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I Tried The Best Pregnancy Pillows For 1 Week Each – Here’s What Happened to My Body
I tried the best pregnancy pillows, and here's what I found.
Jenny Brown
05.19.23

Final Winner: 1 out of 7 (See Below for In Depth Review and Process)



9.5/10
15 votes

A+
Overall Grade

Support
`
10/10

Comfort
`
10/10

Additional features
`
10/10

Return policy / warranty
`
9/10

Value
`
9/10

PROS
Plush
supportive and 100% adjustable
Tall enough for my long legs and torso
Clean memory foam filling
Cooling bamboo cover that’s gentle on sensitive skin

CONS
X
Only available online

In Depth Review And Process

If you’re reading this article and you’re pregnant, then congratulations! Pregnancy is a magical, yet surreal time when the body changes in ways we couldn’t even imagine. From morning sickness to back pain, it’s not always going to be the easiest ride. But there are some things you can do to make things just that little bit easier for you, and as a pregnant woman, we’re sure you’re always searching for ways to be more comfortable.

This is where pregnancy pillows can help. A pregnancy pillow is designed to accommodate the contours of your body and provide support where it’s needed most. If you find nights the most difficult in terms of aches and pains, then a pregnancy pillow should help you to feel more comfortable and get better sleep.

The most common types of pregnancy pillow are C- and U- shaped that support your entire body, and with so many choices out there, it can feel overwhelming when trying to make a decision. Pregnancy pillows come in all different sizes, materials, firmness levels and prices, so it’s really about finding an option that works for you. We’ve put together a list of the best that are on sale at this very minute.

  • Support
  • Comfort
  • Additional features
  • Return policy / warranty
  • Value

Overall, the best pregnancy pillow I tested by far was the CoCozy Adjustable Pregnancy Pillow. It was just by far the best one (but more on that, later!).

What shape is best?

Based on our testing, we found that the U Shaped pregnancy pillows are by far the best for pregnancy. They provide the best full body support and are incredibly comfortable as well.

The extended “legs” of the pillow are great because they allow you to wrap your leg completely around them — this is much harder to do with the C-Shaped pillow. Also, these pillows are easier to switch sides with — so if you ever roll over from side to side, this pillow is way better than the C-Shaped pillow, which requires you to flip the entire pillow over to switch the side you are sleeping on.

There are other variations of pillows available as well. The wedge shaped pillows can be helpful as well, but the primary issue we have with them is that they do not provide full body support.

Is It Worth It To Consider Pregnancy Pillows Under $50?

I personally do not think it is best to consider the options under $50. These options are usually made of cheaper materials that can irritate your skin (or worse, even your baby!). These options also usually have weak, lower quality fill that doesn’t provide adequate support. You definitely want this band to last for enough time — so make sure that you invest in a good quality one (and a good quality one doesn’t have to break the bank!).

You can also use a higher quality pillow for multiple pregnancies (and for after pregnancy!), whereas a lower quality one might break sooner.

We reviewed a pregnancy pillow option that is below $50 for your reference below.



9.5/10
15 votes

A+
Overall Grade

Support
`
10/10

Comfort
`
10/10

Additional features
`
10/10

Return policy / warranty
`
9/10

Value
`
9/10

PROS
Provides the best support
Gentle soft and antimicrobial cover that’s great for sensitive skin
100% adjustable

CONS
X
Only available online

The Bottom Line

Have you ever fallen into a deep sleep in the time it took your partner to brush their teeth? The Cocozy Adjustable Maternity Pillow (plus pregnancy fatigue) may have you snoring before you can say Goodnight. This is the most supportive pregnancy pillow I’ve tested, and it’s the only brand I haven’t flung off the bed at 2 AM from overheating.

Along with being silky smooth and alluringly antimicrobial, the cooling bamboo cover feels soothing against my dry – and getting dryer – pregnancy skin. It’s an excellent pillow if you enjoy sleeping with minimal clothing.

Cocozy’s clean memory foam filling makes it a cloudlike, ergonomic dream for my lower back. But it’s also nice to look at! Crawling out of my first-trimester cave of nausea and fatigue, the fresh lavender color is a sign of hope that pregnancy CAN still be stylish. We millennials like to keep things aesthetic, and Cocozy contributes to the vibe.

Weight: 5 pounds
Dimensions: 55 x 27 x 6 inches

[pr_bottom_line]

Have you ever fallen into a deep sleep in the time it took your partner to brush their teeth? The Cocozy Adjustable Maternity Pillow (plus pregnancy fatigue) may have you snoring before you can say Goodnight. This is the most supportive pregnancy pillow I’ve tested, and it’s the only brand I haven’t flung off the bed at 2 AM from overheating.

Along with being silky smooth and alluringly antimicrobial, the cooling bamboo cover feels soothing against my dry – and getting dryer – pregnancy skin. It’s an excellent pillow if you enjoy sleeping with minimal clothing.

Cocozy’s clean memory foam filling makes it a cloudlike, ergonomic dream for my lower back. But it’s also nice to look at! Crawling out of my first-trimester cave of nausea and fatigue, the fresh lavender color is a sign of hope that pregnancy CAN still be stylish. We millennials like to keep things aesthetic, and Cocozy contributes to the vibe.

Weight: 5 pounds
Dimensions: 55 x 27 x 6 inches

Because you control the filling amount, you get to see the cubed CERTI-PUR-certified memory foam in action. Instant points in terms of comfort. Especially compared to the cheap polyfill of other brands. Rather than squishing down into a pancake, Cocozy maintains its shape while contouring around your body. I have arrived at the point where my ankles are slightly swollen (yay!), and sinking my feet into this supple support feels heavenly.

With the many bodily changes of pregnancy, I shift around a baffling amount, rotating from side to side like I’m trying to cook evenly. Cocozy meets me where I’m at with another smart customization: Removable arms! After a quick unzip, one pillow suddenly becomes TWO, opening up positioning possibilities. Some heavier U-shaped brands felt restrictive after a while, so having the freedom to open things up is refreshing.

Cocozy is the household favorite, the pillow my husband stole the most—Sympathy symptoms much? We both love the naturally cooling bamboo cover, which is infused with antimicrobial silver (so it requires less washing!). Cocozy receives my highest ranking. It helped me realize that a good pregnancy pillow provides comfort beyond nine months. Rather than being smashed into the closet when the baby arrives, I imagine we’ll all be cuddling with this pillow for years.




7.0/10
4 votes

B+
Overall Grade

Support
`
7/10

Comfort
`
7/10

Additional Features
`
7/10

Return policy / warranty
`
9/10

Value
`
6/10

PROS
Very comfortable
Cooling chevron quilting and advanced stitching
Double-sided cover

CONS
X
Bulky and heavy so it can feel restrictive
X
No body contouring or removable arm

The Bottom Line

Big fan of Body Nest over here! This pillow can compete with my other preferred brands due to the firm support, temperature control, and skin-soothing cover. It’s well made, not a cheapo product by any means. While it could be listed at an offensively high price (like some), it’s not. And I like that.

I will say that the straight U-shape hugs your body with quite a bit of bulk. I’ve thrown it off the bed most nights when I feel too restricted. Keep this in mind if you are also a fidgety sleeper.

The reversible cover sports a knitted jersey on side 1 (which feels like your best boyfriend’s softest flannel) and a fuzzy material on side 2. I recommend finding what you like for the season and sticking with that for a while. The wrap-around zipper consistently got stuck, so I was laboring at this task longer than desirable. No big deal? Tell that to the hormones!

This review process had me nerding out over quality stitching because it really makes a sizable difference. The Body Nest stitching is top-notch, and the chevron quilting method somehow helps with heat distribution. I was skeptical of this claim, but Body Nest did NOT turn my bed into an oven like some of the others (despite being filled with the same heat-retaining polyester).

[

Body Nest is a quality pregnancy pillow and nearly my favorite, aside from a few limitations. Like several other brands, the polyfill quickly goes flat. But the bulkiness was my main issue. As the heaviest pillow of the bunch, Body Nest became a haul when carrying it upstairs from couch to bed (my two preferred places these days). I missed the body-hugging contours of Cocozy, and you’re limited in color choice. Hopefully light gray and dark gray work well with your sheets because this is the only option.




7.8/10
4 votes

B
Overall Grade

Comfort
`
8/10

Support
`
6/10

Additional features
`
7/10

Return policy / warranty
`
8/10

Value
`
8/10

PROS
Supportive and cuddly
Adaptable to various positions

CONS
X
Holds heat
X
Not comfortable on the neck
X
Coarse material attracts lint and other fuzzies

The Bottom Line

We call the Leacho’s Snoogle the seahorse pillow around here, as it looks like you’re riding the gentle seas into a deep slumber. While it appears to be the most (endearingly) awkward of the pillows, I was pleasantly surprised by the provided support. That is…everywhere except my lanky neck, which proved to be quite an obstacle when reviewing these pillows! With Snoogle, I slid a pillow under my neck for a comfortable rest.

I like how many positions you can manage with Snoogle! Because it’s a C-Shaped pillow, you can slip into it a bit easier than the more enveloping U-shaped pregnancy pillows. If you’re hanging out in bed a lot, like me, this pillow can help you sit up to read a few pages of a book, browse your phone, or momentarily feel like an engaged member of society before falling into another cozy nap.

Until you get too hot, that is. Snoogle is another pillow that runs hot and steamy. This oven effect is likely related to the heat-retaining polyester filling, which could be an advantage in the winter. But for now, as spring turns to summer, it feels stuffy and claustrophobic after a few hours of use. So while it can help you fall asleep, forewarning that you may wake up in a few hours EXTREMELY cranky (a personal antidote).

I’m spoiled by the cool, silky cover of Cocozy and the soft quilting of Body Nest, so the plain cotton on Snoogle felt coarse against my cheek. The material is also quite the lint magnet, especially in jersey brown. I would explore different color options. The cover is removable and washable, so that helps! Ultimately I found Snoogle to be a practical pregnancy pillow at a fair price point. It does its job well enough with some adaptations.




7.6/10
5 votes

B-
Overall Grade

Support
`
6/10

Comfort
`
7/10

Ease of Use
`
8/10

Return policy / warranty
`
9/10

Value
`
8/10

PROS
Effectively keeps user off back
Compact and transportable
Adjustable to growing belly size

CONS
X
Restrictive, Only makes sense during pregnancy, Doesn’t provide full body support/pr_pro_con]

The Bottom Line

Belly Bandit’s S.O.S side sleeper is an intriguing experiment in staying still! The 3-piece set includes one wedge pillow, one belly pillow, and a velcro strip. The system holds you in place, sturdy on your side, helping you avoid potentially dangerous “back” sleeping during pregnancy. It is best for women looking for this particular support (who also don’t mind sleeping in the same position most of the night).

Belly Bandit’s cool contraption hinders my instinct to sprawl. And this is appreciated by my bedfellow. However, I’m a side-to-side sleeper. I like to roll around. I will begrudgingly surrender to stillness at some point in my pregnancy. But not yet! The belly bandit got in the way of my usual flip routine. And I found that maddening. So while I tested this pillow enough to provide a thorough review, please be aware of my natural bias!

Babymoon anyone? The S.O.S Side Sleeper is compact, not a full Cadillac like the others. And it’s the only one I can imagine bringing on a plane. It even comes in a travel case! The pillow and wedge are also adjustable. So as your belly grows, the Belly Bandit grows with you—Which is making me oddly emotional? Keep in mind that sleeping on your back becomes unproblematic after giving birth, so this isn’t a pregnancy pillow that will transition into an everyday thing (unless you like this type of restraint).

The cover material is a polyester blend, soft enough but nothing extraordinary. And while the S.O.S Side Sleeper is plenty supportive for my belly and back, my arms and legs are left reaching for something to cuddle (not my husband, thanks). Combining this pillow with my U-shaped Cocozy pillow works out nicely! But with my sleep preferences, I can confirm the Belly Bandit is not the best fit for me. However, it could be just what you need right now.




7.6/10
4 votes

C-
Overall Grade

Support

`
8/10

Comfort
`
7/10

Ease of Use
`
5/10

Return policy / warranty
`
1/10

Value
`
2/10

PROS
Firm and supportive
Attractive two-tone cover

CONS
X
Chemical smell that won’t go away
X
Expensive
X
Some flimsy elements

The Bottom Line

I was excited to try Yana! It features fabulously chic branding that had me dreaming up all the cute Instagram pics we could take together. So I was slightly disappointed by the potent off-gassing smell upon opening the (super cute) packaging. One week later and the chemical scent is slightly fading. But if you have a bionic pregnancy nose like me, it’s still too smelly to snuggle with for long. Not to worry, Yana. My husband commiserates.

But it still looks dang good with the velvet cream color! The appearance communicates luxury. As the most expensive pillow in my reviews, this is a look you will pay for. Nothing wrong with mindful indulgence during nine months of baby growing, right? But keep reading to ensure this is the pillow you want (I am unconvinced that the quality is as high as the price). There were several reports of broken zippers while perusing the reviews, so I’m treating mine very gently.

Happy to confirm that Yana is firm enough to support the pain points of pregnancy, especially my lower back and hips. It’s a good pillow for forcing yourself to sleep on your side instead of your back. Yana is hefty, not feeble, and can help hold you in place. While impressively firm, the internal seam was so taut that it dug into the back of my neck. I did get a second opinion. My husband said essentially the same thing but with more flair (that it felt like a chicken bone digging into his trapezius). Unfortunately, there is no option to adjust the filling amount. So you get what you get.

You do, however, have two fillers to choose from. You can go with a cooling gel (which sounds great) or natural latex (which I got and explains the smell). Eucalyptus pillow covers are also available to purchase separately at $89 for additional temperature regulation.

So this is where things get dicey. Customer support at Yana appears to be severely lacking. Don’t expect an easy return policy. I suggest browsing the competing reviews in this article first. And then be VERY sure about your decision before shelling out for this pricey pillow.




7.0/10
4 votes

C-
Overall Grade

Support
`
4/10

Comfort
`
3/10

Additional Features
`
2/10

Return policy / warranty
`
9/10

Value
`
8/10

PROS
Accessible price point

CONS
X
Overheats every time
X
Not very supportive and squishes flat
X
Cheaply made
X
Scratchy cover

The Bottom Line

Pharmedoc is a budget-friendly pregnancy pillow that comes in several colors. Between a whole new wardrobe, baby supplies, and a thousand household upgrades, pregnancy is not cheap! So I appreciate the accessible price tag and easy online ordering experience.

While gentle on your bank account, please do not forget about your back! I’ve found that budget pregnancy pillows typically skimp on filling quality. Pharmedoc uses a Microfiber fill (and not much of it), so it goes flat. We’re talking one step above a rolled-up blanket. As my pregnancy progresses and my belly grows a complete human, a flimsy pillow is feeling increasingly irrelevant.

But if you are OK with sacrificing some support, Pharmedoc can add extra cushion to your limbs and provide some relief on the major pressure points. Better than nothing? Fair warning: I was sporting a double chin far more often than I would like in my Pharmedoc photos! To put the beauty back in beauty rest, I need more cushion on the neck.

Interestingly, Pharmedoc includes some of the same features I love with Cocozy’s pillow, like the detachable extension for extra support and body contouring curves. But the differences in quality are obvious when compared side-by-side. If Cocozy is like a big hug, Pharmedoc is a polite pat on the back. Aside from this lackluster comfort, the zippers are rickety, and the seam stitching unravels after minor use.

This pillow was also HOT. The cover is cotton and should be breathable, so I attribute my midnight sweats to the polyester filling (which retains heat). Maybe this fill would be more manageable in a mattress or a throw pillow, but a full wrap-around? During pregnancy? In the summer?! It was too much! Due to its lightweight, I give Pharmedoc a 10/10 on being launchable off the bed.

Note: Parenting Isn’t Easy has relationships with some of the brands listed in the article and may receive a varying commission if you purchase.

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