9 Best Bed Pillows That’ll Help You Get Your Best Night’s Sleep

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Restful nights and ache-free mornings stem from sleeping on a bed pillow that’s compatible with your particular sleep habits. If you’ve ever had trouble catching those zzz’s, consider switching up your primary pillow for one with a different density, fill type, or cover material.

Typically, those who sleep on their back or side tend to favor a firm pillow, while stomach sleepers need something soft, so their alignment doesn’t get thrown off. If you’re an omni-sleeper, it’s best to choose one that isn’t too dense but also feels cool to the touch to prevent overheating and tossing in the night.

Goose-down and fiber-fill pillows tend to be softer and more malleable than dense memory foam. We’re starting to see more foam pillows made with cooling covers, vented interior designs, and shredded fill. These materials tend to be more durable and hypoallergenic.

Their construction increases airflow, which can be beneficial to all sleepers. We picked the below pillows for overall comfort and their proficiency in addressing specific needs and sleep positions. Get ready for sweeter dreams!

RALPH LAUREN Pillow – Best Overall

Bottom Line: These fluffy, hypoallergenic pillows provide great across-the-board comfort for all.

If you and your partner have different sleeping styles but still want a uniform look to your bedding, Lauren Ralph Lauren Logo Pillows offers three different densities (medium, firm, and extra firm).

You can rest easy on pillows with the same lofty look but with your preferred level of firmness. The down-alternative fill is hypoallergenic and able to be tossed in the washing machine without degrading the material. Though they’re our top pick overall, they’re still on the affordable end of the spectrum, ranging from $20-30 each for a standard or king-sized pillow, respectively.

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Acanva Bed Pillows – Best Budget Buy

Bottom Line: Budget- and vegan-friendly, this medium-loft pick is just right for in-between sleepers.

For those who aren’t wowed by the bedding bells and whistles, this no-frills polyester-fill pillow is a super-affordable upgrade that really feels like a splurge. 

It offers medium-level support, and though it may be too soft for back sleepers or those with neck pains, it’s plenty plush and huggable for side or stomach sleepers. It’s available to buy in standard, queen, and king sizes.

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ZenPur Pillow – Best Memory-Foam Pillow

Bottom Line: This model is the new standard for foam pillows, and it’s an all-in-one for any type of sleeper.

This reviewer-favorite pillow is ideal for those looking for something supremely huggable and slightly different from your average plushy pick.

The shredded memory foam allows you to “fluff” it up into the perfect shape — users can even open up the inside and remove some of the foam if it’s too lofty.

This pillow and its cover can be machine-washed, and its proprietary memory foam won’t go flat. If you’re sick of pillows slowly degrading over time, this is one that actually earns its permanent place on your bed. It’s available to buy in a standard, queen, or king size.

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Leesa Luxury Hybrid Pillow – Best for Side Sleepers

Bottom Line: Don’t let the low loft fool you — this foam pillow is incredibly supportive.

Those side sleepers who want the pressure-relieving properties of a foam pillow, but are wary of the material’s dense, heat-retaining reputation, will be delighted upon the first snooze with the Leesa pillow.

The feel of its proprietary Avena performance foam (the same used in the brand’s famed mattress) is springy and supportive. It keeps the side sleeper’s neck in proper alignment instead of cricked at an uncomfortable angle. Its lightweight, aerated design also keeps users from continually tossing and turning throughout the night to get to the cool side of the pillow.

The quilted polyester-lycra pillow cover’s soft and cozy feel only adds to the overall comfortability. Even if you opt for a pillowcase over it. It’s available to purchase in a standard or a king size.

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Casper Sleep Pillow – Best for Back Sleepers

Bottom Line: Its fiber-fill is responsive, cuddly, and great for those who love a pillow with a lift.

The Casper pillow is the right fit for those who like something to hold onto as they drift off to dreamland because it almost feels as if it hugs you back.

We recommend this one for back sleepers and for those who like propping themselves up with multiple pillows because it’s one of the loftier picks on our list. It’s a standout for its two-pillows-in-one construction — the cotton-percale outer layer provides the cushioning and cooling factor. At the same time, its supportive inner core helps with responsiveness.

The two-inch gusset along the sides helps keep the fill evenly distributed, so it springs right back to its original shape. This pick is available to buy in a standard or king size.

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More of Our Top Picks:

It’s OK to be picky about your pillows! Here are several other options for those with extra specific sleeping needs.

Nikki Chu Pillow – Best for Stomach Sleepers     

Bottom Line: This is the ideal pillow if you love the light and airy feel of down.

Rest easy on this lightweight pillow from Nikki Chu, filled with premium Allied Home down. It has a puffed-up profile that looks fantastic on a made-up bed. It’s ideal for stomach sleepers, as it cradles the head and neck while offering a comfortable balance of sink and support.

The 300-thread-count sateen cotton cover is also conveniently removable for washing, and it’s available in a standard or queen size.

Puredown Natural Goose Down Pillow – Best Down Pillow

Bottom Line: An extra firm down pillow is no longer an oxymoron — this pick from Puredown proves it.

If a restful night of sleep has long been eluding you, buying better-quality bedding isn’t just an indulgence — it’s for your health’s sake. Puredown’s down pillows are a great option for those who have particular density preferences but overall favor a feel that’s cushier than rock-solid.

The pillows are comprised of a humanely sourced blend of European white down and feather fibers, and they’re covered with a smooth sateen cotton shell. The $45 starting price makes them a bit of an investment, but it’s not by any means extravagant for an item you’ll be sleeping with every night for years to come. They’re available a standard or king size.

Viewstar Pillow – Best Firm Pillow

Bottom Line: Not only a great value but these pillows are also perfect for those who need a firmer feel.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic back or neck pain, have had recent surgery, or just prefer a more solid sleep surface, these pillows offer a firm feel to keep you in better alignment as you sleep.

Available in a set of two, they come in three different degrees of firmness, and they’re filled with polyester fiber that won’t trigger any allergies.

No matter what your density preference, they’re each equipped with an outer gusset that keeps the fill evenly distributed, even after going through the spin cycle. They’re also available in a standard, queen, or king size.

Nestl Coolest Pillow – Best Cooling Pillow

Bottom Line: If overheating and night sweats are an issue, this pillow provides cooling relief.

Though it feels just as responsive as a typical memory-foam pillow, this one’s cooling-gel-infused, hypoallergenic foam and crisp bamboo-fiber cover make it a total dream to sleep with each night. Users love its uniquely slim profile, as well as its effectiveness at reducing body aches.

Those who want a cooling pillow with more loft should opt for a shredded memory-foam pillow instead. 

Frequently Asked Questions – Best Pillows

Is it important to think about whether I sleep on one side, back or belly when choosing a pillow?

The position of your body during sleep is very important in choosing a pillow. People who frequently sleep on their stomachs will be more satisfied with softer pillows. Those who prefer to sleep on their back should turn to medium-hardness pillows. In contrast, for people who sleep on one side, the cushions with stronger support are optimal.

What shape of the pillow should I choose? Classical or anatomical, i.e., with orthopedic shape?

The shape of the pillow is also important to have a restful sleep. Classic-shaped pillows are suitable for all sleeping positions. They are also addressed to people who tend to bend, fold and tighten the pillow.

Anatomical pillows.

Anatomical pillows provide optimal support, making them more suitable for people who prefer to sleep on one side or on the back. They are also suitable for those affected by back or neck pain, the pillow’s anatomical shape allowing the spine to rest in the correct position.

The pillow’s anatomical shape is especially suitable for people who sleep more on one side or on the back. Due to their special shape, the pillows provide excellent neck support, keeping the entire spine in a straight line, which is the correct physiological position. Neck muscles and vertebrae relax and provide a pleasant sleep experience.

Classic pillows.

Classic pillows are suitable for all sleeping positions. They are also indispensable for all those who use them to tighten and bend the pillow. Some classic pillows also have the option to remove or add fillers to adjust their height and hardness as you please and ensure a peaceful sleep, so you have nothing to lose if you choose these pillows.

Is it better to sleep on a pillow with a natural filling or on one with synthetic filling?

Each filling, whether made of natural or synthetic material, has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s go over them one at a time. The hardness of the pillow depends on the filling. The purpose of the different fillings and the quantities in which they are found is to provide effective and adequate support to guarantee each person comfortable sleep, important to wake up well-rested and reinvigorated.

Both natural and synthetic filler pillows have several advantages, your choice depending more on how you sleep. Pillows filled with natural materials provide specific support, while you can achieve any level of hardness using synthetic fillers. 

Let’s look at a few examples: if you sleep on one side, you’ll get adequate support from both a memory foam pillow and a latex pillow. If you prefer to sleep on your belly, you’ll probably prefer softer synthetic fibers or goose fluff.

What kind of pillowcase will be best for me?

Pillow covers are also made of natural or synthetic materials or from a combination of the two. As we already know, natural and synthetic materials have their own qualities, strengths, and weaknesses. 

When choosing the pillowcase composition, natural materials must be given priority, as it is important that the material breathes, is airy, and ensures a more pleasant and comfortable sleep. Among the natural materials with excellent qualities necessary for a night of healthy and quality sleep are bamboo, hemp, and silk. Hemp is an excellent choice for pillows for many reasons:

• Remember the smell and feeling of freshness.
• Has natural resistance to fungi and microbes.
• Hemp fabric is durable and has a longer service life.
• As time goes on, it becomes softer without losing its advantages.
• It is also very airy, allowing efficient air circulation and removing moisture to provide a more pleasant sleep.

The bamboo. Skin-friendly bamboo fibers exhibit excellent moisture absorption and provide perfect comfort for all those who frequently suffer from the heat at night.

Silk. In addition to grace and delicacy, this natural material is also characterized by incredible ventilation and the ability to regulate the temperature. When you’re hot, silk gives you chills, and when you’re cold, it keeps you warm. Silk thus maintains the right temperature.

If you’re interested in a more affordable pillow, you don’t have to worry, as synthetic material can also perform greatly. Regarding these pillows, the best are those equipped with climate mode, designed to provide additional ventilation.

Is the height of the pillow important for a comfortable sleep?

Both the shape and height of the pillow have an important effect on the efficiency of your sleep. Without going into detail, lower pillows are more suitable for adults with the right wide shoulders. In comparison, higher pillows are aimed at wider adults on the shoulders. The situation improves if the shape of the pillow is also appropriate in relation to its height.

Lower pillow for sleeping on one side.

The shape and height of the pillow are recommended for adults with the right wide shoulders and sleeping on the back or side. Provides adequate support for your neck.

Pillow for all sleeping positions.

The right choice for anyone who prefers to sleep on their stomachs, backs, or side. The cushion with adjustable height and hardness is conducive to comfortable sleep in all positions, ensuring a correct body position.

Higher pillow for sleeping on one side.

Aimed at people wider in the shoulders, who frequently sleep on one side. The pillow adapts to the width of your shoulders by its height.

If you are unsure what the optimum height is for you, choose a pillow with an adjustable height. 

How do I choose a children’s pillow?

When choosing a pillow suitable for your child, you should consider the pillow’s shape and height. Children’s pillows must have a special shape that ensures the little one’s body’s correct position.

The pillow’s size and length are suitable for children, being chosen to accommodate the shoulders and head of the little ones and thus guarantee their healthy sleep. Note also that pillows can be washed and are made of airy materials that promote your child’s restful and comfortable sleep.

What other aspects do we need to check when choosing a pillow?

You will most like to choose a pillow that allows washing. Some can be washed entirely, including stuffing, while at others, only the cover can be washed. Both types are advantageous because washing helps you maintain a clean and fresh rest environment.

If you suffer from allergies, you should definitely choose pillows that allow washing at least 60 degrees.

If you fall asleep with difficulty, it is recommended that you turn to a pillow with the addition of plants. The ledit provides a sweet sleep. The chamomile, with its positive and relaxing effects, induces joy and joy.

When is the time to buy a new pillow?

It is recommended to change the pillow after three years of use because, during this time, the pillow accumulates a lot of dust, dead skin, and sweat. It can also appear mites, which reproduce quickly and secretly thousands of excrement. Mites can have a negative effect on health, causing numerous allergies.

It is also recommended to replace the pillow after 3 years because, during this period, the pillow is tased and no longer provides the necessary support, which can cause sore throats, insomnia, etc. That’s why you need to change your pillow regularly, as only a “fit” pillow will provide the right support for your neck and head while also ensuring maximum comfort to wake up well-rested and ready for new adventures.

Last update on 2024-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API