Combination sleepers are people who sleep in at least two distinctly different positions throughout the night. If you fall asleep on your side and wake up on your back or stomach, you might not even realize that you’re moving around so much and may wake up with pain, stiffness, or just not feeling rested. Chances are that finding the best pillow for combination sleepers will help you get a better night’s sleep so you wake up refreshed.
To help you find the right pillow, we considered a few key factors when researching products for our reviews. Pillow height is one of the biggest contributing factors to making sure you get the right amount of support and it can be hard to find the right balance for different positions. We also considered material and firmness because there are a few options out there and each offers something a little different. Finally, we looked at pillow covers to find out which ones are the most breathable and easiest to care for.
To put together this guide, we spent hours searching reviews and reading comments from experts and the people who actually use these products every night. The first thing you’ll find is a table where you can easily compare each of our top picks. After that are in-depth reviews of each product followed by an informative buying guide. It will help you figure out just what to look for when deciding which of the best pillow for combination sleepers is the right one for you.
More features: removable machine washable cover, adjustable fill
This Popfavor set gives you two queen pillows in one package, and each one is filled with shredded memory foam that you can add to or remove. That makes it easy to dial in a loft that works whether you are on your side, back or stomach, which is exactly what a combination sleeper needs.
The cover is dual-sided, with a cooling ice silk fabric on one face and a softer fabric on the other, so you can flip it depending on the season. The outer cover comes off and goes in the washing machine, though the filling itself is not listed as washable.
More features: CertiPUR-US certified, 100-night trial
The Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft is a great choice for combination sleepers. It uses a special blend of shredded visco-elastic memory foam and was designed so you can add and remove some filling to get just the right amount of support which promotes proper alignment. It adjusts quickly and allows for ventilation which makes it a good choice for any sleeping position.
This pillow uses high-quality CertiPUR-US Certified foam that’s been independently tested to meet certain standards of content, emissions, and durability.
Some users complained that this pillow has a strong odor. This is normal and not harmful and should disappear over time. Plus, since the pillow and cover are washable, that will usually solve the problem. The cover is also hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant, which is great for allergy sufferers.
This pillow is covered by a 5-year warranty. Some users complain that it hardens and clumps a bit over time, but it also comes with a 100-day in-home trial period so you can try it out and return it if you’re not satisfied.
More features: six soft stackable inner pillow layers, gusset design
For a pillow that’s perfect for everyone, take a look at the Adjustable Layer Pillow from Pancake Pillow. These pillows are stuffed with super soft down alternative microfiber fill and can be adjusted to suit you, no matter what position you sleep in.
This unique design features adjustable layered pillows that stack inside an outer case. There are six flat pancake pillows in all and you can use as many as you need to get the right height and support for your needs. The outer case is made of 300 thread count 100% cotton and the system is hypoallergenic, perfect for anyone with allergies or other sensitivities. Plus, to make adding and removing layers easy, the case unzips on three sides.
Another cool thing about this stacking system is you can purchase an additional zippered case and make a second bonus pillow out of the unused layers.
One of the downsides is that these pillows get hot, and it can take some adjusting to find the right fit. Plus, though there are six pillows to stack, they are all made of the same plush material and may not provide the amount of support you need. With the 30-day money back guarantee, it’s easy to try out this system and decide for yourself.
More features: hypoallergenic, breathable, storage bag included, also sold in standard and king
If you prefer the feel of a classic down fill, this queen size PlushHavenCloud pillow is a solid choice for anyone who changes position through the night. It is filled with white goose down and feathers at a medium-firm loft, so it keeps its height whether you settle on your back, your side or your stomach.
The 700 thread count cotton cover holds the fill in place, and the pillow is hypoallergenic and breathable. Like any down pillow it needs a fluff and a turn now and then to stay at full loft, and a storage bag comes in the box if you want to pack it away.
More features: pin-core ventilation
The Organic Textiles Latex Pillow is made of 100% natural latex, a comfortable and supportive material that’s resistant to mold and dust mites and hypoallergenic. It maintains its shape for at least five years and won’t flatten easily with use.
Natural latex is exceptionally strong and durable which provides comfortable support to your head and neck no matter what position you sleep in. This pillow gives you cradling support to keep your head, neck, and spine in alignment.
This pillow includes an organic cotton pillowcase so it can breathe, unlike synthetic materials that reduce ventilation and cause heat to build up. It helps you stay dry, too. The pillow itself has a pin-core design so that air flows through to prevent moisture from building up while the cover wicks away moisture.
One downside is that this pillow can lose its shape over time and, once it flattens, there isn’t any way to bring it back. Latex has a natural odor that will fade as time goes by, although some users reported that it took a few days.
More features: CertiPUR-US certified, 100-night trial
Another best memory foam pillow for combination sleepers is the Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow. It features shredded, cross-cut, gel-infused memory foam and fiberfill that helps prevent the foam from clumping or becoming too compact. Not only does it support you with every position change, but it also absorbs heat and promotes air-flow to keep you cool.
The gusseted design helps hold the material in place for reliable edge to edge support. It’s made up of an inner cover of 100% polyester and a removable outer cover that’s a blend of bamboo-derived rayon and polyester that’s incredibly soft. There are zippers for easy access, too, so you can remove the filling as needed to adjust for the right level of comfort. One downside is that, while this pillow might be cooler than solid memory foam pillows, it still retains a bit of heat. There’s also a strong smell initially but that should dissipate over time or just toss the pillow in the washing machine to help it fade quickly.
In addition to the 5-year warranty, this pillow also comes with a 100-night trial. You can return the pillow during this time for a full refund if you’re not satisfied.
More features: weights 10–12 lbs
For something a little different, try the Beans72 Organic Buckwheat Pillow. It’s filled with US-grown organic buckwheat hulls and has a 100% unbleached natural cotton cover. No pesticides, additives, or chemicals were used in the creation of this pillow.
Buckwheat allows air to circulate, cooling off the pillow quickly. This material doesn’t collapse like foam or compress like down. It redistributes throughout the pillowcase as you reposition and fluff it. While this is a great pillow for any sleeping position, it’s particularly good for side and front sleepers.
These pillows weigh between 10 and 12 pounds so they’re a little heavier than foam and latex products. The side zipper lets you remove some of the hulls if adjustments are needed. Some users commented that the pillow was quite firm and that removing some of the hulls made it more comfortable.
One downside is that some people may be sensitive to buckwheat and it could cause allergy problems. Also, this pillow doesn’t really adjust itself, you actually have to position it every time which can be tedious and loud enough to disturb your partner.
More features: hypoallergenic, made in the USA, queen size, doubles as a travel or maternity support pillow
The Snuggle-Pedic Queen Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is filled with shredded, high-resilience foam rather than a single molded block. Because the pieces move independently, the pillow settles into a new shape within seconds when you switch from your side to your back, which is the main thing a combination sleeper needs.
The cover is ventilated to keep air moving through the fill and can be removed for machine washing. The pillow is hypoallergenic and made in the USA, and it comes in below the Coop Home Goods and Pancake Pillow options on this list, which is why it takes the value slot.
Finding the right pillow can make all the difference in how deeply you sleep through the night. If you’re a combination sleeper, it can be a little difficult to find a pillow supports you as you change position throughout the night. Here are some things to consider when trying to find the right pillow for you.
The easiest way to know if you’re a combination sleeper is if you wake up in a completely different position than the one you fell asleep in and you have no recollection of turning over during the night. Most people sleep on their side, back, or stomach and make only slight changes in position throughout the night. A combination sleeper is an exception to this rule. They sleep in at least two different positions throughout the night.
Finding the right pillow for a combination sleeper can be tricky because each sleeping position requires a different kind of support. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Height is important when choosing a pillow for side sleepers and also one of the hardest things to get right. It has to be high enough to support side sleeping while not being so high as to make it uncomfortable when sleeping on your back. That’s why most good pillows for side sleepers allow you to make some adjustments.
Memory foam is the most common material in the products we reviewed. It’s the same kind of memory foam that mattresses are made of only, for pillows like the Snuggle-Pedic Queen Shredded Memory Foam Pillow, the foam is shredded so that it can conform more easily to your head, neck, and shoulders.
Some pillows, like the Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow, use a combination of memory foam and polyester fill. The idea is that the fluffy polyester material fills in the spaces between the memory foam, preventing them from clumping together and helping the air circulate.
Pillows like the Adjustable Layer Pillow from Pancake Pillow use down alternative while the downluxe Goose Feather and Down Pillow uses a real goose feather and down fill. These materials are softer than memory foam and can easily be folded and fluffed back into shape.
Latex is a great option, too, like the Organic Textiles Latex Pillow. Latex acts similar to memory foam only it’s all natural and doesn’t have any of the chemicals in it that memory foam does. It’s also really durable and quite heavy.
Finally, some pillows are filled with buckwheat like the Beans72 Organic Buckwheat Pillow. This is a 100% natural material that’s very firm and can be adjusted into just about any position.
Bamboo viscose and polyester is a common material for pillow covers. It’s made by soaking bamboo in a viscose liquid and then squeezing it through tiny openings to make threads. These threads are then blended with polyester to make the cloth and pillowcases. The end result is a smooth, soft, comfortable sleeping surface.
A lot of these pillows have a cotton cover.
Not only is cotton soft, comfy, and natural, it also allows the pillow to breathe, which can keep you cooler, too.
The firmness of a pillow really depends on the material. For example, buckwheat is generally pretty hard while down and down alternative is much softer. Memory foam is usually soft to medium while latex pillows are medium to firm.
One of the great things about some of these pillows is that you can actually adjust the firmness. For shredded memory foam and buckwheat, you can actually unzip the side and remove the filling as needed to get the firmness you want.
Down and down alternative pillows can usually be fluffed, folded, and repositioned to change the firmness. Or, in the case of pancake style pillows, you can actually add and remove different inserts until you find the right fit.
Warranties vary a lot. They range anywhere from 30 days to 5 years and we even found one that lasts for 20 years. Read the warranty information carefully. Most of them only cover manufacturing defects and won’t do anything about normal wear and tear.
Some of these pillows come with in-home trials which means you can sleep on them for a few weeks before deciding whether or not to keep it.
This is the best way to make sure you love the product you’re getting and something worth taking advantage of.
There are a few other things to consider as well.
Some of these pillows are available in a variety of sizes. This is important because the size of the pillow really should match the size of the bed to some extent. You wouldn’t want to use a twin pillow on a California king, it just wouldn’t be large enough. On the other hand, a king-sized pillow might make a twin bed feel more luxurious.
Cleaning your pillow is something to think about, too. Some of these pillows have removable covers that can be tossed in the washing machine. In fact, some of the memory foam pillows can also be thrown in the wash.
Make sure you follow the instructions for the pillow that you choose. Incorrectly washing your pillow may affect warranty coverage.
The Popfavor Cooling Adjustable Pillow 2-Pack is a superior pillow and is also really affordable. This is a 2-pillow set that uses adjustable shredded memory foam filling and a cooling cover for a solid blend of support and comfort. Plus, the cover is removable and machine washable.
The Original Pillow from Coop Home Goods is a highly rated shredded memory foam pillow that adjusts quickly and allows for ventilation for better sleep.
Finally, the Pancake Pillow is a down alternative pillow with a cotton cover, consisting of six flat pillows for easier height and support adjustment.
We hope you were able to find the best pillow for combination sleepers.
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