Best Pillows of 2025, According to Bedding Buffs

When it comes to picking a pillow that effortlessly balances comfort, support, and quality, the Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow rises to the top. This pillow is plush yet supportive, durable yet delicate, and according to product tester Sosha Lewis, it hits all the right notes. Sosha gave this pillow a 4.5-star rating or higher across our key categories for pillows: experience, materials, and ease of care.

“This may be my favorite pillow of all time,” Sosha said. “I knew we were going to have a great love story the minute I took it out of its packaging. Once I started sleeping with it, I couldn’t get enough. I’ve now snuck the one from my husband’s side of the bed and replaced it with an inferior pillow so I can use both.”

Sosha awarded the Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow a perfect 5 out of 5 for overall experience, and it’s easy to see why. Its goose down alternative fill offers a hypoallergenic and luxurious sleep surface, while its structure strikes the perfect balance between loft and sink. This combination results in an indulgent and functional pillow for back and side-sleepers.

“I’m a side sleeper and love them for this position,” she said. “It’s a higher pillow that allows just the right amount of sinkage to keep your spine aligned. I also found it surprisingly comfy for back sleeping because it lets you sink just enough.”

Sosha gave the materials another perfect 5-star rating. She noted that the pillow’s fill is soft and cloud-like, yet it maintains its shape night after night. Meanwhile, the outer cover feels durable and built to withstand wear and tear.

In terms of maintenance, Sosha gave the pillow a 4.5 out of 5 for ease of care. It is machine washable, but due to its size and density, Peacock Alley recommends laundering it in a commercial washer or opting for professional cleaning. The brand also provides a complete care guide online, which Sosha appreciated.

Between its luxurious feel, well-balanced support, and thoughtful design, the Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow earns my pick for best overall pillow. This pillow is a must-have for side-sleepers, back-sleepers, and folks who want to feel like they’re resting in a 5-star hotel every night.

For hot sleepers, a pillow that traps heat can make a sweaty, sleepless night even worse. Thankfully, the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow might be the solution to all of your temperature-regulating woes. During testing, sleep expert Sosha Lewis had nothing but praise for the Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow, awarding it a 4 out of 5 or higher for overall experience, materials, and care.

Sosha gave the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow a perfect 5 out of 5 in the overall experience category because it delivered cooling, adjustability, and comfortable support. As a side sleeper, she enjoyed it most on its soft setting and loved its cool-to-the-touch feel.

“As a side sleeper, I tend to stay away from memory foam pillows,” Sosha said. “However, the Tri-Comfort pillow is the exception. It sank in just right and kept my spine and neck comfortable and aligned. I also loved that you could feel its coolness even when it was in a pillowcase.”

Another feature that Sosha appreciated about the Nectar Tri-Comfort pillow was its high-quality, easy-to-adjust build that earned it a strong 4.5 out of 5 in the materials category. 

“Nectar has made it incredibly easy to find the right setting on this pillow,” Sosha said. “You can adjust the pillow’s loft and firmness using the zipper. Fully zipped offers a firmer feel, half-zipped gives you medium-firm support, and unzipping it all the way creates the softest setting.”

Sosha also gave the Nectar Tri-Comfort Pillow a 4 out of 5 for ease of care. While it is limited to spot-cleaning only, she didn’t anticipate this to be a significant drawback for most sleepers. Sosha noted that its construction should be able to resist staining, and any surface messes should be relatively easy to clean.

Aside from the Tri-Comfort pillow not being machine-washable, the only other flaw Sosha could think of was its price. At $258 for two pillows before discounts, these might be a bit steep for most budgets. Fortunately, they often go on sale for around $129.

If you’ve ever had an almost perfect pillow, you know firsthand that a few tiny adjustments can go a long way. Fortunately, the Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow addresses this issue by setting the gold standard for personalization. The LAYR gives sleepers control over loft, firmness, and feel, making it a standout choice for folks seeking a tailor-made sleep experience. Product tester Matt Schickling gave it a 4.5 out of 5 or higher across key categories, including materials, experience, and care.

Matt spent several weeks fine-tuning his ideal setup, ultimately layering the 2-inch foam base with medium and soft inserts for a combination that perfectly suited his back-sleeping needs. He was impressed (and somewhat overwhelmed) with the level of autonomy and personalization that the LAYR allowed him, awarding it a perfect 5-star rating in the experience category. 

“I did not know that this level of customization and tinkering was possible with a pillow,” Matt said. “I absolutely love the LAYR and will probably buy another one very soon.”

Matt was able to get comfortable in every sleeping position on this pillow, but thought back sleeping was divine. In this position, he said his head felt cradled and supported. The LAYRr’s adjustability allowed him to find the ideal loft to reduce strain on his neck and keep his head propped up just the right amount.

Beyond adjustability and comfort, the materials are also top-notch, earning it another 5-star score for its materials. This pillow combines high-quality memory foam and down alternative fills, wrapped in a soft, breathable cover. The icing on the cake? The inserts and outer pillow protectors are machine washable, earning it a 4.5 out of 5 in the care category.

“The pillow cover and the insert covers are machine washable,” Matt said. “However, the pillow stuffing materials are not. All of this is made clear on the Luxome website and in the packaging. The brand provides another case with a zipper to store the extra inserts, which was a nice touch.”

While the LAYR sits on the premium end at around $150, we found that its performance justified the price tag. If you’re the kind of sleeper who wants control down to the inch, or you’ve never quite found a pillow that “just works,” the LAYR may be the last pillow you ever need to tweak.

Sleepers looking for more ways to add some green to their bedrooms (beyond plants) should look into Birch’s organic bedding options, including their pillows. The Birch Organic Pillow is crafted from certified organic materials, including fair trade cotton, and holds a Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certification. Product tester Matt Schickling gave this premium latex pillow above-average scores across the board, including a 4 out of 5 for value and materials.

After spending some time with the Birch Organic Pillow, Matt was impressed by its high-quality construction and gave it a 4 out of 5 for materials. He also appreciated that there was enough filling in the pillow to be comfortable and supportive, yet enough room to mold the pillow to fit his preferences.

“This pillow feels quite durable and heavy-duty,” Matt said. “You can tell Birch uses dense, high-quality materials in the pillow’s construction. I also  like how it’s breathable at the same time.”

When it comes to comfort, Matt thought the Birch Organic Pillow performed best while side sleeping. He appreciated how malleable it was in this position. Matt noted that he was able to fold it beneath his head and scoop his arm under it at night without worrying about it losing its shape or wearing down.

“The benefit of the Birch Organic Pillow having a larger cover is that it allows for more flexibility,” Matt said. “You can fold or ball up your pillow to create a soft, lofty feel. This is great for side sleepers.”

Matt also gave the Birch Organic Pillow a 4 out of 5 for value. Despite its steep price tag, he felt that the pillow should remain comfortable and hold up well over time. However, he would have liked to see a few additional features or extras for right around $200. Fortunately, Birch often discounts this pillow to $149, which puts it at about the same price point as other organic pillows.

Fans of the classic, contouring support that only memory foam can deliver should love the Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow. This pillow combines the deep, pressure-relieving feel of a solid foam core with advanced cooling features to prevent overheating (something many memory foam products often struggle with). Product tester Sosha Lewis gave it high marks across all categories, including a 4 out of 5 or higher for experience, ease of care, and materials.

The Helix GlacioTex pillow is available in two loft options (low and high) to better help sleepers find something that matches their personal comfort preferences. Sosha, a side sleeper, tested the high loft version. While she found the height slightly too elevated for her liking, she appreciated that the brand offered multiple lofts to cater to different sleep styles.

“My husband, who’s a back sleeper, ended up liking it more than I did,” Sosha said. “While I usually prefer more moldable pillows, I can see how this would appeal to folks who like firm, solid memory foam support.”

However, the real high point of the Helix GlacioTex pillow is its cool-to-the-touch cover. Sosha noted that the GlacioTex fabric felt cool even through a pillowcase, which is a rare feat and a huge plus for hot sleepers or those in warmer climates. This feature contributed to its solid 4 out of 5 rating for materials.

“The materials feel solid,” Sosha said. “The cover is slick, soft, and cool to the touch. The memory foam is a solid chunk and feels durable and sturdy. It is also perforated to help facilitate airflow.”

Sosha also praised this pillow for being relatively low-maintenance and gave it a 4.5 out of 5 for ease of care. While there’s no dedicated care card in the packaging, clear instructions are available on the pillow’s tag and online. While the foam core is spot-clean only, the removable cover is machine-washable, which is a game-changer for those looking for an easy way to keep their sleep surface sanitary.

This pillow might not be the best choice for everyone, including side sleepers and those who prefer a more adjustable pillow. However, the Helix GlacioTex pillow is an excellent option for those seeking a high-quality memory foam pillow.

Sleeping with the wrong pillow can be a pain in the neck–literally. “A pillow that’s too flat or too thick can push your neck out of alignment,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta. “If you’re waking up with neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, stiffness, or poor sleep quality, your pillow might be to blame.” If that sounds familiar, the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow may be worth a try. Product tester Matt Schickling praised its firm, ergonomic design for promoting proper spinal alignment and awarded it a 4 out of 5 or higher in overall experience, materials, and ease of care.

During testing, Matt gave the TEMPUR-Neck pillow a 4 out of 5 for overall experience. He appreciated its high-end feel and how well it conformed to his neck when he lay on it. He felt it was solid in the back and stomach-sleeping positions; however, he found that side-sleeping was most comfortable with this pillow.

“I really like most things about this pillow,” Matt said. “The foam materials are supportive and dense, the bump in the design fits nicely with my neck, and the cover feels high-end and high-quality.”

Matt also gave the TEMPUR-Neck pillow a 4.5 out of 5 care score for its removable, machine-washable cover that was easy to clean. While the pillow itself was spot-clean only, he found that washing the cover was enough to refresh it and keep it feeling crisp and clean to lie on.

Matt’s only real gripe with the TEMPUR-Neck pillow, and the reason he gave it 4.5 instead of a perfect 5 for its construction materials, was that it was too small to fit in a standard pillowcase. He noted that, despite the pillow itself feeling dense and well-constructed, it “looks like a little kid wearing his dad’s work boots” in a queen-size pillowcase.

The Avocado Organic Latex Wedge Pillow is a clear winner for those seeking a sustainable wedge pillow that offers ergonomic support. Crafted with GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex and organic cotton, this pillow fulfills the brand’s promise of providing eco-conscious, non-toxic bedding. Product tester Kate Meier gave it high marks across the board, including perfect 5-star scores for materials, ease of care, and overall experience.

What sets the Avocado wedge pillow apart is its quality and functionality. The supportive latex foam core maintains its shape while offering a gentle slope. This design is ideal for back sleepers or anyone who prefers a bit of elevation at night. Kate found it especially helpful when propping herself up to relax or sleep.

“Overall, I love this pillow for everything,” Kate said. “I’m a combo back-and-side sleeper. Most of the time, I use this as my main pillow when I sleep on my back and need a gradual slope to alleviate pressure. Other nights, I use it to elevate my legs if they’re sore from working out.”

The washable organic cotton cover also impressed Kate, who appreciated the added carry handles for portability. She gave it a 5 out of 5 for care, noting that the cleaning process was quick and effortless.

“Taking care of this bad boy is pretty simple,” Kate said. “All you have to do is wash the cover and let it air-dry over a chair. It’s usually ready to go within a few hours.”

While this wedge pillow earned praise for comfort and sustainability, it does come with two minor drawbacks. At $199 before discounts, it sits on the premium end of the price spectrum. Kate also mentioned that its large, angular shape looked a bit out of place on her made bed, so she stored it in the closet when not in use.

If you’re like me, the thought of spending more than $100 for a pillow is unfathomable. However, there is hope for those of us who want to build a luxurious sleep setup on a budget. The Marlow Pillow by Brooklinen is a budget-friendly option at just $49 each, or better yet, $34.40 each when you purchase a 4-pack. The best part about this pillow is that it performs well above its price tag. During testing, I gave my pillow a 4 out of 5 or higher for overall experience, materials, and price.

Like a handful of other pillows on this list, the Marlow Pillow is adjustable. If you unzip both sides, it’s plush. If you unzip one side, it’s medium-firm. If you leave both sides of the pillow zipped up, it’s firm. Honestly, I didn’t notice much of a difference between fully zipped and half-zipped, but its plush setting was noticeably plush.

Overall, it was surprisingly comfortable to sleep on, especially on my stomach. As a stomach sleeper, I prefer a low loft, so the firmest setting on the Marlow felt exquisite. It didn’t elevate my neck too much, and I felt like my whole body was in alignment. I was a happy camper, so I gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 for overall experience.

It claims to be cooling; however, it didn’t feel cool to the touch to me during testing. Aside from that, I think its materials feel durable and capable of withstanding everyday wear and tear. I love that this pillow is adjustable and hypoallergenic, so I gave it a 4 out of 5 for materials.

However, the Marlow isn’t perfect. Despite being a steal for $49, I have a couple of complaints. I had to dock points for ease of care because it is spot-clean only, and there’s no removable, machine-washable cover to make my life easier. And as a hot sleeper, I was also disappointed by its failure to deliver on its cooling promise.

Finally, I want to reiterate that this is a great pillow for the price. I gave it a 5 out of 5 for value because it brings budget-ballers one step closer to having the bedroom of their dreams. Seriously, buy the 4-pack for your entire family and be the sleep hero of your household.