The position that you sleep in has a significant effect on your quality of sleep and your overall health.
A poor sleeping posture can result in back and neck pain, sleep apnea, fatigue, and cramping.
In this article, I will be discussing the many benefits of sleeping on your side and which side is proven to be the best side to sleep on. Side sleeping is one of the most slept-in positions and, therefore, worthy of some research and background.
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honeydew Gel Memory Foam | Pillow | – | – | Queen | – |
| 2 | Cozyplayer Cooling Cervical | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | – | – | – |
| 3 | Meoflaw Luxury Style | Down alternative pillow | Down alternative | Microfiber | Queen | Machine washable |
| 4 | Emircey Approved Cervical | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | – | 14.6 x 6.9 x 0.1 in | – |
| 5 | CushionCare Cervical Design | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | – | 24 x 13 x 5 in | – |
| 6 | Ikstar HSA FSA | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | – | 22.8 x 15 x 0.1 in | Machine washable |
| 7 | Duro-Med Side Sleeper | Body pillow | Polyester fiber | Cotton | 30 x 20 x 6 in | Machine washable |
| 8 | Layla Sleep Kapok Fiber | Shredded memory foam pillow | Shredded memory foam | Cotton | Queen | – |
– = not stated on the Amazon listing. Specs as listed by the seller, not tested by us.
Sleeping on Your Side
Let’s face the facts, sleeping is a vital and substantial part of your life, and your sleeping position and aids can affect your body, health, and sleep patterns.
The aim is to get a comfortable and deep sleep in a position that keeps a proper posture to prevent pain and fatigue.
Every sleep position has its benefits and downfalls, though the side sleeping position is the most promising and most frequent sleeping position used.
Sleeping on your side is the most common and healthy position, although if you are going to sleep on your side, make sure you sleep on your LEFT side.
The Video below shows how to sleep on your side correctly
Is Sleeping on Your Side Better Than Other Positions
As it turns out, sleeping on your side is healthy and good for you, although each side has profits. Sleeping on your side is not the best sleeping position; the most common, yes. Your sleeping position will depend on your body type, weight, and health issues, so the best sleeping position for you can not be generalized. However, sleeping on your side has many benefits as a sleeping position for the general healthy individual.
This is the agreement that you do sleep on your LEFT side, though!
However, here are a few of the great advantages of sleeping on your side;
- Heartburn And Acid Reflux Relief – Sleeping on your LEFT side is one of the best positions to ease heartburn and prevent and help with acid reflux effectively. You may also use an under mattress bed wedge for acid reflux.
- Less Pressure – The Left side sleeping position likewise improves Lymph node drainage and circulation as well as helping your brain and body to filter out toxins.
- Digestion – Because of the location of your organs when sleeping on your left side, you will have much better digestion.
- Improved Spinal Alignment – Sleeping on your side with the correct sleeping aids aligns your spine and pelvis in the perfect position and posture.
- Reduced Snoring – Snoring is greatly reduced when sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your back is the most likely position for snoring.
- Pregnancy – During pregnancy sleeping on your side is the most comfortable if not the only position that you can sleep in, and there are some excellent options in Pregnancy Body pillows for this position.
A good tip when you prefer sleeping on your side is to choose a good supportive pillow to avoid back and neck pain.
Issues Related to Side Sleepers
There are not too many cons related to side sleeping, depending on your health conditions and the quality of the sleeping aids you use. The most noted problem with side sleeping is neck, back, and shoulder pain, usually resulting from using an incorrect pillow.
Another factor noted from side sleeping is that you are sleeping directly on your face, similar to side sleeping which can cause friction and wrinkles in the long run; for this, I would recommend an appropriate fabric in pillowcases such as a Silk pillowcase, copper-infused or pure cotton pillowcase.
What Type of Pillow Works Well for Sleeping on Your Side
Regarding the perfect pillow for side sleeping, remember the factors at hand, back, neck, and shoulder pain, and sleeping directly with your face on the pillow. For this reason, we will look at pillows that offer the best support and skin-friendly pillowcases.
Most side sleepers prefer a pillow with a fuller shape and no contours with soft and conforming materials to ease pressure points.
Here are a few options that you should consider;
- Full Loft – Look for a pillow with a medium to firm and full loft or higher profile and try to avoid contoured or very flat pillows.
- Fill Materials – Shredded or solid memory foam and Buckwheat pillows are your best options as they offer a firmer loft and are moldable into a pressure alleviating position and loft. Other options include latex, where I would rather recommend shredded latex, as latex is very firm, or down and feather pillows with a firmer loft. Buckwheat is another superb and adjustable fill that is perfect for side sleepers.
- Pillowcases – Look for healthy option pillowcases from mostly natural fibers such as 100% pure organic cotton. Other great options for your skin and hair include silk and copper-infused pillowcases.
- Adjustability – Adjustability for a side sleeper is vital, so look for a pillow to remove or refill the loft.
- Feel – The firmness or height of the pillow should always be an in-between; a medium soft loft and middle height are perfect, nothing too high or too firm, and especially not low or soft.
- Feather And Down Fill – I like down and feather fills because of their moldability and the fact that you can adjust the loft, although you should not consider this option as having allergies, and you should go for a firm option here.
For heartburn and acid reflux, the NHS suggests raising the head of your bed by around 10 to 20cm so your chest and head are above your waist, and advises against using extra pillows to do this, as that can increase pressure on your belly.[1]
The NHS lists sleeping on your side among the simple changes that can help reduce snoring, and suggests a special pillow or bed wedge to help keep you on your side.[2]
Copper is a mineral your body needs; it uses copper to make energy, connective tissues and blood vessels.[3]
The NHS lists house dust mites among the most common allergens, along with pollen, foods and animals such as cats and dogs.[4]
Our Picks: Head Pillow in General for a Side Sleeper
I have gone through many reviews and recommendations to find the overall perfect pillow for side sleepers and have found this one to be the most sought after sought-after and popular;
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
The Honeydew side sleeper pillow, by far, is the best pillow for side sleeping as it covers all the ticks when it comes to side sleeping issues and requirements for these issues.
- This pillow provides effective neck and shoulder support to prevent neck, back, and shoulder pain, the main issues with side sleeping.
- This pillow is made by hand in California using only the best textiles made of natural material, which is CertiPUR-US Certified copper infused memory foam and Oeko-Tex Level 100 Certified.
- The Honeydew side sleeper pillow is perfect for your specific body type, ensuring proper alignment and taking pressure off your shoulders and neck, which reduces pain, improves your sleep quality, and helps with snoring.
- The pillows are 100% unique and are made by experts by hand.
2
The Cozyplayer Cooling Cervical is a contoured adjustable 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.
3
- These premium quality pillows are filled with Poly Gel Fiber, whereas the enclosure is made of Microfiber.
- It employs the technique of Ultrasonic three-dimensional embossing, a double-sided stitch, and accessorized with blue piping for a posh look.
- The filling comprises high-quality, 60% 2.5D fiber and 40% 7D fiber to create the unique no-shift construction.
- It provides support while ensuring softness, preventing neck and shoulder pain, and easing pressure points.
- This pillow is suitable for machine wash and rebounds at a minimum time.
4
The Emircey Approved Cervical is a cooling contoured memory foam pillow with a size of 14.6 x 6.9 x 0.1 inches.
- 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.
- Size – It measures 14.6 x 6.9 x 0.1 inches.
5
- This Orthopedic pillow is designed to prevent and ease sore neck and shoulders, reduce snoring as well as help ease painful pressure points so you can get a full night’s sleep in comfort.
- It offers soft to medium firmness and is made with a special contoured design using high-density memory foam, making it ideal for side sleepers.
- The foam is temperature-sensitive, meaning it adjusts to the body’s heat and weight and adjusts accordingly to maximize support and comfort.
- It provides a 7-Inch Cervical support area that cradles the neck and keeps the spine aligned with the head to reduce pain and injuries.
- The pillow comes with a luxurious outer mesh cover, whereas the inner cover is mite-resistant and Hypoallergenic.
6
The Ikstar HSA FSA is a washable contoured memory foam pillow with a size of 22.8 x 15 x 0.1 inches.
- 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.
- Best For – Made for side and back sleepers.
7
- This unique cradling pillow is designed in a U-shape and provides support to the whole body.
- It supports the head, neck, arms, and body due to its big size and ergonomic design.
- The special feature designed especially for side sleepers is a cooling ear pocket that prevents the ear from being squished.
- It comes in a cooling, cotton blend pillowcase that is easy-to-clean, anti-allergen, anti-dust mites, and germ-resistant.
8
- This pillow, designed especially for people that sleep on their side, is filled with soft and airy Kapok fibers, made from the seed pods of Kapok trees and memory foam.
- The all-natural Kapok fiber filling is fluffy in texture and free of pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
- Whereas the premium quality, reactive memory foam provides support and firmness to keep the neck and head aligned with the spine.
- The cover is woven with CuTEC, a copper-infused yarn, to improve hygiene quality, reduce odors, as well as remove dead skin cells and replenish the skin.
- It is adjustable as the cover comes with a zipper to allow you to take out or put in more filling as required.
Besides just a general head pillow, to get the perfect posture and better pain relief when sleeping on your side, I would recommend a pillow that you can hold between your knees, such as a full body pillow or knee pillow, which helps to elevate your hips for a more comfortable and supportive sleeping position.
You can also have a look at our “Best Pillows for Side and Black Sleepers” article, for some more options on good side sleeping pillows.
Index Table: Side Sleeping Pillows
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honeydew Gel Memory Foam - Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow |  |
| Honeydew |
| 2 | Cozyplayer Cooling Cervical - Contoured Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow |  |
| Cozyplayer |
| 3 | Meoflaw Luxury Style - Side Sleeper Pillow |  |
| Meoflaw |
| 4 | Emircey Approved Cervical - Cooling Contoured Memory Foam Pillow |  |
| Emircey |
| 5 | CushionCare Cervical Design - Memory Foam Pillow |  |
| CushionCare |
| 6 | Ikstar HSA FSA - Washable Contoured Memory Foam Pillow |  |
| Ikstar |
| 7 | Duro-Med Side Sleeper - Full Body Pillow |  |
| Duro-Med |
| 8 | Layla Sleep Kapok Fiber - Side Sleeping Pillows |  |
| Layla Sleep |
Sources
Background reading from consumer and health agencies.
- NHS: Heartburn and acid reflux
- NHS: Snoring
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Copper: Fact Sheet for Consumers
- NHS: Allergies
Update History
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: Mkicesky Side Sleeper Contour Pillow with Cozyplayer Cooling Cervical Pillow; Sleep Artisan Curved Pillow with Emircey Approved Cervical Pillow; IKSTAR Memory-Foam Pillow with Ikstar HSA FSA Pillow
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Feb 2022: Added Mkicesky Side Sleeper Contour Pillow
- Aug 2021: Added Honeydew Gel Memory Foam Pillow
- Jul 2020: Added Meoflaw Luxury Style Pillow, Duro-Med Side Sleeper Pillow, Layla Sleep Kapok Fiber Pillows and Sleep Artisan Curved Pillow
- May 2020: Added IKSTAR Memory-Foam Pillow
- Mar 2020: Added CushionCare Cervical Design Pillow
- Aug 2019: Published
