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Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers in 2025, Expert-Reviewed and Tested at Home 

Sleepopolis may earn a commission on sales through our affiliate links in this article. This commission allows us to run our testing lab and continue to bring our readers the most comprehensive information on sleep and related products. See our disclosures.

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

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

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
Read Full Review
Check Price
Pros
Super-low loft
Very soft and plenty of sinkage
100% long-strand mulberry silk fill
Cons
Expensive price tag
May not work for combination sleepers

The best pillow for a stomach sleeper is often soft, malleable, and super-squishy. That’s what the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow delivers, plus the luxurious feel of smooth silk. My fellow tester Riley Otis tried out this pillow, and while it wasn’t for her preferred sleeping style, she thought it was a match made in heaven for stomach sleepers. She gave it a perfect 5-out-of-5 score for materials and a 4 out of 5 for her overall experience.

Our tester pressing their hand firmly into a Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
Our tester pressing their hand firmly into a Cozy Earth Silk Pillow.

“I would recommend this pillow to stomach sleepers, as the low-loft and compressible materials provide a soft surface that won’t cause the neck to crane upwards,” Riley said after testing this pillow out. She noted that it could work for some back sleepers who like a low loft, but she recommended those with sleep apnea steer clear as the pillow offers only “minimal support.”

Riley also noticed the quality of this pillow right off the bat. “It’s not lightweight, being heavier than most pillows I own,” she said. “I’m a big texture person and I love the silky soft feel of the bamboo cover on my skin.” The filling of the pillow is also made up of 100% long-strand mulberry silk, from where it gets its name. “Based on my knowledge of sheet materials, I know long fibers are always more durable and higher quality than short, spliced fibers,” Riley added.

This pillow is spot-clean only, which may be a hassle for some sleepers prone to accidents, but this can be mitigated with a sturdy pillowcase. “Cozy Earth says regular cleaning is unnecessary if you are using a pillow case and washing that regularly,” Riley explained. With how luxurious this pillow looks and feels, I’d personally be hesitant to toss it in my washing machine, anyway.

However, as a luxury pillow, the Cozy Earth pillow does drive a hard bargain for budget shoppers. It retails at $363 for a standard size at full retail, with sales bringing it down to around $245. It earned its lowest score in the price category, as even for a high-end pillow, it’s pretty steep. However, if you do decide to take the plunge, this pillow comes with a 100-night return policy and is backed by a generous 10-year warranty, which is rare for accessories. 

For a more affordable pillow, check out the Helix Down & Feather Pillow. Or you can read more in our Cozy Earth Silk Pillow review.

Cozy Earth Silk Pillow Sleepopolis Scores

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Excellent

1
2
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4
5
2
Price
5
Materials
4
Experience
3
Care
4.5
Customer Service

Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow – Best Cooling Pillow for Stomach Sleepers

Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow

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
Check Price
Pros
Cool-to-the-touch cover
Adjustable firmness via side zippers
Suitable for all sleeper types
Cons
Hefty weight
Only available for purchase in two-pack

Stomach sleepers who find themselves overheating may want to invest in a cooling pillow like the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow. This adjustable pillow has a moisture-wicking cover that’ll keep things cool, which my colleague Sosha Lewis found out firsthand. “Most importantly, it is truly cool to the touch,” she said, adding that on the pillow’s softest setting, it’s perfect for stomach sleepers. She gave the pillow a perfect score for experience, alongside 4.5-out-of-5 ratings for construction and customer experience.

The Nectar Tri-Comfort Pillow
The Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow.

Unlike pillows with adjustable fill, the Nectar’s adjustability is controlled by two gusset zippers on either side of the pillow. With both sides unzipped, the pillow feels super soft; with both zipped, it has a firmer feel, and with one zipped and one unzipped, it’s somewhere in the middle. This makes it great for sleepers who switch between multiple sleeping positions throughout the night. “I tried it out on the soft setting and thought it would be great for stomach sleepers,” Sosha said.

Sosha also appreciated the quality of construction of this pillow. “I am not usually a fan of memory foam pillows, but this one uses memory foam clusters and microfiber down alternative, which is much more appealing to me,” she said. “The cover is also soft, smooth, and durable.” She only deducted half a point for materials because the filling would occasionally get caught on the zipper. 

The cooling cover was a hit for both Sosha and her husband, who both tried out the pillow. “I had my husband, who is a back sleeper, try it out for a few nights on the medium setting, and he liked it so much, I thought we were going to have to arm wrestle for the rights to it,” Sosha said. “I loved that you could feel its coolness even when it was in a pillow case.”

This pillow is unfortunately spot-clean only, which may be a problem if you’re thinking of using it without a case to maximize cooling efforts. Sosha didn’t seem to find this an issue herself, stating that she could feel the coolness through the pillowcase. She also added, “I also don’t think it would easily stain, especially if you get to the spill quickly.” But if you want a pillow with a machine-washable cover, you might prefer the Cariloha Resort Pillow.

If you do buy this pillow, you’ll have 30 nights to decide if it’s the one for you. After that, it’s backed by a 1-year warranty. 

Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow Sleepopolis Scores

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Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4
Price
4.5
Materials
5
Experience
4
Care
4.5
Customer Service

Cariloha Resort Pillow – Best Luxury Pillow for Stomach Sleepers

Cariloha Resort Pillow

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
Pros
Suitable for all sleeper types
Reasonably priced
Shredded latex and kapok fill
Cons
Higher loft
No offered warranty

Want to sleep like you’re at a luxury all-inclusive resort? Cariloha’s aptly named Resort Pillow is perfect for stomach sleepers looking for a high-end sleep experience. It’s priced surprisingly affordably for its luxurious and quality construction, which features a bamboo cover and shredded latex and kapok fill. Our in-house tester liked this pillow in every position, even on her stomach, despite it not being her “go-to position.” She rated her experience with this pillow at 4.5 out of 5.

Riley Otis stomach sleeping with a Cariloha Resort Pillow
Riley Otis stomach sleeping with a Cariloha Resort Pillow.

Our tester thought that the feel of this pillow was very versatile. “It has the softness that would allow you to be comfortable in multiple different positions, but still has enough loft that both side and back sleeping is great,” she said. “On my stomach, I was comfortable and supported with very minimal pressure in my neck or lower back.”

The quality of construction is also very fine for this pillow, as we’d expect from a luxury product. “This pillow is made with strong and durable materials that are also high quality and are naturally derived,” our tester said. “The cover is a thick, quilted, bamboo-based material that is soft enough to sleep on without a pillowcase, and the kapok and latex fill give it a soft feel.” She ultimately rated the materials of this pillow at a respectable 4 out of 5, saying that they should last a long time.

This aforementioned cover is also removable and machine-washable, which our tester called a “huge plus.” She added, “However, you do have to spot clean the insert, and they make it very clear to not submerge the insert whatsoever — this makes me hesitant on how easy the insert will be to clean.” However, I don’t expect sleepers who use a pillowcase or pillow protector that they wash regularly to encounter much dirt or dust in the inner core of the Cariloha resort pillow.

Our tester was more than pleased with the pillow’s price, which came in at $139 for a standard size. “This is a great price for a luxury pillow,” she said. The pillow also comes with a 100-night satisfaction guarantee, but no warranty. 

If the latter is important to you, you might want to check out the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow, which has a very generous 10-year warranty.

Cariloha Resort Pillow Sleepopolis Scores

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Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4
Price
4
Materials
4.5
Experience
4
Care
4
Customer Service

Luxome LAYR – Best Pillow for Side and Stomach Sleepers

Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow

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
Pros
Multiple inserts for customization
Works for every sleeper type
Washable outer and inner covers
Cons
Pricier luxury option
Learning curve for adjustability

Switching between your stomach and side can be a hassle when these two positions require opposite needs. Side sleepers usually fare best on a tall, supportive, firm pillow, while stomach sleepers do best on a softer, thinner pillow. The answer to this conundrum lies in the Luxome LAYR, an adjustable pillow that is made up of a mix of removable inserts and fills for ultimate customization. 

My colleague Matt Schickling took this pillow for a spin and loved it in both sleeping positions. He gave this pillow perfect ratings for both materials and overall experience, adding, “I absolutely love this pillow and will probably buy another one very soon.”

Looking at the layers of an adjustable Luxome-LAYR pillow.
Looking at the layers of an adjustable Luxome-LAYR pillow.

The Luxome LAYR has three inserts: a soft down-alternative one, a medium insert of shredded foam and latex, and a firm component that actually contains two more inserts, a 1-inch and 2-inch foam slab. “I did not know that this level of customization and tinkering was possible with a pillow,” Matt said. 

Matt usually prefers sleeping on his side, which he found more than comfortable on this pillow.: “For side sleeping, I use the 2-inch foam insert as the base for support, and then the medium and soft inserts, fully stuffed, on top,” he said. “I feel like I have won something I did not earn by using this configuration.” 

However, to keep that winning feeling going, those who sleep on their stomach exclusively will want a lower loft. “Although I prefer a higher loft because I am a side sleeper, the easy adjustability of this makes it a great choice for stomach and back sleepers as well. You really can’t go wrong with this pillow,” Matt said. 

With all the moving parts associated with this pillow, Matt was also greatly impressed by the quality of construction. “The seams feel sturdy and well-made, like they won’t rip over time,” he said. “It doesn’t have one of those crappy, cheap pillow zippers that feel like they’re going to rip off.” Both the outer cover of the pillow and the inner covers of each insert are also machine-washable, which should help keep things fresh — a feat Matt awarded a 4.5-out-of-5 rating in the care category.

This pillow costs $150 for a standard and $225 for a set of two, which Matt found to be “a decent price point” for a luxury offering. There is a 30-day return policy, but there is no warranty. If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable that’s backed by a warranty, check out the Helix Down & Feather pillow.

Luxome LAYR Sleepopolis Scores

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4.5
Price
5
Materials
5
Experience
4.5
Care
4.5
Customer Service

Helix Down & Feather Pillow – Best Down Pillow for Stomach Sleepers

Helix Down & Feather Pillow

Helix Down & Feather Pillow

Soft yet supportive, with a breathable cotton cover.

Check Price
Pros
Soft but supportive
Affordably priced down
Great for combination sleepers
Cons
Spot-clean only
Care instructions hard to find

Down pillows are another fabulous option for stomach sleepers, as the soft feathers that make up their fill feel super-soft and compress easily. The Helix Down & Feather Pillow is one such pillow, and my fellow tester and staff writer Riley Otis found that this cloudlike pillow was a match for all sleeping positions, not just stomach sleeping. She gave it a plethora of 5-out-of-5 scores for materials, overall experience, and even price.

Our tester stomach-sleeping on the Helix Down Pillow
Our tester Riley Otis stomach-sleeping on the Helix Down Pillow.

“I typically prefer the feel of a fluffy down or foam pillow, so this pillow has definitely earned a permanent spot on my bed,” Riley proclaimed after testing the Helix pillow for a few days. “I’m a combination sleeper, and I was able to find support regardless of which position I found myself in.” On her stomach, she noted the pillow was “compressible enough to prevent the neck from craning.”

Though this pillow isn’t marketed as a luxury pillow, Riley thought its materials lent it a luxurious feel. “It feels exactly like a hotel pillow,” she said. The pillow has a three-chamber design, with the innermost core made of a feather-down blend, while the outer two cores contain fluffier white down. The pillow is also certified by the Responsible Down Standard, which ensures humane treatment for the fowl that provide the down feathers.

The care instructions for this pillow are listed on the tag for the pillow, as well as on a card that comes in the box. Riley thought that the tag was “too long and scratchy,” so she immediately removed it. “If you rip this off and lose the card (like I did), then it’s hard to know how to clean the pillow because the care instructions are not easily found online,” she said. 

When Riley eventually found the care instructions online, they stated that the pillow is spot-clean only with mild detergent, which means spills and stains might be hard to remove, so opt for a pillowcase with this bad boy. If you’re looking for a pillow that’s easier to clean, you might like the Lagoon Puffin pillow.

Down pillows are usually known for their high price tag, but the Helix Down & Feather is currently the least expensive option on our list. A standard-size pillow costs about $99, with sales and discounts bringing it as low as $74. To further sweeten the deal, it also comes with a 30-night sleep trial and a 1-year warranty. It’s a great deal if you’re looking for luxury on a budget.

Helix Down & Feather Pillow Sleepopolis Scores

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Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
5
Price
5
Materials
5
Experience
4
Care
4
Customer Service

Lagoon The Puffin –  Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers with Neck Pain

Lagoon Puffin Pillow

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.

Pros
Adjustable fill
Hypoallergenic
Machine-washable
Cons
Only wash once a year
May not work for combination sleepers

Studies show that sleeping on your stomach might put you at the greatest risk for pain along the spine, including at the neck. If you wake up with neck pain after sleeping on your stomach, it might be because your pillow is too tall or firm. Lagoon’s Puffin pillow might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Our in-house tester preferred its softer feel while lying on her stomach, which provided proper neck alignment and comfortable sinkage. After testing, she awarded the pillow a number of 4-out-of-5 ratings, plus a 5 out of 5 for the clarity of care instructions.

Looking under the cover of The Puffin Pillow by Lagoon
Looking under the cover of The Puffin pillow by Lagoon.

The Lagoon Puffin pillow is made up of two layers of down alternative microfiber fill, providing a “soft and plushy” feel, per our tester. “I loved it on my stomach, and I am not typically a stomach sleeper,” she said. “This would be great for someone on their stomach who likes a fluffier pillow versus a flat, dense pillow.” (If you sound like the latter group, you might prefer the Luxome LAYR pillow and its firmest inserts.)

The inner fill of this pillow is encased in an equally fluffy liner to keep everything from “getting too lumpy,” our tester noticed. “This would be great for someone on their stomach who likes a fluffier pillow vs a flat dense pillow.” The cover’s “soft, jersey t-shirt-like” feel was also a hit for our tester, who ultimately gave the pillow a 4-out-of-5 rating for the materials’ quality.

The entirety of this pillow is also machine-washable, provided you follow the instructions carefully. The outer cover can be removed and tossed into the machine. If you want to give the inner pillow the same treatment, Lagoon’s instructions state to be sure to secure the zipper with a safety pin. The manufacturer also recommends only washing your pillow once a year. To be on the safe side, I recommend a nice pillowcase.

This pillow comes in at $139.99 for a queen size, which we consider a reasonable price for the quality you’re receiving. You get 100 nights to try out the pillow and see if it’s the right fit for you. It’s also backed by a 5-year warranty should you encounter any issues after purchasing. 

Lagoon The Puffin Sleepopolis Scores

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4
Price
4
Materials
4
Experience
5
Care
4
Customer Service

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. 

A close look at the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow
A close look at adjustable panel on the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow.

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.

Our tester getting a feel for the Quince Luxe Goose Down Pillow
Our tester getting a feel for a down pillow.

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

slumber cloud cirrus duck down pillow review fill
A close look at some duck down pillow filling.

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.

malouf carbon cool pillow foam detail
One example of a memory foam pillow design.

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.

Taking a close look at the memory foam filling inside of Lagoon's The Otter pillow
Air can flow more freely through shredded filling, which is why it will generally be much more cooling than other memory foam options.

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. 

Care tag on The Otter pillow by Lagoon
Care tag on a Lagoon pillow.

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