Best affordable pillows: Quick Menu
1. Pillows we've reviewed
2. Highly-rated cheap pillows
3. FAQs
4. Where to buy
5. How we chose
As beauty sleep advocates, our advice is to buy the best affordable pillows. We truly believe that you don't need to spend your savings to get a quality night's sleep. Whether you're after the best bolster around to replace those you've had for years, need a fresh pair to take to college, or just want a spare for when friends stay over — you won't have to bankrupt yourself in the process.
Spending $100+ isn't an option for some, and there are so many highly-rated, cheap pillows for under $10. We don't mean standard polyester-filled options either, we're talking about the good stuff. Think memory foam, gel-fiber, and feels-like-down types too.
Knowing which bed pillows legitimately deliver quality and value for money isn't that simple, so we've done the legwork and found six of the best pillows that sit under $72 (including three we've slept on). Our head of e-commerce even tested one of these buys in the lead-up to giving birth, commending its comfort during her pregnancy.
6 of the best affordable pillows, chosen by in-house sleep experts
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The best affordable pillows we've reviewed
Price: $45
Filling: Polyester down alternative
Firmness: Medium
Cover: 100% cotton
Care: Machine washable and dryer-safe
+ Great for all kinds of sleepers
+ Stays plump
+ 30-night trial
+ Easy to care for
+ Hypoallergenic
- No warranty
Reviewed by our former sleep editor, this Casper pillow is rated the best for more reasons than one. It’s perfect for all sleepers and never needs re-plumping. As a side sleeper, Louise said it fit perfectly in the gap between her neck and shoulder.
Buy this pillow if: you’re a combination sleeper who switches between positions, this pillow will have you well-rested, night after night. And, if you have a partner with a different sleep style, (but want matching pillows) — you can’t go wrong with the Casper. It washes well, rarely flattens, and maintenance is relatively fuss-free.
Don't buy this pillow if: You want to pick up a quick replacement set or a cheap pair to take to college. The Casper might not be the most expensive pillow we’ve tested, but it’s not
the cheapest either.
Real Homes rating: 5 stars out of 5
Price: $72
Filling: Shredded memory foam
Firmness: Medium Cover: Bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester
Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
+ Adjustable height
+ 100-night trial
+ 5-year warranty
+ Hypoallergenic
+ GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US® certified
- Most expensive in our guide
Reviewed by our head ecommerce editor Annie, this large pillow is a great choice for anyone. It comes with extra filling so that you can add or remove foam as required, depending on your sleep position. Annie sleeps on her side and occasionally rolls onto her back. She had to add all of the extra filling to get comfortable.
Buy this pillow if: You want something for a spare bedroom, or if you often change sleep positions. If you'd like your pillow to come with a trial, then this one gives you 100 nights. If you sleep warm, it's nice and breathable (but it isn't noticeably cooler). It's non-toxic and hypoallergenic, too. Both the pillow and the cover are machine washable, and it comes in two sizes, king and queen.
Don't buy this pillow if: You love a deep pillow. It's not the thickest in our guide.
Real Homes rating: 5 stars out of 5 in our Coop original pillow review
Price: From $39.99
Filling: Polyurethane, non-temperature sensitive memory foam Firmness: Medium
Cover: 100% polyester
Care: Machine wash pillowcase, spot clean inner
+ Comes in three sizes
+ Adjustable height
+ Customizable based on sleep position
+ Good for snorers
+ OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified
+ 100-night trial
- No warranty
- Difficult to find a cover for the shape
- Inner pillow can't be bleached, ironed, or exposed to direct sunlight or temperatures above 104ºF
This pillow is unique in shape, and is suitable for side, back, and stomach sleepers. By sleeping on the wing, using the armrests, and dropping your shoulders as specified in the guide, you can optimize your sleep for more comfort and fewer disruptions in the night.
Buy this pillow if: You've got neck pain, frequently wake up with headaches (from bad sleep), or don't have a definitive sleep position. It's also recommended for snorers due to its shape.
Don't buy this pillow if: You're someone who likes coordinated pillows. Part of the problem is that we haven't found a sham that is suitable for the butterfly-shaped pillow, but It does come with a washable cover that fits it perfectly. Also, avoid it if you're used to a lot of support as this product might feel a little thin. But you can ask customer service to send extra inserts if it does.
Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars in our Zamat cervical pillow review.
Highly-rated cheap pillows
Price: $3.50
Weight (lbs): 1.2 pounds
Cover fabric: 100% Polyester
Filling: 100% Polyester
Firmness: Soft
Thread count: 180
Gusset thickness: Not specified
Wash: Machine
Tumble dry? Yes
+ Front and side sleepers
+ OEKO-TEX Certified
+ Hypoallergenic
+ Machine washable design
+ Under $5
- Too soft for back sleepers
- Needs re-plumping
Students — or anyone in need of a quick replacement pillow —, will find that this dorm room essential will do just the job. It's not cheap quality (it is OEKO-TEX certified), but shoppers say it's on the softer side. So back sleepers, we'd suggest you opt for something firmer.
Online rating: 4.3 stars out of 5 by Target shoppers
Price: From $15.99
Weight (lbs): 1.9 pounds
Cover fabric: 115 gsm brushed fabric
Filling: Polyester
Firmness: Soft
Thread count: 170
Wash: Spot-clean only
Tumble dry: No
+ Pack of two
+ Anti-allergy filling
+ Full and plush
+ Over 180,000 reviews
- Need to reshake for plumpness
- No wash or drying
An Amazon best-seller, this two-pack of pillows is perfect for throwing on the guest bed, to keep as spares for when friends stay on the couch, or if you're in quick need of a replacement pair. They won't do wonders in terms of comfort, but for less than $20, reviewers are impressed with their fiber-filled fullness.
Online rating: 4.6 stars out of 5 by Amazon shoppers
Price: From $59.99 (for two)
Weight: 3.96 lbs
Outer fabric: Cotton
Filling: Down Alternative
Firmness: Soft/medium
Thread count: 250
Item thickness: 0.25 Microns
Wash: Machine
Tumble dry: Yes
+ For all sleepers
+ No-shift design
+ Premium double-edge stitching
+ OEKO-TEX Certified
+ Suitable for all-season use
- More expensive
- May need to re-plump
- Not water-resistant
This ever-popular pillow from Beckham's Hotel Collection is a great Amazon find at $59.99 for two. It may be more expensive than most on this list, but they're beloved for their premium feel without the price tag to go with it. You'll get more than just a standard night's sleep.
Online rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars by Amazon shoppers
FAQs
How do you buy bedding on a budget?
Whether you're browsing cheap bedding sets to take to college, a comfy pillow to replicate a luxury one you've used before, or simply don't have the cash to splash right now, there are ways to still get a good night's sleep. Keeping an eye out for certain bedding features will help you choose a pillow that's comfortable and at the right price point:
1. Are the pillows you're buying OEKO-TEX certified? This is the standard given to synthetic products that have been tested and proven to be free of harmful toxins or chemicals. Cheaper pillows are more likely to be made of polyester or have hollow fiber filling — so it's worth researching.
2. Keep an eye out for bedding sales and mattress deals. President's Day is a great opportunity to buy the best cheap pillows, but we wouldn't recommend holding off if you're in desperate need. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are also known for having great deals on mattresses, pillows, duvets, and the best mattress protectors. You could bag a bargain and overhaul your sleep, for less.
Where to buy the best affordable pillows
Most of the retailers we've listed have a decent returns policy and some pillows have a trial period allowing you to sleep on pillows and give them a test run. This gives you time to see whether it suits your needs.
- Cheap pillows at Amazon
- Cheap pillows at At Home
- Cheap pillows at Bed, Bath & Beyond
- Cheap pillows at Bloomingdale's
- Cheap pillows at Coop Sleep Goods
- Cheap pillows at Emma Sleep
- Cheap pillows at Home Depot
- Cheap pillows at JCPenney
- Cheap pillows at Macy's
- Cheap pillows at Nordstrom
- Cheap pillows at Sam's Club
- Cheap pillows at Sear's
- Cheap pillows at Target
- Cheap pillows at Walmart
- Cheap pillows at Wayfair
- Cheap pillows at Zamat
How we chose these pillows
Just like we did when choosing a cheap mattress, we researched, read reviews, and compared products that were below $80 (for one) against more expensive options. For those we've tested, we ensured to balance sleep quality and price, so you can find the best value pillow for your budget. If you want to know more about what this involves (and yes, it's more than just resting our head) — get the low down in our how we test guide.
Meet the team
Louise Oliphant is our former ecommerce editor and sleep expert. She reviewed the Casper Sleep Essential Pillow and did the majority of desk research, sifting through customer feedback on the pillows we haven't been able to call in yet.
