In a nutshell:
Based on feedback from our team of independent product testers, a survey of over 300 members of The Bump community and advice from three ob-gyns, we recommend the Momcozy U-Shaped Cooling Fabric Pregnancy Pillow as overall best pregnancy pillow. The pillow stood out due to its superior comfort and support, reasonable price and positive impact on sleep.

In this article:
How we tested and chose the pregnancy pillows
The best pregnancy pillows to shop
Pregnancy pillows comparison chart Which type of pregnancy pillow is best for you?
What to consider when buying a pregnancy pillow
When to start using a pregnancy pillow
How to use a pregnancy pillow
Frequently asked questions

Does this sound like a familiar scene? You’re exhausted and can’t wait to crawl into bed, but when you do, your ever-growing bump is right there, like a barrier between you and a good night’s sleep. While you might have dismissed a pregnancy pillow as an unnecessary purchase (after all, you have plenty of pillows already!), a great maternity pillow is actually engineered to ease the discomfort of pregnancy and cradle you off to dreamland. “It’s recommended that pregnant people sleep on their sides (left side is optimal). But it can be very hard to do this!” explains Sara Twogood, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn in Los Angeles and co-founder of Female Health Education. “The pregnancy pillow helps support different parts of the body to make sleep more comfortable.” Most styles support your belly, of course, but others target hip or back pain, because let’s face it: Carrying a baby for nine+ months takes a toll on more than just your midsection.

After experiencing three pregnancies myself—including two back-to-back—I learned how essential a quality pregnancy pillow is to a good night’s sleep. But how can you find the right one for you? Keep reading for a list of the best pregnancy pillows on the market right now, including this year’s Best of The Bump winners, as well as an expert-backed guide to the various types of pregnancy pillows and how to use them.

How We Tested and Chose the Pregnancy Pillows

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The Bump editors conducted extensive research to identify 20 leading pregnancy pillows on the market. From there:

We enlisted the help of 18 independent product testers who were expecting. We carefully matched products with parents-to-be who were struggling with their sleep, experiencing back or hip pain and slept in a range of different positions. To test the pillows, these pregnant parents cuddled up with them, slept with them, washed them and found a place to store them. Then, they reviewed each based on product quality, effectiveness, supportiveness, ease of use, ease of cleaning and value.
We surveyed over 300 expectant mothers in The Bump community for additional insight on the pros and cons of specific maternity pillows.
We interviewed three ob-gyns to understand essential features to keep in mind as you shop for and use your pregnancy pillow.
We followed safe sleep guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Because no two pregnancies are the same, we scoured forums and message boards and read user reviews to find out how these pillows performed for expectant moms across the country.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.

The Best Pregnancy Pillows to Shop

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*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.

Which Type of Pregnancy Pillow is Best for You?

Pregnancy pillows are important for both comfort and safety—but which type should you choose? There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to maternity pillows; “it really depends on the various needs and concerns about sleep and rest,” says Twogood. To simplify your search, we’ve listed the main types of pregnancy pillows and detailed the pros and cons of each below, so you can pick the best option for you.

U-shaped pregnancy pillow

This pregnancy pillow is the size of your body and, as the name implies, is shaped like a contoured U (with you nestled in the center). “U-shaped pillows are best for full body support,” explains Gil Weiss, MD, an ob-gyn based in Chicago. This style of pillow does it all, supporting your head, neck, back, hips, legs and bump.

Depending on your sleep position, you can use it to prop yourself up if you’re a back-sleeper or sandwich your front and back once you begin sleeping on your side in the second trimester, with the edge of the pregnancy pillow tucked between your legs. You can slip your arm underneath the pillow and rest your head right on top. But keep in mind that this type of pregnancy pillow will take up a good amount of space (hopefully your partner won’t mind welcoming it into your bed!).

C-shaped pregnancy pillow

This is another type of large pregnancy body pillow, but it’s shaped like a C instead of a U. In particular, “C-shaped pillows are best at supporting a baby bump,” says Weiss. Some C-shaped pregnancy pillows curve around your entire body to support both your back and bump, while others contour your front only. You can rest your head at the top, prop up your bump (and possibly back) with the side and tuck the bottom of the C between your legs.

I-, J- and L-shaped pregnancy pillows

Though less common, there are also I-, J- and L-shaped pregnancy pillows. J- and L-shaped pillows are essentially the same: While sleeping on your side, they provide support along your body (either front or back) with a section that can either go under your head or between your knees, depending on how it’s turned. An I-shaped pillow serves as more of a body pillow and can provide support along your back or underneath your belly—but not both, which is a benefit of the previously described shapes. I-, J- and L-shaped pillows can serve as a happy medium between the larger-sized C- and U-shaped pregnancy pillows and the much smaller wedge pillows (detailed below), providing full-body support without dominating the bed.

Pregnancy wedge pillow

A wedge is much smaller and less expensive than other pregnancy pillows; it’s designed to support a targeted area—typically your bump or back. To use it, slip the wedge under your belly to relieve the weight of your bump, or tuck it behind you to ensure you don’t roll over flat onto your back overnight. If you enjoy spooning with your partner but need some support for your bump, this is a great cuddle-friendly pick.

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What to Consider When Buying a Pregnancy Pillow

As you search for the best pregnancy pillow to suit your needs, you’ll want to consider a few key factors:

Preferred sleep position. Are you normally inclined to be a side sleeper, back sleeper or stomach sleeper? While stomach sleepers have obvious challenges adjusting to pregnancy, back sleepers have different hurdles to overcome, and different pillows are designed to address those challenges.
Firmness and support. Do you like firm foam or a softer fill? What’s going to feel best against your back or bump? If you’re picky about firmness and density, pay extra attention to find a pregnancy pillow that meets your needs.
Fabric. As with any sleep accessory (who doesn’t like high-quality bed linen?), it’s important to think about fabric. Cotton or bamboo is soft and naturally breathable, making it a good option for people who run hot, while pillows made with polyester tend to be more affordable. Bear in mind that you’ll be sleeping with this pillow every night for months, so it’s a good idea to opt for one with a removable and machine-washable cover.
Aches and pains. Spent most of your pregnancy nursing an aching back? Or are sore hips what’s keeping you up at night? Take note of your primary source of discomfort, and seek out a pregnancy pillow designed to help alleviate those specific concerns.

When to Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow

You can start to use a maternity pillow at any time during your pregnancy, although many moms-to-be appreciate the support in the second or third trimester. At this point, your bump will be larger and it becomes important to sleep on your side instead of your back. “I recommend starting to use the pillow around 28 weeks, when the weight of the uterus and baby is heavy enough to possibly compress the major blood vessel” found along your back, says Christian Pope, DO, an ob-gyn at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Too much pressure on the inferior vena cava can inhibit blood flow, causing low blood pressure, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms. “The effects of low blood pressure on baby can also be dangerous if it occurs for prolonged periods of time,” explains Pope. Health concerns aside, the common aches and pains of pregnancy that a maternity pillow strives to alleviate tend to kick in after your first trimester is behind you.

So why else should you make the switch to a pregnancy pillow? While regular pillows serve as headrests, the best pregnancy pillows are designed to ease various body aches. They’re also super handy for keeping you on your side throughout the night—the recommended sleep position for expectant moms. According to our survey data, 65 percent of pregnant women we reached out to were using a pregnancy pillow. When we asked why, they gave us the following reasons:

68% To help generally improve my sleep
54% To help me as a side sleeper
48% To help with backache
48% To help with hip pain
38% To help me as a natural stomach sleeper
25% To help me as a back sleeper
24% To help with leg aches
13% To help me sleep as a petite person
6% To help me sleep as a tall person
6% To help me sleep as a plus-size person

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How to Use a Pregnancy Pillow

Sleeping with a pregnancy pillow will vary depending on the type of pillow you selected, from the all-encompassing U-shaped pillows to the compact wedge designs. Often, the pillow you purchase will have a guide or instructions on how to position the pillow for optimal sleep—but there are also some general guidelines that can help you get comfy with your newest bedmate. “I usually recommend placing a soft pillow under your right hip and buttock to tilt the body to the left a little,” says Pope. Additionally, having the support of a pillow underneath your belly can prevent straining on your back, while cushioning between your knees helps to keep your hips aligned. For those with back pain or to prevent rolling, positioning the pillow along your back might be more beneficial than hugging it in the front.

“Really any way they feel best,” says Twogood. “There is no one perfect position.” Ultimately, how you sleep with your maternity pillow will be unique to you. “For example, if your hips are hurting, try sleeping with the top leg on top of the pillow (from the inner thigh down to the foot),” she explains. No matter what way you decide to position your pillow, Weiss recommends sleeping on your left side, which promotes “blood flow to the pregnant uterus, decreasing acid reflux and even reducing rates of stillborn.”

But finding the perfect sleeping position with your pregnancy pillow will require some trial and error, and one size doesn’t fit all. Luckily, most of the pregnancy pillows featured here can all be used in various positions—allowing you to tweak until you find your sweet (or, in this case, sleep) spot.

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About the writer:

Lynsey Eidell has researched and written dozens of product reviews for The Bump, from the best pregnancy belly bands to the best baby bassinets and beyond. She’s also written about entertainment, pop culture, weddings and motherhood for digital publications including PEOPLE, Glamour, Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, Allure and more. She is a graduate of Villanova University and a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut, where she currently lives with her family. When she’s not busy writing, she is kept equally busy by her three young boys, who are 8, 5 and 4.

Interested in becoming a product tester for The Bump? Head here to apply.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Here's What Happens to Baby When You Sleep on Your Back During Pregnancy

Pregnancy Insomnia: Why You Can’t Sleep (and How to Remedy That

Natural Remedies to Help You Sleep Better During Pregnancy