We Slept on These Bed Pillows for a Month to Find the Best of the Best These Are Actually Worth the Money

From Best ProductsWhen the time comes to invest in a new bed pillow, where should one begin their search? If youve ever lost half of a day scrolling through bedding reviews online, you've probably noticed that its near-impossible to find any consensus on what the best one actually is. And in truth, there may not be an uncontested, "perfect pillow" out there, since everyone's physical, emotional, and environmental factors are different.

But despite the abundance of choice on the market today, you can use what you already know about your current sleep preferences to help narrow your options down.According to Dr. Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist also known as The Sleep Doctor, Selecting a pillow is a very individual process.

When it comes to picking the right pillow, there is really no one pillow size, shape, or material that fits all. The best way to find the pillow thats right for you is to determine your individual criteria and then use your instinct about what feels most comfortable and appropriate for you.A bed pillow's fill material and firmness are two major factors to take into account when beginning your search, as you can immediately rule out a lot of products that way.

Think about the pillow that you currently sleep with, and try to specify what you like and dislike about it - it is way too firm, or does it completely lack support? Is it made of solid memory foam, or is it filled with a malleable material, and would the opposite type be a better fit? Your usual sleep position can also help indicate what type of firmness is best for you.

We asked Lexie Sachs, the Senior Product Analyst in the Textiles Lab of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, what the most important factor in buying a new pillow is, and she told us, The goal is to have your head and neck aligned. When you lie on your pillow, your neck shouldnt be tilting in any direction. Side sleepers need a thick, firm pillow; stomach sleepers need a thin, soft one; back sleepers need somewhere in between.

Some fill materials, like memory foam, will inherently be heavier and have a more supportive core than other materials, like a fiber or feather blend, which will be softer but potentially less structural. What remains true for all types, though, is that there should be no neck pain whatsoever, even in the first few days of sleeping on a new pillow. Sachs adds, new pillows may feel unusual at first, especially if you are making a switch to a material youre not used to, but a pillow should never leave you feeling sore.

With that in mind, make sure you check the retailers return policy before you make a new pillow purchase, just in case it ends up not working for you!As Senior Home Decor Editor, Ive been testing bed pillows for the site for nearly 3 years, experiencing firsthand the differences in various firmness levels, fill types, and heat-wicking fabric technology. While every pillow I test at home may not be right for me as a side/stomach sleeper, I try to take into consideration the benefits that the products do offer in terms of support, fill material, and quality of construction that might be better suited for different users.

Some of the pillows that were picked for this testing trial are from brands that Ive tested for previous iterations of this piece, but that I wanted another editor to sleep on for themselves. I also consulted pillow reviews from Forbes, Wirecutter, Business Insider, and Apartment Therapy to get a sense of which products those outlets had tested and touted as being the best. Finally, I searched the top-selling pillows on Amazon and consulted the reviews of the highest-rated products, to take into consideration which ones might be best suited for budget- or convenience-minded buyers.

After researching pillow types and talking with brand reps for two weeks, a total of 12 pillows of all different material types and price points were called in and distributed to the editors.From the 12 pillows that made the initial cut, we paired our in-house editors with the pillow best aligned to their preferred sleep position and pillow firmness, while keeping in mind that factors like bedroom environment and pre-bedtime stress levels would be outside of our control. We asked the editors choose a pillow that was as close as possible to what they already sleep with, to try to provide a smooth transition to a new sleep surface - but as we learned, there's no guarantee that it would be a perfect match.

The editors slept on these pillows for one month, so that theyd have more than enough time to track their own comfort level with their pillow. What we discovered right away is that if a pillow is not comfortable to sleep with in the first few days, or if it causes neck or body aches, it simply isnt the right pillow for them. Though testing these products for just one month doesn't show how they wear down with extensive use, it did provide ample time for the editors to factor in changes to their sleep environment over a few weeks.

All editors involved judged their pillows based on the following testing criteria:Support: Does the pillow provide balanced head and neck support, or it is much too soft or firm?Responsiveness: Is the pillow malleable, or does it only have one form?Pillow weight: Does the pillows heaviness or lightness impact the comfort of sleeping with it?

Heat Retention: Does the pillow hold onto or wick away body heat?After getting feedback from our editors at the conclusion of the trial period, we narrowed our 12 pillow products down to seven, for our final reviews. Check out what they had to say below, in our best bed pillows list!

Pros: Its unique construction is plush, supportive, and coolingCons: Weighty, has just a bit too much resistance for stomach sleepersThe Leesa hybrid pillows unique construction may look a little strange, but it actually checks a lot of boxes, comfort-wise. Each side offers a completely different textural experience - one side has cushioned microfiber quilting that nestles the head and neck, and the other is flatter and much firmer, but is layered with a ventilated cooling gel directly underneath the pillow's surface. Even when covered with a thick pillowcase, the cooling sensation is still effectively transferred to the skin.

Its one of Forbes favorite side-sleeper pillows, and Cup of Jo recently called it the worlds most comfortable pillow. For back and side sleepers at least, thats not too far from the truth!I tested this pillow for a month, and I would categorize myself as primarily a side sleeper with occasional stomach-sleeping tendencies.

The pillow has a low loft and is decently spoonable, but its form isnt malleable. There also seemed to be a strong "backbone" in this pillow - whenever I flipped onto my stomach, it sometimes felt like it was pushing back a little too much.The ability to experience different sensations depending on which part of my body was making contact with the pillow was unique and conducive to the sleep experience.

The pillow doesn't make you feel like you're sinking, overheating, or like you have to fluff it up at any point. It may not be cheap, but the deep sleep is worth it.Bottom Line: No matter which side of it you sleep on, this pillow is engineered to keep the user feeling nestled and cool, while maintaining correct body alignment.

Pros: It's lighter than a typical foam pillow, and has just the right loft and support for a stomach sleeperCon: Feels springier than softThe Tuft & Needle pillow is made of one piece of adaptive foam that is ventilated with small holes for airflow, and it has a removable, quilted cover that adds a little extra padding.While our editor, Bridget Clegg, did note that this pillows form isnt malleable and its material is a bit springy, she really liked its round-cornered shape, saying It fits right into the crook between my shoulders and head, making the moments where Im settling into sleep on my side less fidgety. She also noted that for a foam pillow, the product is also comfortably lightweight and doesnt excessively retain body heat.

Clegg also found after just a few nights of sleep that this low-loft pillow also provided excellent support, saying, it holds up my head in a way that felt like my spine was more aligned with my neck. I pretty much stopped using my cotton fill pillow after a few nights on this one Overall Id recommend this to someone who likes a slightly firmer (but still cozy) pillow.Bottom Line: The single-foam construction of this pillow strikes the right firmness balance, helping to keep side and stomach sleepers from continuously flipping over in the night.

Pros: This pick is perfect for spooning and for keeping you propped up in bedCon: It's almost too lofty, though inner fill is removableAnother unconventional design, the Casper features a unique 2-pillows-in-1 structure that is meant to support every sleep position. Its firm core pillow is filled with tiny coated microfibers that give it a responsive, gel-like texture, and its zipped inside of a soft, cushioned outer shell, filled with longer-strand microfibers for an airier feel.Our editor, Danielle St.

Pierre, was pleasantly surprised by the lofty pillows lightweight build and its ample support. She noted, The pillows outer soft layer is malleable enough to adjust the angle to what is most comfortable for my head and neck, while the supportive inner pillow provided stability. Another feature she cited was that the pillows cotton outer cover and microfiber fill kept her feeling cool, saying that it effectively wicked away body heat.

St. Pierre, who is a stomach sleeper, did admit that there was a little bit of pillow-mushing involved, to get it to just the perfect blend of fluffiness and support. Ive also slept on the Casper pillow and can attest that as a side/stomach sleeper, its loft between the shoulders and head is comfortable, and also great to spoon with, but it becomes less comfortable when I roll to my stomach.

If a fluffy, malleable, and cooling pillow is what youre after, the Casper is a solid, supportive choice for those who always sleep on their side.Bottom Line: The Casper's unique two-in-one pillow design is responsive, cuddly, and great for those who love a pillow with lift.Pros: Designed with exceptional support and great airflow to help keep hot sleepers coolCons: Heavy, not easily spoonableThe Purple Pillow is undoubtedly the heaviest pillow on our list, at 10.

5 pounds, and is made of a hyper-elastic, purple-colored polymer. Unless you already own one, its unlikely that youve ever slept on anything like it before. Our editor Zarah Kavarana was brave enough to give this product a shot, and her curiosity paid off.

She says, I had major doubts when I first started using the Purple pillow. It was hard, flat, and heavy - pretty much everything I would never want in a pillow, but its firmness and strategic support made such a difference in my chronic back and neck pain that Im now a total believer!The pillow's rubbery material is molded on top and bottom into slim, triangular-shaped cells that compress under pressure, while staying firm and supportive.

It also comes covered with a thin, white, removable fabric casing. Kavarana noted that this unconventional design helped to keep her body aligned in her usual side-sleeper position, while also allowing air to flow, preventing her head and neck from getting too hot.Though she did said that this one lacks the malleable and spoonable feeling of a traditional pillow, the Purple stayed perfectly flat, and because it doesnt retain heat, it kept her from continually adjusting positions in the night.

The Purple pillow is definitely a unique product, and we think it would be best for a side/back sleeper, or someone who suffers from neck and back pain, as it prioritizes proper body alignment over fluffiness.Bottom Line: While the Purple pillow may be the opposite of plush, its highly responsive material takes strain off of the body's pressure points and helps to improve alignment.Pros: Supportive interlocking fill is firm, yet cushyCon: Not a noticeably heat-wicking pillow designThe MyPillow is a shredded memory-foam pillow that comes in a variety of different densities, and unlike other memory-foam pillows we tested, this one is far more malleable than others, which can sometimes feel like like a wrestling match to adjust in the night.

Our editor Patrick Varone tried the extra firm fill, after previously having tested the two lower densities, and found that this was perfect for him. He says, I no longer wake up with neck pain or a stiff neck, which makes the whole thing worth it because I have tried literally dozens of pillows for this issue and never had any luck. He notes that this pillow has just the right loft and support to cradle his head, without having to stack a bunch of pillows up to get the right height.

Varone also liked that this pillow seems to have a lot more longevity than traditional fiber-fill types. In order to expand the vacuum-packed foam, users are recommended to toss the pillow in the dryer for a few minutes, and he found that this method also works to fluff up the pillow, whenever needed!Bottom Line: Odd commercials aside, the MyPillow's extra-firm pillow is lightweight, malleable, and comfy enough for nearly any sleep position.

Pros: It has a super-soft cover, and its adjustable shredded-foam fill is malleable, springy, and supportiveCons: The foam fill is very reactive, and lots of it may need to be removed for side/stomach sleepers to enjoy comfortablyThe Coop Home Goods pillow is a shredded memory-foam pillow that can be unzipped open to add or remove stuffing, according to the users sleep preferences. It even comes with an extra bag of memory-foam fill, in case the user wants it extra jet-puffed! This pillow is covered with a soft, quilted cover that has ventilated gussets around the sides to push out hot air.

If youre searching for the best pillow on Amazon, this pillow is likely to be one of the top results, with 75% of its current 875 reviewers giving it a five-star rating. Its also Business Insiders top pillow pick as well - they specifically tout the products chemical-free CertiPUR-US certification, as well as its convenient machine-washable construction.Our editor, Leanna Yip, tested this pillow initially without adjusting the stuffing, and said that it was too firm and that it springs back a little too willingly.

She also said that she had to remove about half of the memory-foam fill for it to get to a comfortable loft. She didnt find that the pillow retained body heat, however, saying that its strength is its temperature. It was never too hot and was nice and cool!

Ive also tested this pillow for an extended period of time, and can also attest that the inner foam filling does need some adjusting upon arrival - however, I do find this actually to be a major plus of the product. Many other pillows (including products on this list) are available in different densities, but cannot be zipped open to remove filling, but the Eden pillow actually allows for some flexibility. The foam itself is springy, but because the pillows form is malleable, it strikes a good balance of soft and supportive.

The quilted cover is an added bonus, because not only does it feel cozy, but it effectively grips the pillowcase so that it doesnt slide around in the night.Bottom Line: No matter how you sleep, this adjustable, shredded-foam pillow has the right balance of softness and loft to keep your head supported (and cool!) throughout the night.

Pros: Its dual-sided support system is perfect for nearly any firmness preference, plus, the soft and smooth cover wicks away body heat and is incredibly coolingCon: ExpensiveOne of the most luxe products on our list, the Bedgear Solar Performance Pillow contains layers of breathable latex and foam at its core, and is covered with a proprietary heat-wicking fabric that feels nice and cool throughout the night. Our editor Katie McBroom even called it refreshing! Its unique side gussets not only provide loft and structure to the pillow, but also deliver increased airflow.

Its worth nothing that that this pillows slightly contoured shape is designed for a side sleeper, though a back sleeper would probably receive the same support benefits from using it as well.This pillow is is layered with two different types of foam on either side - one slightly firmer than the other - so that the user can choose which side is best for them. While this foam pillow's weightiness was a bit of a departure for McBroom's usual preference, she ended up feeling as though the pillows density helped keep her head and neck in better alignment.

She notes, I loved the contoured shape and design of this pillow, and didnt have to wrestle with it at all to get comfortable.Its standout feature, hands down, is Bedgear's uniquely cooling top-layer material, called Ver-Tex fabric. McBroom says, I believe the cooling aspect was the most beneficial feature and kept me comfortable throughout the night.

I tend to run hot and have trouble sleeping when Im not cool enough, so this was a definite bonus in addition to the overall comfortable form of the pillow. The smooth Ver-Tex fabric does make the pillow a little more slippery than a regular cotton cover, but it effectively makes every side the cool side of the pillow.Bottom Line: While this product is definitely in the treat-yourself price bracket, its special features are designed to effectively help the body rest, recover, and recharge.

These are pillows that we tested, either in this iteration of the trial, or previous trials, and while they didn't quite make the cut, they may be good options for other sleepers to consider.Parachute Down Pillow in Medium ($69): Our editor Jamie Miles wanted to love this incredibly soft, European white-down pillow, but felt as though the medium density just wasn't supportive enough for a side sleeper. Though the construction and quality of the product was great, she thought its medium density would be better suited for stomach sleepers, while side sleepers should opt for the firmer option.

Tulo Firm Pillow ($89): Our editor Stefan Vazharov liked this pillow a lot, saying that although it's weighty, it offers great support for back sleepers. We recommend it as an alternative firm pillow pick if you're looking for one that's comprised of one piece of memory foam, as opposed to malleable shredded foam.Helix Ultra-Cool Pillow ($115): I've tested this pillow for a previous iteration of this piece, and still really like its adjustable inner fill and irresistibly cool outer cover, which feels especially nice during the warmer months.

A cheaper alternative to the Bedgear pillow listed above, this one lacks the contoured shape and pressure-point-alleviating support.Read More:50 Secrets to a Better Night's Sleep, Starting TonightThe Best Flannel Sheet Sets Made for Long Nights InThese Sunrise Alarm Clocks Wake You Up With Light, Not a Blaring BeepFollow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!('You Might Also Like',)