The Ultimate Guide To The Best Firm Pillow For Side Sleepers
Contents
A good pillow is a big part of a restful night’s sleep. Eugene Alletto, CEO and founder of the bedding company Bedgear, has claimed that up to 95% of people sleep on the wrong pillow. That's a company estimate, not a study, but the point stands: the best type of pillow for a side sleeper is usually a firmer, thicker one that fills the gap between your ear and shoulder.
As you sleep, you move to adjust yourself to be more comfortable. During all of this movement you need a pillow that will cradle your neck and keep your spine properly aligned.
This is why a firm pillow tends to work well for side sleepers. MedlinePlus lists sleeping in an awkward position as a common cause of neck pain.
This now leads us to the big question.
Which is the best firm pillow for side sleepers?
Side sleeping is the most common position. In one study using body sensors, adults spent about 54% of their time in bed on their side.
Answering that question is no easy task. There are many different kinds of firm pillows with different sizes, shapes, fillings, and levels of firmness.
Check out the list below for some of the best firm pillows.
1. Beans 72 Organic Buckwheat Pillow
This pillow, as you may be able to guess, is filled with buckwheat hulls. Although it may sound like a strange filling for a pillow, many reviewers love them, and they're a wonderful eco-friendly option.
This particular pillow, made by Beans 72, conforms to your head and neck and holds its shape.
The brand describes its cover as cotton and its hulls as US-grown organic buckwheat. These hulls also let air move through the pillow helping it to stay cool through the night.
Additionally, these pillows are easy to customize. If you want the pillow to be a little less firm, you can simply remove some of the buckwheat from inside.
2. Coop Home Goods Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Memory foam pillows are very popular. This shredded memory foam pillow from Coop Home Goods is marketed as hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant.
Since the pillow is made from shredded foam, it also provides air circulation that can be hard to find in solid memory foam pillows.
This may also be the best firm pillow if you prefer one that isn’t “too firm”, which is what some reviewers have said about the buckwheat pillow. The pillow is also machine washable, which makes it very easy to care for.
Check the current listing for warranty and trial terms, since these change.
3. Down & Feather Co. Extra Firm Feather Pillow
For those of you who want a pillow that is extra firm, a feather pillow may be the best firm pillow for you.
The Down & Feather Company makes this pillow in an extra firm fill aimed at side sleepers.
The pillow also helps fill that area between your head and shoulders, which is the area that needs the most support while sleeping.
Many people also purchase these pillows as replacements for the much loved feather pillows they have had for years.
These pillows have an all-feather filling. The brand says the feathers are cleaned to reduce allergens, but if you're allergic to feathers, a latex or foam pillow is a safer bet.
4. MALOUF Latex Pillow
For many of us the kind of temperature a pillow has through the night can play an important part in the quality of sleep we get (I know this is a huge concern for me).
If you're looking for a pillow that has a firm but breathable material, a Latex pillow may be a great option.
This pillow by MALOUF is made with 100% Talalay latex. Latex is breathable and helps the pillow stay cooler while you sleep. It's also naturally resistant to dust mites and mildew. Skip it if you have a latex allergy.
It doesn't need fluffing and holds its shape well. MALOUF offers it in several sizes and firmness levels.
5. Mediflow Original Waterbase Pillow
If you're particularly looking for firm pillows for neck pain, then this waterbase pillow by Mediflow may be perfect.
Although the name may make it sound as though the entire pillow is filled with water, the waterbase is on the bottom of the pillow.
The top of the pillow, where your head rests, is a layer of polyester fiber.
You can adjust the firmness by adding or removing water in the base of the pillow.
Many reviewers say it eased their neck pain. Check the current listing for warranty and return terms.
Conclusion
There are many different firm pillows for side sleepers and many good brands that can help you get the rest and relief you need. No matter if you prefer buckwheat or are a fan of feathers, there are lots of options to choose from.
Taking into account your own personal taste, budget, and desired firmness level can help you find the best one for you. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is to find a pillow that keeps your head and neck in line with your spine.
A pillow can make you more comfortable, but it can't treat a neck problem. If your neck pain lasts more than a few weeks, follows an injury, or comes with numbness or weakness, see a doctor.
Keeping these key things in mind is sure to help you the next time you go looking for a new pillow.
Sources
- Neck Injuries and Disorders, MedlinePlus
- Sleep positions and nocturnal body movements based on free-living accelerometer recordings, Nature and Science of Sleep (PMC)
