Evaluate the High 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 range of serviceable designs on the market for a very good evening’s sleep. If, in some way, all of our picks above aren’t to your tastes, listed here are a number of others now we have 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 constituted of GOLS-certified natural latex and GOTS-certified natural kapok, and is available in each an ordinary form and side-sleeper curved form. It felt a lot denser than others we tried, and my take a look at 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 Move above however with out the curve for facet sleepers. In the event you sleep in your again 100% of the time, this is likely to be a greater match, however I favor the flexibility of getting one curved facet and one straight facet. –Eric Ravenscraft
Brooklinen Down Different Pillow for $59: I preferred this higher than Brooklinen’s precise down pillow, because it had higher spring and help. (I selected the agency possibility for testing.) I favor the Buffy Cloud for a down various, however this can be 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 exams, however each of my panelists who volunteered to long-term take a look at it got here again with disappointing outcomes inside every week. My petite facet sleeper discovered it too agency, and my taller, broader long-term tester discovered that the Casper wasn’t bouncing again fairly as a lot appropriately for the worth after every week of sleeping on it. In the event you 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 very good winter possibility for decent sleepers, as considered one of my panel testers stated.
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 good and springy, and it’s a stable runner-up to the Coop and Purple. I discovered it comfy to sleep on as a facet sleeper, because it as the next loft and good help.
Eli & Elm Facet Sleeper Pillow for $116: This pillow is nearly 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 if you happen to’re the kind of facet sleeper who likes agency help, this is likely to be 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 ideal 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 buddy and instantly purchased one after returning house. 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 evening.
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 slightly smaller than the remaining, nevertheless it additionally has a slight adjustment possibility, letting you unzip facet panels to make it larger or smaller. It was tremendous to sleep on; I discovered it slightly agency for my liking, however my long-term tester says it has been supportive and cleared up her neck ache. It is a good possibility for the worth too.
Nest Simple 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 further 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 is no scarcity of novelty pillows, however as somebody who experiences quite a lot of neck ache, I am intrigued by this odd little design. It has a concave heart for again, facet, and abdomen sleeping, plus an indented edge that completely suits your arm. Its awkward form makes it lower than splendid for something aside from laying your head on it, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a stable choose 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 facet sleepers. It is a good possibility, however I believe you will be simply as proud of a Purple or Coop cutout if you happen to want a excessive loft and facet 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 dimension you want, you’ll be matched with the right 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 a very good possibility if you happen to sleep solely in your facet—together with your arms stretched in entrance of you or close to your chest. I often 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 once I rolled onto my again, I awoke with neck ache. However if you happen to solely sleep within the splendid facet sleeper formation, this mannequin is far more supportive than others I’ve tried. Be sure to choose up a case! A traditional case is simply too roomy and doesn’t match the Dice properly. —Louryn Strampe
Purple DreamLayer Pillow for $199: In the event you discover you turn between being a facet sleeper and again sleeper, the Purple DreamLayer pillow gives a wonderful center floor. Fairly 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 facet 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 various. I most well-liked the help of Purple’s different fashions, however if you need one thing softer with higher help than only a down or down various filling, this can be a nice possibility.
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 Different Pillow for $115: I like this down various, however no more than the less expensive Buffy. There are two loft peak choices which is good if you need one thing particular.
Sleep Quantity True Temp Adapt Final Pillow for $150: I examined the Final form since it is a slight crescent-like type that is splendid for facet sleepers like myself. I like this as a facet sleeper possibility, and it is properly cooling as properly. It is slightly smaller than the Coop, however nonetheless sufficiently big 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 various mannequin. In the event you’re on the lookout 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 beneath $100, nevertheless it’s out of inventory all over the place proper now. If you’ll find it out there, it is an ideal possibility crammed with shredded reminiscence foam you can alter 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 may add or take away foam filling to get the right quantity of help for you. That is an more and more frequent characteristic, however what units it aside is Tempur-Pedic’s trademark cooling supplies. The corporate makes among the finest 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 choose did tremendous in my panel exams, however all of us most well-liked shredded reminiscence foam over a stable sheet. Somebody did volunteer to long-term take a look at 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 proof against stress than the Adapt. It is a greater match if you happen to favor a firmer possibility, or if you need house to share it together with your cuddling associate. —Eric Ravenscraft
Understanding Pillow Sizes
There are a pair totally different pillow sizes you would possibly discover when buying. More often than not pillows are available in an ordinary dimension and a king dimension, and you should purchase an ordinary dimension until you could have a king-size mattress. However there are a number of extra dimension choices.
All mattress pillows are often 20 inches huge, however the size can range. (That is why your pillowcases might sound too lengthy—they’re ready for bigger sizes!) In the event you’re interested in extra sizes or discovered a mannequin that has extra choices to select from than you understand what to do with, listed here 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 may 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 an ordinary dimension for its pillows, however they’re 28 inches lengthy, making these pillows a brilliant customary dimension. You will not wish to order king-size pillows and not using a king-sized mattress, particularly since you will want king-size pillowcases together with your sheets. Physique pillows are the longest of all, and now we have a separate information to these.
Steadily Requested Questions
What Form of Pillow Do You Want?
You would possibly assume a pillow is a pillow. It simply needs to be gentle and match beneath your head, proper? Your head, neck, and again disagree. Getting a very good evening’s sleep can rely closely in your pillow, so when selecting one, listed here are a number of key inquiries to ask.
What sort of sleeper are you? Do you sleep in your again, facet, or abdomen? Do you keep comparatively nonetheless, or do you toss and switch lots? Do you often 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 bear in mind when deciding what kind works finest for you, and we have famous our picks beneath based mostly on sleeping type.
What’s the pillow fabricated from? Pillows might be crammed with all sorts 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 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 sometimes comes from the stomach feathers of both geese or geese. So as to make sure that down feathers are ethically sourced—similar to 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 options, which use cotton, rayon, or polyester as an artificial substitute. The broader Materials Issues Normal is a lately overhauled system for inspecting the environmental influence 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 typically used to explain how excessive away from bed 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 evening. Most fashions sometimes fall into considered one of three classes: Low loft, which is comparatively brief and splendid for again sleepers; excessive loft, which is healthier for facet sleepers (since your head shall be additional away from bed than once you’re in your again); and medium loft, which is someplace within the center and finest if you happen to’re a mix sleeper who would not stick to 1 explicit sleep type.
What’s the guarantee and return coverage? You may not assume the pillow you sleep (and sweat and drool) on would have a strong guarantee, however many producers supply beneficiant insurance policies. For instance, Purple affords a one-year guarantee and even a 100-night trial interval. Casper has the same guarantee and a 30-day trial. In the event you’re not sure whether or not your new pillow is best for you, try the corporate’s insurance policies to see what leeway it’s important to attempt earlier than you commit—and ensure you’re protected if one thing goes incorrect.
What is the Finest Pillow Fill for You?
A wide range of filling supplies are used, and the kind of fill is a giant 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” often invokes the sinking sensation that good reminiscence foam can provide. Here is a fast explainer of the principle sorts 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 much like a comforter within the sense that it is gentle and squishy, and really malleable to form in any approach you favor. (But it surely additionally would not retain its form properly.) 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 kind, however use different supplies to duplicate 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 totally different really feel. In my exams, I’ve discovered down various fashions are often extra supportive and do a greater job holding their form than a basic down.
Reminiscence foam: Reminiscence foam is fashionable since it may well “bear in mind” its authentic 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 may additionally wish to verify if the reminiscence foam is a stable sheet or shredded; I’ve discovered shredded and reduce reminiscence foam to have extra bounce and help and fewer sinkage than a reminiscence foam sheet.
Latex foam: Latex foam is constituted of rubber, giving it a a lot bouncier, supportive really feel than different foam choices. Latex foam is turning into a well-liked possibility because of that good help, and it’s often discovered with a shredded kind 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 typically discover it is a sheet of froth mixed with both shredded foam or another sort 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 might 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 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, an ordinary dimension is slightly smaller at solely 26 inches huge, whereas a queen dimension ought to be 30 inches huge. 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 favor a number of further inches with the queen dimension.
Why Ought to You Spend So A lot on a Pillow?
You is likely to be stunned by among 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 ceaselessly changed and did not present the long-term help (and even all-night help) my neck wanted.
Greater-quality pillows value extra however will use higher supplies, last more, and include trial durations and warranties to be able to take a look at 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 reasonably priced 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 best ways to scrub your pillow goes to rely upon the pillow you could have. You’ll be able to select at hand 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 best pillows to wash are ones that include detachable covers, as a result of you may take away stated cowl and wash it with different sheets and bedding. Not all pillow fill ought to be washed, in order that’s essential 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 must 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 Overview?
We analysis all pillows we take a look at to verify we take a look at a wide range of kinds, fills, and shapes to seek out that are probably the most supportive over an evening’s sleep. We take a look at each costly and affordably priced fashions to see how the standard stacks up, and often look to check new designs and choices to see what’s coming subsequent (and each different class we take a look at for). We additionally try evaluations and buyer suggestions when out there to see if it is price testing to match 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 at least three nights, with our high picks getting a minimum of 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 kinds starting from basic facet and again sleepers to chaotic sleepers who find yourself beneath their pillows each evening, and the panel judged which choices they discovered most comfy and could be most definitely to purchase for his or her sleep wants.
How Does WIRED Purchase Pillows? What Occurs to the Overview Models After Testing?
Most of our pillows are supplied by the corporate for us to evaluate, typically by that firm reaching out to supply its latest mannequin for us to think about, or extra ceaselessly, us reaching out and asking to check it after researching that particular type or fill kind. We additionally buy some pillows for ourselves and can write about them.
After we take a look at pillows, they’re both positioned with a long-term tester if the mannequin is a choose, or they’re donated.
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