Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

What separates the best pillow for side sleepers on this page?

Five pillows, five different answers to the same problem: keeping your neck level through the night. Scores run from 8.9 down to 8.1, and the spread comes from how each one handles support, cooling and adjustability.

The Coop Home Goods Original scores 8.9 at $72. It is shredded memory foam you add to or remove — our side sleeper added the extra bag, the back sleeper removed a third. It held loft under load better than any shredded pillow here, and it is fully machine washable. It runs warm, and the shredded foam can feel lumpy until fluffed.

Two pillows tie at 8.2. The Layla Kapok Pillow ($109) has the softest feel of the adjustable pillows and our side sleeper's favourite for comfort, with a 120-night trial. Its fill cannot be machine washed, and it runs slightly warmer than Coop. The Purple Harmony ($199) posted the lowest surface temperature rise in the test, its latex core keeps its shape night after night, and it comes in three loft heights. It is the most expensive here and it is heavy.

The Saatva Latex Pillow ($165) and Casper Original Pillow ($65) both score 8.1. Saatva's shredded natural latex springs back instantly with no fluffing, it was the second-coolest pillow in the test, and its outer layer is washable. Casper's inner core kept 3.6 inches under load — far better than plain down-alternative — but it is not adjustable and the trial is 30 nights.

What should you check before buying a side sleeper pillow?

Scoring weights support and alignment at 30, comfort at 20, cooling at 15, materials and durability at 15, and value at 20. That order tells you what to test first.

• Loft under load. A side sleeper needs the pillow to stay tall once your head is on it. Casper's core held 3.6 inches; Coop held loft better than any shredded pillow here.
• Adjustability. Coop and Layla let you add or remove fill. Purple offers three loft heights. Casper does not adjust.
• Heat. Purple Harmony had the lowest surface temperature rise; Saatva was second-coolest. Coop runs warm, and Layla slightly warmer than Coop.
• Washing. Coop and Casper are machine washable. Saatva's outer layer is washable. Layla's fill is not.
• Trial length. Layla gives 120 nights, Coop 100, Casper 30.

Which pillow suits which side sleeper?

If you want to tune the fill yourself and keep the price at $72, the Coop Home Goods Original is the pick. If softness matters most and you will remove fill to taste, the Layla Kapok Pillow fits. If you sleep hot and want a pillow that never needs fluffing, the Purple Harmony is the one. If you want latex response with a washable outer layer, look at the Saatva Latex Pillow. If you want down feel with a supportive core and a $65 price, the Casper Original Pillow works.

For most side sleepers the Coop Home Goods Original at $72 is the pick, since you can add or remove fill until the loft is right. Choose the Layla Kapok Pillow if you want the softest adjustable feel, or the Purple Harmony if you sleep hot and want a pillow that never needs fluffing. The Saatva Latex Pillow suits anyone who wants latex response with a washable outer layer, and the Casper Original Pillow is the $65 option for down feel over a supportive core.