If you’re shopping for a new pillow, you might be shocked by the exorbitant price. Depending on the materials, you could easily spend hundreds on a new pillow.
But, if you’re like me your budget could be tighter. Thankfully, we have options. I have found seven pillows that are affordable but don’t sacrifice on quality. Keep reading to learn about the best affordable pillows!
The 8 Best Affordable Pillows
- Coop Sleep Goods Original – Best Affordable Pillow for Neck Pain
- Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex – Best Affordable Organic Pillow
- Brooklinen Down Alternative – Best Affordable Down Alternative Pillow
- Tempur-Pedic Cloud Adjustable – Best Affordable Adjustable Pillow
- Marlow – Best Affordable Pillow for Back Sleepers
- Layla Memory Foam – Best Affordable Memory Foam Pillow
- Tuft & Needle Down Alternative – Best Affordable Pillow for Side Sleepers
- Purple Cloud – Best Affordable Plush Pillow
How We Chose Our Products
The Mattress Clarity team has tested hundreds of pillows and mattresses. For this roundup, we focused on affordable pillows that cost less than $150 while still offering nice materials, comfort and support.
Our list contains pillows with a variety of designs, loft, and cooling. There is something for all types of sleepers.
Best Affordable Pillow for Neck Pain – Coop Sleep Goods Original
Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow
The Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow from Coop Sleep Goods is distinct in more than one way. The memory foam shredded filling is responsive and guarantees the pillow will never go flat, plus sleepers can remove as much filling as they like which makes it great for people who sleep in several positions.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.70 / 5
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Who It’s For
The wrong pillow can really be a pain in the neck. But, if you choose a pillow with the right amount of support and comfort, you can say goodbye to neck pain. That’s why I’m such a fan of the Coop Sleep Goods Original pillow. It is an adjustable pillow that contains a combination of memory foam and microfiber filling.
How can you adjust it? You can actually take out or add the filling to find the perfect loft for your sleeping situation. This will help keep your neck in proper alignment, easing and preventing future neck pain. And, it is sold for a value price!
What Makes The Coop Sleep Goods Stand Out?
- The pillow is machine washable.
- Its adjustability makes it a good fit for any sleeping position.
- The Coop Sleep Goods features hypoallergenic materials, so it shouldn’t exacerbate your allergies.
Read the full Coop Sleep Goods pillow review
Best Affordable Organic Pillow – Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex
Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow
Brooklyn Bedding's Talalay Latex Pillow is a supportive and pressure relieving blended latex foam pillow. It has a ventilated core and removable soft knit cover. It comes in two loft options, making it a good choice for any sleep position.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.70 / 5
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Who It’s For
If you’re looking for another organic pillow option, take a look at the Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex pillow. This pillow features Talalay latex and organic cotton, which are sustainable, eco-friendly materials. Organic latex pillows usually cost a pretty penny, but this is not the case with the Brooklyn Bedding. It costs less than $100, even for a king size pillow.
Being a latex pillow, the Brooklyn Bedding is also a great cooling option. Natural latex is more breathable than other types of foam, so it shouldn’t trap heat. The cotton cover will also help air pass through the pillow so, overall, you should be sleeping nice and cool on this organic pillow.
What Makes The Brooklyn Bedding Stand Out?
- It comes in two loft options, making it a good fit for multiple sleeping positions.
- It is bouncy but still offers a good amount of contouring.
- You can remove the Brooklyn Bedding’s cover for easy care and cleaning.
Read the full Brooklyn Bedding pillow review
Best Affordable Down Alternative Pillow – Brooklinen
Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow
The Brooklinen Down Alternative pillow is a great hypoallergenic option that's machine washable and dryer-friendly. This pillow is very full and fluffy, making a particularly great option for side sleepers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.80 / 5
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Who It’s For
Down pillows can be comfortable, but they do have their drawbacks. They are usually expensive, and they contain down, a material that can have ethical implications.. If you want a great down alternative, take a look at the Brooklinen Down Alternative pillow. It features a fill made from recycled bottles that is eco-friendly while still offering the plushness of down.
This pillow is also hypoallergenic, so it will not trap allergens the way some down pillows are known to do. If you often wake up feeling stuffy with watery eyes, this pillow could be a good solution. And, of course, the Brooklinen costs a lot less than its down pillow counterparts!
What Makes The Brooklinen Stand Out?
- It is available in multi-packs, so you can save even more money by buying more than one pillow.
- The Brooklinen contains only vegan materials.
- Its plushness makes it a supportive option for side sleepers.
Read the full Brooklinen Down Alternative pillow review
Best Affordable Adjustable Pillow – Tempur-Pedic Cloud Adjustable
TEMPUR-Cloud Adjustable Pillow
TEMPUR-Pedic's TEMPUR-Cloud pillow is aptly named. It's got an attractive and dare I say "cloud-like" white cover and a super-soft (albeit not fluffy) core.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.00 / 5
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Who It’s For
Adjustable pillows are great for all kinds of sleepers and make for a really versatile pillow. Controlling the amount of filling in your pillow and experimenting with different lofts can ensure you have the right pillow for your sleeping needs. And considering the contouring and pressure-relieving foam in the Temper-Cloud pillow, there’s no question why we ranked it as the best adjustable pillow on this list.
In addition to its soft foams, the Tempur-Cloud pillow has a 100% hypoallergenic cover, so it should stay free of dust mites and allergens. It is important to note though, that since the pillow is all-foam it may trap heat as you sleep, so hot sleepers should be aware.
What Makes The Tempur-Pedic Cloud Adjustable Stand Out?
- This is a great pillow for back and stomach sleepers.
- As the name suggests, the Tempur-Cloud is a very soft pillow.
- The pillow cover can be removed and is machine washable, though the innards shouldn’t be washed.
Read the full Tempur-Pedic Cloud Adjustable pillow review
Best Affordable Pillow for Back Sleepers – Marlow
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
The Marlow pillow is a new take on the adjustable pillow. It has zippers along the sides of the pillow to change the loft and firmness. You don't have to worry about messy shredded foam fills to find the sweet spot that works for you with this memory foam pillow.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.20 / 5
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Who It’s For
If you sleep on your back, you are going to need a pillow to keep your head supported while keeping your neck in neutral alignment. For a great affordable option, I recommend the Marlow pillow. It is an adjustable pillow that, with the use of zippers on the sides, lets you control the loft. The Marlow allows you to fine-tune the amount of comfort and support you get on your head, keeping your neck perfectly aligned.
If you switch to your side at night, the Marlow pillow could also work for you. Zipping up the sides, the pillow will have more loft and give you the support you need while side sleeping. And, it’s responsive, making it easy to change positions!
What Makes The Marlow Stand Out?
- It is a breathable, cooling pillow for hot sleepers.
- The Marlow boasts antimicrobial materials to prevent allergen and dust build-up.
- It has a 365-day return policy, giving you a full year to make sure the pillow is right for you.
Read the full Marlow pillow review
Best Affordable Memory Foam Pillow – Layla
Layla Memory Foam Pillow
The Layla Memory Foam pillow is an affordable plush pillow with loads of cooling features. Because you can easily remove the filling, it's easy to customize the loft.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.50 / 5
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Who It’s For
When it comes to mattresses, Layla is synonymous with memory foam comfort. But, did you know the brand also has one of the most comfortable memory foam pillows on the market? The Layla memory foam pillow contains a shredded memory foam fill that gives you a plush, soft feel. And, it costs less than your average high-quality memory foam pillow!
But, if you don’t want something super plush, don’t worry. You can open the pillow up and remove some memory foam and make the pillow flatter. This makes the Layla a good match for any sleeping position.
What Makes The Layla Stand Out?
- You can remove the cover and wash it at home.
- The breathable cover and open-celled foam makes the Layla a good match for hot sleepers.
- The pillow is soft but responsive as well, making it easy to change positions.
Read the full Layla memory foam pillow review
Best Affordable Pillow for Side Sleepers – Tuft & Needle Down Alternative
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative PIllow
The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow comes to you in a 2-pack! This high-quality down alternative pillow feels soft and plush and works well for side sleepers.
Who It’s For
Looking for an affordable pillow to support you when you sleep on your side? You’ve got to check out the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow. When you lie on your side, the Tuft & Needle will keep your head from sinking too far and make sure your neck is in good alignment. You shouldn’t be struggling with neck pain on this pillow!
It is also a breathable pillow, so you shouldn’t overheat at night. The cover and down alternative fill both promote airflow through the pillow.
What Makes The Tuft & Needle Stand Out?
- You can wash the entire pillow in your at-home washer.
- It features hypoallergenic materials.
- The Tuft & Needle contains high-quality down alternative fill that should stay fluffy for many years.
Read the full Tuft & Needle pillow review
Best Affordable Plush Pillow – Purple Cloud
Purple Cloud Pillow
If you love plush down alternative pillows, the Purple Cloud is for you! This soft, plush pillow is tall and supportive and works best for back and side sleepers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.10 / 5
Read Full Review
Who It’s For
On a budget and want to feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud? Well, it’s all in the name with the Purple Cloud pillow. Containing fluffy down alternative gel-fibers, the Purple is extremely fluffy and really rises off the mattress. If you sleep on your side, the Purple Cloud will support your head while still offering some cushioning as well.
If you sleep on your back, this plush pillow will still give in enough to keep your neck in the proper alignment. And, while it’s one of the comfiest, plushest pillows out there, the Purple Cloud is still sold at an affordable price point.
What Makes The Purple Cloud Stand Out?
- The gel fiber fill should prevent you from overheating.
- You can wash the entire pillow in your washer.
- The Purple Cloud comes with a 100-night sleep trial.
Read the full Purple Cloud pillow review
Pros and Cons of Cheap Pillows
I wouldn’t necessarily call the pillows on our list “cheap,” but they are the most affordable of the pillows that we test. Keep the following in mind if you opt for an even cheaper pillow that costs less than $40.
Pros
- Affordability. Of course, the main pro of affordable pillows is their, well, affordability. They are less of a strain on your wallet and are a boon to those on a tight budget.
- You can replace them quickly. Buying more affordable pillows is a good way to change up your pillow situation more often. Cheaper pillows won’t last as long as some higher-end pillows, so you can switch them out quickly, and you’ll have a newer pillow all the time.
Cons
- You might skimp on quality. While there are some very nice affordable pillows out there, they usually don’t feature the high-quality materials you find with more expensive pillows. However, if you are careful and do your research, you can still find affordable pillows to give you the comfort and support you need.
- Won’t last you as long. Affordable pillows rarely feature the durable materials you find in more luxury pillows. Because of this, you may have to replace cheaper pillows more often.
- They will cost you more money over time. If you are replacing your cheaper pillows on a regular basis, this can take a toll on your pocketbook. You will save money up front when you buy a cheap pillow but, over time, you’ll be spending more.
How to Choose an Affordable Pillow
If you are on the hunt for an affordable pillow, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, as when you are shopping for any type of pillow, think about your sleeping position. This will affect the type of pillow you want to get. If you are a side sleeper, you’ll want something thicker and loftier. Back sleepers will want something with a medium plushness, and stomach sleepers should opt for something thinner.
Next, make sure to find a pillow that matches your feel preference. Do you like something fluffy and cloudlike? Consider a down alternative pillow. Do you prefer something that contours to the shape of your head and neck? Memory foam should be the way to go.
The pillow material you choose will also affect the durability of the pillow. Even if you aren’t spending a lot of money on your pillow, research the materials to see how much life you are going to get out of it.
Lastly, keep your sleep temperature in mind. If you sleep hot, find a pillow that is breathable and cooling. Even some of the most affordable pillows feature cooling covers and fills that promote airflow.
Summary
Again, here is our list of the best affordable pillows:
| Pillow | Best For |
| Coop Home Goods Original | Best Pillow for Neck Pain |
| Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex | Best Organic Pillow |
| Brooklinen Down Alternative | Best Down Alternative Pillow |
| Tempur-Pedic Cloud Adjustable | Best Adjustable Pillow |
| Marlow | Best Pillow for Back Sleepers |
| Layla Memory Foam | Best Memory Foam Pillow |
| Tuft & Needle Down Alternative | Best Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Purple Cloud | Best Plush Pillow |
FAQs
How much do pillows cost?
Depending on their materials, pillows can range in price from just around $10 up to sometimes hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, all the pillows on this list range from about $60 to $120.
How long do cheap pillows last?
Cheaper pillows should last for at least one year and, if they feature more durable materials, as long as two years.
What pillow material is the cheapest?
Pillows with a polyester fill are the cheapest on the market. They can cost as little as $10.
