“I’m a back/side sleeper, and the saatva memory foam is the best pillow I’ve found after trying many.”
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What to Keep in Mind When Searching for the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
With all the brands on the market, we know that choosing a top pillow for side sleepers can be overwhelming. In the following sections are tips that we hope will make your search easier.
Pillow Loft for Side Sleepers
For side sleepers, pillow loft or height is a crucial consideration. Generally, side sleepers do better with a high-loft pillow because it supports the neck at a neutral angle. Both the Graphite Memory Foam Pillow and the Latex Pillow offer your choice of high (6-7 inches) and standard (4-5 inches) lofts. The high loft option is great for many side sleepers and will likely help keep the neck and spine aligned. The standard loft pillow may be suitable for side sleepers who prefer a lower loft or who have a small-framed body.
Comfort and Support
Saatva designed both pillows to provide optimal comfort and support for side sleepers. Besides the choice of lofts, the Graphite Memory Foam Pillow has a plush feel with enough support to maintain alignment. The memory foam contours to your head and neck, creating a cradle effect that cushions and supports. The Latex Pillow offers a more buoyant, responsive feel that relieves pressure and helps with alignment.
Fill Materials
The right fill materials can provide durability, comfort, and support in a pillow for side sleepers. Both pillows contain durable fill materials that create a long-lasting, plush feel. The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow has a shredded memory foam and latex foam core. Surrounding the core is an outer layer of solid memory foam infused with cooling graphite. The Saatva Latex Pillow has a shredded natural latex core and an outer plush fill layer made of cotton and ultra-soft microdenier fibers.
Pillow Size
When shopping for top pillows for side sleepers, keep in mind the size and dimensions of your bed at home. The right pillow size for your bed helps ensure a comfortable sleep experience. Saatva offers both pillows in standard (also known as queen) and king sizes. Two standard pillows or a single king pillow will fit comfortably on most mattress sizes, from twin to queen size. You can fit two king-size pillows on a standard US king-size or Cal king-size mattress.
Organic Cotton Cover
As the closest layer to the skin, the cover of a pillow for side sleepers should feel soft and comfortable. Saatva has included moisture-wicking, organic cotton covers with both pillows. The Graphite Memory Foam Pillow has a breathable, stretchy knit cover that permits cooling air circulation. The Latex Pillow cover is made with gusseted sides to help the pillow keep its shape.
Other Factors in the Search for Pillows for Side Sleepers
The right loft, support, and pressure relief are all crucial, but there are other considerations to help you choose the best pillow for side sleepers. Below, we fill you in on other factors to keep in mind when searching for the best pillow for side sleepers.
Temperature Regulation
Along with comfort and support, temperature regulation is important in the best pillows for side sleepers. We like the fact that Saatva uses naturally breathable materials as well as the latest cooling technologies in its Latex and Graphite Memory Foam pillows. Both pillows start with a moisture-wicking cover to prevent perspiration from pooling.
Saatva’s Latex Pillow is filled with breathable natural latex to help you stay cool. The Graphite Memory Foam Pillow has a layer of graphite-infused memory foam that draws heat away from the body to keep the pillow cool. The shredded foams in both pillows, as well as the breathable fill layer in the Latex Pillow, allow airflow to keep the pillow cool.
Hypoallergenic and Eco-Friendly
Knowing that a new pillow is made with eco-friendly, hypoallergenic materials is a plus when searching for the best side sleeper pillows. The Saatva Latex Pillow is made with natural latex, a highly renewable material extracted from rubber plants. It’s naturally antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites and mildew. The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow is made with CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam, which ensures that the foams are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and tested to be free of several hazardous chemicals. The foams will not “off-gas” or produce an unpleasant odor after unboxing, as per the Saatva US website.
Both pillows are hypoallergenic, which is good news for side sleepers with allergies who want to significantly reduce the chances of having an uncomfortable reaction. Saatva uses hypoallergenic materials in both pillows and carefully washes the latex foam to remove allergens, too. Still, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider if you have a latex allergy before using any pillow with this material in it.
Care Requirements
When it comes to caring for new pillows for side sleepers, easy care instructions are always welcome. It’s easy to keep Saatva’s Graphite Memory Foam Pillow and Latex Pillow fresh and clean. Both pillows have removable, machine-washable covers. You can also wash the Latex Pillow’s breathable fill material. Saatva notes on its US site that the Memory Foam Pillow interior and the Latex Pillow’s shredded latex core are not washable.
Return Policies and Warranties
Before you pay for your new side sleeper pillow, find out about the company’s return policy and product warranty. Side sleepers will want to make sure that their new pillow provides the right balance of comfort and support to maintain alignment. Fortunately, the Saatva Latex Pillow and Graphite Memory Foam Pillow each come with a 45-night trial. During the trial period, you can sleep on the pillow in your own bed to make sure it’s a good fit. In the unlikely case that it’s not right for you, contact customer service within the 45 days after delivery to start the return process, and get a full refund upon meeting the Saatva policy.
Saatva also stands by its pillows for side sleepers with a 1-year limited warranty. Coverage includes manufacturer defects caused by faulty workmanship. Always be familiar with the latest warranty terms before buying a new pillow. For one year after the purchase date, Saatva will repair or replace a pillow that is defective according to the warranty.
Does the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow sound like a good fit for you? See what else buyers have to say.
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How to Find the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers: Conclusion
After our research, we recommend including the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow and the Saatva Latex Pillow as you search for top pillows for side sleepers. Although there are some differences, we believe that both pillows offer the pillow loft, cushioning, and support necessary for side sleepers. The Graphite Memory Foam Pillow contours to the shape of your head and neck, while the Latex Pillow provides a responsive feel with more bounce. Both pillows offer plush comfort, thanks to the shredded foam cores.
For the support and neutral neck angle side sleepers need, we recommend the high loft option for both pillows. Of course, we can’t tell you with certainty which loft is best for you. For example, you may have a smaller frame and need a lower loft. That’s why we like the choice of pillow height that Saatva offers with the Graphite Memory Foam and Latex Foam pillows.
Your comfort will be further supported by the cooling features in the memory foam and latex pillows. Breathable materials and advanced memory foams prevent the pillow from trapping body heat. These temperature-regulating features are another reason our research leads us to recommend these two Saatva pillows.
The hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly materials are also reasons we think you’ll like the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow and the Saatva Latex Pillow. You can feel good about buying a product with foams that are better for indoor air quality and are significantly less likely to trigger allergic symptoms. The pillows also have removable, washable covers, which helps to keep allergens away.
Finally, we like the 45-night trial and 1-year limited warranty that comes with both pillows. When you’re investing in a pillow brand you’re familiar with, a trial and product warranty can help you feel more confident about your purchase.
To sum up, we recommend including the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow and the Saatva Latex Pillow in your search for the best pillow for side sleepers.
