The best pillow for your sleep style should be comfortable and supportive, encouraging proper alignment so you can wake up feeling refreshed and free of aches and pains. However, the right pillow differs for everyone based on your sleep position, body size, and budget.
That's why our diverse team of expert testers have slept on a wide variety of pillows, encompassing different designs, materials, and price tiers, to bring you the 11 best pillows for all sleeping styles. Paired with the best mattress for your nocturnal needs, these pillows can provide anything from neck pain support to a cooler night's sleep.
While we’ve curated this year’s list to suit all budgets, you can also explore our monthly bedding sales (or the current October Prime Day mattress and sleep sale) to earn large savings on our top picks. All that’s left for you to do is to scroll down and find your ideal pillow…
1. The best pillow overall
What is it? Coop's Original Adjustable Pillow is fully customizable, meaning you can add or remove as much of the foam-and-microfiber fill as you want. This personalized design allows you to create a thickness that suits your sleep position. Always under $100, a queen-size pillow is $89, which is often discounted around holiday sale events.
Our verdict: An adjustable pillow is your answer to customizable support and the Coop Original Adjustable is the top choice in the market. The pillow feels medium firm regardless of how much fill you insert or remove, resulting in an incredible supportive surface. Overall, the pillow feels premium, in both performance and build, yet remains under $100 (it's $89 for one queen pillow when at full MSRP).
However, while our lead reviewer found it to be comfortable and plush for all sleeping styles, it does require regular fluffing-up to maintain the shape and support. Coop Sleep Goods provides the industry-best benefits for pillows with a 100-night sleep trial and 5-year warranty, so you can take your time to decide if it works for you or not. If you're a hot sleeper, we recommend investing in a cooler option, like the Casper Hybrid Snow Pillow, designed to prevent overheating and night-sweats.
- Read more: Coop Home Goods Original Pillow Review
2. The best cheap pillow
What is it? Jazwares, the manufacturer behind the hugely popular Squishmallow stuffed animals, created the viral SquishPillow to mimic the buttery softness of these plush toys. However, while the included pillowcase is made from the same velvety material as the stuffed animal, the SquishPillow is designed to support. Priced under $30 in a standard size at Target, the SquishPillow comes in a soft, medium, or firm.
Our verdict: With a budget-friendly price tag and a velvety-micro-plush feel, we think the SquishPillow boasts excellent value for money. Its consistency, responsive comfort and loft choices proves that the viral pillow isn't just some gimmick but a supportive contender. It also holds a neutral temperature throughout the night, causing no noticeable overheating for average sleepers.
That said, the SquishPillow has no built-in cooling features or high breathability, which may leave dedicated hot sleepers feeling warm. So, if you're looking for cooling on a budget, try the Beckham Hotel Collection Pillow Set (under $25) featured in our Also Recommended section.
- Read more: Squishmallows SquishPillow Pillow review
3. The best hotel luxury pillow
What is it? Saatva is the brand behind the year's best luxury mattress, so it's only natural that its $165 Latex Pillow would use luxury cooling and organic materials. With a combo of natural latex and down-alternative fill, plus an organic cotton cover, the Saatva Latex Pillow comes in both a high loft and standard loft to cater to different sleep styles.
Our verdict: The Saatva latex is one pillow we found to deliver on every parameter promised by the brand. It provides responsive support, a naturally cool cotton cover, and luxury-hotel comfort (no re-fluffing required), while the two loft options also gives you an option to choose the right pillow height according to your sleeping style.
Just like their mattresses, the brand offers excellent perks for their pillow too with a 45-night trial, one-year warranty and free shipping. Yes, it is a luxury spend but the overall performance and benefits make it absolutely worth the price tag. That said, the Helix Feather and Down Pillow provides that five-star hotel feel for under $100 and provides a softness that some customers feel the Saatva Latex Pillow lacks.
- Read more: Saatva Latex Pillow Review 2024
4. The best pillow for side sleepers
What is it? The Tempur-Neck Pillow has a firm ergonomic design that's built to encourage healthy alignment for side sleepers. Also suitable for back sleepers, the Tempur-Neck comes in three different lofts. (The loft you choose depends on the difference between your neck and shoulders.) A medium loft has an MSRP of $114, but Tempur-Pedic sales often push it under $100.
Our verdict: Our testers were impressed with how the Tempur-Neck's ergonomic design offers a stable, firm build that maintains its shape over time to prevent aggravation of neck pain. After a two-week testing period, we can confirm it hits the right balance of comfort and firmness for users struggling with morning aches.
While it remains one of Tempur-Pedic's most popular pillow models due to its proven supportive performance, it lacks active cooling or breathable features, falling behind side-sleeper competitors like the Nest Bedding Easy Breather (see Also Recommended). The Tempur-Neck, while catering to back sleepers, isn't suitable for side sleepers who also sleep on their stomach. However, if you're a side sleeper looking for firm head and neck support, the Tempur-Neck Pillow offers the ergonomic design you need.
- Read more: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow Review
5. The best pillow for stomach sleepers
What is it? Stomach sleepers need a thinner pillow to prevent neck strain, which is what the low loft version of the Helix Talalay latex aims to provide. Made from a solid slab of Talalay latex and a Tencel cover, the Talalay Latex Pillow is also designed to prevent heat build-up. While this low-loft pillow is $110.66 for a standard size, frequent 20% discounts usually take it under $100.
Our verdict: The Talalay Latex Pillow is our top pick for stomach sleepers because the low design and contouring finish keeps the head cushioned and the neck supported without disrupting the line of the spine. It's also naturally breathable, to prevent overheating in the night.
But the unusual feel means it won't suit everyone; the latex has a lot of bounce and the foams immediately spring back into place when your head is removed. It's far from a 'traditional' pillow feel and it won't appeal to everyone (our tester compared it to a bowl of Jell-O). So, if you're a stomach sleeper who wants a classic memory foam design, consider a low-loft version of the Purple Harmony Pillow (but be prepared to spend a luxury price).
- Read more: Helix Talalay Latex Pillow review
6. The best pillow back sleepers
What is it? The Purple Harmony Pillow comes in three different lofts, including medium and low. Both the low and medium versions are suitable for different kinds of back sleepers. The Harmony Pillow is made from hyper-elastic polymer layer (otherwise knows as Purple's signature GelFlex Grid Hex). In terms of price, the Harmony Pillow sits in the premium tier at $290.
Our verdict: With three lofts to choose from, back and combination sleepers should appreciate the soft yet supportive feel of the 5.5" mid-to-low loft Purple Harmony Pillow. While the Purple Harmony is not specifically a cooling pillow, the natural breathability of Purple's proprietary GelFlex Grid will keep most sleepers cool and comfortable.
However, if you’re a back sleeper prone to overheating or night sweats, opt for a dedicated cooling pillow instead, like the Casper Hybrid Snow Pillow. Also, while we think the Harmony Pillow's innovative design matches its luxury price tag, back sleepers can get the right support for under $100 with Helix's Down and Feather Pillow or low-loft Talalay Latex Pillow.
- Read more: Purple Harmony Pillow Review
7. The best pillow for neck pain
What is it? Like our No 1 entry, the Layla Kapok Pillow has a customizable fill so your neck gets the right support for your preferred sleep positions. The removable blend of natural kapok fibers and shredded memory foam is designed to add both softness and durability, and it's encased inside a zipper polyester cover that's both machine-washable and dryer-friendly. At $114, it's a premium pillow, but it does come with a 30-night sleep trial, free shipping and returns, and a 5-year warranty.
Our verdict: Thanks to firmer feel and shape-maintaining build, we think the Layla Kapok is an excellent fit for people who need optimal support for their neck, head, and shoulders to prevent morning aches and pains. Unlike Coop's Adjustable Pillow, the Layla Kapok does not flatten easy and retains its fluffy feel, providing consistent neck pain relief.
In fact, the only downside of the Layla Kapok is that it lacks cooling tech, even if the naturally breathable kapok fibers and moisture-wicking cover keeps a neutral temperature. If you're a hot sleeper and want something cooling at a similar price, choose the Helix Talalay Latex Pillow in either a high or low loft (depending on sleep position) at $89. That beings said, the Layla Kapok should stay a comfortable temperature for most sleepers, and it's adjustable fill means all sleep positions are catered to.
- Read more: Layla Kapok Pillow review
8. The best cooling pillow
What is it? The Casper Hybrid Snow Pillow is a specialist cooling mode, featuring Casper's cooling "Snow Technology": heat-dissipating graphite, Phase Change Material and cool-touch cover. Designed for hot sleepers of any sleep positions, the Casper Hybrid Snow Pillow has a medium-loft height. As with the best cooling mattresses, this dedicated cooling pillow comes at a luxury price of over $150.
Our verdict: We found that luxury cooling pillow that actually delivers on its promise of being cooling (it scored an unprecedented 5 out of 5 for temperature regulation during testing). Our lead reviewer found that its shape-maintaining support is excellent for side sleepers, while the medium-loft plushness will suit a lot of back and stomach sleepers, too.
Considering the overall benefits, we think the price for a Casper Hybrid pillow (starting from $149 for a standard) is totally worth it as it also includes benefits like a 30-night sleep trial, 1-year warranty and free shipping and returns. That being said, the Helix Talalay Latex Pillow provides a low-loft breathable build for under $100, even if it doesn't posses Casper's cooling tech.
9. The best feather and down pillow
What is it? The Helix Down and Feather Pillow is a feather pillow at its literal core, but the supportive feather center is surrounded by softening white down. (According to Helix, the pillow is certified by Responsible Down Standard.) With a regular sale price of $79, the natural down and feather pillow is the cheapest of Helix's pillow collection.
Our verdict: With its plush down padding and supportive feather center, the Helix Feather and Down Pillow expertly balances cloud-like softness with no-fluffing-required support. Its plump build provides excellent shoulder and neck support for side sleepers, but back (and some front sleepers) will enjoy its cushioning, too. Meanwhile, its naturally airflow-boosting fill and breathable cotton cover means the Down and Feather Pillow sleeps cool.
That said, you don't need to pay a upper-mid-range to luxury price for plushness. The SquishPillow offers a velvety softness for under $30, even if doesn't offer the natural coolness of the Down and Feather Pillow. The feather core of the Helix Down and Feather Pillow offers better long-term durability than the polyester-filled SquishPillow. Plus, it's a pretty reasonably-priced when compared to other down or feather competitors, such as the Mackenza WD ($142) and the Sleep Number NaturalFit Pillow ($159.99) in our Also Recommended section
- Read more: Helix Down and Feather Pillow review
10. The best memory foam pillow
What is it? At $229 Beautyrest Black Luxury Foam Pillow is a premium-priced memory foam pillow designed for ergonomic support and temperature regulation. It feature a cashmere blend cover and a perforates memory foam core with a medium-firm feel and a high loft that caters to side sleepers.
Our verdict: We found the the Black Luxury Foam Pillow's medium-firm feel and relatively tall loft provide exceptional bounce-back support to keep a side sleeper's head and neck properly aligned. A month of testing showed the premium memory foam contours comfortably to the head without sinking too deep under weight.
Unlike some heat-trapping memory foam pillows, the Black Luxury Foam stays cool to the touch thanks to a plant-based cooling cover and perforated foam. However, the $229 price tag can be a turn-off (some of the best memory foam mattresses cost less than $200) when you consider the lack of customizability. So, if you're a side sleeper looking for a supportive pillow that's frequently under $100, check out the Tempur-Neck Pillow.
- Read more: Beautyrest Black Luxury Foam pillow review
11. The best latex pillow
What is it? The Birch Organic Pillow is the signature pillow at Birch, a mattress brand behind some of the best organic mattresses. The Organic Pillow has a core of shredded Dunlop latex encased in natural New Zealand wool and an organic cotton cover. Boasting eco-credentials such as GREENGUARD Gold and GOTS certification, the Organic Pillow has an MSRP of $198.75 and a regular 20% off sale price of $159 in a standard size
Our verdict: This organic build has a medium-low loft and we found it primarily suits back sleepers. Our lead tester is a side sleeper with relatively narrow shoulders and she found the loft worked for her needs but warns side sleepers who prefer something plumper should consider the Saatva Latex Pillow instead. For stomach sleepers, the Birch is too high (check out Helix's Talalay Latex Pillow).
Overall, the Birch is soft to the touch with a luxurious finish that would be fitting in a hotel room. It's also naturally breathable and moisture wicking to prevent overheating during the night. Regularly $159, the Birch Organic Pillow is an investment, but the Dunlop latex is a durable foam so it should last a while (although the 1-year warranty is on the short side).
- Read more: Birch Organic Pillow review
Pillows we've also tested and recommend
Out of all the pillows we've tested, only the best have made it into this guide. However, that doesn't mean the rest of the pillows we've tried aren't worth mentioning. On the contrary, many of the pillows we've reviewed narrowly missed being an entry and absolutely deserve an honorable mention.
So, here are some alternative tested-and-approved pillows that we 100% reccomend...
Best pillows: Currently testing
We always have a few pillows being tested at any time and these are the ones currently being reviewed that might make a splash in our guide soon...
- Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow: This much-hyped pillow lived up to its promise when our tester first got her hands-on it. Side sleepers with neck pain, this is the one to watch.
- Helix Dream Pillow: The most basic pillow from Helix looks luxuriously silky so we're keen to see if it can outperform any of its pricier siblings.
- Honeydew Essence Pillow: Handcrafted with Honeydew's unique Gel Foam, the adjustable design means it might be a crowd pleaser.
How we test pillows
An extensive review process is also the foundation of our pillow guide. This includes analysing both qualitative and quantitative pillow data.
Our in-house reviewers spend two weeks testing each pillow and noting down how it feels and its impact on their sleep health, and we also track user feedback on retailer websites and reach out to bedding manufacturers for their input.
Our testing methods look at the different parameters contributing to the overall performance of a pillow including the setup, comfort, support, temperature regulation, build quality and care and maintenance.
We check the comfort and support of a pillow in two ways — a sink test using a kettle bell weighing 5kg (the average weight of an adult head) and by lying down in the three common sleep positions (front, back and side). Our ultimate objective is to get a 360 degree view of each pillow to help you choose the best option for your sleep.
For more information on how we test pillows, read our pillow testing methodology.
Pillow shopping advice
How to choose the right pillow for your sleeping position
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
When it comes to how to choose a pillow, there is no one single best option as our bodies and sleep needs are all different. However, you can narrow down the list by pinpointing your sleep style. Do you sleep on your stomach, back or side, or a combination of all three? Knowing this will help you choose a pillow easily. With that in mind, here are three key criteria to be aware of:
- Pillow loft – This refers to the height of a bed pillow. Side sleepers receive the most support from a high loft (because it better plugs the gap between your head and shoulders). Back and stomach sleepers are usually fine with a low loft.
- Firmness – This describes a pillow's ‘give’ when weight (as in, your head) is placed on it. Soft pillows are usually best for stomach sleepers. Side sleepers often feel better supported by a firm pillow that keeps their neck and back in alignment. Back and combo sleepers do well with a medium-firm pillow.
- Fill – This dictates the loft and firmness, but there are health issues to consider here too. For instance, if you suffer from allergies, stay away from feather fills and choose a down alternative pillow instead.
How to choose the best pillow for neck pain
Neck and shoulder pain pillows are normally on the firmer side. They are designed to hold your head in a healthy position while relieving pressure on your neck, shoulders and spine. So what you don’t want is a super-firm pillow that creates new pressure points. Again, adjustable pillows come to the rescue here, as you can customize their fill to make them as close to perfect as possible for the support and comfort your neck needs.
The best pillow materials for neck pain includes memory foam, which offers a cradling, contouring feel. Buckwheat is another good choice because it naturally holds its shape well, so it won’t spread out too much inside the pillow during sleep. That means it will hold its shape well throughout the night to keep your neck properly supported.
Different types of pillows
Pillows aren’t that complicated really, and come in just a few different types. These include the following:
Memory foam pillows
This is probably the most popular type of pillow as, just like the best memory foam mattresses, these are designed to cradle your head. Most pillows for neck pain support are made using memory foam, but this material does retain heat more than other types. So if you’re a hot sleeper, choose a cooling memory foam pillow, or go for one with naturally cooling latex.
Down pillows
Look away now if you have allergies, as these are not the best pillows for you. For everyone else craving a soft place to lay their head at night, you’re in for a treat here as down pillows are comfy and plush. They’re commonly made with the soft fibers found under the exterior of a duck, goose or swan, and are often mixed with feathers for extra fluffiness. They best suit stomach and back sleepers, as most aren’t firm enough for side sleepers.
Latex pillows
These are among the best cooling pillows you can buy. That’s because latex is naturally cooling, so heat won’t build up as much inside compared to some synthetic materials. Latex is an allergen for some though. Plus, they’re expensive, so be prepared to pay a higher price. But if you want a non-toxic, organic pillow for healthier sleep, we’d start with latex.
Best pillows FAQs
How to choose a pillow according to a chiropractor
Choosing to sleep or not to on a pillow entirely rests on personal preferences. However, experts say lying on the right pillow for your sleeping position is the key to unlocking a comfortable night's rest.
According to Dr. Kevin Lees, Director of Chiropractic Operations at The Joint Chiropractor, pillows should provide the required support to help maintain the neutral position of the spine.
"Back sleepers should opt for less loft or height in their pillow than those who lie on their side. This is because the shoulders often create a larger gap that needs to be filled when side sleeping," he says.
Stomach sleepers are a group who are often advised not to use a pillow since it can potentially worsen the strain on the neck muscles and upper back. "If you prefer to use a pillow, it should be very thin and breathable," Dr. Lees adds.
How often should you replace your pillows?
Experts recommend changing your pillows every 1-2 years. While this ties in well with the warranty period offered by most pillow brands, it also depends on the materials, usage and how you care for them.
Replacing your pillows every one to two years ensures that you're sleeping on a headrest that is both comfy and supportive for your head, neck and shoulders. Unsure about your pillow's support? A simple 30-second folding trick can help you check the same.
Hygiene is another important factor you should consider. Your pillows can collect your sweat, body oils and dead cells over time. Not only can this cause your pillows to turn yellow over time, it potentially makes it a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites and other allergens. Replacing your pillows, therefore, minimizes the risk and helps you have a clean restful sleep night after night.
