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Head-to-head · Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow vs Purelux Simply Cool Memory Foam Pillow

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Dedicated side sleepers, especially those with neck or shoulder pain, who want an ergonomic shape that gives the shoulder room and keeps the spine aligned. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow
$123.99as of Jun 7

The Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow is the specialist's choice, an ergonomic U-shape engineered specifically for side sleeping. The curved cutout lets the shoulder nest while the neck stays aligned, which is why Sleep Foundation named it Most Comfortable at 8.9/10. Adjustable latex-and-fiber fill tunes the loft, and open-cell latex keeps it cool. The contoured shape is not for everyone, but for dedicated side sleepers fighting neck pain, it is exceptional.

Strengths
  • — Ergonomic U-shape is purpose-built for side sleepers, giving the shoulder room to nest and preventing pressure buildup
  • — Scored 8.9/10 from Sleep Foundation as 'Most Comfortable,' with a medium-to-high loft that suited the side-sleeper test team
  • — Adjustable latex-and-fiber fill lets you add or remove material to dial in firmness and height
Watch-outs
  • — The U-shaped contour is a love-it-or-hate-it design that some sleepers find awkward versus a traditional pillow
  • — Works best for dedicated side sleepers; the cutout shape is less versatile for back or stomach sleeping
  • — Adjusting the fill to the right level takes some trial and error
$123.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Purelux Simply Cool Memory Foam Pillow
Ranked #5 in Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
Purelux Simply Cool Memory Foam Pillow
$50

The Purelux Simply Cool is the budget cooling pick, around $50 yet genuinely focused on temperature. Its PureGel memory foam pulls heat away and the ActiveChill cover stays cool wash after wash, while tailored raised sides give the lift side sleepers need for neck support. It is solid molded foam, so it is not adjustable and is less plush than premium rivals, but for an affordable, cool, supportive side-sleeper pillow it punches well above its price.

Strengths
  • — Genuinely cooling: PureGel memory foam transfers heat away while the ActiveChill cover stays cool and never washes out
  • — Tailored, raised sides give extra lift to cradle the head and neck for side-sleeper spinal support
  • — Lab-reviewed by Consumer Reports and recommended as a strong cooling option for side sleepers
Watch-outs
  • — Solid one-piece foam is not adjustable, so loft and firmness are fixed
  • — Lower-profile and less plush than the high-loft Saatva Cloud or firm Tempur ProHi
  • — Lacks the premium materials and brand backing of the pricier picks
$50 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow

The only contoured, U-shaped pillow here, versus the traditional shapes of the Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow, Layla Kapok Pillow, Tempur-Cloud ProHi Pillow, and Purelux Simply Cool Pillow. Like the Layla Kapok Pillow it offers adjustable fill, but its ergonomic cutout targets shoulder pressure more directly.

Purelux Simply Cool Memory Foam Pillow

The most affordable and most cooling-focused pillow here. It is less plush than the Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow and Layla Kapok Pillow and not adjustable like the Layla Kapok Pillow or Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow, but it delivers active cooling the neutral Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow does not.

Specs side-by-side

SpecEli & Elm Side Sleeper PillowPurelux Simply Cool Memory Foam Pillow
ShapeErgonomic U-shape (contoured)Tailored raised sides for lift
FillAdjustable latex noodles + down-like polyester fiberMolded PureGel cooling memory foam
LoftMedium to high, adjustable—
CoverBreathable luxury coverActiveChill cooling fabric, washable
CoolingOpen-cell latex, airflow chamberGel foam + woven cooling fibers
Best SleepersSide (and back) sleepers with neck painSide, back, stomach
SizeQueen 17 x 29 inQueen 30 x 18 x 5 in
AdjustableYes (add/remove fill)—
Firmness—Medium, fixed
Certification—CertiPUR-US
← See the full ranking of best pillows for side sleepers