Best Pillows of 2023
Find the perfect pillow for your body type and sleep style in our selection of top-rated pillows.
Nov 10th, 2023 •
Everyone knows how important it is to sleep on the right mattress. Well, your pillow is just as important, but just like mattresses, the array of choices can be overwhelming.
Memory foam pillows. Latex pillows. Buckwheat husks, wool, silk, cotton, and even water fill hundreds of pillows on the market. Soft, firm, medium firm, very firm, low, high, scrunchable, fixed shape, contoured—these are just some of the varieties of pillows that can confuse you as you shop for the perfect pillow that’s just right for you.
With so many choices , it’s hard to know which one is the pillow that will be comfortable and provide you with the support you need to get to sleep and stay asleep. We’ve reviewed dozens of products to bring you this comprehensive roundup of best pillows.
Compare our top picks and read our expert advice on choosing the pillow that best fits your needs.
Best Pillows of 2023: Our Top Picks
- Editor’s Pick – Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
- Best Luxury Pillow – Luxome Layr Pillow
- Best Pillow Overall – Saatva Latex Pillow
- Best Latex Pillow – Layla Kapok
- Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers – Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud
- Best Pillow for Neck Pain – Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
- Best Hypoallergenic Pillow – Puffy Pillow
- Best Value Pillow – Coop Home Goods Original
- Best Pillow for Side Sleepers – Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow
- Most Innovative Pillow – Purple Harmony

Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
Editor’s Pick
Brooklyn’s latex pillow comes in two heights—high and low—so you can choose whichever one works best for your sleep position. We recommend the high to side sleepers and some back sleepers, and the low to most back sleepers and stomach sleepers. Combination sleepers will also appreciate the bouncy responsiveness of the pillow, which is a byproduct of its natural latex. This makes it easy and comfortable to change positions because you won’t feel like you’re sinking into the foam.
The pillow is made from a perforated block of Talalay latex, which gives it good airflow through those ventilation channels. It also has a cotton cover, which makes the pillow feel crisp and breathable. We chose it as our pick for its stand-out comfort and because it’s a pillow that does everything well—and an excellent value, due to Brooklyn’s in-house manufacturing.
Highlights and features:
- 4.7/5 customer rating
- Made from 100% Talalay latex
- Available in queen and king sizes
- 120-night sleep trial
- Three-year warranty

Luxome Layr Pillow
Best Luxury Pillow
The Layr is far more adjustable than your average pillow—and even more adjustable than your average adjustable pillow. The pillow comes with an array of inner cushions that vary in firmness and loft so you can add or remove them to create the ideal support for your sleep position and preference. It might sound overcomplicated if you have simple pillow needs. But if not—and you’ve struggled to find the right pillow for you—the Layr is an amazing option because it allows for so much experimentation.
The Layr is made from gel-infused, CertiPUR US-certified memory foam that contours to your head and neck, with a natural bamboo viscose cover that feels crisp to the touch. In our testing, we found that all its materials feel durable and high-quality, so the pillow should give you a plush, luxury sleep experience for years to come.
Highlights and features:
- 4.9/5 customer rating
- Made from memory foam and bamboo viscose
- Available in standard and king sizes
- 30-night sleep trial
- Warranty

Saatva Latex Pillow
Best Pillow Overall
The Saatva Latex Pillow is the ideal blend of plush and supportive. It has a removable inner pillow that’s filled with down-like microdenier fiber, and a soft, squishy exterior wrapped around a pressure-relieving shredded latex core.
The pillow’s use of particularly high-quality latex helps it stand out—natural latex is a chemical- and toxin-free material that’s responsive and hypoallergenic, while repelling dust mites, mildew, and bacteria. Plus, it’s generally more breathable than synthetic foams.
Highlights and Features:
- 4.7/5 customer rating
- Latex and fiberfill interior
- Available in king and queen
- 45-night sleep trial
- 1-year warranty

Layla Kapok
Best Memory Foam Pillow
If you tend to wake up sweaty throughout the night, invest in a pillow that can help keep you cool. This one has a shredded memory foam core that’s softer and more breathable than traditional memory foam. The outer cover is made with kapok fibers—silky, natural tree fibers that are cool and soft to the touch.
The pillow’s cover contains copper, which also helps to promote cooling, in addition to being naturally hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial. That combination can go a long way in holding the line against allergens for those that wake up feeling a bit stuffy.
As for who the pillow is best suited for: The Layla Kapok is also an adjustable pillow, so you can open the cover and add or remove foam to your desired firmness, which makes it a great option for all sleep styles and positions. It also comes with a generous 120-night sleep trial and five-year warranty.
Highlights and Features:
- 4.5/5 customer rating
- Shredded memory foam interior
- Available in king and queen
- 120-night sleep trial
- 5-year warranty

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud
If you sleep on your stomach, you already know that not every pillow is going to work for you. If a pillow is too hard or too high, it can really throw off your alignment and leave you with lingering neck and back pain.
This pillow by Tempur-Pedic is designed to give you a plush, low-profile sleep experience that will keep you properly aligned all night long, whether you’re sleeping on your stomach or your back.
The pillow is made from a single piece of super-soft Tempur foam, which compresses down to adapt to your head and neck shape. It also features a removable cover that’s hypoallergenic and machine-washable. As an added bonus: Because the pillow is so soft, you can easily roll it up and fit it in a suitcase when traveling.
Highlights and Features:
- 4.5/5 customer rating
- Tempur-foam filling
- Available in queen
- No returns
- 5-year warranty

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
Best Pillow for Neck Pain
The Marlow pillow has gained traction in the past few years for its ability to adjust firmness levels in seconds. It has a zipper along the side of the pillow, allowing you to zip it up to make it firmer, or unzip it for a softer feel.
The pillow’s interior is filled with 80% shredded memory foam and 20% polyester fiber, which gives it an ideal balance of cushion and support for any sleeping position. This combo is particularly great if you suffer from neck pain because it isn’t as firm as many memory foam models but still offers more support than an all-microfiber pillow.
The Marlow’s foam is also infused with cooling gel and the cover includes breathable mesh along the edges; together, these materials keep you feeling cool and comfy all night. You can read more in our full Brooklinen Marlow pillow review.
Highlights and Features:
- 4.1/5 customer rating
- Shredded memory foam and polyester fiber fill interior
- Available in standard and king
- 365-day return policy
- 2-year warranty

Puffy Pillow
Best Hypoallergenic Pillow
If you suffer from allergies, make sure your pillow isn’t making them worse. Puffy’s pillow is designed to be hypoallergenic—it has a removable, washable cover made from a dust-mite-resistant blend of polyester and bamboo rayon. It also features a shredded memory foam interior, which is CertiPUR-US certified to not contain formaldehyde, mercury, lead, or other heavy metals.
The Puffy pillow comes with an inner sleeve to hold its filling, and can unzip so you can add or remove memory foam to your desired firmness. This is a great option for all sleep styles—simply adjust the pillow to find the right balance of softness, alignment, and support for your chosen position.
Highlights and Features:
- 5/5 customer rating
- Shredded memory foam
- Available in standard and king
- 101-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty

Coop Home Goods Original
Best Value Pillow
A quality pillow can be quite the investment, but if you’re going to spend the money, you want to make sure it’ll be worth the cost. While this pillow isn’t cheap, it does have a reasonable price considering its quality build and use of premium materials—all of which draw excellent online reviews.
Made with a blend of medium-firm memory foam and microfiber, the Coop Original feels plush but also supportive. It has a double case, which can be unzipped to adjust the firmness of the pillow, or to add and remove foam to get your ideal feel. An additional half-pound of foam comes with the pillow, so you can really plump it up if you want to.
The outer case can also be removed and machine-washed, which makes the pillow great for the hygiene-conscious. The filling is also Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified, which means that it’s free from toxic chemicals and harmful materials.
Highlights and Features:
- 5/5 customer rating
- Shredded memory foam and microfiber fill interior
- Available in king and queen
- Double cover
- 5-year warranty

Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
Although side sleeping is often praised as being the best for your neck and back, it can also be a struggle if you’re looking for a pillow that supports your neck without getting in the way of your shoulder or bunching up under your head. This one was designed specifically to solve that issue.
The pillow has a u-shaped design with a cut-out space for your shoulders, and support for your head on both sides. This helps prevent neck pain and keeps the spine in proper alignment. The pillow’s filling is made from a blend of latex and polyester; you can adjust it using a side zipper that allows you to add or remove filling.
The pillow has a super-soft cover made from cotton, polyester, and spandex; it’s machine-washable for easy cleaning.
Highlights and Features:
- 4.5/5 customer rating
- Polyester and latex filling interior
- Available in one size
- 45-day return policy
- 5-year warranty

Purple Harmony
Most Innovative Pillow
There’s no down, memory foam, or fiber at the core of this pillow—it’s filled with something a little more interesting and new. The pillow is cushioned with a honeycomb-shaped gel grid over ventilated Talalay latex foam, which gives it an ultra-responsive, bouncy feel that’s soft and durable. It’s also very breathable, and has a cover made with a moisture-wicking mesh material that keeps it airy and cool.
The Harmony comes in three heights—low (5.5 inches), medium (6.5 inches), and tall (7.5 inches), so it’s a good fit for all sleep positions. Although the pillow is soft, it’s designed to never go flat and won’t require any mid-sleep fluffing. It’s also naturally hypoallergenic, so those with allergies should have no trouble getting a good night of sleep on it.
Highlights and Features:
- 4.4/5 customer rating
- Gel grid, latex foam
- Available in standard and king
- 100-night sleep trial
- 1-year warranty
How to Choose the Best Pillow for You
In this guide, you will learn:
- Why a pillow is so important to getting quality sleep
- How to find the best pillow based on your sleeping position, body type, and other physical issues
- The different types of pillows available (materials, size, ticking)
What Does a Pillow Really Do?
Sure, it’s comfy and good for snuggling, but what does it do for your weary head? The best pillow will support your head and neck and keep them in perfect alignment with your spine. If your head, neck, and spine are not in alignment — often caused by the wrong pillow — you will not get the deep, restorative sleep you need and may develop headaches and chronic neck pain.
Kevin Chon, co-founder of Coop Home Goods, designed his pillows with adjustability in mind, recognizing that sleepers come in different shapes and sizes, and sleep in different positions. According to Chon, “It’s not fair to have everyone adjust to their pillow. The pillow should adjust to them.”
What to Look for as You Shop for a Pillow
If you feel like finding the right pillow is like finding a needle in a haystack, relax. With so many pillow options available, there are certainly several pillows that can be perfect for you. There’s no one right answer but rather a range of right choices. But there are some smart ways to eliminate the options that are not right for you.
First, you need to think about your needs when you sleep.
Sleep Position
Your sleeping position is probably the most important consideration when choosing the perfect pillow. About 74% of people sleep primarily on their sides, and their needs are different from those of the 10% who sleep on their backs and the 16% who sleep on their sides.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers need to fill the space from their neck to the edge of their shoulders in order to keep their neck in a neutral position. And because that distance is different for each individual depending on their size, side sleepers need to find a pillow that they can either customize to a height that fits their body or a pillow that can be squished into the desired height.
If you’re a side sleeper, also make sure to head over to our best mattress for side sleepers guide.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers want a pillow that has a medium loft that gently cradles the back of their head. If your pillow doesn’t yield to the pressure of the weight of your head, it will give you a headache. Too low, and it will force your neck into an arched position; too high and it will force your neck to bend the opposite way with your chin close to your chest, blocking your airway and straining your neck muscles.
Sleeping on your back can encourage snoring as gravity will pull your tongue and throat tissues to the back of your throat, obstructing your airway. Thomas Roth, Ph.D., founder of the Sleep Disorders Center at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, recommends using two or three firm pillows or a wedge pillow to elevate the top half of your body if you tend to snore when you sleep on your back. Just make sure you keep your neck in a neutral position to avoid cutting off your airway or causing neck pain.
Back sleepers might also consider placing a pillow under their knees to relieve pressure on their lower back.
If you’re a back sleeper and need a mattress too, head over to our best mattress for back sleepers guide.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers may swear by their preferred position, but this is the one position universally recognized as the worst sleep position for your health.
Although sleeping on your stomach can reduce the risk of snoring, neck strain, headaches, and an increased risk of facial wrinkles are just some of the problems associated with sleeping on your stomach. That said, you can minimize the potential problems by choosing a low-profile pillow that supports your head but yields to pressure.
If you’re a stomach sleeper and looking for a mattress, head over to our best mattress for stomach sleepers guide.
Body Type
Are you short and stocky? Long and lean? Broad or narrow shouldered? Your body type, as well as your preferred sleep style, will determine how high your pillow should be.
The perfect pillow for you will fill the space between your body (either your back, shoulder, or chest depending on your sleep position) and your bed while keeping your neck and spine in a straight alignment.
Personal Preferences or Needs
If you sleep hot, a pillow that is not specifically designed for sleeping cool will significantly affect the quality of your sleep. Back and neck pain, sleep apnea and snoring, acid reflux, and breathing issues are all sleep snatchers that can be alleviated by choosing the right pillow. Cooling pillows can be very effective, especially when paired with a cooling mattress.
After you’ve thought carefully about your needs when you’re sleeping, it’s time to consider the type of pillow that can meet them.
Size
While most people manage perfectly fine on a standard size pillow, those who sleep in a king size bed may find they are rolling off their standard size pillow as they make use of their entire expansive bed.
If you tend to cover wide distances as you roll around in your sleep, be sure your pillow is big enough to keep you supported no matter where you roam. Consider a king size pillow, especially if you sleep in a king size bed.
Height or Loft
The key to the perfect pillow is to find one that keeps your head, neck, and spine in a straight line. Too much of a curve or bend will result in head and body aches and a lot of tossing and turning that will disturb your sleep.
So, what is the optimal pillow height? Well, that depends on sleep position, body size, and sleep issues like sleep apnea, acid reflux, and neck pain. That’s why many of our favorites below include adjustable height, or loft, either by adding or removing fill or by adjusting the shape of the pillow by squishing.
Ticking
The ticking is the fabric cover that surrounds any fill (not to be confused with your own pillowcase). The ticking’s thread count should be at least 260 for down fills and at least 200 for pillows with other fillings. These thread-count minimums will ensure that you and the fill are protected from leaks and excessive moisture.
Materials
Since every sleeper has different needs when they sleep, pillow manufacturers have answered the call by creating pillows with a wide range of fills. Each type of fill creates a different sleep experience, so it’s important to know how each type fill will perform and how it will affect your sleep.
The most common types of pillow fills are:
- Memory foam
- Latex
- Down
- Down alternative
- Wool
- Cotton
- Buckwheat husk
- Water
Memory Foam Pillows
Like memory foam mattresses, memory foam pillows conform to the shape of your head and neck as they respond to pressure and body heat. As a result, memory foam pillows relieve pressure points on your head, neck, and shoulders, making them a good choice for people who suffer from head and neck pain when they sleep. Keep in mind that the foam’s ability to respond to body heat also makes them retain heat.
For people who sleep hot, shredded memory foam pillows are a better choice than pillows made from solid pieces of foam that don’t allow for air to circulate. Charcoal-infused memory foam pillows offer a new solution to the problem of heat retention in memory foam pillows.
Latex Pillows
Latex pillows are a cooler alternative to memory foam. Made from a naturally derived polymer, latex for pillows consists of a matrix of bubbles that provide air circulation as well as a pleasing bounce that memory foam cannot.
Like memory foam, latex pillows yield compression offering relief for pressure points (think head, ears, and neck) but without the close contouring or heat-retaining qualities of memory foam. Latex pillows spring back to their original shape instantly and are naturally resistant to mold and dust mites, making them perfect for allergy sufferers and others who want a pillow that offers solid support and pressure relief all night long without adjustments.
Down Pillows
Down pillows are filled with the insulating under-feathers of ducks or geese. Goose down usually has larger tufts resulting in a higher loft and better insulation. Goose down pillows are considered more luxurious and usually cost more than many other types of fill.
Down fill results in a pillow that is highly shapeable as well as light and soft. Down pillows start out looking light, fluffy, and supportive, but depending on the stitch count of their ticking, or fabric cover, they lose their loft and compress under the weight of your head.
As a result, you may find yourself fluffing them up throughout the night to get them back into shape. Whether you fluff them or not, they are not recommended for side sleepers because they do not retain their loft. But if you sleep exclusively on your stomach or back and don’t need a lot of height, and just like the quaint idea of a down pillow, they can be a good choice.
Another word of caution about down fill pillows: lower quality down that hasn’t been cleaned properly can cause allergic reactions in many people. To avoid allergic reactions, look for hypo-allergenic down that has been thoroughly cleaned or choose a down alternative.
Down Alternative Pillows
If you like the moldability of down but are allergic or are looking for a more affordable option, pillows filled with synthetic down or polyester fibers are your go-to choices.
Like down pillows, down alternatives can (and should) be washed easily to eliminate bacteria, mold, and odors. They will flatten over time no matter how much you fluff them up so will need to be replaced sooner than down pillows.
A word about fill power: Down and down alternative pillows come with different fill powers ranging from 550 to over 800. Not surprisingly, the higher the fill power, the better the pillow and the longer it will last.
Wool Pillows
There’s a whole lot to like about pillows filled with wool. Wool fill is 100% natural and environmentally friendly. It is friendly to most humans as well since it is hypoallergenic (unless you are allergic to wool), dust-mite repellent and temperature regulating.
Because the natural fibers wick away moisture and, surprisingly, will keep you cool in summer, wool pillows are a good choice for people who sleep hot and tend to sweat. They tend to be heavier, flatter, and firmer than some other types of pillows but hold their shape without needing adjustment.
Cotton Pillows
Cotton-filled pillows are naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and mold. Because they are breathable, they will not retain heat and will absorb sweat and moisture. Cotton pillows are flat, not moldable, and firmer than many pillows, but are a solid option for people with allergies or chemical sensitivities.
Buckwheat Husk Pillows
Buckwheat husk is a relatively new type of pillow fill that offers sleepers a natural way to provide contouring support without the off-gassing and heat retention of memory foam. The height and support can be adjusted simply by adding or removing husks from the pillow to suit your sleep style and support preferences.
The downside of buckwheat husk pillows is that they can be heavy and noisy (all those husks rustling around as you move). Some people may welcome the white noise and find it soothes them to sleep.
Water Pillows
Water pillows are more than just a sac filled with water. They have a fully customizable water-filled base layer that supports a polyester fiber layer surrounded by a cotton case. Because you can adjust the height and support by simply adding more or less water to the pouch, water pillows work well no matter what your preferred sleep position.
The fluid-filled base layer responds to your movements through the night, offering comfortable support without having to reshape or fluff into position. By adjusting the height and support to your individual preference, you can relieve back and neck pain caused by fixed shape pillows. Just make sure there is no air bubble in the water-filled pouch to prevent a sloshing noise when you move.
Recap: Best Pillows of 2023
Here’s a quick recap of our picks for best pillows:
Pillow | Award | Customer Rating |
Cozy Earth Silk Pillow | Best Silk Pillow | 4.9/5 |
Saatva Latex Pillow | Best Latex Pillow | 4.8/5 |
Lagoon Fox Pillow | Best Adjustable Pillow | 4.7/5 |
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow | Best Pillow for Neck Pain | 3.9/5 |
Marlow Pillow | Best Cooling Pillow | 4/5 |
Layla Memory Foam Pillow | Best Memory Foam Pillow | 4.5/5 |
Coop Home Goods Original | Best for Back Sleepers | 4.7/5 |
Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper | Best for Side Sleepers | 4.3/5 |
Related Content

Mattress Accessories & Bedding
Best Cool Gel Memory Foam Pillows
Even the hottest of sleepers will find cooling relief with these super comfy and supportive gel memory foam pillows. Check out our lists of the best gel memory foam pillows.

Mattress Accessories & Bedding
Best Firm Pillows
Built-tough support can be comfortable, too. With a firm pillow, you’ll be providing the best support possible to your neck and upper back. Continue reading to see our top picks for the best firm pillows.

Mattress Accessories & Bedding
Best Hotel Pillows
See our top picks for the best hotel pillows for your home. Hotels excel at selecting comfy beds and plush pillows.