We Tested 10 Pillows to Find the Best Ones for Side Sleepers in 2026

Of all the pillows we evaluated, the Sleep Number PlushComfort Pillow delivered most when it came to balancing comfort and support with accessible pricing. Its microfiber down-alternative fill imitates the feel of down without the allergens. With three customizable shapes (classic, curved, or ultimate), it adapts to different sleep styles, making it great for side sleepers who want some loft without breaking the bank.

The whole pillow is machine washable, making it practical to keep clean, which added appeal to our testing. The ease of being able to toss the pillow into a washing machine means it can be kept consistently clean and hygienic without needing specialized dry cleaning or spot-treatment, directly addressing concerns about dust mites, allergens, and the accumulation of sweat or oils over time.

This pillow continues to stand out from more expensive picks because it combines affordability with three shape options, something not every budget pillow offers. The lack of structure is a trade-off for softness, but for side sleepers who don’t need a super firm cervical pillow, the PlushComfort still offers enough support. The need for fluffing reflects its lighter fill; it’s not a defect, but rather part of what makes it affordable and washable.

The search for the perfect pillow often feels like a never-ending quest, but the Purple Freeform Pillow finally ends the hunt. This product, which comes in both standard and king sizes, stands out due to its proprietary blend of cushioning technologies, establishing it as our top pick for the best hybrid fill. The dual-layer construction is where the Freeform pillow excels. It utilizes Purple’s MicroFlex Moon Foam that prevents the “sinking” effect common with traditional feather or down-stuffed options.

As Swanson notes, the experience was transformative: “I thought I had the best pillows, until I tried this pillow. Wow.” Swanson experienced unprecedented cervical support, explaining, “Usually, with a ‘stuffed’ pillow, like down, your head tends to make the feathers separate, and you are left with your head close to the mattress. Not the case with this. My neck did not hurt, and it was fully supported.”

For side sleepers, the space created between the head and the mattress by the shoulder requires a high-loft, supportive pillow to fill the gap and keep the cervical spine neutral. Unlike one-size-fits-all pillows, Brooklinen’s Down Alternative Pillow offers three distinct firmness levels. The firm option is directly targeted at side sleepers, providing the essential support needed to maintain a neutral head and neck position.

Journalist Amy Sowder tested the pillow for us and notes, “It was slightly firm but also still soft.” Sowder says that there was “no adjustment period, and it didn’t need to be puffed up or settled down. It was comfortable from the get-go.”

Beyond its specialized support, the pillow is constructed with superior materials that enhance its overall appeal as a healthy and luxurious choice. It features a hypoallergenic recycled poly-microgel fill (in standard and king sizes) that mimics the lightness of real down without introducing allergens or animal products. This eco-conscious fill is encased in a smooth 100 percent cotton sateen shell with double-stitched edges. Finally, the pillow is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, assuring consumers that the product has been rigorously tested and confirmed to be free of harmful chemicals.

Users mention that the pillow requires daily fluffing to ensure that the microgel fill maintains a high loft and ideal firmness. Combining targeted firmness and high-quality, sustainable materials, the Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow is a definitive choice for side sleepers in search of lasting comfort and support.

The Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Adjustable Pillow is designed to solve the two biggest challenges in sleep: personalized support and temperature regulation. The core appeal of this pillow lies in its adjustable fill, which consists of a proprietary blend of cooling memory foam and soft microfiber. This blend allows users to easily add or remove the filling to achieve their perfect loft and firmness, and the memory foam is shredded to help achieve the optimal fill level for each user.

The pillow allows you to choose from three shapes: classic, crescent, and cutout. Writer Lizzie Duszynski-Goodman tested this product for us, mentioning, “The cutout shape is great, and once I found the right amount of fill, I have been waking up with zero neck pain. Previously, I would wake up with some neck and shoulder pain due to my (side-sleeper) sleep position.”

Where this pillow truly excels is in delivering a cool sleep surface for those who feel hot while sleeping. The cooling gel-infused memory foam provides a touch of active coolness and plenty of cushioning comfort. This internal cooling mechanism is complemented by an ultrasmooth, breathable outer cover that works to wick heat away from the surface. It is worth noting, though, that Duszynski-Goodman says that the pillow’s coolness did not last all night.

Still, Coop backs the quality and safety of its pillows with strict material standards and generous guarantees. The foams used in the fill are CertiPUR-US Certified, verifying that they meet stringent standards for emissions and a healthier indoor air quality. Furthermore, the pillow comes with a 100-Night Sleep Better Guarantee and a five-year warranty, demonstrating the company’s confidence in the pillow’s lasting support.

Most down-alternative pillows quickly flatten and condense, but the Purple GridCloud Pillow’s innovative design offers plush, long-lasting support. The core is hypoallergenic down-alternative silicone-coated fibers that don’t require fluffing or refilling to maintain their shape. The top is Purple’s proprietary GelFlex Grid, a honeycomb-shaped naturally ventilated layer that provides an unparalleled combination of cushion and support. When paired with its breathable, moisture-wicking stretch cover, it allows for enhanced airflow and prevents heat buildup.

The pillow’s ability to hold its loft and shape is a standout feature. “I like that it doesn’t lose its shape, I like the feel of the gel grid, and I like the height of the pillow,” science and health journalist Malissa Rodenburg observes. The GelFlex Grid’s unique construction is key to this performance. The responsive grid prevents the head from sinking too far, which is a huge benefit for spinal alignment for side and back sleepers. Rodenburg highlighted the positive impact of this consistent support on her sleep quality. She says she no longer tossed and turned in the night, but instead slept soundly in the same position. While this change initially caused some stiffness, after a two-night adjustment period, the stiffness melted away. This suggests that the pillow successfully helps transition the user into a more stable sleeping posture.

Note that the fill cannot be molded, reshaped, or added to, so this isn’t the best option for those who prefer a more form-adjustable pillow. Additionally, only the outer cover is machine washable. While these limitations are worth noting, they don’t diminish the pillow’s overall performance. Those seeking the plush feel of down in a durable, hypoallergenic, and supportive package will find it in the Purple GridCloud Pillow.

The Quince Luxe Goose Down Pillow provides a soft cushion through its 700-fill-power European goose down, which gently cradles the head while still offering enough lift at the shoulder. With its three density options (soft/medium, medium/firm, and firm/extra firm), it allows side sleepers to choose a version that maintains proper neck alignment without feeling flat. This unique combination of plush natural down and customizable density makes it a superior option for those seeking both comfort and structural integrity.

Beyond its plush feel, this pillow’s attention to ethical sourcing and quality adds value. For example, the down is Responsible Down Standard certified, meaning better animal welfare standards were followed. This commitment to ethical sourcing means you can enjoy the ultimate luxury of natural down with peace of mind.

Despite its plush, moldable feel, the fill is dense enough that it doesn’t collapse completely. That said, because this pillow is pure down, it does require frequent fluffing to retain its loft. For side sleepers who appreciate a hotel-like feel and want the option to choose their density, the Quince Luxe Goose Down Pillow is a luxurious yet practical choice.

Because the shoulder naturally elevates the head away from the mattress, a supportive pillow must fill that space without collapsing under pressure for side sleepers. The Ostrichpillow Memory Foam Bed Pillow is uniquely engineered for this need. Unlike traditional rectangular pillows, its sculpted 3-D ergonomic shape uses multiple height zones to accommodate the angle of the head and neck when lying on your side. The result is targeted contouring that keeps the cervical spine in a neutral yet well-supported position.

Another advantage of this pillow is its open-cell foam construction, which incorporates internal air channels to reduce heat buildup — an issue side sleepers frequently report with standard memory foam. The included modal cover adds to the cooling effect and can be removed and machine washed. Glinski adds that the pillow “feels very cool to the touch initially. It didn’t stay cool throughout the night, but it also didn’t become very hot. It maintained a comfortable temperature.”

There are a few trade-offs: The foam core cannot be machine washed, and its unconventional shape may not fit neatly into standard pillowcases. However, these concerns are relatively small compared to the ergonomic benefits the pillow provides. With its thoughtful contouring and supportive density, the Ostrichpillow Memory Foam Bed Pillow stands out as an excellent foam option for side sleepers who want breathable comfort and consistent neck support throughout the night.

Slumber Cloud claims this pillow can reduce sweat by 50 percent. And while our tester didn’t record her before-and-after sweat volume, she was very impressed with its cooling abilities. “This pillow was noticeably cooler than my previous pillow. As someone who wakes up hot several times a week, I can say it keeps me cooler,” says Lindsay Modglin, a health writer and former nurse. “It is cool to the touch initially, and it stayed cool throughout the night. It’s the perfect mix of support and cooling!”

Modglin is a side and stomach sleeper, a combo that’s notoriously difficult to please when it comes to pillows, since side sleepers need the highest loft and stomach sleepers the lowest. “I am very specific about my pillow preferences and loft,” Modglin notes. This pillow managed to be a Goldilocks solution, due to its adjustability: You can adjust the firmness and height of the pillow to suit your needs, thanks to the two removable inserts and zippered side gussets. One insert is memory foam, the other is fiberfill. The company recommends using both inserts and unzipping the gussets for side sleepers. Stomach sleepers should remove one insert and unzip the gussets. Dynamic sleepers like Modglin can mix and match to find just the right combo.

“I initially left the memory foam insert in, but after a few nights of trial and error, I found the fiberfill insert a better fit,” Modglin says. “Once I found the right combination, it was great — very comfortable.” We love that adjusting it doesn’t involve dealing with the mess of shredded foam filling. “It was super easy to adjust by unzipping the cover and removing one of the two inserts,” Modglin says, “The actual process of removing/reinserting the insert was a breeze. It takes less than one minute to do.” Even after sleeping on it for several nights, the pillow didn’t lose its shape or become flat.

The side sleeper version of Nest Bedding’s Easy Breather Pillow has a crescent shape cutout at the bottom. Crescent-shaped pillows are designed to comfortably support the natural curve of the head and neck while leaving space for your shoulder when you sleep on your side. Testing showed that this pillow achieves that purpose.

“The cutout shape made it easier for me to sleep comfortably on my side because I didn’t need an additional pillow to support my head/neck,” says editor Lili Ladaga. “Instead of having to jerry-rig an assortment of pillows together, I was able to use just this one pillow for the perfect setup. It fits my neck well and really does make side sleeping more comfortable.” The cover is breathable, and Lagada found the shredded foam much less hot than the solid foam pillows she’s tried.

We love that it’s easily adjustable: You can remove the shredded memory foam and polyester fiber filling until it’s the right loft and firmness for your liking. All you have to do is unzip the inner lining and pull out handfuls of shredded memory foam. It comes with a small cloth bag to store the extra foam. Note that it won’t fit in a standard pillow case, it has a chemical smell that took a few days to wear off, and the outer case is made of a slippery material that makes it slide around. Still, none of these issues were bothersome enough to keep Ladaga from continuing to use the pillow.

Bonaccorso was initially surprised by the size, considering it is a body pillow. “I expected this pillow to be bigger, at least twice its size, but that doesn’t mean I was disappointed in it. It was also softer than I expected, but that’s fine too. I liked using it.” The pillow’s softness comes from its adjustable memory foam fill, allowing users to customize the firmness to their liking.

The slimmer design makes it easier to move and reposition. And although the “Super Cooling” cover costs extra, many users report that the standard cooling cover performs well enough for warm sleepers. Bonaccorso did mention a temporary chemical smell upon opening, which is common with memory-foam products; however, this dissipated after airing it out for a day or two.

Overall, the pillow’s adjustability, ergonomic shape, and customizable sizing make it a strong option for side sleepers or anyone seeking more full-body support without committing to a giant U- or C-shaped pillow.