15 Best Pillows for Side Sleepers [2025 Guide]

6. Coop Original Cut-Out Pillow

Best cut-out pillow

Price: $89–$109

Available in two sizes (queen and king), the Coop Original Cut-Out Pillow offers custom support with its removable blend of medium-firm memory foam and microfiber fill. Sleepers can adjust the pillow loft to their preference. The cover blends polyester and bamboo rayon for a soft and cooling touch. 

The pillow is designed with a gusset — the side panel that provides structure — to ensure even loft throughout. It features a smaller U-shaped cut-out compared to similar pillows, which may support the shoulder better for some, making it a good choice for side sleepers.

7. Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow

Most customizable

Price: $107–$149

The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow outer cover is made primarily with Nest’s Icecore™ and polyester. This cooling cover helps control temperature and wicks away moisture. Inside is a blend of CertiPUR-US® certified shredded memory foam and polyester fibers, which provide a squishy feel.

This pillow comes in four options — Standard, Queen, King, and Side Sleeper. While different pillow heights aren’t available, they come overstuffed with fill, so you can customize your ideal pillow height and firmness. Nest recommends side sleepers try the pillow as is, without removing any fill first.

The side sleeper features a U-shaped edge to curve around the shoulder providing comfort for someone who sleeps on their side. 

8. Puffy Signature Pillow

Best warranty and trial

Price: $120

Another shredded memory foam option, the Puffy Signature Pillow is firm enough to support the head and promote proper spinal alignment. The soft bamboo rayon blend cover stays cool to the touch and remains temperature neutral.

The Puffy Signature comes in two sizes (standard and king) and two colors (white and gray). Like other adjustable pillows, you can unzip the pillow to remove handfuls of the shredded foam to adjust the height and firmness.

9. Avocado Molded Organic Latex Pillow

Best organic pillow

Price: $129–$149

Designed for back and side sleepers, the Avocado Molded Organic Latex Pillow offers firm support for proper spinal alignment. There’s no fancy layering here — just ventilated charcoal-infused latex and GOTS-certified organic cotton cover. The charcoal aims to regulate body temperature, odor, and moisture control.

This pillow comes in three sizes (standard, queen, and king), but it’s not adjustable or available in different thicknesses. 

10. Nectar Sleep Resident Pillow

Best budget-friendly adjustable pillow

Price: $75

Nectar labels its Sleep Resident Pillow as a customizable pillow within a pillow. The outer softer foam shell holds the inner shredded memory foam core pieces that can be removed to create your ideal pillow loft.

It’s sold in just one size with an adjustable pillow loft. You can remove the fill to make the pillow softer and lower the height. The pillow comes overstuffed, though Nectar currently doesn’t sell additional fill if you ever wish to buy more. 

11. Boll & Branch Down Alternative Pillow

Best luxury down alternative

Price: $89–$119

The Boll & Branch Down Alternative Pillow is available in two sizes (standard and king) and three densities (soft, medium, and firm), though side sleepers typically prefer a firmer pillow. It’s made of Boll & Branch’s PrimaLoft® Luxury Down Alternative® fill and an organic cotton shell.

The firm pillow is the most heavily filled option. It aims to keep the spine in a neutral position and cradle the head and neck during sleep.  

12. Casper Hybrid Pillow

Best guest room pillow

Price: $99–$129

The Casper Hybrid Pillow’s name comes from its three-layer foam and fiber design. The outer plush shell covers the middle polyurethane foam layer, which prevents the polyester fiber core from clumping or flattening. 

It comes in two sizes (standard and king). Unlike some pillows, Casper’s Hybrid Pillow isn’t adjustable or available in different pillow lofts. Most sleepers use this pillow for a guest bedroom.

13. Xtreme Comforts Pillow

Best budget memory foam pillow

Price: $28–$55

The Xtreme Comforts Pillow is made of shredded polyurethane foam with a bamboo viscose cover. Combining bamboo and shredded foam helps sleepers stay cool while the foam shapes the head for support. 

It’s available in three sizes (standard, queen, and king) and two pillow lofts (overstuffed and less stuffed), though you can remove or add the fill to customize the loft and firmness to your liking.

While it’s a commodity pillow sold on Amazon, it may be a decent option for the budget shopper, though other pillows offer better support.

14. Beckham Hotel Collection Pillow

Best budget pillow for college students

Price: $42–$79

The Beckham Hotel Collection Pillow is made from the plush down alternative of polyester gel fibers and a cotton cover. It comes in two sizes (queen and king). 

This pillow is another commodity option, though it has over 225,000 reviews on Amazon. It’s ideal for dorm rooms or first apartments. Side sleepers typically require more support than a down alternative pillow can offer with daily use.

15. Weekender HyperChill™ Gel Memory Foam Pillow

Best cooling memory foam pillow

Price: $75–$100

The Weekender HyperChill Gel Memory Foam Pillow is made of a single gel-infused, ventilated memory foam piece and a reversible cover. The cooling side of the cover features a blend of polyethylene and polyester that dissipates body heat. The pillow is available in three sizes (standard, queen, and king).

FAQ

Should Side Sleeper Pillows Be Medium or Firm?

Either a medium-firm or firm pillow works best for side sleepers. It’s best to avoid soft pillows as they typically don’t offer enough support to keep the head from tilting toward the bed.

How Thick Should a Side Sleeper Pillow Be?

Side sleeper pillows should be around five inches thick, though this depends on the individual. The ideal side sleeper pillow should fill the gap between the neck and bed to ensure proper spinal alignment so you don’t wake up in pain.

What Pillow Type Is Best For Side Sleepers With Neck Pain?

Although most side sleeper pillows aim to ease the neck and shoulders, the best pillow type for this sleeping position is a medium to firm cutout pillow. This shape and firmness can help alleviate neck pain. 

How Do You Pick a Side Sleeper Pillow?

With so many options, how do you pick the best pillow for a side sleeper? The best pillow for side sleepers will support the head and neck for proper spinal alignment. A pillow that’s too cushiony or lofty can angle the neck, causing neck and shoulder pain.

When shopping for a side sleeper pillow, you should consider the following:

• Thickness/loft: A higher loft is best
• Adjustability: The option to remove fill to customize pillow loft
• Firmness level: Side sleepers prefer a firm vs. soft pillow
• Shape: Some side sleepers prefer a curved edge pillow 
• Shell material: A cozy material that remains cool
• Stuffing material: Latex, foam, and down alternative are most common 
• Price: Expect good quality, long-lasting pillows to cost at least $100.
• Trial period: Preferably a month to several months to try it out

And if you want to sleep with multiple pillows to keep your neck and hips aligned, be sure to opt for pillows with appropriate heights and firmness levels.

Try the Purple Harmony Pillow today for 100 nights

Find Your Perfect Pillow

Answer a few questions to find the pillow of your dreams.

Take Our Pillow Quiz