looking for the best Finding a pillow that meets your needs can be a painful ordeal. If your head is too hard, too soft, or doesn’t fit well on your head, you may wake up in a lot of pain the next day. Don’t worry, Wired is here. We tested nearly a dozen pillows, using each one for a few weeks or more to find out how comfortable they were, how durable they were with repeated use, and what kind of sleep styles they were best suited for. These are our current favorites, but there are countless pillows out there. We will update this guide as we conduct more testing. Unless otherwise stated, all prices below are for the large version.
If you want to get a better night’s sleep, be sure to check out our guides to the best mattresses , best organic mattresses , best sheets , best bed frames , and best weighted blankets .
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What kind of pillow do you need?
You might think that a pillow is just a pillow. It has to be soft and fit your head, right? Your head, neck and back disagree. Your ability to get a good night’s sleep depends largely on your pillow, so when choosing a pillow, ask yourself these key questions.
What kind of sleeper are you? Do you sleep on your back, side or stomach? Do you stay relatively still, or do you toss and turn a lot? Do you usually just have a pillow under your head, or do you wrap yourself in a pillow chrysalis? This is probably the most important thing to remember when deciding which pillow is best for you.
What are pillows made of? Today, pillows come in a variety of materials. Down and synthetic down are fluffy tufts of fibers that feel soft and comfortable, while memory foam is designed to compress with the weight of your head but still return to its original shape. There are also hybrid pillows, which use layers of different materials to customize their feel.
How strong is it? No matter how you sleep, you need a pillow that keeps your spine straight and your head and back aligned. This means you need something sturdy enough to support your head, yet soft enough not to dig into your face or skull.
How noble is that? The term “loft” is often used to describe the height of a pillow from the bed. For example, if the pillow is too high, your neck may tilt upward, putting tension on it throughout the night. Most pillows are available in different sizes so you can find the one that works best for you.