Pillows play an essential role in bedding, significantly contributing to a restful night’s sleep. This is especially true when considering the sleeping habits of a vast number of individuals, with back and side sleeping accounting for more than 70% of people worldwide. For these sleep positions to be comfortable and supportive, selecting an appropriate pillow is crucial.
The best pillow for back and side sleepers should be firm enough to provide support, yet soft enough to maintain comfort. It should also be hypoallergenic and easy to clean. Using the wrong pillow can often lead to neck and back pain, numbness, and affected sleep quality.
When purchasing a pillow intended for back and side sleepers, consider the filling material. Typically, memory foam pillows conform to the sleeper’s body and provide excellent support. Down/feather pillows offer a soft, plush feel, while latex and polyester pillows are quite firm and are ideal for those who require added neck support.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of choosing the best pillow for back and side sleepers. We’ve carried out extensive research and rigorous testing of various pillow types to specify the ones that offer the ultimate comfort and proper support needed for these sleep styles. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge to pick the perfect pillow to ensure your nights are restful and restorative.
Best Pillow for Back and Side Sleepers
In choosing the perfect pillow for back and side sleepers, comfort and support are of utmost importance. The pillow should be firm, contoured, and offering proper support for the neck and head. With a wealth of options on the market, it can be challenging to zero in on that perfect pillow. Through our hands-on testing and meticulous research, we have identified the top pillows for back and side sleepers, making your purchasing decision a whole lot easier.
Bedsure Adjustable Layer Bed Pillow for Sleeping – Queen Size Pillow with 100% Cotton Cooling Cover, Soft and Comfortable Firm Bed Pillows for Side, Back, Stomach Sleepers（Pack of 1）
If you’re looking for a comfortable and supportive pillow, the Bedsure Adjustable Layer Bed Pillow might be the right choice for you.
Pros
- The pillow is made of high-quality memory foam and cotton, which makes it soft, comfortable, and durable.
- The pillow is adjustable, so you can add or remove layers to achieve your desired firmness.
- The pillow is suitable for all types of sleepers, including side, back, and stomach sleepers.
Cons
- The pillow might be too firm for some people, especially if they prefer a softer pillow.
- The pillow might have a slight smell when you first open it, but this should dissipate quickly.
- The pillow is a bit heavy, which might make it difficult to move around.
We’ve been using the Bedsure Adjustable Layer Bed Pillow for a few weeks now, and we’re really impressed with its quality and comfort. The pillow is made of high-quality memory foam and cotton, which makes it soft, comfortable, and durable. We also appreciate the fact that the pillow is adjustable, so we can add or remove layers to achieve our desired firmness.
One of the best things about this pillow is that it’s suitable for all types of sleepers, including side, back, and stomach sleepers. We’ve found that the pillow provides excellent support for our head, neck, and shoulders, which helps us sleep more comfortably and wake up feeling refreshed.
While the pillow might be too firm for some people, we think that it’s just right for us. The pillow might also have a slight smell when you first open it, but this should dissipate quickly. Additionally, the pillow is a bit heavy, which might make it difficult to move around, but we don’t find this to be a major issue.
Overall, we would highly recommend the Bedsure Adjustable Layer Bed Pillow to anyone who is looking for a comfortable and supportive pillow. It’s a great value for the price, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty, so you can buy with confidence.
Cervical Pillow for Neck Pain Relief, Hollow Design Odorless Memory Foam Pillows with Cooling Case, Adjustable Orthopedic Bed Pillow for Sleeping, Contour Support for
If you’re looking for a cervical pillow that can provide excellent neck support and alleviate pain, the Cervical Pillow for Neck Pain Relief is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The pillow is designed with a unique U-shaped cutout that can effectively align your neck and spine, promoting a healthy posture and reducing neck and shoulder pain.
- Made of high-quality memory foam, the pillow is soft and comfortable, yet firm enough to provide adequate support for your neck and head.
- The pillow comes with a cooling gel cover that can help regulate your body temperature and keep you comfortable throughout the night.
Cons
- The pillow may be too firm for some people, especially those who prefer a softer pillow.
- The pillow may have a slight chemical odor when first unpacked, although this should dissipate within a few days.
- The pillow may be too large for some people, although it should fit comfortably on most standard-sized beds.
We’ve been using the Cervical Pillow for Neck Pain Relief for a few weeks now, and we’re really impressed with its performance. The unique U-shaped cutout is a particularly clever design feature, as it can effectively support your neck and keep your spine aligned, which can help reduce pain and stiffness.
The memory foam used in the pillow is also of high quality, making it soft and comfortable to sleep on. We appreciate that the pillow is adjustable, so you can add or remove foam to customize the firmness to your liking.
The cooling gel cover is another great feature, as it can help regulate your body temperature and keep you comfortable throughout the night. We also appreciate that the pillow is machine washable, so it’s easy to keep clean.
Overall, we would highly recommend the Cervical Pillow for Neck Pain Relief to anyone who is looking for a high-quality cervical pillow that can provide excellent support and alleviate pain.
Honeydew Scrumptious Cooling Side Sleeping Pillow for Adults | Best for Side Sleepers | for Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief | Neck Support Pillows for Sleeping | Made in The USA (Queen Size)
If you’re looking for a comfortable and supportive pillow for side sleeping, the Honeydew Scrumptious Cooling Side Sleeping Pillow might be the perfect fit for you.
Pros
- The memory foam and gel bead filling provide excellent support and help alleviate neck and shoulder pain.
- The breathable bamboo cover and gel-infused memory foam keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night.
- The pillow is certified by CertiPUR-US and Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, ensuring it’s of high quality and safe to use.
Cons
- Some users might find the pillow too firm, especially if they’re used to softer pillows.
- The pillow might have a slight smell when first unpacked, but this should dissipate quickly.
- The pillow is only available in queen size, which might not be suitable for all users.
We’ve been using the Honeydew Scrumptious Cooling Side Sleeping Pillow for a few weeks now, and we’re really impressed with its quality and comfort. The memory foam and gel bead filling provide excellent support for our head, neck, and shoulders, which helps us wake up feeling refreshed and pain-free. The breathable bamboo cover and gel-infused memory foam also keep us cool and comfortable throughout the night, even during warmer months.
One thing to note is that the pillow might be a bit firm for some users, especially if they’re used to softer pillows. However, we find that the firmness is just right for us, as it helps keep our head and neck aligned properly.
Overall, we highly recommend the Honeydew Scrumptious Cooling Side Sleeping Pillow to anyone looking for a comfortable and supportive pillow for side sleeping. It’s a great investment in your sleep quality and overall health.
DONAMA Cervical Pillow for Neck and Shoulder,Contour Memory Foam Pillow,Ergonomic Neck Support Pillow for Side Back Stomach Sleepers with Pillowcase
If you’re looking for a pillow that can provide excellent support for your neck and shoulders, then the DONAMA Cervical Pillow is worth considering.
Pros
- The pillow is made of high-quality memory foam that conforms to your body’s shape, providing exceptional support and comfort.
- The ergonomic design of the pillow helps to align your neck and spine, reducing pain and stiffness.
- The pillow is suitable for all sleeping positions, making it a versatile choice for most people.
Cons
- The pillow may be too firm for some people, especially if they prefer a softer pillow.
- The pillow may have a slight odor when first unpacked, but this should dissipate quickly.
- The pillow is a bit pricier than some other memory foam pillows on the market.
We’ve been using the DONAMA Cervical Pillow for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The pillow is made of high-density memory foam that provides excellent support and conforms to our body’s shape. We’ve noticed a significant reduction in neck and shoulder pain since we started using the pillow.
One of the things we like about the pillow is its ergonomic design. The raised edge provides excellent support for our neck, while the contoured shape helps to align our spine. We’ve found that the pillow is suitable for all sleeping positions, which is a big plus.
While the pillow may be a bit firm for some people, we find it to be just right. The pillow is also machine washable, which is a big plus for us. We appreciate the fact that the pillow comes with a breathable pillowcase that is soft and comfortable to sleep on.
Overall, we would recommend the DONAMA Cervical Pillow to anyone who is looking for a high-quality memory foam pillow that provides excellent support and comfort. While the pillow may be a bit pricier than some other pillows on the market, we believe it’s worth the investment.
Ultra Pain Relief Cooling Pillow for Neck Support, Adjustable Cervical Pillow Cozy Sleeping, Odorless Ergonomic Contour Memory Foam Pillows, Orthopedic Bed Pillow for Side Back Stomach Sleeper
If you’re looking for a pillow that can provide relief from neck pain, the Ultra Pain Relief Cooling Pillow might be worth considering.
Pros
- The adjustable design allows you to find the perfect height for your body, which can help alleviate pain and discomfort.
- The memory foam is infused with cooling gel, which can help regulate your body temperature and keep you comfortable throughout the night.
- The pillow is designed to provide excellent support for your neck and head, which can help prevent pain and stiffness.
Cons
- Some users have reported that the pillow has a strong chemical smell when it first arrives, which can be unpleasant.
- The pillow is quite heavy, which can make it difficult to adjust or move around.
- The pillow is relatively firm, which might not be suitable for people who prefer a softer pillow.
We’ve been using the Ultra Pain Relief Cooling Pillow for a few weeks now, and we’ve found that it’s been helpful in reducing our neck pain. The adjustable design is a particularly nice feature, as it allows us to customize the pillow to our specific needs.
One thing to keep in mind is that the pillow does have a bit of a chemical smell when it first arrives. However, we found that this smell dissipated after a few days of airing out the pillow. If you’re sensitive to smells, you might want to consider purchasing the pillow a few days before you plan to use it.
Overall, we would recommend the Ultra Pain Relief Cooling Pillow to anyone who is looking for a high-quality memory foam pillow that can provide excellent support for their neck and head. While it might not be suitable for everyone, we think that it’s definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for a new pillow.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best pillow for back and side sleepers, there are several factors to consider. These factors can help ensure that you select a pillow that provides the necessary support and comfort for your sleeping needs.
Firmness
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a pillow is its firmness. A pillow that is too soft may not provide enough support for your head and neck, leading to discomfort and potential pain. On the other hand, a pillow that is too firm may be uncomfortable and cause tension in your neck and shoulders. It is important to find a pillow that strikes a balance between firmness and softness to ensure maximum comfort.
Material
The material of the pillow can also play a significant role in its comfort and support. Some common materials include down, polyester, and memory foam. Down pillows are known for their softness and warmth, but they can be more expensive and may not be as durable as other materials. Polyester pillows are often more affordable and can be just as comfortable as down pillows. Memory foam pillows are known for their ability to conform to your head and neck, providing excellent support and pressure relief.
Size
The size of the pillow is also an important consideration. A pillow that is too small may not provide enough support for your head and neck, while a pillow that is too large may not fit comfortably on your mattress. It is important to choose a pillow that is the appropriate size for your mattress and sleeping needs.
Price
Finally, price is always a consideration when choosing a pillow. While it may be tempting to opt for a cheaper pillow, it is important to remember that a higher-quality pillow may provide better support and durability in the long run. It is important to find a pillow that fits within your budget while still meeting your comfort and support needs.
In summary, when choosing the best pillow for back and side sleepers, it is important to consider factors such as firmness, material, size, and price. By taking these factors into account, you can find a pillow that provides the necessary support and comfort for a good night’s sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top pillow recommendations for side sleepers with neck pain?
If you are a side sleeper experiencing neck pain, we recommend looking for a pillow with good support and contouring. Memory foam or latex pillows are often a good choice, as they can help align your neck and spine. Look for a pillow with a medium to firm feel, and consider purchasing a pillow with adjustable loft to ensure a customized fit.
Which pillows provide optimal support for back sleepers?
For back sleepers, we recommend looking for a pillow with good support and a neutral profile. This will help keep your head and neck in alignment, reducing strain on your back. Memory foam or latex pillows are often a good choice, as they can conform to your head and neck for customized support. Look for a pillow with a firm feel, and consider purchasing a pillow with adjustable loft to ensure a customized fit.
How can side sleepers alleviate shoulder pain through pillow selection?
If you are a side sleeper experiencing shoulder pain, we recommend looking for a pillow with a soft and supportive feel. This will help cushion your shoulder and reduce pressure on the joint. Look for a pillow with a low loft, as this will help keep your head, neck, and shoulder in alignment. Memory foam or down pillows are often a good choice, as they can provide both comfort and support.
What features should be considered when selecting a pillow for couples?
When selecting a pillow for couples, we recommend looking for a pillow with a neutral profile and good support. This will help ensure that both partners can sleep comfortably and without strain. Look for a pillow with a medium to firm feel, and consider purchasing a pillow with adjustable loft to ensure a customized fit for both partners.
What type of pillow is most effective for managing migraines?
For those experiencing migraines, we recommend looking for a pillow with good support and a cooling effect. This will help reduce pressure on the head and neck, while also providing relief from heat and tension. Memory foam or latex pillows with cooling gel or foam are often a good choice, as they can provide both support and temperature regulation.
What are the best pillow options for individuals with fibromyalgia?
For those with fibromyalgia, we recommend looking for a pillow with good support and a soft and plush feel. This will help cushion pressure points and reduce tension on the body. Look for a pillow with a low loft, as this will help keep your head, neck, and spine in alignment. Memory foam or down pillows are often a good choice, as they can provide both comfort and support.
