Panda London Hybrid Bamboo Pillow
- CharcoCell foam & 100% bamboo cover
- Medium-firm
- Machine-washable cover
Tell me more about the Panda Hybrid Bamboo pillow
The Panda Hybrid Bamboo pillow is one of the best pillows we've ever tested.
The foam is blended with activated bamboo charcoal, which regulates temperature, wicks away moisture, and neutralises odours.
We found the pillow particularly comfortable for side sleeping.
The foam gently cradles the head and supports the neck at the correct height, aligning it with the spine.
The BambooCloud quilted cover is kind and gentle to the skin, indulgently soft and also fully washable.
We're also very pleased to know that Panda London makes these pillows using sustainable materials and practices.
Reasons to buy
30-night trial period |
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Unmatched 10-year guarantee |
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One of the most comfortable pillows we've tested |
Reasons to avoid
Not adjustable |
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Unsuitable for stomach sleepers |
Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow
- Simba Renew cluster fill, Simba Pure foam & titanium Aerocoil springs
- Adjustable to all sleep positions
- Machine-washable cover at 40°C
Tell me more about the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow
The Simba Hybrid Firm pillow has three layers, which can be adjusted to your perfect height and firmness.
The supportive Aerocoil layer is encased in soft, cushioning Simba pure foam, relieving pressure from the head and shoulders.
The super-soft Simba renew fibres cushion your head gently, maintain their shape, and stay fluffy for longer.
Made with a 100% Better Cotton cover, this eco-friendly pillow choice supports the Better Cotton Initiative [1].
The Stratos technology and the breathable mesh border keep you cool throughout the night.
Reasons to buy
Excellent adjustability |
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Great temperature regulation |
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1-year guarantee |
Reasons to avoid
The zipper broke during testing |
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No trial period |
Emma Premium Foam Pillow
- ThermoSync foam, supportive foam & soft foam
- UltraDry machine-washable cover
- Adjustable layers
Tell me more about the Emma Premium Pillow
The Emma Premium Pillow offers a unique experience thanks to its multi-layered, adjustable design.
The pillow as a whole has a firm feel and high loft, making it an excellent choice for side sleepers.
However, the pillow's adaptability allows it to suit all sleeping positions by simply removing or reordering the foam layers.
The Emma Premium pillow supported the neck and cushioned the head for a comfortable sleep that alleviated any pressure.
Another unique aspect is the thermoregulating layer and UltraDry cover, which ensure temperature regulation throughout the night.
Reasons to buy
30-night trial period |
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2-year guarantee |
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Adjustable to all sleeping positions |
Reasons to avoid
It's difficult to remove the inner layers |
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Quite pricey |
Brightr Eclipse Firm Memory Foam Pillow
- Graphene memory foam & copper-infused polyester cover
- Medium firm to firm
- Adjustable layers
Tell me more about the Brightr Eclipse Firm Memory Foam Pillow
The Brightr Eclipse Firm Memory Foam Pillow features a unique 4-layer adjustable design.
It is an ergonomic memory foam pillow that cradles your neck and head, promoting proper alignment and reducing tension and discomfort.
This makes it an ideal choice for side sleepers who require extra support.
Brightr uses cooling graphene memory foam, which helps regulate temperature and wicks away moisture.
Instead of one solid chunk of memory foam, Brightr has split it into four layers that slot together like Tetris pieces to design your perfect pillow height and firmness level.
The Eclipse pillow's signature copper-infused cover provides protection against allergens and bacteria that can cause breakouts.
Reasons to buy
30-night trial period |
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Ergonomic support for back & neck pain |
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Antimicrobial copper cover |
Reasons to avoid
Won't be suitable for people who want a soft, mouldable pillow |
What to consider when purchasing the best pillow for side sleepers
Side sleepers frequently feel neck, shoulder, and back pain upon waking, a tell-tale sign that their pillow isn't matched to the side sleeping position.
In contrast to other types of sleepers, side sleepers need a very supportive pillow that aligns the neck and spine, keeping everything in a neutral position.
But how exactly do you find this perfectly suited pillow?
There are a few things that you ought to consider. 🙇♀️
Pillow loft
The height of the pillow is vital.
Generally, your sleeping position affects the pillow loft as follows:
- Side sleepers need a high-loft pillow.
- Back sleepers need a medium-loft pillow.
- Stomach sleepers need a low-loft pillow.
But your build and body size also affect this. 🤔
If you're of a more petite build, with a shorter neck-to-shoulder distance, you would need a lower loft pillow than someone of a larger build with a longer neck-to-shoulder distance.
We’re big fans of adjustable loft pillows, as these would allow you to choose the loft that’s perfect for you.
Customisable pillows allow you to add or remove filling to find your perfect match.
Some of our favourites include:
- Emma Original pillow
- Simba Hybrid pillow
- Kally Sleep adjustable pillow
- Brightr Eclipse adjustable pillow
Pillows with layers like the Brightr and Emma will give you slightly more support. 👍
In contrast, shredded foam pillows like the Simba will give you more of that traditional pillow feel, largely because the foam filling is more likely to give way than a solid piece of foam.
Pillow firmness and support
While pillow loft influences whether or not your neck bends up, down, or stays in a neutral position, the pillow support will also influence how much this will change during the night.
Memory foam pillows like the Panda Bamboo pillow will give you even support all night long. 🌱
If you choose a softer pillow - like a hollowfibre or microfibre pillow - your support may dwindle.
Cheaper shredded foam pillows also generally offer decreased support as the filling is likely to move during the night. 🤦♀️
But you could do fine on a softer pillow that's bunched up to fill the space between head and mattress.
Generally, though, we’d recommend that the best side sleeper pillow is slightly firmer.
A firmer pillow for side sleepers will keep your head and neck in optimal alignment all night long and not sink in too much as you exert pressure on the pillow.
But you still need to sink in slightly, so don't go for an extra-firm side sleeper pillow unless you're of a larger build.
Pressure relief
Pressure relief is largely related to pillow loft and pillow support.
If your pillow doesn't have the correct height and doesn't offer a good amount of support, you're likely to experience a build-up of tension and pressure points.
This will cause you to wake up with aches and pains. 😳
Your ideal pillow will relieve tension and pressure points so you can wake up ready to jump into your day.
Side sleepers will often notice that there's more tension in their neck and shoulders - simply from sleeping in this position - so finding the perfect support pillow is vital.
Pillow shape and size
Pillows come in a range of different shapes and sizes.
The standard UK pillow sizes include:
- Standard pillow size: 50 x 75 cm (19.6 inches x 29.5 inches)
- Super king-size: 50 x 90 cm (19.6 inches x 35.4 inches)
A standard size is a good option for most sleepers, though this is also down to personal preference. 🤔
Some neck pillows also have unusual designs, offering enhanced ergonomic support.
While these can be great for a good night’s sleep, remember that you’ll have a greater difficulty finding a suitable pillowcase. 🤷
These pillows may also not be comfortable for some people.
Price
While we agree that the above points are the most important, it would be unrealistic not to consider your budget. 💰
The price of a pillow is largely dependent on the materials it is made of - and the quality of those materials.
This is why the Kally adjustable pillow is much cheaper than the Emma adjustable pillow. 😲
Both have different foam layers you can add and remove to suit your preferences, but the Kally is made out of hollow fibre, while the Emma is made from more expensive memory foam.
That said, you don't necessarily have to purchase an expensive pillow to get a good-quality pillow.
As long as the pillow gives you enough support, you could choose budget or premium options.
Keep in mind, though, that premium pillows are likely to last longer.
Most hollow fibre pillows will need to be replaced after 2 years, but latex, memory foam, or down pillows can last up to 10 years. 🗓
Side sleeper pillow discount codes
You can also buy your pillow when it's on special. 🤑
Our favourite pillow brands have frequent sales and coupon codes.
We share all of them on our discounts page.
You'll also get the best deals straight in your inbox if you sign up for our newsletter.
What material is best for side sleeper pillows?
While pillow material may influence the firmness level, you also need to consider what type of pillow you enjoy.
- Do you like your pillow to be firm and stable?
- Or are you the type of person who likes to cuddle with the pillow?
You won’t be able to do the latter with a memory foam pillow like the Emma!
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common pillow materials. 👇
Best memory foam pillows for side sleepers
Memory foam is an excellent pillow material for side sleepers.
This is because memory foam pillows tend to be firmer and offer more neck support. 🤗
They’re also very contouring, so your head will sink in just enough to be “hugged” by the pillow, but not enough to decrease support.
Memory foam is also a hypoallergenic material that's resistant to dust mites and allergens, making these pillows an excellent choice for people prone to allergies. 🤧
It also retains more heat, so it's not a good choice for hot sleepers - though you may find some great gel-infused memory foam cooling pillows that can help counteract this problem.
In addition, some people simply don’t like the feel of memory foam pillows.
If you prefer to snuggle with your pillow and want memory foam, then your best bet is a shredded memory foam pillow like the Simba Hybrid pillow.
A shredded foam pillow may offer slightly decreased support (depending on how much filling you keep), but you’ll still get the feel of a traditional pillow and not the firm support typical of memory foam pillows.
Best feather and down pillows for side sleepers
Premium down and feather pillows can be very comfortable. 🦆
But they tend to flatten out over time and are likely to offer decreasing support during the night.
This means that they’re not necessarily the best choice for side sleepers.
If you’re a fan of down pillows, though, and like the enhanced breathability and mouldability, you should opt for a luxury pillow with lots of stuffing. ❄️
This will better support you.
Keep in mind, though, that you may need to fluff up your pillow frequently to keep its shape.
The Hypnos Feather and Down pillow is our favourite feather pillow for side sleepers.
Best hollowfibre and microfibre pillows for side sleepers
These are synthetic anti-allergy pillows with a polyester base, and are often recommended as down-alternative pillows.
But, we’d err on the side of caution with hollow fibre and microfibre pillows.
While these are affordable, lightweight options generally available in a wide range of lofts and firmness levels, they don’t usually last as long.
Many polyester pillows will need to be replaced after as little as two years.
Support with these types of pillows also decreases rapidly.
So even though you may sleep well at first, you could start experiencing neck and shoulder pains after a few months. 😔
If your budget only allows for one of these, then we’d stick to microfibre, which is slightly better quality.
Alternatively, you could opt for a premium microfibre or hollowfibre pillow with more stuffing, like the Emma Premium Microfibre pillow.
How to make side sleeping more comfortable
We wouldn't be sleeping on the side if it weren't comfortable.
But, there are ways to make side sleeping even more comfortable - and better for your body!
Here are a few key tips. 🔑
Use the right mattress
It's important to remember that even the best pillow can't get rid of aches and pains if your mattress is shoddy.
You need a mattress that provides enough cushioning for the hips and shoulders.
This will enhance spinal alignment, reduce pressure points, and allow you to snooze pain-free.
Many side sleepers prefer soft or medium-firm mattresses.
Choosing the right mattress is so important that we'll look at it in more detail in the FAQ section of this article. 👇
Keep a pillow between your knees
Side sleepers sometimes struggle with pelvic rotation.
This is a painful condition resulting from the displacement of the back muscles and the lumbar spine.
It occurs frequently when the upper body is turned in the opposite direction of the lower body - something that’s quite likely in the side sleeping position!
The best treatment (and avoidance) plan is to place a pillow between the knees while sleeping.🧎♂️
This greatly reduces pressure in the lower hips and back and improves spinal alignment.
For this, we’d recommend a fluffier pillow like a shredded memory foam pillow, down pillow, or even a microfibre or polyester pillow. ☁️
Since this pillow's prime purpose is comfort and not support, you don't need to invest in a quality option.
Even a budget pillow will suffice.
You could also try something like the Kally Body Pillow for full-body comfort and support.
Invest in a mattress topper
Unless you have a soft mattress or one with a pillow top, your mattress may be too firm for the side sleeping position.
But this doesn't mean you need to buy a new mattress. 🛌
A mattress topper is an extra layer of material placed on top of your mattress.
Mattress toppers add both cushioning and comfort.
For side sleepers, a good memory foam topper, like the Panda mattress topper [2] or the thick Hypnia Ultimate mattress topper, can aid pressure relief and allow for better spinal alignment. 🐼
Excellent memory foam toppers:
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![Panda London Mattress Topper]()
![Panda London Mattress Topper]()
Panda London![Panda London]()
Mattress TopperPrice from £ 89.96 £ (99.95 )The Panda mattress topper is a gel-infused memory foam topper with a breathable bamboo cover.The Panda mattress topper is a gel-infused memory foam topper with a breathable bamboo cover.Price from £ 89.96 (£ 99.95 ) -
![Ultimate Mattress Topper]()
![Ultimate Mattress Topper]()
Hypnia![Hypnia]()
Ultimate Mattress TopperPrice from £ 179.99 £ (199.99 )The Hypnia Ultimate mattress topper offers premium memory foam support to side sleepers."Get 10% off with our exclusive 'SH10' discount code."The Hypnia Ultimate mattress topper offers premium memory foam support to side sleepers."Get 10% off with our exclusive 'SH10' discount code."Price from £ 179.99 (£ 199.99 )
What is the best pillow for side sleepers?
The best pillow for side sleepers will meet these criteria:
- High enough to fill the space between your neck and the mattress.
- Supportive enough to keep your neck and spine aligned.
- Comfortable enough, so you feel good sleeping.
As long as you’re opting for a quality pillow with enough height and firmness, you’ll be good to go. 🙌
We also really like customisable pillows, which will suit a greater variety of builds.
Below is a recap of some of our favourite pillows for side sleepers. 👇
Don’t forget to read our full pillow reviews for more info if needed.
Best side sleeper pillow UK:
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![Panda Hybrid Pillow]()
![Panda Hybrid Pillow]()
Panda London![Panda London]()
Hybrid Bamboo PillowPrice from £ 76.46 £ (89.95 )The Panda Hybrid pillow is a Sleep Hero favourite made from orthopaedic grade, adaptive CharcoCell foam."Perfect combination of memory support and breathability."The Panda Hybrid pillow is a Sleep Hero favourite made from orthopaedic grade, adaptive CharcoCell foam."Perfect combination of memory support and breathability."Price from £ 76.46 (£ 89.95 ) -
![Emma Memory Foam Pillow]()
![Emma Memory Foam Pillow]()
Emma![Emma]()
Original PillowPrice from £ 49.50 £ (55 )The Emma Original pillow is a height-adjustable pillow with customisable layers."Get an extra 5% off with our exclusive discount code."The Emma Original pillow is a height-adjustable pillow with customisable layers."Get an extra 5% off with our exclusive discount code."Price from £ 49.50 (£ 55 ) -
![Simba Hybrid Pillow]()
![Simba Hybrid Pillow]()
Simba![Simba]()
Hybrid PillowPrice from £ 109The Simba Hybrid Pillow is an excellent choice for those in need of adjustable support.The Simba Hybrid Pillow is an excellent choice for those in need of adjustable support.Price from £ 109 -
![Brightr Eclipse Firm Memory Foam Pillow]()
![Brightr Eclipse Firm Memory Foam Pillow]()
Brightr![Brightr]()
Eclipse Firm Memory Foam PillowPrice from £ 89.90The Brightr Eclipse is a firm memory foam pillow designed for orthopaedic support.The Brightr Eclipse is a firm memory foam pillow designed for orthopaedic support.Price from £ 89.90
Frequently asked questions
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How firm should a side sleeper’s pillow be?
Side sleepers generally do best on medium-firm pillows or slightly firmer pillows.
With soft pillows, your head will sink in too much.
This decreases support and causes tension. 😣
But if the pillow is too firm, your neck may feel strained, also causing tension.
Ideally, you’d need the perfect match between firmness, support, and pillow loft.
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What’s the best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain?
Side sleepers with neck pain will do well on a body pillow, u-shaped pillow, or v-shaped pillows that can support your head, neck, and shoulders at the same time.
Look at our full article on pillows for neck pain for more information.
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Should you wash your pillow?
Well, that largely depends on the pillow you have.
Some materials, like memory foam, are not washable, so memory foam pillows can generally not be washed.
Others, like the MyPillow or the Kally pillow, are fully machine-washable and can be popped into the wash whenever needed. 🧼
To protect your pillow, we recommend choosing a good pillowcase - like a traditional cotton cover, a soft bamboo cover, or a luxurious silk pillowcase - and a pillow protector.
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What are the benefits to side sleeping?
While we often recommend back sleeping as the optimal position that causes the least amount of pain and tension, side sleeping has some benefits.
These include:
- Side sleeping minimises snoring as it keeps the airways open.
- Side sleeping reduces acid reflux and sleep apnoea.
- Sleeping on your left side can improve digestion.
- Side sleeping is the most comfortable for pregnant women.
- With the right mattress, side sleeping allows for optimal spinal alignment.
The only sleep position we’d advise against is sleeping on your stomach.
Even if it’s comfortable, stomach sleepers frequently struggle with severe neck and back pain.
Unfortunately, no pillow or mattress exists that can help relieve that pain.
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What's the best mattress for side sleepers?
We’ve mentioned that the mattress you choose is vital to your comfort as a side sleeper.
Even the best pillow can’t help you if your mattress is causing tension.
Like with pillows, you need to focus on optimal spinal alignment. 🦴
Your mattress needs to be soft enough to allow your hips and shoulders to sink in and firm enough to keep the rest of your body firmly supported.
This balance will result in optimal spinal alignment, which decreases pressure points and prevents a build-up of tension.
And that allows you to wake up pain-free (with the right pillow, of course). 🥳
We go into a ton of detail on this in our guide on the best mattresses for side sleepers [2]. -
References
Alternatively, message us directly via the Contact Us page.