In honor of the National Sleep Foundation's 26th annual Sleep Awareness Week, running March 10th through March 16th, the research team here at AOL spent the past two months testing every style of pillow imaginable. We tested the best-rated pillows, from memory foam to down and down-alternative to curved pillows, body pillows and even the Plufl that is taking the pet-lover world by storm.
We also consulted with our panel of sleep experts and dermatologists to learn more about the materials used on both the outside and inside of pillows and how that relates to skin health. We looked for pillows that met the needs of each type of sleep position — back, side and stomach — and asked our experts to weigh in on which sleep position is best and what style of pillow is best for hot, cold and neutral sleepers. Keep reading to see which pillows made the cut for the best pillows of 2024 for every type of sleeper.
Cost: A pillow that leaves you ache-free and well-rested every morning is no doubt worth every penny. However, when it comes to a high-quality pillow, those pennies add up fast. The good news is that many bedding retailers will hold sleep sales, such as those for Sleep Awareness Week, Memorial Day, Labor Day or Black Friday. Before splurging on the pillow of your dreams, price shop and ask yourself if a big sale holiday is coming up, and, if so, hold out for that to reap the rewards of deep discounts.
Outer material: As our experts mentioned, material is everything when it comes to bedding. You will want a material that is breathable to avoid overheating and clogging your pores. Look for fabrics that are both breathable and hypoallergenic.
Inner materials: What makes up the pillow is as important as the shell it’s encased in. Do you prefer a firmer memory foam pillow, a soft feather pillow, or something in between that is filled with varying layers of foam and feathers or fibers? It’s important to test the various types of pillows to find the firmness that will give your head, neck, and spine the needed support to leave you feeling rested and ache-free in the morning.
Hot/cold/neutral sleepers: Do you sleep hot or cold? Look for pillows that are clearly marked “cooling” for hot sleepers. For neutral and cold sleepers, you still want to make sure you find breathable materials that wick away heat and sweat.
Sizes available—Unfortunately, many of the pillows we tested only came in standard or queen sizes, so those with king-size beds may find themselves disappointed when deciding on the perfect pillow, only to find that it’s too small for their bed. In this case, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons or check with the manufacturer's custom service line to see if it’s possible to order a king-size pillow.
Over the past two months, AOL’s bedding researchers have tested, slept on, jumped on, washed, and even driven over more than twenty types of pillows. We also consulted with our panel of sleep experts and dermatologists to learn what types of pillows and materials were best for various skin types and sleep positions.
What is the best pillow for neck pain?
When it comes to alleviating neck pain, look for pillows that offer cervical support that meets your size and weight needs, such as Headleveler’s range of made-to-measure pillows. You’ll want to avoid pillows that are too plush or too thick, as this will cause you to sleep in an uncomfortable position and no doubt leave you feeling very achy in the morning.
What is the best pillow for side sleepers?
Curved pillows are the greatest upgrade to pillows since memory foam. I personally sleep on my side with a curved Bedgear Culddle Curve Pillow, and it’s beyond wonderful. I fall right to sleep and wake up well-rested without neck or shoulder pain. If you are a side sleeper, I highly recommend giving a curved pillow designed for side sleepers a try.
What are the best-rated pillows?
I have found that the best-rated pillows are those made by brands devoted to quality bedding, such as SleepNumber, Bedgear, Purple, and Headleveler. These companies spend a great deal on research and development to ensure their products are top-notch. While I normally do not advocate for buying brand-name merchandise, when it comes to pillows, there’s a reason the brand name matters: It’s proven to produce unwavering quality bedding.
How often should you change your pillows?
Tanu Grewal, Chief Cleaning Officer at Pinalen, Cloralen and Ensueño Laundry, tells us, “Pillows typically have a lifespan of about two years,” adding the caveat that, “this can fluctuate depending on the materials and use they’re getting; if it’s feeling lumpy or has permanent stains, these are signs it’s time."
A great night sleep goes beyond a great pillow," says Gupta,"It's important to maintain a regular schedule, as irregular sleep patterns can lead to poorer sleep quality, as seen in students during summer vacation or in retirees without a set schedule who may experience poor and erratic sleep."
Dr. Syed Aslam, a pulmonary disease and sleep medicine physician
Dr. Sandeep Gupta, Pulmonologist
Dr. Shelby Harris, a psychologist and board-certified specialist in behavioral sleep medicine
Dr. Ashley Magovern, a board-certified dermatologist
Dr. Kien Vuu, a Regenerative Medicine specialist and assistant health sciences professor at UCLA
