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When was the last time you replaced your pillow? Our top pick has universal appeal for every sleep type

When was the last time you replaced your pillow?  Our top pick has universal appeal for every sleep type

A better pillow can fix neck pain, improve sleep quality, and make your bed feel noticeably more comfortable. A bad pillow does the opposite — and most people are using the wrong one. Get to the point: Our long-standing best overall pick is the Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow, an adjustable option that can be

A better pillow can fix neck pain, improve sleep quality, and make your bed feel noticeably more comfortable. A bad pillow does the opposite — and most people are using the wrong one.

We tested dozens of pillows to find the ones worth buying. Over years of hands-on experience and long-term testing, we evaluated support, comfort, durability, temperature control, and ease of care, the same factors prioritized by sleep experts. These are the best pillows for side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers, with options for hot sleepers, neck pain, and more.

Our picks of the best pillows

Best overall pillow: Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow – See at Amazon

Best budget pillow: Beckham Hotel Collection Down Alternative Pillow (Set of 2) – See at Amazon

Best down pillow: Brooklinen Down Pillow – See at Brooklinen

Best memory foam pillow: Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow – See at Helix

Best pillow for side sleepers: Eli & Elm Cotton Side Sleeper Pillow – See at Amazon

Best pillow for back sleepers: Saatva Latex Pillow – See at Saatva

Best pillow for stomach sleepers: Parachute Down-Alternative Pillow, Soft – See at Parachute

Best cooling pillow: Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Adjustable Pillow – See at Coop Sleep Goods

Best natural pillow: Turmerry Buckwheat Pillow – See at Turmerry


Best overall

Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow

Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow

The Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow offers thoughtful features like adjustable fill, a washable pillow cover, and an unparalleled 100-night trial, making it the best choice for most people.

This is the pillow we recommend to almost everyone. The Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow has been a long-standing favorite on the BI Reviews team because it solves a problem most pillows don’t. Instead of forcing you to adapt to it, it adapts to you. If you’ve been cycling through pillows that never feel quite right, this is the one most likely to break that pattern. It comes in three shapes — a traditional rectangle design, a cut-out version for side sleepers, and a crescent shape for combination side and back sleepers. It’s also the top choice if you struggle with neck pain.

The key is the adjustable fill. The Coop pillow’s fill is cross-cut memory foam that you can add or remove to get the height and firmness right. It arrives overstuffed on purpose. The first time I set it up, I followed the included guide and removed about a third of the fill for back sleeping. It felt like too much at first, but once I lay down, the difference was immediate. The pillow sat at exactly the right height, with a balance of support and softness that felt more customized than anything I’ve tried.


The white Coop pillow sits on a bed with the logo text "COOP" and quilted design sewn on it.

Lauren Savoie/Business Insider



The flexibility makes it work for almost any sleep position. Side sleepers can add fill to close the gap between shoulder and neck, while back and stomach sleepers can remove it for a lower profile. It takes a few tries to dial in, but once you do, it eliminates the guesswork that usually comes with buying a pillow.

The construction holds up better than most. The shredded foam fill resists clumping, so it doesn’t develop the flat spots you see in cheaper pillows. The shape stays consistent over time, and the removable cover is easy to wash. It also comes with a 100-night trial and a long warranty, so you don’t have to commit right away.

It’s not the best choice if you want something super-soft and squishy. Even after adjusting the fill level, the Coop Original pillow has a more structured feel than a traditional down pillow. If you’ve struggled to find the right height or keep waking up with neck tension, this is one of the few pillows that fixes the problem. However, it may be worth considering Coop’s other pillows, like the cooling Cool+ or the down-alternative Essence if you’re looking for something noticeably plusher.

Read our full Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow review.


Best budget

This is the best cheap pillow worth buying. The Beckham Hotel Collection Down Alternative pillows earn high marks from BI Reviews editors, testers, and shoppers because they get the basics right without trying to fake a premium feel. They are lower loft than most box-store pillows, which is a good thing.

The first night, it felt just right. Not flat, but already settled. I didn’t have to punch it into shape, flip it, or stack it with other pillows to get comfortable. My head sank in and stayed in place, which actually made it easier for me to fall asleep.


Two Beckham Hotel pillows sit on top of each other on a bed.

Lauren Savoie/Business Insider



The thin feel makes it a good pick for back and stomach sleepers. The Beckham Hotel Collection pillow keeps your head close to the mattress instead of propping it up, so your neck stays in a more neutral position. Some side sleepers will run into the limit quickly — on its own, the pillow might not have enough height to support that shoulder gap.


Best down

Brooklinen Down Pillow showcase

Brooklinen Down Pillow (Medium)

The medium Brooklinen Down Pillow is available in multiple firmness options to suit various sleeping positions. It feels as good as pillows double its price.

This is the best down pillow for hotel-style softness and real support. The Brooklinen Down Pillow delivers structure in a category that usually falls flat. It comes in three densities, so you can match it to your sleep style instead of settling for a one-size-fits-all pillow, and thanks to a recent manufacturing update, it’s soft yet stable.

It’s plush, not flimsy. Even the softest version was more structured than I expected from a down pillow, which has a reputation for being all fluff and no support. It feels light and airy, gently cradling my head instead of collapsing under it. That added structure is what makes it easier to match your sleep style. The softest version works best for stomach sleepers or anyone who likes a low, squishy pillow. The mid-plush is the safest choice for most sleep styles and the one I’d recommend if you’re unsure. The firmest option is best for side sleepers who want more lift, though it still won’t feel as structured as memory foam or latex. It also sleeps cooler than you’d expect, since the breathable fill won’t trap heat.


The Brooklinen Down pillow sitting on a bed with blue sheets.

Kinsley Searles/Business Insider



It’s suitable for hot sleepers. The fluffy down construction also means this pillow is lightweight and breathable, so it’s ideal for those who tend to sleep hot. We’ve never had any overheating issues with this pillow.

Check out our guide to the best down pillows and read our full Brooklinen down pillow review.


Best memory foam

For those who want the dense, contouring support of a foam block rather than squishy shredded fill. While our top pick from Coop is filled with shredded foam for customizable, moldable loft, a solid memory foam block like the GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow is built for sleepers who need rigid, unwavering structure that won’t shift or clump overnight. It combines a supportive, solid memory foam core with a unique icy-cool surface grid, delivering instant temperature regulation alongside steady neck support. It’s available in two lofts to match your primary sleeping position: a 4-inch low loft for stomach and back sleepers, and a 5.1-inch high loft for side sleepers.


Half of the Helix pillowcase pulled away, revealing the pillow interior with blue cooling gel squares.

The machine-washable cover slides away to reveal a block of memory foam topped with gel squares, giving the pillow its cooling feel. 

Kinsley Searles/Business Insider



The solid foam block keeps your spine in a stable, neutral alignment. Because a single block won’t clump, sink, or go flat overnight like down or fibrous fills, it offers consistent elevation that cradles the head. Oftentimes, stomach sleepers avoid memory foam blocks because they are too tall and force the neck into an upward tilt, but the Low Loft version our stomach sleeper tested keeps her spine in neutral alignment. Conversely, side sleepers who need consistent, elevated lift to bridge the shoulder-to-neck gap without sinking will benefit from the High Loft option, which holds its height all night. The pillow itself does have a firmer feel thanks to its high-density foam design, so it won’t suit sleepers who prefer a squishy, foldable feel.

The cooling effect is immediate. Right out of the box, the GlacioTex cover feels noticeably cool to the touch, with small squares of cooling gel embedded throughout the top layer that draw heat away from your face and body. During testing, we didn’t have to flip the pillow once, and the surface maintained a refreshed, temperature-neutral feel throughout the night.


Best for side sleepers

Eli and Elm pillow showcase

Eli & Elm Cotton Side Sleeper Pillow

Side sleepers will love how well the unique shape of the Eli & Elm Cotton Side Sleeper Pillow supports their neck, head, and shoulder for optimal spinal alignment.

Crescent pillows are designed to address the pain points side sleepers face. Deputy editor Bronwyn Barnes tried several crescent-shaped pillows, which feature a V-shaped cutout that creates a dedicated space for your shoulder while supporting your head, neck, and a bit of your upper back. If you’re a side sleeper who constantly feels that “gap,” this design fills it without needing to fold or stack anything. Despite the unique shape, it’s still a versatile option if you switch positions at night or read or watch TV before bed. The Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow is the pillow that found a long-term home on her bed.


The liner and fill of the Eli & Elm Ergonomic Side Sleeper pillow.

Bronwyn Barnes/Business Insider



Its adjustable fill is actually supportive. The feel is medium-firm with a springy, supportive quality from its latex and fiber fill. It doesn’t collapse or go flat overnight, so once you settle in, it stays consistent. Plus, the fill is fully adjustable, so you can tweak the loft to find the best feel for you. It’s also a solid option if you tend to sleep with your arm tucked under your pillow—no “T. rex arm” circulation issues here. The shape and fill distribution help prevent that compressed, pins-and-needles feeling you can get with denser pillows.

Crescent-shaped pillows aren’t for everyone. Crescent pillows are difficult to fit inside a standard pillowcase, so it’s generally worth it to bundle the pillow in with the matching pillowcase. Although it has an adjustable fill, it’s not plush, so look elsewhere if you want a soft pillow.

Check out our guide to the best pillows for side sleepers.


Best for back sleepers

saatva pillow

Saatva Latex Pillow

Luxuriously plush, Saatva’s Latex Pillow offers a comfortable, hotel-like sleep experience. It’s particularly well-suited to back sleepers.

If you sleep on your back, you’re the Goldilocks of sleepers. Back sleepers need a pillow that’s neither too tall nor too short, and neither too soft nor too firm. The Saatva Pillow combines a latex core with a down-alternative layer, which makes it unlike any pillow I’ve ever felt — it’s got the hefty weight and support of a memory foam pillow but the plush, cool feel of a down pillow.

It kept my head and neck supported. I love how my head sinks into this soft pillow, but it’s still supportive enough to keep its shape all night long. When I wake up, the pillow looks just as plush as when I fell asleep, so you don’t have to worry about frequent fluffing.


A white Saatva pillow is propped up in a brown Saatva box.

Lauren Savoie/Business Insider



It’s great for combination sleepers, too. For those who sleep in more positions than just their back, the Saatva pillow’s mid-loft, mid-firm feel is versatile enough to keep you comfortable all night. And if you’re an active sleeper like me, you’ll appreciate the feel of this pillow from every angle — it’s still soft and supportive when I fold, scoop, or hug it throughout the night.


Best for stomach sleepers

Stomach sleepers need a soft, low-loft pillow. Stomach sleepers generally require the least amount of pillow support, since your head and spine are already pretty close to alignment when lying on your stomach. The Parachute Down Alternative Pillow offered a balance of comfort and mild support, with a fluffy feel. The Parachute pillow elevates the head just enough to alleviate any neck strain, and the sateen cotton encasement keeps the pillow cool all night long, ideal for stomach sleepers who run hot.


Two parachute down pillows stacked on top of each other on a bed.

Lauren Savoie/Business Insider



Consider stacking these pillows if you’re a combination sleeper. While the fill is thin enough that the pillow easily folds over for some support if you occasionally flip to your side or back during the night, combination sleepers should consider stacking two of these pillows. The soft density is best for stomach sleepers, but it’s also sold in medium and firm densities if you’re looking for something a little firmer.

Read our guide to the best pillows for stomach sleepers.


Best cooling

The Cool+ is similar to our best overall, but with extra cooling features for hot sleepers. The Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Adjustable Pillow blends cooling gel-infused memory foam and recycled polyester fibers in its adjustable fill.

The fill can be tailored to any kind of sleeper. Our tester, a side sleeper, reported that the pillow helped her maintain ideal spinal alignment without shoulder tension or headaches. Back and stomach sleepers can find their own customized feel by removing or adding fill to keep the spine neutral.


side by side of the coop cooling pillow and its its interior fill

Suzy Hernandez/Business Insider



Every side of this pillow is cool. One side features a cooling, firmer phase-change gel layer, perfect for warm nights, while the other side offers a softer, plush feel. Both sides feel incredibly refreshing. During testing in the middle of summer, our tester didn’t notice any significant heat build-up and found that any warmth dissipated quickly. If you’re someone who sleeps hot, experiences night sweats, or lives in a warm climate, the Cool+ can help you sleep well without overheating.

For more options, check out our guide to the best cooling pillows.


Best natural

Buckwheat hulls are a traditional pillow fill used in Japan and many other Asian countries. Testing the Turmerry Buckwheat Pillow completely redefined our expectations for organic bedding. It delivers an exceptionally supportive, cradling feel — so much so that I ended up purchasing a second one because my husband and I constantly fought over who got to sleep on it each night. The adjustable design means it can work for all sleep styles.

The hulls provide an extraordinarily malleable, temperature-neutral feel. Unlike soft down or dense foam blocks, the buckwheat fill (sourced from buckwheat hulls grown in the Midwest) with an organic cotton cover allows you to physically shape and mold the pillow directly around the contours of your neck and head to hold exact spinal alignment all night. The hulls naturally promote airflow, so the pillow stays cool to the touch. While the fill makes the pillow heavier than standard options, I could comfortably tuck my arm under it without pressure points or overheating.


a hand touching the Turmerry buckwheat pillow, the best buckwheat hull pillow in 2021

The adjustable Turmerry Buckwheat Pillow is filled with buckwheat hulls that contour to your head and neck while maintaining its structure. 

Lauren Savoie/Business Insider



It takes a few nights to get used to the unique texture and sound. The hulls rustle slightly when you move and feel firmer than traditional synthetic or feather fills. However, the fully adjustable loft (you can easily add or remove hulls to find your ideal height), hypoallergenic properties, and eco-friendly construction make it an ideal pick for anyone who has struggled to find lasting neck support.


Our top picks compared


Other pillows we recommend

Down-alternative pillows

  • Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow ($59-$79): Stick with the down for Brooklinen. While the down alternative version is also available in three firmness levels, the medium down alternative unit we tested notably compressed and flattened within about three months of use.
  • Casper Original Pillow ($75): If you’re a side sleeper who prefers a soft pillow, this option from Casper is the way to go, with a pillow-in-pillow construction and lofty, thick gusset that melds support with fluffiness. What knocked it off the list is that Casper doesn’t allow returns on used bedding products.
  • Coop Essence Down Alternative Pillow ($89 for 2): This is the budget (and softer) version of our top pick from Coop, which uses a down-alternative fill instead of shredded foam. Unlike other adjustable pillows I’ve used, I found the most comfort when I added half of the extra-fill bag, essentially maxing out the comfort.
  • CozyLux Pillow ($20 for 2): Our reviewer was pleasantly surprised by the softness and loft of these budget pillows. They’re a great buy for a guest room bed.
  • FluffCo Down Alternative Pillow ($69): We liked this pillow’s soft fluff. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for simple, high-quality pillows at a moderate price point.
  • Sijo Fluffbase Eucalyptus Pillow ($70): A great cooling pillow to snuggle with, for side and back sleepers. It’s available in two firmnesses. However, it may be too flat for strict side sleepers. One editor really enjoyed this pillow and slept with it regularly for about a year, but reported that it noticeably flattened over time.

Down pillows

  • Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow ($159-$199): Available in soft, medium, and firm densities, Boll & Branch pillows feature a three-chamber design that resists shifting and keeps them from going flat. The down is ethically sourced from farms in the US.
  • FluffCo Down Feather Pillow ($119): Like FluffCo’s Down Alternative Pillow, its Down Feather Pillows are soft and fluffy. The Firm Fluff version offers a decent balance of support and cozy softness.
  • Quince Premium Down Pillow ($84-$114): Starting at $84, the Quince Premium Down Pillow is a steal. It has the same fluffy feel as other down pillows for a fraction of the price, with RDS and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification and a 650 fill power. If you’re sensitive to down, we recommend Quince’s Down Alternative Pillow, too.

Memory foam pillows

  • Helix ComfortAdjust Cooling Pillow ($119): Helix’s ComfortAdjust cooling pillow is an excellent, adjustable pillow — but it just doesn’t beat out the Cool+ from Coop, which also has a longer trial period and warranty. In addition to adjusting the foam, which affects loft, the pillow has zippers that can be opened or closed to adjust firmness.
  • Mellow Cloud Align Pillow ($50): This affordable, unique memory foam pillow is quite literally cloud-shaped and offers cloud-like comfort for all sleep styles. It’s features raised edges that support your neck for side sleeping, a comfortable, contoured middle zone for sleeping on your back, and an arm cradle groove for stomach and side sleepers. It did take about a week for off-gassing smells to dissipate.
  • My Sheets Rock The Cooler Memory Foam Pillow ($129): This low-loft, firm pillow is best for back sleepers who sleep hot. Its cooling rayon cover prevents overheating, and it also has a cooling gel pad like the Helix GlacioTex for a cooling effect, though the design itself isn’t breathable.
  • Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow ($124): Like our best overall pick by Coop, this pillow is stuffed with shredded foam that makes it easily adjustable to your sleeping preference. However, it lacked many attributes that made our top pick a standout, like a pillow protector, a longer trial period, and additional foam right in the box for those who need even more loft. It is available in several variations, including a mini travel pillow, body pillow, and a wedge pillow.
  • Pillow Cube Side Cube ($80): A rectangular version of the popular cube-ish pillow, the polyurethane block is meant to keep your neck well aligned (if you sleep on your side). It’s available in a few heights but lacks the adjustability of some of our other picks. Read our full Pillow Cube Side Sleeper Pro review.
  • Saatva Memory Foam Pillow ($165): Previously our pick for “best luxury pillow,” we still think this is a great option, but feel you can get a “luxury” experience from any of our top picks. This pillow isn’t adjustable, but it’s supportive and firm.
  • Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow ($80): This pillow comes overstuffed with a shredded, adjustable memory foam polyester fiber blend that offers a little more plushness than our top pick, the Coop Original Pillow. It did have a slight odor that dissipated after a few days.
  • Zoma Pillow ($100): Unlike other memory foam pillows I’ve tried, this one wasn’t too hot or stiff, and it has a nice, moderate loft that works well for both side and back sleepers.

Latex and specialty pillows

  • Avocado Molded Latex Pillow ($159): We recommend this pillow for back and side sleepers seeking a firmer option. It features a molded, charcoal-infused latex core that helps regulate temperature and comes with a 100-night trial.
  • Brooklyn Bedding Latex Pillow ($172): I loved this pillow’s bouncy, moldable feel and enhanced breathability. It comes in low and high lofts for stomach and side sleepers, respectively.
  • Purple Harmony Pillow ($220): This buoyant and responsive pillow from Purple is ridiculously cooling, comfortable, and pressure-relieving, with a well-rounded medium firmness. It’s available in three lofts (5.5″, 6.5″, and 7.5″) to suit your sleeping position and body size for the most support. It also comes with a 30-night trial.
  • Cozy Earth Silk Pillow ($198): This luxurious pillow is filled with mulberry silk strands. It’s airy, light, and highly moldable. The cover pilled after a few weeks, which made us question its longevity for such an investment piece, but after two years of use, the pillow fill itself is still in great condition.

Pillows we don’t recommend

  • Amerisleep Dual Comfort Pillow: This memory foam pillow has a “comfort” side and a “support” side, but I found little difference between either. Both sides were quite stiff. It may be a good option for those who like a pillow that lies flat and provides a lot of support.
  • Earthfoam Organic Pillow: This pillow has a bouncy feel that’s supportive but not exactly cradling. Its 6.5-inch loft is best suited for side sleepers, but it’ll be too lofty for back and stomach sleepers.
  • LAYR Pillow: This adjustable pillow offers three layers that can be added, removed, or independently adjusted for your perfect pillow. However, it feels underfilled with layers removed.
  • Lauren Ralph Lauren Logo Pillow: These budget pillows had no give and lacked the traditional, fluffy down-alternative feel.
  • Royal Hotel Down Pillow: This down pillow was featured and recommended in previous iterations of this guide, but we ultimately excluded it this time around because the company’s return policy is unclear.
  • Saatva Down Alternative Pillow: We’ve had great experiences with Saatva’s other pillows, so I was surprised this one was such a miss. It was far too lofty, even for side sleeping, and left my neck in an uncomfortable position.
  • Tempur-Symphony Pillow: This is a two-sided pillow — one side is arched for stomach sleeping, while the other is flat for back sleeping. It doesn’t feel supportive for any sleep style.

What to look for when choosing a pillow


best pillows 4x3

Lauren Savoie/Business Insider



Experts we spoke to recommended prioritizing three main criteria when shopping for a new pillow: sleep position, material, and trial period. To learn more about what to look for in the best pillows, we spoke with Rebecca Robbins, a sleep researcher, author, and instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and an associate scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Below, find our recommendations for each consideration. Read our guide on how to choose a pillow for more in-depth information on finding the best fit for you.

Sleep position and loft

Robbins told us the most significant consideration when picking a pillow is your preferred sleep position: side, back, or stomach. The goal of your pillow is to support your neck in a neutral position aligned with the rest of your spine. That alignment shifts depending on the position you’re sleeping in. While we all move around during sleep, most of us spend the majority of our sleeping time in one position. 

Your sleeping position influences what loft you should choose. “Loft” refers to the height of your pillow, and indicates how your head, neck, and spine will stay in alignment. Low-loft pillows are short, whereas high-loft pillows are tall.

Not sure what your sleep position is? Consider what position you typically fall asleep or wake up in. Robbins also has an exercise she performs with her clients: Imagine you’ve been up for 24 hours and are presented with a big, luxurious hotel bed; how would you lie down on it to go to sleep? The position you envision is likely your preferred sleep position and plays a significant role in what type of pillow will work best for you. 

Ideal pillow by sleep position

  • Side sleepers: Around 65% of the US population are side sleepers, according to Robbins, and this position requires the most loft and support to bridge the wide gap between the side of your head and where your shoulder rests on the mattress. If you’re a side sleeper, choose a lofty pillow — ideally with an adjustable fill since there can be a lot of variability in the size of that shoulder gap from person to person. Robbins said hotels and sleep clinics outfit rooms with side sleepers in mind, so if you’re buying pillows for a guest bedroom, a side-sleeper-friendly pillow is usually a good bet. 
  • Back sleepers: Back sleepers are the Goldilocks of pillow hunters — they need a pillow with just enough support to lift the back of the head to align with their shoulders. Back sleepers tend to benefit from a medium pillow made from down or down alternative, though an adjustable pillow with at least one-third of the fill removed may work as well. 
  • Stomach sleepers: In the minority are stomach sleepers, who need the least support from their pillow. Typically, a thin, very soft pillow works best for stomach sleepers — just enough fill to cushion their face from the flat surface of the mattress. 

Fill

The material a pillow is filled with has a big impact on its feel. Here’s an overview of the major fill types:

  • Down: Down consists of feathers taken from the underbelly of a goose or duck. It’s an incredibly soft and comfortable material for pillows. While most modern down is triple-washed to remove dander, some allergy sufferers may want to avoid this material, as animal fibers are more prone to dust mites (which can exacerbate allergies) than synthetic fibers. You can read about our favorite down options in our best down pillows guide.
  • Down alternative: typically any fibrous material that mimics the feel of true down. Microfiber is a popular down alternative, but bamboo or viscose fibers and polyfiber also fall into this category. The majority of the pillows in this guide are made from microfiber, which is generally hypoallergenic and breathable. 
  • Memory foam: Another popular fill. We prefer pillows with shredded memory foam, which offer a more traditional, malleable feel. A solid block of memory foam may be preferred if you suffer from back and neck pain and need to keep your head immobilized during sleep.
  • Latex: Derived from natural rubber tree sap or synthetic polymers, latex delivers a buoyant, responsive feel that instantly bounces back when you shift positions. It is available as solid molded blocks (for steady, buoyant support) or shredded fill (for a customizable, moldable loft). It cradles pressure points like memory foam but boasts far superior natural airflow and zero “sinking” delay, making it ideal for hot sleepers and active combination sleepers.

Trial period

The only way to know if a pillow is right for you is to sleep on it. We recommend looking for pillows that offer at least a 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee. This will allow you several weeks to decide if the pillow is right for you.


How we test pillows

There is no universal “best pillow.” The best pillow for you depends on how entirely on your sleep position, body frame, and firmness and temperature preferences.

Instead of searching for a one-size-fits-all solution, our testing team evaluates each pillow across four core criteria over at least five consecutive nights of real-world use, and oftentimes for much longer.

We also have certain testing qualifications, only feature pillows backed by at least a 30-day trial period and a straightforward return policy, ensuring you can confidently test for yourself in your own bed.

Here’s what we focused on during testing:

Support and alignment

We test pillows across dedicated side, back, and stomach sleepers to measure how effectively the fill keeps the head, neck, and spine in neutral alignment. We specifically monitor whether the pillow maintains its height or sags, which can cause morning neck stiffness.

Adjustability and loft

We evaluate how easy it is to add, remove, or contour fill to customize height and firmness. Pillows with removable fill or adjustable inserts consistently perform better, especially for combination sleepers. Being able to tweak the loft even slightly makes a big difference. For non-adjustable pillows, we assess whether the available firmness and loft options adequately serve target sleep styles.

Ease of use and daily care

We test how easily pillows fit into standard pillowcases, whether removable covers hold up to machine washing without shrinking or clumping, and how often the fill requires manual fluffing.

Temperature regulation

We evaluate heat retention throughout the night to assess whether cooling covers, phase-change materials, or breathable fills effectively dissipate body heat.

Meet the experts behind this guide

Lauren Savoie, former deputy executive editor: I’ve slept on dozens of pillows while testing for this guide, and my top picks feature only the best of the best. I’m an active sleeper who snoozes in just about every sleeping position.

Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor: I’ve tested dozens of pillows myself and compiled the insights from numerous product testers with various sleeping positions. The stack of pillows in the corner next to my bed is taller than me. I’ll spend weeks long-term testing pillows and how they hold up over time, and don’t hold back on my critiques.


The best pillow FAQs

How long do pillows last?

According to the National Sleep Foundation, your pillow should be replaced every few years. The exact time frame depends on your pillow’s material, but if it’s lumpy, compressed, or stained, it’s definitely time for an upgrade.

What type of pillow is best?

There’s no one-size-fits-all “best pillow.” Instead, the best pillow for you depends on your sleeping position, comfort preferences, and sleep needs. Side sleepers need a pillow that’s tall and firm, while stomach sleepers need a short, soft pillow. The best pillow for back sleepers has a medium-loft and a medium-firm feel.

What are the best pillows for people with allergies?

Robbins said the best pillow for people with allergies is one with a synthetic filling like polyester. She says those with allergies should avoid animal products such as wool or down.

What pillow filling is best?

It depends on how you sleep. Stomach sleepers should look for down or down alternative, while side sleepers usually need a firmer material like memory foam or latex. Back sleepers should choose a pillow with just about any fill.

What are the best pillows for hot sleepers?

The best pillows for hot sleepers are filled with a breathable material like latex, down alternative, or shredded memory foam. Also, look for features like a cooling cover or enhanced breathability. For more recommendations, check out our guide to the best cooling pillows.

How often should I wash my pillow?

You should wash your pillow every three to six months. Robbins recommends using a pillow protector to prolong its lifespan and reduce how often you need to wash it. A pillow protector will keep your pillow safe from allergens, body oils, and dust mites. If you’ve noticed your pillow turn yellow, it’s a sign of built-up sweat, oil, or skincare products. For more details, read our article on how to wash pillows.

What pillows do hotels use?

Hotels typically use plush down or down-alternative pillows, and the Brooklinen Down Pillow is one of the best at achieving this. For a hotel-like feel, check out our guide to the best down pillows.



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