Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK (Reviewed & Compared)

The Most Comfortable Pillows Side Sleepers Will Love

May 16, 2022

To paraphrase a popular 80s rock song: Some pillows are better for side sleepers than others. This is why we’ve come up with a list of the best pillows for side sleepers in the UK that contains all the information you need for selecting the right pillow for you! Let’s get started.

Top 12 Best Pillows for Side Sleepers in the United Kingdom

We aim to review the best sleep-related products on the market. If you make a purchase through one of the links on our site, we may earn a commission. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure.

Company
Features
Overall Score
Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Eve Review
Editor's Choice
  • Check icon

    Excellent spinal support

  • Check icon

    Cooling

  • Check icon

    Relieves pressure points

  • Check icon

    Three-year warranty

Panda London Review
Best Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers
  • Check icon

    Breathable bamboo cover

  • Check icon

    Pressure relieving memory foam

  • Check icon

    Good temperature regulation

  • Check icon

    10-year guarantee

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Emma Review
Best Customisable
  • Check icon

    Fully customisable

  • Check icon

    Breathable

  • Check icon

    Pressure-relieving memory foam

  • Check icon

    200-night trial

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Harley Original Review
Best for Neck Support
  • Check icon

    Recommended for neck pain

  • Check icon

    Five sizes

  • Check icon

    Promotes spinal alignment

  • Check icon

    12-month warranty

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Therapeutica Review
Best Orthopedic Pillow
  • Check icon

    Designed for spinal alignment

  • Check icon

    No allergens or toxic materials

  • Check icon

    Works with the natural curve of the neck

  • Check icon

    12-month warranty

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - The Original Review
Best for Ear Pain
  • Check icon

    A hole in the middle relieves pressure on your ear

  • Check icon

    Adjustable firmness

  • Check icon

    Hypoallergenic

  • Check icon

    12-month warranty

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Snuggledown Review
Best Cheap Pillow
  • Check icon

    Highly breathable

  • Check icon

    Prevents neck pain

  • Check icon

    Machine-washable

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Simba Review
Best Hypoallergenic Pillow
  • Check icon

    Responsive support

  • Check icon

    Moulds to you

  • Check icon

    Offers spinal alignment

  • Check icon

    Cooling airflow channels

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - TEMPUR Review
Best for Pressure Relief
  • Check icon

    Patented TEMPUR envelope containing thousands of micro-cushions

  • Check icon

    Superior pressure relief

  • Check icon

    Quality materials

  • Check icon

    Three-year guarantee

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Silentnight Review
Best Soft Pillow for Side Sleepers
  • Check icon

    Hypoallergenic

  • Check icon

    Machine-washable

  • Check icon

    Puffy and comforting

  • Check icon

    Two-year guarantee

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Soak&Sleep Review
Best Cooling Pillow
  • Check icon

    Malleable synthetic filling

  • Check icon

    Cooling Tencel and Nylon case

  • Check icon

    Supportive chamber construction

  • Check icon

    Two-year guarantee

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Kally Review
Best Antibacterial Pillow
  • Check icon

    Breathable cotton outer layer

  • Check icon

    Superior support

  • Check icon

    Alleviates pressure

  • Check icon

    14-night sleep trial

Pillows for Side Sleepers—Reviews

Eve Memory Foam Pillow Review

  • Trial: 14-night sleep trial

  • Warranty: 3-year warranty

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £59.00

PROS :
  • Excellent spinal support

  • Cooling effect

  • Relieves pressure points

CONS :
  • Slightly more expensive than some other options

This pillow found its place on our list of the best pillows for side sleepers in the UK because it manages to balance the firmness you need for sleeping on your side with the plush softness that keeps you comfortable all night long. You won’t find yourself tossing and turning with this incredibly comfy pillow designed in London. 

The memory foam used in this pillow has small holes in it that ensure that the pillow is breathable. The cooling effect will prevent you from suffering from hot flashes or night sweats: With this best pillow for side sleepers, you’ll have the impression you’re always sleeping on the cool side of the pillow. 

If you’re still not quite sure about this pillow, no worries: You can purchase it and test it out at home for 14 nights. If during this time you find it doesn’t work for you, you can return it for a full refund, no questions asked. 

Panda Luxury Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Panda Luxury Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow Review
  • Trial: 30-night trial period

  • Warranty: 10-year guarantee

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £44.95

Rating 9.8

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • Antibacterial bamboo cover

  • Pressure-relieving memory foam

  • Good temperature regulation

CONS :
  • Might be too cool for some during winter

The Panda Luxury Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow is our pick for the best memory foam pillow for side sleepers in the UK. It’s made out of a durable and comfortable Visco memory foam. We found that it moulds to your neck and head to give you optimal support while you are lying down. The cover is made of bamboo, which also adds a cooling element to this pillow. 

This pillow is temperature regulating, making it an excellent choice for people who suffer from hot flashes and night sweats. It’ll keep your head cool and draw the heat away from that area while you are sleeping. 

The Panda is not only one of the best types of pillow for side sleepers, but it’s also great for the environment. The bamboo material is a sustainable resource that uses 70% less water than cotton. It’s also an antibacterial fabric—great for people who live with hay fever, sensitive skin, or eczema. 

One of the most amazing things about this pillow is that it’s wonderfully durable. It comes with a 10-year guarantee, so you can rest assured it’ll remain in good working condition for at least a decade after you purchase it.

Panda Pillow

The Emma Pillow Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - The Emma Pillow Review
  • Trial: 200 nights

  • Warranty: No

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £69.00

Rating 9.9

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • Fully customisable

  • Breathable

  • Pressure-relieving memory foam

CONS :
  • No warranty

The Emma Pillow is arguably the best pillow for side sleepers from our list. 

The cover of this pillow is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and made from 98% polyester and 2% elastane. The first layer is made from supportive foam, which will keep your spine aligned throughout the night. The next layer is comfortable Airgocell foam that makes this pillow super breathable. Finally, there is the memory foam to alleviate any pressure points and keep your neck supported. 

The best thing about the Emma Pillow is that you can customise it according to your needs: Add or remove layers depending on how you sleep. That being said, you should probably leave all three pieces in place if you want the perfect firm pillows for side sleepers. The height is needed to keep your neck and spine properly aligned throughout the night, while back and belly sleepers might prefer it a little lower.

If you purchase this pillow, you’ll have 200 nights to test it out, and if it doesn’t suit you during this time, you can return it and get your money back.

Harley Original Contour Neck Support Pillow Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Harley Original Contour Neck Support Pillow Review
  • Trial: No trial period

  • Warranty: 12-month warranty

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £38.99–£41.99

Rating 9.8

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • Recommended for neck pain

  • Five size options

  • Promotes spinal alignment

CONS :
  • No trial period

The Harley Original Contour Neck Support Pillow is an orthopaedic pillow designed to reduce neck pain. This is what makes it one of the best pillows for side sleepers. It’s thick enough so you can sleep comfortably on your side while it cradles your head and keeps your spine aligned. 

There are five pillow sizes to choose from: Original Pillow Standard, Original Pillow Plus, Original Pillow Lo-Line, Original Pillow Lo-Line Plus, and Travel Pillow (which comes with a bag that can also be used as a lumbar roll). 

This pillow manages to find the perfect middle ground between being very supportive and being soft and comfortable. While you sleep, this pillow will fill the gap between your head and your shoulders perfectly so that your neck is fully supported. 

This pillow for side sleepers is UK-made using liquid cold cast polyurethane foam, which is poured into a mould. The result is a soft and comfortable yet supportive pillow. The cover you get with it is made from velour, a breathable and soft material made with a polycotton blend. It’s easy to clean and reduces any pressure points.

Therapeutica Spinal Alignment Orthopedic Pillow Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Therapeutica Spinal Alignment Orthopedic Pillow Review
  • Trial: No trial period

  • Warranty: 12-month warranty

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £72.99–£85.99

PROS :
  • Designed for spinal alignment

  • No allergens or toxic materials

  • Works with the natural curve of the neck

CONS :
  • More expensive option

As a side sleeper, you are likely looking for a pillow that supports your neck and head while keeping your spine aligned. That’s exactly what the Therapeutica Spinal Alignment Orthopedic Pillow does. This orthopedic pillow for side sleepers makes sure you stay comfortable all night and wake up without any stiffness or soreness. 

This unusually shaped pillow is specifically designed to work with the natural curve of your neck. After using this pillow for a while, you’ll notice that any neck or shoulder pain you may have had has stopped bothering you. The contoured pillow shape maintains your head and neck level, and there is even a little support track that supports your neck where usually a pillow would end. 

This is one of the most supportive pillows for side sleepers and back sleepers alike. You can choose among five sizes: Child, Petite, Average, Large, and Extra Large.

The Original Pillow with a Hole Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - The Original Pillow With a Hole Review
  • Trial: No trial period

  • Warranty: 12-month warranty

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £59.99

Rating 9.9

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • Hole in the middle

  • Adjustable firmness

  • Hypoallergenic

CONS :
  • Might require testing out various firmness levels

If you suffer from ear pain or chondrodermatitis, also known as Winkler disease, you should consider purchasing the Original Pillow With a Hole. You’ll find that the hole allows your ear to be completely comfortable while you sleep on your side, making this pillow a strong contender for the best pillow for side sleepers in the UK who have issues sleeping in that position because of discomfort in their ear. 

The pillow cover is 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and easy to clean. The inside contains something called “ball-fibre,” which is a material made up of many small coils. Thanks to these tiny coils, you’ll experience a plum, supportive, and comforting pillow. You can also add and remove the stuffing to change the firmness levels so that it best suits you. 

This neck support pillow for side sleepers is 50 cm x 35 cm x 8 cm, and the hole in the pillow is 8 cm wide and 9 cm long. The hole is situated about 12 cm from the edge of the pillow so that you can easily position yourself comfortably.

Snuggledown Side Sleeper Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Snuggledown Side Sleeper Review
  • Trial: No trial period

  • Warranty: No warranty

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £14.00

Rating 9.7

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • Highly breathable

  • Prevents neck pain

  • Machine-washable

CONS :
  • No warranty

The Snuggledown Side Sleeper is our pick for the best cheap side-sleeper pillow. At only £14 per pillow, it’s one of the most affordable options you’ll find. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great pillow with many benefits. It’s on this list of the best pillows for side sleepers in the UK for a good reason. 

The Snuggledown Side Sleeper is specially designed to support the neck, shoulders, and spine. Spinal alignment is essential when it comes to pillows made specifically for side sleepers. The pillow needs to be thick enough to support the head while relieving pressure on the neck and supportive enough to ensure that you don’t wake up with any stiffness or soreness. 

The cover of this pillow is made from 233-thread-count luxury cotton, making it super comforting to the touch. The inside is made of a hollow-fibre filling, which is supportive and yet still soft and plush. For anyone with allergies to down, feathers, or dander, this is a great hypoallergenic option. 

These pillows for side sleepers are made in the UK with quality materials and expert craftsmanship. Their standard size (48 cm x 74 cm) makes finding a suitable pillowcase a cakewalk.

Simba Memory Foam Pillow Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Simba Memory Foam Pillow Review
  • Trial: No trial period

  • Warranty: No warranty

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £60.00

Rating 9.7

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • Responsive support

  • Moulds to you

  • Cooling comfort

CONS :
  • Available in just one size

When you lie down on the Simba Memory Foam Pillow, the responsive memory foam moulds to your shape to offer the best support. You’ll immediately feel the comfort as it fits your form while you rest. Described by the manufacturer as “the pillow that hugs you back,” the Simba Memory Foam Pillow is arguably the best pillow for side sleepers with neck and shoulder pain.

Because it cradles your neck and head in such a responsive manner, it helps to alleviate any pressure points and keep your spine aligned. You’ll soon forget about waking up sore with the Simba Memory Foam Pillow. 

If you have a problem with overheating during the night, this pillow will also help keep you cool while you sleep. The cooling airflow channels make Simba super breathable. The pillow is available in one size—60 cm x 40 cm—and made from 100% hypoallergenic materials. Its 4.7/5 rating from nearly 14,000 customers is what puts it in the running for the best neck support pillow for side sleepers.

TEMPUR Comfort Pillow Original Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - TEMPUR Comfort Pillow Original Review
  • Trial: 30-night trial period

  • Warranty: 3-year guarantee

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £105.00

Rating 9.9

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • TEMPUR Material micro-cushion

  • Superior pressure relief

  • Quality materials

CONS :
  • Expensive

When you sleep, pressure can build up in the neck or shoulders. This can become painful after a while; that’s why you need a pillow that reduces and eases this pressure. The TEMPUR Comfort Pillow Original is one of the best pillows for side sleepers with neck pain because of its ability to relieve pressure. 

This pillow is made from the patented TEMPUR envelope, which contains thousands of TEMPUR Material micro-cushions. These microcushions have a medium feel when it comes to firmness, so it’s not an overly soft pillow, but it isn’t so firm that it becomes uncomfortable either. It provides a plush feel without losing any of its supportiveness. 

This pillow is classically shaped in a rectangle that should be easy to find linen for. You can also buy spare covers directly from TEMPUR. They are all machine-washable and don’t require ironing.

This best support pillow for side sleepers comes with a 30-night trial. If at any time during that period you find that it’s not a great fit for you, you can return it for a full refund. All returns for mainland UK are free. This pillow also comes with a three-year guarantee that covers defects due to faulty workmanship or materials.

Silentnight Warm & Cozy Pillow Pair Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Silentnight Warm & Cozy Pillow Pair Review
  • Trial: No trial period

  • Warranty: 2-year guarantee

  • Free shipping: Yes

  • Price: £13.99

Rating 9.9

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • Hypoallergenic

  • Machine-washable

  • Puffy and comforting

CONS :
  • No trial period

If you’ve been on the lookout for soft pillows for side sleepers, Silentnight’s pillow is one of the best you’ll find in the UK market. It’s sold in two-pillow packs, so if you want a slightly firmer feel, consider stacking one on top of the other.

The Silentnight Warm & Cozy pillows are perfect for cold and rainy nights. They are cosy and comforting without making you sleep hot when the weather is a little warmer. 

These Manchester-made pillows are generously filled with hollow fibre so that you have the ultimate plumped-up pillow feel. The cover is made of a soft-to-the-touch microfibre. You can easily wash them in a washing machine whenever you feel they need to be cleaned. 

Apart from being affordable, the Silentnight Warm & Cozy pillows are good pillows for side sleepers because they last long, as indicated by the two-year guarantee on them.

Soak&Sleep Cooling Chamber Pillow Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Soak&Sleep Cooling Chamber Pillow Review
  • Trial: No trial period

  • Warranty: 2-year guarantee

  • Free shipping: Free shipping over £60

  • Price: £30.00–£57.00

Rating 9.7

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • Malleable synthetic filling

  • Cooling Tencel

  • Supportive chamber construction

CONS :
  • Too firm for some

This is our pick for the best cool pillow for side sleepers in the UK. It’s an excellent option for people who tend to overheat in their sleep because the cooling chambers of this pillow ensure you don’t suffer from hot flashes or experience night sweats while you rest. 

The cover of this pillow is made from Nylon and Tencel, which are 30% more cooling than cotton. The fabric draws the heat away from your head and neck while you rest, so it doesn’t get trapped in the pillow. 

The horizontal chamber design makes this pillow extra supportive. Arguably the best pillow for side sleepers in the UK, it helps to relieve pressure in the neck and keep your spine aligned while you sleep. 

Soak&Sleep Cooling Chamber pillows are made to last. The materials used are durable, and the quality of workmanship is superb. That’s probably the reason the manufacturer is confident enough to offer a two-year guarantee on them.

Kally Ultimate Side Sleeper Pillow Review

Best Pillows for Side Sleepers UK - Kally Ultimate Side Sleeper Pillow Review
  • Trial: 14-night sleep trial

  • Warranty: No warranty

  • Free shipping: Free shipping for orders over £39

  • Price: £34.99

Rating 9.6

Get the Best Deal
PROS :
  • Breathable cotton outer layer

  • Superior support

  • Alleviates pressure

CONS :
  • Too soft for some

The Kally Ultimate Side Sleeper Pillow is one of the best pillows for side sleepers with neck pain on our list. It offers superior support throughout the night, keeping your spine aligned while you rest. It also alleviates pressure in the neck and shoulders. 

The cover is made from breathable cotton that’ll help to regulate your temperature at night and keep you from sleeping hot. The fibres in this pillow are also antiallergy-treated. This is great for people who have sensitive skin. 

The firmness of this pillow is 4/10. However, just because it’s soft doesn’t mean it isn’t supportive. That’s why this is one of the bestrated pillows for side sleepers

The Kally Ultimate Side Sleeper Pillow is designed to bridge the gap between your head and shoulders and ensure that your neck is fully supported. If you are unsure whether it’s the right choice for you, you can test it out for 14 nights after you purchase it and if it isn’t working for you, return it for a full refund.

How to Pick the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers in the UK

– Buyer’s Guide –

While there are a number of high-quality pillows on the UK market, not all of them are good for side sleepers. Our buyer’s guide will give you all the information you need to look at when purchasing a pillow for this sleeping position.

Types of Pillows

Each type of pillow has its benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to know what you expect from a pillow.

  • Feather and down pillows typically offer a softer feel. While they’re fluffy and comfortable, they are not always the best type of pillow for side sleepers. Also, they tend to retain heat.
  • Memory foam pillows usually provide excellent support for side sleepers. They mold to your head and neck, and keep your spine in natural alignment. However, they may not be suitable for hot sleepers.
  • Latex pillows offer firm support and promote good spinal alignment. Also, they are quite breathable, so they don’t retain body heat.

Support

Regardless of the type you choose, it’s important that your pillow supports your head. The best pillows for side sleepers need to reduce tension in your shoulders and neck, as well as keep your spine in alignment. 

Pillow Height

Side sleepers need a fuller pillow than people who sleep in other positions. This is why you’ll find that most of the pillows on this list are thick enough to support your head and neck in a side position. Thinner pillows won’t adequately protect you against neck pain and tension.

However, the ideal pillow loft also depends on your mattress. If you sleep on a soft mattress, you’ll sink in more, so you’ll need a thinner pillow. 

Pillow Firmness

You won’t find many extra firm pillows for side sleepers because if the pillow is too firm, it could hurt your ear or neck. What you’ll find on our list are softer or medium-firm pillows that still manage to have excellent support. 

Cooling Properties

Any pillow that you purchase shouldn’t make you overheat at night. Many of the pillows on our list have cooling properties to ensure that you rest cool and comfortable. 

Product Care

Looking at how to care for your product when you purchase a pillow is essential. You’ll want to know how you can clean your pillow, if you can put it in the washing machine, and whether the cover is removable. 

Benefits

There are many benefits to buying a pillow that’s best for side sleepers, including:

  • Spinal support
  • Tension relief
  • Pressure point alleviation

Wrapping Up

At the end of the day, you’ll want to buy a pillow that suits the position you sleep in. For a side sleeper, in particular, it’s vital to get a pillow that’s high enough, can keep your spine in alignment and relieve your pressure points.

We hope that this list of the best pillows available in the UK for people who sleep on their sides will help you find the perfect fit. You can also take a look at our top list of memory foam mattresses, which are an amazing choice for side sleepers.

FAQs

What is the best pillow for side sleepers?

In our reviews of pillows for side sleepers, we chose the Emma Pillow as the best of them all in terms of comfort, quality, and price. However, you can’t really go wrong with any of the pillows from our list—they all work well for a side sleeper.

What is the best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain?

Most pillows designed specifically for side sleepers will work well to prevent neck pain. Our vote for the best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain is the Harley Original Contour Neck Support Pillow, as it offers superior support for the neck and shoulders. 

What firmness is best for side sleepers?

Medium firm is often the best option for side sleepers as it allows your head to slightly sink into the pillow while still offering the best possible support. Because the side of your face is resting on the pillow, it can’t be too firm or it won’t be comfortable. 

How high should a pillow be for side sleepers?

A pillow for side sleepers needs to be slightly higher than pillows for people who sleep in other positions because it needs to offer greater neck support. Ideally, it should be at least four inches thick, but the loft you need will greatly depend on your body type and your mattress’s firmness level. You should keep all this in mind when picking the best pillows for side sleepers in the UK.