Written by Tony Klespis, Staff Writer
Sometimes a cushy, fluffy pillow can’t offer enough support to keep you comfortable at night. And having the wrong pillow can cause a number of problems. So whether you’re looking for a new pillow, or are just the type of person who prefers a firm pillow, this is the list for you!
Below, you’ll find my picks for the best firm pillows of the year. There are a number of categories, so there’s something for everyone.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Firm Pillow?
I named the LUXOME LAYR as the best firm pillow. While this is an adjustable pillow that can be any height or firmness level, fans of firm pillows will be able to combine its inserts to create the perfectly firm pillow they’re looking for. The foam used in the firm and medium-firm pillows have gel-infusions, and all the inserts go inside a bamboo cover. All this to say, it also won’t trap heat, making it a good choice for hot sleepers, too.
Our Top Picks for the Best Firm Pillows
- LUXOME LAYR Pillow – Best Overall
- Saatva Memory Foam Pillow – Best Firm Memory Foam Pillow
- Tuft & Needle – Best Medium Firm Pillow
- Purple – Best Extra Firm Pillow
- Marlow Pillow – Best Firm Pillow for Side Sleepers
- Lagoon Otter – Best Cooling Firm Pillow
- Avocado Molded Latex – Best Firm Latex Pillow
- TEMPUR-Neck – Best Firm Pillow for Neck Pain
How We Chose Our Products
Our team of sleep specialists tested many pillows currently on the market, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to find the best of the best for our readers. When building the best firm pillows list, I paid special attention to the level of support, cooling abilities, durability, overall feel, and quality of materials.
When I test pillows, I do a quick assessment for firmness and feel shortly after unboxing. From there, I take a quick nap (about one hour max) to assess how it works in each sleeping position in addition to all the factors I mentioned above.
In my guide, I give you a number of options so you can select a product that not only fits your preferences, but one that is also long-lasting, breathable, and extremely comfortable. I also encourage you to check out the Buyer’s Guide at the bottom of the page. There, I take a deeper dive into what to consider when buying a pillow so you can make the most informed purchase possible.
Best Overall – LUXOME LAYR
Luxome LAYR Pillow
The LUXOME LAYR Pillow is a high-quality adjustable option that allows you to create your own comfort.
Our Expert’s Take
Firm pillows are great because they offer a lot of support. But if you really want a pillow that can do it all, the LUXOME LAYR is a standout amongst pillows. This is an adjustable pillow that comes with three interchangeable inserts, each with its own firmness level: soft, medium, and firm. On their own, the layers are thin, but you can mix and match them to get the height and firmness you’re looking for.
The firm insert is a single piece of dense memory foam. The medium uses shredded foam, and the soft is made with down alternative fluff. For firm pillow lovers, using the firm insert on top of any other insert should keep the pillow firm enough to your liking. You might even be able to get all three inserts in to maximize the firmness, but using a combination of two should work just as well.
What We Love About the LUXOME LAYR
- This pillow shouldn’t trap heat. The two memory foam inserts have gel-infusions to help dissipate body heat. And the inserts go inside a bamboo cover, which is breathable and moisture-wicking.
- This is a great choice if you love that slow-moving memory foam feel to your pillow, as the two firmer inserts are made of memory foam.
- Because of how customizable this pillow is, it can work for just about any sleeping position.
What to keep In Mind About the LUXOME LAYR
- While the customizability is a huge draw for this pillow, it will take some trial and error to find the right height and firmness that works best for you.
Read my full LUXOME LAYR pillow review.
Best Firm Memory Foam – Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
If you love high-quality memory foam that is soft but supportive, check out the Saatva memory foam pillow.
Our Expert’s Take
Most people might think that all memory foam is super soft and plush because of how squishy and slow-moving it is. But the Saatva memory foam pillow is surprisingly firm for a pillow that uses two types of memory foam. It features two slabs of memory foam that sandwich a shredded memory foam core.
This gives it that classic slow-moving foam feel that foam lovers enjoy. Memory foam has been known to trap heat, but there are a few things going for this pillow that help you sleep cool. The foam features a graphite infusion, something that Saatva features in many of its foam products. This graphite infusion helps pull body heat away from you so you can stay cool. Plus, the outer cover is made of breathable cotton, which also helps.
What We Love About the Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
- Fans of memory foam will appreciate the slow-moving quality of this pillow. Even with this feel, the pillow can still be decently firm for those who prefer firmer pillows.
- The combination of this pillow’s height and firmness makes it a good choice for side sleepers who like firm pillows for their support.
- Memory foam has been known to trap heat, however this pillow has some cooling features that help you stay cool while you sleep.
What to keep In Mind About the Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
- This is a firm pillow that is very tall. Because of this, stomach sleepers will have a hard time compressing the pillow to get it flat enough to be comfortable to sleep with. For more appropriate pillows, be sure to look at our best pillows for stomach sleepers list.
Read my full Saatva memory foam pillow review.
Best Medium Firm – Tuft & Needle Memory Foam Pillow
Tuft and Needle Original Pillow
Made with special responsive foam, the Tuft & Needle pillow feels both soft and supportive. It has many cooling features, and it’s super durable. It’s a great match for back and side sleepers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
If you prefer a pillow to be a perfect blend of comfort and support, then medium-firm pillows are for you. Tuft & Needle’s foam pillow is a standout in this category because it performs a bit differently than what you’d expect.
This pillow is made from a single piece of T&N Adaptive Foam and it has a very responsive feel. This is different from traditional memory foam, which typically has that slow-moving, sinking feel to it.
This pillow won’t sag, and it’s very supportive and works for most sleeping positions. And it shouldn’t trap heat! It has graphite and cooling gel worked into the foam to pull away body heat.
What We Love About the Tuft & Needle Pillow
- This pillow works best for people who love something supportive, but aren’t looking for something super firm.
- It works best for back and side sleepers.
- This pillow won’t trap heat, thanks to the cooling infusions and breathable microfiber cover.
What To Keep in Mind About the Tuft & Needle Memory Foam Pillow
- This pillow is 5” tall, which is too tall for most stomach sleepers.
- It is made with Tuft & Needle’s AdaptiveFoam that has a responsive feel. People who prefer to sink into their pillow should look for another option.
Read our full Tuft & Needle pillow review.
Best Extra Firm – Purple
Purple Pillow
Purple’s original pillow is made with their signature Smart Comfort Grid polymer material that gives the pillow a plusher feel but without losing the support.
Mattress Clarity Score
3.80 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Sometimes an extra firm pillow can be the remedy for multiple concerns, like making sure you’re sleeping in a neutral position. Purple’s original pillow takes the gel grid in its mattresses and shrinks it down into a pillow form!
While the gel grid in this pillow has some give to it, when you compress the grid, it has a firm, but supportive, feel. The grid doesn’t necessarily contour to your head, but it still feels comfortable to rest on.
The Purple pillow works well for all three sleeping positions because it comes with two foam booster pads, each a different height. This means that you can make the Purple pillow a loft that fits best with your sleeping position.
What We Love About the Purple Pillow
- The Purple grid is used in this pillow which, when compressed, has a very firm feel.
- The foam boosters allow you to adjust the loft of this pillow.
- Because it’s made entirely of the gel grid, and surrounded by a breathable polyester cover, this pillow will not trap heat.
What To Keep in Mind About the Purple Pillow
- The Purple pillow is sold at a higher price than other pillows on this list, and might be out of some shopper’s budgets.
- This pillow works better for back and side sleepers. Some stomach sleepers could find it too firm or tall.
Read our full Purple pillow review.
Best for Side Sleepers – Marlow Pillow
Marlow Pillow
The Marlow pillow is a new take on the adjustable pillow. It has zippers along the sides of the pillow to change the loft and firmness. You don’t have to worry about messy shredded foam fills to find the sweet spot that works for you with this memory foam pillow.
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
The Marlow pillow is made from shredded memory foam, which is traditionally associated with a slow-moving feel. But this pillow includes poly foam, which is a denser foam that helps give the pillow its firmness.
Side sleepers generally prefer a higher-loft pillow for proper spinal alignment, and the Marlow does this wonderfully. You can even pinpoint your comfort by using the zippers to adjust the loft of the pillow.
Side sleepers who love firm pillows can get exactly what they want from Marlow.
What We Love About the Marlow Pillow
- This pillow is designed for cooling, equipped with a breathable cover and mesh gussets on the sides.
- The Marlow is antimicrobial, so it prevents the collection of dust mites and bacteria.
- Marlow offers a generous 365-night trial and a two-year warranty.
What To Keep in Mind About the Marlow Pillow
- Back sleepers could also enjoy the Marlow pillow, but even at its softest, it’s not a good fit for stomach sleepers.
- The Marlow pillow does not come with a removable cover, and its filling is not machine-washable.
Read our full Marlow pillow review.
Best Cooling – Lagoon Otter Pillow
Lagoon Otter Pillow
The Lagoon Otter pillow works best for side sleepers who like soft plushness.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Lagoon is one of our favorite companies for pillows because they design a model for almost any sleeper. They even provide a pillow quiz on their website, where you can answer questions and find a pillow that’s best for your needs. The Lagoon Otter Pillow is a medium-firm pillow, and the fill inside the pillow is adjustable. This means you can add filling to adjust the loft and make the pillow fuller, which may help it feel firmer.
The Otter is the best choice for hot sleepers because the shredded memory foam features a gel infusion. This helps pull body heat away from you, so you won’t feel hot and sweaty. Shredded foam pillows also allow for a bit more airflow than those that are made from a single piece. This all comes inside a bamboo cover which is breathable and moisture-wicking.
What We Love About the Lagoon Otter Pillow
- Side sleepers should love the Otter since it offers some nice contouring and should keep the neck and spine aligned.
- The memory foam fill is ventilated for cooling.
- It boasts a washable cover made from bamboo and polyester.
What To Keep in Mind About the Lagoon Otter Pillow
- After opening the Otter pillow, you may notice a slight chemical smell. This should go away after 24 hours.
Read about the most popular Lagoon pillows.
Best Latex – Avocado Molded Latex Pillow
Avocado Molded Latex Pillow
The Avocado pillow is a non-toxic and environmentally friendly pillow filled with a combination of Kapok fibers and natural shredded latex. It has a smooth and plush feel but the shredded latex brings in a lot of support. It is adjustable, making it a good fit for all sleep positions, but its firmness lends itself to side and back sleepers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
When it comes to latex pillows, the Avocado Molded Latex pillow is a standout amongst them all. Avocado is known for eco-friendly mattresses, and its pillow is a great choice for eco-conscious shoppers who love firm pillows.
This pillow is made from a single slab of molded, perforated latex that has been infused with charcoal. The perforations in this pillow allow for airflow, while the charcoal infusion can help eliminate odors in your sleep environment.
Latex is a great material for all sleeping positions because it’s very bouncy and responsive, which means you won’t feel like the pillow is trapping you (like traditional memory foam pillows sometimes do).
What We Love About the Avocado Molded Latex Pillow
- It has many certifications by organizations dedicated to clean production and verified organic products.
- It won’t trap heat, thanks to the perforations within the pillow. Plus, latex is naturally breathable and cooling.
- Latex is responsive and easy to move around on, making it a good match for many combination sleepers.
What To Keep in Mind About the Avocado Molded Latex Pillow
- The pillow’s loft is 5″, so it’s too tall for most stomach sleepers.
- Fans of softer pillows will probably not enjoy the Avocado pillow’s firm, dense latex core.
Read our full Avocado Molded Latex pillow review.
Best for Neck Pain – TEMPUR-Neck
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
The ergonomic shape to the TEMPUR-Neck pillow makes it an ideal pillow for anyone dealing with neck pain. This solid slab of memory foam will contour to your head and neck, giving you good support and will alleviate neck pain.
Mattress Clarity Score
3.90 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
The TEMPUR-Neck pillow was designed to give you full neck support while you sleep. TEMPUR-Pedic makes a variety of pillows, and the Neck pillow is its firmest. It is made of a single piece of dense TEMPUR material, which is the company’s proprietary memory foam.
This pillow has an ergonomic design to contour to your head, neck, and shoulder, and it feels very comfortable and natural for both back and side sleepers. Because it helps support your neck, this pillow should alleviate neck pain over time.
It comes with a polyester cover that is machine-washable and is hypoallergenic. And if you’re an especially hot sleeper, the Neck pillow comes in a cooling model that’s full of gel memory foam and won’t trap body heat.
What We Love About the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
- The unique shape is designed for neck support to help you fight off neck pain.
- The foam is dense and firm, which helps keep you in a neutral position.
- It is available in different sizes, so it works well for back and side sleepers of varying body types.
What To Keep in Mind About the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
- Its ergonomic design is not ideal for stomach sleepers.
- This pillow is not the best fit for hot sleepers because its memory foam core traps some heat. But shoppers can opt for a cooling version of the TEMPUR-Neck pillow.
Read my full TEMPUR-Neck pillow review.
What to Consider Before Buying a Firm Pillow
Here are a few things you need to keep in mind when shopping for a new bed pillow or a new firm mattress.
How to Determine Pillow Firmness
The biggest question when shopping for the right pillow is knowing how firm it is. While you can’t get a true sense of firmness from online product descriptions, reviews can help you get a great idea of overall firmness. I’ve personally handled the pillows on this list, so looking up reviews can be helpful, too!
If you do purchase a pillow without being sure of its firmness, many online retailers will offer trial windows, no less than 30 days, for you to test the pillows out. If the pillow isn’t right for you, you can return the pillow within that 30-day window, and often for a full refund.
How to Make a Pillow Less Firm
Adjustability is key when it comes to changing how a pillow feels. There are a few adjustable loft pillows on this list. This type of pillow means you can take out or remove fill. This can change a high loft to a low loft pillow, and vice versa.
But how much fill you have can determine how firm or soft a pillow feels. If you tend to love soft pillows, taking out fill can make that happen. But if you love firm pillows, keeping the pillow stuffed full is the way to go. Shredded memory foam pillows often come to you overstuffed, and can feel very firm right out of the box.
However, this isn’t the case with all pillows, as down and down alternative pillows often come to you as is, with no way to adjust the firmness.
Summary
| Pillow | Best For |
| LUXOME LAYR Pillow | Best Overall |
| Saatva Memory Foam Pillow | Best Firm Memory Foam Pillow |
| Tuft & Needle | Best Medium-Firm Pillow |
| Purple | Best Extra Firm Pillow |
| Marlow Pillow | Best Firm Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Lagoon Otter | Best Cooling Firm Pillow |
| Avocado Molded Latex | Best Firm Latex Pillow |
| TEMPUR-Neck | Best Firm Pillow for Neck Pain |
FAQs
Are firm pillows good for back sleepers?
When it comes to what firmness you need in your pillow, you need to consider your sleeping position. While firm support can help keep you in a neutral position, when it comes to back sleepers, having a medium-firm pillow is the best option for you.
Back sleepers need a perfect blend of comfort and support, and a medium firmness can achieve that better than a firm pillow. However, it should be noted that firmness is very subjective, and what some might consider firm can change from person to person.
But rest assured, we’ve also compiled a list of the best pillows for back sleepers to help out!
Does my pillow come in different firmness options?
As preferences are so widely spread, many companies will offer pillows in a variety of firmnesses. Brands such as Parachute, Brooklinen, and Pluto offer pillows that come in a variety of firmness options. This may come in the form of having three standard choices, or making a customized pillow.
Not all companies offer multiple firmness options, so be sure to read product reviews or thoroughly read through the product listing on the company’s website!
Alternatively, some pillows come with the option to adjust the firmness by taking out or removing some of the fill. Brands that offer this are: Coop Home Goods, Layla, and Beautyrest to name a few.
Are firm or soft pillows better?
Ultimately this boils down to personal preference. But let’s discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of both soft and firm pillows.
Soft pillows are often better for stomach sleepers, as they can be compressed much easier than a firm pillow, and keep a stomach sleeper’s neck in a neutral position. But if you’re a side or back sleeper, soft pillows might cause some discomfort and neck pain if they don’t provide enough support.
Meanwhile it’s the opposite for firm pillows. Stomach sleepers may not be able to compress a firm pillow enough to achieve a comfortable position. Back sleepers will want to stick with a medium-firm pillow, while side sleepers can get plenty of support from a firm pillow, which will keep their head from craning too far down.