A pillow is a pillow, right?
Well, not exactly.
Pillows can look and feel very different, depending on their materials, the sleeping position they’re intended for, and any special features they have.
Sleeping on
Had your current pillows for longer than you can remember? Are they yellowing, flat, or overstuffed? If so, it’s time to say good night to them.
Check out our 9 best pillow picks below for potential replacements.
Pricing guide
Prices of our picks range from:
- $ = under $70
- $$ = $70 to $150
- $$$ = over $150
Still searching for the right sleep products?
Let us help. Shop our top picks for pillows by condition or sleep position to get the sound sleep you deserve.
| Price | Fill material | Firmness | Sleeping positions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Saatva | $$$ | latex | medium-soft | all |
Layla | $$ | kapok, memory foam | adjustable | side, back |
Brentwood Home | $ | foam | firm | back |
Blissbury | $ | memory foam | firm | stomach |
Avocado | $$ | latex, kapok | adjustable | all |
Slumber Cloud | $$ | polyester | medium-soft, medium-firm | side, back |
Casper | $$ | polyester | soft | side, combination |
EPABO | $ | memory foam | firm | back, side |
Tempur-Pedic | $$$ | TEMPUR-Material foam | medium-firm | side, for pregnancy |
A new pillow might be a small purchase, but it’s an important one. We considered the following factors to make sure we only recommend quality pillows:
- Customer reviews: User feedback is often the best way to know how something really works, and pillows are no exception. We used reviews to narrow down our search for the best pillows and to ensure the ones we recommend are everything the brands have fluffed them up to be.
- Company reputation and transparency: For your peace of mind, we make every effort to recommend products from brands known for being upfront about product materials and construction. We also look for brands with good customer service ratings.
- Consumer protection policy: We prioritize brands that provide product warranties and risk-free sleep trials. Many also offer free returns.
- Variety. To help include pillows that meet everyone’s needs, we’ve selected those made from various materials, with different price points, and for every sleeping style.
There’s something of a science to pillow shopping. Your pillow should feel comfortable, but it should also support your sleeping position. Generally, finding the right pillow leads to a lengthy trial and error process, but this guide to common types can help you start narrowing down your search.
Down or feathers
Made of goose or duck down, these pillows feel soft and fluffy. They may have a higher loft to start, but they often flatten in the night and don’t offer much support. You’ll need to fluff and reshape them regularly. Still, feather pillows can help with neck pain since they conform to your neck.
Synthetic down
Like real down, down alternative pillows feel quite soft, but they tend to lose their shape after a while. You can use synthetic down pillows for any sleeping position, but if you sleep on your stomach, opt for one with less fill.
Foam
This category can include memory foam or a brand’s own foam blend, in a range of firmness options. Foam contours to the shape of your head and shoulders to cushion you and provide pressure relief. This means a foam pillow might be suitable for people looking to relieve pain or discomfort.
Though foam can sometimes trap heat, many pillows have cooling features designed to help you sleep more comfortably.
Latex
Since latex has more bounce and breathability than memory foam, consider latex if you sleep hot or need a pillow that conforms slightly less. Latex is also more durable than other foams, so it makes for a longer-lasting pillow.
Skip these pillows if you have a latex allergy. However, you might find them a great option if you’re sensitive to dust.
Shredded foam or latex
These pillows offer more breathability than pillows made from a single piece of foam. They’re also easier to mold, so they might be suited for people who prefer a more yielding pillow.
Many shredded pillows can also be adjusted, giving you more control over the height. However, you may notice a chemical smell with shredded pillows, so it’s best to air them out before sleeping on them.
Polyester
As your basic pillow, this inexpensive option tends to feel pretty firm. These pillows generally won’t last long, and most stomach sleepers will find them a little too high for comfort.
When shopping for the right pillow, you’ll want to consider more than just size and type. Keep these important elements in mind:
Sleeping position
Your ideal pillow may depend on whether you sleep on your back, stomach, side, or all of the above. The right pillow will help align your spine properly, which is essential for healthy sleep.
Side sleepers should consider thicker pillows that provide optimal support. Back sleepers can look for a soft pillow that gives the neck a gentle curve. Stomach sleepers typically need flatter pillows.
Body type
A good pillow will promote spinal alignment and comfortably relieve pressure. People with larger body frames may need larger, firmer pillows to provide the right combination of elevation, support, and weight distribution.
People with smaller body frames may not sleep as well on thicker pillows, since the pillow’s firmness and higher loft can create discomfort and pain.
Back and neck pain
Rounded or contoured pillows often help relieve neck pain, while firmer, wedge-shaped pillows can help support your head to relieve back pain. A pillow under the knees may also help improve back pain for back sleepers.
Current mattress
Your pillow and mattress should work together to help relieve pressure at important points — like your neck and shoulders — and help maintain spinal alignment as you sleep. Look for opposites: Firm mattress, softer pillow, and vice versa.
Loft (height)
A pillow with a higher loft can strain your neck when you sleep on your back or stomach, but it may work well for side sleepers. Low loft pillows of 5 inches or less are best for stomach sleepers.
If you’re unsure which height works best for you, consider an adjustable pillow. This way, you can remove some fill if you notice any pain.
Cooling
If you sleep hot, you have plenty of options to consider for a cooling pillow. Look for gel, phase-changing fabrics, and breathable construction.
Company policies
If you’re picky about your pillows (and there’s nothing wrong with that), look for brands that offer a trial period. Also, check the warranty to make sure you can exchange your pillow if it does not provide enough support.
You may want to consider replacing your pillow every 1 to 2 years. This will help keep them free from dust, mites, and allergens. It will also keep your pillow supportive.
The type of pillow a doctor may recommend depends on many factors, including what type of sleep position you favor, if you are trying to treat neck, shoulder, or back pain, or if you have allergies.
Typically, a cervical, contoured, or shaped pillow, such as the Brentwood Home Zuma Foam Wedge Pillow or the Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow (Curved), may help manage various pain related to sleeping.
You might prefer your pillow to have a specific feel but don’t forget to consider your sleeping position. Soft pillows are suitable for stomach sleepers, while side sleepers typically do better with firmer pillows. Back sleepers may want to consider medium-firm pillows for optimal support.
Many pillows can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle, but it’s important to read care instructions for your pillow. Some pillows are too fragile for machine-washing and need to be dry cleaned or spot cleaned only.
The place where you rest your head deserves some careful thought. A quality pillow can improve your sleep and leave you feeling more refreshed in the morning.
Still, new pillows may not solve every sleep problem, so it’s always best to talk with a doctor about any lingering pain and discomfort.