Best pillow for stomach and side sleepers

Best pillow for stomach and side sleepers

The Saatva Pillow
Though this pillow feels very soft, it’s dense and flat enough to accommodate stomach sleeping comfortably. Because of its loft, or height, this pillow might be ideal if you are a stomach and side combination sleeper.
The fill is made from shredded American Talalay latex and is hypoallergenic. Because the fill is shredded, it helps promote airflow and cool you down.
Considerations
This pillow has an inner cover and a removable outer cover. Both are made from cotton. The outer cover can be machine washed and dried.
As mentioned above, this pillow contains latex.
latex allergyThe latex in this pillow may be an allergen for some people. If you have a latex allergy, this might not be the best option for you.
Shop for the Saatva Pillow online

The takeaway

Stomach sleeping is good for alleviating sleep apnea, but it can be hard on the neck and spine.
The best pillows for stomach sleepers provide medium-firm support and are relatively flat.
Pillows for stomach sleepers come in a wide range of materials and prices.
You can buy a pillow in just about any price range. Some budget-priced pillows are just as good as — or even better than — ones that are very expensive. Price isn’t always an indicator of quality or comfort.

Best soft pillows for stomach sleepers

I AM A Stomach Sleeper Pillow
If you’re craving a soft pillow that isn’t too flat, this might be your most comfortable option. It provides medium-firm support while still cushioning your head and neck.
The fill is polyester fiber and the cover is 100 percent cotton.
Considerations
The entire pillow can be machine washed and dried, then fluffed back into shape.
Shop for the I AM’s A Stomach Sleeper Pillow online

How to choose

Stomach sleepers do best with pillows that provide medium-firm support. It’s important to choose a pillow that’s relatively flat and doesn’t exceed 3.5 inches in height. For many stomach sleepers, less is more. You may find your most perfect pillow only raises your head around 2 inches.
No matter your budget, remember that pillows are not meant to last for years. Even the highest-quality pillow will eventually start to sag or become stained.
You also want to avoid sleeping on an old pillow that has become contaminated with allergens, such as mold, or with dust mites. Using a pillow protector can help prolong the life of your pillow.
Pillows are made from a wide range of fills and coverings. Some may contain chemical toxins you want to avoid. If you’re looking for a more sustainable (“green”) pillow, choose one that’s made from organic or vegan materials. Any pillow that comes with a CertiPUR-US or Greenguard Gold guarantee is toxin-free.

Best flat pillow for stomach sleepers

Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper
At 2.5 inches, this is one of the slimmest pillows you’ll find. It has a rounded top and flat bottom. People who’ve used this pillow recommend it for stomach sleepers who like to sleep with their arm under their pillow.
This pillow weighs less than 2 pounds, making it a great choice for traveling and camping trips.
Considerations
The fill is made from mildew-resistant latex memory foam.
The pillow can’t be machine washed, but it can be handwashed with a sponge. The cotton outer cover is removable and machine washable.
latex allergyIf you have a latex allergy, look for another low-profile pillow instead. Read on to learn about Bluewave Bedding’s super-slim option, our pick for cooling pillows.
Shop for Elite Rest’s Ultra Slim Sleeper online

How we chose

The pillows we picked for this list are optimal for stomach sleepers and for combination sleepers who move around during the night. These pillows come from trusted, transparent manufacturers and get high ratings from people who’ve used them.
To come up with these pillow options for stomach sleepers, we looked at each pillow’s construction, materials, price points, and ease of cleaning.
Pricing
The pillows on our list come in standard, super standard (or jumbo), queen, or king sizes. They range from $30 to $145. One is priced as a set of two.
We indicated the price for each pillow using this guide:
$ = under $50$$ = $51–$100$$$ = over $100

Best CPAP pillow for stomach sleepers

Contour Living CPAP Pillow 2.0
Your doctor may have recommended that you use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for a number of medical conditions, including COPD.
A CPAP machine works by pumping air through a tube and into a mask that you wear over your nose and mouth while you sleep. Stomach sleeping can be challenging if you use a CPAP machine. This pillow works with most major mask brands and styles.
The pillow has a concave center and crescent-shaped bottom to accommodate your shoulder when you twist your neck to the side. Plus, its core is infused with a charcoal support foam that helps eliminate odors.
You can add or remove layers to adjust the pillow’s height, from 5.2 inches to as low as 2 inches. You can also choose between two sides.
One side is a cool mesh designed to allow air to flow through. The other side is soft, hypoallergenic fiberfill. The indentations on this side are meant to leave room for your mask and the hose of your CPAP machine.
The manufacturer offers a 45-day return policy and a 1-year warranty for damage and defects.
Shop for Contour Living’s CPAP Pillow 2.0 online
Jollyvogue Two-Pack Hypoallergenic Pillows
These pillows have zippered inner cores, so you can adjust the amount of fill to the height that’s best for you. This makes them suitable for back and side sleepers as well as stomach sleepers.
The microfiber fill is polyester. It’s also hypoallergenic, which means it’s unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
Users report that the fill mimics the feel of down. So, if you’re looking for a down alternative, this pillow might be a good choice.
The knitted outer cover is quilted and hypoallergenic.
Considerations
These pillows can be machine washed and dried.
The pillows may arrive compressed and vacuum packed, so they’ll need to be aired and fluffed after you unpack them.
Shop for Jollyvogue’s Two-Pack Hypoallergenic Pillows online

Best cooling pillow

Bluewave Bedding Super-Slim, Gel-Infused Memory Foam Pillow
The height of this pillow makes it a flexible option for stomach, side, and back sleepers.
Instead of traditional fill, this pillow is made with foam. The foam is CertiPUR-US certified, which means the inner gel foam has been tested for certain chemicals and for emissions of volatile organic compounds. This pillow doesn’t give off any harmful gasses or produce a chemical smell.
The ventilated gel core provides the “cooling” part of the pillow. It’s designed to wick heat away from your head and neck.
Considerations
The pillow’s outer covering is polyester and bamboo-derived rayon. It’s removable and machine washable. People who’ve used this pillow note that its covering is soft and comfy.
Shop for Bluewave Bedding’s Super-Slim, Gel-Infused Memory Foam Pillow online

Best down pillow for stomach sleepers

Downlite Extra-Soft Down Pillow
This pillow is filled with duck down and compresses so that it’s very flat and dense. Stomach sleepers who have reviewed this pillow rave about how soft and slim it is.
Another bonus: It folds easily without losing its shape.
Considerations
This pillow is also hypoallergenic, plus it’s able to be machine washed and dried.
Down items, including pillows, take particular care steps for washing, drying, and the life of the pillow because of the natural qualities of down feathers. For example, they’ll clump together when wet and they have natural oils that help keep structure and loft.
Shop for Downlite’s Extra-Soft Down Pillow online

Best pregnancy pillow for stomach sleepers

Cozy Bump Pregnancy Pillow
This inflatable pregnancy body pillow has adjustable cutout areas for your stomach and chest. You can sleep directly on the adjustable headrest or deflate it and use your own pillow instead.
At its full height, this wedge-shaped body pillow is just over 9 inches tall.
Fun fact: Some people who own this pillow have used it as a pool float after pregnancy.
Considerations
This pillow requires a pump to inflate it, similar to an air bed. It doesn’t come with the air pump, though, so you’ll have to buy one separately.
It has a weight limit of 300 pounds.
Shop for Cozy Bump’s Pregnancy Pillow online

Make it a better bedtime

Sleeping on your stomach can put a strain on your back. To reduce stress on your spine, try doing stretches right before bedtime, as well as first thing in the morning. These eight stretches might help your body relax before bed.
Sleeping on your stomach has also been linked to acne breakouts. To avoid this, make sure you completely remove makeup and dirt from your face before sleeping. Some people use a silk pillowcase to help with skin care. It may also help to change your pillowcase more frequently.

Best body pillow for stomach sleepers

Coop Home Goods Body Pillow
Stomach sleepers may benefit from sleeping on a body pillow situated under their lower back and pelvis.
This one from Coop Home Goods has a CertiPUR-US-certified, gel-infused shredded memory foam core. The gel helps wick away heat, making this pillow a good choice for hot sleepers.
Plus, you can adjust the amount and placement of fill so that it’s thinner near your neck and head and thicker in the middle of the pillow. This can help promote neutral spinal alignment.
The pillow’s core is encased in a polyester lining. Its outer covering is polyester and bamboo-derived viscose rayon.
Because it’s so adjustable, this pillow is popular with pregnant women, back and side sleepers, and stomach sleepers.
Shop for Coop Home Goods’ Body Pillow online

Best wedge pillow for stomach sleepers

Hermell Face-Down Wedge Pillow
This foam wedge pillow is meant for stomach sleepers who stay in that same position all night long. It has a relatively gentle slope and a U-shaped opening for your face to keep your neck better aligned with your spine.
Some people who’ve used this pillow love its cozy feel and the way it allows you to breathe freely while sleeping on your stomach.
The pillow has worked well for some people who’ve used it after eye surgery; however, others thought it wasn’t the right size to offer them good support while lying facedown.
People who’ve used this pillow also said they like it because it makes it easier to give or receive back massages at home.
Considerations
The pillow’s foam is made from polyurethane, which might release gas and contain chemicals that some people may wish to avoid. The pillow does have a removable, washable cover.
Some users found the large pillow to be too small or too short for them. They were unable to keep their face comfortably away from the surface of the mattress.
Plus, you’ll feel the sides of the pillow against your head. Some people who’ve used this pillow have had trouble adjusting to that.
Shop for Hermell’s Face-Down Wedge Pillow online