Like mattress firmness, most shoppers have a preference for the firmness of their pillow. Folks who love soft pillows likely associate them with luxurious and comfortable sleep. These pillows allow your head to sink gently into their plush surface.
Aside from just being soft, these pillows should be well-made and well-suited to your sleeping preferences. If youโre unsure of where to start, let us do the work for you. After hands-on testing by our product experts, we devised a list of the best soft pillows out there that meet our standards for quality, performance, and, of course, comfort. From fluffy down to shredded memory foam, there should be something for everyone.
Clarityโs Clear Winner
According to our expert testers, the best soft pillow is the Saatva Down Alternative Pillow because of its combination of microdenier fill and memory foam fiber-core that gives it a fluffy yet supportive feel. Itโs also available in two lofts, so you can further customize it to suit your individual needs. Plus, we canโt say enough about Saatvaโs excellent customer service and generous policies. You get 45 nights to try out this pillow for yourself, as well as a 1-year warranty.
The Best Soft Pillows
- Saatva Down Alternative Pillow โ Best Soft Pillow Overall
- Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow โ Best Soft Pillow for Neck Pain
- Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow โ Best Cooling Soft Pillow
- Helix Down & Feather Pillow โ Best Soft Down Pillow
- Lagoon Fox โ Best Soft Memory Foam Pillow
How We Tested and Selected the Best Soft Pillows
Just like mattresses, pillows can skew softer or firmerโthough it can be more subjective to judge. We donโt have a firmness scale as we do for beds. Our testers, thankfully, have experience with dozens of pillows to judge their individual firmness and feel,
We generally associate soft pillows with more sinkage. A soft pillow will contour to your neck rather than keep it propped up. They often donโt offer much in the way of support, so theyโre better for sleepers who want their head closer to the mattress, like stomach or back sleepers.
All of the pillows on this list were described as โsoftโ in some manner by our testers.
The materials used in a pillow donโt just determine its durability and caliber; they also determine its feel. Softer pillows typically use fluffier fill materials like down, microfiber, or shredded memory foam. Youโll notice that all of the pillows on this list include one or multiple types of these materials.
Our testers rate a pillowโs materials out of 5, focusing on their quality. A higher score means a better-quality pillow that should last longer. To recommend only the best, we included pillows that earned at least 4/5 in this category.
A new pillow is a big investment, though shoppers are likely looking to balance affordability with quality, understandably so. You can always search for the lowest-price option, but you might risk losing sleep if you end up with a subpar pillow. In the same vein, a higher price doesnโt always mean a better product.
Thatโs why we look at the overall value of a pillow, rather than the dollar amount attached. Our testers weigh the pillowโs performance and their experience against the amount we paid to determine whether itโs worth it. For this list, we included pillows that earned at least a 4/5 for value, meaning youโll get the most bang for your buck.
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches selected the best soft pillows by looking for top performers in the categories above: feel, materials, and value.
But our full process involves testing several aspects of a pillowโs performance, including cooling, care, and more. We evaluate and score these factors using specialized technology and firsthand accounts of how a pillow feels from testers with different body types.
Once we have all those scores, we calculate the overall score using a weighted formula. This overall score is a good indicator of a pillowโs general quality, and is always a number out of 5.
As we decide which pillows to feature on any roundup, we only include those with an overall score of 3.5 out of 5 or higher. Even if a pillow does certain things well, we wonโt point you towards it if it falls below this baseline.
- 500+ mattresses and 100+ sleep accessories tested in person
- 30+ data points collected for each bed
- Certified Sleep Science Coaches on staff
- Expert input from our Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta (MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM) and our Chief Medical Product Tester Dr. Hannah Habeeb (DPT)
- 40,000+ readers who bought a new bed based on our recommendations
Learn more about Mattress Clarity.
Read about our testing experience with each of the pillows on our list below.
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow โ Best Soft Pillow Overall
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
Saatva uses high-quality, durable materials in its down alternative pillow. It combines comfort and support which is ideal for back sleeping, and itโs high loft fill makes it a good choice for side sleepers, too. But itโs also moldable enough for stomach sleepers! Itโs the perfect down alternative pillow.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.2 / 5
The name Saatva has become synonymous with luxury at Mattress Clarity, since the brand continues to supply the sleep market with high-end beds and accessories that donโt disappoint. Saatvaโs Down Alternative Pillow is no exception.
This pillow is filled with microfiber of different densities to create a uniquely fluffy sleep surface with a central core to keep its shape. We tested out the high-loft version of this pillow, which my colleague Melanie Kassel called โsoft but supportiveโ for side sleepers. The lower loft should work great for back and stomach sleepers. She ultimately awarded the pillow a 5/5 for both her experience and Saatvaโs customer service.
The Saatva Down Alternative pillow combines softer microdenier fibers with thicker memory fiber clusters for a truly malleable down alternative fill. The โmemoryโ in memory fiber indeed refers to the memory-foam-like material, though itโs finely cut to give you more breathability and that downy feel. โThese clusters gave my partner and me extra support when we tried out this pillow,โ Melanie explained. โBut you can still fluff and flatten this pillow like a traditional down pillow.โ
Melanie thought that the pillow would work well for โany sleeping position, especially if you like a squishy pillow that has the feel of down without the animal component.โ She recommended the high loft for side sleepers like herself, but noted that her partner also liked it while resting on his back and stomach. โIt compresses enough for these positions, but Iโd still recommend back and stomach sleepers try out the low-loft for better alignment,โ Melanie added.
As the Saatva pillow is spot-clean-only, Melanie awarded it only 3/5 for care. The pillow features an organic cotton cover, but itโs not removable. However, this should give the pillow some added breathability, which could further benefit hot sleepers who hate the stuffy feel of down.
Melanie could put aside the pillowโs strict care guidelines, but she did find some cosmetic issues with the cover. โThere were some stray threads around the edges of the cover where something mustโve come loose, creating a small tear where you could peek inside the pillow,โ she explained. โItโs not noticeable with a cover on, and it hasnโt impacted the pillowโs performance, but I was annoyed with this little defect.โ (If youโre worried about loose threads, check out the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow instead. This pillow is made of solid latex and has a zippered cover, so thereโs less likelihood of fraying.)
A standard-size Saatva Down Alternative Pillow retails for about $115, and it comes with a 45-night trial, which is pretty generous for a pillow. After that, itโs backed by the brandโs 1-year warranty. Should you encounter any issues like Melanie did, you can contact Saatvaโs customer support. Weโve had nothing but good experiences with Saatvaโs representatives, and theyโre always eager to help.
Read more in our Saatva Down Alternative Pillow review.
Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow โ Best Soft Pillow for Neck Pain
Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
With its customizable fill, this pillow allows sleepers to tailor loft and firmness to their exact preference.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.6 / 5
Did you know that waking up with a crick in your neck could be caused by your pillow? But you have to be careful in choosing a soft pillow, as it could be too plush to provide the proper neck support. But this isnโt the case with the Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow.
Thanks to its adjustability, you can configure this pillow to get the right balance of softness and support. The fill is fluffy yet retains its shape, making it perfect for sleepers prioritizing alignment. My colleague Nicole Davis tested out this pillow herself and found it helped with her own pesky neck pain. She gave the pillow high marks for materials, care, and even a 5/5 rating for overall value.
As itโs adjustable, this Coop pillow can truly be customized to your ideal plushness. The fill is made from memory foam and microfiber clusters, which Coop describes as a โmedium-firm feel.โ However, Nicole thought it provided the ideal touch of plushness. โAs someone with neck pain, the right pillow is important,โ she added. โWith this pillow, I can adjust the inner fill each night, and I get the support in all the right places.โ
Nicole is a dedicated side sleeper with chronic neck pain and thought the pillow was perfect for her. Still, she emphasized its versatility. โSince you can add or remove as much fill as you want, I think this pillow should work well for just about anyone,โ she explained. The overall feel is that you can sink deeply into this pillow, but you wonโt sink right to the bottom. (Want a pillow that flattens without removing the fill? I suggest you check out the Helix Down and Feather Pillow.)
What impressed me most about this pillow is that itโs completely machine-washable. This is rare for traditional pillows, let alone adjustable ones. After removing the outer cover, Coop recommends securing the inner zipper with a safety pin to prevent the fill from getting wet. Since it can survive tossing and turning in the washer, we expect this pillow to last a long time on your bed.
And you have a long time to try it out, too; Coopโs pillows each come with a generous 100-night return policy. If you decide to keep it, itโs backed by a 5-year warranty. The best part, though, is that a standard-size pillow only costs $89, which Nicole called โgreat value for the level of customization you get.โ There are also unique shapes to choose from if youโre looking for more personalization, like a crescent, cut-out, and even a body pillow.
For more information, check out our full Coop Original Adjustable Pillow review.
Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow โ Best Cooling Soft Pillow
Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
Crafted from natural Talalay latex, Brooklyn Beddingโs Latex Pillow offers responsive support and breathability to satisfy combination sleepers and those looking to sleep cool.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.8 / 5
We usually recommend latex for hot sleepers, since this material is known for its natural breathability. However, sometimes latex can have a firmer feel, particularly if itโs of the Dunlop variety. But Talalay latex is the softer version of this material, perfect for sleepers who want a plush but cooling pillow.
My colleague who tested Brooklyn Beddingโs Talalay Latex Pillow likened it to a โflatter squishmallow,โ and praised its ability to squish and compress as she lay her head on it. It quickly became one of her favorite soft pillows, earning 5/5 ratings in materials, experience, and customer service.
Our tester tried out the older version of this pillow, which doesnโt feature an updated cooling cover, and still found it breathable enough on its own. โThe latex feels nice and cool, not stuffy at all,โ she explained. โItโs even hole-punched to keep air flowing through the surface.โ I also have this pillow at home, and I removed the cover altogether so I could fit my pillowcase right over the latex. As a hot sleeper, even this setup feels super cool.
The new cover is made from moisture-wicking TENCEL from lyocell fibers, which is sure to only add to latexโs natural temperature regulation. Multiple reviews on Brooklyn Beddingโs site include customers praising the pillowโs cool-to-the-touch feel, even inside a pillowcase.
The latex itself also had a โsoft but springyโ feel, per our expert tester. โWhen I lie down on my back on this pillow, it fills in the gap at my neck while still collapsing enough to remain comfortable,โ she said. โIf you switch between your back and side, I think youโll love this pillow and how easy it is to move around on.โ
Cleaning this pillow is also relatively straightforward. The cooling cover zips off and goes straight into the wash. The latex is spot-clean only, but this shouldnโt be an issue if you use a pillowcase. Our tester thought this was reasonable for a solid latex pillow, but if you want a fully washable pillow, check out the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow.
Speaking of reasonable, thatโs just what our tester called the pricing for this pillow. A standard size will run you about $129, thanks to frequent sales and coupons, which she thought reflected the โexceptional quality and comfort of this pillow.โ Brooklyn Bedding also offers shoppers a 30-day return window and a 3-year warranty.
Read more in our dedicated Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex pillow review.
Helix Down & Feather Pillow โ Best Soft Down Pillow
Helix Down & Feather Pillow
Helixโs down and feather pillow combines the plush comfort of white down with supportive feathers at the center of the pillow. Its reinforced stitching around the perimeter of the pillow helps it retain its shape. Itโs a great down pillow for those that love supportive pillows!
Mattress Clarity Score
4.6 / 5
If youโre looking for the softest pillows of all, you canโt go wrong with down. These pillows are made with ultra-soft feathers to create that iconic, fluffy, 5-star-hotel feel. The Helix Down & Feather Pillow is one such pillow.
Unlike other down pillows, the Helix pillow is fairly affordable, but has the same luxurious feel to rival other pillows for twice the price. Aside from a 5/5 rating for value, my colleague Riley Otis bestowed this pillow with perfect scores for its materials and her experience testing it.
This pillow gets its name from the mix of regular feathers and white down in its construction. These feathers are present at the core of the pillow to bulk up the central support. Riley found that this created a โweightless feelingโ for her head. โIt feels like youโre resting on a cloud because itโs so fluffy and airy,โ she explained. โThe pillow is compressible enough to keep your neck from craning uncomfortably, but also super plush.โ
As a combination sleeper, Riley was also able to test out the pillow in every sleeping position. โNo matter what position I ended up in, this pillow provided the ideal mix of comfort and support,โ she said. โI typically love fluffy down pillows, and this fits the bill perfectly. Sleepers who love this traditional feeling will get that from the Helix pillow.โ
โThis pillow isnโt marketed as a luxury one, but it certainly looks and feels like one,โ Riley added. Aside from the multiple layers of down and feathers that give it its signature fluff, Riley thought that everything from the cover to the stitching felt well-made and durable. The fill is also certified under the Responsible Down Standard, so you can rest easy knowing it was harvested in a humane manner.
The only downside to this pillow is that itโs spot-clean only, which is true of most down pillows. The last thing you want is to find your washing machine full of wet feathers. If you prefer a pillow thatโs easier to clean, check out the Lagoon Fox Pillow.
At $98 full retail, this pillow is one of the most affordable Iโve seen for down. Sales and discounts can get this number as low as $74. The policies with this pillow are pretty standard: a 30-night sleep trial and a 1-year warranty. Of course, there should still be plenty of time to decide if itโs the one for you.
Read more in our full Helix Down & Feather Pillow review.
Lagoon Fox โ Best Soft Memory Foam Pillow
Lagoon Fox Pillow
The Lagoon Fox Pillow is a CertiPUR-US certified product that incorporates soft memory foam. Itโs also adjustable, allowing sleepers to fit the loft to their own needs.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.5 / 5
Fans of memory foam pillows looking for a soft pillow will love the Lagoon Fox. This pillow features shredded memory foam, which ups the plushness and malleability, especially compared to solid foam pillows.
Though my fellow tester said that this pillowโs โsuper-fluffy feelโ wasnโt the fit for her, she thought anyone who wants plushness would be more than satisfied. She further gave the pillow a 4.5/5 materials score for its considerate design, praising everything from the cover to the foam fill.
The Lagoon Fox Pillow boasts an adjustable shredded memory foam and polyester fiber fill, which means you can add and remove as much as you like to control the loft of your pillow. Even fully stuffed, our tester thought this pillowโs lower loft and compressible feel best suited stomach and back sleepers. โThereโs plenty of softness to allow my head to sink in and align with my shoulders, but also enough support that I donโt think Iโd wake up with neck or back pain in either position,โ our tester explained.
โThis pillow is solidly constructed, just like the other Lagoon pillows Iโve tried,โ she added. โThe cover is made up of polyester and bamboo, so it gives a comfortably soft and slightly cool feel. Thereโs also an inner cover for the fill inside the pillow.โ She ultimately found the pillow โbreathable,โ and highly recommended it to folks with allergies because of its hypoallergenic construction and care.
Though Lagoon recommends spot-cleaning for small stains, you can wash this pillow in the machine. The cover is fully removable, as is the inner fill. You just have to secure the inner liningโs zipper with a safety pin to ensure nothing spills out in the machine. โAll these instructions were labeled on the inside of this pillow, but you can easily reach out to Lagoonโs customer service if you have further questions,โ our tester added.
This pillow ultimately retails for about $140 for a standard size. This is a little on the expensive side, especially when compared with Coopโs Adjustable Pillow, which offers a similar feel for nearly half the price. But our expert tester thought it reflected the quality of the pillow. Lagoon gives you 100 nights to decide if The Fox is right for you, as well as a generous 5-year warranty to cover any defects.
You can find out more about this pillow and others from the brand in our Lagoon bed pillows review guide.
Latest Updates: After retesting dozens of pillows this past year, we updated this list of the Best Soft Pillows in early March of 2026, based on our expertsโ updated opinions. We kept some old favorites, like the Coop Adjustable Pillow and Brooklyn Beddingโs Talalay Latex Pillow. But we found some new super-plush pillows that we wanted to include, like Helixโs Down & Feather Pillow.
Other Pillows Considered
If none of the pillows above tickled your fancy, you might like these other pillows:
- Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow โ Tuft & Needleโs Down Alternative Pillow features synthetic, hypoallergenic fill to mimic the plush feel of down without the high cost or sneezing. Itโs also great for hot sleepers, since the materials used in its construction are all temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking. We recommend it for back and side sleepers, though stomach sleepers will likely find it too lofty to rest comfortably.
- Plushbeds Goose Down Pillow โ This pillow is filled with goose feathers, which makes it feel fluffy, soft, and plush. This cushiony pillow has multiple firmness options, but the medium should be plenty soft for plush pillow lovers. It has a flat, compressible feel that works great for stomach sleepers, but it wonโt offer enough support for those who need a high loft.
- Brooklinen Marlow Pillow โ The Marlow pillow offers multiple feels thanks to its adjustable firmness, which is controlled by a zipper on the side. You can zip it up fully for a firmer feel or leave it unzipped for more plushness. This gives sleepers the luxury of choice, but we still found the pillow had a more
What Makes a Great Soft Pillow
Are you still unsure about whether youโve found the right soft pillow? Let me dive a bit deeper into what we prioritize in the best soft pillows. Aside from the pillow feeling soft, it should also be well-made and yield a satisfactory sleep experience for the price.
Feel
Unlike mattress firmness, a pillowโs firmness is a bit more wishy-washy. Youโll likely have to rely on the brand and reviewersโ opinions to determine whether a pillow feels soft or firm. I also recommend taking full advantage of any offered sleep trials to make your own judgment.
For us, we consider soft pillows as those with more sinkage than support. These pillows will flatten when you lie down on them, providing gentle, airy cushioning and pressure relief. If you like to feel propped up by your pillow, soft ones arenโt for you.
Of course, this doesnโt mean that soft pillows are necessarily unsupportive. There are some that can hold their shape, like those that contain shredded foam or a latex core. Based on your anatomy, sleeping position, and individual preference, you may find a soft pillow is supportive enough for your needs.
Aside from pillows with multiple firmness iterations, there are also adjustable pillows. These pillows allow you to change the feel of your pillow by adding or removing fill or inserts. They can therefore feel soft, medium, medium-firm, or firm, depending on how you configure them.
โAdjustable pillows can be a good pick for sleepers who are having trouble getting comfortable at night,โ adds Dr. Raj Dasgupta, our chief medical advisor. โIf you are waking up with neck pain, for example, you can customize the pillowโs loft and firmness to keep your cervical spine in alignment.โ
Materials
A high-quality, soft pillow will be made with the finest materials. The type of materials used will also determine how soft the pillow feels. In short, what makes up your pillow is important, which is why itโs one of the first things we evaluate in testing.
The materials score generally refers to the pillowโs durability and construction. We look at everything from the stitching and zippers on the cover to the density and feel of the pillow fill. The whole construction should look and feel high-quality to earn at least a 4/5. A higher score may point to higher-end materials or extra features that enhance the overall design. This could be adjustable firmness or removable inserts, for example.
Certain pillows are more likely to offer the enviably plush feel. The most common materials used for soft pillows are down, down alternative, or shredded foam fill. Hereโs a quick description of each:
- Down filling is made up of the super-soft underlayer of duck or goose feathers. It gives that signature fluffy feel.
- Down alternative is a material that mimics the feeling of down feathers. Down alternative is usually made from synthetic polyester, but cotton, rayon, or even silk fibers are common, too.
- Shredded foam pillows are made from cut-up memory foam or polyfoams. Theyโre a bit more malleable and more likely to hold their shape than other pillows that require fluffing. There are shredded latex foam pillows as well, but these tend to have a slightly firmer feel.
All of these materials help give pillows a plush, soft feel. This differs from the solid slabs of memory foam or latex that make for firmer, more supportive pillows.
Value
A quality pillow can run you upwards of $100 these days. Some budget shoppers might balk at the price, but they should also be wary of certain cheap pillows. The reason these pillows are so budget-friendly is that manufacturers cut costsโthey use lower-quality materials or rushed production. Then your pillow might start falling apart after a few weeks of use, making you wish you bought something more substantial.
Thatโs why itโs important to choose a pillow that comes with exceptional value. This is different from just a reasonable price. Ideally, you want the experience you paid for, or one thatโs even better than expected.
We rate every pillowโs value out of 5. This number comes from our experience during testing, and in some cases, after taking the pillow home and sleeping on it for a few nights. We pit the pillowโs construction, feel, and performance against the listed price, determining whether that number reflects what the average consumer will receive.
If a warranty or sleep trial is offered by the brand, we consider that too, as this can elevate the customer experience. We also associate longer warranties with higher-quality products, as it speaks to the manufacturerโs confidence in the product. Theyโre willing to cover it up until that point, so you can expect it to last beyond that without deteriorating.
A value rating of 4/5 means that you had a good experience for what you paid for. Anything higher means that we think itโs a great deal.
But if we havenโt reviewed a pillow that youโre interested in, I recommend taking a look at what other customers say on the brandโs site. If youโre still worried, opt for a pillow that has a sleep trial or return policy, so you can get a full refund or exchange if youโre let down.
What Else Is Important When Buying Pillows?
A lot more than what I explored above factors into a good pillow. If youโre still unsure of what youโre looking for, consider these other areas to help narrow your options.
Sleeping Position
โCertain sleeping positions are better suited to softer pillows,โ Dr. Dasgupta explains. โYouโll want to ensure that the feel of your pillow matches your preferred sleeping positions, or else you might end up waking with discomfort or pain.โ If youโre unsure about what type of pillow works best for your sleep position, let me elucidate what we recommend for each.
โA soft pillow is usually the best choice for stomach sleepers,โ says Dr. Dasgupta. โThis is because soft pillows are easier to flatten.โ Your neck wonโt crane too far upward, which should reduce strain, making it the most comfortable option. Youโll also want to combine this with a low loft, so youโre as close to the mattress as possible. In fact, some stomach sleepers find the best sleep without a pillow at all. Itโs all about what keeps your cervical spine in alignment, which will ultimately reduce neck pain.
Some back sleepers may feel comfortable with a soft pillow, though it comes down to personal preference. It should still be supportive enough to contour to the neck and keep it in line with your spine. If youโre experiencing too much sinkage that your alignment is compromised, you may like a high-loft pillow. This should give you more elevation without compromising the fluffy feel.
Generally, side sleepers donโt find support with a soft pillow. If itโs too soft, their head will slip too far down. You want a pillow that fits nicely in the square-shaped gap between your neck and shoulder. Since we recommend high-loft pillows for side sleepers, a soft pillow that flattens easily may not give them the support they need.
Combination sleepers are the final category to consider. These are folks who switch between two or all sleeping positions. Aside from finding a pillow that works equally well for each position, you may want to consider one thatโs easy to move around on. I find that softer pillows tend to leave me feeling โstuckโ in their fluffiness. Firmer pillows can give you ease of movement as they quickly spring back into shape, like those made with naturally responsive latex.
Cooling
โIf you wake up with a sweaty neck, you may need to invest in a cooling pillow,โ recommends Dr. Dasgupta. These pillows have a construction thatโs geared toward keeping temperatures low. These can be materials that allow for more airflow or covers with cooling fibers.
In terms of soft pillows, a lot of materials associated with softness are often not the best for cooling. Down, for one, is a known insulator, which may hold onto more heat than release it. Shredded memory foam allows more air to flow than solid foam, but its density is still not the best for cooling. Studies show that latex is often more breathable than foam, too, but it also tends to feel firmer.
Hot sleepers, therefore, may have the best luck with down alternative pillows. Microfiber fill retains the softness of down, but the synthetics used are often breathable, like polyester fibers. Cotton or bamboo are also popular choices for natural fills, with the latter known for its moisture-wicking properties.
For covers, look for words like Tencel, GlacioTex, phase change material. These are all specialized textiles designed to dissipate excess heat. You could also invest in a cooling pillowcase. Bamboo and silk will not only feel soft, but also have that cool-to-the-touch feel.
We donโt have a specific test or rating for cooling, but it does play into our overall experience evaluation. If a pillow is advertised as cooling, weโre sure to mention whether or not it lives up to the hype.
Care
Regularly washing your bedding, including your pillow, is necessary for maintaining a hygienic sleep environment. If this upkeep is especially important to you, you may want to invest in a pillow thatโs easy to clean. On top of that, if a pillow can survive a toss in the washer, itโs likely well-constructed to last a long time.
This is why we rate every pillowโs care out of 5. This rating encompasses not just how practical the instructions are, but how easy it is to find them. Some brands will display the instructions on the tag or on a leaflet that comes with the product, but for others, youโll have to scour the site.
Most pillows are spot-clean only but feature removable and washable covers. This is usually because the filling shouldnโt get wet. Clumps of wet feathers or shredded foam would be annoying to clean out of your washing machine. Weโd consider this fairly standard; it might earn a 3.5 or 4 in our care evaluation. Some pillows, like those made without a separate cover, are spot-clean or dry-clean only. This would earn a lower score.
A few pillows are completely machine-washable, like Coop Sleep Goodsโ Original Adjustable Pillow. Though rare to see, it may be favorable for the accident-prone sleeper, especially if you tend to forgo a pillowcase. Of course, most brands recommend the use of a pillowcase or pillow protector to keep your pillows clean for longer periods of time. (I personally love a silk pillowcase for the benefits it has for your skin and hair.)
FAQs
Which type of pillow is the softest?
Down and down alternative pillows are usually the softest. These are fluffy and airy, and youโll sink right into them. Some shredded memory foam pillows can offer a similar but slightly more supportive feel.
What is the most comfortable pillow?
The most comfortable pillow will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Our top pick for the best soft pillow is the Saatva Down Alternative Pillow, for example, because of its super-plush comfort and gentle support. But other folks might like a firm pillow that gives better lift. It all comes down to your sleeping position and what your body needs.
What type of pillows are used in 5-star hotels?
Feather pillows are usually the most common in 5-star hotels. Down pillows are typically associated with luxury because of their ultra-soft feel, so itโs unsurprising. Down is also expensive because of the care it takes to ethically harvest it.
How do I make my pillow softer?
If your pillow is a bit too firm for your liking, there are a couple tricks you can use to make it softer. First, you can fluff your pillow by massaging it to move the filling or material around. If that doesnโt change it enough, you can put it in the dryer and throw a tennis ball in with it. The tennis ball helps knead the pillow while the heat loosens the filling. Read our full guide to fluffing your pillow and making it softer if you arenโt ready for a new pillow just yet.
References
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