Best Adjustable Pillow

If you’ve had trouble finding a pillow that works for you and your slumber needs, you may want to try an adjustable pillow. Typically filled with shredded memory foam, poly foam, or latex foam, these pillows can be easily adjusted to modify their lofts and levels of firmness. This allows the sleeper to experiment with different feels until they land on a vibe that works for them. Though slightly unconventional, adjustable pillows have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with many brands now selling these adaptable accessories. But which one is right for you? Well, I’m so glad you asked!

In this guide, I’m going to introduce you to the best adjustable pillows on the market. Though they differ in terms of style, construction, and price, they’re all great examples of just how fantastic adjustable pillows can be. I’ll also be sharing the methodology I used to make my picks, so you know exactly what to consider when shopping for one of your own. Then, I’ll round things out with a few expert tips you can use to improve your buying experience.

Best Adjustable Pillows

• Best Overall – Luxome LAYR Pillow
• Best Cooling – Coop Sleep Goods Eden
• Best for Side Sleepers – Eli & Elm Side Sleeper
• Best for Back Sleepers – TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable
• Best Hypoallergenic – Lagoon Fox
• Best Memory Foam – Marlow Pillow

Best Overall – Luxome LAYR Pillow

Luxome LAYR Pillow

The LUXOME LAYR Pillow is a customizable option with CertiPUR-US certified memory foam and naturally cooling bamboo.

Check Price

Shoppers of all kinds swarm to the Luxome LAYR pillow because of its adjustable nature, luxury materials, and advanced cooling capabilities. There are three separate inserts of varying firmnesses that you can mix and match to pinpoint the right loft, firmness, and feel for you. It’s as simple as unzipping the cover and adding or removing the inserts.

Pros

• Its cooling bamboo cover, gel-infused memory foam, and breathable cotton inserts work together to create a fantastic cooling pillow.
• This pillow is incredibly durable and supportive.
• For convenience, the cover of this pillow, as well as the covers on the inserts, are machine-washable.

Cons

• As a luxury pillow, this model isn’t the best for budget shoppers.

Best Cooling – Coop Sleep Goods Eden

Coop Eden Pillow

With cooling Lulltra fabric and shredded gel-infused memory foam fill, this down alternative pillow from Coop Sleep Goods is great for hot sleepers, side sleepers, and back sleepers.

Sleepopolis Score

4.60 / 5

Read Full Review

Check Price

If you’re looking to invest in a high-quality cooling pillow, look no further than this beauty from Coop Sleep Goods. The cover is made of bamboo, an all-natural material that’s breathable and great at cooling. Amply stuffed with shredded memory foam, this pillow is cozy and pressure-relieving, providing excellent comfort to a wide range of sleepers.

Pros

• This pillow strikes an excellent balance between softness and firmness, endearing it to a lot of different sleepers. 
• Plus, the materials here have been CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified, which ensures that they’re toxin- and chemical-free. 
• I also like that the pillow comes with an extra bag of fill, in case you lose some or simply want an extra-stuffed pillow.

Cons

• This pillow has a luxury feel, which means it also comes with a luxury price tag. Therefore, it might not be a great fit for budget shoppers. 

Best for Side Sleepers – Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow

Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow

The Eli & Elm side sleeper pillow is one of the best pillows for side sleepers. It’s constructed in a unique u-shape to support side sleepers’ heads and necks and reduce shoulder pain.

Sleepopolis Score

4.30 / 5

Read Full Review

Check Price

If you’re a side sleeper, this pillow is made just for you. The Eli & Elm Cotton Side Sleeper is constructed in a U-shape in order to help support the head and neck throughout the night and to help reduce shoulder pain. The pillow is medium-firm, which side sleepers should love.

Pros 

• The cover, the inner layer, and the fill are all antimicrobial, mildew-proof, and dust mite resistant.
•  The outer cover is made of a cotton, polyester, and spandex blend, and it’s removable and machine-washable.
• The latex and polyester fill of this pillow help keep you from overheating.

Cons

• There are limited size options for this pillow, as it only comes in one standard size.

Best for Back Sleepers – TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable

TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow

The TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable pillow is a great option for back and side sleepers. With a shredded foam fill that allows you to adjust the loft, it can be customized to your exact preferences.

Sleepopolis Score

4.00 / 5

Read Full Review

Check Price

If you want a memory foam pillow that’s moldable, the TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable pillow may be what you need. It’s a medium-firm pillow, which is perfect for back sleepers. And since the pillow is adjustable, the shredded TEMPUR Material foam can be added or removed until you find a suitable loft to compliment back sleeping.

Pros 

• There are three types of shredded TEMPUR Material foam that make up the filling of this pillow.
• The polyester knit outer cover is antimicrobial and machine washable.
• If the loft is adjusted, this could also be a great option for side sleepers.

Cons

• This pillow only comes in queen and standard sizes, with no king size option available.

Best Hypoallergenic – Lagoon Fox

Lagoon Fox Pillow

This adjustable pillow allows you to add or subtract the fill until you find the right height and firmness level.

Read Full Review

Check Price

For sleepers looking for a high-quality, hypoallergenic, adjustable pillow, this pillow from Lagoon may be right up your alley. It’s filled with shredded memory foam, and the materials have been CertiPUR-US certified, which means they’re long-lasting, eco-friendly, and perfect for people with allergies and sensitivities.

Pros

• The outer cover of this pillow is made of a bamboo blend, a material that helps fabric feel more breathable while offering some cooling benefits.
• The cover, liner, and fill of this pillow are all machine-washable.
• This pillow offers great comfort and support, and should be a great fit for most types of sleepers.

Cons

• If you’re a stomach sleeper, the Fox may be a bit too firm for you.

Best Memory Foam – Marlow Pillow

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow

The Marlow pillow from Brooklinen is filled with shredded foam and polyester fiber fill and uses a zippered design to offer an adjustable feel.

Sleepopolis Score

4.20 / 5

Read Full Review

Check Price

Foam lovers, rejoice! The Marlow pillow may just be the pillow you’re looking for. It’s fluffy yet supportive due to its filling of shredded foam and polyester.

Pros

• This is a medium-firm pillow, so it should be great for back sleepers.
• The Marlow pillow’s loft and firmness can be adjusted using a zipper feature on the sides of the pillow.
• In general, this is a cozy, cool, and comfortable pillow that could work well for those after a no-fuss design.

Cons

• The adjustability of this pillow may be limiting to some who want more control of the firmness and loft of their pillow.

How We Picked

Now that we’ve gone over my picks, let’s take a minute to chat about how I picked ‘em! You can think of this section as a round-up of all the major factors you’ll want to consider when shopping for an adjustable pillow of your own.

Position

Before you start your adjustable pillow research, I’d recommend thinking about what kind of sleeper you are. Most folks favor certain positions over others, so it’s important to land on a pillow that will support you in your preferred sleeping position.

If you doze on your side, you’ll want a firm, high-lofted pillow (around four inches or taller) that cradles the neck and sets the spine in a neutral alignment. If you sleep on your stomach, you’ll want a soft, low loft (around one to two inches) that will prevent your neck from craning up and away from the shoulders. If you sleep on your back, you’ll want a medium firm pillow that cushions the shoulders and supports the neck. And if you move between positions as you snooze, you’ll want a pillow that has an even fill from the center all the way to the sides.

By considering the kind of pillow you need based on your preferred sleeping position, you’ll be better equipped to sort through the various options available online.

Fill Material

Fill is another crucial factor to consider when shopping for an adjustable pillow. As the name suggests, fill refers to the materials that make up the interior of the pillow. When considering fill, you’ll want to think about it in two ways: The material itself and how it’s formed.

The most common types of fill that you’ll see in adjustable pillows are memory foam, poly foam, and latex. These materials have distinct feels that endear them to different kinds of sleepers.

• Memory Foam: Memory foam is known for its slow response to pressure and contouring hug. When used in a pillow, it can be great for side sleepers or folks who struggle with neck or shoulder pain. This is one of the most popular materials to see in adjustable pillows because it’s highly moldable. In general, memory foam will have the softest, most plush feel.
• Poly Foam: Poly foam is a standard foam material. It’s soft to the touch, but has a quicker response to pressure than memory foam. This material is typically mixed in with another material to give the pillow more heft.
• Latex Foam: Latex foam has a quick response to pressure and is known for its bounce and natural cooling tendencies. When seen in a pillow, it makes for a buoyant accessory that’s great for back or combo sleepers. It’s also an eco-friendly option, so is a favorite of green sleepers.

Fill Form

When it comes to how these materials are used in the pillows themselves, they’re usually shredded, though sometimes you’ll see them in a solid foam form. No design is inherently better, but they do each have their pros and cons.

• Shredded: Shredded fill is typically easier to adjust than other types of fill. You basically unzip your pillow and remove as much shredded fill as you’d like in order to get the feel you want. This allows for some really nice customization, though I will say that it can be kind of messy. Plus, it can be difficult to figure out what to do with the extra fill, especially if the brand you bought from didn’t include a carrying pouch.
• Solid: Solid fill is much simpler to adjust than shredded, but it doesn’t give you nearly as many comfort options. You won’t see this kind of fill very often in adjustable pillows, but you’ll occasionally run into an adjustable pillow that’s essentially stuffed with three to four thin “pillows.” If your biggest concern is adjusting the loft (or height) of your pillow, solid may be the way to go as this is the only factor it can really modify.

Loft

In addition to fill, you’ll also want to think about loft. We’ve chatted about this a bit, but loft basically refers to the height of your pillow. Different kinds of sleepers will want different levels of loft, so it’s important to make sure that the pillow you want can accommodate whatever height you need.

In order to determine the loft of your potential pillow, simply navigate to the “details” section of the product. Here, the brand will list all the specifications of the pillow, including weight, material construction, fill, and loft capacity. This will probably be most important to side sleepers as they need the highest loft of anyone (again, between four and seven inches). Other folks can simply remove the fill until the pillow is thin enough for their needs.

Sleepopolis Tips

Still not sure how to land on the adjustable pillow of your dreams? No worries! Below, I’ve compiled a few tips and tricks you can use to make your search a breeze.

• Most brands use a number of different materials to make up the internal fills of their adjustable pillows, so it’s important to take note of the specific material breakdown. A fill that’s 80 percent poly foam and 20 percent memory foam isn’t going to be nearly as comfortable or luxurious as one that’s 80 percent memory foam and 20 percent poly foam.
• Make sure to take note of all the accessories included in your purchase. If an adjustable pillow doesn’t come with a small bag to house removed fill, it may not be worth the money. As I mentioned, shredded fill can be kind of messy, especially if you don’t have a place to put it.
• If you’re worried about inhaling bits of shredded fill, I’d look for a pillow that employs hypoallergenic materials. This ensures that the materials are toxin- and dander-free, which can be great news for folks with serious allergies.

FAQs

Wrapping Up

Well, we’ve officially reached the end of this adjustable pillow guide! When looking for one of your own, make sure to consider loft, fill, material make-up, and how the pillow is adjusted. That way, you’ll be able to snag a pillow that’s 100 percent right for you and your unique slumber needs.

Cody Gohl

Former Staff Editor

About Author

Cody is a former staff editor at Sleepopolis. His work has appeared online for Esquire, Next, LOGO TV, Fandom, Citylife, The Manual, and more.

Combination Sleeper