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Each night, I like to read my book in bed before I go to sleep. It's relaxing and helps prepare me for a good night's rest, but reading in bed can oftentimes hurt my back. I used to prop up all of my pillows (including my decorative throw pillows) to support my back, which caused them to look like a crumpled mess. Then, I discovered wedge pillows. Wedge pillows can be used to prop you up when reading or relaxing in bed or to elevate your head and shoulders while sleeping (many credit this with quieting snores and alleviating acid reflux!). Using a wedge pillow has made reading in bed significantly more comfortable, so I can go to sleep ache-free.
I'm regularly called a "pillow expert" because I have tested over 150 pillows in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and have tried dozens of different pillows at home to find the best pillows. To test wedge pillows, I evaluated each one in the Lab to ensure they have quality construction, use easy-to-clean materials and are supportive to use. I then had testers try them out and rate their support before making these recommendations.
Pros
- Foam maintained its shape
- Soft cotton materials
- Adjustable height
Cons
- May be too firm to support you when sitting upright
Incline: 2, 4, 6 or 8 in. | Materials: Memory foam fill with cotton cover and polyester gusset | Care: Machine wash cover; spot clean only for foam
✔️ Best suited for: Elevation while sleeping with adjustable height options
This adjustable option from Sleep Number has three different inserts, so you can customize the height for proper alignment. The firm foam is supportive and great for elevating your head and chest while sleeping or lifting your feet. Some testers found it too firm when sitting upright in bed.
The soft cotton cover with a stretchy gusset is adjustable too, so it fits properly over each different configuration of inserts. "The pillow is nice to look at, all clean and white," noted one tester. In my evaluation, I liked that this pillow maintained its shape with solid foam that didn't crease or indent. It also was the right size — big enough to support your whole upper body, but not as bulky as other wedge pillows.
Pros
- Includes bolster pillows
- Two height options
- Super soft outer fabric
Cons
- Lower quality foam
Incline: 12 in. maximum | Materials: Memory foam fill with polyester cover | Care: Machine wash cover; spot clean only for foam
✔️ Best suited for: Sitting upright in bed and lounging for full body support
This Lunix wedge pillow set is a great introduction to wedge pillows because it's adjustable and includes a smaller pillow to either support your neck, lower back or knees. The extra pillows help support your whole body and allow you to use this wedge pillow set in different ways.
Testers appreciated these bolster pillows and rated this wedge pillow set as highly comfortable. One tester especially liked the "really soft fabric," which is a polyester velvet sold in brown, white, navy or blue.
The foam is shipped compressed in a small box, which is convenient for delivery, but I noticed the foam did not fully return to its proper shape after airing out for over 48 hours per instructions from the brand; it continues to show dents and increases weeks later, meaning the foam is likely lower quality. Other online reviewers did not have this issue.
The Company Store Down Alternative Reading Wedge Pillow Insert
Pros
- Feels similar to traditional head pillows
- Entirely machine washable
- Soft and fluffy feel
Cons
- Smaller size may not be suitable to people with larger frames
Incline: 8 in. | Materials: Down alternative polyester fill and polyester cover | Care: Machine wash
✔️ Best suited for: Both sleeping and sitting upright
While most wedge pillows are filled with memory foam, this pick from The Company Store is filled with plush microfiber clusters for a soft, cozy feel. Sold in two sizes, it's designed to be used to prop yourself up comfortably in bed or to sleep on. "This was nice and thick and I could definitely see myself sitting in bed reading comfortably with it," noted one tester. "The filling seems soft without losing its shape."
The entire pillow is machine washable for easy care, which is helpful because this pillow lacks a cover. It's narrower compared to other wedge pillows, making it especially good for smaller people. I'm 5' 8" and I still found this plush pillow very comfortable to use.
Because it feels like a traditional head pillow, it made the transition to using a wedge pillow a bit easier. "It resembled a regular pillow. It was soft and fluffy," said another tester.
Pros
- Made with organic materials
- Responsive foam
- Two height options
Cons
- Difficult to unpackage and store when not in use
Incline: 7 or 10 in. | Materials: Organic solid latex core and organic cotton cover | Care: Machine wash cover
✔️ Best suited for: Support when sleeping or relaxing in bed
If you only like to sleep on organic materials, Avocado bedding is an excellent choice. This premium wedge pillow is made with GOLS-certified organic latex that has a supportive, responsive feel. It's covered in a machine washable, GOTS-certified organic cotton cover that's soft to the touch. It's sold in two incline heights with the higher incline at an increased price.
This wedge pillow was a tester favorite with many choosing this one over the other wedge pillows they tried out. "It was soft and supportive while laying down and sitting against it," reported a tester. It's great to use both as elevation when sleeping and for sitting upright in bed or on the couch.
The pillow is 24 inches wide, which is the largest width out of any of the featured pillows. Its bulky size makes it challenging to store when not in use. The latex material is also heavier than memory foam. Because this pillow is shipped vacuum sealed, I found it difficult to unwrap without accidentally cutting the pillow itself.
How we test wedge pillows
I am the associate Textiles Lab director at the Good Housekeeping Institute and have been leading pillow testing since 2018. I have tested over 150 pillows in Lab and dozens at home to give feedback on the most comfortable and supportive styles, including head pillows of all fills, body pillows, travel pillows and more.
To test wedge pillows, I tried each style out myself, evaluated each pillow's construction, rated the ease of cleaning and had other testers use them to give more real-use feedback.
What to look for when shopping for the best wedge pillows
Because wedge pillows are available in many different configurations, it's important to consider the following factors to find the pillow best suited for you:
✔️ Incline: Wedge pillows are sold in different incline heights, which will elevate you more or less. If you've never used a wedge pillow before, opt for a lower incline. Most wedge pillows are within an incline of 7- to 12-inches. Make sure to check the width and length also to ensure it'll fit properly in your space.
✔️ Fill material: In this guide, we recommend wedge pillows made from memory foam, down alternative polyester and latex. Most wedge pillows are available in memory foam because it offers great support and maintains its shape. Down alternative fills are plusher and softer. Solid latex has a similar feel to memory foam, but can be organic and has a bouncier feel.
✔️ Design use: Wedge pillows are a broad category with many styles designed for specific uses. Make sure the pillow is designed for how you want to use it. Popular ways to use wedge pillows are listed below.
What are the different ways to use a wedge pillow?
- Elevation: Place the pillow under your head and upper back to raise your upper body, which can reduce back pain and help alleviate snoring. Then, you can sleep on either your side or back.
- Sitting upright: A wedge pillow can help support your back while reading in bed or on the couch. Some styles are contoured to make it more comfortable to sit upright in bed.
- Under your feet: If you want to elevate your feet and knees, opt for a wedge pillow designed specifically for this purpose like this style.
- After an injury: When recovering from an injury or medical procedure, your doctor may recommend using a wedge pillow. Consult with your physician to discuss which style of wedge pillow is appropriate for your recovery.
Pro tip: If the wedge pillow is shipped vacuum sealed, do not use it for around 48 hours to ensure it expands to its full size first.
Does a wedge pillow help reduce snoring?
Yes, it can! A study has shown that sleeping at an incline position can help reduce snoring and improve sleep because it helps encourage your airways to stay open. Some people also find that using a wedge pillow is just more comfortable and helps them sleep sounder.
Using a wedge pillow may not reduce snoring for everyone. If you snore regularly, you should discuss with you physician ways to improve your sleep and ensure there are no underlying health concerns.
What size wedge pillow is best for acid reflux?
Studies support the notion that elevating your head and chest can help alleviate acid reflux or GERD symptoms because it makes it harder for the acid to travel out of your stomach to begin with.
Most studies looked at pillows around 8 inches in height. Most wedge pillows are sold between 6" t0 12", which is a great range when using a wedge pillow for acid reflux relief.
What are the disadvantages of wedge pillows?
Wedge pillows tend to be large and bulky, making them challenging to store when not in use (especially in homes with minimal storage space). In my apartment, I stash my wedge pillow in my hall closet when not in use, but it takes up valuable space in a small Brooklyn apartment.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Emma Seymour is the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab associate director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has rigorously tested more than 150 pillows in the Textiles Lab and coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. Seymour has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for more than six years at Good Housekeeping. After testing wedge pillows for this story, she likes to use one when reading in bed.
More on the best pillows to buy:
- Best Pillows
- Types of Pillows
- Best Body Pillows
- Best Pregnancy Pillows
- Best Down Pillows
- Best Down Alternative Pillows
- Best Latex Pillows
- Best Memory Foam Pillows
- Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
- Best Pillows for Back Sleepers
- Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
- Best Organic Pillows
- Best Cooling Pillows
- Best Pillows for Neck Pain
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.
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