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Choosing the right pillow greatly improves sleep. It keeps your body in a neutral position and provides better posture for your head and neck. Getting the best pillow is just as important as picking the best mattress, and it isn’t a simple matter of comfort.
If you have chosen the right mattress but your pillow is terrible, you may still feel uncomfortable and try to find a comfortable sleeping position throughout the night. That’s why choosing the right pillow is very important to get adequate and restful sleep and wake up fresh in the morning. As per Experts, the right pillow should fill the space between your ear and shoulder blade when lying in a semi-fetal position.
Now, let’s explore the best pillows on the market, thoroughly tested and organized by filling type: down, latex, synthetic, and memory foam. This ensures that you’ll find the perfect pillow to fit your specific preferences and allergies. Let’s dive into the top picks!
Casper Down Pillow – All-Round Winner
The Casper Down Pillow is our top choice, featuring ethically-sourced duck down and feathers. Its unique five-chamber design provides excellent support and responsiveness, making it suitable for any sleeping position. It’s soft, yet the down and feathers give it just the right weight. Be sure to fluff it weekly to maintain its shape.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Durability
- Well-breathability
- Provide support to neck
Cons
- expensive
- May be too soft for some peoples
Parachute Down Pillow
The Parachute Down Pillow is perfect for recreating that hotel-like luxury at home. Available in three firmness options, this super-fluffy pillow offers breathability and support, especially for those who tend to sleep warm.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Durability
- Well-breathability
- Choice of three lofts
- More then 85% down clusters
Cons
- expensive
- Need regular fluffing
Brooklinen Plush Down Pillow – Super Soft
This plush pillow is soft and lightweight, offering that sink-in comfort, particularly great for stomach sleepers. The Brooklinen Plush Down Pillow provides gentle support with a temperature-neutral experience throughout the night.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Good for stomach sleeper
- Soft
- Fluffy
- Treated with antimicrobials
Cons
- Dry clean
- Not as thick and fluffy as some down pillows
Saatva Latex Pillow – Maximum Luxury
Saatva’s Latex Pillow is an investment worth making. It combines shredded latex with allergy-friendly down-alternative fibers for ultimate comfort. Available in two loft options, it provides a luxurious hotel experience in your bedroom.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Best for all types sleeper
- Doesn’t trap heat
- 2 loft options
- Quality materials
Cons
- High price
- Latex core can’t be washed
Purple Harmony Pillow
The Purple Harmony Pillow offers a unique sleep experience with its squiggly feel. This heavyweight pillow adapts to your movements throughout the night, providing excellent support and cooling thanks to its latex core and GelFlex grid
Pros
- Squishy soft yet supportive
- Sleeps cool throughout the night
- Never loses it’s shape
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy weight
Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
This all-natural pillow has great cooling properties and is hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for sleepers with allergies. It comes in high and low loft options, catering to both side and stomach sleepers.
Pros
- Machine washable cover
- Sleep cool
- hypoallergenic
- Natural materials
- Ideal Sleeping Temperature
Cons
- Need plumped daily
- Fill is not adjustable
Layla Kapok Pillow – Adjustable Fill
The Layla Kapok Pillow is perfect for side sleepers prone to overheating. The fill is adjustable, allowing you to customize the loft to your liking, and the copper-infused cover offers cooling and antimicrobial properties.
Pros
- Best for side sleeper
- Fill is adjustable
- Free tail 120 nights
Cons
- Needs daily fluffing to regain its shape
- May be too soft for some peoples
GhostPillow Faux Down – Down Alternative
Winner
GhostBed’s Faux Down Pillow offers a soft, luxurious feel without the high price tag. The microfiber gel clusters mimic down, making it a great choice for those seeking a kinder and more affordable alternative.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Luxurious
- Best for all types sleeper
- Feel cool
Cons
- May be not good for all stomach sleeper
Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow – Amazing Value
For side sleepers, the Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow provides excellent support at an affordable price. It’s also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, mold, and mildew, ensuring a healthier sleep environment.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Best for side sleeper
- Best value for money
- Easy to care
- Ideal Sleeping Temperature
Cons
- May be not cool always
- No warranty
Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow – Foam + Fibers
This pillow offers the best of both worlds with a combination of memory foam and fiber fill. It’s available in different shapes for every sleep style, ensuring you’ll find the right support.
Pros
- Memory foam and fibers
- Best for all types sleeper
- Breathable and hypoallergenic
Cons
- Only spot clean
Nolah Cooling Foam Pillow – Contouring Support
Nolah’s Cooling Foam Pillow is temperature-neutral and provides contouring support for your head and neck, perfect for back sleepers and even side and stomach sleepers.
Pros
- Cover is machine washable
- Many cooling features
- Provide support
Cons
- Fill is not adjustable
DreamCloud Best Rest Memory Foam Pillow – Sink-in Comfort
This premium pillow features copper gel-infused memory foam, offering cooling properties and moldability for the ultimate support. It’s an excellent choice for taller sleepers who need firm, cradling support
Pros
- Cooling faetures
- Premium design
- Nice support
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Fill is not adjustable
- Medium to high loft
- Limited size option
Why Choosing the Right Pillow Matters
The right pillow keeps your spine aligned while you sleep and supports your head and neck. Your spine position significantly affects your posture, integral to overall body health. Sleeping on the wrong pillow leads to many problems, such as neck pain, shoulder aches, etc
To find the perfect pillow, think about how you sleep. Side sleepers need firm support, while back sleepers require medium support, and stomach sleepers do best with softer, lower loft pillows. Once you’ve identified your needs, you can narrow down your options based on loft, materials, firmness, and responsiveness. For more detailed guidance, check out our section on how to choose the right pillow for your sleep style.
How to Choose the Best Pillow for Your Sleep
When choosing the best pillow, consider your sleeping position:
- Back sleepers: Go for a medium loft and firmness to relieve pressure in the neck and shoulders.
- Side sleepers: Opt for a high loft with firm support to align your spine.
- Stomach sleepers: Choose a low loft, soft pillow to avoid neck strain.
- Combination sleepers: Look for a versatile, responsive pillow that adapts to your changing positions.
To ensure you’ve made the right choice, try a pillow that comes with a trial period, allowing you at least three weeks to adjust.
Memory Foam Pillows: Are They Worth It?
Memory foam pillows offer contouring support, relieving pressure by distributing weight evenly across the pillow. However, memory foam can retain heat, so hot sleepers should look for cooling gel-infused options like the Layla Kapok Pillow, which helps dissipate heat and regulate temperature.
While your pillow is crucial for good sleep, consider pairing it with a quality mattress topper to enhance your comfort.
Do You Need a Pillow Protector?
Yes! A pillow protector keeps your pillow clean, safeguarding it from dust mites, stains, and allergens. Certified protectors, especially those endorsed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), are your best bet for blocking dust mite allergens.
For more advice on creating a healthy sleep environment, explore our guides on pillow protectors, mattress sales, and more.
Can Pillows Be Recycled?
Pillows can’t be recycled through curbside programs, but textile recycling centers accept them. These centers break down pillows into fibers that can be reused in clothing, rugs, and more. Feather-filled pillows can even be composted. Be sure to check with your local recycling facility for options.
