Body pillows are becoming increasingly popular among those who struggle to sleep, as they provide support and increase comfort throughout the night. While anyone can enjoy a body pillow, side sleepers, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, and sleep apnea may particularly benefit from one. Even those who snore may find that a body pillow is a useful and inexpensive option for reducing snoring and promoting a good night’s sleep.
Kevin Lees, DC, director of chiropractic operations for the Joint Chiropractic, suggests that while a body pillow is simply an extra-long pillow that supports users’ legs, arms, and torso, there are also different shapes and types that may benefit certain situations more than others (such as U, J, or C shapes).
To help you find the body pillow that’s right for you and your individual needs, we tested the most popular options out there today. We then narrowed down the best of the best by evaluating each pillow based on durability, effectiveness, breathability, and value. A physical therapist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for accuracy, how to use body pillows and the best way to evaluate them. Here are our top picks.
Who Should Use a Body Pillow
Peter G. Whang, MD, FACS, orthopedic surgeon and spine expert at Yale Medicine, suggests that body pillows are best suited to those with arthritis or chronic soft tissue conditions who experience worsening symptoms during sleep. If you have back, hip, neck, or shoulder pain, a body pillow can help you relieve pressure by offering extra support. Not only will a body pillow help you maintain a comfortable and proper sleep alignment, but it also can improve blood circulation and allow for a healing, restful sleep.
Sherry McAllister, DC, president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, also notes that body pillows can improve the sleep of those who are pregnant, anyone with postural issues, people recovering from surgery, sleep apnea, and even GERD.
Picking a Body Pillow Based on Your Sleep Position
Traditionally, body pillows have been used for those who sleep on their sides. They can wrap their arms around the pillow and between their legs, which ensures a healthy position and alignment for their hips and spine. Body pillows can also be used to prevent people who tend to sleep on their backs from rolling over.
Different-shaped pillows can also be useful depending on your preferred sleeping position. For instance, a U-shaped pillow might be a good pick for restless sleepers or those with back pain, while a C-shaped pillow is often used in pregnancy. Meanwhile, J-shaped pillows offer back, neck, and head support while not taking up too much space and can be ideal for those who share a bed with a partner.
What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know
- Size: Body pillows come in a variety of different sizes and lengths. According to Rahul Shah, MD, FAAOS, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon and fellowship-trained spine surgeon specializing in complex spine conditions, the key is to find one that is large enough for your body without being overwhelming in your bed. As you sleep, the pillow should conform to your body and allow it to adequately and comfortably offload body weight to either the mattress or the pillow. Because everyone is different, finding the right body pillow for you may require some trial and error until you find one that works for you, Shah adds.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, a side sleeper, or have back pain, a body pillow may help you get a good night’s rest by reducing pressure on your spine. Lees notes that stomach sleepers can also find relief with body pillows, as they allow users to lean on them rather than turn their heads to the side, which can cause neck pain.
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Key Specs:
Cushion Material: Polyester filling | Cover Material: Soft fabric | Firmness Level: Soft | Size: 54” x 20”
Why We Recommend It
Overall, the Utopia Bedding Soft Body Pillow holds its shape and offers amazing support—despite being extremely fluffy, soft, and inviting. In fact, our editor noted that it supported their leg the entire night, was comfy to hold onto and allowed them to drift to sleep more quickly.
This pillow also boasts soft fabric that is comforting against even the most sensitive skin types and makes getting comfortable in bed a breeze. This pillow also prompted our editors to opt for more side sleeping rather than back sleeping, resulting in less stiffness and pain in the morning. Plus, with the pillow’s quality craftsmanship, and durability, it still seemed like a new pillow at the end of the 30-day test period.
Keep in Mind
This pillow is pretty large in size and may be a bit too much for those who are very small or who have limited space in bed.
Verywell Health / Merrell Readman
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Reduces overheating
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Durable
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Holds its shape well
Key Specs:
Cushion Material: Down alternative fibers | Cover Material: Hypoallergenic polyethylene and polyester | Firmness Level: Soft | Size: 54” x 18”
Why We Recommend It
In addition to holding its shape and offering great support, the Sleep Number Cool ComfortFit body pillow’s most notable feature is its cooling capabilities. Not only did our editors note that they never felt any body heat transfer throughout the entire night, but they also appreciated the cool-to-the-touch fabric. This cooling feature definitely promotes a more restful night’s sleep and would be ideal for anyone who wakes up sweating in the middle of the night.
This body pillow is also made of high-quality, durable materials and retained its shape well throughout the entire month-long testing period. Overall, if you are someone who runs hot yet wants a pillow that is soft and cozy, then this is the pillow for you.
Keep in Mind
This pillow comes with a pillowcase that doesn’t offer any cooling properties. We found it was a standard pillowcase, so you can swap it out with a case that has more features if you’d like.
Verywell Health / Jaylyn Pruitt
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PETA-approved vegan certified
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Holds its shape well
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Made with high quality, earth-friendly materials
Key Specs:
Cushion Material: Polyester | Cover Material: Polyester and spandex | Firmness Level: Firm | Size: 48” x 17”
Why We Recommend It
As a firm yet cozy pillow, the Brentwood Home Crystal Cove charcoal body pillow, is one of the most breathable pillows we tested. Despite its firm texture, it does not weigh you down or cause you to feel hot and sticky while sleeping. In fact, we even slept with it on our chest much like a weighted blanket.
We noted feeling more rested with improved sleep schedules due to using the pillow. We even felt fewer aches and pains. And because the pillow is customizable, it is a great option if you like to read before bed. As an added bonus, this body pillow contains a PETA-approved vegan certification and environmentally-friendly ingredients, making it an earth-friendly option.
Keep in Mind
Its top-notch materials and certifications do push up the price somewhat, making it one of the more expensive body pillows we tested. That said, knowing that the pillow you selected has a lower carbon footprint than some other models may be worth the investment.
Verywell Health / Chaina De La Cruz
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Resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mites
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Provides excellent support
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Reduces overheating
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It’s heavy
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It’s a little pricey
Key Specs:
Cushion Material: GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex | Cover Material: Organic cotton | Firmness Level: Firm | Size: 68″ x 7.5”
Why We Recommend It
If you are looking for a firm body pillow that will help mitigate your allergy symptoms, then the Coyuchi body pillow is the one for you. The nice, crisp fabric cover feels soothing against your skin and is easy to remove so that it can be washed and put back on. This feature is a plus for allergy sufferers who need to wash their bedding more frequently.
It also provides excellent support and reduces the likelihood that you will overheat at night while using it. The pillow also tends to be resilient and breathable, largely due to the fact that it is made of pure, organic latex. Plus it is resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mites, which is ideal for those with allergies. .
Keep in Mind
Because this pillow is quite heavy, it’s hard to move around under the covers. However, it’s comfortable and supportive once you get it in the position you want it in and well worth the investment if you have allergies.
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Versatile positions allowing for a U-, J-, or C-shaped configuration
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Can be used in pregnancy and beyond
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Cooling and breathable
Key Specs:
Cushion Material: CERTI-PUR memory foam | Cover Material: Organic Cotton | Firmness Level: Soft | Size: 55” x 31” x 10”
Why We Recommend It
While sleep in pregnancy is coveted, it is not always easy to find. For this reason, we were delighted with the Newton pregnancy pillow as it’s a real game-changer when it comes to restful and restorative sleep during pregnancy. With a soft, down-like feel, this pillow contours to your body. It also boasts a soft fabric that is simultaneously cooling—a real must-have particularly in the third trimester when your body can feel like an inferno at times.
This pillow is designed to relieve pressure on your belly, knees, and hips. It’s versatile and can be used in a U-, J-, or C-shaped configuration, allowing you to adjust it to your sleeping style and needs as your belly grows. Overall, this pillow is ideal for anyone who has trouble sleeping during pregnancy and wants more support.
Keep in Mind
The only pitfall is that it can be a little big—especially if you sleep in a small bed with a partner. However, this can be easily remedied by unzipping and removing part of the pillow to make it smaller.
Verywell Health / Andrea Mandell
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Key Specs:
Cushion Material: Polyester | Cover Material: Polyester | Firmness Level: Soft yet firm | Size: 72” x 20”
Why We Recommend It
If you are looking for a pillow that is both soft and firm with solid support for your neck, then the Company Store down alternative body pillow insert may be just what you need. We felt like we were sleeping on a cloud when using this pillow; we had fewer aches and pains, and our neck and spine felt more aligned after using this product. As an added bonus, this pillow has cooling pockets, which help reduce the likelihood of overheating.
Another longer, twistable, noodle-like pillow ideal for neck support is the Bearaby Cuddler. This flexibility allows you to get more neck and head support so that you not only sleep more comfortably but can also address issues like snoring. This pillow does not come with a cover, so if this is an important feature for you, you will need to consider that when budgeting for this pillow. But overall, this high-quality pillow has a lot of durability and versatility and is great for reducing snoring.
Keep in Mind
The one downside to this pillow is that it runs a little big. At 72 inches long, it may be a little overwhelming if you have a smaller bed. However, we were able to fold the pillow so it fit a bit better in our bed.
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![Woman sleeping on bed using the Company Store Company Essentials Down Alternative Body Pillow Insert]()
The Company Store Company Essentials Down Alternative Body Pillow Insert offers soft, yet firm support that keeps the neck and spine aligned during sleep.
PHOTO: Verywell Health / Cydnie Cole
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![The Company Store Down Alternative Body Pillow Insert placed on bed]()
This extra large body pillow may feel a bit too big for certain beds, but can be folded to better fit.
PHOTO: Verywell Health / Cydnie Cole
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Key Specs:
Cushion Material: Polyester | Cover Material: Cotton | Firmness Level: Soft | Size: 54″ x 20″ x 8”
Why We Recommend It
The Tuft & Needle body pillow is a high-quality pillow that is a godsend for anyone with back pain. While it tends to feel a little firm and heavy straight out of the box, it is actually quite soft and comfortable. It balances out the need for both coziness and supportiveness in a body pillow designed to alleviate back pain.
Additionally, this pillow is breathable, durable, and machine washable, which is a major plus if you are someone who likes to clean their bedding pretty frequently. Plus, we noted that despite frequent washing it still retains its shape and its fluffiness.
Keep in Mind
Although not a huge downside, the pillow does not come with a cover, so if that is something you want, then you will need to purchase the cover separately. That said, because the pillow is machine washable, you may not really need one—except to perhaps extend the life of your pillow.
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Filling and cover are hypoallergenic
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Helps with support and alignment
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Has a low profile and fits most sleeping arrangements
Key Specs:
Cushion Material: Synthetic fiber | Cover Material: Microfiber | Firmness Level: Spec | Size: 54” x 20”
Why We Recommend It
The Pluto Puff body pillow is a soft and supportive choice that offers exactly the right amount of structure without being too firm—which is ideal for someone who frequently struggles with knee pain. As an added bonus, the fabric has a great luxe-like feel to it and is initially cool to the touch.
This body pillow left our us feeling great in the morning after using it. In fact, our editor who tested this pillow noted that after using it, their knee pain seemed almost non-existent.
Keep in Mind
This pillow can run a little hot at times, trapping heat between it and your body—especially when used under sheets and blankets. However, if you feel the heat may help alleviate some of your knee pain, then you may want to give this body pillow a try.
Verywell Health / Jaylyn Pruitt
How We Tested the Body Pillows
We purchased different body pillows each at different price points and with different features and materials. During the testing period, each body pillow was used for at least one month and evaluated based on how it impacted the reviewers’ nightly sleep and alignment needs. We then narrowed down our top picks based on the following attributes:
- Durability: We opted for pillows that were made with sturdy material that could stand up to wear and tear that can occur throughout the night as you sleep.
- Effectiveness: We analyzed pillows to see how well they helped us sleep throughout the night and how supportive they felt. We looked for pillows that kept our spines in alignment without creating additional tension or stress.
- Breathability: Regardless of whether you use a pillow protector or not, your pillow will accumulate sweat while you are sleeping. We looked for pillows that didn’t get too hot and kept us cool to minimize sweat.
- Value: After sleeping on each pillow and weighing their benefits, we compared our experiences to the cost of each pillow and then chose the products that offered the most value.
Our Experts
We used expert input at every step of reporting and writing this story. Here are some of the experts we consulted:
- Kevin Lees, DC, director of chiropractic operations for the Joint Chiropractic
- Sherry McAllister, DC, president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
- Rahul Shah, MD, FAAOS, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon and fellowship-trained spine surgeon specializing in complex spine conditions
- Peter G. Whang, MD, FACS, orthopedic surgeon and spine expert at Yale Medicine
Why Trust Verywell Health
As someone who specializes in covering health and social issues, Sherri Gordon, CLC understands how important it is to find the right products to address your medical issues and concerns—and she is particularly passionate about those products that help promote good sleep hygiene.
Throughout her career, Sherri has interviewed countless healthcare professionals, including those in the sleepcare industry, and was able to draw on that experience with these recommendations. With a combination of careful research and extensive knowledge, Sherri gives readers looking for products like body pillows everything they need to make an informed decision.
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