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Contour pillows are worth considering since they support your necks natural curve, he says.

Coop The Original pillow on top of a purple pillowcase on a bed with white sheets and piles of pillows

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens

For more information on how we tested pillows in our lab, check outour testing processbelow.

It has gray tile-stitched cover that may show through white pillowcases.

After testing, theCoop Original Pillowis our top overall pick.

Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow

Credit: Coop

This pillow impressed us the moment we opened the box to begin our home evaluation.

Its stitching and high-quality materials lent this pillow a luxurious appeal that we looked forward to using each night.

Our enthusiasm grew over our one-month testing period.

Woman feeling the Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow and bag with stuffing on table next to laptop

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

We also liked that it conformed to our head and neck for a tailored comfort.

Each pillow features a Coop Home Goods proprietary memory foam-and-microfiber blend fill and has a 6-inch starting loft height.

The hypoallergenic fill is customizable to your comfort.

Coop Home Goods The Original Pillow displayed on a purple pillow case on a bed

Better still, the pair and four-piece sets come at a discount for maximum value.

Secure inner pillow zipper with safety pin, then wash on cold delicate cycle.

The contoured pillow forgoes the messy fill and streamlines the journey to your supportive sleep.

Man sleeping on Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow covered in a purple pillowcase

Simply remove the inner layer which lowers the loft height in seconds.

The memory foam pillow is designed to combat neck pain and promote alignment for back and side sleepers.

Its a high-density pillow with contours that cradle the neck and relieve pressure points for restorative sleep.

Closeup of Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow top material

We assessed theUttu Sandwich Pillowover a one-month period to determine how well it supported back sleeping with continuous use.

This pillow made a solid first impression during the initial week of testing.

Its quality fabric and soft-yet-durable firmness level left us eager to turn in early.

Woman feeling the Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow and bag with stuffing on table next to laptop

It maintained its original loft height and firmness after its first laundering and a week of back sleeping.

You may need to replace this pillow regularly to enjoy optimal neck support.

We found it lost its signature fluffiness and fullness after three months of consistent use.

Coop Home Goods The Original Pillow displayed on a purple pillow case on a bed

It features a cotton sateen shell and is secured with a dual-stitched piping seam to ensure durability.

Laundering is straightforward, too.

The Parachute down pillow is machine washable on a delicate cycle and tumble dry safe.

Man sleeping on Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow covered in a purple pillowcase

The pillow made a promising first impression, earning above-average marks for all tested categories.

It was soft, as we expected, but we were encouraged that it felt supportive, too.

Our satisfaction continued after one month of sleeping on theParachute Down Pillowevery night.

Closeup of Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow top material

We noticed that it maintained a cool temperature despite being hot sleepers.

We loved using it for three months, but it seems as if wellhave to replace it often.

It took us three rounds before the pillow was completely dry on the tumble dry setting.

Amazon UTTU Sandwich Pillow

Credit: Amazon

Cooling, supportive, and adaptable, theSaatva Latex Pillowis our go-to latex pillow for back sleepers.

Comfort aside, the shredded latex core is both mildew and dust-mite-resistant, aiding in peace of mind.

you’re able to throw the Fair Trade Certified organic cotton cover in the wash, too.

Closeup of the top material on the Uttu Sandwich Pillow

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

The airy pillow cover has wicking properties that keep sweat and moisture at bay for hot sleepers.

We slept on the Saatva Latex Pillow for six months to determine how well it catered to back sleepers.

Our favorite feature of this pillow was its durability and ease of care.

Person touching the Uttu Sandwich Pillow on a table next to a laptop

We appreciate that aside from the latex fill, the entire pillow is machine washable and dryer safe.

At the close of our six-month evaluation, we continued to reach for theSaatva Latex Pillownightly.

It maintained its shape during our testing and continued to provide comfortable, temperature regulated sleep while back sleeping.

Closeup of the care instruction label on the Uttu Sandwich Pillow

We were eager to use this pillow from the moment we unboxed it.

The outer cover was well constructed and, as advertised, it was noticeably cool to the touch.

We noticed a slight odor when we pressed against it but it wasnt noticeable when lying on our back.

Uttu Sandwich Pillow on top of an orange blanket

At the end of our six-month home testing, we still reached for theCoop Eden Cooling Pillowevery night.

Wash the inner pillow once a year in cold water, delicate cycle and tumble dry on low.

Its a little lumpier than some other pillows.

Closeup of the top material on the Uttu Sandwich Pillow

Despite this fluffiness, though, its still supportive a feature you dont often find on softer pillows.

The filling instantly contours around your neck and cradles your head.

We also loved how cooling this pillow was.

Person touching the Uttu Sandwich Pillow on a table next to a laptop

We never felt ourselves becoming overheated while testing this pillow.

If youd prefer a smoother-feeling pillow, standard memory foam might be a better option.

This isnt the cheapest pillow on our list, but we found the price to be fair.

Closeup of the care instruction label on the Uttu Sandwich Pillow

This feels like a high-end pillow its comfortable to touch and sleep on and feels well-made.

And in case you prefer an even denser pillow, the set also includes an extra bag of fill.

The outer cover is a nice knitted material that feels comfortable to touch.

Uttu Sandwich Pillow on top of an orange blanket

We had to wash the cover during testing, thanks to a muddy paw print from a pet.

This isnt a cooling pillow.

We noted that we occasionally had to turn the pillow over when the fabric warmed from their body heat.

Parachute Down Pillow

Credit: Parachute

In testing, the fill also occasionally slipped to the top of the pillow, providing less head support.

you’ve got the option to easily flip it to redistribute the fill, however.

We assessed how well the pillows maintained our temperature and offered airflow.

Close-up of Parachute Down Pillow seam

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

For cooling-specific pillows we observed if they remained crisp and cool to the touch throughout the night.

Each provides a different experience for sleepers and may require material-specificpillow laundering.

Cotton:Cotton is the ideal pillow material for those seeking breathability, softness, and easy care.

Parachute Down Pillow sitting on white sheet and orange comforter next to striped pillow

This material is best for those without asthma, skin sensitivities, or other allergies.

These materials are markedly less expensive than natural silk but offer a similar glide as the luxurious natural fiber.

That said, polyester is machine washable and offers a more rapid drying than cotton.

Close-up of Parachute Down Pillow seam

Like cotton, polyester pillow covers are not hypoallergenic and not ideal for allergy-prone sleepers.

Polyester covers are less breathable than cotton or viscose and may not be the best material for hot sleepers.

Fill

Down:Down is a pillow fill made from soft duck or goose feathers.

Parachute Down Pillow sitting on white sheet and orange comforter next to striped pillow

The natural material is popular due to its exceptional fluffiness and breathability.

Down is an unparalleled option for someone seeking a plush pillow to sink into each night.

That said, down often lacks the firmness necessary to provide optimal comfort for back sleepers.

Saatva Latex Pillow

Credit: Saatva

Another drawback for down pillows is they are animal-sourced and often less hypoallergenic than synthetic options.

Memory foam doesnt requirefrequent fluffing, it holds its shape over time, and is dust mite resistant.

Like foam, latex doesnt require fluffing, is durable, and is dust-mite resistant.

Person covering Saatva Latex Pillow with pillowcase on table

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

This range maintains spinal alignment and provides head, neck, and shoulder support through the night.

Loftier pillows affect airway alignment and may contribute to breathing issues and snoring.

Avoid a too-soft pillow as a back sleeper as this wont provide enough support and may cause neck pain.

Closeup of the Saatva Latex Pillow corner

When sleeping on your back, your head should be in vertical alignment with your sternum.

We didnt think that it would become flat with time.

But its lumpier than some other pillows we tested, and remained so throughout the testing period.

Saatva Latex Pillow displayed on bed with orange blanket

Plus, theres a lot of potential waste from the excess fill.

It was well made, pleasantly fluffy, and offered adjustable firmness for custom comfort.

Your Questions, Answered

How many pillows should back sleepers use?

Person covering Saatva Latex Pillow with pillowcase on table

A back sleeper should use one pillow under the head.

This will provide proper head alignment during sleep, explains Heiser.

How much do pillows for back sleepers cost?

Closeup of the Saatva Latex Pillow corner

Down, memory foam, and latex are traditionally more expensive than polyester or synthetic alternatives.

A goodpillow protectorwill help extend the lifetime of your investment.

Who We Are

Maria Contiis a writer forBetter Homes & Gardens.

Saatva Latex Pillow displayed on bed with orange blanket

What is BHG Recommends?

In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.

Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Pillow

Credit: Coop Sleep Goods

Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

Credit: Sijo

A person sleeps on the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

A person sleeps on the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

The filling in the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow spills out

The filling inside the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

A bag of additional stuffing on the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

A person holds the filling for the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

A person sleeps on the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

A person sleeps on the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

The filling in the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow spills out

The filling inside the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

A bag of additional stuffing on the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

A person holds the filling for the Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow

Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow

Credit: Target

The Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow on a bed

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

A person sleeps on the Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow

A person sleeps on the Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow

The filling inside the Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow

The Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow rolled up in plastic packaging next to a bag of additional filling and the box

A person presses on the Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow

The Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow on a bed

A person sleeps on the Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow

A person sleeps on the Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow

The filling inside the Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow

The Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow rolled up in plastic packaging next to a bag of additional filling and the box

A person presses on the Coop Home Goods Crescent Back and Side Sleeper Pillow

Woman feeling surface of Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow on wooden table

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens

Person touching the Uttu Sandwich Pillow on a table next to a laptop

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek