Sleeping without a pillow can work for some people, but if you sleep on your side, you will benefit from using a pillow. The best pillows for side sleepers are firm, supportive ones. They help prevent your neck from taking the weight of your head. The idea is to keep your spine straight to reduce pressure points, and so the pillow depth should match the depth of your shoulder. We'd also recommend placing a thin pillow between your knees – this helps align your pelvis and can alleviate aches in your back and hips.
What is the best pillow for side sleepers?
If you're a side sleeper you need to choose the right bedding to support your body. Choosing the correct depth pillow is essential. Give yourself the right amount of support by making sure your pillow fills the gap between your head and the mattress. People with smaller frames will need shallower pillows than people with larger frames – if you find one pillow isn't enough then you can double up on pillows to find the perfect depth.
The first thing to do is to take into account your frame – your pillow should fill the gap between your ear and the mattress to avoid bending your neck. Read more in our pillow buying guide.
