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The 5 Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers for All-Night Support

Updated on Nov. 22, 2024

Stomach sleepers rejoice! These pillows will ensure a good night's sleep while protecting your neck and spine.

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According to Dr. Daniel Glazer,  a clinical psychologist who worked for the National Health Service, “Shortchanging your sleep can take a surprisingly insidious toll on your overall well-being, especially your cognitive and mental health.” He tells us that “quality, restorative sleep is absolutely vital for your brain to function at its best.” That starts with finding the right pillow. While most pillow makers focus on the majority of the population that sleeps on their side and back, the other 7% of stomach sleepers need support, too.

While sleeping on the stomach can help minimize snoring, aid in digestion and mitigate symptoms of sleep apnea, this sleeping position can strain the neck and back. If you’re committed to sleeping on your stomach, the best pillow for stomach sleepers is one that’s low, soft and compressible enough to maintain spinal alignment while snoozing.


Saatva Latex Pillow Ecomm Via Saatva.com via merchant

Best overall

Saatva Latex Pillow

Saatva combines latex, organic cotton and down-like micro denier fibers into one of the best pillows for stomach sleepers. With a soft, breathable cover and responsive head and neck support, this hotel-quality pillow hits our list as the best pillow for stomach sleepers overall.

Peeking into the pillowcase, we find a breathable cover made with organic cotton that wicks away moisture for cooler sleep. The gusseted sides help maintain the shape of the pillow night after night and the thin profile remains plush and adaptive enough to compress under the head so you’ll never greet the morning with kinks in your neck.

While the latex core isn’t washable, the fill layer and cotton cover are machine-washable and dryer friendly.

Pros

  • Thin profile protects against neck kinks
  • Organic cotton wicks away moisture
  • Plush but compresses easily
  • Hypoallergenic core

Cons

  • Latex may be disagreeable for some
  • Only the outer layer is washable

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Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow via merchant

Best budget

Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow

At just 2.25 inches high and a price tag well under $50, this memory foam pillow is the best pillow for stomach sleepers on a budget. Made with CertiPUR-US-certified gel memory foam and an ultra-slim profile, this pillow offers medium-firm support and spinal alignment. Pair that with an open-cell memory foam construction and added ventilation holes, and we have a pillow with plenty of air circulation that sleeps cool too.

Furthermore, it comes with a zippered, removable bamboo-polyester cover that’s machine washable and dryer friendly. And for those that sleep exceptionally hot, the brand offers a “Max Cool” option with carbon graphite particles for superior cooling. Users should note that this pillow ships in a box, so it may need some time to breathe and decompress.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Ultra-thin profile
  • Memory foam and ventilation holes keep users cool
  • Over 7,000 Amazon ratings with a 4.5-star average

Cons

  • May not be supportive enough for some

​​brooklinen Plush Down Pillow via merchant

Best down

​​Brooklinen Down Pillow

While the Brooklinen Down Pillow appears to have a high loft, it’s plush and soft, so it compresses beautifully for stomach sleepers. Moreover, it comes in plush, mid-plush and firm, but stomach sleepers should note the plush support is the softest and fluffiest of the three. Therefore, it’s the best for good spinal alignment when you’re favorite sleep position is sleeping face down.

This down pillow is designed with down clusters and feather filling, and the edges are double-stitched for exceptional durability. Lastly, the pillow features a 100% cotton sateen cover, but it’s not machine washable, so spot cleaning is recommended as needed.

Pros

  • Made with down clusters and feather-filling
  • Plush, but compresses easily
  • Over 2,500 five-star ratings
  • Available in multiple packs
  • Three different support options

Cons

  • Not machine washable

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow via merchant

Best adjustable

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow

Made with a combination of 80% memory foam and 20% polyester fiber, Brooklinen’s Marlow Pillow already offers plenty of support, but users may add or remove memory foam for a completely customizable fit. And doing so is as easy as opening the zipper and playing with the memory foam until it’s right.

It’s also designed with cooling-infused foam and breathable mesh, both of which provide exceptional airflow to help users sleep cooler. Doubling down on coolness and comfort, the cotton cover of the Marlow pillow is naturally moisture-wicking.

Pros

  • Users may add or remove materials to adjust the firmness
  • Sleeps cool
  • Available in multiple packs
  • 365-day return policy

Cons

  • Pillow isn’t machine washable

Lofe Ultra Thin Memory Foam Pillow via merchant

Best cooling

Lofe Ultra Slim Memory Foam Pillow

For stomach sleepers that run hot during the overnight hours, this ultra-slim pillow has a few design features that should keep sleepers comfortable and cool. First, this pillow has a 2.5-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam. Pair that with the pillow’s ventilation holes for exceptional air circulation and a cooler night’s sleep.

And not only is the bamboo cover beautifully breathable, but it also helps wick away moisture. Frequent fliers may be interested to know that Lofe also offers a travel pillow.

Pros

  • Made with gel-infused memory foam and ventilation holes to increase air circulation
  • Comes with two washable bamboo covers
  • Nearly 1,000 Amazon ratings with a 4.5-star average
  • Available in multiple support options
  • No smell

Cons

  • May be too low for some

FAQ

Is soft or firm better for stomach sleepers?

Stomach sleepers should opt for a soft pillow with a low loft that’s easily compressible. Firmer pillows may put pressure on the spine and joints, which can cause pain and discomfort and potentially lead to other more serious issues.

Why do some people sleep on their stomachs?

While some people may sleep on their stomachs purely out of habit or because they find it comfortable, others may choose to sleep on their stomachs to aid digestion or help mitigate snoring or sleep apnea symptoms. Furthermore, some people gravitate to stomach sleeping while they are unconscious, which can happen for several reasons, including the conscious reasons listed here.

What kind of pillow should a stomach sleeper get?

Stomach sleepers generally benefit from softer and flatter pillows than other sleep positions. These types of pillows allow for more comfortable, ergonomic sleep positions that are largely unachievable, with pillows that are overstuffed or too stiff. They can help maintain a more neutral spinal position that doesn’t put undue pressure on joints.