Down, memory foam and alternative fill bed pillows.
Pillow loft and fill power determine sleeping comfort by sleep position. A back sleeper needs a medium-loft pillow between 3 and 5 inches that supports the neck without pushing the head forward; a side sleeper needs 5 to 7 inches of loft to fill the gap between shoulder and ear. Down pillows compress and reshape throughout the night while memory foam pillows hold a fixed loft. This section covers bed pillows by fill type, loft height, sleep position suitability and pillow size.
6 guides in this section
A cooling pillow reduces the heat buildup that warms the sleeping surface during the night. Gel-infused fills, phase-change material covers and breathable shredded foam constructions address the heat retention of standard pillows through different approaches.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026
A down alternative pillow uses synthetic fiberfill to mimic the soft, lofty feel of natural down without feathers or allergens. Polyester microfiber and gel fiber fills provide similar softness to down while remaining machine washable and allergy-safe.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026
A memory foam pillow uses viscoelastic foam that softens under body heat and conforms to the head and neck shape. Solid memory foam maintains a consistent loft profile while shredded memory foam allows fill redistribution and adjustment to match different sleeping positions.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026
A pillow for back sleepers needs medium loft that supports the natural cervical curve without pushing the chin forward. A too-thick pillow flexes the neck forward like looking at a phone; a too-thin pillow leaves the neck suspended without support.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026
A pillow for side sleepers needs a higher loft to fill the gap between the head and mattress created by the width of the shoulder. A low-loft pillow leaves the neck unsupported in the side position, causing the head to tilt downward and straining the cervical spine.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026
A bed pillow supports the head and neck during sleep by filling the gap between the head and mattress surface. Fill material, loft height and firmness determine how well a pillow aligns the spine for different sleep positions.
4 picks · 5 sourcesUpdated September 30, 2026
