The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
After testing over 175 pillows, bedding experts weigh in on the best options for every fill preference, sleep position and budget.
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It's no secret that your pillow can make or break a good night's sleep, which is why the fiber scientists and engineers in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab regularly put them to the test using specialized equipment and feedback from at-home sleep testers. Our advice? Start by thinking about your sleep position: Pillows for side sleepers should be thicker and firmer; pillows for stomach sleepers should be softer and thinner; pillows for back sleepers can fall somewhere in between.
What's the best pillow for most people? The Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow is our top-tested recommendation for most sleepers. It kept its shape in our Lab tests and was a reviewer favorite for feeling comfortable and supportive in every sleep position. And because it's adjustable, you can create your perfect height.
You can learn more about how we test pillows and what to consider when you shop at the bottom of this guide, but first, here's everything you need to know about our top-tested pillows.
How we test pillows
Each year, we evaluate dozens of pillows in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, where analysts put each one through the wringer. We also send them home with sleep testers to make sure they'll perform in real-life settings. In recent years, we've tested more than 175 different pillows. Our evaluations start in the Lab:
When our consumer testers try them at home, they sleep on the pillows for at least a month and then fill out an in-depth survey with both scored and open-ended responses. This helps us gain insight into aspects like comfort, support, temperature regulation and more. Testers are assigned a pillow based on a screening survey to make sure they're getting a good match for their sleep styles.
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Types of pillows
While there are many types of pillows to choose from, the fill is the most important aspect when it comes to comfort. Here are the key differences between the most common options:
- Down pillows tend to be the fluffiest, but a combination of down and feathers may be firmer and less expensive.
- Down alternative pillows can still feel soft and offer good support, and they're usually made with synthetic fill so they're more affordable than down.
- Memory foam pillows are thicker and often firmer. You can choose from solid memory foam or memory foam clusters, which feel plusher to lie on while still offering the support of foam.
- Latex pillows feel similar to memory foam, but they have more of a bouncy feel with less contouring. Another difference: Latex foam is typically made from rubber trees, so it's a good option for those who prefer organic materials.
- Hybrid pillows mix foam and fiberfill so you get the best of both categories – i.e., supportive yet plush.
There are other pillow types on the market, but they aren't as common, and we don't recommend them for most sleepers. For instance, gel pillows are often marketed as cooling because the gel draws away body heat; however, the cooling effect is only temporary and may not last all night. Buckwheat pillows are gaining popularity as an option made of natural materials, but they aren't as durable or comfortable in our tests, and some users said they irritated their skin. Over-the-head pillows are new and said to promote relaxation, but we'd suggest using a weighted eye mask for the same effect.
How to pick your perfect pillow
After picking your favorite fill, before you get shopping for a new pillow, here's what to keep in mind:
✔️ Make sure it's the right height. There's no one-size-fits-all pillow, and "it’s important that your neck stays 'neutral,'" says Niamish Baxi, M.D., a physiatrist focusing on spine care and musculoskeletal medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. "It should not be flexed forward, extended back or rotated. Being in these positions will put a strain on the joints in your cervical spine as well as the muscles surrounding it."
According to Dr. Baxi, "Your ears should be aligned with your shoulders and your chin faced forward." To achieve this alignment, you'll need to factor in your body size and how you sleep. Here's how to pick your height:
- Body type: Larger-framed people should use a taller pillow, whereas smaller bodies need something flatter. Medium frames can use something in between.
- Sleep position: Side sleepers need a higher and more supportive pillow, while stomach sleepers should opt for a lower and softer style. Back sleepers (or anyone who switches positions through the night) should opt for a pillow that's somewhere in the middle.
✔️ Take a look at special features based on your preferences. You can browse for innovative specifications like cooling pillows with temperature-regulating properties if you tend to overheat or adjustability if you want to personalize firmness level and height.
✔️ Consider allergies. Certain pillow types should be avoided if you have sensitivities to specific materials, such as latex or buckwheat. If you suffer from environmental allergies, opt for a pillow that can be machine-washed in warm water and consider using a pillow protector to prevent dust, pet dander, pollen and other allergens from sinking in.
✔️ Don't overlook care instructions. Before purchasing a pillow, check the care label to make sure you're willing to wash your pillow as recommended. Most are machine washable, but some are dry clean only, have removable covers or only allow spot-treating. Your pillow will last longer if you wash it two to four times a year and if you use a pillow protector to keep it clean and safe from wear.
Why you can trust Good Housekeeping
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing to find the best bedding, including pillows. Lexie has been analyzing pillow data since she joined Good Housekeeping over a decade ago and has extensively reviewed test data before making these recommendations. She is often featured as a pillow expert for national TV segments and other media features.
Pillow testing has been managed by senior textiles analyst Emma Seymour. Emma has rigorously evaluated more than 100 pillows in the Textiles Lab, and she has coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. Emma has a B.S. in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for more than five years at Good Housekeeping.
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Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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