Standard pillows keep your head and neck comfortable overnight, but the rest of your body might need extra support, too. If you experience back, hip or knee pain in bed, wake up with a tingly feeling in your arms and legs or just need help getting cozy, a body pillow is worth investing in to improve your sleep quality.
“You want to feel ‘nothing’ while you’re sleeping, meaning have no feeling of discomfort anywhere,” says Colleen Louw, a therapeutic pain specialist and certification director at Evidence in Motion. “A body pillow can help you find the optimal position that puts less stress on your joints and other tissues, promotes blood flow and keeps your spine aligned.”
I spoke to experts about how to shop for a body pillow, who is an ideal candidate for one and what benefits (and drawbacks) you should be aware of before bringing one home. I also rounded up a handful of body pillows across sizes and shapes.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best body pillows | The best body pillows of 2025 | Why trust NBC Select?
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How I picked the best body pillows
While shopping for a body pillow, experts recommend thinking about the following factors, all of which I considered while putting together our list of favorites.
- Shape: Body pillows come in various shapes. Some are cylindrical or rectangular, so they look like longer versions of standard pillows. Others, however, are J-, C-, L- or U-shaped. The best shape for you depends on your preferred sleeping position and the type of support you’re looking for. For example, if you want upper and lower body support while sleeping on your side, J-, C-, L- or U-shaped pillows are ideal — you can put the curved part between your knees or ankles and hug the long side. But if you just want something to put between your legs, a cylindrical or rectangular body pillow works well.
- Size: Body pillows typically start at around 54 inches long, which tends to be an appropriate size for those under 5 feet, 6 inches tall. If you’re taller than that, consider looking for a longer body pillow, but keep in mind that the bigger a body pillow is, the more room it takes up on your bed and the more challenging it is to store.
- Feel: The more firm a body pillow is, the more support it offers — how much support you need depends on how you’re sleeping with it. If you’re putting a body pillow between your knees, for example, it should be on the firmer side so it doesn’t collapse under the weight of your legs. But if you’re using it to support your neck, it should be softer and malleable enough to squeeze between your head and shoulders.
- Fill: Body pillows are typically stuffed with memory foam, down feathers, natural materials like cotton and/or synthetic fabrics like polyester. Fill impacts feel since some materials are softer or firmer than others, but ultimately, it’s a personal preference.
- Cover material: You can’t put your favorite pillowcase over a body pillow, so pay close attention to what its cover is made from. That’s what will touch your skin and be pressed against your body overnight. Prioritize breathable materials that allow air to flow through them, which helps prevent you from overheating, says Rebekka Wall, a certified adolescent and adult sleep consultant at Sleep Wise Consulting.
- Washability: Just like how you need to clean standard pillows and sheets, you’ll have to clean your body pillow, too. Look for machine-washable options, or those that come with a removable, machine-washable cover.
- Return policy: Prioritize buying body pillows from brands and retailers that have a generous return policy, says Wall. You can’t tell how effectively a body pillow supports you unless you sleep with it for a few nights, and you don’t want to get stuck with something you don’t love.
The best body pillows of 2025
To recommend the best body pillows, I rounded up options that align with expert guidance. All the body pillows on our list are expert or NBC Select staff picks.
Best overall: Buffy Wiggle Pillow
- Extra-long size
- Flexible and twistable
- Additional covers available
- Takes up a lot of space
Buffy’s Wiggle Pillow, which won an NBC Select Bed and Bath Award, is beloved by many staff members for sleeping and lounging. “It works for padding my lower back when I’m sitting on the couch and as a way to elevate my neck and legs when I’m in bed,” says NBC Select associate reporter Ashley Morris. “I also like using it as a cozy stand for my iPad when I’m watching movies in bed.” The pillow is tube-shaped and extra long at 82 inches, making it a great option for those who are tall. It’s also versatile since it’s flexible enough to twist in different positions or tie it in a knot. The pillow comes with a removable, machine-washable cover that gets softer with every wash, according to the brand. You can also buy additional linen and sherpa covers in various colors and patterns.
Shape: cylindrical | Size: 82 x 8 in. | Fill: recycled plastic | Cover material: lyocell fiber blend | Washability: machine-washable cover, dry clean pillow insert
Best adjustable: Coop Sleep Goods Original Body Adjustable Pillow
- Wide shape
- Adjustable loft
- Soft cover
- Fabric tends to pill over time
“I’m a side sleeper, but I started noticing that I was pivoting more and more toward my stomach, which I know is not a good sleeping position, so I got this pillow to support me better,” says NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz. “I love how wide it is, and it’s easy to rest my arms on or over it, depending on positioning.” Coop’s body pillow is filled with memory foam and microfiber, which you can remove to customize its loft (thickness). It comes encased in a soft, removable, machine-washable cover.
Shape: rectangular | Size: 54 x 20 in. | Fill: memory foam and microfiber | Cover material: rayon and polyester blend | Washability: machine-washable cover and inner lining
Best L-shaped: AngQi Body Pillow
- Unique L-shape
- Cover allows for good airflow
- On the larger side for some
“I started using this body pillow when I was pregnant and I continued to use it long after my daughter was born,” says NBC Select contributing editor Bethany Heitman. “I also find it great for propping myself up while I watch TV in bed.” The pillow is shaped like an “L” so you can hug it, resting your head on the curve and placing the long side between your knees for support. The medium-firm pillow comes with a removable, machine-washable cover.
Shape: L-shaped | Size: 65 x 31 in. | Fill: polyester | Cover material: jersey knit | Washability: machine-washable cover
Best U-shaped: Momcozy Pregnancy Pillow
- Ideal for pregnancy
- Adapts to body shape
- Full-body support
- Can be challenging to store
“I used this pillow throughout both of my pregnancies, and I still use it now because it feels like a warm hug,” says NBC commerce senior photo editor Becca Delman. “The soft material is so nice, and the pillow’s U-shape lets you adjust it around your body. It’s great to hold up your bump when you’re laying on your side.” The pillow has a removable, machine-washable cover, and it offers back, hip, leg, belly, head and neck support, according to the brand.
Shape: U-shaped | Size: 57 x 28 in. | Fill: polyester | Cover material: velvet | Washability: machine-washable cover
Best splurge: Bearaby Cuddler
- Can twist into any position
- Full body support
- Maintains feel over time
- Heavy
- Can be challenging to maneuver
Using the Bearaby Cuddler was my first experience with a body pillow, and I was surprised by how much more comfortable I felt throughout the night when I snuggled up with it. I don’t always sleep in the same position, so I love being able to curve it into any shape I want, ensuring that it always supports my body from head to toe. The pillow is made from a squish-able foam that cushions my joints, and even after about two years of use, it’s maintained its overall feel. The Cuddler comes with a breathable, removable, machine-washable cotton cover. You can buy additional knit and linen covers separately.
Shape: cylindrical | Size: 75 x 8 in. | Fill: natural latex foam | Cover material: cotton | Washability: machine-washable cover
Best rectangular: Pluto Puff Body Pillow
- Plush
- Hypoallergenic materials
- Generous return policy
- Nothing to note at this time
Wall says Pluto’s body pillow is a popular option. It’s about 9 inches thick, so it’s very plush, and it comes with a quilted, removable, machine-washable cover. The pillow is made from hypoallergenic materials, according to the brand. Pluto offers a 125-night trial with your purchase — if you don’t like it, you can return it for a refund.
Shape: rectangular | Size: 54 x 21 in. | Fill: synthetic fiber | Cover material: microfiber | Washability: machine-washable cover and pillow insert
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Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Colleen Louw is a therapeutic pain specialist and certification director at Evidence in Motion.
- Rebekka Wall is a certified adolescent and adult sleep consultant with Sleep Wise Consulting.
- Dr. Valerie Cacho is an integrative sleep physician and women’s sleep expert.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a reporter for NBC Select who’s covered sleep products for five years, including sleep masks, sunrise alarm clocks, wedge pillows and anti-snoring devices. To write this article, I interviewed three experts about how to shop for body pillows and what their benefits are. I also rounded up a handful of experts’ and NBC Select staff members’ favorite body pillows.
Bethany Heitman, a contributing editor at NBC Select, contributed.
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