The Best Pillows

This pillow is filled with a blend of memory foam pieces and microfiber clusters to create an ideal balance between plush and firm. Our analysts and testers all agreed that it feels surprisingly supportive and cushy at the same time. And though many high-performing pillows can cost over $100, this one offers a good value.

One of the most impressive aspects about this pillow is that it immediately bounced back to shape during our Lab's pressure tests (so you can expect it to hold up to use). I also love that it's fully machine washable so you can easily keep it clean, unlike other foam styles that can't be washed. Just note that the outer cover showed signs of pilling over time when I used this at home, but that's typical for a poly/rayon fabric blend.

TESTER NOTES: Our panel of at-home testers 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."

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Here's Why Coop Home Goods Is Our Top-Tested Pillow

This pillow is Amazon's best-seller and I can confirm that it lives up to its hype based on our extensive tests. Though it's a basic pillow that may not be quite as luxurious as other models, it performed exceptionally well and costs a fraction of the price of others. And while most inexpensive pillows use entirely synthetic materials, this one uses a 100% cotton outer cover for an elevated look and feel.

Its down alternative fill is plush, making it ideal for those who prefer softer pillows instead of firmer ones. In Lab evaluations, it held up fairly well to machine washing and pressure tests. It also fit into a standard pillowcase beautifully.

TESTER NOTES: Users agreed it was soft and fluffy. They especially liked how well the fill stayed evenly spread out without clumping. The feedback on support was mixed; several testers praised its support, while some said it felt too flat to be supportive enough for their needs. It was more well-liked by combination sleepers — i.e., people who switch between sleeping on their stomachs, backs and sides — than those who are strictly side sleepers.

A game-changer for side sleepers who struggle to find the perfect alignment, this pillow's unique shape doesn't taper off like a traditional pillow and instead fills the gap between your shoulder and neck. The pillow itself is 5 inches tall, which is recommended for those 5'3" to 6'4" in height.

Pillow Cube also sells a stretchy pillowcase made of polyester and spandex that's ultra soft and perfectly fits this pillow. (You can still use a regular pillowcase if you prefer. It just won't fit as well.) And if you're a hot sleeper, check out the Ice Cube version of this pillow, which has an outer cover with a cool-to-the-touch feel.

TESTER NOTES: Our reviewers were amazed by how much the Side Cube improved their alignment. One said, "It perfectly holds up my head," while another said, "My neck is totally supported." It was best suited for true side sleepers in our tests — i.e., not for those that change position while they sleep — because it felt too tall for users when lying on their stomachs or backs.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Pillow Cube Is the Answer for Side Sleepers

This pillow is my personal favorite as a combination sleeper who enjoys cushy bedding. I find that it's surprisingly plush yet still supportive, thanks to its innovative blend of shredded memory foam and soft, fluffy kapok (a natural fiber that’s similar to cotton but feels silkier). The fill is also adjustable, so it works for multiple sleep styles or for people who often change positions.

That said, its lower profile and softer feel make it especially good for stomach and back sleepers because a too-firm or too-high pillow can cause the neck to tilt in these positions. And even though it's fairly plush, 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, I find it to be visible through some white pillowcases.

TESTER NOTES: It's not just me — this one's a reviewer favorite and earned exceptionally high ratings during our sleep tests. Our testers 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 reviewer told us that 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."

Tuft & Needle uses solid foam instead of foam clusters for a more supportive surface, and it has ventilated holes to make it breathable along with graphite and cooling gel to help prevent overheating. The brand describes the feel as "squishy while remaining supportive," and I fully agree based on our evaluations.

In Lab tests, it bounced back to shape immediately after we applied pressure. It fit fairly well into a pillowcase, but it's just a bit smaller than other pillows so the fit was slightly loose. Only the cover is machine washable, but it laundered well without any shrinkage in our tests.

TESTER NOTES: It was a top-rated pillow among our sleep testers, who gave it perfect scores for comfort and keeping its shape. Plus, our reviewers unanimously said it felt like an upgrade from the pillows they had previously used. Its praise included comments like, "This pillow was firm enough that it kept its shape, but felt overall soft," and, "It was comfortable in multiple sleeping positions and the perfect level of firmness."

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If you're looking to spend as little as possible, this Amazon-brand pillow is your best bet. It's sold in pairs and outperformed other styles on the market that cost over triple the price. And even though the polyester down-alternative fill helps it cost less, we found it held up well to washing so you can clean your pillow without worrying that it'll fall apart.

The pillow comes in two firmness levels, and the softer one is more ideal for stomach or back sleepers. It's also perfect for kids who need a lower profile to match their smaller frames. (In fact, it's the pillow I purchased for my own kids, and it has held up well to years of use.) The medium one is designed for side and back sleepers, though it may not feel sturdy enough for larger frames that need more support.

TESTER NOTES: Users told us they especially enjoyed how soft this pillow felt, with one saying, "I like how fluffy this pillow is and how well it maintains shape after continued use." Though some wished it were taller and denser, they gave it good scores for allowing them to wake up without soreness.

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I've tried out many pillows over the years, and nothing feels like this one: It has Talalay latex on the inside that's surrounded by Purple's signature elastic grid material, which feels equally soft and supportive. It also comes in three heights to fit a range of body types and sleep positions.

The pillow bounced back to shape perfectly in our Lab evaluations, even after weights were left on top for 8 hours. Only the cover is machine washable, but it held up to our laundering tests. And though it's pricey, the brand offers a 100-night trial so you can sleep on it for a few months to make sure you love it.

TESTER NOTES: Our 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. One tester summarized it by saying, "I stayed cool all night and the texture of the pillow was very soft and supportive.

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This down alternative pillow stands out for its temperature-regulating cover. It's made with Outlast viscose, a phase-change material that stores and releases body heat to prevent you from overheating while you sleep. Unlike other cooling pillows that feel initially cool to the touch, we found that this one works all night long to help keep you at a comfortable temperature.

This pillow also aced Lab evaluations when we looked at how well it keeps its shape after use, how well it holds up to washing and how well it fits into a pillowcase. Even if you're not a hot sleeper, this one's a great choice because it's proven to be durable and long-lasting.

TESTER NOTES: Our panel unanimously said this pillow kept them at a comfortable body temperature all night. They also gave it high marks for overall comfort while sleeping and keeping its shape during use. One tester told us, "I was very skeptical about the cooling claims of the pillow and was so pleased to find them to be true! The pillow never became hot like my own pillows do."

RELATED: The Best Cooling Pillows for Hot Sleepers

For those who prefer real down, this indulgent pick outperformed all other down pillows in our test. It was a reviewer favorite, kept its shape well and fit nicely into a pillowcase. And you don't need to worry about special care instructions. We found it held up to repeated washings without showing signs of wear.

The medium-density version was well-loved in our tests, but it's also available in soft and firm options. On top of that, we loved the luxe feel of its cotton sateen outer cover. Double stitching around the hem helps make sure the down doesn't poke through during use.

TESTER NOTES: Testers praised its softness and gave it perfect scores for comfort and overall satisfaction. One even described it as "absolutely dreamy" and feeling "like a marshmallow." They also gave this pillow high marks for support and staying at a comfortable temperature throughout the night.

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Tuft & Needle makes our list again, but this time for its synthetic stuffing that's lightweight yet still significantly firmer than other down alternative pillows. 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 it's designed for back and side sleepers who need their pillow to keep its shape all night for proper alignment.

On top of that, it uses a down alternative, which is ideal for easy care and a lower cost. In fact, this set of two pillows costs less than some individual ones we tested from other brands. 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 tester panel was impressed with how it stood up to pressure, and one user told us it "kept its shape better than any other pillow I've ever used." More importantly, they all rated it as supportive and comfortable to sleep on. One even called out its luxurious attention to detail, saying it had "excellent quality with good materials and stitching."

RELATED: The Best Down Alternative Pillows

If you need a firmer pillow or a supportive shape to help alleviate neck discomfort, this is the pillow for you. It's been on the market for years and has stood the test of time thanks to its solid memory foam that's ergonomically designed to give back and side sleepers proper alignment. Unlike most other pillows, the shape is contoured to fit the curve of your head, neck and shoulders.

It also has a slimmer profile so it won’t feel too high, though we found that it has a bit of an awkward fit inside a pillowcase. Still, it held up to our pressure tests, and it comes in small, medium and large sizes to properly fit different body types. Its outer cover is removable and can be machine-washed.

TESTER NOTES: Testers who prefer firm pillows told us this one felt supportive and great to lie on. "It fit around my neck and shoulder perfectly," said one. Another tester called out how it sinks in very slowly to mold to individual shapes. Just note that it's much firmer than other pillows on our list, so it's not ideal for everyone.

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Latex pillows are ideal for those who prefer organic materials or more bounce (i.e., less sinking in) than memory foam. This one is certified organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard, and its latex fill is shredded so you can add or remove some to find the perfect height. Plus, it's reversible with different fabrics on each side. On one side there's a stretchy, smooth material that's designed to conform to the shape of your head and neck, and the other has a fluffy quilted side filled with PLA batting to make it feel plush.

The best part is that you don't have to sacrifice quality for sustainability. It earned high scores in both Lab and consumer tests. The pillow kept its shape even after pressure was applied, and the outer cover washed well.

TESTER NOTES: Users said this pillow was comfortable, supportive and kept them at a good temperature. They all enjoyed the versatility between its adjustable fill and two-sided design, with one saying, "My initial reaction was just 'Wow!'" Another told us, "This is literally the greatest pillow I have ever slept on."

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