Evaluate the High 5 Pillows
Honorable Mentions
There are far too many pillows in the marketplace. We have listed our favorites above, however even that does not cowl the big selection of serviceable designs on the market for a great night time’s sleep. If, one way or the other, all of our picks above aren’t to your tastes, listed below are a couple of others we’ve examined and what we considered them.
Avocado Down Pillow for $109: This down mannequin does have feathers sourced from 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 made out of GOLS-certified natural latex and GOTS-certified natural kapok, and is available in each a normal form and side-sleeper curved form. It felt a lot denser than others we tried, and my check panel and I most well-liked different latex pillows over this one.
Bedgear Storm Pillow for $200: This mannequin from Bedgear is much like the Bedgear Circulation above however with out the curve for aspect sleepers. If you happen to sleep in your again 100% of the time, this is perhaps a greater match, however I choose the flexibility of getting one curved aspect and one straight aspect. –Eric Ravenscraft
Brooklinen Down Various Pillow for $59: I preferred this higher than Brooklinen’s precise down pillow, because it had higher spring and help. (I selected the agency choice for testing.) I choose the Buffy Cloud for a down different, however it is a stable 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 preferred sleeping on the Casper, particularly the cooling Snow model ($149), and it did properly in my panel checks, however each of my panelists who volunteered to long-term check it got here again with disappointing outcomes inside every 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 value after every week of sleeping on it. If you happen to like a firm-ish design, although, you can be proud of this one. The Snow model is barely cooling, however not tremendous cooling; extra of a great winter choice for decent sleepers, as considered one of my panel testers mentioned.
Eli & Elm On a regular basis Reminiscence Foam Pillow for $110: In comparison with the latex model under, the reminiscence foam model feels lumpy. Most of my panelists disliked it, together with myself, however my chaotic sleeper was a fan of its malleable form for her haphazard sleeping patterns.
Eli & Elm On a regular basis Latex Pillow for $110: This shredded latex-filled pillow is good and springy, and it’s a stable 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 Aspect Sleeper Pillow for $116: This pillow is sort of shockingly agency out of the field. You may customise the quantity of fill inside to offer it the correct amount of help for you, however should 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 anticipate to do a lot cuddling on this one, however for one individual it is an important selection. —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 scorching, 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 high quality 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 value too.
Nest Straightforward Breather Pillow for $119: This can be a fashionable mannequin, however I discovered it too dense and too lofty for me. It’s adjustable, so you may simply make it much less lofty, and it comes with a fill bag to retailer your additional fill. The fill is a mixture of foam and polyester fiber. My panelist who preferred the firmer Marlow additionally preferred this pillow, whereas the remainder of us most well-liked softer choices.
No Extra Aches Neck Pillow for $50: There isn’t any scarcity of novelty pillows, however as somebody who experiences loads 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 preferrred for something aside from laying your head on it, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a stable 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 feel you will be simply as proud of a Purple or Coop cutout should you want a excessive loft and aspect sleeper help.
Pillow Dice Aspect 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’re taking the quiz and get a advice for what dimension you want, you’ll be matched with the right dice for you. I examined the Aspect Dice and the Ice Dice. They have been supportive and a bit squishy, and I feel they’d be a great choice should you sleep solely in your aspect—along with your arms stretched in entrance of you or close to your chest. I normally sleep with my arm stretched beneath 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 well-liked place. And on the nights after I rolled onto my again, I awakened with neck ache. However should you solely sleep within the preferrred aspect sleeper formation, this mannequin is way more supportive than others I’ve tried. Be sure you decide up a case! A traditional case is just too roomy and doesn’t match the Dice properly. —Louryn Strampe
Purple DreamLayer Pillow for $199: If you happen to discover you turn between being a aspect sleeper and again sleeper, the Purple DreamLayer pillow gives a superb center floor. Quite 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 a substitute of two. It is described as having a down-alternative core, and it does really feel a lot softer, like a down different. I most well-liked the help of Purple’s different fashions, however if you would like one thing softer with higher help than only a down or down different filling, it is 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 different, however no more than the less expensive Buffy. There are two loft peak choices which is good if you would like one thing particular.
Sleep Quantity True Temp Adapt Final Pillow for $150: I examined the Final form since it is a slight crescent-like model that is preferrred for aspect sleepers like myself. I like this as a aspect sleeper choice, and it is properly cooling as properly. 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, much like a down or down different mannequin. If you happen to’re searching for one thing additional cool and like the sunshine, malleable help of a down pillow, it is a sensible choice.
Snuggle-Pedic Adjustable Cooling Pillow for $57: This was our favourite pillow beneath $100, nevertheless it’s out of inventory in every single place proper now. If you’ll find it accessible, it is an important choice stuffed with shredded reminiscence foam which you can modify to get your good peak.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt ProAdjust Pillow for $125: This adjustable-fill mannequin from Tempur-Pedic has a compartment the place you may add or take away foam filling to get the right quantity of help for you. That is an more and more frequent function, however what units it aside is Tempur-Pedic’s trademark cooling supplies. The corporate makes a number of the greatest cooling supplies in the marketplace, and this one managed to remain cooler than most I attempted. —Eric Ravenscraft
Tempur Pedic Tempur Adapt ProHi for $175: Our earlier reminiscence foam decide did high quality in my panel checks, however all of us most well-liked shredded reminiscence foam over a stable sheet. Somebody did volunteer to long-term check this as a knee help whereas they slept, although.
Tempur-Breeze ProHi Pillow for $229: is a wider, extra spacious different to the Tempur-Adapt ProHi. It has a equally excessive loft, and the froth is firmer and extra immune to stress than the Adapt. It is a greater match should you choose a firmer choice, or if you would like area to share it along with your cuddling companion. —Eric Ravenscraft
Understanding Pillow Sizes
There are a pair totally different pillow sizes you would possibly discover when purchasing. More often than not pillows are available in a normal dimension and a king dimension, and you should purchase a normal dimension until you might have a king-size mattress. However there are a couple of extra dimension choices.
All mattress pillows are normally 20 inches broad, however the size can differ. (That is why your pillowcases may appear too lengthy—they’re ready for bigger sizes!) If you happen to’re interested by extra sizes or discovered a mannequin that has extra choices to select from than you realize what to do with, listed below are the same old sizes you’ll find and what measurements they need to have:
- Normal Measurement: 20 inches by 26 inches
- Tremendous Normal Measurement: 20 inches by 28 inches
- Queen: 20 inches by 30 inches
- King: 20 inches by 36 inches
- Physique: 20 inches by 54 inches
You will wish to double-check listings to see what dimension you are actually working with if dimension is a matter for you. Buffy, for instance, lists a normal dimension for its pillows, however they’re 28 inches lengthy, making these pillows a brilliant normal dimension. You will not wish to order king-size pillows with no king-sized mattress, particularly since you will want king-size pillowcases along with your sheets. Physique pillows are the longest of all, and we’ve a separate information to these.
Continuously Requested Questions
What Type of Pillow Do You Want?
You would possibly suppose a pillow is a pillow. It simply must be gentle and match beneath your head, proper? Your head, neck, and again disagree. Getting a great night time’s sleep can rely closely in your pillow, so when selecting one, listed below are a couple 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 beneath your head, or do you cocoon your self right into a pillow chrysalis? That is most likely an important factor to remember when deciding what kind works greatest for you, and we have famous our picks under primarily based on sleeping model.
What’s the pillow fabricated from? Pillows might be stuffed with all sorts of supplies, from feathers to foam. Down and artificial down are fluffy clusters of fiber that may really feel gentle and cozy, whereas reminiscence foam is designed to compress with the load of your head however nonetheless return to its earlier form. Natural latex might be heavy and spongey, holding a side-sleeper’s head in place. There are additionally hybrid pillows that use a number of layers of various supplies for a extra structured really feel.
How are the supplies sourced? Since some supplies like down feathers come from animals, you may want to pay attention to how producers get their fill (actually). Down filling usually comes from the stomach feathers of both geese or geese. So as to be sure that down feathers are ethically sourced—reminiscent of by avoiding merciless practices like dwell plucking—packages just like the Accountable Down Normal set standards that producers should adhere to. An alternative choice is to search for artificial down alternate options, which use cotton, rayon, or polyester as an artificial alternative. The broader Materials Issues Normal is a lately overhauled system for analyzing the environmental affect and sustainability of bedding producers.
How agency is it? Nonetheless you sleep, you will desire a pillow that retains your backbone straight and your head aligned along with your again. Which means you need one thing agency sufficient to help your head but gentle sufficient that it would not dig into your ear or face.
How lofty is it? “Loft” is a time period typically used to explain how excessive out of bed the pillow retains your head. If it is too tall, for instance, you would possibly find yourself along with your neck tilted upward, straining it all through the night time. Most fashions usually fall into considered one of three classes: Low loft, which is comparatively quick and preferrred for again sleepers; excessive loft, which is best for aspect sleepers (since your head shall be additional out of bed than whenever you’re in your again); and medium loft, which is someplace within the center and greatest should you’re a mixture sleeper who would not stick to at least one explicit sleep model.
What’s the guarantee and return coverage? You may not suppose the pillow you sleep (and sweat and drool) on would have a strong guarantee, however many producers provide beneficiant insurance policies. For instance, Purple gives a one-year guarantee and even a 100-night trial interval. Casper has an identical guarantee and a 30-day trial. If you happen to’re uncertain whether or not your new pillow is best for you, take a look at the corporate’s insurance policies to see what leeway you must attempt earlier than you commit—and ensure you’re protected if one thing goes improper.
What is the Greatest Pillow Fill for You?
A wide range of filling supplies are used, and the kind of fill is an enormous a part of how pillows are categorized. You have heard of down pillows, for instance, which suggests it is stuffed with down undercoating or feathers, and listening to the phrases “reminiscence foam” normally invokes the sinking sensation that good reminiscence foam may give. This is a fast explainer of the primary sorts of fill you will discover and the way they differ.
Down: Down pillows, as I discussed above, are stuffed with both down clusters (an undercoating on geese) or down feathers, or a mixture of each. It is a fill that is been round for ages, and it feels much like a comforter within the sense that it is gentle and squishy, and really malleable to form in any means you favor. (But it surely additionally would not retain its form properly.) Since these are stuffed 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 different: These pillows aren’t a set kind, 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 mixture of reminiscence foam and latex foam. You will have to have a look to see what makes up any down different design, because it is not constant. However what’s constant is the totally different really feel. In my checks, I’ve discovered down different fashions are normally extra supportive and do a greater job holding their form than a basic down.
Reminiscence foam: Reminiscence foam is fashionable since it will possibly “keep in mind” its unique form, letting it return to its earlier kind 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 will additionally wish to verify if the reminiscence foam is a stable sheet or shredded; I’ve discovered shredded and lower reminiscence foam to have extra bounce and help and fewer sinkage than a reminiscence foam sheet.
Latex foam: Latex foam is made out of rubber, giving it a a lot bouncier, supportive really feel than different foam choices. Latex foam is changing into a preferred choice due to that good help, and it’s normally discovered with a shredded kind of fill that provides loads of airflow.
Hybrid: Hybrid is one other class gaining in reputation. It may be a mixture of any of the above fills, however I typically discover it is a sheet of froth mixed with both shredded foam or another form of softer filling. Casper, for instance, makes use of each sheets of reminiscence foam after which has a core of shredded foam on the 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 could possibly be utilized in a mix with different supplies above. Kapok and cotton are imagined to be on the fluffy finish, whereas wool is nice for temperature regulation. However none are as fashionable as foam or down choices, although you would possibly see these as elements in natural or hybrid choices.
Are Normal and Queen the Identical Pillow Measurement?
No, a normal dimension is just a little smaller at solely 26 inches broad, whereas a queen dimension needs to be 30 inches broad. You would possibly wish to verify the measurements in case it is mislabeled to be the identical factor, however when you’ve got the selection between the 2, I choose a couple of additional inches with the queen dimension.
Why Ought to You Spend So A lot on a Pillow?
You is perhaps shocked by a number of the value tags on these pillows. I keep 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.
Larger-quality pillows price extra however will use higher supplies, last more, and include trial intervals and warranties in an effort to check out the pillow of your selection and get a assure it will final. Plus, whereas most of those aren’t low cost, it is nonetheless an inexpensive funding whenever 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 best ways to scrub your pillow goes to rely upon the pillow you might have. You may select handy wash, spot clear, or machine wash pillows, although you will wish to verify the label and ensure it is protected to machine wash it. If it is not, spot or hand cleansing is the best choice.
The simplest pillows to wash are ones that include detachable covers, as a result of you may 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 high 5 picks all have detachable covers for straightforward washing, although for some (just like the Honeydew Delicious) you will should manually take away the filling and retailer it in a bag, whereas others just like the Purple have a separated cowl and fill part.
How Does WIRED Select Pillows to Evaluation?
We analysis all pillows we check to verify we check a wide range 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 take a look at evaluations and buyer suggestions when accessible to see if it is value testing to check towards pillows we all know we already like.
How Does WIRED Take a look at Pillows?
Each pillow on this information is slept on for no less than three nights, with our high picks getting not less than every week if not nearer to a month of sleep testing from both myself, different staffers, or long-term testers. I additionally hosted a testing panel in March 2025 with six individuals and 22 totally different fashions. The panelists all had totally 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 can be probably to purchase for his or her sleep wants.
How Does WIRED Purchase Pillows? What Occurs to the Evaluation Models After Testing?
Most of our pillows are offered by the corporate for us to assessment, typically by that firm reaching out to supply its latest mannequin for us to contemplate, or extra steadily, us reaching out and asking to check it after researching that particular model or fill kind. We additionally buy some pillows for ourselves and can write about them.
After we check pillows, they’re both positioned with a long-term tester if the mannequin is a decide, or they’re donated.
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