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Best Pillow for Every Sleeper in 2024

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October 6, 2024

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$149 at Amazon

Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology

Best cooling pillow

$75 at Nectar

Nectar Resident Memory Foam Pillow [Out of Stock]

Best memory foam pillow

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While having a quality mattress is really important, a supportive pillow is a close second for ensuring you have the best sleep. If you’ve already upgraded your mattress recently or don’t have the budget to do so right now, buying a new pillow is a budget-friendly way to ensure a good night’s sleep. Whether you’re looking for a shredded foam fill or down alternative pillow, our CNET sleep experts have found the perfect pillow for every sleep style.

The pillow market is crowded with options, so it’s important to carefully choose one that best suits your individual needs. After testing and sleeping on numerous pillow brands, CNET’s sleep experts curated this list of the best pillows money can buy.

We also provide a breakdown of different pillow materials, helping you understand what to consider when choosing the best one for your needs. Plus, in addition to our own hands-on (heads-on?) impressions and recommendations, we’ve included pillow review input from enthusiastic internet reviewers.

We hope these pillows help you secure a proper night’s rest. Find your next comfortable pillow from our picks of the best pillows. 

What is the best overall pillow?

Our thorough testing concluded that the Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow Ultimate is the best overall pillow. It includes three removable inserts that make the adjustable pillow comfortable for side, back, stomach and combination sleepers. The Sleep Number pillow is also hypoallergenic and made of memory foam and down-alternative fibers. While the price tag is hefty, look out for Sleep Number sales.

Best pillows of 2024

The Sleep Number Comfortfit Pillow Ultimate is an ultra-comfy pillow suitable for all sleeping positions. That’s why it’s our pick for the best overall pillow. With your choice of classic, curved or ultimate shape, it’s the type of pillow everyone will love. 

It’s also one of the best hypoallergenic pillows, with memory foam and premium down-alternative fibers on the inside. The cover is noticeably soft and breathable when you lay down on the Sleep Number Comfortfit Pillow. 

What’s unique about the Sleep Number Comfortfit Ultimate pillow model is the three removable inserts that allow you to tailor it to your needs. Side sleepers should use two inserts, while back sleepers are best suited for two or three inserts and stomach sleepers should try one or two.

It is a more expensive pillow, at around $100, but with the quality and personalization, it may be the only pillow you need on your bed. 

• Firmness: Adjustable
• Materials: Memory foam
• Machine-washable?: Cover only
• Hypoallergenic?: Not specified 
• Loft: Customizable

Pros:

• Contains three removable inserts
• Suitable for all sleeper types
• Made of quality materials, including memory foam

Cons:

• Expensive pillow
• Not cooling

If you’re a hot sleeper or someone who cherishes the “cold side of the pillow,” consider our pick for the best cooling pillow: the Casper Hybrid. From the popular mattress brand Casper, this pillow is made with perforated poly foam, polyester fibers and gel. It utilizes what Casper calls Snow Technology which includes phase change material that remains temperature-neutral around your head and neck and allows for airflow. This pillow has the best qualities of a solid memory foam pillow while adding comfortable cooling.

Unlike other best cooling pillows, the Casper Hybrid is actually cool to the touch. When you put your head on it, it immediately feels cool. Keep in mind that a pillowcase will dull it a little, but not too significantly. If you want the full effect, you can rest easy knowing the cover is removable and machine-washable. We recommend using a light and breathable pillowcase, such as silk, bamboo or Tencel. 

• Firmness: Medium
• Materials: Polyfoam 
• Machine-washable?: Cover only
• Hypoallergenic?: Not specified
• Loft: Low

Pros:

• Truly cool to the touch
• Soft, machine-washable cover 
• Four layers of foam, fiber and gel with Snow Technology 

Cons:

• On the expensive side
• Not for stomach sleepers or those who don’t like foam 

With two layers of supportive foam and an antibacterial, cooling bamboo case, Cosy House’s shredded foam pillows are made to relieve some sleeping woes: overheating and uncomfortable pressure points. The relatively firm construction helps the pillow maintain its shape while sleeping, but the shredded memory foam pillow fill in its bottommost layer is removable, which allows you to customize its density, which isn’t the case with most solid foam pillows. Its affordable price makes it one of the best budget pillows you can buy. 

“This is one heavy pillow, and I kept removing the filling until getting it just right,” one reviewer wrote, adding that, when filled to capacity with the shredded memory foam, the pillow may be a little too big and firm for some people’s sleeping position. That was my experience: like with most of the adjustable pillows I tested, I ended up adjusting down for something with a little more give. Once I did, the pillow’s spongy foam felt both soft and supportive.

I only noticed a slight cooling effect when I slept on the Cosy House Bamboo Pillow, but I still appreciated the ultrasoft, machine-washable quilted bamboo cover, which naturally resists allergens and dust mite issues. Between that and the cozy, adjustable fill, this pillow feels like a good value to me at less than $55.

• Firmness: Adjustable
• Materials: Shredded memory foam
• Machine-washable?: Cover only
• Hypoallergenic?: Yes
• Loft: Customizable

Pros:

• Cooling bamboo cover 
• Antibacterial and hypoallergenic 
• Supportive and spongy shredded memory foam

Cons:

• Stomach sleepers might find the pillow too lumpy
• Heavy pillow 

You may have heard of Coop Sleep Good’s Eden Pillow, which often tops lists of the best pillows. If you thought that version was cool, it got even better. The Coop Eden Cool Plus Pillow is the new version of the Eden Pillow. It still has a similar cool-to-the-touch cover but now has a heat-wicking inner liner, a gel layer and shredded gel-infused memory foam, which is great for hot sleepers. The filling is Greenguard Gold and CertiPur-US certified.

This pillow is also adjustable. It comes with extra filling, as well as an option to pull the filling out. Make it as firm or soft as you desire, as long as it isn’t too high. I like that the memory foam contours and lets you sink a little into the pillow, regardless of how much you fill it. Back sleepers will feel fully supported with this pillow. 

• Firmness: Adjustable
• Materials: Shredded memory foam
• Machine-washable?: Cover only
• Hypoallergenic?: Yes
• Loft: Customizable

Pros:

• Greenguard Gold and CertiPur-US certified
• Cool to the touch and doesn’t absorb heat
• Can adjust the firmness to your liking

Cons:

• Stomach sleepers will need to take out almost all the filling
• Not for those who don’t like to sink a little into pillows

Like the Purple Mattress, the Purple Pillow uses a unique, one-piece polymer grid to cradle your head and neck as you sleep. The grid distributes weight well and doesn’t absorb heat like foam can, so fans say it stays extra cool and cozy at night. Due to its construction and loft, the Purple Harmony Pillow is the best pillow for side sleepers. 

The Purple Harmony pillow sells for a princely $199, although it can often be found on sale. Instead of making up the entirety of the interior, the cushy polymer grid is now much thinner, filling just the microfiber outer case and surrounding a thick, spongy latex core. The mostly hollow grid and moisture-wicking microfiber case significantly improve airflow and keep things cool by creating some separation between your head and the latex.

The Harmony pillow wasn’t nearly as heavy as I expected it to be after reading reviews of the original, and the feel of that polymer grid was much softer than I had imagined. There’s still a springy, rubbery quality to the pillow that lifted my neck a little too much for my liking when lying on my back, but I found it to be much better suited for a stomach sleeper, which is my usual preference. I slept like a rock on it.

• Firmness: Medium
• Materials: Hyper-elastic polymer grid and Talalay latex 
• Machine-washable?: Cover only
• Hypoallergenic?: Yes
• Loft: Available in three heights

Pros:

• Bouncy feel and unique honeycombed-pattern grid 
• Cool to the touch and doesn’t absorb heat
• Soft, washable cover 

Cons:

• The hyper-elastic polymer grid isn’t for everyone
• Most expensive on this list 

Available in comfortable soft, medium and firm densities, the Parachute Down Alternative Pillow is our pick for the best pillow for stomach sleepers. This pillow is filled with superfine microfiber that emulates all the great qualities of the best down pillow, just without the allergies. It’s a pretty standard pillow that’s flat enough so stomach sleepers can sleep comfortably without waking up with a sore neck. The best pillows for stomach sleepers will have a lower loft, which keeps the spine aligned through the night. 

You can also buy Parachute’s washable cotton pillow protector for added allergy protection. Fluffy, soft and pleasantly warm (due to its downlike filling), this pillow has been praised by side, stomach and back sleepers alike for its lightweight feel and downlike “squishiness.” Like a regular down pillow, Parachute’s pillow can be fluffed into a comfortable shape for each sleeping position. 

• Firmness: Soft, medium or firm
• Materials: Microfiber
• Machine-washable?: Cover only
• Hypoallergenic?: Yes
• Loft: Multiple options

Pros:

• Three firmness options are available 
• Hypoallergenic thanks to its microfiber fill
• Suitable for all sleeper types

Cons:

• Might be too flat for those who like a lofty pillow
• Not for those who don’t like down pillows

If you’re looking for a supportive, fun pillow for lounging on the couch or bed, the Buffy Wiggle Pillow is it. The 8- by 82-inch floppy, long pillow is made of eucalyptus lyocell fabric, and the cover is soft sherpa. The filling inside the Wiggle Pillow is made of spun recycled plastic pieces, with each pillow being filled with about 55 recycled plastic water bottles. In addition to being Earth-friendly, the pillow is cruelty-free and BPA-free. 

This long pillow is great for lounging, snuggling and pregnancy. It can be tied in a knot, used for extra support at night or as a body pillow. I have my Wiggle Pillow on my couch, and I love how it elevates my simple couch as a decorative pillow and ups my overall comfort at night. Note that the softcover is sold separately. 

• Firmness: Medium
• Materials: TENCEL lyocell fiber
• Machine-washable?: Cover only
• Hypoallergenic?: Yes
• Loft: N/A

Pros:

• Can be used on a bed or a couch 
• Filling is made from 55 recycled plastic water bottles 
• Supportive and comes with a soft cover

Cons:

• The cover is a separate expense 
• On the expensive side 

Like the Nectar mattress, the Nectar pillow is one of the best memory foam pillows you can get. It has adjustable filling, but only in its outer layer — the “inner” pillow is a sturdy memory foam pillow that maintains its shape and structure. Its exterior is made of quilted foam that you can spot-clean and air-dry. In addition to its “two pillows in one” design and supportive gusset, the Nectar pillow’s main selling point is its memory foam pillow fill. This comfortable memory foam pillow conforms to your neck, shoulders and head to provide support without caving in, striking a balance that not every memory foam pillow can claim. One downside? The pillow itself isn’t machine-washable.

CNET’s Sharon Profis tested the memory foam pillow for 10 days and, after removing just a handful of pillow filling, found it to be a comfortable option for her side sleep position. The memory foam pillow, she noted, retained its structure and height, maintaining neck support throughout the night.

I tested one as well and came to the same conclusion. The memory foam in the middle makes for a dense pillow, but the fill layer keeps it from feeling too firm or springy. I was able to sleep soundly on it even before I removed any of the outer pillow fill. Once I adjusted things to my liking, the Nectar Pillow finished as my top-scoring, subjective favorite as far as comfort is concerned, making it a pillow that I’d be willing to spend a little extra for. I also appreciated the Tencel quilted exterior and the extra-long, oversized design, although you’ll want to have an oversized pillowcase to go with it.

• Firmness: Adjustable
• Materials: Memory foam
• Machine-washable?: No
• Hypoallergenic?: Not specified
• Loft: Customizable

Pros:

• Firmness is adjustable and includes a sturdy “inner” pillow
• Cooling Tencel cover 
• Can usually get this pillow on sale for $50

Cons:

• Only available in a standard size
• Not machine-washable 

If you have neck pain, sleeping on a supportive pillow that keeps your spine properly aligned is essential. Pillows that are too lofty or flat can cause further discomfort and worsen your pain. That’s where the Pluto Pillow comes in. Thanks to its hybrid construction, supportive foam and personalization options, this is our pick for the best pillow to alleviate neck pain.

The Pluto Pillow can work for every sleeping position and body type through its unique built-to-order process. All you have to do is take Pluto’s quiz about your sleeping habits and preferences, and Pluto will propose a pillow built specifically for you and your needs. CNET sleep editor Caroline tested a thinner Pluto Pillow since she switches sleeping positions between her stomach and side, and said she still woke up feeling that the pillow properly supported her neck throughout the night.

• Firmness: Personalized
• Materials: Hybrid (foam and down-alternative fibers)
• Machine-washable?: No
• Hypoallergenic?: Yes
• Loft: Customizable

Pros:

• Built-to-order customization
• Supportive hybrid design 
• Great for all sleeper types

Cons:

• Not for those who prefer down and latex materials
• On the expensive side

Other pillows worth considering

We haven’t tested the following pillows yet, but with strong reviews and good company track records, they’re worth a look as you shop around.

Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow

Not only is this plush pillow vegan and allergen-free, but it also has the longest trial period (365 days) of any product on this list. If you take a while to adjust to a change or just believe that a pillow must be “broken in” to show its true strengths, you have plenty of time to make your final decision. If you aren’t a firm pillow fanatic, that extra-long trial period may come in handy.

According to some, there’s a chance that this pillow may be a little too firm. Others said that their pillows softened up after a few weeks of use, while self-described side-sleepers said they took to the pillow’s firmness right away. 

DreamNorth Pillow

Sold on Amazon in packs of two with a machine-washable pillow cover, DreamNorth’s soft pillows are easily the most cost-effective choice on this list. Their breathability, down-free fluffiness and supportive gel pillow fiber fill could keep them from feeling “cheap.” Described as “ultrasoft,” this softer pillow option is probably not the right choice if you’re looking for something particularly firm, but their softness may make their ability to retain their shape more impressive.

“They came vacuum-sealed and squished flat, but as soon as you take it out of the package, they fluff up like marshmallows and stay that way. I’ve only noticed some slight, very slight flattening in the four months I’ve had them,” one reviewer wrote. Others noted the pillows’ fluffiness but added that they didn’t have to sacrifice any amount of neck support for how soft they were, either: “I highly recommend these pillows if you are [prone] to waking up with neck aches or headaches because the pillow conforms nicely to give you the support you need while being soft enough to make you comfortable.”

The Luxe Pillow

Right there in the name, the $129 Luxe Pillow is filled with high-quality, sustainably sourced goose down and waterfowl feathers is undoubtedly luxurious. It’s one of the best pillows available. Where the goose down offers fluff, the waterfowl feathers provide support, and both materials are hypoallergenic and Responsible Down Standard-certified. This combination means the pillows are made with any sleeping position in mind, which some customers have put to the test. “I love this pillow,” one reviewer wrote. “It helps me sleep in any position, on my back, stomach or side.”

Snowe Down Alternative Pillow

Snowe’s down alternative offering is also a hypoallergenic pillow that is ultra plush. It’s available in three density options and comes with a washable sateen cover. According to an enthusiastic reviewer, the fill is beyond convincing in how it replicates the feel of a regular down pillow: “The alternative down used in these pillows is like magic. Maximum compression but they always puff back up. Auto-fluffing pillows!”

Snowe’s site helpfully notes that the softer version will be more comfortable for stomach sleepers, while side sleepers will often prefer something firmer for a good night’s rest. 

Watch this: How to Relieve Pain with a Pillow

01:57

How we tested the best pillow 

Our team of experts tested these pillows the only way you can: by sleeping on them. When testing the best pillows, we kept in mind important factors like feel, firmness, comfort, breathability, filling, cover materials and performance. We looked for pillows that had accommodating designs, unique features and supportive profiles. 

We tested the pillows from every sleeping style, ensuring that we can confidently recommend the best pillow for everyone. The team measured the loft or height to determine the sleeping positions a pillow suits best and deconstructed the pillows to test the inside filling. Additionally, pillows were compared by price, adjustability and trial length.

What to consider when choosing a pillow

The market is flooded with dozens of pillows that have expert marketing and appealing advertising. It’s easy to jump at the chance to “sleep on a cloud,” but the reality is that not every pillow will work for you. Which pillow is right for you will depend on your preferences, price range and sleeping position. There are several other factors you should consider when shopping for the best pillows. Let’s go through each.

Pillow material 

There are several popular pillow materials to choose from: memory foam, polyfill, down alternative and feathers. There is no single best pillow material, but there are reasons you would choose one over the other. If you’re someone who suffers from allergies, you probably don’t want to choose a feather pillow. It’s important to do your research into the pros and cons of each material to find which is the best for you. 

Pillow loft

Pillow loft refers to how high or thick the pillow is when nothing is putting pressure on it. While this is a preference-based factor, it is also essential for ensuring proper neck support. Pillows typically range in height from 4 to 7 inches and come in three standard sizes:

• Low loft: 5.5 inches or less
• Mid loft: 5.5 to 6.5 inches 
• High loft: 6.5 to 7.5 inches

So, how do you choose the right pillow loft for you? When choosing a pillow loft, consider your sleeping style and the position of your neck. Side sleepers need a higher pillow loft to make up for the difference in distance between their shoulders and head to the mattress. Stomach sleepers need a thinner pillow to ensure their neck isn’t in an unnatural position at night. Your sleeping position, body weight and head size will help you determine how much loft your pillow should have. As a general rule:

• Side sleepers: High or mid-loft
• Stomach sleepers: Low loft
• Back sleepers: Mid loft
• Combination sleepers: Mid loft

Pillow size

Pillow size is pretty straightforward, but still something to consider. Most pillows are typically sold in either a standard, queen or king size. Pillows come in different shapes, too, which can make it a more complicated decision. Many brands sell pillows that are curved or extra fluffy. The size and shape of your pillow will come down to your preferences. Follow these general dimension guidelines when choosing a size:

• Standard: 20×26 inches (best for twin or full mattresses)
• Queen: 20×30 inches (best for queen mattresses)
• King: 20×36 inches (best for king of California king mattresses)

Sleeping position

Just like with mattresses, sleeping position matters when choosing the best pillow for you. Your sleeping position will determine the loft and firmness of your pillow. Stomach sleepers should opt for pillows that are softer and thinner; that way their neck isn’t turned in an unnatural position through the night. Side sleepers need a higher, firmer pillow that keeps their neck and spine aligned at night. Back sleepers have the most flexibility when choosing the best pillow; they can opt for a pillow somewhere in the middle.