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Best Pillow According to Reddit (Top 5 Picks)

Best pillow reddit

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Just like with mattresses, Reddit has very strong opinions about their favorite pillows. They must be comfortable, cooling and fluffy enough (but not too fluffy) – just how we like them. The following are the top 5 pillows that have received the most upvotes on the front page of the internet. Based on our research, the best pillow according to Reddit is the Saatva Latex Pillow.


Reddit’s Best Pillow Picks

  1. Saatva Latex Pillow – editor’s choice
  2. Bear Pillow – best cooling pillow
  3. Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow – best down alternative pillow
  4. Nolah Squishy Pillow – best adjustable pillow
  5. PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Pillow – best temperature-regulating pillow

#1. Saatva Latex Pillow

Check Current Price | Editor’s Choice

saatva latex pillow which is reddit's best pillow
Saatva Latex Pillow

Pros

  • Cooling
  • Naturally hypoallergenic
  • Responsive
  • Great for those who suffer from neck pain

Cons

  • Can be a bit too pricey for some
  • Some people are allergic to latex

Our experience with the Saatva Latex Pillow

Cooling and naturally hypoallergenic, the Saatva Latex pillow is made up of 100% ecologically sourced latex. Essentially two pillows in one, the Saatva Latex pillow features a removable inner pillow that is filled with down-like microdenier fiber that gives the pillow its distinct hotel bed-like feel.

Construction

The Saatva Latex pillow features a latex core made from 100% natural and organic shredded latex. The pillow is responsive, allowing sleepers to move about freely. This makes it a good option for those who suffer from neck pain.

Latex has also been proven to be natural hypoallergenic as well as being more resistant to dust mites and mildew than synthetic foam. It is also more breathable than synthetic foam, allowing air to flow through freely and continuously, making it a good choice for hot sleepers. The Saatva Latex pillow is certainly one of the most cooling pillows we have ever tried.

Around the latex core is a removable inner 1005 organic cotton pillow that is filled with a plush and down-like microdenier fiber that provides that fluffy, almost cloud-like feel we most associate with true down pillows. Together with the latex core, the inner pillow gives the Saatva Latex pillow a distinct plush and malleable feel without the sinkage.

The pillow cover of the Saatva Latex pillow is made from organic cotton sateen that is soft, breathable and moisture-wicking. It features gusseted sides with contrast welting which helps keep the pillow in shape. It is removable and machine washable, making it very convenient to clean.

Comfort

Since it is malleable yet responsive, the Saatva Latex pillow is suitable for all sleeping positions but especially for side and back sleepers. You also have to option to remove the inner pillow and use either that or the latex core if you are a strict stomach sleeper. Still, if you are sleeping mostly on your belly and find the Saatva Latex pillow to be a bit too lofty, you might want to try an adjustable pillow like the Layla Kapok pillow.

For people who lead a more organic and cruelty-free lifestyle and would still like the feel of a down pillow, the Saatva Latex pillow is a good option.

We found the pillow to be soft enough to be comfortable and yet firm enough to be able to provide good neck and shoulder support.

Sizes

  • Queen
  • King

Warranty

Not a lot of mattress and bedding brands offer a sleep trial for pillows but Saatva offers a slightly longer return policy for their pillows which is 45 days. The Saatva Latex pillow comes backed by a 1 year warranty. Saatva offers free shipping for all of their mattresses and pillows within the continental United States.

Buy: Saatva Latex Pillow


#2. Bear Pillow

Check Current Price | Best Cooling Pillow

Bear pillow
Bear Pillow

Pros

  • Active cooling
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Good for all sleeper types

Cons

  • Non-removable and non-washable cover
  • Can be a little too high for strict stomach sleepers
  • Slight off-gassing

Our experience with the Bear Pillow

If you think a room’s temperature is the only thing that can make you sleep hot, then you are sadly mistaken. Mattresses, blankets and pillows can also contribute to sleeping hot. Nowadays, there already are a lot of cooling mattresses but not a lot of actively cooling pillows.

The Bear pillow is actively cooling, with all its materials contributing to helping you sleep cooler and more comfortably.

Construction

Made up of a slab of Loft-X foam, a proprietary foam made only by Bear Mattress, the Bear pillow offers both the contouring support of memory foam coupled with the resilience and bounce of latex foam. This makes it a good option for those who suffer from neck and shoulder pain. It also allows for sleepers to move around comfortably as they sleep.

With the best bits of both memory foam and latex foam combined, Loft-X foam is also breathable and airy while offering deep pressure relief for those who need it.

The cover of the Bear pillow is made up of a special, proprietary fabric that remains cool to the touch all throughout the night. On both ends of the cover are mesh panels that allow air to flow through the pillow freely and continuously. This makes the Bear pillow the best choice for those sleep excessively hot.

However, the pillow cover of the Bear pillow is non-removable and non-washable so should you experience any spills or accidents, we recommend spot cleaning the area immediately. This helps extend the longevity of your Bear pillow. Make sure to let the area dry thoroughly after spot cleaning before using it again. Bear also recommends the use of waterproof pillowcases to help extend the lifespan of the pillow.

Comfort

Even without the help of cooling external temperatures and cooling mattresses, we found that the Bear pillow helped us sleep soundly throughout the night without ever feeling hot and sweaty when we tried it out.

Much like traditional memory foam, the Bear pillow offered contouring support without the dreaded sinkage, thanks to its latex foam blend. This makes it a good choice for all types of sleepers except for strict stomach sleepers since the Bear pillow’s loft may be a little too high for them to be able to achieve proper spinal alignment.

The latex foam in the Bear pillow also made the entire pillow hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, making it a solid choice for those who suffer from allergies.

We also experience a small amount of off-gassing when we first unboxed the Bear pillow, which is natural, especially when it comes to pillows made out of memory foam. We suggest airing out the pillow in a well-ventilated room for 24-48 hours prior to first use.

Sizes

  • Standard
  • King

Warranty

You have 30 nights to decide whether or not you would like to keep the Bear pillow, as per their return policy. Bear Mattress also offers a 2 year limited warranty for all of their pillows. Bear also offers free shipping for their pillows within the continental United States.

Buy: Bear Pillow


#3. Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow

Check Current Price | Best Down Alternative Pillow | Review

tuft & needle down alternative pillows
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative

Pros

  • Vegan-friendly
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Perfect for allergy sufferers
  • Good for all sleeper types

Cons

  • May be too low for heavier-set back sleepers
  • Not very responsive

Our experience with the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow

Traditional down pillows are the epitome of luxury. Most 5-star hotels only offer true down pillows on their beds. Sleeping on a down pillow feels as though you are laying your head on a cloud. But there are downsides to true down pillows: a slight, barnyard-y smell plus the fact that those who feel strongly about using animal products and by-products may be strongly opposed to using them. Not to mention, traditional down pillows can also be quite expensive.

Thankfully, mattress and bedding companies like Tuft & Needle now offer alternatives to traditional down pillows like their Down Alternative pillow. You get the same hotel bed-like luxury feel without all the drawbacks that come with it.

Construction

For something that comes as an alternative to a luxury pillow, the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow’s construction is pretty simple.

Filled to the brim with a synthetic 100% polyester fill that mimics the feel of real down and feathers, the pillow itself is super lightweight and airy. The synthetic fill is also hypoallergenic, so should you be allergy-prone, the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow would be the perfect choice for you.

Since it is not made from foam, the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow would not retain any heat and will allow you to sleep cooler. It is 100% OKEO-TEX certified.

The pillow cover is made from 100% pure cotton that is breathable and moisture-wicking. One more thing we like about the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow is that you can chuck the whole pillow into the washing machine should you need to clean it. Tuft & Needle recommends using a mild detergent and tumble drying on the lowest setting.

Comfort

True to form, we found the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow to feel just like traditional down pillows. Soft, light and very malleable, we found that we could reshape it to fit what felt comfortable to us the best.

But because it is not made of foam, you’ll need to fluff the pillow constantly to regain its shape – not that it bothered us.

Because of its lower loft, it may not be the perfect choice for strict back sleepers or those who suffer from sleep apnea so we suggest something like the Nest Bedding pillow. But for all other sleepers, especially side and stomach sleepers, we found the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow to be excellent.

We did not experience any instances of off-gassing with the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow.

Sizes

  • Standard
  • King

Warranty

One of the few mattress brands to offer a sleep trial for their pillows, Tuft & Needle offers a 100 night sleep trial for their Down Alternative pillow. It also comes backed by a 2 year warranty. Tuft & Needle offers free shipping for their pillows and mattresses within the contiguous United States.

Buy: Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Down Alternative Pillow


#4. Nolah Squishy Pillow

Check Current Price | Best Adjustable Pillow

nolah squishy pillow and box
Nolah Squishy Pillow

Pros

  • Fully adjustable
  • Cooling
  • Cushioning

Cons

  • Comes in only one size
  • Slight off-gassing

Our experience with the Nolah Squishy Pillow

Do you share a bed with a partner with a different sleeping position from yours and yet you want your pillows to be the same and uniform in appearance? Adjustable pillows are your answer.

The Nolah Squishy pillow features a shredded foam filling that you can add or remove to your heart’s desire, creating the perfect loft and comfortability for you and your partner – just make sure you get two, one for you and one for your partner.

Construction

Filled with loose, cube-cut contouring foam that’s both breathable and supportive, the Nolah Squishy pillow differs from regular, run of the mill pillows made from slabs and sheets of foam that have a tendency to retain heat. These shredded foam in the Nolah Squishy pillow helps you sleep cool while cradling both your head and neck.

The Nolah Squishy pillow features a double chamber design that allows you to open the inner pocket and remove or add the foam filling to your desired amount and loft. Adding and removing the filling also helps you find the right amount of firmness and support that you would need for your preferred sleeping position. Back and side sleepers need a higher loft pillow for proper spinal alignment, which means more fill. Stomach sleepers need a lower loft pillow, meaning less fill. But again, this also depends on your preferences and body type.

OKEO-TEX certified and free from toxins and chemicals that can harm you and the environment, the Nolah Squishy pillow features a zippered bamboo cover that breathable and moisture-wicking, which can also help you sleep even cooler.

The pillow cover is removable and machine-washable, making it very easy for you to keep your pillow clean and fresh at all times.

Comfort

Similar to memory foam, the Nolah Squishy pillow gave the same contouring and cradling support that we are all familiar with when it comes to traditional memory foam. But because the foam is shredded and cubed, we also found the Squishy pillow to be malleable and responsive similar to latex and down.

As mentioned previously, the Nolah Squishy pillow is suitable for all sleeping positions, including combination sleepers and stomach sleepers due to its adjustability.

Upon unboxing though, we experienced a small amount of off-gassing with the Nolah Squishy pillow which is quite normal for foam products. It dissipated with 48 hours. If this bothers you, we suggest airing out your new pillow in a well-ventilated room for a few days prior to first use.

Sizes

  • Queen (it also only comes as a two pack)

Warranty

Nolah offers a 30 day return policy for their Squishy Pillow. It does not come backed by a warranty.

Buy: Nolah Squishy Pillow


#5. PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Pillow

Check Current Price | Best Temperature-Regulating Pillow

plushbeds wool pillows
PlushBeds Natural Handmade Wool Pillow

Pros

  • Temperature-regulating
  • Cruelty-free
  • Organic

Cons

  • Can be too pricey for some
  • Not suitable for vegans

Our experience with the PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Pillow

Here’s a little alternative for you luxury-loving, true down pillow aficionados, how about trying wool pillows instead? Stuffed with ethically and humanely sourced 100% natural wool, the PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool pillow can help keep you warm when you’re cold and also keep you cool when you’re hot.

This is because wool is temperature-regulating. What’s more, natural wool is also fire-retardant and supremely soft.

Construction

Hand-filled as per your thickness preference, the PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool pillow is adjustable in a way – you just need to specify your preferences when you place your order.

Little life hack: have them fill the pillow up to its full capacity and you can add or remove to your liking. Just make sure you have a clean, cloth bag to keep the extra filling in because PlushBeds won’t provide you with one.

Made up of 100% pure, virgin organic wool that’s been sourced ethically and humanely, you can be sure that no animals were harmed in the production of this pillow. That is not to say though that this pillow is vegan because this pillow is made with animal by-products, so there’s that to consider if you are.

The wool used for the PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool pillow is unbleached and not treated with any harmful chemicals than can be detrimental to your health or the environment. Wool is also known to be naturally fire-retardant so you can be rest assured that the PlushBeds Wool pillow doesn’t contain any fiberglass or anything of the sort.

The hand-stitched, zippered pillow cover is made from 100% organic cotton that’s soft to the touch and breathable. It is removable and machine-washable. Please take note that the pillow itself is not washable.

Comfort

Although wool fill for pillows are not a new thing, we don’t usually come across a lot of wool-filled pillows. Sleeping on it felt like sleeping on a fluffy wool sweater, soft and warm. If you live somewhere with all four seasons, this would be the perfect choice for you.

Since you can specify how thick you want the pillow to be upon ordering, the PlushBeds Wool pillow is suitable for any type of sleeping position.

There is a very slight but lingering earthy smell to the pillow but this did not really bother us but it may to you. It would be best to keep this in mind when deciding to buy this pillow.

Sizes

  • Standard
  • Queen
  • King

Warranty

PlushBeds does not accept returns when it comes to their pillows but it does come backed by a 3 year warranty. PlushBeds also offer free shipping for all their pillows within the continental United States.

Buy: PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Pillow


Quick View and Comparison

BrandSaatva Latex PillowBear PillowTuft & Needle Down Alternative PillowNolah Squishy PillowPlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Pillow
Sizes22213
Loft (inches)56.55AdjustableCustomizable
Sleeping PositionAll sleeper typesBack, side and combination sleepersAll sleeper typesAll sleeper typesAll sleeper types
Trial (nights)4530100100N/A
Warranty (years)12223
Link to buyBuy Saatva Latex PillowBuy Bear PillowBuy Tuft & Needle Down Alternative PillowBuy Nolah Squishy PillowBuy PlushBeds Handmade Natural Wool Pillow


How to buy a pillow, according to Reddit

Opinionated or not (read our guides to the Reddit’s best mattresses and Reddit’s best mattress toppers for more examples), Reddit follows the same criteria as the rest of us when it comes to choosing and buying the perfect pillow:

Materials

When it comes to pillow materials, you need to weigh the pros and cons according to what you need and want. The following are the main types of pillow fill materials:

  • Memory Foam – contouring and cradling but can have the sunk-in feel while also trapping heat.
  • Latex Foam – very responsive, hypoallergenic and cooling but can be expensive.
  • Down – ultra soft, malleable and luxurious but can have a distinct smell and is not suitable for certain lifestyles.
  • Down Alternative – responsive and contouring while also malleable but filling is made up of synthetic ingredients.
  • Wool – temperature-regulating and very soft but can be expensive and smelly.

Comfort

Depending on your sleeping position, your pillow’s loft or thickness can quite literally make or break your spine. Proper spinal alignment is crucial or you may be experiencing lumbar and spinal issues that can easily turn severe and long term.

Rule of thumb is, if you are a back and side sleeper, choose a higher-loft pillow and if you are a stomach sleeper, choose a lower-loft pillow.

Support

The materials and loft dictate the amount of support and firmness you can get from your pillow. Foam pillows tend to offer firmer support as opposed to filled with down and wool.

Budget

A lot of pillows are pretty affordable but there are also some that can be quite pricey. Again, it depends on the materials used as well as the brand name. Our tip here is to find out the materials used and then decide whether it justifies the high price tag. But if you really want it, then by all means.

Sleeping Position

As we’ve mentioned above, a pillow’s loft should be considered depending on your sleeping position. A thicker pillow for back and side sleepers, a thinner pillow should be chosen by strict stomach sleepers.

Cooling capabilities

Most bedding brands these days have addressed heat retention and issues from sleeping hot by creating proprietary foam and fabrics to help mitigate the negative affects of heat whilst asleep.


FAQs

What’s the best pillow for stomach sleepers according to Reddit?

According to Reddit, the best pillow for strict stomach sleepers are thinner, lower loft pillows such as down and down alternative pillows like the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow.

What’s Reddit’s best pillow for back sleepers?

According to Reddit, the best pillow for back sleepers are pillows that are thicker and with a higher loft like the Saatva Latex pillow. This helps provide back sleepers with proper spinal alignment.

What’s the best pillow for side sleepers according to Reddit?

Similar to back sleepers, side sleepers need a higher loft pillow to achieve the correct spinal alignment while asleep. According to Reddit, the best pillow for side sleepers is the Nolah Squishy pillow.

Are any Reddit-approved pillows for sale on Amazon?

Out of all the Reddit-approved pillows on this list, only Tuft & Needle pillows can be found on Amazon. You can also purchase them from the official Tuft & Needle Website as well.


Conclusion

No matter whether in person or online, in an anonymous, opinionated community or personal word of mouth, the choosing and buying of the best pillows follow the same criteria and rules: support, comfort and affordability.

After all, whether we are a member of Reddit or not, we all sleep the same and we all deserve the best pillow there is.


Next step: Try out the Saatva Latex Pillow. It’s Reddit’s favorite pillow because it’s soft, breathable, and comfortable for all sleeper types. If you aren’t sure which pillow to get, this is the one to buy.


How We Rate Pillows

There are many different types of pillows. In general, we rate pillows by 6 standards:

  1. Firmness and Support
  2. Loft & Adjustability
  3. Hypoallergenic
  4. Hygiene
  5. Comfort
  6. Structural integrity & Durability

View our full rating process for pillows.


Michelline Norton

Psst… the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks, and thieves. It’s a modern-day version of getting ripped off at your local mattress store. So, why should you trust us?