I have tested over 180 pillows in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab to find the best pillows and out of all of them, two stood out: The Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow and Beckham Hotel Down Alternative Pillow, which received our Best Overall and Best Value titles respectively. These pillows are easy to launder, made with quality materials and held up to extensive in-Lab testing (and they're both available at Walmart). While there's no magic pillow that's perfect for everyone, these two are great options for all types of sleepers. Find out which one is best for you:
Pros
- Adjustable fill
- Blend of supportive and plush
- Great for all sleeping positions
Cons
- Cover showed some signs of pilling
Fill: Adjustable blend of memory foam and polyester down alternative | Firmness: Medium-firm | Care: Cover and fill machine washable and dryer safe | Sizes: Queen, King
WHO IT'S BEST FOR: All types of sleepers who are looking for both support and a plush feel
Pros
- Affordable price
- Smooth cotton cover
- Plush, cloud-like feel
Cons
- Less luxurious compared to other tested pillows
Fill: Polyester down alternative | Firmness: Soft | Care: Machine washable and dryer safe | Sizes: Queen, King
WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Budget savvy shoppers who prefer a plush, soft feel, especially back and stomach sleepers
Key features
Fill
The Coop pillow is filled with an innovative blend of shredded memory foam and microfiber clusters, which offers a balance between support and cushion. You can add and remove fill to customize the height. The down-alternative fill in the Beckham Hotel pillow is softer for a plusher feel, but you cannot adjust the amount of fill and it's sold in one height.
Sleeping positions
Because the Coop pillow offers an adjustable fill, it can be customized to suit all sleeping positions. I found when adjusting the fill it took a bit of trial and error to find the right height and it was a bit messy. Meanwhile, the soft feel of the Beckham Hotel pillow makes it great for stomach and back sleepers. Some side sleepers with smaller frames found it supportive enough.
Value
The Beckham Hotel pillow is an excellent value at $60 (currently on sale for $43) because it includes two pillows with each order — especially helpful to conveniently set up a guest bed. That said, the majority of pillows that have passed through our Lab for testing cost well over $100, so the Coop pillow is still a great price at $80 (currently on sale for $53).
Performance
In Lab evaluations for performance, we conduct pressure resistance tests to evaluate if the pillow will maintain its shape after continued use. To do this, we place weights on the pillow and then measure how long it takes the pillow to return to its original shape. We also do pillowcase fit analysis to check if the pillow fits in a Standard-size case. Both of these pillows aced these tests, fitting perfectly in a Standard-size pillowcase and maintaining its shape after pressure resistance tests.
Durability
To assess pillow durability, we wash and dry each pillow five times according to its care instructions. Both of these pillows are machine washable and dryer safe. The Coop pillow showed no signs of shrinkage or changes in appearance after multiple laundry cycles. I noticed some pilling on the cover after extensive use.
The Beckham Hotel pillow held up decently to washing. It showed no signs of shrinkage, but I did notice a small amount of loose threads on the cover and the fill had a few clumps, making it less luxe than other pillows I've tested. Overall, it washed well compared to other down-alternative pillows.
Sleep testing
We sent these pillows to sleep testers who slept on them for at least two weeks before giving feedback on comfort, support, temperature regulation and more.
When testers tried the Coop pillow, they all agreed that it helped improve their sleep quality compared to their previous pillows. “I like that I can adjust the amount of fluff inside of it,” noted one. “It makes me feel like I have custom control of the pillow.” When I first started using this pillow at home, I liked that I could remove and add fill to find the best height for optimal support. I appreciate that it's both plush and supportive, so it's comfortable to sleep on and it reduces soreness in the morning. I continue to use this pillow regularly!
Sleep testers liked that the Beckham Hotel pillow felt plush and soft for a cloud-like feel, while still offering some neck support. Testers of all sleeping positions tested this pillow, but some side sleepers found it lacked enough support. When I tested this pillow, I agreed. I liked the plush feel, but as a taller side sleeper, it wasn't tall enough to keep my neck in a neutral position. "The down-alternative filling is so fluffy and cushiony, yet still supportive," shared one tester. Another added, "The outer material is amazingly soft."
Final thoughts
Performing well in Lab tests and in testers' homes, both of these pillows would make excellent upgrades to your bed. If you're looking for more support, opt for the Coop pillow. Its shredded memory foam has a more responsive feel that's especially great for side sleepers or anyone with a larger frame, but it has an adjustable fill great for all sleeping positions. Meanwhile the down-alternative fill of the Beckham Hotel pillow is softer, ideal for back and stomach sleepers. Plus, the Beckham Hotel pick is an amazing value, giving you two pillows per order so you can easily outfit your bed.
After testing both of these pillows, I prefer the adjustable height and supportive feel of the Coop pillow (and continue to use it most nights!), but the set of Beckham Hotel pillows still live on my bed with decorative pillowcases.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
