The Best Pillows of 2025, Tested by Sleep Experts

Mar 12, 2025

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Choosing the best pillow is a highly personal decision. Whether you seek fluffy, cloud-like comfort to cooling, cradling support with a buoyancy akin to squeezing a marshmallow, there's a lot to consider about what goes into making the best pillow. What's comfortable to you might not be supportive enough for someone else. There's a number of criteria to consider like preferred sleep position, body type, specific sleep concerns, and yes, desired feel.

We tested over 30 pillows filled with down, down-alternative fill, latex, foam, and even ones with untraditional materials, like buckwheat, silk, and bamboo to help you find your version of the perfect pillow. We sleep with each pillow for at least five nights, but it's the ones that stay on our bed post testing that really made this list. We also consulted with several sleep experts about what to look for in choosing a pillow; the general consensus being to pick your pillow with the same care and research you would devote to selecting the best mattress. It can truly make or break your sleep.

Our long-standing top pick for the best pillow continues to be the Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow, which we think appeals to the largest variety of sleepers because of its adjustable shredded memory foam fill. It was a close call, however, with the Casper Original Pillow, which is a perfectly plush and supportive down alternative design for side and back sleepers that doesn't go flat. If you're not sensitive to down, we also rave about the soft and fluffy Brooklinen Down Pillow, which offers a more traditional hotel pillow feel and is available in three firmness options.

Find out more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

Best overall: Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow - See at Amazon

Runner up: Casper Original Pillow - See at Amazon

Best budget: Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow (Set of 2) - See at Amazon

Best down: Brooklinen Down Pillow - See at Brooklinen

Best for back sleepers: The Saatva Latex Pillow - See at Saatva

Best for stomach sleepers: Parachute Down-Alternative Pillow, Soft - See at Parachute

Best cooling: Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Cool+ Adjustable Pillow - See at Amazon

Best for neck pain: Layla Kapok Pillow - See at Layla

The Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow offers thoughtful features like adjustable fill, a washable pillow cover, and an unparalleled 100-night trial, making it the best choice for most people.

Specifics

It's rare to come across a product as thoughtfully designed as the Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow. Made from hypoallergenic shredded memory foam, the Coop pillow has an adjustable fill that lets you customize it to the perfect loft for your sleep preferences. Other thoughtful features like a washable cover, 5-year warranty, and 100-night trial make it our top recommendation.

When you open the box, a bright yellow insert walks you through how to customize the pillow and suggests how much fill to add or remove (it's more than you think) based on your preferred sleeping position. While the pillow arrives almost overfilled, it also comes with a half-pound bag of additional stuffing in case you need even more support.

I followed the package recommendations to remove about a third of the fill for back sleepers. The result felt deeply personalized, and it was very comfortable to sleep on with an outstanding balance of support and fluff.

I think most people will love the customization, especially if you prefer the springy feel of memory foam. We also think the the Coop Pillow is ideal for side sleepers, also earning the top-spot in our guide to the best pillow for side sleepers because the loft can be adjusted to your own depth.

The brand also offers adjustable shapes targeted for side and back sleepers and a body pillow, which tops our guide to the best body pillows.

One drawback? If you favor a softer, more down-like fill like I do, you may find the Coop Original pillow on the firmer side and tends to get a bit hot during the night. Alternatively, the Coop Eden pillow uses gel-infused memory foam and microfiber to sleep cooler and has a plusher, soft fill that mimics the feeling of down. For an even cooler sleeping pillow, there's our best cooling pillow pick below, The Eden Cool+.

Read our full review of Coop Sleep Goods' The Original Pillow.

The Casper Original Pillow offers the loft and support that side sleepers need but with the soft and fluffy feel of a down alternative.

Specifics

If you prefer the soft, buoyant feel of down alternative, you'll love the Casper Original Pillow. It's one of the best pillows for side sleepers with a thick, resilient loft to adequately bolster your neck, yet back sleepers will love it cushioning support too.

Made from down-alternative hypoallergenic fill with a percale cotton shell, the Casper pillow feels like the soft, plush pillows in hotel rooms. A two-inch gusset (the strip of fabric between seams that gives the pillow a more boxy shape) keeps the pillow lofted for the supportive lift that side sleepers require, but the plush fill still provides the "sinking in" sensation when you lay your head down.

Senior home editor Jaclyn Turner has slept on the Casper Original Pillow for over a year. She is a combo sleeper, sleeping on her back and side, and appreciates that it has never lost its loft and provides the plush support she craves.

Another side sleeper who tried the pillow over several weeks loved that it stayed cool throughout the night and kept its shape despite its softer fill. If you want a balance of support and softness, we recommend giving the Casper Original Pillow a try; just keep in mind that it's not as customizable or adjustable as other pillows and only available in the singular firmness.

Read our full review of the Casper Original Pillow.

The Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow is a budget-friendly option with a plush, premium feel and breathable cotton fabric.

Specifics

If you're you're primarily concerned about price, the Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow is the best bang for your buck, offering the promise of fluffy hotel-style pillows without a costly investment.

These pillows are on the thinner side but have a gentle, down-like plushness that sets them apart from other inexpensive pillows I've tried. While they're more squishy than supportive, they're a good choice for stomach sleepers, back sleepers, and anyone who likes to hug, fold, or stack their pillows at night.

I've spent several months sleeping with these pillows on and off, and they haven't gone flat or gotten lumpy. They are a little less lofty and bouncy than when I first got them, but I like that they have a more lived-in feel.

"Gel pillow" is a bit of a misnomer; there's no liquid or cooling gel in these pillows like there is in some other cooling pillows. Instead, these pillows are filled with hypoallergenic polyester gel fiber, similar to a down alternative in both feel and performance. Compared to denser materials like memory foam, the pillows stay relatively cool but stop short of actively cooling you.

While these pillows aren't adjustable, each pack comes with two pillows, so you can easily stack them to your desired comfort level. The company also offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee — a rarity for Amazon-only pillow brands.

The mid-plush Brooklinen Down Pillow conforms well to different sleeping positions, making it the ideal pillow for people who shift throughout the night. It feels as good as pillows double its price.

Specifics

Down makes for a very soft and comfortable pillow, but the material isn't for everyone. While experts told us that down allergies are less common than we've been made to believe, people with dust mite allergies may sleep easier with a hypoallergenic pillow. That's why, for this guide, we focused mostly on memory foam and down-alternative pillows.

For those who strongly prefer the feel of a down pillow, our guide to the best down pillow cover options across a number of styles and budgets. Our top pick is the Brooklinen Down Pillow, which is plush and comfy for various sleeping styles.

It's offered in three firmness options. We tried the mid-plush and plush options. The mid-plush is a great middle-of-the-road option if you're unsure what kind of pillow you like best, while the plush is breathable and ideal for stacking to build on support. The mid has a dual chamber design with a feather core for support and is surrounded by fluffy down clusters at a ratio of 30% down to 70% feathers. Meanwhile, the firm also has a dual design but a ratio of 14% clusters and 86% feathers, ideal for side sleepers. The plush option is filled with 100% down clusters for the soft comfort stomach sleepers crave.

The down compressed easily but bounced back up quickly and was easy to fluff up. This pillow had the most noticeable down smell of all the down pillows, but it did dissipate. Otherwise, we were pleased with the construction and feel of the pillow.

Read our full Brooklinen down pillow review.

Luxuriously plush, The Saatva Pillow offers an ultra comfortable, hotel-like experience and is particularly well-suited to back sleepers.

Specifics

The Saatva Pillow has a supportive shredded latex core surrounded by a plush, down alternative layer and a sateen cotton liner. Its unique construction makes it different from any pillow I've ever felt before — it's got the hefty weight and support of a memory foam pillow but with the plush, cool feel of a down pillow.

It's available in a standard loft of roughly four to five inches high, suggested for back and stomach sleepers, and a high loft of six to seven inches high for side sleepers and those who require more plush pillows.

I kept coming back to this pillow throughout testing, and it quickly became my go-to for nights when I wasn't actively testing anything new.

I've now been sleeping on this pillow for five months. I love how my head sinks into this soft pillow, but it's still supportive enough to keep its shape all night long. When I wake up, the pillow looks just as plush as when I fell asleep.

I'm a very active sleeper who likes to move around a lot in bed and take my bedding with me, so I love that the pillow is equally plush and comfortable from all sides and angles. It's still soft and supportive when I fold, scoop, or hug it throughout the night. It's dense but quickly goes back to its original shape. Finally, it's hypoallergenic, a must for allergy sufferers like myself.

Multiple stomach sleepers who tried the pillow as part of our testing found it too lofty, even with the inner core removed. Some side sleepers might also find the pillow not quite lofty enough; we think it's best for back sleepers and those who prefer a plusher, cooler feel than memory foam.

Soft but not too thin, the Parachute Down-Alternative Pillow has the perfect loft for stomach sleepers who want just a bit of cushion.

Specifics

Stomach sleepers generally require the least pillow support since their head and spine are already pretty close to alignment when lying on their stomach. Most stomach sleepers would benefit from a soft pillow with just a bit of loft, and for that, the Parachute Down-Alternative Pillow is the top choice.

This is the only pillow that received high marks for comfort from my husband, an avowed stomach sleeper who finds most pillows too lofty. The Parachute pillow elevates his head just enough to alleviate any neck strain, and the sateen cotton encasement keeps the pillow remarkably cool all night long, ideal for those like him who run hot.

We purchased four of these pillows in soft, and they were our mainstay before I started testing and evaluating pillows for this guide. They're also available in medium and firm variations. In many ways, this pillow hits all the marks for me: it stays cool, is incredibly soft and comfortable, and is hypoallergenic. But while my husband happily drifts asleep with one of these pillows tucked under his head, I (a back sleeper) need to stack two or three to get the loft I need to fall asleep comfortably.

While the fill is thin enough that the pillow easily folds over for some support if you occasionally flip to your side or back during the night, it doesn't provide enough for those who spend most of the night in those positions. The pillow won't offer much lift if you want to prop yourself up to read or watch TV while lounging in bed. Still, it's a great personal pillow for any stomach sleeper who has found other pillows too lofty.

The Coop Eden Cool+ Pillow keeps you cool with its gel-infused foam, offers two sides for different feels, and adjusts to your liking.

Specifics

If you're a hot sleeper, you'll never worry about having to flip to the cool side of the pillow when you select a pillow specifically designed to sleep cool and comfortable. Crafted specifically for individuals who sleep hot, the Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Cool+ Adjustable pillow blends cooling gel-infused memory foam and recycled polyester fibers to create a comfortable and adjustable pillow.

In addition to being adjustable like our best overall, the Eden Cool+ is also dual-sided: one side features a cooling and firmer phase change gel layer, perfect for those warm nights, while the other side offers a softer, plush feel. Both sides feel incredibly refreshing. During testing in the middle of summer, our tester didn't notice any significant heat build-up and found that any warmth dissipated quickly. She also experienced unparalleled support sleeping on her side and maintained ideal spinal alignment without any hint of shoulder tension or headaches. The adjustable fill design allows you to add or remove fill according to your preferences.

Our guide to the best cooling pillows has more breathable options to explore.

With its customizable fill, the Layla Kapok Pillow offers neck pain sufferers both support and comfort.

Specifics

During testing, we found that the Layla Kapok Pillow is the best pillow for those who suffer from neck pain. Its adjustable design forms to your head and neck for a very comfortable night's sleep.

This customization makes the Layla Kapok great for many types of sleepers. Reporter James Brains preferred to use the pillow with all the fill inside, while Sally Kaplan, executive editor, removed two-thirds of the material, which made it easy to mold the pillow to support her head and neck. Kaplan said it took a few nights to get the fill level right, but then she slept much better than with her old memory foam pillow.

The pillow is made of CertiPUR-US-certified shredded memory foam and fibers from the Kapok tree. The fibers are light and buoyant and commonly used as a down alternative. The foam is hypoallergenic and made without ozone depleters, certain heavy metals, and formaldehyde.

Unzip the cover and internal case to adjust the pillow. Remove the fill until you reach your preferred loft (or height). Have a sealable container or bag handy to contain the fill and save it in case you want to add it back in later.

If the pillow doesn't work for you, you can return it within 30 days.

Check out our guide to the best pillow for neck pain for more options.

The experts recommended prioritizing three main criteria when shopping for a new pillow: sleep position, material, and trial period. To learn more about what to look for in the best pillows, we spoke with Dr. Rebecca Robbins, sleep researcher, author, and instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and associate scientist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital. Below, find our recommendations for each consideration.

Robbins told us the most significant consideration when picking a pillow is your preferred sleep position: side, back, or stomach. The goal of your pillow is to support your neck in a neutral position aligned with the rest of your spine. That alignment shifts depending on the position you're sleeping in. While we all move around during sleep, most of us spend the majority of our sleeping time in one position.

Not sure what your sleep position is? Consider what position you typically fall asleep or wake up in. Robbins also has an exercise she performs with her clients: Imagine you've been up for 24 hours and are presented with a big, luxurious hotel bed; how would you lie down on it to go to sleep? The position you envision is likely your preferred sleep position and plays a significant role in what type of pillow will work best for you.

Ideal pillow by sleep position

Side sleepers: Around 65% of the US population are side sleepers, according to Robbins, and this position requires the most loft and support to bridge the wide gap between the side of your head and where your shoulder rests on the mattress. If you're a side sleeper, choose a lofty pillow — ideally with an adjustable fill since there can be a lot of variability in the size of that shoulder gap from person to person. Robbins said hotels and sleep clinics outfit rooms with side sleepers in mind, so if you're buying pillows for a guest bedroom, a side-sleeper-friendly pillow is usually a good bet.

Back sleepers: Back sleepers are the Goldilocks of pillow hunters — they need a pillow with just enough support to lift the back of the head to align with their shoulders. Back sleepers tend to benefit from a medium pillow made from a down or down alternative, though an adjustable pillow with at least one-third of the fill removed may work as well.

Stomach sleepers: In the minority are stomach sleepers, who need the least support from their pillow. Typically, a thin, very soft pillow works best for stomach sleepers — just enough fill to cushion their face from the flat surface of the mattress.

The material a pillow is filled with has a big impact on the feel of your pillow. Here's an overview of the major fill types:

Down: Down consists of feathers taken from the underbelly of a goose or duck. It's an incredibly soft and comfortable material for pillows. While most modern down is triple-washed to remove dander, some allergy sufferers may want to avoid this material, as animal fibers are more prone to dust mites (which can exacerbate allergies) than synthetic fibers. You can read about our favorite down options in our best down pillows guide.

Down Alternative: Down alternative is typically any fibrous material that mimics the feel of true down. Microfiber is a popular and common down alternative, but bamboo or viscose fibers would also fall into the category, as well as polyfiber. The majority of the pillows in this guide are made from microfiber, which is generally hypoallergenic and breathable.

Memory foam: Another popular fill is memory foam. We prefer pillows with shredded memory foam, which offer a more traditional and malleable pillow feeling. A solid block of memory foam may be preferred if you suffer from back and neck pain and need to keep your head immobilized during sleep. Read more about the best pillows for neck pain.

The only way to know if a pillow is right for you is to sleep on it. We recommend looking for pillows that offer at least a 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee. This will allow you several weeks to decide if the pillow is right for you.

Individual anatomy, sleep habits, and preferences profoundly impact how comfortable a pillow will be from person to person. Note that there is no one-size-fits-all best pillow.For that reason, our rating criteria for this guide relied heavily on the following considerations:

Return policy and trial period: It's impossible to know how comfortable a pillow is going to be for you until you sleep on it, despite how comprehensive our guide aims to be. "The most important thing is trying the pillows out to see what works for you," said Robbins, which includes being able to touch, lay on, and sleep with a pillow before deciding if it's right for you. For this guide, we only considered pillows that accept returns of used merchandise for a full refund with at least a 30-day trial window, which gives you ample time to decide if a pillow is right for you.

Adjustability: We prioritized adjustable pillows with removable inserts or shredded fill for dialing in your perfect loft. This creates a more custom pillow that would better suit your needs. We also favored pillows available in varying lofts and firmnesses if the removable fill was not an option.

Ease of use: We looked at how well each pillow fit a standard pillowcase, whether the pillow came with a case or protector, and whether all or parts of the pillow were washable for better hygiene and pillow longevity.

Comfort: I slept on all of the pillows for at least three (sometimes agonizing) nights. I also enlisted a side sleeper and a stomach sleeper to try the pillows for a couple of weeks.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends replacing a well-used pillow every couple of years. If you fold your pillow in half and it stays put, it's probably time for a new pillow. (This may not work with thin pillows.)

Robbins recommends looking for a hypoallergenic pillow with a synthetic filling if you're prone to allergies. Pillows with animal fillings (such as down) may trigger allergies since dust mites like fillings made from animal material.

Not typically. Brands may offer their pillows in various lofts and firmness options. However, our top pick, the Coop Home Goods Original Pillow, is entirely adjustable, so you can find the loft that's right for you. Add or remove filling to reach your ideal comfort level.

Hot sleepers may find pillows with down alternative filling or shredded memory have have better airflow than down. Our guide to the best cooling pillows has several recommendations featuring options for sleepers who worry about overheating at night.

Pillows cost anywhere from $10 to several hundred dollars. Because of how much time we spend sleeping, Robbins recommends considering a pillow as an investment that will pay you back in better sleep. "No matter your budget, I really encourage people to splurge and invest in these products because they will help," she said.

Sweat, oil, and skincare products can all turn your pillow yellow. Adding a pillow protector may help prevent the stains.

Typical recommendations range from every three to six months. Robbins recommends adding a pillow protector (an encasement that adds another level of protection from allergens, body oils, dust mites, and other pests), too.

Not every pillow can be washed. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to best care for and clean your pillow. You may also want to fluff your pillows daily to extend their life.

Loft refers to the height of your pillow, which determines how far off the mattress it lifts your head. experts recommend a pillow that keeps your head and neck aligned with the rest of your spine. side sleepers need more loft, while stomach sleepers need minimal loft.

Most pillows for sleeping come in two sizes: standard and king, while queen is another size option that you may see. Standard pillow sizes measure 20" x 26" inches, a queen measures 20" x 30" inches, and a king measures 20" x 36" inches. We recommend a standard or queen size for twin, full, and queen mattresses and king pillows for king or California king mattresses.

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