The 6 Best Pillows of 2026, Tested by Editors

ProsMaintained its shape and support after nearly three years of useBreathable construction stays cool throughout the nightAvailable in three heights for different sleep positions and body typesRemovable, machine-washable coverConsHeavier than a traditional pillowUnusual grid texture may take time to get used toShorter trial period than many competitorsI love the Purple Harmony Pillow so much that I try to convert nearly everyone who mentions sleep within earshot of me. I even pack it for overnight trips. But it does feel unusual at first. Inside, a springy, ventilated latex core is wrapped in Purple’s GelFlex Grid, a flexible, honeycomb-shaped layer that bends under the weight of your head and springs back when you move. Together, these materials make the pillow feel buoyant rather than sink-in like memory foam.I tested the medium, 6.5-inch loft, meaning the pillow’s height before it is compressed. It provided enough height to support my head and neck while I slept on my side without feeling rigid. The materials give slightly beneath heavier areas, which helped reduce uncomfortable pressure around my head and neck. As someone who frequently experiences neck and back pain, I consistently felt comfortable and supported while sleeping on it.Purple recommends the low, 5.5-inch version for most stomach and back sleepers. The medium and tall versions are generally better suited to side and combination sleepers, who often need more height to fill the space between the head and mattress. Body size and personal preference will also affect which height feels most comfortable.The Harmony was also one of the coolest pillows I tested. Air circulates through the ventilated latex and open honeycomb layer instead of becoming trapped inside a solid block of foam. Its stretchy outer cover is also designed to draw sweat away from the skin so it can evaporate. Even on warmer nights, I rarely felt the need to flip the pillow over in search of a cooler surface.After nearly three years of regular use, my pillow has not developed noticeable lumps or gone flat. Its durable build helps justify the high price, but there are compromises. The pillow is unusually heavy, and some sleepers may notice the grid’s texture through the cover. Purple’s 30-night trial is also shorter than the trial periods offered by many competing brands.Still, no other pillow I tested delivered the same combination of responsive support, cooling, and long-term shape retention. I would purchase it again without hesitation.Read More: Best MattressesFill MaterialVentilated Talalay latex wrapped in a flexible honeycomb gridTrial Period30 nights when purchased directly from PurpleHeight/Loft5.5, 6.5, or 7.5 inchesCare InstructionsMachine-wash the cover in cold water and air-dry; spot-clean the coreFirmnessMediumBest forSide and combination sleepers, hot sleepersWomen’s Health Art Director Christine Giordano typically sleeps with two or three pillows, but the Casper Original gave her enough support to use fewer. “This pillow gave me the support I needed while still feeling light and airy,” she says. “It was breathable and didn’t clump, keeping me cool and comfortable at night.”The Casper uses a pillow-within-a-pillow design: A firmer inner cushion provides structure, while a softer outer layer adds cushioning. Both layers are filled with polyester microfiber, a synthetic material made to feel light and fluffy like down. The construction prevented Giordano’s head from sinking too deeply while still giving the pillow a plush feel.Giordano tries to sleep on her back but usually shifts onto her left side during the night. The pillow remained comfortable and supportive in both positions, making it a strong choice for combination sleepers who alternate between their backs and sides. However, stomach sleepers or people who prefer a flatter pillow may find its approximately 9-inch uncompressed height too lofty.The breathable cotton cover and airy synthetic fill also prevented the pillow from feeling stuffy during testing. It’s not as breathable as a dedicated cooling pillow, but Giordano did not notice heat buildup or need to flip it over for a cooler surface.The entire pillow is machine-washable, which makes it easier to clean than models with foam or latex cores. Its soft filling may need occasional fluffing to maintain its shape, but Giordano did not notice clumping during testing.At under $100, it is one of the more affordable pillows we tested. Giordano liked it enough that she replaced some of the other pillows in her home and purchased additional Casper ones for her family.Fill MaterialPolyester microfiberTrial PeriodVaries by retailerHeight/LoftApproximately 9 inches before compressionCare InstructionsMachine-washableFirmnessMedium-softBest forBack, side, and combination sleepers; sleepers who prefer a light, plush pillowAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsFilling can be added or removed to change the height and firmnessAvailable in three shapes for different sleep positionsCut-out version supports the neck and creates room for the shouldersSoft and plush without letting the head sink too deeplyIncludes a 100-night trial when purchased directly from CoopConsRemoving the loose filling can be messyCut-out shape looks unusual inside a standard pillowcaseWomen’s Health Executive Health and Fitness Director Jacqueline Andriakos, CPT, calls the Coop Original Adjustable the most comfortable pillow she has tried. “I’ve never been a pillow snob or had major issues with basic pillows from Amazon, but I noticed that this was far more comfortable than other, cheaper pillows I’ve used,” she says.The pillow is filled with a blend of shredded memory foam and microfiber. Memory foam molds around the head and neck, while the soft synthetic fibers keep the pillow from feeling like a dense, solid block of foam. Unlike a pillow with a fixed height, the Coop can be unzipped so you can remove filling for a flatter feel or add more for extra support. The process can get messy, but that adjustability makes it easier to tailor the pillow to your body and sleep position.Coop offers the pillow in classic, crescent, and cut-out shapes. Andriakos tested the classic and cut-out versions while switching between side and stomach sleeping. She preferred the cut-out, which has a curved indentation that creates room for the shoulder and allows the pillow to sit closer to the neck.“I liked that it could wrap around my neck and shoulders, and I could almost cuddle it like a body pillow with an arm threaded underneath,” she says. Although the shape can look slightly awkward inside a standard pillowcase, it was super comfortable when she slept on her side.The pillow felt plush, but Andriakos’ head did not sink so deeply that her neck felt unsupported. She also found the outer cover breathable, although sleepers who regularly overheat may prefer a pillow specifically designed for cooling.Because its height can be adjusted, the Coop can work for side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers. Side sleepers will generally need more filling to keep the head level with the spine, while stomach sleepers may prefer to remove enough filling to create a flatter surface. Finding the right amount may require a few nights of experimentation, but Coop’s 100-night trial gives you time to make those adjustments.Fill MaterialShredded memory foam and microfiberTrial Period100 nights when purchased directly from CoopHeight/LoftAdjustableCareMachine washableFirmnessAdjustable; medium-firm as testedBest forSide, stomach, and combination sleepers; anyone who wants adjustable heightProsPlush, hotel-style feel with a supportive inner coreAvailable in two heights for different sleep positionsBreathable latex did not trap heat during testingConsInner latex core cannot be machine-washedNot adjustable beyond choosing between two heightsIt would take an exceptional pillow for me to consider replacing my Purple Harmony, but the Saatva Latex Pillow gave it serious competition. Although both pillows contain latex, they feel noticeably different. Purple uses one solid, springy latex core, while Saatva uses shredded pieces of latex surrounded by a soft layer of fine synthetic fibers. This gives the Saatva a plusher, more traditional feel, but it has enough structure to support the head and neck.The pillow feels dense when you first pick it up, but my head settled gently into the soft outer layer without sinking too deeply. The shredded latex inside quickly returned to its original shape when I moved, so the pillow stayed supportive as I shifted positions. As a side sleeper who frequently experiences neck pain, I did not wake up with additional stiffness.Saatva offers two heights. The standard version measures approximately four to five inches and is designed for back and stomach sleepers, who generally need a lower pillow. The high-loft version measures approximately six to seven inches and is better suited to side and combination sleepers who need more height between their heads and mattresses.I also appreciated that the pillow remained breathable throughout the night. The small spaces between the pieces of shredded latex allow air to circulate, while the cotton cover feels cool. It does not create the immediately cold sensation of a cooling pillow, but I did not notice uncomfortable heat buildup.The outer layer is filled with microdenier fibers, which are very fine synthetic strands designed to imitate the light, fluffy feel of down. You can machine-wash this outer layer and its cotton cover, but the inner latex core must be removed and kept out of the washing machine.At $165 for a standard/queen size, this is one of the more expensive pillows we tested. Saatva also provides only 45 days for returns, which is shorter than the trial periods offered by several competitors. Still, its combination of plush cushioning, responsive support, and breathable materials makes it an excellent choice for sleepers who want a luxury-hotel feel that’s still supportive.Fill MaterialShredded natural latex core with a soft synthetic-fiber outer layerTrial PeriodFree returns within 45 daysLoftApproximately 4–5 inches or 6–7 inchesCareMachine-wash the cover and outer filling layer; do not wash the latex coreFirmnessMedium-firm support with a plush outer layerBest forSleepers who prefer a plush feel; high-loft version for side and combination sleepers; standard version for back and stomach sleepersAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsAvailable in two firmness levelsLight enough to layer with another pillowEntire pillow is machine-washableAvailable in standard and king sizesConsSynthetic filling may clump over timeLoft is not adjustableFor hot sleepers, a breathable pillow can be the difference between a good night’s sleep and a night spent tossing and turning. The Slumber Cloud UltraCool stood out because its cooling effect was immediately noticeable during testing.Women’s Health Managing Editor Laura McLaughlin described the sensation as “a little sci-fi” because the surface felt immediately cool when she rested her head on it. The cover contains Outlast, a material designed to absorb excess body heat when you become warm and release it as your skin cools. This helps prevent heat from collecting around your head and face, although the effect may be less noticeable beneath a thick pillowcase.McLaughlin also found the pillow easy to combine with others. “It’s great for layering with other pillows to get just the right height,” she says. “It’s neither too dense nor too high to use in combination with others already in place.” That makes it especially useful for sleepers who want additional height without placing a rigid pillow beneath their heads.The interior is filled with polyester down alternative, a synthetic material designed to imitate the airy feel of down. It is available in soft/medium and medium/firm versions, allowing sleepers to choose how plush or structured they want the pillow to feel. The softer option will generally suit stomach sleepers or anyone who prefers more sink, while the firmer version may provide better support for back and side sleepers.The entire pillow can be machine-washed, a convenient advantage over pillows with foam or latex cores. However, synthetic filling can begin to clump after repeated use and washing, so it may require regular fluffing to redistribute the material.Although the UltraCool does not provide the customized support of an adjustable pillow, it delivered the most noticeable cooling sensation of any model we tested.Fill MaterialDown alternative (polyester)Trial Period60 nightsHeight/LoftUnknownCare InstructionsMachine washableFirmnessMedium-soft and medium-firmSpecial featuresOEKO-TEX Standard 100 CertifiedProsAvailable in three firmness levels for different sleep positionsSoft synthetic filling mimics the plush feel of downConsSynthetic filling may flatten or clump over timeThe Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow is built for sleepers who want the fluffy feel of down without actual feathers. It’s filled with recycled poly microgel, a cluster of fine synthetic fibers that creates a light cushioning similar to down.Unlike many pillows that come in only one firmness, this one is available in soft, medium, and firm versions. Brooklinen recommends the soft pillow for stomach sleepers, who generally need less height beneath the head; the medium for back sleepers; and the firm for side sleepers, who typically need more support to fill the space between the head and mattress.Its cotton sateen shell feels smooth and has a subtle sheen. The pillow is also certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which means its materials have been tested for a list of regulated substances. That certification does not evaluate the pillow’s comfort, durability, or environmental impact.Brooklinen allows most products to be returned within 365 days, although it deducts a $9.95 return fee from the refund. That’s one of the most generous return windows we’ve seen.The pillow can be machine-washed in cold water and tumble-dried on low with wool dryer balls until completely dry. As with most pillows filled with loose synthetic fibers, it may require regular fluffing to redistribute the fill and preserve its shape.Features at a GlanceFill MaterialHypoallergenic recycled poly microgelTrial PeriodReturns accepted within 365 days; $9.95 return feeLoftApproximately 6 inchesCareMachine-wash cold and tumble-dry low with wool dryer ballsFirmnessSoft, medium, or firmBest forStomach sleepers (soft), back sleepers (medium), and side sleepers (firm)Grace Cooper is a writer who reviews sleep, wellness, and kitchen products. Her work has appeared in Gear Patrol, Apartment Therapy, Food & Wine, CNET, Wellworthy, and more publications. She loves finding innovations that make everyday life a little bit easier, whether getting a good night's sleep or making the best chocolate chip cookies.Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.