These Are the Best Pillows AD Editors Prize in Their Bedrooms

The conditions have to be just right to get a good night’s sleep, so we embarked on a tireless quest to find the best pillows for every kind of sleeper. After all, perhaps the most important factor when it comes to achieving REM is the place you rest your head.

There are a lot of things to consider when shopping for one: What kind of sleeper are you—hot, cold, side, stomach, back? How much support do you like? Are you sensitive to allergens? Is memory foam a little hard or are down feathers a little too soft? Is anything machine washable these days? Whatever your preferences, we have your ideal pillow setup covered for your bedroom.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall Pillow

Saatva Latex Pillow

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$165

Saatva

Best Down

Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow

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$159

Amazon

Best Down Alternative

Quince Premium Down Alternative Pillow

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$40

Quince

We’ve tested, reviewed—tested again and reviewed again—to make sure we’re always staying up to date with the best new pillows on the market. For the sweetest dreams possible, browse our top picks below.

Pillow reviewer: Sydney Gore, contributor

What kind of sleeper are you? I recently learned that I’m a side sleeper so it’s imperative that the pillows in my bed provide extra support. Since I don’t share this sacred space with anyone else, I find myself clutching the pillows around me for a comfortable embrace as I doze off into dreamland. (Shoutouts to Jiu Jie for creating the most stylish form of emotional support!)

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? To be honest, I was influenced by all of the mutual friends that follow the brand on Instagram.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? Saatva claims that the pillow provides “ultimate head and neck support,” which I can vouch is true. I have some serious back issues and was surprised to wake up feeling more rested after the many nights I spent snoozing on such a luxurious pillow.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? My expectations weren’t too high, but I am very pleased with this pillow.

Would you recommend this pillow? Yes! It’s even more comfortable IRL, so don’t let the price scare you off. My only complaint is that I wish I had a pair of them because I was so caught up playing favorites with the other pillows in my bed! Another perk when you purchase this pillow is that Saatva offers 45-day free returns and a one-year limited warranty if you’re not satisfied with the product, which I think is fantastic.

Pillow reviewer: Elaheh Nozari, contributor

What kind of sleeper are you? Stomach sleeper: I prefer a soft pillow that has a little firmness; I like a down pillow but I don’t want my head to sink all the way in until I can feel the mattress under my head.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? You can tell that it is a very well-made pillow insert. It has a sturdy build and I liked that there were different density options to choose from as I sometimes feel like I’m choosing my pillows blindly, without knowing how soft or firm they’ll be.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? Extremely cozy! The medium density was just right for me—I could feel the feathery softness when I put my head down but there was enough sturdiness for my head to feel supported.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Yes!

Would you recommend this pillow? I would recommend it to someone who doesn’t want an overly firm pillow but still wants some level of support, and wants that down feel. That said, it is a very expensive pillow! I’m not sure the price tag is worth it as it doesn’t seem drastically better than other medium-firm down pillows I’ve slept on.

Pillow reviewer: Lori Keong, associate commerce director

What kind of sleeper are you? I would define myself as a combination sleeper: I tend to sleep on my side to doze off but often find myself on my stomach in the mornings and on my back at night.

What was attractive to you about this pillow? There’s nothing worse than the saggy deflated feel of a down pillow with paltry feathers that you have to double up to get any neck support. I appreciate that this one comes in a firmer, thicker option with less give and comes stuffed with hypoallergenic tufted fill.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? The polyester fill is firm enough to prop my head up without me sinking into its depths, but still has some squishy give (see the video!) that doesn’t feel like I’m laying on the floor.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? It’s still on my bed months later, so I’d say so! I interchange this with my Coop pillow that is full of lofty shredded memory foam, and it holds its own. I don’t have any complaints about head or neck support.

Would you recommend this pillow? I think it’s a good investment for only $50, with a range of options in the firmness department if you needed something more squishy. If you’re struggling to find something with the right down-alt support to prop your head and neck up, it’s one of the better options out there.

Pillow reviewer: Yelena Moroz Alpert, contributor

What kind of sleeper are you? I am a side sleeper and so I was a bit weary of the pillow’s softness, but I have not had issues getting comfortable or falling asleep.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? You know that feeling you get biting into a donut that’s pillowy? This pillow is like that but for your head. It’s by far the softest pillow I own. Though I typically prefer medium-firm pillows with plenty of support, this one is so malleable, it lets you get comfortable in a way that’s suited just for your body. I also use it for plush support as I read. I layer a firmer pillow behind it to give me the lift, and this one to give me the perfect padding.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? Cozy Earth’s silk pillow feels like sleeping on whipped cream in the best way possible. The pillow is incredibly plush, and can be maneuvered as needed, but still holds its form. In testing, I have folded it in half and it springs backs to life.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? One thing to note is that these pillows slouch a bit. It happened right away, so it’s not a sign of wear (yet), but I had to keep fluffing them for photos.

Would you recommend this pillow? Soft pillow lovers may potentially find a perfect match with Cozy Earth’s silk pillow. As someone with a preference for plush, I wouldn’t mind a bit more resistance. I also think if you’re the type of person who has several pillows on their bed, it’s a good addition for layering.

Pillow reviewer: Lori Keong, associate commerce director

What kind of sleeper are you? Like I shared earlier, I prefer to sleep on my side at night and on my stomach in the morning.

What was attractive to you about this pillow? The budget-conscious price tag and adjustable memory foam filling. You simply add or remove the memory foam and microfiber filling to your liking, so you can get the feel just right.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? The shredded fill is easy to remove or add to as you see fit, and there’s enough of a mound in there to begin with to firmly (or at least medium firmly) prop your head up.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Yes! I love how adjustable and plushy they are to snooze on in all sleep positions.

Would you recommend this pillow? I’ve been singing the praises of Coop for years and years, which has occupied a prime spot on my bed and never been dethroned despite testing so many other pillows since then.

Pillow reviewer: Rachel Fletcher, commerce director

What kind of sleeper are you? I’m a stomach sleeper and I like a kind of mushy, moldable pillow that feels as little like a pillow as possible.

What was attractive to you about this pillow? I love all things Brooklinen, and when they announced they were launching a pillow brand, I had to check it out!

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? Being that I like a squishier pillow, Marlow and I were sadly not meant to be in terms of sleeping. That said, I did appreciate the firmer feel when reading or lounging in bed. I always like to keep a few extra pillows around for those hang-around, lazy mornings, and they fit the bill for that.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Because I’m firm-pillow-picky, I didn’t anticipate this would be my new everyday pillow, but in terms of being well made and well designed, yes.

Would you recommend this pillow? I’d for sure recommend this adjustable pillow to friends who appreciate more neck support. The price isn’t unreasonable given the amount of detail that went into designing it and the combination of functions, including the antimicrobial and cooling materials, as well as its adaptability.

Pillow Reviewer: Nashia Baker, senior commerce editor

What kind of sleeper are you? I’m a combo sleeper who can pretty much fall asleep anywhere, in any position, and still get good rest.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? I’m always open to a bed accessory that can make me sleep a little better, and these stand out because of the soft, even fill. It’s almost like down without being crazy expensive. Keep in mind that the pillows come vacuum sealed, so I gave mine a day to breathe so they could air out to their full size. I also like that it comes in a set of two (what I chose) and four for people who only want to click “add to cart” once when they’re shopping in bulk.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? I have the pillows in a king size and think they’re great for framing against my headboard since they’re not overly lofty. My head feels gently cradled when I sleep on them solo, almost like I’m laying on a layer of fresh playdough.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? For the cost, I was a little worried about how well they’d keep the same quality, but the pillows have been holding up nicely for months. The pillows haven’t gotten slouchy or clumped up. The structure is nice too. The pillows sit upright and have a pretty crisp border that hasn’t looked deformed or saggy over time.

Would you recommend this pillow? I’d recommend this pillow to anyone who wants an affordable option that’s soft and keeps its shape and feel.

Pillow reviewer: Audrey Lee, commerce editor

What kind of sleeper are you? I’d describe myself as a side sleeping, serial pillow stacker.

What’s attractive to you about this pillow? Sometimes I love a big, fluffy down pillow I can really sink my head into. This side sleeper pillow from Parachute is designed with a 3.5-inch gusset to take the strain off your neck and shoulders, so I was definitely invested in whether or not this cushion could deliver the right balance of fluff and support.

What’s it like sleeping on these pillows? I’ve slept on lots of down pillows before—some ultra-soft and some on the firmer side—but I’d describe the feeling of this one as almost cloud-like. It’s light and airy for sure—almost like a luxury pillow you would find at a five-star hotel or resort, though I’d say the fill has a tendency to shift around so the cushion can flatten out pretty easily throughout the night.

Did the pillows live up to your expectations? Overall, I am happy with this pillow. I’ve been pairing it with another down pillow for an extra bit of height, but I really appreciate the overall feel of the down and that I haven’t had an issue with the cushion leaking feathers like other goose down pillows I’ve had in the past.

Would you recommend this pillow? If you’re in the market for a great down pillow I’d say go for this one. But if you’re looking for something lofty that’s going to keep your head elevated and neck supported if you’re a back sleeper, I’d maybe go a different route.

We called in a wide range of pillows from some of our favorite brands as well as brands that are new to us to get a sense of as many options as we could. We brought in pillows suited for every kind of sleeper (see our breakdown below) and doled them out to our staff and contributors based on how they self-identified their sleep habits and needs. We tested each one for overall comfort, support, design, firmness, material, temperature-regulating abilities, and how easy they were to clean over time.

Back sleepers: Back sleepers will mostly benefit from choosing pillows with firmer support, like gel memory foam, or any type of contouring foam. Down and down alternative options can also be good choices for this sleeping posture, as you want middling firmness—nothing too soft or firm.

Side sleepers: Shredded memory foam is a favorite amongst side sleepers for its ability to conform to various sleeping postures. Specialists recommend high-loft pillows for most side sleepers, which is usually best supplied by some type of memory foam or firmer pillow.

Stomach sleepers: Pillows made from down or down alternative are a popular choice among stomach sleepers, as they prefer a soft pillow with low-loft for neck comfort and better spine alignment while they’re sleeping.

Combination sleepers: If you don’t fall into one category (aka you move around in your sleep or prefer various positions), you may identify as a combination sleeper. Fortunately, several of our staffers and contributors also mix it up, and have suggestions that will keep you comfortable in any sleep position.

Hot sleepers: Hot sleepers will benefit from cooling pillows, which you find most often in gel memory foam pillows. Many pillows on the market have an option for one regular side and one cooling side.

We distinguished our top picks from our runner-ups based on overall quality, material, temperature control, price point, and ease of care. Our top picks received high marks on all those factors, where our runner-ups landed in their category due to the fact that their texture or firmness may not be for everyone, although they were well-suited to our testers.