Do you have trouble sleeping? Are you often tired during the day?
The National Sleep Foundation found that 35% of all adults get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night. Half of Americans say they feel sleepy during the day as often as three to seven times a week. That’s a lot of insomnia and exhaustion running rampant.
Many factors can affect your sleep, but having the right pillow can make a big difference. A pillow that releases muscle tension by adapting to your spine’s position can help you wake up feeling more refreshed. The right pillow can also reduce allergens in your bedroom, helping you to breath more clearly while you sleep.
A good pillow can also keep you cool. You’ve probably heard the term “the cool side of the pillow.” If your whole pillow stays cool while you sleep, you will be more comfortable, especially if you're a hot sleeper. Some studies show that sleeping in a colder room can help to alleviate insomnia.
Even if you don’t struggle with sleep, a new, high-quality pillow makes bedtime a pleasure. Nestling into cool, clean, cloud-like comfort at night is likely to give you sweet dreams. Plus, a new set of plush pillows with matching cases will help curate your bedroom décor during the day. (Complete you look with a new blanket, too.)
There’s really no downside to a new pillow. But deciding what pillow to choose can be a challenge. We’ve been sleeping on the job to assess some of the top-rated pillows out there and help you make the right choice for your sleep style.
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Best Overall Pillow: Saatva
Starting at $165 at Saatva
This top-rated pillow seems to have everything going for it. It’s hailed for its hotel-quality and comfort. The three-layer design provides the proper support for your spine, and it's manufactured from shredded natural latex with a Fair Trade Certified organic cotton pillow cover. This comes together for a fully sustainable option. The company says the natural latex is hypoallergenic and dust mite and mildew resistant.
I love that the pillow cover is removable and machine washable and that the filling holds its shape, since I am all about a firm yet fluffy pillow.
Best Budget Pillow: Beckham Hotel Collection
$49 at Amazon
This Amazon bestseller was an easy pick for the best budget pillow. It’s tough to find a high-quality pillow for under $50, much less two for $50. The cooling design and fluffy down alternative filling make this down alternative pillow from Beckham Hotel Collection the Amazon #1 bestseller in bed pillows. With a 4.4 out of 5-star rating and more than 216,700 reviews, the pillow is a solid choice for side, back, or stomach sleepers. Machine washable, the pillow bounces right back into shape after a fluff in the tumble cycle of your dryer.
For use in a spare bedroom or as your primary pillow, the Beckham Hotel Collection checks all the boxes for comfort, durability, and affordability.
Most Versatile Pillow: Purple Harmony Pillow
Starting at $143, originally $179 at Purple
The Purple Harmony pillow isn't the overall pick, but it does have has something I really like: different height options to meet your personal preference.
As someone who has always piled two pillows for increased height due to allergies and a post-nasal drip, I love the idea of sleeping on an extra tall 7.5-inch pillow. I don’t always need the extra height, though. In that case, I’d keep the 5.5-inch high pillow as a back-up. There is also a 6.5-inch high pillow.
According to Purple, the low pillow accommodates stomach and back sleepers and those with small to medium frames. The medium height is best for those with medium to large frames and for side sleepers or those who switch positions during the night. I’m the odd, small-framed person who prefers the tall pillow, but it's recommended for combination or side sleepers with large to extra large body types.
The Purple Harmony pillow combines a honeycombed GelFlex layer to keep you cool, with a Talalay latex core that holds its shape. If you also have a Purple mattress, this pillow choice is probably a no-brainer.
Best Bamboo Pillow: Panda London
$69.95 on Amazon
Out of all the pillows I tested, the bamboo pillow from Panda London was, hands-down, my personal favorite. But this is not all about me. We did factor in other reviews and consumer feedback. So, I’m giving it the designation of “best bamboo pillow.”
I’m a big fan of memory foam for everything from slippers to my mattress and pillows. And I’ve wanted a bamboo pillow for years … but what is so special about the material? It’s completely sustainable because it grows so quickly. The all-natural materials are antibacterial and do not foster the growth of dust mites or micro-organisms. Bamboo is also inhospitable to bed bugs.
At just under $65, it’s also a tremendous value as luxury pillows go.
Best Memory Foam Pillow: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow
$79.99, originally $89 at Amazon or Tempur-Pedic
Memory foam pillows combine affordability with comfort and durability. The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud pillow received an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon and represents a great value. It has an extra soft, knit cover that you can remove to wash. The specialty foam adapts to your head as you sleep and bounces back into position after use without fluffing.
If you are the type of person who wants to have your own pillow when you travel, this one compresses easily in your suitcase for convenient packing.
Best Adjustable Pillow: Cosy House
$54.95 at Amazon
Did you know adjustable pillows were a thing? I didn’t until recently, but I can see why people would want the option. This Cosy House pillow can be adjusted to your liking by adding or removing the shredded memory foam filling. If your tastes or sleeping style change over time, you can add or remove foam. This would be perfect for those times when you want your head elevated due to allergies or bad sinuses.
It’s not just about the adjustability here. The Bamboo Viscose pillow cover wicks away moisture and keeps you cool. The material also helps regulate body temperature and the cover here is fully machine washable.
Best Personalized Pillow: Lagoon Fox
Starting at $89.99 at Lagoon Sleep
The Lagoon Fox pillow is also an adjustable pillow with extra shredded foam you can add to the pillow for a taller loft. But the company takes pillow personalization to another level, matching you with the right pillow based on your sleep position, preferences, and any sleep issues you may have.
When I took the quiz, Lagoon matched me with the Fox, which the company said is the bestselling and most versatile pillow in the line. It was out of stock at the time – a testament to its popularity. When it arrived, the instructions said I should fluff it in the dryer on low for 15 minutes. After that I could customize the feel and thickness with the additional stuffing as needed. The cover is removable and machine washable. The pillow is also machine washable, but you’ll want to secure the stuffing with a closed safety pin, first, and limit washing to once per year to preserve your pillow.
Once I fluffed it and added a bit of extra stuffing (as I mentioned, I prefer a taller pillow) I tested it out. Definitely one of the most comfortable pillows I’ve ever used. My Fitbit didn’t show much of a difference in my quality of sleep, but my baseline comparison was with another high-quality pillow, the Panda London memory foam pillow. When I laid my head on the Fox, however, I felt nestled in comfort. It compares to a pillow at a luxury hotel.
Best Camping Pillow: Magellan Camping Pillow
$4.99 at Academy
You can pack a compressible memory foam pillow with your camping gear. But you may not want to subject your pricey pillow to the outdoors, dirt, and bugs. The Magellan large camping pillow solves the problem.
With a soft polyester fiber fill, this pillow keeps you comfortable on the road, on a camping trip, out stargazing, or even lounging in your backyard hammock. It comes with its own drawstring travel bag for easy packing and compresses to a convenient size. Or, as one reviewer said, “Small enough to pack but big enough to lay on.”
One side is flannel for a warm, cozy experience while the other side is polyester taffeta for those who want a cooling pillow. We’ve decided this pillow will also be good for long car trips, like our adventure from New York to South Carolina, Texas, Florida, and back, last summer. And at this price, we can pick up one for everyone in the family.
How to Choose a Pillow
When you’re shopping for pillows, consider the features you want such as:
- Cooling
- Adjustable
- Washable
- Eco-friendly or sustainable
Also consider the materials and characteristics such as:
- Memory foam, Down or Down Alternative
- Low, Medium or Tall
- Soft or Firm
- Cover materials
- Size (Standard/Queen, King)
Finally, you’ll want to consider your budget to find the pillow that’s right for you. You can find high-quality pillows for under $50, although most experts say that pillows over $50, and often into the $100+ range, are going to be more comfortable and last longer. However, if you’re just looking for a spare pillow that won’t get used every night, you may want to spend less.
Our list encompasses pillows of every kind and to fit nearly any budget, since we understand that a premium pillow is not a necessity for everyone. It’s most important to find a pillow that feels comfortable to you.
Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.
