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You can splurge on the softest bedsheets or the most-hyped sleeping products, but if you skimp on the best bed pillows, you’ll feel it in the morning. A full night’s sleep goes hand in hand with proper sleeping posture and the secret to that lies in your pillow. Like most things out there, there’s no such thing as a “universal best pillow” so we talked to the experts about how to find the right pillow for all types of sleepers.

Square one is understanding how your mattress affects the kind of pillow you choose. “You can have a comfortable mattress but if your pillow isn’t a good fit for you, then your sleep quality will be compromised,” says Terry Cralle, R.N., and certified clinical sleep educator. “A mattress that is plusher on top may affect the height of the pillow that is the most comfortable for you,” she says. Meaning, a soft pillow may be better for a firm mattress while a medium-to-hard one could be better for a soft mattress to keep your head and neck in perfect alignment.

Does it matter how you sleep?

Yes—and here comes the big but—remember that we toss and turn throughout the night so you want to choose a pillow that works for you in all of your sleeping positions. Michael Breus, Ph.D., a Los Angeles clinical psychologist and sleep specialist, tells us side sleepers may need a firmer, thicker pillow than stomach sleepers (who can get away with a soft pillow—or not using one at all).” As far as thickness goes, he recommends choosing one that’s the same distance between your ear and outside shoulder, which allows your nose to be in line with the middle of your chest. Back sleepers, on the other hand, need a flatter pillow to keep their head and neck in alignment. A soft pillow works, “but if you have neck pain and sleep on your back, look for a pillow that provides additional support, while maintaining the softness that’s comfortable for you,” he says.

How long does a bed pillow last?

“If you’re sleeping on a worn-out pillow, scrunching and folding it up every night to get comfortable, that’s a red flag that it’s time to update,” says Breus. Usually, this means replacing it every 18 months. “If you’re using [a] pillow that’s five or six years old, you’re not getting the support you need—and you’re not sleeping as comfortably as you could,” he says. Can’t tell whether your pillow needs a refresh? Check for yellow sweat stains, rips, and funky smells, which are all signs that your pillow (and pillowcase) have reached the end.

What fill should you pick?

If you like the slow, sinking feeling of a Four Seasons hotel pillow, a down pillow may be for you. Some people have allergic reactions to the goose or duck fibers, so if that’s the case, you can opt for a down alternative pillow or one made from wool or cotton, which are both naturally hypo-allergenic materials (that also resist dust mites). Like puffer coats, real down pillows are more expensive than their synthetic and polyester counterparts. “[Synthetic and polyester fill pillows] will flatten with time, and typically need replacing more frequently than other types of pillows,” Breus says. Two other materials you may be familiar with are latex and memory foam. Latex pillows are firmer than down, and they tend to hold their shape better over time. (A solid choice if you need extra head and neck support.) Memory foam is pretty popular too since it’s all about conforming to your individual shape, however, it retains heat (and can be the reason why you keep waking up with crazy, sweaty bed head).

Now that you know a Goldilocks pillow doesn’t exist, you can begin your journey to the perfect night’s sleep. If you’re looking for a place to start shopping, here are 13 contenders for the best bed pillows of 2020.

Sleep is a $70 billion industry—we throw our money at a dreamier night’s rest, promise ourselves we’ll prioritize it, and then gripe when we’re still, inevitably, so tired. Despite our collective obsession with sleep, we seem totally unable to get more of it. In fact, we’re clocking fewer hours than ever. So, this month, we’re taking a look at what’s getting in the way—and what to do about it.

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Nothing gets the Zzz’s going quite like sinking into five layers of plush memory foam—but buying a mattress is easier when you know what the best mattress brands are (or, for Millennials, what the best mattress-in-a-box brands are) before making your decision. Once you’ve got one, you’re just a linen bedsheet set and giant tropical houseplant short of a dreamy, Insta-ready bedroom.

For Sleep Month, Glamour is honing in on everything you need to manifest those eight hours of shut-eye—your mattress being square one. A big-ticket purchase requires research, so we talked to experts to help us answer some of the most Googled questions (like, what on earth do we do the old one?). Then we compared all the top-rated mattress brands to come up with this list. Whether you’re a budget-savvy shopper or a self-proclaimed mattress connoisseur, here are the 13 best mattress brands worth your money.

Where should I buy a mattress?

Once upon a time, you’d drive up to a store, flop down on the $3,000 mattresses on display, then pick the one that was a third of the price and have it shipped to your home. Nowadays, buying a mattress is considerably easier—you could simply add one to your Amazon cart along with a book and some toilet paper—but it also means you’re grappling with open-ended questions you have to answer for yourself. How thick should my mattress be? Do I even need a new one? Without face-to-face interaction with an expert (or squishing the edges of your new mattress), it can be hard to commit to the first well-packaged mattress in a box that comes with free, two-day shipping. Since you really won’t know until it’s sitting in your bedroom, when shopping for a mattress online, “it’s important to focus on customer service reviews, return policies and warranties rather than individuals’ comfort reviews,” says Terry Cralle, R.N., and certified clinical sleep educator.

How do I pick a mattress?

A mattress is the most important thing in your bedroom—and it’s typically characterized in terms of comfort (i.e., whether it relieves pressure) and support (i.e, whether it keeps your spine in a neutral position), says Cralle. “A good mattress should provide comfort, relaxation, and tension relief.”

But don’t let the marketing fool you—there’s no such thing as a “universal” mattress. It’s all about what works for you, which “depends on height, weight, medical conditions, sleep positions, temperature, and comfort preference,” Cralle tells us. Mattresses are available in a range of thicknesses between 6″ and 16″, and the general rule of thumb is that the higher the BMI, the thicker the mattress should be. “People weighing between 250 and 400 lbs will probably be most comfortable on a mattress 10 inches thick or greater. For people weighing over 400 lbs, a 14-inch thick or greater mattress is recommended, ” she adds.

Another thing to do when buying a mattress is to familiarize yourself with the different features offered (like innerspring, air, or foam—which you can delve into here) and certifications like CertiPUR-US certified (non-toxic foam) and Oeko-tex Standard 100 label (free of harmful chemicals). Cralle says it’s also worth researching the latest technologies—like adjustable bases and temperature manipulation—and to sleep track for anything that might improve the quality of your sleep if you’re able to do trial-runs.

How long should you keep your mattress?

Well…it depends. Experts say mattresses should be generally be replaced at least every seven to eight years, but according to Michael Breus, a.k.a. The Sleep Doctor, “your body will “tell” you when you need a new bed.” He says that “if you wake up stiff or sore (not from exercise or effort) more than two times a week for more than two to three weeks, you probably need a new bed.” And just as our bodies change with age, so do our mattresses. Over time, they lose both support and comfort, so replacing it is necessary to maintain continuous sleep quality. Most manufacturer warranties typically cover manufacturing defects for 10 years—and some offer 25 years or lifetime warranties.

How to get rid of an older mattress?

You’ve probably seen a stained mattress wrapped in plastic and dumped on the side of a curb, but “if you’re getting rid of an older mattress, it’s best to dispose of it in an environmentally responsible way like recycling,” says Jeff Chapin, co-founder and chief product officer at Casper. According to The Mattress Recycling Council, about 80% of a mattress’ parts can be repurposed, however, mattress recycling is only mandatory in three states: California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Still, that shouldn’t be an excuse to toss it outside and forget its existence. Even if you don’t live in a state that requires mattress recycling, the MRC operates a recycling program known as Bye Bye Mattress, which helps you find a recycling center near you.

Some mattress brands also do the work for you (albeit for a recycling fee), or they have helpful FAQ sections you can consult on what to do with your old mattress. Another alternative would be to look into your local charities or churches to see if they’ll take your old mattresses. Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity are popular donation centers, but you should always call ahead to make sure they have space for it. And if you are hoping to give away your mattress, make sure to check the condition beforehand. (Just saying, no one needs bed bugs in their lives).

Note: prices below reflect Queen sizes.

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