We Researched the Best Places to Buy Pillows—Here Are Our Top Picks

Brooklinen, Parachute, and Wayfair are some of our top picks

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Best Places to Buy Pillows

The Spruce / Amelia Manley

Functional and decorative, the right type of bed pillows can level up your bedroom, and improve your sleep. We conducted hours of research on where to buy the best pillows online and in-store, evaluating each retailer on their selection, return policy, return window, payment options, and average shipping time. Top picks include Brooklinen, Parachute, and Wayfair.

Ahead, find the best places to buy pillows for a comfortable and stylish bed.

Our Top Picks

Brooklinen

Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow Insert

Brooklinen

What We Like
  • Wide variety of stylish pillows

  • Generous 365-day return window

  • Robust customer support

What We Don't Like
  • Only one brick-and-mortar store nationwide

The online retailer Brooklinen is an excellent place to shop for stylish bedding, and they also offer natural down and down alternative bed pillows with three levels of neck support: plush, mid-plush, and firm. No matter which pillow style you prefer, you can email, call or text Brooklinen experts if you need help deciding which pillow is right for you. 

If you do change your mind, the majority of Brooklinen products can be returned or exchanged within 365 days, and they cover return shipping if you’re in the U.S. If you’re in the Williamsburg area, you can also shop in person at the Brooklinen store. 

Return policy: Free | Return window: 365 days | Payment options: Not listed | Average shipping time: Processing time one to four days; shipping time varies

Parachute

Parachute Percale Bed Bundle

Parachute

What We Like
  • Wide selection, including Euro pillows

  • Specialty side-sleeper pillows available

  • Minimalist aesthetic

What We Don't Like
  • Limited return policy

Known for their chic bedding in minimalist, neutral hues, Parachute helps you complete your comfy bed with a selection of supportive pillows. In addition to traditional down and down alternative bed pillows, with some styles designed specifically for side sleepers, the store also has square Euro pillows that are great for creating a layered bedding look and a down alternative body pillow insert.

If you decide your new pillow isn’t quite right, the company accepts returns within 60 days, but shipping and handling fees are nonrefundable. And if you prefer shopping in-person, there are brick-and-mortar Parachute stores in cities nationwide. 

Return policy: Free  | Return window: 60 days | Payment options: Affirm | Average shipping time: Standard

Wayfair

Wayfair Encased Cooling Shredded Memory Foam Medium Support Pillow

Wayfair

What We Like
  • Wide selection

  • Easy-to-navigate informational website

  • Budget friendly

What We Don't Like
  • Limited return policy

Wayfair has taken extensive steps to make the shopping experience as convenient as possible. Each item has a color-coded guide that details comfort level, sleep position, fill material, and cover material. Reviews can help guide your research before making a decision.

If your taste skews more expensive, you’ll appreciate discounted prices on many name brands, like Ralph Lauren and Sealy. Inventory includes all of the most popular brands, but also less expensive options made by Wayfair.

Though you can return items purchased through Wayfair for a refund within 30 days, it’s important to note that you’ll have to pay the return shipping costs, even if you received free shipping on your initial order.

Return policy: Shipping fee | Return window: 30 days | Payment options: Financing available | Average shipping time: Two-day

West Elm

West Elm Harmony Sofa

West Elm

What We Like
  • Wide selection of throw, accent and floor pillows

  • Stylish designs

  • Quality craftsmanship

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

When it comes to decorative pillows, West Elm is the gold standard. The retailer carries a gorgeous array of throw pillows and floor pillows. Though the overarching style fits a mid-century modern aesthetic, there is a wide range of colors and patterns to suit many decor styles. The retailer also has seasonal items, providing an easy and relatively affordable way to swap out your decor throughout the year.

When it comes to bed pillows, the options are much more limited at this particular retailer. In addition to physical stores nationwide, the online platform is easy to navigate as well. West Elm also accepts gift cards and merchandise credit from sister brands Pottery Barn, Mark and Graham, and Williams-Sonoma.

Return policy: Free | Return window: 30 days | Payment options: Financing available | Average shipping time: Two to four days

Amazon

Amazon Basics Down-Alternative Pillows

Amazon

What We Like
  • Wide selection of brand name pillows

  • Stocks medical and travel pillows

What We Don't Like
  • Online only

You can find nearly every big-name pillow brand on Amazon including think MyPillow, Casper, Tempur-Pedic, Wamsutta, and more. In addition, you can find lesser-known pillows, like those made by Amazon’s private label AmazonBasics. You can also find a wide range of specialty pillows that may not be readily available at other retailers. In addition to bed pillows and throw pillows, the online giant has a host of special medical pillows, travel pillows, and body positioners. Many of these items qualify for free two-day shipping if you’re a Prime member.​

Return policy: Free | Return window: Not listed | Payment options: Not listed | Average shipping time: Two-day shipping

What We Like
  • Great deals on speciality pillows

  • Generous return policy

What We Don't Like
  • Membership required

You need a membership to shop online and in-store at Costco which stocks brands like Tempur-Pedic and Hotel Grand, as well as specialty brands like Comfort Tech. The selection also includes accent and dog pillows.

Return policy: Free  | Return window: 90 days | Payment options: Not listed | Average shipping time: Up to seven days

What We Like
  • Quality craftsmanship

What We Don't Like
  • Limited selection

Casper is well-known for its mattresses, but the retailer also offers three pillow styles: the Original Casper, a fluffy down alternative option; a supportive foam pillow; and a plush all-natural down pillow. The soft and supportive Original Casper pillow is their most popular, and it comes in standard or king sizes. Although Casper does have brick-and-mortar stores nation-wide, the website is easy to navigate and shop.

Return policy: Free | Return window: 30 days | Payment options: Affirm | Average shipping time: Three to nine days

What Editors Say

"Soft enough to feel comfy but firm enough to keep me comfortable all night, the Casper foam pillow has been a true nighttime savior. I wasn't sure I wanted a foam pillow when I was shopping for a replacement, but Casper's select array of options makes shopping for a pillow easy, and because all work for all sleep positions, you really can't go wrong. Casper's generous return policy also makes investing in your new pillow feel less risky, because you can always try it and return it if it's not right for you." — Lauren Phillips, Lifestyle Editor

What We Like
  • Hi-tech craftsmanship

  • Generous return window

What We Don't Like
  • Only offered in-store at select retailers

Founded by two engineers devoted to creating high-tech, comfortable cushioning, Purple offers three bed pillow styles. Choose from the Purple Harmony Pillow, which provides head and neck support and good airflow to keep you cool throughout the night; the adjustable Purple Plush Pillow with a cooling Lyocell-blend cover; and the Purple Pillow, which offers ergonomic neck support. Every pillow comes with free shipping and returns, a 100-night trial, and a one-year warranty. You can shop online or find Purple products at certain retail stores like Macy’s and Raymour & Flanigan.

Return policy: Free | Return window: 100 days | Payment options: Financing available | Average shipping time: One to two days

Target

target-bed-pillow

Target

What We Like
  • Budget friendly

  • Wide selection of throw and accent pillows

What We Don't Like
  • Limited selection of specialty pillows

If you’re looking for a great deal on pillows, Target is a big-box store that offers a wide array of pillows (both bed pillows and decorative pillows) at an affordable price. The store also carries pricier options made from down or down alternative. Customers can touch pillows at Target, but there are no display beds, like at Bed, Bath, & Beyond. When it comes to throw pillows, Target stocks more than 3,000 options online.

Return policy: Free | Return window: 30 days | Payment options: Affirm | Average shipping time: Same day delivery through Shipt

What To Look for in Bed Pillows

Material

Most bed pillows are made with a down material, but you can choose between features like stiffness and softness to support your neck and shoulders. Some stores offer alternatives to down like cotton and latex. Cooling pillows are made with gel, shredded foam, or polyester.

Style

You can choose a style of pillow based on your sleep position. Side, stomach, and back sleepers each have different needs when it comes to firmness and loftiness.

Price

It pays to invest in a quality pillow. Most pillows come with return policies that allow you to test out the item and return it within a certain window.

FAQ
  • How do you wash pillows?

    First, check out the label on your pillow to see if there are any specific care instructions. If your pillow is not machine washable, this label will tell you. To clean pillows that are not machine-washable, you'll need to remove and wash the pillow case, vacuum the pillow's surface, spot clean, and hang dry.


    If your pillow is machine washable, you'll want to put two pillows at a time in the washer to balance the load. If you have a top-loading washer with an agitator (center divider), it may not work to wash your pillows as they can get stuck and end up freezing the load.


    Always use the gentle cycle with a small amount of detergent. If the pillows are all the same colors, you can use warm water with a cold rinse. Tumble dry the pillows on low and make sure they're completely dry before adding back to the bed.

  • How often should you replace pillows?

    Pillows should be, at minimum, fully washed about every four months. If you find that your pillow has a strange odor or doesn't seem to feel clean, even after washing, it may be time for an upgrade.


    In general, it may be a good idea to replace your pillows every six months to one year.

  • How do you arrange pillows on a bed?

    One of the most common ways to arrange pillows on a bed is to create a hotel style feel. This can be achieved with two standard size pillows against the headboard, two standard or smaller size pillows in front, one to two accent pillows in front of that, and a final bolster pillow at the very front.

Why Trust The Spruce

Cristina Sanza is a lifestyle writer specializing in home products and organization hacks. Her work has been featured on Bustle, Ranker, Inside The Magic, and Upright Citizens Brigade. For this roundup, she considered dozens of retailers that stock pillows, evaluating each on selection, return policy, and value. Additional reporting was done by Marisa Donnelly, a writer and editor with over 12 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Huffington Post, Bustle, BossBabe, Thought Catalog, and more.

Updated by
Marisa Donnelly
Marisa Donnelly 2
Marisa Donnelly is a lifestyle expert and writer with over a decade of experience sharing her knowledge about what home decor reveals about personalities. Her bylines have also appeared on HuffPost, Bustle, and BossBabe.
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