Sleeping seems like a simple enough thing—after all, we all do it. Sleeping well, though, requires a little bit more work, from getting the right room temperature, the perfect sheets, and yes, the best pillow. It’s not as simple as just finding the best pillow brand or searching “what type of pillow is the best for sleep?” Because the answer depends on what kind of sleeper you are. Do you sleep on your side? Back? Stomach? Do you want a firm pillow with lots of support, or one you can sink right into?
We’re here to help. We’ve broken down the top-rated pillows into twelve different categories, designed to fit the way you sleep. From the best pillows for side sleepers to anti-snoring pillows to CBD pillows, we’ve got you covered. If you want the best hotel pillow, we’ve got that. The best luxury pillow, that’s here, too. If you’re a hot sleeper and need a cooling pillow, we’ve chosen the best. Foam, gel, down alternatives—they’re all here.
Choosing the right pillow can feel like a daunting task once you really consider your options. But it doesn’t have to be. It’s more like a journey toward a better night’s sleep. And we’re happy to help guide you on your way to finding the best pillow for all your needs.
The Best Pillows
Best Down Alternative Pillow
For an alternative to traditional down pillows, memory foam is a popular option, though for some sleepers it can feel too hot. Casper’s answer to that problem features a quilted memory foam outer shell, while active ventilation and a cooling fabric helps keep it from overheating, ensuring you a comfortable rest.
Read more: Best Sleep Gadgets
Best Down Pillow
The Parachute Down Pillow has the luxurious feel you expect from a down pillow, and a medium-level firmness that’s ideal for back and side sleepers. The white-down fill naturally cradles your head and neck for a better night’s sleep, providing the perfect amount of support without smothering you.
Read more: Best Sheets
Best Foam Pillow
The Tuft & Needle foam pillow is soft like a down pillow, but unlike down, it keeps its shape and won’t clump up, while providing support that adapts to your body as you move throughout the night.
Read more: Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
Best Hypoallergenic Pillow
Filled with gel fibers, Beckham Hotel Collection hypoallergenic pillows keep their shape—they won’t bunch up or get lumpy—while also staying cool. They’re supportive for any kind of sleeper, and the 100-percent sateen cotton cover has a luxurious feel. Most importantly, they’re certified for anyone with allergies, respiratory issues, or sensitive skin. If you want the pillows hotels use, this is your choice.
Read more: Best Mattresses
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Best Cooling Pillow
Anyone who “sleeps hot” should consider the Nest Bedding Cool Pillow. It features shredded gel-foam fill that can be adjusted to suit any kind of sleeper, whether that’s back, side, or stomach. The cover uses phase-change fabric technology that stays cool to the touch, perfect for those who need a little extra chill to sleep.
Best Adjustable Pillow
Goldilocks sleepers—those who have a tough time finding a pillow that’s just right—should consider LAYR’s premium adjustable loft pillow. It’s filled with a mix of memory foam and down alternative, which can be removed to provide the perfect customized balance of softness and support. The cover, made of cooling bamboo, is both soft and breathable.
Best Pillow For Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers need a different kind of pillow, and the Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper is for them. It’s made of familiar materials—a memory foam core with a cotton cover—but at just 2.5 inches thick, it’s one of the thinnest pillows you can buy. The half-pillow design means it lays flat while curving up, ready to cradle the heads of stomach sleepers without stressing their necks.
Read more: Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Best Pillow for Neck Support
Crane & Canopy’s Ultimate Down Alternative Sleeper Pillow is a good all-around pillow, but it’s especially good for back and side sleepers looking for extra neck support. It sports a 400 thread count, 100-percent cotton cover, and a down-alternative core made of springy fibers that give it a nice lift.
Best Pillow for Firmness
Side and back sleepers often like extra firmness in their pillows. The Beautyrest extra firm pillow is aimed at them, with a nearly overstuffed, fiberfill core that contours to support the head and neck. The cotton cover keeps the pillow cool while you sleep, making it extra comfortable.
Best Value Pillow
A good pillow doesn’t have to break the bank, and the Simply Essential Down Alternative proves it. For less than a Benjamin, you can get this no-frills pillow with an antimicrobial polyester fill and cotton sateen shell. They’re not as firm as other options—some may find them too soft—but when it comes to value they’re hard to beat.
Best CBD Pillow
Yes, you can now enjoy the calming effects of CBD just by laying on your pillow. The CBD Pillow releases microdoses of CBD through micro-encapsulation technology in the pillowcase. Even if you’re a bit skeptical of feeling the CBD effects, the hypoallergenic memory foam pillow has customizable filling to provide the ideal amount of firmness for a restful night of sleep.
Read more: Best CBD Products
Best Anti-Snoring Pillow
Snoring isn’t just hard on your bedmate—waking up groggy and unrested because you can’t breathe right is tough on you, too. Solutions usually involve sticking something in your mouth or nose, which also makes for an uncomfortable night. Enter the Smart Snoring Pillow, which uses a high-tech combo of microphones and software to nudge whenever you start to snore, leaving you to wake up refreshed.
