The Best Pillows

Is there anything more personal than buying a pillow? You can survive with less-than-perfect sheets and quilts, but pick the wrong pillow and your entire sleep pattern can be thrown out of whack. Honestly, choosing a pillow is a lot like dating: There’s a whole lot of trial and error and trying out different options to decide what you do and don’t like. The task can be daunting, but we’re here to make it a little bit easier. After several weeks of testing different brands, types, and levels of firmness, we’ve compiled a list of the best pillows on the market right now, no matter what you’re looking for.

• Best Overall: Pluto Pillow
• Best Budget-Friendly: Lauren Ralph Lauren Logo Pillows
• Best for Side Sleepers: Coop Home Goods Original Pillow
• Best for Stomach Sleepers: Riley Home Down Alternative Pillow
• Best for Back Sleepers: Brookstone BioSense Layer Adjust Memory Foam Pillow
• Best Down: Snowe Down Pillow
• Best Down Alternative: Parachute Down Alternative Pillow
• Best Memory Foam: Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow
• Best Gel: Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
• Best Organic: Avocado Green Pillow
• Best for Neck Pain: Casper Foam Pillow

Finding the best pillow match depends on several different factors, and the truth is there isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. People with neck pain might hate a firm feel, while others might insist on it, and a “plush” pillow could vary depending on the filling. In short, there are a whole lot of factors, which made compiling this list fairly difficult. We did our best to be unbiased, but take note that what worked for us might be a little different for you.

With that said, the two main things you should keep in mind while pillow shopping are fill and firmness. Fill refers to the material that makes up the inside of the pillow, such as foam, gel, and down. As for firmness, most pillows are considered either firm, plush, or somewhere in the middle.

Memory foam: This is a super popular material in both mattresses and pillows. Known for being plush and soft, memory foam is great if you want to really sink into your pillow—although there are definitely thicker foam options that feel much firmer. Foam pillows can also hold in heat (depending on what else the fill is comprised of), making them less ideal for people who sleep hot.

Gel: Gel is actually a form of memory foam—its longer name is “gel-infused memory foam.” The main benefit of gel is that it makes the foam much more breathable, which is great for sweaty sleepers who need a cooling material. It’s also a bit denser than memory foam, so it offers greater support.

Down and Down Alternative: If you prefer a more old-fashioned feel, try a down or down alternative pillow. These pillows are filled with down found under the feathers of birds (usually geese and ducks), and are typically much more expensive than other pillows. They have a luxe feel, but could trigger allergies—not to mention, you might have ethical concerns about using animal products. If you want the same feel, there are plenty of down alternative options that are nearly identical to the real thing.

Latex: For something more natural, consider a latex pillow. Latex comes from the rubber tree and is a chemical-free alternative to foam. Soft, bouncy, and durable, it’s a high-quality material that typically has a higher price tag. It’s also hypoallergenic, antifungal, and doesn’t absorb heat like foam does. Most organic pillows are made from latex.

One thing that really threw us for a loop when testing pillows was firmness. We had always thought of “firm” pillows as being hard and uncomfortable, but it turns out that’s not always the case. For example, a firm down pillow feels very different from a firm foam pillow. (Personally, I discovered that while I like a plush foam pillow, I much prefer a firm down or gel pillow.) On the other hand, we thought “soft” translated to “thick, plush, and oh so comfy,” but again, that’s not always the case. In fact, soft pillows tend to be pretty flat, especially those filled with down.

Firm: If you suffer from neck or head pain, you’ll probably want to consider a firm pillow. It has less give than soft options, so your head won’t sink into it but will be better supported. While it’s all a matter of personal preference, stomach sleepers should avoid firmer pillows, since they’ll keep your head and neck in an uncomfortable position.

Soft: If you don’t require a whole lot of support, you might prefer a soft pillow. With a barely-there feel and the ability to easily conform to your head and neck, these pillows are best for stomach and back sleepers. Again, although it’s a matter of personal preference, side sleepers most likely won’t get the proper support they need from a soft pillow.

Side sleeper: If you sleep on your side, you have a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing a pillow—but that also means the number of options can get overwhelming. The only thing you really need to look out for is pillow height. Softer, plush pillows tend to be less supportive, and if you’re a side sleeper, that means your neck and spine might not be aligned. Go for something firm or medium-firm, and be sure the pillow is thick enough to keep your alignment in check.

Back sleeper: If you sleep on your back, look for a pillow that’s flatter with less fill. Firmness depends on your preference, although if you have neck pain, you’ll want something firm with plenty of support. Otherwise, something soft that’ll mold to your head is best.

Stomach sleeper: You’ll want something super soft if you sleep on your stomach—if you choose to use a pillow at all. Picking a pillow that’s flat is best so you don’t mess up your spine and neck alignment, and you definitely don’t want to choose one that’s firm.

If you’re shopping for memory foam, check if it’s CertiPUR-US certified, which ensures that the foam is free from harmful chemicals, flame retardants, heavy metals, and more. Another common certification for foam is GREENGUARD certified, which means that the foam has low chemical emissions.

When it comes to down, look for pillows that are Responsible Down Standard certified, which confirms that the down comes from animals who have not been subjected to any harm.

We tested a wide range of pillows for our list, judging them on the following criteria:

• Feel: How comfortable is the pillow? Do we remain comfortable all night, or do we wake up with neck pain? Does it feel cool, or do we feel warm?
• Support: How supportive is the pillow? Do we wake up feeling sore? Do we feel comfortable in all positions? Do we sink into the pillow, or does it feel firm?
• Size: Does the pillow fit into a standard-size pillowcase? Does it have an odd shape?

Newer brand Pluto makes a fully customizable pillow that defies all categories, so it’s an easy choice for the best overall pillow. No matter how you sleep or what firmness you prefer, Pluto can make a pillow just for you. To get started, you take an online quiz that asks detailed questions, from the personal (height, weight, age) to the practical (what your current pillow is like, what position you sleep in). Your perfect pillow is then constructed based on your answers (there are currently over 25 variations). We tried it ourselves and were impressed: Mine has a cooling quilted cover and a nice medium-firm feel that helped me stay comfy all night.

Specifications:

• Every pillow has a CertiPUR-US certified foam core, but the cover varies
• Size and firmness also vary
• CertiPUR-US certified
• 100-night trial period
• Cover is machine washable; pillow is not