Your pillow is probably too soft
Plus, 4 iPhone security settings to turn on right now ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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The Recommendation

July 14, 2026

Today: Heavy is the head that lies on the pillow. Plus …

Neck pain? Your pillow is probably too soft.

A stack of three pillows with colorful pillow cases, on a bed.
Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter

The pillows that feel plush and squishy in your arms are, unfortunately, probably not supportive enough for the 10-pound bowling ball on top of your neck.

The best pillows are firm enough to help you maintain neutral spinal alignment while lying down. Our resident sleep expert — who has tested more than 50 pillows on her own bed — has some advice to help you avoid achy mornings and find the perfect, most supportive place to rest your head at night.

The pillow fill we recommend→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Our 6 favorite pillows

A person holding several pillows while sitting on a bed.
Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter

Whether you sleep on your stomach, side, or back (or all three), the best pillows will keep you comfortable and cool. Our favorites include a crowd-pleasing foam option that’s dense yet breathable and a cloud-like pillow that doesn’t sacrifice support.

Zzzzzzz→

More expert advice

Three people wearing different slippers.

Yes, you should be wearing shoes inside

The impact of the hard ground can wear on your feet, legs, and back over time→

A container and a measuring spoon filled with borax, shown with some towels in the background.

This tiny tweak keeps towels smelling fresh

Our cleaning expert figured out how to banish that stubborn mildew stench→

Three peach-colored smartphones arranged on a matching background, with the center phone displaying an iPhone passcode screen.

4 iPhone security settings to turn on right now

They’ll make recovery easier if your phone is stolen or lost→

An illustration showing someone shampooing their hair twice

Do you really need to shampoo twice?

It depends. Here’s how to determine if you should rinse and repeat→

Your daily deal: An airy, cooling sweatshirt

A woman wearing SPANX AirEssentials® Half Zip
Spanx

“Bury me in this Spanx sweatsuit,” says writer Ingela Ratledge Amundson. It’s as buttery-soft as a well-loved T-shirt, and the silky fabric feels cool and weightless against the skin. Sure, it’s a sweatshirt, but the silhouette is dignified enough to wear out of the house.

We found it for $49 right now→

One last thing: The best travel pillows

Five travel pillows pictured together.
Ruthie Darling/NYT Wirecutter

We won’t pretend that travel pillows are the cutest, but they can protect your precious head from bumping against the bulkhead or, worse, the drinks cart. And the very best ones can make sleeping upright for hours on end a little bit more comfortable. All of our favorites are cozy and supportive, but, if you want to give “do not disturb” energy while in the air, we found a pillow with a built-in hood and mask.

Plus, our favorites for side-leaners, forward-nodders, and beyond→

Independent reviews, expert advice and intensively researched deals from Wirecutter experts.

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