These Are The Softest Pillows To Shop On Amazon, For Every Type Of Sleeper

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Getting enough sleep each night is an essential part of keeping your mind and body healthy—and like a great mattress, the right pillow can help you do just that.

Ideally, a good pillow will “provide support for the neck and head while sleeping, and maintain a neutral spine alignment,” explains Carleara Weiss, Ph.D, a research assistant professor at SUNY Buffalo and an adult-geriatric nurse specializing in behavioral sleep medicine.

That’s why when your pillow doesn’t provide adequate support, you might experience neck and back pain, headaches, or poor sleep quality. (Sound familiar?) And a great pillow is all the more important if you have a condition that impacts your sleep. “If the person has a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea and needs to wear a CPAP to bed, using the right pillow can affect how well the person adjusts to treatment,” says Weiss.

Meet the expert: Carleara Weiss, PhD, is a research assistant professor at SUNY Buffalo and an adult-geriatric nurse specializing in behavorial sleep medicine.

There’s no one-size-fits-all guide to finding the perfect pillow, though. There are several factors to keep in mind when choosing the right product, such as your sleeping position and body type. If you’re a side sleeper, for example, you may prefer a soft, thicker pillow that keeps your head and neck in line with your spine. Stomach sleepers will need a flatter pillow with less loft to keep their neck at a comfortable angle, while back sleepers will want to lie their head on a pillow that’s somewhere in between the two. And although a standard-sized pillow will work well for most people, individuals with a larger frame may prefer an oversized one.

Whether you need a hypoallergenic pillow that’s easy to clean, or a ventilated gel pillow that keeps you cool and sweat-free through the night, there’s something available for everyone. From contouring memory foam to cloud-like down alternatives, these are the best Amazon picks to purchase, per online reviews and a sleep expert—plus, more about what to consider when buying a pillow on Amazon. Sweet dreams!

Down Alternative Pillow

If you’re looking for an affordable pillow set that doesn’t compromise on comfort, quality, and softness, then these pillows from Digital Decor are a great choice. They’re hypoallergenic and designed with three density levels that are suitable for every kind of sleeper.

“These are the most comfortable and easily my favorite pillows ever!” wrote one five-star reviewer. “They achieve the perfect balance of being soft and malleable (for sensory issues, side and stomach sleeper) while still providing support.”

Gel Memory Foam Pillow

The perfect combination of soft and firm, this pillow from Weekender conforms to your head, relieving pressure and providing top-notch support. Plus, the ventilated, gel-infused memory foam creates a cooling effect that helps dissipate body heat as you sleep.

“I'm finally able to sleep through the night without waking up in pain or discomfort,” wrote one Amazon shopper. “If you have neck/shoulder pains from your pillow, I would definitely give this one a try.”

Sleep Essential Pillow

Casper’s Essential sleep pillow features a 2-inch gusset for optimal neck support and spinal alignment. The two outer chambers are filled with long, silky fibers that create a light, plush-like feel, and the inner chamber contains shorter fibers that provide responsive support as you move. To top it all off, all three chambers are encased in a 100-percent cotton shell cover.

“Casper has a lot of great options for pillows. You can choose the firmness that you prefer, and there are different cooling technologies,” Weiss says. “They’re made to stay softer and more comfortable for a longer period of time.”

Canadian White Down Luxury Sleeping Pillow

This down pillow from Lincove comes in three sizes and lets you choose between three different levels of firmness. It’s filled with 100-percent Hutterite Canadian white down that’s ethically harvested and OEKO-TEX-certified, and encased in a soft cotton cover. Plus, this pillow is packaged in its own custom travel bag, so you can take it with you on your next vacation or gift it to a loved one.

“So glad I splurged on the well-being of my neck and sleep comfort! I love this pillow!” wrote one five-star reviewer. “I had neck problems and it conforms perfectly, is soft and comforting, and has no prickly feathers. Perfect.”

Bed Pillows

With more than 150,000 five-star reviews, this set by Beckham Hotel Collection is one of the most popular pillows on Amazon, and for good reason. This down alternative pillow offers a super luxurious feel without a three-digit price tag, and its bounce-back design minimizes bunching to help maintain the shape in any sleeping position.

“It is the best pillow I have bought in years,” raved one happy customer. “I fall asleep on my side and it supports my head and neck so well. No more numb arms while I sleep or pain in my shoulder blades the next day. It has substantially improved my sleep. Better than the fancy pillows at hotels! Worth the money.”

Standard Pillows

If you’re a hot sleeper, a cooling pillow will help you stay comfortable, even during warm summer evenings. With this particular cooling pillow, you can adjust the height and softness to fit your specific needs. Simply unzip the bamboo cover and remove or add filling for the perfect level of support and comfort.

“My partner and I just got these and are obsessed with them. They offer great support,” said one five-star reviewer. “While I'm sure they're even more effective without pillow cases, we like to cover our pillows and we can still feel the cooling effects through them, which is something we haven't had luck with in other pillows. Really thrilled and sleeping SO well with these!”

100% Natural Premium Latex Pillow

Made from high-quality, natural latex, this pillow offers a medium-soft firmness that’s ideal for side and back sleepers. The ergonomic design helps reduce neck and back pain by keeping your spine properly aligned, while the ventilated holes increase air flow and keep you cool and comfortable through the night.

“I chose this pillow specifically because of my neck issues, and it has exceeded my expectations. The firmness of the pillow is just right, and it has significantly alleviated the neck pain I was experiencing,” wrote one satisfied shopper. “It provides excellent support, and the quality of sleep I've been getting since using it has been remarkable. It's been a game-changer for me, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase.”

Buckwheat Pillow

Made from organic buckwheat hulls, this pillow is perfect for people with allergies and sensitive skin. It provides optimal neck, spine, and back support; features excellent air circulation and natural cooling comfort; and is completely refillable, so you can adjust the inner material to your liking.

Many five-star reviewers have raved about the adjustability, and say this pillow has helped alleviate chronic pain. “I have several compressed discs in my neck from a car accident, and this is the best pillow,” wrote one customer. “I love that you can move the husks around depending on what position you’re sleeping in.”

Ultra Thin Pillow for Sleeping

This 2.6-inch pillow is specifically designed for back and stomach sleepers, but it works well for side sleepers with small frames, too. The gel-infused memory foam reduces pressure on the lower back and gently cradles your head while aligning your neck. Plus, it comes with a moisture-wicking bamboo polyester pillowcase and a cute carrying bag, so you can roll up your pillow and take it with you while traveling.

“I have been using this pillow for 5 months now and the pain that I have carried with me all day, every day, for the past 20 years has never returned,” wrote one happy shopper. “I even purchased a second pillow as a backup, just in case! The little bag is great too, because I really do pack it on every trip now! I highly recommend this pillow.”

Side Cube Pro

If you’re strictly a side sleeper, then this one's for you. Designed to fill the 90-degree gap between your neck and shoulder, this cube pillow alleviates pain and discomfort by promoting proper spinal alignment. All six sides are temperature-regulating, so you won't have to constantly flip your pillow throughout the night to stay cool. Plus, it’s available in three different heights and fits most body types.

One five-star reviewer raved about finally getting a good night’s sleep without any pain: “Before this pillow, I was suffering with neck pain and shoulder strain from laying on my side. I tried a million different pillows. Nothing helped. THIS PILLOW CHANGED MY ENTIRE LIFE. Finally I can sleep and NO PAIN. I love it. Best thing I bought in 2023. I could cry from the relief.”

Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow

Amazon shoppers love the versatility and customizable support of this top-rated pillow from Coop Home Goods. The unique crescent shape provides extra cushioning for the neck and shoulders, helping you rest comfortably through the night. Easily add or remove fill material to suit your sleeping needs.

“I have bought a lot of different pillows, usually settling for pretty good, but always lacking something. This is by far the best pillow I have ever had,” wrote one out of more than 18,000 five-star reviewers. “I love that you can adjust the fill. I like the foam feel of pillows, but as the night goes on they always squish down and become hard. But with this pillow, it feels soft and fluffy all night. I highly recommend this to anyone.”

Premium Pillow

Whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach, or switch between all three, you’ll feel supported all night by this shredded memory foam pillow from DreamyBlue. This pillow has everything you need: customizable height, durable fabrics, a breathable pillowcase, and soft yet firm comfort. Another bonus: it comes with a free extra bag of filling material.

“I absolutely love this pillow and its versatility,” says a happy customer. “No matter how I sleep, I find the same fill pretty great, but they provide recommended pillow heights depending on the way you sleep, which I found super helpful. All in all, I have never bought myself a decent pillow until this one, and I am still very confident in that purchase and its importance for good sleep.”

Cervical Pillow

The unique design of this OEKO-TEX-approved pillow by Osteo helps maintain the spine’s natural cervical curve and vertebrae alignment. The hollow center gently cushions your head while relieving pressure and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. It even comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty for guaranteed satisfaction. For a different level of thickness, simply rotate the pillow 180 degrees for a higher or lower contour, or remove the bottom insert.

“I’m a side sleeper and I've fought with arms falling asleep, neck alignment problems, middle back tightness, and just general pressure point aches and pains disrupting my sleep and making me feel decrepit in the mornings for years,” one shopper wrote in a five-star review. “This pillow has seriously solved all my issues.”

What should I keep in mind when buying a pillow on Amazon?

In addition to comfort, there are many factors to consider when buying a new pillow. With so many options available on Amazon, it can be difficult to figure out which one is the right fit for you. Here are a few things to consider before adding a new pillow to your cart.

How you sleep

The best pillow for you largely depends on your sleeping position, which is usually the one you wake up in.

“Side and back sleepers can benefit from having a good medium-firm pillow that provides neck support [and] helps fill the space between the neck and the shoulder, while also giving comfort and not putting too much pressure on the shoulder or arm that's being slept on,” explains Weiss. “For stomach sleepers, I recommend getting a memory foam pillow that is on the medium to soft side, so they can adjust how they put their arms underneath or to the side of the pillow during the night, and stay comfortable.”

Pillow type

A brand new pillow can range from about $10 to more than $400, depending on the fill material and quality. Down pillows tend to be pricey, but they are oftentimes more soft, fluffy, and luxurious-feeling than other pillow types. However, they’re not ideal for summers because they retain heat. Memory foam and latex are similar because they contour to your body’s shape and are usually firm and dense, while pillows made from organic cotton or buckwheat are odor-free and good for people with sensitive skin. Down alternative pillows are a budget-friendly version of a traditional down pillow and offer a similar level of softness and quality. Finally, polyester pillows tend to be a cheaper and less durable option.

“Usually, I recommend a hybrid or foam fill material, because with those, you can maintain the quality better,” says Weiss. “For people with allergies, I would stay away from latex and pillows with feathers.” If you run hot or sweat a lot while sleeping, “choosing a pillow that has temperature control can help you stay cool through the night, regardless of the season.” It’s also important to remember that different body types will respond differently to certain pillows.

Adjustability

If you’re still unsure about your preferred sleeping position, or if you’re a combination sleeper, consider buying a versatile pillow that allows you to adjust the fill quantity. This is a great way to customize your pillow to your personal sleep preferences and body frame.

“Two things are really important: Finding a good pillow that adjusts to body weight and provides comfort so you can sleep through the night, and making sure the pillow that you’re choosing is the best match if you have a sleeping disorder to help stay compliant with the treatments,” explains Weiss.

How should I care for my pillow?

Machine-washable pillows are the easiest to care for because you can just toss them in the laundry. However, for some pillows, like memory foam, you can only wash the cover. For others that are more luxurious, such as down pillows, you may only be able to spot clean or dry clean.

“We need to remember that pillows have a lifespan,” says Weiss. “Every six months to a year, it’s important to revisit the quality of the pillow to make sure that it’s still good, or to see if it’s time to get a new one.”

Ultimately, “a pillow is an investment,” she adds. “They hold us for about eight hours a night, so we need to make sure that we’re using the best option.”

How we chose the best pillows on Amazon:

Women’s Health editors and writers, including freelance writer Safire R. Sostre, vetted the bestselling, top-rated pillows on Amazon. We consulted Carleara Weiss, PhD, an adult-geriatric nurse specializing in behavorial sleep medicine, and then evaluated hundreds of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the pillows for a wide range of needs, preferences, and types of sleepers.

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