Best Firm Pillows: What To Buy for Every Kind of Sleeper

Coop Home Goods has a dedicated sleep brand, Coop Sleep Goods, that makes a unique pillow stuffed with a mix of cross-cut memory foam and microfiber. It’s also one of our favorites on the market, making our list of the best memory foam pillows. The cross-cut fill promotes breathability and non-clumping, which can be lacking in memory foam products, while still maintaining a consistent feel. The Original Pillow comes with an additional half pound of fill, so that sleepers can adjust the firmness and loft of their pillow to their desired level. Coop Sleep Goods recommends taking two weeks to get used to your new pillow, but since they offer a free-returns period of 100 days, you can be 100% sure of your purchase. Even better, this pillow is one of the most affordable options on our list.

Buffy is known for its environmentally-friendly bedding, from comforters to bed sheets, and their pillows are equally popular. While the brand offers a range of supportive pillows, the Cloud Pillow in firm is our top pick for affordability and value (also available in soft and medium styles). The Cloud Pillow upholds Buffy’s commitment to sustainability, with the cover being made from earth-friendly TENCEL lyocell fibers and the fill from recycled PET. In fact, each pillow amounts to recycling 24-30 plastic bottles, so you can feel twice as good when you go to sleep each night. The lyocell fibers are moisture-wicking and feel cool to the touch for added comfort at night, but shoppers looking for a super firm pillow may find these a little too soft. Fortunately, you can try it for yourself risk-free thanks to the 7-day free trial. And, if you need to completely change up your bedding, Buffy also made our lists of the best duvet covers and best linen sheet sets.

Anyone who experiences frequent neck pain will know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep in the right position. Thanks to the TEMPUR Neck Pillow’s unique curved shape and proprietary memory foam, sleepers can be confident that their heads will be fully supported during the night when they use this product. A secure head and neck should in turn reduce aches and pains, which is why this pillow is a favorite for those with chronic neck pain. It’s also available in three sizes, plus a travel version, to ensure maximum comfort, although some people may just not love the shape. The TEMPUR Neck Pillow has a high level of firmness and is the most orthopedically-minded product on this list, which is why you’ll pay more than average. This will be worth it, however, for anyone who wants to alleviate their neck pain. If you prefer a more traditional shape, consider the TEMPUR-Cloud pillow, which made our list of the best pillows for neck pain.

Side sleepers will know from experience that the sleeping position makes it challenging to get adequate neck support, which is where the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow comes in. Uniquely shaped in a ‘U’ to accommodate your shoulders while resting perfectly under the neck, the Side Sleeper Pillow uses a mix of latex and polyester fill to create firm support. This support is adjustable, with additional fill available for those who like a firmer feel. The ‘U’ shape does mean that standard pillowcases won’t fit, but Eli & Elm sells a custom pillowcase in classic white, which should complement most bedding. Although there is no free trial, sleepers can take advantage of the 45-day free returns period and test out their product before they commit.

It seems obvious that Belly Sleep would know how to create the best pillows for belly sleepers, and sure enough, they do. The Belly Pillow has the lowest profile of any of the types of pillows on our list, as it’s designed to suit stomach sleepers who naturally have a smaller gap between their neck and the mattress. The two and a half-inch height ensures improved spinal alignment, while memory foam creates support for the head. There’s also a cooling gel-infused version for hot sleepers. Another reason for stomach sleepers to rejoice, this is one of the most affordable products in this guide, costing customers only $45.99.

Back sleepers can be considered the Goldilocks of sleepers, requiring more height than stomach sleepers, but less than side sleepers. Finding the perfect middle ground can be a challenge, but not with the Purple Harmony Pillow, which comes in three variable heights for maximum customization, and uses the brand’s signature honeycomb gel grid for flexible support in addition to a cooling effect. When combined with a latex core, the resulting fill balances firmness with a plush feel, which is ideal for back sleepers as the pillow is likely to flatten over time. While the grid itself is visible, and sometimes tangible, through the pillow cover, reviewers attest that this is not distracting during sleep as the grid moves and adjusts to the head. The only downside is the high price you’ll pay for the proprietary grid technology.

The GhostBed Ghost Pillow uses four layers of technology to promote a cool night’s sleep, so it’s perfect for hot sleepers or those who are always searching for that “cool side of the pillow” feeling. The pillow’s core is made from aerated gel memory foam which provides continuous airflow, while the next layer is GhostBed’s patented phase change material that adjusts to body heat in real time. The third layer is an aerated mesh cover, and finally the pillow is wrapped in a zippered cover made of Ghost Ice Fabric, which is designed to neutralize heat on both sides of the pillow. The company claims it’s the Coolest Pillow in the World, and the positive customer reviews certainly help their case, with many people favoring this product over more expensive options in the market. Shopping tip: Run really hot at night? Check out our list of the best cooling sheets and the best cooling mattresses.

Parachute’s Down Pillow is one of the most expensive on this list, but this investment translates to a luxurious night’s sleep. With fill made entirely from down clusters and feathers, this pillow ensures premium comfort and the soft feeling that one usually associates with high-end pillows. To accommodate different sleep styles and preferences, the Parachute Down Pillow comes in three firmness levels, with the firm level appearing more lofted and full. This creates sufficient support without the need for memory foam or other core technology. As with other down products, the pillow will need to be fluffed regularly–and you’d be wise to take care of it, considering the high price tag–but you’ll be rewarded with a hotel-quality sleep experience.

Many brands claim they use natural materials, but the Avocado Green Pillow is made solely from organic certified materials like cotton, latex or kapok. The customizable fill is made with organic latex foam ribbons and kapok tree fiber. Avocado provides an additional bag of fill, so that sleepers can adjust the firmness and height of their pillow to their own preferences. The jersey liner and quilted cotton cover also promote breathability for a cool night’s sleep. The king size pillow is relatively affordably priced at $139, especially considering the premium materials used, and all manufacturing is done in California. With a 100-night trial and three sizes available, shoppers can test this product risk-free.

Down isn’t usually associated with firm support, but the Brooklinen Down Pillow is able to pull it off. In fact, the product is specifically available in three firmness levels (plush, mid-plush, and firm) to better accommodate sleepers’ needs. Plush is recommended for stomach sleepers, while firm is best for side sleepers. To provide adequate support, the down fill combines a dual-core structure that features an inner core of feathers and an outer layer of down clusters for comfort. Down pillows do require regular fluffing to keep their shape and lift, but the reward is a soft and cozy pillow to rest your head on at night.

Just as there are people who like a super soft pillow, there are some who want extra-firm support. If this is you, consider the Sweet Zzz Buckwheat Pillow, designed for next-level firmness. The Buckwheat Pillow contains buckwheat hulls inside an organic cotton cover–when packed together, this creates solid support which is particularly popular with migraine sufferers, since buckwheat pillows have been known to help alleviate and sooth the condition. The resulting pillow promotes air circulation and cooling, without compromising on support. When fully packed, the pillow reaches seven inches of loft, but this can be reduced to fit individual needs by placing extra fill in the accompanying cotton bag. This product won’t be for everyone, but it will really deliver for anyone who wants an extra-firm pillow.