If you sleep on your side, your pillow has a bigger job than anyone else's. It has to fill the space between your ear and the mattress so your head stays in line with your spine. Too flat and your head tips down. Too tall and it tilts up. Either way you can wake up stiff. This guide explains what the best memory foam pillow for side sleepers actually needs, so you can choose with confidence.
Why side sleepers need a different pillow
Side sleeping is the most common position, and it creates the widest gap to fill. Your shoulder width sets that gap, so broader shoulders usually need a fuller pillow. Memory foam works well here because it shapes itself around your head and neck instead of collapsing the way loose fill can. Once you settle in, it holds that shape through the night.
Not sure which position you really sleep in? Our guide on how to pick a pillow for the way you sleep walks through a quick check you can do tonight.
What to look for in a side sleeper memory foam pillow
1. Medium to high loft
Loft is the pillow's height. Side sleepers usually do best with a medium to high loft, often somewhere around four to six inches once compressed, depending on shoulder width and mattress softness. A softer mattress lets your shoulder sink in, so you may need a little less height than you think.
2. Supportive, contouring foam
You want foam that cradles your head but does not let it sink all the way through. Solid memory foam gives steady support from the first minute to the last, which is why it is a favorite for side sleepers who wake up adjusting their pillow.
3. Cooling features
Side sleepers press one cheek and ear into the pillow for hours, so heat builds up fast. Look for gel-infused memory foam and a breathable cover. If heat is your biggest complaint, read our guide to the best cooling pillow for hot sleepers.
4. A removable, washable cover
Your face is on this pillow every night. A cover that zips off and goes in the wash keeps things fresh without damaging the foam.
5. The right size for your bed
Standard, Queen and King pillows give you different amounts of room to move. Restless side sleepers who roll between sides often like a Queen or King so their head never lands off the edge.
Our pick for side sleepers
The VaVerto Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow was built with side sleepers in mind. Its gel-infused memory foam adapts to your head and neck and helps regulate temperature through the night, while the breathable bamboo-derived viscose cover adds airflow. The cover is removable and washable, and the pillow comes in Standard, Queen and King, as a single or a 2-pack.
It is also designed for back and stomach sleepers, which makes it a good choice if you change positions during the night or share a bed with someone who sleeps differently.
Common side sleeper pillow mistakes
- Stacking two flat pillows. They shift apart and your head drops between them. One supportive pillow works better.
- Choosing by softness alone. A pillow that feels plush in the store can flatten under your head after an hour.
- Ignoring heat. If you flip your pillow to find the cool side, you need better cooling, not a softer pillow. Here is why memory foam can sleep warm and what helps.
- Keeping a pillow too long. Old pillows lose support. Learn how often to replace your pillow.
Side sleeper tips for better nights
- Put a small pillow between your knees to keep your hips level.
- Keep your chin neutral, not tucked toward your chest.
- Give a new memory foam pillow a week. Your neck needs a few nights to adjust to real support.
Made for side sleepers who run warm
Gel-infused memory foam, a breathable bamboo-derived viscose cover and three sizes to fit your bed.
Shop the memory foam pillow for side sleepersFAQ
Is memory foam good for side sleepers?
Yes. Memory foam keeps a consistent shape under your head, which helps fill the gap between your shoulder and ear and keeps your neck in line with your spine.
Should side sleepers use a firm or soft pillow?
Most side sleepers do best with medium to medium-firm support. Our firm vs soft memory foam pillow guide explains how to tell which you need.
What size pillow is best for side sleepers?
Match the pillow to your bed: Standard for twin and full, Queen for queen beds, and King for king and California king. Size changes width, so pick a bigger size if you move around a lot.
Related reads
