Where Can I Buy Good Pillows

What Were Looking For:

Fill type: From shredded latex and memory foam to down and down-alternative, the type of fill inside your pillow directly translates to how supportive it is and can impact the longevity of the pillow and your overall comfort. While there are several handfuls of pillow fill types out there, polyester fiberfill, memory foam, latex, and feather fill are among the most common. Less common pillow fillings can include buckwheat hull, plant-based materials, and kapok .

You can narrow down your pillow-fill options based on factors like your sleeping position, health concerns, and personal choice. For example, if you want a pillow that is eco-friendly or vegan, a memory foam or feather-filled pillow might be a pass, but a plant-based or organic-fiber pillow could be right up your alley. For snoozers who are navigating pain management, responsive memory foam or latex that can provide consistent support will be a better choice over softer down or down-alternative pillows.

Loft: The loft of your pillow, basically a fancy way to say height, should parallel your preferred sleeping position. The loft of a pillow refers to its height when laying flat a pillow with a low loft is a thinner pillow, while a pillow with a high loft will be thicker, explains Colonello. Depending on your normal sleeping position, youll want a specific loft in order to be most comfortable.

What Is Pillow Loft

A pillows loft refers to its height when it is lying flat with nothing sitting on top of it.

Pillows are generally divided into low, medium, and high lofts. A low loft pillow measures 3 inches or less in height. A medium loft pillow measures between 3 and 5 inches thick. A high loft pillow measures over 5 inches in height.

Unfortunately, these measurements havent been universally adopted across pillow companies. Some companies might call their pillow low loft or high loft when it is in fact medium or average in height.

Check actual pillow measurements rather than descriptions whenever possible. Though some companies provide an exact measurement of their pillows loft, many do not.

What We Look For In A Pillow

We tested a wide range of pillows for our list, judging them on the following criteria:

• Feel: How comfortable is the pillow? Do we remain comfortable all night, or do we wake up with neck pain? Does it feel cool, or do we feel warm?
• Support: How supportive is the pillow? Do we wake up feeling sore? Do we feel comfortable in all positions? Do we sink into the pillow, or does it feel firm?
• Size: Does the pillow fit into a standard-size pillowcase? Does it have an odd shape?

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Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Set

• Easy to clean and keeps its shape
• Good value for the pair

• Too high for those who switch positions to their stomachs

• Fill material: Polyester down alternative
• Firmness level: Medium-firm

Designed specifically for side and back sleepers, the poly stuffing is lightweight yet still significantly firmer than other down alternatives. It aced all of our Lab’s evaluations, including pillowcase fit, shrinkage after laundering and how well it kept its shape after we applied weight. This is especially important because side sleepers need their pillow to keep its shape all night for proper alignment.

On top of that, it uses a synthetic down alternative, which is ideal for easy care and a lower cost. In fact, this set of two pillows cost less than other individual ones. The fill also prevents it from feeling too dense, which can sometimes be a downside to pillows made for side sleepers.

Tester notes: Our entire panel was impressed with how it stood up to pressure, and a user told us it “kept its shape better than any other pillow I’ve ever used.” More importantly, they all rated it supportive and comfortable to sleep on. One even called out its luxurious attention to detail, saying it had “excellent quality with good materials and stitching.”

Best Pillow for Back Sleepers

How To Choose The Perfect Pillow

The most important factor in preventing neck pain and general discomfort is spinal alignment. You always want your neck to be in a neutral position, not strained or flexed. Depending on how you sleep , the ideal pillow material and height will vary.

Side Sleepers: If you sleep on your side , you’ll need a firm and thick pillow that bridges the gap between your neck and the mattress without lifting your head too much. A pillow that is too thin won’t offer enough support, resulting in a craning, drooping neck all night. A pillow that is too fluffy will put your neck out of alignment causing tension and strain on the underside of your neck. Essentially, you’re looking for the Goldilocks of pillows not too soft and fluffy, not too firm and flat, but just right. We found that latex pillows offer the best support for this sleep style.

Back Sleepers: Sleep experts recommend this position for everyone to keep proper neck alignment. If you already sleep on your back or are trying to form a habit of sleeping this way, opt for a mid-loft pillow with firm support that won’t elevate your head too much. During our testing, we found that memory foam pillows with some give are most comfortable for back sleepers as they offer enough loft and support to keep the neck in alignment while not being so flat that the head will droop back.

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A Quilted Pillow With A Just

Amazon

Fill Material: Gel memory foam | Size Options: Medium | Adjustable: No | Certifications: None

Side sleepers need a pillow with a higher loft to properly support the head and align the neck with your spine. If your pillow is too soft or too stuffed, it can lead to neck, back and shoulder painnot to mention discomfort that can make it more difficult to get a good nights sleep. This hypoallergenic, gel fiber pillow has a just-right loft and a no-shift construction that properly supports your head without the need for re-fluffing through the night.

How We Chose The Best Pillows For Sleeping

A new pillow might be a small purchase, but its an important one. We considered the following factors to make sure we only recommend quality pillows:

• Customer reviews. User feedback is often the best way to know how something really works, and pillows are no exception. We used reviews to narrow down our search for the best pillows and to make sure the ones we recommend are everything the brands have fluffed them up to be.
• Company reputation and transparency. For your peace of mind, we make every effort to recommend products from brands known for being up front about product materials and construction. We also look for brands with good customer service ratings.
• Variety. With the hope of including something to meet everyones needs, weve selected pillows made from various materials, at different price points, and for every sleeping style.

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Full/queen : Bed Pillows

Beautifully covered pillows that are artfully arranged on the bed are the sign of a well-adorned bedscape. Pillows are an essential crowning touch to nearly any bed. They could be a single source of pattern that brings about some life to the room. One aspect of bed-making that were ready to demystify are the bed pillows. So, get ready to make your bed like a boss. We offer a wide range of standard size bed pillows, queen size bed pillows, king size bed pillows and even body pillows to choose from. Whether youre a side sleeper, back sleeper or hug-your-pillow-sleeper, weve got pillows for every sleeping style. Choose from pillows that are filled with down feather, memory foam and goose down in variety of thicknesses, which are designed to support your sleeping style. So, go ahead, add some new pillows and easily boost your comfort, and at the same time breathe some new life to your bedding as well. Whether its for a more restful retreat in the master bedroom or adding some comfort for your visitors in the guest room, our wide range of pillows and body pillows are an easy, affordable way to a more comfortable nights sleep.

How To Choose The Right Pillow For Side Sleepers

Side sleepers need a high loft and firmer pillow for a healthy posture. Fluffy materials like kapok or down are ideal for side sleepers.

Side Sleeper Needs:

• High Loft: A high loft pillow for sleeping can help you have neutral alignment with your spine. It can also help you relieve pressure on your shoulder. If you feel your shoulder digging into your mattress deeply, you probably need a lofty pillow.
• Firm Support: Medium-firm support pillows will keep your head and neck in line with your spine. A soft pillow can result in a stiff neck in the morning.
• Fluffy Pillows: Fluffy materials like Kapok, down, or down alternatives will make sure your pillow is adequately stuffed. If you are a side sleeper with broader shoulders, its best to have a fluffed pillow into a higher loft.

Wants:

• Breathable Foam: Memory foam is excellent when you want to have that slow response to pressure, but it traps body heat and can lead to sweat and discomfort. To avoid the pain, you can look for shredded memory foam. This way, you can enjoy that deep sink with better breathability.
• Moisture Wicking: You should look for a naturally absorbent pillow, especially if you are going through menopause or night sweats. Materials like polyester, Tencel, and bamboo can help you with moisture-wicking.
• Natural: If you have sensitive skin, you should consider pillows made from natural and organic materials. Some of the good options are organic cotton, cellulosic fibers, and natural latex.

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Are Soft Or Hard Pillows Better For Sleeping

You might prefer your pillow to have a specific feel but dont forget to take your sleeping position into account. Soft pillows are ideal for stomach sleepers, while side sleepers typically do better with firmer pillows. Back sleepers may want to consider medium-firm pillows for the best support.

When shopping for the right pillow, youll want to consider more than just size and type. Keep these important elements in mind:

Why Trust The Spruce

Cristina Sanza is a lifestyle writer specializing in home products and organization hacks. Her work has been featured on Bustle, Ranker, Inside The Magic, and Upright Citizens Brigade. For this roundup, she considered dozens of retailers that stock pillows, evaluating each on selection, return policy, and value. Additional reporting was done by , a writer and editor with over 12 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Huffington Post, Bustle, BossBabe, Thought Catalog, and more.

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What Is Spruce Approved

Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.

What To Consider When Purchasing A Feather Pillow

Some feather pillows contain all feathers or all down, while others may have a mix of the two. If you dont want your head to sink deeply into the pillow, you may prefer a pillow with more feathers than down, as this type of pillow tends to have more structure.

The Federal Trade Commission mandates how companies label their feather and down pillows. The materials used to construct the pillow should be listed in the product description and on the pillow tags. Feathers and down are typically sourced from ducks or geese.

FillFeather pillows can contain down, feathers, or a feather/down blend. Pillows with 100% down can be harder to find and more expensive. Pillows with more feathers than down tend to be more affordable. Pillows that are filled with 50% to 80% down tend to balance the plush feel of down with the structure and support of feathers. Synthetic down alternative pillows are also available.

Sleeping PositionYour sleeping position and your pillow should work together to support your head, neck, and spine. The loft and firmness of the feather pillow you choose should help you maintain spinal alignment. Side sleepers usually benefit from a thicker, firmer pillow. Pillows with lower lofts are more suitable for individuals who sleep on their backs or stomachs.

Quality MaterialsMaterial quality affects multiple factors, including support, comfort, temperature, and moldability. High-quality down and feather fill is more likely to keep its shape over time.

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When Should You Replace Your Pillows

You should replace a pillow every 1 to 2 years. If you have a good-quality memory foam pillow, it may last longer .

Signs you need a new pillow:

• It is sagging or is clumpy
• There are stains, tears
• It has a smell that you cant get rid of
• You are experiencing neck and shoulder pain

Do the fold test. If you fold your pillow, does it spring back or hold the same position? If it stays folded, you need a new pillow.

How To Pick The Perfect Pillow

Robbins told us the single most significant consideration when picking a pillow is your preferred sleep position: side, back, or stomach. The goal of your pillow is to support your neck in a neutral position aligned with the rest of your spine. That alignment shifts depending on the position you’re sleeping in. While we all move around during sleep switching positions about 60 times throughout each night most of us spend the majority of our sleeping time in one position.

Not sure what your sleep position is? Consider what position you typically fall asleep or wake up in. Robbins also has a neat exercise she performs with her clients: imagine you’ve been up for 24 hours and are presented with a big, luxurious hotel bed how would you lie down on it to go to sleep? The position you envision is most likely your preferred sleep position and plays a significant role in what type of pillow will work best for you.

Back sleepers: Back sleepers are the Goldilocks of pillow hunters they need a pillow that is not too soft and not too firm, with just enough support to lift the back of the head to be in line with their shoulders. Back sleepers tend to benefit from a medium, cushiony pillow made from down or down alternative, though an adjustable pillow with at least one-third of the fill removed may work as well.

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Our Pillow Testing Methodology

To learn more about what to look for in a pillow, we spoke with Rebecca Robbins, sleep researcher, author, and instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and associate scientist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. However, there is no one-size-fits-all, best pillow for everyone.

Individual anatomy, sleep habits, and preferences profoundly impact how comfortable a pillow will be from person to person. For that reason, our rating criteria for this guide relied heavily on the following considerations:

Return policy and trial period: It’s impossible to know how comfortable a pillow is going to be for you until you sleep on it, despite how comprehensive our guide aims to be. “The most important thing is trying the pillows out to see what works for you,” said Robbins, which includes being able to touch, lay on, and sleep with a pillow before deciding if it’s right for you. For this guide, we only considered pillows that accept returns of used merchandise for a full refund with at least a 30-day trial window, which gives you ample time to decide if a pillow is right for you.

Adjustability: We prioritized adjustable pillows with removable inserts or shredded fill for dialing in your perfect loft. This creates a more custom pillow that would better suit your needs.

What Types Of Pillows Are There

Pillows are constructed with a variety of materials. Understanding what these materials are and how they generally perform will help you determine which pillows best fit your needs.

Pillow covers also come in a variety of materials. Most pillow covers are made of cotton, polyester, or a cotton-poly blend. Some are made of other materials, such as bamboo-derived fabric or satin.

Cotton covers tend to be more breathable than polyester. Different cover materials feel different to the touch, but the feel is less important since most customers use pillow cases over their pillows.

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What To Consider When Purchasing A Pillow

You should consider many factors when pillow shopping. First, your personal sleep position preference heavily influences which pillows best fit your body. Of course, many shoppers are limited by a budget. Keep these factors at the forefront of your mind while examining your pillow options.

Learn each pillows loft and firmness level to determine if its a good option for you. Identify the materials each pillow is made of, if it has cooling properties, and if it will relieve pressure in your neck and shoulders.

In this section, we provide more information about the factors to consider when pillow shopping.