Sleeping on your side or your back may affect how well you sleep and function.
Getting the right supportive pillow could help you sleep deeply and comfortably on your back or side without causing pain or back and neck problems.
Note: This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have ongoing pain, a sleep problem or another health condition, talk to your doctor.
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utopia Bedding Gusset Hotel | Down alternative pillow | Down alternative | Cotton | Queen | Spot clean |
| 2 | TranquilRelax C Shaped | Shredded memory foam body pillow | Shredded memory foam | – | Body | – |
| 3 | Queen Rose S-Shaped Hug | Body pillow | – | – | Queen / Body | – |
| 4 | Sidney Sleep Curved Cervical | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | – | Queen | Machine washable |
| 5 | Sleep Innovations Classic Everyday | Gel memory foam pillow | Gel memory foam | – | Standard | Removable cover |
| 6 | Cozyplayer Cooling Cervical | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | – | – | – |
| 7 | CHxxy Cervical Classic | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | – | Queen | Machine washable |
| 8 | Arc4life Cervical Traction | Shredded memory foam pillow | Shredded memory foam | Tencel / lyocell | 24 x 17 x 0.1 in | – |
| 9 | Core Products Cervical Classic | Latex pillow | Latex | – | Full | – |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Sleeping Posture Side and Back Sleepers
Whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper, your sleeping position affects how you sleep, your posture, and the quality of your life.
Good posture while sleeping is a well-known remedy for many causes of back, neck, and hip pain.
Maintaining a good posture while sleeping will allow you to sleep the best at night and can enable you to wake up feeling like you are on top of your game!
Sleeping on your back is traditionally the best posture, while stomach sleepers stress the spinal column the most.
However, if you have a naturally bad posture during the day, you will need support for sleeping on your back so your spine can achieve the correct posture.
Sleeping on your side is the next best position, but it can cause neck and back pain if your pillow does not match your shoulder length.
Sleeping Pillow for Back and Side Sleepers
If you are a side or back sleeper with shoulder, neck, or back pain, the best pillow for you is one that can support your posture when in either sleeping position.
Having said this, a pillow that caves towards the middle of it to cradle your head is the best for sleeping on the back.
Sleeping on the side requires more leverage, usually taking into the shoulders and keeping the spine straight. Usually, you can find both of these qualities in the best pillows for side and back sleepers.
You need to ascertain if you want a more or less firm pillow, depending on how much support you need and if you have back ailments or pains.
Usually, keeping the spine straight with optimal support gets more comfortable after becoming used to sleeping with a good posture.
Also have a look at our list of best pillows for Fibromyalgia.
Materials of a Good Pillows for Side and Back Sleepers
The best pillows for all sleeping positions are usually made from cotton or bamboo fiber covers filled with water, gel, or plastic foam bases.
Shredded foam, feather fillings, and any combination of the latter materials will create more comfortable supportive orthopedic cushions.
People enjoy memory foam, the best side and back sleeping pillow, the most popular material. It’s a stiff foam that is heat reactive, and when you lay upon it, your body heat presses you further into it, which ensures your contour is kept all through the night and provides optimal natural support with a great degree of comfort.
Memory foam pillows are usually ergonomically designed with an inbuilt design that provides back and neck support. Selecting the right design will depend on whether you are a side or back sleeper and any ailments, injuries, or conditions along the spine affecting your posture.
For back pain, the NHS advises staying as active as possible and not staying in bed for long periods, and notes that walking, swimming, yoga and pilates may help.[1]
For neck pain, the NHS suggests using a low, firm pillow and, when you sleep, keeping your head at the same height as the rest of your body. It also advises against sleeping on your front.[2]
Our Picks: Back and Side Sleeping Pillows
For those who enjoy sleeping on their backs or sides, you may not be getting adequate support from your pillow, which can interrupt your sleeping needs.
Choosing a pillow that provides the best support for your sleeping style will improve your sleep patterns and ease and prevent pain and aches caused by your particular sleeping position best supports.
Here are some of the top choices in pillows if you sleep on your back or side;
We hope you love the products we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
1
Utopia Bedding® Gusset Hotel Cooling Plush Soft Down Alternative Pillow
The Utopia Bedding Gusset Hotel Hotel is a cooling plush soft down alternative pillow with a cotton cover and sizes of Queen.
- Fill – The pillow uses down alternative.
- Temperature – Breathable materials help it sleep cooler.
- Cover – The outer fabric is cotton.
- Best for – Made for side, back and stomach sleepers.
- Pack – Sold as a set of 2.
2
TranquilRelax® C Shaped Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Body Pillow
The TranquilRelax C Shaped is an adjustable shredded memory foam body pillow with sizes of Body.
- Adjustable loft – Fill or inserts can be added or taken out to change the height of the body pillow.
- Contoured shape – A shaped profile is meant to fit the body for steadier support.
- Fill – The body pillow uses shredded memory foam pieces that can be fluffed and moved around.
- Best for – Made for side sleepers.
- Size – Offered in Body sizes.
3
Queen Rose® S-Shaped Hug Cooling Soft Natural Ergonomic Body Pillow
The Queen Rose S-Shaped Hug is a cooling soft natural ergonomic body pillow with sizes of Queen / Body.
- Contoured shape – A shaped profile is meant to fit the body for steadier support.
- Temperature – Breathable materials help it sleep cooler.
- Best for – Made for side sleepers.
- Size – Offered in Queen, Body sizes.
- Setup – It ships compressed, so give it some hours to expand before judging the loft.
4
Sidney Sleep® Curved Cervical Adjustable Contoured Washable Memory Foam Pillow
The Sidney Sleep Curved Cervical is an adjustable contoured washable memory foam pillow with sizes of Queen.
- Adjustable loft – Fill or inserts can be added or taken out to change the height of the pillow.
- Contoured shape – A shaped profile is meant to support the neck and keep the head in line with the spine.
- Fill – The pillow uses memory foam, which slowly molds to the body.
- Temperature – Breathable materials help it sleep cooler.
- Care – Machine washable.
5
Sleep Innovations® Classic Everyday Contoured Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow
The Sleep Innovations Classic Everyday Everyday is a contoured cooling gel memory foam pillow with sizes of Standard.
- This medically endorsed cervical pillow is comprised of 60% polyester.
- The heat you generate will be evenly dispersed and cooled slightly using cooling gel technology. So say goodbye to hot flashes during the night!
- It holds your shape wonderfully and keeps your spine straight.
- Ideal for back and side sleepers who suffer from neck or back pain.
- 100% hypoallergenic and phthalate-free. Also, it is dust mite resistant and very hygienic.
- Improves the quality of your sleep by allowing you to relax with optimal comfort.
6
Cozyplayer® Cooling Cervical Adjustable Contoured Breathable Memory Foam Pillow
The Cozyplayer Cooling Cervical is an adjustable contoured breathable memory foam pillow.
- Adjustable loft – Fill or inserts can be added or taken out to change the height of the pillow.
- Contoured shape – A shaped profile is meant to support the neck and keep the head in line with the spine.
- Fill – The pillow uses memory foam, which slowly molds to the body.
- Temperature – Breathable materials help it sleep cooler.
- Best for – Made for side, back and stomach sleepers.
7
CHxxy® Cervical Classic Adjustable Contoured Washable Memory Foam Pillow
The CHxxy Cervical Classic Classic is an adjustable contoured washable memory foam pillow with sizes of Queen.
- Adjustable loft – Fill or inserts can be added or taken out to change the height of the pillow.
- Contoured shape – A shaped profile is meant to support the neck and keep the head in line with the spine.
- Fill – The pillow uses memory foam, which slowly molds to the body.
- Temperature – Breathable materials help it sleep cooler.
- Care – Machine washable.
8
Arc4life® Cervical Traction Adjustable Contoured Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
The Arc4life Cervical Traction is an adjustable contoured shredded memory foam pillow with a tencel / lyocell cover and a size of 24 x 17 x 0.1 inches.
- Adjustable loft – Fill or inserts can be added or taken out to change the height of the pillow.
- Contoured shape – A shaped profile is meant to support the neck and keep the head in line with the spine.
- Fill – The pillow uses shredded memory foam pieces that can be fluffed and moved around.
- Temperature – Breathable materials help it sleep cooler.
- Cover – The outer fabric is tencel / lyocell.
9
Core Products® Cervical Classic Adjustable Contoured Firm Breathable Latex Pillow
The Core Products Cervical Classic is an adjustable contoured firm breathable latex pillow with sizes of Full.
- Ensures the perfect posture and sleep position for side and back sleepers.
- Ideal for post-surgery recovery and neck support.
- A comfortable and supportive design offered orthopedic pain and tension relief.
- Covered in a smooth and breathable casing.
Index Table: Side and Back Sleeping Pillows
Sources
Background reading from health and consumer agencies. This is general information, not medical advice.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: Utopia Bedding Premium Quality Set with Utopia Bedding Gusset Hotel Pillow; Leachco Snoogle Pillow with TranquilRelax C Shaped Pillow; Schmoozi Pregnancy Pillow with Queen Rose S-Shaped Hug Pillow; EnerPlex Cervical Contour Pillow with Sidney Sleep Curved Cervical Pillow; Bekweim Memory Foam Knee Pillow with Cozyplayer Cooling Cervical Pillow; Sleep Better Iso-Cool Pillow with CHxxy Cervical Classic Pillow; Arc4Life Traction Pillow with Arc4life Cervical Traction Pillow
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Feb 2022: Added Core Products Cervical Classic Pillow and Leachco Snoogle Pillow
- Mar 2020: Added Utopia Bedding Premium Quality Set, EnerPlex Cervical Contour Pillow, Bekweim Memory Foam Knee Pillow and Arc4Life Traction Pillow
- Feb 2017: Published
