The best pillows in 2024, tried and tested

Whether you’re a back sleeper, stomach sleeper or side sleeper, a good pillow is essential to getting a good night’s sleep. Even if you’re not waking up with aches and pains, if you’re constantly readjusting your pillow throughout the night, it may be time for a new one.

To find the best pillows, we slept on various types, including down, down alternative, memory foam, latex and adjustable pillows. We narrowed down numerous pillow options on the market, tested 16 of the most popular pillows and found the three pillows stood out from the rest.

Best pillow: Pluto Pillow

When you visit Pluto’s website, you won’t find any prebuilt pillows to choose from, instead, you’ll be directed to fill out a questionnaire, which takes many factors into account, including age, weight, height, bed firmness, favored sleeping positions (and the position in which you tend to wake up) and whether or not you feel that your head gets overheated while you sleep. You’re also asked to provide details on your current pillow and how it lives up to your expectations, from its softness and compressed height to whether you like a plush or supportive pillow.

We were skeptical that this pillow would feel appreciably different from other “customizable” or adjustable pillows, such as the many we’ve tested that let you add or subtract memory foam fill material, but we were pleasantly surprised. Straight out of the box, the pillow was extremely comfortable and the perfect balance of plushness and support — exactly what you’d expect from something built specifically for you.

We did some digging on exactly what Pluto puts into the customization process and found there’s more to it than adjusting the amount of fill or adding or subtracting layers like other adjustable pillows. The foam layer’s materials, density, thickness, firmness and the inclusion of cooling materials are chosen for you based on your questionnaire. The outer cover is stuffed with fiberfill, and not only is the volume of fill adjusted to you based on your responses, but the choice of fill materials is as well — Pluto does a very thorough job here. Lastly, the cover fabric, chosen based on whether you sleep hot or not, was well-suited to my own preferences.

The Pluto pillow is a great option for stomach, back and combination sleepers, and overtook our previous top pick, the adjustable Coop Sleep Goods The Eden pillow, since the fill doesn’t shift, which means you don’t have to adjust it in the middle of the night. This can be an issue with any adjustable pillow using shredded foam; we didn’t run into this problem with adjustable pillows based on solid layers, but those don’t give you the same degree of granular control over the density of your pillow. The Pluto gives you the best of both approaches.

We found that Pluto’s cover for hot sleepers is cooler to the touch than The Eden pillow. While we still really like the Coop Sleep Goods pillow, this edged it out because it gave us a fine-tuned adjustment without any movements of material, and it did a better job keeping us comfortable.

We had very few complaints about this pillow, one being that it’s pricey compared to some others at $125. You don’t get to choose from a variety of pillows like other brands, and simply had the option to checkout after you fill out the questionnaire. If you’re wary of blindly purchasing a pillow, Pluto has a 110-night return policy. They also have some limited adjustments that may help if you contact customer service, like sending another layer to insert, but they will also give you a full refund. The sizing is not standard pillow sizing, but rather what Pluto calls their Original size, which measures 24” x 16’’, which fits well in a standard size pillow case, or their King size, which is 34” x 16’’.

Best down-alternative pillow: Parachute Down-Alternative Pillow

The Parachute down-alternative pillow is available in three firmness levels: soft, medium and firm. The brand recommends soft for stomach sleepers, medium for combination sleepers and firm for back sleepers. We tried the medium pillow for stomach and back sleeping and found it to be soft and supportive, though it did seem to flatten out ever so slightly with use. Even so, the fill is soft and squishy and even after running it through the wash and sleeping, it did not get lumpy.

This pillow is fairly similar in comfort and feel to the Tuft & Needle Down-Alternative pillow. However, with three varieties, Parachute gives you more options for support and firmness level than Tuft & Needle, which only comes in a single firmness, so you can better find what suits you. Parachute also has a 60-day return policy, so if you’re not happy with the pillow it’s simple to exchange it (or simply to move on to another brand if you can’t get what you want from Parachute).

Best down pillow: Quince Luxe Goose Down Pillow

We were skeptical before testing this pillow because it’s around $100 less expensive than many of the responsibly sourced (RDS), 100% down pillows on the market. For example, the Garnet Hill Heirloom European White Goose Down Pillow costs $259 for a ‘medium’ in standard size.

Because of the low price, we thought Quince might scrimp on the filling — but that was not the case. We tested the medium/firm in standard size and found it supportive and well-stuffed. It’s so generously stuffed that we’d advise trying the soft/medium if you prefer a medium pillow.

Throughout testing, it did well to avoid losing its shape, feeling lumpy, or flattening out, and it feels wonderfully luxurious. The double-stitched seams ​​and piping are well-constructed, strong and neat. No down escaped and there was no fraying or visible strain on the seams (even after rough, repeat usage from a fidgety, combination sleeper). The cover is a tight weave, smooth yet durable, 100% cotton sateen.

We tested it with a 100% cotton pillowcase and (for a more opulent feel) a Quince 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase (which was soothing for our hair and skin).

As with most 100% down pillows, the price goes up depending on the firmness level you chose (more down equals a higher price). However, with the Quince Luxe Goose Down Pillow, even the “firm/extra firm” option in standard size is well under $200 ($179).

It’s made in the USA from European white goose down and comes in three densities and two sizes (standard or king). Also, thankfully, it’s machine washable.

We also have a lot of respect for Quince’s transparent pricing system, free shipping and generous return policies. Even bedding items may be returned washed or used, so long as they’re returned within 365 days. That’s a full year which is hard to find with other brands.

We were struggling to find any downsides. However, one drawback could be that, despite the excellent value, it’s still quite pricy if you choose the firm/extra firm option in king size ($230). But that would be the case with most responsibly sourced (RDS) pillows, so this isn’t a dealbreaker at all.

We think it’s well worth every cent for down lovers and anyone who wants to try out a 100% down pillow without breaking the bank.

How we tested

After narrowing down our list to the 15 most popular pillows and brands, we slept on each for a minimum of two nights, noting factors like durability and comfort. We evaluated each using the following criteria.

Everything you need to know about pillows

A great pillow is just as important to a good night’s rest as a great set of cotton sheets or a comfy duvet cover, and has a real impact on how you feel when you wake up in the morning.

Dr. Andrew W. Varga, neuroscientist and physician at The Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, suggests paying attention to any chronic neck and head pain you may experience in the morning, which suggests you may not be sleeping in the right position and could need a new pillow. According to Dr. Varga, it’s best to try to achieve a neutral neck position. Doing that may require experimenting with different types of pillows to figure out how much head and neck support works for you.

You’ll find pillows on the market with different types of fill, from down and feathers to memory foam to molded latex and gels. Each type of fill has its own unique qualities, so when shopping, you’ll want to figure out what fill will best suit your personal preference.

Foam/adjustable pillows

Adjustable Pillows often use cut or shredded pieces of foam or latex and may be mixed with fiberfill. With these types of pillows, you can add or remove fill to change the firmness level to your preference, so they’re perfect if you don’t already know exactly what you want. These types of pillows have grown in popularity over the years because they are customizable to the level of support you like — add more foam for a firmer feel, remove some for a softer feel — and because they work for people of different frames.

With adjustable pillows, you may need to add or remove some fill over a few nights to find the perfect amount for your preference and frame. Also, be sure not to throw away the extra fill as you may need it while finding the right firmness level or find over time you want to add more if the pillow flattens out.

A downside of memory foam pillows is that they can feel warm, so if you’re a person who gets overheated during the night, they may not be the best choice, unless you look for a model with a cooling cover, or one built with cooling gel in the mix. Also, over time, the foam pieces do lose their loft, so you’ll want to get new pillows every couple of years.

Down and feather

The terms “down” and “feathers” are sometimes mistakenly thought of as the same thing, but they are not synonymous. It’s important to know the difference so you know how it will affect your sleeping experience and what you’re paying for.

Be sure to check the ratio of down to feathers on “down” pillows so you know how much of each is in the pillow, as these blends can vary from brand to brand. When properly cared for, high-quality down pillows can last a decade.

Down alternative

As the name suggests, down-alternative pillows are designed to mimic the feel of down using a fill made from a synthetic material like polyester (think of the synthetic fills used in insulated winter coats — the same materials are used in down-alternative pillows). Some down-alternative pillows come very close to the feel of down, though some prefer the feel of down alternative, as the synthetic fill traps less heat than an equivalent amount of down (on the other hand, down pillows are warmer, ounce for ounce). Down-alternative fills are also hypoallergenic, and the pillows often cost less than their down equivalents, though they typically need to be replaced more often, typically every couple of years.

Molded

Molded pillows are made out of memory foam or latex and they may include gel for a cooling effect. They are often firmer than other pillows and are designed to keep their shape through the night. Some are built to offer extra support in specific areas like the neck. For those who like firm support with less give or need extra support in specific areas, a molded pillow may work best.

Whatever style you choose, make sure you check out our tips on the best ways to wash your pillows so you can make sure to get the most out of them over time. A great silk pillowcase can also help extend the life of your pillows, and it feels great to sleep on too (though if you pick up a pillow with a cooling cover, that’s best used on its own to maximize the effect).

Other pillows we tested

This pillow from Fluff Co. is marketed as a “hotel pillow experience,” but it didn’t feel that way to us. It wasn’t plump or luxurious enough. But that claim is pretty vague and subjective. It all depends on which hotels you stay at.

That said, it’s machine washable and is one of the most affordable pillows in our testing pool. It also has a 4-star rating on Amazon, so it’s a hit with some folks.

It costs $69 for a standard size and $79 for a king. Weirdly, the soft and firm options cost the same.

Part of the seams on the pillow we tested looked a bit messy, but on the whole, they were strong, with added piping for extra durability. We tested the soft and found it extremely soft, so if you like a firm or extra firm pillow, we wouldn’t recommend this one.

It started to look a bit lumpy after use, and regular fluffing was required to regain its shape. However, it never feels lumpy while in use. It didn’t make our top picks because it only has two density options, and the return policy isn’t generous. FluffCo only accepts unopened items and charges a $10 processing fee.

Unlike other down pillows that mix down with feathers, the Garnet Hill Heirloom pillow is 100% down, so there’s no crunching noise as there was with some of the other down-mix pillows we tested, nor will you find any quills poking through.

This pillow is extremely plush and cradles your head with a light cloud-like feel as you lay down. What made this pillow stand out was that it didn’t fall completely flat throughout the night like lower-quality down pillows. Despite having washed and slept on this pillow multiple times, it always bounced back to its original shape. Starting at $209, this is the priciest pillow we tested, but it’s well worth it compared to other down-and-feather-fill pillows, and most 100% down pillows (without feathers) are similarly pricey.

The Garnet Hill Heirloom pillow comes in three densities: soft, medium and firm. The brand recommends soft for stomach sleepers, medium for side sleepers and firm for back and side sleepers. We opted for a firm pillow and found it to be extremely fluffy and supportive, however if you have a smaller frame or prefer a flatter pillow, you may find it too firm and may want to opt for a medium or soft fill. Luckily, if you find the fill is not quite right, Garnet Hill has a 90-day return or exchange policy.

The Eden adjustable pillow from Coop Sleep Goods is one of the most popular pillows on the internet, getting praise for its comfort and adjustable fill, and was our favorite pillow overall until we tried the customizable Pluto Pillow. Like many adjustable pillows, you can add or remove as much or as little foam as needed to get the exact height and firmness level you desire. The only drawback to this pillow is that it comes only in queen or king sizes, so if your favorite pillowcase is standard size it may not fit well.

The Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow is an adjustable pillow filled with foam pieces and microfiber. We found that the fill didn’t shift as much because the layers helped keep the foam in place. The downside to this three-layered construction is that you can’t customize as precisely, though we found it easy to find a comfortable level of support. Still, we preferred having more adjustability and felt the Coop Home Goods adjustable pillow let us get more comfortable at a lower price.

The Nest Easy Breather pillow was one of our favorite pillows because of how cool it kept us while sleeping. However, it does lose some coolness when using a pillowcase on the pillow rather than sleeping directly on the cover, but that’s expected of most cooling covers.

We also found the pillow’s shredded foam and fiber fill extremely comfortable, feeling supportive and plush at the same time. Unfortunately, we felt the construction was flimsy compared to our top pick — during our testing, the Nest’s zipper broke almost immediately. The pillow was still usable, but it did make us question its long-term durability. They do have a 2-year limited warranty, however, when reading the details it’s unclear whether or not this would be covered. The pillow is available in standard, queen and king sizes as well as a side sleeper option that has a curved cut-out to make room for your shoulder.

The Tempur-Cloud pillow uses three different types of foam, which according to the brand are designed for pressure relief, comfort and support. While testing, we noticed this didn’t feel as plush as other adjustable pillows but it was still comfortable to sleep on. The downside to this pillow is that Tempur-Pedic doesn’t offer a trial period, so the Tempur-Cloud can’t be returned if you don’t like it.

The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Set is made with polyester fill so there are no worries about allergies to down or feathers. Even with repeated washes and use it kept returning to its original shape. We found it comfortable for back and side sleeping, which are the positions Tuft & Needle recommends for this pillow. Stomach sleepers, however, may find they need a different option and, unfortunately, this only comes in a single firmness level.

While the immediate coolness of the Slumber Cloud UltraCool Pillow feels like it wears off as you lay on it, we never felt overheated during testing. As with all of the cooling pillows we checked out, we found the effect works best without a pillowcase, so if you prefer a pillowcase just know the cooling effect will be dampened.

While this was a comfortable pillow to sleep on, it didn’t make it to the top of our list because the fill clumped after a few washes. This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but if you wash your pillows often it may not hold up well. Also, the pillow seemed to trap water inside during the wash, so it took six dry cycles to get it completely dry.

Brooklinen describes the pillow as made using “a dual-core structure with an extra supportive inner layer of feathers, and a super comfy outer layer of down clusters.” We did find that the feathers added support so the pillow doesn’t fall flat, however, they also made the pillow feel very crunchy compared to 100% down models, and while quills did not poke through the fabric, they added some discomfort. The feathers also seemed to clump to one side of the pillow, making some areas hard and crunchy.

If you want a down pillow but still want firmer support in your down pillows and don’t mind the crunchiness of the feathers, you may enjoy this pillow. However, if you’re looking for a cloud-like down pillow, you’re better off going with the Garnet Hill down pillow if it’s within your budget.

Casper’s foam pillow with Snow Technology was one of the best cooling pillows we’ve tested. However, as usual, we found that a pillowcase lessened the cooling effect, so it may be best to sleep on the bare pillow (it has a removable, washable cover). We found this pillow to be supportive and on the firm side, which was good for side and back sleeping but may be too firm for some stomach sleepers who like a soft pillow.

One big advantage of the structure of the Purple Harmony Pillow is that it allows air to circulate so your head never overheats. The drawback is that — even though we chose the low pillow height — it was still too tall for us, so if you like a flatter pillow or have a petite frame this pillow may not work for you.

We found this pillow from Avocado to be very firm, though also somewhat bouncy, which took us a few nights of sleeping on to get used to the feel. It’s infused with charcoal, which is supposed to eliminate odor and excess moisture, though we did not notice much of a difference throughout our testing.

While we liked the overall feel of the Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow, we found it was too big for our frame and didn’t suit our personal preference for a flatter pillow. The fill is a blend of shredded gel-infused memory foam and latex. While laying on it, our head felt like it was on a soft, fluffy cloud — the pillow is supportive and doesn’t compress or fall flat as you sleep.

Even though this pillow was too high to comfortably sleep on, we enjoyed laying on our couch and watching TV with it because it kept our heads propped up higher than other pillows. We wouldn’t recommend this for someone who likes a flatter or medium loft pillow, but for those who ordinarily sleep with two pillows and would rather have an extra thick pillow, this would be a great replacement.

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