8 Best Pillows for a Cozy Bedscape, Tested by AD Editors (2026)

These Are the Pillows We Prize in Our BedroomsFrom fluffy to firm, memory foam to downPhoto: Fujio Emura, Styling: Christina AllenThe conditions have to be just right to get a great night’s sleep. For this reason, the entire Shop AD team takes research on the best pillows very seriously. When it comes to deciding on the best, everything is considered: whether the tester is a hot sleeper and can’t live without a cooling pillow, for instance. Ease of care and if the pillow is machine washable (or at least has a removable cover) are other factors, especially when you’re investing in a pillow that’s a little pricey.But pillow preferences can vary widely depending if you’re a back, side or stomach sleeper. It’s not just the firmness level that plays a role, either. The shape and the loft consistency can determine whether a pillow will earn a spot in your bedroom.Our Top PicksBest Overall PillowBoll & Branch Down Chamber PillowRead moreBest Down AlternativeQuince Premium Down Alternative PillowRead moreBest Customizable PillowBrooklinen Marlow PillowRead moreThese are the best pillows for all sleep preferences. Part of the vetting process involves sleeping on these pillows for at least 30 days and always staying up to date with the new pillows that come on the market. For a bed that can deliver the sweetest dreams possible, browse the top picks below.Best Pillows OverallComparing Our Top PicksHow We TestedHow We ChoseFAQsBest Overall PillowBoll & Branch Down Chamber PillowUpsides: Customizable density, IDS certified down material, velvety and breathable cotton coverDownsides: Expensive“I’m routinely asked by friends and family alike for my ‘real’ recommendations,” says shopping writer Julia Harrison, “and the first things I always mention are this pillow and the Dorai bath mat.” Organic cotton and goose down in three firm varieties mean there’s a suitable fill for stomach, back, and side sleepers alike. These are also machine washable, meaning despite coffee spills and the general wear and tear of a fitful sleeper, these can be properly cleaned in the wash. Yes, it’s washable down. “I’ve sent them through New York City laundromats and they’ve come out just fine,” says Harrison, “and that’s saying something.”Contributor Elaheh Nozari confirms that its coziness doesn’t sacrifice quality: “You can tell it’s a very well-made pillow insert. It has a sturdy build.” Harrison attests to their long-term comfort and fluff, saying she’s had these for nearly two years and they feel as springy and soft as the day she received them. The company’s concern for sustainability and organic materials makes for a “more blissful sleep,” she says, knowing there are no microplastics to inhale while she drifts off.Best Down AlternativeQuince Premium Down Alternative PillowUpsides: Hypoallergenic fill, boasts a thick loft that doesn’t fall flat over time, has a few firmness levels to choose from, budget-friendly priceDownsides: Non-mild detergents might cause damage“There’s nothing worse than the saggy deflated feel of a down pillow with paltry feathers that you have to double up to get any neck support,” says shopping director Lori Keong. “I appreciate that this one comes in a firmer, thicker option with less give and comes stuffed with hypoallergenic tufted fill.” She calls it a great investment for $50 (100% polyester fill allows this price point, and a 100% cotton sateen shell envelops it in softness), especially with three firmness levels and lofts. “If you’re struggling to find something with the right down-alt support to prop your head and neck up, it’s one of the better options out there,” says Keong.Best Customizable PillowBrooklinen Marlow PillowUpsides: Ergonomic and customizable loft firmness, comes with extra pillow cover, allows for adequate airflow, affordable price pointDownsides: Green zipper may not be preferable if you want an all-white pillow“While I’ve slept on and tested many good pillows, the one that stands out for my sleep style is the Brooklinen Marlow,” says contributor Yelena Moroz Alpert. “Each long side has a zipper with some netting, allowing me to adjust the firmness level of the pillow. I have one zipper open for medium firmness, and as a side-sleeper, it’s my ideal setting.” Its three-in-one design is a huge win for people like adjustable pillows but don't want to store leftover fills or inserts.“The shell texture is nice and crisp and it comes with a pillowcase cover that has the same fresh texture to it,” Alpert adds. “My head never feels hot or sweaty, nor do I have to fluff it in the middle of the night.”Best Luxury PillowWamsutta Supreme Comfort Down Alternative PillowUpsides: Maintains shape, looks great on your bedscape, really comfortable for back sleepersDownsides: Higher price point“At the risk of sounding like Goldilocks—these are just right,” says Harrison. “Not too hard, not too soft, and they support your neck without contorting or cramping it.” Layered moisture management technology regulates temperature and wicks away moisture, and down alternative gives it just the right plushness for your preference in soft, medium, and firm varieties.Compared to her above Boll & Branch pillows, she prefers these as the back layer of her bedscape, being a bigger fan of down than down alternative, but confirms they offer just the right support, and mentions that the boxed edge offers great support between her shoulder and neck where a knife-edge pillow (where the seams meet without a piece of structural fabric in-between) might not. As a final perk, she “can’t stand a pillow that flops around—I need a pillow that can stand its ground without being hard as rock,” and these Wamsutta pillows pass the test: “My bed looks clean and dignified when I’ve made it—these pillows don’t slump down or get massively mangled over the course of the evening.”Best Pain-Relief PillowSaatva Latex PillowUpsides: Great for side sleepers, customizable loft, made with natural materials, dense and doughy textureDownsides: Some online reviews note the pillow might not be suitable for stomach sleepersContributor Sydney Gore admits to having some “serious back issues” that were relieved by this “luxurious pillow.” While she was initially suspicious of its price point, she says the pillow lives up to its $165 price tag, seeing as “you won’t have to buy new pillows for years afterwards.” Disbelievers have a 45-day free return period and a one-year limited warranty to determine if they agree with Gore or not. The pillow is hypoallergenic with a shredded latex core to cushion your neck, head, and shoulders in any position. The more contorted, the more supported. Amazon delivers a high loft version for committed side sleepers with broad shoulders or neck pain.Best for Side SleepersPhoto: Yelena Moroz AlpertParachute Down Alternative Side Sleeper PillowUpsides: Incredibly light with gentle give, 3.5” gusset creates space for shoulder, hypoallergenic and machine washableDownsides: Medium density feels more like medium-softSide sleepers know the plight of a pillow that’s too flat: Eventually, your arm becomes part of the support system. This one avoids that uncomfortable fate with a 3.5-inch gusset that gives the pillow plenty of loft and makes room for your shoulder. Alpert, who spends roughly 80% of the night on her left side, found the medium density softer than expected, but not at all floppy. "When I put my head down, it sinks in slightly and cradles my head," she says. "It's almost like a gentle hug of a travel pillow, but without feeling tight."Recycled polyester fill keeps things light and airy, while the cotton sateen shell feels smooth and cool to the touch. Double-stitched piping gives the pillow a little extra structure, too, so it holds its shape despite all that fluff. For Alpert, the medium density ultimately felt more medium-soft, making this a particularly good match for side sleepers who prefer a fluffier pillow with gentle give. “It almost feels airy as I drift off to sleep,” she says. “It’s the type of pillow I would expect in a resort suite.”Best for Stomach SleepersSijo FluffBase Eucalyptus PillowUpsides: Hypoallergenic, cover is removable and machine washable, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certificationDownsides: The soft version may lack support for side sleepersFor some sleepers, pillow fluffing is practically part of the bedtime routine—a familiar ritual that signals it’s time to wind down. If you prefer to fold, smoosh, and mold yours until it’s just right, Sijo’s eucalyptus pillow is a good option to try. The 100% Tencel lyocell shell has a silky feel, and the quilted cover adds another layer of plushness. “Think of it as the comfy pillow you’d find at your grandmother’s house, but with enough springiness for a pillow fight,” Albert notes.As a side sleeper through and through, Alpert finds the soft version is a little too yielding for her sleep habits, but “quite comfortable” when sleeping on her stomach. After more than a year of use, the pillow can slope slightly overnight; a quick fluff brings it largely back to shape. The real endorsement comes from Alpert’s 11-year-old son, who happily inherited it: “It looks like a pillow but feels like a cloud,” he shares, comparing its fluff to be similar to a Squishmallow. For stomach sleepers or devoted pillow fluffers, consider that high praise.Best Soft (and Silk) PillowCozy Earth Silk PillowUpsides: Naturally hypoallergenic; plush, dough-like comfort, spring back into shape after foldingDownsides: May lack support for those who prefer firmer pillowsIf Alpert were to compare the feel of Cozy Earth’s silk pillow to anything, she says its texture is like whipped cream. “When I put my head down, it just sinks right in, in a good way,” she explains. “You know that pillowy feeling you get biting into a doughnut? It’s like that, but for your head.” Filled with 100% long-strand mulberry silk, it’s by far the softest pillow she owns, with an almost doughy plushness that can be folded, molded, and maneuvered into whatever position feels best.For those who prefer a medium-firm support, the silk fill might be too soft on its own, but when layered in front of a firmer pillow, it provides plush padding with a little more lift (Alpert especially likes this setup for reading). It does slouch and require the occasional fluff, but even after being folded in half during testing, it quickly sprang back into shape. “If you love a soft pillow, this may be the one,” she says.Comparing Our Top PicksHow We TestedThe Shop AD team slept on dozens of pillows for at least 30 days each to decide which are indeed the best pillows. These bed staples were tested for overall comfort, support, design, firmness, material, temperature-regulating abilities, and how easy they are to clean and maintain over time. We brought in pillows suited for every kind of sleeper (see our breakdown below) and doled them out to our staff and contributors based on how they self-identified their sleep habits and needs.Back sleepers: Back sleepers benefit from pillows with firmer support, like gel memory foam, or any type of contouring foam. Durable down and down alternative options can also be good choices for this sleeping posture, as you want middling firmness—nothing too soft or firm.Side sleepers: Shredded memory foam is a favorite amongst side sleepers for its ability to conform to various sleeping postures. Some side sleeper pillows have a cutout to help prevent shoulder pain if you remain in the same position for an extended amount of time. Specialists recommend high-loft pillows for most side sleepers, which is usually best supplied by some type of memory foam or firmer pillow.Stomach sleepers: Pillows made from down or down alternatives are a popular choice among stomach sleepers, who tend to prefer a soft pillow with low-loft for neck comfort and better spine alignment while they’re sleeping.Combination sleepers: If you move around in your sleep or prefer various positions, you may identify as a combination sleeper. In this case, skip a very firm pillow and look for something that is a bit squishy, but not so much that you feel like your head is sinking into your bed. Several companies like Brooklinen, Buffy, and Luxome offer adjustable fill pillows so you can play around with loft and firmness to decide if the pillow feels right for you.Hot sleepers: Hot sleepers will benefit from cooling pillows, which you find most often in gel memory foam pillows. Many pillows on the market have an option for one regular side and one cooling side.How We Chose the Best PillowsWe called in a range of pillows that span favorite brands, Amazon options, and niche companies. In choosing pillows to test, all types of sleeping preferences were considered and had the best overall quality, material, temperature control, price point, and ease of care.FAQsHow Often Should You Replace Your Pillows?If it’s been more than two years, you may need to swap out your old pillows. More specifically, clinical psychologist and clinical sleep specialist Michael Breus, PhD, previously told AD you should replace pillows every 18 to 24 months. A pillow that develops a dent-like spot in the center has seen better days. Other indicators that it’s time for a new set? Any stains or smells that won’t come out after washing.How Should You Wash Your Pillows?Washing your pillowcase regularly is paramount, but every six months or so, you’ll need to give your pillow a good clean. But before you do any cleaning, read the care instructions on the label. (Alpert once “added bleach to a mulberry silk stuffed pillow and it turned an unpleasant pink, ruining the pillow,” she says.)Most of the time, you can toss your pillows into the washing machine—but that’s not always recommended. Melissa Danielson, a former member of Casper’s product development team, previously told AD that cotton, feather, down, or fiberfill pillows are safe to go in. Just make sure to check for any wear and tear (the fill can clog your washer), and put two pillows in at a time for even distribution. To dry, you can hang them up in a dry area, or place feather or down pillows in the dryer (“on a no-heat, air-dry setting, or tumble-dry low setting,” according to Danielson.)How Often Should You Clean a Memory Foam Pillow?Memory foam pillows, often recommended for side sleepers, may require a little extra care. As always, read the manufacturer’s care instructions. In the case when you can hand wash it, do so every three months. Danielson suggested removing the pillow cover, vacuuming the interior foam, and submerging it in a bathtub full of water and mild detergent. These pillows are also more sensitive to heat, so air-drying is a must.If your memory foam pillow is not washable, say you have shredded memory foam inside. Then there is a good chance that the cover is washable.What Type of Pillows Do Five-Star Hotels Use?Hotel pillows are synonymous with quality. These are often a variation between high-loft and firm feather pillows and low-loft and medium-firm down to make sure they cater to numerous sleeping positions of guests. “I log hundreds of hours in the world’s best hotels leading a top travel PR agency and the optimal sleep experience is almost always delivered by duck feather pillows,” says Lauren Knudsen, president of 20Two Studio. “The natural fill contours easily to any body shape and is breathable, keeping an ideal temperature.”The pillows are also typically encased in a 100% cotton sateen shell, finished with double-stitching for durability. Luxury hotels may also come with a pillow butler, so you can ask for extra fill to ensure the ultimate sleep experience.If high-quality pillows are your gateway into styling your bedroom like a hotel, then you probably want to pick up a set of crisp percale sheets too.What Are the Best Pillows for Neck Pain?Memory foam and latex pillows are most frequently recommended for substantial neck support. These materials conform more closely and firmly to the neck, shoulders, and head, making a cradle for your neck overnight. While down and down alternative pillows also offer support, they don’t hold shape quite so closely or firmly, and require a bit more fidgeting for support over time.Alpert's husband swears by the Buffy Cloud Side Sleeper pillow. (He has tried three other memory foam pillows before claiming this one as his own.) His neck is extremely sensitive, so much so that if he doesn’t have a supportive pillow on vacation, he always wakes up achy, she says. He has been using the Cloud pillow for six months and no pain yet. "I like to move around when I am sleeping and this pillow keeps my neck from ending up in weird positions,” Alpert relays. “But at the same time, unlike other rectangular memory foam pillows that restrict movement, it is flexible thanks to the shredded foam fill and shoulder cutout. It allows freedom of movement but keeps my neck in check.”Yelena Moroz Alpert is a contributor at Architectural Digest, covering content that spans commerce, interior design trends, and travel. As a former AD It Yourself editor, she knows all the painting and renovation tricks and has finally mastered folding a fitted sheet to free up her linen closet space. Her ... Read MoreBlake Bakkila is a freelance writer and editor with eight years of experience covering topics including interior design, real estate, baby and parenting, food, health, and pop culture. In addition to Architectural Digest, her work has appeared in the digital publications of Sunset, Delish, and more. She highlighted the best, ... Read More