Best Pillows for Side Sleepers: Expert Picks for Neck Pain Relief and Comfort in 2026

Waking up with a stiff, aching neck is a frustratingly common experience. You stretch, you rub your shoulders, but that nagging pain just won't go away. If this sounds familiar, your pillow might be the culprit. For the millions of us who sleep on our sides, finding the right pillow isn't just about comfort—it's about health.

Side sleeping is the most popular sleeping position, but it comes with a unique challenge: maintaining a straight, neutral spine. The wrong pillow can cause your head to droop or be propped up too high, leading to misalignment and that dreaded neck pain. The key is to find a pillow that perfectly fills the space between your head and the mattress, keeping your neck and spine in a happy, horizontal line.

We've delved into expert reviews and rigorous testing to bring you the definitive guide to the best pillows for side sleepers in 2026. Whether you're battling neck pain, sleep hot, or just want to upgrade your comfort, we have a pick for you.

Best Overall: Mellow Sleep Cloud Alignment Pillow

For side sleepers seeking the ultimate combination of support and comfort, the Mellow CloudAlign™ Pillow stands in a class of its own. Its chiropractor-approved ergonomic design is engineered to alleviate neck pressure and support proper spinal alignment.

The pillow is made with Mellow’s CloudSoft Core shape-retaining memory foam (not CloudAlign™ memory foam), offering supportive contouring that adapts to the head and neck. The 3-zone contour design provides targeted lift, pressure relief, and full-body alignment for side, back, and stomach sleepers.

What truly sets it apart is its SwitchFit™ dual-height system:

• Soft Side: approx. 3.5”
• Lift Side: approx. 4.3”

This makes it easy to choose the height that best fills the shoulder-to-head gap. Combined with its cooling performance, hypoallergenic + antibacterial + vegan materials, and OEKO-TEX® certified cover, it’s a versatile, health-conscious choice for pain-free sleep.

Specifications:

• Fill: CloudSoft Core memory foam
• Loft: Dual height (3.5” Soft Side / 4.3” Lift Side)
• Firmness: Supportive, shape-retaining design
• Sizes: Regular (Under 5’7”) / High (Above 5’7”)

Pros:

• Chiropractor-approved ergonomic support
• Dual-height profile for custom alignment
• Excellent for relieving neck pressure
• Stays cool all night
• Hypoallergenic, antibacterial & 100% vegan

Cons:

• Not machine-washable (pillowcase is washable)
• May feel too supportive for sleepers who prefer very soft pillows

Price Range:

• $49.00 (regular price $100.00)

Buy the Mellow Sleep Cloud Alignment Pillow here

Best for Shoulder Support: Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow

If there's one pillow designed with the specific needs of side sleepers in mind, it's this one. The Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow earns our top spot for its innovative U-shape design, which is specifically crafted to accommodate your shoulder and provide exceptional neck support. This ergonomic curve helps to maintain perfect spinal alignment, making it a top recommendation for those with neck and back pain.

The pillow is filled with a responsive blend of latex and polyester, offering a great balance of plush comfort and firm support. Best of all, you can customize it to your exact needs by adding or removing the fill. This adjustability ensures you can achieve the perfect loft to keep your neck in a neutral position all night long.

Specifications:

• Fill: Latex and polyester
• Loft: Adjustable
• Firmness: Adjustable
• Sizes: Queen
• Trial Period: 45 nights
• Warranty: 5 years

Pros:

• Unique U-shape design is ideal for side sleepers
• Adjustable fill for personalized comfort
• Excellent pressure relief and spinal alignment

Cons:

• Only available in one size
• Not ideal for back or combination sleepers

Price Range: $120 - $135

Buy the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow here

Best for Neck Pain: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow

When it comes to neck pain, the Tempur-Neck pillow is a game-changer. Made from a single piece of extra-firm Tempur material, this pillow features a unique ergonomic design that follows the natural curve of your head, neck, and shoulders. This contoured shape provides targeted support and helps to alleviate pressure, with one reviewer noting the instant pressure relief "feels like a neck massage".

While it can take a few weeks to get used to its distinctive shape, the results are worth it. The firm, supportive foam cradles your neck for optimal alignment, making it an excellent choice for side and back sleepers who suffer from chronic neck stiffness.

Specifications:

• Fill: Memory foam
• Loft: Varies by size (3.9" to 5")
• Firmness: Firm
• Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
• Trial Period: None
• Warranty: 5 years

Pros:

• Ergonomic design provides excellent neck support
• Relieves pressure and reduces neck pain
• Durable, high-quality material

Cons:

• May be too firm for some
• Requires an adjustment period
• No trial period

Price Range: $100 - $150

Buy the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow here

Best Adjustable: Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow

The Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow is a fan favorite for a reason: it's fully customizable. The pillow arrives generously stuffed with a blend of shredded memory foam and microfiber, plus an extra bag of fill, so you can add or remove as much as you like to find your perfect height and firmness. This adjustability makes it a versatile choice for all sleeping positions, but it's particularly great for side sleepers who need a higher loft.

The fill provides a great balance of softness and support, and the breathable, hypoallergenic cover is a nice bonus. Our testers have loved this pillow for years, praising its durability and long-lasting comfort.

Specifications:

• Fill: Shredded memory foam and microfiber
• Loft: Adjustable
• Firmness: Adjustable (Medium-firm feel)
• Sizes: Queen, King
• Trial Period: 100 nights
• Warranty: 5 years

Pros:

• Fully adjustable loft and firmness
• Comes with extra fill
• Excellent balance of comfort and support

Cons:

• Can be messy to adjust the fill
• May have a slight off-gassing smell initially

Price Range: $72 - $80

Buy the Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow here

Best Luxury: Saatva Latex Pillow

If you're looking to invest in a premium sleep experience, the Saatva Latex Pillow is an excellent choice. This pillow has a unique pillow-in-pillow design, with a core of shredded American Talalay latex and a plush outer layer of down-alternative microdenier fiber. The result is a pillow that is both supportive and luxuriously soft.

The latex core provides responsive support that keeps your head from sinking too far, while the outer layer adds a fluffy, hotel-pillow feel. It has a higher loft that is ideal for side sleepers, and the organic cotton cover is breathable and cool to the touch.

Specifications:

• Fill: Talalay latex core with down-alternative outer layer
• Loft: High
• Firmness: Medium
• Sizes: Queen, King
• Trial Period: 45 nights
• Warranty: 1 year

Pros:

• Luxurious, hotel-quality feel
• Responsive support from latex core
• Breathable organic cotton cover

Cons:

• Higher price point
• Loft may be too high for some

Price Range: $165 - $185

Buy the Saatva Latex Pillow here

Best Organic: Avocado Green Pillow

For the eco-conscious sleeper, the Avocado Green Pillow is a dream come true. It's made with GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic kapok, all wrapped in a GOTS-certified organic cotton cover. The fill is adjustable, so you can customize the loft and firmness to your liking.

The blend of latex and kapok creates a feel that is both bouncy and soft, providing excellent support for your head and neck. It’s a great choice for side sleepers who want a sustainable, non-toxic pillow without sacrificing comfort.

Specifications:

• Fill: Organic latex and organic kapok
• Loft: Adjustable
• Firmness: Medium
• Sizes: Standard, Queen, King
• Trial Period: 100 nights
• Warranty: 1 year

Pros:

• Made with certified organic and vegan materials
• Adjustable fill for customized support
• Breathable and eco-friendly

Cons:

• Some users wish the filling was fluffier
• Can be messy to adjust

Price Range: $89 - $109

Buy the Avocado Green Pillow here

Best for Combo Sleepers: Layla Kapok Pillow

The Layla Kapok Pillow is another excellent adjustable option, combining the plushness of kapok fibers with the contouring support of shredded memory foam. This blend creates a soft yet supportive feel that is great for side sleepers, but also works well for those who switch between their side and back.

The pillow is praised for its ability to maintain its shape and support throughout the night, with one reviewer noting its "no-shift support". The cover is infused with copper fibers, which helps to keep the pillow cool and fresh.

Specifications:

• Fill: Shredded memory foam and kapok fibers
• Loft: Adjustable
• Firmness: Medium-soft
• Sizes: Queen, King
• Trial Period: 120 nights
• Warranty: 5 years

Pros:

• Soft yet supportive feel
• Adjustable fill
• Cooling copper-infused cover

Cons:

• May be too soft for those who prefer a very firm pillow
• Kapok can have a distinct earthy smell at first

Price Range: $109 - $129

Buy the Layla Kapok Pillow here

Best Cooling: Purple Harmony Pillow

If you're a side sleeper who also sleeps hot, the Purple Harmony Pillow is your best bet. It features Purple's proprietary GelFlex Grid, a hyper-elastic polymer grid that allows for excellent airflow. This, combined with a ventilated latex core, makes for an incredibly breathable and cool pillow.

The Harmony is available in three different loft heights, so you can choose the one that best fits your body type. It provides a unique "floating" sensation that is both pressure-relieving and supportive.

Specifications:

• Fill: GelFlex Grid and ventilated latex core
• Loft: Low, Medium, Tall
• Firmness: Medium
• Sizes: Standard, King
• Trial Period: 100 nights
• Warranty: 1 year

Pros:

• Excellent cooling and breathability
• Pressure-relieving and supportive
• Available in multiple loft options

Cons:

• High price point
• The grid texture may be noticeable to some

Price Range: $179 - $219

Buy the Purple Harmony Pillow here

How to Choose the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry. Keep these key factors in mind to find the perfect pillow for you.

Loft and Firmness

For side sleepers, the two most important factors are loft (height) and firmness. You need a pillow that is thick and firm enough to keep your head and neck aligned with your spine. A pillow that is too soft or too thin will cause your head to sag, while one that is too firm or too high will push it upwards. Look for a pillow with a loft of 5 inches or more and a medium to firm feel.

Pillow Materials

• Memory Foam: Excellent for contouring and pressure relief. Can be solid or shredded. Shredded foam is often adjustable and more breathable.
• Latex: Responsive, supportive, and naturally cooling. Great for those who want a bouncier feel.
• Down and Down Alternative: Very soft and plush, but can sometimes lack the support that side sleepers need. May require frequent fluffing.
• Kapok: A natural plant-based fiber that is a soft and silky alternative to down. Often blended with foam or latex.

Trial Periods and Warranties

A new pillow can take some time to get used to. Look for brands that offer a sleep trial of at least 30 nights. This gives you plenty of time to decide if the pillow is right for you. A good warranty (most are 1-5 years) is also a sign of a quality product.

Conclusion

Finding the right pillow is a personal journey, but for side sleepers, it's a crucial one for preventing neck pain and ensuring a restful night's sleep. By focusing on a pillow with the right loft and firmness to support your head and neck, you can wake up feeling refreshed and pain-free. Our top pick, the Mellow Sleep Cloud Alignment Pillow, is a great place to start, but any of the pillows on this list are excellent choices for a more comfortable night's sleep. Happy snoozing!