A body pillow is defined as any long, narrow pillow meant to be the same length as or close to your body. Body pillows were designed for people who sleep on their sides to be cradled in between their legs. The idea is that this improves the alignment of the sleeper’s spine and grants their pressure points relief for an overall healthier night’s sleep. People trying to train themselves to sleep on their sides also utilize body pillows to keep themselves from rolling on their backs as they sleep. Other people find that body pillows prevent them from tossing and turning as they sleep. If you have any of these sleeping habits and are looking to change them, here are a few body pillows we recommend.

What to Consider in a Body Pillow

Here are a few things to think about before buying a body pillow:

• Size: Body pillows are not one size fits all. The standard size for a classic long, straight body pillow is usually 20 by 54 inches. However, there are a decent variety of sizes available for purchase, usually where length is concerned. Consider how tall you are and the size of your bed when picking the size of your body pillow. The taller you are, the longer you’re going to want your body pillow to be to provide maximum support.
• Shape: Body pillows come in several different shapes. The right shape for you will depend on your sleeping needs. The common, long, straight model is ideal for side sleepers who want support for their spine and body as they sleep. There are also U-shaped, C-shaped, and J-shaped options that are more curved. The U-shaped body pillows are meant for those who want to stop tossing and turning in their sleep. C- and J-shaped body pillows are best for someone who wants full-body support or cradling while sleeping on their side.
• Thickness: Like standard bed pillows, body pillows can be thick or thin, soft or firm. You can pick which type you want depending on your personal preferences or your intended use for your body pillow. For instance, side sleepers will probably want a thicker or firmer pillow to help fill some of the space between their bodies and mattresses. Also keep in mind that the material that fills your body pillow will affect how firm or soft it is. Common stuffing materials include feathers, polyester or microfiber, memory foam, and latex.

Best Overall: Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Body Pillow

This luxurious and breathable body pillow is ideal for side and stomach sleepers alike, and it’s compatible with your standard bed pillow during use. It’s stuffed with shredded memory foam and spun down alternative fiber that will conform to your shape to offer extra orthopedic support, whether you sleep on your stomach or side. Since the memory foam is shredded and malleable, the entire filling is also easy to redistribute without zipping open the pillow and pulling stuffing out. The malleability of the filling also means the pillow will never go flat on you. It’s also non-toxic, eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and resistant to dust mites. The pillow itself measures 20 by 54 inches and is entirely machine washable. The cover is micro-vented and stretchy for a more breathable feel that will help you keep cool overnight, especially ideal for anyone who tends to overheat during the night. If you ever want to air out the pillow or give it a little extra fluff, put it in the dryer for 20 minutes or so.

Best Memory Foam: EnerPlex Never-Flat Body Pillow

Memory foam is the byline in softness and comfort for a lot of people. It’s also known for its ability to conform around and support any shape, making it perfect for mattresses and pillows. If you’re looking for the benefits of memory foam in your body pillow, consider this model. Sized at 54 by 20 inches, it’s filled with shredded memory foam that will adjust and shape itself around your body and never go flat. The memory foam is also interspersed with polyfill fibers to keep it from clumping together. These fibers also promote better airflow inside the pillow to keep you cool as you sleep. The filling doesn’t contain any down or feathers, so it’s safe for those with allergies or asthma. If you want a thinner body pillow, a zipper along one side allows you to remove some of the shredded memory foam at will. The entire pillow is chemical-free and machine washable for your convenience.

Best for Budget: Soft-Tex SoftLOFT Body Pillow

This affordable body pillow is for the budget-conscious and will feel as luxurious, if not more so, than its pricier counterparts. The cover is made of soft, deluxe poly-cotton that combines the durability of polyester with the fluffy, comfortable feel of cotton. It also has a thread count of 240, which places it in the high-quality material range. The pillow itself measures 54 by 20 by 4.5 inches. The fiber filling is plush and spongy, naturally hypoallergenic, so it’s safe for any users who have allergies. No matter which position you sleep or lay down in, this body pillow can be situated to support you in any way you need it to.

Most Adjustable: Oubonun Quilted Body Pillow

If you want to invest in a body pillow but are concerned that its length might make it hard to store when you’re not using it, consider this model. It’s designed to be highly modifiable in just about every way possible to suit your needs. The stuffing can be easily adjusted to fit your exact comfort and needed support, equally suitable for side, back, and stomach sleepers. The hidden zipper along the side allows you to remove or add filling as desired, so you can make the pillow more or less fluffy and thick to suit your preferences. It also folds easily in half to take up less space when in storage. The included pillowcase is 100% cotton, and the filling is premium-quality polyester. The entire pillow is hypoallergenic, machine washable, and dryer safe (which will enhance its fluffiness). The cotton pillowcase is very breathable to prevent overheating during sleep, and the pillow’s quilted design is both luxurious to the touch and durable with anti-fading properties for longer-lasting use.