editor’s choice

Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Adjustable Pillow

Sizes available: Queen, king
Fill material: Visco polyurethane foam with gel and microfiber
Density: Adjustable

Can’t seem to stop waking up in a pool of sweat? Prevent that from happening again with this advanced cooling pillow from Coop Sleep Goods, which is available in three different shapes tailored to your sleeping position and features cooling gel–infused memory foam: striking a balance between plush comfort and breathability. The pillow arrived at my doorstep with an included cooling cover to maximize its effects; you can also easily remove the fill, adapting the item’s height and density to your unique preferences. If you’re unsure about how to make Coop’s pillow work for you, it also comes with a handy visual guide that recommends fluffing it up by hand upon unboxing, letting it air for a day, and then adjusting your fill level.

Consider yourself a combination sleeper and can’t decide what pillow shape to get? “There are advantages to a side sleeper pillow for some people. The pillows are designed to support the spine by maintaining the natural curvature of the neck and back,” Nancy R. Kirsch, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, chair of the rehabilitation and movement sciences department at Rutgers University, tells WWD. “The loft and firmness of a side sleeper pillow elevates the head and neck, ensuring good spinal alignment.” Coop Sleep Goods suggests using a camera to check your upper body’s position once the pillow is ready to go on the bed, so as to guarantee the neutral one previously advised by Kirsch.

Editor testing and review notes: “First off, I was delighted by the customization aspect of this pillow, as it comes with an extra bag that has a half a pound of fill inside. I’m always skeptical when it comes to bed products with cooling properties, but the Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Adjustable Pillow truly did feel cool on my face throughout the whole night and not just when I flipped it. The foam here is very touch-sensitive, and I love the crescent shape fit for all side sleepers, which allowed me to rest my arm on the pillow in a way that felt comfortable. My cheek was consistently caressed by the pillow’s cooling outer cover, and I slept through the alarm on the first night of testing, making this bedroom must-have a win in my book.” — WWD Senior Commerce Writer Stacia Datskovska

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Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow

Sizes available: Standard, king
Fill material: Memory foam pieces, premium down alternative fibers
Density: Medium

Flaunting over 24,000 five-star reviews, this Sleep Number gem is your ticket to living a more rejuvenated day-to-day existence. You’ll be practically running to your bed each night, only to enjoy the ComfortFit Pillow’s indulgent memory foam and down alternative blend that conforms to the shape of your body, alleviating pressure while straddling the line between firm and soft. As a bonus, it can be purchased in three shapes (with Ultimate being an adjustable pick that will give you even more control over your sleep). Reviewers note that their own pillows have held up for years, relieved neck pain, and are made of premium materials with a high quality that can be felt. “I can’t imagine a night’s sleep without this pillow,” one happy Sleep Number customer writes, and, after testing it out ourselves, we can relate.

Editor testing and review notes: “Honestly, this pillow is the definition of glorious. Memory foam is a hit or miss for me, since I’ve had experience with memory foam–laden pillows that feel more like bricks. Not so with this Sleep Number top hit, as the softness provided by its down alternative fibers prioritizes your body’s comfort all night. It was as if I was snoozing on a cloud while testing it out. Usually one for curved pillows, as a side sleeper, I didn’t even mind the ComfortFit Pillow’s classic shape (it also comes in a curved variation, to be sure). Though I’m not sure the Lyocell exterior is too cooling, the pillow’s best trait is that it perfectly contours your head and then promptly recovers its shape when you’re up in the morning. The worst experience ever is waking up with neck pain (something I’m also no stranger to), but I know this pillow won’t let that happen. No notes.” — Datskovska

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Luxome Layr Customizable Pillow

Sizes available: Standard, king
Fill material: Down alternative, gel-infused shredded memory foam
Density: Adjustable

Allow us to let you in on a little secret — Luxome makes an incredible pillow that works overtime to support your neck. What sets it apart from the rest is that it’s completely customizable. Instead of buying a pillow with a single density level, you can modify this one to your exact needs, whether you require soft, medium, or firm neck support. By coming with standalone, gel-infused memory foam inserts and layers of down alternative, it respects all sleeping positions and height preferences (yes, even stomach sleepers can find a configuration that works well for them!). Both the overall bamboo pillow cover and individual insert covers are machine washable. Sharing a bed with someone? Grab this overachiever in a two-pack, and don’t forget to add on Luxome’s luxury, silky-soft pillowcases.

Editor testing and review notes: “Anyone who knows me knows I’m impatient, so I do have to admit it was a bit stressful trying to DIY my own density and height arrangement for the Luxome Layr Pillow. But after some trial and error (too high, too firm, just right), I was able to nail down my dream combo (two soft down alternative inserts and a one-inch memory foam block in between, for reference). I love that you can swap out the aforementioned inserts at will, based on your body’s needs on any given night, which is something that’s rare to find in a pillow. It comes with both plush down alternative and firmer, head-contouring memory foam, which also means you can have the best of both worlds when it comes to support and comfort. Other perks? The softness of the pillow’s cover and its included bag for storing extra fill (yes, you can even tweak how much fill is in each insert). That’s a lot of responsibility to put on a sleeper, and I usually like when companies make the decisions for me. Yet, my neck and back thanked me after a night’s sleep on the Layr, so I’m not going back to other ways of sleeping anytime soon!” — Datskovska

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Sleep Number True Temp Plush Pillow

Sizes available: Standard, king
Fill material: Removable inserts filled with a blend of polyester and Clima Lyocell fiber
Density: Adjustable

For those who don’t enjoy the process of toying with a pillow’s density by taking out its foam by hand, let us introduce you to a wonderful solution: Sleep Number’s True Temp Plush Pillow in its Ultimate version, whose three removable foam inserts let you change the bestseller’s height in a low-lift way. Perfect for all sleeping positions under the sun (one to two inserts are recommended for stomach sleepers and two to three inserts for back or side sleepers), it’s also temperature balancing and humidity-whisking (the name’s True Temp, after all), ships for free, and comes with a generous 100-night return policy… though we see no reason why you’d use it. Wave goodbye to neck soreness as you make sleeping a more personalized journey of rest and rejuvenation.

Editor testing and review notes: “The part of this pillow that absolutely blew me away? Its removable cushions, which make adjusting the filling a much more mess-free process than taking out individual foam bits. The surface is not only initially cool to the touch but stays that way throughout the night, and another thing to love, visually speaking, is the cover’s pleasant-on-the-eyes, hexagonal design. I thought the inserts did their job quite well in terms of offering support, and I woke up in the same position on the pillow as the one I was in when falling asleep (rare). The only improvement I dreamt of that night? A bigger size, so as to better accommodate my arm while sleeping on the side.” — Datskovska

best body pillow

Coop Sleep Goods Original Maternity Adjustable Pillow

Sizes available: One size
Fill material: Hypoallergenic, non-toxic blend of cross-cut memory foam and microfiber 
Density: Medium

Coop Sleep Goods’ Original Maternity Adjustable Pillow is “crafted for nightly maternity support to post-pregnancy nursing, bottle feeding, and bonding,” according to the brand, but anyone can benefit from its soothing powers. You can use the pillow as a cuddly anxiety alleviator, a way to separate your legs for added breathability, or a tool for granting your lower back the cushioning it needs. Every detail feels considered here, from the medium-firm, hypoallergenic memory foam and microfiber fill to the jacquard knit pillowcase that feels smooth and stretchy while being inherently wrinkle-resistant. Both the pillow and its outer cover are machine washable, so stains won’t be able to get in the way of your optimal slumber.

“A body pillow provides several advantages for the individual who tends to stay in one position through the night,” says Kirsch. “It can provide excellent spinal alignment for side sleepers — reducing strain on the lower back and pelvis while keeping the hips aligned. The body pillow can distribute weight more evenly, removing some pressure from the hips and shoulders. There is a sense of comfort ‘hugging’ it, which can aid in relaxation.” We’re shameless fans of the body-pillow hug, too.

Editor testing and review notes: “I’m not pregnant, but I nonetheless have a deep, persistent, nightly need for putting a pillow between my legs, as well as preferably cuddling one if I’m away from my boyfriend for whatever reason. The Coop Sleep Goods Original Maternity Adjustable Pillow solves both of these needs at once with its pressure-alleviating support system for the head, shoulders, belly, knees, hips, and spine. I was able to fall asleep in less than ten minutes while cradling it, and its inner memory foam has a just-right level of rebound that made me feel supported without rigidity. Everything about this maternity pillow (which can double as a body pillow) is soft and luxe, and I especially appreciated the fact that it’s endlessly pliable — able to be bent this way and that based on your desires. Don’t get scared by how flat it is in its packaging: Once all the plastic comes off, the pillow expands to full size as if by magic.” — Datskovska

best adjustable pillow

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow

Sizes available: Standard/queen, king, side sleeper
Fill material: Non-toxic, virgin blend of memory foam and high-response foam
Density: Adjustable

Nest Bedding’s most popular pillow, the Easy Breather, prides itself in adjustability based on sleepers’ preferred pillow height. Simply take out the shredded memory foam fill you don’t want, and place it in the accompanying bag for later density modifications as needed. Nest advises back sleepers to remove a quarter of the fill, side sleepers to try it as is, and stomach sleepers to remove a third. The pillow’s innards are soft but not too soft (the Goldilocks spot when it comes to sleep), and the pillowcase is eco-friendly. Though the cover technically has cooling and moisture-wicking attributes, we weren’t able to feel the true extent of the former during testing, although it was still breathable throughout the whole night.

Editor testing and review notes: “Upon initial testing, this pillow in its side-sleeper iteration felt too high for me, making my neck a tad bit sore in the morning. I tried it again the following night, though, after adjusting the fill amount by hand. In this modified form, with about a quarter of its fill missing, the Easy Breather felt ideal. Though I needed to flip the pillow multiple times a night for it to remain cold on my cheek, the case’s super-smooth, almost silky texture felt luxurious. I fell asleep on Nest Bedding’s Easy Breather Pillow pretty quickly, so that should tell you something! — Datskovska

best for sensitive skin

Parachute Down Alternative Pillow

Sizes available: Standard, king
Fill material: Hypoallergenic, 100-percent recycled polyester fill
Density: Soft, medium, firm

Parachute is known for its cult-favorite pillows and bedding, but the Down Alternative Pillow just might be one of the best selections. Stuffed with hypoallergenic, 100-percent recycled polyester fill, this is a foolproof choice for those of us with sensitive skin and allergies. It has a cotton sateen shell that might make you skip the pillowcase altogether, comes with a three-year warranty for added peace of mind, and still doles out the plushness of a traditional down pillow. Another thing this product can humble brag about? The fact that it’s easy to wash! The brand suggests doing so on a delicate washing cycle, with cold water plus mild laundry detergent. 

Editor testing and review notes: “I tested this baby out in ‘firm,’ and it was thick enough to prop my upper body up while reading — also managing not to slide down my bed’s headboard. The fill here offers nice rebound, and the pillow is not too high as to affect posture and cause neck pain. Nevertheless, I felt that it did its best work while resting on my back versus the side. As an allergy-prone person, I didn’t emit one sneeze the whole night, which means the Parachute Down Alternative Pillow truly lives up to its promises!” — Datskovska

best hypoallergenic pillow

Saatva Latex Pillow

Sizes available: Standard/queen, king
Fill material: Down-like microdenier fibers
Density: Standard loft, high loft

Prone to sneezing whenever dozing on a luxury pillow stuffed with feathers? The Saatva Latex Pillow’s hypoallergenic shredded core, made out of natural latex, is here to save the day. There’s nothing stiff about this pillow, as its three-layer construction also includes down-like microdenier fibers whose responsiveness you’ll be grateful for. Offered in either a standard loft (medium density) or a high loft (firm density), it can work for both side and back sleepers, and this is one of Golub’s top picks for what he calls “hotel-quality comfort.” The breathable pillow cover is machine washable, allowing for an easy cleaning process (one less thing to worry about equates to longer, more satisfying sleep).

Editor testing and review notes: “I was surprised by this pillow’s relatively heavy weight when I first took it out of the box, and though it’s composed not of memory foam but of down-like fibers, the filling felt thick and supportive (perhaps even too thick, making me suspect that I’d be better off with its standard loft iteration). This luxe pillow nicely fills out a pillowcase and makes it look rotund, like your favorite hotel’s. It’s the type that you can fluff, too: shaping it with a middle crease for the ultimate upscale appearance when not in use. It propped up my upper body quite well when I was watching a movie in bed and responded to my head’s weight without sinking.” — Datskovska