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Best Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers

Candace Osmond

Each sleeping position comes with different requirements for the type of mattress and pillow you use. Side sleeping is, by far, the most preferred position, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. When it comes to pillows, side sleepers need a pillow that is firm and tall enough to properly elevate their head and neck to ensure proper spinal alignment- and, in turn, the comfort and support every person needs for pain-free sleep.

A latex pillow for side sleepers makes a good choice as it is naturally medium-firm to firm and is considered very supportive, especially for people that favor sleeping on their side. Unlike some other materials, latex won’t sink but it will mold to your body, which is an ideal combination for side sleepers.

1. Sleep Artisan Side Sleeper Pillow for Neck & Shoulders – Editor's Choice

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  • Type: Shredded latex
  • Height: 6”

2. OrganicTextiles Natural Latex Pillow

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  • Type: Molded (solid core)
  • Height: 7.6”

3. MALOUF Z 100% Natural Talalay Latex Zoned Pillow

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  • Type: Molded (solid core)
  • Height: 4.5” to 5.75”

4. REJUVENITE American Talalay Latex

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  • Type: Molded (Solid core)
  • Height: 6”

5. JUVEA – 100% Natural Talalay Latex Pillow

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  • Type: Molded (Solid core)
  • Height: 6”, 7”

6. PureTree Organic Shredded Latex Pillow

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  • Type: Shredded latex
  • Height: 6”

Best Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers

1. Sleep Artisan Side Sleeper Pillow for Neck & Shoulders – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Type: Shredded latex
  • Height: 6”

Pros

  • Proprietary blend fill with natural latex
  • Unique curved shape
  • Supportive and adjusted to side sleeping position
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Handcrafted in California

Cons

  • Could do with extra filling

Editor’s choice

A design that’s fully tailored to the needs of side sleepers, this unique curved latex pillow is handmade in the USA from premium quality materials. The fill consists of a proprietary blend of shredded natural latex and microfiber down-alternative fibers and the soft and breathable cover is made from a blend of sustainable cotton, poly, and hemp. This hypoallergenic pillow will encircle your shoulder, support your head and neck, and allow you to sleep comfortably without putting stress and pressure on your upper body.

Another great feature of this latex pillow for side sleepers is that its loft is fully adjustable. The pillow is generously overfilled so if you find it too thick or too tall for your individual needs, you can simply remove the extra stuffing for a tailored fit.

Who Should Buy This Pillow?

If you sleep exclusively on your side and your shoulder and neck region tends to get the most pressure, this special curved latex pillow will give you the support and comfort you need. To boot, it is also hypoallergenic and fully adjustable so you can tweak it to suit your every requirement.

2. OrganicTextiles Natural Latex Pillow

Highlights

  • Type: Molded (solid core)
  • Height: 7.6”

Pros

  • A breathable pin core design
  • Natural latex
  • Pressure-relieving and supportive solid core construction
  • Doesn’t sink
  • Various firmness levels and sizes to choose from
  • Machine washable cotton cover

Cons

  • Can be too firm/high for some people

Runner up

Made from natural latex, this supportive side sleeper pillow boasts a pin core design which promotes better airflow, and, in turn, better temperature regulation. If you are a hot sleeper, you’ll certainly appreciate the many “holes” inside the usually solid core which will let breeze circulate through and keep you cool throughout the night, while also wicking away moisture.

Available in different sizes and three different firmness levels (soft, medium-firm, and firm), this pillow will suit a wide variety of sleepers. The high loft construction is ideally suited to the needs of side sleepers and depending on your body weight and height, you can choose between a medium level of firmness or fully firm to prevent sinking and loss of shape.

Who Should Buy This Pillow?

Whether you just prefer a cool pillow or want the ability to choose between different levels of firmness, this solid core latex pillow for side sleepers will be a good choice. With its high loft and pin core design, it will meet the needs of side sleepers and hot sleepers.

3. MALOUF Z 100% Natural Talalay Latex Zoned Pillow

Highlights

  • Type: Molded (solid core)
  • Height: 4.5” to 5.75”

Pros

  • Talalay latex for zoned pressure relief
  • Relieves pain and tension
  • Available in different firmness levels
  • Perforated for breathability
  • Machine washable cotton cover

Cons

  • Loft not high enough for some side sleepers

Customer’s choice

Offering zoned pressure relief, this side sleeper pillow is made from pure natural Talalay Latex whose unique density allows it to offer different levels of support and comfort in a single pillow. As a result, this side sleeper pillow will be an excellent choice for sleepers with back and neck pain as it is pressure-relieving and can help reduce the stress put on your upper body when you sleep on your side. The pillow consists of precisely cut columns of molded latex, so the center is firmer as to support your head properly and prevent sinking, whereas the edges are slightly plusher to ensure your neck is comfortably cushioned as well.

With a few sizes and density options to choose from, you’ll be able to match the pillow to your particular preferences- whether you’re a combination sleeper, plus-size sleeper, or an average side sleeper, this high-quality latex pillow will work for you.

Who Should Buy This Pillow?

The unique zoned pressure relief construction of this pillow is what makes it so great for side sleepers, in addition to its firmness and medium-high loft. The solid center will cradle and support your head and the tapered edges offer to cushion for your neck and cervical spine.

4. REJUVENITE American Talalay Latex

Highlights

  • Type: Molded (Solid core)
  • Height: 6”

Pros

  • High-loft for optimal neck support
  • Keeps its shape throughout the night
  • Open-cell design for breathability
  • Machine washable cotton cover
  • OEKO-TEX certified

Cons

  • Not firm enough for some sleepers

Best latex pillow for side sleepers for neck support

People that sleep on their side need their cervical spine properly aligned and cushioned to ensure comfort and pain-free sleep, so it’s essential to choose a pillow with a high enough loft to fill in space between your neck and the mattress. And for most people, this is between 5” and 7” of space- so this 6” high latex pillow for side sleepers is an excellent choice for anyone with persistent neck and shoulder pain.

Made from open-cell breathable Talalay latex, this temperature neutral pillow will ensure that your head is aligned and your neck supported when you sleep on your side, and it will do so throughout the night thanks to its natural firmness. As a bonus, this pillow comes with a 400 TC cotton sateen machine washable cover.

Who Should Buy This Pillow?

Whether you suffer from chronic neck and shoulder pain or your body type demands a high loft latex pillow for side sleepers, this 6” tall solid core pillow will give you the support you require. Sturdy and comfortable, this pillow will make sure you wake up well-rested and without any aches.

5. JUVEA – 100% Natural Talalay Latex Pillow

Highlights

  • Type: Molded (Solid core)
  • Height: 6”, 7”

Pros

  • Suits combination sleepers
  • Breathable and temperature-neutral
  • Supportive and sturdy
  • Available in different heights
  • Made in the USA
  • OEKO-TEX certified

Cons

  • Might not be firm enough for some people

Best latex pillow for side sleepers and back sleepers

A lot of side sleepers don’t exclusively sleep on their side: many of them switch between sleeping on their back to their side, and this should be factored in their choice as it will influence the type of latex pillow you need to get. This versatile pillow is supportive enough for both positions and will allow you to switch between them seamlessly, enjoying the same type of support and comfort regardless of whether you’re on your back or your side.

Made from natural Talalay latex in Connecticut, this eco-friendly and OEKO-TEX certified latex pillow is available in different heights- 6” and 7”- so every body type will find a match. The included removable cover is also available in three options (cotton, cotton blend, and Tencel (Lyocell)) so choose according to your preferences.

Who Should Buy This Pillow?

Combination sleepers switch between sleeping on their side to sleeping on their back and vice versa, and this latex pillow is versatile and supportive enough to offer comfort in each position. Breathable and molded for uniform support, it will make sure your spine is always aligned in the right way.

6. PureTree Organic Shredded Latex Pillow

Highlights

  • Type: Shredded latex
  • Height: 6”

Pros

  • Organic latex and organic cotton cover
  • Can be shaped to accommodate your needs
  • Fill can be removed to adjust the loft
  • Certified organic by the USDA and GOLS
  • OEKO-TEX certified

Cons

  • The initial smell of rubber can be too potent

Best adjustable latex pillow for side sleepers

In case you’re a side sleeper that sleeps with their arm under the pillow or you’re unsure what exact loft would work best for your needs, and adjustable shredded latex pillow is your optimal choice. Not only you can fluff it or shape it to accommodate for your arm, but you can also remove stuffing if the loft is too high: this pillow is generously overfilled so you can modify it to your exact liking.

The fill consists of shredded natural and organic latex which is naturally firm and retains its shape, but the shredded form makes it a bit more pliable and responsive to individual body types and sleeping positions. The latex used for this pillow is certified organic by USDA and GOLS and the removable cover is made from organic cotton- ideal for sensitive skin.

Who Should Buy This Pillow?

For any sleeper looking to tweak and modify their pillow to their liking, a shredded latex pillow is a great choice: it has all the durability and supportiveness of a solid core latex pillow but offers more adjustability and room for customization without much hassle.

What Type of Pillows Are Good for Side Sleepers?

Not everyone knows this, but the way you sleep should dictate your choice of pillow. You might think that your preference for fluffy soft pillows or molded firm pillows is enough to go on, but if you don’t take your sleeping position into account, you’re more than likely to end up with chronic neck and back pain. For side sleepers, the key stress points in their body are the neck and shoulder region as well as their hips: when you sleep on your side, to retain your spine’s natural curvature, your body’s curves should be cradled and supported.

When you sleep on your side, the contact of your shoulders with the mattress creates a gap that’s 4” to 6” and causes misalignment of the cervical spine and, as a result, discomfort and pain. To counteract it, side sleepers need pillows that are taller and firmer than, say, stomach or back sleepers. A pillow with a medium or high loft is best-suited as it will fill in space and make sure that your head and neck are elevated into the right position. However, just a higher loft isn’t enough. The pillow should also be medium-firm or firm to make sure it doesn’t sink under your weight and collapses through the night, again causing your head to fall downward and disrupt your spine’s proper alignment.

Naturally, as long as those two main characteristics are met by the pillow’s design, the pillow should work for any side sleeper, but there are differences that each type of fill comes with, and they could make or break the decision for you.

Memory foam and foam pillows are much-loved for their unique feel and pressure relieving properties, but they tend to trap heat and are not all that breathable. Feather and down pillows are the classic, traditional choice but only a combination with a higher ratio of feathers is suited for side sleepers as pure down is prone to sinking. Down alternative or synthetic fill is the budget-friendly and low-maintenance option but it lacks the durability of higher-quality fill options and will often lose shape and start sinking in no time.

Buckwheat pillows are made from grains and as such are firm enough for side sleepers, but the loft needs to be adjusted for comfort- and such a textured pillow might need some getting used to. Lastly, there are latex pillows for side sleepers which are a natural alternative to memory foam, prized for their responsiveness and supportiveness. Not to mention that they are naturally temperature neutral and breathable, so latex pillows also make a suitable choice for hot sleepers or people that want the benefits of memory foam without having to deal with potential off-gassing or overheating.

Features to Look for in a Latex Pillow for Side Sleepers

Latex pillows are made from plant-based material, or, more precisely, the sap of rubber trees. There are two methods of processing the sap- Talalay or Dunlop- and depending on the process, the density of latex pillows can be different. But that’s not the only important difference between the various latex pillows on the market: there are a few crucial considerations to make when it comes to latex pillows for side sleepers.

Loft

As a side sleeper, you should opt for pillows with medium (3” to 6” tall) or high loft (over 6” thick), depending on your body type and unique preferences. In most cases, a medium loft will work just fine for the average side sleeper, and a high loft is recommended for bigger or plus-size sleepers worried about potential sinking.

Firmness

As important as the loft, the firmness of the pillow will determine how sturdy and supportive it is through the night. Side sleepers need a medium-firm or firm pillow, which is great as this corresponds to firmness levels of most latex pillows for side sleepers. The firmness will vary depending on the processing (Talalay vs Dunlop) as well as the type of fill, as latex pillows can be either filled with shredded or molded latex.

Shredded vs Molded

Latex fill in pillows can either be a solid core (molded into shape), or adjustable shredded fill (shreds of latex). One isn’t better than the other per se, but some will work better for your needs than others. Shredded latex pillows are great for side sleepers that need a versatile, more adjustable pillow or sleep with their arm under one. Molded latex pillows are great for pain relief, combination sleepers, and plus-size people worried about their pillow sinking or losing shape overnight.

You may want to read: Best Pillow for Side Sleepers

Bottom Line

A latex pillow for side sleepers is a great natural alternative to memory foam: it is temperature neutral, free of toxic chemicals, and much more breathable but it still offers the same pressure-relieving comfort and unparalleled support for all people that sleep on their side need. Depending on your needs and preferences, there are a couple of options to choose from- whether it’s molded or shredded latex, medium or high loft, each type of latex pillows for side sleepers has its pros and cons.