Best Pillows

Updated January 27, 2023

When it comes to your slumber, every last detail matters. After all, the smallest discomforts can deprive you of smooth, rejuvenating sleep. And that includes making sure you have the best pillow. The question is, which pillow will help you get your best night’s sleep? Which one best augments your mattress in a box? Which one suits your unique sleep needs? Allow us to share a few recommendations.

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Shop PillowsAvocado Green Pillow - Best Organic

Nectar - Best Memory Foam

Many sleepers prefer the classic foam feel, whether it’s in their memory foam mattress or their pillow. If that’s the boat you’re in, we recommend this pillow from Nectar, which is perfectly soft and supportive. Also note that the pillow allows you to adjust between different firmness levels.

PROS	CONS
Sleeps cool Adjustable firmness levels Classic memory foam feel	Not as luxurious or plush as some of the other entries on our list

Read our Nectar mattress review to learn more.

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Saatva - Best for Spine and Neck Support

Saatva is synonymous with luxury; their beds are truly five-star experiences. The pillow is no exception. It’s made with high-end materials, including latex, cotton, and microfiber. What we love most about this pillow is the high level of support it offers to those struggling with neck and back pain. Get the pressure relief and spine alignment you need for true comfort.

PROS	CONS
Made with eco-friendly materials Hotel-quality comfort	Not as highly recommended for stomach sleepers Some sleepers may find it a bit too soft

Read our full Saatva mattress review to learn more.

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Casper - Best Universal

Are you unsure of what you really want in your new pillow? If so, then the Casper is a good pillow to start with. That’s partly due to its pillow-in-pillow design, which offers a supportive inner layer and an outer layer that’s soft to the touch. The Casper is a great option for accommodating a range of sleep positions, like back, stomach and side sleepers.

PROS	CONS
Breathable, cool cover Helps with neck alignment	No real options for adjustability Not as highly recommended for stomach sleepers

Read our full Casper mattress review to learn more.

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Puffy - Best Adjustable

If you’re hoping for a pillow that you can easily adjust, we recommend Puffy’s model. You can easily unzip this pillow to either add or remove foam. This helps you achieve the firmness, height, and back/neck support you want.

PROS	CONS
Sleeps cool Hypoallergenic Luxurious feel Adjustable	Not great at shape retention May take a few nights to determine your ideal comfort level

Read our full Puffy mattress review to learn more.

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Brooklyn Bedding - Best for Hot Sleepers

How would you like it if you could always lay on the cool side of the pillow? Many pillows promise that, but for our money, the best cooling option is the one from Brooklyn Bedding. This well-ventilated pillow promotes air flow and helps you remain cool all night long. It’s also made with responsive foam that promotes healthy posture, similar to the best cooling mattresses.

PROS	CONS
Sleeps cool and regulates body temperature Responsive to your movements and body shape	Not recommended for budget shoppers Not recommended for those who prefer a down pillow

Read our full Brooklyn Bedding mattress review to learn more.

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Tuft & Needle - Most Versatile

Looking for a pillow that suits side sleepers, back sleepers, stomach sleepers, combination sleepers… well, just about everyone? Tuft & Needle’s pillow is one of the most versatile on the market today. It’s made to be super responsive, meaning your days of waking to flat pillows are over. The supple foam core makes this a mattress that fits any sleep position, and any mattress.

PROS	CONS
Highly responsive Works well for all sleep positions	It’s more latex than foam; not recommended for anyone who wants to sink deep into foam

Read our full Tuft & Needle mattress review to learn more.

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Avocado - Best Organic

Avocado is one of the top names in organic, sustainably sourced bedding. Their pillow lives up to that mantle. If you’re looking for non-toxic, organic-certified latex, Avocado is the pillow for you. They also make some of the best organic mattresses.

PROS	CONS
Made with eco-friendly materials Adjustable Offers great pressure relief	Not recommended for hot sleepers You can add extra filling to make it firmer or higher, but it costs extra

Read our full Avocado mattress review to learn more.

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Compare the Best Pillows

Looking for a pillow that’s well-suited for your sleeping position? To ensure a comfy sleep experience, we recommend comparing our top seven bed pillows back-to-back. Use this chart to identify the right pillow for you.

Mattress Name	Quick Overview	Special Offer
Nectar Memory Foam Pillow	Material: Memory foam Sleep Trial: 50 nights Delivery: Free; ships in 2-3 business days Price: $	Check Price
Saatva Pillow	Material: Cotton, microfiber, American Talalay latex Sleep Trial: 45 nights Delivery: Free Price: $$$	Check Price
Original Casper Pillow	Material: Down-alternative pillow with cotton cover Sleep Trial: 100 nights Delivery: Free Price: $	Check Price
Puffy Pillow	Material: Polyester and bamboo rayon blend Sleep Trial: 101 nights Delivery: Free; ships in 3-5 business days Price: $	Check Price
Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Pillow	Material: Memory foam Sleep Trial: 30 nights Delivery: N/A Price: $$	Check Price
Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow	Material: Foam Sleep Trial: 100 nights Delivery: Free; ships in 1-5 business days Price: $	Check Price
Avocado Green Pillow	Material: Latex, Kapok, and cotton Sleep Trial: 100 nights Delivery: Free Price: $	Check Price

Shopping Considerations for the Best Pillows

In your search for the perfect pillow, there are a number of important shopping considerations to keep in mind.

Type of Pillow

Memory Foam: A memory foam pillow will respond to your body shape, contouring to fit your head and neck. Memory foam pillows are often the best bet for those who struggle with neck pain. The downside is that they sometimes run hot, but we have outlined several that do a good job of body heat regulation.

Latex Pillows: Latex pillows run cool, and snap back into their original shape quite quickly. They also tend to be good for resisting dust mites, for being hypoallergenic, and for offering decent pressure relief.

Down Pillows: Down pillows are stuffed with feathers from geese or other fowl. Feather pillows are known for offering maximum luxury, but also tend to be quite expensive.

Down Alternative: Pillows made with synthetic materials, and designed to replicate the feel of goose down, are often more cost-effective and hypoallergenic. Down alternatives can feel just as comfy as the best down pillow.

Performance Factors

Size: We’d generally recommend ensuring a pillow that matches the size of your bed. While you can find a “standard size” pillow, those sleeping on a king size bed will be better off with a king size pillow.

Pillow height: The height of your pillow is a critical aspect of ensuring comfort. The right pillow height, also called pillow loft, will help you maintain the right posture, and may also mitigate symptoms of acid reflux or sleep apnea. An adjustable-loft pillow will allow you to make modifications and find the height that’s best for you.

Cooling: Most sleepers prefer a pillow that retains its cool feel all through the night. Latex pillows tend to do this naturally. If you’re looking into memory foam or alternative down, make sure you choose one that’s rated well for breathability. High-quality memory foam pillows sometimes have a cooling gel that promotes temperature regulation and prevents overheating.

Care: How easy will it be for you to care for your pillow? Seek a pillow (and pillowcase) that is machine washable for maximum convenience.

Price

A number of factors can determine the price of your mattress, including size, material, and thread count.

Shipping & Delivery

Most mattress companies will deliver pillows for free, though it never hurts to double-check this.

FAQ About the Best Pillows

1. Do most pillows come with a sleep trial?

   Pillows from online mattress companies will usually allow you anywhere from 30 to 100 days to make sure you like the pillow. If it’s not aligned with your personal preference, you can return it within that window and get your money back.

2. What’s the advantage of a pillow that lets me add or remove “fluff” or foam? Adjustable pillows allow you to change your loft and also your firmness level; if you want a particularly soft pillow or firm pillow, some minor fluffiness tweaks can go a long way.
3. What is ticking?

   Ticking refers to the fabric that surrounds your pillow’s fill. You’ll generally want to look for a minimum thread count of 200-250 here.

 

Shop Pillows

Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow - Most Versatile

Avocado Green Pillow - Best Organic

About the Author Josh Hurst

Josh Hurst lives and writes in Knoxville, TN. A recovering insomniac, he has a long-standing appreciation for the power of a good night's sleep.