The 14 best pillows for every type of sleeper
If you’re like me, sleep does not come easy. Whether your mind’s racing or you just can’t get comfortable, the most “relaxing” part of our day can often be the most frustrating. Add to that a year of pandemic- and political-related stress, and sweet dreams seem to be nothing more than a nightmare. But the right pillow can help in this department, whether it gets your body in the right position (all pillows are not created equal when it comes to side, stomach, and back sleepers), cools you down, or just brings the right amount of calming energy. Ahead, we’ve rounded up this year’s best available pillows for every type of sleeper at every price point.
All of these products have been hand-selected by team 6sqft. We may receive a commission for purchases made through affiliate links. All prices reflect those at the time of publishing.Â
Best all-around
Image via Sleepgram
Sleepgram
$40 each when you buy two
By using two different sized, removable internal pillows, Sleepgram actually gives you three pillows in one–soft, medium, and firm–depending on which inserts you keep in. The company uses a proprietary extra-long, extra-soft microfiber that provides support to the neck while remaining soft and fluffy. As this stomach sleeper can attest, the soft option is a dream. Since Sleepgram sells their pillows in sets of two, four, or six (with an increasing discount for each), it’s a great deal when you need more than one type of pillow for a bedroom. Another cool feature is that Sleepgram ships their pillows in vacuum-sealed plastic to cut down on shipping materials and size.
Photo via Avocado
Avocado Green Pillow
$89
Avocado’s popular mattresses and bedding products are designed in Hoboken and made in Los Angeles, all with certified organic, natural, and non-toxic materials. Their best-selling Green Pillow has an adjustable fill, made from organic latex and organic kapok that delivers a medium-plush feel. It’s sold with an extra fill bag so you can customize your comfort. The fill is within an organic jersey cotton liner, which is within a machine-washable, quilted cotton cover.
Best for stomach sleepers
Image via Coyuchi
Coyuchi’s Organic Shredded Latex Pillow
$98-$128
If you like to lay on your stomach, you don’t want to be craning your neck. Therefore, a thinner, softer pillow will yield a more comfortable sleep. Organic textile company Coyuchi has several different pillow-fill options, but the shredded latex is unique for the fact that you can scrunch and mold it to your ideal shape and it will stay lofty (“unlike poly-filled pillows that go flat or down pillows that need fluffing,” they explain). Plus, it’s completely hypoallergenic.
Image via Blissbury/Amazon
BLISSBURY Thin Memory Foam Pillow on Amazon
$42.99
It’s rare to find a memory foam pillow that’s thin enough for stomach sleepers, but this version from Blissbury was designed especially thin for that reason. It comes with a soft bamboo washable cover and is gel-infused with ventilation holes to keep you cool.
Best for side sleepers
Photo via Parachute
Parachute’s Down Side Sleeper Pillow
$129
The opposite of stomach sleepers, side sleepers are best to choose a thicker, firmer pillow for the best alignment. And this down pillow from Parachute was literally made for side sleepers. Unlike most pillows, it has a 3.5-inch gusset, or a side panel, as opposed to just a top and bottom. This takes the strain off your neck and shoulders and keeps the pillow’s form in place. It’s also stuffed with Parachute’s 750-fill power European white down.
Image via Plush Beds
Plush Beds’ Shoulder Zoned Lavender Pillow
$105
Plush Beds’ Zoned Dough® memory foam contours to the head and neck to relieve painful pressure points. But this model takes it one step further with a unique shoulder recess that cradles the head while supporting the neck, designed specifically for side sleepers. And even more unique is that the relaxing scent of lavender comes infused in the pillow (you’ll even get a spritzer to refresh the aroma when needed).
Best for back sleepers
Via Coop Home Goods
Coop Home Goods Original Pillow
$59.99 on Coop Home Goods
$59.99 on Amazon
Back sleepers would fair well choosing a pillow from the “best all-around” section, as they need something right down the middle. In addition, this tried-and-true pillow from Coop Home Goods allows you to add or remove some of the medium-firm density fill to get the exact right fit. It also comes with a half-pound bag of the filling.
Photo courtesy of Brooklinen
Brooklinen Mid-Plush Down Pillow
$69
We love anything from Brooklinen because it makes us feel like we’re in a hotel, and their down pillows are no exception. Though they make a plush version that’s great for stomach sleepers and a firm version for slide sleepers, the mid-plush option is the most versatile and a good fit for back sleepers. It has a dual-core structure with an extra supportive inner layer of feathers and a super comfy outer layer of down clusters that makes it their best seller.
Best for neck pain
Image via Coyuchi
Coyuchi’s Turiya™ Organic Latex Pillow
$118
Who doesn’t have neck pain during quarantine (hello, tech neck!)? Coyuchi specially designed this pillow to provide proper spinal alignment, relieving pressure on your head and neck. As the company describes, “With the Turiya Pillow, you feel as if your head is cradled in air, an unparalleled sense of comfort that helps you sleep better and longer.” It’s recommended for side and back sleepers.
Via TEMPUR-PedicÂ
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
$89
Tempur-Pedic took their original pillow design and ergonomically contoured it to properly support your head, neck, and shoulders when you sleep on your back or side. It comes in three sizes, too. If you’re someone who likes to try things out before purchasing them, Tempur-Pedic recently opened its local flagship at 731 Lexington Avenue (the Bloomberg Building). The store offers semi-private demonstration areas, bed pods, and an audio-visual immersion.
Best for back pain
Via Coop Home Goods
Coop Home Goods Adjustable Knee Pillow
$25.99 on Coop Home Goods
$25.99 on Amazon
If you get lower back pain at night, a super effective (trust me!) way to alleviate it is to put a pillow between your knees, which takes the pressure off your hips. Of course, this works best when sleeping on your side, so a small knee pillow like this one is perfect. Plus, a removable foam insert provides thickness and density control.
Via Coop Home Goods
Coop Home Goods Four Position Support Pillow
$24.99 on Coop Home Goods
$24.99 on Amazon
If you get lower back pain and are a back sleeper, putting a bolster under your knees will help relieve some of the pressure. This half-moon-shaped memory foam version will stay put at night and has a removable foam insert so you can adjust the height. It also works great under ankles and as lumbar support.
Best for hot sleepers
Via TEMPUR-PedicÂ
TEMPUR-Cloud® Breeze Dual Cooling™ Pillow
$169
This cooling pillow gives you that classic Tempur-Pedic experience but with the added benefit of TEMPUR-Breeze® Gel on both sides of the pillow you can stay cooler and also get adaptive support.
Via Coop Home Goods
Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow
$79.99 on Coop Home Goods
$79.99 on Amazon
Instead of a down filling, this pillow from Coop Home Goods is stuffed with a blend of cross-cut, gel-infused memory foam and microfiber that produces a cooling effect. You can add or remove the filling so you get the best sleeping position.
RELATED:
