5 Best Pillows for Side Sleepers of 2026: Tested and Approved

How we test pillows

We started our process by researching the market. Which pillows are popular and why? Which companies have the best customer reviews, and are the reviews legitimate? We also held a November 2025 sleep focus group with people between the ages of 51 and 69 to dig into what older adults want in a new mattress and pillow. Finally, in March 2026, we ran a sleep accessories survey of 300 adults ages 50 and older to gain a broader perspective on what matters when buying a new pillow. After completing our research, reviewing the results of the surveys and focus groups, and speaking with medical experts, we narrowed our list of pillows to test.

To identify each pillow’s strengths and weaknesses, we conducted controlled tests to assess features such as sinkage, ease of care and temperature regulation. We then recruited older adult testers to give us their unbiased feedback. They answered questions like: How easy is it to adjust the pillow’s height or firmness? Does your spine feel well aligned? Did the pillow warm up? The models that excelled in our tests made our list of the best pillows for side sleepers.

For more details on our process, see our mattress and sleep products testing methodology.

How to choose the best pillow for side sleepers

A good mattress helps to carry the weight of the whole body, but it's the pillow that mainly supports the neck, says Dr. Sean Ormund, a pain management doctor at Atlas Pain Specialists in Phoenix. "Pillows are important because they directly affect neck alignment during sleep," he adds. The right pillow for side sleeping supports the cervical spine — the part of the spine in your neck — especially if you have neck pain.

Your mattress and pillow are equally important for proper neck support, says Dr. Robert Norton, an orthopedic spine surgeon in Boca Raton, Florida. He recommends choosing a firmer pillow with enough height to fill the space between the shoulder and head. "This helps keep the neck in a more neutral position rather than tilting up or down during the night," he says. If you aren't getting this support from your pillow, "it can undo some of the benefits you would normally get from having a good mattress," he says.

If you're looking for a pillow that suits your individual needs and preferences as a side sleeper, the following features may be helpful to consider.

Pressure relief

A pressure-relieving pillow for side sleepers will evenly distribute weight across areas such as the neck and shoulders. Good weight distribution means less pressure on any one point. Excess pressure in one area could lead to stiffness and pain. The experts we spoke with recommended choosing a pillow with a higher loft (around 5 inches) to help keep the spine in neutral alignment when sleeping on your side. Generally, the appropriate pillow loft is about the same height as the distance between your shoulder and neck. 

Pillow height

How tall your pillow is can play a big role in keeping your spine aligned and your neck in a neutral position. The goal is to keep your neck straight and fill the space between your shoulder and head, says Ormund. "The right pillow keeps your neck aligned with your spine and can significantly reduce pain during sleep. If you wake up with neck discomfort, the pillow is often the first thing worth changing," he adds. Side sleepers often benefit from a higher loft compared to stomach sleepers. Our medical reviewer, Dr. Armand Ryden, the associate program director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles, says that “highest isn’t always best,” and studies show that pillow height should be “the same distance between the shoulder and the neck.”

Material

Common pillow materials include memory foam, latex foam and down alternative. 

• Memory foam pillows typically excel at cradling the head and providing contouring to relieve pressure. 
• Latex has more bounce, so you can change positions more easily. 
• Down alternative tends to be softer, so it may not provide enough support for the head and neck.

Some pillows have a combination of materials. For example, the Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow has a mix of memory foam and down alternative. Norton says memory foam and latex pillows tend to work well for supporting the neck and spine for side sleepers. These types of pillows also tend to hold their shape better than softer pillows, he adds. 

“High-density materials that hold their form tend to be best, such as memory foam or natural latex over loose polyester fill or feather or down that collapse [under the weight of your head],” says Dr. D. Kojo Hamilton, a board-certified neurological spine surgeon and professor of neurological surgery at the West Virginia University School of Medicine.

Temperature regulation

The materials used for pillows can affect how breathable or cooling they feel. Latex is often cooler than memory foam because it often contains air pockets that enhance breathability. Memory foam, on the other hand, typically traps more heat because of its dense materials. However, some newer memory foam pillows have gel infusions or other cooling materials, so even hot sleepers can find a cool sleeping surface.

Joint or neck pain

If you're living with a pain condition, especially in the joints or neck, such as arthritis or spinal stenosis, you may benefit from a firmer pillow to keep the head and neck aligned with your spine, says Norton. "At the same time, you don't want it to be too firm, or it can create pressure points," he adds.

The experts we consulted recommend memory foam or latex pillows to provide consistent support and reduce the risk of stress on already sensitive joints.

Waking up with neck pain often signals a problem with your pillow, which may not be providing proper support, Norton says. If your pillow is a few years old and has started to lose its shape (including flattening), it may be time to replace it.

The right pillow helps keep your head level, not tilted up or down, Ormund, the pain management doctor in Arizona, says. Adjustable pillows can help you customize a thickness and firmness level that suits you best. 

How much do the best pillows for side sleepers cost?

The best pillows for side sleepers on our list range in retail price from $65 to $172 for a queen or standard size. The Brooklinen Marlow standard pillow is the lowest-priced option on our list at $65. The most expensive option on this list is the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow, at $172 per standard-sized pillow. Latex pillows, especially those made with natural latex derived from the sap of rubber trees, are generally more expensive than memory foam pillows because of higher sourcing and production costs.

FAQs

Do side sleepers need a firm or soft pillow?

Side sleepers may benefit from a medium-to-firm pillow that helps keep the neck and spine aligned, according to our conversations with experts. Soft pillows tend to collapse too much under the weight of the head, leaving the neck unsupported. “At the same time, you don’t want it to be too firm, or it can create pressure points,” says Dr. Norton, the orthopedic spine surgeon in Florida. 

Is a memory foam pillow better for side sleepers?

It depends on personal preference. Memory foam pillows offer good contouring and cradling, which can help support the head and neck. Latex pillows can also be a solid option for their support, breathability and bounce, but they tend to cost more.

How often should you replace pillows?

Experts typically recommend replacing your pillow after two to three years, depending on the durability of its materials. Pillows that have lost their shape, have grown lumpy or have flattened may not be supportive enough for side sleeping. A folded pillow should spring back to its original shape, says Dr. D. Kojo Hamilton, the board-certified neurological spine surgeon and professor. If it doesn’t, it may be time to buy a new pillow.

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.