Evaluate the Prime 5 Pillows
Honorable Mentions
There are far too many pillows available on the market. We have listed our favorites above, however even that does not cowl the big selection of serviceable designs on the market for an excellent night time’s sleep. If, someway, all of our picks above aren’t to your tastes, listed below are a number of others we’ve examined and what we thought of them.
Avocado Down Pillow for $109: This down mannequin does have feathers sourced from Accountable Down Normal (RDS)-certified farms, nevertheless it felt unimpressive and borderline flat to sleep on
Avocado Inexperienced Pillow for $119: Avocado’s fill is constructed from GOLS-certified natural 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 just like the Bedgear Circulation above however with out the curve for aspect sleepers. In case you sleep in your again one hundred pc of the time, this is perhaps a greater match, however I want the flexibility of getting one curved aspect and one straight aspect. –Eric Ravenscraft
Brooklinen Down Various Pillow for $59: I appreciated 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 various, 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 appreciated sleeping on the Casper, particularly the cooling Snow model ($149), and it did effectively in my panel checks, however each of my panelists who volunteered to long-term check it got here again with disappointing outcomes inside per week. My petite aspect sleeper discovered it too agency, and my taller, broader long-term tester discovered that the Casper wasn’t bouncing again fairly as a lot accurately for the worth after per week of sleeping on it. In case you like a firm-ish design, although, you can be pleased with this one. The Snow model is barely cooling, however not tremendous cooling; extra of an excellent winter choice for warm sleepers, as certainly one of my panel testers mentioned.
Eli & Elm On a regular basis Reminiscence Foam Pillow for $110: In comparison with the latex model beneath, 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 On a regular basis Latex Pillow for $110: This shredded latex-filled pillow is sweet and springy, and it’s a strong runner-up to the Coop and Purple. I discovered it comfy to sleep on as a aspect sleeper, because it as a better loft and good help.
Eli & Elm Facet Sleeper Pillow for $116: This pillow is sort of shockingly agency out of the field. You’ll be able to customise the quantity of fill inside to offer it the correct amount of help for you, however in the event you’re the kind of aspect 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 amazing alternative. —Eric Ravenscraft
GhostBed Reminiscence 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 pal and instantly purchased one after returning residence. 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 sizzling, and she or he says the gel-infused foam does keep cool all night time.
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 just a little smaller than the remainder, nevertheless it additionally has a slight adjustment choice, letting you unzip aspect panels to make it greater or smaller. It was advantageous to sleep on; I discovered it just a little 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 Straightforward Breather Pillow for $119: This can be a in style mannequin, however I discovered it too dense and too lofty for me. It’s adjustable, so you possibly can simply make it much less lofty, and it comes with a fill bag to retailer your further fill. The fill is a mixture of foam and polyester fiber. My panelist who appreciated the firmer Marlow additionally appreciated this pillow, whereas the remainder of us most popular softer choices.
No Extra Aches Neck Pillow for $50: There is no scarcity of novelty pillows, however as somebody who experiences a whole lot of neck ache, I am intrigued by this odd little design. It has a concave heart for again, aspect, and abdomen sleeping, plus an indented edge that completely suits your arm. Its awkward form makes it lower than very best for something aside from laying your head on it, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a strong decide for neck ache. —Eric Ravenscraft
Parallel Excessive Profile Pillow for $150: Former WIRED reviewer Eric Ravenscraft was a fan of the Parallel’s excessive profile for taller aspect sleepers. It is a good choice, however I believe you will be simply as pleased with a Purple or Coop cutout in the event you want a excessive loft and aspect sleeper help.
Pillow Dice Facet Dice ($70) and Ice Dice ($90): The Pillow Dice has a bizarre little rectangular design. It appears unusual at first, however as soon as you are taking the quiz and get a suggestion for what measurement you want, you’ll be matched with the proper dice for you. I examined the Facet Dice and the Ice Dice. They had been supportive and a bit squishy, and I believe they’d be an excellent choice in the event you sleep solely in your aspect—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 awakened with neck ache. However in the event you solely sleep within the very best aspect sleeper formation, this mannequin is far more supportive than others I’ve tried. Ensure you decide up a case! A standard case is just too roomy and doesn’t match the Dice effectively. —Louryn Strampe
Purple DreamLayer Pillow for $199: In case you discover you turn between being a aspect sleeper and again sleeper, the Purple DreamLayer pillow gives a superb center floor. Reasonably than utilizing adjustable fill to customise its peak, this mannequin comes with two foam inserts so you will 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, nevertheless it has just one aspect with the grid as an alternative of two. It is described as having a down-alternative core, and it does really feel a lot softer, like a down various. 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 various filling, this can be a nice choice.
Saatva Graphite Reminiscence 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 Various Pillow for $115: I like this down various, however no more than the less expensive Buffy. There are two loft peak choices which is sweet in order for you one thing particular.
Sleep Quantity True Temp Adapt Final Pillow for $150: I examined the Final form since it is a slight crescent-like fashion that is very best for aspect sleepers like myself. I like this as a aspect sleeper choice, and it is properly cooling as effectively. It is just a little smaller than the Coop, however nonetheless large enough for the average-sized individual.
Slumber Cloud UltraCool Pillow for $79: This pillow is tremendous chilly and tremendous gentle, just like a down or down various mannequin. In case you’re searching for one thing further 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, nevertheless it’s out of inventory in every single place proper now. If yow will discover it accessible, it is an amazing choice crammed with shredded reminiscence foam which you could modify to get your excellent peak.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt ProAdjust Pillow for $125: This adjustable-fill mannequin from Tempur-Pedic has a compartment the place you possibly can add or take away foam filling to get the proper quantity of help for you. That is an more and more widespread function, however what units it aside is Tempur-Pedic’s trademark cooling supplies. The corporate makes a number of the greatest cooling supplies available on the market, and this one managed to remain cooler than most I attempted. —Eric Ravenscraft
Tempur Pedic Tempur Adapt ProHi for $175: Our earlier reminiscence foam decide did advantageous in my panel checks, 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 various 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 accomplice. —Eric Ravenscraft
Understanding Pillow Sizes
There are a pair completely different pillow sizes you would possibly discover when procuring. More often than not pillows are available in a typical measurement and a king measurement, and you should purchase a typical measurement until you may have a king-size mattress. However there are a number of extra measurement choices.
All mattress pillows are normally 20 inches extensive, however the size can fluctuate. (That is why your pillowcases might sound too lengthy—they’re ready for bigger sizes!) In case you’re inquisitive about extra sizes or discovered a mannequin that has extra choices to select from than you understand what to do with, listed below are the same old sizes yow will discover and what measurements they need to have:
- Normal Dimension: 20 inches by 26 inches
- Tremendous Normal Dimension: 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 wish to double-check listings to see what measurement you are actually working with if measurement is a matter for you. Buffy, for instance, lists a typical measurement for its pillows, however they’re 28 inches lengthy, making these pillows an excellent commonplace measurement. You will not wish to order king-size pillows with no king-sized mattress, particularly since you will want king-size pillowcases together with your sheets. Physique pillows are the longest of all, and we’ve a separate information to these.
Steadily Requested Questions
What Sort of Pillow Do You Want?
You would possibly suppose 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 night time’s sleep can rely closely in your pillow, so when selecting one, listed below are a number of key inquiries to ask.
What sort of sleeper are you? Do you sleep in your again, aspect, or abdomen? Do you keep comparatively nonetheless, or do you toss and switch so much? Do you normally have one pillow below your head, or do you cocoon your self right into a pillow chrysalis? That is most likely crucial factor to bear in mind when deciding what sort works greatest for you, and we have famous our picks beneath primarily based on sleeping fashion.
What’s the pillow fabricated from? Pillows may be crammed with all forms of supplies, from feathers to foam. Down and artificial down are fluffy clusters of fiber that may really feel gentle and comfy, whereas reminiscence foam is designed to compress with the burden of your head however nonetheless return to its earlier form. Natural latex may 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 sometimes comes from the stomach feathers of both geese or geese. As a way to make sure that down feathers are ethically sourced—resembling by avoiding merciless practices like reside plucking—packages just like the Accountable Down Normal 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 substitute. The broader Materials Issues Normal is a not too long ago overhauled system for analyzing the environmental affect and sustainability of bedding producers.
How agency is it? Nevertheless you sleep, you will desire 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 usually used to explain how excessive up and about 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 night time. Most fashions sometimes fall into certainly one of three classes: Low loft, which is comparatively brief and very best for again sleepers; excessive loft, which is healthier for aspect sleepers (since your head can be additional up and about than once you’re in your again); and medium loft, which is someplace within the center and greatest in the event you’re a mix sleeper who would not stick to 1 explicit sleep fashion.
What’s the guarantee and return coverage? You won’t suppose the pillow you sleep (and sweat and drool) on would have a strong guarantee, however many producers supply beneficiant insurance policies. For instance, Purple provides a one-year guarantee and even a 100-night trial interval. Casper has an analogous guarantee and a 30-day trial. In case you’re uncertain whether or not your new pillow is best for you, try the corporate’s insurance policies to see what leeway you must strive earlier than you commit—and be sure you’re protected if one thing goes mistaken.
What is the Finest Pillow Fill for You?
Quite a lot of filling supplies are used, and the kind of fill is a giant a part of how pillows are categorized. You’ve got heard of down pillows, for instance, which suggests it is stuffed with down undercoating or feathers, and listening to the phrases “reminiscence foam” normally invokes the sinking sensation that good reminiscence foam may give. Here is a fast explainer of the principle forms of fill you will discover and the way they differ.
Down: Down pillows, as I discussed above, are crammed 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 just like a comforter within the sense that it is gentle and squishy, and really malleable to form in any means you favor. (But it surely additionally would not retain its form effectively.) Since these are crammed with down clusters or feathers, you will wish to verify for certifications, just like the Accountable Down Normal (RDS), that affirm if the down was ethically sourced.
Down various: These pillows aren’t a set sort, however use different supplies to copy the down expertise. Buffy, for instance, makes use of recycled plastic to create their fill, whereas Saatva makes use of a mix of reminiscence foam and latex foam. You may have to have a look to see what makes up any down various design, because it is not constant. However what’s constant is the completely different really feel. In my checks, I’ve discovered down various fashions are normally extra supportive and do a greater job holding their form than a basic down.
Reminiscence foam: Reminiscence foam is in style since it could “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 wish to verify if the reminiscence foam is a strong sheet or shredded; I’ve discovered shredded and minimize reminiscence foam to have extra bounce and help and fewer sinkage than a reminiscence foam sheet.
Latex foam: Latex foam is constructed from rubber, giving it a a lot bouncier, supportive really feel than different foam choices. Latex foam is turning into a well-liked choice due to that good help, and it’s normally discovered with a shredded sort of fill that provides loads of airflow.
Hybrid: Hybrid is one other class gaining in recognition. It may be a mixture of any of the above fills, however I usually discover it is a sheet of froth mixed with both shredded foam or another type of softer filling. Casper, for instance, makes use of each sheets of reminiscence foam after which has a core of shredded foam on the heart to offer 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 alleged to be on the fluffy finish, whereas wool is nice for temperature regulation. However none are as in style as foam or down choices, although you would possibly see these as elements in natural or hybrid choices.
Are Normal and Queen the Similar Pillow Dimension?
No, a typical measurement is just a little smaller at solely 26 inches extensive, whereas a queen measurement needs to be 30 inches extensive. You would possibly wish to verify the measurements in case it is mislabeled to be the identical factor, however you probably have the selection between the 2, I want a number of further inches with the queen measurement.
Why Ought to You Spend So A lot on a Pillow?
You is perhaps stunned by a number of 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 steadily changed and did not present the long-term help (and even all-night help) my neck wanted.
Increased-quality pillows price extra however will use higher supplies, last more, and include trial intervals and warranties so to check out the pillow of your alternative and get a assure it will final. Plus, whereas most of those aren’t low cost, it is nonetheless an inexpensive funding once you break down what number of hours you will be mendacity on them.
How Ought to You Take care of Your Pillow?
One of the simplest ways to clean your pillow goes to rely on the pillow you may have. You’ll be able to select handy wash, spot clear, or machine wash pillows, although you will wish to verify the label and ensure it is secure to machine wash it. If it is not, spot or hand cleansing is your only option.
The simplest pillows to scrub are ones that include detachable covers, as a result of you possibly can take away mentioned cowl and wash it with different sheets and bedding. Not all pillow fill needs to be washed, in order that’s necessary to verify 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 will 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 Evaluate?
We analysis all pillows we check to verify we check quite a lot of types, fills, and shapes to seek 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 try critiques and buyer suggestions when accessible to see if it is value testing to check in opposition to pillows we all know we already like.
How Does WIRED Take a look at Pillows?
Each pillow on this information is slept on for at least three nights, with our prime picks getting no less than per 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 contributors and 22 completely different fashions. The panelists all had completely different sleep types starting from basic aspect and again sleepers to chaotic sleepers who find yourself beneath their pillows each night time, and the panel judged which choices they discovered most comfy and could be more than likely to purchase for his or her sleep wants.
How Does WIRED Purchase Pillows? What Occurs to the Evaluate Items After Testing?
Most of our pillows are offered by the corporate for us to assessment, generally by that firm reaching out to supply its latest mannequin for us to think about, or extra steadily, us reaching out and asking to check it after researching that particular fashion or fill sort. 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 decide, or they’re donated.
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