Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 10 best pillows for stomach sleepers in 2020

21Oak Contributor
By

Stomach sleepers take a lot of flack for their favorite sleeping position, but the truth is that it’s hard to change the way you sleep. No matter how many times you may try to get comfortable enough to fall asleep on your back, you still find yourself on your stomach when you wake up. With that in mind, selecting the right stomach sleeper pillow is essential.

When choosing this type of pillow, stomach sleepers should remember that the thinnest and softest option is best, since larger options may force the head into an awkward angle, causing stress on the neck or shoulders. Stomach sleepers are said to need the least amount of pillow support of all sleeping positions, so thin and soft is ideal.

Recommended Videos

Let’s explore what makes these pillows the best stomach sleeper options available. And if you switch positions throughout the night, you can also check out our picks for pillows for back sleepers and side sleepers. Make sure to take a look at the best latex pillows if you want to know more.

Related

The best pillows for stomach sleepers

Most innovative design: Purple Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Another excellent option for both stomach and back sleepers, the Purple Pillow is designed to keep users cool throughout the night without any extra fill to bunch things up. Comprising a proprietary grid with fortified edges to cradle your head in proper spinal alignment, the Purple Pillow is made of sturdy hyper-elastic polymer while still soft enough to support even the most finicky of stomach sleepers. These pillows come with a removable, machine washable cover, a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a one-year warranty.

  • Filling: Proprietary Purple Grid technology, open-air channels, and temperature-neutral gel (also comes with new adjustable height inserts for customization).
  • Firmness: Firm.
  • Who’s it best for? The cooling properties help out the hot sleeper, while the firmness and ergonomic design are great for those who need extra support.

Shop at Purple

Best for all sleep positions and hot sleepers: Tuft and Needle Original Foam Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

At a slim five inches thick, the Tuft and Needle Original Foam Pillow is great for stomach sleepers — but is known to be ideal for all sleeping positions including back and side as well. Constructed with the perfect blend of foam, cooling gel, and graphite, this pillow ensures you’ll sleep cool all night while staying gently supported. The proprietary foam won’t flatten out while you sleep, so there’s no need to wake up and “fluff” these pillows. These are offered with Tuft and Needle’s 100-night sleep trial so you can make sure you like it; you’ll have the option to return it for a full refund if you don’t.

  • Filling: Graphite and gel-infused memory foam.
  • Firmness: It’s a great balance of soft and firm; medium firmness.
  • Who’s it best for? Hot sleepers as well as back, side, or stomach sleepers can benefit from this pillow.

Shop at Tuft and Needle

Best adjustable and reversible: Leesa Hybrid Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Leesa Hybrid Pillow’s slim construction and removable pillow insert make it a popular choice among stomach sleepers, as well as many who prefer other sleeping positions. It comes with optimal neck support, a super soft cover, and chilling fibers to help the hot sleepers stay comfortable all night. Choose between a standard or queen size when you purchase your Leesa Hybrid Pillow, and you can count on a three-year warranty.

  • Filling: Polyester microfiber and ventilated gel.
  • Firmness: Adjustable.
  • Who’s it best for? Hot sleepers, stomach sleepers, and those who need extra neck support.

SHOP AT LEESA

Best pillow-in-pillow design: Nectar Memory Foam Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Nectar Sleep Memory Foam Pillow’s adjustability is primarily what makes it ideal for stomach sleepers. Since the stomach sleeper doesn’t require as much support as other sleep positions, the inner fill can be removed until the softness and support are just right. The next best part is it comes with a 50-night sleep trial so you can try it out risk-free before officially purchasing. Don’t like it after all? Get your full refund back. Just keep your receipts! These pillows are easy to spot clean with gentle soap and water, so you’ll never need to machine wash.

  • Filling: Two types of foam, including Visco elastic memory foam.
  • Firmness: The two types of foam included make the pillow equally supportive and soft. It’s also adjustable, so you can make it as firm as you like.
  • Who’s it best for? Hot sleepers and stomach sleepers primarily, but with the adjustability, it can work for pretty much all sleeping positions.

Shop at Nectar

Best down alternative: Brooklinen Plush Down Alternative Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

For stomach sleepers, the Brooklinen Down Alternative Plush Pillow provides all the light support you need while keeping your neck and spine adequately aligned. It’s sumptuous to the touch, offered in two sizes (standard and king) and three densities (plush, mid-plush, and firm), as well as hypoallergenic, vegan, and made in the U.S.

The shaved microfibers specifically made for this product were created to mimic the exact feel of down and are available in three different constructions. The Plush Pillow is the softest and fluffiest, and is recommended for stomach sleepers.

  • Filling: 100% Polyfill shaved microfiber alternative down.
  • Firmness: Choose from plush, mid-plush, and firm.
  • Who’s it best for? Stomach sleepers, but you can adjust the density to match all sleep positions. It’s also great for those in need of neck support.

Shop at Brooklinen

Most plush/ best choice of density: Parachute Down Alternative Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

According to Parachute, stomach sleepers often opt for no pillow at all since their necks rest in a neutral position naturally. Since pillows are designed to align your head and neck with your spine while sleeping, stomach sleepers usually sleep best on thinner, softer pillows. This makes the Parachute Down Alternative Pillow their most ideal choice for stomach sleepers. With its softest density selected (there are three options available), along with its 100% sateen cotton shell and hypoallergenic fill, this slim pillow will suit the stomach sleeper well.

  • Filling:  100% hypoallergenic microfiber.
  • Firmness: Choose from three densities (soft, medium, and firm).
  • Who’s it best for? If you’re a stomach sleeper, choose the softest density. Otherwise, choose based on your sleep position for best results.

Shop at Parachute 

Most versatile: Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow is known for its versatility to suit both stomach and back sleepers as well as those who tend to sleep hot. These pillows are uniquely supportive and adjustable, arriving with an extra half-pound bag of fill included in the package for customers to add as they wish. Made in the U.S., Coop Home Goods pillows are proudly cruelty-free, as well as hypoallergenic.

  • Filling: Viscoelastic polyurethane and polyester.
  • Firmness: Soft, but you can add more fill to adjust.
  • Who’s it best for? Hot sleepers, stomach and back sleepers, and those who prefer a soft pillow.

Shop at Coop Home Goods

Best fair trade: Boll and Branch Down Alternative Pillow

Image used with permission by copyright holder

For those who prefer to sleep on their stomachs, Boll and Branch has created the perfect balance of softness and support in their Down Alternative Pillow. Affordable, allergy-friendly, lightweight, and customizable (you can choose between soft and medium/firm density, as well as standard or king sizes), these pillows are made using sustainable materials, responsible manufacturing, and fair trade.  Their proprietary PrimaLoft fill mimics down perfectly, and their 100% organic cotton shell ensures your face meets the cushiest surface possible as you head off to slumberland.

  • Filling: Proprietary PrimaLoft fill (designed to mimic natural down).
  • Firmness: Choose between soft and medium/firm.
  • Who’s it best for? For those with allergies or anyone who enjoys a soft, medium, or firm density.

Shop at Boll and Branch

Best checkout deal: Casper Original Foam

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Built with every sleep position preference in mind, the Casper Original Pillow is as versatile as it is breathable. Stomach sleepers should find this pillow highly satisfactory, with the inner core being supportive and the outer shell adding just a pinch of coziness for the perfect night’s sleep. Users can look forward to sleeping cooler with this pillow too, as its percale weave allows for increased airflow. What’s the best checkout deal? Enter the code DIGITALTRENDS for a discount on your total bill at checkout.

  • Filling: Polyester microfiber.
  • Firmness: The inner pillow is supportive, while the outer is soft.
  • Who’s it best for? Side sleepers, back, or stomach sleepers.

Best Talalay latex option: Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Pillow, Low Loft

Since starting off with humble beginnings in 1995, Brooklyn Bedding now successfully manufactures its own as well as numerous other private-label mattresses and other bedding in the U.S. Creating each product they provide with careful customization and craftsmanship, this company suggests their Talalay Pillow with low loft for stomach sleepers. This pillow should help keep the spine aligned properly, preventing and/or alleviating neck and shoulder pain, while the low loft latex lets warm sleepers sleep cooler as well.
  • Filling: Talalay latex, natural.
  • Firmness: Adjust the loft to soft, medium, or firm, and personalize your pillow to your tastes and sleep position preference.
  • Who’s it best for? Hot sleepers and stomach sleepers.
Shop at Brooklyn Bedding

Editors' Recommendations

21Oak Contributor
21Oak Contributor
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Say goodbye to dirt and odor: Learn how to wash pillows like a pro
Most people's pillows aren't even close to clean. Here's how to wash pillows and ensure they're fresh
Woman hugs pillows

Even if you succeed in choosing the right pillows for your maximum comfort and rest, you may not have considered the cleaning steps you'll need to take later to maintain their wonderful fluff and freshness. It may be the last thing anyone wants to think about, but the pillows where we place our heads at night are basically breeding grounds for bacteria and other microorganisms.

The average person spends one-third of their life asleep. During that time (it’s gross, but all too true), our skin and saliva can, shall we say, free themselves from the body, promoting the growth of bacteria inside our pillows and pillowcases in the process.

Read more
Chlorine vs. saltwater pool: Which is best for you?
What's the difference between chlorine and saltwater pools? We weigh the pros and cons of each
Backyard pool with umbrella and plants

Both chlorine and saltwater pools are great choices for homeowners looking to add a refreshing and relaxing space to their backyard. However, choosing between chlorine vs. saltwater pools isn’t easy. Both saltwater and chlorinated pools offer unique advantages and challenges regarding maintenance, cost, and care. So, today, we’re discussing the differences between chlorine and saltwater pools and weighing the pros and cons of each to help you decide what is best for you.
What to expect with a chlorine pool
A chlorine pool is an affordable option for homeowners who require lower upfront costs. These pools are often more energy efficient and are a popular choice for many people who are first-time pool owners. Chlorine pools require chlorine tablets, powders, or liquids, which must be added to the water and tested regularly to ensure the pool is safe to swim in. This means that chlorine pools can be a more time-intensive option to care for, as you will need to perform routine chlorine checks.

The chemicals in chlorinated pools help kill off harmful microorganisms and bacteria that attempt to grow in the pool. Using chlorine floating dispensers, adding chlorine to the skimmer basket, or using an automatic chlorinator are some of the methods you can use to add chlorine to your pool.

Read more
These are the best online sites to buy thrifted furniture
Snag your next thrift find from one of these amazing online vintage stores
Vintage decor with grandmillenial chaise lounge and traditional cabinet

When it comes to snagging amazing thrift finds, we often head straight to our local shops. However, while local thrift and vintage stores can be a great way to save money and find unique pieces, they can also be a bit hit or miss.

Thankfully, online marketplaces offer us a chance to find original pieces for affordable prices and from the comfort of our homes. These online stores provide all the benefits of thrifting without the hassle of driving to your local store and sifting through the decor section for hours, only to walk away empty-handed. So, here are some of the best online places to buy vintage and thrifted furniture.

Read more