Which pillows are best for sleep




















It's machine washable so you can easily keep it clean, and it immediately bounced back to shape after our Lab's pressure tests. It's also a best-seller on Amazon with over 30, five-star reviews from users who call it the "best pillow ever. Tester notes: Our panel of at-home testers all gave it high scores across the board, unanimously saying it was better than the pillows they had previously used and that it helped improve their sleep quality.

One tester described it by saying "it wraps around my head and I sink into it," while another told us she was "able to comfortably switch from side to back to stomach and still feel supported and comfortable.

This pillow from Home Depot's brand is a fraction of the cost of others, plus it has unique features that make it suitable for a wide variety of sleepers.

For starters, its down alternative fill has a medium density that is versatile for multiple sleep positions. On top of that, its cotton outer cover has a cool-to-the-touch feel for hot sleepers. It might not be the lowest priced pillow you can find, but its unique features and standout performance offer an excellent bang for your buck. Plus, the poly fill is good for those with down allergies yet still want the fluffy feel.

The entire pillow is machine washable and it held up well to repeated laundering in Lab tests. It's also a Good Housekeeping Seal holder so it's covered by our limited warranty. Tester notes: It earned high scores for support, along with praise from our reviewers like "It took the shape of my head every time I moved" and "I could sleep in various positions and there was the same amount of comfort. The fill is also adjustable so it works with multiple sleep styles or for people who often change positions.

It easily bounced back to shape after we applied weights in our tests to mimic a head lying on it overnight. Just note that because the pillow uses a grey pattern on its outer cover, it may be visible under white pillowcases. Tester notes: It earned the highest overall ratings from our consumer testers. They gave it perfect scores for comfort, support and overall satisfaction, plus they said it kept its shape and had them waking up without feeling sore.

A tester highlighted how she was able to stop using two pillows by switching to this one, while another summarized, "I like the softness, how supportive it feels and how it is moldable. Designed specifically for side and back sleepers, the poly stuffing is lightweight yet still significantly firmer than other down alternatives.

It aced all of our Lab's evaluations, including pillowcase fit, shrinkage after laundering and how well it kept its shape after we applied weight. This is especially important because side sleepers need their pillow to keep its shape all night for proper alignment. On top of that, it uses synthetic down alternative, which is ideal for easy care and a lower cost.

In fact, this set of two pillows cost less than other individual ones. The fill also prevents it from feeling too dense, which can sometimes be a downside to pillows made for side sleepers. Tester notes: Our entire panel was impressed with how it stood up to pressure, and a user told us it "kept its shape better than any other pillow I've ever used. One even called out its luxurious attention to detail, saying it had "excellent quality with good materials and stitching.

Not too firm and not too plush, this pillow has Talalay Latex on the inside that's surrounded by Purple's signature elastic grid material, which is super popular for its ability to feel equally soft and supportive. It also comes in three heights to fit a range of body types and combination sleepers.

The pillow bounced back to shape perfectly in our Lab tests, even after weights were left on top for eight hours. Only the cover is machine washable, but it held up to our laundering evaluations. And though it's pricey, the brand offers a night trial so you can sleep on it for a few months to make sure you love it. Tester notes: At-home reviewers praised its support, shape retention and breathability, with each one highlighting the fact that it stayed cool all night long.

They also agreed that they wanted to continue using it after the test. As one tester summarized it: " I stayed cool all night and the texture of the pillow was very soft and supportive.

This Amazon-branded pillow set has a soft density, so it feels plush and is ideal for stomach sleepers that need a flatter pillow. Plus, the polyester down alternative fill washed well without shrinkage in our tests, making it a solid choice for people with allergies that constantly need to clean their bedding. Not to mention, you get an incredible value from from this set of two pillows that outperformed other styles on the market that cost over triple its price.

It's also a perfect option for kids, who need a lower profile to match their smaller frames. And if you're looking for more support, Amazon Basics also has a gusseted version that has a higher rise to cradle your head and neck.

Tester notes: Users told us they especially enjoyed how soft this pillow felt, with one noting "I like how fluffy this pillow is and how well it maintains shape after continued use. For those who prefer the real deal, this luxuriously fluffy pick outperformed all other down pillows in our test. It was a tester favorite, kept its shape well and fit nicely into a pillowcase. And you don't even need to worry about special care instructions: It held up to repeated washings without showing signs of wear.

Besides this medium density, it's also available in soft and firm, and the down fill has been certified as responsibly sourced. Its outer cover is a cotton sateen with double stitching around the hem to make sure the down doesn't poke through during use. Tester notes: Testers raved about its softness and gave it perfect scores for comfort and overall satisfaction.

We also cover a wide range of body types and sleep positions to ensure every type of sleeper is represented. To select the best pillows for side sleepers, we heavily relied on feedback from testers who exclusively or primarily use the side position. However, we also sought input from back, stomach, and combination sleepers to make our recommendations as comprehensive as possible. Our hands-on testing process involves each person lying on the pillow for several minutes to evaluate support, pressure relief, and other qualities.

While these particular evaluations focused on side sleeping, we asked the testers to change positions to see if the pillow felt more or less comfortable. The top picks listed above reflect pillows that earned the most favorable ratings during these tests. This position has a few advantages over back or stomach sleeping. For one, side sleeping can minimize snoring because it keeps your airway open; back sleepers snore more often because the tongue falls back into the throat, creating an obstruction for the airway.

Side sleeping can also align the spine and reduce discomfort in the shoulders, hips, and other areas where pressure points tend to develop. However, this is contingent on a mattress and pillow that offer enough support to align your head and neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips.

Keep reading to learn about special pillow considerations for side sleepers, and how to choose a pillow model based on your body type and personal preferences.

The best pillow for side sleepers will provide adequate cushioning to support the head and neck. Pillows that either sink too deeply or feel too thick can interfere with spinal alignment, and neck and shoulder aches typically occur as a result.

In determining the right pillow, you should look at several factors, including loft, firmness level, and material composition. These marketing claims are misleading. Each pillow is uniquely designed to provide a distinct feel. Given the demands of different sleep positions, any pillow you select will be better suited to some sleepers and less so for others. Rather than using marketing jargon to guide your pillow search, focus on the following attributes instead.

The best pillow fill materials for side sleepers include memory foam, latex, buckwheat hulls, and other components that offer sufficient support without feeling too firm. However, how comfortable or uncomfortable a pillow feels for side sleeping depends on a few other factors. The most common pillow materials are outlined below. The most popular pillow sizes are standard, queen, and king.

However, some manufacturers offer additional sizes to accommodate sleepers with different preferences. The following table lists facts and figures for the five most common pillow sizes. For the dimensions column, please note these are average measurements that will differ from brand to brand.

In addition to selecting a supportive pillow that promotes spinal alignment, side sleepers can use the following strategies for sleeping comfortably each night. Choose the Right Mattress: The best mattress for side sleepers will provide ample cushioning to the shoulders and hips in order to align the spine and alleviate pressure in different areas. Most side sleepers prefer mattresses with softer feels that conform closely to the body without sinking too much beneath their heavier areas.

Use a Pillow Between the Knees: A pillow between the knees can also improve spinal alignment and reduce pressure in the lower back and hips. You may also find more comfort and pressure relief by placing the pillow beneath your legs.

Invest in a Mattress Topper: A topper is a single layer of cushioning material placed on top of your mattress. Toppers can measure up to 4 inches thick, so using one can make your mattress feel significantly softer or firmer.

For side sleepers, the right topper can mean closer conforming, better spinal alignment, and less pressure. Some side sleepers prefer down or down alternative pillows, while others find that foam or other specialty pillows work better for them.

Down and down alternative pillows have a comfortable, classic feel, but they are not always firm enough to offer side sleepers the neck support they need for proper spinal alignment. Because of this, side sleepers who use a down pillow should ensure theirs has a high enough loft to provide support. Foam pillows are usually firmer and are available either as a single cut piece or filled with shredded foam for easy adjustment.

Single piece foam pillows sometimes have cut-outs to accommodate and support the shoulders and neck, but side sleepers should double-check that these will work for their sleep position before purchasing.

Side sleepers usually need a medium to high loft pillow in order to keep their head, neck, and spine in proper alignment. This usually means using a pillow that is, at minimum, at least 4 inches thick. However, pillow loft is dependent on both the shape of your body and how much you sink into your mattress. People with broad shoulders may need a pillow that is over 6 inches, while people who sink deeply into their bed might find that even a 4-inch loft is too high.

Adjustable pillows can be a good choice for people who are unsure what pillow loft they need. Side sleepers with neck pain should first check that their pillow is firm enough and at the correct loft — if these are already fine, then a memory foam or contoured foam pillow may offer more relief.

Neck pain can result from your neck and head not being in alignment with your spine throughout the night, or it can be unrelated to — but exacerbated by — the wrong pillow. Memory foam pillows offer pressure relief and the right amount of compression to align your neck, while contoured foam pillows are designed to cradle the head while releasing tension from the neck and shoulders.

Contoured pillows tend to be the most popular among people with neck pain, but some struggle to adjust to their unique shape. A medium to medium-firm pillow is ideal for side sleepers. While softer pillows may seem comfortable, these compress too much to offer enough support and can lead to spinal alignment issues.

Side sleepers can also sink far enough into them that the excess filling goes over the mouth, making it difficult to get comfortable. On the other hand, extra-firm pillows can lead to tension and pain through the neck and shoulders. Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products. Fold your pillow in half.

If it just lies there folded, rather than springing back to its original shape, that is a dead pillow. With natural fill pillows, you can do this test over your arm. Does your pillow drape and hang down over your extended arm? With synthetic pillows, fold in half and add some weight to the top—a sneaker or shoe works well. Your Pick-a-Pillow guide Selecting a pillow is a very individual process. When it comes to picking the right pillow, there really is no one pillow-size, shape, or material that fits all.

No one is best—all have advantages and drawbacks, depending on your needs and preferences. These pillows are light and soft—if you like a soft place to rest your head at night, you may like a down pillow. Down pillows are usually made from either goose or duck fibers. Goose down tends to be softer than duck down—and more expensive—though there is also variation in softness within goose down. Down pillows are made of different combinations of down, feathers, and other fillings.

Many people worry about allergic reactions and sensitivity to down. There are people who have hard allergies to down and feathers. The dirt that remains on the down, rather than the animal fiber itself, can cause allergy and discomfort. Good quality down pillows are expensive, but worth it if this is the type of pillow you prefer.

Synthetic down and polyester fill. Synthetic down pillows are less expensive than natural, hypo-allergenic natural down—and will need replacing more frequently. Polyester fill pillows are a relatively inexpensive pillow choice, compared to other pillow types. They tend to be medium to soft, though less soft than down. They will flatten with time, and typically need replacing more frequently than other types of pillows.

What about fill power? A fill-power of and higher is a sign of a high-quality synthetic or natural down pillow. But there are limits to the power of fill power. An plus fill power does not mean your pillow will last for a decade, no matter what the sales pitch says. These pillows are naturally hypo-allergenic, and resistant to mold and dust mites.

Wool pillows wick away moisture from your head and neck and can be effective at helping regulate your temperature during sleep, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Wool pillows tend to be pretty firm. Your sleeping position, weight, and body mechanics can all affect how your pillow feels. Our top picks listed below are based on our own in-house testing, which examines fill, construction, and quality among other factors.

Our testing team includes side, back, and stomach sleepers with varying weights and sleep habits. This guide includes a complete rundown on pillow types and important criteria for shoppers. You can also find helpful information on what to expect when it comes to average costs, cover materials, and sizing. Many people enjoy the luxuriously plush feel of down pillows, but some sleepers complain of insufficient support and excessive sinkage around the head and neck.

The Brooklinen Down Pillow is a standout product because three different designs are available, each with a distinct feel and support level.

The Plush pillow contains pure white down for exceptional softness that may be ideal for stomach sleepers. The Mid-Plush option is chambered with a feather core and an outer down layer for added support without sacrificing the plush feel. The Firm option is also chambered, but contains more feathers and less down for extra reinforcement around the head and neck.

All versions of the pillow are encased in shells made of smooth, silky-soft cotton sateen. The pillow is given an antimicrobial treatment intended to stave off harmful bacteria, though you can also spot-clean or dry-clean the pillow as needed.

Double-stitching along the perimeter ensures above-average durability and reduces the potential for fill escaping. Standard and king sizes are available. All Brooklinen Down Pillows are made in Canada. While Plush pillows cost more than the Mid-Plush or Firm ones, prices are reasonable across the board. Brooklinen provides free ground delivery for U. Each order includes a night sleep trial, giving you plenty of time to decide whether to keep or return the pillow.

Talalay latex is a popular choice for pillow fill because it cushions and conforms to the head and neck, but also feels more responsive and supportive than foam. The Saatva Latex Pillow contains a core of shredded Talalay latex that creates a medium soft feel. This plushness is enhanced by an outer pillow padded with down-like microdenier fibers and a cover made of smooth organic cotton. Your head may sink a bit into the pillow, but a thick profile ensures adequate elevation for most side and back sleepers.

The outer pillow can be removed, which reduces the loft and makes the pillow more comfortable for stomach sleeping. This customizable design can also be useful for combination sleepers who usually switch between two positions while they sleep.

Above-average temperature control is another benefit to the Saatva Latex Pillow. The cotton has received certification from the Global Organic Textile Standard, ensuring the fibers are sustainably grown without chemical pesticides. The cover and outer pillow are machine-washable. You can also add two silky-soft sateen pillowcases to your order for a small surcharge. Saatva provides free shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.

Your order includes a sleep trial that allows you to test out the pillow for 45 nights. Those who decide to keep it will also receive a 1-year warranty. The Layla Kapok Pillow combines shredded memory foam fill with kapok fibers. The kapok fibers are sustainably harvested from the seed pods of the kapok tree, which grows in Indonesia. These two materials come together to provide a mix of cushioning and support. The pillow also features an innovative cover that is woven with copper fibers that are designed to draw heat away from your face and neck to prevent uncomfortable heat build-up over the course of the night.

Copper is also naturally antimicrobial. The cover also has a zippered opening so that users can remove the cover for washing. This opening also allows for loft adjustments. The pillow arrives overstuffed, which may be perfect for larger side sleepers, but those who sleep on their backs or stomachs will want to remove some fill to achieve the appropriate loft level for proper spinal alignment. This customization enables the pillow to suit a wide range of sleepers.

The chambered construction features a shredded memory foam core cushioned with an outer layer of down-like microfiber fill. These materials — along with a soft cotton shell — create a plush feel that also conforms to the head and neck for targeted pressure relief. The memory foam can be added or removed to adjust the loft based on your thickness preferences and sleep position. Side and back sleepers typically need more fill volume to ensure proper support, whereas stomach sleepers often feel comfortable with a low-profile surface.

To clean the pillow, simply remove the shell and wash and dry it in your household machines. Customers can bundle their purchase with a pair of pillowcases made of silk or linen.

Each order is backed by a night trial period and a 3-year warranty. While memory foam pillows are typically known for trapping heat, the GhostBed GhostPillow — Memory Foam is designed with several cooling features that help reduce heat retention. The pillow is made from a single piece of memory foam with an aerated design meant to enable air flow through the pillow.

The surface features a phase change material designed to regulate the temperature of the pillow as your body temperature fluctuates throughout the night. The pillow is encased in two covers. A machine-washable outer zippered cover is made with Ghost Ice fabric, which feels cool to the touch. An inner cover has a mesh design that further promotes air circulation. With a medium firm feel and 6-inch loft, this pillow should provide adequate support for many side and back sleepers.

The memory foam provides deep contouring, which might be an especially good fit for people who experience neck pain during sleep and require a pillow that cushions the head and neck. GhostBed offers a night sleep trial that allows you to try the pillow risk-free. Customers receive free shipping and returns within the contiguous U. The pillow comes with a 5-year warranty. The name Tempur-Pedic has become synonymous with memory foam, as the brand was among the first to popularize the use of this material for everyday sleep products.

The core is constructed from TEMPUR foam, a proprietary material with a dense composition that preserves its shape and limits the sagging and indentations commonly associated with memory foam. The cover is made of knit polyester knit, and can be removed and machine-washed whenever the fabric needs to be cleaned.

Three standard sizes are available for the pillow, each with a different loft level.



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