Best Pillow for Side Sleepers (2025)

Side sleeping is one of the healthiest sleep positions—but only if your pillow is doing its job.

If you're a side sleeper who wakes up with a crick in the neck, aching shoulders, or the nagging sense that your pillow just isn’t cutting it, you're not imagining things. The wrong pillow can throw your spine out of alignment, press into your shoulder joint, and turn a good night into a restless one.

But the right pillow? That’s a game-changer.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly what makes a great pillow for side sleepers. From the importance of loft and firmness to the pros and cons of different materials like memory foam, latex, and adjustable fills—we'll help decode the jargon and steer you towards a pillow that actually improves your sleep.

Why Pillow Choice Matters So Much for Side Sleepers

Side sleeping is widely recommended by sleep experts for spinal alignment, digestion, and even reducing snoring. But it comes with one big challenge: supporting the head, neck, and shoulder in a way that keeps the spine neutral.

Unlike back sleepers, who need only gentle elevation, or stomach sleepers, who benefit from a flatter surface, side sleepers need a pillow that can bridge the gap between head and mattress. Get that wrong—whether too high or too low—and you risk tilting your neck out of alignment for hours every night.

This isn’t just about comfort. The wrong pillow can lead to:

• Persistent neck pain

• Shoulder strain

• Tension headaches

• Numbness or tingling from compressed nerves

• Poor sleep quality due to constant position shifting

If any of that sounds familiar, there’s a good chance your pillow is the culprit. According to Expert sleep advisor Lisa Artis from the British Sleep Society

"To ensure proper spinal alignment, choose a pillow that matches your sleeping position. Side sleepers need a firmer, high-loft pillow to support their heads and fill the gap between their shoulders."

What Side Sleepers Need in a Pillow: 3 Essential Features

Before diving into specific pillow types, it’s important to understand the three things every side sleeper should look for:

1. Loft (Height)

Side sleepers generally need a medium to high-loft pillow—something thick enough to hold the head up and keep it aligned with the spine. The exact loft you need will depend on:

• Shoulder width (broader shoulders = higher pillow)

• Mattress firmness (softer mattresses = less loft needed as shoulders sink in more)

• Head size and body proportions

2. Firmness

Side sleepers usually fare best with medium-firm to firm pillows. A pillow that’s too soft can let the head sink too far, collapsing alignment. But one that’s too hard can create pressure points or feel unyielding under the ear.

3. Material and Support

The pillow should be able to maintain its shape and support your head consistently throughout the night—without going flat or bunching up. This is where material choice becomes key.

The Best Pillow Types for Side Sleepers (With Pros and Cons)

Pillow Type	Best For	Considerations
Memory Foam	Contouring support, pressure relief	May retain heat unless ventilated or gel-infused
Latex	Cooling, responsive support, natural materials	Firmer feel, higher price point
Contoured Pillows	Neck pain, spinal alignment	Requires adjusting to shape
Adjustable Fill	Personalised loft and firmness	Slightly higher maintenance
Buckwheat	Very firm, natural, breathable	Heavier, rustling sound might bother light sleepers
Down/Down Alternative	Plush feel and softness	Can compress easily, less supportive over time

In-Depth: Pillow Materials That Work for Side Sleepers

Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam remains one of the most popular choices for side sleepers. Why? Because it moulds to your head and neck, creating a personalised cradle that supports spinal alignment and reduces pressure on the shoulder joint.

Look for:

• Shredded memory foam for breathability and adjustability

• Gel-infused or ventilated foam if you sleep hot

• A medium to high loft depending on shoulder width

Downsides? Traditional memory foam can retain heat and has a slight odour at first. However, many brands now use cooling technologies and hypoallergenic covers to offset this.

Latex Pillows

If you like the idea of contouring support without the “sinking” feel of memory foam, latex might be your dream material. Natural latex is:

• Supportive yet springy

• Naturally breathable

• Resistant to dust mites and mould

It also holds its shape well, making it a good long-term investment. Just note that latex pillows often have a firmer feel, which some people love and others find too rigid.

Contoured Pillows

Contoured pillows are specially shaped to support the natural curve of the neck. They’re particularly good for side sleepers with:

• Chronic neck pain

• Shoulder issues

• Cervical spine concerns

Typically made from memory foam, these pillows cradle the head and fill the space under the neck, offering alignment all night long. However, they can take a few nights to get used to.

Adjustable Pillows

Not sure what loft or firmness is ideal? Adjustable pillows offer customisation you can fine-tune over time. Most come with removable inserts or fill (like shredded foam or microfibre), so you can experiment until you get it right.

They’re ideal for:

• People who change positions

• New mattress setups

• Those with variable neck or shoulder pain

The only catch? They do require a bit of experimentation and ongoing fluffing.

Common Problems Side Sleepers Face with the Wrong Pillow

Let’s face it—many people simply don’t realise how much their pillow is working against them. Here are some red flags for side sleepers:

Neck Pain Every Morning

A clear sign your pillow isn’t supporting your head at the right height. Discover the best pillow for neck pain.

Shoulder Pressure or Numbness

Your shoulder might be taking the brunt of your body weight if your pillow isn’t helping to distribute pressure.

Headaches

Tension from neck strain can easily lead to dull or throbbing morning headaches.

Constant Flipping and Re-Fluffing

A pillow that flattens out or shifts around may not be designed to maintain loft and structure—key for side sleepers.

If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s time to reassess your setup.

How to Choose the Right Pillow for Side Sleeping

Here’s a step-by-step approach to choosing the right pillow:

1. Measure your shoulder width (from neck to shoulder edge)

2. Assess your mattress firmness (soft = slightly lower pillow, firm = higher loft needed)

3. Pick your preferred material (foam for contouring, latex for bounce, down for softness)

4. Decide on adjustability (fixed shape or custom fill)

5. Look for reputable brands with trial periods – testing a pillow at home is the only way to be sure

Our Picks: Best-Rated Pillows for Side Sleepers (UK Favourites)

Here are some of the best-reviewed and most trusted pillows for side sleepers available in the UK:

• TEMPUR Original PillowExceptional contoured memory foam support. Great for spinal alignment but on the firmer side.

• Simba Hybrid PillowAdjustable layers and cooling Stratos cover. Ideal for customising loft and breathability.

• Panda London Memory Foam Bamboo PillowEco-conscious, pressure-relieving memory foam with a naturally cooling bamboo cover.

• Brook + Wilde Marlowe PillowOffers adjustable support with a luxurious feel. Perfect for those wanting hotel-like comfort without sacrificing spinal support.

Caring for Your Pillow: Maintenance Tips

Pillows don’t last forever—especially if they’re doing their job properly.

Here’s how to extend the life of your side-sleeper pillow:

• Use a pillow protector to guard against sweat and dust mites

• Fluff daily (if applicable) to keep loft and shape

• Wash the cover regularly, and clean the inner pillow according to the manufacturer’s instructions

• Replace every 18–36 months, depending on material wear and performance

Signs it’s time to replace your pillow:

• Flat or lumpy

• Discoloured

• Waking with neck/shoulder pain again

Final Thoughts: The Right Pillow Can Transform Side Sleep

Sleeping on your side has plenty of benefits—but only if your pillow works with your body, not against it.

By choosing a pillow that keeps your neck and spine aligned, relieves pressure, and matches your personal sleep preferences, you’re setting yourself up for better rest, fewer aches, and far better mornings.

Invest in the right pillow—and sleep like your spine depends on it. Because it does.