The Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers

UPDATED
Written by Garen Glazier
Reviewed by Michael J. Breus, PhD

Sleep Doctor independently selects the products we test. We may earn a commission if you buy through the links on our site.

Every sleeping position carries unique pillow needs, and stomach sleeping is no different. A thick, supportive pillow could raise the head excessively, which causes the spine to move out of a neutral position. Stomach sleepers generally require a pillow with a low loft, soft feel, and compressible fill to maintain spinal alignment throughout the night. The best pillow for stomach sleepers ensures their upper and lower bodies form a relatively straight line.

Our team has conducted thorough research to determine the top pillows for stomach sleepers. We’ll also delve into the best fill material, how to keep the spine aligned, and how to choose the right pillow for you.

Best Overall

Sleep Is the Foundation Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

Sleep Is the Foundation Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
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Fill Material Shredded memory foam (gel-infused)
Firmness Adjustable (Soft to Medium)
Price $96
Cover Materials Polyester and bamboo-derived viscose blend
Highlights
  • Shredded foam conforms closely to the head and neck
  • Fill may be added or removed to adjust pillow loft
  • Cover is removable and machine-washable
Ideal For
  • Sleepers with neck pain
  • People who enjoy snuggling their pillow
  • Those who aren’t sure of their ideal loft

The Sleep is the Foundation Shredded Memory Foam Pillow offers even contouring and adjustable firmness levels to provide the versatility that many stomach sleepers need to sleep comfortably.

The pillow is filled with shredded memory foam infused with a cooling gel intended to minimize heat retention. The foam has a moldable feel that conforms closely to the head and neck, which benefits stomach sleepers who need a pillow that won’t prop the head up too high. The foam is contained in a pouch, which is encased in a removable cover made of polyester and bamboo-derived viscose. Our testers noted that the fabric felt soft and stayed relatively cool, thanks to the cooling properties of bamboo-derived materials.

The Shredded Memory Foam Pillow measures 8 inches thick when it is fully stuffed, however you can remove as much fill as you’d like to achieve your desired loft. Stomach sleepers will benefit from this adjustable design, since they typically feel most comfortable on pillows with thin profiles. The pillow is available in queen and king sizes.

The pillow is sold exclusively through Amazon.com and comes with a 30-night sleep trial. Ground shipping is free for Amazon Prime members.

Best Value

Sijo FluffBase Eucalyptus Pillow

Sijo FluffBase Eucalyptus Pillow
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Fill Material Tencel down alternative fibers
Firmness Medium Soft, Medium Firm
Price $60
Cover Materials Tencel lyocell
Highlights
  • Down alternative fill compresses to prevent neck strain for stomach sleepers
  • Tencel cover excels at breathability and moisture control
  • Approachable pricing for shoppers on a budget
Ideal For
  • Hot sleepers
  • People who are allergic to real down
  • Value seekers

If you’re shopping for a pillow with a limited budget, the Sijo FluffBase Eucalyptus Pillow delivers great bang for your buck. The down alternative fill and sateen-woven cover are both made of Tencel, a eucalyptus-derived fabric prized for its luxurious softness and moisture-wicking properties. 

Since the fill is 100% synthetic, it won’t trigger down allergies or retain too much heat. The pillow is also free of animal-based materials. You can choose from two firmness levels. Based on our tests, stomach sleepers will probably prefer the medium soft design because it compresses more beneath the weight of your head and neck. Combination sleepers who sometimes sleep on their back or side may need the extra support of the medium firm, but this model is too thick for most stomach sleepers.

The core and cover can both be machine-washed, but Sijo recommends cleaning them separately. You can choose from standard/queen and king sizes. Sleep Doctor allows returns of unused and unopened pillows within 60 days of delivery.

Best Luxury

Cozy Earth Silk Pillow

Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
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Fill Material Long-Strand Mulberry Silk
Firmness Medium Soft
Price $299
Cover Materials Viscose from bamboo
Highlights
  • Pure silk fill is plush, breathable, and long-lasting
  • Cover composed of moisture-wicking viscose
  • 10-year warranty covers pilling and other types of wear and tear
Ideal For
  • Hot sleepers
  • People who want to invest in a durable pillow
  • Those with sensitive skin

The luxuriously crafted Cozy Earth Silk Pillow delivers a plush, breathable design that provides just enough loft for stomach sleepers without causing neck strain. Fill composed of long-strand mulberry silk offers the same softness as real down, but without triggering allergies or retaining too much body heat. Silk is also naturally durable, so the pillow holds its shape well and rarely needs to be fluffed.

A cover made of bamboo-derived viscose encases the fill. This material feels silky-smooth and also wicks moisture away from your skin. Per Cozy Earth, the pillow should only be dry cleaned, as machine-washing can permanently damage the silk. This also helps prevent pilling and other types of wear and tear over time. 

Standard and king sizes are available. Sleep Doctor offers free ground shipping for all orders within the contiguous U.S. Your purchase includes a 100-night sleep trial, and the pillow is covered under a generous 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Best for Neck Pain

Slumber Cloud Adjustable UltraCool Pillow

Slumber Cloud Adjustable UltraCool Pillow
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Fill Material Memory foam and down alternative inserts (removable)
Firmness Adjustable
Price $109
Cover Materials Outlast fabric with phase change material
Highlights
  • Foam and down alternative inserts can be removed and rearranged to change the feel and loft
  • Outlast cover dissipates body heat on contact
  • Hypoallergenic design won’t trigger allergy symptoms
Ideal For
  • Combination sleepers
  • People who run hot in bed
  • Those who prefer not to use products with animal-based materials

If you’re a combination sleeper who switches between your stomach and side and/or back, you should invest in a pillow that meets the needs of all your sleep positions. The Slumber Cloud Adjustable UltraCool Pillow is a solid choice because you can customize the pillow by removing and rearranging the memory foam and down alternative inserts. Our tests show most stomach sleepers prefer to use one of the inserts, whereas side and back sleepers may need both for optimal loft and cushioning.

The cover is composed of Outlast, an innovative fabric engineered to capture and release body heat when it comes into contact with your skin. This material effectively offsets heat retention from the inserts and feels cool to the touch at all times. For added temperature control, you can open the cover’s side gussets. This can also give the pillow a fuller shape.

Standard and king sizes are available for the Adjustable UltraCool Pillow. Sleep Doctor offers free ground shipping for customers in the contiguous U.S. Slumber Cloud’s sleep trial runs for 60 nights, and your purchase is also backed by a 6-month warranty.

How We Test Pillows

We test pillows against the same set of strict standards that we use for other pillow types, but we pay close attention to several factors that set different pillows apart. In addition to firmness, conforming, and ease of cleaning, we also measure breathability. Many sleepers choose specific materials for their cool feel. To determine how well a pillow regulates temperature, we use thermal sensors that measure heat retention and we try them ourselves too, taking notes on how warm or cool we think a pillow feels after use.

Keeping Your Spine Aligned While Sleeping on Your Stomach

Sleeping on the stomach is the least common position, with most sleepers spending less than 10% of their sleeping hours on their stomachs. People who sleep on their stomachs lie chest down on the mattress. Their face typically lies on the pillow or to the side with their ear touching it.

Stomach sleeping causes the sleeper’s midsection to sink deeper into the mattress, often resulting in an arched back, raised upper body, and spinal misalignment. An excessively thick or firm pillow can exacerbate the issue by forcing the head up, putting pressure on the neck.

We generally recommend that stomach sleepers choose a firm mattress and a soft, low-loft pillow to avoid adverse effects. This combination helps ensure your torso does not compress into the mattress and your head remains better aligned with your spine.

Is Sleeping on Your Stomach Bad?

Our sleep experts usually advise against stomach sleeping due to its potential drawbacks. Stomach sleepers typically awake with more pain than side or back sleepers resulting from spinal misalignment and back strain. Although this position is uncomfortable for most, some may prefer it and feel no discomfort. Sleeping on your stomach can also reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.

I’m a combination sleeper and I spend a fair amount of time sleeping on my stomach. When I do, I like a low-loft pillow that doesn’t make my head curve up at an uncomfortable angle to reach it.

What to Look for in a Stomach Sleeper Pillow

Every sleep position requires the right pillow to achieve spinal alignment, proper support, and comfort. Stomach sleepers generally require pillows with low lofts, soft to medium firmness levels, and compressible fill to align the head, neck, shoulders, and back.

  • Low-profile loft: Loft refers to a pillow’s thickness. It is the most important factor to consider for stomach sleepers. A low loft ensures the head and neck remain better aligned with the spine. Some stomach sleepers may prefer medium lofts depending on head size and personal preferences. High-loft pillows angle the head and neck upward, resulting in discomfort and strain.
  • Soft to medium firmness: Stomach sleepers usually find soft to medium firm pillows most comfortable. They easily mold to the shape and size of the head, ensuring the head remains as close to the mattress as possible for better alignment.
  • Compressible fill: Fill type affects a pillow’s loft and firmness level. Compressible fills are fitting for stomach sleepers because they provide cushioning without too much lift. Stomach sleepers may find even higher-loft pillows comfortable if they contain easily compressible fills, such as down, down alternative, shredded latex, and shredded memory foam.
  • Quality materials: Higher-quality materials typically last longer, extending the pillow’s usable lifespan. Lower-quality materials may go flat or get lumpy, which could be uncomfortable for stomach sleepers.
  • Cooling and breathability: Stomach sleepers who tend to get hot may prefer a pillow with strong temperature regulation. Pillows with ample airflow don’t retain much heat. Models specially designed for cooling may also help dissipate warmth.
  • Shape and moldability: Moldability enables the sleeper to shape their pillow into different positions. Stomach sleepers often prefer moldable pillows that form to their heads to support good posture.
  • Easy to clean cover: Since the pillow cover rests near a stomach sleeper’s face, regular cleaning is important. Care instructions vary. Some covers are removable and machine-washable, some pillows are fully machine-washable, and others require dry cleaning.

Best Pillow Types for Stomach Sleepers

Many types of pillows are available, but some are better for stomach sleepers than others. Pillows filled with compressible, soft material are typically well suited for stomach sleepers because of their moldability. The best materials for stomach sleepers include down, down alternative, memory foam, and latex.

Down

Down pillows contain feathers from the underbelly of waterfowl, such as ducks or geese. The fluffy fill compresses easily, meaning sleepers can squeeze the pillow to form a lower loft and keep the head and back in line. Although down is ideal for many stomach sleepers, it tends to be expensive.

Down Alternative

Down alternative pillows have a similar feel to down at a lower price. They also do not use animal products, making them hypoallergenic. Instead, they consist of synthetic material, such as polyester fibers, that mimics down. Down alternative pillows are also compressible, which is ideal for stomach sleepers.

Memory Foam

Memory foam pillows contain either a solid foam core or shredded pieces of memory foam. A solid foam core is generally firmer and less moldable, so we recommend only lower-loft options for stomach sleepers. Shredded memory foam pillows are more compressible, making them well suited to stomach sleeping.

Latex

Latex pillows consist of either natural, synthetic, or blended latex, though natural is most common. Like memory foam pillows, latex pillows are available with solid or shredded fill. A thin solid latex pillow can provide contouring and support for stomach sleepers, whereas a shredded latex pillow is more compressible.

Getting a compressive pillow can help if you’re a stomach sleeper. Shredded foam, shredded latex, down, and down alternative fills all squish easily so you can mold them into the exact shape you need.

What Should Stomach Sleepers Avoid?

Stomach sleepers should avoid several types of pillows and mattresses. Certain firmness levels and lofts can result in spinal misalignment. Stomach sleepers prone to overheating should also avoid materials that trap body warmth.

Avoid When Stomach Sleeping Description
Firm Pillows Firm pillows do not compress as easily under pressure, which can lift the head above a neutral position and cause spinal misalignment. A soft pillow’s greater compression generally promotes better posture.
Tall Pillows High-loft pillows lift the head above the back, causing the neck to crane. Low-loft pillows are optimal for stomach sleepers because they keep the head, neck, shoulders, and back better in line.
Pillows Lacking Support Pillows lacking support allow the head to sink, potentially allowing it to dip below the torso if the mattress is firm.
Heat-Trapping Materials Stomach sleepers who sleep hot should avoid materials that retain warmth. We recommend breathable materials that allow airflow, like cotton, latex, and buckwheat hulls. Cooling features, such as gel infusions, may also improve temperature regulation.
Soft Mattresses Soft mattresses allow stomach sleepers’ midsections to sag into the mattress, resulting in poor alignment. The head and upper body remain lifted, which can force the lower back into an uncomfortable U shape.

Do You Need a Pillow for Sleeping on Your Stomach?

Some stomach sleepers prefer a low-loft, soft, and compressible pillow, while others prefer to sleep with no pillow. Before deciding what’s best for you, it’s important to understand the potential pros and cons of skipping the pillow.

Some stomach sleepers find sleeping without a pillow improves their posture, relieves neck and back pain, and prevents wrinkles and hair damage. However, others feel that sleeping without a pillow impairs posture, worsens neck and back pain, and hinders breathing.

Tips for Sleeping on Your Stomach

Additional factors can help stomach sleepers prepare for a healthy night’s rest. Maximize your sleeping position by observing the following tips.

Use a Firm Mattress: Soft mattresses typically let the hips sink into the mattress more deeply than the rest of the body, resulting in spinal misalignment. A firm mattress ensures the lower and upper body remain in a neutral and aligned position, especially when combined with a soft, low-loft pillow.

Consider an Adjustable Pillow for Combination Sleepers: Very few people sleep on their stomachs all night, every night. With an adjustable pillow, combination sleepers can increase or decrease the loft and firmness depending on their sleeping position.

Try a Pillow Under Your Pelvis: Consider placing a pillow under your pelvis while sleeping on your stomach. The pillow lifts the lower body, supports the hips, and promotes spinal alignment. This may be particularly beneficial for stomach sleepers with soft or medium mattresses.

About the Author

Staff Writer, Product Testing Team

Garen Glazier

Staff Writer, Product Testing Team

Position: Side sleeper

Temperature: Neutral sleeper

Chronotype: Wolf

Garen is a health and lifestyle content creator. She realized the importance of sleep when her children made getting a good night's rest more challenging. Garen is always learning something new about the wide world of sleep and sleep products. Married with two girls, ages 7 and 11, she is a book nerd and a lover of pop music, travel, and the Pacific Northwest.

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