The 11 best pillows of 2024 for every type of sleeper

While it's hard to say one pillow is the top of the heap, we have to tip our hats to SleepNumber's ComfortFit. It comes in three shapes designed to fit the way you sleep.

"Classic" supports the head and neck and is recommended for stomach or back sleepers; "Curved" works with the contours of your body to provide comfort to side and back sleepers; and "Ultimate" has three removable inserts so you can customize support as your sleep needs change. (Stomach sleepers should use one or two inserts, back or side sleepers can try two or three.)

The pillow, made from memory foam and down alternative fibers, features a Lyocell blend cover that's breathable and hypoallergenic, so it's a solid choice for those with allergies or sensitive skin. According to Dr. Ashley Magovern, a board-certified dermatologist: "Poor-quality pillow covers can irritate the skin ... because of synthetic dyes and subpar materials." 

Headleveler is a decades-old family-run company that makes the world's only made-to-measure pillow; you simply provide info like the length of your neck, your height and body weight and your preferred sleeping position. 

The brand specializes in providing proper cervical support to keep your neck and spine aligned. And their customized pillows cost roughly the same as pre-made cervical versions.

The hypoallergenic, machine-washable pillows have three sections filled with soft polyester fiber. According to the brand, "Compartmentalizing the pillow fill allows for minimum stuffing displacement, meaning you get consistent support throughout the night."

Choose from four sizes (travel, standard, queen and king) and seven thicknesses. 

For back sleepers, especially those who run hot, this double-sided pillow is our top pick. 

The foam side feels nice and firm; the fill side (a blend of foam with shredded materials and silk-like fibers) is more plush. Breathable mesh and air vents in and around the pillow help improve airflow and prevent heat buildup. The cooling cover (complete with silver-metallic stitching) offers even more relief. Four sizes/heights are available.

Sleeping on your back comes with a host of health-boosting perks, said Dr. Kien Vuu, a regenerative medicine specialist and assistant health sciences professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. "Sleeping on your back keeps your spine aligned, head and neck supported, acid reflux at bay and wards off sleep-induced wrinkles, since you are not smooching your face into the pillow."

The brand's Pillow ID sleep quiz matches you to your ideal pillow, taking into consideration variables like sleep position and whether you sleep hot, cold or neutral.

Doughy and soft yet supportive, this pillow has 100% adjustable filling so you can customize it to the exact height you need.

Honeydew is a family-owned company that makes its pillows by hand in California. Its cooling, gel-based memory foam is CertiPur-US certified, and the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 textiles are derived from natural materials. The company offers a three-year warranty and a 60-night sleep trial that allows you to return its pillows for a no-questions-asked refund. We love that you can choose between a queen or king — many side-sleeper pillows are available only in queen.

Like back sleepers, side sleepers get some health benefits. "Side sleeping can reduce acid reflux and heartburn and help those who snore," said Dr. Shelby Harris, a psychologist and board-certified specialist in behavioral sleep medicine. "It may reduce the risk of sleep apnea — and [be helpful] for those who are pregnant, as it improves blood flow to the fetus."

Sealy is among the industry's most well-known, trusted brands, and its cooling pillow doesn't disappoint. The memory foam adapts to your shape to support your head and neck, while a gel layer aims to keep you cool as a cucumber all night long. The removable, washable, breathable mesh cover helps wick away heat and allows air to flow between your skin and the pillow. 

An Amazon cult favorite with over 160,000 five-star reviews, this down-alternative pillow is also popular with Yahoo readers and Yahoo staffers — one of our shopping editors swears by it. The plush bounce-back design keeps it firm and supportive, making it ideal for back sleepers who need neck-to-spine alignment for pain-free slumber. Its "no-shift" construction combines down alternative fill with gel and shredded memory foam, combatting lumps and clumps.

The pillows are made in an Oeko-Tex-certified factory that ensures textiles meet high safety and environmental standards. Unlike memory foam pillows, these (which come in a 2-pack) can be tossed in the washing machine and tumble-dried.

Stomach sleepers need a Goldilocks pillow: One that's not too high, too firm, too flat or too soft. Parallel's low-profile design is, well, just right. 

Standout features include a soft outer shell and self-cleaning technology that stops germs, spores and dust mites in their tracks. You can add or remove filling to customize the height too. The brand offers a 90-night return window.

Meet one of the highest-rated pregnancy pillows on the market. Pharmedoc's body pillow has a sculpted wavy design that contours to a growing bump and a cool-to-the-touch cover that disperses heat away from the body. The U-shape helps support the back, hips, knees, neck and head to ease discomfort associated with pregnancy, sciatica, fibromyalgia, gastric reflux and more.

Of course, it will take up a fair amount of real estate on your bed: The pillow measures 53 inches long, 31 inches wide, and 7 inches high. It's backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and Pharmedoc urges shoppers to "contact us to make it right" if they aren't happy.

If you're looking for a standard body pillow, you can't go wrong with this version. Its patented Pod System lets you control the level of filling without having pieces of it falling out around you (and if you've ever used an adjustable pillow, you know exactly what I mean — it can become a huge mess). To ensure you find a snuggly fit, each pillow has 15 adjustment pods.

The down alternative fill is designed to hit that sweet spot between plush and firm, while cooling gel foam within the pods helps draw heat away from the surface. The exterior is made with Tencel fabric that's soft, breathable and moisture-wicking. The pillow is machine washable.

If you don't love those standard crescent-shaped travel neck pillows, this inflatable option is worth a try. I came across it while looking for something for my son to take camping. When it arrived, I was blown away by how soft and lightweight it was — and how compact it was when not in use. 

After realizing I could inflate the pillow to my desired firmness or only partially fill it and fold it in half to use as a lumbar cushion, I ordered two more for my husband and I to use while traveling. It has a removable, machine washable cover and makes a fantastic gift for the traveler or camper in your life.

You may have seen the Plufl, the "dog bed for humans," on Shark Tank. The viral sensation with more than 100 million social media mentions — not to mention being sold out six times! And while it is just that — a dog-shaped bed large enough for an adult or a couple of kids — it has become much more in my house. My son relaxes in it while reading or doing homework, I love taking it onto the porch for stargazing, and my husband uses it for snuggling with his best friend (our beagle, Leia) on movie night. 

The 68-by-33-inch Plufl is made with CertiPUR-US-certified foam free of mercury, lead, formaldehyde and phthalates. Plush bolsters fully enclose you and function like a built-in body pillow for side sleepers. The soft faux fur outer cover is machine washable and has handles for easy transport. There's also a side pocket big enough for your phone or books, or to hold a water bottle upright. The Plufl can be folded in half for storage when guests come over and you don't want to share.