Finding a pillow tailored to your specific needs is vital when it comes to getting your best night’s sleep. One of the biggest factors that impact your pillow choice is what position you tend to sleep in.
Through extensive research, we’ve been able to find the best pillow for side and back sleepers, along with our other top contenders. These innovative pillows combine cutting-edge design, premium materials, and unparalleled comfort, ensuring that you wake up refreshed and rejuvenated each morning.
Best pillow for side and back sleepers in 2023: a shortlist
- Puffy — best ergonomic pillow for side and back sleepers
- Derila — best-rated side and back sleeper pillow
- Zamat — best memory foam pillow for side and back sleepers
- PlushBeds — best organic pillow for side and back sleepers
- Turmerry — best customizable pillow for side and back sleepers
How have we compiled the list of the best pillow for side and back sleepers?
| Price | $39.95–$141.00 |
| Materials | High-quality materials used |
| Shape | Various shapes to suit side and back sleepers |
| Firmness | Firmness levels for head and neck support |
| Reviews | Positive user feedback |
- Price. Everyone should have access to a high-quality, supportive pillow, no matter their budget.
- Materials. The right materials can offer more or less support. Materials also play a role in the longevity of your pillow.
- Shape. Side and back sleepers need specific shapes to help support their head, neck, and spine.
- Firmness. Back and side sleepers do best with medium to firm pillows. That’s why we offered a range of firmness on this list.
- Reviews. User experience matters, especially when it comes to something as personal as a pillow. This allows us to better understand the potential pros and cons of a product.
Best pillow for side and back sleepers: an overview
Are you wondering what is the best pillow for combination sleepers? It can be difficult to find a pillow that fits your body’s unique contours, and that’s also made from materials that you’re comfortable sleeping on.
We’re here to help you find more support and better overall sleep by finding the most comfortable pillow for back and side sleepers. Here are the top five on our list.
1. Puffy — best ergonomic pillow for side and back sleepers
The Puffy Signature Pillow is designed to support your neck and shoulders. What sets this pillow apart is that you can customize the height by adding or removing filling to help relieve pain and give your body the unique support it needs.
The bamboo and rayon blend cover is cool to the touch, helping to minimize overheating while you sleep. You can easily remove the cover and wash it in a washing machine.
You can try the Puffy Signature Pillow for $102 for a standard or king-size, with a 101-day trial period and lifetime warranty.
2. Derila — best-rated pillow for combination sleepers
The Derila pillow has been featured on a number of news programs and other media outlets for being the best side and back sleeper pillow. This pillow was designed to follow your spine’s natural curvature while the memory foam responds to the weight and shape of your head and neck.
Derila aims to help promote better sleep posture, decreasing pain, tension, and snoring. It is also easy to take with you while travelling in the car or on a plane. The Derila has a unique butterfly shape with wings at each side to support back and side sleepers, while holding your neck at the ideal height for sleep.
You can try the Derila for $39.95 for standard size and $49.95 for king-size with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
3. Zamat — best memory foam pillow for side and back sleepers
The Zamat Butterfly Shaped Pillow offers enhanced support for the cervical spine and head. The brand claims its ergonomic design helps to promote blood circulation and relieve neck pain that can come from sleeping on your side or back.
This pillow is made from CertiPUR-US® certified premium memory foam to give you customized, cloud-like comfort so that you can sleep soundly.
Sleep tight on The Zamat Butterfly Shaped Pillow for $65.99 with a 100-night trial period and a ten-year warranty.
4. PlushBeds — best organic pillow for side and back sleepers
For side and back sleepers looking for an eco-friendly option, the PlushBeds Solid Latex Pillow is made from pure organic latex and is covered with a breathable organic cotton cover. Designed to support your neck and spine while providing cushioned comfort for your head.
The medium-density latex is plush, yet springy and resilient for lasting comfort. Made with all GOLS-certified organic materials, it is suitable for sensitive sleepers who do not like artificial odors.
Sleep tight with this eco-friendly pillow for $112 to $141 depending on size with a three-year warranty.
5. Turmerry — best customizable pillow for side and back sleepers
Everyone’s bodies are different, something that the brand Turmerry understands. That’s why their Molded Solid Latex Pillow allows you to customize your product to best suit your body.
Besides choosing from three different sizes, you can also choose mid to high loft and soft, medium, or firm firmness. Turmerry pillows are made from Oeko-Tex® Certified organic latex with ventilation to keep you cool while you sleep.
Not sure what to get? They have a pillow quiz to help you choose the best option for your needs. Try the Turmerry Molded Solid Latex Pillow for $79–$99 depending on size with a 120 return policy and two-year warranty.
Comparison of the best pillow for side and back sleepers
| Product | Price | Materials | Hypoallergenic | Firmness | Sizes |
| Puffy | $102.00 | Bamboo and rayon cover, memory foam filling | Yes | Adjustable | Standard and king |
| Derila | $39.95–$49.95 | Memory foam | Yes | Medium | Standard and king |
| Zamat | $65.99 | Memory foam | Yes | Medium | Standard |
| PlushBeds | $112.00–$141.00 | Organic latex with organic cotton cover | Yes | Medium | Standard, queen, king |
| Turmerry | $79.00–$99.00 | Organic latex | Yes | Soft, medium, and firm | Standard, queen, king |
Understanding your sleep position
Side sleepers and back sleepers have different needs in order to help them get their best sleep.
About 60% of adults sleep on their sides. While sleeping on your side may help minimize snoring and sleep apnea symptoms, it also comes with its own downsides. Side sleepers may experience discomfort or pain around their neck, hips, and knees. A firmer pillow may help give the head and neck the support that they need.
Sleeping on your back helps to keep the neck, head, and spine in a neutral position but may increase snoring. Back sleepers tend to sleep better with a thinner, softer pillow that offers gentle support.
Why an ergonomic pillow might be ideal for side and back sleepers?
Ergonomic pillows are specially designed to help support the natural alignment of the head, neck, and spine during sleep. Manufacturers of ergonomic pillows use specific materials, varying firmness levels, and special contours in the design to help reduce discomfort and promote better sleep quality.
These pillows can also address the specific needs of different sleep positions, including back and side sleeping. Finding the best ergonomic pillow for back and side sleepers can help prevent common issues like stiffness, discomfort, and neck pain.
The benefits of an ergonomic pillow
The best pillow for side and back sleepers is an ergonomic one. Here are the top benefits of using one:
- Spinal alignment. Ergonomic pillows are designed to maintain the natural curvature of the spine.
- Pain relief. Reduces pressure on the head and neck while promoting better sleep posture.
- Breathing support. Slightly elevating the head may help reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms, especially for back sleepers.
- Comfort. Enhanced comfort helps to reduce tossing and turning, and increase overall sleep quality.
- Quality. Many of these pillows are durable, helping to maintain their shape and support over time.
Memory foam for back and side sleepers
Memory foam is a material that was initially developed by NASA but is now found in homes everywhere. Memory foam pillows are designed to contour and adapt to the unique shape of an individual’s head and neck.
These pillows mold to a sleeper’s natural curves by responding to body heat, helping to promote proper spinal alignment. Memory foam pillows are a great option for side and back sleepers who need customized support for their unique needs, helping to reduce discomfort and minimize stiffness.
Benefits of memory foam for back and side sleepers
Memory foam’s ability to contour to the head and neck can be a game changer for back and side sleepers. The personalized support helps to ensure optimal spinal alignment, promoting good sleep posture.
They help to minimize pressure points on the neck and shoulders by molding to an individual’s shape. These features can help alleviate discomfort, especially for those who wake up with aches and pains. Memory foam creates a cradle-like effect, making it a suitable option for back and side sleepers who need extra support at night.
How to choose the best pillow for side and back sleepers?
Back and side sleepers have unique needs while sleeping, especially when it comes to choosing the right pillow.
You’ll first want to look at the level of support a pillow offers. Back sleepers do better with a medium-firm pillow that supports the head and neck while side sleepers while side sleepers often need a firmer pillow that fills in the space between the head and shoulder.
Memory foam pillows can offer optimal support for both side and back sleepers, latex can also be a good option if you’re not sensitive to it. While these are general guidelines, the most important factor is that a pillow is comfortable for you. Consider whether the firmness and feel of a pillow fit your personal preferences.
Best pillow for side and back sleepers — conclusion
Everyone deserves quality sleep, so they can feel their best. For back and side sleepers that means finding a pillow that offers the right amount of head, neck, and spine support with a firmness level that also suits their needs.
It can be difficult to find the right pillow, which is why we compiled this list to help make your journey a little easier. When picking a pillow don’t forget to look at the shape, material, price, reviews, and other features that may set it apart from others.
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FAQ
What are the key features to look for in a pillow for side and back sleepers?
Side and back sleepers will need a pillow that offers enough support for their head, neck, and spine. You’ll want to base your decision on the shape, materials used, and firmness of different pillows. It can also be helpful to look at user reviews to help guide your decision.
Is memory foam a good choice for side and back sleepers?
Memory foam is a great option for side and back sleepers as the material can contour to their head, neck, and spine. Having proper support can help reduce pressure points, decrease aches and pains, and improve the overall quality of sleep.
Can pillows for side and back sleepers alleviate neck and back pain?
Side and back sleepers who deal with neck pain may find relief from using a pillow designed for their needs. Neck and back pain can be relieved with a pillow that promotes spinal alignment, sleep posture, and adequate support. An ergonomic pillow may be your best option.
- National Library of Medicine. Identifying relationships between sleep posture and non-specific spinal symptoms in adults: A scoping review.
- National Library of Medicine. Influence of the right- versus left-sided sleeping position on the apnea-hypopnea index in patients with sleep apnea.
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