pillow for one of the best pillows for side sleepers is well worth doing. Particularly if you’re amongst the 50% of Brits who favour resting on their side each night.
Side sleeping is renowned for its numerous health benefits, including promoting proper spinal alignment, improving breathing, reducing heartburn, and alleviating discomfort in the neck and back. But not all pillows will suit.
Fortunately, the current market is booming with specially-designed pillows tailored to side sleepers, thanks to innovative sleep tech brands such as Emma and Simba. So, the 50% of you who spend most of the night between your back and front can rejoice. Pillow for side sleepers are engineered to provide the ideal blend of support and comfort, catering to the specific requirements of side kippers for a truly restful and rejuvenating sleep experience.
We’ve tested and reviewed numerous options, and consulted with sleep experts to answer all your FAQs, so that you can choose the best pillow for you. Think: firm and soft pillows for side sleepers, memory foam pillows and body pillows. Whether you prefer a plush and cushiony feel or a more supportive structure, our roundup includes a variety of choices to suit individual preferences and sleeping styles. Read on for our full edit, including tips on how to pick the best one for your individual sleeping style.
SKIP TO: How did we test? | 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? | Our full reviews. | 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: Emma Premium Microfibre Pillow, £65.40, Emma Sleep
- Best pillow for side sleepers, runner up: 400 Memory Foam Crumbed Pillow, £41.30, REM-Fit
- Most sought-after bed pillow for side sleepers: THE SIMBA Stratos® Pillow, £60, Simba
- Best bamboo pillow for side sleepers: Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow, £44.95, Panda London
- Best hybrid pillow for side sleepers: THE SIMBA Hybrid® Firm Pillow, £159, SIMBA
Emma Premium Microfibre Pillow
REM-Fit 400 Memory Foam Crumbed Pillow
THE SIMBA Stratos® Pillow
Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow
THE SIMBA Hybrid® Firm Pillow
How we tested the best pillows for side sleepers:
In putting these pillows to the test, our testers dove into the nitty-gritty, scoring them on quality, support, firmness, and all-around comfort. We didn’t just stop there – we rifled through what you’ve been searching for and tapped into customer reviews to get the real lowdown. Our goal? To cut through the noise and find the best pillows for side sleepers that aren’t just comfy but also made to last. We’ve read what you’ve been searching for, tested as many as we could in the real world, and are working our way through the rest to help you find the right pillow for your needs. Find out more about how we test.
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.”
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“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.”
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.
Scroll for our full edit of the best pillows for side sleepers in 2024.
- 1. Best pillow for side sleepers overallEmma Premium Microfibre PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Those after a cruelty-free pillow which suits side sleepers of all ages (children included).
- Pros – There’s seven ways to customise the pillow by flipping it or taking out layers to change its firmness and height.
- Cons – Nothing to note.
- Made from – Outer microfibre cover is made from 100% polyester with a soft touch finish. Filling is made from siliconised hollow fibre 100% polyester.
- Size – 70 x 50 cm.
- Firmness – Soft.
£109£65.40 AT EMMA SLEEP - 2. Best pillow for side sleepers runner upREM-Fit 400 Memory Foam Crumbed PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Correcting spine alignment and providing supportive pressure relief.
- Pros – Pulls sweat away from the body, perfect for any sleeping style.
- Cons – None here!
- Made from – Filling – memory foam, outer cover – polyester, inner cover – polyester, cotton.
- Size – 50 x 40 x 12cm.
- Firmness – Medium-firm.
£59£41.30 AT REM-FIT - 3. Most sought-after bed pillow for side sleepersTHE SIMBA Stratos® PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Side and front sleepers.
- Pros – Brand offers 100% carbon-neutral delivery. Pillow is easy to machine wash and tumble dry at home.
- Cons – It’s often out stock due to popular demand so it’s hard to get your hands on this pillow year-round!
- Made from – Simba Renew Bio™ down-like clusters of breathable filler with a ‘Better’ cotton cover with Stratos® heat control technology to prevent overheating.
- Size – 50cm x 75cm.
- Firmness – The brand describes it as ‘soft and down-like’.
The cover is non-removable so using a pillowcase will provide an extra layer of protection, ensuring the pillow remains shielded from wear and tear. Fortunately, the entire pillow is designed to withstand machine washing and tumble drying, allowing you to effortlessly maintain its condition with each wash.Save money on everything from the best mattresses with trial periods to the best pillowcase inserts with these Simba discount codes.£60 AT SIMBA - 4. Best bamboo pillow for side sleepersMemory Foam Bamboo PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Buyers with allergies, much like a latex pillow.
- Pros – Hypoallergenic, eco-friendly and supportive.
- Cons – 12cm loft pillow height is perhaps a little bit better for women/smaller buyers.
- Made from – Bamboo memory foam in a soft bamboo mesh cover – all materials conform to Oeko-Tex standards.
- Size – 60cm x 40cm.
- Firmness – Soft.
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- 5. Best hybrid pillow for side sleepersTHE SIMBA Hybrid® Firm PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Back sleepers and side sleepers.
- Pros – Breathable mesh layer, carbon-neutral, eco-friendly, Simba Stratos for temp regulation.
- Cons – Only available in one size, though the loft is adjustable.
- Made from – Cotton, GRS certified polyester, Patented titanium Aerocoil® spring layer and Simba Pure foam (Polyurethane).
- Size – 45cm x 70cm x 50cm.
- Firmness – Your choice with adjustable inner pillows to suit your sleeping position/required support depending on any pressure points etc.
- 6. Best microfibre pillow for side sleepersEmma Microfibre PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Those after a cruelty-free pillow which suits side sleepers of all ages (children included).
- Pros – Helps sleep in the correct position, helps with back ache and feels really supportive.
- Cons – Nothing to note. We were thoroughly impressed.
- Made from – Cover is made from microfibre 100g/m3 made of 100% polyester with a soft touch finish. Filling is made from siliconised micro elastic fibre 100% polyester.
- Firmness – Soft/Medium.
- Size – 70 x 50cm.
- Tested by – Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR’s Senior European Commerce Editor.
- 7. Best down side sleeper pillowsPair Of Duck Feather & Down PillowsSpecifications:
- Best for – Buyers with a more modest budget.
- Pros – Budget-friendly, comes in various sizes and firmness levels.
- Cons – Not machine washable. Brand suggests shaking daily for fullness.
- Made from – 90% duck feather, 10% duck down in a cotton percale casing.
- Size – Standard – 50cm x 75cm or super king – 50cm x 90cm.
- Firmness – Your choice of soft, medium or firm.
£45£24 AT DUSK - 8. Most loved memory foam side sleeper pillowBRIGHTR® LUNA adjustable memory foam pillow bundleSpecifications:
- Best for – Buyers on the hunt for an adjustable pillow for all types of sleepers.
- Pros – Neck pain relief, adjustable support.
- Cons – Nothing of note!
- Made from – Cover from 100% recycled polyester infused with 40% of Copper and 100% Graphene Shredded Memory foam.
- Size – 50 x 70cm.
- Firmness – Soft to medium-firm.
£179.90£99.90 AT BRIGHTR
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- 9. Best inexpensive pillow for side sleepersSilentnight Side Sleeper Medium PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Busy buyers who don’t have time to drop pillows off at a professional cleaner.
- Pros – Machine washable and suitable for tumble drying. Includes a two-year guarantee.
- Cons – No breathability or cooling gel for hot sleepers.
- Made from – 100% microfibre cover with a filling made from 100% hollowfibre polyester.
- Size – 69cm x 46cm.
- Firmness – Medium-firm.
- 10. Best pillow for side sleepers for spine alignmentAeyla The Foamo PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Buyers who are after a cooling pillow.
- Pros – A top pick for customisation, you can customise the height of this pillow by removing any excess filling.
- Cons – If you decide to remove any foam, you will need to find somewhere to store the filling.
- Made from – Shredded cooling memory foam fill.
- Size – 50cm x 75cm.
- Firmness – Medium-firm support.
£89£79 AT AEYLA - 11. Best pillow for side sleepers with adjustable height and firmnessDream PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Neck pain.
- Pros – There’s a 30-day money back guarantee if you haven’t found a suitable level of firmness that suits you.
- Cons – Noting of note!
- Made from – 100% recyclable shredded microfibre memory foam with a 100% cotton and CLOUDpad™ removable lining.
- Size – Standard pillow – 48cm x 74cm or king size – 48cm x 89cm.
- Firmness – Adjustable.
Made from 100% OEKO-TEX certified materials, it’s filled with hypoallergenic, breathable, and 100% recyclable shredded microfibre memory foam, enclosed in a incredibly smooth cotton cover for a restful night’s sleep.
Already good value for money, the current 50% discount makes it an even savvier investment, especially if you’re uncertain about memory foam’s suitability for you; and if the pillow fails to meet your expectations, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.£99£49 AT KUDD.LY - 12. Best for pressure and weight distributionEmma Original PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Optimal firm support.
- Pros – Uses open-cell foam for better airflow, preventing overheating and improving sleep comfort.
- Cons – Nothing of note!
- Made from – 98% polyester and 2% elastane.
- Size – 70 x 40cm.
- Firmness – Firm.
£79£59.25 AT EMMA SLEEP
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- 13. Best value pillow for side sleepersSnuggledown Side Sleeper PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Shoppers seeking a budget-friendly pillow with good support.
- Pros – It’s very comfortable for the cost.
- Cons – Reviewers mention it slightly loses its shape with long-term use.
- Made from – Recycled polyester.
- Size – 64cm x 38cm.
- Firmness – Firm.
- 14. Best cooling pillow for side sleepersREM-Fit 500 Cool Gel PillowSpecifications:
- Best for – Hot sleepers.
- Pros – Temperature regulating, supportive and comes with a 5 year-guarantee.
- Cons – None here!
- Made from – Filling: Visco elastic polyurethane foam with gel powders. Cover: 40% Lyocell from Tencel, 60% polyester.
- Size – 64 x 40 x 12cm.
- Firmness – Firm.
- Tested by: Lian Brooks, Audience Development Manager.
effect and found it easier to sleep, even on warmer nights.” she says.£99£49.50 AT REM-FIT - 15. Best memory foam pillow for side sleepersThe Memory Foam Pillow Hybrid Side SleeperSpecifications:
- Best for – A hypoallergenic pillow that provides head and neck support.
- Pros – Relieves pressure, breathable, ideal for side sleepers.
- Cons – None here!
- Made from – Memory foam center wrapped in anti-allergy hollowfibre, encased in another layer of memory foam for plush comfort.
- Size – 50 x 75cm.
- Firmness – Firm.