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Last Updated: January 2020
Welcome to our buyer’s guide to finding the best pillow for side sleepers, here you will find our solutions to your side sleeping problems by offering our expertise and 8 years experience in the field of memory foam and sleeping.
If you are someone who often sleeps on your side, but has difficulty sleeping or you wake up feeling fatigued or with back and neck pain, then you should consider a memory foam pillow. Memory foam was designed by NASA half a century ago to increase passenger safety in aircraft and has come a long way since then. The material is now used in homes worldwide, in addition to hospitals and sports centers.
What is so Special About Memory Foam?
Memory foam is created by modifying polyurethane with chemicals to become more viscous and dense. It is a heat sensitive material that can mold to the shape of your body which provides a level of support not offered by other products. Due to the popularity of the material, there are memory foam pillows for side sleepers in all shapes and sizes which makes now a good time to consider upgrading.
What Health Benefits can Memory Foam Pillows Provide?
Although many people switch to memory foam purely for comfort reasons, it’s important to keep in mind the potential health benefits. If you suffer from sleep apnea, snoring, nerve pain, back and neck pain, headaches and migraines (in addition to other ailments), choosing the best memory foam pillow for side sleepers may provide just the relief you have been looking for. Owners of these pillows also report less fatigue as they are able to sleep deeper and uninterruptedly.
#1 Memory Foam Pillow: While we would love for you to read our entire buyers guide, I appreciate you may not have the time. If you are looking for the best memory foam pillow for side sleepers, then allow us to tell you right now that 99% of consumers will be thrilled with the ‘Coop Home Goods Shredded Pillow’.
Click here to view the Coop Home Goods Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Best side sleeper pillow consumer report
What you Need to Know:
- These pillows provide relief for people with chronic pain (migraines, back, and neck).
- Promote correct posture and ideal spine alignment.
- They are hypoallergenic.
- Help maintain blood circulation unlike other pillows on the market.
- Supportive and don’t put strain on pressure points.
- The most supportive pillows are firmer than other pillow types.
- Retains heat (unless gel infused memory foam is used).
- Strong odor after initial purchase.
You can also check out our guide to finding the perfect mattress for side sleepers right here.
Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers Reviews
With the huge range of pillows on the market, it can be difficult to sieve through all the options and find the perfect one for your needs. That’s why we are here, which is to help provide you with all the pertinent information you need in order to make a smart decision. By reading our reviews, you’ll be able to know exactly which products you should consider, and what factors to keep in mind before purchasing.
Best Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers in 2020
*5 Star Rating: this is based on the percentage of consumers who rate the pillows 10/10.
#1 Most Recommended – Shredded Coop Home Goods King & Queen size Pillow
The Coop Home Goods ‘Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Bamboo Cover’ is the best selling pillow on Amazon and quite rightly so. This fantastic US manufactured pillow is both hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant.
It comes with a 30-day free trial and a 5-year warranty (not that this will matter). A handful of the features and benefits of the Coop Home Goods shredded pillow are:
- It provides plushness, breathability & shape-ability.
- It provides the support of memory foam.
- It keeps you cool at night.
Overall, if you are looking for a memory foam pillow that provides support and pressure relief, that isn’t too hot and stuffy then this is the perfect choice for you.
How to Choose the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers?
Not all memory foam pillows are created equal which is why you should consider the points below prior to making a purchase.
Shape (for side sleepers)
Traditional Pillows – are popular for people who sleep in a number of positions and look just like normal pillows. They offer good support and increased airflow compared to some other pillow types.
Egg Crate Pillows – are especially good for individuals who mostly sleep on their sides and back. They have lumps on them which provide additional support and great airflow to make it easier to breathe and keep cool.
Cervical Pillows – are designed to provide more material directly under the neck for people who sleep on their sides. This offers optimal support and is especially helpful if you are a sufferer of neck pain.
Neck Roll Pillows – are good for both sleeping in bed and for relaxing while reading or watching television. They are a good option for people who have both back and neck pain.
Other Shaped Pillows – are available which may be suitable for people who also sleep in other positions (such as contoured, v-shaped and wedge shaped).
After you have chosen which shape of pillow you are looking for, next you need to consider the following features for your pillow:
Gel
Memory foam is known as a material that retains heat. To combat this, manufacturers have recently started using open cell structures in the material, in addition to infusing with gel beads. If you’re a “hot sleeper”, consider a gel pillow or at least one designed for optimum airflow.
Density
The density of memory foam is measured in pounds per cubic foot (1-5 lbs). If you are purely looking for comfort, then consider a pillow with a rating nearer to 1, although if you need support, then choose a rating nearer to 5.
Firmness
Although memory foam pillows don’t typically use a numbered rating for firmness like mattresses, it’s important to carefully think whether you’d like a soft, medium or firm pillow when making your choice.
Size
As with all pillows, these come in a range of sizes to suit all mattress sizes. Take care when ordering to ensure you choose the right size for your needs.
Warranty
Memory foam pillows typically come with a warranty of around 5 years. Try not to select a product with one any shorter than this, as it’s important that manufacturers believe in their product.
Our Best Pillows For Side Sleepers
We have researched extensively, and after keeping the above factors in mind, have provided the best pillows for you below which are ideal for people who like to sleep on their sides. All of our recommendations have received a consumer star rating of above 4 out of 5 (and this is after thousands of purchases).
1. Coop Home Goods Pillows
With very strong customer feedback, we couldn’t have our best 3 memory pillow recommendations without having the shredded memory foam pillow product by Coop Home Goods.
This product has an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5, with a whopping 1,740 customer reviews and more being added daily. The cover has been made from a combination of Polyester and Bamboo for easy breathing, whilst the inner is a shredded Visco elastic memory foam allowing the pillow to comfortably mold to your needs.
2. Sleep Better Iso Pillows
Another big winner is the Sleep Better ISO memory foam pillow, it has a longer product life than the My Stunning Abode, however during that time the average consumer rating has fell slightly below. With 2,999 customers rating the Sleep Better ISO 3.9 out of 5 for comfort, durability and general use.
Made in the USA, the Sleep Better ISO has microscopic PCM beads that absorb heat and feel cool & a gusseted design which helps maximize comfort for side sleepers.
Pillows for Side Sleepers FAQ’s
I often wake up with migraines, will a memory foam pillow help?
Just as with medicine, there are no guarantees that memory foam will help alleviate migraines. However, these pillows have been a solution for many people. This could be due to improved blood flow, less stress on pressure points, correct spine alignment, or simply because they offer a better night’s sleep.
My partner snores loudly, will a memory foam pillow stop it?
One of the main reasons for loud snoring is improper posture while sleeping. Using a supportive memory foam pillow will help to ensure your partner sleeps in a more healthy position and has an open airway. This can at least mitigate some of the snoring or stop it altogether. Sleeping deeper may help as well.
How durable are memory foam pillows?
Memory foam is an incredibly durable material and as a result, these pillows can last for decades. However, most manufacturers only have a warranty of around 5 years.
Are memory foam pillows expensive?
There was a time when memory foam was considered a luxury bedding item. However, over the years memory foam pillows and mattresses have gradually become much more affordable to the point where they cost almost the same (if not less) than other materials.
> Read all about the best Memory Foam Pillows right here.