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If you're a serious bed and mattress enthusiast like us, we get it. Why wouldn't you be? It's the perfect place for reading, snacking, sexing, binge-watching, and sometimes even sleeping (or so we hear). The problem is that all that time in bed usually means contorting your body into positions it just wasn't designed to be in for hours at a time. That's terrible on your posture and, worst of all, your back. The solution? A good pillow that's purpose-built for sitting up in bed.

Piling up your best bed pillows and throw pillows sort of works, but it will never provide the support and comfort of the best sitting-up bed pillow. There are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of options available. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, weights, fill materials—the list goes on. As with all bedding, the right one for you depends on a lot of things, including your body shape, weight, preferred bed-sitting position, and how firm you like your pillows. It's complicated. We researched, compared, and personally tested dozens of sitting-up bed pillows over the last six months. We noted everything from the size and comfort to the looks and price and also considered top-selling picks from shops we trust, like Amazon and Walmart. Ultimately, we settled on these eight models as the best sitting-up bed pillows worth buying in 2023.

Wedge Pillow

We won't bother saving the best for last. A wedge pillow is almost always your best bet for the best sitting-up bed pillow. It's a versatile design that works for many things, including supporting your lower back while reading and relaxing in bed. But it's also great for reducing snoring and acid reflux. The configurable design can be switched up in various positions, and adding a second wedge pillow to further support your legs and back opens up a whole new world of comfort possibilities.

Our team especially loved this wedge pillow from Helix. We universally agreed that it has a just-right, medium firmness that fully supports sitting up in bed. The 10-inch gel memory foam fill is perfect in every position. Adding a second wedge pillow while lying down also seriously helped support our lower back and hips while sleeping or reading while lying down.

We were hard-pressed to find much to dislike about this pillow. It's the perfect combination of everything we look for in a good sitting-up bed pillow. Our only real gripe is the price. At almost $90, it's among the priciest options we tested this year. But if you're looking for the best, we think it's worth the small splurge.

Backrest Pillow

As with everything in Casper's catalog, its simply-named Backrest Pillow delivers on all fronts. It's a deceptively minimalist memory foam pillow with a perfectly ergonomic design that's great for lumbar support while reading or TV-watching in bed. That's thanks to a combination of shredded memory foam and polyester fiber fill. It's all wrapped in a soft, removable, machine-washable cover, too.

Our testers absolutely loved this sitting-up bed pillow, unanimously voting it as the most comfortable model we tested this year by far. It's no surprise, given how much we love everything Casper. While it doesn't offer the same dramatic wedge shape as the Helix model above, it is subtly wedge-shaped, which adds much more versatility over a traditional bed or backrest pillow. It works when placed behind the back or under the knees, or you can do as we did and use two at once—your call.

With the Casper name, it's no surprise that this one is a little pricey. At $120, it's one of the most expensive sitting-up bed pillow models we tested this year. While it is heavier than most, too, we think that's actually a selling point. If you're willing to spend a bit more on a backrest pillow (and, really, aren't your posture and back health worth it?), this is easily the most comfortable option of 2023.

Rave Review: "Best backrest ever! Loved my backrest so much I bought one for my son. Makes reading in bed so much easier and more comfortable."

XXL Backrest with Arms

Husband Pillow's XXL Backrest is unlike any other pillow we tested, and that's probably because it feels like less of a "pillow" and more like an "office chair" for sitting up in bed. It's designed complete with armrests and a removable neck roll to really dial in your level of bed comfort. The shredded memory foam fill offers a medium firmness, but that same fill can be added or removed, depending on how soft or firm you like your sitting pillow.

We were a little divided on this one, but we mostly liked it for what it is: An ultra-relaxing sitting-up bed pillow for reading or watching movies. It's not as versatile as other types of pillows we tested (namely, wedge pillows), as it's only designed to be used in one position. That means you won't get the same usefulness for reducing sleep apnea or acid reflux as with other models. But, we did like how customizable the firmness and "fluff" are by simply removing or adding fill. The fact that the cover is removable and machine-washable is a nice-to-have, and it can also be swapped out for one of dozens of other colors. Plus, the built-in side and back pockets are useful for stashing eReaders, TV remotes, tablets, and other small, flat essentials.

Overall, this is a solid option for sitting in bed. If you don't need the versatility of a wedge pillow or other more "traditional" pillow designs—i.e., you only need a pillow like this for sitting up in bed—this is worth a look. At roughly $80 (on sale), we think it's priced right for what it is.

Rave Review: "EPIC! I work from home often....well, in my bed in my underwear to be more precise....and it's a life saver!"

U-Shaped Backrest Pillow with Arms

If you're looking for a back-supporting option that's different from every other traditional sitting-up bed pillow option, Yogibo has you covered. Its U-Shaped Backrest Pillow is part beanbag chair, part gaming chair, and part backrest pillow. It's like a giant, overstuffed hug for whatever you like to do in bed.

Our editors and writers all agreed that this is the most inviting pillow we tested this year. It just looks purpose-built for serious comfort. For shorter "sits" in bed, we found it extremely comfortable. "This is my new favorite gaming chair!" said one of our staff writers. The beanbag fill molds to the body easily, giving it a soft, contoured feel. At just six pounds, it's also very lightweight, making it easy to move from room to room. However, it offers limited neck support when sitting upright. After over an hour, we still found it reasonably comfortable but not as supportive as other options we tested.

The one-of-a-kind design of this model isn't for everyone. But if you dig classic beanbag chairs, gaming chairs, or both, this is a solid option. The U-shape is comfy and supportive in most positions, though there are more therapeutic options available. At more than $100, this is also on the pricey side. Still, it's unlike anything else we tested, and if the shape works for you, it's worth a look.

Rave Review: "Best backrest ever! I’ve tried many different backrests, including one that had memory foam, but this one is the best! Very lightweight so I can move it easily from bed to couch. It’s so comfortable and supportive I hardly notice it’s there."

King Bed Orthopedic Support Wedge Pillow Comfort System

For serious in-bed comfort, this "comfort system" from Avana is about as luxurious as it gets. It's a four-piece setup that's customizable in dozens of configurations to find your perfect flavor of in-bed relaxation. That includes a large, curved, wedge-style backrest and adjustable back "scoop" pillow to support your spine, plus a headrest for your neck and a leg wedge. If it seems like a lot, that's kind of the point. This one is for hardcore weekend-in-bed sessions!

Unlike some of the basic pillows we tested, we found this one to be more complicated and involved more "setup" whenever we wanted to use it. Still, our team loved the customizability. The four pieces work well together, and we found it easy to dial in the exact position we wanted and even tweak it after a few hours if necessary. For a complete system, this was the most supportive—more so than any standalone pillow in this year's roundup.

This is another model with a unique design that might not satisfy everyone. It's big, a little heavy, and more cumbersome (relatively speaking) than other sitting-up bed pillows we tested. At roughly $150, it's also pricey compared to a more basic, under-$100 option. But if you're looking for hardcore support and comfort, no matter what, this is probably the right one for you.

Rave Review: "These have so many configurations and stay where you put them... I initially purchased these at the beginning of 2020 when I started WFH. Instead of purchasing a desk, I got a TV table for my laptop and these pillows for my daybed. It was honestly such a comfortable setup for working. The foam is nice and firm without being painful. I highly recommend these for anyone considering them."

Large Bolster Triangular Headboard Pillow

Don't let the lack of a headboard kill your all-day-in-bed dreams. This jumbo-sized "headboard pillow" from Wowmax is practically big enough to be its own headboard. Just lean it directly against the wall behind you in bed, and it's plenty comfortable and supportive to let you relax in a mostly horizontal position all day. The velvety cover is soft to the touch (and available in a half-dozen colors if you want to mix things up), and the polyester fiber fill provides a just-right medium firmness. Plus, you can score it in five different sizes, from Twin to Cal King, to perfectly match your bed or mattress size.

Our testers universally loved this pillow. From across the room, it almost—almost— looks like a legit headboard. We found that the triangle-shaped design of this one gave it wedge pillow-esque versatility. So, one works as a standalone back support, but two can be combined for upper and lower body support. The cover is buttery soft, and we also liked that it's easily removable to wash or swap out with a handful of other colors that all feel rich and luxurious. Plus, we dig the small side pockets that are perfect for stashing phones and knickknacks to keep them off the nightstand.

While most backrest and sitting-up bed pillows tend to look a bit sterile and "therapeutic," this model stands out. It's decorative on its own, so it looks great. But it also delivers on the support front, allowing you to feel comfortable and supported for hours in bed. This is another pricey-ish option, though, at more than $100.

Rave Review: "Me and my husband love to watch TV in bed, we hate constantly adjusting the pillows behind us to be comfortable... This product changed that, we placed it on our king bed and it helps us get that sweet spot between sitting up straight and laying down ( optimal tv watching position)!"

Bed Wedge Pillow

From the basic name and drab looks, this pillow isn't trying to win any hot design awards. But it's not trying to either. This one is all about comfort, customizability, and affordability. The two-piece design is made to be easily configurable in dozens of positions so that you can dial in your exact level of comfort. Plus, it's machine-washable, making it a great option for households with kids, pets, or both. But the best part? It's under $50.

Our testers agreed that this is no designer sitting-up bed pillow, but we recognize that's not why most people would buy it. What we found is that it's insanely comfortable. That's mostly because it works in almost any position: Sitting up, lying down, propped up, you name it. Our testers found the solid memory foam fill to be extremely supportive—but not too firm—in every position. It's perfect for those with lower back pain or hip pain issues. Adding a second one of these pillows to the mix really took things to a whole new level for us.

If you only care about serious in-bed support, like to K.I.S.S. (that would be "keep it simple, stupid"), and don't care about premium fills and side pockets and other frilly options, this is the pillow for you. It's a super-basic design that isn't much to look at. But it will all but guarantee that you can relax in bed for hours in blissful comfort. (Did we mention it's under $50?)

Rave Review: "If it was stolen today, I would be buying another tonight!"

Jillche Bed Fluffy Fur Reading Pillow

It's fluffy, adorable, and playful—the perfect sitting-up bed pillow for kids (and maybe smallish adults). Don't let the description fool you. The tiny size and light back support of this option means it's best-suited for the little ones in your life, from children up to young teens. It's perfect for supporting their smaller frames while relaxing in bed, playing games, or finishing up homework.

The parents in our test group passed off their testing duties to a few kids and tweens. They all gave it glowing reviews, noting that they liked the compact size (it's also less than four pounds), how comfortable it was, and the cute, quirky look. Those same parents also commented on how easy this one was to clean. The entire thing can be thrown in the washer and dryer on the delicate cycle, which is a huge plus.

This is one of the few sitting-up bed pillows for kids that we tested this year, but our hard-to-please kid testers gave it high marks. The easy-care design makes this one a winner for parents, too. Plus, at under $40, it's an easy impulse buy for children needing a little extra in-bed support.

Rave Review: "Bought this for my daughter for Christmas. She uses it all the time for reading and playing on her tablet and even sleeps with it and has taken it to friends house. Very nice colors and durable."

How to find the best sitting-up bed pillow for you

Like everything, bedding is super personal. What works for your sister or your best friend might not be right for you. Pillows, including sitting-up bed pillows, are no different. But no matter which option you go with, you'll want one (or even two) that's supportive and comfortable while you're lounging in bed for hours. Here are a few things to consider:

Shape and size

If you like to spend hours relaxing in bed, a wider, rectangular pillow is a good option. These can be positioned against a wall or headboard to provide decent back support while keeping you comfortable for those extra-long weekend-in-bed seshes.

A wedge pillow is our best recommendation, though. The unique shape can be adjusted to fit your needs and how you like to sit in bed. Plus, adding a second wedge pillow under your knees provides full body support for your back, hips, and legs.

Body support

The support a pillow provides is tied to its size, shape, and fill. Ultimately, this is what really matters, as the most supportive pillows are almost always the most comfortable for hours of relaxing. The best sitting-up bed pillow setup (with more than one pillow) should support your entire body, from your neck and shoulders down to your lower back, hips, and legs.

Fill materials

The fill materials used in sitting-in-bed pillows can include everything from beanbag-style beads to shredded memory foam to cooling gel memory foam to some unique combination of materials. The right one for you is whatever is most comfortable and supportive. This might take some trial and error, including some in-home testing, so consider shopping for pillows with a solid warranty or return policy.

Price

Sitting-up bed pillows vary in price like traditional bed pillows. There are plenty of budget-friendly models on Amazon (in all shapes and sizes), starting at around $40. More premium memory foam options from high-end brands like Casper can run north of $120. You don't have to spend a fortune. But sometimes, it's worth splurging a little for a pillow that's more comfortable, supportive, and versatile.

How we selected the best sitting-up bed pillows of 2023

We're self-proclaimed "enthusiasts" on all bed-related matters here at Women's Health, so we know what we're talking about when it comes to pillows. Over the last six months, we researched, tested, and compared dozens of top-selling sitting-up bed pillows. We paid close attention to comfort, versatility, price, looks, and how well each model supported our backs in a variety of positions. In the end, we settled on these eight picks for the best sitting-up bed pillows of the year.

Shop more of the best pillows to buy online

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