Best Overall
Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow
- Quality5/5
- Breathability5/5
- Support5/5
- Value5/5
- 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.
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.
- Taking out or adding foam to this pillow can be a little messy.
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, we fell in love with the Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow, which kept us 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 we 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.
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, we noted that it felt refreshing and cool against our head the entire time we used 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.
Product Details: Material: Memory foam | Dimensions: Adjustable | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best for Back Sleepers
Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow
- Quality5/5
- Breathability3/5
- Support5/5
- Durability5/5
- Comfort5/5
- This pillow is made with a combination of memory foam and microfiber for a medium-firm yet comfortable fill.
This pillow is made with a combination of memory foam and microfiber for a medium-firm yet comfortable fill.
- It doesn't have cooling properties, so hot sleepers may not find it as comfortable.
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 we found the Coop Original Pillow to be a great option for sleeping on your side.
After sleeping on this pillow for three months, we didn't experience any new neck pain and noted that it felt like our neck was 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 favorite feature of this pillow. We thought the the customization aspect made this one of the best pillows we had ever used.
When we tested it in the lab, we 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 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, we didn't feel overheated or stuffy when lying on it.
Product Details: Material: Memory foam and microfiber | Dimensions: 18 x 7 inches | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KAYA ABRAHAMSON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KAYA ABRAHAMSON
Best for Stomach Sleepers
L.L.Bean Down-Alternative Damask Pillow
- Quality5/5
- Breathability4/5
- Support4/5
- Durability5/5
- Value4/5
- This pillow is extremely fluffy with a high-quality feel.
This pillow is extremely fluffy with a high-quality feel.
- It's not great for back or side sleepers, as this pillow doesn't provide as much support as others we tested.
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, we 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 we lied 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.
Product Details: Material: Polyester and cotton | Dimensions: 20 x 30 inches | Recommended for: Stomach sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best for Side Sleepers
Marlow The Pillow
- Quality4.5/5
- Breathability4.5/5
- Support4.5/5
- Durability4/5
- Comfort4.5/5
- Hidden side zippers allow you to adjust the firmness of this pillow without having to add or remove stuffing.
Hidden side zippers allow you to adjust the firmness of this pillow without having to add or remove stuffing.
- Though advertised as a cooling pillow, we didn't feel any difference in temperature between it and other non-cooling pillows.
Though advertised as a cooling pillow, we 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 for side sleepers that will keep your body in alignment without creating pressure on your neck or shoulder. We chose Marlow The Pillow as the best 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, we liked that we 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. We liked how the pillow seemed to stay light and fluffy, even after sleeping on it. 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, we 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 we slept 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.
Product Details: Material: Memory foam and polyester | Dimensions: 17.5 x 26 inches | Recommended for: Side and back sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KAYA ABRAHAMSON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KAYA ABRAHAMSON
Best for Neck Pain
Tuft and Needle Original Foam Pillow
- Quality4/5
- Breathability5/5
- Support5/5
- Durability4/5
- Comfort5/5
- We liked that this pillow conforms to your head as you lie on it.
We liked that this pillow conforms to your head as you lie on it.
- For the price, we didn't find this pillow to be quite as cooling as we'd expected.
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 and Needle Original Memory Foam Pillow, we loved how it cradled our head as we lied 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 during testing), the Tuft and 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 and Needle Original pillow is infused with graphite and cooling gel to help wick away stuffy air and keep you cool overnight. And while we did note that the pillow stayed at a comfortable temperature the entire time, it didn't have the major cooling effect we'd expected.
Product Details: Material: Memory foam and polyester | Dimensions: 25 x 16 inches | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KAYA ABRAHAMSON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KAYA ABRAHAMSON
Best Memory Foam
Casper Foam Pillow
- Quality5/5
- Breathability4/5
- Durability5/5
- Comfort4/5
- Value5/5
- Though memory foam tends to trap heat, we found this pillow to be quite breathable and cool.
Though memory foam tends to trap heat, we found this pillow to be quite breathable and cool.
- This pillow is likely too firm for a stomach sleeper.
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. With a washable cooling cover that we 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 our fluffier down pillows, this one really felt like it was holding our head and neck in a neutral position and kept us supported and comfortable all night long.
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, we 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. We raved about the quality of its material, especially the cover, which remained just as soft after being washed and dried.
Product Details: Material: Polyurethane memory foam and polyester | Dimensions: 18 x 26 inches | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JAMIE GRIFFIN
Best Down
Boll and Branch Down Chamber Pillow
- Quality5/5
- Breathability5/5
- Support4/5
- Durability3/5
- Comfort4/5
- This pillow provides a great combination of plushness and support.
This pillow provides a great combination of plushness and support.
- People who prefer a more firm pillow may not like how soft and fluffy it is.
People who prefer a more firm pillow may not like how soft and fluffy it is.
When lying on the Boll and Branch Down Pillow, we 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. After testing it for three months, we found that this pillow offered the perfect level of softness for a stomach/side sleeper.
While it isn't built with any particular cooling capabilities, we 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 and Branch pillow is no exception. Shoppers who are accustomed to more dense and firm pillows may find this one to be too soft.
Product Details: Material: Down and cotton | Dimensions: 20 x 28 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANDREA CABLE
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANDREA CABLE
Best Down Alternative
Amazon Basics Down-Alternative Pillows
- Quality4/5
- Breathability5/5
- Support5/5
- Durability3.5/5
- Value5/5
- For the price, we were amazed by its support and cooling capabilities.
For the price, we were amazed by its support and cooling capabilities.
- The surface texture of this pillow felt slightly low-quality.
The surface texture of this pillow felt slightly low-quality.
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 we 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. Our favorite feature about the pillow is that even when we slept on our side, it seemed to adjust to what we needed.
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. After using it at home for three months, we noted that it somehow feels different in each position, providing the ideal sleeping experience no matter how many times we changed sleeping positions.
We 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.
Product Details: Material: Polyester microfiber | Dimensions: 20 x 26 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Luxury
Saatva Latex Pillow
- Quality5/5
- Breathability4/5
- Support5/5
- Durability5/5
- Comfort4/5
- The high-quality materials and responsive natural latex core made this pillow extremely comfortable in all sleeping positions.
The high-quality materials and responsive natural latex core made this pillow extremely comfortable in all sleeping positions.
- The pillow cover shrank in the wash, so we don't recommend machine-washing it.
The pillow cover shrank in the wash, so we don't recommend machine-washing it.
If you're looking for a luxury-hotel-quality latex pillow that's worth the splurge, look no further than the Saatva Latex Pillow. During testing, we 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, we found that it kept their head lightly supported on all sides. This helped us 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 we 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, we were happy to report that this pillow still offers ample support. We really liked how this pillow has maintained its loft and shape, despite sleeping with it every night. We also noted that we typically like a loftier, firm pillow, and this pillow has exceeded our expectations.
Though the manufacturer says this pillow's removable cover is washable, we 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.
Product Details: Material: Cotton and latex | Dimensions: 18 x 28 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Firm
Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative Pillow
- Quality5/5
- Breathability5/5
- Support5/5
- Durability5/5
- Comfort4.5/5
- This pillow remains surprisingly fluffy, despite its firmness.
This pillow remains surprisingly fluffy, despite its firmness.
- We found that this pillow shrank slightly after being put in the washer and dryer.
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. We 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, we were still pleased with the comfort of this pillow, noting this pillows 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 we found 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.
Product Details: Material: Cotton and latex | Dimensions: 20 x 26 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Organic
Avocado Green Pillow
- Quality4/5
- Breathability5/5
- Support5/5
- Durability3.5/5
- Value5/5
- The sustainable filling in this pillow was surprisingly comfortable and supportive, rivaling the plushness of synthetic pillows we tested.
The sustainable filling in this pillow was surprisingly comfortable and supportive, rivaling the plushness of synthetic pillows we tested.
- The stuffing can get stuck in the zipper when trying to add or remove filling.
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 we used 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. We 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, we had trouble with the stuffing getting caught inside the zipper, so keep this in mind if you plan to add extra filling.
Product Details: Material: Cotton, kapok, and latex | Dimensions: 19 x 25 inches | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Latex
Beautyrest Latex Foam Bed Pillow
- Quality5/5
- Breathability5/5
- Support5/5
- Durability5/5
- Comfort5/5
- The latex in this pillow kept us cool and was able to resume its shape immediately after any amount of pressure.
The latex in this pillow kept us cool and was able to resume its shape immediately after any amount of pressure.
- Stomach sleepers may find that it is too thick and has too much loft for them.
Stomach sleepers may find that it is too thick and has too much loft for them.
For those who prefer sleeping on a pillow made with natural materials, Beautyrest’s Latex Foam Bed Pillow with Removable Cover is worth consideration. Made from 100% natural Talalay latex, this is a good alternative for people who don’t like memory foam and are looking for excellent support.
From the start, this pillow earned favor with us because it didn’t have any unpleasant latex odor. When we put it to the test, it managed to stay cool while we laid on it, a result of latex’s natural breathability.
Latex is also naturally resilient, and when we tested it by putting a medicine ball on the pillow, it immediately resumed its normal shape after the medicine ball was removed. On the outside, a 300 thread count cotton cover protected this pillow, fitting it perfectly, and we were impressed by the silky feel that it had.
This latex option is very full, and while we found it to be comfortable for us on our backs, it felt the best when we were on our sides. While the manufacturer claims that it can work for any sleep style, we felt that stomach sleepers may find it to be too thick for their needs.
Product Details: Material: Latex, cotton | Dimensions: 26 x 3 x 20 inches | Recommended for: All sleep styles
Best Foam
Nolah Squishy Pillow
- Quality5/5
- Durability5/5
- Comfort5/5
- Value5/5
- The shredded foam provides added breathability while holding its shape very well.
The shredded foam provides added breathability while holding its shape very well.
- This pillow is only available in a queen size.
This pillow is only available in a queen size.
Our initial reaction to Nolah’s Squishy Pillow was that it felt like a high quality pillow; it had some heft to it that made it feel substantial, but without being overly heavy. It didn’t have an odor, and even without the case on it, it was very soft and pleasant to lay on. That being said, it does come with a bamboo blend cover that we appreciated and found to work very well for keeping us cool.
The foam inside of this pillow is shredded into cubes, which promoted airflow and contributed to the overall cooling ability that we experienced. Additionally, the cube filling provided us with the option to adjust it to our desired comfort level, though we found the amount of fill that it came with to be perfect for us to sleep on our sides.
Overall, we thought this pillow offered us tremendous head and neck support. Also, it didn’t require any re-adjustments to re-fluff it, holding its shape well throughout usage.
Over time this pillow proved to maintain its quality. It retained its loft and shape, and it had no quality deterioration after six months of continual usage. It comes in a two-pack, which is great for added value, but do be aware that this pillow is only available in a queen size.
Product Details: Material: Foam, bamboo blend | Dimensions: 18 x 24 inches | Recommended for: All sleep styles
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JAYLYN PRUITT