Affiliate disclosure: links marked "affiliate link" may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never change our picks. Learn more.
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers in Australia (2026)
Disclosure: Measured Rest is reader-supported. Links marked "Check price (affiliate link)" will become affiliate links (e.g. Amazon AU, Commission Factory partners). If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions and sponsors never change our quiz picks or rankings, and any sponsored placement is clearly labelled "Sponsored". This is general information, not medical advice.
Quick answer
Side sleepers generally need the highest loft, so the head stays level with the spine. Our top pick is the Koala Pillow 2nd Gen (14 cm, medium, A$155, 120-day trial). For a firmer latex feel there's the Origin Coolmax Latex (13 cm, A$179 sale price, 30-day trial). If you'd like to adjust the height, try the Ecosa Pillow (10–13 cm, A$190, 100-night trial).
👉 Take the 2-minute pillow quiz for one pick plus a backup, matched to your position, shoulders and mattress.
Our picks
| Pick | Loft (verified) | Feel / material | Price | Trial / returns | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koala Pillow 2nd Gen | 14 cm | Medium, foam | A$155 | 120-day trial from delivery; refund of product price (delivery excluded); free return label | Check price (affiliate link, coming soon) |
| Origin Coolmax Latex | 13 cm | Firm, latex | A$179 (sale price) | 30-day trial with free pickup and full refund | Check price (affiliate link, coming soon) |
| Sleeping Duck AntiGravity (Tall) | 13.5 cm | Medium, foam | A$199 | 100 Night Guarantee | Check price (affiliate link, coming soon) |
| Ecosa Pillow (adjustable) | 10–13 cm, adjustable | Medium, memory foam, contoured | A$190 (member A$152) | 100-night trial, full refund; first order only, 1 return of up to 2 pillows per household | Check price (affiliate link, coming soon) |
| Ecosa Latex Pillow | 12 cm (better for narrower shoulders) | Medium, latex | A$105 (member A$84) | No trial claimed (terms conflict); free AU returns limited to 1 return of up to 2 pillows per household | Check price (affiliate link, coming soon) |
| Emma Foam Pillow (adjustable) | Adjustable (check height at retailer) | Medium, foam | A$349 | 150-night trial (clearance purchases excluded) | Check price (affiliate link, coming soon) |
*Origin's A$179 is a sale price. Re-confirm it before publishing.
How to choose
- Loft: Industry guidance (not trial-based) puts side sleepers at roughly 13–18 cm. Broad shoulders need more; narrow shoulders, less. No single height is proven (evidence).
- Mattress: Soft mattress → slightly lower loft; firm mattress → slightly higher.
- Firmness: Medium to firm holds height overnight. Research on firmness on its own is thin (evidence).
- Material: In an Australian trial of side sleepers, latex did best for waking neck symptoms and feather did worst (evidence).
- Photo check: Lie on your side and have someone photograph you from behind. Your nose should line up with the middle of your chest.
FAQ
How high should a side sleeper's pillow be? Research suggests height affects neck alignment, but no ideal number is agreed. 13–18 cm is a common guide. See our height evidence. Is there a trial? Koala, Ecosa (Pillow and Cooling), Emma, Sleeping Duck and Origin list trials. Ecosa Latex has no trial we can confirm or guarantees (see the table). Always check the terms. Contour or regular? One trial found a foam contour pillow did no better than a regular foam pillow (evidence). Neck pain on waking? See our neck-pain comfort guide. If pain persists, see a GP or physiotherapist.
Related: Back sleepers · Stomach sleepers · Latex vs memory foam · Koala vs Ecosa · Evidence
Affiliate disclosure: links marked "affiliate link" may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never change our picks. Learn more.