Side sleeping is the most common sleep position, but it comes with some challenges. If your pillow doesn’t provide the right head and neck support, you may be waking up frequently without even realizing it.
This is bad news because sleep disruptions can prevent your body from reaching deep sleep, which can have some serious health consequences. If you’re feeling groggy or sluggish in the morning even after a full night of sleep, your pillow might be part of the problem.
A pillow should provide good support and spinal alignment—and it should keep you cool as you sleep. Ahead, we’re going to dive into how to pick a pillow for side sleepers and explain why cooling pillows can be such a game changer for quality slumber.
Benefits of Side Sleeping
If you’re a devout side sleeper, you’re in good company. This is the most popular sleep position, with more than half of all US adults (54%) saying they prefer this position over back sleeping or stomach sleeping.
That’s a good thing because side sleeping has all kinds of benefits. Here are just a few:
- Better Brain Health: Research has found that side sleeping may help your brain get rid of waste more efficiently as you sleep—some researchers even suggest that side sleeping evolved for this purpose.
- Easier Breathing: When you sleep on your back, your tongue can slide back into your throat and obstruct your airway, causing snoring and even lapses in breathing—a condition known as sleep apnea. Side sleeping may help prevent both.
- Improved Digestion: If you struggle with acid reflux or heartburn, sleeping on your left side can provide noticeable relief from symptoms. On your left side, gravity prevents stomach acid from flowing back into your esophagus.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pillow
More than any other sleep position, side sleepers rely on their pillow for proper spinal alignment. The right design keeps your head, neck, and spine level so your muscles can fully relax. Here are the key factors to think about when choosing a pillow:
Loft
This is the height of the pillow, and for side sleepers, it’s one of the most important factors to get right. A medium‑to‑high loft (about 4-6 inches) fills the natural gap between your head and shoulders, preventing your neck from bending downward or upward. Look for a pillow that maintains its loft under pressure, so it doesn’t collapse overnight. On the other hand, a pillow that doesn’t give at all may keep your head too propped up as you sleep.
Support/Firmness Level
Side sleepers need a pillow that resists bottoming out, especially under the weight of the head and along the space created by broader shoulders. This stability is essential for maintaining spinal alignment throughout the night. Medium‑firm pillows usually work best for side sleepers because they keep your head elevated without sinking too deeply while still providing cushioning.
Many side sleepers cite this balance as one of the most important features in a pillow, with SHEEX® customers describing the Original Performance Down Alternative Side Sleeper Pillow as having the “right amount of softness and support” after trying numerous other options.
Feel
The feel of your pillow is all about how it interacts with your head and face. Side sleepers often prefer a pillow that’s soft enough to cushion the ear but structured enough to keep the head from drifting. Look for pillows that balance plushness with underlying stability so you get pressure relief without losing alignment.
Heat Prevention
Side sleepers tend to stay in one position longer, which can trap heat around the head and neck. Cooling pillows are specifically designed to pull heat and moisture away from your skin as you sleep to prevent overheating. This can help reduce or eliminate micro‑awakenings that pull you out of sleep. Look for pillows made with performance materials designed to breathe.
Customers frequently identify cooling as one of the biggest differences between traditional pillows and performance pillows, with SHEEX® reviewers noting that the pillow's cool and comfortable feel was so impressive they planned to replace all of their existing pillows.
Find the Best Cooling Pillows for Side Sleepers With SHEEX®
If you’re on the hunt for the best cooling pillow for side sleepers, the team at SHEEX® has you covered. We’ve developed a line of cooling pillows made just for side sleepers.
ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE Down Alternative Side Sleeper Pillow
Pairing our cool‑to‑the‑touch Original Performance fabric with temperature‑regulating CLIMA Fill Cell Solution®, the Original Performance Down Alternative Side Sleeper Pillow actively moves heat away from your head and neck as you sleep. Hypoallergenic down‑alternative performance fill and a 2” gusset maintain an even loft that supports proper alignment, for more restorative nights of sleep.
Infinite Zen Performance Pillow
Featuring ultra‑breathable TranquilAire™ memory foam and Microban® technology, the Infinite Zen Performance Pillow relieves pressure and keeps air flowing for clean and comfortable nights of sleep. Serene•Chill™ cooling gel activates on contact to pull heat away from your skin to help maintain an ideal sleep temperature—no more overheating—while the RidiculouslySoft® removable cover is machine washable, for easy care.
VersaCloud™ Adjustable Hybrid Pillow
The VersaCloud™ Adjustable Hybrid Pillow delivers cloud‑like comfort with a breathable, cooling design that adapts to any sleep position. One side features lofty down‑alternative fill for plush pressure relief and airflow, while the other uses gel‑infused memory foam for added support and fast heat dissipation. With its dual‑side construction and customizable feel, it’s built to keep every type of sleeper cooler, more comfortable, and fully supported.
SleepScents™ Pillows
Side sleepers, get ready to unwind naturally with SHEEX® SleepScents™ pillows. Infused with essential oils, these pillows are designed to transform your nightly routine into a soothing ritual of relaxation. The ergonomic design cradles your head and neck, while the pillow’s open-cell structure helps reduce tension and quiet the mind for deeper, more restorative sleep. Available in calming lavender and soothing coconut.
Browse the entire SHEEX® cooling pillow collection to find the perfect pillow for side sleepers. Or shop our 2-Pillow Bundles for you and your partner!
