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11 Best Pillows for Side Sleepers 2025, Tested & Reviewed
Today’s best pillows for side sleepers are worlds apart from the flat, unsupportive options of the past. If you’re among the 50% of Brits who sleep on their side, upgrading your pillow could be a game-changer. It might just put an end to the constant tossing, folding, and fluffing, and help you finally enjoy the deep, uninterrupted sleep you’ve been chasing.
Side sleeping is renowned for its numerous health benefits, including promoting proper spinal alignment, improving breathing, reducing heartburn, and alleviating discomfort in the neck and back. If you’re struggling to achieve the right balance of comfort and support, investing in a pillow designed specifically for side sleepers — tailored to your preferred firmness, material, and body size — can make a significant difference.
But not all pillows are created equal. The secret to finding a high-quality pillow for side sleepers lies in the details: firmness, filling, outer fabric, and overall finish. If you’re after something soft, light, and breathable for the warmer months, a cooling pillow with a cotton percale cover is a great choice. Prefer more support? A specialist support pillow with medium-firm comfort delivers durability and targeted relief, especially ideal for those with neck pain. For an eco-conscious option, all-natural fill and organic pillows provide sustainable comfort that feels just as good as it looks. Hayfever taking over your nights? Anti-allergy pillows might just be your secret weapon for a sneeze-free sleep.
We’ve tested and reviewed numerous specialist options, and consulted with sleep experts to answer all your side sleeping pillow FAQs, so that you can choose the best pillow for you. Think: firm and soft pillows for side sleepers, memory foam pillows and pillows for neck pain. Whether you prefer a plush and cushiony feel or a more supportive structure, our roundup includes a variety of choices to suit individual preferences and sleeping styles. Read on for our full edit, including tips on how to pick the best one for your individual requirements.
FAQs answered in this article:
Meet the experts:
How we tested the best pillows for side sleepers:
Over the past five years, we’ve asked side sleepers on the GLAMOUR team to put 21 different pillows to the test, each for a minimum of 30 days (and in many cases, much longer). After all that testing, only 13 made the cut and earned our official GLAMOUR seal of approval. Throughout the process, we kept detailed notes, filmed video clips in our own homes, and shared exactly how these pillows look (and feel) in real-life settings – so you can see them in action throughout this guide.
In putting these pillows to the test, our team dove into the nitty-gritty, scoring them out of 10 on quality, support, firmness, and all-around comfort. We didn’t just stop there – we rifled through what you’ve been searching for and tapped into customer reviews to get the real lowdown. Our goal? To cut through the noise and find the best pillows for side sleepers that aren’t just comfy but also made to last. Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust us:
At GLAMOUR, we take sleep seriously – because we know how much it impacts everything from your skin to your mood. Our team has spent years testing everything from the best mattresses and duvets to bed sheets and weighted blankets, so we can tell you exactly what’s worth your money (and what’s not). We don’t just stop at personal experience, either. We’ve interviewed sleep scientists, osteopaths and founders to dig into the details – whether it’s understanding spinal alignment, breathability, or the latest fabric innovations. In short: we do the legwork, ask the right questions, and get into bed (literally) with the products so you can rest easy knowing our recommendations are grounded in real testing and expert insight.
Which pillow for side sleepers is best? GLAMOUR’s top pick:
GLAMOUR’s number-one pillow for side sleepers? The Emma Premium Cloud Pillow. It’s the only pick in this guide to score a flawless 10/10 – and I can vouch for it personally, having slept on it for the past year.
With a glowing roster of specs, this pillow delivers the best of both worlds: a soft, down-like microfibre filling that feels dreamy to sink into, paired with just the right amount of support. The result? Soft cushioning that cradles your neck and shoulders, while keeping things breathable, cool and oh-so comfortable –even on those hot, stuffy nights.
Now for the technical bit: every detail of this pillow has been engineered for better sleep. The silky, micro-elastic cover feels luxe against the skin and promotes airflow, while the Outlast® layer works hard to absorb and release excess heat so you don’t wake up hot and bothered (yes, even during sticky UK heatwaves). Inside, high-quality Aerosoft microfibres give that fluffy-yet-supportive lift, and the removable inner layers mean you can tweak the height and firmness until it’s just right for you.
And because practicality matters as much as everything else, the Emma Premium Cloud Pillow is machine-washable at 40°, stays lump-free over time, and comes with a 30-night trial plus a two-year warranty. Read my full review below.
After more sleep content? Shop the best pillows, best pillows for neck pain, and the best cool pillows. For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.
