8 Best Pillows to Buy in 2021: Our Top Picks

Good pillows are the key to comfortable and restful sleep. Unfortunately, most people tend to overlook the importance of getting the best pillows and end up suffering from neck and back pain.

If you're shopping for the best pillows, then you've quickly realized that choosing the right one is a challenging task. There are so many brands to choose from and several factors to consider that the entire experience can be overwhelming.

We've rounded up the top 8 pillows in the market to make the decision easier for you.

Best Overall Pillow (Top Recommendation): Coop Eden Adjustable Pillow

This premium pillow strikes the perfect balance between comfort and value for your money. Its fill material is an ideal mixture of shredded memory foam and a polyester blend, which is why it's soft and firm.

The Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow is also luxurious & supportive and can be used for all sleeping positions. It comes with extra filling so that you can adjust the height, and it bounces back to shape after a good night's sleep. Cleaning this pillow is also easy as it is machine washable.

The only major downside is that adjusting the stuffing can be messy, but this is a small compromise compared to the value you get. It's available in both queen & king-size beds and retails for $60.

Best Pillows for Value: Original Casper Pillow

The Original Casper pillow is medium soft and is made of polyester microfiber fillings. Its core is firm but comfortable while the outer pillow is soft, making it perfect for stomach and back sleepers.

The construction of the Original Casper Pillow ensures that it stays in place throughout the night. It doesn't become lumpy over time, as is with most alternate pillows. It's also machine washable and comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

This pillow is available for standard & king-size beds and is currently retailing at $59.

Most Comfortable Pillow: Layla Kapok Pillow

The Layla Kapok Memory Foam Pillow has one of the best ratings for overall satisfaction, and it's not hard to see why. This pillow is medium plush and is made from memory foam fillings and the Kapok premium fiber blend. It also provides great head and neck support due to its reactive memory foam. It comes with a side zip for you to add or remove filling for height adjustment.

This pillow has a one-year warranty and is available for king and queen-size beds. It's currently retailing at $109.

Best For Stomach and Back Sleepers: Ghostbed Ghostpillow Shredded (2-Pack)

Your sleeping position determines the best pillow height or thickness. For instance, back and stomach sleepers need pillows with less volume to align their bodies and neck, while side sleepers need thicker pillows.

The GhostBed GhostPillow Shredded is made of polyester microfibers and shredded memory foam that can be added or removed to create the perfect pillow depth. This makes it perfect for all 3 sleeping positions.

This pillow also has cooling properties and has a machine washable cover for easy cleaning.  It comes with a 5-year warranty that covers structural defects and is currently retailing at $128.

Best Feather Pillow: The Luxe Pillow

The Luxe pillow is the perfect blend of comfort and support. It has a medium firmness level which is why it's favored by back and side sleepers. This pillow's core is made of premium small-game waterfowl feathers, while the surrounding fiber is soft and made from plush white goose down.

While feather pillows aren't the best pillows for people with allergies, the feathers in this pillow are washed extensively. It is certified hypoallergenic.

This pillow is available in standard and king-size beds and comes with free shipping in the US. It's currently retailing at $129.

Best Neck Pain Pillow: TEMPUR-Neck Pillow

The best way to alleviate neck pain is to get a pillow with firm support, which is exactly what the Tempur-Neck Pillow provides. It's made from memory foam and has an ergonomic design that provides proper alignment for back and side sleepers.

This pillow also comes in a contoured shape that perfectly curves around your neck and shoulders and has a relatively low height. It's available in various sizes to accommodate all body types.

The Tempur neck pillow also has a washable cover and comes with a 5-year warranty. It's currently retailing from $89 for the small-sized pillow.

Best Gel Pillow: Ice Gel Pillow – Unscented

Gel pillows have a cooling sensation that is perfect for hot sleepers. The Blu Sleep Ice Gel Pillow is made from soft, gel-infused foam and is well ventilated to ensure increased airflow. Some people find it a bit flat, but it's very comfortable and comes with a washable cover.

This particular pillow is unscented, but Blue Sleep also has several scent variations, including aloe and chamomile. It's currently retailing at $109.

Best Firm Pillow: The Purple Harmony Pillow

The Purple Harmony Pillow is made from a Talalay latex core surrounded by an elastic polymer material, giving it a firm but supportive feel. This pillow is also breathable, stays cool all night long, and bounces back into shape. It comes with a machine washable cover and is available for standard and king-size beds.

This Purple Harmony pillow comes with a 1-year warranty and is retailing from $159.

Say Hello to the Best Pillows and Goodbye to Uncomfortable Sleep!

Choosing the best pillows will not only improve your sleep quality but will also help you avoid back and neck pains. While budget should be a determining factor, ultimately, the best pillow is subjective. You should always go for one that feels most comfortable to you.

You should also consider factors such as sleeping position, firmness level, fill material, cooling properties, and loft.  For instance, firm pillows are perfect for side sleepers, while soft and thin pillows are great for stomach and back sleepers. Hot sleepers, on the other hand, should pay more attention to the cooling qualities of a pillow.

Don't forget to look at the hypoallergenic qualities of the pillows, especially if you suffer from allergies.