With expert buying tips from Shallow in mind, we researched and tested standout options for every sleeping style. Our favorite is the Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative Pillow, an ultra-fluffy yet supportive bed pillow filled with NASA-approved cooling technology. Check out the best king-size pillows currently on the market. One of this pillow’s star features is its temperature-regulating capability. Each side of the pillow is lined with a NASA-approved fabric that captures heat and releases it throughout the night as your temperature changes. While this wasn’t a major concern of our tester, she still found that this pillow noticeably improved the quality of her sleep. “I was worried a new pillow would be too bulky or fluffy, [as] I am used to using a very flat, firm pillow,” she noted. “However, this one feels much more comfortable than what I currently use, and I simply didn’t know what I was missing.” Filled with 100% down alternative fill, this pillow offers a down-like feel at a more affordable price. The shell is made with 300-thread count cotton, which provides a soft and breathable feel, and it is also Oeko-Tex certified for peace of mind. Price at time of publish: $84 for a King While these pillows might be a little too shapely for stomach sleepers, they have a nice bounce that supports the head and neck. We also appreciate that they’re machine-washable and dryer-friendly. Price at time of publish: $65 for a set of two kings During testing, we were the most impressed by the quality of this pillow: out of all the options we considered, it felt the most luxe and expensive. It has a nice weight that makes the pillow stand tall and maintain its shape, and our testers felt comfortable and supported in all sleeping positions. The super-soft shell is woven with Fair Trade Certified cotton to help you maintain a comfortable temperature—and when laundry day comes around, you can simply toss the pillowcase in with the rest of your wash. Price at time of publish: $185 for a king This memory foam pillow has a ventilated design, which is intended to promote airflow and prevent heat from getting trapped in the foam. During testing, this pillow kept our tester cool and comfortable throughout the night. “I have had a gel foam pillow before, but this one has definitely outperformed it,” she said. Just note that it’s on the narrower side: 16 inches in width, versus 20 inches for most kings. Price at time of publish: $40 for a king Since the fill isn’t shredded, you can’t adjust the loft—and although 5 inches is likely too thick for stomach sleepers, back and side sleepers will appreciate the support. Our tester, who’s a combination sleeper, found this pillow to be comfortable in virtually any position. “I used to wake up repeatedly throughout the night, tossing and turning, fluffing pillows, turning them over, rearranging them,” she said. “Now I mostly sleep soundly throughout the night and don’t recall having to squish or fluff my pillows.” We also love that this king-size pillow is CertiPUR-US certified, so you know it’s low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other potentially harmful chemicals. Price at time of publish: $120 for a king The inner latex is OEKO-TEX certified, and the machine-washable cover is made with an organic cotton mixture. All things considered, we just wish the Easy Breather was a little more affordable. Price at time of publish: $169 for a King Flaunting an impressive 700 fill power, this bed pillow is incredibly fluffy with a cloud-like appeal. You can choose soft/medium or medium/firm, though even the former may not be supportive enough for back sleepers. Unlike many down-filled bedding inserts, this one is conveniently machine-washable. The smooth cotton sateen shell is a nice bonus, as well. Price at time of publish: $159.90 for a King (Soft/Medium), $189.90 for a King (Medium/Firm) It’s available in three densities to cater to different sleeping preferences, but if you doze on your side, the gusseted version might be a better choice. Thanks to double-stitched piping at the seams, this durable pillow is machine-washable and dryer-friendly—and Parachute backs it with a three-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $89 for a king (soft), $99 for a king (medium), $109 for a king (firm) Adjustability notwithstanding, our testers thought this pillow might be a bit too firm for stomach sleepers. Still, they were impressed with the design, noting its great airflow and temperature control. While it’s not machine-washable, the price is reasonable, and it’s backed by a two-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $85 for a king This pillow’s core is infused with gel to provide a cooling effect, while the bamboo-derived viscose shell encourages airflow and pulls sweat away from your skin. You might notice a slight odor upon unboxing the Eden, but it should dissipate quickly. And it’s CertiPUR-US certified to ensure that the foam is low in VOCs. Price at time of publish: $108 for a king Boasting a super-plush feel with medium-soft firmness, the brand says it’s ideal for stomach and back sleepers. (Side sleepers may want a thicker option, such as something with a gusset.) At 36 x 20 inches, this pillow will fill out a king-size pillowcase nicely. Owing to the durable design and reinforced seams, you can toss it in your washing machine and tumble-dry it as needed. Price at time of publish: $65 for a king Due to the silky weight of the poly fibers, it has a somewhat gel-like feel. While it’s not heavy per se, this pillow is thick and dense. It’ll definitely fill out your shams, but getting them on might be tricky since the fit will be snug. And although this insert isn’t machine-washable, it won’t need to be cleaned as often if you only use it for making the bed. Price at time of publish: $85 for a king
What to Consider When Buying a King-Size Pillow
Bed Size
At the risk of stating the obvious, king-size pillows are meant for king and California king beds. Most are 36 inches long, so if you place a pair side by side, they’ll cover almost the entire width of a 76-inch king mattress. Two king pillows are the exact width of a California king (72 inches). If an adult is sleeping in a twin bed, they might appreciate the length of a king-size pillow. However, Shallow says, “King pillows are best for larger frames. [For kids], it is just too much pillow.”
Material
When buying any bed pillow, don’t overlook the material. “You want a material that you find comfortable, soft, and calming,” says Shallow. Some popular fill options include responsive memory foam (shredded or solid), buoyant and breathable latex, lofty goose or duck down, and down-alternative poly fibers. “A material that is cooling is also important,” says Shallow. “Your body temperature needs to remain cool overnight to help you get to sleep and sustain sleep.” Cooling and temperature-regulating fill materials include gel, copper, and graphite. For the shell, look for breathable fabrics, like cotton, bamboo, or lyocell.
Sleeping Position
Your preferred sleeping position can provide clues about what type of pillow to buy. “Back sleepers may enjoy medium firmness and medium volume to allow enough support for the neck,” says Shallow, adding that solid memory foam might be the best choice. For side sleepers, a thicker design will help support the neck and keep the spine in a neutral position. “If [a king pillow] is not comfortable under the neck, looking at it as a body pillow may be helpful,” notes Shallow. She says that stomach sleepers should opt for a low-volume pillow to keep the head aligned with the spine. “You want something that can be compressed, like down or feathers.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a product reviewer and commerce writer specializing in textiles, lifestyle, and sleep products. For this article, she interviewed Nicole Shallow, M.Ed., BCBA, a sleep specialist and board-certified behavior analyst and the founder of Your Behaviour Gal. She considered dozens of king pillows, including several tested by The Spruce, narrowing them down to options suited for all different sleeping styles and needs. Pillowcases should be about a half-inch bigger than the pillow on each side. However, some are substantially larger. To avoid a baggy fit, check the dimensions before buying your pillows and pillowcases. But if you find king pillows too large to sleep with comfortably, a queen or standard size might be better. Three standard pillows will cover the width of a king mattress, and you can always get king pillows for your shams when making the bed. Theresa sleeps with a Layla Kapok Pillow and uses Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillows for shams. She has pillows from Buffy and Beckham Hotel Collection in her guest room.
