Best Pillows for Kids of 2023 - Toddler to Teen
Jun 30th, 2023 •
From that first toddler pillow to a full-sized adult version, children depend on their pillow to make them comfortable and help stay relaxed and asleep. But children aren’t adults, and their proportions are different. You might just assume they can transition from a crib with no pillow to a bed with an adult pillow, but not necessarily. The biggest concern is misalignment of the shoulders, neck, and head that can result in poor sleep and poor posture as they are still growing.
The best pillows help keep our spines aligned while we sleep and thus our blood flow even, our breathing regulated, and our spinal nerves free from pinching. For this to be the case with little ones, the pillow needs to be proportionate.
Best Pillows for Kids: Our Top Picks
- Editor’s Pick – Avocado Organic Toddler Pillow
- Best Hypoallergenic Pillow – Purple Kid’s Pillow
- Best Washable Pillow – Coop Sleep Goods Original Toddler Pillow
- Best Organic Pillow – Brentwood Home Organic Toddler Pillow
- Best Pillow Overall – Lagoon Fox Pillow
- Best Memory Foam Pillow for Kids – Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow
- Best Luxury Pillow for Kids – Naturepedic PLA Pillow
- Best Cooling Pillow for Kids – Nest Easy Breather Pillow
- Best Pillow for Toddlers – My Little North Star Toddler Pillow
Avocado Organic Toddler Pillow
Editor’s Pick
- Price: $34
- Size: 20″ x 12″
- Rating: 4.8/5, 162 reviews
The Avocado toddler pillow stands out for its use of eco-friendly materials, including cotton, latex, and kapok fiber—all of which are Greenguard Gold- and Made Safe-certified to be organic, safe, and non-toxic. The pillow is designed to be super-soft, comfy, and breathable, with a moisture-wicking cover and the option to add a waterproof protector. It’s ideally sized for a toddler bed, though you can use it for a compact travel pillow, if you choose.
The height of the pillow is 3.5”, which gives it plenty of elevation and support for a small child in all sleep positions. Just note that it’s only for those over the age of 2—it’s not recommended that younger toddlers sleep with a pillow. For safety reasons, the pillow is sewn completely shut and there’s no zipper or adjustable fill.
Pros:
- 100-night sleep trial
- 1-year warranty
- Eco-friendly and non-toxic
Cons:
- Fill can’t be adjusted so some reviewers have found it to be too tall, some too flat
Kid’s Purple Pillow
Best Hypoallergenic
- Price: $79
- Size: 18” x 13”
- Rating: 4.2/5
Purple’s rectangular-shaped pillows are cushioned with the same unique hyper-elastic polymer as its mattresses. This is designed to give the pillows not only a bouncy, responsive feel but also good overall breathability, as the grid design channels air and resists any buildup of allergens. A mesh cover adds to the overall effect.
For this kid’s pillow, Purple uses a far softer version of its signature grid so that the pillow is just the right comfort level, firmness, and 3.5” height. It’s designed to be more durable than your average pillow, and easy to keep clean—you can just machine-wash it and tumble-dry on low.
Pros:
- 100-night sleep trial
- 1-year warranty
- Ultra-durable
Cons:
- Some customers have complained that the pillow is too heavy (it’s 5lbs)
Coop Sleep Goods Original Toddler Pillow
Best Washable
- Price: $35
- Size: 19” x 13”
- Rating: 4.9/5, 160 reviews
This mini-pillow is made to be machine-washed—just remove the outer cover and wash both in cold water on a delicate cycle, and tumble-dry on low. This way you can keep the pillow feeling clean and fresh, no matter where your child takes it.
The medium-firm pillow is designed to feel soft, supportive, and contouring, with a memory foam and microfiber construction that helps maintain good spine alignment for back or side sleeping. All the materials inside the pillow are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and Greenguard Gold-certified as being free from harmful chemicals. The fill is also adjustable, so it can suit kids ages 2 to 8.
Pros:
- 100-night sleep trial
- 5-year warranty
- Adjustable foam fill
Cons:
- Some parents might not want toddlers to have access to the zipper or inner fill
Brentwood Home Organic Toddler Pillow
Best Organic
- Price: $35
- Size: 12” x 20”
- Rating: 4.2 /5, 31 reviews
This is a great pillow option for those who like the softness of down without any of the, ahem, downsides, like allergens or animal rights concerns. All components of the pillow are GOTS-certified to be organic, sustainable, and all natural. Brentwood Home also partners with Climate Neutral to minimize the brand’s carbon footprint at all steps of the pillow-making process.
As for the pillow’s performance benefits, the Brentwood Home toddler pillow provides a medium-firm level of support for your child that’s designed to help with good alignment through the neck and shoulders. The pillow also uses materials that have natural moisture-wicking properties, so you can expect the pillow to give your child a cool and dry night of sleep.
Pros:
- Soft down alternative material
- GOTS-certified
- 30-day sleep trial
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Can’t machine-wash
Lagoon Fox Pillow
Best Overall Pillow for Kids
- Price: $119.99 queen, $139.99 king
- Size: 20″ x 30″ queen, 20″ x 36″ king
- Rating: 4.7/5, 41 reviews
For tweens and teens looking to upgrade their sleep experience, Lagoon’s best-selling Fox pillow has a lot to offer. It’s fully adjustable, with pieces of shredded memory foam so that you can add and subtract until the height and firmness are just right. This versatility makes it a great choice for any sleeping position.
The Fox pillow is also designed for breathability, thanks in part to a bamboo/polyester cover. If your young sleeper has allergies or sensitive skin, you’ll be happy to note that the Fox is both hypoallergenic and made with eco-friendly materials.
Read our full Lagoon Fox Pillow review.
Pros
- Cover, fill, and liner are machine-washable
- 100-night sleep trial
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Free shipping available only for the contiguous U.S.
- Prices over $100
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow
Best Memory Foam Pillow for Kids
- Price: $89
- Size: 24″ x 15¾”
- Rating: 4.5/5, 5,850 reviews
The signature feature of this Tempur-Pedic pillow is the company’s version of memory foam, called Tempur Material. The TEMPUR-Cloud’s block of extra-soft foam is designed to contour to the shape of the sleeper’s head and neck while providing great pressure relief.
The TEMPUR-Cloud fits standard or queen-size pillowcases, and its low profile (5″) matches up best with back sleepers and stomach sleepers. It’s also easily compressed for travel, so your young sleeper can take it along on vacations and sleepovers. The polyester knit cover is hypoallergenic and machine-washable (cold wash and cool dry settings recommended).
Read our full Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow review.
Pros
- Price below $100
- 5-year limited warranty
- Hypoallergenic cover
Cons
- Side sleepers might need higher loft
- Tempur Material foam isn’t machine-washable
Naturepedic PLA Pillow
Best Luxury
- Price: $79
- Size: 20” x 26”
- Rating: 4.5/5, 470 reviews
This plush pillow comes in two fill levels, standard and low fill, so you can get the right level of elevation and support for your child’s body and sleep style. The pillow is cushioned by PLA batting, which is a sustainable fiber derived from sugarcane. All of the pillow’s materials, including its cotton cover, are organic, non-toxic, and high-quality.
The PLA pillow is designed to provide good responsiveness and pressure relief, as well as next-level comfort—and reviewers report that it delivers on all counts. The pillow is also designed to wick moisture and sleep cool, so your kid feels crisp and dry through the night. If you’re on the fence about the pillow, Naturepedic gives you a 30-day money back guarantee, so you have the chance to see if your kid finds that pillow as soft and luxurious as the brand claims.
Pros:
- Two fill options
- Free shipping and free returns
- 30-day sleep trial
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons:
- All that high-quality luxury comes at a higher price
Nest Easy Breather Pillow
Best Cooling Pillow for Kids
- Price: $107 – $131
- Sizes: Standard, queen, king, and side sleeper
- Rating: 4.5/5, 14,755 reviews
Nest’s Easy Breather Pillow is built to sleep cool, inside and out. The cover material uses Nest’s proprietary Icecore cooling fabric, designed to disperse body heat. The shredded memory foam filler promotes good airflow, and the inner pouch that holds the foam is breathable 100% cotton. It’s a great choice for hot sleepers of any age.
The Nest Easy Breather Pillow is available in four sizes, but we recommend the Standard (24″ x 16″) for children. Remember, your child can add or remove foam shreds until the pillow meets their preferences for height and firmness.
Read our full Nest Easy Breather Pillow review.
Pros
- 30-night sleep trial
- 2-year warranty
- Uses CertiPUR-US certified foam
Cons
- Price over $100
- Foam filler isn’t machine-washable
My Little North Star Toddler Pillow
Best Pillow for Toddlers
- Price: $24.97
- Size: 18″ x 13″
- Rating: 4.6/5, 2,946reviews
The My Little North Star Toddler Pillow, has a 100% organic cotton cover. The filling is made from shredded polyester, but it is hypoallergenic and free of all toxic chemicals including flame retardants, mold and mildew chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides.
If there is ever a time to get a non-toxic pillow, it is when your child is young to help keep them healthy. This pillow does a wonderful job of eliminating chemicals commonly used in pillows.
The My Little North Star is recommended for ages 2-5, is very soft and supportive, and ergonomic. It is easy to take for overnights or on extended travel. Machine wash and dry.
Pros
- Price below $25, pillowcase included
- Mold, mildew, and dust mite resistant
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Not recommended for children under 2 years of age
- Polyester filling isn’t organic
Why Do Kids Need a Good Pillow?
As your child grows, there will come a time when they will need a pillow to remain comfortable through the night. Finding the right pillow will ensure both your little one — and you — sleep well through the night.
The best pillows for kids should be soft enough to be comfortable yet firm enough to provide optimal support for your little one’s developing body, says Kim West, a.k.a. The Sleep Lady, and author of “Good Night, Sleep Tight.”
Do size and support really matter? Absolutely. A regular size pillow is designed to support the head and neck of adults. Children’s bodies are proportioned differently. Sleeping with a regular pillow may put unnecessary strain on their necks and shoulders, disrupting their sleep and leading to discomfort and poor posture when they’re awake. Smaller pillows also help young children learn to toss and turn less at night in order to keep their heads on the pillow.
The bottom line — a comfortable pillow is key to your child getting a good night’s sleep, so they wake refreshed for the day ahead.
When Should Kids Start Sleeping with a Pillow?
Just like moving out of the crib or toilet training, you can plan the timing of changes in your child’s life or wait and take your cues from them. There is no exact time to introduce a pillow; however, the average age is around 18 months. Babies should not use a pillow; toddlers can go either way, but by the age of 2 or 3 they need one for good sleep.
Related: Best mattress for kids
There are circumstances and preferences that might push your timeline in one direction or another, like needing to prevent flat head syndrome, which could necessitate a crib pillow or noticing your child always bunches something and puts in under their head for sleep. If you have a particularly verbal child, they may tell you directly that they want or don’t want a pillow for sleep.
At whatever age you introduce a pillow, it is good to start thinking about what material is best for your child. Do they want a fluffy down pillow, a cradling memory foam pillow, or a structured cotton pillow? Pillows are generally made from only a few different materials that have their pros and cons. Below is a list of common pillow fillings and things to consider.
| Pillow Materials | Pros | Cons |
| Feathers & Down |
|
|
| Buckwheat Hulls |
|
|
| Memory Foam |
|
|
| Latex |
|
|
| Synthetic Fill |
|
|
| Cotton |
|
|
| Wool |
|
|
How to Choose the Best Pillow for Kids
There are several factors to consider when choosing a pillow for your child:
- Material: Pillows are made with a variety of materials including memory foam, synthetic filling, down, latex, cotton, and even buckwheat hulls. Consider the pros and cons from our list to determine the best options for your child.
- Safety: Pillows can pose suffocation hazards for toddlers if they are not developmentally ready for one. Be sure your child is at least 2 years of age before you introduce a pillow for sleeping.
- Durability: You’ll want your toddler’s pillow to last. Be sure your toddler’s pillow is made with quality materials that can stand the test of time.
- Easy to clean: Your toddler’s pillow cradles your sweet one’s head, but it is exposed to a bunch of unpleasantness like saliva and sweat. You’ll want to keep your child safe from bacteria and illness-causing germs by regularly washing their pillow. Pillows that are machine washable are much lower maintenance than ones that require hand-washing or other special care.
- Compatibility with sleeping position: Your child may toss and turn a lot, but generally, children fall a specific sleeping position. If they settle in as a side sleeper (as most adults do), a thicker pillow will help keep their spines aligned. Stomach and back sleepers fare better with a flatter pillow. Combination sleepers do best with a pillow they can scrunch into different heights.
- Size: Standard size pillows are designed for adults. But children have different proportions. Toddler pillows are designed especially for little ones. They’re smaller (13” x 18”) and have a lower loft than standard pillows.
- Special features: (cooling, hypoallergenic, easy for travel, etc.) Many pillows offer added features for specific needs. For example, some have cooling technology for hot sleepers, hypoallergenic materials for sensitive sleepers, or tension-relieving qualities for those who need extra relaxation at night.
FAQs
What is the best pillow for a 4-year-old?
Toddler sized pillows (13” x 18”) are best for children ages 2 and 3. By age 4, your child can transition to a child pillow (16” x 22”), which is slightly larger than a toddler pillow. If you cannot find a child pillow, stick with the toddler pillow.
What is the best pillow for a 5-year-old?
By age 5, you can begin to transition your child to a youth pillow (18” x 24”), which is slightly smaller than a standard pillow. If you cannot find a youth pillow and are not using a youth pillow, you can size up to a standard pillow (20” x 24”).
What age should a child have a pillow?
The best age to introduce a pillow to your child is between 2 and 3, when they are transitioning from a crib to a “big kid” bed.
What is the difference between a toddler pillow and a regular pillow?
Toddler pillows are 13 inches by 18 inches and designed to fit the smaller proportions of a developing toddler’s body. Regular pillows (also called standard pillows) are designed for adults and are 20 inches by 26 inches.
Recap: Our Best Pillows for Kids
Compare the best pillows for kids below:
| Pillow | Award | Customer Rating |
| Lagoon Fox Pillow | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud | Best Memory Foam Pillow | 4.5/5 |
| Nest Easy Breather Pillow | Best Cooling Pillow | 4.5/5 |
| My Little North Star Toddler Pillow | Best Pillow for Toddlers | 4.6/5 |
Pillows are an important part of getting a good night’s sleep. Kids don’t generally start using one until around 18 months and sometimes later. There are numerous materials that pillows are made from, so let your little one help decide what is most comfortable for them. Also consider something with a non-toxic certification to insure a healthy sleep environment for your child.
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