Table of Contents
Choosing the right pillow can make a significant difference in how well you sleep and how likely you are to wake up free of any aches and pains. The purpose of a pillow is to support your head, neck, and shoulders so that they stay comfortably aligned with your spine.
Extensive research has shown that different pillow types and materials offer a range of support and comfort, depending on an individual’s sleep needs. We discuss what factors to consider when choosing a pillow and how to test a pillow to know if it’s right for you.
The perfect pillow for you depends on your individual needs and preferences, including the position in which you sleep. In other words, your sleep position determines what kind of support you need in a pillow.
Spinal alignment is a key component of good posture and overall health. A good pillow does its job by keeping your head, neck, and spine in the ideal alignment. This helps to prevent neck pain and decreases the amount of pressure on your body.
There are several factors to consider when selecting a pillow, including the size, shape, and materials. But ultimately the goal is to find a pillow that makes you feel comfortable and helps you achieve a restful sleep.
A pillow is designed to support the head, neck, and shoulders so that the spine can stay aligned during sleep. The position of your spine influences your posture, an important part of overall health. Sleeping on a pillow that doesn’t provide adequate support can lead to a variety of problems, including neck pain and poor sleep quality.
The right pillow can help you get a better night’s sleep. The quality of your sleep can impact almost all aspects of your health, from helping your immune system to improving your mood. Bedding, especially your pillow, is a key element in creating an ideal sleeping environment that can help your body maintain good posture and ensure consistently good sleep.
Shop the Best Pillows
When you choose a pillow, you should consider your sleeping position. Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach will affect the position of your spine and how much support your head and neck will need while you rest. You can select or adjust a pillow’s size, height, and firmness to accommodate the position you usually sleep in.
If you are a back sleeper, it is important to find a pillow that will support the natural curve of your neck. One option is a cervical pillow that is higher in the bottom third and slopes down in the center where your head lies. A standard pillow that is medium to thin in height may also offer enough support for your head without changing the angle of your neck.
Back sleepers also need a pillow with a medium firmness that allows the head to be aligned with the spine. It also prevents the pillow from becoming too flat while you sleep. Consider a memory foam pillow as this type will shape itself around your head and neck.
Most people are side sleepers, sleeping in a fetal position or straight on their side. Side sleepers require a larger amount of support from their pillow, both in height and level of firmness.
It is recommended that side sleepers use a pillow that offers about 4 to 6 inches of height, which can help keep the nose aligned with the sternum, filling the space between the ear and the outer shoulder. This position prevents neck strain and helps you maintain a proper posture during sleep. Body pillows may also be a good option for side sleepers, as they can support the pelvis and hips.
Selecting a moderate to heavy firmness can also be beneficial for side sleepers. Fill materials like buckwheat hulls, memory foam, and latex tend to be firmer, while down pillows are usually softer unless densely packed.
People who sleep on their stomach may need to consider what parts of their body need support in order to maintain good spinal alignment while they sleep. A stomach sleeping position can put stress on the spine or the muscles of the back and shoulders. In some cases, experts advise people with back pain against sleeping on their stomach.
But if you feel most comfortable sleeping on your stomach, a pillow for stomach sleepers that is softer with a lower height may work best for you. Down and feather fill tends to be less firm than other materials and may be compressed to a comfortable height.
If you sleep half on your stomach and half on your side, or if you sleep with your arms under your torso, you may want to try a body pillow for extra support. Positioning yourself around a body pillow may give you a similar feeling to sleeping on your stomach, but allows you to arrange your head and neck so that they can comfortably align with your shoulders and hips.
Design elements like shape, size, and material contribute to how much or how little support a pillow can offer. Depending on the position you usually sleep in, you may want to think about how each of these factors will affect your posture and overall comfort.
The goal is to find a pillow that offers the right amount of support and helps keep your body at a comfortable temperature so that you can wake up feeling well rested.
The typical pillow is shaped like a rectangle and comes in several sizes that correlate with the width of twin, queen, or king size mattresses. Other common shapes include cervical or neck pillows that have rounded corners contoured to fit the head and neck and longer body pillows that can provide support from the head down past the hips.
Pillow size refers to how much space the pillow takes up when it is flat on the bed, while loft refers to how high or thick the pillow is. Pillow loft has a direct effect on how much support is provided to the head and neck and is an important factor when trying to prevent or relieve neck or back pain.
Material selection may be one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a pillow. The type of material a pillow is filled with will determine its loft and firmness, which is useful to know when deciding how much support your neck and shoulders may need.
Different materials can influence how well the body regulates temperature during sleep. A lower body temperature tends to correlate with better quality sleep. Pillows made of fill materials and pillowcases that are breathable can lower a sleeper’s body temperature and reduce the likelihood of sweating during sleep.
People who have allergies or who are sensitive to certain materials should also pay special attention to what is in their pillows. Pillow protectors can also be purchased to help minimize contact with potential allergens like dust mites.
Pillows can be filled with a wide variety of materials. Some are more commonly available than others.
No matter what kind of pillow you choose, it won’t last forever. You should get a new pillow every two years. A high quality memory foam pillow may last about three years.
You can tell if you need a new pillow by closely examining it and checking for signs of aging, including:
If you notice your pillow has any of these signs, it’s time to replace it. Keeping a pillow for too long isn’t a good idea. Mold, dead skin cells, and dust mites populate in old pillows that need to be thrown out.
You can shop for pillows online or at in-person retailers. While shopping for pillows online limits your ability to examine the pillow for firmness and texture, reading detailed descriptions and understanding the construction can help you select the best pillow.
If you shop for a new pillow at a brick-and-mortar store, there are some steps you can take to find one that suits your needs.
About The Author
Kimberly SolisStaff Writer
Kimberly is a freelance writer specializing in healthcare. Based in Louisville, Kimberly has master’s degrees in elementary education and library media education as well as a bachelor’s degree in English. Kimberly is passionate about creating articles that are well researched and easy to understand to help people achieve a better night’s sleep. Her goal is to one day publish a middle-grade novel.
Have questions about sleep? Submit them here! We use your questions to help us decide topics for future articles, videos, and newsletters. We try to answer as many questions as possible. You can also send us an email. Please note, we cannot provide specific medical advice, and always recommend you contact your doctor for any medical matters.
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The right pillow can truly make or break how well you sleep at night. Once you find the best pillow for your needs, it's blissful to crawl into bed and lay your head upon a soft, fluffy, and supportive pillow. That said, the best pillow is highly personal and will depend on your preferred sleep position, body type, and specific sleep concerns.
We tested 30 different pillows filled with down, down-alternative materials, latex, foam and even ones with unexpected materials, like buckwheat, silk, and bamboo, and spoke to several sleep experts for this guide to find the very best pillows. Our top pick is the Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow, which we think will appeal to the largest variety of sleepers because of its adjustable shredded memory foam fill. For a down-alternative option, our team loves the Casper Original Pillow as a great choice for side sleepers because it's soft and fluffy while offering support.
Whatever you choose, the sleep experts we spoke to recommend picking your pillow with the same care and research you would devote to selecting the best mattress for your room. "A good pillow is absolutely a top priority," said Dr. Rebecca Robbins, sleep researcher, author, and instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and associate scientist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Find out more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.
Best overall: Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow - See at Amazon
Best budget: Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow (Set of 2) - See at Amazon
Best for side sleepers: Casper Original Pillow - See at Amazon
Best for back sleepers: The Saatva Latex Pillow - See at Saatva
Best for stomach sleepers: Parachute Down-Alternative Pillow, Soft - See at Parachute
Best for neck pain: Layla Kapok Pillow - See at Layla
Best down: Brooklinen Down Pillow - See at Brooklinen
Best customizable: Pluto Pillow - See at Pluto
Best hotel: The Marriott Pillow - See at Amazon
Best buckwheat: Turmerry Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow - See at Turmerry
The Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow offers thoughtful features like adjustable fill, a washable pillow cover, and an unparalleled 100-night trial that make it the best choice for most people.
Shop at Amazon Shop at Walmart Shop at Coop Sleep Goods What we likeCompletely customizable with removable fill
Comes with additional fill if you prefer a firmer pillow
Comes with a washable encasement
Hypoallergenic
5-year warranty
100-night trial
Testers in previous reviews thought it arrived with a slightly funny smell
Not the best choice if you don't like memory foam
On the firmer side
Specifics
Fill:
Shredded memory foam and microfiberFirmness:
Adjustable, but on the firmer sideSizes:
Queen (20" x 30") and king (20" x 36")Best for:
Back, side, and stomach sleepers who like the feel of memory foamIt's rare to come across a product as thoughtfully designed as the Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow. Made from hypoallergenic shredded memory foam, the Coop pillow has an adjustable fill so you can customize it to the perfect loft for your sleep preferences. Other thoughtful features like a washable cover, 5-year warranty, and 100-night trial make it our top recommendation.
When you open the box, a bright yellow insert walks you through how to customize the pillow and suggests how much fill to add or remove (it's more than you think) based on your preferred sleeping position. While the pillow arrives almost overfilled, it also comes with a half-pound bag of additional stuffing in case you need even more support.
I followed the package recommendations to remove about a third of the fill for back sleepers. The result felt deeply personalized, and it was very comfortable to sleep on with an outstanding balance of support and fluff.
The adjustable loft of the Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow makes it the best option for most people.
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider
We think most people will love the customization, especially if you prefer the springy feel of memory foam.
The brand has also released more adjustable shapes targeted for side and back sleepers and a body pillow, which tops our guide to the best body pillows.
One drawback? If you favor a softer, more down-like fill (like I do), you may find the Coop Original pillow is on the firmer side and tends to get a bit hot during the night. However, the more premium Coop Eden pillow uses gel-infused memory foam and microfiber to sleep cooler and has a plusher, soft fill that mimics the feeling of down. COOP also just launched its first adjustable down-alternative design, The Essence, with a microfiber fill that is sold as a two-pack. We're in the process of trying it out for ourselves.
Read our full review of Coop Home Goods' The Original Pillow.
The Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillows are an inexpensive option that still offers a comfortable, supportive night's sleep. Check the coupon box for 40% off.
Shop at Amazon Shop at Walmart What we likeInexpensive
Soft and stackable
Sleeps relatively cool
Machine washable
Good for stomach and back sleepers
30-day return window
Hypoallergenic
Side sleepers will likely need two or more of these pillows
Pillows are not adjustable
Specifics
Fill:
Gel fiber down alternativeFirmness:
ModerateSizes:
Queen (20" x 24") and king (20" x 28")Best for:
Stomach and back sleepersIf you're the type of person who can fall asleep just about anywhere or you're primarily concerned about price, the Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow is the best bang for your buck.
These pillows are on the thinner side but have a gentle, down-like plushness that sets them apart from other inexpensive pillows I've tried. While they're more squishy than supportive, they're a good choice for stomach sleepers, back sleepers, and anyone who likes to hug, fold, or stack their pillows at night.
I've spent several months sleeping with these pillows on and off, and they haven't gone flat or gotten lumpy. They are a little less lofty and bouncy than when I first got them, but I like that they have a more lived-in feel.
The Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillows are inexpensive and have a plush, premium feel.
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider
"Gel pillow" is a bit of a misnomer; there's no liquid or cooling gel in these pillows like there is in some other cooling pillows. Instead, these pillows are filled with hypoallergenic polyester gel fiber, similar to a down alternative in both feel and performance. Compared to denser materials like memory foam, the pillows stay relatively cool but stop short of actively cooling you.
While these pillows aren't adjustable, each pack comes with two pillows, so you can easily stack them to your desired comfort level. The company also offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee — a rarity for Amazon-only pillow brands.
The Casper Original Pillow is the best pillow we've tested for side sleepers, balancing loft and support with the soft and fluffy feel of a down alternative.
Shop at Amazon Shop at Casper What we likeSoft and fluffy
2-inch gusset that provides support for side sleepers
Removable inner pillow
Machine washable
100-night trial period
Loft is not very adjustable
Not as supportive as memory foam
Specifics
Fill:
Polyester microfiberFirmness:
ModerateSizes:
Standard (18" x 26") and king (18" x 34")Best for:
Side sleepersA good pillow aims to align your neck with the rest of your spine. For side sleepers, this means bridging the gap between your ear and where your shoulder meets the mattress. But shoulder size and height can vary a lot from person to person, meaning one side sleeper might need a lofty pillow while another needs just a little lift.
The Coop pillow (our pick for best pillow overall) is ideal for side sleepers because it offers a lot of customization to help fill that gap, which is why we also named it top overall pick in our guide to the best pillow for side sleepers. But if you prefer the soft bouyant feel of down-alternative, you'll love the Casper Original Pillow.
Made from down-alternative hypoallergenic fill with a percale cotton shell, the Casper pillow feels much like the soft, plush pillows you'd find in hotel rooms. A 2-inch gusset (the strip of fabric between seams that gives the pillow a more boxy shape) keeps the pillow lofted for the supportive lift that side sleepers require, but the plush fill still provides the "sinking in" sensation when you lay your head down.
The high loft of the Casper Original Pillow makes it a great choice for side sleepers, though back sleepers often enjoy it too.
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider
Senior home editor Jaclyn Turner has slept on the Casper Original Pillow for over a year. She is a combo sleeper between back and side sleeping and most appreciates how it has never lost its loft and provides the plush support she craves.
Another one of the side sleepers who tried the pillow over several weeks also loved that it stayed cool throughout the night and kept its shape despite its softer fill. If you want a balance of support and softness, we recommend giving the Casper Original Pillow a try; just keep in mind that it's not as customizable or adjustable as other pillows.
Read our full review of the Casper Original Pillow.
Luxuriously plush, The Saatva Pillow offers an ultra comfortable, hotel-like experience and is particularly well-suited to back sleepers.
Shop at Saatva What we likePlush like a hotel pillow
Supportive latex core
45-day trial period
Moderate height that's ideal for back sleepers
Comes with a pillow cover
Cover and outer pillow are machine washable
Not adjustable
Too lofty for stomach sleepers
Specifics
Fill:
Shredded Talalay latexFirmness:
Moderate-softSizes:
Queen (18" x 28") and king (18" x 34")Best for:
Back sleepersThe Saatva Pillow has a supportive shredded latex core surrounded by a plush, down alternative layer and a sateen cotton liner. Its unique construction makes it different from any pillow I've ever felt before — it's got the hefty weight and support of a memory foam pillow but with the plush, cool feel of a down pillow.
It's available in a standard loft roughly 4-5" high and suggested for back and stomach sleepers, as well as a high loft of 6-7" high for side sleepers and those who require more plush pillows.
I kept coming back to this pillow throughout testing, and it quickly became my go-to for nights when I wasn't actively testing anything new.
With a moderate height and a hefty feel, the Saatva Latex Pillow offers the perfect plushness for back sleepers.
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider
I've now been sleeping on this pillow for five months. I love how my head sinks into this soft pillow, but it's still supportive enough to keep its shape all night long. When I wake up, the pillow looks just as plush as when I fell asleep.
I'm a very active sleeper who likes to move around a lot in bed and take my bedding with me, so I love that the pillow is equally plush and comfortable from all sides and angles. It's still soft and supportive when I inevitably fold it, scoop it, or hug it throughout the night. It's dense but quickly goes back to its original shape. Finally, it's hypoallergenic, which is a must for allergy sufferers like myself.
Multiple stomach sleepers who tried the pillow as part of our testing found it too lofty, even with the inner core removed. Some side sleepers might also find the pillow not quite lofty enough; we think it's best for back sleepers and those who prefer a plusher, cooler feel than memory foam.
Soft but not too thin, the Parachute Down-Alternative Pillow has the perfect loft for stomach sleepers who want just a bit of cushion, and it's now $16 off.
Shop at Parachute Shop at Nordstrom What we likeSoft and pillowy
Made from hypoallergenic down alternative
Folds easily for added support when lying on your side or back
Stays cool
60-day return window
Needs to be fluffed regularly to retain its shape
Poor support for sleepers who spend the majority of the night on their back or side
Not the best choice for guest bedrooms
Fill cannot be adjusted
Specifics
Fill:
Superfine microfiberFirmness:
Very softSizes:
Standard (20" x 26") and king (20" x 36")Best for:
Stomach sleepersStomach sleepers generally require the least amount of pillow support since your head and spine are already pretty close to alignment when lying on your stomach. Most stomach sleepers would benefit from a soft pillow with just a bit of loft, and for that, the Parachute Down-Alternative Pillow is our top choice.
This is the only pillow that received high marks for comfort from my husband, who is an avowed stomach sleeper and finds most pillows too lofty. The Parachute pillow elevates his head just enough to alleviate any neck strain, and the sateen cotton encasement keeps the pillow remarkably cool all night long, ideal for those, like him, who run hot.
Parachute's Down-Alternative Pillows are soft and stackable; perfect for stomach sleepers and combo sleepers that like to layer their pillows.
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider
We purchased four of these pillows a little over a year ago, and they were our mainstay before I started testing and evaluating pillows for this guide. In many ways, this pillow hits all the marks for me: it stays cool, is incredibly soft and comfortable, and is hypoallergenic. But while my husband happily drifts asleep with one of these pillows tucked under his head, I (a back sleeper) need to stack two or three to get the loft I need to fall asleep comfortably.
While the fill is thin enough that the pillow easily folds over for some support if you occasionally flip to your side or back during the night, it doesn't provide enough for those who spend most of the night in those positions. The pillow also won't offer much lift if you're looking to prop yourself up to read or watch TV while lounging in bed. Still, it's a great personal pillow for any stomach sleeper who has found other pillows too lofty.
With its customizable fill, the Layla Kapok Pillow offers neck pain sufferers both support and comfort.
Shop at Amazon Shop at Walmart Shop at Layla What we likeRemovable fill lets you customize the height
Comfortable
Molds to cradle your neck
Easy-to-clean cover
120-day trial
Removable fill can get messy
Specifics
Fill:
CertiPUR-US certified shredded memory foam and Kapok fibersFirmness:
Medium-firmSizes:
Queen (18" x 28") and king (18" x 34")Best for:
All sleeping styles, especially side sleepersThe Layla Kapok Pillow is the best pillow for those who suffer from neck pain that we tested. It's adjustable and forms to your head and neck for a very comfortable night's sleep.
This customization makes the Layla Kapok great for many types of sleepers. Reporter James Brains preferred to use the pillow with all the fill inside, while Sally Kaplan, executive editor for Insider Reviews, removed two-thirds of the material, which made it easy to mold the pillow to support her head and neck. Kaplan said it took a few nights to get the fill level right, but then she slept much better than with her old memory foam pillow.
The Layla Kapok Pillow's highly adjustable fill made it our top pick in our guide to the best pillows for neck pain.
James Brains/Business Insider
The pillow is made of CertiPUR-US-certified shredded memory foam and fibers from the Kapok tree. The fibers are light, buoyant, and commonly used as a down alternative. The foam is hypoallergenic and made without ozone depleters, certain heavy metals, and formaldehyde.
To adjust the pillow, unzip the cover and internal case. Remove the fill until you reach your preferred loft (or height). Have a sealable container or bag handy or so you contain the fill and save it in case you want to add it back in later.
If you find the pillow doesn't work for you, you can return it within 30 days.
Check out our guide to the best pillow for neck pain for more options.
The mid-plush Brooklinen Down Pillow conforms well to different sleeping positions, making it the ideal pillow for people who shift throughout the night. It feels as good as pillows double its price, and this is the best savings on Brooklinen we've seen this year.
Shop at Brooklinen What we likeComes in multiple support levels
Soft yet supportive
Good value
Down smell is a little strong
Specifics
Dimensions:
20 x 25 inches (standard) and 20 x 36 inches (king)Support levels available:
Plush, mid-plush, firmReturn policy:
1 yearWarranty:
1 yearCare instructions:
Leave outside on a dry day or air fluff in the dryer. Spot clean with a soft soap for small stains and dry clean for more significant stains. Note that dry cleaning will shorten the lifespan of the pillow.Certifications:
Downmark certifiedDown makes for a very soft and comfortable pillow, but the material isn't for everyone. While experts told us that down allergies are less common than we've been made to believe, people with dust mite allergies may sleep easier with a hypoallergenic pillow. That's why, for this guide, we focused mostly on memory foam and down-alternative pillows.
For those who strongly prefer the feel of a down pillow, check out our guide to the best down pillow. Our top pick was Brooklinen's Down Pillow, which was plush and comfy for various sleeping styles.
While we think down-alternative is the best option for most people, true feather down like the fill found in the Brooklinen Down Pillow offers a luxurious feel.
Connie Chen/Business Insider
It's offered in three firmness options. We tried the mid-plush and think it's a great middle-of-the-road option to try out if you're not quite sure what kind of pillow you like best. The mid has a dual chamber design with a feather core for support and is surrounded by fluffy down clusters at a ratio of 30% down to 70% feathers. Meanwhile, the firm also has a dual design but a ratio of 14% clusters and 86% feathers, ideal for side sleepers while the plush option is filled with 100% down clusters for the soft comfort stomach sleepers craved.
The down compressed easily but bounced back up quickly and was easy to fluff up. This pillow had the most noticeable down smell of all the down pillows, but it did dissipate. Otherwise, we were pleased with the construction and feel of the pillow.
The Pluto Pillow has a hybrid foam and polyfill design customized according to your needs, with an easy-to-use questionnaire used to develop your perfect pillow. Try it risk-free for 125 nights.
Shop at Pluto What we likeEasy, engaging quiz to customize your pillow
Comfortable
Retains shape
Cooling options
Long lead time for delivery
No latex or down options
Specifics
Fill:
CERTIPUR-US Certified foam and polyfillFirmness:
VariesSizes:
Standard (24" x 16") and king (34" x 16")Best for:
All sleep typesThe Pluto Pillow is built exactly for your needs, and there's no adjustable fill to trial and error with. The ordering process starts with a questionnaire that asks for demographics like age, height, and weight before asking about your current pillow type and satisfaction with it, your mattress's firmness, whether you sleep hot, sleeping position, and ideal pillow feel. While data and a special algorithm help build the pillow, there's space to detail any specific needs and preferences, which a human reads for requests or relevant information.
Each Pluto Pillow is a hybrid design with a CertiPUR-US-certified foam core and a plush polyfill. Pluto uses foams that vary in thickness, density, and firmness and customizes fill accordingly. You also choose an outer cover with a smooth temperature-regulating eucalyptus lyocell or a lightly quilted, cool-to-the-touch, plush fabric. The customization process offers 40 possible variations, with pillows ranging from 2 to 12 inches and soft to firm. Pluto does not use latex or down, but they will work to find something similar if you're after those feels.
The Pluto Pillow has a hybrid design with a foam core and a plush fill in cover. The final product is determined by a personalized sleep questionnaire.
Jaclyn Turner/Business Insider
I received my perfect pillow: a temperature-regulating cover with a pocket layer of fill for the plush factor I crave and a 2.5-inch high-performance inner foam core that's perfectly squeezable and supportive. I've had my Pluto Pillow for nearly two years, and I'm still frequently reaching for it. It beautifully holds its shape and cradles my head when I lay on my back while supporting my neck if I turn to my side.
The pillow is backed by a 125-night trial period and a one-year warranty. Though note, the lead time can be as long as four weeks to deliver your made-to-order pillow. Pluto also retains your results if you'd like to purchase additional in the future. Since each pillow is tailored to each individual, if you're purchasing for someone else, you can "gift" them a pillow to fill out their own pillow quiz. - Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
Read our Pluto Personalized Pillow review.
If you're looking for a pillow that feels like you just sunk your head into a luxury hotel bed, this pillow is the exact model used by the Marriott family of hotels.
Shop at Amazon Shop at Marriott What we likeSoft and luxurious
Same pillow used in Marriott hotels
Comes in a variety of sizes
Sleeps very cool
Side and back sleepers may need to stack pillows for enough support
No real trial period
Requires fluffing
Specifics
Fill:
70% down/30% Lyocell fibers (outer chamber), duck feather (inner chamber)Firmness:
Very softSizes:
Standard, queen, kingBest for:
Stomach sleepers (or all sleep styles if doubled up)Hotels make a business out of comfortable sleep, so it's no surprise that "hotel-like" is a term often used to describe an ideal pillow texture. As someone who spends more than 100 nights away from home in an average year, I know the pleasure of sinking into a plush, perfectly squishy hotel pillow. Since I'm also a pillow reviewer, I make it a habit to investigate the tags on any hotel pillows I find particularly comfortable. More often than not, it turns out to be The Marriott Pillow.
Fortunately, Marriott allows you to buy the exact pillows it uses in its rooms for your home bedroom. To ensure the pillows live up to their hotel counterparts, I tested both a king-size and standard-size model at home. I'm happy to report that they're identical in feel and comfort to the ones I've experienced in Marriott's hotels.
Marriott's pillow is just as comfortable as what you'll experience in its hotels, though side and back sleepers may need to double up to get enough support.
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider
These pillows are incredibly plush and fluffy. The combination down and lyocell fill results in a squishy feel that is soft without bottoming out. As a back and sometimes side sleeper, I found I have to double up on these pillows to get the right amount of support. However, my stomach-sleeping husband has completely commandeered these pillows, replacing our Parachute pillows as his personal pillow choice. Keep in mind that you'll need to fluff these pillows daily for best results; they do compact a bit during the night. Marriott also only offers a 30-day return policy, which is less than many of our other picks.
While sleeping on buckwheat hulls can take some getting used to, the Turmerry Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow offers an adjustable, hypoallergenic, and sustainable option that works for all sleeping styles. You can save 15% off using promo code BF at checkout.
Shop at Turmerry What we likeAdjustable
Supportive
Hypoallergenic
Sustainable
Refillable
30-day return policy
Firm
Sensation takes some getting used to
Specifics
Fill:
Buckwheat hullsFirmness:
Firm but malleableSizes:
Travel (12" x 16"), mini (15" x 20"), neckroll (13" x 6"), standard (20" x 26"), queen (20" x 30") and king (20" x 36")Best for:
All sleep stylesBuckwheat hulls are a traditional pillowfill used in Japan and many other Asian countries. Neither my husband nor I grew up with this type of pillow, so testing the Turmerry Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow was a new experience for us.
And wow, we were both completely blown away by how comfortable this pillow was — so much so that I purchased an additional one because my husband and I would fight over who got to sleep on it each night.
The sensation of the hulls can take a little getting used to if this type of pillow is new to you. They rustle a bit and add some texture to the pillow. But I just love how malleable and yet supportive the pillow is.
If you've struggled to find a pillow that offers support, I highly recommend trying out a buckwheat pillow like this one from Turmerry.
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider
Most nights, I mold the pillow to the shape of my neck and feel totally supported the whole night. The hulls are heavier than a standard pillow fill, yet I can comfortably tuck my arm underneath it without creating too much pressure or overheating.
There's a reason why this type of pillow has been a popular choice for centuries worldwide. The pillow sleeps cool, is completely adjustable (just add or remove hulls to find your ideal loft), is sustainable and hypoallergenic, provides plenty of support, and works for all sleep styles.
The best pillows for you will depend highly on whether you sleep on your back, stomach, or side.
Lauren Savoie/Business Insider
The experts recommended prioritizing three main criteria when shopping for a new pillow: sleep position, material, and trial period. Below, find our recommendations for each consideration.
Robbins told us the most significant consideration when picking a pillow is your preferred sleep position: side, back, or stomach. The goal of your pillow is to support your neck in a neutral position aligned with the rest of your spine. That alignment shifts depending on the position you're sleeping in. While we all move around during sleep, most of us spend the majority of our sleeping time in one position.
Not sure what your sleep position is? Consider what position you typically fall asleep or wake up in. Robbins also has an exercise she performs with her clients: Imagine you've been up for 24 hours and are presented with a big, luxurious hotel bed; how would you lie down on it to go to sleep? The position you envision is likely your preferred sleep position and plays a significant role in what type of pillow will work best for you.
Ideal pillow by sleep position
Sleep positionSoftnessLoftMaterialSideSupportive but not too firmHigh (or with adjustable fill)Down, down alternative, shredded memory foam, gel, buckwheat, microfiberBackMedium-firmMediumAlmost anyStomachSoftLowDown, down alternative, shredded memory foam, buckwheat, microfiberSide sleepers: Around 65% of the US population are side sleepers, according to Robbins, and this position requires the most loft and support to bridge the wide gap between the side of your head and where your shoulder rests on the mattress. If you're a side sleeper, choose a lofty pillow — ideally with an adjustable fill since there can be a lot of variability in the size of that shoulder gap from person to person. Robbins said hotels and sleep clinics outfit rooms with side sleepers in mind, so if you're buying pillows for a guest bedroom, a side-sleeper-friendly pillow is usually a good bet.
Back sleepers: Back sleepers are the Goldilocks of pillow hunters — they need a pillow with just enough support to lift the back of the head to align with their shoulders. Back sleepers tend to benefit from a medium pillow made from a down or down alternative, though an adjustable pillow with at least one-third of the fill removed may work as well.
Stomach sleepers: In the minority are stomach sleepers, who need the least support from their pillow. Typically, a thin, very soft pillow works best for stomach sleepers — just enough fill to cushion their face from the flat surface of the mattress.
The material a pillow is filled with has a big impact on the feel of your pillow. Here's an overview of the major fill types:
Down: Down consists of feathers taken from the underbelly of a goose or duck. It's an incredibly soft and comfortable material for pillows. While most modern down is triple washed to remove dander, some allergy sufferers may want to avoid this material, as animal fibers are more prone to dust mites (which can exacerbate allergies) than synthetic fibers. You can read about our favorite down options in our best down pillows guide.
Down Alternative: Down alternative is typically any fiberous material that mimics the feel of true down. Microfiber is a popular and common down alternative, but bamboo or viscose fibers would also fall into the category, as well as polyfiber. The majority of the pillows in this guide are made from microfiber, which is generally hypoallergenic and breathable.
Memory foam: Another popular fill is memory foam. We prefer pillows with shredded memory foam, which offer a more traditional and malleable pillow feeling. A solid block of memory foam may be preferred if you suffer from back and neck pain and need to keep your head immobilized during sleep. Read more about the best pillows for neck pain.
The only way to know if a pillow is right for you is to sleep on it. We recommend looking for pillows that offer at least a 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee. This will allow you several weeks to decide if the pillow is right for you.
To learn more about what to look for in the best pillows, we spoke with Dr. Rebecca Robbins, sleep researcher, author, and instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and associate scientist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. However, there is no one-size-fits-all, best pillow for everyone.
Individual anatomy, sleep habits, and preferences profoundly impact how comfortable a pillow will be from person to person. For that reason, our rating criteria for this guide relied heavily on the following considerations:
Return policy and trial period: It's impossible to know how comfortable a pillow is going to be for you until you sleep on it, despite how comprehensive our guide aims to be. "The most important thing is trying the pillows out to see what works for you," said Robbins, which includes being able to touch, lay on, and sleep with a pillow before deciding if it's right for you. For this guide, we only considered pillows that accept returns of used merchandise for a full refund with at least a 30-day trial window, which gives you ample time to decide if a pillow is right for you.
Adjustability: We prioritized adjustable pillows with removable inserts or shredded fill for dialing in your perfect loft. This creates a more custom pillow that would better suit your needs.
Ease of use: We looked at how well each pillow fit a standard pillowcase, whether the pillow came with a case or protector, and whether all or parts of the pillow were washable for better hygiene and pillow longevity.
Comfort: I slept on all of the pillows for at least three (sometimes agonizing) nights. I also enlisted a side sleeper and a stomach sleeper to try the pillows for a couple of weeks. We will develop a diverse sleep panel and have them test our top picks for additional feedback for future updates.
Below you'll find answers to common pillow questions based off our own testing and interviews with experts.
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The National Sleep Foundation recommends replacing a well-used pillow every couple of years. If you fold your pillow in half and it stays put, it's probably time for a new pillow. (This may not work with thin pillows.)
Robbins recommends looking for a hypoallergenic pillow with a synthetic filling if you're prone to allergies. Pillows with animal fillings (such as down) may trigger allergies since dust mites like fillings made from animal material.
Many are not. However, our top pick, the Coop Home Goods Original Pillow is entirely adjustable, so you can find the loft that's right for you. add or remove filling to reach your ideal comfort level.
Hot sleepers may find pillows with down or down alternative filling have better airflow than memory foam.
You can find pillows at a range of price points, anywhere from $10 to several hundred dollars. Because of how much time we spend sleeping, Robbins recommends thinking of a pillow as an investment that will pay you back in better sleep. "No matter your budget, I really encourage people to splurge and invest in these products because they will help," she said.
Sweat, oil, and skincare products can all turn your pillow yellow. Adding a pillow protector may help prevent the stains.
Typical recommendations range from every three to six months. Robbins recommends adding a pillow protector (an encasement that adds another level of protection from allergens, body oils, dust mites, and other pests), too.
Not every pillow can be washed. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for how to best care for and clean your pillow. You should also fluff your pillows daily to extend their life.
Loft refers to the height of your pillow, which determines how far off the mattress it lifts your head. experts recommend a pillow that keeps your head and neck aligned with the rest of your spine. side sleepers need more loft, while stomach sleepers need minimal loft.
Most pillows for sleeping come in two sizes: standard and king, while queen is another size option that you may see. Standard pillow sizes measure 20" x 26" inches, a queen measures 20" x 30" inches and a king measures 20" x 36" inches. We recommend a standard or queen size for twin, full, and queen mattresses and king pillows for king or California king mattresses.