Fellow stomach sleepers, have you also struggled with finding the right pillow? The truth is, this sleeping position of ours is a precarious one. It’s easy to wake up with a crick in your neck after straining to rest on a too-high pillow.
“Stomach sleepers do best with a low-lofted pillow that’s easy to sink into,” says our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta. “This way, your neck and spine are in a neutral position, which will stave off discomfort and pain.” Some sleepers may even feel best without a pillow at all, but if this idea puts you ill at ease (like it does me), allow us to offer our recommendations.
Our team has been reviewing hundreds of mattresses and sleep products for years, helping almost 132,000 shoppers find their new favorite product. Below are the best pillows for stomach sleepers based on our experts’ in-person, hands-on testing experience — plus input from our aforementioned chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM.
Our Top Pick for Stomach Sleepers
The Cozy Earth Silk Pillow ranks first on this list because it has a low loft and filling that doesn’t shift around too much, creating a stable sleeping surface for stomach sleepers. It also has a luxurious, silky feel that’s sure to please shoppers looking for a high-end sleep experience.
Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
- Cozy Earth Silk Pillow – Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers Overall
- Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow – Best Cooling Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
- Cariloha Resort Pillow — Best Luxury Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
- Luxome LAYR – Best Pillow for Side and Stomach Sleepers
- Helix Down Pillow – Best Down Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
- Lagoon The Puffin – Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers with Neck Pain
Disclaimer: Please note that the content in this article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or serve as a substitute for seeing a medical professional regarding any sleep problems you may have. Please see your doctor regarding any urgent medical issues.
What I Looked For in the Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleeping is the least common sleeping position, making it difficult to find a pillow that suits this unique posture. That’s why we focused on features that would make each pillow comfortable and supportive for these sleepers.
- Low loft: “Different lofts are better for certain sleepers,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “Typically, lower lofts are best for stomach sleepers to keep their neck from straining too far upward.” Many pillows are offered in high and low loft options. Some pillows are even adjustable, meaning you can add or take out fill until you achieve the desired shape. (If you’re not going to use all of the fill, these might not be the best for dedicated stomach sleepers. However, they’re great for combination sleepers.)
- Comfortable feel: Generally, stomach sleepers will fare best on a softer pillow that’s easier to sink into, as this will allow for proper spinal alignment as they lie prone on the mattress. This is usually achieved with materials that can compress and mold easily, like down, down alternative, or shredded latex and foam. What feels best for you may differ from our recommendation, though, and that’s perfectly alright.
- Durability: As is the case with any new pillow, you’ll want it to last a while to justify your investment. Our testers evaluated the materials of each pillow, rating the construction out of 5 for overall quality, as a well-made pillow is more likely to last. We also look at any offered sleep trial or warranty, not just for sweetening the deal, but as a taste of how confident the brand is in the product’s longevity.
Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers Video Review

Cozy Earth Silk Pillow – Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers Overall
Cozy Earth Silk Pillow

Made with 100 percent silk for the filling, this pillow will provide combination sleepers with a soft, luxurious feel.
Sleepopolis Score
4.90 / 5
Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow – Best Cooling Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow

This adjustable pillow offers three firmness levels and a cooling cover, ideal for those seeking customizable comfort in a king-size pillow.
Sleepopolis Score
4.40 / 5
Cariloha Resort Pillow – Best Luxury Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
Cariloha Resort Pillow

This pillow is made from bamboo and viscose for a feel that’s simultaneously plush, contouring, and responsive. The material’s also naturally cooling.
Sleepopolis Score
4.10 / 5
Luxome LAYR – Best Pillow for Side and Stomach Sleepers
Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow

The LUXOME LAYR Pillow is a customizable option with CertiPUR-US certified memory foam and naturally cooling bamboo.
Sleepopolis Score
4.70 / 5
Helix Down & Feather Pillow – Best Down Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
Helix Down & Feather Pillow

Soft yet supportive, with a breathable cotton cover.
Lagoon The Puffin – Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers with Neck Pain
Lagoon Puffin Pillow

This down-alternative pillow has a soft, super-sink that works great for stomach sleepers who don’t want to crane their necks in this position.
Other Pillows for Stomach Sleepers Considered
Didn’t find what you were looking for in the list above? Here are some other pillows that we tested that could work for stomach sleepers.
Saatva Latex Pillow
The Saatva Latex Pillow features a shredded memory foam and down alternative fill, providing a softer feel that diverges from latex’s typically buoyant sturdiness. We tested the high loft version, but the low loft should be better suited to stomach sleepers. However, our testers thought it was rather generously stuffed, so it may still be too thick for sleepers looking for a totally flat surface.
Brooklyn Bedding Latex Pillow
The Brooklyn Bedding Latex Pillow features a solid latex core with a firm, bouncy feel and a cooling cover. It comes in a high and low loft, the latter of which should be more comfortable for stomach sleepers. I love this pillow for stomach sleeping, but I understand the dense feel isn’t for everyone. However, it might be a good fit if you switch between stomach sleeping and another position.
Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
Coop’s Adjustable Pillow can be molded into whatever shape you desire, perfect for folks who have ever-changing preferences and sleeping positions. It’s also completely machine-washable and available in different shapes for even further customization. To get it to be low enough for stomach sleepers, though, you’ll likely have to remove a lot of filling, which might not make it worth it for dedicated stomach sleepers.
How We Picked and Tested These Pillows
To find the best pillows for stomach sleepers, we took a look at each pillow’s loft, feel, and the quality of construction. Let’s dive a bit deeper into what each area contains.
Loft
A pillow’s loft refers to how tall or thick it is. Different lofts are better suited for different sleeping positions and types. Higher lofts can fill in larger gaps between the head and shoulders, such as those when you lie on your back or side.

On your stomach, this gap is much smaller, so a lower loft is usually better for your neck and spine alignment. Keeping the spine aligned is important to stave off neck and back pain. Most pillows come in multiple loft options, so you can choose what works best for your body type.
Some stomach sleepers may find that flat pillows are still too tall for them, at which point they might want to consider sleeping without a pillow at all. It sounds odd, but if you’ve experienced neck pain from even the thinnest pillows, you might want to check out our picks for the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Feel
It may not be enough for some sleepers to pick a pillow with a lower loft. A low-loft pillow that has a dense, firmer feel may still risk putting your neck in an uncomfortable position. This is why we recommend softer pillows since they’ll compress more easily under the weight of your head.
Look for pillows made with down or down alternative fills. If you prefer the feel of latex or foam, opt for a shredded fill pillow, as it is more malleable than a block-shaped pillow. Of course, everyone is different, and personal preference reigns supreme. I am a stomach sleeper and I sometimes use a firmer latex pillow, but soft pillows are a great place to start if you’ve been having issues with what you’re currently using.

Durability
When purchasing a high-end pillow like many on this list, you’ll want a product that lasts a long time. The durability of a pillow is directly linked to the quality of its materials and construction. Our testers rated these out of 5, taking a look at everything from the zipper to the stitching.
Also important to consider are the company policies that come along with it. Though lengthy sleep trials and warranties are fairly rare for accessories, we see them as a sign of confidence in the product’s quality. Longer sleep trials and warranties will also contribute to a higher customer service score. They also provide an opportunity for you to try out the product before you commit to buying it, as well as a fallback for refunds should there be any defect.
What to Consider in the Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Aside from the areas we outlined above, here are some other factors that might contribute to your final decision of purchasing a new pillow.
Materials
What’s inside your pillow will determine a lot about how it looks and feels in terms of things like firmness or cooling. When it comes to finding a soft, compressible fill, down, down-alternatives, and shredded latex or foam are typically your best bet for stomach sleeping.
Down

Down pillows are filled with real feathers from waterfowl like ducks and geese. They typically offer a fluffy feel. “Down pillows are soft and malleable, meaning stomach sleepers can shape them into whatever manner they need to achieve comfort,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta. However, it’s important to note that real down pillows are often considerably more expensive than those filled with a down alternative. If you also have allergies to animal products, down alternatives might be a better option.
Down Alternative
Essentially, a down-alternative pillow is any pillow that was manufactured to feel like real down, but without using any animal products. These alternatives could be anything from proprietary polyester fills to natural tree fibers like bamboo. And though they don’t offer the same exact feathery feel as real down pillows, they make a great substitute because they’re soft, fluffy, and more affordable. They also make great hypoallergenic pillows if you get the sniffles from traditional down.
Latex
Talalay and Dunlop latex are both natural materials that offer a uniquely soft and buoyant kind of support. Latex pillows can be filled with one solid piece of latex or many shreds, with each style offering a distinct feel. Sleepers looking for something a little firmer than down or down alternatives might enjoy the way latex quickly responds to pressure. But if you’re looking for something in between, note that shredded latex is often blended with down alternatives in order to create a plush yet supportive feel.
Memory Foam
Memory foam has a squishy, contouring feel that’s great for pressure relief. Most solid block memory foam pillows may be too dense for stomach sleepers, so if you love a foam pillow, look for one that contains shredded foam and has a lower loft. This will be more compressible and better-suited for sleeping on your stomach. It might also allow for more breathability, as memory foam can trap heat.

Cooling
Studies show that even if you’re not prone to overheating, keeping your body at a cool, comfortable temperature can help you fall asleep faster and slumber through the night. Your pillow actually plays a key role in regulating your temperature throughout the night, especially around your head, neck, and shoulders.

Fellow hot sleepers, I recommend you look for pillows infused with copper or graphite, as they both draw heat away from the body. Some bedding brands infuse these materials into a pillow’s cover fabric, while others incorporate them throughout the entire pillow, like gel-infused memory foam. If your main goal is breathability, go for pillows filled with shredded or ventilated materials. “Shredded foam typically does a much better job of promoting airflow through the pillow as opposed to a solid piece of foam,” Dr. Raj Dasgupta adds.
Care
Keeping your pillow clean is part of a healthy sleep environment, but some make it easier than others. It’s rare to find a pillow that’s completely machine washable. Most pillows offer inner covers that you can take off for washing, and some are spot-clean only. What works for you will depend on your preferences and means. Our testers rated the cleaning process out of 5 for how straightforward it seemed for the product they received.

Of course, you can always invest in a machine-washable pillowcase, which many of the brands listed above also recommend (and some even offer on their sites). This can make the care process easier.
Price
A new pillow can cost anywhere from tens to hundreds of dollars. Many budget options (like those on Amazon) are great in a pinch, but luxury options often come with higher-quality construction and extra features like adjustability, cooling, and more. I always recommend taking advantage of any offered sleep trials to make sure the price you paid is worth the pillow you received.
If you’re curious about whether you’re getting a good deal, our testers rated the prices of each of the pillows they received out of 5. They had these pillows for weeks, so this rating is based on long-term testing, rather than a once-over in a brick-and-mortar store.
FAQs
What type of pillow should stomach sleepers use?
Stomach sleepers fare best with a low-loft, flat pillow, usually one on the softer side. They should opt for pillows with malleable fillings like down and down alternative or shredded foam and latex.
Where is the best pillow placement for stomach sleepers?
Using a soft, low-loft pillow under the head is the best setup for stomach sleepers as it offers the most sinkage to keep their neck in line with their spine. “Some stomach sleepers do best with no pillow at all,” recommends Dr. Raj Dasgupta.
What is the healthiest way to sleep on your stomach?
If you sleep on your stomach, it’s important that your spine remains aligned. We recommend low-loft pillows since in this position, the gap between your head and neck is very small, and a too-thick pillow may compromise your alignment.
Sources
- Cary, D., Briffa, K., & McKenna, L. (2019). Identifying relationships between sleep posture and non-specific spinal symptoms in adults: A scoping review. BMJ Open, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027633
- Skarpsno, E. S., Mork, P. J., Nilsen, T. I. L., & Holtermann, A. (2017). Sleep positions and nocturnal body movements based on free-living accelerometer recordings: association with demographics, lifestyle, and insomnia symptoms. Nature and Science of Sleep, Volume 9, 267–275. https://doi.org/10.2147/nss.s145777