11 Best Body Pillows for Comfortable Sleep

If chronic pain is affecting your sleep, consider adding a body pillow to improve your rest. These pillows come in various shapes and support different pressure points, offering relief for pregnancy aches or general discomfort.

We tested 30 popular body pillows, assessing their quality, effectiveness, breathability, durability, and value to come up with the top 10 for you to choose.

11 Best Body Pillows

1. Pluto Pillow PUFF Body Pillow

The Pluto Pillow PUFF Body Pillow is a cozy and supportive option for those seeking ultimate comfort during sleep. Filled with a luxurious down-alternative material, it provides a plush feel while offering great support throughout the night. Its cool-to-the-touch cover adds a refreshing touch, ideal for those who tend to get hot while sleeping. With its hefty weight of 12 pounds, it delivers a comforting, weighted-blanket-like experience. However, users should be aware that the cover may show signs of wear after repeated washing.

Pros:

• Plush feel with great support
• Cool-to-the-touch cover for hot sleepers
• Hefty weight provides a comforting experience

Cons:

• Cover may show wear after washing

2. MedCline Therapeutic Body Pillow

The MedCline Therapeutic Body Pillow is a specially designed pillow to provide support and relief for people experiencing back pain or discomfort during sleep. Filled with memory foam, it offers firm support for the neck, knees, and other body areas. Its arched shape is perfect for hugging or placing between the legs, helping to improve alignment and alleviate pressure points.

Pros:

• Firm memory foam fill for excellent support.
• Arched shape promotes alignment and relieves pressure points.
• Effective for addressing back pain and discomfort during sleep.

Cons:

• Initial smell common with memory foam, but dissipates over time.
• Pillow cover may feel slightly scratchy to some users.

3. Sleep Number Cool ComfortFit Body Pillow

The Sleep Number Cool ComfortFit Body Pillow is designed to address the needs of people who often feel too warm when they sleep. It features a unique outer fabric made of polyethylene and polyester that feels cool to the touch. This fabric helps to wick away moisture, keeping the sleeper dry and comfortable throughout the night. The pillow’s longer length allows for extra comfort, as it can be wrapped around the legs for added coziness. Additionally, the included pillowcase has an extra-long zipper, making it easy to put on and take off.

Pros:

• Cooling outer fabric helps hot sleepers stay comfortable.
• Longer length allows for wrapping around legs for extra comfort.
• Pillowcase with extra-long zipper is convenient for cleaning.

Cons:

• Cooling fabric cannot be machine washed, requiring special care during cleaning.

4. Coop Home Goods Adjustable Full Body Pillow

The Coop Home Goods Adjustable Full Body Pillow is a versatile and customizable body pillow filled with a plush memory foam and polyester blend. It allows users to adjust the pillow’s height by adding or removing fill, ensuring personalized comfort for various sleep preferences. Its machine washable design makes cleaning a breeze, though some users may need to shake the pillow to evenly distribute the fill.

Pros:

• Versatile and customizable design
• Plush memory foam and polyester blend for comfort
• Adjustable height to suit individual sleep preferences
• Machine washable for easy cleaning

Cons:

• May require occasional shaking to distribute fill evenly

5. Bedgear Dual-Sided U-Shaped Body Pillow

The Bedgear Dual-Sided U-Shaped Body Pillow is a versatile pillow designed to provide support and comfort. Its unique U/C-shaped design allows for various uses and preferences, while its dual-sided cover features two different materials: one cool to the touch and the other with a soft, knit texture. This combination offers a balance of softness and support, making it suitable for pregnancy support and overall full-body comfort.

Pros:

• Versatile U/C-shaped design for various uses.
• Dual-sided cover with cool-to-the-touch and soft knit textures.
• Offers a balance of softness and support.
• Suitable for pregnancy support and overall full-body comfort.

Cons:

• Some users find it tricky to zip the cover closed after washing.

6. Buffy Wiggle Pillow

The Buffy Wiggle Pillow is a specially designed body pillow for tall sleepers, featuring an elongated, skinny shape that differs from traditional tubular body pillows. This unique design allows for versatile usage, supporting the neck, legs, knees, or serving as a cuddle companion between the arms and legs. It accommodates various sleeping positions, making it ideal for combination sleepers. The pillow comes with a removable cover for easy cleaning, although re-covering it after washing can be a bit challenging due to its length.

Pros:

• Versatile shape suitable for tall sleepers.
• Supports various sleeping positions, including side, back, and stomach.
• Removable cover for convenient washing.
• Maintains appearance and feel well after washing.

Cons:

• Covering the pillow after washing may be tricky due to its length.

7. Noble Lower Body Pillow

The Noble Lower Body Pillow is a uniquely shaped pillow designed to provide targeted support for your legs and lower body while you sleep. Its triangle shape fits snugly between your legs if you’re a side sleeper or under them if you prefer sleeping on your back. Made with high-quality materials like GOLS-certified latex, GOTS-certified wool, and GOTS-certified cotton, this pillow aims to alleviate soreness and discomfort, with testers praising its effectiveness, particularly pregnant users. However, some users found the instructions a bit confusing, requiring careful attention for proper use.

Pros:

• Specialized design for targeted support
• High-quality materials for comfort and sustainability
• Versatility with various fill options
• Effective in reducing soreness and discomfort

Cons:

• Confusing instructions for some users

8. Pharmedoc Pregnancy Pillow

The Pharmedoc Pregnancy Pillow is a C-shaped body pillow designed to provide comprehensive support to pregnant individuals. It targets key areas like the knees, hips, back, neck, head, and growing bump, aiming to alleviate strain and discomfort during sleep. Its unique shape helps promote better alignment and improved sleep quality, addressing common pregnancy-related issues such as pain and heartburn.

Pros:

• Provides exceptional support for entire body during pregnancy.
• Praised by experts and thousands of five-star Amazon reviewers.
• Reduces strain, eases pain, and improves sleep quality.
• Effective for addressing issues like heartburn.
• Can be beneficial beyond pregnancy for general comfort and support.

Cons:

• Large size takes up significant bed space.

9. Parachute Home Down Alternative Body Pillow Insert

The Parachute Home Down Alternative Body Pillow Insert offers a plush alternative to memory foam, thanks to its down alternative polyester fill. This material provides a fluffy and moldable feel, contouring to your body for consistent support. While Parachute doesn’t include a cover, they offer a separate linen cover for added style.

Pros:

• Plush and fluffy feel
• Molds to body effectively
• Maintains original shape for consistent support
• Stylish linen cover available

Cons:

• May feel warm compared to other body pillows
• Does not come with a cover included

10. Bearaby Cuddler

The Bearaby Cuddler is a special body pillow designed to provide both comfort and style. Its long, cylindrical shape and GOLS-certified latex foam filling offer ergonomic support for side sleepers, keeping them aligned and cozy throughout the night. With a trendy knit cover option, it can also be styled to match your bedroom decor.

Pros:

• Unique design combines comfort and aesthetics
• Latex foam filling keeps its shape well and provides support
• Trendy knit cover adds a stylish touch to your bedding

Cons:

• Its length may cause some movement of bedding
• Limited to side sleepers due to its shape and support characteristics

11. Contour Swan Pillow

The Contour Swan Pillow is a uniquely designed sleep accessory that aims to provide optimal comfort and support throughout the night. Resembling the graceful curve of a swan’s neck, this pillow offers comprehensive support for the head, neck, shoulders, upper and lower back, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Its innovative J-shaped design aligns the head, neck, and spine, promoting better sleep posture and reducing the need for tossing and turning. The pillow’s medium firmness strikes a balance between comfort and support, and its hypoallergenic materials make it suitable for allergy sufferers. With dimensions of 44 inches in length and 25 inches in width, it caters to individuals of all sizes.

Pros:

• Unique J-shaped design provides full-body support
• Hypoallergenic materials suitable for allergy sufferers
• Medium firmness for a balance of comfort and support
• Generous dimensions accommodate users of all sizes

Cons:

• Higher price point compared to traditional pillows

To learn more, read the full review of Contour Swan Pillow.

How to Choose the Best Body Pillows

When shopping for body pillows, it’s important to keep a few key factors in mind to ensure your comfort and satisfaction.

1. Material

Just like when buying clothes, material matters. If you have allergies or are sensitive to temperature and odors, pay attention to the materials used. Some memory foam pillows contain polyurethane, which can emit a chemical odor. Body pillows can be made from polyester, nylon, buckwheat, or memory foam, with some retaining heat, so choose accordingly if you tend to get hot at night.

2. Dimensions

Body pillow dimensions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Your height plays a role in selecting the right size. Taller individuals might prefer longer pillows, while shorter ones may opt for shorter ones. If you share a bed with a partner, consider the width of the pillow to ensure it’s practical for both.

3. Firmness

Pillow firmness is a matter of personal preference. Some like them soft, others prefer firmness. Experiment with different options as many brands offer trial periods and easy returns. Some pillows even allow you to customize the filling for your desired firmness.

4. Care Instructions

Before buying, check the care instructions. Some pillows are spot clean only, requiring more maintenance, while others have machine-washable covers for easy cleaning. For low-maintenance care, look for options like the Coop Home Goods Full Adjustable Body Pillow, which allows you to remove the filling and machine wash the cover.

Do Body Pillows Work?

Yes, according to chiropractor Dr. Nathan Holley, body pillows are recommended for better sleep and various medical conditions like sacroiliac pain, sciatica, sleep apnea, and pregnancy.

What are body pillows used for?

Body pillows have various uses and benefits:

1. Muscle Tension Relief: They can help relieve muscle tension.
2. Improved Blood Circulation: Body pillows may improve blood circulation.
3. Post-Surgery Support: Useful for post-surgery comfort.
4. Pregnancy Support: Offer support and comfort during pregnancy.
5. Snoring Reduction: They might help reduce snoring.
6. Spinal Alignment: Great for side sleepers to maintain healthy spinal alignment.
7. Psychological Comfort: Provides psychological comfort through cuddling.

How to use a body pillow

Here’s how to use a body pillow effectively:

1. Shoulder, Hip, and Knee Relief: Place it under your leg to relieve stress on your shoulder, hip, and knees.

2. Knee Pressure Alleviation: Put the pillow between your legs to reduce pressure on your knees.

What is the best body pillow fill?

The best body pillow fill depends on your preferences and sleep style. Memory foam offers a good balance of support and firmness, while a pregnancy pillow often contains synthetic down.

What body pillow works best for my sleeping position?

To choose the right body pillow for your sleeping position, focus on where you need support the most.

• For back or front support, a rectangular pillow works.
• For front and back support, go for a U-shaped pillow.
• For something in between, a C-shaped pillow provides side support with extra head and leg support.

How big should a body pillow be?

A body pillow’s size should be close to your height for full-body support, but personal comfort matters most.

What is the average price range for high-quality body pillows?

High-quality body pillows typically cost between $20 and over $200, depending on materials and size. Spending more often includes a good return policy and a sleep trial for testing comfort.

Can I use a body pillow in combination with other bedding or pillows?

Absolutely, you can use a body pillow alongside other bedding and pillows. Customize your setup based on your needs. For example, use bed pillows for head support, especially with rectangular body pillows.

When should you replace or upgrade your body pillow?

Body pillows, whether made of polyester or memory foam, have a lifespan of roughly one to two years for polyester and up to three years for memory foam.

Similar to when you realize it’s time for a new mattress, you might notice that your body pillow is no longer providing relief for your aches and pains, or it could even be causing discomfort. This may be because the pillow’s material has worn out or lost its ability to bounce back. Some physical signs that indicate it’s time for a replacement include yellowing, sagging, and the formation of lumps.

Are there any recommended sleep positions or postures for using a body pillow?

Here are recommended sleep positions for using different types of body pillows:

1. Rectangle Body Pillow: Hug the pillow and tuck it between your legs, ensuring that your legs are parallel.

2. J-shaped Body Pillow: Tuck the top of the pillow under your neck and hug it so the curve nestles between your legs.

3. U-shaped Body Pillow: Place your head within the curve of the pillow and hug either side.

4. C-shaped Body Pillow: Similar to a U-shaped pillow, place your head under the curved portion and hug the rest.

These positions can help maintain proper spinal alignment and alleviate any discomfort you may be experiencing.

How often should I wash or replace the pillowcase or cover of a body pillow?

To keep your body pillow clean and fresh, follow these guidelines:

1. Wash the pillowcase and body pillow cover weekly as part of your routine.

2. Replace pillowcases every one to two years for hygiene and comfort.

Are there any tips for maintaining the shape and fluffiness of a body pillow?

Here are tips for maintaining your body pillow’s shape and fluffiness:

1. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific recommendations.

2. Generally, you can fluff it up by using a low-heat dryer setting.

3. Massage it by hand or move it like an accordion to restore its fluffiness.