Head-to-head · Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow vs Saatva Cloud 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

Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about Side sleepers who want high, plush memory-foam loft that keeps the neck aligned, with neutral temperature regulation, from a trusted bedding brand. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #2 in Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow

4.6

$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 Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow

4.7

$135as of Jun 8

The Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow is our top side-sleeper pick because it nails the one thing side sleepers need most: high, supportive loft. Its 6-to-7-inch fill of shredded gel memory foam and natural latex keeps the head and neck aligned without craning, and the organic cotton cover keeps things temperature-neutral. Cooling is good rather than class-leading, but for plush, well-aligned side-sleeping support from a trusted brand, it leads the category.

Strengths

— High-loft fill of roughly 6 to 7 inches is exactly the height side sleepers need to keep the head and neck aligned with the spine
— Shredded gel-infused memory foam blended with natural latex gives a plush feel with responsive support
— Organic cotton cover is breathable and moisture-wicking, with reviewers reporting no heat retention

Watch-outs

— Cooling is neutral rather than actively cold; not the best pick if you sleep extremely hot
— The shredded fill is not removable the way a fully adjustable pillow's is, so loft is fixed at the chosen profile
— Premium price for a memory foam pillow

$135 · Buy at saatva.com Full 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.

Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow

Higher-lofted and plusher than the Purelux Simply Cool Pillow, and a memory-foam alternative to the latex-fill Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow. It is not as adjustable as the Layla Kapok Pillow, whose fill you can remove, nor as firm and tall as the Tempur-Cloud ProHi Pillow.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow	Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow
Shape	Ergonomic U-shape (contoured)	—
Fill	Adjustable latex noodles + down-like polyester fiber	Shredded gel-infused memory foam + natural latex
Loft	Medium to high, adjustable	High (approx. 6-7 in)
Cover	Breathable luxury cover	Organic cotton, breathable, moisture-wicking
Cooling	Open-cell latex, airflow chamber	Neutral, breathable cover
Best Sleepers	Side (and back) sleepers with neck pain	Side and combination
Size	Queen 17 x 29 in	—
Adjustable	Yes (add/remove fill)	—
Firmness	—	Plush / medium
Sizes	—	Standard / Queen, King
Trial	—	Saatva sleep trial

← See the full ranking of best pillows for side sleepers