Best Pillows for All Types of Sleepers – CNET [CNET]

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Sleep Number

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

It’s one of the best hypoallergenic pillows with memory foam and premium down alternative fibers making up the inside. When you lay down on the Sleep Number Comfortfit Pillow, the cover is noticeably soft and breathable. What’s unique about the Ultimate model of the Sleep Number Comfortfit pillow is there are three removable inserts that allow you to tailor it to your needs. Side sleepers should use one or two inserts, while stomach and back sleepers are best suited for two or three inserts, according to Sleep Number. 

It is a more expensive pillow, at around $140. However, with the quality and personalization, it may be the only pillow you need on your bed. 

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GhostBed

If you’re a hot sleeper, or your someone who cherishes the “cool side of the pillow,” consider the Ghost Pillow, our pick for best cooling pillow. From popular mattress brand, Ghostbed, this pillow has an aerated gel memory foam core, a layer of phase-changing materials, and an inner aerated mesh cover. It’s finished off with a cooling cover called “Ghost Ice Fabric.” 

Unlike other best cooling pillows, the Ghost Pillow is actually cool to the touch. When you put your head on it, you immediately feel the cooling sensation. Keep in mind a pillow case will dull it a little, but not too significantly. However, if you want the full effect, you can rest easy knowing the cover is removable and machine washable. It’s always our top choice for best cooling pillows. 

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Cosy House Collection

With two layers of supportive foam and an antibacterial, cooling bamboo case, Cosy House’s shredded foam pillows are made to relieve some of the greatest sleeping woes, namely 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. Its affordable price makes it one of the best value 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 $50. You can also add two bamboo pillow cases to your pillow order for an additional $24, and still pay less overall than you will for some of the pillows on this list.

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Casper

Casper’s comfortable pillow boasts “adaptive support” for your neck, meaning it’s both cushy and springy, able to “adapt” to various customers’ neck preferences, making this one of the best pillows for all types of sleepers, back sleepers included. Where the exterior is soft, its firm inner pillow core and gusseted construction helps maintain its structure. The Casper pillow is basically a pillow zipped up inside of an outer pillow padded case.

The product of 60 test-runs on various fills, this sleeper pillow is sort of the platonic ideal in terms of density: not too firm and not too fluffy. And reviewers happily attest to its Goldilocks-esque appeal. 

Casper designed this pillow with the understanding that all people shift in their sleep, whether they identify as a side sleeper or back sleeper. In other words, this comfortable pillow is in the running for the best pillows for any sleep position. It’s just a pillow that anyone could love. 

In our tests, the super soft Casper pillow had a good mix of give and support, making it an especially comfortable pillow for anyone who likes a sleep position on their back with their neck well-cradled. Side- and stomach-sleeping were both cozy, too, thanks to the fact that the pillow isn’t too springy in spite of its density. That versatility speaks well for the design — but for all the talk of adaptive support, you can’t open the thing up and adjust the amount of fill inside, which is a disappointment at this price.

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Coop Home Goods

Another of the best pillows with adjustable density, Coop’s “Original” pillow is completely customizable and reshapable. That’s why it earns the spot of the best adjustable pillow for neck pain. Its fill is entirely made up of a shredded blend of microfiber and memory foam pillow, meaning you can empty and refill the whole body of the pillow, allowing you to fluff it and mash this adjustable pillow to fit your exact sleeping needs. Plus, the whole thing is machine-washable.

For me as a stomach sleeper, the Original was definitely firmer and “poofier” than I like, but it was great for sitting up and getting some work done in bed (and I have back issues, so I’m somewhat picky about these things). And after removing some of the shredded memory foam, I had no problem sleeping comfortably on it.

Still, another reviewer pointed out that there might be a learning curve with the pillow’s adjustability: “It took a few weeks to get used to the pillow and get it the right height, but I love it! It’s improved my neck health.” 

Luckily, with a 100-day return policy, you have time to tweak the fill level to your liking. It also comes with a washable bamboo cover that you can use as a regular pillow case. If you’re interested in shredded foam pillows but still on the fence, Coop offers a quiz that can help you find the best pillows for your preferences.

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Purple

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 that it stays extra-cool and cozy at night. Thanks to its construction and loft, the Purple Harmony Pillow is the best pillow for side sleepers. 

The Purple Harmony pillow sells for a princely $179, though 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 the moisture-wicking, microfiber case do a great job of improving airflow and keeping 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, too. There’s still something of 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. In fact, I slept like a rock on it.

I just wish I could have adjusted this pillow. A lack of adjustability was a key criticism of the original, so it surprises me that you can’t adjust the Harmony, either — especially at this price. For my money, I’d probably be more inclined to go with the new version of Purple’s original pillow, which adds in removable booster pads for adjustability and costs a lot less at $120.

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Nectar

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, Nectar’s 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 did adjust things down to my liking, the Nectar Pillow finished as my top-scoring, subjective favorite as far as comfort is concerned, and that makes it a pillow that I’d be willing to spend a little extra for. I also appreciated the high-end quilted exterior and the extra-long, oversize design — though you’ll want to have an oversize pillowcase to go with it.

Parachute Home

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 the best qualities of a regular 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. 

For added allergy protection, you can also buy Parachute’s washable cotton pillow protector. 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. 

How we picked and tested

• Quality materials

  We looked for pillows that offered great comfort, support, and or breathability. We played close attention to filling and cover materials.

• Design

  Great pillows are more than feathers and thread. We looked for pillows that had accommodating designs, unique features and supportive profiles.

• Objective testing

  We measure loft or height to help determine the sleeping positions a pillow suits best, and deconstruct pillows to test the inside filling.

• Subjective testing

  Mutliple testers sleep with the pillows in every sleep position. It helps determine how comfortable it feels from different weight and size perspectives.

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Brooklinen

Not only is this plush pillow vegan, allergen-free and available in a variety of pillow size options and densities, it also has the longest trial period (365 days) of any product on this list. So 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. And, 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. You can purchase a pack of two corresponding pillow cases separately, for $49.

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DreamNorth

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. That said, 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.”

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Luxe Pillow

It’s 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.”

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Snowe Home

Snowe’s down alternative offering is also a hypoallergenic pillow that is ultraplush. 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. 

Thanks to the various pillow materials, you can’t just throw your pillow in the washing machine and hope for the best anymore. Yes, some pillows are entirely machine washable with cool water, but many have removable covers that you can wash. It’s important to check the label for cleaning recommendations. Some of the best pillows, like memory foam, are hand wash only. 

The best pillows range in price, from around $40 all the way up to $150 and above. Pricing usually varies depending on the materials used and any additional features the pillow has. For example, pillows using high-quality memory foam or phase-changing materials will cost a little bit more. However, there are good pillows at every price point. Cosy House Bamboo Pillow is our pick for the best value pillow on the market. 

Your pillows don’t need to be washed as often as your sheets and pillowcases do. Your sheets should typically be washed every two weeks. Your pillows should be washed every three to six months. Make sure to keep an eye on any spills that would accelerate this timeline. You can spot clean your pillows between full washes. 

The best pillow for neck pain is one that supports your neck and spinal alignment, ensuring your neck isn’t in an unnatural position at night. We think that Original Casper Pillow is one of the best pillows for neck support. 

Remember that using the wrong pillow — one that is too lofty or firm — can contribute to neck pain. Always make sure you use the best pillow for your sleeping position.