Best Affordable Pillows

Why It’s Best Overall

Brooklinen is best known for sleep products that are both affordably priced and thoughtfully constructed. The Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow nicely exemplifies both qualities. As seen during our hands-on tests, the eco-friendly fill and soft, breathable shell prove to be a winning combo. You won’t find many down alternative pillows of this quality that match Brooklinen’s sticker price.

How It Performed

The fill compresses to a noticeable extent, making the Down Alternative Pillow a solid choice for back and stomach sleepers hoping to minimize neck strain. At the same time, the pillow is dense and lofty enough to provide ample cushioning between the head and downward-facing shoulder — a major selling point for side sleepers. Since the shell is so soft and gentle, we’re also recommending this pillow to people with sensitive skin.

What It’s Made of

The fill is composed of down alternative fibers derived from recycled plastic, which nicely mimic the plushness and fluffiness of real down without triggering allergies, retaining excess heat, or relying on animal-based materials. A silky-smooth cotton sateen shell with piped seams encases the fill. 

The pillow is available in queen and king sizes, as well as a square-shaped Euro option that makes a suitable throw. Brooklinen recommends dry cleaning or spot cleaning the pillow if stains and smudges occur, as it’s too large for most household washing machines. Fluffing once per day can help minimize flattening and recover the shape before you go to bed. 

Not only is the Down Alternative Pillow affordably priced, but you’ll receive a 10% discount when you purchase two and a 15% discount when you purchase four. Orders of $100 or more qualify for free delivery within the contiguous U.S., but if your purchase falls below this threshold, Brooklinen’s shipping rates are reasonable. The company’s 365-night trial is one of the longest in the online bedding industry. If you opt to keep the pillow after the trial ends, you’ll receive an additional year of warranty coverage.

The SweetZzz Plant-Based Pillow combines a fluffy, medium feel with close contouring for a pillow that is comfortable for most sleeping positions. The pillow’s plant-based, natural fill is vegan-friendly and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means it is free of many common harmful substances. 

How It Performed

We found that the dual-layer system provided good support for most of our side sleepers, and our back sleepers appreciated the blend of a soft exterior and firmer interior. Stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds also felt this pillow was comfortable, but those over 130 pounds found that the loft kept their head at an awkward angle.

The pillow’s two-chamber design and natural cotton cover also promote airflow, leaving the pillow cool to the touch. 

What It’s Made Of

The SweetZzz Plant-Based Pillow uses a plant-based down alternative fill inside a dual-layer structure. The outer layer is softer to provide more pressure relief. The inner layer is firmer and provides more support and contouring. A 100% cotton cover encases the pillow. 

For a pillow made with vegan materials and a high-quality construction, the Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow has a competitive price-point. It also comes with free shipping in the contiguous U.S. and a one-year limited warranty.

Harnessing the pressure-relieving qualities of memory foam and the softness of down alternative microfibers, the Silk & Snow Pillow cradles the head while maintaining a plush feel. The pillow’s adjustable fill makes it a good option for anyone who wants to try different lofts or changes sleeping positions during the night.

How It Performed

We found that the Silk & Snow Pillow performed well for a variety of sleeping positions. Stomach and back sleepers can remove some fill to achieve good spinal alignment, while side sleepers can add fill to heighten the loft. 

Our tests showed that the shredded memory foam and cotton cover help promote temperature neutrality, keeping the pillow cool enough for hot sleepers or those who live in warmer climates. The cover can also be removed and machine-washed. 

What It’s Made Of

The Silk & Snow Pillow has a CertiPUR-US certified shredded memory foam core and a down alternative microfiber outer chamber. The pillow’s machine-washable outer shell is made from soft cotton. The entire pillow is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it’s free of many common harmful chemicals. 

This pillow comes with a 100-night sleep trial, during which it can be returned for a full refund. Silk & Snow also provides a three-year limited warranty.

Thermoregulation is key to a good night’s rest, and your pillow can help or hurt this cause. The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow is constructed with breathable core and cover materials to help ensure you stay cool and comfortable — even if the weather outside your bedroom is anything but. 

How It Performed

We personally tested both of the pillow’s profiles, and found the 5-inch model delivers ample cushioning for side sleepers. People who use this position often need extra padding between their head and downward-facing shoulder, which promotes even alignment and reduces pressure along the spine. Back sleepers on our team preferred the mid-range 4-inch profile instead. They could lie comfortably without too much elevation — a common source of neck strain for back sleepers.

Both versions of the pillow aced our temperature control tests. We’ve attributed this to the ventilated latex core and Tencel cover, both designed to promote air circulation and maintain a comfortable temperature with minimal heat retention. Since the core is composed of solid latex, shape retention is another major strength and you should never need to fluff the pillow.

What It’s Made of

A Talalay latex core gives the pillow a light, responsive feel and produces a mellow bounce when you lay down your head. The material contours gently but won’t sink like memory foam. A Tencel cover encases the latex. You may remove and machine wash the cover as needed, so the pillow is very easy to keep clean. Queen and king sizes are available.

In addition to its below-average price, the Talalay Latex Pillow qualifies for free ground shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. You’ll have 30 nights to test out the pillow before deciding whether to return it for a refund or keep it. Those who opt for the latter receive an additional three years of warranty coverage.

As with your mattress, you should choose a pillow based in large part on your primary sleep position. The Quince Premium Down Alternative Gusset Pillow is a solid choice for anyone who sleeps on their side some or all of the time. While the fill compresses a bit beneath your head and neck, the 2-inch gusset helps the pillow maintain a full shape to promote even alignment and prevent pressure from building up in your shoulders.

How It Performed

Many down alternative pillows struggle with shape retention, but this model’s gusseted design makes a world of difference. None of our testers noticed uncomfortable sinkage when lying on the pillow. That said, regularly fluffing will help ensure full loft each night. The down alternative fibers also retain less heat than real down, so the pillow should be suitable for hot sleepers. 

All of our side sleepers awarded the pillow high marks. Some of our back sleepers also enjoyed the pillow and didn’t feel any neck strain, while other testers who use this position — as well as our stomach sleepers — found that the pillow elevated their heads a bit too much.

What It’s Made of

The pillow contains down alternative fibers designed to mimic the plushness and lightness of authentic down, but the fibers are hypoallergenic and animal-free. A breathable cotton sateen shell encases the fill. A gusset measuring 2 inches thick helps the pillow maintain a full shape, and double-stitched seams minimize the potential for rips and tears. 

Standard and king sizes are available. The pillow is technically machine-washable, though may be too large for some household appliances. You have the option for professional cleaning as an alternative.

Quince offers free standard shipping for all U.S. orders. The company’s generous sleep trial allows you to test the pillow up to 365 nights before deciding whether to return it for a refund or keep it.

People with frequent neck pain can find that buying a new pillow makes a world of difference. The Layla Memory Foam Pillow is fully adjustable, meaning you can add or remove the fill to achieve your ideal loft and support levels. This quality is particularly beneficial for combination sleepers who switch between positions during the night. An inner pouch contains the pillow, and the zippered cover grants easy access.

How It Performed

Most of our testers found the Layla Memory Foam Pillow comfortable, though preferred loft varied by sleep position. Side sleepers on our team removed little to no fill to ensure ample cushioning between their heads and downward-facing shoulders — this keeps the head and neck aligned with the rest of the spine. Back sleepers removed 25% to 40% of the fill to create a mid-range loft that supported their necks without craning or straining too much. For the majority of our stomach sleepers, a volume of 25% to 30% was ideal. 

The shredded foam absorbs some heat, but our tests show the breathable cover offsets heat retention to a noticeable degree. This keeps the pillow reasonably cool. Frequent fluffing may be needed if you use less than 50% of the fill. Ease of cleaning is a major selling point, as the entire pillow can be washed and dried in your household machines. Periodic tumble drying can also help the pillow recover its shape after continuous use.

What It’s Made of

The pillow’s fill consists of 70% shredded memory foam and 30% down alternative fibers. This blend is both plush and squishy, allowing the pillow to mold evenly around your head and neck. A polyester cover encases the fill. To clean the pillow, separate the cover from the inner pouch containing the fill. Queen and king sizes are available.

Layla offers free ground delivery throughout the contiguous U.S. The company’s trial period lets you test the Memory Foam Pillow for up to 30 nights before deciding whether to return it for a refund or keep it.

Equipped with a cooling cover and adjustable fill, the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow can help prevent overheating while also promoting healthy spinal alignment for a wide variety of sleeping positions and body types. 

How It Performed

When it comes to spinal alignment, different types of sleepers need different kinds of support. For example, side sleepers usually need a thicker pillow that provides extra cushioning for the head and shoulders, while stomach sleepers usually need a pillow with a lower loft in order to avoid neck strain. Adjustable pillows allow the sleeper to make their own choices about things like loft and firmness, which is why the TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow worked for so many of our testers.

We also found that the pillow’s materials and construction aided in its durability and ability to retain its shape. The fill and lining let our testers mold the pillow, folding it to achieve a higher loft or scrunching it up to attain a different shape. 

What It’s Made Of

The medium soft TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow contains a blend of three proprietary shredded memory foams. Sleepers can add or remove fill through a zippered opening. A liner surrounds the fill, enabling sleepers to mold the pillow to meet their needs. The pillow’s removable, washable cover is made of 100% polyester and is treated with Surface Guard Technology, which is designed to prevent bacterial growth. 

This budget-friendly pillow comes with free shipping to the contiguous U.S. and a five-year limited warranty. Shoppers can also bundle multiple pillows for additional savings.