The Best Pillows for Combination Sleepers | Ultimate Guide & Reviews

We all sleep differently and we all have different needs when it comes to the perfect sleep position. Some prefer to sleep on their back, while others prefer to sleep on their stomachs or prefer sleeping on their side. But most people consider themselves to be “Combination Sleepers”.

A good night’s sleep leaves you energized, ready to take on the next day. Naturally, there are a few ingredients to getting your best rest: soft sheets, a cozy blanket, a comfortable mattress, and – of course – the perfect pillow for a combination sleeper.

Pillows for Combination SleepersHow to Find the Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers

When trying to fall asleep, a combination sleeper’s position will vary from night to night. Which is why some of us fall asleep nestled in a pillow only to wake up drooling on it.

With that being the case, it is difficult to find the perfect pillow for combination sleepers. Many pillows are tailored to stomach, back, and side sleepers. Luckily, there are several pillows for combination sleepers’ habits and our Ultimate Guide is here to help you find the best one.

To start, we have an easy-to-read comparison chart to help you compare the best combination pillows available online.

Next, our team of experts put together comprehensive reviews for each combination pillow. We included all their Pros and Cons, Available Styles, Close-up Photos and Overall Benefits.

Finally you will find Easy-to-Follow Care Tips and Answers to the most common questions in our FAQ section.

Here’s our Ultimate Guide to the Best Pillowcases for Acne and Oily Skin!


Reviews for the Best Pillows for Combination Sleepers

Pillows for Combination Sleepers ReviewsOur Team of Experts reviewed the best 6 pillows for combination sleepers we found in 2020. We included all the information you need to help you find the perfect one. You will find detailed features and benefits, close-up photos, sizes and dimensions, Pros and Cons and More!

1. Coop Home Goods “Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers”

side photo of the Coop Home Goods Premium Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Click to See on Amazon

Coop Home Goods co-founder Kevin Chon came from a family in the textile business, so to say he knew what he was doing when founding the company is an understatement.

Using the knowledge and experience he gained over years in the textile industry, and integrating his desire for comfortable sleep after suffering chronic pain, he released the first Coop pillow in 2013. Since that day, he’s “been building a collection of best selling sleep products,” from sheets to eye masks. The company has even gone beyond sleep, selling home goods that include deodorizers and seat cushions.

Benefits and Features: With all that in mind, combination sleepers can rest assured that the Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow is coming from a place of quality and care.

As the name would imply, you can adjust the memory foam inside the pillow to your liking. It comes with half a pound extra foam, so you can make it as high or as low as you want.

What’s more, the liner is malleable enough to allow you to mold the pillow’s shape as you see fit. The medium firm microfiber straddles the line between comfort and support, making it perfect for combination sleepers, who need plenty of both.

The pillowcase is made of Coop Home Goods “Lulltra Fabric”: a breathable, soft, hypoallergenic, dust mite-resistant, and environmentally-friendly (it’s bamboo-based!). Combined with the adjustable memory foam, it’s about all you could ask for as far as pillowcases go. If you don’t agree, Coop Home Goods offers a 100-day full refund return policy, and a 5-year warranty on top of that.

Available Sizes and Dimensions:

  • Queen size: 20 x 30 inches
  • King size: 20 x 36 inches
Pros
  • It’s adjustable to your needs as a combination sleeper, with extra memory foam.
  • The pillowcase is extremely comfortable and environmentally-friendly.
  • It’s CertiPUR-US and GreenGuard Gold certified, meaning no toxic chemicals were used and no animals were harmed.
  • There’s a 100-day full refund return policy and a 5-year warranty.
Cons
  • Some customers have claimed that the pillow stiffens with time due to the microfiber compressing.
  • Others have claimed that the king size is too big for all the extra foam to fill it.

Final Thoughts: The Coop Home Goods Adjustable Loft Pillow has a lot going for it, from breathability to support. It’s a solid choice for combination sleepers because it’s not solid, ironically, working with you rather than against you as you switch from position to position.


2. Lianlam Shredded Memory Foam Pillow “Runner-Up”

Lianlam Pillow for Combination Sleeper
Click to See on Amazon

Lianlam is a part of Nantong Youmian Haochen Textile Co., Ltd., whose linen products have serviced hotels across the globe since 2005. So, if you’ve ever stayed at a Hilton, Hyatt, or Marriott, you’ve likely used their towels, face cloths, and even shower curtains without even realizing it.

Lianlam is dedicated to conducting research, meaning their products will only improve with time. As you might imagine, Lianlam’s specific specialties lie on the bedding side of things: silky sheets, warm fleece blankets, and of course, pillows to die for.

Benefits and Features: The Lianlam Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is specifically designed for combination sleepers. It is very adjustable allowing you to add or remove the foam to whatever height and shape you desire.

The way it’s cut, the combination foam pillow won’t become compact or clumped, leading to a more comfortable rest than a regular pillow could ever provide. And as if that weren’t enough, the foam is infused with a special cooling gel so that you don’t wake up the next morning drenched in sweat.

The pillow’s 4D mesh is intended to help you stay cool, too, on top of being supremely comfortable. These qualities are also true of the pillowcase, a mix of bamboo derivatives and polyester that prevents skin irritation.

You don’t have to worry about ruining any of it, because washing the pillow is a cinch. There are two covers, each of which is detachable and machine washable, even with the zippers.

Pillow SizeDimensions
Standard20 x 26 inches
Queen20 x 30 inches
King20 x 36 inches
Pros
  • The shredded memory foam, mesh, and pillowcase all work in sync to keep you cool throughout the night.
  • The outer cover is both hypoallergenic and dust mite-resistant, with a zipper that won’t get in the way of cleaning (which also goes for the inner cover!).
  • While we’re on the topic of cleaning, it’s super easy with this pillow! Just remove the outer cover and stick it in the wash. Be careful not to remove the inner cover or use bleach, however.
  • CertiPUR-US certification means that you need not worry about mercury, formaldehyde, or similar dangerous materials.
Cons
  • The pillow can take 2-3 days to expand properly upon removing it from the package.
  • Customers have spoken out about the initial odor (which most linens have at first) remaining for longer than expected.

Final Thoughts: The LIANLAM Shredded Memory Foam Pillow checks off all the boxes: it keeps you relatively cool at night, it’s easy to clean and handle, and most importantly for combination sleepers, you can mold its shape and size as you wish. It’s as versatile as they come, and an excellent choice no matter what kind of sleeper you are.


3. Dream Rite “Best Adjustable Pillow for Combination Sleepers”

Dream Rite Shredded Foam Pillow for Combination Sleeper
Click to See on Amazon

WonderSleep is best known for its inflatable air mattress, useful for when you’re traveling, when you have guests over, or even when you go camping. As they say, “We constantly develop and improve the air mattress and make it portable and easy to use.”

However, this does not mean the pillows they sell are anything to scoff at. After all, what’s a comfy mattress (inflatable or otherwise) without a complimentary pillow? There are several varieties, but there’s a clear best choice for combination sleepers.

Benefits and Features: The Dream Rite Shredded Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Pillow, like the other pillows on this list, is adjustable based on how much foam you add or remove. The more foam you pack in, the softer the pillow gets; the less foam, the more firm it becomes.

The shredded memory foam allows you to adjust the pillow’s loft and shape and how firm or soft you want it to be. It is supportive no matter how much or how little you leave inside.

It also emphasizes support for every body part that might come into contact with it, from heads to stomachs. That adaptability is essential, as it can quickly reduce or even eliminate any sleeping pains you might have had with your previous pillow.

The WonderSleep combination pillow boasts more than just modifiable size and shape, however. Thanks to a specially crafted pillowcase, it also retains coolness so that you don’t melt as soon as you lay your head down. It’s hypoallergenic, too, so you can feel safe when it’s time for bed. The cherry on top is that the pillow maintains its integrity even after a few spins in the washing machine.

Pros
  • This pillowcase comes with a purpose other than comfort, temperature control. It’ll help you beat the heat.
  • Hypoallergenic? Check. Dust mite-resistant? Check. Safe to use? Double check.
  • You need only wait 20-30 minutes after removing the pillow from the package before stuffing the foam in (or removing it) to your heart’s delight. Leave it out for a day in the sun and it should be ready for duty.
  • A 1-year warranty means there’s plenty of time to return it in case anything goes awry.
Cons
  • Some have claimed that the pillow can become so fluffy that it then becomes uncomfortable as a result.
  • Unfortunately, only one size is available.

Final Thoughts: The Dream Rite Shredded Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Pillow coolness and comfort covers exactly what combination sleepers want. Its features are standard but well executed, making it a hard choice to argue with.


4. EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow

photo of the design of the EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow for Snoring
Click to See on Amazon

Most of the companies listed above manufacture a variety of products, ranging from shower curtains to deodorizers. EPABO, however, with next to no exceptions, makes pillows, pillows, and more pillows.

Epabo are combinatin pillow specialists, as one look into their vast catalogue will prove to you. They have everything, from pillows for babies to chiropractic pillows to hot/cold pillows to – well, you get the idea. Their enormous selection would be incomplete without pillows for combination sleepers, the best of which is described below.

Benefits and Features: The EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow comes with non-shredded memory foam, so you can’t remove/add exactly like you can with the previous items. There is instead a larger piece of the stuffing, 0.8 inches thick, that you either leave in or take out. It may not seem like much, but that fraction of an inch makes a difference if you feel the pillow is too high or low.

Note that the removable piece is in the middle, so the sides of the pillow will remain at a set height. This means that stomach, back, and combination sleepers will likely benefit the most from an EPABO adjustable pillow.

Though on the firmer side, the pillow’s design works to combat neck pain. That’s because of the contour memory foam discussed above, which helps to align your body properly. It also helps to keep your body at a cooler, more comfortable temperature while you’re asleep. That high level of comfort extends to the pillowcase, which is as smooth as it is hypoallergenic.

Pillow SizeDimensions
Standard21 x 13 inches
Queen24 x 15 inches
Pros
  • The unique contour memory foam provides neck support and induces deeper sleep.
  • Every purchase comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Return the pillow for whatever reason and receive a full refund.
  • EPABO claims that compared to similarly priced pillows, this one packs 20% more foam. In case you were disappointed at the lack of the more customizable shredded foam, here’s the compensation.
  • It’s machine washable! Just remove the contour memory foam and toss the pillowcase in the washer. Tumble dry it on low and there should be no negative effects.
  • Fantastic customer service. If you experience any issues, don’t hesitate to contact EPABO.
Cons
  • Listed as an important notice on the product page: “This pillow is soft but firm, it is possible for you to experience some discomfort during the first two weeks while your body is trying to adjust to the correct position.”
  • Without the foam insert, customers have claimed that the neck support is lacking.

Final Thoughts: The EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow does a lot with a little – 0.8 inches, to be exact. Though not as customizable as some of its peers, it gets the job done just as well, if only in a different way. And no matter how you sleep, it’s a great choice for relieving neck pain.


5. Pancake Pillow: The Adjustable Layer Pillow

Pancake Pillow for Combination Sleeper
Click to See on Amazon

Founded in 2015, Gravity Sleep decided to answer the question: “How do you account for your family’s pillow preferences by just buying pillows off the shelves?” In the case of this article, we might modify “family” to “combination sleeper,” since the latter covers a variety of pillow preferences.

Regardless of how you word the question, Gravity Sleep’s answer was a simple one: the Pancake Pillow. It’s the only product they sell aside from extra pillowcases, but it’s genius enough where that doesn’t matter much at all.

Benefits and Features: Unlike its shredded memory foam cousins, the Pancake Pillows adjustability comes from a series of six layers. Just like the pillow’s namesake, you can stack these layers like pancakes, making the pillow as low or as high as you want.

The difference between one and six layers is quite substantial, too, so it can absolutely accommodate the diverse needs of combination sleepers. 1-3 layers makes for a thinner pillow; 4-5 layers forms a pillow of middling height; 6 layers is as lofty and fluffy as it gets.

The “pancakes” are made of what Gravity Sleep calls a “Down Alternative Ultra Soft Microfiber Fill,” luxurious and soft. And there’s no need to fret about all that delicate-sounding stuff spilling out, because the walls of the pillowcase – 100% cotton, by the way – are gusseted to maintain the shape and size of however few or many pancakes you put in.

While we’re on the topic of pillowcases, the extra ones that Gravity Sleep sells can be used to create additional pillows with any leftover pancakes you didn’t use. Smart, right?

Pillow SizeDimensions
Queen26 x 18 inches
King34 x 18 inches
Pros
  • Adjusting the layers is easy as pie – or, um, pancakes. All you need to do is unzip the pillow on three sides, and that’s that.
  • Extra pillowcases can be used to create extra pillows – an easy way to save time and money.
  • The way the pillowcases are sewn leaves little to no chance of the layers escaping.
  • Being able to adjust the height to this extent is good news for people who suffer neck pain.
Cons
  • Like actual pancakes, the layers are all soft, so combination sleepers looking for a firmer pillow are out of luck with this one.
  • In spite of the six potential layers, customers have spoken about the pillow going flat eventually.

Final Thoughts: The Pancake Pillow lives up to its name by acting like a stack of pancakes that you can make as big or small as you want. Between the impressive size adjustment and the ability to make more pillows using extra pillowcases, it can accommodate a variety of needs – which is exactly what combination sleepers want to hear.


6. Wavve 2-in-1 Bamboo Charcoal Cooling Pillow

Wavve Bamboo Pillow for Combination Sleeper
Click to See on Amazon

Like all the best mission statements, Wavve is simple and to the point: “We strive to design our products to ensure your comfort and relaxation.” Can’t argue with that, right? Their product collection is simple and to the point, too: they sell pillows, they sell mattresses, and they sell toppers.

Being a relatively new company, starting with the basics is never a bad idea. Make no mistake, however: just because wavve is the new kid on the block doesn’t mean you should blow them off for older, more trusted companies…

Benefits and Features: Designed especially for combination sleepers, the Wavve 2-in-1 Bamboo Charcoal Cooling Pillow is nothing to scoff at. Its height adjustability may not be as drastic as some of the other pillows on this list – it’s either full height or, after separating the two sides, one of the halves – but that’s far from the most important feature this pillow has.

That award, without a doubt, goes to the two sides of the pillow. The white side has an ice fabric cover (2-3 degrees cooler than its surroundings), sports memory foam infused with green tea, and is softer than its grey counterpart. The grey side’s cotton cover is better for absorbing overnight moisture, contains bamboo charcoal memory foam, and is much firmer.

Tiny holes on the inner cover ventilate the pillow no matter which side you use, making it as breathable as can be. That way, when you sink into the pillow as it adjusts to the shape of your body, you’ll rarely find yourself uncomfortable. It’s all safe, too – CertiPUR-US certified, to be exact, ensuring the pillow is up to environmental standards.

Pillow SizeDimensions
Queen24 x 16 inches
Pros
  • Each side of the pillow provides a wide variety of benefits.
  • The pillow’s design promotes breathability.
  • The white side of the pillow on its own is the perfect height for most kids to feel comfortable on.
  • The fabric on both sides prevents your skin from wrinkling should you choose to sleep on your side.
  • A 5-year warranty is included.
Cons
  • Though it is machine washable, Wavve suggests hand washing the cover in warm water when possible to prolong its lifespan.
  • Only a standard size is available.

Final Thoughts: Relatively unique amidst its competitors, the wavve 2-in-1 Bamboo Charcoal Cooling Pillow is something of a jack of all trades. Height adjustments aside, the pillow boasts a wealth of features on both of its differently colored sides.


What is a Pillow for Combination Sleepers?

As the name would suggest, Combination Sleepers like to sleep on all sides, rotating as they see fit. Many of us are combination sleepers without even realizing it. Sleeping on a pillow designed for a certain sleep position, is the main reason combination sleepers toss and turn all night long.

Some people sleep on their side; others sleep on their stomach or back. Combination sleepers ride the snooze cruise in two or more of those positions. None is more correct than the other; it all comes down to personal preference, to what makes you most comfortable at night. That being said, there actually are a few benefits to being a combination sleeper.

For one thing, being a combination sleeper can improve your circulation. Think about it: Have you ever favored a leg too long while standing, only to end up with pins and needles? That’s due at least in part to an interruption of blood flow, and the way to get your leg back to normal is to move around for a bit.

The same principle applies to combination sleeping. If you sleep on your stomach, side, or back alone – just as when you favor a leg – circulation can slow dramatically. By switching positions when you sleep, you’re essentially doing the same thing as walking around with pins and needles: restoring blood flow.

Combination sleeping is also beneficial for people who snore a lot, or even have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea in particular can be caused by the relaxation of throat muscles, which results in restricted airways. As above, combination sleepers’ constant movement inherently ensures that your muscles aren’t relaxed for too long and improves circulation. That mixture of movement and blood flow almost forces you to breathe more efficiently, thus reducing the chance of snoring.


Care Tips for Pillows for Combination Sleepers

Pillows for Combination Sleepers Care TipsIt goes without saying that keeping your pillow clean is the best way to make sure it has a long, happy life on your bed. Most pillowcases are machine washable, but there are exceptions that need to be washed by hand. Be sure to check the packaging and/or label to find out. In general, once a week or every few weeks should do the trick. Make sure to dry the pillowcase on the recommended setting as well, lest it shrink and no longer fit all that extra memory foam.

Oftentimes, these pillows need to sit out before first use. As with washing and drying, how long does depend on the pillow itself, but generally speaking, 1-3 days should be more than enough. Leaving it out in the sun (as is usually recommended) serves two purposes: it allows that “factory” smell to dissipate outside rather than drift around the house, and it allows the pillow to expand and assume its standard shape and size.


Frequently Asked Questions

How do I care for my new pillow?

Honestly, that depends on the pillow you buy. Some are machine washable, some aren’t. Some need to air out before use, some don’t. It all depends on which one you purchase, so make sure to double check before you ruin a pillow that you didn’t have to. Generally, though, washing the pillowcase(s) once every few weeks – or even once a week in warmer weather/climates – is recommended.

Can’t I just use a bunch of pillows instead of spending money on one of these new ones?

Well, yes, but we don’t recommend it. Combination sleepers need to be able to shift positions at will, right? That becomes multiple pillows all around and on top of you. Or more annoying, at least.

The new pillow smells. Should I be worried?

No. Let it air out a while before using it, give it a wash, and you should be fine. It’s not toxic, either – with the pillows we listed here, at least. Be careful with other products. Always check for things like CertiPUR-US stamp.

When’s a good time to give up on a new pillow?

Your body may take some time to adjust to a new pillow, and vice versa. If it’s been more than two weeks and you still are uncomfortable, or are still suffering pain or cramps, it might be time to switch.

How do I know I’m a combination sleeper?

People typically sleep in one of three positions: back, stomach, or side. There’s some more nuance to it in terms of how people sleep once they choose one of those three, but those are the main methods of entering Dreamland.

Combination sleepers are simply people who shift between two or more of those positions. So if you go to bed on your back, turn onto your side after five minutes, and finally flop over onto your stomach, you’re a certified combination sleeper.

Conclusion

That about wraps everything up! We hope that this list makes it easier for combination sleepers to find the right pillow for them. Read it carefully, make an informed choice, and sleep well!