21 best pillows for side sleepers 2024, according to experts
Investing in one of the best pillows for side sleepers can truly be a transformative experience. Whether you're consistently struggling with neck and back pain or a victim of on-and-off muscle aches, the last thing you need is a flimsy pillow that doesn't offer any support.
Luckily, the market is booming with specially-designed pillows that are tailored to side sleepers right now, thanks to sleep tech brands like Emma and Simba – so the 60% of you who spend most of the night between your back and front can rejoice.
We’ve called on sleep experts to find out how to choose the best pillow for side sleepers – and taken the pressure off by rounding up the best options on the market with our exhaustive guide below. Think: firm and soft pillows for side sleepers, memory foam pillows and body pillows. Read on for our full round-up, including tips on how to pick the best one for your individual sleeping style.
SKIP TO: Why do side sleepers need a different type of pillow | What type of pillow is best for side sleepers with neck pain? | What else should you consider? | How did we choose? | Our full reviews. | The GLAMOUR star rating system | Shop the best pillows for neck pain, best cooling pillows and best anti-allergy pillows.
Meet the experts:
- Rosie Osmun, sleep science coach at Sleep Junkie
- Anisha Joshi, osteopath
In a rush? The best pillows for side sleepers 2024 at a glance:
- Best pillow for side sleepers, overall: THE SIMBA Hybrid® Firm Pillow, £159, SIMBA
- Best pillow for side sleepers, runner up: REM-Fit 400 Memory Foam Crumbed Pillow, £35.40, REM-FIT
- Most popular pillow for side sleepers: THE SIMBA Stratos® Pillow, £60, Simba
- Best sustainable pillow for side sleepers: Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow, £40.46, Panda London
- Best inexpensive pillow for side sleepers: Silentnight Side Sleeper Medium Pillow, £15, Habitat
- Best down alternative for side sleepers: Emma Premium Microfibre Pillow, £79, Emma
Why might you need a different pillow if you’re a side sleeper?
“Your sleeping position dictates how thick your pillow needs to be – and the firmness level you need,” says Rosie Osmun, sleep science coach at sleep science platform Sleep Junkie. “Sleeping comfortably is all down to spine alignment.”
“Some can feel sore when their neck isn’t in a neutral position,” notes osteopath Anisha Joshi. “Being supported should ease any pain and help you to get a good night's sleep.”
What kind of pillows should side sleepers use?
“Side sleepers require a firm pillow with a higher loft to keep their neck healthily in line with the rest of their body,” explains Rosie.
“Sleep specialists suggest the perfect loft for side sleeping is four to six inches.” Additionally, she notes that contoured pillows are often recommended for this sleeping position because they have two edges that allow you to pick which side fits your neck most comfortably, and memory foam tends to be a good material for support as well as keeping the neck aligned.
What to consider when buying a pillow for side sleeping:
A good test, suggests Anisha, is to zone in on how well a pillow keeps you in position once you’re lying down. “If you get a pillow that places you in a position that’s comfortable, then it will help your muscles relax,” she explains. “You should consider what positions cause your neck to feel any pain or discomfort when standing, and ensure that your pillow is working to counteract this.” Anything else? Rosie adds: “You can also place pillows between or beneath your knees to reinforce healthy spinal alignment.”
How we tested:
By using product reviews from customers combined with data on what you've been searching for – as well as checking thoroughly to see which products feature high-quality versus less durable materials – we curated what we feel is a selection of the best pillows for neck and shoulder pain on the market for year-round use. We've rifled through customer reviews, and tested as many pillows IRL as we could to help you find the right pillow for your needs.
How does the GLAMOUR star rating system work?
1/5 - Not one we'd ever include here, as we aim to find you the very best pillows. That said, a 1/5 rating would mean the product fails on value for money, quality, performance and how previous buyers reviewed it.
2/5 - Again, not likely to pop up here – a 2/5 would mean the pillow is a let down in most areas, perhaps being adequate in one field e.g. value for money.
3/5 - A 3/5 would mean the pillow is okay, maybe an ample choice if you're on a more modest budget, but leaves room for improvement. For instance, this could be a pillow that is comfy for occasional use – perhaps on a sofa bed – but the fabric isn't wicking, so isn't a top choice for summer.
4/5 - A 4/5 would mean the pillow is near exceptional, with faults only minor and easy to ignore. For instance, a product that ticks all the boxes, but will take several weeks to deliver.
5/5 - A 5/5 rating means the product, website and company are all outstanding. We will never give a product a perfect score if it has a single problem that we know of, so look out for these – they're rather rare!
After more sleep content? Shop the best duvet, duvet covers, the best mattress toppers and the best mattresses – including memory foam mattresses, cheap mattresses and pocket sprung mattresses. For more from GLAMOUR UK's Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.