Buy This, Not That: 10 best bed pillows for every type of sleeper — all under $75

This is some serious pillow talk.

Not getting enough sleep — or not getting quality sleep — can impact everything from your mood to your heart health, according to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School: ”In the short term, a lack of adequate sleep can affect judgment, mood, ability to learn and retain information, and may increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even early mortality.”

That’s why having the right pillow is so important: “Sleep is so vital for the body to repair itself, so among other things, I recommend my patients find a pillow that properly supports their head and neck so they can sleep soundly and don’t wake up with aches and pains caused by lack of support,” Dr. Jeremy Fine, a Century City, Calif.-based internist tells Marketwatch. But with an overwhelming number of pillows that promise better sleep, it’s hard to know which works for you. So MarketWatch asked sleep experts and chiropractors to break down their preferred pillows for different kinds of sleeper — all under $75.

Best pillow for combination back and side sleepers: Therapedic Classic Contour Side/Back Sleeper, about $30

According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports, 70% of people sleep on their side and Sarah Riccio, pillow expert and senior writer at Sleepopolis, tells MarketWatch, “For side sleepers, a lofty pillow with a firmer feel will hold the head in healthy alignment with the spine and relieve pressure in the shoulder. “ This pillow is ideal for back and side sleepers because of its medium-soft support and cut-out, contoured shape. “It helps relieve pressure points because you have that extra support in the neck area which is helping your weight get distributed evenly,” says Rashtian. Riccio adds, “Back sleepers are lucky in that they can experiment a bit with loft and firmness, keeping in mind that your ears should always be in line with your shoulders and your chin should line up with your sternum.” Read more about the pillow here.

Also see: The absolute best bed sheets under $50

———————————————————————————————————————————Best pillow for side sleepers: Royal Therapy Memory Foam Pillow, about $40

Side sleepers should look for a memory foam pillow with a firm support to allow the normal cervical curve of the neck to stay in proper alignment, Dr. Allen Conrad, owner of the Montgomery County Chiropractic Center in Pennsylvania tells MarketWatch. “This helps reduce neck pain when you wake up,” says Conrad. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, this ultra-adjustable, hypoallergenic pillow is made from 100% rayon from bamboo and provides greater resistance under the heaviest parts of the head. Read more about the pillow here.

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Best pillow for back sleepers: DreamNorth Premium Gel Pillow Loft, about $35 for a 2-pack

Back sleeping is considered the healthiest option because it allows your head, neck and spine to rest in a neutral position. “Back sleepers generally want pillows that have a loft in the 1 inch to 4 inch range. A good rule of thumb for back sleepers to remember is that you want your eyes to face upward, not forward,” says Ross. With a 4.4 out of 5 star rating on Amazon, and more than 3,000 reviews, this poly gel fiber-filled pillow is hypoallergenic and machine washable. Read more about the pillow here.

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Best pillow for stomach sleepers: Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow, about $40

“These types of sleepers should look for a pillow with low loft so their neck is not kinked while sleeping,” says Matthew Ross, co-owner and chief operating officer of The Slumber Yard, a sleep and bedding review site. This 2.5 inch to 2.75 inch, chemical-free, ventilated, rayon bamboo and polyester pillow has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and more than 550 customer reviews. Read more about the pillow here.

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Best hypoallergenic pillow: Coop Home Goods, Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow, about $60

This vegan, cruelty-free, adjustable pillow has nearly 17,000 reviews and its mixture of memory foam and microfiber mean it’s hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. It’s CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified, made in the USA and has a 4.3 out of 5 star rating on Amazon.

One reviewer commented, “I have allergies and would wake up with a stuffy head with my prior pillow. I haven’t had that happen with this pillow.” Dr. Anil Rama, adjunct clinical faculty at the Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine tells MarketWatch, “All pillows should be hypoallergenic because it’s the closest item to your face. A dirty pillow can lead to nasal congestion and mouth breathing that disrupts sleep.” Read more about the pillow here.

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Best cooling pillow: MoMA Gel Memory Foam Pillow, Reversible Cool Gel, about $65

Sleep.org recommends a bedroom temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep, but for those who run warm at night, using a cooling pillow can help regulate temperature. This hypoallergenic gel memory foam pillow draws heat away from the body through its air channels and remains cool to the touch. Rama says, “All pillows should breathe. A breathable pillow will restrict breathing less if one accidentally rolls face down on his or her pillow.” Read more about the pillow here.

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Best foam pillow: Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam Pillow, Queen, about $44

“Foam pillows help keep your spine aligned throughout the night and relieve tension in the neck and shoulders from daily tasks. I always recommend pillows that support the head, neck and shoulders at the same time,” says Beverly Hills chiropractor and founder of Beverly Hills Spine Center, Dr. Morris Rashtian tells MarketWatch. Made from a blend of deconstructed high-quality foam and cooling gel foam, this moisture-wicking pillow draws heat out and away from the head and neck areas making for a cooler night’s sleep. Read more about the pillow here.

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Best down alternative pillow: Adegate Adjustable Down Alternative Bed Pillows, about $48 for a pack of 2

Filled with an ultra-soft microfiber fill designed to mimic down, these soft pillows are encased in a 100% breathable cotton and have a 4.8 out of 5 star rating on Amazon. One customer wrote, “I am loving this pillow. I don’t have to constantly adjust it or puff it up like I did with other pillows. This one holds the right shape one I put my head down.” Dr. Rashtian says that down and feather pillows are more susceptible to dust mites which cause an increase in allergies, but a down alternative like this one is a smart option for someone who wants down-like softness. “Down pillows are extremely soft, some compare it to cotton candy,” says Rashtian. Read more about the pillow here.

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Best body pillow: Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Body Pillow, about $70

“Foam pillows help keep your spine aligned throughout the night and relieve tension in the neck and shoulders from daily tasks. I always recommend pillows that support the head, neck and shoulders at the same time,” says Rashtian. This bamboo viscose, polyester and lycra pillow is machine washable and supports side and stomach sleeping. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, this 20 inch by 54 inch pillow also gets top marks from WireCutter. Read more about the pillow here.

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Best travel pillow: J-Pillow Travel Pillow, 2019 Version with Increased 3D Support for Head, Chin and Neck, about $28

Nearly 7,000 people have rated this pillow 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon and Dr. Carrie Schwartz of Concierge Chiropractic in Los Angeles tells MarketWatch, “When traveling, I use this pillow because it supports my neck but also my chin so I don’t bob my head and it doesn’t wrap completely around my neck and feel like it’s choking me.” Made for airplane flights, cars, bus rides and trains, this memory foam pillow has a snap that attaches to luggage and it’s machine washable. Read more about the pillow here.

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