Searching for the best pillow for side sleepers? These will help you snooze soundly all night long

Taking the time to choose the best pillow for side sleepers when making a bedroom purchase will be well worth your while because, at the end of the day, sleeping on your side shouldn’t be, quite literally, a pain in the neck. You may be thinking that the standard pillow you’ve been happily sinking your head into for a while now is doing the job just fine. But, if you snooze wrong, you really do lose. 

Luckily, like the best pillows for those who like to sleep lying on their back or front, there are specially-designed pillows for side sleepers to boost comfort for people who prefer to kip sideways. Which, according to research, is quite a few of you – around 60% of adults spend most of the night in this sleeping position.

We’ve called on the sleep experts to find out how to choose the best pillow for side sleepers – and taken the pressure off by rounding up a variety of options for you to choose from. From firm and soft pillows for side sleepers to memory foam pillows and body pillows, they’re sure to make you want to snuggle up.

After something more specific? Head this way for the best pillows for neck pain and over here for anti-allergy pillows.

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.” 

For side sleepers, Rosie explains, “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 is the best type of pillow for side sleepers?

“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.