The Best Pillows for Sleeping
Your pillow is one of the most important sleep accessories you purchase, aside from your mattress. It’s the support underneath your head while you sleep at night, so it should be comfortable durable support.
The right pillow will ensure you have the right spinal alignment and posture while you sleep. This lets you wake up fresh and relaxed, rather than stressed and tense if you slept uncomfortably.
Any pillow might feel fine for the first few nights, but if it’s not right for you you’ll feel the eventual strain in your shoulders, neck, and back.
There are numerous things you have to consider when you select a pillow for yourself. Your sleeping position, the material used, the fabric cover, and more. So, without further ado, we’ll dive into what you should look for in your ideal pillow.
| Rank | Product |
| #1 |  Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow
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| #2 |  Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
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| #3 |  Utopia Bedded Gusseted Quilted Pillow
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| #4 |  DreamNorth PREMIUM Gel Pillow Loft
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| #5 |  EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow
|
| #6 |  WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow
|
Things to Consider
There are layers to choosing the right pillow. Like all things, it becomes an investment that you want to stand behind. In this case, this investment is related directly to your comfort, preference, and health, so it’s alright to be picky.
You want the end result to be exactly what you were looking for, not something you’ll regret once you wake up with headaches.
When is the Right Time to Change Your Pillow?
The right time to change your pillow is after every 18 months as suggested by experts. This ensures you get full support from your pillow.
Most of the time, your pillow will deflate and lose its original shape without you even noticing, so it’s better to change it before your neck and head suffer. 18 months is the suggested time, but if you feel your pillow is fine after this time period, then feel free to keep using it.
More expensive pillows and memory foam ones will tend to last longer, even up to 5-6 years! The red flag is when your pillow looks flat and punching it back to shape becomes a daily routine. Also check your pillow to see if there are any stains, rips, or smell.
A pillow can become home to dust mites, bacteria, and allergens after some time. To avoid respiratory issues, make sure you don’t reach this point.
The final check you can do is fold your pillow in half. If it doesn’t bounce back up, it’s time for a new one. For more natural fillings, hang the pillow over your arm to see if it droops or not. Heavier materials used for firm pillows will need some kind of weight over them when you check their bounce. Use a book to weigh it down for a while then see if it bounces back up.
What Filling is in Your Pillow?
The right filling will change your experience with your pillow. Some people will prefer to avoid synthetic fillings while others will embrace memory foam and gels for their benefits.
Down – These fillings are made out of goose and/or duck feathers. Keep in mind that while down pillows will have feathers, they will also have other fillings as well to make sure it maintains shape and doesn’t collect bacteria and moisture as quickly.
Some people avoid down since they have allergies or are scared of developing them. The solution for this is ‘hypodown’, or hypoallergenic down that is rigorously cleaned so there is no residual dirt caught in the feathers. They can reach a more costly price but are worth the price if you’re looking for a high-quality down pillow.
Memory Foam – The reason memory foam has soared in popularity is that it conforms to your individual shape, giving your head the personalized support that it needs. Memory foam tends to be ideal for people who already suffer from neck and shoulder pain.
An issue with memory foam is that it retains heat from your body, which can make you sweaty and hot at night. It may also come with a chemical scent when new which can be bothersome. Some higher-quality memory foam pillows will come with ventilation so they cool down at night and smell less.
Latex – Latex is what you’d look to if you enjoy firmer pillows that can be squished and contorted into the shape you need it to be. A great plus-point to latex is that it’s resistant to mold, bacteria, and dust mites. Latex will also prevent you from moving around too much at night.
Size of Your pillow
Most people can suffice with a standard-sized pillow, though there are larger sizes as well as smaller sizes for children.
You should consider here whether you enjoy sleeping with a thin or thick pillow. Thinner pillows tend to be firmer while bigger, thicker pillows are commonly fluffier, though they can also be firm.
Fabric cover
You should always have a fabric pillow cover over your pillow to extend its life, protect it from dust mites, bacteria, sweat stains, rips, and tears. Keep in mind, the fabric cover is different from the pillowcase.
Sleeping Positions and Your Pillow
Your sleep position does affect the type of pillow that is right for you. It’s true that you may switch positions while you are asleep, but there is always a general pose you sleep in.
- Side sleepers will usually need a firm pillow that is thicker.
- Stomach sleepers will want something soft since they tend to place their pillow underneath their stomach.
- Back sleepers use a soft, flatter pillow so their spine is properly aligned. If you suffer from back or neck pain, find a pillow with additional support.
Mattresses and Your Pillow
Your mattress also has an effect on the pillow you purchase. Think of it as a negative relationship between your mattress and pillow. If the mattress is firm, then your pillows should be softer. If you have a soft, cushy mattress, then look for firmer pillows to help provide better alignment at night.
Best Pillow Reviews
1. Editor’s Choice: Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow
This pillow by Coop Home Goods is adjustable to anyone’s sleep preference. You can enjoy this pillow whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper.
You can access the memory foam inside of the pillow to add or remove filling to your convenience. Shape it to your shape, size, or preferred sleep position. You can also fill your pillow in areas you need additional support, such as your head, neck, and shoulders.
These pillows are CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD GOLD certified, as well as vegan and cruelty-free manufactured.
The casing is made from lulltra fabric, a combination of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester. This makes it hypoallergenic, breathable, and dust mire resistant. If you need any additional support, the pillow comes with ½ lb. of more filling.
To remain confident of your purchase, consumers are provided with a 5-year warranty for any issues. There is also a 100-day policy in which you can return the pillow if you’re not satisfied with for any reason. There are no questions asked and you get a full refund for your purchase.
Pros
- 100-day full refund, no questions & 5-year warranty
- Adjustable filling with ½ lb. additional stuffing
- Hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant case
- CertiPUR-US & GREENGURAD GOLD certified
Cons
- Too firm for some people
Who Should Buy This?
This pillow is ideal for someone who has had a hard time trying to find the right pillow. This pillow can be adjusted to your exact preference. Whether you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper you’ll find the right thickness, height, and posture with this pillow.
2. Runner Up: Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
Beckham Luxury Linens presents their gel pillows, constructed from plush gel fiber. They are made to handle any and all types of sleep positions. They have a no-shift construction to make sure neither you nor the pillow shifts around at night for a restful sleep.
If you suffer from asthma or have allergies to certain types of stuffing, then fret not with this pillow. It’s dust-mite, mold, and mildew resistant, as well as allergen and chemical-free.
The durable construction makes it stain and fade resistant. You can machine-wash this pillow over and over again without it ripping, staining, or fading in color or texture.
The Beckham Gel Pillow comes with a 30-day return in which there are no questions asked and a full refund is provided.
Pros
- Fade and stain resistant
- 30-day full refund, no questions return
- Perfect for asthma and hypoallergenic
- No-shift construction
- Machine-wash
Cons
- Flattens quickest in the middle
Who Should Buy This?
Gel foam is an innovative type of filling that supports and stays cool throughout the whole night unlike memory foam. This is the right option for cool sleepers who need additional support similar to memory foam, but can’t handle the stuffy heat.
3. Best Versatile: Utopia Bedded Gusseted Quilted Pillow
The Utopia pillow is a durable soft pillow that comes in a pack of two. You can get the piping in either blue of gray, in either queen or king size.
The pillows are a medium-firm blend to help support but also remain soft throughout the night. These pillows are also made to help support a sleeper of any type. Whether you’re a back, stomach, or side sleeper, you’ll get the right amount of support and comfort to remain aligned at night and comfortable in the morning.
These pillows have a microfiber fill. Once exposed to air, the pillow fluffs up elegantly, then sinks to a comfortable cushion when you lay your head down.
They are breathable and conform to the shape you like during the night. They can be machine washed, but not placed in the dryer. To make sure they fluff up to their highest extent, you can either place them in the dryer with two tennis balls or leave them in the sun.
The queen-sized pillow measures 18 by 26 inches. The king-sized pillows measure 18 by 36 inches.
Pros
- Pack of two in different colors and sizes
- Lightweight & supportive
- Machine-wash
- Medium-firm microfiber blend
Cons
- Not all side sleepers enjoy this pillow
Who Should Buy This?
These pillows are great to get a blissful sleep, no matter what position you’re sleeping in. They can be firm enough for someone keen on support, or someone else who loves a light fluffy pillow to hug. They are also convenient enough to maintain.
4. Best Neck Support: DreamNorth PREMIUM Gel Pillow Loft
These pillows from DreamNorth are made from poly gel-filled fiber to provide the right balance between ideal firmness and fluffiness. They are made to handle any sleeping position from back to front and everything in between.
The pillow cover is made entirely out of 100% cotton for maximum breathability. The pillow can be machine washed so it lasts longer and remains in top state.
The material is hypoallergenic, allergen and chemical-free. Whether you suffer from asthma or allergies, this pillow will comply to your needs so you can sleep peacefully without any disruptions in the night.
The pillow comes with a one-year warranty to protect consumers if they find any defects in the manufacturing.
Pros
- Poly gel-filled fiber
- 100% cotton cover for maximum breathability
- Machine washable
- Hypoallergenic and chemical-free
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Flattens easily
Who Should Buy This?
This pillow from DreamNorth provides a hearty amount of support for your neck. If you have pains in your neck or you feel you’ve been hunching too much, this pillow can help you regain your perfect, painless posture.
5. Best Orthopedic: EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Some people look for a supportive pillow more than anything and the EPABO pillow is the right pillow to meet that demand.
Using memory foam, it will tackle your neck pain, so you’re refreshed in the morning. The cover is made of premium fabric to ensure you wake up as cool as you were when you fell asleep. The casing is hypoallergenic, a rayon/polyester blend that protects from dirt and dust mites.
The first few weeks or so may not be the best, but this is only because your pillow is adjusting to your head shape and weight.
After the first month or so of adjustment, you should feel an impressive improvement in your sleep as the pillow properly supports you all throughout the night.
If you still feel this pillow is not living up to the standards you want, it comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. You can return the pillow for a full refund with the no questions asked.
Pros
- Memory foam core
- Cooling cover to keep you cool
- Casing is hypoallergenic
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Too firm for many users; doesn’t sink down enough
Who Should Buy This?
Discomfort is most distressing at night when you need the long rest. This pillow grants therapeutic relief to your neck and shoulders so you’re ready for the next day when it comes over the horizon.
6. Best Combination Fill: WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow
This pillow from WEEKENDER is a combination of memory foam’s contouring features and gel fiber’s support with a cooling ventilation.
It comes in three different sizes; standard, queen, and king. The foam is both soft and supportive to help you sleep restfully with relief and comfort. The gel helps regulate the temperature of the pillow, so you don’t wake up in cold sweat from retained heat.
To make sure the pillow regulates airflow and doesn’t stuff with moisture, their design is ventilated. This pillow is ideal for all types of sleepers, on your back, stomach, or side.
The cover is removable and can be machine washed. The standard size measures 16 by 25 inches with a 5-inch loft. The queen-sized pillow is 16 by 29 inches with a 5-inch loft and the king measures 16 by 35 inches with the same 5-inch loft.
These pillows offer great support, being firmer than traditional or alternative down filling. If you find any defects with your pillow or its manufacturing, the WEEKENDER Gel Memory Foam Pillow comes with 3-year warranty coverage.
It comes compressed in a box; therefore, it needs some time to decompress.
Pros
- Ventilation for substantial airflow
- Contouring memory foam
- Temperature-regulating gel foam
- Cover can be removed & machine-washed
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Shipments can come faulty
Who Should Buy This?
This pillow is a neutral and versatile choice. Customers have many different positive experiences since it’s construction can handle both firm and soft-side sleepers in any position. For anyone looking to replace their pillow and find the perfect in-between in the wide market of pillows, this one is the pitstop.
Conclusion
Pillows are a bigger deal than people make them out to be. Though everyone has a pillow, they are a very personalized item you have to focus on. They provide you with support and alignment that can help you feel refreshed every morning, not tense and stressed. And the right one changes your mood, sleep, health, nights, and mornings!