Calmer nights start with the right pillow
Clear, practical guides from Maren Holloway, sorted by how you sleep.
Which pillow suits how you sleep?
Your sleeping position decides most of it. Start with the line that fits you, then open its guide.
- Side sleepers: a fuller pillow that fills the gap between your ear and shoulder, about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) once it settles. Broad shoulders need the top of that range, and a soft mattress takes 1 to 3 cm off. See our pillow height guide and the best pillows for side sleepers.
- Back sleepers: a medium pillow, around 10 cm, that keeps your head level. See pillows for back sleepers and how to sleep on your back.
- Stomach sleepers: a very thin, soft pillow, or none under your head. See is sleeping on your stomach bad?
- You switch positions: an adjustable pillow at about 4 to 5 inches of loft. See pillows for all positions.
- Waking up stiff: check your pillow height and position first. Numbness, tingling, fever or pain after an injury means a doctor first. See waking up with a stiff neck.
Find your guide
Best pillows
Pillow types
Choosing a pillow
Sleeping positions
Neck comfort
A closer look at Derila Ergo
Derila Ergo is a contoured memory foam pillow with front support wings, a soft feel (the maker's description) and a cooling cover that zips off for washing. It suits back sleepers and side sleepers with average shoulders. Stomach sleepers and fans of thin, flat pillows should look elsewhere. Orders from derila-ergo.com come with a 60-day return policy.
How we write our guides
Our guides are built from published sleep research and makers’ own product details. AI tools help us draft, and a person on our team checks and approves every page. We don’t run our own tests, and we never make up scores or reviews. We earn a commission when you buy through our links, and it never changes what we recommend. Read our editorial standards and how we earn money.