We've all had those nights: You crawl into bed and get cozy, only to spend far too long tossing and turning until you get comfortable. While weighted blankets and sound machines might help, the perfect pillow could be the key to sweet dreams.
Though finding a good pillow might seem simple, there are actually several different types of styles out there, each made for specific sleeping positions. Take stomach sleepers, for example—you'll want a softer pillow with a fairly flat surface to keep your body in proper alignment. Not sure where to start? Don't stress—we scoped out all the different varieties out there, from cooling to down and everything in between, to help you find your perfect fit.
Here, the best pillows for stomach sleepers.
Best Overall
Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow
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Amazon
The Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow might look like a flat pancake to side sleepers, but it’s exactly what you’ve been wishing for if you sleep on your stomach. It’s made from gel-infused memory foam and has an ultra-slim profile of less than 3 inches, allowing it to cradle your head without tilting your neck into an awkward position.
Because memory foam can get uncomfortably warm during the night, this pillow is infused with gel to help wick away heat, and it even has ventilation holes to increase air circulation. The foam is covered in a machine-washable fabric that’s a polyester-rayon blend, and you can choose between standard and King sizes to match the size of your bed.
Best Budget
Wamsutta Medium Density Support Stomach Sleeper Pillow
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The Wamsutta Stomach Sleeper Pillow is a budget-friendly choice for anyone who sleeps on their stomach. In addition to a low price, this pillow has a slim 2-inch gusset and medium density fill that provides comfy cushioning without straining your neck.
This pillow comes in both standard and King sizes, and is stuffed with a polyester fill encased in a 100 percent cotton cover. The lack of foam means that this pillow is also machine-washable, ensuring it'll always stay fresh—plus, it comes with a three-year warranty to ensure this budget purchase lasts for a long time.
Best Down
Brooklinen Down Pillow
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Brooklinen
Nothing compares to the lofty feel of a down pillow, and if you love nothing more than resting your head on a bed of feathers, the Brooklinen Plush Down Pillow is for you. The brand offers its signature down pillow in three different firmnesses—stomach sleepers should opt for the softest option, as this will provide better neck support throughout the night.
This down pillow comes in standard and King sizes, and is filled with down clusters and feathers that are treated with an antimicrobial to stop mold and mildew growth. It's covered with a 100 percent cotton sateen shell with double-stitched edges, and if your pillow ever needs to be fluffed up you can just toss it in the dryer on a no-heat setting for a quick tumble.
Best Cooling
Coop Sleep Goods The Eden Pillow
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Amazon
No need to search for the cool side of the pillow when you have Coop Home Goods' Eden Pillow—both sides will stay pleasantly chill thanks to the pillow’s blend of gel-infused memory foam and microfiber fill. This combination of materials is designed to maintain a comfortable temperature all night long, helping to minimize tossing and turning. And a plus for stomach sleepers: You can unzip the pillow and remove some of the filling, allowing you to tailor its height to your needs.
In addition to its cooling fill, the Eden pillow also has a breathable case made from a blend of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester. And, if you ever do want to plump up your pillow, it comes with an extra 1/2 pound of fill.
Best Organic
Avocado Green Pillow
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Avocado Green Mattress
Most pillows are filled with memory foam or other materials that aren't exactly eco-friendly, so if you’re looking for a cleaner place to rest your head, consider the Avocado Green Pillow. As its name implies, this non-toxic pillow is made from GOLS-certified organic latex, kapok, and cotton, making it a sleep accessory you can feel good about using.
The Green Pillow is filled with a mix of shredded latex and kapok fiber, which is smooth and soft, mimicking the feel of down. Together, the materials create a fill that’s cushy yet supportive, and it’s all wrapped in an organic cotton case. Stomach sleepers will be glad to hear that you can open the pillow and remove its fill, allowing you to lower the height of the pillow to reduce neck strain.
Best Latex
Coyuchi Organic Shredded Latex Pillow
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There are a lot of reasons that people flock to latex pillows—not only is the material more sustainable than foam, but it’s also delightfully lofty, naturally breathable, and resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mites. Coyuchi's Organic Latex Pillow is a superior choice for stomach sleepers, as its adjustable fill level will help you achieve just the right pillow height for your frame.
The pillow is filled with fluffy shredded latex that imitates the feel of down, and it’s malleable and adjustable to help minimize neck strain. The fill is contained in a non-removable cover made from cotton jersey knit, and there’s also a removable pillow protector that’s made from a densely woven organic cotton sateen.
Best Down Alternative
Legends Hotel PrimaLoft Black Label Down Alternative Pillow
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If real down makes you sniffly (or you just want to avoid any animal products), the Legends Hotel PrimaLoft Down Alternative Pillow gives you the cushy feel of down without any of the allergies. This pillow comes in standard, Queen, King, and Euro sizes, and you also get to choose between soft, medium, and firm fill levels. For all the stomach sleepers out there, the soft option is the best selection.
This pillow has a 2-inch gusset for neck support, and is covered in a soft 300-thread count sateen shell that’s finished with satin piping—so you may very well feel like you’re sleeping in a hotel. Plus, the PrimaLoft Black Label fill protects against dust mites, dander, bacteria, and mold, and the whole pillow can be machine washed so it stays fresh and clean.
Best Memory Foam
WonderSleep Dream Rite Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
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Stomach sleepers will love the squishy feel of the Dream Rite Shredded Memory Foam Pillow, which allows you to add or remove filling to change its height and density. The fill is made from a mixture of 80 percent shredded memory foam and 20 percent polyester fiber, providing the perfect level of support for your head and neck.
This budget-friendly pillow is covered in a rayon-polyester fabric that stays cool and breathable, and all its materials are hypoallergenic, making it ideal for allergy sufferers. It's no surprise that this pillow has somewhat of a cult-following, thanks to its adjustable filling and oh-so-soft feel.
Best for Combination Sleepers
Tempur-Pedic Symphony Pillow
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Do you often switch between sleeping on your stomach and your side or back throughout the night? Then Tempur-Pedic has just the pillow for you. The Symphony Pillow is uniquely designed for combination sleepers—one side is gently arched to provide head and neck support while sleeping on your back, while the reverse side is flatter, making it ideal for sleeping on your stomach or side.
The Symphony Pillow is made from a softer version of the brand’s Tempur material, giving it a plusher feel, and it’s covered in a machine-washable polyester cover that’s hypoallergenic. The pillow is designed to be comfortable in any sleep position, so it could be the key to a better night’s sleep if you tend to shift around during the night.
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend the Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow (view at Amazon), because it offers great neck support and is moisture-wicking so you won't overheat. For a more budget-friendly option, we suggest the Wamsutta Medium Density Support Stomach Sleeper Pillow (view at Amazon), because it has a soft yet supportive fill at an unbeatable price.
What to Look For in a Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
Density
If you're considering a pillow that's not specifically designed for stomach sleepers, the pillow's density is important to consider. Since stomach sleepers will need equal support on both sides of their neck, a pillow with low to medium density and a softer feel is ideal. That way, the pillow will have a thinner profile that will keep your neck aligned, instead of a bulkier option that might put your neck at an awkward angle.
Material
For stomach sleepers—and really, any other sleeping position—the material will make a difference in your comfort throughout the night. If you tend to run hot, be sure to consider cooling gel-infused foam or latex pillows and styles with moisture-wicking covers. Each is sure to keep your temperature stable so you can have a restful night of sleep.
Adjustability
There's no one size fits all approach to pillows, and that's especially true when it comes to stomach sleepers. Based on your body and sleep style, you'll need a specific type of density and softness—which is why choosing an adjustable pillow makes so much sense. Nowadays there are tons of brands selling pillows that come with extra fill, so you can either take out some of the fluff or add in more depending on your preference. While it's not necessary, it's definitely something to think about, especially if you tend to be particular about what you sleep with.