The Best Pillows

Elviros Memory Foam Pillow

While we usually only think of firmness and fluffiness when it comes to our sleeping pillows, height is a key factor that we often overlook. If your pillow is too high, you’ll end up with a hunchback shape while you sleep. On the other hand, if it’s too low, you may get cervical curvature. Thankfully, Elviros’ memory foam pillow is designed to keep your head aligned at the proper height no matter your preferred sleeping position. This ergonomic contour pillow is designed with your body in mind, reducing stress on your joints and helping keep your airways open for a more restful sleep. Back sleepers will benefit from the center cavity, which will keep their head in place, while stomach sleepers can use the cutouts to give their arm somewhere to rest.

Pros:

• Available in four color options
• Foam holds shape well over time
• Comes with a removable, machine-washable pillowcase

Cons:

• Pillow has a chemical smell out of the box, so air it out before you hit the hay

Beckham Luxury Linens Hotel Collection Bed Pillows

Few things are more frustrating than a hot pillow, but running the AC all night costs money and can introduce allergens into the air. Instead, try cooling yourself down with a breathable cotton pillow like the ones in this hotel-quality pack by Beckham Luxury Linens. Get the same perfect night’s sleep as you would in your favorite luxury hotel with these classic white, super springy pillows. Filled with a plush gel fiber and built-in cooling technology, each pillow helps to regulate the temperature near your head, no matter the weather outside. Grab them in a queen-size or king-size option to turn your bed into the cool and comfy throne it’s meant to be.

Pros:

• 100% cotton
• Allergy-friendly and chemical-free
• No-shift construction means the pillow remains firm and springy

Cons:

• Unique shape can look awkward in standard pillowcases

Utopia Bedding Premium Bed Pillow

If you’re a side sleeper, you’re not alone — by some measures, it’s actually the most common position. But just because it’s popular doesn’t mean that everyone’s doing it right. Since you’ve got to account for your shoulder when laying down your head, it’s easy to misalign your head and neck when snoozing. That’s why experts recommend sleeping with a thicker pillow like this medium-firm one by Utopia Bedding. Stuffed to the brim with top-quality fiberfill, this pillow set is perfect for fluffing and shaping to your desired position. And as a bonus, the simple white double-stitched design has a sleek accent line in six different colors to match your bedroom aesthetic.

Pros:

• Two size options
• Super easy to fluff up
• Great cost value

Cons:

• Not machine-washable

Kolbs Bed Wedge Pillow

No matter how early we may get to bed, our sleep can still be disturbed by a number of factors. From sleep apnea and snoring to acid reflux and back pain, there’s a whole host of problems that can keep us from getting the shut-eye we need. That’s where a good pillow can help. The Kölbs Bed Wedge is designed to elevate the top half of your body, providing support to all the areas that may cause you unrest in the middle of the night. Choose from four different height and size options for the triangle core to fit both your bed and your comfort. And while the pillow can help ease various medical issues, it doesn’t look the part, thanks to its stylish and removable jacquard pillowcase.

Pros:

• Memory foam top layer
• Firm, long-term support
• Versatile use for elevating other parts of the body as well

Cons:

• Pillow may take a day or two to inflate to full size

Mediflow Original Water Pillow

Even with the most comfortable pillows, most of us end up adjusting them as we sleep. Of course, this happens all the more if we frequently toss and turn. But what if we told you there’s a pillow out there that moves with you when you do? Meet Mediflow’s Original Water Pillow. Under a plump layer of hypoallergenic polyester fiber, you’ll find a water pouch that you can fill to your desired level of firmness based on your comfort and favorite sleeping position. That way, when you move around at night, the water naturally moves with your head, giving you constant neck support and letting you sleep for longer.

Pros:

• Made in the USA
• 100% hypoallergenic cotton shell
• Ships without vacuum packing or rolling

Cons:

• Higher cost for this innovative design

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I replace my pillow?

The National Sleep Foundation recommends replacing your bed pillows every year or two, but you may want to get a new set even sooner than that if you’ve noticed a change in your sleeping patterns. For example, if you wake up with back or neck pain more often now than before, or if your pillow has gotten flatter than it originally was, it may be time to switch it up.

Is it bad to sleep without a pillow?

Pillows do more than give you a big fluffy object to snuggle into at night. They help keep your spine in a neutral position, aligning your neck with everything else so that you maintain good posture. If you tend to sleep on your stomach, sleeping without a pillow — or with a flatter one — is actually recommended. But if you snooze on your side or back, then sleeping without a pillow can jumble up your spine alignment and may cause you pain over time.