24 Best Bed Pillows, Tested and Reviewed

A pillow can make or break your sleep, which is why we embarked on a tireless quest to find the best pillows for every kind of sleeper. Looking for something firm with lots of support? A fluffy, down-filled dream? The best cooling pillow infused with gel? Shopping for a new pillow doesn’t have to be a guessing game; we put our heads together to test and review 19 of them. If you want to jump to a specific pillow, here’s a complete list of what we’ll cover:

• Brooklinen Down Pillow
• Boll & Branch Down Pillow
• Buffy Cloud Pillow
• Parachute Down Side Sleeper Pillow
• Original Casper Pillow
• Saatva Latex Pillow
• Avocado Green Pillow
• Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow
• Coyuchi Turiya Organic Latex Pillow
• Layla Kapok Pillow
• Fluff Co Down & Feather Pillow
• Allswell Supreme Pillow
• Allswell Gel Cooling Pillow
• Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow
• Sleep Number Rest & Read Pillow
• Sleep Number DownComfort Pillow
• Pom Pom at Home Down Sleeping Pillow
• Purple Harmony Pillow
• Pluto Puff Body Pillow
• The Company Store Legends Hotel Best Down Pillow 
• Lux Decor Collection Gusseted Quilted Bed Pillows
• Woolroom Wool Pillow
• LAYR Customizable Pillow
• Sheex Original Performance Pillow

Read on to discover the best bed pillows to help you drift off in peace!

Brooklinen Down Pillow

$109 at Brooklinen

Pillow reviewer: Jacqueline Wladis, associate director of commerce partnerships 

Materials and firmness: Brooklinen’s pillow features a combo of down clusters and feather filling with a 100% cotton sateen shell. They’re not so firm that you feel like you’re sleeping on a brick, but they cradle your head and provide nice back support if you’re working from your bed.

Styles available: I tried the firm, but it also comes in plush and mid-plush as well as a down alternative pillow.

Care instructions: Do not put it in the washing machine, but run it in the dryer on air fluff/no heat setting. For this reason (and also because I am a hot sleeper), I recommend a Slumber Cloud pillow cover, which is machine washable.

What kind of sleeper are you? I run hot and require a lot of neck and back support. I am a chaotic sleeper who is constantly rotating positions. I am always trying to turn my bed into a firm cloud that feels like it both envelops me like a burrito mummy and also supports my neck and back.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? These are down pillows that are firm. I’ve never been disappointed by other products from Brooklinen, and I previously had been sleeping on the cheapo pillows you pick up at a discount superstore. These changed the game.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? It’s like putting your head on a very firm cloud that supports your neck. According to The Edison Spine Center, you want a pillow that keeps your spine aligned from top to bottom and these provide just that, especially for a side sleeper.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? They exceeded them.

Would you recommend this pillow? 15 out of 10—would recommend, they’re absolutely worth the money.

Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow (Medium)

$158 at Boll & Branch

Pillow reviewer: Elaheh Nozari, commerce category director

Materials and firmness: The shell is 100% organic cotton, and the fill is down.

Styles available: There are two sizes to choose from (standard and king) and three densities (soft, medium, and firm). I went with the standard medium. I wasn’t sure how soft or firm the other two densities would be, so I thought I’d go with something in between.

Care instructions: Per Boll & Branch’s website, the pillow can be machine-washed as needed (though it recommends infrequently) in cold water on a gentle cycle.

What kind of sleeper are you? Stomach sleeper. I prefer a soft pillow that has a little firmness; I like a down pillow but I don’t want my head to sink all the way in until I can feel the mattress under my head.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? You can tell that it is a very well-made pillow insert. It has a sturdy build and I liked that there were different density options to choose from as I sometimes feel like I’m choosing my pillows blindly, without knowing how soft or firm they’ll be.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? Extremely cozy! The medium density was just right for me—I could feel the feathery softness when I put my head down but there was enough sturdiness for my head to feel supported.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Yes!

Would you recommend this pillow? I would recommend it to someone who doesn’t want an overly firm pillow but still wants some level of support, and wants that down feel. That said, it is a very expensive pillow! I’m not sure the price tag is worth it as it doesn’t seem drastically better than other medium-firm down pillows I’ve slept on.

Buffy Cloud Pillow

$55 $47 at Buffy

Pillow reviewer: Rachel Wallace, entertainment editor

Materials and firmness: It is a lyocell fiber shell and a recycled PET fill. It is soft and lightweight.

Styles available: It comes in standard or king size and soft, medium, or firm fill. I picked standard size and medium fill.

Care instructions: It is dry-clean only.

What kind of sleeper are you? I was a die-hard stomach sleeper until a few years ago when I started having neck pain. Now I find that sleeping on my side is best, and I am always in search of a supportive pillow that offers the right height to keep my neck in alignment.

What attracted you to these pillows? I have seen ads for Buffy all over the subway and was curious about their products. This pillow was described as “soft-yet-supportive” which is exactly what I’m looking for.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? This pillow is great! It truly lives up to what is says. I feel like my head is sinking into it and yet somehow my head remains supported. My neck has been feeling great.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? It surpassed them. It arrived in a super thin box and feels really soft and light when you handle it. I thought for sure it was going to be too thin and soft for me.

Would you recommend this pillow? I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fellow side sleeper, or anyone who likes a soft feel but craves support. I do think it is worth the price—especially since a good night’s sleep is priceless!

Parachute Down Side Sleeper Pillow

$159 at Parachute

Pillow reviewer: Audrey Lee, commerce writer

Materials and firmness: Parachute’s pillow is filled with premium European white down and features a 100% sateen cotton shell. The brand describes it as having a “medium density,” though I’d say it’s on the slightly softer, cushier side.

Styles available: Standard and king-size options are available.

Care instructions: Dry-clean or wash cool on your machine’s delicate setting using mild laundry detergent.

What kind of sleeper are you? Side sleeper, serial pillow stacker.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? Sometimes I love a big, fluffy down pillow I can really sink my head into. This side sleeper-specific model from Parachute is designed with a 3.5-inch gusset to take the strain off your neck and shoulders, so I was definitely invested in whether or not this cushion could deliver the right balance of fluff and support.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? I’ve slept on lots of down pillows before—some ultra-soft and some on the firmer side—but I’d describe the feeling of this one as almost cloud-like. It’s light and airy for sure—almost like a luxury pillow you would find at a five-star hotel or resort, though I’d say the fill has a tendency to shift around so the cushion can flatten out pretty easily throughout the night. 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Overall, I am happy with this pillow. I’ve been pairing it with another down pillow for an extra bit of height, but I really appreciate the overall feel of the down and that I haven’t had an issue with the cushion leaking feathers like other goose down pillows I’ve have in the past.

Would you recommend this pillow? If you’re in the market for a great down pillow I’d say go for this one. But if you’re looking for something lofty that’s going to keep your head elevated and neck supported, I’d maybe go a different route.

Original Casper Pillow

$65 at Wayfair

$65 at Casper

Pillow reviewer: Madeleine Luckel, design editor

Materials and firmness: Casper’s pillow is a polyester microfiber fill with a cotton cover—it’s on the firmer side.

Styles available: Standard and king sizes are available with mid loft and low loft options.

Care instructions: Machine washable.

What kind of sleeper are you? In terms of sleep position, I sleep in lots of different ways—on my back, on my right or left side, or partially on my stomach.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? This is actually my boyfriend’s pillow. I usually like really soft pillows, while he likes firmer ones. However, I like this product so much that I try to steal it all the time.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? The Original pillow is really nice. Somehow the pillow stays pretty cool and it really is at some indescribable sweet spot in terms of its firmness. But the real key is that the pillow is thick enough to work perfectly as a stand-alone sleep piece. And this is coming from someone who usually swears by sleeping with two pillows. 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? For me, it exceeded them! 

Would you recommend this pillow? Yes! Even to a skeptical friend. 

Saatva Latex Pillow

$165 at Saatva

Pillow reviewer: Sydney Gore, digital design editor

Materials and firmness: According to Saatva, this pillow is “100% organic cotton filled with plush and down-like microdenier fiber.” The shredded natural latex core is also hypoallergenic if that’s something that matters to you! Apparently, this means that it is “dust mite and mildew resistant, and more breathable than synthetic foams.” Leo Wang, CEO and cofounder of Buffy, once told me how bedding is essentially a “petri dish for bacteria” so pillow protection is key!

Styles available: Saatva’s latex pillow is only available in a king (34” x 18”) or queen (28” x 18”) size. I opted for the queen sized pillow in accordance with the measurements of my mattress.

Care instructions: The cover is machine washable. While I haven’t tried to clean it yet, it seems easy enough!

What kind of sleeper are you? I recently learned that I’m a side sleeper so it’s imperative that the pillows in my bed provide extra support. Since I don’t share this sacred space with anyone else, I find myself clutching the pillows around me for a comfortable embrace as I doze off into dreamland. (Shoutouts to Jie Jiu for creating the most stylish form of emotional support!)

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? To be honest, I was influenced by all of the mutual friends that follow the brand on Instagram. I view follows as endorsements so that convinced me that Saatva’s products must be trustworthy to some degree.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? Saatva prides this pillow for providing “hotel-quality comfort,” but to be perfectly honest that’s not what I look for in my bedding! I want to feel like I’m sinking into a cloud which I imagine is like shoving your face into a pile of marshmallows. Saatva claims that the pillow is recommended by chiropractors and orthopedists for “ultimate head and neck support” and I now believe that to be true after sleeping on it–I have some serious back issues and was surprised to wake up feeling more rested after the many nights I spent snoozing on such a luxurious pillow.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? It’s kind of hard to make a bad pillow so my expectations weren’t too high, but I am very pleased with this pillow. It’s even more comfortable IRL, don’t let the price scare you off. My only complaint is that I wish I had a pair because I was so caught up playing favorites with the other pillows in my bed!

Would you recommend this pillow? My dad has breathing issues so I decided to do the right thing and give him this pillow instead of keeping it for myself. So far, he really loves it! Another perk when you purchase this pillow is that Saatva offers 45-day free returns and a one-year limited warranty if you’re not satisfied with the product which I think is fantastic.

Avocado Green Pillow

$109 at Avocado

Pillow reviewer: Hannah Martin, senior design editor

Materials and firmness: The super-green materiality of this pillow is an important selling point. Everything is certified organic—the quilted cotton cover, the cotton jersey liner, and the wooly stuffing mixture made of rubber latex ribbons and kapok tree fiber. It’s all handmade in Los Angeles. The pillow, as it comes, is superstuffed and quite firm but the filling is adjustable! Users can remove some of the fill (or even add more, it comes with one extra fill bag) to achieve their desired firmness.

Styles available: They offer standard, queen, and king—I went with the standard.

Care instructions: The quilted-cotton cover is machine washable (just don’t use bleach it, and make sure you hang it to dry) but I don’t believe you can throw the entire pillow into the wash. I guess, in theory, you could just buy a new bag of stuffing?

What kind of sleeper are you? I usually start out on my side but end up on my stomach with my arms stretched out over my head. Because I’m basically face planting into the pillow, I normally prefer a down pillow or something with quite a bit of give so that I can sink into it and my neck isn’t resting at a weird angle.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? Since I often sleep face first into the pillow, I’ve been thinking a lot more about what it is, exactly, that I’m inhaling for eight straight hours (ideally!) every night. The fact that Avocado is up-front about the materials they use—all of which are non-toxic, chemical-free, and certified organic—definitely helps me sleep at night.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? I typically sleep on a down or down-esque pillow which, even though it looks quite fluffy, deflates a bit around my head when I lay down. The first night I slept on the Avocado green pillow, it was a bit too firm for my liking. It really kept its shape and didn’t have a ton of give. Since the filling is adjustable, however, I was able to remove some of the fill for something a little closer to what I’m used to, but my head still doesn’t sink into the pillow quite the way I like.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? The feel of the textiles and overall materiality lived up to my expectations. Unfortunately the firmness is not quite right for me. My favorite usage of the pillow is actually when I’m sitting up reading in bed. I don’t have a headboard, and while my normal pillows crumple down into nothing when they’re up against the wall, the Avocado Green pillow holds its shape wonderfully—the perfect support for nighttime power down time.

Would you recommend this pillow? I would recommend this pillow to a side or back sleeper who prefers a firmer pillow. Considering the thoughtfulness of the materiality it seems worth the price.

Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow

$100 at Tuft & Needle

Pillow reviewer: Katherine McLaughlin, associate digital features editor

Materials and firmness: This is a foam pillow, and I’d say it’s medium-firm. Personally, I like this middle ground—I’ve definitely felt firmer foam options, but it’s still not as soft as a down. 

Styles available: Tuft & Needle offers two sizes for their foam pillow: standard (25" x 16" x 5") and king (34" x 16" x 5").

Care instructions: The pillow itself is not machine washable (although it’s my understanding that most foam pillows aren’t). Luckily the pillow cover is machine washable, and it’s easy to pop in the washer on cold with other light-colored items. This is a separate cover from my pillowcase, which I wash weekly, and I plan to wash the cover about every three months. While Tuft & Needle doesn’t offer specific instructions for cleaning the foam insert, I have tried vacuum cleaning it and spot cleaning, which has worked well so far. 

What kind of sleeper are you? I sleep on my side with my arms tucked up below my cheek—almost exactly like a cartoon drawing of a person dozing off. I’m not overly picky about the type of pillow I use, but I like something that ensures my neck stays “higher” than my shoulders since I hate when pillows are too thin and I end up with my head too close to the mattress. 

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? I’ve always liked foam pillows because they seem to be that happy middle ground between squishy and supportive. I also recently learned that I’m allergic to down (my doctor even made a point to say that of all down products, pillows can be some of the biggest agitators), so I was really eager to try a foam pillow for that practical reason. Tuft & Needle also claims that the pillow is temperature regulating, which was certainly an intriguing selling point.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? I’ve really loved sleeping with this pillow. It’s supportive and adaptive, and I do feel like the pillow stays cool throughout the night. I’ve struggled to stay asleep at night in the past, and I don’t think I’ve woken up once before my alarm went off since using the pillow, which is major.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Overall, I’m pleased with these pillows! My one complaint would be that I wish it were just a little bit thicker. Right now I’m sleeping in sort of an L-shaped pillow cocoon, where I have one pillow propped at a 45-degree-ish angle along my headboard, and the Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow placed horizontally to the mattress. This way, I get a few extra inches of pillow height without having a full two pillows placed on top of each other.

Would you recommend this pillow? I would definitely recommend the pillow, especially to anyone who’s looking for something new and wants to invest just a little more in their bed set up. While it’s a little bit more expensive than other options, I do think it’s a great, supportive pillow. Personally, I like my bed full of different pillows—sizes, firmness, etc.—so I can play around with my setup depending on if I’m sleeping, watching a movie, reading, and so on. This fills the medium-firm slot great, in my opinion (I also have something significantly firmer and something really soft). However, I probably wouldn’t recommend this to someone who likes a really firm pillow, as I do think there are other options that would fill that bucket a little better. 

Turiya Organic Latex Pillow

$148 at Coyuchi

Pillow reviewer: Madeleine Luckel, design editor

Materials and firmness: These pillows are made of pure, GOLS-certified organic dunlop latex. In my mind they’re on the firmer side, but I tend to really like soft, even gushy pillows. If you averaged it out, though, that firmness level could be even lower, when you factor in the holes that this pillow is designed to have!

Styles available: One standard size in alpine white.

Care instructions: These pillows aren’t machine washable, but you can wash the pillow protector it comes in (on cold, with a gentle dry cycle).

What kind of sleeper are you? I’m a night owl, so I like to go to bed late and then I tend to squirm around before I fall asleep. Once I’m out though, I’m out. 

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? The number one thing that keeps me up at night is some slight neck and shoulder pain (which I think can all be traced back to ergonomics!). This pillow seemed like an intriguing new supportive system that could help with that.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? Honestly, it can be a little bit weird. The whole point of this pillow is to give even-keeled options for both those who sleep on their backs and those who sleep on their sides. (I didn’t know this, but apparently it’s really bad for you to sleep on your stomach.) Anyway, the trick is to get the side holes to align with your ears. Once you do that, and achieve a state of zen, you’re golden. But you can’t change positions a million times a night. 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? It did, in the sense that it offers a creative solution. It exceeded my expectations in terms of packaging. I was expecting this totally no-frills latex product, but it was presented almost like a gift. 

Would you recommend this pillow? Yes, if the person were looking to change up their sleep game. For those who are into or would benefit from a specialty pillow, it’s worth the money. If not, you can probably go with a more cost-effective item. 

Layla Kapok Pillow

$109 at Layla

Pillow reviewer: Nora Taylor, former editor

Materials and firmness: Layla claims its Kapok fiber is “softer and airier than cotton or wool.” The cover is woven with CuTEC, which is copper-infused fibers, and the pillow is about a 7/10 in terms of firmness.

Styles available: Available in queen and king sizes.

Care instructions: The cover is washable, and the fill is meant to be easily removable. 

What kind of sleeper are you? Side sleeper. 

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? This pillow was a PR gift, but I love it. I would buy myself one in a heartbeat knowing what I know now. 

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? it’s kind of like a supportive cake? Like not soft enough to be a cloud but deliciously dense. I’m a side sleeper and usually have a knotty back, but I wake up feeling comfortable. 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Exceeded them! This is the best memory foam pillow I’ve tried.

Would you recommend this pillow? Sure would. I think for folks who haven’t had luck with memory foam, this comfortable pillow would be one of my top picks—definitely worth the money.

FluffCo Down & Feather Pillow

$89 at FluffCo

Pillow reviewer: Zoë Sessums, digital design writer

Materials and firmness: The outer pillow is made of white duck down and the inner pillow is made of white duck feathers. The cover is 50% cotton (300 thread count) and 50% Tencel (Tencel is a fabric derived from eucalyptus). True to the brand’s moniker, it’s definitely on the soft and fluffy side.

Styles available: Soft fluff and firm fluff.

Care instructions: You can spot clean or dry-clean.

What kind of sleeper are you? Side sleeper

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? I have the hardest time finding a pillow I like, so anytime a new brand comes on the scene, I’m eager to find out if they can sway me. Though I haven’t spent much time in luxury hotels, I was curious about Fluff Co’s inspiration from the “hotel pillow.” The brand is after an affordable re-creation of that high-quality pillow made with sustainable materials.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? This pillow is very soft and fluffy—the name is accurate. The firm wasn’t quite enough for my side-sleeping comfort and my head really sank into it, so I ended up primarily using it as a soft layer in conjunction with a firmer pillow while I read in bed.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? I was hoping for more of a lift in my pillow experience, so I wish the firmness was more present. The quality of the pillow is nice, regardless. Since I’ve personally never found my dream pillow in a hotel, in some ways it was exactly what I would expect.

Would you recommend this pillow? If someone is looking for a really soft and fluffy down pillow, I would throw this brand into the mix, but if they’re looking for something fluffy and firm, I’d have to pass. Considering the quality of the materials, the Fluff Co pillow isn’t such a bad price. They have a comparison chart to various luxury five-star hotels, and this pillow is the most affordable.

The Allswell Supreme Pillow

$58 at Allswell Home

Pillow reviewer: Jacqueline Wladis, associate director of commerce partnerships 

Materials and firmness: The outside is a 100% cotton shell while the inside is down filled with a removable foam inner core for adjustable comfort. This is a firm pillow. It’s still soft and comfortable, but it’s not for the faint of heart.

Styles available: Standard and king sizes available.

Care instructions: Machine wash on cold (but don’t put it in the dryer!).

What kind of sleeper are you? I run hot and require a lot of neck and back support. I am a chaotic sleeper who is constantly rotating positions. I am always trying to turn my bed into a firm cloud that feels like it both envelops me like a burrito mummy and also supports my neck and back.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? This pillow was a recommendation from a friend. I previously had been sleeping on the cheapo pillows you pick up at a discount superstore and was looking to invest in something that would support my neck and back. Since Allswell has a great return policy, I thought, no harm no foul—here we are a year later and I love this one!

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? Again, this is a FIRM pillow. It will certainly keep your spine aligned, but your head won’t be sinking into this baby anytime soon.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Yes, we’ve been together more than a year and couldn’t be happier.

Would you recommend this pillow? I would recommend these to any friend who is having back or neck pain and is unhappy with the softness of their current pillow situation. Again, returns are seamless and full disclosure, I also have the Allswell Supreme Mattress, which I LOVE. The Medical Center at University of Rochester has some great advice on choosing the right bedding for you. Making sure your spine is aligned while sleeping is essential, especially if you have chronic neck or back pain or some kind of old sports injury—this pillow helps a great deal with that. Though I was hesitant about the $82 price for the standard size, this pillow has helped cut down on my massage bill, so in the end I really saved money (or at least that’s what I tell myself).

Allswell Gel Cooling Pillow

$40 at Allswell Home

Pillow reviewer: Rachel Fletcher, commerce editor

Materials and firmness: Allswell’s pillow is a very firm memory foam with a layer of cooling gel on one side.

Styles available: Just one standard pillow size (24 X 16") and color (white).

Care instructions: The cover is machine washable but I don’t think the pillow itself is.

What kind of sleeper are you? I am a stomach sleeper who runs hot.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? Allswell’s promise that the gel memory foam pillow offers a cooler sleeping experience!

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? The Allswell pillow, as I mentioned, is very firm. Because I sleep on my stomach, I don’t think this was the best pillow for me; I like something that has a little more give and less structure. I struggled to find the sweet spot. 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? I’d never tried a cooling pillow before, but I definitely expected to feel cooler for longer. There is definitely very sweet relief for a few minutes at a time when you first lie on the pillow, but it needs to be flipped fairly regularly.

Would you recommend this pillow? I don’t think I’m the best advocate for a firm pillow in general! While I could tell that this was a good pillow with quality construction, it wasn’t a great match for my sleep preferences. Given that it’s the same price as Allswell’s non-cooling pillow, it might be worth a try if you want more bang for your buck. 

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow

$107 $96 at Nest Bedding

Pillow reviewer: Mel Studach, associate editor

Materials and firmness: Consider this the Goldilocks of pillows. It arrives firm and overstuffed, but you can unzip the cover and remove the shredded memory foam to your preferred level–meaning the pillow can be customized to anyone’s just-right firmness. The piece also comes with a small bag that you can throw the removed foam into for safekeeping should you ever want to re-insert it later on.

Styles available: The Easy Breather pillow comes in standard, queen, king, and side sleeper styles–all available in the shredded memory foam fill. I got the standard size, as it fits best in the shams that already match my bedding set.

Care instructions: The pillow is machine washable. Nest recommends separating the inner pillow from the outer, cooling-fabric cover and washing both in cold water on the delicate cycle then dry on low heat.

What kind of sleeper are you? I tend to reposition throughout the night, so I’d say I’m fairly evenly split between being a side, back or stomach sleeper. That said, I am particular about the firmness of my pillow: the denser, the better!

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? I tend to be pretty picky about the firmness of my pillows, so I was initially intrigued by the level of customization the Easy Breather pillow allows. Plus, if a guest is visiting and using the cushion, it’s an added bonus that I’d be able to adjust the pillow to their comfort as well.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? I have absolutely loved my Easy Breather. I keep my shredded memory foam pillow pretty firm, and I’m so happy with the level of support and cooling comfort that it’s provided. In comparison to other pillows I’ve had in the past, this one stands out not only for its customization, but also the fact that I have yet to have an uncomfortable night’s sleep or to wake up to soreness in my neck thanks to the firm support.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Yes–and beyond! I had kept my previous pillow around in case I wasn’t happy with the swap and would want to change them back, and it only took three days to confirm that the Easy Breather would be staying put!

Would you recommend this pillow? Yes! Between the customizable firmness and the longevity that comes with being able to adjust it over time, I think it’s absolutely worth the price and fit for all types of sleeping preferences.

Sleep Number Rest & Read Pillow

$100 at Sleep Number

Pillow reviewer: Livia Caligor, content operations associate 

Materials and firmness: The pillow has two parts: the upper chamber, made of 100% polyester, and the lower chamber, made of 25% polyester and 75% foam. Both are firm (especially the lower portion, which is intended to be a supportive sitting pillow). The top part is softer and thinner, so I usually add another pillow on top of it for extra padding. 

Styles available: Only one size (22" x 22"), style, and fill available. 

Care instructions: The pillow can only be spot cleaned, but it comes with a machine-washable cover that’s easy to remove. That works for the most part, but stains do seep through the pillowcase and onto the pillow, and I haven’t been able to successfully remove them. 

What kind of sleeper are you? I sleep in a fetal position and I typically like soft, fluffy pillows that aren’t too high. I’d rather have a plush pillow than something elevated and sturdy, although I’m trying to transition to firmer pillows because they supposedly enhance sleep quality.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? I don’t have a sofa or desk in my apartment, so one of the things I miss the most is being able to comfily sit back and relax with a book. I was really excited that this Rest & Read pillow had enough structure so that I could sit up with my laptop but also plush enough that I can read in bed with some back support. 

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? The pillow is for reading and resting, but it’s so comfortable that I’ve fallen asleep on it many a time! I love that it’s small enough that I can keep it on the other side of my bed when I’m not using it. I usually add an extra pillow onto the top part for some added plushness though, as it can be a little too firm for me. 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Yes, it fulfilled my needs of having a plush supportive pillow to lean back and relax on.

Would you recommend this pillow? This pillow is useful for me because I don’t have a headboard to prop pillows up against, so when I try to, they often fall behind the bed. I think it’s useful for those without headboards, sofas, cozy chairs, or desks, so they can make the most use out of their bed space. This provides sturdy firm support for me to read on but is also a perfect way to get comfy before bed! I also like that it comes with a zippered pillow case, because these types of pillows are often case-less and seem like they would get dirty easily. 

Sleep Number DownComfort Pillow

$180 at Sleep Number

Pillow reviewer: Livia Caligor, content operations associate 

Materials and firmness: Made of natural 650-fill-power American down, this pillow is on the thicker side, but I’d say it’s more fluffy than firm. It also comes with a 500-thread-count cover that offers a soft and smooth feel.

Styles available: The pillow comes in three shapes tailored to individual sleeping preferences: The Classic, which comes in a standard pillow shape, offers gentle support and is best for back and stomach sleepers; Curved, which has a concave contour around the neck, offers enhanced support for side and back sleepers; and Ultimate, which has three removable inserts and allows the sleeper to adjust the support and height depending on changing needs. The pillow is available in both foam and down fillings and comes in a standard and a king size. I chose a curved king-size down pillow.

Care instructions: Though it’s machine washable, SleepNumber advises washing this pillow in warm water on a delicate cycle with mild detergent and drying it on low for a minimum of two to three cycles to ensure that it is completely dry.

What kind of sleeper are you? Sleeps in the fetal position, likes soft, fluffy pillows that aren’t too high.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? Recently I realized how thin and deflated my pillows were—they were the childhood pillows I had brought to college, brought back, and slept on in my last two apartments. When I looked up how often you’re supposed to replace your pillows, I immediately knew I needed new ones! To undo the damage of sleeping on deflated, papery pillows for so long, I wanted to get supportive, firm pillows that would better my sleep quality and provide proper cushioning under my head. I read that this curved shape offers cutting-edge support so I chose that one, but I do prefer softer pillows, so I got it with a down filling. 

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? The first few nights were definitely a bit of an adjustment because the DownComfort pillow is a little bit more elevated and supportive than what I’m used to. I do toss and turn a bit before I fall asleep, but when I wake up, I feel better rested than when I slept on my old pillows. I also really like the length of the king-size pillow, as the curve isn’t too jarring around my neck. 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? The pillow feels super high quality and supportive without being too stiff or thick. I can honestly say I feel a tangible difference when I wake up after sleeping.

Would you recommend this pillow? I would recommend this pillow for anyone who naturally prefers softer pillows but is looking to better their sleep with more support around their neck—this isn’t too extreme of a transition but definitely makes a tangible difference. That said, it is on the pricier side and in hindsight I would get the standard size (it’s a bit long for my full size bed).

Pom Pom at Home Down Sleeping Pillow

$218 at Pom Pom at Home

Pillow reviewer: Katarina Kovac, commerce producer

Materials and firmness: This pillow has a 100% down feather fill, and I got the medium fill. It’s not firm at all, with a sinking feeling as soon as you lay your head on it. 

Styles available: They offer an alternative down pillow (100% poly) and a down feather pillow (100% feather) in both standard and king sizes. The fill options are soft, medium, and firm. I chose the down feather pillow with a medium fill. 

Care instructions: Their site says to professionally clean only, not machine wash. 

What kind of sleeper are you? I sleep like a mummy: on my back, with my arms crossed on my stomach and zero movement throughout the night. Since graduating college, I’ve preferred a 100% down pillow with a medium/full fill. 

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? As I’m someone that loves down pillows and knows how pricey they can get, this one stood out to me as a great option at a $241 price point. The fact that it was 100% down feather was huge, and I was in the market to replace my down alternative pillows while looking for something of higher quality. My old pillows felt clumpy and stiff, which can sometimes happen when the filler is synthetic. And while most 100% down pillows are in the pricier range, I had high hopes for this design from Pom Pom at Home. 

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? While testing this pillow, I realized that despite being medium fill, it truly felt like a soft fill, as my head sunk into it when I laid down. I didn’t mind it at all, though, as it was a new sleeping experience for me that I grew to enjoy. While the firm option may have been a better choice for me personally, I actually wound up liking the medium fill, and found it to be perfect for those who like a softer, more cloud-like sleeping experience. 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? While this pillow experience wasn’t what I expected, it would be a great option for a sleeper that likes a soft, comfortable pillow. If you’re someone who likes a fuller, more supportive pillow, I highly recommend the Cuddledown 800 Fill Power European White Goose Down Pillow with over fill. 

Would you recommend this pillow? I’d recommend this pillow to anyone who likes a softer, cushier, lighter pillow while they sleep, rather than a denser, more supportive pillow. This pillow is thin enough to where you could potentially layer it with another, if you’re someone like me with four standard pillows on their bed. If you’re new to the brand, trying the less expensive alternative down option might be a better choice to get acquainted and see what you prefer. 

Purple Harmony Pillow

$179 $143 at Purple

Pillow reviewer: Kelsey Borovinsky, audience development manager

Materials and firmness: This pillow is sturdy and weighs over four pounds. This is not one you would want to get hit with in a pillow fight! It’s made of a Purple Grid Hex which is like a gel lattice structure and that covers a ventilated Talalay Latex core with intentions that you are staying cool and supported all night.

Styles available: This gel and latex core is the only fill option but the pillow comes in a standard or king size and low, medium, and tall height. I went with the low option because that one is the best for stomach and side sleepers.

Care instructions: The cover is machine washable but the core you can only spot clean

What kind of sleeper are you? I am a stomach sleeper and migrate over to my side when I get too hot in the middle of the night. I have a collection of beloved old down pillows on my bed not for any reason besides that they’re what I took off my childhood bed when I left for college and they have stayed with me ever since. Is that gross? Probably, but don’t tell me; they’re perfect.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? I have never tried a latex pillow before and I was quite interested in the cooling benefits of these materials the advertising was touting as I am someone who is always looking for the coolest side of the pillow.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? I am someone who can fall asleep quite easily and am not too picky when I am not sleeping in my own bed, but this pillow was not it. I could not get comfortable with this thing. Even though it is marketed to be good for stomach sleepers, it does not decompress enough for it to become a good angle for my neck and you cannot scrunch it up in any way to get it into that perfect position. With all of that being said, this pillow would be best if you like to sleep with one between your legs because it 100% holds its shape. It is also great for sitting up in bed because it is so sturdy and has a very nice appearance on the bed because the pillows have absolutely no sag.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? The marketing around this pillow claims to be “the greatest pillow ever invented” which really took my expectations to a whole new level. I am definitely not getting rid of these pillows because they immediately replaced the “firm” pillows I had on my bed utilized for sitting up in bed and reading, but I am keeping my squishy down ones for when I actually rest my head.

Would you recommend this pillow? This is a pricey pillow at $179 but it really does feel like one that will last for a very long time. If you like a Tempur-Pedic type pillow that is really solid and supportive or in the market for one to support other parts of your body this would be a great option.

Pluto Puff Body Pillow

$110 at Pluto

Pillow reviewer: Cheryl Dearborne, contributor

Materials and firmness: Made of the brand’s own “cosmofluff” material and polyfill fiber, It’s very soft and not very firm, but has a nice weight to it.

Styles available: There is only one choice for the body pillow, but the website gives you the option to customize a regular pillow to your desired preference. 

Care instructions: The Pluto Puff Body Pillow is machine washable and recommended to be washed on a delicate cycle with warm water using half the recommended detergent to most items. The recommended period is every two to three months.

What kind of sleeper are you? I’m a side sleeper and I generally sleep with a foam curved pillow. 

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? I wanted something to help with lower-back alignment. I appreciate that body pillows make my side sleep more aligned and give me somewhere to rest my arms. 

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? The fabric on the pillow cover is super soft and feels very luxurious—I look forward to going to sleep at night! I don’t use it every night because I need my stacked foam pillow arrangement for my best alignment, but every few nights I like a cozy sleep and pull out the body pillow for the added soft, sunken effect it provides to my sleeping experience. It does hold up as well as advertised and I find it sturdier than most non-foam pillows. It is squishy and has a nice, heavy weight to it. 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Though I don’t sleep with the body pillow every night, it feels like a treat when I do. It’s definitely not a replacement for my regular pillows, but it does add extra comfort and alignment for me as a side sleeper. I can sleep with it between my legs while hugging it, or if I want to relax while reading, I can prop myself up nicely. I also appreciate that it comes with a washable cover and that it has some weight to it, although it is softer than I imagined. Perhaps if it was a bit more firm it could replace my pillows, but it does add nicely to my sleep setup, especially in winter.

Would you recommend this pillow? I would recommend it most to anyone who prefers body pillows. I think it is a superior body pillow. It feels like a hefty price for a pillow I don’t use every night, so I can’t recommend it for the price. Though if someone mainly sleeps with a body pillow, I think it would be worth the cost for one that doesn’t fall flat while being squishy. 

The Company Store Legends Hotel™ Best Down Pillow

$179 at The Company Store

Pillow reviewer: Sam Cochran, global features director

Materials and firmness: The pillow is filled with “600 fill power down” and a 245-thread-count cotton cover. It is advertised as medium firmness.

Styles available: The down version comes in three additional styles—soft, firm, and extra firm. The Company Store also offers down-alternative and premium-down pillows. 

Care instructions: Dry-clean only!

What kind of sleeper are you? I’m a consistent side sleeper, rarely moving from my position once I doze off. I like some support for my long neck but also a soft cushion to cradle my head.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? I like the natural down fill and the overall softness. I usually sleep with two pillows beneath my head—a firm one as a base then a softer one like this on top.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? While the pillow would be too soft and squishy on its own—my head would push into the mattress—it was pleasantly cloudlike when used on top of a firmer pillow. I slept very soundly! 

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? The proof, with pillows, is in the z’s. I slept comfortably through the night without interruption, and woke up rested and cozy.

Would you recommend this pillow? This is a great choice for a soft pillow but for anyone wanting neck support it should be paired with a firmer base pillow—so shoppers should take that into consideration when investing the money. For most people it may not be a pillow that stands on its own. 

Lux Decor Collection Gusseted Quilted Bed Pillows

$35 at Amazon

Pillow reviewer: Kristi Kellogg, senior SEO content manager

Materials and firmness: This pillow has a microfiber shell with a polyester fiber fill. While they hold their shape they’re still soft and, well, pillowy.

Styles available: These bed pillows are available in queen and king sizes. Color options include white with blue gussets, white with gray gussets, white with dark gray gussets, white with navy gussets, white with gray stripes, white with navy piping, and white with light gray piping (pictured). 

Care instructions: These pillows are machine washable but only in a gentle cycle.

What kind of sleeper are you? 90% side, 10% back.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? The price. I mean, can you really beat $25 for two good-quality pillows? I think not. Plus, these are classy-looking—I love the accent of the gray stripes. It gives them something extra (even though it’ll be hidden in a pillowcase). When I saw they had more than 6,000 glowing reviews, I felt confident in buying them—and they lived up to the hype!

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? Very nice! The pillow feels really soft. It’s fluffy and way more luxurious than any pillow I’ve ever tried at a similar price. They also have a lot of air flow—I never feel like I’m overheating or suffocating with this pillow.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Yes! In fact, I would say their fluffiness, in particular, exceeded my expectations. They've lasted well, and I can even throw them in the washer (if you want to do the same, check out our guide on how to wash a pillow).

Would you recommend this pillow? Absolutely, especially if they have a similar sleeping position to mine. I can vouch for the side and back-sleeping experience on these! These pillows are worth the money and then some. I have found my perfect pillow. 

Woolroom Wool Pillow

$72 at Woolroom

Pillow reviewer: Zoë Sessums, digital design writer

Materials and firmness: The cover is 100% unbleached (200 thread count) organic cotton; the inside is made of 100% traceable organic British wool and is overall pretty firm.

Styles available: Classic Wool, Deluxe Washable Wool, and Luxury Organic.

Care instructions: The Classic and Luxury option recommend dry-cleaning, but Woolroom also sells a washable cover. The Deluxe option is washable. Woolroom reminds us that because the product is entirely natural, it shouldn’t need cleaning often, just a simple airing out now and again.

What kind of sleeper are you? Side sleeper.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? My partner and I became obsessed with trying to find some good wool bedding. Initially we were just looking for a mattress topper or comforter, but once we found a good source like Woolroom, we figured we should just try out all the wool bedding.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? The first night using my pillow (I went with the Luxury Organic because sometimes I want to be fancy), I had to google: “Does wool bedding smell weird?” There was a break-in period where the pillows had a faint hay barn scent. In a way it was comforting, having this natural odor versus a potential factory-direct smell. The firmness and softness of the pillow is perfect, though! It also maintains excellent temperature control.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? I’d say they exceeded my expectations. I haven’t found a natural pillow that feels good in so long, and this Woolroom option does everything I need. It feels really great on my neck and I’m pleased with the transparency in the product’s production.

Would you recommend this pillow? 10 stars for this wool pillow! I want all my friends to discover the wonders of a nice wool pillow like this. You get what you pay for and this is worth a splurge.

LAYR Customizable Pillow

$120 at Luxome

Pillow reviewer: Gabrielle Pilotti Langdon, former associate visuals editor

Materials and firmness: This adjustable pillow comes with three inserts: a soft down alternative fill, a memory foam/down alternative mix, and a gel-infused memory foam. You can mix and match them to create a truly bespoke pillow that suits your firmness preferences.

Styles available: Queen and king size options available.

Care instructions: According to LAYR, the outer cover & insert covers can be washed on a gentle cycle with like colors, though all filling should be removed before washing. Tumble dry on low or no heat to prevent shrinking and remove immediately.

What kind of sleeper are you? I tend to change positions throughout the night, but am never concerned about my head comfort.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? I purchased a very comfortable memory foam mattress and wanted a pillow to match.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? The pillows feel like security for my head so I can relax and ease into sleep.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? I used to never think about pillows as much before I got them, and I miss them if we are on vacation.

Would you recommend this pillow? Yes, everyone deserves a reliable pillow like this one! And since you can adjust it to your soft or firm preferences, it’s worth the money.

SHEEX Down Alternative Stomach/Back Sleeper Pillow

$104 $90 at Amazon

Pillow reviewer: Katie Henwood, senior SEO manager

Materials and firmness: Both pillows are filled with a down alternative performance fiber that’s resistant to allergens (including mold, dander, dust buildup, etc.) The outer cover features a moisture-wicking performance fabric. I would say the stomach/back pillow is a medium firm, while the side sleeper is slightly more firm since it is a lot taller and thicker. 

Styles available: These bed pillows are a crisp white, and are available in standard/queen and king. Sheex also makes a side sleeper version of this pillow.

Care instructions: The pillow can be washed on cold separately and dried on a low setting. The hex-quilted pillow cover can also be easily removed and washed.

What kind of sleeper are you? I’m a bit all over the place when it comes to sleeping style, which is why buying a new pillow felt really daunting. I mainly sleep on my side and my stomach, but most pillows are either one or the other, not both.

What attracted you to these pillows? When I started my research, I wasn’t sure exactly what I was looking for and was totally overwhelmed with all of the options on the internet. I wanted something comfortable—not too firm or too soft—that would last me a while, but didn’t need anything fancy or expensive. At some point down my online shopping rabbit hole, I came across Sheex and immediately felt relieved. They offered two straightforward options: side sleeper or stomach/back, both at a reasonable price. After seeing the number of five-star reviews, I ordered both.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? After trying each type of pillow for a few weeks, I decided the stomach/back pillow was the right pillow for my sleeping style. I liked that it was flatter than the side sleeper version, which has a 2-inch panel to offer more neck support, yet still felt supportive and soft at the same time.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? To be honest, I had low expectations going into my pillow-replacement journey. I’ve never had a pillow that I truly looked forward to putting my head on every night—until this one. I’m now that person who brings their own pillow on trips, because I don’t trust any other pillow to give me as good a night’s sleep.

Would you recommend this pillow? Seeing as the side sleeper pillow is now our guest pillow that our friends sleep on when they stay over, yes! I would definitely recommend either version of the Sheex pillow for a great night’s sleep. Compared to other pillows I looked at, they seem very affordable for the level of comfort and support they provide.