Keep reading to find our full list of the best pillows for every type of sleeper backed by two full days of testing.
We put 31 of the best pillows to the test in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, to determine which ones are actually comfortable and which aren't worth the money. As part of our testing, we had a team of experts inspect each pillow for quality, lie on the pillows for an extended period of time to determine how comfortable they were, and even test them with an infrared thermometer before and after using them to see whether they held or wicked away heat. We also tested their durability before and after washing and overall value when assigning final scores to each.
"You want to ensure your neck is aligned with your spine and it stays that way as you sleep," Foley says. "There are pillows that are specifically designed for neck pain…and these can be a good option for folks who have a tough time staying in one position throughout the night."
The best pillows will be compatible with your sleeping position and keep your neck supported throughout the night, says Logan Foley, sleep science coach and managing editor at The Sleep Foundation.
Finding a comfortable and supportive pillow can be the difference between a restful night of sleep and one that's spent tossing and turning. But with the overwhelming list of options on the market—including down pillows, memory foam pillows, cooling pillows , and more—it can be difficult to determine which one is the best pillow for you.
Best Overall
Snuggle-Pedic Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This shredded memory foam pillow has a zipper on one side and comes with additional filling, so you can add or remove cushioning depending on your preference.
Keep in Mind
Taking out or adding foam to this pillow can be a little messy.
If you tend to move around in your sleep a lot, it can be difficult to find a pillow that is equally comfortable and supportive when snoozing on your back, side, or stomach. However, our testers fell in love with the Snuggle-Pedic memory foam pillow, which kept them cozy when switching between different sleeping positions.
The outer layer of this pillow is structured memory foam, while the inside is filled with shredded foam pieces to create the squishy, plush texture our testers loved. For people who like a bit of firmness to their pillow, we found that this one kept our neck supported and comfortable without being too stiff.
"It doesn't give me any neck pain despite being slightly flatter than I'd prefer," our tester said, "and it's very breathable and comfortable."
However, if you prefer your pillow to be a little more full, you can add the extra shredded memory foam that comes with your purchase. We did find the process of adding or removing foam to be slightly messy, so plan to do this in an area that's easy to sweep or vacuum.
When testing the cooling capabilities of the Snuggle-Pedic pillow, our testers noted that it felt refreshing and cool against their head the entire time they lay on it, not just the first few minutes. This is thanks in part to its breathable bamboo cover, which allows ample ventilation to keep stuffy air from warming the pillow's surface.
Price at time of publish: $54
Product Details:
Material: Memory foam | Dimensions: Adjustable | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers
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Best for Back Sleepers
Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow
Coop
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This pillow is made with a combination of memory foam and microfiber for a medium-firm yet comfortable fill.
Keep in Mind
It doesn't have cooling properties, so hot sleepers may not find it as comfortable.
People who sleep on their back at night often need a pillow with a higher loft (aka the measured height of a pillow when compressed) than a stomach sleeper needs. This keeps your neck supported and your spine in a neutral position while lying down, and our testers found the Coop Original pillow to be a great option for sleeping on your side.
After sleeping on this pillow for three months, our tester didn't experience any new neck pain and noted that it "feels like my neck is in an optimally supported position as a side sleeper."
It's made from a blend of memory foam and microfiber, combining the inviting plushness of a soft pillow with the structured support you need for a good night's sleep. The pillow also comes with an extra half-pound bag of filling, so you'll be able to adjust its loft to meet your needs–our tester's favorite feature of this pillow. "The customization aspect has made this the best pillow I've ever used," she said.
When we tested it in the lab, our experts found that adding and removing stuffing was super easy and didn't make a mess. It's quite squishy, which balances the firmness of the memory foam layer inside. The entire pillow is hypoallergenic, so it's an option for people allergic to down.
The only thing missing from this ultra-comfortable pillow is cooling capabilities. Unlike some of the other best pillows we tested, the Coop Original pillow doesn't include cooling features or added breathability to help regulate temperature as you sleep. However, even without this, our testers didn't feel overheated or stuffy when lying on it.
Price at time of publish: $72
Product Details:
Material: Memory foam and microfiber | Dimensions: 18 x 7 inches | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers
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Best for Stomach Sleepers
L.L.Bean Down-Alternative Damask Pillow
L.L. Bean
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This pillow is extremely fluffy with a high-quality feel, according to our testers.
Keep in Mind
It's not great for back or side sleepers, as this pillow doesn't provide as much support as others we tested.
When testing out the L.L.Bean Down-Alternative Damask Pillow, our testers reported that this pillow had the look and feel of a luxury hotel pillow. Filled with hypo-allergenic polyester and covered in a soothing cotton fill, this pillow is quite fluffy while maintaining medium-firm support to your head and neck.
During the temperature tests, we found that while this pillow isn't advertised as a cooling pillow, it didn't seem to get overly warm or stuffy when we used it. The overall temperature of the pillow increased after our testers lay on it for 15 minutes but not enough to make them uncomfortable or prevent them from dozing off.
We also liked that the L.L.Bean down-alternative pillow is washable, earning perfect scores for durability and overall quality in our tests. Even after being run through the washer and dryer, this pillow remained just as plush and soft as it had been when brand-new.
This pillow doesn't have as much support to your head and neck as a memory foam pillow might; however, since stomach sleepers typically need less loft and structure to keep their neck in a neutral position, the L.L.Bean pillow works well for this type of sleeper.
Price at time of publish: $55
Product Details:
Material: Polyester and cotton | Dimensions: 20 x 30 inches | Recommended for: Stomach sleepers
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Best for Side Sleepers
Marlow The Pillow
Marlow
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
Hidden side zippers allow you to adjust the firmness of this pillow without having to add or remove stuffing.
Keep in Mind
Though advertised as a cooling pillow, our testers didn't feel any difference in temperature between it and other non-cooling pillows.
If you prefer to snooze on your side during the night, it's important to find a thick, supportive pillow that will keep your body in alignment without creating pressure on your neck or shoulder. We chose Marlow The Pillow as the best pillow for side sleepers because of its mess-free adjustability, which makes it easier to find a loft and firmness that fits your needs.
While a lot of adjustable pillows come with additional stuffing that you can add or remove, our testers liked that they could change the firmness of the Marlow pillow simply by zipping or unzipping the sides. When fully zipped, we found the pillow to be quite firm, but when fully unzipped, the pillow has room to expand on each side, making it more squishy.
It's made from gel-infused shredded memory foam, so you can expect a fluffy, lightweight texture similar to a down pillow combined with the supportive cushion of a memory foam one. "I...like how the pillow seems to stay light and fluffy, even after sleeping on it," our tester said. When unzipped, the pillow has greater airflow, which can help clear out stuffy air and keep you from overheating at night.
Though it's advertised as a cooling pillow, our testers didn't notice any particular difference between the Marlow pillow's performance and other non-cooling pillows we tested. It seemed to warm up slightly when our testers lay on it for an extended period of time but not enough to make them uncomfortable. We also think this pillow overpromises and under-delivers as being the ultimate firm and soft pillow; one pillow can't be all things for all sleepers. For overnight guests, though, we think it's a great value with decent support.
Price at time of publish: $65
Product Details:
Material: Memory foam and polyester | Dimensions: 17.5 x 26 inches | Recommended for: Side and back sleepers
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Best for Neck Pain
Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow
Tuft & Needle
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
Our testers liked that this pillow conforms to your head as you lie on it.
Keep in Mind
For the price, we didn't find this pillow to be quite as cooling as we'd expected.
There's nothing quite as cozy as the feeling of lying down on a memory foam pillow that perfectly envelops your head as you snooze. However, finding one that's the right combination of comfy and supportive can be pretty difficult.
When we tested the Tuft & Needle Original memory foam pillow, our experts loved how it cradled their head as they lay on it, providing a perfect mix of plushness without the sinking feeling. The pillow is slightly less firm than other memory foam pillows we tested—it felt quite squishy when we pressed into it—but had enough firmness to keep our head in a relaxed and neutral position.
According to the manufacturer (and confirmed by our testers), the Tuft & Needle pillow is designed to provide support for all sleeping positions, making it a versatile solution to neck pain no matter how you sleep at night. We also loved its high-quality polyester cover, which felt luxurious and remained super soft even after washing.
The Tuft & Needle Original pillow is infused with graphite and cooling gel to help wick away stuffy air and keep you cool overnight. And while our experts did note that the pillow stayed at a comfortable temperature the entire time, it didn't have the major cooling effect we'd expected.
Price at time of publish: $100
Product Details:
Material: Memory foam and polyester | Dimensions: 25 x 16 inches | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers
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Best Memory Foam
Casper Foam Pillow
Casper
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
Though memory foam tends to trap heat, we found this pillow to be quite breathable and cool.
Keep in Mind
This pillow is likely too firm for a stomach sleeper.
The Casper Foam Pillow received perfect scores in our tests for its quality and value for the price. In fact, one of our experts loved it so much that she purchased it herself immediately after testing was over.
With a washable cooling cover that our testers described as "luxurious" and three different layers of supportive memory foam, the Casper Foam pillow works for side and back sleepers alike. We liked its medium-firm support, which allows your head to sink comfortably into the pillow while still cradling your neck. "Unlike some of my fluffier down pillows, this one really feels like it's holding my head and neck in a neutral position and keeps me supported and comfortable all night long," our tester said.
This memory foam pillow is also designed to stay cool even on hot summer nights, thanks to its breathable cover and perforated memory foam. This allows the air to circulate through the foam instead getting trapped and warming up the surface of the pillow.
Its "snow technology" is designed to draw heat away from your head as you sleep. During testing, our experts noted that the pillow felt equally cool when resting on it after 15 minutes as it had when they first lay down.
We also found that the duality and durability of this pillow made it well worth the title of best memory foam pillow. Our testers raved about the quality of its material, especially the cover, which remained just as soft after being washed and dried.
Price at time of publish: $89
Product Details:
Material: Polyurethane memory foam and polyester | Dimensions: 18 x 26 inches | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers
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The All-Season Duvet Insert Amazon Shoppers Say Is 'Like Sleeping on a Cloud' Is Under $40
Best Down
Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow
Boll & Branch
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This pillow provides a great combination of plushness and support.
Keep in Mind
People who prefer a more firm pillow may not like how soft and fluffy it is.
When lying on the Boll & Branch Down pillow, our testers were surprised by its supportiveness, which had excellent cushioning while keeping our neck in a neutral position. It's made from organically sourced down and wrapped in a 100% cotton shell, which minimizes the possibility of sharp feather tips prickling you.
When shopping, you'll be able to choose your pillow density between soft, medium, and firm. We tested the medium-density pillow and found it to be an all-around option for any sleeping position. Even our testers who naturally sleep on their side felt that this pillow offered enough support to keep them comfortable all night long. "This pillow continues to be just the perfect level of softness for a stomach/side sleeper," our tester said after three months of use. "I never wake up with a sore or stiff neck."
While it isn't built with any particular cooling capabilities, our experts found that this pillow remained quite cool during our temperature tests. This is likely because the down pillow is more breathable than a dense memory foam one, allowing for better air circulation as you sleep.
Keep in mind that most down pillows are quite fluffy, and the Boll & Branch pillow is no exception. Shoppers who are accustomed to more dense and firm pillows may find this one to be too soft.
Price at time of publish: $158
Product Details:
Material: Down and cotton | Dimensions: 20 x 28 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
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The Results Are In: These Are the 8 Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, According to Our Tests
Best Down Alternative
Amazon Basics Down-Alternative Pillows
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
For the price, our testers were amazed by its support and cooling capabilities.
Keep in Mind
The surface texture of this pillow felt slightly low-quality to our testers.
At first glance, we didn't see anything special about the Amazon Basics Down Alternative pillow—its microfiber cover felt pretty standard, there weren't any special cooling capabilities, and its plushness didn't feel particularly spectacular.
However, once we started testing this pillow, we were stunned to find that it possessed a similar quality to pillows more than three times the price. During our temperature tests, the Amazon Basics down alternative pillow barely increased in temperature, and our experts reported that it still felt quite cool and breathable.
When lying on it in different sleeping positions, we also found that this pillow was extremely supportive, keeping our neck in neutral alignment while providing superior cushioning. "My favorite thing about this pillow is that even when I sleep on my side, it seems to adjust to what I need," our tester said. It has a medium loft, making it comfortable even when sleeping on your stomach, but it's still firm enough to cradle your head if you sleep on your back. "It somehow feels different in each position, providing the ideal sleeping experience no matter how many times I change sleeping positions," our tester noted after using it for three months.
Our testers didn't like the texture of this pillow's surface, so we recommend putting an extra-soft pillowcase over it for a more premium sleeping experience.
Price at time of publish: $33
Product Details:
Material: Polyester microfiber | Dimensions: 20 x 26 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
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The 10 Best Organic Sheets for a Dreamy Bedroom
Best Luxury
Saatva Latex Pillow
Saatva
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
The high-quality materials and responsive natural latex core made this pillow extremely comfortable in all sleeping positions.
Keep in Mind
The pillow cover shrank in the wash, so we don't recommend machine-washing it.
If you're looking for a luxury-hotel-quality pillow that's worth the splurge, look no further than the Saatva Latex pillow. During testing, our experts gave it a perfect score for its quality, saying its material and plushness were the best they'd seen.
Filled with natural latex and organic cotton and surrounded by a cotton sateen cover, this pillow feels extremely plush and cozy to the touch. It was quick to rise after we pressed our hand into the center of it, and when lying on it, our testers found that it kept their head lightly supported on all sides. This helped them doze off without feeling the need to toss and turn to find a more suitable position.
During our temperature tests, the Saatva pillow became only a few degrees warmer when lying on it for 15 minutes, and our testers didn't report feeling any heat when lying on it. We also felt that it had great air flow and breathability without the feeling of stale or stuffy air.
After three months of use, our tester was happy to report that this pillow still offers ample support. "I really like how this pillow has maintained its loft and shape, despite me sleeping with it every night," she said. "I really like a loftier, firm pillow, and this pillow has exceeded my expectations."
Though the manufacturer says this pillow's removable cover is washable, our testers found that it shrank by an inch and a half after washing and drying it. While we suspect this occurred during the drying cycle, we recommend hand-washing and air-drying this pillow's cover to be safe.
Price at time of publish: $165
Product Details:
Material: Cotton and latex | Dimensions: 18 x 28 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
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Best Firm
Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative Pillow
Slumbercloud
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This pillow remains surprisingly fluffy, despite its firmness.
Keep in Mind
We found that this pillow shrank slightly after being put in the washer and dryer.
While many people prefer their pillows to be soft and squishy, that doesn't necessarily mean you can't pick out the right firm pillow. Our testers really liked the combination of support and softness that the Slumber Cloud Core pillow offered, making it our choice for the best firm pillow.
We tested the medium-firm version of this pillow, which looked and felt quite fluffy to the touch but still held its shape extremely well when we rested our head on it. It didn't feel like our head was sinking deep into the pillow the way you might expect from a down-alternative option, but we still felt quite cozy. After three months of use, our tester is still pleased with the comfort of this pillow, saying, "I don't love memory foam pillows, so this one perfectly combines something cushioning and supportive while still remaining lofty and firm enough."
The pillow's cotton cover is infused with a special inner coating of fabric developed by NASA to help regulate heat, and our testers mentioned that it felt quite cool and comfortable in all positions.
We also liked that this pillow was machine-washable, making it easy to clean if you accidentally spill on it or if it gets dirty. The Slumber Cloud Core pillow did shrink slightly in the wash, but it was just as fluffy as before when we took it out of the washer. Because of this, we don't recommend washing this pillow too often in order to preserve its quality.
Price at time of publish: $64
Product Details:
Material: Cotton and latex | Dimensions: 20 x 26 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
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Best Organic
Avocado Green Pillow
Avocado
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
The sustainable filling in this pillow was surprisingly comfortable and supportive, rivaling the plushness of synthetic pillows we tested.
Keep in Mind
The stuffing can get stuck in the zipper when trying to add or remove filling.
Choosing organic bedding for your home can be a sustainable and eco-friendly option without sacrificing comfort as you sleep. The Avocado Green Pillow earned the title of best organic pillow after testing because of its supportive yet soft filling and cozy textured cover.
This pillow is made from certified organic cotton, kapok (a vegan alternative to down that's made of tree fiber), and latex, but it received equally high scores to the synthetic pillows we tested in our lab. We were particularly impressed by the coolness of this pillow, which remained the exact same temperature even after our testers lay on it for a long period of time.
We also found that this pillow was extremely comfortable, offering firm support but maintaining a cozy squishiness that made it extra inviting to fall asleep on. Our experts loved that its cover was machine washable for easy cleaning without losing any softness.
The Avocado Green pillow has a medium-firm feel to it, but you can always add or remove stuffing using the zipper opening and the extra stuffing that comes with your purchase. However, our testers had trouble with the stuffing getting caught inside the zipper, so keep this in mind if you plan to add extra filling.
Price at time of publish: $129
Product Details:
Material: Cotton, kapok, and latex | Dimensions: 19 x 25 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
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