Pillows for combination sleepers offer a comfortable night's rest on your back, side, or stomach. "For combination sleepers, it can be nice to have a firm but malleable pillow to allow for support in different positions," says Joshua Roland, M.D., FAASM, board-certified sleep medicine physician.
We tested and researched a range of pillow options with various fill materials and loft levels, including many adjustable designs to suit sleepers who shift positions. We've rounded up the top picks on the market for combination sleepers below.
Best Overall
Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow
Adjustable fill for customizable comfort
Luxurious quilted shell
CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified
Machine washable shell and insert
Slight odor out of the box
The Original from Coop Home Goods clocked a near-perfect overall score when we tested it at home. We liked the luxurious quilted shell and adjustable design, noting that it's easy to add and remove the stuffing to achieve your desired loft. It also comes with tips for customizing based on your preferred sleeping position (or positions).
This pillow is filled with a plush blend of shredded memory foam and poly fibers. We noted a slight odor out of the box, but this is often to be expected with memory foam. Plus, the CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certifications ensure the materials don't emit chemicals that could negatively affect the environment.
While we wouldn't call it budget-friendly, the $50 to $100 range is right on point for such a high-quality pillow for all positions.
Price at time of publish: $72 for a queen size
Sizes: Queen, king | Fill Material: Shredded memory foam, poly fiber | Shell Material: Bamboo-derived viscose rayon, polyester | Care: Machine wash
Best Budget
Qutool Cooling Adjustable Gel Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Adjustable fill
CertiPUR-US certified
Five-year warranty
Comes in three sizes
Core isn't washable
On a budget? You can get one of these Qutool Cooling Shredded Memory Foam Pillows for about $30 or a set of two for under $50. The conveniently adjustable design is filled with shredded memory foam. It's CertiPUR-US certified to ensure chemical safety and infused with gel for a cooling effect.
The shell is a stretchy, soft, and breathable bamboo-poly blend. Bamboo has natural temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking abilities to complement the cooling gel. We also appreciate that this affordable pillow is backed by a five-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $30 for a queen size
Sizes: Standard, queen, king | Fill Material: Gel-infused shredded memory foam | Shell Material: Bamboo-derived rayon, polyester | Care: Machine wash cover
Best Adjustable
Marlow The Pillow
Customizable firmness and loft
Ideal fill ratio
Mess-free adjustability
Not particularly cooling
Not machine washable
Marlow's The Pillow also fared well in our rigorous tests. It's stuffed with 80 percent chopped memory foam and 20 percent poly fibers, a carefully gauged ratio that most people consider an ideal level of plushness.
Perfect for multiple-position sleepers, the clever design allows you to customize the firmness and loft with the hidden zipper—with no extra bag of fibers and no mess. While it claims to be a cooling pillow, we observed in our testing that it doesn't seem to be significantly better at regulating temperature than others we've tried.
Price at time of publish: $65 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard, king | Fill Material: Gel-infused chopped memory foam, poly fiber | Shell Material: Sateen cotton, polyester mesh | Care: Spot clean
Best Cooling
Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology
Absorbs excess heat
Regulates body temperature
Comfy in any position
Not adjustable
Insert isn't washable
Casper makes the best cooling option in the form of its simply named Foam Pillow. Earning a solid overall score in our tests, this pillow calls on "Snow Technology" and "HeatDelete" bands to regulate your body temperature. The secret is phase-change material (PCM), which absorbs excess heat energy.
Though it's not adjustable, we observed that the multi-layered foam design is comfortable in any position, offering plenty of support for the head and neck while keeping its shape.
Price at time of publish: $139 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard, king | Fill Material: Perforated foam | Shell Material: Polyester, spandex, phase-change material | Care: Machine wash cover
Best Organic
Avocado Green Pillow
GOLS- and GOTS-certified
Sustainably sourced
Adjustable fill
100-night trial and one-year warranty
Pricey
Finicky zipper
The Avocado Green Pillow contains a blend of shredded latex and kapok tree fibers, certified organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), respectively. Both are sustainably sourced, and kapok is a highly absorbent, naturally moisture-wicking material.
You can adjust the pillow's fill to your preferred density, but bear in mind that the zipper on the cover can be finicky. At over $100, the price is steep. However, Avocado offers a generous 100-night trial and backs this product with a one-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $109 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard, queen, king | Fill Material: Organic latex foam, organic kapok fiber | Shell Material: Organic cotton | Care: Machine wash cover
Best Two-in-One
Serta Absolute Comfort Reversible 2-in-1 Pillow
Reversible
Relieves pressure points
Five-year warranty
Insert isn't washable
Serta's Absolute Comfort pillow boasts a reversible, two-in-one design to accommodate all sleeping positions and preferences. There's a plush blend of shredded memory foam and poly fibers on one side and solid memory foam on the other.
This thoughtfully designed pillow promises to relieve pressure points, cradle your head, and help align your neck, all while retaining its shape. While the insert isn't washable, you can toss the quilted cover in your washing machine as needed.
Price at time of publish: $100 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard, king | Fill Material: Shredded memory foam, poly fiber, memory foam | Shell Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash cover, spot clean insert
Best Down
Quince Luxe Goose Down Pillow
Comes in two different firmnesses
RDS-certified
Machine washable
Pricey
Not adjustable
Our favorite down pillow for combination sleepers is Quince's Luxe Goose Down Pillow. It comes in your choice of medium/soft or medium/firm, the latter of which will offer a bit more support on your back and side.
This bed pillow is filled with European white goose down and certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) to ensure the fibers were sourced from humanely treated geese. Bear in mind it isn't adjustable. And while it's a bit pricey, it's about what you'd expect to pay for natural down.
Price at time of publish: $120 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard, queen, king | Fill Material: European white goose down | Shell Material: Cotton sateen | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Best Down-Alternative
Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative Pillow
Vegan fill
Fluffy yet supportive
Holds shape well
Not particularly cooling
Slight shrinkage after washing
If you like the feel of down but prefer animal-free materials, Slumber Cloud's Core Down Alternative Pillow is your best bet. This down-alternative pillow clocked high marks across the board in our testing, and we appreciated how well the fluffy design keeps its shape.
In our testing, we noted that this pillow was comfortable in any sleeping position and were surprised by how well it supported the weight of a head without going flat. Though we didn't find it particularly cooling and noticed some minor shrinkage after washing, we still think it's worth buying if you prefer a down-alternative pillow.
Price at time of publish: $64 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard, king | Fill Material: Poly fiber | Shell Material: Cotton | Care: Machine wash
Best Memory Foam
Layla Kapok Pillow
Contains a mix of memory foam and kapok fiber
Adjustable fill to support all positions
Sweat-wicking
Pricey
Spot clean only
If you're partial to memory foam pillows, the plush Layla Kapok Pillow won't disappoint. It's filled with a blend of shredded memory foam and naturally absorbent and sweat-wicking kapok fibers sourced from silk cotton trees.
The result is a responsive, buoyant pillow that supports side, back, and stomach sleeping positions. If it's not quite right, you can adjust the fill to your liking. However, this pillow must be spot cleaned, which can make it tricky to wash fully. It also runs a bit expensive for the two size options available.
Price at time of publish: $109 for a standard/queen size
Sizes: Standard/queen, king | Fill Material: Shredded memory foam, kapok fiber | Shell Material: Viscose-poly blend | Care: Spot clean
Best Gel
Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow
Stays comfortably cool
Soft and squishy
Supports head and neck
Not adjustable
Tuft & Needle's Original Foam Pillow is made of an adaptive foam infused with graphite and cooling gel to keep you at a comfy temperature without having to flip it over. While it's not adjustable, it supports the head and neck.
If you end up rolling onto your stomach, you can rest assured that this pillow is soft and squishy enough that it won't strain your neck. Although the insert isn't washable, you can remove the case and toss it in your washer as needed.
Price at time of publish: $100 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard, king | Fill Material: Adaptive foam, graphite, cooling gel | Shell Material: Micro-polyamide, polyester | Care: Machine wash cover
Best Hybrid
Hush Hybrid Adjustable Memory Foam Cooling Pillow
Responsive yet fluffy
Adjustable fill
Cooling technology
Only one size
Core isn't washable
The Hush Hybrid Cooling Pillow is the best of all worlds. It's filled with a blend of responsive shredded memory foam and ultra-fluffy poly fibers, which you can adjust to your preferred plushness.
What's more, the brand's Iced technology is infused into one side, promising to draw heat away from your body while remaining cool throughout the night. This pillow also has a perforated bamboo cover to encourage continuous airflow and breathability.
Price at time of publish: $119 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard | Fill Material: Shredded memory foam, poly fiber | Shell Material: Bamboo | Care: Machine wash cover
Best Hypoallergenic
Saatva Latex Pillow
Responsive and plush
Prevents tossing and turning
Breathable
Pricey
Not adjustable
In our tests, this beloved Saatva Latex Pillow earned perfect ratings for quality, support, and durability. It kept us comfortable throughout the night and eliminated the need to toss and turn. Filled with naturally hypoallergenic and mildew-resistant shredded latex plus down-like microdenier fibers, it's responsive, plush, and buoyant.
Though this pillow isn't adjustable, it really does cater to all sleeping positions. The gusseted sides offer increased head and neck support, without the need for any firmness changes or constant fluffing.
Price at time of publish: $165 for a queen size
Sizes: Queen, king | Fill Material: Shredded latex, microdenier fiber | Shell Material: Organic cotton sateen | Care: Machine wash cover
Best Antimicrobial
Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow
Plush yet supportive
Adjustable fill
Organic certifications
Two-year warranty
Pricey
Core isn't washable
We also like the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Natural Pillow for combination sleepers. It's filled with shredded latex and poly fibers. The former is naturally antimicrobial, so it won't harbor bacteria and resists mold and mildew.
This bed pillow is supremely plush yet supportive, and you can adjust the fill to achieve your ideal density. Upwards of $100 is a lot for one pillow, but Nest backs the high-quality design with a two-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $107 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard, queen, king, side sleeper | Fill Material: Organic shredded latex, poly fiber | Shell Material: Organic cotton | Care: Machine wash cover
Best Firm
Hombys Never Go Flat Extra Firm Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Adjustable fill
Responsive and dense
CertiPUR-US certified
Potentially too firm for stomach sleepers
If you prefer firmer pillows, consider HOMBYS Extra Firm Bed Pillows made with shredded memory foam. The responsive design supports the head and neck, and it comes with an additional bag of fill if you want to make it even denser.
When extra-firm pillows are stuffed too full, they may strain the neck of a stomach sleeper, but you can always remove some of the fill if needed. We also like that the entire pillow is machine-washable.
Price at time of publish: $40 for a standard size two-pack
Sizes: Standard, Queen, King | Fill Material: Shredded memory foam | Shell Material: Bamboo-derived viscose | Care: Machine-wash
Best Medium-Firm
Purple Harmony Pillow
Not too soft or firm
Responsive support
Comfortable in all positions
Pricey
Heavy
Purple's Harmony Pillow offers an ideal balance of plushness and responsive support. The medium-firm design features a Talalay latex core wrapped in the brand's famous Grid Hex (a bouncy hyper-elastic polymer).
This pillow is on the heavier side; the king weighs 7 pounds. While it's among the most expensive options we found, it's backed by a 100-night trial and a one-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $199 for a standard size
Sizes: Standard, king | Fill Material: Talalay latex, hyper-elastic polymer | Shell Material: Nylon, spandex | Care: Spot clean core, machine wash cover
Best Plush
Parachute Down Pillow
Luxurious loft
RDS-certified
Three support levels
Pricey
No queen size
Parachute's ultra-plush Down Pillow was a hit when we took it for a test run. We loved the luxuriously plush feel and appreciated that the down fill fibers are Responsible Down Standard certified, meaning they're humanely sourced.
It comes in three support levels: soft, medium, and firm. The medium is likely the best option for combination sleepers, but the 750 fill power provides plenty of loft in any position. Thanks to reinforced piping, this pillow is also machine washable.
Price at time of publish: $149 for a standard size (medium density)
Sizes: Standard, king | Fill Material: Down, feathers | Shell Material: Cotton sateen | Care: Machine wash or dry clean
The Coop Home Goods Original Pillow is tough to beat. Its adjustable design ensures a comfortable night's sleep in any position, and the luxurious quilted shell is supremely soft and breathable. If you're on a budget, the adjustable Qutool Cooling Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillow is another solid choice—and it's backed by a five-year warranty.
How We Tested the Pillows
To compile this list, we first researched highly rated pillows on the market. Then, we put our top picks to the test at The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, evaluating each option's quality, construction, and durability. For cooling pillows, we measured the pillow's temperature before and after we laid on each for a period of time.
We then took them home for long-term testing over the course of several weeks. We noted whether our sleep was impacted positively or negatively during that time, earning each pillow high or low marks. With our research and testing notes, we published our results.
What to Look For When Buying a Pillow for Combination Sleepers
Fill Material
The best pillows for combination sleepers are responsive and supportive yet plush. "A wide range of materials can accomplish this, but foam, latex, and other synthetic options are often utilized to create a comfortable experience, no matter how we lie in bed," says Joshua Roland, M.D., board-certified sleep medicine physician.
For instance, the Hush Hybrid Pillow (our Best Hybrid pick) is filled with a blend of shredded memory foam and poly fibers. That creates a lofty feel that still supports the head and neck.
Support and Firmness
When browsing pillow options, think about your preferred level of firmness and support. According to Dr. Roland, a firm but malleable pillow will be the most comfortable in multiple sleeping positions. For example, the Purple Harmony Pillow (our Best Medium-Firm choice) is not too soft or firm, offering an ideal balance of plushness and responsive support.
Loft
Loft refers to the thickness of a pillow or the compressed height when your head rests on it. "Thinner pillows may be better for those sleeping on their backs, and thicker ones may be needed for side sleepers, depending on neck support," says Dr. Roland. Quince's Luxe Goose Down Pillow (our Best Down pick) is great for all positions. It's lightweight and fluffy while holding its shape under the weight of your head.
Standout Features
Third-Party Certifications
Since you'll be resting your head on your new pillow every night, you may want one that's been third-party tested for environmental and consumer safety. For example, a foam pillow with CertiPUR-US certification is free of substances like ozone depleters, which might negatively impact the environment. Similarly, pillows with a Greenguard Gold label are certified to have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Adjustable Filling
Some pillows, including the Marlow The Pillow (our Best Adjustable pick), allow you to add or remove the filling for customized comfort to find the ideal loft for your sleeping style. If you think you'll want a loftier pillow, choose one that comes with extra filling that's easy to add as needed.
Breathability
Down pillows are an excellent choice for breathability, but if you prefer down-alternative or foam pillows, a few features can enhance airflow. With foam pillows, look for options made with shredded foam. No matter what type of filling you prefer, it's always good to choose a pillow with a breathable cover made from cotton or bamboo for added comfort, such as the Layla Kapok Pillow (our Best Memory Foam pick).
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What are combination sleeper pillows made of?
Combination sleeper pillows may be made from solid or shredded memory foam, goose down, or polyester-fill down alternatives. Combination sleeper pillows may have adjustable stuffing to create the proper density and height for your comfort and to support your neck and spine while you sleep.
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How do you sleep on a side sleeper pillow?
Side sleeper pillows support your head and fill the space between your neck and shoulders. They have a medium-firm construction that helps you keep your head and neck aligned. You can also bend your knees and place a pillow between them to help keep your spine straight.
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What type of pillow is best for all positions?
"Everyone has a unique physical makeup, meaning there's no universally best pillow for all sleeping positions," Dr. Roland says. Combination sleepers should look for something that supports the head and neck but also isn't too thick or firm, as that can cause discomfort when lying on your stomach. Responsive materials, like shredded memory foam and latex, tend to offer the best of all worlds.
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What firmness is best for combo sleepers?
Medium-firm pillows are usually the best option for combination sleepers. They offer enough support for the head and neck while laying on your side and back, without straining your spine in case you roll onto your stomach. But if you sleep on your stomach more often than not, a softer design with a lower loft might be better.
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Why is an adjustable fill great for combo sleepers?
Pillows with adjustable fills are an excellent choice for combination sleepers, because they allow you to customize the firmness, density, and loft. Instead of scouring the internet for a design that suits your exact liking, you can test it out and experiment with different levels right at home.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in textiles, home design, and lifestyle products. For this article, she interviewed board certified sleep medicine physician Joshua Roland, M.D., FAASM, for expert guidance and buying tips. Next, she reviewed insights from dozens of our tested pillows and researched today's best pillows for combination sleepers. The selected products stood out for adjustability, durability, overall feel, and comfort in multiple sleeping positions.