Evaluate the Prime 5 Pillows
Honorable Mentions
There are far too many pillows in the marketplace. We have listed our favorites above, however even that does not cowl the big selection of serviceable designs on the market for an excellent evening’s sleep. If, by some means, all of our picks above aren’t to your tastes, listed here are a couple of others we’ve examined and what we considered them.
Avocado Down Pillow for $109: This down mannequin does have feathers sourced from Responsible Down Standard (RDS)-certified farms, however it felt unimpressive and borderline flat to sleep on
Avocado Green Pillow for $119: Avocado’s fill is comprised of GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified natural kapok, and is available in each a typical form and side-sleeper curved form. It felt a lot denser than others we tried, and my check panel and I most popular different latex pillows over this one.
Bedgear Storm Pillow for $200: This mannequin from Bedgear is much like the Bedgear Move above however with out the curve for facet sleepers. In the event you sleep in your again 100% of the time, this is perhaps a greater match, however I want the flexibility of getting one curved facet and one straight facet. –Eric Ravenscraft
Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow for $59: I favored this higher than Brooklinen’s precise down pillow, because it had higher spring and help. (I selected the agency choice for testing.) I want the Buffy Cloud for a down different, however this can be a strong runner-up.
Casper Hybrid Pillow for $129: This hybrid makes use of a mixture of thick foam and a core of shredded foam for its marshmallow-like, dense-yet-soft really feel. I favored sleeping on the Casper, particularly the cooling Snow version ($149), and it did properly in my panel exams, however each of my panelists who volunteered to long-term check it got here again with disappointing outcomes inside every week. My petite facet sleeper discovered it too agency, and my taller, broader long-term tester discovered that the Casper wasn’t bouncing again fairly as a lot correctly for the worth after every week of sleeping on it. In the event you like a firm-ish design, although, you may be pleased with this one. The Snow version is barely cooling, however not tremendous cooling; extra of an excellent winter choice for decent sleepers, as one in all my panel testers stated.
Eli & Elm Everyday Memory Foam Pillow for $110: In comparison with the latex model under, the reminiscence foam model feels lumpy. Most of my panelists disliked it, together with myself, however my chaotic sleeper was a fan of its malleable form for her haphazard sleeping patterns.
Eli & Elm Everyday Latex Pillow for $110: This shredded latex-filled pillow is good and springy, and it’s a strong runner-up to the Coop and Purple. I discovered it comfy to sleep on as a facet sleeper, because it as a better loft and good help.
Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow for $116: This pillow is nearly shockingly agency out of the field. You possibly can customise the quantity of fill inside to present it the correct quantity of help for you, however in the event you’re the kind of facet sleeper who likes agency help, this is perhaps the one for you. It even comes with a separate detachable cowl for straightforward washing. It is smaller than the Delicious one, so do not count on to do a lot cuddling on this one, however for one individual it is an ideal selection. —Eric Ravenscraft
GhostBed Memory Foam Pillow for $85: Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano has been utilizing the reminiscence foam GhostBed pillow since 2020—she slept on it whereas visiting with a good friend and instantly purchased one after returning house. It is medium-firm and works for her side-, back-, and stomach-sleeping rotation. GhostBed’s declare of it being the “Coolest Pillow within the World” is exaggerated, however Medea sleeps scorching, and she or he says the gel-infused foam does keep cool all evening.
Marlow the Pillow for $49: That is one other shredded reminiscence foam mannequin, although it was much less lumpy and had higher help than the Eli & Elm. It was a bit smaller than the remainder, however it additionally has a slight adjustment choice, letting you unzip facet panels to make it greater or smaller. It was positive to sleep on; I discovered it a bit agency for my liking, however my long-term tester says it has been supportive and cleared up her neck ache. It is a good choice for the worth too.
Nest Easy Breather Pillow for $119: It is a well-liked mannequin, however I discovered it too dense and too lofty for me. It’s adjustable, so you’ll be able to simply make it much less lofty, and it comes with a fill bag to retailer your additional fill. The fill is a mixture of foam and polyester fiber. My panelist who favored the firmer Marlow additionally favored this pillow, whereas the remainder of us most popular softer choices.
No More Aches Neck Pillow for $50: There is not any scarcity of novelty pillows, however as somebody who experiences a number of neck ache, I am intrigued by this odd little design. It has a concave middle for again, facet, and abdomen sleeping, plus an indented edge that completely matches your arm. Its awkward form makes it lower than ultimate for something apart from laying your head on it, however it’s nonetheless a strong choose for neck ache. —Eric Ravenscraft
Parallel High Profile Pillow for $150: Former WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft was a fan of the Parallel’s excessive profile for taller facet sleepers. It is a good choice, however I believe you may be simply as pleased with a Purple or Coop cutout in the event you want a excessive loft and facet sleeper help.
Pillow Dice Side Cube ($70) and Ice Cube ($90): The Pillow Dice has a bizarre little rectangular design. It appears unusual at first, however as soon as you’re taking the quiz and get a suggestion for what dimension you want, you’ll be matched with the right dice for you. I examined the Aspect Dice and the Ice Dice. They have been supportive and a bit squishy, and I believe they’d be an excellent choice in the event you sleep solely in your facet—together with your arms stretched in entrance of you or close to your chest. I normally sleep with my arm stretched below my pillow, so my head is resting on my shoulder (with a pillow in between), and I discovered the Dice was much less supportive if I slept in my most popular place. And on the nights after I rolled onto my again, I wakened with neck ache. However in the event you solely sleep within the ultimate facet sleeper formation, this mannequin is rather more supportive than others I’ve tried. Be sure to choose up a case! A standard case is simply too roomy and doesn’t match the Dice properly. —Louryn Strampe
Purple DreamLayer Pillow for $199: In the event you discover you turn between being a facet sleeper and again sleeper, the Purple DreamLayer pillow offers a wonderful center floor. Fairly than utilizing adjustable fill to customise its top, this mannequin comes with two foam inserts so you may get precisely the extent of help you want. —Eric Ravenscraft
Purple GridCloud Pillow for $149: This pillow is a softer, squishier design with the grid layer we love from the Purple Freeform and Concord, however it has just one facet with the grid as a substitute of two. It is described as having a down-alternative core, and it does really feel a lot softer, like a down different. I most popular the help of Purple’s different fashions, however in order for you one thing softer with higher help than only a down or down different filling, this can be a nice choice.
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow for $165: This mannequin is barely cooling, and has a fluffier really feel in comparison with extra sinkage-style reminiscence foam.
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow for $115: I like this down different, however no more than the less expensive Buffy. There are two loft top choices which is good in order for you one thing particular.
Sleep Number True Temp Adapt Ultimate Pillow for $150: I examined the Final form since it is a slight crescent-like model that is ultimate for facet sleepers like myself. I like this as a facet sleeper choice, and it is properly cooling as properly. It is a bit smaller than the Coop, however nonetheless sufficiently big for the average-sized individual.
Slumber Cloud UltraCool Pillow for $79: This pillow is tremendous chilly and tremendous gentle, much like a down or down different mannequin. In the event you’re on the lookout for one thing additional cool and like the sunshine, malleable help of a down pillow, this can be a sensible choice.
Snuggle-Pedic Adjustable Cooling Pillow for $57: This was our favourite pillow below $100, however it’s out of inventory in all places proper now. If you’ll find it accessible, it is an ideal choice stuffed with shredded reminiscence foam which you can alter to get your excellent top.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt ProAdjust Pillow for $125: This adjustable-fill mannequin from Tempur-Pedic has a compartment the place you’ll be able to add or take away foam filling to get the right quantity of help for you. That is an more and more frequent function, however what units it aside is Tempur-Pedic’s trademark cooling supplies. The corporate makes among the finest cooling supplies in the marketplace, and this one managed to remain cooler than most I attempted. —Eric Ravenscraft
Tempur Pedic Tempur Adapt ProHi for $175: Our earlier reminiscence foam choose did positive in my panel exams, however all of us most popular shredded reminiscence foam over a strong sheet. Somebody did volunteer to long-term check this as a knee help whereas they slept, although.
Tempur-Breeze ProHi Pillow for $229: is a wider, extra spacious different to the Tempur-Adapt ProHi. It has a equally excessive loft, and the froth is firmer and extra immune to stress than the Adapt. It is a greater match in the event you want a firmer choice, or in order for you house to share it together with your cuddling companion. —Eric Ravenscraft
Understanding Pillow Sizes
There are a pair completely different pillow sizes you would possibly discover when buying. More often than not pillows are available a typical dimension and a king dimension, and you should purchase a typical dimension except you will have a king-size mattress. However there are a couple of extra dimension choices.
All mattress pillows are normally 20 inches huge, however the size can range. (That is why your pillowcases may appear too lengthy—they’re ready for bigger sizes!) In the event you’re interested by extra sizes or discovered a mannequin that has extra choices to select from than you understand what to do with, listed here are the standard sizes you’ll find and what measurements they need to have:
- Customary Measurement: 20 inches by 26 inches
- Tremendous Customary Measurement: 20 inches by 28 inches
- Queen: 20 inches by 30 inches
- King: 20 inches by 36 inches
- Physique: 20 inches by 54 inches
You may need to double-check listings to see what dimension you are actually working with if dimension is a matter for you. Buffy, for instance, lists a typical dimension for its pillows, however they’re 28 inches lengthy, making these pillows a brilliant commonplace dimension. You will not need to order king-size pillows and not using a king-sized mattress, particularly since you may want king-size pillowcases together with your sheets. Physique pillows are the longest of all, and we’ve a separate guide to those.
Regularly Requested Questions
What Type of Pillow Do You Want?
You would possibly assume a pillow is a pillow. It simply must be gentle and match below your head, proper? Your head, neck, and again disagree. Getting an excellent evening’s sleep can rely closely in your pillow, so when selecting one, listed here are a couple of key inquiries to ask.
What sort of sleeper are you? Do you sleep in your again, facet, or abdomen? Do you keep comparatively nonetheless, or do you toss and switch loads? Do you normally have one pillow below your head, or do you cocoon your self right into a pillow chrysalis? That is in all probability crucial factor to bear in mind when deciding what kind works finest for you, and we have famous our picks under primarily based on sleeping model.
What’s the pillow manufactured from? Pillows might be stuffed with all forms of supplies, from feathers to foam. Down and artificial down are fluffy clusters of fiber that may really feel gentle and cozy, whereas reminiscence foam is designed to compress with the load of your head however nonetheless return to its earlier form. Natural latex might be heavy and spongey, holding a side-sleeper’s head in place. There are additionally hybrid pillows that use a number of layers of various supplies for a extra structured really feel.
How are the supplies sourced? Since some supplies like down feathers come from animals, you may want to concentrate on how producers get their fill (actually). Down filling usually comes from the stomach feathers of both geese or geese. With the intention to be sure that down feathers are ethically sourced—corresponding to by avoiding merciless practices like reside plucking—applications just like the Responsible Down Standard set standards that producers should adhere to. An alternative choice is to search for artificial down options, which use cotton, rayon, or polyester as an artificial alternative. The broader Material Matters Standard is a lately overhauled system for inspecting the environmental impression and sustainability of bedding producers.
How agency is it? Nevertheless you sleep, you may need a pillow that retains your backbone straight and your head aligned together with your again. Which means you need one thing agency sufficient to help your head but gentle sufficient that it would not dig into your ear or face.
How lofty is it? “Loft” is a time period typically used to explain how excessive up and doing the pillow retains your head. If it is too tall, for instance, you would possibly find yourself together with your neck tilted upward, straining it all through the evening. Most fashions usually fall into one in all three classes: Low loft, which is comparatively brief and ultimate for again sleepers; excessive loft, which is healthier for facet sleepers (since your head can be additional up and doing than once you’re in your again); and medium loft, which is someplace within the center and finest in the event you’re a mixture sleeper who would not stick to 1 specific sleep model.
What’s the guarantee and return coverage? You won’t assume the pillow you sleep (and sweat and drool) on would have a sturdy guarantee, however many producers supply beneficiant insurance policies. For instance, Purple gives a one-year warranty and even a 100-night trial interval. Casper has a similar warranty and a 30-day trial. In the event you’re uncertain whether or not your new pillow is best for you, take a look at the corporate’s insurance policies to see what leeway it’s important to attempt earlier than you commit—and be sure to’re protected if one thing goes mistaken.
What is the Greatest Pillow Fill for You?
Quite a lot of filling supplies are used, and the kind of fill is an enormous a part of how pillows are categorized. You have heard of down pillows, for instance, which suggests it is filled with down undercoating or feathers, and listening to the phrases “reminiscence foam” normally invokes the sinking sensation that good reminiscence foam can provide. Here is a fast explainer of the principle forms of fill you may discover and the way they differ.
Down: Down pillows, as I discussed above, are stuffed with both down clusters (an undercoating on geese) or down feathers, or a mixture of each. It is a fill that is been round for ages, and it feels much like a comforter within the sense that it is gentle and squishy, and really malleable to form in any approach you favor. (However it additionally would not retain its form properly.) Since these are stuffed with down clusters or feathers, you may need to test for certifications, just like the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), that affirm if the down was ethically sourced.
Down different: These pillows aren’t a set kind, however use different supplies to duplicate the down expertise. Buffy, for instance, makes use of recycled plastic to create their fill, whereas Saatva makes use of a mixture of reminiscence foam and latex foam. You may have to have a look to see what makes up any down different design, because it is not constant. However what’s constant is the completely different really feel. In my exams, I’ve discovered down different fashions are normally extra supportive and do a greater job holding their form than a traditional down.
Reminiscence foam: Reminiscence foam is well-liked since it will probably “bear in mind” its authentic form, letting it return to its earlier type as soon as your head is off the pillow. Reminiscence foam does have a sinking sensation to it, which you would possibly like or dislike. You may additionally need to test if the reminiscence foam is a strong sheet or shredded; I’ve discovered shredded and lower reminiscence foam to have extra bounce and help and fewer sinkage than a reminiscence foam sheet.
Latex foam: Latex foam is comprised of rubber, giving it a a lot bouncier, supportive really feel than different foam choices. Latex foam is turning into a preferred choice due to that good help, and it’s normally discovered with a shredded kind of fill that provides loads of airflow.
Hybrid: Hybrid is one other class gaining in reputation. It may be a mixture of any of the above fills, however I typically discover it is a sheet of froth mixed with both shredded foam or another form of softer filling. Casper, for instance, makes use of each sheets of reminiscence foam after which has a core of shredded foam on the middle to present it its marshmallow-like really feel.
Cotton, kapok, and wool: These fills are all pure fibers that take much less processing than foam, and may very well be utilized in a mix with different supplies above. Kapok and cotton are presupposed to be on the fluffy finish, whereas wool is nice for temperature regulation. However none are as well-liked as foam or down choices, although you would possibly see these as substances in natural or hybrid choices.
Are Customary and Queen the Similar Pillow Measurement?
No, a typical dimension is a bit smaller at solely 26 inches huge, whereas a queen dimension needs to be 30 inches huge. You would possibly need to test the measurements in case it is mislabeled to be the identical factor, however if in case you have the selection between the 2, I want a couple of additional inches with the queen dimension.
Why Ought to You Spend So A lot on a Pillow?
You is perhaps stunned by among the value tags on these pillows. I bear in mind spending backside greenback on my pillows for years. However these bottom-dollar pillows wanted to be often changed and did not present the long-term help (and even all-night help) my neck wanted.
Larger-quality pillows price extra however will use higher supplies, last more, and include trial intervals and warranties as a way to check out the pillow of your selection and get a assure it will final. Plus, whereas most of those aren’t low cost, it is nonetheless an reasonably priced funding once you break down what number of hours you may be mendacity on them.
How Ought to You Take care of Your Pillow?
One of the best ways to scrub your pillow goes to rely upon the pillow you will have. You possibly can select at hand wash, spot clear, or machine wash pillows, although you may need to test the label and ensure it is secure to machine wash it. If it isn’t, spot or hand cleansing is the best choice.
The best pillows to scrub are ones that include detachable covers, as a result of you’ll be able to take away stated cowl and wash it with different sheets and bedding. Not all pillow fill needs to be washed, in order that’s necessary to test earlier than throwing a complete pillow into your washer. Our prime 5 picks all have detachable covers for straightforward washing, although for some (just like the Honeydew Delicious) you may need to manually take away the filling and retailer it in a bag, whereas others just like the Purple have a separated cowl and fill part.
How Does WIRED Select Pillows to Evaluation?
We analysis all pillows we check to verify we check quite a lot of types, fills, and shapes to search out that are probably the most supportive over an evening’s sleep. We check each costly and affordably priced fashions to see how the standard stacks up, and normally look to check new designs and choices to see what’s coming subsequent (and each different class we check for). We additionally take a look at evaluations and buyer suggestions when accessible to see if it is price testing to check towards pillows we all know we already like.
How Does WIRED Check Pillows?
Each pillow on this information is slept on for at least three nights, with our prime picks getting at the least every week if not nearer to a month of sleep testing from both myself, different staffers, or long-term testers. I additionally hosted a testing panel in March 2025 with six members and 22 completely different fashions. The panelists all had completely different sleep types starting from traditional facet and again sleepers to chaotic sleepers who find yourself beneath their pillows each evening, and the panel judged which choices they discovered most comfy and could be probably to purchase for his or her sleep wants.
How Does WIRED Purchase Pillows? What Occurs to the Evaluation Items After Testing?
Most of our pillows are supplied by the corporate for us to evaluation, typically by that firm reaching out to supply its latest mannequin for us to contemplate, or extra often, us reaching out and asking to check it after researching that particular model or fill kind. We additionally buy some pillows for ourselves and can write about them.
After we check pillows, they’re both positioned with a long-term tester if the mannequin is a choose, or they’re donated.
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