The best pillow not only provides cloud-like comfort, but also maintains overall body alignment by supporting your head, neck, and arms. Like our Most Productive Bed Consultant of 2025, which lists the top-rated beds for every sleeper and their budget, this Most Productive Pillow Consultant presents possible comfortable and supportive options that have been tried, tested, and approved. through our team. from sleep experts.
The Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology is our Most Productive Pillow of 2025 because, in the words of our reviewer, it’s a pillow that simply “does it all. ” to overheat the night. However, we understand that your personal sleep tastes may be different, which is why we’ve added a wide variety of pillows made from fabrics like latex and memory foam so you can choose the right pillow for you.
We also keep budget in mind and therefore have included pillows in all price ranges. If you’re looking for a complete bedroom upgrade, you can make big savings on a new bed as we track the lowest values of our favorite brands in our monthly bed sales. But first, here are our expert-rated pillow recommendations. . .
Our expert review:
✅ Premium, memory foam feel: If you favor the feel of memory foam but are prone to overheating, this is the pillow for you. The combination of foam and fiber emulate the feel of premium memory foam, as well as being packed with cooling tech to prevent you from sleeping hot.
✅ Cool to the touch: Our tester noted that the pillow cover made from rayon cotton is instantly cool to the touch, scoring an impressive 5 out of 5 for temperature regulation during testing.
✅ No need to fluff up: Although the foam and fiber blend is very comfortable and cradling, it holds its position throughout the night, so you won’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to fluff up and adjust the pillow.
❌ There is no adjustable loft: The mid-loft pillow is best suited for side sleepers and while back and stomach sleepers may find it comfortable, those who prefer a shallower or higher loft will likely appreciate a pillow adjustable, like the Cooperative. Home Items EdenCool+ Pillow (#5) or Purple Harmony (#8).
Our opinion:
The Beckham Hotel Collection Cooling Gel Pillow is an Amazon bestseller, with an impressive average rating of 4. 3 out of five stars across more than 244,000 reviews, and shoppers appreciate five-star hotel quality at a price.
✅Plush Support for Every Sleeper: Double-edge stitched polyester padding ensures your head, neck, and shoulders will be supported no matter your sleeping position.
✅ Hypoallergenic fill: If you crave down-like comfort but are prone to allergies, this is a great alternative. The materials including the light hypoallergenic microfiber fill are OEKO-certified, which us great news for those with allergies.
✅Luxurious cooling at a great price: Compared to expensive cooling pillows on the market, they are made with an exclusive gel cooling function and a breathable cotton cover, to prevent overheating at night.
❌ No Warranty or Trial Period: Beckham Hotel Collection does not offer additional benefits such as a popular 30-night trial era or a one-year warranty.
❌Takes time to expand: These pillows take up to 24 hours after inflation to expand to full volume. Sleeping on it before will affect functionality and the entire sleeping experience.
Our opinion:
Saatva Latex is a luxury cooling biological pillow made from an all-natural latex blend and down filling.
If you’re a fan of the elasticity of latex but also need the softness of down, Saatva presents the best option in the form of a thick, luxurious pillow with a crushed latex core covered with down microdenier fibers. The preferred filling inner layer and outer canopy are bio-cotton with side gussets to keep the pillow in shape.
It is a fact that this is one of the most loved Saatva pillow models. If you’re looking for similar breathable comfort with a sumptuous feel and the Saatva Latex Pillow is out of your budget, take a look at the Beckham Hotel Collection Down Alternative Gel Cooling Pillows (No. 2), which cost just $79 $. 99 MSRP full. . for two pillows, compared to Saatva’s $165.
✅ Natural Cooling: In addition to the bouncy feeling, this is a wonderful selection for those who prefer the herbal cool of latex combined with the softness of organic down filling.
✅ SUITABLE FOR ALL SLEEPING POSITIONS: There are two loft features to choose from: a popular loft for stomach and back sleepers and an upper loft for side sleepers. This makes it suitable for all types of sleeping styles and positions.
✅ Naturally durable: Yes, this is an expensive pillow. But latex is also incredibly durable, which means it will last longer than a cheaper microfiber alternative.
❌ May be too firm for some: While most claimed it helped with their aches and pains, some reviews point out how it was not soft enough for their liking.
❌It’s More Expensive: With a starting MSRP of $165 for a popular length or $185 for a king size bed, the Saatva Latex Pillow is a splurge. If you’re on a smaller budget, check out the Beckham Hotel Collection Gel (#2) Pillow instead.
❌Not fully adjustable: Unlike other features where you can adjust the padding yourself depending on your sleeping position and type of structure, you’ll have to do it between the two loft-like variants presented through the brand.
Our opinion:
✅ FULLY ADJUSTABLE PADDING: You can tell how much padding goes into your pillow based on your comfort and sleeping style. It also comes with extra padding, for side sleepers who prefer a superior loft.
✅ Extended Warranty and Trial Period: Unlike the one-year warranty and a maximum 30-45 night trial period for bedding, Coop Home offers a 5-year warranty and a 100-night risk-free trial period. nights.
✅ Hypoallergenic: The Coop Original uses GreenGuard Gold and Certi-PUR US materials, which is excellent news for those with skin sensitivities or allergies.
❌ Prone to overheating: During testing we found that the memory foam tends to retain heat, as it lacks any gel infusions or cooling layers for breathability. This could be a deal-break for hot sleepers.
❌Stinky smell of gas: Our tester noticed the strong smell of fumes from the pillow, which can be unpleasant for anyone with a delicate sense of smell. However, you can return without any problems if you check before you buy.
Our opinion:
Another important benefit is the double-firmness feature, one side contains a thin layer of memory foam for a firmer feel, while the other provides softer support. Our lead tester found that the pillow provides incredible support, regardless of sleeping position. It also took about 5 to 10 minutes to fully develop, with a slight smell of gas that completely dissipated within a day or two.
A big drawback is that it requires regular fluffing to retain the support and loftiness, which we wouldn’t expect from a pillow with an upper mid-range price tag (it’s $96 for one queen size pillow). However, it comes with a good extended warranty of 5 years, the durability of the pillow is tricky as it cannot be machine-washed, just spot-cleaned. If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable alternative that will retain its shape all night long, we recommend the Nest Bedding Easy Breathable Pillow (#6).
✅ SUITABLE FOR ALL SLEEPING POSITIONS: The adjustable loft suits all sleeping positions and frame types, while the double-sided firmness features mean your personal firmness tastes are also taken into account.
❌ Requires regular fluffing: The pillow does not maintain its shape all night. While our reviewer did not wake up with any aches or pains, we would expect lasting support from a pillow of this calibre and price.
❌It’s crazy: this Eden Cool is on the more expensive end of the spectrum. However, it’s still a smart price if you want a specialized cooling pillow with fully adjustable filling.
Our expert review:
Its adjustable loft means it’s also suitable for back, stomach and combination sleepers too. Adding and removing fill is easy – the no-fuss zip cover and the inner pouch made from high-quality cotton lets you adjust the fill according to your preferences.
Fortunately, our lead tester reported no gas being released after unwrapping the pillow and waiting for it to fully expand (which took a few hours). One potential issue, however, is the length: it only comes in a queen version. Those with king-size or larger mattresses will probably want a larger pillow. If you are a side sleeper and need a comfortable and supportive pillow, check out the Purple Harmony Pillow (#8).
✅ Customizable fill option: Despite being specifically designed for side sleepers, You can easily take out or add in (from the complimentary extra bag of fill) as much fill to suit your sleeping style and preferences.
✅ It’s cooling and breathable: The shredded gel foam regulates temperature, while the comfortable fabric will allow you to enjoy uninterrupted sleep without sweating or discomfort.
✅ Ergonomic design specifically for side sleepers: The Nest’s unique crescent shape has been designed specifically with side sleepers in mind, with the curve of the pillow nestling against your shoulder for a comfortable night’s sleep.
❌ Only available in one size: The side-sleeper variant is unfortunately available in queen size. If you’re someone with a king size bed or bigger, this might be a drawback to consider.
Our opinion:
As for care, the cotton cover is removable and washable on the device, while the inserts are gentle on the hand (this will require normal padding). If you prefer your pillow to have a firmer, bouncy feel, we suggest opting for a cozier pillow like the Saatva Latex Pillow (#3), which ticks all of the above boxes.
✅ Adjustable loft for all sleeping positions: You can load or remove the 3 inserts to customize the loft according to your sleeping position and comfort.
✅ Fully Herbal Fabrics – If you like a combination of herbal fabrics in your pillow, Naturalfit by Sleep Number is the best with its duck down and latex padding derived from rubber trees.
❌ It may not be a support for everyone: our reviewer felt that it is more suitable for stomach sleepers because it measures softness on the firmness scale. It also tends to flatten overnight and requires normal peeling.
Our opinion:
Like Purple mattresses, the brand’s premium Harmony pillow also features Purple Grid Gel-Flex generation to conform to your head and neck.
The inner core of the pillow is made from adaptable Talalay latex, which is surrounded by the Purple Grid Hex, a gel-like material which promotes airflow with approximately 2,000 channels. The pillow comes in two sizes, standard or king, and three loft options; low, medium or tall, making it suitable for all types of sleepers.
Our lead tester described the pillow as soft yet supportive, efficiently cradling the head, neck and shoulders and relieving pressure from around the neck. At 4lbs it’s deceptively heavy, and did begin to lose its shape around the edges after a month of use. However, this was easily fixed with some slight adjusting.
✅ ADJUSTABLE LOFT OPTIONS: With the ability to choose from 3 loft options, the pillow is designed to accommodate all sleeping positions and frame types.
✅ Excellent pressure relief: The inclusion of Purple’s proprietary Gel-Flex Grid technology, combined with the responsiveness of Talalay latex, results in excellent support and pressure relief for your head and neck.
✅ BREATHABLE DESIGN: Purple’s honeycomb layer is open in its construction, which improves the overall breathability of the pillow. While this may not be enough for very hot sleepers, it will most likely keep most sleepers comfortable.
❌ Not cooling enough for very hot sleepers: While the gel-like grid promotes airflow and breathability to keep the surface cool, it might not be enough for those particularly prone to overheating during the night. If that’s you, check out the Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology (#1), for outstanding cooling and comfort.
❌Not machine washable: Neither the shredded latex core nor the cover can be tossed in a washing machine. Considering the high price tag, spot cleaning being the only way to maintain it is a serious disadvantage.
There is no one single best pillow for every person as our bodies are different, but you can narrow down the list by pinpointing your sleep style. Do you sleep on your stomach, back or side, or a combination of all three? Knowing this will help you choose a pillow easily. With that in mind, here are three key criteria to be aware of:
Side sleeper pillows have a medium to high loft than back and stomach sleeper pillows. That’s because they need more material to plug the natural gap that forms between your head and shoulders when you sleep on your side. How far your sink into your mattress also determines how much loft you need from your pillow when sleeping on your side. Why? Because if you sink into your mattress, you may need a low-loft pillow even in a side sleeping position.
For other people who alternate between sleeping on their side and other positions (i. e. people who sleep mixed), we suggest opting for an adjustable pillow so that they can better customize the loft according to their body. Customizing the loft means adding as much “padding” (the inner curtain of the pillow) as needed to better fill the area between the head and shoulders. Generally speaking, the wider your shoulders, the more volume you’ll need. An adjustable pillow will help you create the most productive loft.
If you struggle to sleep in the heat, be sure to check out how to stay cool to get a better night’s sleep.
Neck and shoulder pain pillows are normally on the firmer side. They are designed to hold your head in a healthy position while relieving pressure on your neck, shoulders and spine. So what you don’t want is a super-firm pillow that creates new pressure points. Again, adjustable pillows come to the rescue here, as you can customize their fill to make them as close to perfect as possible for the support and comfort your neck needs.
The best pillow fabrics for neck pain come with memory foam, which provides a comfortable, contoured feel. Buckwheat is another smart choice because it naturally holds its shape well, so it may not spread too much inside your pillow while you sleep. This means it will maintain its shape overnight to keep your neck securely supported.
Our pillow advice is based on extensive customer research and online reviews. We evaluated aspects such as the type of curtains, the shape and the suitability for other sleeping positions. We also analyze its practicality of use and durability.
Pillows are actually very confusing and there are only a few other types. These come with the following:
Memory foam pillowsThis is probably the most popular type of pillow as, just like the best memory foam mattresses, these are designed to cradle your head. Most pillows for neck pain support are made using memory foam, but this material does retain heat more than other types. So if you’re a hot sleeper, choose a cooling memory foam pillow, or go for one with naturally cooling latex.
Down pillows Discard them now if you have allergies, as they are not the most productive pillows for you. For anyone who needs a comfortable position to rest their head at night, you will find a treat here, as down pillows are comfortable and comfortable. They are often made from the soft fibers found beneath the outside of a duck, goose, or swan, and combined with feathers to give them more fluffiness. They are best suited for stomach and back sleepers, as most are not enough company for side sleepers.
Latex pillowsThese are among the best cooling pillows you can buy. That’s because latex is naturally cooling, so heat won’t build up as much inside compared to some synthetic materials. Latex is an allergen for some though. Plus, they’re expensive, so be prepared to pay a higher price. But if you want a non-toxic, organic pillow for healthier sleep, we’d start with latex.
Every one to two years at least. Surprised? The National Sleep Foundation recommends that you replace your pillow every 18-24 months. We’re not judging if you’re sleeping on a pillow that’s much older than this, but there are good reasons why you should change your pillow every couple of years. The filling can become flat and unresponsive, so you won’t be supported during sleep. That can cause neck and back pain down the line. This is just one of the 7 signs that it’s time to replace your pillow.
Changes in body weight also affect how well a pillow helps you, and everyone’s pillow needs to be replaced as they age; We just want more help and comfort as we get older.
Older pillows get pretty dirty too, even with regular washing. That’s because some materials act as a mecca for dust mites, odors and sweat, with a build-up of moisture leading to bacteria growth in some instances.
We’d recommend choosing a hypoallergenic pillow that can either be machine washed (the best option), or one that comes with a removable, antimicrobial cover that’s suitable for machine washing. You can learn more about this in our feature on how to wash a pillow.
More information:
Becky is a Sleep Staff Writer at Tom’s Guide covering all things sleep-related including product reviews, research studies, news and explainers. She works on specialist mattress content and is responsible for bedding buyer’s guides like pillows for all sleepers, focusing on popular brands such as Tempur-Pedic, Avocado and more. Becky is a PPA accredited journalist who is keen to explore the intricacies of sleep, its effects on skincare, mental wellbeing and work performance. While not thinking of sleep, she can be seen reading in cosy bookshops or learning about global food culture.
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