Many people spend hours researching the right mattress, but did you know that your pillow is just as important when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep? Your pillow supports your head and neck and absorbs all of the body heat coming from those areas. If your pillow sleeps hot or doesn’t offer the right kind of support needed for your sleeping position, you won’t get the deep sleep our bodies so desperately need to operate at our most efficient level.
When choosing a pillow, it’s important to consider your primary sleeping position (or positions), your material preference, cooling features, support and firmness level, and construction. Our team of bedding experts personally test many, many pillows on a consistent basis. We understand the difficulty of spending hours researching pillow options with no clear direction.
In an effort to make your search as quick and effective as possible, we’ve gathered our top picks for the best pillows of 2023. We’ve even assigned each model a superlative so that you can easily identify the right option for you! Our best pillow guide is consistently updated to reflect up to date testing and opinions.
Our expert sleep accessory testers chose the Cozy Earth Silk pillow as the Nerd’s Pick for the best overall pillow due to its cooling capabilities, luxurious feel, and durable materials.
At Mattress Nerd, we run the products we review through performance tests to get a better idea of durability and overall value. Our team of testers range in height, weight, and come with their own sleeping preferences. All of these considerations add personalization to our reviews so that we can bring you honest and thorough recommendations.
Our team of testers personally handle these products in our lab, and have a comprehensive understanding of pillow materials and the brands that sells these products. The products on this list were tested by them and received their esteemed stamp of approval. To learn more, check out our review process.
Luxury meets support and functionality with the Cozy Earth Silk pillow. Filled with 100% long-strand mulberry silk and shelled in bamboo viscose, this splurge-worthy pillow will elevate your sleeping experience night after night.
The Cozy Earth Silk pillow is filled with 100 percent long-strand mulberry silk and encased in a bamboo viscose shell. The combination of materials makes for an ultra-soft, hypoallergenic, and breathable surface to sink into every night. Bamboo is naturally cooling and silky to the touch. After testing, I loved how refreshing the cover felt against my face and appreciated how the silk fill kept its supportive form throughout the night.
Editor and product tester, Loren, raves about the Cozy Earth Bamboo sheets, which are made of the same material as this pillow’s cover. Despite the high price tag, the feel, firmness, and durability of this pillow means it’ll last you years with proper maintenance, and will truly elevate your sleeping experience. Plus, Cozy Earth’s policies include a 100-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty, which is an indicator of the brand’s quality assurance.
We select our Nerd’s Pick by considering a multitude of performance factors and ultimately choosing the option that will accommodate the most amount of people. This pick is meant to help those who doesn’t care for the nitty gritty details, but rather, want the quick answer— we appreciate your efficiency! We believe the Cozy Earth Silk pillow is the best option; however, we encourage you to read each of our mini-reviews to ensure there isn’t a more tailored option for your needs.
What our testers say: “We’re big fans of Cozy Earth products because of their exceptional quality and luxurious appeal. Whether you’re looking to splurge on a new pillow for yourself, or looking to give a gift to a loved one, this pillow is a no brainer.” – Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling pillow works for a wide range of individuals looking for a hot sleeper-friendly, responsive pillow that's offered in two different height options.
For those of you who crave the impressionable and cradling coziness of memory foam, the Luxury Cooling pillow from Brooklyn Bedding features an innovative take on the popular material. The inner foam is ventilated to prevent body heat retention, it’s infused with copper to help with cooling and protect against allergens, and you can choose from two height profile to accommodate your body type.
While it’s not the coolest pillow we’ve ever tested (check out the TEMPUR-Breeze Dual Cooling pillow), the cooling capabilities are there for some relief. The memory foam insert gets the job done when it comes to contouring and comfort. Something our testers noticed was its responsive surface when switching sleeping positions and its direct pressure relief around the neck. The Luxury Cooling pillow is also machine washable and hypoallergenic for those who need an easy cleaning option.
What our testers say: “Memory foam pillows are typically engulfing and easily trap body heat. But, the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling pillow defies this common material woe with its responsive and cooling-infused construction.” – Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
The Luxome LAYR pillow is a fully customizable option that allows you to cater the feel and firmness to your sleeping position and body type.
The personalization of adjustable pillows has quickly become one of the most sought out features when shopping for a new pillow. While many brands have taken the “loose fill” route, by utilizing shredded memory foam or microfibers as their middle material, Luxome reinvented the wheel with this layered insert construction. Each pillow comes with soft, medium, and firm cushions. Inside each cushion is a one and two inch solid memory foam pieces. Together, you can play around with the cushions and foam inserts to manipulate the overall firmness and height to your liking.
This type of construction was brand new to our team of testers. Collectively, we knew the appeal of the unique construction would land the LAYR pillow on our best pillow guide, not only for it’s customization, but also for it’s thermal-regulating bamboo viscose cover (a favorite material among our testers). So not only can you cater this pillow perfectly to your body, but it’ll also keep you cool and comfortable while sleeping.
What our testers say: “Bamboo is one of the best materials for your sleep products because it’s naturally cooling, silky soft, and very durable.” – Daniel, Editor & Accessories Tester
The Fox pillow, Lagoon's best-selling model, is fully adjustable, CertiPUR-US certified, and offers great pressure relief.
While a soft mattress might not be suitable for everyone, a soft pillow is a hard thing to argue with. This is especially true when said pillow has an adjustable loft, as is the case with the Lagoon Fox pillow.
The Lagoon Fox pillow boasts a supportive construction that doesn’t sacrifice softness (or comfort). The shredded memory foam fill does a great job of conforming to your head and neck, but isn’t so airy that you’ll dip uncomfortably far into the pillow’s surface. Speaking of the memory foam filling, this pillow is completely adjustable. Meaning, you can remove or add as much fill as you want in order to create a suitable loft for your preferred sleeping position.
What our testers say: “The Fox pillow is great for those who want a fluffy pillow with personalization.” – Samantha, Accessories Tester
The Tempur-Cloud is a great pillow for achieving proper spinal alignment— especially if you're a stomach or back sleeper.
Made from proprietary TEMPUR-Pedic foam, the TEMPUR-Cloud pillow is great for travel because you can simply roll it up with a belt or scarf and it instantly takes up less space in your suitcase. Plus, has a removable, machine-washable cover so it’s easy to clean when you get back.
The TEMPUR-Cloud pillow is a must-have for any traveller. It’s hard to bring a good pillow in your suitcase because they’re typically too large and fluffy to fit along with everything else you need. But because the TEMPUR-Cloud rolls up so easily, you can have the comforts of home no matter where you sleep for just $79.
What our testers say: “This pillow offers a traditional, impressionable memory foam feel.” – Loren, Accessories Tester
Read our full TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow Review for more information.
Brooklinen's Marlow pillow offers a unique, adjustable design that you can manipulate into three different heights to accommodate all sleepers.
As is the case with most things, adjustability is a fantastic feature in a pillow. You don’t need to worry about blindly purchasing a pillow that doesn’t accommodate your needs, because now you can modify the pillow you purchase to suit your preferences. As far as adjustable pillows go, the Marlow is one of our favorites.
Some adjustable pillows achieve that designation simply by allowing you to remove or add certain amounts of filling, thereby decreasing or increasing the size of the pillow. The Marlow allows you to do this, but it also features zippers that can be opened and closed to reveal or hide loft extenders. As an added bonus, these extenders are made with breathable fabric which helps to increase the temperature regulating abilities of the pillow.
What our testers say: “If one things for sure, it’s that Brooklinen is going to make a well designed product. The Marlow pillow offers great adjustability without the mess of a loose fill.” – Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
The Sleep Number True Temp pillow is made from memory foam with patented cooling technology. It comes in three shapes: Classic, Contour, and Ultimate, to accommodate all different body types and sleeping positions.
A luxury sleep experience doesn’t begin and end with the mattress. You’ll need to thoughtfully curate the perfect accessories to compliment every aspect of your environment. A good pillow tops the list of important considerations when aiming for luxuriousness, and the Sleep Number True Temp definitely fits the bill.
The memory foam with which the Sleep Number True Temp is constructed utilizes patented technology that is supposed to enhance the cooling capabilities of the pillow. Sound too good to be true? Our product reviewers found the Sleep Number to excel when it came to temperature regulation. In addition to it being cool to the touch, we also enjoyed the softness of the pillow. If luxury looks like cool comfort to you then you’ll surely enjoy the Sleep Number True Temp pillow.
What our testers say: “Sleep Number really impressed me with their True Temp pillow. Since you can choose from three shapes and two sizes, everyone can find an accommodation that works for them.” – Samantha, Accessories Tester
Read our full Sleep Number True Temp Pillow Review for more information.
If you’re looking for a down alternative that’s adjustable to your needs, the Easy Breather is a top pick. It sleeps cool, is moldable and supportive, and is easy to adjust by just removing foam fill. It might take some time to get the fill level exactly right for you, but once you do, you’ll have a custom pillow that’s perfect for you. And while the sleep trial isn’t the longest in the industry, the two-year warranty is a nice bonus.
A cooling pillow is essential if you find that you wake up in a pool of sweat even with the thermostat set to 67. The Nest Easy Breather was designed specifically with folks like you in mind, to provide cooling comfort for your head and neck.
When you think of a memory foam pillow, you might think of a single block of doughy foam. The Nest Easy Breather is a memory foam pillow, but the foam is shredded. Not only does this allow for great airflow, it also makes this pillow extra moldable, so you can get it into the exact right shape to suit your needs.
What our testers say: “Adjustable pillows can work for just about anyone since the fill and height are customizable. The Nest Easy Breather is a great option that prioritizes cooling and comfortably.” – Loren, Accessories Tester
Read our full Nest Easy Breather Pillow Review for more information.
The Pillow Cube is designed to be the perfect pillow for side sleepers. With a loft level of 5” or 6” and a medium-firm feel, we agree that this memory foam pillow should help the average side sleeper get a good night’s sleep. It’s not so good for stomach sleepers or combination sleepers.
If you’re after a pillow that will serve side sleepers and side sleepers only, you can’t do better than the idiosyncratic Pillow Cube Sidekick. As you can tell from the photo (and the name), this pillow is shaped like…a cube (or at least closer to a cube than most pillows)! Which may sound strange, but this shape works very well for side sleepers who would ordinarily have to angle their neck down or up when sleeping on a traditional pillow.
If you sleep exclusively on your side, we highly recommend the Pillow Cube Sidekick. The reason for this is, unsurprisingly, the pillow’s shape. When you lay on your side, your shoulder and neck create a right angle. The pillow cube slots comfortably into that right angle, allowing you to maintain proper neck and spinal alignment.
What our testers say: “The Pillow Cube Sidekick is probably the most unique pillow I’ve ever reviewed. After the success of their original model, the brand expanded their product line to feature a wider Side Cube, the Knee Pillow, and even the kid-friendly Pillow Cubs.” – Becca, Lead Accessories Tester
Read our full Pillow Cube Sidekick Review for more information.
Finding the right pillow largely comes down to personal preference, but you should also consider your sleep position. High loft pillows are great for back sleepers or side sleepers, but they spell trouble for stomach sleepers who need a relatively flat pillow to keep the spine in alignment. Side sleeping can lead to poor spinal alignment, which is why these types of sleepers need a pillow that will contour to their neck to offer the best support. Combination sleepers tend to sleep best with a highly adjustable, responsive pillow that they can easily switch positions on throughout the night. For a pillow that matches your sleep style, see the best pillow for combination sleepers.
Side sleepers have a larger gap between their head and the mattress to fill to keep their neck in proper alignment. This is particularly true if you have a firm mattress. If you have a very soft mattress such that your shoulder sinks into it, a low profile pillow might work better. See the best pillows for side sleepers for pillows that prevent neck pain.
Back sleepers tend to need a thinner, slightly softer pillow. Contoured “neck” pillows are often great for back sleepers because they will fill in the cervical curve in your neck. Check out the best pillows for back sleepers for our top picks.
Stomach sleepers can sometimes get away with no pillow at all. If a pillow is used, it should usually be a thin, soft pillow. If a stomach sleeper has a pillow too thick or hard, the neck can be pushed backwards at an awkward angle. If you are looking for a pillow that supports the neck and head, see the best pillow for stomach sleepers.
These are the “basic” type of pillows that use no fancy or expensive materials. It’s just polyester fiber fill. They can be filled to different amounts and the quality of fiber can vary. The quality ranges from the super cheap Target pillows for under 10 dollars up to more advanced pillows at about $75. These can also be made to be “down alternative” pillows, which generally means the fibers are shorter and shaped a little differently, which makes the pillow a little more “scrunchable.”
Pros: Inexpensive and breathable.
Cons: Not very durable, and most aren’t as supportive. Side sleepers may need to stack two pillows to get proper neck support.
These are two related types of pillows I’m combining here. Both down and feathers come from ducks and geese. Down tends to be softer and feathers tend to be sturdier and more supportive. Some pillows will use both. These tend to be a bit more expensive than the fiber fill pillows, but also last a bit longer. Old school feather pillows used to have an issue in which the feathers would come through the sides of the pillows. I still remember being poked in the face by feathers as a kid when I slept at my grandma’s house. Many feather pillows don’t have this issue. They tend to use a “double pillow” construction in which the feathers or down are surrounded by a thicker layer with another material.
Pros: Usually soft and “scrunchable” and fairly durable
Cons: Some people may have allergy issues, may need to be “fluffed” to keep its shape, and the cheaper feather pillows might have quills poking you in the face. The ones that won’t do that tend to be more expensive.
Memory foam pillows are extremely popular and are often good quality as long as you don’t mind paying a little more for them. Some are contoured, some are shaped like regular pillows. Some even have “shredded” memory foam to make it feel a little more like a traditional pillow. Sometimes the memory foam will be infused with gel which tends to keep a slightly more neutral temperature (but don’t be oversold on this point, the effect is usually slight).
Pros: Can come in a variety of firmnesses but are generally very supportive and yet contouring. Shredded memory foam options can often customize the loft by removing the fill.
Cons: Tend to be expensive, they can’t usually be “scrunched up,” and they tend to sleep a little hotter than some other types of pillows. Sometimes there will be an odor for a couple days.
Latex pillows are a personal favorite of mine since I have slept on a latex pillow since 2008 and I have four latex pillows in my house. But, what’s right for me might not be right for you. Latex pillows are made of a type of rubber processed to be comfortable and supportive. They can be made to feel either soft or firm and are extremely durable, but they tend to feel a bit “bouncy” which takes some getting used to.
Pros: Can be soft or firm, are extremely durable, hypoallergenic. Tends to keep a much more neutral temperature than memory foam
Cons: Expensive (these tend to be some of the most expensive pillows). The “bouncy” feel is a turn-off for some people. There can be a slight “rubbery” smell for a few days.
Buckwheat pillows are filled with buckwheat hulls for support. They tend to be quite heavy and have a firmer, supportive feel. They can generally be unzipped and filled with the buckwheat manually, so you can fill the pillow to your desired loft. This one of the only “adjustable” pillows you’ll find.
Pros: Supportive and adjustable. Add or remove height and firmness by adding or removing buckwheat hulls. They also tend to be more temperature neutral.
Cons: May take some experimentation to find the correct firmness, and they just feel quite different than what most people are used to. They tend to be heavy and are the noisiest pillows you’ll find.
If you tend to wake up in the morning with neck pain, there’s a good chance your pillow’s “loft” is too high. Loft is simply the height of the pillow, and pillows with a high loft aren’t ideal for everyone’s natural neck curvature. You may need a pillow that’s a little flatter or one made from a more supportive material, like memory foam. If your pillow is causing you pain, see the best pillows for neck pain.
Overheating at night doesn’t just happen because of your mattress or your sheets. Your pillow can play a role as well. If you’re looking for a cooler pillow, we recommend pillows made with shredded memory foam instead of solid memory foam or down, which tend to absorb heat. Another great material for cooling is latex, either shredded or solid.
It is very important that you’re able to wash your pillow cover because we put our heads on our pillows each night, and our heads are not necessarily the cleanest things in the world. We carry bacteria, dirt, dust mites, oils, and more on our heads every day, and our pillow cover needs washed regularly. We highly recommend only buying a pillow if the whole thing can be washed, or if it comes with a removable, machine-washable cover.
As we mentioned earlier, your sleep position is important in deciding what kind of pillow you need. Everyone’s personal preferences are different, but generally speaking, stomach sleepers need a flatter pillow to prevent lifting their head up too high and bringing the spine out of alignment. Back sleepers need the opposite: a pillow that will lift the head up high enough to keep the spine properly aligned. Side sleepers tend to sleep best with a pillow made from a contouring material like memory foam or latex. As for combination sleepers, the most important factor is adjustability, since they tend to change positions all night.
For optimal neck position you should only sleep with one pillow under your head. Just make sure the loft accommodates your preferred sleeping position. As far as how many pillows you should have around you, it’s really up to you! Some people like to sleep with a pillow to the side of them that they can cradle, and some even enjoy a pillow between their knees while they sleep on their side.
An adjustable pillow will be best. This construction will allow you to add and remove the fill will allow you to adjust the loft in order to accommodate any sleeping position.
It depends on your sleeping position. Stomach sleepers will do well with a thin pillow with a low loft, while a thick pillow tends to work better for side sleepers who need more support to maintain healthy spinal alignment.
| Pillow Model | Award |
| Cozy Earth Silk Pillow | Nerd’s Pick |
| Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Pillow | Best Memory Foam Pillow |
| Luxome LAYR Pillow | Best Bamboo Pillow |
| Lagoon Fox Pillow | Best Soft Pillow |
| TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow | Best Pillow for Travel |
| Marlow Pillow | Best Adjustable Pillow |
| Sleep Number True Temp Pillow | Best Luxury Pillow |
| Nest Easy Breather Pillow | Best Cooling Pillow |
| Pillow Cube | Best for Side Sleepers |
