Here’s a revised and more sarcastic blog post style, stripped down to the essentials:
## The Side-Sleeping Position: A Sarcastic Look at Pillow Choices
The side-sleeping position is a common, frankly annoying, ailment in adults. We’ve all been there, right? The urge to curl up in a fetal position, the constant worry about the back, the nagging feeling that you’re “just one little bit of fluff” away from a serious spinal injury. It’s a legitimate concern, and while we’re constantly striving for better pillow choices, it’s hard to ignore the inherent frustration of sleeping on your side.
So, what’s the best pillow for a side-sleeping position? It depends. Do you want to minimize your spine’s stress, keep your neck in neutral, or simply find a pillow that’s comfortable and supportive? The answer, as always, is a matter of personal preference.
The “Best Overall” is, unsurprisingly, the Purple Harmony Pillow. It’s a blend of organic cotton, a gorgeous, breathable cover, and a surprisingly firm yet plush feel. It’s the perfect choice for anyone looking for a pillow that’s both supportive and comfortable, especially if you’re a tall person or a person who’s constantly worrying about back pain.
However, the real talk is about the “Downsides.” While the memory foam fill is undeniably nice, it can be a bit…well, *okay*. While it provides a good amount of back support, it might not be the absolute best for those who prefer a super-firm pillow. The fabric might flatten over time, and the quality of the cover can be a little bit disappointing.
Ultimately, the “Best Overall” for a side-sleeping position is the Purple Harmony Pillow. It’s a solid choice for those who appreciate a good balance of firmness and comfort, and who are willing to invest a bit more time in finding the right pillow. It’s a pillow that’s been tested, and while it might not be the absolute *best* option, it’s definitely a good one for anyone who’s looking to improve their sleep quality.
And if you’re looking for something that’s both firm and comfortable, you’ll find that the “Better Than Average” pillow is a fantastic choice. It’s a great choice for a tall person and someone who’s not afraid to take a little risk on a pillow that’s both supportive and enjoyable to sleep on.
So, whether you’re looking for the ultimate in back support or just want a pillow that’s easy to clean, the side-sleeping position is a conversation starter. Just remember, it’s a matter of personal preference, and there’s no right or wrong answer.The side-sleeping position is by far the most popular position among adults, so it’s only natural that we’ve been investigating what the best pillows for side sleepers look and feel like. And though there are many reported benefits to sleeping on your side, like reduced sleep apnea, when done improperly it can cause neck and shoulder strain, potentially leading to nerve pain and soft-tissue issues in the spine.
Pittsburgh-based Premier Chiropractic Clinic owner and chiropractor Brian Meenan, DC, regularly advises his over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and treats patients for sleep-related pain everyday. According to him, the right pillow for a side sleeper should put the least amount of stress on your spine and neck. “You want your neck mostly in neutral, not bending too far to the right or left when lying on your side,” he says. Betsy Grunch, MD, FAANS, FACS, who posts recommendations to over 2.5 million TikTok fans as @ladyspinedoc agrees that neck support makes all the difference for pain relief. “I often see patients with neck and back pain that worsen during side sleeping,” she says. “I recommend a good supportive pillow to keep their neck in perfect neutral alignment during sleep.”
“The most common complaints for side sleepers are shoulder, jaw, and hip pain,” echoes Alyssa Hickey, DC CACCP, who specializes in pregnancy care and posts on TikTok to over 400,000 followers. “I always suggest a pillow that will prevent your shoulder from rolling in,” she explains. “This will support both the neck and shoulders, decreasing the likelihood of carpal tunnel or at least expanding the amount of time you have before symptoms arise.”
To help you enhance your sleep quality, we’ve rounded up 12 of the perfect pillows for side sleepers—including recommendations from sleep experts, top-reviewed online faves, and high-quality bed pillows AD staffers have tried themselves.
## Best Overall
**Specs**
* **Fill material:** Ventilated Talalay Latex with Polyester Knit Cover; Hyper-Elastic Polymer
* **Cover materials:** 92% Nylon Fiber, 8% Spandex Fiber, Moisture-wicking treatment
* **Care instructions:** Cover: Machine wash cold separately. Air Dry. Core: Spot clean only.
**Upsides**
Great temperature regulation, down alternative fill, moisture-wicking cover
**Downsides**
Doesn’t favor down for sleepers looking for ultra-plushness
“I prefer a more dense and firm pillow for side sleeping,” says Dr. Hickey, whose pillow of choice is the Purple Harmony Pillow. “Trying pillows out is so important,” she adds. “A good choice for a side-sleeping pillow will always allow your head to remain centered on your shoulders.” Contributor Kelsey Borovinsky (a side and stomach sleeper) is also impressed by how well Purple’s Harmony pillow holds its shape. She says it’s a great fit for anyone looking for firm support. “If you like a Tempur-Pedic–type pillow that’s really solid and supportive, or you are in the market for one to support other parts of your body, this would be a great option,” Borovinsky notes.
## Best Latex-Fill
**Specs**
* **Fill material:** GOTS-certified natural Latex
* **Cover materials:** 100% organic cotton
* **Care instructions:** Machine Wash and Dry (Outer Cover)
**Upsides**
Ideal for tall sleepers, comes with extra adjustable latex fill, naturally airy cover
**Downsides**
Might be long for some sleepers
This pillow landed in our best-of Naturepedic roundup for its shredded latex fill and breathable cotton cover, as well as its peculiar shape that lends itself perfectly to pain-free sleep. Commerce director Rachel Fletcher says this is the perfect pillow for a taller person, as well as for someone who doesn’t like a super-firm pillow. “That said, it does come with extra fill in case you want to stuff it up a bit and increase the firmness,” she adds.
## AD Staff Pick
**Specs**
* **Fill material:** Memory foam fill
* **Cover materials:** Lulltra fabric cover
* **Care instructions:** Wash in cold water. Gentle cycle. Do not use fabric softener or bleach. Tumble dry low. Ensure the cover is completely dry before use. Secure the zipper closed with a safety pin to ensure the inner pillow does not open or spill fill during wash. Wash in cold water. Gentle cycle. Do not use fabric softener or bleach. Tumble dry low. Ensure the inner pillow is completely dry before use. Always separate the removable cover from the inner pillow before washing.
**Upsides**
Adjustable fill, ideal for any sleep position, ultra-cushiony comfort, available in different shapes, including a crescent
**Downsides**
The mini pieces of fill can be messy to clean up after
Coop also makes an adjustable pillow that can be customized to your personal preference—especially if you’re a side sleeper who needs a super supportive pillow. Filled with a combination of foam and microfiber stored in a washable cover, over 46,000 Amazon reviewers have given this pillow five stars. One top reviewer even called it the “best pillow ever,” adding that the pillow helped them have the best night’s sleep in months—something they never thought possible. Both our assistant commerce director Lori Keong and our commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher are big proponents of Coop’s pillows. Arzbaecher calls it “life-changing—the memory foam and microfiber combo has helped with movement isolation so I don’t wake up with a stiff neck anymore; plus it just feels luxurious.”
## Budget Pick
**Specs**
* **Fill material:** Polyester
* **Cover materials:** Cotton blend
* **Care instructions:** Spot clean
**Upsides**
Affordable, balance of firm and soft feel, over 3,000 five-star reviews
**Downsides**
Some customers notice some flattening over time
At the end of the day, though, it’s about what feels right for you. “Everyone has a preference on what feels best,” Dr. Hickey says. For a reasonably priced down pillow, she suggests this set from Amazon. “When choosing a lighter or fluffier material like down, it’s key to ensure that the structure isn’t compromised after hours of laying on it.” Commerce writer Julia Harrison has had these pillows for over a year and finds them to be “firm without being hard, and plush without swallowing you.“
## Dr. Meenan’s Pick
**Specs**
* **Fill material:** Talalay latex
* **Cover materials:** Tencel Lyocell fibers
* **Care instructions:** Remove the cover, machine wash on a gentle setting, tumble dry low or lay flat to dry. We recommend only spot cleaning the pillow insert.
**Upsides**
The pillow feels firm, offers back support, made with sustainable latex and eucalyptus materials
**Downsides**
Some customers find the pillow to be too thick
Latex pillows that hold their shape are another good choice for side sleepers or those with back pain. Although Brooklyn Bedding’s very bouncy Talalay latex pillow is a great firm-support option for the neck and shoulders, I personally think it’s ideal for extra back support. “If you prefer sleeping on your side, it helps to place a pillow behind the upper back to kind of prop you up so that you do not roll onto your back,” Dr. Meenan says. “This takes less pressure off of the shoulder joint.”
## More AD-Approved Pillows
**Specs**
* **Fill material:** 100% Recycled Polyurethane
* **Cover materials:** 55% Polyester, 45% High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
* **Care instructions:** Do not wash inner core pillow. Cover can be removed and machine washed on warm, and tumble dried on low.
**Upsides**
Fill adjustability, helps promote spinal alignment, machine washable cover
**Downsides**
Larger pillow design
Tester Yelena Alpert considers this side sleeper pillow the best mattress accessory because of its supportive and soft nature. “I absolutely cannot sleep on foam pillows because they are too hard, and when a pillow is light down, it feels too flimsy,” she says. “With this one, it’s like a pillow butler picked it out just for me. Because the fill is cut up pieces of foam, opposed to a stiff block, it molds to my head in the perfect way.”
The side-sleeping position is by far the most popular position among adults, so it’s only natural that we’ve been investigating what the best pillows for side sleepers look and feel like. And though there are many reported benefits to sleeping on your side, like reduced sleep apnea, when done improperly it can cause neck and shoulder strain, potentially leading to nerve pain and soft-tissue issues in the spine.
Pittsburgh-based Premier Chiropractic Clinic owner and chiropractor Brian Meenan, DC, regularly advises his over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and treats patients for sleep-related pain everyday. According to him, the right pillow for a side sleeper should put the least amount of stress on your spine and neck. “You want your neck mostly in neutral, not bending too far to the right or left when lying on your side,” he says. Betsy Grunch, MD, FAANS, FACS, who posts recommendations to over 2.5 million TikTok fans as @ladyspinedoc agrees that neck support makes all the difference for pain relief. “I often see patients with neck and back pain that worsen during side sleeping,” she says. “I recommend a good supportive pillow to keep their neck in perfect neutral alignment during sleep.”
“The most common complaints for side sleepers are shoulder, jaw, and hip pain,” echoes Alyssa Hickey, DC CACCP, who specializes in pregnancy care and posts on TikTok to over 400,000 followers. “I always suggest a pillow that will prevent your shoulder from rolling in,” she explains. “This will support both the neck and shoulders, decreasing the likelihood of carpal tunnel or at least expanding the amount of time you have before symptoms arise.”
To help you enhance your sleep quality, we’ve rounded up 12 of the perfect pillows for side sleepers—including recommendations from sleep experts, top-reviewed online faves, and high-quality bed pillows AD staffers have tried themselves.
Best Overall
Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Fill material: Ventilated Talalay Latex with Polyester Knit Cover; Hyper-Elastic Polymer
Ventilated Talalay Latex with Polyester Knit Cover; Hyper-Elastic Polymer Cover materials: 92% Nylon Fiber, 8% Spandex Fiber, Moisture-wicking treatment
92% Nylon Fiber, 8% Spandex Fiber, Moisture-wicking treatment Care instructions: Cover: Machine wash cold separately. Air Dry. Core: Spot clean only. Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Great temperature regulation, down alternative fill, moisture-wicking cover Downsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Doesn’t favor down for sleepers looking for ultra-plushness
“I prefer a more dense and firm pillow for side sleeping,” says Dr. Hickey, whose pillow of choice is the Purple Harmony Pillow. “Trying pillows out is so important,” she adds. “A good choice for a side-sleeping pillow will always allow your head to remain centered on your shoulders.” Contributor Kelsey Borovinsky (a side and stomach sleeper) is also impressed by how well Purple’s Harmony pillow holds its shape. She says it’s a great fit for anyone looking for firm support. “If you like a Tempur-Pedic–type pillow that’s really solid and supportive, or you are in the market for one to support other parts of your body, this would be a great option,” Borovinsky notes.
Best Latex-Fill
Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Fill material: GOTS-certified natural Latex
GOTS-certified natural Latex Cover materials: 100% organic cotton
100% organic cotton Care instructions: Machine Wash and Dry (Outer Cover) Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Ideal for tall sleepers, comes with extra adjustable latex fill, naturally airy cover Downsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Might be long for some sleepers
This pillow landed in our best-of Naturepedic roundup for its shredded latex fill and breathable cotton cover, as well as its peculiar shape that lends itself perfectly to pain-free sleep. Commerce director Rachel Fletcher says this is the perfect pillow for a taller person, as well as for someone who doesn’t like a super-firm pillow. “That said, it does come with extra fill in case you want to stuff it up a bit and increase the firmness,” she adds.
AD Staff Pick
Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Fill material: Memory foam fill
Memory foam fill Cover materials: Lulltra fabric cover
Lulltra fabric cover Care instructions: Wash in cold water. Gentle cycle. Do not use fabric softener or bleach. Tumble dry low. Ensure the cover is completely dry before use. Secure the zipper closed with a safety pin to ensure the inner pillow does not open or spill fill during wash. Wash in cold water. Gentle cycle. Do not use fabric softener or bleach. Tumble dry low. Ensure the inner pillow is completely dry before use. Always separate the removable cover from the inner pillow before washing. Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Adjustable fill, ideal for any sleep position, ultra-cushiony comfort, available in different shapes, including a crescent Downsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron The mini pieces of fill can be messy to clean up after
Coop also makes an adjustable pillow that can be customized to your personal preference—especially if you’re a side sleeper who needs a super supportive pillow. Filled with a combination of foam and microfiber stored in a washable cover, over 46,000 Amazon reviewers have given this pillow five stars. One top reviewer even called it the “best pillow ever,” adding that the pillow helped them have the best night’s sleep in months—something they never thought possible. Both our assistant commerce director Lori Keong and our commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher are big proponents of Coop’s pillows. Arzbaecher calls it “life-changing—the memory foam and microfiber combo has helped with movement isolation so I don’t wake up with a stiff neck anymore; plus it just feels luxurious.”
Budget Pick
Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Fill material: Polyester
Polyester Cover materials: Cotton blend
Cotton blend Care instructions: Spot clean Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Affordable, balance of firm and soft feel, over 3,000 five-star reviews Downsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Some customers notice some flattening over time
At the end of the day, though, it’s about what feels right for you. “Everyone has a preference on what feels best,” Dr. Hickey says. For a reasonably priced down pillow, she suggests this set from Amazon. “When choosing a lighter or fluffier material like down, it’s key to ensure that the structure isn’t compromised after hours of laying on it.” Commerce writer Julia Harrison has had these pillows for over a year and finds them to be “firm without being hard, and plush without swallowing you.“
Dr. Meenan’s Pick
Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Fill material: Talalay latex
Talalay latex Cover materials: Tencel Lyocell fibers
Tencel Lyocell fibers Care instructions: Remove the cover, machine wash on a gentle setting, tumble dry low or lay flat to dry. We recommend only spot cleaning the pillow insert. Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron The pillow feels firm, offers back support, made with sustainable latex and eucalyptus materials Downsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Some customers find the pillow to be too thick
Latex pillows that hold their shape are another good choice for side sleepers or those with back pain. Although Brooklyn Bedding’s very bouncy Talalay latex pillow is a great firm-support option for the neck and shoulders, I personally think it’s ideal for extra back support. “If you prefer sleeping on your side, it helps to place a pillow behind the upper back to kind of prop you up so that you do not roll onto your back,” Dr. Meenan says. “This takes less pressure off of the shoulder joint.”
More AD-Approved Pillows
Specs AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Fill material: 100% Recycled Polyurethane
100% Recycled Polyurethane Cover materials: 55% Polyester, 45% High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
55% Polyester, 45% High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Care instructions: Do not wash inner core pillow. Cover can be removed and machine washed on warm, and tumble dried on low. Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Fill adjustability, helps promote spinal alignment, machine washable cover Downsides AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Larger pillow design
Tester Yelena Alpert considers this side sleeper pillow the best mattress accessory because of its supportive and soft nature. “I absolutely cannot sleep on foam pillows because they are too hard, and when a pillow is light down, it feels too flimsy,” she says. “With this one, it’s like a pillow butler picked it out just for me. Because the fill is cut up pieces of foam, opposed to a stiff block, it molds to my head in the perfect way.”
