The 10 best pillows of 2026, tested for every type of sleeper

A good night's sleep starts with a good foundation, and that doesn't just mean a supportive mattress . The best pillows can make a huge difference in how, erm, restful your rest is, so your trusty team of Yahoo home and health editors spent 11 months researching and testing 50 options. We slept on pillows designed for back, stomach and side sleepers, rating each cushion on its comfort, support, design and cooling.

After trying every fill imaginable, including down, down alternative, latex, memory foam and even silk, we know one thing for sure: There's no such thing as the perfect pillow. What works for one person may not work for another, even if they're the same size and sleep in the same position. That said, 10 pillows stood out during testing, all of which you'll find below. Once you've got your pillows in place, complete your restful retreat with a fresh set of sheets . 

Best pillows of 2026

Factors to consider when choosing a pillow

Knowing how to choose a pillow can be tricky when there are so many options. Use the guidelines below, but don't forget: It comes down to personal comfort, so above all, pick the option that feels good. Your sleeping style, body size and even your mattress can determine the best bed pillow for your needs. Many companies offer a trial period, so you can test out your pick for several nights before committing.

✓ Cover material:Cotton is breathable and cool, but may not feel as cool to the touch as a semi-synthetic fabric like lyocell or viscose. Keep in mind that quilting or very obvious stitching may show through lighter colored pillowcases.

✓ Fill:

• Memory foamtends to provide more support and stability, especially when it's a solid block of material. Shredded memory foam offers greater flexibility and breathability, as the shreds create pockets for airflow. "Heavy people may find that shredded foam doesn't support them as well as a solid memory foam surface would," explains Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, an orthopedic and spinal surgeon and founder of The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care . Alternatively, he says he'd recommend shredded memory foam to "most people who sleep hot, toss and turn, or want some cushion without the sinking feeling."

• Latexresponds quickly to changing positions throughout the night and is supportive like memory foam, though it tends to cost and weigh more. Like memory foam, latex comes as a solid piece or shredded. 

• Down alternativeis made of synthetic fibers that mimic the fluffy feeling of down. It's a popular pick because it's usually inexpensive and won't exacerbate allergies like some feathers can. Often, these pillows are machine-washable. 

• Downis made of real feathers and will likely need to be fluffed often to regain its shape. It's a luxurious, durable fill but may not provide enough support for certain sleeping positions.

✓ Dimensions:Many pillows come in standard and king sizes, but the exact dimensions can vary based on the brand (in testing, we found some "standard"-size pillows very small and others too big for a standard pillowcase). To make things more complicated, some pillow brands offer a queen size, which may require you to get queen pillowcases. The best option comes down to personal preference. Here are some general sizing guidelines:

• Standard:20" x 26"

• Queen:20" x 30"

• King:20" x 36"

✓ Firmness:"Soft pillows compress with the weight of the body part, whereas medium-firm pillows provide some support but also 'give' a little. Firm pillows maintain shape and offer the most support," says Dr. Theresa Marko, American Physical Therapy Association spokesperson and founder of Marko Physical Therapy PLLC . 

✓ Loft:Marko explains that thin pillows provide cushioning without altering spinal alignment, while thick pillows fill the spaces created by the natural curvature of the spine and hips. A low loft is generally best for back and stomach sleepers. Side sleepers typically need a thicker pillow to help fill the gap between their shoulder to their head/neck.

✓ Care instructions:Many of the pillows we tested feature machine-washable covers for easy cleaning. Remember to always remove pillow fill before laundering, unless otherwise instructed. Some pillows can go entirely in the washer and dryer, though they may need some fluffing afterward. Many brands recommend drying pillows with dryer balls to help them maintain their shape.

✓ Adjustability:If you're a combination sleeper — or find your preferences change over time — a pillow with extra pillow pads and/or fill is a great choice, as it lets you customize the height and/or cushiness as needed. As a general rule, as long as the pillow cover has a zipper, you can "flatten" any shredded foam or latex pillow by simply removing some of the fill.

✓ Certifications: Oeko-Tex , Made Safe , Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US-certified products must meet certain safety standards, and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified organic products must meet a list of established criteria for ecological and social responsibility. There are also certifications for latex (the Global Organic Latex Standard ) and down, including the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and Downmark .

How we test pillows

My fellow Yahoo home and health editors and I put each pillow through a series of tests to see if it deserves a spot on your bed. Our most recent round included five testers of different sizes and body types who sleep on their side, back, stomach or a combination of these positions. Several also self-identified as hot sleepers. Testers assigned a score of one to five for each pillow in the following categories:

• Design:After we unbox each pillow, we note how fast the pillow takes its proper shape and if there are any imperfections. We put the pillow in a standard-size cotton pillowcase to see if it fits.

• Performance:Each tester sleeps on the pillow for at least three nights and reports back on how comfortable the pillow was, if it offered good support and whether or not it has any cooling properties. We also measure the pillow's height before and after sleeping on it to assess whether it retains its shape.

• Care:We prioritize pillows that are machine-washable or come with covers that can go in the washer and dryer. Based on the pillow's care label, we determine how easy maintenance will be. Testers put machine-washable pillows or covers through the washer and dryer when they could and shared the results.

• Long-term testing:Our testers spent four months trying over 40 pillows during our initial round of testing, sleeping on each for a minimum of three nights. We have continued to sleep on top-performing styles for the last seven months.

The contenders for the best pillow for neck pain went through additional vetting: McGrane interviewed two sleep experts to understand what actually matters for proper support, including how sleep position, loft and firmness affect spinal alignment. From there, she researched more than 20 pillows marketed for neck pain and tested nine over six weeks.

Pillow FAQs

What is the best pillow for neck pain?

Look for pillows specifically designed to provide cervical support and be comfortable for your size and weight. You'll want to avoid pillows that are too plush or too thick, as they can throw the neck and spine out of alignment. Memory foam and latex pillows are strong options for neck pain because they offer supportive contouring that can help promote proper alignment. However, "the best pillow for you is the one that's most comfortable and keeps your neck neutral for your specific sleep position," says Raj Dasgupta ,MD, associate program director of the Internal Medicine residency program at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Calif. He notes that instead of focusing on brand or firmness labels, zero in on how your neck and spine feel when you wake up.

Are latex pillows better than memory foam pillows?

First, it helps to understand the differences between the two materials. Memory foam is made of responsive viscoelastic polyurethane, while latex is typically made from the sap of rubber trees.

Between the two materials, there is no optimal choice. You can find both as solid inserts or more adjustable shredded fill, so it really comes down to your sleep position and personal preferences. For example, back and side sleepers can benefit from a supportive pillow made of a firmer material, such as memory foam. Latex is responsive to changing sleep positions throughout the night, and shredded latex is good for hot sleepers because it typically allows for better airflow than shredded foam. Both memory foam and latex may help alleviate neck pain by promoting proper spinal alignment.

How often should you change your pillows?

Tanu Grewal, chief cleaning officer at Pinalen , says that "pillows typically have a lifespan of about two years." She adds, however, that this can fluctuate depending on the materials and the use they're getting; if they feel lumpy or have permanent stains, it's time to replace them.

Meet our experts

• Dr. Raj Dasgupta , associate program director, Internal Medicine residency, Huntington Memorial Hospital

• Tanu Grewal, chief cleaning officer, Pinalen , Cloralen and Ensueño Laundry

• Dr. Theresa Marko, spokesperson, APTA , and founder, Marko Physical Therapy PLLC

• Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, orthopedic and spinal surgeon, The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care

Update, Sept. 28, 2026: We checked pricing and availability for all products. Our No. 1 pick remains unchanged, but we added recommendations for the best pillow for neck pain and the best organic pillow. We also added long-term testing feedback where we could, as well as more information on the difference between latex and memory foam.

We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.