The quick answer: which pillow suits you?
The best pillow isn’t the same for everyone. Your sleeping position, shoulder width, mattress and personal preference together determine which height and firmness feel comfortable. Side sleepers usually need to fill more space between head and mattress than back sleepers. Stomach sleepers often do better with as little height as possible.
Start with your sleeping position. If you mainly sleep on your side, choose a pillow that fills the space between your shoulder and head without tilting your head up or down. If you sleep on your back, a medium height is usually comfortable. For stomach sleepers, a low and soft pillow is often the safest choice, as a high pillow can turn your head too far.
Next, consider your build and mattress. Broad shoulders and a firm mattress often require more height; narrow shoulders and a soft mattress usually less. The goal isn’t a very hard or very soft pillow, but a posture that feels calm and relaxed for you.
Do you often switch between back and side during the night? Then also use the practical step-by-step guide to adjust the pillow height for back and side sleeping.
First choose the right height
Height is often more important than the brand or shape of a pillow. If your head is too high, your chin may drop towards your chest. If it’s too low, your head sinks towards the mattress. Try to get as straight a line as possible from your head to your torso in side view. This is a practical tip, not a medical diagnosis.
| Sleeping position | Useful starting point | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Side sleeper | Medium to higher pillow | Fill the space above your shoulder; your head must not sink to the mattress. |
| Back sleeper | Medium height | Your head lies relaxed without pushing your chin forward. |
| Stomach sleeper | Low and soft pillow | Limit unnecessary head turning; sometimes very little filling is comfortable. |
| Switching sleeper | Adjustable middle ground | Find a height that feels reasonably comfortable on both back and side. |
A firm mattress yields less than a soft mattress. This means your shoulder often lies higher on a firm mattress and a bit more pillow height can be comfortable. On a soft mattress your shoulder sinks further, so a lower pillow may fit better. Do you mainly sleep on your side? Our guide on a pillow for side sleepers offers extra practical tips.
Which filling and firmness suit you?
The filling determines how a pillow responds when you lie on it. Memory foam usually moulds more to your head and can give a enveloping feeling. Latex often feels more resilient. Down and feathers feel airy but can change shape during the night and sometimes need fluffing. Synthetic filling is often light and accessible but varies greatly in quality and density.
There is no material that is best for everyone. Choose based on feel and adjustability. A pillow that feels comfortable but is too high remains too high. Conversely, good height helps little if you find the filling restless, too hard or too warm.
Compare materials practically
| Type of filling | How does it often feel? | Often suits |
|---|---|---|
| Memory foam | Moulding and cushioning | For those who like a stable, enveloping feel. |
| Latex | Resilient and immediate | For those who prefer quicker responsive support. |
| Down or feathers | Airy and soft | For those who like a classic, looser pillow feel. |
| Synthetic filling | Light, depending on density | For those seeking an accessible, washable option. |
Do you sleep warm? Also consider cover and care
Sleeping warm isn’t just about the filling. The cover, your duvet and bedroom temperature also play a role. A breathable or cooling cover can give some sleepers a fresher feel, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll stay cool all night.
Wash your pillow cover according to the care label and preferably use an extra pillowcase that you change regularly. Before buying, check if you can wash the cover separately and how to care for the filling. Our explanation about the best fabric for a pillowcase helps you understand the difference between cotton, a bamboo fibre mix and a cooling contact surface.
When is an adjustable pillow useful?
An adjustable pillow is especially useful if you’re unsure about the right height, sometimes change sleeping position or want to discover your preference. By adding or removing filling you can test step-by-step what suits your shoulders and mattress. This doesn’t automatically make an adjustable pillow better than any other, but it is more flexible than a model with one fixed height.
OnePillow is a logical choice if you want to experiment with height yourself and want a pillow you can adjust to your sleeping position. It’s less suitable if you want a completely fixed, immediately fitting pillow without adjustment, or if you already know you want a very specific feel of latex, down or an ergonomic fixed shape.
How to adjust a pillow calmly
- Start with the standard filling and sleep on it for a few nights.
- If your head feels too high or your neck tense due to height, remove a small amount of filling.
- If your head sinks to the mattress or your shoulder feels restless, add a small amount.
- Change only one thing at a time and give yourself a few nights to get used to it.
- Focus on your posture and comfort, not just the initial soft feeling.
Want to see in advance how the adjustable construction and covers work? Then calmly view the adjustable OnePillow pillow and product information alongside this guide.
Why do reviews say OnePillow is the best pillow?
A brand can claim anything. More interesting is what happens when hundreds of buyers and several external review platforms rate the same product. The consensus is striking: OnePillow scores high on comfort, adjustability and value for money. Especially for people who don’t yet know exactly which pillow height they need, this is a strong reason to choose OnePillow as the best pillow.
| Source | Rating | Why OnePillow stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Bol | 4.7 out of 5 from 300 reviews | A large group of customers consistently rates the same pillow very highly. |
| Slaapmanieren | Tested for three weeks; four categories 5 stars and care 4 stars | The tester calls it one of the best pillows she has tested and continued to use it after the test. |
| Rustige Nacht | Editorial score 4.6 out of 5; adjustability 4.8 | All three testers were positive about comfort; the adjustable height and two covers are mentioned as clear advantages. |
| ShopTip | 4.8 out of 5 from 228 reviews in the analysed dataset | In an analysis of over 1,600 user reviews, OnePillow received the highest review score and the best value for money label. |
| Slaapwijsheid | Best Choice; score 4.7 | OnePillow topped the list due to adjustability, high review score, two covers and a 60-night trial. |
The reviews consistently highlight the same benefits
The platforms don’t all use the same testing method, but they repeatedly highlight the same features. Slaapmanieren gives five stars for first impression, comfort, value for money and personal experience. Rustige Nacht rates adjustability 4.8. De Betere Wereld calls OnePillow a clear recommendation, praising versatility, size and sustainable choices. DutchReview tested the pillow with three people in the office and calls it comfortable, supportive and one of the smartest pillows the team has tried after adjustment.
Then there’s the customer score. A rating of 4.7 from 300 reviews on Bol is not one editor’s opinion but a broad signal from people who actually bought the product. Review numbers and averages may change; these figures were checked on 12 August 2026.
So: can we call OnePillow the best pillow?
Yes, if you’re looking for an adjustable memory foam pillow for different sleeping positions, there is a convincing basis for that. OnePillow combines an exceptionally high customer rating with strong practical tests, two different covers, adjustable height and a 60-night trial. Not everyone wants the same pillow feel, but within this category OnePillow is demonstrably one of the best rated and most complete choices. For those unsure about height or who regularly switch between back and side, we simply say: OnePillow is the best pillow to try at home first.
Sources consulted: Bol, Slaapmanieren, Rustige Nacht, ShopTip, Slaapwijsheid, De Betere Wereld and DutchReview. This is a combination of customer reviews, practical tests and editorial comparisons; not a single joint laboratory test.
Read more about our previous test results
- In our review of the best pillow ratings of 2024 you’ll see on which websites OnePillow was named winner or best choice.
- The update on OnePillow as a highly rated memory foam and summer pillow explains why adjustability and the double-sided cover stand out in reviews.
Frequently asked questions about the best pillow
What is the best pillow for a side sleeper?
Often a pillow with enough height to fill the space between shoulder and head. Exactly how much depends on your shoulder width and how far you sink into your mattress.
Is a hard pillow better than a soft pillow?
No. Both too hard and too soft can be uncomfortable. The most important thing is that the height and shape feel stable for you in your usual sleeping position.
Which pillow suits a soft mattress?
Because your shoulder often sinks further on a soft mattress, a slightly lower pillow is usually a logical starting point. Always test it in your own bed.
Is an adjustable pillow also suitable for stomach sleepers?
It can be, precisely because you can remove a lot of filling. Stomach sleepers usually need little height; therefore carefully check if your head can lie relaxed.
How long does it take to know if the height is right?
Give an adjustment a few nights. Your first impression is useful, but a calm comparison over several nights helps better than making big changes every night.
Want to experience which height feels comfortable for you? Check the options of the adjustable OnePillow pillow and adjust it step by step.
