---
title: "The Side Sleeper: knee pillows, without the hype"
url: https://thesidesleeper.com/
published: 2026-10-05
updated: 2026-10-09
---

![Bare feet and a plaid pillow at the foot of a bed.](https://thesidesleeper.com/_astro/feet-plaid-pillow.CCUwATf3_1rHiRx.jpg)

Photo: [Travel Photographer / StockSnap](https://stocksnap.io/photo/sleeping-woman-CUGR92OCUB)

Start here

## Never slept with a pillow between your knees?

Lying on your side, your top knee drops onto the bottom one and twists your hips and lower back out of line for hours. A pillow between your knees stops that. See what it does, who it helps, and how to try it tonight with a pillow you already own.

[**Why sleep with a pillow between your knees →**](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/benefits/)

## Guides

[### Why sleep with a pillow between your knees?

New to knee pillows? What one does, who it helps, and how to try it tonight for free.

Read the guide →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/benefits/)[### How thick should a knee pillow be?

A five-minute towel test finds your number. Then match it to what’s on sale.

Read the guide →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/thickness/)[### Pillow between your knees hurts your hips?

Too thick, too thin or too short: how to tell which, and the fix.

Read the guide →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/hurts-hips/)[### How to use a knee pillow

On your side, on your back, strap or no strap, and keeping it in place.

Read the guide →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/how-to-use/)[### Knee pillow vs body pillow vs a regular pillow

Size, weight, price and job side by side, and when the free option is enough.

Read the guide →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/vs-body-pillow/)[### Knee pillow shapes, explained

Hourglass, heart, wedge, long or full-leg: how each holds your knees, and which suits you.

Read the guide →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/shapes/)[### Knee pillow fillings, explained

Memory foam, shredded foam or fibre: how each feels, what “cooling” really means, and how to wash it.

Read the guide →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/fillings/)[### Knee pillow listings, by the numbers

What the best sellers do and don’t tell you: missing thickness, “cooling” covers, foam claims with no figures.

Read the guide →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/findings/)[### Knee pillows compared

The best sellers side by side: thickness, size, strap, cover and price.

Read the guide →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/compared/)

## Every shape, side by side

[Open the comparison →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/compared/)

Knee pillows come in more shapes than you'd guess. These are the 25 best sellers in the comparison table, grouped by shape. [What each shape is for →](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/shapes/)

-   Hourglass6 pillows
-   Contoured wedge5 pillows
-   Full-leg3 pillows
-   Heart3 pillows
-   Long (thigh + knee)2 pillows
-   Body pillow1 pillow
-   Butterfly1 pillow
-   I-shape1 pillow
-   Round1 pillow
-   Adjustable (inserts)1 pillow
-   Soft cushion1 pillow

## What the listings don't tell you

**10 of 24**knee pillows don't give a usable thickness, the number that matters most

**5–7.2″**the thickness range of the compact pillows that do state it

**6 of 24**come with a strap to stop them escaping at night

Every number on this site comes from the listing or the manufacturer, with a label that says whether it was stated, worked out or unclear. [All the findings](https://thesidesleeper.com/knee-pillows/findings/) · [How we research](https://thesidesleeper.com/how-we-research/).