Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (2025)

Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (1)

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Picture it: You finally wake up without a sore neck, well-rested and ready to take on the day. If you've tried all types of bed pillows and nothing is doing the trick, the secret to your best sleep ever may not be the pillow behind your head, but a body pillow instead. Body pillows "may help to promote a neutral spinal alignment and prevent excessive pressure on certain parts of the body," says Jonathan S. Kirschner, MD, RMSK, physiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). While anyone can benefit from a body pillow, Dr. Kirschner says, "Some studies show they allow patients to lay longer in a side-lying position, which may be helpful for pregnant individuals or those with sleep apnea." Finally, we can all catch some much-needed Zs.

Our top picks:

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab is comprised of pillow experts who have tested over 160 different pillows in our Lab and with consumer testers, including body pillows, down pillows, down alternative pillows, memory foam pillows, latex pillows and more. When testing body pillows, we wash each pillow in our Lab according to its care label and rate how easy the cover is to take off and put back on. Testers use each body pillow at home to give feedback on comfort, support, temperature regulation and more to help us find the best body pillows.

Continue reading to learn more about our top-tested picks. At the end of this article, you'll find a body pillow buying guide from GH fiber scientists and answers to your most pressing body pillow questions.

1

Best Overall Body Pillow

Pluto Pillow PUFF Body Pillow

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (10)Testers loved the plush cover
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (11)Heavier weight
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (12)Some tested reported improved back pain
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (13)Cover showed some signs of wear after multiple wash cycles

Impressing both Lab analysts and testers with its fluffy down-alternative fill for a soft, snuggly feel, the Pluto PUFF body pillow cinched the top spot in our body pillow test. It was also featured as a Good Housekeeping Bedding Awards winner.

Testers appreciated that the fill wasn't overstuffed, so you can easily adjust it as you move during the night. The cool-to-the-touch cover was popular among hot sleepers. One tester, a self-described "longtime body pillow user," shared that "this one is well constructed," and she liked that this pillow is heavier than others at 12 pounds, saying it almost felt like a weighted blanket. After multiple wash cycles, though, we did notice some signs of wear on the cover.

Who it's best for: Fans of supportive body pillows who sleep hot and appreciate cooling bedding. This is a great option if you are new to body pillows as Pluto also offers a 125-night sleep trial, so there is no harm in trying it out.

FillPolyester
ShapeRectangular
Dimensions21” x 54”

2

Best Value Body Pillow

Coop Home Goods Adjustable Full Body Pillow

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (16)Adjustable height
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (17)Machine washable fill and cover
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (18)Soft cover feel
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (19)Need to shake the pillow to evenly distribute the fill, according to testers

The Coop Home Goods' best-selling Original Pillow is our pick for the best pillow we've ever tried, and Coop's body pillow uses a similar fill — a plush memory foam and polyester blend that's less firm than many other body pillows we've tried. One tester especially liked that "the fill is adjustable, so I can remove the fill if I find the pillow is too tall." If you prefer a firmer pillow, you can purchase extra fill to add to your pillow. We love that, unlike all the other body pillows we tested, this pick is entirely machine washable — cover and fill. After laundering, we noticed slight fuzziness on the outer cover.

Who it's best for: If you're not sure which firmness is best, this pillow has an adjustable height so you can tweak it until it's most comfortable. Sleepers who want both support and a plush feel will love this pillow's unique blend of memory foam pieces and down alternative fiber clusters.

FillMemory foam and polyester
ShapeRectangular
Dimensions54" x 20"

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3

Best Pregnancy Body Pillow

Pharmedoc Pregnancy Pillow

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (21)Supports your bump as it grows
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (22)Stretchy, jersey cover
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (23)Full body support
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (24)Bulky shape

This body pillow from PharMeDoc clinched the number one spot in our best pregnancy pillows round-up for offering full body support, including the knees, hips, back, neck, head and of course your bump.

Stefani Sassos, deputy director of the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab and mom to her toddler, raves that a C-shaped body pillow was the key to restful sleep while pregnant. Sassos says, "A pregnancy pillow can reduce strain and pain while also keeping the body aligned. It may alleviate other issues like heartburn too — at least it did for me." Over 10,000 five-star Amazon reviewers agree that this pregnancy body pillow can help support side sleeping with a bump. And even users who are not pregnant have found it helps them feel more supported while sleeping on their side. Note that this pick will take up substantial space on your bed.

Who it's best for: Pregnant people who want a more restful sleep, especially if they notice any body pains or general pregnancy discomforts at night. It also makes a great gift for any pregnant people in your life.

FillPolyester
ShapeC-shaped
Dimensions30" x 57"

4

Best Stylish Body Pillow

Bearaby Cuddler

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (26)Option to purchase with a trendy cover
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (27)Long design for comfy hugging
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (28)Great support for side sleepers
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (29)Some testers found it moved their bedding around

Body pillows are not known to be stylish; in fact, they tend to be an eyesore on your bed. This body pillow from Bearaby is here to change that. You can buy it with a stylish knit cover then tie the whole pillow into a knot, so it looks like a chic decorative pillow. The long design and latex core offer ergonomic support for side sleeping and lounging. This pillow was featured as a winner in our 2023 Good Housekeeping Bedding Awards for its comfy support.

It's designed to offer the soothing feel of a hug to help you relax — and testers agree. They reported that it felt soft and supportive, easily molding into different positions. One tester shared that this pillow "makes my body feel aligned and supported," and another noted, "It maintains its shape even while you're hugging it." This pillow is on the long side, so some testers found it moved their bedding around a bit. We also love the brand's Hugget pillow, which offers soothing comfort.

Who it's best for: Body pillow fans who want a more stylish option. The long design is also great for side sleepers.

FillGOLS-certified latex foam
ShapeCylindrical
Dimensions75” x 8”

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5

Best U-Shaped Body Pillow

Bedgear Dual-Sided U-Shaped Body Pillow

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (31)Dual sided cover
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (32)Cover stayed in great condition after machine washing and drying
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (33)Supportive yet soft
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (34)Some testers found it curved too much to support a smaller pregnancy bump

For support without all the bulk, this sleek U-shaped body pillow from Bedgear is ideal. The cover has two sides that are both made with synthetic materials — one has a cool-to-the-touch feel while the other is a soft knit that feels like your favorite T-shirt. Testers share that it's "soft enough to be comfortable, while still offering support." The cover is very snug to the pillow, which made it sleek to snuggle but we found that it was more challenging to zip the cover closed after washing it. The curve of the pillow makes this a great option for support as a pregnancy pillow, but it's versatile for anyone to use.

Who it's best for: Ideal if you want curved support with a less bulky option than other curved body pillows. The stretchy dual-sided cover has a cool-to-the-touch side which is great for hot sleepers.

Fill/materialFoam and polyester
ShapeU/C Shaped
Dimensions54" x 15"

6

Best Down Alternative Body Pillow

Parachute Home Down Alternative Body Pillow Insert

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (36)Maintains its shape after use
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (37)Brand offers compatible covers
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (38)Molds to your body with a fluffy feel
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (39)Testers said it slept hot

If you prefer a firmer pillow without the feeling of memory foam, this body pillow from Parachute is a great pick. One tester said she liked the down alternative polyester saying, "The filling of the pillow molded to my body and then returned its shape when I woke up." The pillow does not come with a cover, but we love that the brand offers a chic linen body pillow cover, making this a great style to use on your bed or couch. Testers gave it high marks for support and maintaining its shape but felt that it ran hot compared to other body pillows they've used.

Who it's best for: Anyone with a down allergy who loves its plush feel. With a cover, it has a more stylish appearance than some other pillows we tested.

FillPolyester
ShapeRectangular
Dimensions54" x 20"

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7

Best Extra Long Body Pillow

Buffy Wiggle Pillow

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (42)Affordable price
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (43)Silky Tencel cover
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (44)Versatile design
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (45)Not as supportive due to thinner size

If most body pillows you've tried are too short, this extra-long body pillow from Buffy has a unique, skinny shape, so you can use it in a variety of ways: behind your neck, between your legs, under your knees, etc. This pick comes with a washable removable cover, but the brand also offers stylish Sherpa and linen covers too. Both covers washed beautifully in our Lab evaluations. One tester said, "I'm almost 6 feet tall, and it was long enough for me to hug between my arms and wrap between my legs. I was impressed!" Because of its long size, we found the cover tougher to get back on the pillow after washing.

Who it's best for: Tall sleepers who need a longer pillow for full body support. Because of its long shape, you can use it in a lot of different ways, so it's ideal for a combination sleeper who sleeps on their side, back and stomach.

FillPolyester
ShapeCylindrical
Dimensions8” x 82”

8

Best Cooling Body Pillow

Sleep Number Cool ComfortFit Body Pillow

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (47)Moisture wicking
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (48)Pillowcase is easy to put on
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (49)Plush quilted cover
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (50)Cooling outer fabric is not machine washable

A hot sleeper's best defense against overheating at night is to outfit their bed with cooling bedding like cooling sheets, cooling comforters and cooling pillows. This cooling body pillow from Sleep Number uses a cool-to-the-touch outer material made with polyethylene and polyester, which proved to be moisture-wicking in our moisture management tester in the Lab.

One tester liked that this pillow was longer than her previous body pillow, so she could wrap her legs around it while sleeping. Testers reported that the included pillow case was easy to launder. We found the pillowcase easy to put on the pillow because of its extra-long zipper around three of the sides.

Who it's best for: Hot sleepers who want a bit of relief. The cool-to-the-touch outer material is ideal for hotter climates or use during the summer months.

FillFoam and polyester
ShapeRectangular
Dimensions54" x 18"

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9

Best J-Shaped Body Pillow

MedCline Therapeutic Body Pillow

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (52)Supportive memory foam fill
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (53)Supports your neck and knees
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (54)Designed specifically to alleviate back pain
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (55)Outer cover is a bit scratchy

If you have back pain, this body pillow was specifically designed to help alleviate it. This J-shaped body pillow from MedCline has a memory foam fill for a firm, supportive feel. It offers more full-body support than other picks with testers giving high marks in that area. One tester said, "The arched shape is perfect to hug and place between my legs."

The brand notes that it may have an initial smell out of the box that will dissipate with time (which is common with memory foam fill). Testers found that it takes "a while for the smell to fade." The cover has a fuzzy feel that one GH analyst found "a bit scratchy;" the brand also sells a separate cooling cover as well.

Who it's best for: Back pain sufferers may benefit from the support of this J-shaped body pillow. It's also ideal for pregnant people too as it offers full body support.

FillMemory foam
ShapeJ-shaped
DimensionsSmall: 18” x 45”; Medium: 22” x 50”

10

Best Body Pillow for Between the Knees

Noble Lower Body Pillow

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Pros
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (57)Variety of fill options
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (58)Different sizes specific to your height
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (59)High quality materials
Cons
  • Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (60)Confusing instructions

While most body pillows are tubular, this innovative pillow from Noble is triangle-shaped. It's designed to go between your legs if you're a side sleeper and underneath them if you're a back sleeper. In the Lab, we were impressed with the brand's use of quality materials, including GOLS-certified latex, GOTS-certified wool and GOTS-certified cotton. Testers shared that they woke up without feeling sore, including pregnant users.

One tester noted she "really liked that the pillow came with extra stuffing material. You can adjust the pillow to be bigger or smaller depending on what you need for proper body alignment." Because of its unique shape, it's important to reference the included instructions and diagrams to ensure you are using it properly. Some testers found the instructions confusing to navigate.

Who it's best for: Avoid shoving one of your throw pillows beneath your legs when sleeping with this specifically designed lower body pillow. This is a great buy for shoppers who prefer high-quality, natural materials like wool, cotton and latex.

FillAll wool, all latex or wool and latex hybrid
ShapeTriangular
DimensionsPetite: 32" x 19" x 4"; Regular: 36" x 21" x 5"; Tall: 41" x 22" x 5"

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How we test body pillows

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The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has tested hundreds of pillows and recruited hundreds of consumer testers to evaluate pillows in their homes. In the Lab, GH fiber scientists evaluate each pillow's care label, appearance after laundering, pillowcase fit and ability to maintain its shape after weights are applied. We assign pillows to testers based on sleep position and fill preferences.

Testers give feedback on each pillow's comfort, support, temperature regulation and more. For the most recent body pillow test, we tested nine body pillows in the Lab and with consumer testers, leading to dozens of data points to analyze to make these picks.

What to look for when shopping for the best body pillows:

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While there are tons of different body pillow styles, there isn't just one shape, size, fill or firmness that's universally preferable. Dr. Kirschner says, "It is mainly personal preference when it comes to selecting a body pillow." GH fiber scientists explain what to look for when shopping to find the best body pillow for you:

✔️ Shape: Body pillows come in a variety of shapes and sizes to best suit different body types and sleeping preferences. Here are the most common body pillow shapes:

  • Rectangular: The most popular shaped body pillow, rectangular body pillows don't have any curve to them. Think of them like your regular pillow, just extra long. These are best for people who need less specific support and want to snuggle up and hug their body pillow.
  • J-Shaped: Shaped like the letter "J," this type of body pillow goes around your neck and behind your head so you can hug the long side. It's great for someone who likes the additional neck support, but it's tougher to use if you shift positions throughout the night.
  • C- or U-Shaped: These curved pillows are a great option as a maternity pillow. You can hug the top and put the bottom between your legs and still have a bit of space for your bump. Some have thicker sides to keep you fully supported from every angle.
  • Cylindrical: These long tubular pillows are becoming more and more popular. They are great to hug and place under your head and between your legs. We love that you can tie these pillows into a knot so they look like a throw pillow when not in use.

✔️ Fill: Just like regular pillows, body pillows are available in a variety of different fills. The most common fills are memory foam, down alternative (usually polyester) and a combination of the two. Memory foam has a more supportive, responsive feel while polyester clusters offer a fluffier texture. Latex is also becoming more popular as a fill option: it has a resilient, bouncy feel for excellent support.

✔️ Size: For side sleepers, many pros recommend hugging a body pillow and placing it between your legs. Therefore, you'll need a pillow that's long enough for your height. Make sure to note the dimensions before buying to avoid any surprises. Some body pillows are substantially bigger than others.

✔️ Firmness: Some may prefer a squishier pillow and others a stiffer one. Simply choose a body pillow firmness level that feels comfortable to you.

✔️ Cover: Because you use your body pillow every night, you'll need to be able to clean it easily. Most body pillows come with a removable cover that you can wash separately. The larger fill will usually be spot-clean only. Generally, body pillows only come with white or grey covers, but some brands offer fashion covers at an additional cost or you can find a variety of different body pillow covers online for a more stylish look. Make sure to match up dimensions for a proper fit.

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What is the best way to sleep with a body pillow?

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"The most important thing is finding a pillow and position that are comfortable to you," says Dr. Kirschner. There are many different ways to use a body pillow that may help you sleep more peacefully. Many like to hug body pillows, place them between their legs or use them under their knees. Dr. Kirschner says, "For patients with hip issues like arthritis or bursitis, we typically recommend placing the pillow between the legs. For patients with back pain, we often recommend a pillow under the knees."

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Emma Seymour is the senior textiles analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has rigorously tested more than 100 pillows in the Textiles Lab in the past three years, and she has coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. She has tested the majority of the above body pillows in the Lab. Emma has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for more than five years at Good Housekeeping.

Jonathan S. Kirschner, MD, RMSK is a physiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City.

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Emma Seymour

Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director

Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.

Hugging a Pillow May be the Secret to Your Best Sleep Yet (2025)
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