Best pillows for every sleeper at any budget

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The search for the perfect pillow can be an exhausting one (pardon the pun). While companies strive to design and build pillows that support any sleeping style, inevitably, each individual has their very own preferences and specific ideas of comfort regardless of the position they choose to catch their Z’s in.

Before trusting reviews and round-ups (even this one!) an important first step for any prospective pillow purchaser is to take the time to work through and understand what your preferences are; down versus down alternative, where on the spectrum of soft to firm you prefer a pillow to fall, any specifics you have on pillow height, and any recommendations doctors or body workers you see have made to handle any persistent pain due to muscle or nerve issues in your neck, shoulders or back. Of course, also consider budget as there is a pillow at every price point that serves sleepers well.

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With your list of wants and needs in hand, dive into the list below and see what pillows we’ve rounded up sound like they would be a fit for the kind of sleeping experience you’re out to create. If you’re looking for the best sheets, mattresses or weighted blankets — we’ve got you covered.

Summary

Budget: Viewstar Pillows (Pack of 2)
Splurge: Maholi White Goose Down Chamber Lock Pillow
Synthetic: Fairmont Synthetic Gel Fibre Pillow
Down: Parachute Down Pillow
Memory foam: Bluewave Bedding Super Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow
Adjustable loft: The Silk & Snow Pillow
For side sleepers: Parachute Side Sleeper Pillow
Organic materials: Takasa Organic Cotton and Wool Pillow

Budget: Viewstar Pillows (Pack of 2)

Key specs:

Why buy: One of the most-reviewed pillows on Amazon, with over 900+ units bought in the last month, when it comes to pairing comfort with affordability this pack of two takes the top spot. Loved by reviewers for their loft and support (both for sleeping and, as noted by a couple of fans, added support for sitting up reading or working while tucked in), this budget-friendly option comes vacuum sealed for ease of shipping and takes less than 24 hours to reach full height.

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Fine print: There are two sizes of Queen pillows offered (19” x 28” and 20” x 30”)  — ensure you choose the size that suits your pillow cases

Price: $47.99
Where to buy: Amazon

Splurge: Maholi White Goose Down Chamber Lock Pillow

Key specs:

Why buy: Sleeping on a down pillow will never be the same after a night’s rest on this uniquely constructed marvel. Innovated nearly 20 years ago to prevent the fill from moving, slipping or bunch to the corners of the pillow casing, the Maholi team devised the Chamber Lock Construction; a system of distributing the down into three inner sections to prevent the clusters from shifting or parting. Offered in three sizes and three different fill weights, there’s a loft for any and every sleeper in this line of luxury pillows. 

From our review team: “The pillow is plush and soft, yet the chamber locking system makes it feel firmer than your average goose down and more supportive. Great for all types of sleepers. It’s pricey — so an investment — but worth spending for a great sleep.”

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Fine print: Pillow fill weights in Queen size are as follows – Soft: 20 oz., Medium: 23 oz., Firm: 28 oz.

Price: from $305.00 CAD
Where to buy: Maholi

Synthetic: Fairmont Synthetic Gel Fibre Pillow

Key specs:

Why buy: No need to compromise on a need — or want — for non-down bedding with hypoallergenic pillows that create a down-like sleeping experience. They’re the same hypoallergenic option you can request during a stay at a Fairmont Hotel — and offer mid-loft support that back sleepers, in particular, seem to love. Touted as “luxurious” by one of our testers and “plush” by a reviewer commenting on the Fairmont website, there’s no compromise with comfort or quality with these synthetic pillows.

Fine print: Side sleepers may prefer the Firm weight, or to find a loftier/higher pillow (as per our tester and other customer reviews)

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Price: from $99.00 CAD
Where to buy: Fairmont

Down: Parachute Down Pillow

Key specs:

Why buy: The perfect (down) pillow does not exist…until now? Most frequently reviewed as ‘the best pillow I’ve ever had’, the Parachute Down Pillow has over 1700 reviews with a 70 per cent five-star rating. Available in two sizes (Standard or King) and three fills (Soft, Medium, Firm), stomach and back sleepers have the pick of the loft litter to create the pillow that best suits their sleeping preference (the handy images and videos on the product page help with understanding the support and shape of the pillows at their different densities). Side sleepers — we haven’t forgotten about you, and neither has Parachute. Their side-sleeping-specific pillow is well-loved too — and included in this round-up (read on!).

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Fine print: Can be drycleaned or machine washed

Price: from $209 CAD
Where to buy: Parachute

Memory foam: Bluewave Bedding Super Slim Memory Foam Pillow

Key specs:

Why buy: Something special for the back sleepers and the stomach sleepers seeking a stellar memory foam option. For any sleeper who prefers a flat yet supportive pillow, Bluewave’s got you. Available in three heights and two pillow sizes (Standard and King), this unique and specialized memory foam pillow contains no ozone depleters, flame retardants (PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (”Tris”), heavy metals (mercury or lead), formaldehyde or phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Fine print: ‎Manufacturer limited warranty for 3 three years from date of purchase. Unique dimensions may not fit most standard or king pillowcases if you want more than the included cover.

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Price: Ranging from $105.00 CAD (depending on Amazon seller)
Where to buy: Amazon

Adjustable loft: Silk + Snow Pillow

Key specs:

Why buy: As a sleeper who’s been pillow agnostic to date, the pillow-preference game has been won by this choose-your-own-loft-adventure by Silk + Snow. Chalk it up to pregnancy (currently sitting at 35 weeks along while writing this), yet my preference in pillow height and firmness seems to be changing by the day. Knowing I’ve got choice on my side (which is also where I happen to be sleeping these days) for the height and firmness of the pillow(s) I’m using gives me the day-to-day opportunity to support my body’s needs for a best-night’s-sleep. Whether removing most of the memory foam from the core to reduce the loft or keeping it bountifully full, sleepers reviewing this pillow have celebrated the soft hand-feel of the cotton casing and the plushness of the exterior microfibre casing.

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Fine print: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified. 100-night risk-free guarantee, three-year warranty. Storage bag for unused/removed shredded memory foam not included; store any removed fill safely away from children and/or pets.

Price: from $80.00 CAD
Where to buy: Silk + Snow

For side sleepers: Parachute Side Sleeper Pillow

Key specs:

Why buy: Finding enough height to support side sleeping can be a challenge. How to solve it? A perfectly tall gusset that gives side sleepers the lift — with moderate loft — they’ve been looking for. Parachute’s Side Sleeper pillow does just this; blending fluffiness with the right amount of firmness in either a down or hypoallergenic down alternative option. No more folding pillows or re-fluffing in the middle of the night; this is the one-pillow solution for side sleepers everywhere.

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Fine print: It’s suggested to fluff the down option weekly when changing sheets and pillowcases. Dry clean or machine wash (cold) for a down alternative. Machine wash (cold) for down. Tumble dry low with wool dryer balls to re-fluff.

Price: From $149 CAD
Where to buy: Parachute

Organic materials: Takasa Organic Cotton and Wool Pillow

Key specs:

Why buy: Soft and supple yet supportive, the Takasa Organic Cotton and Wool pillow takes sustainable luxury to a new level. Incredibly soft outer casing and a moderate fill of their signature GOST-certified 100 per cent organic wool, the pillow is a cozy addition to any bedding setup. A pricier option, this organic cotton and wool pillow comes along with sustainable certifications that prove its low-impact footprint.

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Fine print: Spot clean only (use this Takasa guide to clean with confidence, as needed). Handmade in the US and made to order; three to six weeks for delivery. Warm sleepers may find the pillow quite warm.

Price: from $225 CAD
Where to buy: Takasa

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