Key takeaways
- Side sleeping creates a gap between your ear and the mattress. Your shoulder width, body size and mattress firmness decide how big that gap is.
- A fixed-height pillow fits some bodies and misses others. A pillow you can adjust lets you match the height to you.
- With Yourzzz you order first. When the pillow arrives, the calculator tells you how much filling to take out.
Why does pillow height matter more for side sleepers?
When you lie on your back, your head rests close to the mattress and the pillow mostly cushions it. On your side, the situation changes. Your shoulder pushes into the mattress and your head ends up higher than it would be on your back. The pillow has to fill that space.
If the pillow is too low, your head tilts down toward the mattress. If it is too high, your head tilts up and away from your shoulder. In both cases there is a bend somewhere between your shoulder, neck and head. A pillow that fits keeps your head level with the rest of your spine, and that is what most people mean by a comfortable side-sleeping pillow.
You would not wear shoes a size too small, would you? Pillow height works the same way. Our physiotherapist Thijs van der Hilst compares it to shoe sizing: a store that sells one size rarely has yours.
What decides the right height for your side?
Several things work together. No single one gives you the answer alone.
| Factor | How it changes the height you need |
|---|---|
| Body size | A larger frame usually leaves a bigger gap between head and mattress, so it tends to need more height. That is why the calculator asks for your height and weight. |
| Mattress firmness | On a soft mattress your shoulder sinks in, so the gap is smaller. On a firm mattress your shoulder stays higher, so the gap is bigger. |
| Sleeping position | Side sleepers need more height than back or stomach sleepers, because the shoulder holds the body up off the mattress. |
| Personal feel | Some people like a softer, lower pillow and others like more support. This is why you can adjust again later. |
For a wider look at how these factors fit together, see our guide on how to choose a pillow, or our general page on pillow height.
Why is a fixed-height pillow a gamble?
Many pillows come in a fixed height, such as low, medium or high. You pick the label that sounds closest and hope it fits. If your body or your mattress sits between two options, you end up with a pillow that is a little too high or a little too low.
Folding a second pillow under the first, or pushing a towel under it, can work as a quick fix. It is also hard to repeat and easy to get wrong. A pillow you can adjust solves the problem at the source: you change the height of the one pillow you already own.
Not sure whether your current pillow is the problem? Read how to recognize a pillow that is too high. For more on what to look for, see our page on the best pillow for side sleepers.
What can a pillow do, and what can it not do?
A pillow that fits gives your head and neck steady support while you sleep. That is all we claim. Research does not show that one exact pillow height is right for every side sleeper, and a pillow cannot fix everything. Your mattress, your daily habits, stress and your general health all play a part in how you sleep and how you feel in the morning.
If you wake up with pain that keeps coming back, or pain that gets worse, talk to a healthcare provider. Do not rely on a pillow change alone. For general habits that help, our sleep guide is a good place to start.
How is the Yourzzz pillow adjusted for side sleeping?
Yourzzz is one pillow that you adjust at home. It measures about 25 x 17 in (64 x 44 cm) and fits a standard US pillowcase (20 x 26 in). The filling is a mix of premium memory foam flakes and polyester fibers. Taking filling out makes the pillow lower and softer. If you want it higher later, you can order extra filling separately.
The inner cover is polyester with a memory foam sheet. One side is firmer and the other is softer, so you can choose the side that feels better to you. The removable outer cover is a Tencel and polyester blend and is machine washable at 104°F (40°C). The inner cover and the filling are not washable.
You adjust the pillow in four steps:
- Order the pillow. You do not need to measure or calculate anything first.
- Use the calculator. When the pillow has arrived, open the calculator at /en/measure-now. Enter your height in inches, your weight in pounds, your sleeping position (choose side) and your mattress firmness (soft, medium or firm).
- Take out the filling. The calculator tells you how much to remove and shows the final weight of your pillow. Use a kitchen scale. Without a scale, a 200 ml (6.8 fl oz) glass holds about 50 g (1.8 oz) of filling.
- Keep the rest. Put the extra filling in the storage bag, so you can adjust again later. You can also use the bag to travel with the pillow.
The algorithm behind the calculator was developed by Dutch physiotherapist Thijs van der Hilst. To read more about how adjustable pillows work, see our page on the adjustable loft pillow.
What if your body or mattress changes?
Bodies change, and so do mattresses. You may buy a new mattress, gain or lose weight, or simply find that you prefer a different feel after a few weeks. Because you keep the extra filling in the storage bag, you can put some back or take more out. You do not need to buy a new pillow to change the height.
What does it cost, and can you try it first?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $89 per pillow; buy 2 pillows and get 10% off |
| Shipping | Free on all orders |
| Trial | 100 nights. If you are not satisfied, you can return the pillow. |
| Return shipping | No prepaid label; return shipping is at the buyer's expense. Include the return form. |
| Refund | To your original payment method, 5-7 business days after we receive the return |
| Warranty | 5 years on material and production faults. Normal wear and changes in firmness are not covered. |
For hygiene, replace the pillow after 5 years at most. Some people replace it every 3 years.
Ready to find your side-sleeping height?
Order one Yourzzz pillow and adjust it to your own body once it arrives. You have 100 nights to decide whether it works for you.
After delivery
Once your pillow has arrived, open the calculator at /en/measure-now. Enter your height, weight, sleeping position and mattress firmness. It tells you how much filling to remove from the pillow you received. Keep the rest in the storage bag so you can adjust again later.