But with so many different pillows available on the market, it can be trick to know which one is best for your sleep routine. Once you know the best pillow type for your style of sleeping, then comes the hard part — choosing the pillow itself. There are several factors to consider and features to lookout for, depending on your sleep style. If you’re a hot head at night, a pillow with cooling technology might help. If you’re very picky about the height, consider adjustable pillows as well — with these you can add and remove layers to get the thickness just right. Don’t forget to check whether it’s washable, otherwise you might face a sweaty pillow down the line. Luckily, we’ve done the research and have tested a selection of pillows to suit every sleep position, need and budget.
The best pillows you can buy today
The Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow is the best choice for anyone who wants to create a custom pillow without spending much money. It’s packed with CertiPUR-US certified, non-toxic memory foam and microfiber, and you can add as much or as little fill as you need to achieve the perfect loft for your sleeping position (an extra half-pound bag of fill is included). The pillow also has a removable cover made from a naturally cooling, bamboo-derived viscose rayon material called Lulltra. Coop Home Goods recommends this pillow as the best choice for side sleepers because it can be made deep and plump, but because it’s adjustable you can tailor it to suit any sleep position. You can also buy it in queen size (20x30") or king size (20x36") to better suit your bed. For added peace of mind, the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow comes with a five-year warranty, plus a 100-night trial, so you’ll have plenty of time to make sure that this really is the best choice for you. Read our full Coop Home Goods Original Pillow review. If you want to enjoy the plushness of a down pillow but without the allergies and animal-sourced fill, try the Casper Original Sleep Down Alternative Pillow. It’s filled with hypoallergenic microfibers that make it as soft as authentic down pillows, but with synthetic materials instead. Much like its best-selling mattresses, Casper’s down alternative pillow is designed for people who shift positions in their sleep (combi sleepers). The soft outer layer and adaptive inner layer work together to keep you comfortable and supported no matter the sleep position you move into. Oh, and both layers can be machine washed and dried, so you can easily keep them in good shape. Meanwhile, the two-inch gusset on the Casper Original Sleep Down Alternative Pillow simultaneously provides stable neck alignment and keeps the fill evenly distributed. We also like its 100% cotton outer cover, created with a breathable percale weave to help you sleep cool, even in warm weather. Before you buy, check our Casper promo codes page for the latest discounts and offers. Purple’s top-of-the-line Harmony Pillow may not fit the conventional description of the best luxury pillow, but we say it’s deserving of the distinction. Like the company’s top-rated Purple Mattress (opens in new tab), the Purple Harmony pillow features the company’s signature Purple Grid to provide tailored support for your head and neck. At the core of the pillow is ventilated Talalay latex to enhance airflow, and all of that is encased by a moisture-wicking breeze mesh cover. You can choose between three different heights too: low, medium and tall. From our testing, the low is suitable for back and stomach, the medium for side sleepers with smaller frames, and the tall for average to large-framed side sleepers. Purple customers rate the Harmony pillow at 4.4 out of 5 stars, with more than 8,600 of the 12,200 reviews boasting 5 stars. Customers say it’s cooling and offers an equal amount of plushness and support. If that doesn’t sound luxurious, we don’t know what does. Read our full Purple Harmony Pillow review and look at our Purple promo codes The Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology easily achieves its one goal of keeping your head cool while you sleep. Choose from two sizes: Standard, measuring 16x24 inches, and King, measuring 16x32 inches; the 1.25-inch gusset is the same on each. You don’t have the option of selecting different loft sizes; this truly is a one-size-fits-all purchase. This new pillow from mattress-by-mail pioneer Casper is almost identical to the company’s previous Foam Pillow in shape and general design: A zippered cover conceals three layers of memory foam (both low and high density, regular and viscoelastic polyurethane), which have been dotted with hundreds of perforations to help wick away heat while you sleep. The foam ensures that the pillow both supports your head and neck in any sleep position and that the pillow maintains its shape, all with no fluffing required. The big difference between the first Foam Pillow and this Snow Technology version is the Snow Technology. This consists of a “cool-touch outer layer,” where the fabric is infused with phase-change material and HeatDelete Bands — or graphite strips positioned between the layers of foam to dial back their natural insulative properties. If you can overlook the steep $139 price tag, the Casper Foam Pillow offers a generally better cooling than the equivalently priced Purple Harmony Pillow and a firmer, and a more consistent experience than the far less expensive Coop Home Goods Original Pillow. Read our full Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology review. The Utopia Bedding Gusseted Pillows prove that you don’t have to sacrifice quality when buying on a budget. For less than $30 you can bring home a pair of these plush, down alternative pillows stuffed with 950 to 1,250 grams of poly fiber fill. They feature a poly-cotton outer fabric and a two-inch quilted gusset edge in your choice of six different colors. The Gusseted Pillow duo comes vacuum-sealed and take up to 72 hours to fully expand, which is much longer than other pillows we have tested. However once they fully puff up, they’re a far cry from the flattened shape they initially arrive in and hold their shape well night after night. Tempur-Pedic pillows are just as supportive as the brand’s popular mattresses and that’s down to the use of its NASA-developed Tempur material. The Tempur Cloud Pillow is contouring and cushioning, so your head will be perfectly cradled. Because it’s softer than other pillows in our guide, we’d recommend the Cloud as one of the best choices for back and side sleepers. Although do prepare yourself for this not being quite as soft as Tempur says – user reviews back this up too, saying that it’s more soft-medium than extra-soft. Still, like any good back and stomach sleeper pillow, the Tempur Cloud offers the right loft to support your head without pushing your neck forwards (and out of alignment). It’s designed with a removable and washable cover too, so you can more easily keep it in good condition. Some users did find the cover tricky to remove during the first wash, but after that they reported how it was easier to take off. Tempur-Pedic recommends the Cloud as one of the best pillows for sleeping well when on holiday too, as it can be compressed and rolled for travel use. In terms of size and fit, it will slip inside a standard or queen size pillow case, so it’s pretty versatile. There are over 4,900 user reviews on the Tempur-Pedic site alone for this pillow, with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you’re thinking about purchasing this pillow, make sure to check our Tempur Pedic promo codes to see if we can help you save on the price. A minor caveat is that you can only buy this pillow in pairs, but you can always reserve the second pillow for a guest room or a replacement down the line if you only sleep on one and it isn’t the right pillow for your partner. Another drawback is the lack of a warranty, but a 30-day money-back guarantee still applies. Copper bedding is designed to wick away body heat and stop the growth of bacteria on your skin, among other benefits. If you’re keen to try a copper-infused pillow to help keep you comfortable and fresh, then the best pillow for you is the very popular Layla Kapok Pillow. The outer cover of Layla’s pillow features a polyester/viscose blend with copper fibers woven in for cooling and antimicrobial properties. The inner fill is a blend of reactive memory foam and lightweight Kapok fibers. It yields a high loft that’s ideal for most side sleepers, but you can remove and adjust the fill to your liking. The Layla Kapok Pillow comes with a five-year warranty, but that’s not all. Layla also includes a longer-than-average 120-night trial with a 100% money-back guarantee. However, with 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 reviews at Layla, you may not need to worry about making returns. Customers say the Layla Kapok pillow provides excellent neck support. Plus, its copper-woven outer cover is soft to the touch and adept at keeping allergens away and odors under control. Save on the usual price of this pillow with our Layla Sleep coupon codes. Billed by Boll & Branch as “the internet’s best down pillow”, the firm version is strictly for those of you who can only sleep comfortably on a very plump and firm bed pillow. If not, pick the soft or medium versions, or move further up this product guide to the fully adjustable Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow (No 1), or the fluffy Casper Original Sleep Pillow (No 2). The Boll & Branch Down Pillow is stuffed with sustainably and ethically sourced goose down from US farms. The down is triple washed for maximum hygienic, then placed inside a ‘down-proof’ organic cotton shell. That means you shouldn’t feel anything poking through the cover when you’re resting your head and face on this sumptuous pillow. The design includes a three-chamber construction, which helps the pillow to keep its shape throughout the time you use it (on average, most bed pillows need to be changed every two years to ensure you remain properly supported). The Boll & Branch Down Pillow is machine washable too, but you’ll need to quickly re-fluff it after drying so that it maintains its shape and firm feel. Choose from standard size or king size to suit the size of your bed, and take your pick from either soft, medium or firm feel. Unlike traditional shapes, this contoured pillow features a dip in the center to better cradle your head and to keep your neck, shoulders and back aligned. While the EPABO Contoured Memory Foam Pillow is densely-packed with memory foam, it also includes a removable foam insert should the loft be too high for you. This bed pillow is also ensconced in a hypoallergenic rayon and polyester case. The Brooklinen Down Pillow is the company’s softest and fluffiest option for sleeping. That’s because this best-seller has been constructed to provide support and plush comfort across a range of sleeping positions. Choose from two sizes (standard or king) and three firmness levels: plus, mid-plush, and firm. The plush pillow is completely filled with down clusters and is the best choice for stomach sleepers. Meanwhile, side sleepers can either opt for the mid-plush pillow with equal parts feathers and down, or the firm pillow with a higher ratio of feathers to down. Brooklinen offers an impressive 365-day return window on this Down Pillow, with shipping fees included plus a full refund. And if that’s not enough, the brand tacks on an additional one-year warranty beyond that. The Brooklinen Down Pillow is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 1,900 customers. Many sleepers find it so comfortable that they boldly declare it’s the only pillow they’ll ever need. Of course, with three levels of firmness, it’s easy for shoppers to find the best pillow for their needs here. Avocado is known for its line of eco-friendly mattresses, yet it also makes a stunning range of pillows, including the Avocado Green Pillow. Made in California, this organic pillow is crafted from certified-organic and vegan materials. It’s filled with latex shreds (upcycled from the brand’s mattresses) and Kapok fibers that can be adjusted to suit your preferences. The fill is then housed in a cotton jersey liner, enveloped by a machine-washable quilted cotton cover. The pillow comes in three sizes: standard, queen and king. Every Avocado Green pillow comes with a 100-night trial, a one year warranty, and a spare bag of organic fill. More than 4,000 Avocado customers have rated the Avocado Green Pillow, generating a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Sleepers who suffer from allergies also sing the Avocado pillow’s praises as a comfortable, sustainable solution to achieving a good night’s rest. If you feel like this pillow is the one for you, check our Avocado Mattress promo codes to save on your order.
How to choose the best pillow
There is no one single best pillow for every person as our bodies are different, but you can narrow down the list by pinpointing your sleep style. Do you sleep on your stomach, back or side, or a combination of all three? Knowing this will help you choose a pillow easily. With that in mind, here are three key criteria to be aware of:
Pillow loft – This refers to the height of a bed pillow. Side sleepers receive the most support from a high loft (because it better plugs the gap between your head and shoulders). Back and stomach sleepers are usually fine with a low loft. Firmness – This describes a pillow’s ‘give’ when weight (as in, your head) is placed on it. Soft pillows are usually best for stomach sleepers. Side sleepers often feel better supported by a firm pillow that keeps their neck and back in alignment. Back and combo sleepers do well with a medium-firm pillow. Fill – This dictates the loft and firmness, but there are health issues to consider here too. For instance, if you suffer from allergies, stay away from feather fills and choose a down alternative pillow instead.
How we chose the best pillow
Our guide for the best pillows were based on extensive, consumer report research and online reviews. We rated things like material type, shape and comfort for various sleeping positions. In addition, we looked at how practical it was to use and its durability. For people who switch between side sleeping and other positions (so combination sleepers), we’d advise choosing an adjustable pillow so that you can customize the loft to suit your body better. Customizing the loft means removing or adding as much ‘fill’ (the pillow’s inner material) as needed to best plug the gap between your head and shoulders. Generally speaking, the broader your shoulders, the more loft you need. An adjustable pillow will help you create the perfect loft. If you struggle to sleep in the heat, be sure to check out how to stay cool to get a better night’s sleep. The best pillow materials for neck pain includes memory foam, which offers a cradling, contouring feel. Buckwheat is another good choice because it naturally holds its shape well, so it won’t spread out too much inside the pillow during sleep. That means it will hold its shape well throughout the night to keep your neck properly supported. Read more: Memory foam pillows This is probably the most popular type of pillow as, just like the best memory foam mattresses (opens in new tab), these are designed to cradle your head. Most pillows for neck pain support are made using memory foam, but this material does retain heat more than other types. So if you’re a hot sleeper, choose a cooling memory foam pillow, or go for one with naturally cooling latex. Down pillows Look away now if you have allergies, as these are not the best pillows for you. For everyone else craving a soft place to lay their head at night, you’re in for a treat here as down pillows are comfy and plush. They’re commonly made with the soft fibers found under the exterior of a duck, goose or swan, and are often mixed with feathers for extra fluffiness. They best suit stomach and back sleepers, as most aren’t firm enough for side sleepers. Latex pillows These are among the best cooling pillows you can buy. That’s because latex is naturally cooling, so heat won’t build up as much inside compared to some synthetic materials. Latex is an allergen for some though. Plus, they’re expensive, so be prepared to pay a higher price. But if you want a non-toxic, organic pillow for healthier sleep, we’d start with latex. Changes in your body weight also impact how well a pillow supports you, and every person’s pillow requirements change the older they get; we simply need more support and comfort as we age. Older pillows get pretty dirty too, even with regular washing. That’s because some materials act as a mecca for dust mites, odors and sweat, with a build-up of moisture leading to bacteria growth in some instances. We’d recommend choosing a hypoallergenic pillow that can either be machine washed (the best option), or one that comes with a removable, antimicrobial cover that’s suitable for machine washing. You can learn more about this in our feature on how to wash a pillow.
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