Best Pillows of 2023 – Expert Tested & Reviewed

Saatva is best known for luxury sleep products made from premium materials. The Saatva Latex Pillow is a prime example of the brand’s commitment to quality and sustainable production. We found the pillow quite balanced, with plenty of cushioning for the head and neck without sacrificing support. At 8 inches thick, the Latex Pillow is among the loftiest we’ve tested firsthand.

How It Performed

Our side sleepers enjoyed the Latex Pillow’s high-loft profile. We’ve found people who primarily use the side position need thick pillows to fill the gap between their head and downward-facing shoulder, which in turn promotes even alignment. Some of our back sleepers also enjoyed the pillow, while the stomach sleepers on our team found it a bit too thick.

Shredded fill makes the pillow quite moldable and snuggly, but we also noticed decent shape retention due to the chambered design. Temperature control was another highlight during our tests. Air circulates nicely throughout the inner chamber to minimize heat retention, and the breathable cover also helps ensure consistent cooling.

What It’s Made of

The Saatva Latex Pillow features shredded Talalay latex in the core chamber, and down-like microdenier fibers in the outer chamber. Latex is highly responsive compared to foam, so the pillow shouldn’t sink too much beneath your head and neck, but the microdenier chamber keeps the surface invitingly plush. An organic cotton sateen cover encases the fill. After separating the three components, you can wash and dry the cover and microdenier in your household machines.

The Latex Pillow is competitively priced, and Saatva offers substantial discounts if you include two pillows with your purchase. Queen and king sizes are available. Shipping is free for customers in the contiguous U.S. and provincial Canada. Your order includes a 45-night sleep trial and a 1-year warranty against structural and material defects.

The Sleep Is the Foundation Loft Pillow is fully adjustable, allowing you to customize the design based on your ideal thickness and support levels. Shredded memory foam fill ensures the best of both worlds if you’re looking for a pillow that contours evenly and feels exceptionally plush without sacrificing support.

How It Performed

Most of our testers enjoyed the Loft Pillow, though their opinions varied on how much fill felt most comfortable. Side sleepers preferred the pillow at or close to full volume, as this provided ample cushioning for their head and promoted even spinal alignment. Our back sleepers received adequate support when the pillow was at medium loft, whereas stomach sleepers emptied most of the fill to create a low profile that didn’t elevate their necks too much.

The fill is moldable and ideal for our testers who enjoy snuggling with pillows while they sleep. Temperature control proved to be another strength during testing, as the cover — made from a breathable and moisture-wicking fabric blend — offset excessive heat retention and kept us cool. The pillow’s outer cover is fairly easy to keep clean, though you’ll need to remove all of the fill before laundering the inner pouch.

What It’s Made of

The Loft Pillow contains shredded memory foam infused with cooling gel to help you sleep cool. An inner pouch holds the foam, and the pouch is encased in a cover made of polyester and moisture-wicking viscose derived from bamboo. Both the cover and pouch are fully machine-washable.

When all fill is used, the pillow measures 8 inches thick and is considered very high-loft. Removing the fill gradually reduces the profile. Each Loft Pillow comes with a bag of supplemental fill whenever the original supply needs to be replenished. Queen and king sizes are available.

The Sleep Is the Foundation Loft Pillow is exclusively available through Amazon.com. All orders include 30-night trial periods, and Amazon Prime members qualify for free ground shipping.

Brooklinen delivers everything we love about down pillows — a plush, cloud-like feel with chambered construction to keep your head aloft and a breathable cover that reduces heat retention. The pillow is available in three density levels, each with a distinct firmness to accommodate different sleep positions.

How It Performed

Our testers evaluated all three of the Brooklinen Down Pillow’s density levels. The Plush pillow is the softest option, resulting in notable sinkage and minimal neck strain for our stomach sleepers. If you sleep on your side, we recommend the Firm pillow for its high loft. Our back sleepers awarded the highest ratings to the Mid-Plush feel, but this pillow is suitable for anyone who wants a compromise between soft cushioning and strong support.

Each density has a different construction, but we found all three pillows quite moldable and snuggly. The chambered design also helps maintain a full shape. That said, Brooklinen recommends daily fluffing to distribute the fill. While the down retains some heat, the breathable cover promotes cooling and none of our testers found the pillows overly warm.

What It’s Made of

Each of the three Brooklinen Down Pillows has a unique construction. The Plush design only contains down, creating an exceptionally soft surface for your head and neck. Mid-Plush pillows are structured with feather cores and down outer chambers. Since feathers provide better support, this design provides excellent cushioning without sinking too much. The Firm pillow also has a chambered design, but with a higher ratio of feathers to elevate your head even further.

Silky-smooth cotton covers encase the fill. To avoid damaging the down and feathers, you should only spot clean the pillow if stains occur. Dry cleaning is another option. Standard and king sizes are available.

The Brooklinen Down Pillow is reasonably priced and you’ll receive a discount when ordering two or four. Shipping is free for all customers in the contiguous U.S. Brooklinen’s 365-night sleep trial is one of the longest in the online bedding industry, and the pillow is backed by an additional year of warranty coverage against structural defects.

The Quince Premium Down Alternative Gusset Pillow captures the luxurious feel of down at a fraction of the cost and without the animal sourcing. We found this model was also reasonably priced compared to other down alternative pillows that we’ve tested.

How It Performed

Encased in a breathable cotton shell, the pillow has the plush, lofty feel that down alternative is known for, allowing it to gently cradle your head and neck. The medium firmness is well suited for back and stomach sleepers, since these sleep positions benefit from deep compression to help keep the head aligned with the neck and spine. That said, the pillow is also a good fit for side sleepers, since it has a 2-inch gusset that helps fill the space between your neck and bed surface.

What It’s Made of

The pillow contains a microfiber fill, and the cover is 100% cotton with a 230 thread count. Piped edges add a subtle, stylish touch. You may choose between a standard or king size. This pillow is fully machine-washable as long as your machine is large enough to accommodate its size. Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low heat. You may also dry clean the pillow.

Quince offers free shipping to customers in all 50 states. Purchases come with a generous 365-night sleep trial, during which customers can return pillows for a full refund.

Mulberry silk is one of the most luxurious bedding materials on the planet. As such, products made from this material tend to be fairly expensive. The Cozy Earth Silk Pillow delivers exceptional softness, cooling, and overall comfort, yet carries a price-point that’s accessible to many shoppers. Above-average durability also makes this pillow a solid long-term investment.

How It Performed

Our testers found the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow quite soft, yet the silk fibers didn’t sink too much and overall support was excellent. A mid-range loft made the pillow best suited to the back sleepers on our team, though it also earned favorable ratings from some of our side and stomach sleepers.

During our temperature control tests, we found the pillow very breathable. Our testers attribute this to silk’s natural cooling properties and the moisture-wicking cover. Shape retention is another strong point. The silk shouldn’t clump or flatten even after years of use — in fact, this is a defect covered under Cozy Earth’s warranty — but the fill still gives the pillow a plush, moldable feel.

What It’s Made of

Long strands of mulberry silk comprise the pillow’s fill. Silk is an ideal pillow material if you enjoy soft surfaces for your head and neck, but also want consistent shape retention and breathability. The cover is made of viscose derived from bamboo. A sateen weave gives the cover fabric a silky-smooth feel that’s ideal if you have sensitive skin. You can machine wash the pillow if needed, but Cozy Earth recommends spot cleaning or dry cleaning instead. Standard and king sizes are available.

Shipping is free for orders in the contiguous U.S. Your order comes with a sleep trial spanning 100 nights in length. If you decide to keep your Silk Pillow, Cozy Earth backs your purchase with a 10-year warranty against shifting fill, pilling, and other material defects.

Choosing the right pillow is crucial if you frequently experience neck pain — you’ll want to find the right balance between gentle cushioning and even support. Brooklyn Bedding’s Talalay Latex Pillow should check these boxes for most people. The latex is quite responsive, resulting in a light bounce when you lay down your head, but the material also feels soft and adaptive enough to reduce soreness and stiffness while you sleep.

How It Performed

Most of the side and back sleepers on our team awarded the pillow favorable ratings, though these testers were divided about which loft felt most comfortable. Side sleepers appreciated the extra cushioning of the 5-inch pillow, while back sleepers preferred the lower profile of the 4-inch model. Some of our stomach sleepers also liked the 4-inch design, though others experienced neck strain on both pillows.

Our tests show the pillow excels at temperature control. The ventilated core promotes plenty of air circulation, and the cover is made of breathable Tencel for added cooling. Shape retention was another testing highlight. The pillow never needs to be fluffed, and the latex bounces back quickly when not in use.

What It’s Made of

The pillow’s core consists of solid Talalay latex. This material is more resilient than Dunlop latex, making it bouncier and less dense. The latex is ventilated with small holes allowing air to circulate throughout the interior. A Tencel cover encases the core. You can remove and machine wash the cover whenever it needs to be cleaned. The pillow is available in queen and king sizes, as well as lofts of 4 or 5 inches.

The Talalay Latex Pillow is affordably priced compared to the average latex model, and Brooklyn Bedding offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. Your order comes with a 30-night trial period. If you decide to keep the pillow, it’s further backed by a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.

If you sleep on your side, you’ll probably feel most comfortable on a high-loft pillow that fills the space between your head and downward-facing shoulder — but this isn’t always the case. Regardless of your personal preferences, the Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow features an adjustable design that lets you customize the profile to your liking. The pillow’s ergonomic shape also aligns the neck and shoulders with the rest of your spine, reducing pressure in these areas while you sleep.

How It Performed

Not surprisingly, the side sleepers on our team all felt comfortable on the pillow. We were particularly impressed with how the pillow’s ergonomic shape promoted even spinal alignment — a constant struggle for side sleepers who use traditional rectangular pillows. Our back sleepers also enjoyed the pillow, though they preferred less fill and lower loft than their side-sleeping counterparts.

The fill didn’t retain too much heat during our temperature control tests and the cotton-blend cover is highly breathable, so we recommend the pillow to hot sleepers and those who reside in warm or humid climates. We also found that the pillow provides above-average support compared to adjustable models with foam fill. The latex has some springiness to keep your head aloft and prevent uncomfortable sinkage.

What It’s Made of

The Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow’s fill blend contains 75% shredded latex and 25% down alternative fibers. Although the higher ratio of latex makes the pillow feel responsive, the fibers add a touch of softness to cushion your head and neck. The oblong shape is designed to support your head and neck while bending around your shoulders to ensure even alignment for side sleepers.

You can unzip the cotton cover to add or remove fill as needed, and Eli & Elm sells extra fill if you want to replenish your supply. The cover is fully machine-washable. For added protection, you can purchase a matching pillowcase.

The Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow is reasonably priced, and you’ll receive a substantial discount if you order two pillows. Standard ground delivery is free for most customers in the contiguous U.S., but California residents must pay shipping fees. Each purchase is backed by a 45-night trial period and a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Parachute Down Pillow takes a cue from the luxurious bedding found in high-end hotels and resorts. Down and feather fill encased in silky-smooth cotton sateen creates an exceptionally plush and lofty feel, and you can choose from three density levels based on your primary sleep position and firmness preferences.

How It Performed

Side sleepers on our testing team preferred the firm design. This pillow fills the gap between your head and downward-facing shoulder, and should promote proper alignment and reduce pressure buildup if you normally use the side position. Our back and stomach sleepers were divided on their favorite model. Some felt most comfortable with the mid-level profile of the medium density, while others awarded higher ratings to the soft, low-profile design.

You may notice some heat buildup from the down, a material with natural insulating properties, but the breathable cotton shell offsets heat retention to a noticeable degree. We also gave the pillow high marks for moldability — the down and feather fill makes it very snuggly — but this also means you’ll need to fluff on a daily basis to maintain a full shape. 

What It’s Made of

The fill is 85% pure down and 15% down and feather blend. How plush or supportive the pillow feels depends on which density you select, but the composition is the same for all three designs. A sateen-woven cotton shell encases the fill. Thick piping covers the stitches and helps prevent the fabric from ripping or tearing. Although the pillow is technically machine-washable, your household appliance may be too small, in which case you can opt for spot cleaning or dry cleaning if the shell is stained.

Parachute offers free standard shipping and expedited delivery for an additional fee. Returns are accepted within 60 days of receipt. If you keep the pillow after the trial ends, your purchase is further covered under a three-year warranty.

The hotel-style Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow uses a plant-based down alternative derived from soybeans to create a well-cushioned sleep surface. Animal-conscious shoppers and people with down allergies should appreciate this pick.

How It Performed

A medium feel and 5- to 6-inch loft made the Plant-Based Pillow a hit with our side and back sleepers. Our side sleepers found the profile thick enough to maintain proper alignment, while the plush down alternative fill cushioned the head and neck to relieve pressure. Our back sleepers also felt comfortable. If you sleep on your stomach, you may find the pillow cranes your neck too high and causes discomfort.

We also recommend the pillow for hot sleepers, thanks to the naturally breathable materials. Our heat guns detected very little heat buildup on the pillow’s surface. The fiberfill also made the pillow quite moldable during our tests, which is great if you prefer to snuggle your pillow at night.

What It’s Made of

The outer chamber is filled with plush fibers to give extra cushioning for the head and neck. Meanwhile, denser fibers in the inner chamber prevent the pillow from sinking too deeply. A breathable shell made from natural cotton keeps your head cool throughout the night. You can machine-wash the pillow for easy care. Simply wash on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on low heat.

Standard and king sizes are available. Sweet Zzz ships free to customers living in the contiguous U.S. The pillow comes with a 50-night sleep trial and a 1-year warranty against structural defects.

Persistent shoulder pain can occur if your pillow’s loft is too high or too low for your preferred sleep position, or if your pillow is too firm. The Noble Head Pillow is designed for advanced customization with nine individual chambers, each of which can be adjusted for loft and firmness at any given time.

How It Performed

Depending on the size you choose, you can change the loft anywhere from 1 to 10 inches and sleep comfortably in the side, back, or stomach positions. The Head Pillow is also available with three types of fill. We recommend the shredded memory foam for those who prefer a plush, adaptive feel. If you want some light cushioning without a close hug, the shredded latex fill may be more comfortable. The shredded wool fill is fairly firm, and also has natural moisture-wicking properties to help prevent night sweats. Your Head Pillow is fully adjustable regardless of which fill you choose.

What It’s Made of

A machine-washable organic cotton cover is included with your order. The fabric has Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification, as does the wool fill, while the latex has earned certification from the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). These credentials ensure the materials have been sustainably sourced. Noble also allows customers to opt for plastic-free shipping containers during checkout.

Standard ground delivery is free of charge for customers in the contiguous U.S. You may test out the pillow for up to 30 nights. Exchanges for size and fill type are also available during the trial period. A manufacturer’s warranty covers structural and material defects in the Head Pillow for up to five years.

If you’re shopping with a limited budget, you may find that low-cost pillows sacrifice quality to carry an affordable cost. The Silk & Snow is a notable exception. With an adjustable core and chambered design to cushion your head and neck, the pillow is thoughtfully constructed and practical if you frequently change your pillow’s thickness and firmness.

How It Performed

To accurately evaluate the Silk & Snow Pillow, our tests involved multiple loft adjustments. The side sleepers on our team preferred the pillow’s fill at maximum volume, whereas our back sleepers needed to remove some of the foam to avoid neck strain. For our stomach sleepers, the pillow felt most comfortable when the core chamber was half full.

For the remainder of our tests, we evaluated the pillow at about 90% volume. The shredded foam and synthetic down outer chamber gave the pillow an exceptionally moldable feel, and the chambered design helped to distribute the fill evenly and maintain a full shape. Thanks to the cotton cover, none of our testers felt excessively hot.

What It’s Made of

The core contains shredded memory foam that provides deep cushioning and close contouring for your head and neck. In the outer chamber, microfiber fill creates a down-like softness. The cover is composed of crisp cotton percale. You may machine wash the cover, but should avoid exposing the other components to water.

To adjust the loft, simply unzip the cover and inner pouch containing the foam. We recommend using a receptacle if you are removing foam, as the strands can create a mess. Silk & Snow does not sell additional foam fill in bulk.

Not only does the Silk & Snow Pillow carry an affordable price-point, but shipping is free of charge to all customers in the contiguous U.S. and provincial Canada. The company’s sleep trial runs for 100 nights, and you may return the pillow for a full refund after testing it for 30 nights. Those who keep their pillow also receive a 3-year warranty.

A pillow with good neck support can greatly reduce pain and pressure buildup that occurs while you sleep. The Luxome LAYR comes with four different inserts, allowing you to customize the feel and loft based on your personal preferences and sleep position. This level of adjustability makes the LAYR suitable for side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers.

How It Performed

Our team tested most of the LAYR’s insert combinations to get a sense of the pillow’s overall performance. Side sleepers on our team felt comfortable with most or all of the inserts in place, and preferred the shredded foam or down alternative inserts on top. Our back sleepers were a little more divided between using both solid foam inserts or the shredded foam and fiber inserts, but all agreed two was ideal. For our stomach sleepers, a single insert — down alternative, in most cases — felt most comfortable.

How well the pillow performs largely depends on which inserts you use. The down alternative insert retains less heat than the others, so this may be the best top layer if you’re a hot sleeper — though the vented, moisture-wicking cover kept most of our testers cool and comfortable no matter which inserts they used. Those who feel pain and pressure points in their neck and shoulders should get adequate relief from the solid foam or shredded foam inserts.

What It’s Made of

Each LAYR comes with inserts containing down alternative fibers, shredded memory foam, and solid memory foam. For the latter, you’ll receive inserts measuring 1 inch and 2 inches thick. You can add, remove, and rearrange the inserts to achieve the most comfortable configuration. Each insert is encased in a pouch to keep the materials hygienic and easy to separate.

A cover made of bamboo-derived viscose encases the inserts. This fabric is highly breathable and has moisture-wicking properties. Ventilated side panels provide additional cooling. The cover and insert pouches are fully machine-washable, but you should avoid laundering the inserts themselves. Standard and king sizes are available.

The LAYR is very reasonably priced compared to other customizable pillows we’ve tested, and you’ll receive a significant discount if you order two pillows. Standard shipping is free for customers in the contiguous U.S. Luxome allows you to return undamaged pillows within 30 days of delivery.

If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, you’ll probably feel most comfortable on a pillow with a low to medium loft and a relatively soft core that compresses beneath the weight of your head and neck. The aptly named Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow – Back & Stomach Sleeper should check all of these boxes. A solid foam core provides deep cushioning to alleviate your sore spots, while the mid-range profile shouldn’t provide too much elevation or neck strain.

How It Performed

Our team tested both of the GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow’s profiles. Back and stomach sleepers largely preferred the lower 4.75-inch design, which offered just enough support to prevent uncomfortable sinkage without lifting the neck to an excessive degree. Combination back and stomach sleepers also felt most comfortable on this design. If you’re a side sleeper or a combination sleeper who sometimes uses the side position, we recommend the 5.25-inch profile instead.

During our tests, thermal mapping technology revealed little to no heat buildup on the pillow’s surface — a rare quality for a solid foam model. The GlacioTex cover gets most of the credit for this pillow’s above-average temperature control. Shape retention is another major strength. Since the core contains a single piece of foam, you should never need to fluff the pillow for shape recovery.

What It’s Made of

The pillow’s memory foam core is soft, squishy, and adaptive. This material responds slowly to movement, creating a cloud-like effect as your head and neck sink into the pillow. Copper fibers infused into the foam are intended to offset heat retention, but the GlacioTex phase change cover is the star of the show when it comes to regulating temperature. This proprietary fabric is engineered to capture and release body heat on contact. The cover is removable and fully machine-washable for easy care.

Standard and king sizes are available. Price-points are below-average compared to other memory foam pillows on the market, and Helix offers free ground shipping to shoppers in all 50 states. The company’s sleep trial runs for 100 nights, and those who keep their pillow receive an additional year of warranty coverage.

If you prefer pillows that feel exceptionally soft and sink deeply beneath your head, you’re a prime candidate for a model containing down and feathers. The Luxe Pillow is affordably priced compared to its competitors, and a chambered design ensures a plush feel without sacrificing support. You can also rest easy knowing the pillow holds a Responsible Down Standard certification, meaning all birds providing the fill are humanely treated, housed, and fed.

How It Performed

During our tests, the Luxe Pillow earned its most favorable ratings from side and back sleepers. A mid-range profile and lofty feel helped ensure adequate elevation without straining the neck, and the chambered design provided enough support to reduce sinkage. Stomach sleepers may need a thinner pillow, but those who prefer extra cushioning may also find the Luxe comfortable.

The down and feather fill makes this pillow highly moldable, though you may need to fluff it often to maintain a full shape. Our tests also showed the pillow provides above-average temperature control. This is largely due to a breathable cotton cover that promotes airflow and helps offset the down’s heat-retaining properties.

What It’s Made of

The Luxe Pillow’s interior consists of three chambers. The core contains waterfowl feathers, which provide decent support, and plush down fills the two surrounding chambers to create an exceptionally soft feel. A cotton shell encases the fill, and your purchase includes a cotton pillow protector. You can machine wash the pillow and protector, but should separate these items before doing so. Standard and king sizes are available.

In addition to its below-average pricing, the Luxe Pillow qualifies for free ground delivery throughout the contiguous U.S. and low flat-rate shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada. The pillow’s trial period spans 100 nights, but you must test it out for at least 3 weeks before initiating a return.

Buckwheat pillows should appeal to anyone who needs an exceptionally firm surface for their head and neck. Among the buckwheat pillows our team has tested, we recommend the Hullo for its straightforward yet versatile design and approachable pricing. This pillow is ideal for anyone who is interested in trying out a buckwheat model, but doesn’t want to spend too much money.

How It Performed

Since the Hullo Buckwheat Pillow is designed for adjustable loft, most of our testers found a thickness that suited their primary sleep position. The pillow is very firm and isn’t for anyone, but the buckwheat hulls adapt evenly to your head and neck without hugging too closely or sinking. Our testers likened the feel of this pillow to that of a firm beanbag. Air circulates freely throughout the interior and the cover is composed of breathable cotton, so the Hullo also earned favorable ratings during our temperature control tests.

What It’s Made of

Hulls are the hard outer casings of buckwheat kernels. The Hullo contains hundreds of hulls. While the pillow is quite firm, the hulls contour evenly and mold to your head and neck much like dense foam. The cover is composed of unbleached, organic cotton twill and the hulls are sustainably sourced, so the pillow should appeal to eco-conscious shoppers.

You can add or remove the hulls to achieve your ideal loft. Hullo also sells hulls in bulk if you ever need to replenish your supply, so the pillow’s expected lifespan is much longer than average. One thing to keep in mind: the pillow is quite heavy and may be difficult to move at night.

The Hullo’s shipping costs and return options vary by seller. If you order the pillow through Amazon.com, delivery is free of charge and you’ll receive a 30-night trial period.