Having the right pillow is critical for not only a good night’s rest, but to also maintain healthy spine alignment, reduce head and neck aches, and relieve pressure throughout your body. However, many pillows can run your wallet dry. Is it possible to get a good-quality pillow without a large price tag attached to it?
The answer is yes, absolutely. Pillows can range from $20 to nearly $200, and while more expensive often equates to a really nice product, some of the budget-friendly pillow options can also get the job done.
Below are my five picks for the most affordable pillows that still provide solid support. Note: Not all of these options will be cheap. Rather, these are the best deals considering the quality of the pillow: the materials used and the design implemented to ensure it’s serving your body well.
Top 4 Most Affordable Pillows
- Best Memory Foam Pillow – Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow
- Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers – Allswell Down Alternative Pillow
- Best Firm Pillow – Puffy Pillow
- Best Pillow for Side Sleepers – Beyond Down Gel Fiber Side Sleeper Pillow
Why These Top Picks?
I wanted to provide a variety of pillows that were good deals and could also accommodate all different types of sleepers. From memory foam to down alternative, water, and gel-fiber fillings, hopefully there’s a pillow and price range for everyone out there.
Best Memory Foam Pillow – Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow
Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow
The Coop Sleep Goods pillow is an excellent value for the money. The pillow has a removable cover, interior and exterior cover, machine washable, and is fully adjustable.
Sleepopolis Score
4.30 / 5
Are you a fan of memory foam, but don’t like the idea of a pillow that’s just a big block of the stuff? Then you could really like the Coop Sleep Goods Original pillow, which is made from a blend of microfiber and shredded memory foam. This pillow blends the moldable, squishable feeling of down with the contouring and pressure relief of memory foam.
Another great feature about this memory foam pillow is that it sleeps cool. Unlike a solid block of memory foam, which can trap heat, the shredded fill lets air flow through the pillow, helping to prevent overheating.
This pillow has a medium-firm feel that’s best for side sleepers and back sleepers. Side sleepers will likely do best will the fill level the pillow comes with, but back sleepers might want to remove a bit of the fill to get their desired loft.
Read our full Coop Sleep Goods Original pillow review to learn more.
Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers – Allswell Down Alternative Pillow
Allswell Down Alternative Pillow
The Allswell Down Alternative pillow has the cozy, moldable feeling of down, but without the hefty price tag.
Sleepopolis Score
3.30 / 5
Sleepers looking for a more affordable version of down should really like the Allswell Down Alternative pillow. Made with a 100 percent polyester fabric fill, it’s both hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, so sleepers with allergies should do especially well here.
Personally, I’m a fan of down alternative because it mimics that moldable, squishy feeling of down, but you don’t have to worry about any feathers poking out over time (something I’ve noticed with many down pillows I’ve tried, even some of the pricey ones). Combination sleepers should be comfortable with this material, as it has just enough response to allow them to switch positions throughout the night.
I also like that this pillow comes with a 100 percent cotton cover. That means it’s nice and breathable, and will also wash easily. In fact, you can throw this whole pillow in the washing machine (on a cold and gentle cycle), which makes cleaning a breeze.
Full review coming soon!
Best Firm Pillow – Puffy Pillow
Puffy Pillow
The Puffy Pillow is a great choice for sleepers looking for a pillow with customizable comfort, targeted support, and allergy-friendly properties.
Sleepopolis Score
4.90 / 5
Firm pillows are great for sleepers who like added support, or suffer from neck or shoulder pain. The Puffy pillow has a firm feel that should work best for back or side sleepers. This firmness level will help keep their neck and spine neutrally aligned, which is the best way to prevent and reduce pain in those areas.
An added bonus about the Puffy pillow is that it’s adjustable. If you find that the pillow is too firm for your needs, simply remove some of the fill until you reach your desired level. This makes the pillow a great option for nearly every sleeper out there.
Read our full Puffy pillow review to learn more.
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers – Beyond Down Gel Pillow
Beyond Down Side Sleeper Pillow
Built with thick down alternative, the Beyond Down pillow is ideal for back and side sleepers.
Sleepopolis Score
4.10 / 5
The Beyond Down Gel pillow is a great balance of softness and support. It’s advertised as a “luxurious synthetic down pillow” filled with micro-denier gel fiber that mimics the feeling of down. It gets extra loft and lift from a double needle corded edged gusset—a piece of material that adds some boxy structure.
This is a win-win, especially for side sleepers who don’t like extra-firm pillows and would rather feel like they’re sleeping on a cloud. Plus, the Beyond Down Gel is only $24.50. Skip buying lattes for a week and you have yourself enough money for this pillow!
Learn more in our full Beyond Down Gel Pillow review.
Pillow-Fill, Explained
Since all of these pillows offer a variety of fill, I thought it would be helpful to break down the different types:
Shredded memory foam: Here’s why shredded memory foam is different from—and maybe even advantageous to—normal memory foam. When the foam is shredded, this allows for more airflow in the pillow itself, keeping you cool at night. Also, shredded foam pillows usually come with zippered inner-cases so you can add or remove the foam and adjust the pillow to your preferred level of firmness.
Down alternative/Gel fiber: Down alternative uses a synthetic filling made with polyester fibers that claim to mimic the feeling of down (gel fiber is often used). They are typically easier to clean, hypoallergenic, and a bit firmer, providing a pleasantly plush and fluffy feel, while still providing good support. However, they tend to wear down faster than down pillows. One main benefit is that they’re significantly more affordable!
Polyester: Polyester-filled pillows are the most common type of fill, and are generally the least expensive of the bunch. They’re lightweight and easy to clean, though also susceptible to clumping up and holding in heat.
Water: Water pillows are a great and popular option, thanks to how they provide firm yet adaptable support, while promising to not collapse under the weight of your head, regardless of how much pressure is applied.
Other types of pillow filling not on this list include down, latex, regular memory foam, and buckwheat.
Remember, A Great Pillow Is A Good Investment
While these are all great pillow options for someone on a budget, remember that a pillow should be considered an investment in your health. Since you spend nearly one-third of your life sleeping, don’t be afraid to find something that will give your body the support it needs to wake up refreshed and without soreness every morning.
Still looking for a pillow? Check out our best pillows page for a comprehensive overview.
