I'm a side sleeper and bedding expert — here's everything I'm snapping up in the Labor Day sales to transform my bed into a cozy space for Fall

TG bedding writer testing the new Purple GridCloud pillow

(Image credit: Future)

Fall is right around the corner, making this Labor Day weekend one of the best times to invest in bedding deals that will take your sleep set up to a cozier new level.

I'm a bedding tester and side sleeper, and the deals I'm eyeing up this weekend are the ones that do double duty: ease the pressure on my shoulders and hips when I lie on the side, while also making my bed feel like a cozy cocoon. Summer who?

If you're thinking about upgrading your mattress too, we're rounding up the best Labor Day mattress deals from our favorite brands. We're also tracking the best Labor Day mattress and bedding deals live as they drop. But first, grab a pumpkin latte and scroll through my top bedding picks to make side-sleeping even cozier this fall...

1. A plush pillow

Let's start with a fluffy yet supportive pillow. The best pillows for side sleepers will feature the right loft to bridge the gap between your ear and shoulders for maximum support. My top tip? Always make sure that your pillow is made from materials which offer enough support all night and won't shift or flatten easily.

Think fill blends including memory foam and latex which are known for delivering plush hotel-like sleep and responsive support to keep your head, neck and shoulders perfectly aligned. Below are the two I've tested and loved:

Coop Original Adjustable: queen from $85 from $68 at Coop Sleep Goods
As the name suggests, our best pillow of 2025 is fully-adjustable. With a fill made of contouring shredded memory foam and cushioning microfiber, the Coop Original creates the perfect cozy headrest for sink-in comfort. Change the firmness and feel by simply adding or removing the fill. As a dominant side sleeper, I added about a quarter more of the fill from the complimentary half-pound bag that it comes with (read my full Coop Original Adjustable Pillow review to know more.) Right now, you can take 20% off for Labor Day, taking a queen pillow down to $68 from $85. This also includes a 100-night sleep trial, 5-year warranty and free shipping.

Purple GridCloud Pillow: double pack $298 now $268 at Purple
This is the pillow I'm currently testing and, frankly, in love with. The silicone-coated down-alternative fibers paired with Purple's signature responsive GelFlex-Grid layer creates a cloud-like plush yet supportive pillow, which is an absolute dream for side sleepers. Not only is the loft perfect for me, the balance of contouring comfort and support it strikes is undeniable. Yes, it's an expensive pillow at $149 but if you're able to stretch your budget, Purple's GridCloud is what I would recommend. Take 10% off when buying a pack of two pillows, which drops the price from $268 from $298. You'll also get a 30-night sleep trial, one-year warranty and free shipping.

2. A cradling mattress topper

Not everyone has the budget to upgrade to one of the best mattresses for side sleepers, especially if your current mattress isn't that old.

A budget friendly solution is to opt for the best mattress topper for side sleepers, which will help soften the bed and make it comfortable, contouring and plush enough to ease the tension on your hips and shoulders.

Casper Comfy Mattress Topper: twin from $199 from $179.10 at Casper
Our tester found the Casper Topper delivered cloud-like comfort, thanks to the double layer of AirScape perforated and supportive foams and the quilted top cover. It was, therefore, great for side sleeping. Sleep on your stomach? Check out the Casper Comfy Mattress Topper instead). You can now get up to 10% off in Casper mattress sales, which drops the MSRP of a queen size to $269.10 from $299 . This includes 30-day returns, a five-year warranty and free shipping.

3. Add a body pillow for maximum comfort

With cooler nights around the corner, curling up in a ball while lying on your side is undeniably cozy, but bad news for your back health. A body pillow is a side-sleeper's best friend, especially for maintaining a healthy sleep posture.

This helps reduce stress placed on your knees while side sleeping, while preventing your shoulders and arm from slumping forward. I've been using the Simba Body Pillow in the UK and love it, but here's a good US (and cheaper) alternative below:

Becky is a Sleep Staff Writer at Tom’s Guide covering all things sleep-related including product reviews, research studies, news and explainers. She works on specialist bedding content and is responsible for buyer’s guides like the best pillows for all sleepers and best mattress protectors focusing on popular brands such as Tempur-Pedic, Avocado, Coop Home Goods and more. Becky is a PPA accredited journalist who is keen to explore the intricacies of sleep, its effects on skincare, mental wellbeing and work performance. While not thinking of sleep, she can be seen reading in cosy bookshops or learning about global food culture.

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