Best Pillows for Side Sleepers in Canada

Our years in the sleep industry have taught us a lot about how people sleep, what they prefer to sleep on, and how both of those can change your sleep quality. Compiling this list took time; we evaluated each of the pillows on our list (and dozens more ) in our test lab. We ran each pillow through various tests. Then, we sent them home with our team of knowledgeable, dedicated testers.

Combining our results with tester feedback made us comfortable with recommending the following pillows to you. Some of the areas we checked and tested include:

• Fill Type. The pillow’s inside is one of its most important things. The type of fill can determine if a pillow is soft, how well it sinks if it regulates temperature well, and if it will trigger your allergies. We looked for pillows with diverse fill offerings so that most sleepers would be satisfied.
• Loft. Loft generally refers to how tall the pillow is, and how much you can expect it to sink. Since a medium or high loft is best for side sleepers, we looked for pillows with these features. 
• Cover Material. The cover can make all the difference. A cover that’s smooth, soft, and comfortable can improve the way the pillow feels for you. We looked at the cover materials for each pillow and chose the best options.
• Temperature Control. If you sleep hot, you know that even your pillow can get too warm some nights. We specifically looked for pillows that would reduce temperature build-up and allow you to sleep cooler throughout the night.

What Makes a Pillow Great for Side Sleepers?

So what do side sleepers need from a pillow? Canadians who spend most of the night on their sides need a better loft and more support from their pillow. The ideal pillow for side sleepers should be:

• At least 10cm (4″) high
• Firm for better support
• Pressure-relieving to reduce strain and keep you aligned
• Great at maintaining shape to reduce the need to wake up and fluff
• Cool on both sides so you stay asleep longer
• Shaped to accommodate your shoulders and keep your neck supported
• Made with latex, memory foam, or down core

Choosing a pillow with some (or most) of these features can greatly improve how comfortable a side sleeper is throughout the night! If you sleep on your side, consider trying pillows that fit this description. If you aren’t sure about the height or loft you need, you can always choose an adjustable option. These pillows allow you to adjust the core to get the unique height or loft that works best for you. You might sleep better than ever. 

How to Choose a Pillow for Side Sleepers in Canada

As a side sleeper, you need a few extra things from your pillow. Now that you know what to look for, you can begin searching for the perfect pillow to keep your neck and spine comfortable throughout the night. The following features should help you determine which type of pillow may work best for you. 

Pillow Fill

The interior of the pillow can make all the difference. After all, the fill determines the firmness, how far the pillow sinks, and more. Here are some of the fill types represented on our list.

• Memory Foam. Memory foam pillows use a slow pressure response to contour your body. Memory foam pillows are some of the best options for side sleepers. Though it can allow heat to build up, most memory foam pillows have at least one temperature control feature to help.
• Down and Down Alternative. These luxurious pillows feel soft and expensive. They compress easily, but they are eco-friendly and fluffy to make up for it. Down alternative is a great way to ensure that your pillow is hypoallergenic and cruelty-free.
• Feather. Feather pillows are a little denser than down pillows, and offer great temperature control. Most can be customized to offer the firmness that you want, too.
• Microgel. Microgel is a synthetic fibre that imitates down while reducing temperature. If you sleep hot but prefer the feel of a down alternative pillow, microgel might be the fill for you.

You should investigate different fill options to see what works best for you. There are many reasons why you might prefer one option over another. Make sure to consider how you sleep, as well as the pillows that you like using now.

Loft and Thickness

The loft of a pillow is one of the most important factors for side sleepers to consider. Pillows with a mid-to-high loft can help keep your neck and spine aligned without making your shoulders ache. If you want to wake up feeling refreshed and comfortable, this is the option to choose.

Choosing the correct loft can be difficult. There are no ‘loft ratings’ you can check. Instead, you must keep an eye on the height of the pillow. While this isn’t a guarantee of any loft capabilities, it can help you choose a pillow that will start higher, even if your head sinks. Side sleepers should choose pillows with at least 10cm or 4” of height to start with. Higher isn’t always better, either – a thicker pillow can lead to more discomfort. If your pillow makes you crane your neck upwards or allows your pillow to sink past the shoulders, it’s not going to work for you.

You should choose a pillow that keeps your head level and your neck relaxed. While side sleepers should keep to these general loft recommendations, everyone is different. If you find that a pillow with a lower loft helps you sleep more comfortably, you should choose that one!

Firmness

Firmness is another important factor, but it’s not very well-defined when it comes to pillows. Mattresses have a firmness rating that can help you determine how they will feel. However, pillows usually do not. This means that you’ll have to read between the lines to discover how a pillow will feel.

Softer pillows allow your head to sink too much, while firmer pillows may not sink at all. Both can be uncomfortable. You want to go with a medium pillow that can maintain its loft. Firm pillows can also be good for side sleepers, but this depends on your mattress, how you sleep, and other factors. Trying out different pillow firmnesses is the best way to get an idea of what works best for you.

Pressure Relief and Support

You want to sleep comfortably, right? Pressure relief and support are two important things to consider as you shop for a pillow. A pillow with great pressure relief isn’t too firm. Though firm pillows are more supportive, they can sometimes feel hard. A pressure-relieving pillow can help reduce the discomfort associated with a firmer support base. So which pillows are best at relieving pressure?

Pillows with a medium firmness offer the best pressure relief and support. Pillows made with memory foam cores are the best at relieving pressure while maintaining the proper support.

If your pillow sinks too much when you put your head onto it, it can make your sleep that much more uncomfortable. While a softer pillow may feel great at first, it can strain your neck and shoulders over time. This means that you’re less comfortable overall.

Striking a balance between pressure relief and support is difficult, but trying to find that balance can noticeably improve your sleep.

Cover Materials

Even when you choose the fanciest pillow on our list, you’ll likely be putting a pillowcase over it. However, the cover materials are still important. They can impact how the pillow feels, how hot it gets, and how comfortable you are overall.

There are a variety of different cover materials, and no two pillows will use the same materials. Great options are organic materials like bamboo or cotton. When it comes to synthetic materials, look for polyester covers that are soft and smooth.

A great cover should be soft, and breathable, and help keep you cool. They should provide a smooth surface that you can feel even after you put a pillowcase on your pillow. Choose the materials that work best for you, but consider these options.

Pillow Size

There are a few different pillow sizes. This might not seem like an important detail to consider, but it can make or break your pillow experience. Some pillows come in a single size, usually closer to the standard size option.

However, there are also queen and king-sized pillows available. These pillows work best when they are used on a matching mattress. This means that queen-sized pillows are best for a queen-sized bed. King-sized pillows work best on a king bed. If you have a twin, twin XL, double, or another mattress, a standard size will probably be fine.

Though the height for each pillow is different, these three sizes are:

• Standard: 20″ x 26″ (51cm x 66cm)
• Queen: 20″ x 30″ (51cm x 76cm)
• King: 20″ x 36″ (51cm x 92cm)

When you order your pillowcases, make sure to match the size!

Temperature Control

So many Canadians sleep hot. As you sleep, heat can build up under you. This is especially common with memory foam pillows and mattresses. As a result, you might wake up sweaty and uncomfortable in the middle of the night. Besides being uncomfortable, it can throw off your sleep schedule and keep you tired during the day.

To avoid this, use temperature control materials. These include materials like gel memory foam, aerated foams, soft down fill, and more. A breathable pillow is best for temperature control. Proprietary phase-changing materials (and materials that help to move heat away from you) are also great for keeping the heat down and helping you sleep more comfortably overall.

Adjustable Fill

While most traditional pillows have a set amount of fill that you can’t adjust (unless you destroy the pillow in the process), some of the pillows on our list allow you to adjust the fill level. This means you can open the pillow, add or remove extra fill, and make it just right for you.

These pillows may ship overstuffed on purpose. This way, you can remove the extra fill and add more until you reach your desired fill level. It’s a great option to look for if you aren’t sure what fill level you prefer, or if you want to play around with different firmnesses.

Additional Features

In addition to the features above, there are a few special features we looked at. These additional features won’t be easy to find, but they can make your pillow much more comfortable.

• Hypoallergenic and antibacterial materials. Some pillow materials are naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial. These materials resist bacteria and repel allergens, so those with sensitive skin or allergies can sleep a little easier. If you’re willing to pay a little bit more for pillows made with these materials, it can be more comfortable for you overall.
• Moisture-wicking. Moisture-wicking is usually a feature that ties in with temperature control. Tencel, one of the most popular pillow cover materials, is naturally moisture-wicking. This means that if you get sweaty or uncomfortable during the night, the pillow will wick moisture away from you rather than allowing it to build up. This can help keep you cool and dry throughout the night.
• Organic materials. If you want an organic pillow, look for pillows made from all-natural, sustainably-sourced, organic materials. These materials include organic cotton, organic latex, organic wool, buckwheat hulls, silk, kapok, and ethically sourced down. Research each pillow’s organic certifications. There are several valid certifications, including USDA Organic, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), Greenguard, and more. Each verifies that the materials used are 100% organic.

These are just some of the great features you can find in the best pillows for side sleepers in Canada. Make sure to look for the options that interest you, as it can greatly improve how you feel when you get into bed.