We Tested Over 200 Pillows–These 8 From Amazon Helped Us Sleep Better
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You can quickly upgrade your pillow with convenient Prime shipping from Amazon. After testing over 200 pillows for the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab , I found the best pillow on Amazon is the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow —it's also our top-tested style of all the pillows we've ever evaluated.
Our top picks:
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Best overall: Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
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Best value: Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows
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Best for side sleepers: Honeydew Side Sleeper Pillow
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Best for stomach and back sleepers: Layla Sleep Adjustable Fill Kapok Pillow
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Best for neck pain: Tempur-Pedic Tempur Neck Pillow
1) Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
To say that we're fans of the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow is a bit of an understatement. This pillow is not only one of our top-tested pillows for neck pain and a great down-alternative option, but it is one of the best pillows we've ever tested overall.
Offering comfort and support at a reasonable price, this hybrid pillow filled with a combination of memory foam pieces and microfiber clusters is also incredibly versatile. We appreciate that you can control how much fill you add to this pillow so you can adjust it to your perfect height. While adding and removing the fill can be a bit messy, we like that the adjustability means no matter what sleeping position you prefer, you can alter it so your neck will be properly aligned.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Coop Pillow
- Ability to adjust the amount of fill to fit your body perfectly
- Good for all sleeping positions
- Top pillow of all the pillows we've ever tested
- Adding and removing fill can be messy
2) Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows, 2-Pack
This Amazon best-seller delivers impressive performance at an affordable price, with each pillow costing around $30 (and currently on sale for less). Its 100% cotton outer cover gives it a soft, elevated feel, and the down-alternative fill stays evenly distributed, making it a plush option for back, stomach, and combination sleepers. The pillow is sold in a set of two, perfect for guest beds or outfitting a whole bedroom.
Consumer testers praised its soft, cushiony support and ability to maintain shape under pressure.Most testers enjoyed the plush feel, though side sleepers noted they wished it offered a bit more support. The pillows also washed well in Lab tests with minimal shrinkage, and the cotton cover adds a touch of durability and luxury to an otherwise budget-friendly option.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Beckham Hotel Pillows
- Comes in a set of two
- Easy to clean
- Affordable price
- Side sleepers said they wished it felt more supportive
3) Honeydew Essence Side Sleeper Pillow
With a curved shape to fill in the gap between your head and shoulder, this Honeydew pillow is specifically designed for side sleeping. The fill is a mix of memory foam pieces and microfiber clusters that feels both supportive and plush—it maintained its shape nicely in our Lab tests. You can adjust the amount of fill in the pillow, great for sleepers of all shapes and heights. The curved shape did make it fit a bit awkwardly in a Standard-sized pillowcase.
Side sleeper consumer testers particularly liked this pillow because it helped relieve shoulder pressure. "The fill is soft yet provides good support," shared a tester who sleeps only on her side. "The unique shape allows for improved shoulder comfort."Another side-sleeper tester shared, "I love how supportive the pillow is while still being soft. My neck didn't feel any kind of pinching or discomfort, which I started to experience with my previous pillow."
- Curved shape to relieve pressure on the shoulders
- Adjustable height
- Testers liked that the pillow was both supportive and soft
- Fits awkwardly in a pillowcase
4) Purple Harmony Pillow
Latex pillows like this one from Purple offer the same reliable support as a memory foam pillow with more bounce-back yet not quite as much firmness, making it a great pick for neck pain. This option features a solid latex core surrounded by an elastic grid that our testers found to be good for supporting their necks while sleeping.
During our pressure-recovery tests, we found this pillow had no trouble retaining its shape after weights were applied. We like that both the elastic grid (which has open areas for airflow) and the moisture-wicking cover did a wonderful job of regulating the pillow's temperature and maintaining a cool feel, so it's a nice choice for hot sleepers. It is, however, significantly more expensive than many of the picks on our list.
- Open areas in elastic grid help keep pillow cool
- Maintained its shape during pressure recovery tests
- Good for neck pain
- Pricier than some other options
5) Layla Sleep Adjustable Fill Kapok Pillow
We are big fans of adjustable fill pillows, like this one by Layla Sleep. We appreciate that you can easily adjust how much fill you add or remove to personalize the height for your sleep style. We found that due to its soft and supportive feel, it's particularly good for stomach and back sleepersand offers a satisfying, comfortable sleep without any soreness.
Several of our consumer testers noted that this pillow kept its shape at night, and the results of in-Lab pressure recovery tests proved this to be true. The fill is made from a blend of shredded memory foam and a natural fiber called kapok which is similar to cotton. One minor downside is we did find that the gray pillow cover can be seen through some pillowcases.
- Adjustable fill to customize to your body
- Good for multiple sleep positions
- Exceptionally soft
- Gray cover can be seen through some pillow cases
6) Amazon Basics Down-Alternative Pillows, 2-Pack
Give your wallet a break with this set of two down-alternative pillows by Amazon Basics. Not only are they budget-friendly, but they managed to outperform some pillows triple their price in our tests. Even though they're inexpensive, our testers found that these pillows maintained their shape while in use and felt squishy and fluffy to sleep on.
These pillows are particularly good for children or those with smaller statures due to their lower density, and we like that they come in two different firmness levels for various sleeping positions. During testing, we found that these pillows washed well and displayed no shrinkage while laundering, and both our experts and testers liked how soft they were.
- Comes in a pack of two
- Laundered well
- Maintained shape and softness
- Less dense than some other options
7) FluffCo Down Pillows
With an inner core of feathers for support and an outer layer of soft down for comfort, this decadent down pillow from FluffCo is more affordable than some other options made solely of down. Plus, the feather core offers a bit more structure. But it's worth noting: Some consumer testers did say they could feel the feathers poking through at times.
We like the two-layered approach and appreciate that the pillow is available in both Soft and Firm fill options.During testing, we found that it retained its fluffiness over time and both laundered well and fit in a pillowcase easily. One tester highlighted that this pick "maintained the same comfort level as the first day I slept on it."
RELATED: The Best Down Pillows
- Two layers help maintain support and softness
- Soft and fluffy
- Can be more supportive than traditional down pillows
- In some cases, feathers poked through
8) Tempur-Pedic Tempur Neck Pillow
For anyone who prefers a firmer pillow or needs extra support to ease neck discomfort, this memory foam option delivers. Its ergonomic design provides proper alignment for back and side sleepers, thanks to a contoured shape that follows the curve of your head, neck, and shoulders.It's been a trusted choice for years and comes in small, medium, and large sizes, each offering different heights to suit a variety of sleepers.
Consumer testers praised the pillow for its unparalleled neck support. One said, "It fit around my neck and shoulder perfectly," while another highlighted how the foam sinks slowly to mold to a person's body. The firm, pressure-resistant foam held up well in Lab tests, maintaining its shape under weight, though it takes a moment to rebound. The firm texture may be too hard for some sleepers.
Because of its smaller, contoured design, it can fit awkwardly in some pillowcases. The removable cover is machine washable, but the foam core cannot be washed, and the brand recommends hanging the cover to dry.
RELATED: The Best Memory Foam Pillows
- Encourages proper alignment for back and side sleepers
- Comes in three sizes with different heights for different body types
- Contoured shape for neck support
- May be too firm for some
9) How we test pillows
The Good Housekeeping Institute fiber scientists have run countless tests and performed hours of research to help find the perfect pillow for you and your sleeping style. We've tested over 215 pillows in our most recent evaluations both in-Lab and with more than 1,000 consumer testers at home. Our experts run a battery of tests including:
Laundering and care tests:Our experts check the care labels (PSA: Some are not machine washable!). We then launder those pillows that can be washed five times to see how well they hold up. We also put each one inside a standard pillowcase to see how well they fit.
Support and recovery tests:These evaluations simulate the pressure of your head lying on a pillow all night to test how well each pillow maintains its shape, supports your head, and how quickly it can bounce back to its original form. To do this, we leave weights on the pillow for long enough to mimic a night's sleep and measure how quickly the pillow returns to its original shape once they're removed.
Consumer testing:We also send pillows home to hundreds of consumer testers to gauge how comfortable they find each pillow. Testers rate their pillow's cooling properties, supportiveness, softness, and more. Before assigning each tester a pillow, we consider their sleeping style and preferences to help match them with the right fit and then receive feedback after a few weeks.
10) What to consider when shopping for pillows on Amazon
✔️ Know your pillow types.Your perfect pillow largely depends on your preferred sleeping position and support preference. While down pillows tend to be a bit pricier, they're soft and squishy. Generally, a down alternative or a blend of down and feathers will help you stay within a tighter budget. Down and feather combinationsare a bit firmer than pure down, while down alternativepillows are still soft but at a lower price. Memory foampillows tend to be thicker and firmer and offer great support, while latexis still supportive with a bit more bounce.
✔️ Check the return policy.If a pillow hurts to sleep on, it doesn't matter how great of a deal you got on it. A generous return policy or sleep trial will give you a chance to try out a pillow risk-free.
✔️ Determine your sleeping position.While it's normal to cycle through multiple positions while sleeping, the one you wake up in is likely the one you spend the most time in. With the right pillow, you'll be able to align your neck properly and prevent yourself from waking up in the morning with pain or soreness. When you lie on a pillow, you want to make sure your head isn't leaning in any direction so you are in neutral alignment. Remember, different body types will also respond differently to pillows since smaller statures won't need as much loft or height. Here's what pillow type to consider for each position:
• Side:Thick and firm
• Back:Medium height
• Stomach:Thin and soft
✔️ Consider the special features.Do you tend to run hot? A pillow with temperature-regulating properties may be a good fit to help you maintain a comfortable temperature. If you usually switch between different sleeping positions, the ability to add or decrease the amount of fill in your pillow to personalize the firmness may be a good idea for you. Consider which special features matter most to you before purchasing.
11) Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The textiles experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been providing expert advice and reviews on bedding for decades, including pillows.
Associate Textiles Lab Director Emma Seymour has rigorously tested and reviewed more than 200 pillows in her time at the Textiles Lab, including conducting in-Lab testing and coordinating consumer testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. She has been testing textiles and bedding for more than seven years at Good Housekeeping and has a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University.
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