Best Pillows for Reading

If you have a love of reading, then you know how frustrating it can be to struggle to find a comfortable reading position. This is especially true when laying in bed, where reading is often marked with regular shifting of positions to alleviate numb body parts. What we pay little attention to is our own body discomforts in order to stay entranced with the literature in front of us.

If this sounds like you, and you are tired of stacking up pillows and shifting back and forth, and the stiffness and occasional pain you may feel when you get up- then you should consider a reading pillow to help with your comfort. The best pillow for reading in bed needs to be one that helps support your back, and allows for easy use. Below we’ve provided some top rated choices based off consumer reviews, as well as some alternative ideas to help you stay focused on your reading habit.

The Best Rated Pillows for Reading

Types of ‘Reading’ Pillows

When on the hunt for a good ‘reading’ pillow, you may have come across a few surprise choices that don’t fit the vision you had in mind. Wedge pillows are one such choice, as they are rather variable in their uses and can be helpful for a variety of afflictions.

Also, with the rise in technology, the term ‘reading’ pillows has also have grown to encompass support for your e-readers as well. Although this article focuses on your own body support, we’ve also highlighted a few alternatives to help hold your reading materials in place.

• Wedge Style
Wedge pillows are popular for relief from acid reflux, snoring, and back pain, but some styles can be tipped up, or adjusted, to lay against a headboard to support you in a sitting position. Many readers like the support this lends when sitting, rather than lounging.

Traditional Bed Support
These types of pillows are made specifically for back support, and are usually a thicker, tall pillow that has armrests to allow your upper torso to lounge back against. They work well with both a support placed behind it, such as a headboard to a bed, or as a stand alone support.

eReader Support
Book lovers tend to have a love/hate relationship with ereaders, but their portable convenience, and ability to download whole books from almost anywhere often makes them a popular product to have. What is also convenient is that you don’t have to have two hands to hold them, and with ‘reading’ pillows for e readers available, you can curl up in many more comfortable positions to read from. Some of the more popular styles can be found here:

Prop ‘n Go Slim– the pillowy comfort of the bottom of this support is made to sit on and conform to a variety of surfaces for stability. The top boasts an adjustable angled surface for your preferences, and type of tablet you may have.

Flipy Multi-Angle Soft Pillow Lap Stand– with multi angles, and made to support any size ereader, the Flipy Pillow Lap Stand can be used on any flat surface or even your lap to help prop up your reading material.

Ipevo PadPillow Stand– this adjustable pillow pad has a foam core and allows your tablet or ipad to be leaned up against in support. It also has handy pockets to earbuds, charging cords, pens, or writing pads if needed.

Why Is Spinal Support a Concern?

If you want to read comfortably for hours, then you want to invest in something that helps hold your back in alignment and reduces the pressure on your hips. More traditional pillows are not designed to stand up enough, or provide the size to allow this type of support. Usually a back lounging type position where the head and upper torso can be supported is popular, and designs that serve as a stand alone backrest generally serve readers the best.

Without proper back support you begin to create pressure points and spinal compression. This generally isn’t a long term issue, but can cause you to become uncomfortable, and might make you feel stiff or sore when you move.

If this is a current problem, you are not providing enough support to your body alignment and need to try and relax in a more natural position.

Material

Material is always an important feature to note, since there are so many variations. You also have to keep in mind what material is comfortable for you; whether you need hypoallergenic or not or if you prefer organic materials or are fine with synthetics. Your preference becomes a prime decision-maker.

– Interior Material

To start things off, there will always be two types of material used in and on your reading pillow. The interior material is what will help support your back and keep you comfortable, along with maintaining the shape and structure of the actual pillow.

Memory Foam

You’ve most probably heard of the term memory foam many times before this. But what exactly is memory foam, and why is it used in so many things?

Memory foam is a highly dense material which has special contouring capabilities. It maintains its general shape while the heat from your body softens the material, getting your exact shape molded into the pillow for pressure relieving comfort.

Shredded Memory Foam

Shredded memory foam is basically memory foam, only this time it’s not one piece. Shredded memory foam is tiny pieces of this foam that shift and move around while you relax. This allows the individual pieces to be pushed into critical areas that are in need of more support.

Shredded memory foam has its benefits over standard memory foam; there is less heat retention, the smaller pieces mold easier, and they can generally be softer since it’s not one bulky piece of foam.

There are even adjustable loft pillows, which means you can add more or take out filling to your desire.

Microfiber

The final option you may come across is microfiber. This synthetic material comes at a cheaper price and is much more commonly found.

This also means its performance isn’t quite as satisfying as shredded memory foam. It does the job, it just may not last as long or simply be a step down you’re unwilling to take if you’ve had the shredded memory foam experience.

– Exterior Material

The next feature on the list to identify is the exterior material. This is the material you will be in direct contact every time you use your reading pillow, so be sure to choose carefully what your pillow cover is made out of.

Velvet

Velvet is a luxurious material that more than often asks for additional maintenance. There are a number of different velvets you can come across with the most durable being wool and/or mohair velvet.

Then, there is cotton velvet which is weak on its own and can easily be deformed. In order to make it stronger. It is combined with polyester and other common fibers.

Finally, there is the most delicate of them all; silk velvet. It is soft, luxurious, but extremely sensitive. More than anything, you’ll be getting this velvet cleaned by professionals if you don’t want it to be ruined.

Velour

Velour is a cousin to velvet. Though still with its luxurious appeal, velour is stretchier, easier to clean, and comes at a lower price. Velour is a better option if your pillow is going to be used often, or if you have young and furry ones at home just waiting to have their turn with the new pillow.

Additional Features

With the main points out of the way, it’s finally time to take a look at all of the other features you may be presented with when making a final choice.

– Pockets and Handles

Husband pillows tend to be the kings of additional features such as pockets along the arms or even on the back. These are great for holding your books, headphones, phone, glasses, or even remote.

Handles have the convenience of transportability. You can take your reading pillow anywhere in the house, be it the living room, bedroom, or lounge. Anywhere where you wish to sit and relax, wind down on your comfortable pillow and enjoy some ‘you time’.

– Armrests and Cup Holders

A husband pillow will come with armrests which are ideal if you’re on your phone or are reading a book.

Another great addition to these armrests can be a cupholder which lets you enjoy some refreshing beverage to make your experience all the more relaxing.

– Headrest

A headrest is not always found on husband pillows, though some will surprise you. They may even have a neck roll to keep your neck at a comfortable angle if you fall asleep sitting up. Some models will even go a further mile to make their headrest removable and then replaceable near your feet to elevate them!

– Removable Covers and Adjustable Lofts

Removable covers are a must when it comes to pillows. Even if there aren’t any stains, there will definitely be a smell. Sweat, odors, and even storage will leave your pillow with a smell that can only be cleaned out. This is why, for an additional layer of protection there should always be a removable cover over the pillow.

Adjustable loft, as mentioned before, allows you to insert more or less stuffing into your pillow. Typically, there will be a zipper that allows you to access the interior filling. The more you put in, the firmer it becomes. The more you take out, the squishier and softer it becomes.

– Maintenance and Cleaning

Finally, there is the feature that will determine whether the purchase is too much of a hassle, or perfect. Seeing as the outer material is what can get dirty, you have to keep an eye on how exactly to clean it.

Velvet will be spot cleaned at the least, otherwise, it’s the professional cleaners you go to. If you choose velour, then there is a chance of finding a machine-washable cover. If not, the most they’ll request from you is spot-clean.

Polyesters and cotton are the easiest materials, since they almost always are machine washable.

What to Consider When Choosing a Pillow for Reading

Comfort should be your main priority when choosing a reading pillow. Since you are not sleeping upon it all night, you don’t have to worry about sleep positions and such; You should consider when and where you want to use it, and what positions you like to read in. If you have a hard surface to lean against, you may not need as sturdy a pillow body for it to stand on its own – but you may want a thick cushion. If leaning to the side is important, than you may want to consider larger arm rests.

The bottom line is, take into account your own personal reasoning for researching reading pillows, what makes you comfortable, what discomforts you are attempting to address, and then start narrowing down your choices from there.

Conclusion

A good reading pillow is a true must for reading enthusiasts. It provides the spinal support you need in both upright and lounging positions, and allows you to read comfortably for hours. The above highlighted models may all be somewhat similar in nature, especially since shredded foams are a preferred filling, but each has its own design features to make them unique and stand out from each other. Our personal favorite is the Z Foam Filled Reading Pillow as it has a high back, wide arms, and a pliable memory foam filling for easy shaping. Of course, your own personal choices and needs to be a part of your decision prior to purchase, as each have their own features to consider.

Recent Updates

November 1, 2021: The YesIndeed X-Large Reading Pillow and Brentwood Originals Plush Bed Rest have each been removed due to unavailability, replaced with the increasingly popular ComfortSpa Reading Pillow Bed Wedge, Xtra-Comfort Bed Wedge Pillow and Nestl Bedding Reading Pillow.