Choosing the best pillows for you could be just what you need to improve the quality of your sleep. Pillows may all look pretty similar, making it impossible to judge them on appearance alone, but inside they're all quite different in terms of materials, responsiveness, firmness and loft, and if you pick the wrong mix you could be sentencing yourself to broken sleep and waking up with aches and pains.
If your current pillow's more than a couple of years old it's probably time to replace it, and by thinking about how you sleep you'll be better placed to pick the best pillow for you. Our section on how to choose the best pillow covers most of what you need to know; you should also consider the firmness of your mattress. If you have a softer bed, you'll probably want to balance it out with a firmer pillow, and vice versa.
We've put together a selection of the best pillows on the market, most of which we've reviewed extensively, and to make things even easier for you we've arranged them according to the headline features you might be looking for. Our quick list covers the basics; either click straight through to a store page or jump to our more detailed writeups.
Included in our roundup are models from brands behind some of the best mattresses on the market, including Casper, Nectar and Layla, and if you have a particular preference for fillings (or allergies you want to avoid triggering) you'll find all sorts to choose from, including memory foam, microfiber, feather, down and latex. So without further ado, let's get on to the best pillows available right now.
The quick list
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Read on to discover our selection of the best pillows available to buy now, arranged by the criteria that are likely to matter to you. We've tested nearly all of these pillows extensively, so you can trust our recommendations and buy with confidence.
Best pillow overall
(Image credit: Terri Williams)
Puffy, supportive and washable, this is the best pillow overall
Our expert review:
Fill :
Duck down and feathers
Fabric:
Cotton outer shell with polyester inner panels
Dimensions:
Standard: 18” L x 26” W; King: 18” L x 34” W
Best suited to:
Back, side, and stomach sleepers
Firmness:
Soft
Trial:
30 days
Warranty:
1 year
Care:
Machine washable
RRP:
$139-$179
View at CasperView at AmazonView at Best Buy+
Cloud-like feeling
+
Supportive 5-chamber design
+
Ethically-sourced down
+
Cool to the touch
-
Requires weekly fluffing
-
Premium pricing
If nothing but the best pillow will do for you, we think you'll get on very well indeed with the Casper Down Pillow. As the name suggests, it has a down filling – specifically, ethically-sourced duck down as well as feathers – and it's actually two pillows in one, with an outer pillow that's 80% white duck down and 20% feather chambers, and an inner pillow that's 60% white duck down and 40% feather chambers.
The duck down makes it ultra-soft while the feathers provide weight, and the five-chamber design makes this a supportive pillow that's responsive enough for any sleeping position. It's a mid-loft pillow that feels just the right height, and it feels cool to the touch too.
Our tester loved the pillow so much that she actually sighed when the testing cycle was over and she needed to move on to the next pillow review. She found it comfortable and supportive in every sleeping position, and loved the fact that the entire pillow, rather than just the cover, is machine washable. In fact her only real complaint was that it needs to be fluffed once a week to maintain its shape, which isn't really a huge inconvenience.
Casper has an extensive range of pillows; if this one doesn't suit you, we can also recommend the Casper Original Pillow and the Casper Hybrid Pillow.
Best cooling pillow
(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
The best pillow with cooling for side and back sleepers
Our expert review:
Fill :
Microfiber polyester and chopped memory foam
Fabric:
Polyethylene yarn with copper fibers
Dimensions:
26”W x 17.3”L x 5”H / 33.5”W x 17.3”L x 5”H
Best suited to:
Back and side sleepers, hot sleepers
Firmness:
Medium
Trial:
50 days
Warranty:
5-year limited
Care:
Spot-clean with mild soap and water
RRP:
$99 - $119
View at Nectar SleepView at Nectar SleepCheck Amazon+
Great cooling properties
+
Plenty of sink and contouring
+
Ideal for side and back sleepers
-
Not massively firm
-
Not machine-washable
If you have a tendency to get hot in the night, the Nectar Copper Pillow is a fantastic cooling option that won't cost you a fortune. Like the slightly more expensive Layla Kapok Pillow below, its cover is made of cooling fabric that's infused with moisture- and heat-wicking copper fibers, and it's filled with breathable microfiber polyester, and the result is a pillow that genuinely keeps you cool, even on hot summer nights.
In our Nectar Copper Pillow review, our reviewer found that while other cooling pillows really only minimize the heat, this one was more actively cooling, even during midday naps in late summer. The Nectar Copper Pillow is also nicely plush with a good amount of sinkage, and it's moldable enough to cradle your head while supporting your neck too. We'd rate it a medium in terms of firmness; however its five-inch loft means it's a bit too thick to be comfortable for stomach sleepers.
We reckon it's one of the best cooling pillows on the market, and versatile enough to be comfortable for most sleepers, and its luxurious – and good-looking – cover means that you don't really need a pillowcase to go with it. Sadly it's not really machine-washable; instead Nectar recommends that you to spot clean with mild soap and water, and air dry. Despite this, the Nectar Copper Pillow is our top pick for anyone looking for the best pillow right now.
Looking for another Nectar option? Try the Nectar Graphite pillow instead.
Best pillow for side sleepers
(Image credit: Layla Sleep)
The best pillow for side sleepers
Our expert review:
Fill :
Memory foam blended with kapok fiber
Fabric:
66% polyester, 30% viscose, 4% poly/Lycra woven with copper fibers
Dimensions:
18.5” x 28.5” / 18.5” x 36”
Best suited to:
Side sleepers; hot sleepers; sleepers with neck pain
Firmness:
Medium
Trial:
120 nights
Warranty:
5 years
Care:
Machine wash (without fill)
RRP:
$109 - $129
View at Layla SleepCheck Amazon+
Controls odors
+
Cooling performance
+
Adjustable fill
-
Delicate to care for
The best-selling Layla Kapok Pillow is designed with an innovative cover that has copper fibers woven in to deliver cooling and antimicrobial properties. Copper helps wick away body heat, meaning the pillow is ideal for those who sleep hot or find their head gets sweaty at night.
For our Layla Kapok pillow review, we slept on a queen size Pillow (king size also available) every night for three weeks straight and loved it. We found it to be comfortable and supportive, with our only gripe being that we had to fluff the pillow each morning to help it regain its shape. We found that it stayed cool to the touch too, so if sleeping hot (or drooling) leaves you feeling worried about odors on your pillow, then the Layla Kapok Pillow's microbial copper-infused cover has this taken care of and can help keep smells to a minimum.
The inner fill of the pillow contains a blend of shredded memory foam and natural kapok fibers (they have a down-like feel) with a high loft that works particularly well for side sleepers. You can also remove and adjust the fill to suit your own preference, meaning the pillow can be adapted for different sleeping styles. It's the best pillow for side and back sleepers prone to overheating, and we awarded it a high review score for performance, build quality and cooling.
If you're broader than average and want a firm pillow for side sleeping, check out our Saatva Down Alternative Pillow review. And for another Layla option that's also good for side sleeping, see the Layla Memory Foam pillow.
Best pillow for front and back sleepers
(Image credit: Terri Williams)
Best for front and back sleepers
Our expert review:
Fill :
Nolah AirFoam and Outlast fibers;
Fabric:
100% cotton and Outlast fibers
Dimensions:
17” x 23”
Best suited to:
Back sleepers, but also side and stomach sleepers
Firmness:
Medium
Trial:
30 days
Warranty:
2 years
Care:
Machine wash (without fill)
RRP:
$99
View at Nolah Sleep LLCCheck Amazon+
Contouring pillow provides support
+
Cooling features
+
Stylish design
-
Fill is not adjustable
Don't let the boxy shape of the Nolah Cooling Foam Pillow put you off; this is a supremely comfortable and supportive pillow with a stand-out design, and we found it to be a luxurious pillow with a hotel feel, but at a very reasonable price.
Filled with Nolah's own AirFoam, the Nolah Cooling Foam Pillow is temperature-neutral and keeps cool while you're sleeping, and it provides contouring support for your head and neck, making it a great choice for back sleepers and also a pretty good option for side and stomach sleepers.
The contouring fill springs back when you get out of bed, so there's no need to refluff it every morning, and its washable cotton cover is infused with Outlast fiber, designed to keep you from sweating in the night. We found its loft to be just a little on the high side, and as there's only one size option available it may be a bit too chunky for petite sleepers.
Best memory foam pillow
(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
The best memory foam pillow for most people
Our expert review:
Fill :
Copper gel-infused memory foam
Fabric :
Polyethylene blend cover
Dimensions:
16” x 25” / 16” x 32”
Best suited to:
Back, side and combination sleepers
Firmness:
Medium-firm
Trial:
50 nights
Warranty:
5 years
Care:
Machine-washable cover, fill is spot-clean only
RRP:
$99 - $129
View at DreamCloudView at DreamCloudCheck Amazon+
Great cooling
+
Good balance of support and moldability
+
Quality build
-
Non-adjustable fill
-
Loft a little high for smaller people
DreamCloud's only pillow is a premium option, with a solid memory foam core infused with cooling copper gel. This means that it won't trap heat in the night, and it's also nicely moldable with plenty of cradling support for your head, neck and shoulders.
It also features quite a high loft – 5.5 inches – which means it's best suited to back and side sleepers, or combination sleepers who tend to favor the back and side. What this also means is that it's not really suitable for front sleepers, or indeed for anyone with a more petite frame. In our DreamCloud Best Rest memory foam pillow review, our lead reviewer – who very much fits that description – found it to be ever so slightly too thick and firm to provide her with the natural spine alignment she needed.
If you're of an average to tall body frame, however, you should get on perfectly well with the DreamCloud Best Rest pillow. It's a little on the expensive side (but regularly available at a welcome 25% discount), but its premium construction and strong cooling properties, not to mention its balance of moldability and support, make it a good choice for anyone above a certain height who wants a good night's sleep without neck ache in the morning.
Best all-down pillow
(Image credit: Parachute)
The best down pillow in your choice of firmness
Fill:
European white down: 85% down, 15% down and feather fibers
Fabric:
100% sateen cotton shell
Dimensions:
Standard, King
Best suited to:
Side, back and stomach sleepers
Firmness:
Soft, medium, firm
Trial:
None
Warranty:
3 years
Care:
Machine wash (on delicate cycle)
RRP:
$109 - $189
View at Parachute HomeView at Parachute HomeCheck Amazon+
Plush, cozy fill
+
Machine washable
+
Three firmness options
-
Not firm enough for some
This real down pillow by Parachute is super-fluffy and available in three different levels of firmness (soft, medium and firm) to suit all common sleeping positions. To keep your neck in a neutral position, Soft is recommended as the best choice for stomach sleepers, Medium for back sleepers, and Firm for side sleepers. It also comes in standard (20 x 26”) and king size (20 x 36”).
The Parachute Down Pillow has a 750 fill power courtesy of ethically sourced European white down. It feels squishy yet supportive in the hand, and is designed to be breathable, meaning it’s suitable for those who sleep warm. However if you’re a hot sleeper or prone to night sweats, we’d recommend the Layla Kapok Pillow further up the page instead.
The shell is made from 100% cotton sateen, with reinforced double stitched piping seam keeping all that down fill safely enclosed. You can machine wash the Parachute Down Pillow on a delicate cycle wash, then tumble dry on low with wool dryer balls. There are over 1,200 user reviews on the Parachute site, and while some complain that even the Firm version isn’t firm enough, most sleepers are happy with the cozy feel provided. In short, if you want the best pillow for recreating hotel decadence at home, try this one.
Best latex pillow
(Image credit: Brooklyn Bedding)
A top-rated latex pillow with cooling properties
Our expert review:
Fill :
Talalay latex, foam, rubber
Fabric:
Bamboo charcoal, polyester, cotton
Dimensions:
16” x 29” / 16” x 34”
Best suited to:
Hot sleepers; those who want a natural pillow
Firmness:
Plush
Trial:
30 nights
Warranty:
3 years
Care:
Machine wash (without fill)
RRP:
$89 - $99
View at Brooklyn BeddingView at Brooklyn BeddingCheck Amazon+
Remains cool to the touch
+
Provides great pressure relief
+
Organic filling and cover
-
Fill is not adjustable
-
Needs to be plumped daily
The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow is a fine option if you're looking for an all-natural pillow with great cooling properties. It's made with latex and an organic cotton cover, both of which are hypoallergenic, and in our Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow review our reviewer, who has a latex allergy, had no problems sleeping on it.
There are two loft options – high and low – to choose from; we tested the low loft option and found it to be comfortable and supportive without being too soft. However if you're a side sleeper (or a back sleeper with snoring or sleep apnea issues) the high loft option, which can better cradle your head and neck, would be a better pick.
As for the temperature regulation, this was a success too. Our reviewer tends to sleep hot, but found that this pillow's breathable latex filling and naturally cooling cotton cover didn't trap body heat at all. We also appreciated the washable cover, however we were less impressed by the non-adjustable fill, and the fact that it needs to be plumped daily for to maintain its shape.
Best custom-made pillow
(Image credit: Terri Williams)
The best foam pillow with next-level customization
Our expert review:
Fill:
CertiPUR-US foam core
Fabric :
Variety of fibers
Dimensions:
Queen 24” x 16 inches; King: 34” x 16”
Best suited to:
Side, back, and stomach sleepers
Firmness:
Customizable
Trial:
110 nights
Warranty:
1 year
Care:
Washable cover, regular fluffing needed
RRP:
$39.99 - $59.99 (for two pillows)
View at Pluto Brand Inc.+
Custom-made for you
+
Questionnaire assesses your needs
+
Smooth or quilted surface
-
Asks for your age, height and weight
Having trouble finding the absolutely perfect pillow for you? The Pluto Pillow may be what you need; not because it's a magical all-rounder, but because it's made to suit your sleep requirements and preferences.
One does not simply order a Pluto Pillow. First, you need to answer Pluto's questionnaire. with questions including your exact age, height, and weight, as well as questions about your current pillow, the firmness of your bed, pillow surface preferences, and sleeping positions. Your answers are then run through Pluto's algorithm to deliver your ideal pillow, and in our Pluto Pillow review we found that this really is the case.
Now, we don't know just how individually each Pluto Pillow is tailored to its buyer, but our tester swears that the pillows she received were perfect, with just the right levels of comfort and support for her liking in every position, and a plush, melt-in feeling. They also felt cool to the touch as well as featuring breathable, temperature-responsive foam. And while the pillow you receive from Pluto is likely to feel different, our experience – backed up by similarly positive user reviews – suggests that you'll be very happy with it.
Best cheap pillow
(Image credit: Beckham Hotel Collection)
If you mainly sleep on your side, then the Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow is a great choice for you. This is a genuinely supportive and comfortable pillow for side sleepers, with a thick build-quality that keeps its shape throughout the night. What's more, it's also hypoallergenic. The special gel-fiber filling is designed to feel as plush as down but comes without the allergy issues that might be associated with it. The pillow is dust-mite, mold- and mildew-resistant too, so it’s an ideal choice if you want to maintain a healthy sleep environment. In our Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow review, our tester thought it delivered excellent value for money, but didn't always sleep cool.
The Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillows are sold in packs of two, which makes them incredibly good value for money – ideal if you need pillows for a guest bed, for instance. The affordability of these pillows makes them a no-brainer if you're on a budget and looking for something that will last you a long time. Plus they are robust, so should see you sleeping soundly night after night.
How to choose the best pillow for your sleep
In general, all sleepers should look for an easy-to-clean pillow, which keeps you cool at night and is made from breathable materials. If you tend to sleep in a certain position on your back, front, or side, then think about choosing the following pillows for your sleep style
Back sleepers – Choose a pillow with medium loft and firmness to relieve pressure in the neck and shoulders, while maintaining neutral spine alignment. Look for pillows with extra cushioning on top.
Side sleepers – Look for a pillow with high loft and firm support to relieve pressure at the shoulder and help maintain a neutral spine position. Adjustable pillows with fluffable materials will also help you adjust the shape more easily to suit your position.
Stomach sleepers – A pillow with low loft and soft support will help keep the spine in alignment, and prevent the head from being too propped up. A compressible fill allows the pillow to be shaped into a comfortable low loft.
Combination sleepers – If you tend to change position a lot in the night you need a more versatile pillow to keep up with you. Look for something with a more responsive feel, and maybe even with an adjustable fill so that you can get it to your perfect depth.
We'd recommend picking a pillow that comes on a trial period, giving you at least three weeks to make sure it's the best choice for your sleep and posture.
Memory foam pillows have a lot of benefits for more comfortable sleep. The main advantage is contouring, which means the memory foam molds itself to your head and neck as soon as you lie down. It's the same benefit you'll get from one of the best memory foam mattresses for pressure relief.
People with neck pain often benefit from a memory foam pillow, but the depth of the pillow should be considered too. Deep memory foam pillows are a great choice for side sleepers, while firmer and shallower foam pillows will better support stomach and back sleepers.
Memory foam pillows relieve pressure points by distributing the weight of your head and neck across the entire pillow, so you should feel much more comfortable when sleeping.
The downside to memory foam is that it can retain heat, so hot sleepers may struggle with this type of pillow depending on the type of memory foam it's made from. There are plenty of cooling gel-infused memory foam pillows to choose from now, and these dissipate heat, boost airflow and regulate temperature to keep you cool. Our top-rated memory foam pillow for hot sleepers is the Layla Kapok Pillow, priced from $109 at Layla Sleep.
While your pillow can make an instant difference to how comfortably you sleep, consider pairing it with one of the best mattress toppers too. These breathe new life into older mattresses and can also relieve pressure points.
(Image credit: Getty UK)
A pillow protector keeps your pillow clean for longer, safeguarding it from dust mites, spills, stains and germs in the same way a good mattress protector looks after your mattress. While spills and stains are unsightly and a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites are the other big problem with unprotected pillows - especially those that aren’t cleaned regularly.
With regular nightly use, your dead skin cells, hair, sweat and more build up on your pillow. This moist environment provides plenty of food and nourishment for dust mites, and these microscopic bugs and their droppings can trigger allergies and make asthma worse.
So if you cut off their food supply by covering your pillow with an anti-allergy pillow protector, you’ll make it harder for them to thrive. Not all pillow protectors are up to the job though, and the best are certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) as asthma and allergy friendly. To get this certification, the pillow protector has been proven to block over 95% to 99% of dust mite allergens.
While you’ll still need to wash your sleep pillow regularly and replace it every two years, a protector will do the majority of the heavy lifting for you when keeping your pillow clean. You should wash the protector monthly, or more often if you experience night sweats, dandruff or skin irritations.
Ensure the rest of your sleeping space is comfy and supportive too. There are plenty of mattress sales each month that cover bedding such as pillows and protectors, and you'll find luxury and budget options here. These include the best Saatva mattress sales for luxury sleep, and the latest Nectar mattress sale for memory foam bedding.
Pillows aren’t usually accepted in curbside recycling bins, so you’ll need to visit a textile recycling center. When recycled, pillows are broken down into their separate components, with the material shredded or ground up for reuse in another item.
Depending on the recycling center you visit, the fibers inside pillows can be recycled into clothing, rugs and carpets, cleaning cloths, and other household items. You can take your pillows to a textile recycling facility as long as they aren’t stained with sweat, oil, blood or grease.
The American Textile Recycling Service has drop-off bins in a few states, and these take pillows. If you have an old feather filled pillow, the feathers can be mixed into a compost bin, helping to create a rich fertilizer for your garden. The stuffing inside non-down pillows could also be used to make stuffed animals or even new pillows.
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