Soft pillows are often touted as the height of luxurious sleep, but sometimes, they don’t quite cut it. For some sleepers, firm pillows provide the extra support and loft they need to rest comfortably. It might also just be a matter of personal preference, as some folks may not want to sink deeply into their pillow.
If this sounds like you, consider perusing our list of the best firm pillows. After testing dozens of different pillows hands-on at home or in our studio, our expert testers have found those that feel truly firm. I further narrowed the favorites to those that were durable, well-made, and offered great value for the price. This gives shoppers a variety of options, so your perfect pillow could be waiting just below.
Clarity’s Clear Winner
According to our findings, the best firm pillow is the LUXOME LAYR Pillow for its adjustability, high-quality construction, and luxurious comfort. While this is an adjustable pillow that can be set to various heights and firmness levels, fans of firm pillows can combine its inserts to create the perfectly firm pillow they’re looking for. The foam used in the firm and medium-firm pillows is gel-infused, and all the inserts go inside a bamboo cover. This means it also won’t trap heat, making it a good choice for hot sleepers, too.
The Best Firm Pillows
- LUXOME LAYR Pillow – Best Overall
- Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow – Best Firm Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
- Cariloha Gel Pillow – Best Firm Memory Foam Pillow
- Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow – Best Firm Pillow for Side Sleepers
- TEMPUR-Neck Pillow – Best Firm Pillow for Neck Pain
How We Tested and Selected the Pillows
A firm pillow must be, first and foremost, firm. A pillow’s firmness is more open to interpretation than mattress firmness, though. Firmness is more subjective when it comes to pillows.
Firm pillows are generally associated with more support, as they keep the head aloft and therefore don’t allow for much sinkage. When testing a pillow, we note whether each was soft and fluffy or had a more solid, dense feel. We also consider which sleeper types will find the pillows supportive. Firm pillows, especially those with a high loft to keep the neck propped up, are more popular amongst back and side sleepers, as these help with spinal alignment.
All of the pillows on the list were described by our testers as firm-feeling. Some of our top picks are adjustable, meaning that you can tailor the pillow’s firmness to your preferences, whether through adding or removing inserts, stuffing, or even a zipper on the side to control the feel.
The materials within a pillow determine its firmness and feel, as well as its overall quality and durability. When we first receive a pillow, we take a look at every aspect of its construction, from what’s inside to the stitching and rate it out of 5. This encompasses how high-quality the pillow feels and whether it’s built to last months of years of repeated use. This list only contains pillows that scored at least 4/5 for overall materials.
Firm pillows generally have more concentrated fills, often with denser materials like foam or latex. They’re usually in a solid block shape, but sometimes the foam is shredded into various shapes for more moldability or airflow. Pillows with lighter, fluffier fills (like down or microfiber) can sometimes achieve a firmer feel by overstuffing or adding a solid core in the middle. However, most of the pillows on this list contain synthetic foam, whether shredded or solid.
Firm pillows generally have more concentrated fills, often with denser materials like foam or latex. They’re usually in a solid block shape, but sometimes the foam is shredded into various shapes for more moldability or airflow. Pillows with lighter, fluffier fills (like down or microfiber) can sometimes achieve a firmer feel by overstuffing or adding a solid core in the middle. However, most of the pillows on this list contain synthetic foam, whether shredded or solid.
A new pillow is an investment, regardless of how much money you spend. Everyone wants a good deal, but since you sleep on your pillow every night, its quality is important.
After sleeping on a pillow for a few nights, we rate our experience with it and the price. We don’t just look at the number on the tag; we weigh its performance against it. Some high-end pillows are expensive, but not always high quality. The inverse can be true, too; many cheap pillows can provide a quality experience at a more reasonable price.
For this list, we aimed to include pillows that earned at least a 4/5 rating for value. This ensures that you’re getting the most bang for your buck. They retail from $89 to about $165, so there’s a nice range of options for multiple budgets, too.
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches selected the best firm pillows by looking for top performers in the categories above: support, materials, and value.
But our full process involves testing several aspects of a pillow’s performance, including cooling, care, and more. We evaluate and score these factors using specialized technology as well as firsthand accounts of how a pillow feels to testers with different body types.
Once we have all those scores, we calculate the overall score using a weighted formula. This overall score is a good indicator of a pillow’s general quality, and is always a number out of 5.
As we decide which pillows to feature on any roundup, we only include those with an overall score of 3.5 out of 5 or higher. Even if a pillow does certain things well, we won’t point you towards it if it falls below this baseline.
- 500+ mattresses and 100+ sleep accessories tested in person
- 30+ data points collected for each bed
- Certified Sleep Science Coaches on staff
- Expert input from our Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta (MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM) and our Chief Medical Product Tester Dr. Hannah Habeeb (DPT)
- 40,000+ readers who bought a new bed based on our recommendations
Learn more about Mattress Clarity.
Read about our testing experience with each of the pillows on our list below.
LUXOME LAYR Pillow – Best Overall
Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow
The Luxome LAYR Pillow can be tailored to your specific needs with multiple foam inserts and adjustable fill.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.8 / 5
Sometimes, the best firm pillow out there is the one you can make yourself. That’s the case for the LUXOME LAYR Pillow. This is an incredibly adjustable pillow that lets you tailor it to your unique needs and preferences.
It was a favorite of our expert tester, who awarded it perfect 5/5 scores for the materials used and his overall experience. He further called the pillow “thoughtfully made,” noting that its customizability makes it perfect for just about any sleeper.
The “LAYR” part of this pillow’s name comes from the many removable inserts that make up the adjustable construction. Alongside two “medium” and “soft” iterations with a fluffier feel, there’s a two-part “firm” insert made of solid, dense memory foam. Sleepers looking for a specific firmness can arrange these components to their liking; they can even remove all but the firm core for an extra-firm sleep surface.
Our tester was incredibly impressed by the level of thought put into this design. Moreover, he found that everything “had a durable and luxurious feel,” down to the inserts, stitching, and even the zippers on the cover. “These aren’t cheap zippers,” he added. “They’re high-quality jacket zippers, which you’ll want in an adjustable pillow that you keep zipping and unzipping.”
“Just about everyone should find comfortable sleep on this pillow,” our tester added. “I’ve tried it in many different configurations, but now that I’ve found the one I love, I’m never going back.”
He even tried it out in every sleeping position to see if he could adjust the LAYR pillow to feel comfortable in each one. “As a primarily side sleeper, it’s perfect for me, but I don’t imagine other sleepers will have issues finding their ideal setup,” he said.
The LUXOME LAYR pillow is also fairly easy to wash, despite all the moving parts. Each insert has its own removable, machine-washable cover, which should help keep your bedding clean and fresh. “Obviously, the inner fill material isn’t washable, but I’m not mad about it,” our tester added.
This pillow also earned an impressive 4.5/5 score for its overall value, with our tester describing it as “an excellent luxury pillow for a reasonable price.” A standard-size LUXOME LAYR pillow will run you about $150, which our tester thought was more than acceptable with the quality and experience he had with the product.
It also comes with a 30-day return policy. However, there’s no warranty mentioned on LUXOME’s site. If you want a pillow with a longer warranty, you should check out the Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow or TEMPUR-Neck Pillow. Both of these come with 5-year warranties.
Read more in our full LUXOME LAYR pillow review.
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow – Best Firm Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow
Mattress Clarity Score
4.5 / 5
We often recommend that stomach sleepers stay away from firm pillows as they’re more likely to cause neck pain. A firmer pillow will offer less sinkage, which could lead to uncomfortable craning. However, as a stomach sleeper who loves a firm pillow, I’m always on the hunt for a firmer pillow that works for my preferred position. If this sounds like you, check out Saatva’s Graphite Memory Foam Pillow.
The low-loft version of this pillow was “perfect for stomach sleepers,” per our expert tester. She found the foam’s doughy feel propped her head up just right, lending a bit of firmness without leading to discomfort. She also gave this pillow a 5/5 materials score, praising its high-quality construction.
Our tester likened this pillow to a stuffed animal because of its dense feel and super-soft organic cotton cover. “You just want to hug and cuddle it,” she said. Inside, the pillow contains a layer of graphite-infused memory foam for cooler sleep, followed by an inner core of shredded memory foam and latex. “Saatva always has premium materials and luxurious construction, and that’s the case here,” our tester added.
The overall feel of this pillow was supportive with a slight contour. Our tester noted that because of its low loft and light sinkage, it would likely appeal to stomach sleepers who like a flatter sleep surface. “It’s not a full pancake like other flat pillows I’ve tried,” she explained. “I like the bit of extra support it gives, but other stomach sleepers might want something softer.”
She didn’t recommend it to back or side sleepers looking for a higher loft. “Back sleepers who snore or have sleep apnea will likely sink too far into this pillow,” she noted. If you’re looking for something that’ll keep you elevated, I recommend the Cariloha Gel Pillow, which is made from solid rather than shredded foam.
The super-soft outer cover that our tester loved is also completely removable and machine-washable. Unfortunately, the inner core of the pillow is spot-clean only, but our tester didn’t anticipate any issues. “The inner fill is encased in this fabric pouch to keep it together, so it’s not like individual chunks of latex or foam will get stained,” she said.
The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow ultimately starts out at $165, and that’s regardless of whether you choose the high- or low-loft option. A king-size pillow will cost $20 more. Our tester called it “pretty standard luxury pricing from the brand.” Saatva is known for its high-end products, and top-notch customer service should you encounter any issues or concerns. This pillow comes with a generous 45-night sleep trial and a 1-year warranty to back it up.
Read more in our dedicated Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow review.
Cariloha Gel Pillow – Best Firm Memory Foam Pillow
Cariloha Gel Pillow
This graphite-infused memory foam pillow provides soothing support and icy-cold cooling thanks to its gel infusion.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.2 / 5
The Cariloha Gel Pillow is a solid memory foam pillow with gel inserts in its surface, allowing for active cooling where your head rests. After I tested this bad boy out, it earned a permanent spot on my bed thanks to its super-cool, super-firm feel. I also rated this pillow’s materials at 4.5/5 for its supportive feel, which should appeal to any sleepers who want a firmer foam pillow.
The Cariloha Gel pillow is primarily made of charcoal-infused memory foam, and its stout rectangular shape only bolsters its dense, durable feel. Even the standard-size pillow is quite large, and its thick bamboo-blend cover also increases its width. As someone who moves around a lot while sleeping, the added surface area is nice. But if you like a hefty, solid pillow, this is the one for you.
I particularly like this pillow when I rest on my side, since it props up my head without much sinkage. While it doesn’t have a super-high loft, it offers unyielding support, so I wouldn’t recommend it for stomach or back sleepers looking for more give.
If you’re a hot sleeper like me, there’s a chance that you’ve woken up with a sweaty neck from a stuffy pillow. That isn’t the case here, thanks to the cooling gel built into the pillow. It sits right at the surface on one side of the pillow, designed to contour to your head and neck as you rest.
I’ll note that the included cover, while breathable, is still a bit thick. I had to remove it and use my regular pillowcase to reap the full cooling benefits. After this, it felt like sleeping with an ice pack against my skin—definitely one of the best cooling pillows I’ve encountered.
This cover is completely removable and washable, while the pillow is spot-clean only. I don’t imagine that this will cause any issues; the gel is coated in laminate for protection, and the pillow is already a robust gray from the charcoal, so staining seems unlikely. This should be an easy pillow to keep clean and fresh.
The Cariloha Gel Pillow retails for about $129 for a standard size and $139 for a king size. I thought this was fairly reasonable for the luxury resort-like feel the brand touts, especially for the pillow’s cooling ability. You get a 100-night trial to see if it’s right for you, but note that there’s no offered warranty. If you want a pillow with some generous policies, check out Coop’s Original Adjustable Pillow.
Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow – Best Firm Pillow for Side Sleepers
Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
With its customizable fill, this pillow allows sleepers to tailor loft and firmness to their exact preference.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.6 / 5
Side sleepers often do well with firm pillows, as they can help prop up your head and keep it aligned with the rest of your body. But the wrong one can lead to neck or shoulder pain. That’s where an adjustable pillow like the one from Coop Sleep Goods comes in.
This pillow features an adjustable fill of microfiber and shredded foam, creating a slightly firm yet squishy sleep surface. Side sleepers can mold this pillow to their needs, whether they want something overstuffed and lofty or more compact. My colleague Nicole Davis gave this pillow a 4.5/5 for its adjustable materials, as well as a 5/5 for its overall value; at $85, it’s the cheapest option on this list and a great pick for folks on a budget.
The Original Adjustable Pillow is a brand bestseller, and as further testament to its adjustability, I know multiple people, aside from Nicole, who love this pillow. My mother loved it right out of the box—it comes overstuffed, with a baggie of extra fill if it isn’t enough. My best friend said it needed a bit more filling to get to the loft she wanted, but after that, she loved the support it offered. And the best part? Both are side sleepers, so folks who enjoy this position should also enjoy this pillow’s feel.
“This pillow is well-made and offers the perfect amount of support in all the right areas,” Nicole said after trying it out. “On other pillows, I find that if I sleep slightly wrong, I’ll wake up with neck pain. But with a little readjusting before I go to bed every night, this problem is resolved.”
What most surprised Nicole about this product is that it’s completely machine-washable. This is rare for pillows, let alone one with a removable fill. Coop recommends securing the inner zipper with a safety pin, and then it can go through the laundry without the risk of spilling. If you’re a neat freak like my dear mother, you’ll love the hassle-free cleaning.
I will note that this pillow is closer to medium-firm than a true firm, which may deter some sleepers. While it doesn’t flop and holds its shape, if you’re looking for an adjustable pillow that can yield an extra-firm feel, I’d check out the Luxome LAYR.
But if you want to try the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow for yourself, the brand makes it easy to do so. You get 100 days to try out the product and return it if it doesn’t work out. There’s also a 5-year warranty, one of the longest I’ve seen for pillows. At $85 for a standard pillow, it’s also a steal for budget shoppers who still want a higher-end option.
Find out more in our full Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow review.
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow – Best Firm Pillow for Neck Pain
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
Tempur-Pedic’s TEMPUR-Neck pillow has an ergonomic shape that makes it an ideal pillow for anyone dealing with neck pain. This solid slab of memory foam will contour to your head and neck, following the spine’s natural curve.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.4 / 5
Waking up with neck pain every morning? It might be more than just “sleeping funny.” Your pillow could be to blame. Not getting proper neck support can affect the alignment of your cervical spine, which is often the reason for that pesky crick.
The TEMPUR-Neck Pillow by TEMPUR-Pedic could be the answer. It’s a cervical pillow that features a curved design that contours to your neck while you rest on your side or back. Our in-house tester awarded it a 4.5/5 for its construction and materials, noting it offered a “nice, supportive feel,” especially while side-sleeping.
Most standard cervical pillows come in only one size, but this may not work for folks with more unique anatomy. The TEMPUR-Neck is unique in that it comes in three different sizes: small, medium, and large, which are based on the distance between your neck and your shoulder. Our tester tried out the medium model, but added that as a taller guy, he probably should’ve gone for the large.
“The ‘bump’ in this pillow actually provides a nice boost of support,” he noted as he slept on his side. “It removes any strain around my neck, and I can feel it working to keep me in alignment.” He found it was less noticeable when he slept on his back: “It’s comfortable, even with the small surface area, and I didn’t find it too different from resting on a regular pillow.”
He also tried it out on his stomach, though not recommended by the brand, and thought it was comfortable enough. However, he did note that he doesn’t often sleep in this position, so we’d still say stick to side- and back-sleeping on this pillow.
Our tester also found that the foam’s high density not only provided added support and firmness but also durability. “Overall, the materials feel durable and of exceptional quality,” he added. “The pillow cover is soft, stretchy, and thick; plus the zipper is real metal, not the cheap plastic kind. While the ‘b-shape’ shape looks deceptively simple, it’s effective.”
The included cover on this pillow is removable and machine-washable, which, while nice, becomes important for a different reason. Our tester found that traditional pillow cases wouldn’t work with this pillow, likening it to “a kid trying on their mom’s high heels.” The oblong shape and custom sizing meant a lot of excess fabric. This could be a problem if you like sleeping on a silk pillowcase, or if you need an extra layer for cleanliness’s sake. A standard-size pillow that fits a pillowcase better is the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow.
Other than that minor gripe, our tester thought the pillow would be helpful for folks with neck pain and instability. Depending on the size you get, the pillow can cost $99 to $129, which seems fair given its quality. While there’s no return policy due to the “personal nature” of the pillow, TEMPUR-Pedic gives you a generous 5-year limited warranty with your purchase.
Find out more about this pillow in our full TEMPUR-Neck review.
Latest Updates: In February 2026, we modified our panel for the best firm pillows after retesting dozens of pillows we regularly recommend on Clarity, many of which had updated designs. The final list above includes options from the original page, like the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow and Luxome LAYR. Some new additions are the Cariloha Gel Pillow and Coop Adjustable Pillow.
Other Firm Pillows Considered
Didn’t see what you wanted in the list above? Here are some more firm pillows that could work for your needs:
- Avocado Molded Latex Pillow – This pillow is made from a single slab of molded, perforated latex infused with charcoal. The perforations in this pillow allow for airflow, while the charcoal can help eliminate odors in your sleep environment. Latex is a great material for all sleeping positions, providing a firmer, bouncier, and more breathable support surface than traditional foam. However, this pillow’s super-high loft may not appeal to all sleepers, especially if they like a lower profile while resting on their stomach or back.
- Brooklinen Marlow Pillow – The Marlow pillow is made from shredded memory foam, which is traditionally known for its slow-moving feel. But this pillow includes poly foam, which is a denser foam that helps give the pillow its firmness. You can even pinpoint your comfort by using the zippers to adjust the loft and firmness of the pillow. Our testers like the pillow for stomach sleepers on its firmest setting, but it has its downsides. For one, the Marlow pillow does not come with a removable cover, and its filling is not machine-washable, making cleaning difficult.
- Purple Pillow – Purple’s original pillow takes the gel grid in its mattresses and shrinks it down into a pillow form. While the gel grid in this pillow has some give to it, when you compress the grid, it has a firm and supportive feel. This pillow doesn’t necessarily contour to your head, but it still feels comfortable to rest on. The Purple pillow is sold at a higher price than other pillows on this list, and might be out of some shoppers’ budgets.
What Makes the Best Firm Pillows
Aside from being firm and supportive, the best pillows will also be high-quality and come at a reasonable price for the experience they provide. Keeping this in mind, let’s look at each of these factors more closely, so you can best prioritize what you need in a new pillow.
Firmness and Support
Finding a firm pillow can be more of a search than you might expect. While you sometimes can’t get a true sense of firmness from online product descriptions, reviews both on and off the product site can help. We’ve personally handled the pillows on this list to get a feel for how firm they are and describe them in detail, all so you can make an informed decision.
Most people think the most comfortable pillows are super fluffy and soft, like a hotel feather pillow. But if you sleep on your side or back, or if you have neck pain, these might not be the best options for you. Firmer pillows are constructed with certain materials and in a way to provide extra support. You won’t sink into the surface of a firm pillow; you should feel buoyed on the surface.
“The crux of a supportive pillow is maintaining alignment of the cervical spine with the rest of the body,” explains Dr. Raj Dasgupta. “This is a combination of the right firmness and pillow loft for your needs.”
Loft is another word for the height of the pillow. Low-loft pillows keep your head closer to the mattress and often work best for stomach sleepers and some back sleepers. High-loft pillows are better for side sleepers, as they contour to that gap between the head and shoulder. “Adjustable pillows are great for folks who want to change the loft themselves for unique support,” Dr. Dasgupta adds. We’ll dive deeper into this in the section on sleeping positions below.
Like firmness, we don’t have a specific rating for how supportive a pillow feels, since it will vary from sleeper to sleeper. This is why we make sure to note who we recommend a firm pillow for, and who should stay far away.
Materials
We rate the materials of each pillow we test out of 5, which encompasses the pillow’s quality of construction, including whether it feels luxurious or cheap. But for firm pillows, this is even more important than simply ensuring you have a durable, well-made product.
What’s inside your pillow plays a huge role in determining its firmness or softness. This isn’t just the materials within the pillow, but how they’re arranged. Let’s go over some of the most common pillow types and fills, and I’ll tell you which are the best for firm fans.
Foam
Foam is a squishy material that’s prized for its cushioning ability. Memory foam mattresses are popular because of their plush, slow-moving feel, so you might think a foam pillow is too soft for your needs.
But firm foam pillows exist; they’re usually made with denser polyfoams and come in block shape. Shredded memory foam pillows are also a popular choice, though their feels can vary depending on how it’s stuffed and the size of the clumps inside.
I’ll note that foam pillows can run hotter than other types, especially if they come in that flat slab form. They don’t offer as much airflow as other materials, so many manufacturers will infuse them with cooling materials, like gel or graphite, which can help conduct excess heat away from your head.
Latex
Latex is a material that’s naturally derived from the sap of rubber trees. It has a springy and supportive feel, as well as pressure relief and breathability that can rival traditional foam. This makes them great cooling pillows for folks who sleep hot. “Latex pillows are naturally hypoallergenic and sometimes more durable than foam pillows,” Dr. Dasgupta adds.
Because latex is often firmer than memory foam, it’s a great choice for a firm pillow. But like foam pillows, latex pillows can come with a shredded fill or in a solid block. A solid block will likely provide better firm support than the shredded variety.
Due to its natural and at-times even organic origins, latex can drive a higher price than foam. These pillows are better picks for eco-conscious shoppers with a large budget.
Down
Down pillows contain the super-soft underlayer of feathers from certain fowl. You may have heard of goose down or duck down, for example. These pillows are renowned for their fluffy feel, but they’re not always the most supportive. Most people opt for them because they want a lot of sinkage around their head.
Sometimes, down pillows with a higher fill power can have a slightly firmer feel—this is because the down clusters are of a larger size and will hold their shape better. (This isn’t to be confused with fill weight, which refers to the amount of feathers inside.)
As someone who’s tried firm down pillows (specifically the Avocado Down Pillow in its firm option), I would still say they can’t get as firm as a solid latex or foam pillow. Moreover, if you have animal allergies, you may end up with sniffles or sneezes if a stray feather escapes.
Down Alternative
Down alternative pillows use fiber fills, whether from natural or synthetic sources, to mimic the feel of down. This tackles two common issues with down pillows: their high price and their ability to trigger allergies. The most common down alternative fillings come from polyester or cotton fibers, which are finely shredded to provide that same airy feel. While down is an insulator, many of these fills can provide a more breathable feel, another boon for hot sleepers.
Value
High-quality firm pillows can cost anywhere from $50 to over $200. We often recommend pillows that fall around the $100 or $150 range. But, understandably, many shoppers are worried about paying too much or opting for something too good to be true. The good news is that we rate every pillow’s overall value out of 5, which gives folks an idea if it’s a worthwhile investment.
We take everything from the pillow’s construction, performance, and even company policies into account when pitting against the price. Quality materials, impressive showings in areas like cooling or support, and generous trials or warranties all increase a pillow’s overall value.
For the latter, we also see longer sleep trials or warranties as a sign of confidence in the product. The manufacturer is willing to cover defects in your product for a lengthy period of time, so it follows that it should hold up beyond that. Sleep trials and free returns also give you the opportunity to try before you commit to a purchase, which can put shoppers’ minds at ease.
Ultimately, a value score of at least 4/5 means the product is at the very least worth the price. Anything higher means you’re getting more than your money’s worth.
What Else Is Important When Buying Pillows?
If you’re still unsure of which firm pillow is right for you, here are some other factors to consider in your final decision.
Sleeping Position
“Just like choosing the right mattress for your sleeping position is important for spinal alignment, the right pillow is crucial, too,” explains Dr. Dasgupta. As I mentioned above, the ideal firmness and loft for you depends on how you sleep.
- Back sleepers typically do best on medium to firm pillows. Depending on your anatomy, you might like a low or high loft, but most often the former. You don’t want your head to be so elevated that your neck cranes too far forward.
- If you sleep on your side, a high-loft pillow is best. This should fill in the space between your shoulders and head. As a side sleeper myself, I love an extra-firm pillow, but some of my colleagues prefer a softer one for this position. Just be sure that your head is comfortably aloft and not too much so. To avoid shoulder pain, make sure your pillow either contours to or accommodates your shoulder. (This could also be the fault of your mattress, so check out the best beds for side sleepers for more.)
- Stomach sleepers want their head to be as close to the mattress as possible, or otherwise they’ll risk compromising the alignment of their cervical spine. These sleepers will want a pillow with a very low loft, usually one that’s on the softer side. Some sleepers even find the most comfort sleeping without a pillow at all.
If you switch between multiple sleeping positions or find yourself struggling to find the right composition for your needs, you might like an adjustable pillow. These allow you to take out and add filling or inserts to create your desired profile.
Care
Regularly washing your bedding is important for keeping a clean and refreshing sleep environment. While for pillows, this is mostly solved with a pillowcase, some folks might prefer a pillow that’s easier to clean.
Most pillows are spot-clean only or have to be taken to a dry cleaner, which can be a pain for the accident-prone. However, we’ve found that a number are machine-washable in some capacity—whether this is just the cover or the inside of the pillow. You can rarely wash the pillow fill itself, but some pillows with removable inserts can be put directly into the washing machine.
We carefully review any care instructions when testing a new pillow and rate them out of 5. This rating isn’t just for how reasonable it seems, but also how easy this information is to find. The last thing you want to do is dig for instructions after you’ve had a spill.
Cooling
“Keeping your sleep environment cool is key for quality sleep and staying asleep,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “If you find yourself overheating at night, cooling bedding like cooling sheets or pillows can help keep temperatures low.”
Great cooling pillows, thankfully, have some of the same materials as many firm pillows. Your best bet is a latex pillow, which has better breathability than foam. Of course, many firm foam pillows feature gel infusions, like the Cariloha Cooling Gel Pillow. Other pillows offer cooling covers with breathable or heat-wicking fabrics.
Though we don’t have a specific test or scoring metric for cooling, we don’t discount it. After sleeping with a pillow for a few nights, we have a good idea of how cooling it feels. Many of our testers are hot sleepers themselves (myself included), so we’re quick to note whether a pillow feels crisp or stuffy.
FAQs
What firmness of pillow is best?
Latex pillows are some of the firmest out there. They provide support and pressure relief in equal measure. Some dense polyfoam pillows, especially if they’re in a solid shape, can also be quite firm. Though rarer to find, some other firm-feeling pillows are buckwheat and microbead pillows, the latter of which are like bean bags for your head.
What type of pillow is the firmest?
Latex pillows are some of the firmest out there. They provide support and pressure relief in equal measure. Some dense polyfoam pillows, especially if they’re in a solid shape, can also be quite firm. Though rarer to find, some other firm-feeling pillows are buckwheat and microbead pillows, the latter of which are like bean bags for your head.
Are firmer pillows better?
Firmer pillows are better for certain sleepers than softer ones. If you sleep on your side, a firm pillow is often one of the best to keep your head elevated. Some people with neck pain prefer firmer pillows to keep their cervical spine aligned throughout the night. But soft pillows can be better for folks who need less loft, like stomach sleepers. These sleepers will want to sink deeper into their pillow to keep their neck from craning too far.
References
- Zhao, L., Tang, J., Zhou, M., & Shen, K. (2022). A review of the coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity of graphite. New Carbon Materials, 37(3), 544–555. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1872-5805(22)60603-6
- Low, F.-Z., Chua, M. C.-H., Lim, P.-Y., & Yeow, C.-H. (2017). Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 16(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2016.09.002
