Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow
Best cooling pillow for side sleepers
Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow
Best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain
For side sleepers, the best pillow type is one that is tall and lofty (another word for height, in pillow terms). Picture yourself sleeping on your side without a pillow; your head and neck sag into the empty space between your head and mattress, promoting misalignment along the spine. This is what happens if your pillow is thin or unsupportive.
After testing out a lot of different pillows, from budget buys to pricier picks, this roundup showcases six of what I think are the best pillows for side sleepers.
What’s the best pillow for side sleepers?
The best pillow for side sleepers is the Purple Harmony. If you’ve never tried a Purple product or even latex foam before, prepare for a comfy, unique experience. It’s made with Purple’s GelFlex Grid and Talalay latex, making the pillow soft, airy and light without compromising support. It’s also great at regulating temperature. Side sleepers should feel supported as this pillow is tall and lofty, and their necks should be aligned.
Best pillow for side sleepers 2024
The Purple Harmony pillow is one of my favorites. It’s not fluffy like a down pillow, but lying on it feels like a light and airy cloud. Purple’s GelFlex Grid spans across the top layer, providing soft and squishy comfort, while the Talalay latex in the pillow’s core provides ample head support and keeps the pillow from falling flat.
The cover is a soft and stretchy mesh material. Paired with the ventilated latex and GelFlex Grid, the pillow allows air to easily pass through, making it a good option for hot side sleepers. With three loft heights to choose from (low, medium, tall) the Purple Harmony pillow suits side sleepers of all sizes. I recommend the tall option for most side sleepers, and the medium for those under 150 pounds.
Pros
- Three height options
- Promotes airflow for a cooler sleep
- The cover is machine washable
Cons
- Expensive
- Might feel too unique for people who want a standard foam pillow
We had high expectations for a pillow with the name snow in it, and it didn’t disappoint. The Casper Hybrid pillow actually tops our list for the best cooling pillow because of how well its phase-change and other cooling technology works. It’s physically cool to the touch and promotes airflow so you stay more comfortable throughout the night.
The inside of the Casper Hybrid pillow consists of layers of polyfoam and soft fibers, giving it a blended feel that’s more responsive than memory foam and more supportive than down. Not only is the cover cooling, but it’s also removable and machine washable.
Pros
- Has a removable and machine washable cover
- Effectively regulates temperature and feels cool to the touch
Cons
- High price tag
- Might be too cool for side sleepers who don’t sleep hot
The ergonomically designed Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow has a U-like shape that keeps your head and neck supported while nestling around the curves of your shoulder. It’s stuffed with latex shreds that look like little noodles and fluffy polyester fiber, making the pillow soft, fluffy, bouncy and supportive at the same time. And while it’s not cool to the touch, it regulates temperature well.
Side sleepers can adjust the height and firmness of the Eli & Elm side sleeper pillow by removing the stuffing. The more stuffing that’s inside, the more firm and tall it will be. You can even order a pillow with additional fill if you’re a larger side sleeper or like your pillow extra firm.
Pros
- Removable filling so you can adjust the height
- Designed specifically for side sleepers
- You can buy the pillow with extra stuffing
- Machine washable cover
Cons
- It’ll cost you over $100
- No king size pillow available
I’ve tested the Nectar memory foam pillow that has been perpetually out of stock. While it doesn’t look like that pillow is coming back, Nectar introduced the Residence pillow. It has the same construction, is made with the same materials and costs the same as the original Nectar pillow. It just got a little redesign. As such, I think it’s the best pillow for side sleepers who want a more budget-friendly pick.
Its filling is made with different types of memory foam. With a pillow-in-pillow design, the outside is more fluffy and soft, while the inside is firmer for proper head and neck support. It comes stuffed with filling, so a lot of side sleepers will probably want to remove some to make it more accommodating.
Pros
- The most affordable option on this list
- You can adjust the height by removing fill
Cons
- The cover has to be spot cleaned
- Only comes in one standard size
Best pillow for side sleepers FAQs
