Compare the Top 10 Pillows
Honorable Mentions
There are far too many pillows in the marketplace. We’ve listed our favorites above, however even that does not cowl the big range of serviceable designs on the market for evening’s sleep. If, by some means, all of our picks above aren’t to your tastes, listed below are a couple of others we’ve examined and what we thought of them.
Avocado Down Pillow for $109: This down mannequin does have feathers sourced from Responsible Down Standard (RDS)-certified farms, but it surely felt unimpressive and borderline flat to sleep on.
Avocado Green Pillow for $119: Avocado’s fill is produced from GOLS-certified natural latex and GOTS-certified natural kapok, and is available in each an ordinary form and side-sleeper curved form. It felt a lot denser than others we tried, and my check panel and I most popular different latex pillows over this one.
Bedgear Storm Pillow for $200: This mannequin from Bedgear is much like the Bedgear Flow above however with out the curve for facet sleepers. If you sleep in your again one hundred pc of the time, this could be a greater match, however I favor the flexibility of getting one curved facet and one straight facet. –Eric Ravenscraft
Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow for $59: I favored this higher than Brooklinen’s precise goose down feather pillow, because it had higher spring and assist. (I selected the agency possibility for testing.) I favor the Buffy Cloud for a down different, however it is a strong runner-up.
Casper Hybrid Pillow for $129: This hybrid makes use of a mixture of thick foam and a core of shredded foam for its marshmallow-like, dense-yet-soft really feel. I favored sleeping on the Casper, particularly the cooling Snow model ($149), and it did effectively in my panel assessments, however each of my panelists who volunteered to long-term check it got here again with disappointing outcomes inside per week. My petite facet sleeper discovered it too agency, and my taller, broader long-term tester discovered that the Casper wasn’t bouncing again fairly as a lot correctly for the value after per week of sleeping on it. If you want a firm-ish design, although, you can be pleased with this one. The Snow model is barely cooling, however not tremendous cooling; extra of winter possibility for warm sleepers, as one in every of my panel testers mentioned.
Eli & Elm Everyday Memory Foam Pillow for $110: Compared to the latex model beneath, the reminiscence foam model feels lumpy. Most of my panelists disliked it, together with myself, however my chaotic sleeper was a fan of its malleable form for her haphazard sleeping patterns.
Eli & Elm Everyday Latex Pillow for $110: This shredded latex-filled pillow is sweet and springy, and it’s a strong runner-up to the Coop and Purple. I discovered it comfy to sleep on as a facet sleeper, because it as the next loft and good assist.
Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow for $116: This pillow is nearly shockingly agency out of the field. You can customise the quantity of fill inside to offer it the correct quantity of assist for you, however in case you’re the kind of facet sleeper who likes agency assist, this could be the one for you. It even comes with a separate detachable cowl for straightforward washing. It’s smaller than the Scrumptious one, so do not count on to do a lot cuddling on this one, however for one individual it is an amazing alternative. —Eric Ravenscraft
GhostBed Memory Foam Pillow for $95: Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano has been utilizing the reminiscence foam GhostBed pillow since 2020—she slept on it whereas visiting with a buddy and instantly purchased one after returning dwelling. It’s medium-firm and works for her side-, back-, and stomach-sleeping rotation. GhostBed’s declare of it being the “Coolest Pillow in the World” is exaggerated, however Medea sleeps sizzling, and he or she says the gel-infused foam does keep cool all evening.
Marlow Pillow for $49: This is one other shredded reminiscence foam mannequin, although it was much less lumpy and had higher assist than the Eli & Elm. It was somewhat smaller than the remainder, but it surely additionally has a slight adjustment possibility, letting you unzip facet panels to make it larger or smaller. It was fantastic to sleep on; I discovered it somewhat agency for my liking, however my long-term tester says it has been supportive and cleared up her neck ache. It’s possibility for the value too.
Nest Easy Breather Pillow for $119: This is a well-liked mannequin, however I discovered it too dense and too lofty for me. It is adjustable, so you may simply make it much less lofty, and it comes with a fill bag to retailer your additional fill. The fill is a mixture of foam and polyester fiber. My panelist who favored the firmer Marlow additionally favored this pillow, whereas the remainder of us most popular softer choices.
No More Aches Neck Pillow for $50: There’s no scarcity of novelty pillows, however as somebody who experiences lots of neck ache, I’m intrigued by this odd little design. It has a concave middle for again, facet, and abdomen sleeping, plus an indented edge that completely suits your arm. Its awkward form makes it lower than perfect for something aside from laying your head on it, but it surely’s nonetheless a strong decide for neck ache. —Eric Ravenscraft
Parallel High Profile Pillow for $135: Former WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft was a fan of the Parallel’s excessive profile for taller facet sleepers. It’s possibility, however I believe you will be simply as pleased with a Purple or Coop cutout in case you want a excessive loft and facet sleeper assist.
Pillow Cube Side Cube ($70) and Ice Cube ($90): The Pillow Cube has a bizarre little rectangular design. It appears unusual at first, however as soon as you are taking the quiz and get a suggestion for what dimension you want, you’ll be matched with the right dice for you. I examined the Side Cube and the Ice Cube. They had been supportive and a bit squishy, and I believe they’d be possibility in case you sleep solely in your facet—together with your arms stretched in entrance of you or close to your chest. I normally sleep with my arm stretched below my pillow, so my head is resting on my shoulder (with a pillow in between), and I discovered the Cube was much less supportive if I slept in my most popular place. And on the nights once I rolled onto my again, I wakened with neck ache. But in case you solely sleep within the perfect facet sleeper formation, this mannequin is rather more supportive than others I’ve tried. Make certain you decide up a case! A standard case is just too roomy and doesn’t match the Cube effectively. —Louryn Strampe
Purple DreamLayer Pillow for $199: If you discover you turn between being a facet sleeper and again sleeper, the Purple DreamLayer pillow offers a wonderful center floor. Rather than utilizing adjustable fill to customise its top, this mannequin comes with two foam inserts so you will get precisely the extent of assist you want. —Eric Ravenscraft
Purple GridCloud Pillow for $149: This pillow is a softer, squishier design with the grid layer we love from the Purple Freeform and Harmony, but it surely has just one facet with the grid as a substitute of two. It’s described as having a down-alternative core, and it does really feel a lot softer, like a down different. I most popular the assist of Purple’s different fashions, however in order for you one thing softer with higher assist than only a down or down different filling, it is a nice possibility.
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow for $165: This mannequin is barely cooling, and has a fluffier really feel in comparison with extra sinkage-style reminiscence foam.
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow for $115: I like this down different, however no more than the less expensive Buffy. There are two loft top choices which is sweet in order for you one thing particular.
Sleep Number True Temp Adapt Ultimate Pillow for $150: I examined the Ultimate form since it is a slight crescent-like fashion that is perfect for facet sleepers like myself. I like this as a facet sleeper possibility, and it is properly cooling as effectively. It’s somewhat smaller than the Coop, however nonetheless large enough for the average-sized individual.
Slumber Cloud UltraCool Pillow for $79: This pillow is tremendous chilly and tremendous mushy, much like a down or down different mannequin. If you are in search of one thing additional cool and like the sunshine, malleable assist of a down pillow, it is a sensible choice.
Snuggle-Pedic Adjustable Cooling Pillow for $57: This was our favourite pillow below $100, but it surely’s out of inventory in every single place proper now. If you will discover it obtainable, it is an amazing possibility stuffed with shredded reminiscence foam that you may alter to get your good top.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt ProAdjust Pillow for $125: This adjustable-fill mannequin from Tempur-Pedic has a compartment the place you may add or take away foam filling to get the right quantity of assist for you. This is an more and more widespread characteristic, however what units it aside is Tempur-Pedic’s trademark cooling supplies. The firm makes a number of the finest cooling supplies in the marketplace, and this one managed to remain cooler than most I attempted. —Eric Ravenscraft
Tempur Pedic Tempur Adapt ProHi for $175: Our earlier reminiscence foam decide did fantastic in my panel assessments, however all of us most popular shredded reminiscence foam over a strong sheet. Someone did volunteer to long-term check this as a knee assist whereas they slept, although.
Tempur-Breeze ProHi Pillow for $229: is a wider, extra spacious different to the Tempur-Adapt ProHi. It has a equally excessive loft, and the froth is firmer and extra immune to strain than the Adapt. It’s a greater match in case you favor a firmer possibility, or in order for you house to share it together with your cuddling companion. —Eric Ravenscraft
Understanding Pillow Sizes
There are a pair totally different pillow sizes you would possibly discover when procuring. Most of the time pillows are available an ordinary dimension and a king dimension, and you can purchase an ordinary dimension until you’ve a king-size mattress. But there are a couple of extra dimension choices.
All mattress pillows are normally 20 inches huge, however the size can differ. (That’s why your pillowcases might sound too lengthy—they’re ready for bigger sizes!) If you are interested in extra sizes or discovered a mannequin that has extra choices to select from than you realize what to do with, listed below are the standard sizes you will discover and what measurements they need to have:
- Standard Size: 20 inches by 26 inches
- Super Standard Size: 20 inches by 28 inches
- Queen: 20 inches by 30 inches
- King: 20 inches by 36 inches
- Body: 20 inches by 54 inches
You’ll wish to double-check listings to see what dimension you are actually working with if dimension is a matter for you. Buffy, for instance, lists an ordinary dimension for its pillows, however they’re 28 inches lengthy, making these pillows a brilliant commonplace dimension. You will not wish to order king-size pillows and not using a king-sized mattress, particularly since you will want king-size pillowcases together with your sheets. Body pillows are the longest of all, and we’ve a separate information to these.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind of Pillow Do You Need?
You would possibly assume a pillow is a pillow. It simply must be mushy and match below your head, proper? Your head, neck, and again disagree. Getting evening’s sleep can rely closely in your pillow, so when selecting one, listed below are a couple of key inquiries to ask.
What type of sleeper are you? Do you sleep in your again, facet, or abdomen? Do you keep comparatively nonetheless, or do you toss and switch lots? Do you normally have one pillow below your head, or do you cocoon your self right into a pillow chrysalis? This might be crucial factor to bear in mind when deciding what sort works finest for you, and we have famous our picks beneath primarily based on sleeping fashion.
What is the pillow product of? Pillows might be stuffed with all kinds of supplies, from feathers to foam. Down and artificial down are fluffy clusters of fiber that may really feel mushy and comfy, whereas reminiscence foam is designed to compress with the load of your head however nonetheless return to its earlier form. Organic latex might be heavy and spongey, holding a side-sleeper’s head in place. There are additionally hybrid pillows that use a number of layers of various supplies for a extra structured really feel.
How are the supplies sourced? Since some supplies like down feathers come from animals, you may want to concentrate on how producers get their fill (actually). Down filling usually comes from the stomach feathers of both geese or geese. In order to make sure that down feathers are ethically sourced—resembling by avoiding merciless practices like dwell plucking—packages just like the Responsible Down Standard set standards that producers should adhere to. Another possibility is to search for artificial down alternate options, which use cotton, rayon, or polyester as an artificial substitute. The broader Material Matters Standard is a not too long ago overhauled system for inspecting the environmental affect and sustainability of bedding producers.
How agency is it? However you sleep, you will desire a pillow that retains your backbone straight and your head aligned together with your again. That means you need one thing agency sufficient to assist your head but mushy sufficient that it would not dig into your ear or face.
How lofty is it? “Loft” is a time period typically used to explain how excessive up and doing the pillow retains your head. If it is too tall, for instance, you would possibly find yourself together with your neck tilted upward, straining it all through the evening. Most fashions usually fall into one in every of three classes: Low loft, which is comparatively brief and perfect for again sleepers; excessive loft, which is healthier for facet sleepers (since your head will probably be additional up and doing than whenever you’re in your again); and medium loft, which is someplace within the center and finest in case you’re a mixture sleeper who would not stick to 1 specific sleep fashion.
What is the guarantee and return coverage? You won’t assume the pillow you sleep (and sweat and drool) on would have a strong guarantee, however many producers provide beneficiant insurance policies. For instance, Purple provides a one-year guarantee and even a 100-night trial interval. Casper has the same guarantee and a 30-day trial. If you are not sure whether or not your new pillow is best for you, take a look at the corporate’s insurance policies to see what leeway you need to strive earlier than you commit—and be sure you’re protected if one thing goes fallacious.
What’s the Best Pillow Fill for You?
Quite a lot of filling supplies are used, and the kind of fill is an enormous a part of how pillows are categorized. You’ve heard of down pillows, for instance, which suggests it is filled with down undercoating or feathers, and listening to the phrases “memory foam” normally invokes the sinking sensation that good reminiscence foam may give. Here’s a fast explainer of the principle kinds of fill you will discover and the way they differ.
Down: Down pillows, as I discussed above, are stuffed with both down clusters (an undercoating on geese) or down feathers, or a mixture of each. It’s a fill that is been round for ages, and it feels much like a comforter within the sense that it is mushy and squishy, and really malleable to form in any manner you favor. (But it additionally would not retain its form effectively.) Since these are stuffed with down clusters or feathers, you will wish to verify for certifications, just like the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), that affirm if the down was ethically sourced.
Down different: These pillows aren’t a set sort, however use different supplies to duplicate the down expertise. Buffy, for instance, makes use of recycled plastic to create their fill, whereas Saatva makes use of a mixture of reminiscence foam and latex foam. You’ll have to have a look to see what makes up any down different design, because it is not constant. But what’s constant is the totally different really feel. In my assessments, I’ve discovered down different fashions are normally extra supportive and do a greater job holding their form than a traditional down.
Memory foam: Memory foam is widespread since it could actually “remember” its unique form, letting it return to its earlier type as soon as your head is off the pillow. Memory foam does have a sinking sensation to it, which you would possibly like or dislike. You’ll additionally wish to verify if the reminiscence foam is a strong sheet or shredded; I’ve discovered shredded and minimize reminiscence foam to have extra bounce and assist and fewer sinkage than a reminiscence foam sheet.
Latex foam: Latex foam is produced from rubber, giving it a a lot bouncier, supportive really feel than different foam choices. Latex foam is changing into a preferred possibility due to that good assist, and it’s normally discovered with a shredded sort of fill that provides loads of airflow. Latex can also be efficient at stopping allergens like mud mites from accumulating within the pillow.
Hybrid: Hybrid is one other class gaining in recognition. It could be a mixture of any of the above fills, however I typically discover it is a sheet of froth mixed with both shredded foam or another type of softer filling. Casper, for instance, makes use of each sheets of reminiscence foam after which has a core of shredded foam on the middle to offer it its marshmallow-like really feel.
Cotton, kapok, and wool: These fills are all pure fibers that take much less processing than foam, and may very well be utilized in a mix with different supplies above. Kapok and cotton are purported to be on the fluffy finish, whereas wool is nice for temperature regulation. But none are as widespread as foam or down choices, although you would possibly see these as substances in natural or hybrid choices.
Are Standard and Queen the Same Pillow Size?
No, an ordinary dimension is somewhat smaller at solely 26 inches huge, whereas a queen dimension needs to be 30 inches huge. You would possibly wish to verify the measurements in case it is mislabeled to be the identical factor, however you probably have the selection between the 2, I favor a couple of additional inches with the queen dimension.
Why Should You Spend So Much on a Pillow?
You could be stunned by a number of the value tags on these pillows. I keep in mind spending backside greenback on my pillows for years. But these bottom-dollar pillows wanted to be continuously changed and did not present the long-term assist (and even all-night assist) my neck wanted.
Higher-quality pillows value extra however will use higher supplies, last more, and include trial durations and warranties as a way to check out the pillow of your alternative and get a assure it’s going to final. Plus, whereas most of those aren’t low cost, it is nonetheless an reasonably priced funding whenever you break down what number of hours you will be mendacity on them.
How Should You Care for Your Pillow?
The finest approach to wash your pillow goes to depend upon the pillow you’ve. You can select handy wash, spot clear, or machine wash pillows, although you will wish to verify the label and ensure it is protected to machine wash it. If it is not, spot or hand cleansing is your best choice.
The best pillows to scrub are ones that include detachable covers, as a result of you may take away mentioned cowl and wash it with different sheets and bedding. Not all pillow fill needs to be washed, in order that’s vital to verify earlier than throwing a complete pillow into your washer. Our high 5 picks all have detachable covers for straightforward washing, although for some (just like the Honeydew Scrumptious) you will need to manually take away the filling and retailer it in a bag, whereas others just like the Purple have a separated cowl and fill part.
How Does WIRED Choose Pillows to Review?
We analysis all pillows we check to verify we check quite a lot of types, fills, and shapes to search out that are probably the most supportive over an evening’s sleep. We check each costly and affordably priced fashions to see how the standard stacks up, and normally look to check new designs and choices to see what’s coming subsequent (and each different class we check for). We additionally take a look at critiques and buyer suggestions when obtainable to see if it is price testing to match towards pillows we all know we already like.
How Does WIRED Test Pillows?
Every pillow on this information is slept on for at least three nights, with our high picks getting at the least per week if not nearer to a month of sleep testing from both us, different staffers, or long-term testers. WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell additionally hosted a testing panel in March 2025 with six contributors and 22 totally different fashions. The panelists all had totally different sleep types starting from traditional facet and again sleepers to chaotic sleepers who find yourself beneath their pillows each evening, and the panel judged which choices they discovered most comfy and could be most definitely to purchase for his or her sleep wants.
How Does WIRED Acquire Pillows? What Happens to the Review Units After Testing?
Most of our pillows are offered as evaluate samples by the producer, with no guarantees made for protection or sort of protection. Other pillows are bought and expensed.
After we check pillows, they’re both positioned with a long-term tester if the mannequin is a decide, or they’re donated.
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