The Best Pillows on Amazon, Tested by Bedding Experts
Top-tested picks for all sleep positions.
Expert consulted: Emma SeymourTextiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
A good night's sleep starts with the right pillow. With a proper pillow for your sleeping style, you're more likely wake up refreshed and free of neck pain.
Whether you prefer fluffy down pillows (great for back sleepers) or thick memory foam pillows (ideal for side sleepers), our top pillow picks have been rigorously tested by the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute. In fact, we've tested over 175 different pillows, assessing durability, washability, pressure recovery and more. In our most recent round of testing, we gathered more than 4,000 data points from lab tests and 500+ at-home reviews. We also consider which pillows work best for various sleeping positions (side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers), as well as which pillows are great for neck pain or those that have good cooling capabilities.
Here, we've gathered up our top-tested pillows available on Amazon, so that your new pillow can be delivered to your doorstep in just a few days.
Pros
- Adjustable fill quantity
- Good for all sleeping positions
- Retains shape well
Cons
- Adding and removing fill can be messy
To say that we're fans of the Coop Home Goods Original Loft 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.
We appreciate that you can control how much fill you add to this pillow so you can adjust it to your perfect firmness, and we found that it's comfortable and supportive at a reasonable price. While adding and removing extra fill can be a bit messy, we like that the adjustability means it's great for every sleeping position because your neck will always be properly aligned.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Coop Pillow
| Fill material | Medium-firm memory foam and microfiber fill |
|---|---|
| Cover material | 60% Polyester, 40% Viscose Rayon |
| Available sizes | Queen, King |
Pros
- Comes in a set of two
- Over 170,000 five-star reviews
- Easy to clean
Cons
- May need to be re-fluffed in the night, according to online reviewers
With over 248,000 reviews (of which over 170,000 are five stars), this set of two down-alternative pillows by Beckham Hotel Collection has a serious following and dedicated fans. These fluffy pillows boast an easy clean: Simply pop the whole thing in the washing machine and tumble dry on low.
Like other down-alternative picks, this set is a reasonable option for those that want the soft and fluffy feel of down without the hefty price tag. Online reviewers found them both comfortable and supportive and relatively easy to wash, but some found they occasionally needed to be re-fluffed in the night.
| Fill material | Down-alternative |
|---|---|
| Cover material | Cotton |
| Available sizes | Queen, King |
Pros
- Maintains shape all night long
- Available in three different heights
- 90-degree angles help offer proper neck alignment
Cons
- Only for side sleepers; not for any other sleeping position
Side sleepers rejoice! This unique pillow is specially designed to keep your neck properly aligned while laying on your side. In testing, we were impressed that this pillow managed to maintain its shape (90º angles and all) throughout the entire night, helping fill that gap between your neck and shoulders.
The solid memory foam comes in three sizes for people of different statures and features a temperature-regulating carbon core to keep you from overheating. Our testers found this pillow helped them have a comfortable night's sleep, and one even noted that it "decreased my soreness." However, due to its rectangular shape and 90º angles, this pillow is only for side sleeping and won't be as comfortable if you change positions in the night.
| Fill material | Solid memory foam |
|---|---|
| Cover material | Polyester |
| Available sizes | Standard, Thin, Thick |
Pros
- Open areas in elastic grid help keep pillow cool
- Maintained its shape during pressure recovery tests
- Good for neck pain
Cons
- Pricier than some other options
Latex pillows like this one from Purple offer the same great support as a memory foam pillow with more bounce-back and not quite as much firmness, making it a great pick for neck pain. This option features a solid latex core surrounded by a gel foam grid that our testers found to be great 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 moisture-wicking cover did a wonderful job of regulating the temperature and maintaining a cool feel, making it ideal for hot sleepers.
| Fill material | Latex core with a gel foam outer layer |
|---|---|
| Cover material | 92% Nylon, 8% Spandex |
| Available sizes | Standard, King |
Layla Sleep Adjustable Fill Kapok Pillow
Pros
- Adjustable fill
- Good for multiple sleep positions
- Exceptionally soft
Cons
- Gray cover can be seen through some pillow cases
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. The fill here is made from a blend of shredded memory foam and a natural fiber called kapok which is similar to cotton.
Our testers found that this pillow kept its shape at night, and the results of in-Lab pressure recovery tests proved this to be true. We found that due to its soft and supportive feel, it's particularly good for stomach and back sleepers and offers a satisfying, comfortable sleep without any soreness. Though we did find that the gray pillow cover can be seen through some pillowcases.
| Fill material | Shredded memory foam/kapok blend |
|---|---|
| Cover material | Polyester/viscose blend |
| Available sizes | Queen, King |
Pros
- Comes in a pack of two
- Laundered well
- Maintained shape and softness
Cons
- Less dense than some other options
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 outdo 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 were 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 thicknesses for different 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.
Pros
- Solid foam is supportive for neck alignment
- Ventilation holes and cooling gel help keep pillow cool
- Maintains shape well
Cons
- Smaller than average-sized pillow case
This premium pillow by Tuft & Needle might just be your secret weapon to keep from waking up every morning with a crick in your neck. Ranked as one of our top-tested pillows overall, the solid foam is more supportive than other materials, making it great for keeping your neck properly aligned.
Our testers found this pillow to be comfortable in a variety of sleeping positions, and particularly liked that this pillow was "firm enough that it kept its shape, but felt soft overall." We were pleased that this pillow had no trouble bouncing back into shape immediately after applying pressure in our Lab tests, and we liked that the machine-washable pillow cover laundered well without any shrinkage.
Plus, the ventilation holes in the memory foam along with the graphite and cooling gel help keep it from overheating.
| Fill material | Foam infused with graphite and cooling gel |
|---|---|
| Cover material | Micro Polyamide and Polyester |
| Available sizes | Standard, King |
Pros
- Two layers help maintain support and softness
- Soft and fluffy
- Can be more supportive than traditional down pillows
Cons
- In some cases, feathers poked through
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.
We like the two-layered approach and appreciate that the pillow is available in both soft and firm fill options. While testing, we found that it retained its fluffiness over time and both laundered well and fit in a pillowcase easily. One tester was pleased that this pick "maintained the same comfort level as the first day I slept on it."
| Fill material | Duck down and feathers |
|---|---|
| Cover material | Cotton with polyester liner |
| Available sizes | Queen, King |
Pros
- Cooling gel helps keep memory foam from overheating
- Great support for multiple sleeping positions
- Available in two heights
Cons
- Takes a bit longer to bounce back to original shape
If you run hot, a cooling pillow can help keep you comfortable even during those toasty summer nights. This one from Tempur-Pedic is made of comfortable memory foam, but unlike some other memory foam options which tend to retain heat, it features cooling gel to help keep you from overheating.
Our testers found this pillow to be very supportive in multiple sleeping positions and great at maintaining its temperature. While this pick is not returnable, our testers all liked it enough to want to keep using it after their trial. Keep in mind that Tempur-Pedic foam tends to bounce back less quickly than some other options since it sculpts to your head and neck for optimal support.
| Fill material | Memory foam with cooling gel |
|---|---|
| Cover material | Not listed |
| Available sizes | Queen, King |
Pros
- Adjustable fill
- Two different textured sides
- Organic fill and cover
Cons
- Pillow is a bit too small for standard-sized pillow case
For an organic option, this two-in-one latex pillow is reversible with different fabrics and textures on opposite sides (one stretchy for that traditional memory foam feeling and one quilted for a more plush feel).
As one of our favorite organic pillows we tested, we liked that the shredded latex fill was plush and soft and appreciated that it was adjustable so you could add and remove as much fill as you wanted for the perfect customized pillow height.
While we found that this pillow was a bit too small for standard-sized pillowcases in our Lab tests, we liked how versatile this pillow was with its two different textured sides, adjustable fill and ability to work comfortably for all sleeping positions.
| Fill material | Shredded latex and PLA batting |
|---|---|
| Cover material | Cotton |
| Available sizes | Standard, Queen, King |
How we test pillows
The Good Housekeeping Institute fiber scientists have run countless tests and done hours of research to help find the perfect pillow for you and your lifestyle.
We've tested over 175 pillows in our most recent evaluations both in-Lab and with 500+ consumer testers at home, culminating in over 4,000 data points. Our experts run a battery of tests including checking the care labels (PSA: some are not machine washable!) and washing each pillow five times to see how well they hold up, to fitting them inside a standard pillowcase and checking their fit.
We also run support and recovery tests that mimic the pressure of your head lying on a pillow all night to test how well each pillow maintains its shape and 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.
We also send pillows home to hundreds of real 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.
What to consider when shopping for pillows on Amazon
✔️ Know your pillow types. Your perfect pillow largely 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, explains associate Textiles Lab director Emma Seymour. Down and feather combinations are a bit firmer than pure down, while down alternative pillows are still soft but at a lower price. Memory foam pillows tend to be thicker and firmer and offer great support, while latex is 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!" Seymour says. 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, explains Seymour. 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," says Seymour. Remember, different body types will also respond to differently to pillows since smaller statures won't need as much loft. 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 for helping you maintain a comfortable temperature. If you tend to 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.
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 100 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 four years at Good Housekeeping and has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University. To write this guide, former GH Institute analyst Jamie Spain worked with Seymour and the Textiles team to compile research.
Jamie (she/her) is the former parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has also worked a BuzzFeed and People. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.
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.
