The 8 Best Pillows to Buy in 2018

Shop for the best pillows you can buy right now made from down, foam and more

By Brigitt Earley

Updated 12/10/18

USA, New Jersey, Jersey City, Woman sleeping in bed
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Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

It’s common knowledge that good posture is important during waking hours. How you sit and stand can affect how your body feels and even how it ages. In fact, there’s a real condition called “text neck,” and experts say it’s wrecking our spines.

What you might not know is that good posture is just as important during non-waking hours. According to sleep experts, poor posture at night can affect your sleep quality as well as cause back and neck pain, fatigue, sleep apnea, muscle cramping, impaired circulation, headaches, heartburn, digestive issues, and even premature wrinkles. What does this have to do with pillows? You can’t have good posture while you sleep unless you have the right support. That’s why the quality of your mattress and pillows is so important. But there’s no simple solution—there right pillow for one person isn’t necessarily the right pillow for another. The best pillow for you depends largely on how you sleep. As a general rule of thumb, you want to choose a comfortable pillow that supports the natural curve of your neck. If your pillow is too high, it can cause muscle strain in your neck, shoulders, and even your back.

Sound complicated? Check out some of the best pillows below to narrow your search.

  • 01 of 08

    Best Overall: Xtreme Comforts Hyperallergenic Bamboo Pillow

    Hypoallergenic Bamboo Pillow - Shredded Memory Foam With Kool-Flow Micro-Vented Bamboo Cover - Hypoallergenic and Dust Mite Resistant (Standard)
    Courtesy of Amazon.com.
    Excellent
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    If you toss and turn at night, where does that leave you in terms of choosing the best pillow? Opt for a pillow that fall somewhere right in the middle. You can’t go wrong with something that’s not to firm and not too soft; something that’s not too low and not too high. This foam pillow is a great place to start. It contours to your head and neck for supremium comfort. Plus, it’s fully customizable, so you can find just the right loft for your body. It’s also made of natural materials, making it a great choice for allergy sufferers. Nearly 1,600 reviewers on Amazon give the pillow five stars, with some calling it “the most comfortable pillow” they’ve ever owned.

  • 02 of 08

    Best Memory Foam: Coop Home Goods

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    If you need more support at night, consider trying a memory foam pillow. Memory foam pillows conform to the head and neck, which in turn supports the back. Memory foam is also a great option for anyone who sleeps in a variety of positions, though it’s best suited for side and back sleepers. Stomach sleepers may find that memory foam is too firm for their liking, as it may crane the neck and lead to misalignment.

    This particular pillow has nearly 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, and it’s easy to see why. It’s made of a soft, cushiony material and its loft is fully customizable. It’s also hypoallergenic.

  • 03 of 08

    Best Down Alternative: LANGRIA Luxury Hotel Collection Bed Pillows

    Buy on Amazon

    Down alternative pillows are a great choice, because they closely mirror down pillows. The big advantage? Down alternative pillows are less expensive and are hypoallergenic, making them a much better choice for anyone who has allergies. They’re also slightly more breathable than feathered options.

    Though cloudlike, this pillow feels substantial and won’t deflate. It also has a dense cotton shell that makes the pillow breathable, hypoallergenic, and durable. There are over 600 positive reviewers and everyone seems to agree: Whether you sleep on your back, stomach, or side, you’ll love this pillow. In fact, more than a few people refer to this down alternative pillow as “the perfect pillow.”

  • 04 of 08

    Best for Neck Pain: UTTU Sandwich Pillow

    Buy on Amazon

    If you suffer from neck pain, experts recommend changing your sleeping position (just that alone could do the trick!) or swapping out your pillow. When you have neck pain, it could mean you’re not getting enough support while you sleep. Choose a more rounded pillow to mirror the natural curvature of the neck. And opt for soft memory foam or feathers. A pillow that’s too hard may just exacerbate neck pain.

    Though this pillow is very affordable, it’s touted as one of the best pillows to help relieve neck pain. Nearly 200 reviewers give this uniquely designed pillow five stars, citing its ability to help prevent stiff neck. Like many of the best pillows, it’s customizable, so you can find a height and firmness that works for you.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    Best for Back Sleepers: ComfySleep Rectangular Buckwheat Hull Pillow

    Buy on Amazon

    Even though only 8 percent of people sleep on their backs, it’s the best position for you. Sleeping on your back keeps your head, neck, and spine in alignment. And when your body is in this kind of neutral position, you’re less likely to feel pain as a result of straining.

    Look for a pillow that elevates and supports your head. Your neck shouldn’t be craned, though. A pillow that’s a bit firmer will also better cradle the head while sleeping on your back.

    This particular pillow has nearly 400 positive reviews, because it provides adequate support, yet is still highly breathable. It’s filled with 5 lbs USA-grown buckwheat hulls that conform to the shape of your neck. If it’s too firm, simply remove some of the buckwheat hulls until you find the right fit.

  • 06 of 08

    Best for Side Sleepers: Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

    Buy on Amazon

    About 15 percent of adults sleep on their sides—a sleeping position that’s great for anyone with back or neck pain. But if you sleep on your side, it’s important to choose the right pillow. A pillow that’s too firm can cause wrinkles, since one side of your face is pressed into the pillow all night. And a pillow with a high loft can unnecessarily crane your neck, leading to discomfort.

    Look for a pillow that’s soft enough to cradle the neck, but firm enough to keep it in place. Remember: Your head, neck, and spine should be in alignment.

    This pillow molds to your head and neck for the proper support, but isn’t so firm that you feel stretched. And a special proprietary foam keeps your head right where it should be all night long. It also has special cooling technology, making it a great choice for anyone who runs hot.

  • 07 of 08

    Best Down: Continental Bedding Hungarian Goose Down Sleeper

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    Down pillows are filled with feathers—specifically, the feathers that come from the bird’s soft undercoating. Hungarian—or European—goose down is considered the best of the best when it comes to down pillows, because these the down is larger and softer. Though these types of pillows are more expensive than others, particularly synthetic options, they are popular because they are supremely lightweight and comfortable. If you like to sink into your pillow, down is the best choice for you. It’s also great for stomach sleepers who need support, but will experience discomfort if a pillow is too firm.

    This particular down pillow is 100 percent down (many are supplemented with synthetic materials), has a 100 percent cotton shell, and earns rave reviews from more than 300 satisfied customers.

  • 08 of 08

    Best Budget: DreamNorth PREMIUM Gel Pillow

    Buy on Amazon

    If you’re buying a pillow for yourself—one you’ll sleep on every single night—the extra cost is worth it. You’ll see dividends in the way you sleep, but also in the way you feel during the day. That said, if you’re buying pillows for a guest bed or a bed that you only occasionally sleep in, a quality budget pick may be a better option.

    Though it’s a hard balance to strike, this pillow really delivers in both quality and affordability. The gel fiber fill is not quite squishy, but not quite firm either—it’s somewhere right in the middle, which is sure to satisfy a wide range of sleepers. It also holds its shape to keep your head, neck, and spine aligned all night long. And because it’s breathable and hypoallergenic, it’s suitable for even the most sensitive sleepers.

    Despite all of this, you get two incredibly comfortable pillows for less than the cost of any of the other pillows on this list.

Products Tested by

How We Tested

Our reviewers spent 126 hours testing one of the top-rated pillows available. To ensure the most complete feedback, our testers took to their beds for naps and nighttime snoozes to see how it held up. We asked our reviewers to consider the most important features when using this pillow, from its firmness to its material. We've outlined the key points here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Pillow

Material Pillows are typically made of materials like foam, down, down alternatives, gel, or polyester fill. Each has its pros and cons. For instance, memory foam pillows are great if you sleep in the same position every night, while down pillows are super fluffy. Consider whether the material you’re buying is conducive to your sleep preferences and whether it might cause any allergies to act up.

Firmness Your firmness preference is an essential consideration when purchasing a pillow. Think about whether you like your pillows firm, super soft, or somewhere in between before you buy.

Sleep position The position you sleep in can affect which pillow is best for your needs. Those who sleep on their side typically do best with a wide pillow with a gusset or extra height, while those who sleep on their stomachs need a soft, thin pillow to maintain their neck’s natural curve.

Test Results: Xtreme Comforts Hyperallergenic Bamboo Pillow (Best Overall)

Excellent
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What We Like

  • Supportive

  • Comfortable

  • Regulates temperature well

What We Don't Like

  • Foam removal process can be messy

Xtreme Comforts Hyperallergenic Bamboo Pillow
Xtreme Bamboo Pillow
Xtreme Comforts Bamboo Pillow
Xtreme Comforts
Xtreme Hyperallergenic Bamboo Pillow

“This is by far the best pillow that I've used,” raved one of our testers. “The first night I used it, I had the best night of sleep I'd had in a long time.” In particular, our reviewers thought it was the ideal combination of supportive and comfortable — plus, it didn’t retain heat overnight. Our testers did, however, wish that the instructions warned that the foam removal process could be messy. Overall, though, the pillow was a major hit. “I had my spouse test the pillow as well and we are now officially fighting over it,” one tester said. “So, I plan to buy one for each of us.”