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However, for many of us especially women we reach a certain age (hello, middle-aged years!) and suddenly the idea of a full nights rest becomes increasingly elusive. It seemed like one night I was sleeping just fine, then all of a sudden, I was tossing and turning at all odd hours of the night, leaving me to wake up yawning and unrefreshed, and in turn, dragging throughout most of my day, which, as a parent of three busy kids with logistically complicated schedules, is not ideal.
My phone apparently heard all my complaints, and I soon started receiving dozens of targeted ads for specialty pillows, some costing hundreds of dollars. As someone whos never invested in a pillow beyond what was available at my nearest big box store, I resisted.
Fast forward many months later, when I was still waking up poorly rested, with an aching neck and upper back, and just a general feeling of I will never fully sleep again, I bit the bullet and decided to try out a fancy pillow and havent looked back since. Its been a year since the Great Pillow Swap, and I can confidently say I now sleep through (most) of my nights, and fall asleep quickly and wake up with no aches and pains.
If youre ready to try a new pillow, you don't have to spend months suffering (or a fortune) to find the one thats just right for you weve listed out some of the best customizable pillows out there, including the one that finally changed everything for me.
Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow
When I first opened the package for this pillow, I was surprised by how lofty it looked and worried it might be too much for my neck. Thankfully, it turned out to be just the right amount of support, not too firm and not too soft. The ComfortFit comes with three removable memory foam inserts, so you can customize the height and feel to suit your sleep style. As a back and side sleeper, I started with all three in, while my husband, a side sleeper, prefers just one. I've since settled on two inserts and love how the foam contours to my head without leaving my neck stiff in the morning. After over a year of daily use, the cushions have shown no sign of flattening out or sinking in where our heads often rest, unlike some down pillows Ive used in the past that definitely appear to deflate over time. While its not marketed as a cooling pillow, Ive also appreciated that the Lyocell blend cover appears to be breathable and not trap heat.
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
A fantastic budget option, the way you customize Brooklinens Marlow pillow is a little different: you use two zippers to adjust the pillow between three different height/loft levels. I love that this means you dont have to fuss with taking inserts in and out and finding a place to store unused ones in between. It also boasts a cooling-infused memory foam to keep your head nice and cool all night long. The brand recommends side sleepers keep both sides zipped up for maximum support, while back sleepers should unzip just one side, and stomach sleepers should unzip both sides for more of a cushy feel. Those who suffer from allergies will want to note the antimicrobial cover.
Purple DreamLayer Pillow
If you're looking for a pillow that does it all especially if you tend to sleep hot the Purple DreamLayer Pillow may be worth the splurge. Unlike traditional memory foam, Purple's proprietary GelFlex Grid technology features hundreds of air channels that contour to your head and neck while actively dissipating heat, so you never have to flip to the cool side in the middle of the night. Like the Sleep Number ComfortFit, it comes with removable booster layers (two of them) that let you personalize it to one of three loft options depending on your sleep position. The trade-off for all that innovation is the price it's one of the pricier picks on this list and be warned that, like many foam pillows, it may need a day or two to air out when it first arrives.
Still looking for that just right pillow? We tested 70 different styles to come up with a list of the best pillows for every sleeping position.
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Esther Carlstone
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Esther Carlstone is a writer and editor who primarily covers health, parenting, travel, and women's lifestyle. Her work has appeared in Health, Parents, US News & World Report, Wha...
Nicole Bonaccorso
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Nicole Bonaccorso is a writer and editor with more than 12 years of journalism experience. She has been writing for Everyday Health since 2025, and has also been published on NBCNe...
- About Sleep. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 15, 2024.
