Top 5 Pillow Comparisons
Honorable Mentions
The pillow market is overwhelmingly large. We’ve highlighted our favorites, yet even those don’t capture the extensive range of effective designs for a peaceful night’s sleep. If our selections don’t suit your preferences, consider these other options we tested and our impressions of them.
Avocado Down Pillow for $109: This down option uses feathers from Responsible Down Standard (RDS)-certified farms, but it fell flat and was unimpressive to sleep on.
Avocado Green Pillow for $119: This pillow features fill made from GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic kapok. It offers a standard and a side-sleeper curved shape. It felt denser than others, and my team and I favored other latex pillows instead.
Bedgear Storm Pillow for $200: Similar to the Bedgear Flow but without the side-sleeper curve. Ideal for those who sleep entirely on their back, though I prefer more versatility. –Eric Ravenscraft
Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow for $59: I found this option preferable to Brooklinen’s actual down pillow due to its better spring and support. It’s a solid second choice for down alternatives behind the Buffy Cloud.
Casper Hybrid Pillow for $129: Featuring a mix of thick foam and a shredded foam core, it offers a dense yet soft, marshmallow-like feel. The added cooling in the Snow version ($149) was a nice touch. Despite its initial comfort, long-term tests yielded disappointing returns on firmness retention. A good choice if you prefer firm-ish designs but beware its limited long-term bounce-back.—Eric Ravenscraft
Eli & Elm Everyday Memory Foam Pillow for $110: Comparatively lumpy next to the latex version. Most of our testers did not favor it, except for one with an erratic sleep pattern who appreciated its malleability.
Eli & Elm Everyday Latex Pillow for $110: This shred-filled pillow is springy and serves well for side sleepers due to its support and loft, making it a good runner-up to the Coop and Purple.
Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow for $116: Initially firm but customizable for support. Great for those who favor firm support, though its small size makes it unsuitable for cuddling.—Eric Ravenscraft
GhostBed Memory Foam Pillow for $85: Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano vouches for it since 2020 for its medium-firm suitability across various sleep positions. It has cooling effects, but its “Coolest Pillow in the World” claim is overstated.
Marlow the Pillow for $49: Featuring shredded memory foam, this model provides fine support with side panel adjustments. Its supportiveness relieved neck pain for one tester, proving good value for money.
Nest Easy Breather Pillow for $119: While popular, it was too dense and lofty for most, though one panelist appreciated its firmness. It is adjustable, with a blend of foam and polyester fiber fill.
No More Aches Neck Pillow for $50: This uniquely designed pillow may help with neck pain due to its concave design, though its awkward form may limit use to merely head placement.—Eric Ravenscraft
Parallel High Profile Pillow for $150: Former reviewer Eric Ravenscraft liked its suitability for taller side sleepers, though comparable options in Purple or Coop might suffice.
Pillow Cube Side Cube ($70) and Ice Cube ($90): Featuring a rectangular design, this pillow supports exclusive side sleeping. Perfect matches come via their online quiz. Purchase a custom-sized case for best fit.—Louryn Strampe
Purple DreamLayer Pillow for $199: This pillow is perfect for alternating between side and back sleeping, offering dual foam inserts to customize support levels.—Eric Ravenscraft
Purple GridCloud Pillow for $149: This pillow combines softness with a down-alternative core but falls short of Purple’s more supportive options.
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow for $165: A fluffy, modestly cooling memory foam alternative with less sinkage.
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow for $115: This model fares well but doesn’t exceed the cheaper Buffy model. It offers two loft options.
Sleep Number True Temp Adapt Ultimate