Find the Support You Need with the Best Pillows for Every Sleeper, Tested and Reviewed
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Better sleep starts with finding the right pillow—and we tested dozens of options to find the best options.
Health / Alli Waataja
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, DPTFact checked by Richard Scherr
When’s the last time you changed up your pillows? If you’re noticing any lumps, bumps, flat spots, stains, or odors; they’re not fluffing back up like they used to; or you’re waking up with a sore neck, it's probably time for a change. You’re spending up to nine hours a night locked in an intimate embrace, so it’s a purchase worth deeply considering.
As sleep specialist Mira Tadros, DO, notes: Choose well and you’re promoting healthy sleep, which comes with huge health benefits. She says, first and foremost, we should look for a pillow that maintains cervical spine and neck alignment; after that, we should also be on the lookout for cooling capabilities, which can help get us to the lower body temp we need for deeper sleep.
But what is the “right” pillow for you? Firm, medium, or soft? What exactly is "loft"? And why are those hotel pillows oh-so-comfy? Don’t sweat it. Our editors talked to the experts then tested 14 top-rated pillows (including the cooling kind) so you can kickstart your search. Read on for our top picks based on quality, airflow, comfort, support, durability, and value for money.
Best Overall Pillow: The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow
Why We Like It
From the removable zippered 300-thread-count cotton cover, to the ventilated memory foam insert on one side, and the blend of synthetic and gel fibers on the other, this pillow is spared no attention to detail. A two-in-one pillow, it offers dual comfort options. The memory foam side molds to your head and neck to relieve pressure points, while the other cushions your head in cloud-like comfort.
Firm, cool and durable, it maintained its shape through testing. And, whichever side we chose, the luxurious support saw a top score across every metric. The only question: do you really want a different feel depending on which side you land on? With the level of luxury you get for the mid-range price point, we’d recommend trying this out for yourself.
It's Worth Noting
Each side has a different feel, so it’s not ideal if you like to keep things consistent and want to flip your pillow around overnight.
Product Details:
Sizes: Standard (24.5 x 18.5 x 1.5 inches)
Firmness: Firm
Cover Material: Cotton
Fill Material: Memory foam and gel fiber
Adjustable: No (but different firmness on each side)
Price at time of publication: $59 (standard size)
Best Budget Pillow: Qutool Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Why We Like It
We loved the quilted texture of this pillow right off the bat. And we also loved the dual comfort options of a cooling side (infused with gel particles) and a soft-touch side (constructed from bamboo rayon). The temperature differential between sides was so noticeable that if we found ourselves sleeping too hot we’d flip the pillow—problem solved.
The zippered inner and outer covers mean you can simply remove some of the CertiPUR-US-accredited shredded memory foam to reduce the loft. And although this took a little trial and error, and required a bit of repositioning in the night to find the sweet spot, we found the adjustability a nifty feature. All in all, this budget pillow measured up to its more expensive counterparts across every metric.
It's Worth Noting
It took a little bit of readjusting to get the loft just to our liking. The quilted texture that might not work for everyone, but it's easily solved with a pillow case.
Product Details:
Sizes: Standard (26 x 20 inches), Queen (30 x 20 inches), King (30 x 20 inches)
Firmness: Medium-soft
Cover Material: Bamboo
Fill Material: Shredded memory foam
Adjustable: Yes
Price at time of publication: $30 (queen size) each; or $44 for a twin-pack
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers: Nolah Squishy Pillow
Why We Like It
The first thing we noticed about the Nolah Squishy Pillow is that it has a nice heft to it—not too heavy, and quality construction. The bamboo cover is soft enough to use without a pillowcase (believe us, we tried, just to test it out) and has a nice quilted, stretchy texture to it. It had zero smell out of the box, and puffed up almost instantly. After six months of nightly use, there’s no sign of wear and tear.
We love how the bamboo cover remains cool throughout the night—no issues with overheating. And, even though we’ve not needed to add or remove any of the shredded foam filling, it’s great that the option exists. Best of all, this pillow never flattens out, keeping our heads and spines aligned while side sleeping, staying supportive and comfortable with zero nighttime adjustments required.
It's Worth Noting
At close to $200 for a twin pack, this is an investment—but the brand frequently places them on sale.
Product Details:
Sizes: Queen (18 x 24 inches)
Firmness: Adjustable
Cover Material: Bamboo blend
Fill Material: Foam cubes
Adjustable: Yes
Price at time of publication: $178 (twin pack)
Health / Jaylyn Pruitt
Best Cooling Pillow: Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Pillow
Why We Like It
The gel-infused filling of the Eden Cooling Memory Foam Pillow stayed cool throughout the night. We loved how it fit our standard pillowcases, and the ability to add and remove fill (and the handy instructions on how to tailor for various sleep positions) made the pillow accessible for side, back, or stomach sleepers. The extra half-pound of fill included meant we could adjust for other members of the household (who now want to keep it for themselves).
Both the cover and inner are machine washable, and we found it fluffed up right away, straight out of the dryer (so much so, we had to remove a bit of fill). Overall, the adjustability, washability and excellent cooling properties saw this pillow top score across almost every metric, and we rate it as the best cooling pillow of the bunch.
It's Worth Noting
It does have a slight odor out of the box, but a trip through the dryer helped to dissipate the smell.
Product Details:
Sizes: Queen (17 x 27 inches), King (17 x 33 inches)
Firmness: Adjustable
Cover Material: Lulltra™ cover (bamboo/polyester blend)
Fill Material: Cooling gel-infused memory foam and microfiber blend
Adjustable: Yes
Price at time of publication: $96
Health / Joy Kim
Best Body Pillow: Sleep Number Cool Comfortfit Body Pillow
Why We Like It
Super soft, while also supportive, the Sleep Number Cool ComfortFit Body Pillow had us falling asleep faster, waking less during the night and feeling better rested in the mornings. We’ve even noticed a reduction in neck pain. The cooling materials worked as claimed—remaining breathable and cool to the touch, night after night—with noticeably less body heat transfer.
We loved how we could use it as a multipurpose pillow (for our bodies or heads) depending on how we moved in the night. We also liked that it’s hypoallergenic and machine washable, and the pillow looked and felt as good as new after a month of nightly use.
It's Worth Noting
It's a body pillow, so it won't be as firm as a standard-size pillow.
Product Details:
Sizes: One size (54 x 18 inches)
Firmness: Soft
Cover Material: Polyester
Fill Material: Polyester and memory foam
Adjustable: No
Price at time of publication: $120
Health / Jaylyn Pruitt
Best Pillow for Back and Stomach Sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
Why We Like It
For its superb combination of softness and support, we rated the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow highly across every metric through testing. It proved breathable, with moderate heat transfer but no overheating, and was comfortable for back sleepers. It also provided great bounce back after compression.
This model comes in two loft height options: 4-inch “low-loft” for back and stomach sleepers; and 5-inch “high-loft” for side sleepers. Though we found the “high-loft” option still not full enough while side sleeping. The hypoallergenic nature of 100% latex makes this a great choice for people affected by allergies and dust mites. And the protective cover slid on and off easily for regular washing—which is a win for stomach sleepers.
It's Worth Noting
While it has two loft height options, it won't be supportive enough for side sleepers.
Product Details:
Sizes: Queen, King
Firmness: Medium firm
Cover Material: 100% bamboo Tencel
Fill Material: 100% Talalay latex
Adjustable: No, but two profiles available
Price at time of publication: $89 (queen size)
Best Hypoallergenic Pillow: Beautyrest Latex Foam Bed Pillow with Removable Cover
Why We Like It
If you’re an allergy sufferer, or just like a full and firm pillow, there’s much to love about the Beautyrest Latex Foam Bed Pillow. The silky-soft and protective 300-thread-count cotton cover is easy to slip on and off for cleaning. The dust-mite resistant latex foam stayed cool enough, and offered excellent, instantaneous bounce back after compression. All-in-all, for the below median price, we recommend Beautyrest Latex Foam Bed Pillow for its combination of breathability, comfort, support, and hypoallergenic natural materials.
It's Worth Noting
Very fluffy and very full, this pillow was super comfortable while side and back sleeping, though stomach sleepers may find it a little too lofty.
Product Details:
Sizes: Queen (20 x 26 x 3 inches), King (20 x 36 x 3 inches)
Firmness: Firm
Cover Material: 300-thread-count cotton
Fill Material: 100% Talalay latex
Adjustable: No
Price at time of publication: $79 (queen size)
Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers: Sijo Clima Latex Pillow
Why We Like It
The high-loft design of the Sijo Clima Adaptive Latex Pillow makes it a solid choice for side/back combination sleepers. We loved how the removable washable case makes washing and drying easy. And the super comfy (and springy) latex is perforated with small holes to promote airflow.
The pleasant never-too-hot, never-too-cold temperature consistency meant we didn't ever feel the need to flip the pillow due to overheating. And after weeks of use and machine washing, the materials and construction proved durable and long-lasting.
It's Worth Noting
The one drawback is its bounciness and height—not so great if you're a stomach sleeper.
Product Details:
Sizes: Standard (20 x 26 x 5 inches), King (20 x 36 x 5 inches)
Firmness: Medium
Cover Material: Tencel infused with Clima fibers
Fill Material: 100% Talalay latex
Adjustable: No
Price at time of publication: $120 (standard size)
Best Down Pillow: Helix Down & Feather Pillow
Why We Like It
Picking up this pillow for the first time, we were immediately impressed with the luxurious, high-end-hotel feel. And this first impression was right—this pillow is so comfortable we were excited to sink into it each evening.
The plush, ultra-soft cotton cover gave superb breathability and airflow. The feather and down core morphed wonderfully to our contours for a perfect combination of luxury and support. All-in-all, if that familiar opulent down-pillow feeling is one you’ve been missing, we recommend this pillow for you.
It's Worth Noting
While it did get a little stuffy at times, after flipping it over it stayed cool for the remainder of the night. The pillow did occasionally require a little extra fluffing up during the night.
Product Details:
Sizes: Standard (20 x 28 inches), King (20 x 36 inches)
Firmness: Soft
Cover Material: 100% Cotton cambric
Fill Material: Feather and down blend
Adjustable: No
Price at time of publication: $99 (standard size)
Best Firm Pillow: Snuggle-Pedic Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Why We Like It
Curl up with the Snuggle-Pedic Original Memory Foam Pillow and you can feel the luxe construction and attention to detail. From the soft textured surface, to the quality stitching, to the double-layer outer design—every element is deeply considered for function and comfort. Removing some foam to reduce loft was easy, although a little messy, and the removable, washable viscose of bamboo cover is a handy feature.
We found this pillow provides ample support without compromising plushness or softness, and the pressure relief was a salve for problematic neck areas. After switching positions it only took a second for the memory foam to adjust to the contours of our faces and heads. And the cooling core worked wonders, with the pillow cool to the touch from the get-go. In its fullest form, this is definitely one for the side sleepers. But, remove a little fill and you can customize this pillow to be just how you like it, whatever sleep position you prefer.
It's Worth Noting
It will take a little bit of adjusting for non-side sleepers.
Product Details:
Sizes: Standard, Queen, King
Firmness: Adjustable
Cover Material: Viscose of bamboo
Fill Material: Shredded memory foam
Adjustable: Yes
Price at time of publication: $71 (queen size)
Best Neck Support Pillow: The Company Store Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow
Why We Like It
Firm and supportive, the Company Store Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow’s unique wing design proved to be no gimmick, offering superb pressure relief for stiff and achy necks. Built for side and back sleepers, this pillow’s memory foam inner kept our spines aligned, and the double covers offered great airflow—though overall, not as cooling as other pillows we’ve tried. The construction and materials held up great through testing, with the pillow maintaining its shape.
It's Worth Noting
It won't be a fit for stomach sleepers with neck pain.
Product Details:
Sizes: Standard (24.75 x 15 + 4 inches)
Firmness: Firm
Cover Material: Polyester/TENCEL™ knit
Fill Material: Memory foam
Adjustable: No
Price at time of publication: $120
Our Testing Process
Before and after testing, we spoke to medical experts to help determine our test methodology and key attributes we should be looking for in top-rated mattresses. Our expert advisors include:
Theresa Marko, PT, DPT, MS, board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, CEO & owner of Marko Physical Therapy, spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association Media Corps.
Mira Tadros, DO, assistant professor of medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine) at the Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai.
Prior to testing, our editors measured each pillow’s loft (or height), length and width, and then compared these with measurements taken after one week of use. We scored on ease of entry into pillowcases and tested adjustable pillows for fill addition/reduction. Our editors followed care instructions and rated pillows on ease of washing/drying, changes in consistency or firmness, material durability, dimension changes, and post-wash performance during sleep. Pillows were also scored on coolness to touch, before, during, and after use, and overall temperature performance. And each pillow was subjected to a compression test, measuring the time taken to bounce back into its fully expanded form.
For a minimum period of seven nights, editors rated their designated pillows on comfort and support metrics. Key considerations included: head and neck support, comfort in various sleep positions, impacts on sleep quality, level of adjustment during the night, feeling upon waking, and whether particular pillows live up to manufacturer’s claims. Throughout testing, our editors assigned overall scores of 1–5 across the key metrics of: quality, airflow/temperature, comfort/support, durability, and value for money.
What to Know About Pillows
Pillow Types
Depending on where you are in the world, there are any number of pillow fillers you may be sleeping on. But for the purpose of this article, we’ll stick to the most common types of pillows we tested.
Memory foam pillows: In slabs or shredded, memory foam is soft yet supportive and is fast becoming a preferred pillow filler. Pros: It’s airy and can be infused with gels for cooling, plus it molds to the contours of your head and neck. Cons: It’s generally made from polyurethane (a plastic), which some people prefer to keep away from their face. For peace of mind, look for CertiPUR-US-accredited foams that have been independently tested for—and are free from—harmful chemicals and gasses.
Latex pillows: Soft, airy, and naturally breathable, latex is a popular choice for allergy sufferers, and people who want a plant-derived option. Pros: Its full and firm support is great for pressure relief, and it’s naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to mold and dust mites. It also gets the seal of approval from our expert consultant Dr. Tadros. Cons: It can be too firm for some people, and it has a slight odor.
Down pillows: Traditionally considered the “luxury” choice for pillow filling, down pillows are stuffed with no less than 75% quill-free feathers, mostly from geese and ducks. Pros: It’s lightweight and naturally airy, so it stays cool without the need for gels or chemicals. Cons: There’s no hiding from the fact that it’s sourced from animals, and it can be too soft for some sleepers.
Firmness
Not to be confused with the “loft” (or height) of a pillow, the firmness refers to the resistance of the filling and the amount of “give” (or compression) a pillow will concede under the weight of your head. Firmness varies from pillow to pillow, but here are a few general rules of thumb to follow:
Down pillows will generally be softer than memory foam or latex.
Side sleepers generally prefer soft to medium pillows with a medium to high loft to help align their spines.
Stomach sleepers generally prefer something soft with a low loft, but not so soft that their faces are buried in it.
Back sleepers generally tend to prefer medium to firm pillows.
Of course, firmness preferences are unique to the individual. And, as Dr. Tadros notes, the most important thing is to choose a pillow that feels comfortable to promote better sleep.
Loft
The loft of your pillow is just as important as firmness, as it impacts spine alignment while sleeping. Dr. Tadros recommends pillow heights between 2.5 and 4.5 inches to help align the neck and cervical region, but this also depends on shoulder width if you're a side sleeper. She also recommends contoured pillows with higher sides and a flat middle to accommodate multiple sleep positions.
Here are some rules of thumb to apply while selecting the loft of your pillow:
Side sleepers: Look for medium to high loft pillows with soft to medium firmness—this will help keep your spine in a neutral position while sleeping.
Stomach sleepers: Look for low to medium loft pillows with a soft filling, which helps alleviate neck pressure. But, of course, firmness still comes down to personal preference.
Back sleepers: Look for low to medium loft pillows with a firm filling to keep your spine aligned.
Of course, nobody (or, at least, not many of our bodies) keeps the same position all night, so when choosing a pillow it’s worth considering your preferred or dominant sleep position.
Your Health Concerns
There are no other items you’ll purchase that spend around eight hours a night in close proximity to your face. So, it pays to do your due diligence and ensure you choose pillows that don’t exacerbate pain, trigger allergies, or in any way reduce your sleep quality.
Dr. Tadros recommends latex as the material with the best evidence at improving sleep quality. It also has the advantage of being hypoallergenic, so it can be a great choice for allergy sufferers. Look at our reviews for latex options like the Beautyrest Latex Foam Bed Pillow, the Sijo Clima Adaptive Latex Pillow, or Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow above.
Memory foams, however, can be cooler and provide softer support than latex. So, if spine-alignment and pain relief is most important to you, possibly consider polyester memory foam construction like the Nolah Squishy Pillow or Sleep Number Cool ComfortFit Body Pillow. As with all foam-filled pillows, for extra peace of mind look for CertiPUR-US-accredited foams that have been independently tested for (and are free from) harmful chemicals and gasses.
If you have serious neck, allergy, or pain concerns, be sure to consult your doctor before making any drastic changes to your sleep setup.
More Pillows to Consider
While none of the pillows listed below topped our categories, they still may be of interest to you.
L.L.Bean 700-Fill-Power Sateen White Goose Down Pillow: Large and fluffy, cool and light, this pillow’s fabrics and goose-down inner scream luxury. But while lying down, our heads sank nearly all the way to the mattress top. This lack of support proved too uncomfortable to continue testing.
Marlow The Pillow: We found the “cooling” fibers of this pillow produced questionable results, recording significant temperature increases through testing. And though it offered great support for back and side sleeping, we felt it was too firm for stomach sleepers.
RejuveNite American Talalay Latex Medium Support Bed Pillow: While this pillow performed well in terms of breathability and value, the zipper was broken so we marked it down for quality. It’s also a very firm pillow with substantial bounciness, so it's definitely one to skip if you sleep on your stomach.
Your Questions, Answered
Is it worth buying expensive pillows?
Short answer: it depends what you mean by “expensive.” The median price of the pillows we tested came in at $98. But it’s interesting to note that the median price of the pillows that topped our 11 categories was $87. And our Best Overall rating went to the Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow, which retails for under $50!
Other considerations that bump up prices include materials (latex, down and the latest cooling technologies don’t come cheap!), and the size of the pillow (i.e. body pillows are obviously larger). Shop around, and keep your eyes out for sales, and you can find superb pillows to meet most budgets.
How do pillows keep you cool while you sleep?
Features like perforated foam for airflow, gel-infused fill materials, breathable covers, and aerated layers can make a marked difference to whether a pillow runs hot or cold. And this can impact how often you need to flip your pillow during the night. Several of our editors recorded noticeable temperature reductions while sleeping on their assigned pillows. Our top thermal performers through testing included: the Snuggle-Pedic Original Memory Foam Pillow, the Sleep Number Cool ComfortFit Body Pillow, the The Eden Cooling Memory Foam Pillow, the Nolah Squishy Pillow, QuTool Cooling Bed Pillows, and The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow.
Dr. Tadros also notes that pillows with cooling properties have been found to improve sleep quality. “I would recommend [cooling pillows] especially for ‘warm sleepers,’ or if you find yourself frequently turning the pillow to the ‘cool side.’”
How often should you replace pillows?
There are a number of red flags to tell you your pillow’s time is up. If you’re experiencing a sore neck upon waking, you notice lumps, bumps, stains, or smells on your pillow, or if it won’t fluff or expand back to its original position after a basic bend test, it’s time to get rid of that pillow.
While there’s no hard and fast rule for pillow longevity, following care instructions and washing regularly helps reduce allergens, dust mites, bacteria, or other irritants that may be impacting the quality of your sleep. The Company Store, makers of our top-rated pillow, recommend replacing pillows every 1–2 years. While Coop, makers of our top-rated cooling pillow above, offer a five-year warranty. Sleep Number recommends keeping their pillows for 4–5 years, provided you care for them properly. So, it pays to shop around. And, if in doubt, look for any of the red flags listed above.
What pillows do doctors recommend?
While Dr. Tadros notes that there is obvious variability between people, she says that ultimately it’s important you pick a pillow that you find comfortable for you. She also offers some general recommendations.
“I would recommend a pillow height anywhere between 7 to 11 centimeters (2.5–4.5 inches) because that has been found to keep the neck/cervical region in good alignment and reduce pain, muscle tension, and headaches," she says. "I also recommend a contour shaped pillow—meaning a pillow with higher sides accommodating side sleepers, and a flat middle to accommodate back sleepers—since that was shown to improve sleep quality and comfort compared to non-contour pillows."
She also personally recommends latex pillows, while also suggesting shoppers look for cooling pillows to help you fall and stay asleep.
What kind of pillows do hotels use?
Hotels tend towards medium-loft pillows so they are suitable for the greatest cross section of customers and sleeping positions. They also wash, maintain, and replace their pillows often, so they’re probably newer (and likely cleaner) than the ones you use at home. Higher-end hotels have traditionally used down-filled pillows, as they were regarded as the most “luxurious.” Nowadays, with multiple hypoallergenic foam pillow options available, as well as scrutiny over environmental and animal welfare impacts, foam pillows are becoming more popular.
Who We Are
Samson McDougall is a journalist, copywriter, editor, and biology graduate. His work encompasses everything from web copy for science museums to sexual health articles for universities, info sheets for first-in-category pharmaceuticals to brand messaging for wearable touch therapy by neuroscientists. Samson is a walker, hiker, biker and surfer, and has multiple injuries to show for his active lifestyle. He is a side sleeper and has been prone to insomnia, but having children fixed that.
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