillow definitely lives up to the hype,” our in-house tester said. “It feels very cool to the touch, even through the soft jersey cover. There is the typical branded soft cover on the outside, and a very full and supportive insert with shaved cooling memory foam. The cool thing is you can remove any filling to make this pillow softer, or you can buy more on their website to add to make this pillow firmer.”

The only critique she had for Otter was its price. Like a few of the other options on this list, it comes at a premium cost. At $139 before discounts, this might be a deal breaker for some budgets; however, if you’re in the market for a medium-firm pillow that offers some adjustability, you’re in for a treat.