If you like to sleep on your side, then you know that getting comfortable can be a bit challenging at times. One of the primary issues with side sleeping is that you create pressure points on your body, most notably on your hips and your knees. Since your legs are pressed together, they can get sore and painful throughout the night, causing you to toss and turn.
Another issue with sleeping in this position is that it can misalign your back and create lower back problems as well. Fortunately, there is a quick and easy solution to this – a knee pillow.
Knee pillows are designed to alleviate the pressure caused by sleeping on your side by padding your legs and ensuring that your spine is correctly aligned all night. Now, instead of having to switch positions throughout the night, you can sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed.
So, with that in mind, we want to take a look at the best knee pillow for side sleepers. These products are designed to be extra comfortable and suitable for all people, so you’re sure to find one that works for you. Let’s transform the way you sleep.
Find Out How to Choose a Knee Pillow
​Shape
Technically speaking, you can achieve similar results by sticking any regular pillow between your legs while you sleep, but the fact is that doing this won’t solve the problem. Instead, it will make it a little better until the pillow gets too flat, defeating the whole purpose.
Instead, it’s much better to get a pillow that is shaped for your knees. For the most part, these products have square sides and a soft slope in the middle so that you can get the comfort and support you need without having to reposition it throughout the night.
There are also other knee pillows that can be used in different positions as well. If you switch between sleeping on your side and your back, it can be beneficial to have a cylindrical model instead because you can support your legs in either position.
Overall, when picking out the best knee pillow, you have to determine what’s best for your habits. If you want versatility, pick a model that allows for that. Also, choose one that contours well to your natural body shape.
Material
For the most part, pillows these days are made of soft memory foam. Because this material is already designed to alleviate pressure points and cradle your body, it makes sense that it would work well for knee pillows as well.
However, there are some downsides to memory foam, which means that you may want to pick a different type of foam instead. Usually, pure memory foam can sleep hot, which can wake you as your body heats up. Also, it can have a bit of a chemical smell, so that can be an issue for some people.
Fortunately, there is a wide selection of different foams out there, including those that are more eco-friendly and less heat absorbent. Choosing the right material will ensure that you sleep peacefully without any problems.
Straps
If you happen to move a lot while sleeping, then you want to make sure that your knee pillow won’t either slip out of your legs or get misaligned during the night. If you’re worried about losing your pillow and waking up because your legs are not supported, then you may consider buying one with a strap.
Typically speaking, these straps are made of Velcro adhesives and ensure that the pillow stays in place all night long. Also, if you switch sides, you can do so more easily with a strap because your legs will stay together.
For some people, straps can feel a bit odd, while others like the extra feeling of security. If you’re not sure how you’ll react to them, we suggest trying them out first before committing to it.
Also, if you don’t move around much, it may not be necessary at all.
Size/Width
Although your knee pillow will compress slightly while you’re sleeping, some models are firmer than others. Thus, if you get one that is too wide, it may create more problems because your hips are still out of alignment.
It can be challenging to determine the right size without trying, but most professionals recommend between four and six inches of separation. Also, depending on your body type, you may want a pillow that accommodates your leg girth.
Overall, you want to consider these things when choosing the right size.
Firmness – softer memory foam will compress more, meaning that your legs will be closer together, especially after a few months of using it.
Leg Width – if you have more massive legs, then you will put more weight on the pillow, requiring more firmness and a wider model.
​Are you looking for the best mattress to sleep on? We have a guideline for you!
Recommended Best Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers
Everlasting Comfort 100% Pure Memory Foam for Side Sleepers
Starting us off is this memory foam knee pillow from Everlasting Comfort. This model is unique because it comes with an adjustable and removable leg strap, which is perfect for those who like to move from side to side while sleeping.
What we like about this pillow is that it’s ergonomically designed to provide comfort and relief for most users. Its hourglass shape ensures that your legs stay in the correct position and don’t feel too far apart. That being said, the overall size of this pillow is on the smaller side, so larger users may compress it a bit too much.
The cover provided with this pillow is soft and breathable, which helps avoid the issue of sleeping hot. Also, it’s fully washable so that you can keep your pillow clean at all times. As another bonus, this pillow even comes with memory foam earplugs, which can help you drift off to dreamland because you don’t have to worry about excess noise keeping you up.
Finally, this pillow comes with a limited lifetime warranty. You can buy it with confidence, knowing that you’re protected against any defects or issues that may arise. Overall, this is a great pillow for side sleepers who shift during the night.
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ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow for Sciatica Relief, Back Pain, Leg Pain, Pregnancy, Hip and Joint Pain
For the most part, the best knee pillow for side sleepers are going to be ergonomically shaped so that you get the support and comfort you need. While getting a wedge or multi-use pillow is suitable for those who sleep in different positions, side sleeping needs something explicitly designed for that.
So, with that in mind, we have another hourglass pillow from ComfiLife. One thing that we like about this particular model is that it’s made of high-density foam, meaning that compression and support shouldn’t be an issue for most users. However, as with all foam pillows, some compression is natural, and those with thicker and heavier legs will experience more than those who are a bit more petite.
Overall, this pillow is excellent because it’s small enough to work in a variety of positions. You can utilize it for side and leg support when you’re not sleeping, meaning that it will become an integral part of your comfort experience.
This model comes with a soft and breathable cover, which is removable and machine washable for your convenience. Also, this pillow comes with a money-back guarantee, so if you’re not happy with it at first, you can send it back without any issues.
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Leg Knee Pillow by Get Safe – For Side Sleepers
When picking out the best knee pillow for side sleepers, you can either get a shape that is heavily or slightly contoured. There are benefits and downsides for both, so you may want to try each one to see which will work best for you.
Pillows with a smoother shape like this one from Get Safe are excellent because they don’t feel too intrusive while you’re sleeping. While other pads can stay in place much more easily, they can seem a bit constrictive, which can be a problem for some users. However, if you like to shift and move around, this shape will work a little better.
Overall, this pillow is a bit softer and more plush than the others, so if you want more comfort, then this is a better choice. Some of these models can feel a bit too firm, which can make it harder to find the right position, so this unit should work for almost anyone.
As with other pillows, this one comes with a soft and breathable cover. It’s designed to help the product stay cooler at night, and it’s machine washable so that you can reuse it over and over without it getting too dirty.
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Premium Comfortable Wedge Contour Knee Pillow
Our final knee pillow is kind of an amalgamation of all of the different models we’ve seen above. Thus, if you want something that is built to last and is a bit more versatile than others, you may want to start sleeping with this pillow.
The first thing about this model is that it has a slight contour, meaning that it’s easier to move around and use for a variety of purposes. While that also means that the pillow can slip out while you’re sleeping (in some situations), it shouldn’t be an issue for most people.
The second thing we like is that the cover is both machine washable and hypoallergenic. If you suffer from dust or mold allergies, you will appreciate the fact that you don’t have to worry about this pillow, particularly if you use it for other things besides just your knees.
Finally, this model is made of visco-elastic memory foam, which retains its shape and stays softer longer than other pillows. Overall, you will get expert comfort and pressure relief with this knee pillow. Best of all, it also comes with a money-back guarantee, so you can buy it with confidence.
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Cushy Form Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief Knee Pillow
As we mentioned, the type of foam you choose for your knee pillow can make a difference. While standard memory foam is by far the most prevalent option, that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily the best. In this case, we have a knee pillow from Cushy Foam that is made of visco-elastic memory foam, which is remarkable for a couple of reasons.
First, this foam contours to your body’s shape a little easier, ensuring that you get the comfort you deserve while sleeping. Second, it retains its shape better than other memory foams, meaning that you don’t have to worry about compression as much as you would with other pillows.
Another thing that we appreciate about this model is that the cover is hypoallergenic. In most cases, people don’t put pillowcases on these products, which means that allergens can collect more easily. Fortunately, with this type of cover on it, you don’t have to worry about dust mites and mold getting inside. Also, it’s machine washable, so having a clean pillow is always possible.
Finally, this unit comes with both a travel carrying case and a money-back guarantee. Buy it with confidence and bring it on your next excursion so that you can maintain the same comfort level wherever you go.
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Final Ve​rdict
Although all of these knee pillows are ideal for side sleepers, we have to say that our top pick for the best knee pillow for side sleepers is the model from Everlasting Comfort. The reason we like this pillow above the rest is that it maintains its shape better than the others, and the removable strap ensures that it stays in place all night long. Overall, if you want a quality knee pillow that is built to last, Everlasting Comfort is going to be an excellent choice.
