Best Pillows

best pillows

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Selecting pillows for your bed is almost as important as choosing a comfortable mattress. When you rest your head on quality bedding, you reduce your chances of waking up with unnecessary head, neck, and shoulder pain. Sleeping with an unsuitable pillow can also lead to fatigue, lower moods and reduced energy levels throughout the day. This article will help you find the best option for your sleep preferences and needs, so you get a restful night.

How We Compared Pillows

To find the right pillows, we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Size and Shape
  • Sleeping Position
  • Filling Material
  • Cleaning

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Pillow Reviews

Casper Standard (Editor’s Choice)

Our top pick has a unique and innovative design that features one pillow inside another. It has a soft and fluffy outer pillow plus a supportive inner cushion that moves with you when you change positions throughout the night. 

The Casper Standard contains a microfibre fill that is plush and supportive. It makes a fantastic choice for side, back, and stomach sleepers. A 100% cotton cover with a percale weave establishes improved airflow. All the materials used to construct this selection are breathable to help you sleep more soundly. 

A 2″ gusset on this pillow establishes better neck support and spinal alignment while sleeping and helps keep the filling evenly dispersed and resistant to clumping. The outer layer is removable and can be machine washed and dried, enabling you to keep it sanitary with minimal effort. 

Pros:

  • Innovative pillow-inside-pillow design
  • Blend of support and fluffiness
  • 2″ gusset helps prevent clumping
  • The removable outer layer can be machine washed and dried
  • Designed to accommodate all sleeping positions

Cons:

  • It could be too soft if you prefer a firmer feeling selection
  • The higher loft may be less than ideal for a smaller stomach sleeper’s neck alignment

Tempur Original Medium (Luxury Choice)

This pillow has an ergonomic shape that provides optimal head, neck, and shoulder support. It makes an excellent choice for all sleep positions but is ideal for back and side sleepers. 

The Tempur Original Medium Pillow is constructed using special foam. High-quality Tempur material is designed to react to your weight and body heat, allowing it to respond to your specific support needs, but It is also durable. You can expect a long service life from this product. 

Uniquely, this pillow is approved by NASA and certified by the Space Foundation. Not only does it provide ample support where you need it most, but it also can be repositioned to suit your body better and promote spinal alignment. 

Pros:

  • Ideal for back and side sleepers
  • Ergonomic shape for enhanced support
  • Approved by NASA
  • High-quality, long-lasting Tempur material
  • Advanced durability

Cons:

  • It may not be ideal for stomach sleepers
  • This option could be more challenging to clean
  • It might be too firm for some preferences

Silentnight Deep Sleep (Best Value)

These pillows are soft, fluffy, and are an excellent value option. This selection is best suited to side and back sleepers. It comes with two pads per order and can be used singularly or together for added loft and firmness.

This model from Silentnight establishes soft comfort when you use one singular pillow. If you prefer medium support, you can stack the two to achieve the desired result. They are filled with hollow fibre made from recycled materials. The stuffing gives these products a fluffy and light feel. 

This option is effortless to clean, thanks to the machine washable filling and case. The pillowcase is made with soft-touch polycotton. Paired with the stuffing, this makes the entire product hypoallergenic.

Pros:

  • Fully machine washable 
  • Soft-touch polycotton covers
  • Recycled hollow fibre filling
  • Soft and fluffy
  • Comes with two pillows per order

Cons:

  • These pillows could be too lofty for stomach sleepers
  • The fibres may start to clump over time
  • They may begin to lose their loft faster than expected

Adam Home Premium (Best Plump)

This option is designed for all sleep positions giving it versatility and making it a fantastic choice if you frequently change your posture and placement throughout the night. It is highly filled and has a plush feel that is comfortable and supportive. 

Adam Home Premium Pillows come in a pack of two and feature a cotton and polyester blend quilted cover. The strategic stitching keeps it in place and prevents the filling from slipping around and creating an undesirable shape. 

Inside, these pillows contain soft 3D hollow fibre filling. This down alternative is hypoallergenic, anti-dust mite, and antibacterial. The breathable materials used to construct these pillows will keep you cool all night. They are also machine washable and tumble dry approved for simple and quick care. 

Pros:

  • Soft and fluffy 3D hollow fibre filling
  • The quilted cover prevents unnecessary slipping 
  • Breathable materials keep you cool all night
  • Machine washable and dryable
  • Highly filled for added comfort and support

Cons:

  • They could start to flatten slightly with extended use
  • The high loft may not be suitable for some stomach sleepers 
  • This selection might need to be aired out upon arrival

Slumberdown Anti-Allergy (Best Easy to Wash)

These pillows come in a pack of two and are designed for side and back sleepers. They make a fantastic option for allergy sufferers, thanks to being made from non-allergenic materials. 

Slumberdown Anti-Allergy Pillows are tested and approved by leading allergy experts. They are constructed from materials that reduce dust mites. Their build also helps prevent fungus and bacteria development. In addition to remaining sanitary, a soft-touch cover helps increase your level of comfort.

These pillows are conveniently machine washable and tumble drier friendly. They provide you with a firmer level of support compared to other top options. They are also available with a medium and a soft filling to accommodate your preferences and sleep position.

Pros:

  • Soft-touch cover
  • Firmer level of support
  • Designed for side and back sleepers
  • Great for allergy sufferers
  • Machine washer and tumble drier friendly 

Cons:

  • They may not be ideal for stomach sleepers
  • This selection could be too firm if you prefer a softer feel
  • The filling might start to develop clumps with extended use

ZenPur Memory Foam Bamboo (Best Hypoallergenic)

This cervical pillow is specially shaped to contour your body where it needs it most to promote proper spinal alignment while resting. This selection is made in Europe using high-quality materials and provides you with a well-balanced level of firmness. 

ZenPur Memory Foam Bamboo Pillows come in a pack of two and are constructed using aerated memory foam. Its unique design enhances the pillow’s overall breathability and increases airflow to help keep you cool while sleeping. 

In addition to the memory foam core, this product features an inner pillowcase plus a bamboo cover on the exterior. The interior encasement is soft and has a zipper that protects it from unwanted bugs. The bamboo cover is also hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and moisture-wicking. The wrappings can easily be removed and are machine washable to keep your pillow sanitary and fresh with minimal effort. 

Pros:

  • Cervical shape for enhanced support 
  • Zippered bamboo cover keeps dust mites out
  • Aerated memory foam core
  • Moisture-wicking and breathable materials
  • Machine washable pillowcase for easy cleaning

Cons:

  • This option may need to air out upon arrival
  • It could be too firm if you prefer a softer feel

Linen Empire Luxury Deluxe (Best Basic)

These pillows come in a pack of four, making them an excellent selection if you want to replace several of them in your home at once. They provide you with a balance of softness and support that is suitable for all sleep positions. 

Linen Empire Luxury Deluxe Pillows are full of virgin hollow fibre filling, which is relatively malleable and lightweight. It is non-allergenic and establishes an extra bouncy feel.

These pillows feature a polycotton cover for a softer feel overall. Their surface, paired with the hollow fibre filling, further enhances breathability to prevent overheating while you sleep. All in all, you can expect durability from this fantastic option. 

Pros:

  • Breathable to help you sleep cool
  • Ultra-plush virgin hollow fibre filling
  • Hypoallergenic materials
  • Balance of softness and support
  • Designed to accommodate all sleep positions

Cons:

  • They may start to develop lumps over time
  • This option could prove to be less durable
  • The filling might have issues staying in place

How to Choose a Pillow

If you want to get the most out of your time asleep, your pillows should be comfortable and supportive. While this may seem like common sense, it isn’t always easy to achieve if you don’t know what traits to prioritise. The following subsections will help you find the best option for your needs and preferences based on essential pillow characteristics. 

Size and Shape

The majority of pillows come in rectangular shapes of various sizes. If you prefer more oversized options or sleep in a king-size bed, we recommend looking for longer pads. Adversely, if you plan on placing your cushions on a twin or double bed, shorter ones may suit you better. 

In addition to traditionally shaped pillows, you can also find cervical cushions that have been specially sculpted to better fit the natural curves of your head, neck, and spine. These often promote better spinal alignment while you sleep but only if they are correctly sized to your body shape. 

Sleeping Position

Your preferred sleeping position also factors into selecting the best pillow. A quality option should promote the natural curve of your neck and spine so your head can rest naturally. When your neck is not straight during sleep, it can lead to unnecessary aches, pains, and lower quality sleep. 

Side sleepers tend to get better support with a taller, more lofty pillow. Thinner ones can often leave side sleepers feeling sore or uncomfortable. If you prefer sleeping on your back, a medium to thin option will better serve you. Stomach sleepers require the slimmest style pads. 

Filling Material

The material construction of a pillow is another way to determine your likes and needs. Memory foam and hollow fibre filling are some of the most common materials used for pillow stuffing. 

Memory foam is dense and highly supportive. It was first invented by NASA for use in the seats of rocket ships, but its highly effective structure was later integrated into various other products, like pillows. It has a firm yet soft feel that contours to your body’s shape but is also exceptionally durable. However, it can also retain heat easily. 

Hollow fibre is plush and airy. It is malleable and often promotes better airflow than memory foam. These types of pillows typically have a soft to medium firmness level. 

Cleaning

Clean and sanitary bedding can also improve your sleep quality. We prefer pillows that are easy to clean with minimal effort. Some come with machine washable covers that can be zipped off for a simple clean. Many options can be thrown straight into the washing machine and dryer but always make sure you double-check the care label first. Tumble drying your cushions is less common, but it drastically reduces the time needed to complete the task so you can return them to your bed as quickly as possible. 

Summary

Our favourite selection is the Casper Standard Pillow. It has a unique and innovative pillow-in-pillow design that makes a fantastic choice for all sleeping positions. Filled with microfibre, the inner portion of this pillow is firmer, and the outer is softer to give you a blended level of comfort and support. It has a 2″ gusset that helps prevent clumping, and the outer layer is removable so it can be machine washed and dried. Overall, this pillow’s top-quality construction makes it stand out from the competition. If you sleep on your side or back, you may want to put this option at the top of your list. 

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