Approximately 40 million people in the United States have sleep disorders, known as polysomnography.  Fortunately, the studies and research aimed at helping us sleep soundly produce some highly effective products for us to snuggle up to.  Amongst the many pads, loungers, mattresses, and medications developed throughout the years, there also exists some amazing pillows specifically engineered to help us get a better night’s rest.  Extensive research enables us to present the top contenders for the best pillow for side sleepers.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from lack of sleep, extensive time and research have gone into providing you with answers, recommendations and methods to help you feel better.  You need sleep, but why?  The first thing we must do is to understand why sleep is so important and how we know when we don’t get enough quality rest.  Think of your body like a machine—constantly performing the internal and external demands of staying alive and functioning effectively in the world.

Once your “day-life” is over, the body works the “night-shift”:

The value of a good night’s sleep cannot be over-emphasized.  Even one bout with fatigue following a restless night can make us irritable, weak, and disinterested.  However, knowing you need sound sleep is not the same as making sure you get it. Lifestyle, health conditions, and lack of knowledge can make us vulnerable to the consequences of poor sleeping habits.  The pillow you’re sleeping on can also affect the quality of your sleep, especially if you're a side sleeper. But what is the best pillow for side sleepers?

It would be hard for most of us to sleep without a pillow.  This is why the pillow you use is so important—you will spend 30% of your life sleeping on one.  When we think about pillows, most of us know what we’re looking for in softness, material, and length.  However, there is an additional parameter to consider regarding support, which is usually the last consideration—until the pain starts.  This is a critical issue for side sleepers. For those of us who prefer to sleep on our sides, we require extra neck, back and shoulder support.

Without neck, back, and shoulder support, we end up with strained muscles, cramps, and headaches.  People who sleep on their side have a greater distance between the mattress and their head.  Your pillow should fill the gap while keeping the head straight and the spine aligned properly.  When the head descends toward the mattress or inclines too steeply, it can make the neck bend abnormally creating pressure on the nerves.  It can also cause both tendon and muscle strain.  To find out the soundness and quality of your sleep can improve with a better choice of pillow could be life-changing.  Stop waking up fatigued, sore, and exhausted.  Prevent headaches, back pain, sciatica, and numbness just by changing your pillow.

According to the specialists at the Better Sleep Council, sleeping on your side enables the body to relax and rest more comfortably resulting in a good night’s sleep.  The council also says sleeping on your side lessens the chances of interrupted sleep during the night.  There is always a fair amount of movement during our sleep cycles, but the main three sleeping positions are: side, back, and stomach, with fluctuations for each.  WebMD reports that sleep specialists usually operate out of sleep centers (clinics) accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).  They also certify them from the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM).

The position your body maintains during sleep is just as important as the quality of your pillow. This is best achieved by strategically placing your pillow where support is most needed:

Pregnant women who experience abdominal pressure can enjoy using a soft, comfortable stomach pillow with enough firmness to support their upper body without collapsing.  Persons who prefer sleeping on their side should try to purchase the largest sizes available.  Most manufacturers provide a good selection of pillow sizes and the standard, queen, or king.  The overall length of a king-sized pillow makes it the best pillow for side sleepers, but keeping your body aligned is the goal regardless of the size you use. Read on for a rundown of the best pillows for side sleepers.

When researching the internet, magazines, and malls for your next pillow, remember the use of reviews and ratings have made the task easy.  Manufacturers must deliver quality, consistent and reputable merchandise repeatedly to maintain their status while making customers happy.

If you are one of the estimated 70% of those who prefer to sleep on your sides, you may be familiar with the tossing-turning-fluffing cycle of a rough night.  Side sleepers need more support which is why the right pillow is so important.  Many times, the thickness of the pillow is enough to keep the head and neck in a neutral position.

But considering the great differences in people, it is advisable to go through the comment section to see which brand you best identify with.  Below, we've listed the top 5 pillows for side sleepers:

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The Wamsutta brand does not use plushness or fluff to market their pillow for support.  Customers say it provided firm support with a satisfying spring described as a, “different yet agreeable sensation."  They also said they felt, “more propped up from the mattress and sheets,” than any other pillow, except the Tempur-Pedic.

3-Year limited manufacturer's warranty.

The Wamsutta Sleeper Pillow is available at Bed Bath and Beyond, eBay, and Amazon.

Coop Home Goods Eden Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

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Combed microfiber construction makes this pillow soft, cushy, and luxurious.  The gusseted cover ensures full edge-to-edge support.

Warranty

After the 100-night trial, a 5-year warranty is available to protect your purchase.

Purchase

The Coop Home Goods Eden Shredded Memory Foam is available at Bed Bath and Beyond, eBay, and Amazon.

3. Brookstone BioSense 2-in-1 Shoulder Pillow

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BioSense memory foam features perforated patterns to accommodate air flow allowing it to adapt to your body’s temperature.  Traditional lightweight memory foam pillow.

Warranty

Manufacturer's warranty protects against defects under normal use for 1 year.

Purchase

The Brookstone BioSense 2-in-1 Shoulder Pillow for Side Sleepers is available at Bed Bath and Beyond, eBay, and Amazon.

4. Tempur-Pedic Breeze Pillow

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The TEMPUR Contour Breeze Side-to-Side Pillow offers targeted support to the head and neck area, as well as a cooling gel layer.

Warranty

5-Year limited warranty

Purchase

The Tempur-Pedic Contour Side to Side Breeze Pillow is available at Bed Bath and Beyond, eBay, and Amazon.

5. Cradle Me Thin Pillow

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This pillow keeps your head and neck in a natural sleeping position.  It does not use cheap, shredded memory foam as a fill, only solid pieces of high-grade memory foam.  It also conforms to the shape of your head with spring back memory action.

Warranty

Please contact seller or manufacturer for warranty information.

Purchase

The Cradle Me Thin Pillow - Ultra Soft Slim Memory Foam is available on eBay and Amazon.

The Verdict - Which Is The Best Pillow for Side Sleepers?

So which is the best pillow for side sleepers? While we are sleeping, the body does its job of growing tissue, repairing damaged skin, and restoring vitality to our lives.  It matters what pillow you sleep on. We chose the Wamsutta King-Size Sleeper Pillow as the best pillow for side sleepers, due to its ability to stay firm and maintain its shape. Compared with higher-priced pillows, it gives the same support for less money.  Rest easy knowing that a simple change in pillow can make all the difference in the quality of your sleep. See how the best pillow for side sleepers can change your quality of sleep!