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Finding the Right Pillow
A great pillow can make a world of difference for your sleep. An important part of sleep hygiene, your pillow cushions your head and neck, which is essential for both comfort and support. A pillow that maintains a proper neck angle can ward off neck pain and encourage overall spinal alignment.
Given the immense selection of pillow types and sizes, though, many shoppers are unsure of how to find their perfect pillow. We’ve covered all the bases for you with top pillow picks based on sleeping position, pillow type, and specific preferences and needs.
Pillow choice is very important to people who live with neck, shoulder, or back pain. The right pillow can help alleviate tension and stiffness in these areas, while the wrong pillow can cause more discomfort and pressure. All pillows flatten over time, so if you’ve been using the same pillow for years, you may experience added aches and pains.
Pillows for Neck Pain
People with neck pain typically prefer pillows that contour evenly to the head and neck while providing adequate support and maintaining a full shape. For those with severe pain, a contoured ergonomic pillow that cradles the head and supports the neck may be the best option.
Saatva Latex Pillow
Fill:
Shredded 100% American Talalay latex and down alternative
A supportive pillow that cushions the head and neck can make a huge difference for people with persistent shoulder pain. Some pillows sold today are specifically designed for people with torn rotator cuffs, osteoarthritis, and other conditions that cause shoulder discomfort.
Many people develop aches and pains in their back because their shoulders and hips are not aligned with their spines while they sleep. A pillow for back pain should support these areas to ensure even alignment. Side sleepers can also improve their alignment by lying with a second pillow between their legs.
Most people snore at least once in a while, but for many this is a chronic condition. The issue is particularly common for back sleepers because this condition can restrict airflow through the breathing passages if the head is not elevated. The best pillows for snoring provide the loft and support needed to keep your head upright throughout the night.
Pillows fall into different categories based on the materials that make up their fill. From memory foam and latex to feathers and buckwheat hulls, each type of fill offers certain advantages and drawbacks. Factors to consider when choosing a pillow material include durability, temperature control, pressure relief, and ease of cleaning and care. Cost will also be a factor, as average prices differ considerably between different pillow types.
Memory Foam Pillows
A memory foam pillow is ideal for anyone who enjoys close contouring around the head and neck. Pillows with solid foam cores often excel at pain and pressure relief. You can also opt for a shredded memory foam pillow, many of which offer adjustable loft.
Down pillows are cushioned with the soft inner plumage of geese or ducks, and may also contain feathers from the same birds as supplemental fill. These pillows are best suited to people who prefer a plush, cloud-like surface for their head.
A cooling pillow is constructed with cover and core materials that promote air circulation and don’t trap body heat. These materials include breathable fabrics such as cotton, Tencel, or rayon from bamboo, as well as latex, ventilated foam, or down alternative fibers on the interior.
Saatva Latex Pillow
Fill:
Shredded 100% American Talalay latex and down alternative
Your sleeping position is central to how your body is aligned during the night, making it an important consideration when selecting a pillow. The loft, or height, of a pillow and its firmness directly affect whether it can meet the needs of your body.
Though many pillows can be used effectively in more than one sleeping position, we’ve identified what distinguishes the top performers for side, back, and stomach sleepers. If you are a combination sleeper who changes positions frequently, look for a pillow that best suits the position that you spend the most time in.
Side Sleepers
When lying on your side, your shoulder generates a sizable space between your head and the mattress. This can put pressure on your neck if your pillow is too short. For that reason, most side sleepers, and especially those with broad shoulders, do best with a pillow with medium or high loft. Adjustable-loft pillows are popular with side sleepers, who also benefit from pillows with plenty of fill and at least medium firmness.
Saatva Latex Pillow
Fill:
Shredded 100% American Talalay latex and down alternative
Back sleepers should look for a pillow that can lift their head into a comfortable and supportive angle. In most cases, that’s a medium-loft pillow with at least medium firmness so that it doesn’t compress too much under their head.
Stomach sleeping is the least common position, and it can create unique needs for maintaining proper alignment. Stomach sleepers get the best results with a low-loft pillow; taller pillows can push their head too far upward and put pressure on their neck. A pillow that is thin and either soft or medium firm suits most stomach sleepers.
Not all pillows are designed to go under your head and neck. Depending on your sleeping position, body pain, comfort preferences, or other needs you may find it helpful to use a different type of pillow to support yourself.
Knee Pillows
Knee pillows can improve spinal alignment and alleviate pressure for side sleepers. Back sleepers can also place these pillows beneath their legs for added support. Most knee pillows are constructed from dense memory foam that doesn’t compress too easily, allowing the material to maintain a full shape.
A wedge pillow is shaped with a slight incline to support the head and shoulders. These pillows are particularly beneficial for heavy snorers and people with acid reflux. Some back sleepers also prefer to rest their legs on wedge pillows, which can help alleviate aches and pains in the lumbar region and hips.
Body pillows are ideal for side sleepers who enjoy snuggling with a pillow while they sleep. Pregnant women can also use them to help improve spinal alignment. Additionally, a body pillow can help alleviate discomfort for people with back pain and provide extra cushioning for stomach sleepers.
Travel pillows allow you to sleep comfortably on airplanes, trains, and other types of public transportation. They can also be useful for people staying in motels, youth hostels, and other overnight lodgings where bedding quality is questionable. Most travel pillows are light and compact enough to fit in any luggage.
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
Sleep Foundation
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Daniel Noyed
Certified Sleep Coach
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
At SleepFoundation.org, we conduct extensive first-person experience tests on all but a select few products. This hands-on approach allows us to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations for mattresses, pillows, sheets, and other sleep essentials.
Guidelines for our testing methodology are as follows:
Every member of our team brings years of industry experience and knowledge to our hands-on evaluations. In addition to testing products, we’ve spoken to sleep experts and toured manufacturing sites.
Our testers fall into different categories based on body type, sleep position, and personal preferences. This level of diversity helps to ensure our product ratings are holistic and inclusive of all sleepers.
Each type of sleep product is tested using a unique set of performance criteria. We also assign ratings based on feedback from testers who fall into specific categories based on weight and sleep position (i.e. side sleepers who weigh 130 to 230 pounds).
We do not personally test CPAP equipment, anti-snoring mouthguards, and other medical devices that require a doctor's prescription. Rather than using specific rating criteria, we rely on our team's extensive knowledge of sleep products and medical industry standards to pair each reader with the right devices. These evaluations are also based on material and design quality, features, and other noteworthy product attributes.
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