10 Best Pillow Brands

How to Choose the Best Pillow Brands

A pillow’s importance in your sleep quality cannot be emphasized enough. If you get a pillow that’s too high up or too low to the mattress, it can cause pains, breathing problems, and sleep issues of various kinds.

With a staggering variety of pillows on the market, it can be challenging to determine exactly which one to buy. In this review of the 10 best pillow brands, we’ll give you all of the details: the top company policies, products, and more. 

Consider us your guide on the quest for better Z’s. But before we take you on a sleep journey, let’s take a look at what you should consider when buying a pillow first. 

Things to Consider When Buying a Pillow

When you’re buying a new pillow, you obviously want the best pillow for your needs. The first step is figuring out what kind of sleeper you are and how you sleep for most of the night (side, back, or stomach). 

This will dictate the ideal shape and firmness of your new pillow. Stomach sleepers should get a softer pillow, while back and side sleepers will get their best rest with a firmer pillow. 

Another consideration is the loft of the pillow, which refers to its height as it lays flat on the bed. A pillow with a loft that is too thick or too thin may lead to discomfort, pain, or breathing difficulties.

Sleeping position and head size are crucial to determining proper loft in order to best support your neck and head. In fact, sleeping position is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a pillow, according to Barrios.

“The pillow must keep the head in a straight line with the spine during sleep, and its height, firmness, and padding must also be different when sleeping in different positions,” Barrios said.

“For example, if you sleep on your side most of the time, you will need a higher and firmer pillow to support your head, shoulders, and neck.”

Back sleepers tend to like pillows with medium lofts, side sleepers tend to prefer pillows with high lofts, and stomach sleepers tend to opt for pillows with low lofts.

Additionally, if you have a larger or heavier head, you may want a pillow with a higher loft to support its weight. If you have a smaller or lighter head then you might want something with a lower loft. 

Some positions, namely side and back, may even require the purchase of an additional pillow for other parts of the body that are under stress in those positions.

For instance, back sleepers might want to put a pillow right under their knees to keep their spine aligned, whereas side sleepers would benefit from placing a pillow in between their knees. 

As you browse our list of the best pillow brands, you might also want to ask yourself what material you want your pillow to be made of. You may be inclined towards sustainable materials, in which case we suggest organic cotton, hemp, Tencel, or recycled polyester, cotton, or wool. If you like traditional materials, then you’ll be drawn towards down, feathers, or silk. 

The material you choose will depend upon your comfort level and sleep position, heat level throughout the night, frequency of pillow washing, values regarding eco-friendliness and sustainability, allergies, aesthetic needs, and/or medical concerns. 

You thought this would be easy, didn’t you? Luckily, many brands take most, if not all, of these factors into consideration when it comes to crafting the ideal pillow for many a sleeper.

The final element to consider is the budget and the longevity of your pillow. A good pillow should cost anywhere between $25-$100, depending on its exact specs. A warranty is a large bonus, so make sure you are also looking for that while you shop. 

10 Best Pillow Brands

Now, without further ado, here are the stars of the show, the 10 top pillow brands for your viewing pleasure.

1. Boll & Branch

First up on our list, Boll & Branch, a USA-based eCommerce company that sells high-quality, luxurious sheets, bedding, bath, and mattress essentials. The socially conscious brand was founded in 2013 by wife-and-husband duo Missy and Scott Tannen on a mission to create a revolution in the bedding industry through their ethical practices and products. 

The Boll & Branch Down Pillow is a highly-reviewed pillow made with responsibly-sourced down from farms in the US. The pillow is triple-washed to prolong its loft and provide customers with a cleaner sleeping experience. 

Related: Learn more in our Boll and Brand Sheets Review

Find it on the brand’s website in one of two sizes – Standard and King – and three densities – soft, medium, and firm – for the price of $158-$228.

The brand is currently headquartered in Summit, NJ, USA, where they ship their products to all US customers via complimentary domestic US ground shipping. 

The only country they ship to outside of the US is Canada (for a flat-rate fee of $50 via UPS Worldwide). Customers are free to request returns within 30 days from the date of delivery. 

2. Zamat

Zamat is on a mission to elevate your sleep quality no matter what troubles you bring into the bedroom. Whether you have poor posture from work or are suffering from stress, their ergonomic cervical pillows, mattresses, and accessories help you feel better, one good night’s rest at a time.

The brand states: “Our line of innovative cervical pillows, mattresses, and accessories have all been optimized to support the requirements of people suffering from chronic neck pain, tension headaches, tight muscles, TMJ, shoulder pain, and other disruptive issues.”

The bestselling Butterfly Button Shaped Cervical Pillow (Immerse Butterfly Pillow) reduces back and neck pain while aligning your spine. You can customize it from two heights. Made from 100% premium memory foam and a hollow design, it provides ultimate comfort while you catch some zzz’s.

It is currently on sale for $69.99, marked down from $85.99. The standard size is 25″ x 14.5″ x 5″ and it is available in blue or white.

Zamat currently only ships within the contiguous US, Canada, the U.K. Australia, Philippines, Germany, Greece, France, Netherlands, Spain, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Israel, Chile, Italy, Belgium, and Brazil.

All Zamat pillows can be tried out for 100 days from the date of purchase or you can send them back for an exchange or full refund.

3. Casper

Casper is an eCommerce company that was founded in 2014 by Philip Krim, Luke Sherwin, Neil Parikh, Jeff Chapin, and Gabe Flateman. The brand aims to change the sleep game with their innovative products, backed by a 100-night free trial and a 10-year warranty. 

The Original Casper Pillow is a best-selling dream made of polyester microfiber fill, polyester lining, and a 100% cotton cover. The ethical pillow is breathable, machine-washable, and totally clump-resistant to give you the ideal sleep. 

You can buy it in a mid loft or low loft format, in Standard or King sizes between the sale prices of $61-$126. 

Casper is based in New York, NY, USA, and it delivers to locations within Canada and the US. The brand ships via UPS and offers complimentary shipping to most locations within the US and Canada, with the exclusion of Alaska, Hawaii, and Northern Canada. 

After the 100-night trial, you are free to return your products at no charge and receive a full refund. 

4. Saatva

Founders Ron Rudzin and Ricky Joshi launched Saatva in 2010. The New York, NY, US-based company specializes in luxurious sleep essentials like mattresses, bedding, frames, and bases. The founders were inspired to create the line when they got fed up with the mattress industry and their car-salesmen-esque tactics. 

If you always feel like stealing the hotel pillows, the Saatva Latex Pillow provides you with hotel-quality comfort and quality support. A breathable 100% organic cotton cover embraces an inner pillow made with down-like fibers, which features a shredded 100% natural latex core. Buy it in either Queen or King size for $155-$175. 

Related: Read out Saatva Mattress Review for a full breakdown.

Saatva currently only ships to locations in the contiguous US. Their website doesn’t mention anything about fees, so it’s safe to assume that shipping is complementary to these locations. 

The brand also offers a 180-night trial period, after which customers can decide whether they want to keep or return the product. Refunds are paid in full, and all the customer owes is $99 for return transportation (we hope that’s only for mattresses, and not pillows, though). 

5. Layla Sleep

Layla Sleep was founded by Akrum Sheikh in 2016. The founder was inspired to create his own line of mattresses after taking on his family’s furniture business and noticing that the department generating the most revenue was the mattress department. He realized that was because they were being sold for high, unfair prices. 

Sheikh then moved to California with his brother and eventually partnered with marketing wiz Gregg Dean. The brand’s flagship design was an innovative double-sided mattress that was firm on one side and soft on the other. 

Since their start, the brand has become widely known for an impressive line of sleep essentials, including mattresses, pillows, bases, bedding, blankets, and more. 

The most popular pillow on the Layla site is the Layla Kapok Pillow, which features a fill of Kapok fibers and reactive memory foam, and a cover made of a breathable polyester/viscose blend with CuTEC performance copper fibers woven in. 

Try it for a 120-night free sleep trial, after which you get a lifetime warranty. You can get it in either Queen or King size for $109-$129. 

Layla’s iconic foam is poured in California, but most of the layers of the mattress are made in Georgia. The textiles typically come from NC, but when demand is high, the brand turns to Mexico. Layla ships to the entire US and Canada (for free in the contiguous US). 

6. Tempur-Pedic

Tempur-Pedic’s story begins in the ‘60s with none other than NASA scientists. These intrepid folks manufactured a special material to reduce the effects of G-force on astronauts’ bodies, and thus, Tempur was born. 

Then, in 1992, founder Bobby Trussell traveled to Europe looking for racehorses but returned to America with the innovative, iconic Tempur-Pedic, which he fell in love with during his trip. 

Tempur-Pedic is a manufacturer and distributor of mattresses, bases, pillows, bedding, and more. The company is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, and ships directly from its site to locations all over the US. If you do not live in the US, you can find Tempur-Pedic products in partner retailers worldwide. 

The highly-reviewed TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow features the brand’s iconic Tempur material, lovingly covered in a 100% polyester knit and hypoallergenic cover that is both removable and washable. 

The extra-soft pillow is perfect for back and stomach sleepers and is easily compressed for hassle-free travel. Tempur-Pedic pillows sell for $89 and have a 5-year limited warranty to boot. 

7. Pluto Pillow

Pluto Pillow was launched by co-founders Susana Saeliu and Kevin Li in 2018. The brand is based in California and built to address a void in the industry for personalized pillows that would address a variety of sleep woes. 

In fact, Saeliu came up with the idea for the brand from her own constant neck pain, which was triggered by her pillow. 

The brand manufactures their products in a facility located in LA, California, and ships to locations within the contiguous US. Customers are given 100-night free trials on Pluto Pillows, which must be returned within 2-weeks should they be unsatisfied. The pillows come with a 1-year limited warranty. 

Try out your Custom Pluto Pillow for 100 nights for the price of $95. To start, tell the brand about your needs and wants, wait for them to create a custom pillow for you, then welcome your new pillow with free shipping. 

The pillows feature a solid foam core encased within an outer plush pillow. They are temperature-regulating and incredibly bouncy and pliable. 

8. Brooklinen

Co-founders Vicki and Rich Fulop launched Brooklinen in 2014 after traveling to Las Vegas and sleeping on sheets so comfortable, they had to take them home with them. 

The founding pair were appalled that the price of the sheets in the hotel store was nearly $1,000, which then prompted them to launch their own company back home in Brooklyn, NY to create affordable, luxury-feeling bedding. 

The brand’s best-selling Down Pillow can be bought in two sizes – Standard and King – in three firmness levels – plush, mid-plush, and firm. The sustainably sourced down and feather filling is encased in a fresh, antimicrobial 100% cotton sateen shell with strong, double-stitched edges. Purchase the pillows starting at the sale price of $56, regular price $69.

Related: Want to learn more? Check out our Brooklinen Sheets Review

Brooklinen down pillows are made in Canada, and their alternative down pillows are made in the USA. The brand ships to locations all over the globe and accepts returns on items up to 365 days after the purchase date. 

Shipping fees and return shipping fees for domestic orders are covered, but international orders are charged flat-rate shipping fees and incur non-refundable return shipping fees.

9. Amerisleep

Amerisleep founders Firas Kittaneh, Moe Kittaneh, and Joey Holt first began working together in 2006, but officially launched the brand in 2010. They have one mission: “To offer customers a high-performance, eco-friendly, and American-made mattress at an affordable price.” But mattresses aren’t all they offer, as they sell pillows, bed bases, bedding, and more. 

Sometimes, you want a soft pillow, but other times, you want a firmer pillow. You don’t need to buy two different pieces if you have the Dual Comfort Pillow, which features a soft and firm side. 

The breathable Bio-Pur material is made with effective cooling channels to give you your best sleep ever. Buy it in sizes King or Queen featuring a mid or low loft within the price range of $130-$170. 

The brand is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and manufactures all of their products in the USA. They provide standard free curbside shipping to the contiguous USA and also have brick-and-mortar stores in the same areas. We also must mention that, unfortunately, the brand’s pillows are all final sale.

10. GhostBed

Marc Werner founded Nature Sleep in 2001 after fruitlessly searching for years for bedding that would support his neck and back. The GhostBed Mattress in a Box was launched around 2015, and the GhostPillow followed shortly after in 2016. What makes it ‘cool’ (no pun intended), is the aerated gel memory foam and proprietary phase-change cooling material. 

The GhostPillow features four layers: the first is the Ghost Ice fabric zippered cover, the second is aerated gel memory foam core, the third is the cooling channel layer, and the fourth and innermost is the inner aerated mesh cover. 

Related: Check our our GhostBed Review for a full analysis.

The pillow cools, alleviates aches and pains, and stays perfectly fluffed all the while. Try it out for $71, on sale from the original price of $95. 

Nature Sleep is headquartered in Plantation, Florida, and the GhostBed and GhostPillow products, along with others in the brand’s extensive line, are manufactured in the USA. GhostBed ships free to all 48 continental states and for a fee to Alaska and Hawaii, but they do not ship outside of the US. The mattresses and pillows come with a 101-night free sleep trial. 

11. Purple Pillow

Purple is an American sleep and comfort technology company that was officially founded in 2015 by Tony and Terry Pearce. The Utah-based brand produces mattresses, pillows, sheets, mattress protectors, adjustable beds, seat cushions, back cushions, and bed platforms, but their flagship product was a mattress made of hyper-elastic polymers. 

Purple products are manufactured primarily in Utah. The brand serves customers in the US and Canada through its US and Canadian websites and retail locations across both countries. The company states that customers have 100 calendar days to return their Purple Pillow from the date of delivery.

The OG Purple Pillow features an innermost grid layer of hyper-elastic polymer, pillow boosters made with polyurethane foam, and a 100% polyester moisture-wicking cover. The hypoallergenic, non-toxic, US-made, durable pillow comes with a 1-year warranty and free shipping. Purchase it on sale for $98 (down from $109) or buy a second one to get 15% off both!

What Types of Pillows Are There?

There are so many styles of pillows on the market, all made with different materials that perform various functions.

Is there a best pillow material, you ask? We’ll take you through some of the most common pillow materials, including down, memory foam, feather, buckwheat, wool, and even latex, and you can make your mind up from there. 

Polyfoam

Polyfoam, or polyurethane foam, is a soft and durable material that is popular in the manufacturing of many furniture items thanks to its ability to make any surface soft as a cloud. 

However, when you buy into comfort and longevity, you sacrifice safety and cost to an extent. Polyfoam can potentially emit harmful chemicals over time, and it tends to cost more than other options on the market, so it’s only the best pillow for you if you’re comfortable with those trade-offs. 

Memory Foam

Memory foam uses your heat to conform itself to your body. The material is typically recommended for those with allergies, or those with aches and pains. 

Some of its downsides include that it can be quite heavy, retain its shape over time, smell a little funky, retain heat, absorb liquids (not waterproof), and cost more than market alternatives. 

Down

Down is well-known for its temperature regulation capabilities and fluff factor, which makes it perfect for those who run warmer, or those who prefer softer pillows. 

The material is typically gathered from the undercoat of geese, ducks, or swans, which means that it isn’t the most ethical choice. Of course, you can get ethically sourced down that is Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified. 

Down Alternative

Down alternative is meant to mimic the fluffiness of real down, but instead of feathers, pillows are usually filled with synthetic polyester material. 

Down alternative pillows are perfect for those with allergies to down, those that want to buy cruelty-free pillows, or those that run a tighter budget, as it is cheaper than a real down pillow. It’s one of the best pillows for anyone who wants the most bang for their buck.

Latex

Latex pillows come with a whole host of benefits, including that they are hypoallergenic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, dust mite-resistant, biodegradable, flame resistant, and long-lasting. 

They are a great option for those that have respiratory issues, but a terrible choice for those that have latex allergies. Another con of theirs is that they can be quite pricey, but given their benefits, the price can be well worth it. 

Feather

Unlike down, which comes from the underfluff of a bird, feather pillows are made with feathers gathered from the back and wing of the bird. 

Given the tougher structure of the back and wing feathers, these pillows tend to have a bit more integrity than down pillows, but they can also lose feathers over time and become uncomfortable, thanks to the quills that poke out. Like down, feather pillows are also not the most ethical choice, which might factor into your belief about what really makes the best pillow. 

Buckwheat

Buckwheat is well known to be an organic choice when it comes to pillow construction. It is also durable and sturdy, hypoallergenic, and incredibly cooling. They are no more expensive than other pillows on the market, and they are eco-friendly. 

With that being said, their downsides include that they tend to be noisier due to the buckwheat husks within them, their aroma, and their weight, as they are slightly heavier than other pillows. 

“Sensitive sleepers may not like the buckwheat filling because it makes some noise,” Barrios said. “For them, it is better to pick cotton and polyester.”

Wool

Wool pillows are great because the natural fiber is both temperature-regulating and hypoallergenic, making this type of material perfect to keep you cool and comfortable while keeping your allergies away. 

The biggest complaint that might depreciate their best pillow status over time is that they can lose their fluff, so they need to be re-fluffed on a regular basis. Otherwise, they are cost-effective and incredibly beneficial. 

Water

Water pillows are great for those looking for a cooler, firmer sleep experience. They are temperature-regulating, completely customizable, and hypoallergenic, resulting in a great night’s sleep for back and side sleepers or those looking for more spine support. 

On a less positive note, they can be heavy, produce swishing noises, and eventually start leaking, so be aware of those drawbacks. 

What Does Pillow Loft Mean?

The loft of the pillow is its height as it lays flat on the mattress. A pillow with a high loft will be thick, whereas a pillow with a low loft will be thin. The loft you choose will depend on the material the pillow has within it, your sleep style, and your mattress type.

Some materials, such as goose down or feathers, are softer, and typically accompany a lower loft pillow. On the other hand, bamboo or buckwheat husk pillows are firmer and will retain their shape and their loft over time. 

This extends to the material your mattress is made of. If it is soft, you will sink, which will then mean that you need a pillow with a lower loft to compensate. 

Your sleep style is a massive factor in determining the best loft for your pillow. If you sleep on your back, you’ll most likely want a mid-loft pillow. If you sleep on your side, a higher loft pillow is wiser because you need it to fill the space from your head to your shoulder. If you sleep on your stomach, your best pillow will likely have a low loft. 

What Pillow Sizes Are Available?

Pillows are available in a variety of sizes, including standard, king, queen, super standard, and body sized. The size you desire depends on the intended use of the pillow and specific comfort-related needs. 

Get ready for a quick and comprehensive look at the standard, super standard, queen, king, and body pillow sizes.

Standard

Standard-sized pillows are the most compact option available. They typically measure 20 inches by 26 inches, making them perfect for those who do not shift around too much in their sleep. 

For a size reference, one standard-sized pillow can fit a twin bed perfectly, two would be needed for a Queen, and three would be needed for a King or California King. Standard pillows cost anywhere between $25-$100 on average. 

Super Standard

A Super Standard-sized pillow is a slightly longer version of the Standard size option. It typically measures 20 inches by 28 inches, which makes it great for those who still want it to fit their twin case or bed, but would benefit from that tiny bit of additional space. Super Standard pillows may carry a price tag between the range of $25-$110.

Queen

A Queen Size pillow usually measures 20 inches by 30 inches, but just as with the other pillows on our list, the exact measurements can vary depending on brand and materials. 

One Queen pillow can be placed across a twin bed, two can fit perfectly on a Queen bed, and two can fit spaciously on a King bed. Queen pillows can be bought for $30-$150. 

King

A bigger pillow is the best pillow, right? Potentially, depending on your sleep style. These 20 inches by 36-38 inches pillows are great for those who sleep actively or toss and turn off f their pillow very frequently. 

King pillows are extremely versatile due to their length, as you can place them behind you for lumbar support while you are sitting up or even use them as body pillows if you have a smaller build. 

You can buy a King pillow between the prices of $40-$200. 

Body Pillow

Body pillows can either be sold looking like regular pillows or be curved to suit a variety of needs. The 20 inches by 54 inches pillows are frequently used by side sleepers to place between their knees for extra lumbar support, or pregnant women to rest their bellies on for optimal sleep comfort. 

Indulge in one of these dreamy pillows for $30-$250. 

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Why not match your pillow with a new mattress? Check out the Best Mattress Brands to see who tops the list.