Pillow

A pillow is a cushion that is used to support the head, neck, or other parts of the body while sleeping or resting. They make pillows from a variety of materials, such as feathers, foam, cotton, synthetic fibers, and even memory foam. Pillows come in a range of shapes and sizes, and there is something to suit every sleeping position and comfort preference. We can use them as decorative items and they can even provide therapeutic benefits.

The perfect pillow for you depends on your individual needs and preferences, including the position in which you sleep. In other words, your sleep position determines what kind of support you need in a pillow.

Down Alternative
Down alternative pillows are typically filled with a synthetic fiber that's designed to mimic real down. These types of pillows are also hypoallergenic and less expensive than their down counterparts since they are often made from polyester. Even though it's not real down and won't be as lofty, the quality is often just as impressive. Our Lab experts were blown away with how well the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Set stood up to pressure and held its shape.

Memory Foam
Memory foam pillows can come either as one solid foam piece that offers cradle-like support in varying firmness levels or as a cluster memory foam pillow that has bits of memory foam inside. With these pillow types, the height is adjustable and the shiftable pieces allow sleepers to move the fill to their comfort as they change sleep positions throughout the night. Testers who prefer firm support particularly liked Tempur-Pedic's Tempur-Neck Pillow, which is solid foam in ergonomically designed shape.

Latex
Like memory foam, latex pillows can be either solid or in clusters, with solid pillows giving more structure and cluster pillows being adjustable. Because natural latex comes from the rubber tree, it can often be a more sustainable alternative to memory foam, like Naturepedic's Organic Latex Pillow. It also has more bounce than foam and is immediately soft when you lay your head down, but may not completely mold to the shape of your head. These types of pillows are very durable and will hold their shape for years.

Gel
You’ll often see gel infused pillows rather than an entire gel pillow. The gel can be dispersed throughout memory foam or alone as an outer layer on a foam pillow. The gel is often designed to give a cooling effect and help keep the heat away from your head as you sleep. We recommend the Ice Gel Pillow from Blu Sleep, which has a cool-to-the touch feel and proved to be supportive and comfortable in our tests.

Kapok
Kapok is a natural fiber that comes from a tree and is smooth like silk with the fluffiness of cotton. It's not as common as other fills, but the Layla Kapok Pillow blends this fill with foam and was a top scorer in our tests for its surprisingly plush yet supportive feel.

Most people don't think twice about pillow care. They just plop their pillow on the bed and hope for the best. But if you want your pillow to last, you need to take a few simple steps to keep it clean and fresh.

Step 1: Air it out
Giving your pillows a daily fluff is the best way to keep them looking and feeling their best. This simple task helps to restore their shape and remove dust. For an extra deep clean, hang them outdoors on a clothesline for a few hours every month or so. If you can't hang them outside, running them through the dryer on the no-heat cycle is a good alternative.

Step 2: Wash it gently
You should wash your pillow at least every 4 to 6 months. If you sweat a lot, have a habit of eating in the bed, or have pets with whom you share your bed, you should wash it more often. Washing a pillow is not difficult, but it does take some time to dry.