Editor's Note: We reviewed our pillow selections on December 19, 2022, and we stand by our current selections. We're also in the process of testing new bed pillows for future updates.
When the time comes to invest in a new bed pillow, where should you begin your search? If you’ve ever spent hours scrolling through bedding reviews, you've probably noticed that it’s hard to find any consensus on what the best one actually is.
But despite the abundance of choices on the market today, you can use what you already know about your current sleep preferences to help narrow your options down to the best pillow for you.
The Best Bed Pillows for Sleeping
What to Consider
“Selecting a pillow is a very individualized process,” says Dr. Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist also known as The Sleep Doctor. “When it comes to picking the right pillow, there is really no one pillow size, shape, or material that fits all. The best way to find the pillow that’s right for you is to determine your individual criteria, and then use your instinct about what feels most comfortable and appropriate for you.”
In our testing, we’ve found that a bed pillow’s fill material and firmness are two of the most important factors to take into account when beginning your search, as you can immediately rule out a lot of products that way. Think about the pillow that you currently sleep with, and try to specify what you like and dislike about it. Is your pillow way too firm, or does it completely lack support? Is it made of solid memory foam, or is it filled with a malleable material? And would the opposite type be a better fit?
Your usual sleep position can also help indicate what type of firmness is best for you. We asked Lexie Sachs, the senior product analyst in the Textiles Lab of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, about what the most important factor in buying a new pillow is. She told us, “The goal is to have your head and neck aligned. When you lie on your pillow, your neck shouldn’t be tilting in any direction. Side sleepers need a thick, firm pillow; stomach sleepers need a thin, soft one; back sleepers need somewhere in between.”
It’s important to note that some fill materials, like memory foam, will inherently be heavier and have a more supportive core than other materials like a fiber or feather blend, which will be softer, but potentially less structural.
What remains true for all types, though, is that there should be no neck pain whatsoever, even in the first few days of sleeping on a new pillow. Sachs adds, “New pillows may feel unusual at first, especially if you are making a switch to a material you’re not used to, but a pillow should never leave you feeling sore.”
With that in mind, make sure you check the retailer’s return policy before you make a new pillow purchase, just in case it ends up not working for you.
How We Tested
As Best Products’ senior home decor editor, I’ve been testing bed pillows for this site since 2015, experiencing firsthand the differences in various firmness levels, fill types, and heat-wicking fabric technology. While not every pillow that I test at home may be right for me as a side/stomach sleeper, I try to take into consideration the benefits that a product does offer in terms of support, fill material, and quality of construction that may be better suited for a different sleeper.
All of the pillows in this piece were tested either by me or other site editors for a 3-week-long trial. We judged these pillows based on the following criteria:
- Support: Does the pillow provide balanced head and neck support, or is it much too soft or firm?
- Responsiveness: Is the pillow malleable, or does it only have one form?
- Pillow weight: Does the pillow’s heaviness or lightness impact the comfort of sleeping with it?
- Heat retention: Does the pillow hold onto or wick away body heat?
Check out our guide to the best bed pillows below, and start your search for the dreamiest bedding upgrade imaginable.
Best Foam Pillow
Tuft & Needle Foam Pillow
Pros
- Low, flat shape helps keep neck aligned
- Perforated foam is infused with cooling gel to help prevent overheating
Cons
- Firm pillow, doesn't have much give
Key Specs
| Fill type | Perforated, graphite-infused foam |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard and king |
The Tuft & Needle pillow is made of one piece of adaptive foam that is ventilated with small holes for airflow, and it has a removable, quilted cover that adds a little extra padding.
While this pillow’s buoyant, extra-supportive form doesn’t provide that sinking-into-a-cloud feeling, its round-cornered shape makes it easy to get cozy with. It’s comfortably lightweight, and the graphite-infused foam feels cool to the touch and breathable. It also won’t sag over time. The pillow’s soft, lightly padded cover is another plus, sliding easily into a pillowcase.
Overall, the single-foam construction of this pillow offers enough pushback to keep the head and neck aligned, and it's moderately firm without feeling heavy.
Best Shredded Foam Pillow
Coop Home Goods Eden Adjustable Pillow
Coop Home Goods Eden Adjustable Pillow
Pros
- Pillow has a super soft and cuddly feel
- Adjustable height is compatible with all sleep positions
Cons
- Comes overstuffed; lots of stuffing may need to be removed
Key Specs
| Fill type | Shredded, cooling-gel-infused memory foam |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Queen and king |
The Coop Home Goods pillow is a shredded memory foam pillow that can be zipped open to add or remove stuffing — it even comes with an extra bag of foam just in case you want it super jet-puffed! The foam is lightweight and slow reacting, and it feels significantly airier than a solid piece of foam.
If you’re searching for the best pillow on Amazon, the Eden pillow typically appears as a top choice, with 74% of its current 14K reviewers giving it a 5-star rating. When we tested it ourselves, we found that the pillow’s quilted cover was one of our favorite features, because not only does it make the pillow feel extra soft, but it effectively grips onto a pillowcase so that it doesn’t slide around in the night. The pillow has a ventilated gusset around the sides that effectively pushes out hot air.
We think that sleepers of all types who prefer a soft, cozy pillow would enjoy the Eden — just as long as you’re OK with removing some of the memory foam to get its loftiness just right for you.
Best Cooling Pillow
Bedgear Storm 1.0 Memory Foam Pillow
Bedgear Storm 1.0 Memory Foam Pillow
Pros
- Cool-to-the-touch feature works very effectively
- Pillow is malleable and comfortably supportive
- Available in a variety of heights
Cons
- Expensive
Key Specs
| Fill type | Shredded, cooling-gel-infused memory foam and solid foam |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard |
If you love cooling fabrics in your bedding, this is the pillow you need. The Bedgear Storm 1.0 pillow is a cooling hybrid pillow that has a firm, solid, memory-foam feel on one side and a softer, shredded foam texture on the other. Its cool-to-the-touch cover is what makes it a standout: It's incredibly effective at drawing heat away from the body throughout the night (and not just in the first 10 minutes of sleep).
Bedgear’s pillow materials and construction are entirely proprietary to the brand, engineered for full-body recovery for the most restful night of sleep possible. After testing this pillow — along with several other pillows from the brand over the years — we find this premium sleep product to be worth every penny.
Best Budget Pillows
Beckham Hotel Collection Cooling Luxury Gel Bed Pillows (Set of 2)
Beckham Hotel Collection Cooling Luxury Gel Bed Pillows (Set of 2)
Pros
- Substantially fluffy and supportive without being too heavy
- Down-alternative fibers are less heat-retentive than foam
- Affordable and great for stocking up for multiple beds at home
Cons
- Not a reactive pillow; doesn't puff back up and can look lumpy over time
Key Specs
| Fill type | Down-alternative, gel-infused fibers |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Queen and king |
Most of the time, you get what you pay for in terms of pillow quality. However, the Beckham Hotel Collection Cooling Luxury Gel Bed Pillows are a notable exception. While this pair of pillows is incredibly affordable, they are incredibly well-made and comfortable. Their 203K-plus reviews don’t lie!
In our testing, we were pleasantly surprised by the pillows’ weight and support level. Even though they look airy in pictures, they are surprisingly substantial but not heavy at all. Each pillow has a 5-inch loft that comfortably suspends the head without creating pushback — you won’t feel like you have to ball it up in order to get adequate support, either.
The pillows are filled with down-alternative gel fibers that are meant to wick away heat, and even though we didn’t feel like they had any noticeable cooling properties, the gel fibers don’t seem to retain body heat quite as noticeably as foam does. Our one complaint is that this pillow can look a bit lumpy after sleeping on it — it doesn’t puff back out after you lift your head.
Best Neck Pillow
TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Breeze Neck + Advanced Cooling Pillow
TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Breeze Neck + Advanced Cooling Pillow
Pros
- Adapts to the head and neck without any uncomfortable pushback
- Great for sleepers with a lot of soreness or chronic pain
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Key Specs
| Fill type | Cooling gel-layered memory foam |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard |
While a lot of neck pillows tend to be a little too firm, hot, or awkward to get comfortable with, the TEMPUR-breeze Neck +Advanced Cooling Pillow is a standout exception.
As far as construction, this 3-pound pillow comprises a proprietary memory-foam core, layered with gel sheets that are meant to provide a cooling sensation to the sleeper. Its sloped shape is encased in a stretchy, smooth, 500-thread-count performance cover that’s removable and washable. This results in a support level that’s firm without providing active, exhausting pushback and responsiveness that’s slow-reacting and adaptive to the shape of the sleeper’s body. When we tested it, we found that while it's not a light, fluffy, bouncy pillow, it does support the head gently and effectively.
For anyone living with chronic pain — specifically in the neck and shoulder areas — this sloped, cooling memory-foam pillow helps to minimize any fussing or wrestling with it. So, that supportive spinal alignment can be achieved as soon as your head hits the pillow. This pillow is best for side sleepers, though back sleepers might find its contoured shape comfortable as well. Stomach sleepers might be better off with something a little softer and squishier.
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
Leesa Hybrid Pillow
Pros
- Choose between a cushy or firm feel
- Perfect height for side sleepers
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Key Specs
| Fill type | Microfiber quilting and ventilated cooling gel |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard and queen |
The Leesa Hybrid Pillow’s unique construction may look a little strange, but it checks a lot of boxes, comfort-wise. Each side offers a completely different textural experience — one side has cushioned microfiber quilting that nestles the head and neck, while the other is flatter and much firmer, but is layered with a ventilated cooling gel directly underneath the pillow's surface. Even when covered with a thick pillowcase, the cooling sensation is effectively transferred to the skin.
Although it's on the heavier side, this pillow is much more breathable and cushy than it looks. It has a low loft and is decently spoonable, but note that its form isn’t adjustable. The ability to experience different sensations depending on which part of your body is making contact with the pillow is unique and conducive to the sleep experience.
The pillow doesn't make you feel like you're sinking or overheating, or like you have to fluff it up at any point. No matter which side of it you sleep on, the Leesa Hybrid Pillow is engineered to keep the user feeling nestled and cool while maintaining correct body alignment for side sleepers.
Best Pillow for Back Sleepers
Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow
Pros
- Has comfortable mid-level loftiness
- Stretchy cover gives a little extra breathability
Cons
- Memory foam fill retains some body heat
Key Specs
| Fill type | Shredded memory foam |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard |
It can be tough to find a cozy pillow for back sleepers: It's best for them to sleep on a firm — but not brick-like — pillow with mid-level loftiness. Luckily, the Snuggle-Pedic Pillow is here to fill that need. This budget-friendly pillow contains shredded memory foam fill, and it's covered by a bamboo-polyester-lycra pillow cover that’s both breathable and stretchy.
Conforming to the sleeper's upper body, this foam pillow provides much-needed support to the head and neck to keep back sleepers in a happy spinal position. It's not too heavy or too light, and the shredded foam also helps its breathability.
Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
FluffCo Soft Fluff Down Alternative Pillow
FluffCo Soft Fluff Down Alternative Pillow
Pros
- Supremely soft and cushy
Cons
- Not supportive enough for side or back sleepers
Key Specs
| Fill type | Down-alternative microfiber |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard and king |
FluffCo's Down-Alternative Pillow comprises of airy microfiber fill, covered with a cool cotton and Tencel pillow cover. It is also one of the cheapest pillows on this list — as far as high-quality pillows go, this one is a bargain.
This pillow’s “soft fluff” firmness is indeed supremely soft, and it has a lower loft and less forceful pushback than other pillows filled with foam, or even down feathers. It’s ideal for stomach sleepers for this reason. Some pillow constructions designed to support the neck end up feeling like a struggle for stomach sleepers to get comfortable with because they’re just way too firm. If you’re a side sleeper, we’d recommend the “firm fluff” version for a little more oomph.
FluffCo's pillow is probably the lightest and softest on our list, and it shouldn't lead to stomach sleepers feeling kinked out of alignment at all. The microfiber fill is also very silky-feeling and non-reactive, making it one of the most malleable pillows on this guide as well.
Best Pillow for Omni-Sleepers
Layla Kapok Pillow
Pros
- Sleeps cool and feels very plush
- Adjustable height allows all positions to enjoy
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Key Specs
| Fill type | Kapok fibers |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Queen and king |
The Layla Kapok pillow is an adjustable pillow that is filled with a combination of memory foam and plant-based kapok fibers. Its hexagonal-patterned pillow cover is made of polyester and viscose woven with CuTEC, a copper-infused yarn.
If you tend to sleep on both your back and side, this pillow can help you feel cozy and supported in both positions. Stomach sleepers would probably enjoy the Kapok pillow’s responsiveness as well, as long as they adjust the fill to their preferred height before sleeping on it. While it’s on the firmer and weightier side, this pillow’s cooling properties and plushness make it really comfortable.
Best Down Pillow
Parachute Home Down Side Sleeper Pillow
Parachute Home Down Side Sleeper Pillow
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight yet supportive
- Holds up to years of use without getting lumpy
Cons
- May not provide enough support for back sleepers
Key Specs
| Fill type | European white down and feather fibers |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard and king |
We originally tested the down-stuffed Parachute Side-Sleeper Pillow as part of a month-long down-pillow test, and it ended up being one of our favorite pillows that we've ever tried. (It's also available in a down-alternative version.) Its construction is unique in that it is more rectangular than a regular pillow, and it features a 3.5-inch border gusset.
This gusset is a standout feature that helps the pillow retain its structure. It helps keep the neck in alignment, and it gives this pillow a backbone that most down pillows completely lack. The down fill comprises European white down and feather fibers, and it comes from a certified Responsible Down Standard (RDS) supplier.
This pillow is generously stuffed, light as a feather, and very responsive — and it still hasn't started to sag, even after I've spent years sleeping on it. Overall, it's intelligently constructed and a pleasure to sleep on.
Best Adjustable Pillow
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
Pros
- Pillow zips to adjust height and firmness
- Great for multiple sleep positions
Cons
- Cover's quilting feels a little awkward
Key Specs
| Fill type | Shredded memory foam and polyester fiber |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard and king |
While a few memory-foam pillows on this list are adjustable (meaning that you can unzip them to add or remove their shredded-foam filling), they aren't exactly mess-free. This innovative pillow from Brooklinen's sister brand Marlow changes all of that.
The Marlow pillow is filled with a blend of cooling shredded memory foam and polyester fibers, and the long sides of the pillow unzip, revealing mesh gussets and allowing the pillow to soften up for a more relaxed, airier feel. And you can zip the sides right back up if you prefer the firmness.
Marlow is a great pillow for back and side sleepers who roll over into multiple positions throughout the night. However, whether zipped or unzipped, its loftiness felt like it was a little too high for stomach sleepers to get comfy with. The best perk of the Marlow's adjustable support level is being able to use it in firm mode as a vertical bolster pillow for sitting up in bed to read, and then upon lights-out, unzipping it to enjoy its softness and cooling benefits. If you want the best of all worlds without having to buy multiple pillows, this one delivers.
Best Down-Alternative Pillow
Casper Original Pillow
Pros
- Unique construction is soft, malleable, and supportive
Cons
- Not very responsive
Key Specs
| Fill type | Polyester microfiber |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard and king |
Another unconventional design, the Original Casper Pillow features a unique two-pillows-in-one structure that makes it way more interesting than most down-alternative pillows. Its firm core is filled with tiny coated microfibers that give it a gel-like texture, and it’s zipped inside of a soft, cushioned, outer shell that's filled with longer-strand microfibers for an airier feel.
The pillow has a great balance of firmness from the supportive inner core, in combination with the softness and malleability of the outer cover. This balance is also important for maintaining a comfortable spinal position, and it's why this pillow was highly rated by both side and stomach sleepers in our testing group.
While this 2-in-1 down-alternative pillow from Casper may not have the responsiveness of a down or memory foam pillow, its plush construction offers just the right combination of fluffiness and support.
Best Hugging Pillow
Purple Harmony Pillow
Pros
- Pleasantly squishy and soft texture
- Grid layer enhances airflow and helps it sleep cooler
Cons
- Provides a lot of pushback
- Slightly heavy
Key Specs
| Fill type | Latex foam and Grid Hex layer |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard and king in three different heights each |
The next best thing to nestling into your partner or pet while you tuck in for the night is snuggling up with the Purple Harmony Pillow. This hugging pillow comprises three main elements: a porous latex core pillow, a flexible Grid Hex layer that encases it, and a mesh outer cover. Because of this, its texture is unlike anything else in this pillow guide.
In our testing, we noticed that both the core pillow and Grid Hex layer have a squishy, elastic quality — meaning, if you drop it on the ground, this pillow bounces. While this does add some weight to the overall product, it makes for a satisfying spooning experience because of its balance of give and pushback. And while it's not a cool-to-the-touch pillow, its porous materials do a fantastic job of wicking away heat.
Of course, you can absolutely sleep with this as your main bed pillow. Because it has such a high level of pushback, we most recommend the low height (or the medium height if you have broad shoulders).
Best Supportive Pillow
Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology
Pros
- Material wicks heat and allows air to flow
- Offers exceptional support for the head and neck
Cons
- Expensive
Key Specs
| Fill type | Cooling foam |
|---|---|
| Available sizes | Standard and king |
The Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology is at once cooling, supportive, and low-loft. Its shoulder-hugging height feels like it was tailor-made for side sleepers. In my testing, I've found this pillow to be on the firmer side, providing a great bolster for both upright reading in bed and lying down afterward. While it's not a fluffy, bouncy, spoonable pillow, its flat surface and rounded edges subtly cushion the head, keeping the neck in alignment without any strain.
It features a multilayered foam interior, replete with perforations and channels for air to flow through. This design lends this otherwise solid pillow some nice flexibility, and it also enhances its proprietary cooling technology. It's covered with a smooth polyester/spandex cover that hot sleepers can remove to enjoy even more coolness against the skin.
Melanie Yates is the senior service editor of Best Products, where she writes and reports pieces pertaining to the etiquette, dilemmas, and how-tos of gift-giving for different occasions. Previously, she was the site's senior home editor, covering all things decor- and bedding-related since 2015. Her digital byline can also be found on Bustle, House Beautiful, and Elle Decor. A longtime classical-music enthusiast, Melanie spends her off-hours enjoying performances big and small across New York City.
