If you often wake up with aches and pains, it’s time to rethink your sleep accessories, starting with pillows. Many people find wedge pillows — sometimes called a bed wedge — useful. They typically sit under your back to align your spine while elevating your head, but you can also use them to gently lift your legs.
Wedge pillows are particularly helpful for snorers and those who have acid reflux, plus experts told me they make great pregnancy pillows for back sleepers. They’re also good to keep at home if you want something to prop you up while reading (or scrolling) in bed.
Below, I talked to experts about the benefits of wedge pillows and how to sleep with them. I also rounded up a handful of highly rated options to shop based on their guidance.
SKIP AHEAD The best wedge pillows to shop | What’s the correct way to use a wedge pillow? | Why trust NBC Select?
Best adjustable wedge pillow$undefined$59.99
Best eco-friendly$161.00$179.00
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How I picked the best wedge pillows
Wedge pillows slightly vary from brand to brand, but they’re all relatively similar in structure and style since they have straightforward functions. To help you narrow down your options, experts recommend keeping the following factors in mind, all of which I considered while making our list of favorites.
- Firmness: Prioritize wedge pillows that have a firm feel over soft or medium options, says Dr. Tom Oddo, a chiropractor at City Integrative Rehabilitation in New York City. When you lay on a wedge pillow, most of your weight is concentrated around the middle of it, so you want full support in that area. If you feel like you’re sinking into the wedge pillow, that means it’s likely causing your spine to bend into a C shape instead of keeping it straight, thus putting unnecessary pressure on the thoracic spine (the middle area), he says.
- Material: Overall, experts say that firmness is more important than material when it comes to wedge pillows. Most models are made of some type of foam, but if you’re a hot sleeper, look for options with features like cooling gel or perforations.
- Size: Make sure the wedge pillow you buy fits your body, says Oddo. If it’s too long or too narrow, for example, it won’t be comfortable to sleep on. You’ll also likely hold yourself in an unnatural position throughout the night, potentially leading to stiff muscles the next morning. Your wedge pillow should be long enough to support you from the top of your head to your waist, and wide enough for your torso to fit comfortably, says Dr. Lynelle Schneeberg, a licensed clinical sleep psychologist and assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine.
- Height: If you’re putting a wedge pillow under your back, the ideal height for the tallest part of it is about 10 to 12 inches, says Schneeberg. This elevates you 30 degrees or so. Six to 10 inches is best if you’re using a wedge pillow to elevate your legs, experts say.
- Removable cover: Experts recommend washing your pillowcases weekly regardless of the type of pillow you use. Doing so removes any dirt, dust and oils that transfers from your skin to the pillowcase’s fabric. Since wedge pillows are a very specific shape, they’re incompatible with standard pillowcases and typically come with soft covers. Make sure you can easily remove the cover to clean by hand or in the washing machine.
- Return policy: You might have to try a wedge pillow or two to find the one you love, so look for options with flexible return policies.
The best wedge pillows of 2025
With experts’ guidance in mind, I rounded up highly rated wedge pillows (at least a 4.0-star average rating), as well as those from brands we’ve previously covered. The return policies for each wedge pillow varies by retailer, so be sure to read the fine print before you buy.
Best dual-sided: DMI Bed Wedge Pillow
- Dual-sided
- Water-repellent cover
- Three heights available
- Nothing to note at this time
There are two sides to this wedge pillow: one is flat and smooth while the other has an egg-crate texture. The flat side of the wedge pillow has the firmest level of support, while the egg-crate side has increased airflow to keep you cool, according to the brand. The pillow’s cover is treated with a coating that repels liquids, protecting it from spills and moisture. You can purchase this wedge pillow in three heights: 7 inches, 10 inches and 12 inches.
Size: 12 inches long, 12 inches wide | Height: 7 inches, 10 inches or 12 inches | Material: foam | Removable cover: yes, machine-washable | Cover material: microfiber
Best basic: Helix Wedge Pillow
- Simple design
- Hypoallergenic materials
- 100 night sleep trial
- Available in one height
Helix’s wedge pillow is one of the most basic options on our list, making it great for those who want a simple, no-frills option. Its gel memory foam base is hypoallergenic, according to the brand, and you get a 100 night sleep trial with your purchase.
Size: 24 inches long, 24 inches wide | Height: 10 inches | Pillow material: gel memory foam | Removable cover: yes, machine-washable | Cover material: rayon and polyester
Best extra-wide: Kӧlbs Bed Wedge Pillow
- Standard and wide widths
- Two heights available
- Nothing to note at this time
This wedge pillow is the widest out of all the options on our list at 33 inches. You can purchase it in two heights: 7.5 inches and 12 inches. It has a gray and white cover, and also comes in standard width options.
Size: 31 inches long, 33 inches wide | Height: 7.5 inches or 12 inches | Material: foam | Removable cover: yes, machines-washable | Cover material: jacquard
Best adjustable: Sleep Number Adjustable Wedge Pillow
- Customizable height
- Ideal for back and legs
- Nothing to note at this time
Sleep Number’s wedge pillow is the only adjustable option on our list, and you can customize its height depending on how you’re using it. The pillow comes with three foam inserts: one is four inches tall and the others are each two inches tall. You can use the inserts individually or stack them together, allowing you to adjust the wedge pillow’s height to 2, 4, 6 or 8 inches tall.
Size: 24 inches long, 20 inches wide | Height: adjustable from 2 to 8 inches tall | Material: memory foam | Removable cover: yes, machine-washable | Cover material: cotton
Best with pockets: Cozymaker Bed Wedge Pillow
- Built-in storage pockets
- Grippy base
- Two heights available
- Nothing to note at this time
This wedge pillow’s cover has two built-in pockets, giving you a place to store sleep earplugs, your phone or glasses. There’s also a grippy material on the bottom and back of the cover to help keep the pillow in place while you’re using it. It comes shrink wrapped, so the brand recommends giving the pillow 48 hours to expand to its full size after you take it out of its packaging. You can purchase this wedge pillow in two heights: 7.5 inches and 12 inches.
Size: 24 inches long, 24 inches wide | Height: 7.5 inches or 12 inches | Material: memory foam | Removable cover: yes, machine-washable | Cover material: bamboo fabric with mesh sides
Best portable: Forias Wedge Pillow
- Built-in storage pockets
- Handle for transport
- Slip-resistant base
- One height available
Foria’s wedge pillow is comparable to the one above — it also has two pockets built into its cover and a slip-resistant base. However, this pillow’s cover is designed with a handle, making it easy for you to carry to different parts of your home or remove it from your bed. It comes in multiple colors like gray and white.
Size: 25 inches long, 24 inches wide | Height: 12 inches | Material: memory foam | Removable cover: yes, machine-washable | Cover material: polyester
Best to elevate your legs: Milliard Wedge Pillow
- Ideal to put under legs
- Textured cover
- One height available
Experts recommend elevating your legs with a wedge pillow that’s between 6 and 10 inches high — at 7.5 inches high, this wedge pillow lands right in the middle of that range. This wedge pillow comes compressed, so the brand recommends fluffing it after you open it and giving it 48 hours to fully expand. Its cover is patterned, adding some dimension to it.
Size: 27 inches long, 25 inches wide | Height: 7.5 inches | Material: memory foam | Removable cover: yes, machine-washable | Cover material: bamboo
Best eco-friendly: Avocado Green Mattress Organic Latex Wedge Pillow
- Organic materials
- Can buy extra pillowcases
- Two heights available
- Nothing to note at this time
Avocado makes one of our favorite eco-friendly mattresses, and the brand offers a wedge pillow constructed from the same organic latex material. The pillow is GOLS-certified, meaning its total weight contains more than 95% of certified organic raw material, and you can purchase it in two heights: 7 inches and 10 inches. In addition to the cover this wedge pillow comes with, you can purchase additional pillow cases separately in two colors: natural and white.
Size: 24 inches long, 24 inches wide | Height: 7 inches or 10 inches | Pillow material: organic latex | Removable cover: yes, machine-washable and air dry | Cover material: organic cotton
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What’s the correct way to use a wedge pillow?
The most common way to use a wedge pillow is to position it under your back. Place the bottom (the shorter end) against your tailbone and the top (the taller end) underneath your head, neck and shoulders, says Oddo. Press the top of the wedge firmly against your headboard or a wall behind your bed, and rest your head as close to the top of it as possible, says Schneeberg.
There are two ways to use a wedge pillow to elevate your legs, each of which addresses a different issue.
Lower back pain: While you’re sitting upright, putting a pillow under the back of your knees can help reduce pressure on the low back and spine, says Colleen Louw, a physical therapist and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association. You can do this with a wedge pillow by placing the top of it under your knees and letting your legs rest down the ramp, so to speak, so your feet land at the bottom. For maximum support, some people use two wedge pillows at once — one under the back of their knees, and one under their back.
Circulation: Slightly elevating your feet uses gravity to encourage blood flow from your legs toward your heart, which may be helpful for those with circulation issues, says Oddo. You can put a wedge pillow under your feet so the top is under your ankles and the bottom is close to your seat. But be careful not to elevate your feet too high — doing so may put too much stress on the heart at once, says Oddo. If you own a wedge pillow whose tallest point is closer to 12 inches, it’s better to stack a bed pillow or two to elevate your feet instead.
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 take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Tom Oddo is a chiropractor at City Integrative Rehabilitation in New York City and a certified ergonomics assessment specialist.
- Dr. Christopher Winter is a neurologist and sleep specialist based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
- Lynelle Schneeberg is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine.
- Colleen Louw is a physical therapist who specializes in spinal care and chronic pain, and a spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association.
- Dr. Andrew Varga is a neuroscientist and physician at the Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center.
Why trust NBC Select?
I'm a reporter at NBC Select who covers sleep, including stories on slippers, sleep masks and sunrise alarm clocks. For this article, I interviewed five experts about wedge pillows and rounded up highly rated options.
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