Home & Comfort
Pillows
8 kinds worth knowing, 14 picks, and what to check before you buy.

A pillow makes a good gift for someone you know well: a partner, a close friend, or anyone who's said they sleep badly, read in bed, or dread long flights. The ones that get used every day fix a specific problem, like a body pillow for side sleepers or a travel pillow for someone always in transit. Decorative pillows are easier to pick but depend on taste. Sleeping pillows are personal, so think about how the person sleeps before you think about how the pillow looks. If you're unsure, a pillowcase, a reading pillow or a novelty plush is safer than guessing someone's ideal firmness.
Kind 1 of 8
Body pillows for side sleepers and huggers
A body pillow is long enough to hug along the length of your body, and many people like one between the knees too. It suits side sleepers, people who share a bed but want their own thing to hold, and anyone who likes to curl up on the couch. Before buying, think about the size of their bed, since a full-length pillow takes up real space. Also look at whether the cover comes off to wash, and whether the fill is soft and squishy or holds its shape. A giant plush version works well as a fun gift where comfort matters less than personality.
Full body support pillow
This elongated pillow offers comprehensive support for the entire body, beneficial for side sleepers, pregnant individuals, or those needing extra comfort.
Kind 2 of 8
Silk pillowcases as an everyday luxury
A silk pillowcase slips over a pillow they already own, so you don't need to know how they like their pillow. It feels smooth and cool and looks a little more special than cotton. It suits someone who enjoys small comforts but wouldn't buy them for themselves. Before buying, check the size so it fits a standard, queen or king pillow, and look at the care instructions, since some silk has to be hand-washed or washed on a gentle cycle. Pick a colour that matches their bedding, or go with a neutral if you're not sure.
Kind 3 of 8
Throw pillows that suit their space
Throw pillows are mostly about looks: they add colour and texture to a sofa, bed or reading chair. They make an easy gift for a friend who has just moved or redone a room. The risk is taste, so look at their home before choosing a pattern. Muted colours and good textures, like knit, linen or velvet, are easier to fit in than bold prints. Check whether the cover comes off to wash, whether an insert is included, and whether the size matches cushions they already have.
Decorative throw pillow
Elevate any living space with a stylish accent, offering a touch of color and texture to sofas, chairs, or beds.
Kind 4 of 8
Neck pillows for the couch and bath
Neck pillows cradle the back of the head and neck while someone leans back, whether that's on the couch, in a recliner or in the bath. A massaging neck pillow suits someone who likes to wind down after a long day at a desk. A bath pillow suits someone who takes long soaks. Before buying a powered version, check how it charges or plugs in and whether it has an auto shut-off. For a bath pillow, look for suction cups that hold well and material that dries quickly.
Kind 5 of 8
Memory foam and other bed pillows
Memory foam pillows slowly mould to the head and neck and keep their shape through the night. Down-alternative pillows feel softer and puffier and are easier to fluff. A bed pillow suits someone who has mentioned their current one is flat or lumpy, and it's best for a partner whose sleep habits you know. Match the loft to how they sleep: side sleepers usually like a taller, firmer pillow, and stomach sleepers usually like a thinner one. Look for a removable, washable cover. New foam can smell at first and may need to air out for a day.
Memory foam sleeping pillow
This contouring pillow provides personalized support, ideal for those seeking pressure relief and consistent comfort throughout the night.
Down alternative bed pillow
A soft and supportive option that mimics the luxurious feel of down, perfect for allergy sufferers or those preferring synthetic fills.
Kind 6 of 8
Shaped pillows for reading and sitting
Ergonomic pillows are shaped for a job: sitting up in bed, supporting the lower back in a desk chair, or keeping a steady position while reading or watching TV. A backrest reading pillow with arms suits a bookworm, a student, or anyone who works from bed. A lumbar cushion suits someone who spends long hours at a desk or driving. Before buying, check the dimensions against their bed or chair and see whether the cover is removable. Think about firmness too: too soft and it flattens, too firm and it won't get used.
Bed rest reading pillow
Provides ergonomic back and arm support for comfortable reading, watching TV, or working in bed, enhancing relaxation time.
Lumbar support cushion
Provides targeted support to the lower back, improving posture and reducing strain for individuals sitting for extended periods at home or in the office.
Kind 7 of 8
Travel pillows for flights and campsites
Travel pillows fall into two groups. Neck pillows wrap around the neck for sleeping upright on planes, trains and road trips. Compact inflatable pillows pack down small for camping and backpacking. A neck pillow suits a frequent flyer or commuter, and an inflatable suits a hiker or camper who counts every gram. Check how small it packs, whether it clips onto a bag, and how easy the cover is to wash. For inflatables, look at how quickly it blows up and lets air out.
Aeros Ultralight Pillow
An egg-size inflatable Regular pillow with a fine-adjust valve and compatible pad-locking system.
Ergonomic travel neck pillow
Offers crucial neck support during journeys, preventing discomfort and promoting restful sleep on planes, trains, or in cars.
Kind 8 of 8
Cooling pillows for warm sleepers
Cooling pillows use gel layers, breathable covers or airy fills so they feel cooler to lie on than a standard pillow. They suit someone who flips their pillow in the night looking for the cool side, or who lives somewhere with warm summers and no air conditioning. The cool feeling is usually strongest when they first lie down and fades as the pillow warms up, so keep expectations reasonable. Check the firmness and loft just as you would for any bed pillow, and whether the cover is washable.
Cooling gel infused pillow
Designed to dissipate heat, this pillow helps maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature, ideal for those who tend to overheat at night.
How to choose pillows as a gift
- Think about how they sleep, whether on their side, back or stomach, before choosing any pillow meant for the bed.
- If you don't know their preferences, pick a pillowcase, reading pillow or novelty plush instead of guessing firmness.
- Look for removable, washable covers, since a pillow that's hard to clean tends to get put away.
- Check the dimensions against their bed, chair, sofa or carry-on bag before you buy.
- Match decorative pillows to colours already in their home rather than your own taste.
Usually safe to skip
- Firm or specialty sleeping pillows for someone whose sleep habits you don't know, since the wrong loft usually ends up in a closet.
- Bold patterned throw pillows for someone with a carefully styled home, since they rarely match what's already there.
- Bulky neck pillows for a light packer, since anything that won't fit in or clip onto a bag stays home.
Questions people ask about pillows
- Is a pillow a good Christmas gift?
- It can be, especially for a partner or close friend whose habits you know. Pillows that solve a clear problem, like reading in bed, long flights or wanting something to hug, tend to get used. Accessories like a silk pillowcase are safer when you're unsure.
- How do I pick a pillow for someone else?
- Start with how they use it. For sleeping, think about position: side sleepers usually like taller pillows and stomach sleepers like thinner ones. For reading or travel, focus on size and portability. If you can't tell, choose something where firmness matters less.
- What's the difference between a body pillow and a regular pillow?
- A body pillow is long, often close to full body length, and is meant to be hugged or tucked between the knees. A regular pillow sits under the head. Body pillows take up much more bed space, so consider the size of their bed first.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
Everything else
All pillows picks
Showing 1–14 of 14













