Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Written by Becca Fair, Certified Sleep Science Coach
If you are a stomach sleeper who has been sleeping without a pillow specific to your needs, you may be all too familiar with the strain it can put on your neck, spine, and shoulders every night. Picking the right pillow can make all the difference in your posture, relieve pressure on fragile joints, and give you a blissful night’s sleep that actually leaves you feeling well-rested.
In this guide we are diving into some of our top pillow picks for people who sleep on their stomachs, and taking a closer look at what special considerations need to be made for these sleeper’s pillows.
For more ways that will help you optimize your stomach sleeping, check out our guides on the best mattresses for stomach sleepers, as well as how to properly sleep on your stomach. Additionally, note that with the listed prices, we are excluding any sales or discounts. By clicking the “check price” buttons on our page, you can check out each brand’s current discounts and sales on their products, so that you’re getting these quality products at the best price.
Bottom Line: What’s the Best Pillow for Side Sleepers?
Our product testing team selected the Lagoon Chinchilla pillow as the best pillow for stomach sleepers. Its soft fill and low loft make it a great fit for anyone who sleeps on their stomach.
Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
- The Lagoon Chinchilla Pillow – Nerd’s Pick
- TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow – Best Hypoallergenic Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
- Brooklinen Down Pillow – Best Down Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
- Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow – Best Customizable Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
- Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow – Best Cooling Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
Watch Our Review
Nerd’s Pick – Lagoon Chinchilla Pillow
Lagoon Chinchilla Pillow
The Lagoon Chinchilla has a wonderfully fluffy feel that will especially appeal to stomach sleepers.
If you sleep on your stomach, your face is going to make direct contact with the pillow. Period. As such, you’ll want a pillow that feels nice and soft when it’s smushed against your nose and eyes. In fact, you’ll almost want it to feel like it’s not even there at all. The Lagoon Chinchilla Pillow delivers this cloud-like quality that stomach sleepers adore, and more.
Light, airy, and ultra-soft, Lagoon’s Chinchilla is fully adjustable. You can add or remove filling until you find the perfect height for your neck and back alignment. It comes in Queen and King sizes and is filled with micro “softy” down alternative fibers.
The airy softness of the Chinchilla isn’t the only thing that makes it wonderful for stomach sleepers. It also features a fully adjustable construction, which means you can make it flat enough to where your neck doesn’t rest crookedly while you’re on your belly. Also, it has a breathable design that can help make waking up sweaty a thing of the past.
Best Hypoallergenic Pillow – TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow
TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow
This unique Tempur-Pedic pillow comes with an adjustable, shredded memory foam fill that can be added to or removed, to cater to your own personalized loft and feel preferences—meaning it’ll work for all sleeping positions and body types.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.00 / 5
Read Full ReviewIf you tend to have trouble with allergies and are looking for a hypoallergenic pillow, then the TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow may be the perfect choice for you. Not only that, but this pillow should also cater to all three sleeping positions, including stomach sleeping. Plus, reviewers say it’s cooling and breathable, even for hot sleepers.
Using high-quality memory foam products, this pillow is specifically designed so that your neck, back, and shoulders stay in proper alignment throughout the night. This alignment is super important for all types of sleepers, and just by removing or adding the memory foam fill, you can find a loft that’s best for you. This pillow will help support your neck’s unique curves while relieving pressure on your shoulders and head. Additionally, those with allergies can rest easy knowing that the TEMPUR-Cloud’s 100 percent polyester cover is hypoallergenic, breathable, and machine-washable.
The TEMPUR-Cloud comes in Queen and King sizes. You can also save some money by buying the pillows in a bundle. TEMPUR-Pedic doesn’t allow returns on this pillow, but they do offer a 5-year warranty.
What our testers say: “The TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow is made with a durable blend of three different foam fillings: pressure relief, plush comfort, and premium support. You can add or remove the foam until you find the perfect height (aka loft) for your individual comfort needs. ” –Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
Read our full TEMPUR-Cloud pillow review.
Best Down Pillow – Brooklinen Down Pillow
Brooklinen Down Pillow
Fans of comfort should love the softness of the Brooklinen Down Pillow.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.30 / 5
Folks often get down and feathers confused for the same thing. To be fair, they do both come from ducks (or geese) but they’re very different when it comes to feeling. A down pillow will usually be more expensive, but for good reason, as the fill is as soft and fluffy as a stomach sleeper could imagine. At least, such is the case with the Brooklinen Down Pillow.
Brooklinen specifically recommends the plush version of their down pillow for stomach sleepers, and so do we. It is the softest pillow they offer and has a lower loft than the firm version, which is recommended if you want to rest without your neck and spine forced into an awkward position.
You can also save some bucks by buying these pillows in a bundle. Brooklinen offers a 365-day return policy. Keep in mind, these pillows are spot-clean or dry-clean only. They can’t be thrown into a regular wash or dry cycle.
What our testers say: “Made in Canada, this pillow contains an even distribution of down clusters and feather filling. The 100 percent cotton sateen shell is breathable and soft to the touch. But the best part? The Brooklinen Down Pillow comes in Standard or King sizes, with the option of plush, mid-plush, or firm filling. That means you can customize your pillow based on your preferred firmness.” –Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
Best Customizable Pillow – Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow
Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow
The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow is made with a shredded latex foam filling that supports all types of sleepers.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.60 / 5
Read Full ReviewThe Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow takes customizable to a new level, and we think that stomach sleepers will absolutely love it. The pillow, packed with hypoallergenic latex fill, is made to be stuffed (or unstuffed) by the user, depending on their preferred sleep position and pillow feel.
For a belly sleeper, it is ideal to be as close to the mattress as possible to prevent neck and back pain. The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow should be great for stomach sleeping since all you have to do to get that proper alignment is adjust the pillow’s loft to your needs. One of the other outstanding aspects of this pillow is the quality of the materials.
The organic cotton knit cover is stretchy and soft. The filling is a blend of natural latex and smooth fibers that allows for optimal airflow and support. Reviewers say the pillow is very easy to adjust – all you have to do is add or remove the stuffing and zip it back up.
As an added perk, the Easy Breather Natural Pillow comes in the most dimensions of any pillow on our list. You can pick from their Standard, Side Sleeper, Queen, or King selections. Nest offers a 30-night trial, a 2-year warranty, and financing options.
What our testers say: “Eco-conscious shoppers will likely fall in love with the 100 percent organic cotton fabric and certified chemical-free shredded latex foam. On top of that, it’s really easy to wash and dry this pillow, since you can toss in the whole pillow for cleaning!” –Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
Read our full Nest Easy Breather pillow review.
Best Cooling Pillow – Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam
Belly Sleep Pillow
The Belly Sleep pillow is exactly as advertised—a slim pillow for stomach sleepers. The Belly Sleep pillow has a thin-profile pillow made of memory foam strong enough to lift your head enough, but not too much.
Read Full ReviewNothing is worse than waking up with neck pain, except for waking up with neck pain in a puddle of sweat. This gel-infused memory foam pillow aims to never let that happen to you again! With its moisture-wicking design and low loft, it should be excellent for folks who tend to sleep hot, and primarily on their stomachs.
The Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam pillow gives stomach sleepers the balance they crave with a design focused on all aspects of the sleeper’s comfort. Memory foam can get hot, so they infused it with a cooling gel to ensure you (and your pillow) stay as cool as possible.
The Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam is a slim 2.5 inches thick which is an ideal loft for belly sleepers. It will contour your body’s natural shape while reducing neck strain and promoting spinal alignment. Its supportive structure may also help improve breathing and reduce snoring. This pillow also boasts a moisture-wicking bamboo/polyester cover that’s machine-washable and odor resistant.
Belly Sleep offers free shipping, a 30-night sleep trial, and a forever warranty.
What our testers say: “This pillow is soft enough to be a comfortable place to rest your head but firm enough to keep your neck in a safe, neutral position. The Belly Sleep pillow also comes with a removable cover, making it extremely easy to keep clean.” –Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
Why Should You Use a Pillow for Stomach Sleepers?
Stomach sleeping can be very comfortable, but it also puts your neck, spine, and shoulders in an awkward position. Sleeping like an upside-down starfish can increase your risk of strained muscles and pushing your spine out of alignment.
Many people think of pillows as a “one-size-fits-all” product and that’s simply not the case. If you want to optimize your comfort level while you sleep and wake up feeling refreshed without aches and pains, then picking a pillow specific to your needs is crucial.
Types of Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Pillows for stomach sleepers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types. Among the most popular choices are:
- super thin pillows
- gel-infused options
- memory foam pillows
- shredded foam pillows
When it comes to staying comfortable, keeping your spine aligned is essential. If you can accomplish that, you will solve a lot of your sleeping issues. You don’t want a pillow that is too thin or too thick, so you may have to try a few before you find the perfect one.
Also, keep in mind how soft or firm your mattress is because that will dictate how much you sink and change the alignment of your neck and back as well.
What Makes a Good Pillow for Stomach Sleepers?
Loft
Most pillows for stomach sleepers want your head and neck to be elevated as little as possible while also giving you needed support. The thin nature of many of these pillows should relieve pains, but you’ll want to make sure there is enough pillow there to give your neck the support it needs.
Material
Stomach sleeper pillow models come in a variety of materials. The type of material that is best for you depends on how you sleep with the pillow. Among the most popular are:
- Memory foam. Generally, memory foam is very moldable and is slow to respond to pressure. It’s a great choice for folks who have neck or shoulder pain. It’s also a good option for side sleepers who require extra support and contouring.
- Poly foam. Poly foam is a soft and responsive material. It doesn’t offer a lot of support when used on its own, but it might work well for some stomach sleepers.
- Latex foam. Latex foam has a fast pressure response and natural cooling properties. Its buoyancy is optimal for folks who have neck and back pain.
Cost
Most picks in our guide typically cost much less than shown, since websites often add sales and discounts to their products. Several options on the market cost more and some cost less.
It’s always a good idea to read the customer reviews on both ends of the spectrum to see if a more expensive option is really worth it or to find out if a cheaper pillow can still provide you with a great night’s sleep.
Durability
The National Sleep Foundation recommends switching out your pillows every one to two years, but some will start to wear down quicker than that. Customer reviews and company warranty can be a good indicators of how long you should expect your new pillow to last.
Stomach Sleeper Pillows FAQs
What type of pillow is best for stomach sleepers?
We recommend stomach sleepers sleep with a low-loft (thin) pillow. Thinner pillows – about 3-inches or less – will help keep your neck properly aligned and your head from resting at an awkward angle.
It’s also important to pick a pillow with the right combination of comfort and support. Soft cushioning is prone to sinkage and can put extra pressure on the neck and head. Meanwhile, a pillow that’s too rigid can be uncomfortable and straining. That said, stomach sleepers may benefit most from a medium-firmness pillow.
What pillow firmness level is best for stomach sleepers?
Because you should be using a thin pillow, you’re likely to feel the firmness of the mattress coming through a bit. As such, we recommend you go for something soft to add a little bit of cushion between you and the surface of your bed.
How many pillows should a stomach sleeper sleep with?
It’s best for stomach sleepers to rest their head on one pillow. More than one pillow and you’re likely to throw your neck out of alignment.
Conclusion
Finding the right pillow is . If you are consistently waking up with aches and pains, investing in a pillow made for your sleeping style may be the perfect place to start.
| PRODUCT | SUPERLATIVE |
| Lagoon Chinchilla Pillow | Nerd’s Pick |
| TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow | Best Hypoallergenic Pillow for Stomach Sleepers |
| Brooklinen Down Pillow | Best Down Pillow for Stomach Sleepers |
| Nest Easy Breather Natural Pillow | Best Customizable Pillow for Stomach Sleepers |
| Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow | Best Cooling Pillow for Stomach Sleepers |
