Best Pillow for Side Sleepers For Zero Neck Pain

Side sleeping has numerous benefits on your health; it prevents snoring, keeps your spine aligned, and even prevents sleep apnea. But, you will need to sleep on suitable materials to reap these benefits. In this article, we will discuss the best pillow for side sleepers and share why you need to invest in a good one.

What kind of pillow should a side sleeper use?

What Is a Pillow For Side Sleepers?

A side sleeping position is the most common sleeping position across the United States and has numerous benefits. However, before we get into those benefits, you can find a suitable pillow designed for this sleeping position to offer neck and head support.

You need a supportive pillow that provides medium to firm support. When sleeping laterally, you need to avoid a pillow that sinks too deep, and one that is too firm will also activate pressure points on your shoulders and neck. That said, you need to choose the fill carefully and guarantee it can retain its firmness and shape for a long time.

When buying your best pillows, you can find memory foam pillows, down pillows, buckwheat pillows, and feather-filled pillows, among others. Besides the fill, you get to pick the size of the pillow and the loft, otherwise known as thickness. In addition, you can get an adjustable pillow that allows you to either add or remove the fill to your comfort for the best results. You will also consider the cooling options if you are a hot sleeper.

That said, we have compiled this list with five of the best pillows for side sleepers to make your buying easier. Read on as we will also discuss the benefits of side sleeping, factors to consider when buying your pillow, and answer your most burning questions.

1. Coop Home Goods Adjustable Cross-Cut Memory Foam Pillow

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If you sleep on your side, you understand how important it is to find a pillow with the right loft. This Coop Home Goods adjustable pillow is filled with premium memory foam and comes overstuffed so you can custom make your ideal loft.

Apart from featuring great reviews online, this memory foam pillow also comes with the CentiPUR-US and Green Guard Gold certification, meaning it is third-party tested to be safe for you. In addition, the company is cruelty-free, and the pillow does not contain any harmful chemicals.

When buying any pillow, the pillow cover is an essential factor to consider; it needs to be safe for your skin and ideal for regular washes. Not to worry, this pillow's cover is soft and made with a blend of polyester and bamboo-derived viscose rayon. Thus, it remains cool on hot nights and is easy to wash in the machine.

2. Sobakawa Traditional Buckwheat Pillow

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When you need a supportive and safe-to-use pillow, you will find better options when you get a natural or organic pillow. This Sobakawa pillow is 100% organic, hypoallergenic, and vegan. It comes at an affordable price and is also available in different sizes.

The rectangular pillow is filled with pure buckwheat hulls that make it ideal for vegans and hot sleepers who need ample air circulation when they sleep. These hulls allow enough air movement to keep you cool through the night.

It comes in a standard size and sports a 100% organic cotton cover so you can trust the surface you lay your skin on. The cover is easy to clean, while the pillow can last you longer than most options on the market since the hulls don't shrink as fast.

3. Clara Clark Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

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Shredded memory foam provides the ideal firmness and support for sleepers with neck pain and back problems. This Clara Clark is the best pillow for side sleepers for several reasons; it offers the best support to reduce neck pain, comes with a bamboo cover, and is affordable.

The 19" x 29" pillow is designed to support your shoulders, neck, and head to relieve all pressure points for a comfortable night's sleep. In addition, the medium to firm support reduces snoring, sleep apnea, and back pain.

The pillow cover is made with bamboo, so it is soft and breathable. With the pillow made of 100% memory foam, this pillow is safe and hypoallergenic. It comes in different sizes and has an ergonomic shape that makes it easy to sleep on your side without fatigue.

4. Zoey Sleep Side Sleeper Pillow

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This Zoey Sleep pillow for side sleepers is designed for maximum comfort. The pillow is filled with memory foam and is firm enough for support and pain alleviation if it comes from poor sleep posture. The pillow is also available in two sizes and two color options.

You will love the adjustable design; you can add or remove memory foam to attain your desired loft. Also, the orthopedic pillow comes in an ergonomic design that allows it to contour around your neck and shoulders for maximum comfort.

The pillow cover is made with a blend of bamboo, spandex, and polyester, so it feels soft and luxurious against your skin. In addition, the machine-washable fabric allows enough air movement to keep you cool at night. The family-safe pillow is CentiPUR-US and OEKO certified.

It is made in the United States and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, with the only dealbreaker being the high price.

5. Sleep Artisan Side Sleeper Pillow

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As a hot sleeper, you will need a cooling pillow to enjoy your sleep. Also, a firm pillow that is safe for your skin and health is your priority. This Sleep Artisan pillow is not only cooling and firm; it is also handmade in the US with natural latex.

The latex fill guarantees no skin reactions, and the pillow will not come with a chemical smell when new. In addition to that, this side sleeper pillow is adjustable, so you can reduce or add the fill to find your ideal side sleeping loft.

This best pillow for side sleepers made with natural latex is dust and mite-resistant, as well as hypoallergenic. It also is an orthopedic pillow designed to contour to your shoulders and neck. The pillow is also your best cooling pillow as natural latex does not trap heat.

This firm pillow comes with a 30-day moneyback guarantee plus a 3-year warranty from the manufacturer. However, it is pretty expensive compared to memory foam or shredded memory foam pillows, and the cover is not removable. As such, you will need to remove the filling to wash it.

What Are the Benefits of Side Sleeping?

Side sleeping is not only the most preferred sleeping position, but it is also the healthiest since it aligns your spine naturally to reduce and prevent neck, shoulder, and back pain. Here are some benefits to your health when you sleep on your side.

1. Side sleeping reduces back pain since your spine is aligned in its natural curve. However, you need to ensure you sleep on a firm mattress and pillow. At times, it may be better to use a body pillow to prevent fatigue and pressure to your hips and knees.
2. It prevents snoring. Unlike back sleeping, sleeping on your side does not force your tongue to the back of your mouth for snoring to happen.
3. It improves your gut health. Side sleeping encourages better digestion while reducing heartburn, especially when you sleep on your left side. This result relies on the stomach and gastric juices remaining lower than the esophagus when you sleep.
4. Sleeping on the side helps your brain remove waste faster. The brain rids waste through the glymphatic transport when you sleep, and it is made efficient by lateral sleeping rather than prone or supine sleeping.
5. Side sleeping is more comfortable for pregnant women. It is also the healthiest sleeping position because it encourages swift blood flow from the heart to the feet.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers

A good pillow for side sleepers makes sleeping comfortable and healthy, as seen above. When buying, you will avoid a pillow that sinks too deep or remains too firm on your neck as these will not offer the needed support or enhance good spinal alignment.

Now, if you'd like to explore more options in the market, these are the main factors to consider to determine how good a pillow is.

a) Loft

Also called the pillow's firmness, the loft is one of the essential features of any pillow. It aligns your spine for the best health. When buying a pillow and picking the ideal loft, it is best to consider adjustable pillows, as these allow you to adjust the fill to your most comfortable size. Still, you will need a medium to a high loft for healthy side sleeping.

b) Firmness

When looking for your ideal firmness, you need to pay attention to the filling material your pillow uses. A good pillow for side sleepers does not sink too deep or refuse to budge when you lay on it. Most memory foam, latex, buckwheat, down, and gel-infused pillows provide medium firmness, which is ideal for your sleeping position.

c) Design and Support

Yet another vital feature is the design of your pillow and how supportive it is. When buying, consider the shape of the pillow and how it contours to your shoulders and neck for support. You can find your best pillow for side sleepers in different designs like;

1. Wedge pillows that support your upper back, shoulders, and neck.
2. The bed pillow is a regular pillow design for neck and head support.
3. Contour pillows that adopt the shape of our shoulders and neck for maximum support.
4. Body pillows offer support to your upper and lower body. They are ideal for back pain relief and pregnancy.

When buying your pillow and looking for the design and support level, consider the filling and its durability.

d) Fill

You can choose a memory foam pillow, latex pillow, or other pillow materials such as feathers, down and down alternatives. The fill determines how supportive and durable your pillow is, thus how long you can use it before replacing it.

e) Pillow cover

In all instances, it is best to get a pillow with a removable cover so you can clean it often. But, if yours is not removable, make sure you can get standard pillow covers to complement the design and shape. The cover needs to be soft against your skin and hypoallergenic as well as easy to clean.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers

a) Are they any different from regular pillows?

Side sleeper pillows are not necessarily different from regular pillows, but they may come with unique shapes and lofts to support your neck, head, and spine.

b) Which is the right pillow for side sleeping?

The best pillow is adjustable so that you can find an ideal loft for every night. In addition, it is soft and supportive. Ensure your neck and head do not sink deep into the pillow or press hard against the pillow, as this can lead to injuries and pain.

c) Will the pillow help with neck pain?

Yes, a good pillow for side sleepers will alleviate and prevent neck pain in the future. You only need to ensure an ideal loft, firmness, and maximum support from the shoulders to the head. If you have severe pain, you can choose an orthopedic pillow that contours to complement your weight and shape.