Even though it’s usually just marketed to pregnant people, almost any sleeper can benefit from the great bedtime companion known as the body pillow. Whether you’re a side sleeper, stomach sleeper or you deal with hip, neck or back pain on a regular basis, investing in the best body pillow option for your needs could make a world of difference in your sleep. Body pillows can do more than simply take comfort up a notch — the best body pillows help align your spine while you snooze by supporting your back, hips and neck, regardless of the sleep position you prefer.
Like a bed pillow, body pillows are available with varying fills, shapes and support levels. From pillows filled with shredded foam to ones filled with polyester fiber, there are lots of possibilities, and sorting through them can take some time. You can get multiple pillows based on your favorite sleeping position or limitations that cause neck pain.
If you’re in the market for more support than a regular pillow can give, fear not. I’ve rounded up some of the best body pillows for full-body support, pressure relief and a good night’s sleep. We’ve included something for everyone, including body pillows with down alternative fills, cooling covers and detachable extensions.
Read more: Best Full Mattresses for 2022
Coop Home Goods
The Coop Home Goods Body Pillow is the standout choice for several reasons. It’s filled with a hypoallergenic combination of memory foam and microfiber that are cut into little pieces for ultimate adjustability and shapeability. To find your ideal comfort level, you can open the zippered cover and remove as much — or as little — foam as you want.
Everything is packaged in an ultra-breathable Lulltra fabric (as Coop Home Goods calls it), which is a combination of polyester and rayon made from bamboo that’s super comfy and lightweight, so you don’t feel too hot when you’re cuddling your pillow. And with a 100-night sleep trial and a five-year limited warranty, the purchase is practically risk-free.
Sharper Image
If you’re a side sleeper — or you like to relax on your side while you watch TV — the Full Support Body Pillow from Sharper Image is the choice for you. It’s 10 feet long, but the U-shape design minimizes its overall footprint and allows you to twist it and shape your body around it any way you want.
It’s designed to promote proper alignment of your back, neck, hips and spine while you lounge, while also alleviating pressure in these areas. The hypoallergenic polyester fill is also resistant to clumping, so the body pillow retains its shape well, even if you’re using it for some serious nighttime cuddling.
Queen Rose
While technically classified as a pregnancy pillow, this Queen Rose U-Shaped Pillow is a top-of-the-line body pillow for all. It has an extra-wide top surface that fully supports your head when lying down or can be propped up to act like a back rest for reading or watching TV.
The zippered cover and adjustable polyfill allow you to remove stuffing to make it firmer or softer, depending on what you need at any given time. And the cover is removable and machine-washable, so it’s easy to clean when you feel like things are starting to get a little funky.
Leachco
If you’re on the hunt for a body pillow for back pain, Leachco’s got you covered with the Back ‘N Belly Chic Supreme. While this body pillow is also marketed toward pregnant women, the contoured, body-hugging design helps alleviate pressure for anyone. In addition to offering extra support for your back, it also has a natural curved shape near the top that supports your neck and shoulders to help with proper spinal alignment.
The design makes it especially great if you toss and turn from side to side during the night. The inner contours on both sides follow the natural shape of your body so you don’t have to adjust too much to get the right fit or positioning as you move.
Amazon
If just thinking about cuddling up next to a full-length body pillow at night is enough to make you work up a sweat, you need the Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Body Pillow. Made with an extra-breathable microvented cover that combines mostly bamboo and polyester, this is one of the best body pillows for hot sleepers.
Not only does it stay cool — and keep you cool — all night by distributing and releasing heat, it’s hypoallergenic, dust mite-resistant and eco-friendly so you can breathe easy while sleeping soundly. The shredded memory foam fill is also nontoxic and certified by CertiPUR-US, so there’s no concern about any off-gassing like with other memory foams.
This product normally sells for $70, but there is currently an on-page coupon at Amazon that you can clip to bring the price down to $55.
Parachute Home
The Parachute Down Alternative Body Pillow Insert combines comfort with luxury. It’s made from super-fine, hypoallergenic microfiber that closely resembles the plushness and the cozy warmth that you get from down. Everything is nicely packaged in a soft 100% cotton shell that’s machine-washable, as long as you use the delicate cycle.
One thing to note is that this body pillow doesn’t come with a cover, so you’ll have to purchase one separately (if you want one), but Parachute offers four neutral, desert-inspired options that you can change as your style changes.
Amazon
With its U-shaped design, detachable extension and polyfill blend that holds its shape, the PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow provides support for your back, hips, knees, neck and head to help alleviate pain and discomfort during pregnancy and beyond. You can use the pillow as-is for full body support or remove the detachable portion to give yourself more space or prop up a book or tablet when you want to sit upright.
It also comes with a zippered travel bag so if you need to take it with you on the go — or to the hospital when it’s time to welcome your little one — it’s easy and less cumbersome than others.
Plow & Hearth
Whether you call it a body pillow or an enormous stuffed animal, this pick from Plow & Hearth is the best body pillow for kids and/or young-at-heart adults. Aside from being adorable, the oversized pillow is ideal for sleeping, lounging and/or lying on to read. It’s filled with polyester stuffing and covered in faux fur that’s soft and plush to the touch, but also dense and built to withstand the most serious cuddling.
If bears don’t really do anything for you, there are also other animal shapes including a fox, a labrador retriever, a fawn, a cow and a koala. And for each of these body pillows sold, Plow & Hearth will donate $1 to the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, a no-kill organization that offers shelter and care to animals in need.
How we test
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. They tested these body pillows by spending a significant time sleeping with each one, and looked at key qualities like firmness, feel and comfort.
Body pillow FAQs
How do I choose a body pillow?
You should choose a body pillow based on your specific needs and preferences. C-shaped pillows provide support for your head, neck and knees. U-shaped pillows take up more space, but offer ample support for the neck, back, head, knees and the front of your body. A straight pillow can also relieve pressure between the knees and improve back alignment, but it won’t support the whole body like a U-shaped pillow.
Is it good to sleep with a body pillow?
Yes. Body pillows can help relieve back pain, promote a properly aligned spine, improve blood circulation and aid in supporting the body during a woman’s pregnancy. Depending on the pillow you choose, it can support your head and neck, while at the same time, relieve pressure between the knees and joints.
What’s is the best body pillow?
We named the following as best body pillows:
- Coop Home Goods Body Pillow
- Plow & Hearth Black Bear Plush Cuddle Animal Body Pillow
- PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow
- Parachute Down Alternative Body Pillow Insert
- Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Body Pillow
- Leachco Back ‘N Belly Chic Supreme
- Queen Rose Classic U Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
- Sharper Image Full Support Body Pillow
More products and advice
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.