25+ Different Types of Pillows for Better Sleep

Pillows are often the last thing on your mind, even though they are literally underneath it.

If you awake with aches and pains from an uncomfortable nights sleep then chances are that you are using the wrong pillow. In addition to your regular rectangle-shaped pillows there are many other different sizes and shapes to keep you comfortable through the night.

I have scraped all the different pillows together into one simple guide. Read on to discover all the different types of pillows available. You will likely discover some that you didn’t even know exist!

Pillows identified by their shape

The first lot of pillows we will look have an unmistakable shape. Each of these unique pillows is designed comfort and support you in a different while you sleep.

It is important to note that each of these pillows are available in multiple types of materials which have their own pros and cons. I will cover the different types of materials used in pillows further down this guide.

1. Bed Pillow

There is nothing fancy about it. This is your standard rectangular bed pillow. Chances are that this is what us laying on your bed right now.

Bed pillows are typically available in the following sizes:

• Standard – 20” x 26”
• Queen – 20” x 30”
• King – 20” x 36”

2. Contour Pillow

A contour pillow is a firmer pillow designed specifically to support your head and neck. These types of pillows work well for back sleepers and can help with keeping the neck properly aligned with the spine.

3. Bolster Pillow

A bolster pillow is a catch-all name given to any pillow that is cylindrical and used to support various parts of your body during rest or relaxation. Bolster pillows are generally used for yoga to hold difficult poses but are also used for sleep.

The round shape makes the bolster pillow multi-purpose. You can slide it under your neck, back, between your legs or any other position that allows you to get comfortable.

The main drawback of a bolster pillow is that it will not support an individual area as well as a pillow that is purpose made for that body part. But it’s weakness is also it’s strength, allowing you to use the pillow for various uses.

4. Wedge Pillow

Shaped like a giant door stop, a wedge pillow is designed so that you can comfortably sleep or rest in an upright position. Wedge pillows are often used by those suffering from acid reflux and breathing problems to sleep better at night.

Wedge pillows are made out of a firmer filling like foam, so that the pillow can maintain it’s shape even under the weight of your body.

While wedge pillows are typically positioned under your back, they can also be wedged under your upper legs to elevate your thighs.

5. Leg Rest Pillow

Similar to a wedge pillow but for the lower end of your body. Leg rest pillows elevate everything from the thigh down and are used for back pain, recovering from injury/surjury and swelling of the legs.

A leg rest pillow is wedged just below your buttocks, elevates your thighs, angles under the knees and provides a flat surface for your legs to rest.

6. Husband Pillow

Out of all the pillows, the husband pillow is the one with the most names. You may have heard husband pillows referred to as a…

• Boyfriend pillow
• Girlfriend pillow
• Reading pillow
• Bedrest pillow

…Among other names.

The reason for the name is that you lean back into the pillow while the two arms “hug” your sides, similar the way you see couples sit in those romantic movies.

Unfortunately real life is much less romantic. People are busy and it is unlikely your significant other will have the patience to embrace you while you relax or read your book. Heck, you might even be single.

That’s where a husband pillow comes in. It provides you with all the romantic comfort without the boney bits or complaining.

Husband pillows are used to support your back while sitting upright. You would typically use a husband pillow to read, use your phone/tablet or any other activity that is most comfortable when in a propped up position. Husband pillows are not suitable to be slept on.

Use it when:

7. Knee Pillows

If you suffer from back, hip, knee or joint pain at night then you may have been advised to stick a pillow between your knees while you sleep. A knee pillow is a purpose made solution to provide not only stay put but also provide the right amount of support.

The design is simple: a foam pillow with a contoured section on either side designed to accommodate the curves of your legs. As the name suggests, a knee pillow is designed to keep your knees separated while you sleep on your side.

Knee pillows can be sit between your thighs, keeping your knees separated or you can wear the pillow lower, so that your knees rest upon it’s surface. Pick a position that is both comfy and supportive.

Want to know more about knee pillows? Check out our detailed review on knee pillows where we put some of the most popular brands to the test.

8. Lumbar Pillow

The term ‘lumbar support’ means to reinforce your lower back. A lumbar pillow does just that, providing some much needed relief for your lower back while you sleep.

Lumbar pillows are flat yet firm, designed to fit the curve of your lower back. Suitable for back and side sleepers.

9. Cooling Pillow

Do you overheat at night, causing you to wake up in a hot sweat? Whether you are experiencing hot flushes or just hot weather, A cooling pillow help keep you cool and comfortable through the night.

Typically a cooling pillow is made of two separate parts. Flat plastic pack containing a cooling gel sits on top of a foam pillow. The cooling gel pack aborbs and disperses heat, which in turn regulates your body temperature.

10. CPAP Pillows

Sleeping with a CPAP mask can be difficult. If you use a regular pillow it will smoosh the mask into your face, resulting in an uncomfortable pressure that can keep you awake at night.

A CPAP pillow is designed to cradle and support your neck having a recessed or cut out section that your CPAP mask can rest in.

Desipite the name, CPAP pillows are suitable for any type of sleep Apnea mask including BiPAP and APAP.

11. Body Pillow

A body pillow is an oversized pillow that runs the length of your body. Body pillows are not only designed to rest your head on but to provide support to the rest of your body as well. Body pillows are best suited to side sleepers.

If you love to spoon and live alone (or your partner doesn’t feel like it) then a body pillow can be used as a replacement snuggle buddy.

Pregnancy Pillow

Are you a stomach or back sleeper? Kiss those positions good bye. It’s side sleeping or bust, and a pillow to support your baby bump is a must. That’s where a pregnancy pillow comes in.

While it may look similar to a body pillow; pregnancy pillows are specifically designed to support and comfort your ever-expanding belly as you progress through pregnancy.

Typically pregnancy pillows come in two different styles, C-shape and U-shape. While both support your pregnant body, each provides a different feel, pressure and sleep position. Choose what is most comfortable for you.

12. Travel Pillow – Neck Pillow

A small, portable pillow that allows you to sleep in a seated position. Suitable for sleep in a car, bus, train, plain or any other form of transport that requires you to be seated.

The focus of a neck pillow is to be both small and supportive. When not in use you can easily stuff your neck pillow in your luggage.

The most common style of neck pillow wraps around your neck and is supported by your shoulders. Simply tilt your head so that it rests on the pillow and snooze away. Neck pillows are often paired with eye masks to create a makeshift yet comfortable sleeping environment.

Use it when:

13. Travel Pillow – Ostrich Pillow

I am sure you have watched cartoons where a startled ostrich sticks his head in the sand. Even though the ostrich thinks it is safe because it can only see darkness, the birds big body is still perfectly visible.

Ostrich pillows work on a similar concept. Originally developed by Studio banana Things, the term ‘Ostrich pillow’ is now commonly used to describe to any portable pillow that covers your eyes while supporting your head and neck, such as a hoodie pillow.

Think of it as a pillow that you slide over your head. Because the ostrich pillow blocks out all light, they are suitable for sleeping or napping during the day while you travel. Much more practical than buying a sleep mask and travel pillow separately.

14. Travel Pillow – Inflatable pillow

If you are packing light then you cannot go past an inflatable pillow. When not in use an inflatable pillow folds flat and takes up roughly as much room as your outstretched hand.

When the time comes to snooze, pull the pillow out and blow into the valve to inflate the pillow. You will now have a comfortable yet make

Inflatable pillows have come a long way and now offer a soft fabric like surface for you to rest your head on. Inflatable pillows are not suited to being set up permanently since they will continually need to be inflated to remain supportive.

15. Bath Pillow

Have you ever been so relaxed in a bath that you have actually dropped off to sleep? If you answered ‘yes’ then you will be fully aware just how uncomfortable the side of your bath tub is. Leaning your head against the edge of your bathtub can leave you with a stiff neck.

A bath pillow attaches to the side of your bathtub providing you with a comfortable yet supportive place to rest your head.

Bath pillows are typically made from mold and mildew resistant materials. After all, there is a good chance your pillow is going to get wet. On the rear of your bath pillow you will find a series of suction cups that hold the pillow in place, preventing it from slipping.

Pillow Filling

Now that we have covered the various sizes and shapes of pillows that you can choose from, it’s time to take a closer look at the various fillings available.

Pillows are often referred to by the material they are stuffed with. A pillow with memory foam filling for instance would be referred to as a ‘memory foam pillow’.

While some materials are harder than others, the firmness or softness of a pillow is typically determined by just how much of it is stuffed inside the cover.

16. Synthetic Pillow

If you come across a cheap pillow then chances are that it is synthetic. Typically stuffed with a man-made material like polyester or down alternative, synthetic pillows offer a gentle and soft support.

Synthetic pillows are perhaps the most common pillow stuffing available. Unless your pillow states otherwise, chances are the filling is synthetic.

Synthetic Pros

• Hypoallergenic
• Cheap
• Easy to clean
• Not noisy
• Easy to bend

Synthetic Cons

• Flatten quickly
• Short life span
• Filling can clump
• Can sleep hot

17. Cotton Pillow

While pillows with cotton covers are easy to come across, those with cotton stuffing are much more difficult to track down. Cotton stuffing is a medium-firm filling that provides good support.

Care must be taken when choosing a cotton stuffed pillow. Some pillows that claim to be ‘100% cotton’ are referring to the pillows cover.

Cotton Pros

• Hypoallergenic
• Breaths
• Easy to clean
• Not noisy
• Natural fiber

Cotton Cons

• Expensive
• Short life span
• Difficult to shape

18. Memory Foam Pillow

Originally developed by NASA, memory foam is quickly becoming one of the most popular pillow materials around. Memory foam conforms perfectly to your sleeping shape and is slow to spring back.

Memory Foam Pros

• Closely contours your neck and head
• Quiet
• Filling does not move around
• Easy to maintain

Memory Foam Cons

• Doesn’t breath
• Traps heat
• Can be expensive

19. Feather Pillow

Feather refers to any filling that is comprised of bird feathers. Feather filling typically comes from ducks or geese. Feather pillows are quite soft and better suited for front or side sleepers.

Over time feathers compress, causing your pillow to become flat and unsupportive, which will require you to fluff your pillow. To combat this, many pillow makers mix feather with down; the next pillow stuffing we will take a closer look at.

Feather Pros

• Soft
• Retains warmth
• Not noisy
• Easy to fluff

Feather Cons

• May need to be fluffed to retain it’s shape
• Can cause allergies
• Expensive
• Less suitable for warmer climates

20. Down Pillow

Another pillow stuffing that again comes from geese and ducks. Down is the protective coating that provides insulation for ducks, keeping them warm. Unlike feathers, down does not contain quills. Down is one of the softest pillow materials available.

Down Pros

• Softest stuffing
• Retains warmth
• Easy to shape
• long lasting

Down Cons

• Can cause allergies
• Requires occasional fluffing
• Expensive
• Less suitable for warmer climates

21. Microbead Pillow

Microbeads are a miniature version of the polystyrene balls found inside of a beanbag. New microbead pillows often come with a strong odor and will need to be aired out before use.

Microbeads are typically found in cylindrical pillows, a shape that some find uncomfortable to sleep on.

Microbead Pros

• Easy to mold
• Offers good support
• Inexpensive
• light weight

Microbead Cons

• Has chemical smell when brand new
• Noisy when you change position

22. Latex Pillow

Latex is a natural polymer that can either be derived from plants or synthesized. Latex is a soft rubber-like material that is quickly becoming popular in pillows.

Latex Pros

• Long lasting
• Offers good support
• conforms to your head and neck
• Does not trap heat
• Can be natural (depending on brand)

Latex Cons

• Fixed shape/height, cannot be adjusted
• Relatively expensive

23. Buckwheat Pillow

You probably recognize this name because you have come across buckwheat in a recipe. Buckwheat hulls provide a hard yet supportive sleeping surface. Many brands of buckwheat pillows are zippered allowing you to remove filling to achieve your ideal loft or density.

Want to know more about buckwheat pillows? Check out our detailed review on buckwheat pillows where we put some of the most popular brands to the test.

Buckwheat Pros

• Very firm and supportive
• Does not sleep hot
• Natural
• Filling can be added or removed
• Do not compress

Buckwheat Cons

• Heavy
• Extremely firm
• Filling can be noisy as you change position
• Organic made in USA models are expensive

24. Water Pillow

Perhaps one of the least commonly used materials in pillows is water. A bladder of water is used with another pillow material, often polyester or memoryfoam, to create an easy to adjust pillow that offers just the right amount of support and comfort to you.

Remove water to make the pillow softer. Add water to make the pillow firmer. It doesn’t get easier than that.

Want to know more about water pillows? Check out our detailed review on water pillows where we put some of the most popular brands to the test.

Water Pros

• Customizable loft and firmness
• Can be mixed with your preferred sleeping material

Water Cons

• Can be difficult to find (try your local chiropractor)
• Noisy if you do not remove air pocket
• Can be expensive

25. Wool Pillow

Another natural sleeping material courtesy of sheep. Wool is another uncommon material. As a result pillows with wool filling often come at a price.

Wool Pros

• Wicks away moisture
• Natural insulator
• Warm in summer
• Cool in winter

Wool Cons

• Can compress and become quite hard
• Does not easily conform to your neck and head
• Can be expensive

Phew… We made it! As you can see, pillows come in many different shapes sizes and materials. If you still can’t choose an appropriate pillow, why not consider sleeping pillow-less?

What is your favorite sleeping pillow? Let me know in the comments below!