12 Best Pillows for Sitting up in Bed, All Day Every Day
Turn your bed into a throne.
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So, you’ve treated yourself to a new luxury mattress, extra fluffy king-sized pillows, and even splurged on the Oprah-approved Cozy Earth bamboo sheets. But late at night, when all you wanna do is read in bed, there’s something missing, and that’s when you realize: You need a pillow for sitting up in bed.
Yes, even if you already have a headboard and pillows, a pillow for sitting up in bed is a must. Not only will it provide you with more plushy cushion than regular pillows, it'll be better for your back and spine. Just take it from Audrey Mitchell, COTA/L, CEAS, founder of Bloom Ergonomics, who cautions that regular pillows "lack firmness, do not have a good shape to sit up, and cannot adequately support the spine." Classic reading pillows that support your back, like the Husband Pillow, are much better options. Even better? Orthopedic pillows. And don't forget to check the material. "It should not be super soft," Mitchell tells Cosmo. "It should be somewhat firm to be the most supportive."
To find the best options out there, I personally tested pillows for sitting up and read through hundreds of reviews, and trust me when I say, these are the best for back support and lounging in your bedroom.
Our top picks for the best pillows for sitting up in bed in 2024:
best pillow for sitting up in bed that doubles as a headboard
WOWMAX Triangular Headboard Backrest
Read more
Next time you want to sit in bed and watch a movie or read Cosmo, you can do so comfortably with your shoulders and lower back supported. You're welcome.
Pros
- Ergonomic teardrop design to support better posture
- The dense fill keeps its shape
Cons
- It's good for sitting up in bed, but not if you prefer just having extra support under your shoulders
- It's on the heavier side
Casper may be best known for its trendy mattresses, but you can also find this beauteous teardrop-shaped backrest pillow, which has an inner foam layer for extra lumbar support and a soft fiber outer layer for T-O-T-A-L comfort. I love using this to sit up in bed because it's dense enough to support my lower back, but soft enough that my shoulders don't feel like they're resting on a wall.
- Dimensions: 24" x 24" with 2-5" height
- Fill: Polyester fiber, polyurethane foam
- Weight: 11.4 lbs
Glowing Customer Review: "Peak laziness comfort. AMAZING. So supportive."
Pros
- Super light and easy to maneuver as you rest
- Available in so many bright and neutral colors
Cons
- Only available in one large size
Available in pretty much every color imaginable, this bead-filled cutie from Yogibo can be positioned as you please and completely conforms to your back with no pressure points. It truly makes you feel like you're being cuddled by a pillow, which is my lifelong dream. Best of all, it also doubles as a lap desk if you use it backwards. Genius!
- Dimensions: 33” X 23” X 13”
- Fill: Expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads
- Weight: 6 lbs
Glowing Customer Review: "Amazing! I suffer from headaches due to neck pain. This was a lifesaver for me. It conforms to whatever shape you need and is so comfortable. Highly recommend!"
Pros
- Comes in multiple sizes to fit your bed
- Side pocket for phone
Cons
- Some shoppers have noted it offers little lower back support
Want your whole headboard to feel like a cushy pillow? Then get this pretty-yet-functional oversized wedge pillow, which is packed with a high-density filler that’ll give you A+ back support. You’ll love that it comes in five size options and tons of different colors and even has a lil pocket for your phone.
- Dimensions: 39” x 8” x 20”
- Fill: Polycotton
- Weight: 6 lbs
Glowing Customer Review: "This wedge is so pretty, firm, but comfortable and feels so good on my back while sitting up in bed. As a bonus there are two small pockets on each side for remotes or the phone," one reviewer writes. "Absolutely LOVE."
Pros
- Detachable design gives you so many options
- Oval shape lifts up your knees to help alleviate lower back pain
Cons
- Some reviewers note that they had to prop the pillow up on a headboard or wall for extra support
This oval-shaped pillow is a 2-in-1—you can literally separate the oval to make two U-shaped pillows—but if you look closer, it's also a 4-in-1. As is, the oval pillow works to cradle your entire body as you relax. And it's foldable, so you can create an extra thick semi-circle to prop up your shoulders. Pro tip: this pillow can be used against a wall or headboard to help keep you comfy sitting up in bed, but it won't support you alone.
- Dimensions: 45.25" x 34.65"
- Fill: Polyester fiber
- Weight: 6.83 lbs
Glowing Customer Review: "I wanted a pillow that could prop me up when watching videos or reading in bed at night, and this is great for that," writes one tester. "What I did not expect was it becoming my sleep pillow. Love that this easily separates and is a great pillow for side sleepers like myself."
Pros
- Top handle makes it easy to move around your space
- You can customize the fill by adding or removing shredded memory foam
Cons
- Some reviewers note pillow is on the flimsy side
- Can take up to 48 hours to fully expand
Filled with shredded memory foam you can customize to your comfort and complete with a velour outer cover, this bad boy is *way* more sophisticated than anything you’d find in a dorm room. And, if it's too casual for you to keep out at all times, you can easily move it off the bed thanks to a very practical top handle.
- Dimensions: 14.96” x 11.02” x 17.72”
- Fill: Shredded memory foam
- Weight: 4.4 lbs
Glowing Customer Review: "I often watch TV or read in bed and get so tired of the pillows I sleep on not providing enough back support. So, I bought this on a whim, and I am thrilled!"
Pros
- Removable, machine-washable cover included
- 1-year limited warranty with a 100 night trial period
Cons
- Only available with a white cover
- Lower chamber might feel stiff to those not looking for lumbar support
With hundreds of reviews and an almost perfect five-star rating, it's clear that people can’t get enough of this backrest pillow from Sleep Number. While the lower section of this bb is filled with a blend of down alternative and memory foam pieces for support, the top section is filled with polyester fiber for comfort, and the result is *chef’s kiss*.
- Dimensions: 22" x 22"
- Fill: Upper chamber is 100% polyester, lower chamber is 25% polyester, 75% foam
- Weight: Not specified
Glowing Customer Review: "I use the Rest and Read pillow in bed and on the couch. It's nice to have a great support pillow for reading."
Pros
- Free 7-day trial and return policy
- Flexible shape conforms to your body instead of the other way around
Cons
- Extra pillow cases are $79
If you love Buffy’s super-breathable comforters, then you’ll be just as obsessed with this oversized lumbar pillow. Floppy yet supportive, this full-body pillow is nearly seven feet long, and it’s ideal for all your sitting-up-in-bed needs. (Side note: It’s also a must-have pillow for pregnant folks.) The best part? You can customize it to your liking thanks to the pillow cases sold separately.
- Dimensions: 8” x 82”
- Fill: 100% recycled PET
- Weight: Not specified
COSMO'S REVIEW: "This Buffy pillow is an absolute game changer. It's suuuper long, so you can basically wrap it all around your body whether sitting or laying down," says editor Olivia Truffaut-Wong. "As a side sleeper, I love that I can stick this in between my knees and still have it support my ankles to keep me aligned."
Pros
- Leg wedge and head rest are included
- Head pillow velcro attachment is customizable to your desired height
Cons
- It's too big to move around at night (if you like to sleep sitting up)
If you’re looking to lounge like a GD boss, then this four-piece set is calling your name. Available in a bunch of pretty colors, this memory foam pillow set includes a curved back wedge pillow, a back scoop for lumbar support, a leg wedge, and a head rest, all of which you can adjust to your liking.
The leg wedge can be especially helpful for those with lower back problems. "The extra support for knee elevation helps relieve pressure off your lower back and tailbone which creates less stress on the spine," says Audrey Mitchell. You can even use leg wedge at night, either under your knees if you sleep on your back, or in between your lefts on your side.
- Dimensions: 33" x 24" x 11"
- Fill: Memory foam
- Weight: 4 lbs
Glowing Customer Review: "Worked well for the bedroom when I watch television. Supports my back and knees. Strongly recommend for those with lower back and knee problems. Would buy again."
Pros
- Includes a removable neck roll and side pockets
- Comes extra stuffed and additional fill is available for purchase
Cons
- Some reviewers note that it is quite bulky
Another chic husband pillow option, this pretty baby comes in dozens of colors and even includes a detachable neck roll pillow and side pocket for your phone. I love its shredded memory foam filling because you can customize it to your liking (it comes with extra filling).
- Dimensions: 8.5” x 15” x 31.5”
- Fill: Shredded memory foam
- Weight: 9.1 lbs
Glowing Customer Review: "This back pillow is magical. It prevents me from having back pain. It's super soft and comfortable. Love the fact that it comes with neck support."
Pros
- Gorgeous handcrafted design makes it stand out
Cons
- Not as supportive or comfy as memory foam pillows
Who said back support had to be boring? This fun lumbar support pillow comes with a soft feather fill and a cotton shell handcrafted and embroidered with felted wool to create a one-of-a-kind candy-colored flower pattern. So you can use it to sit up in bed at night and make your bed look like a fresh field of flowers in the morning.
- Dimensions: 14" x 32"
- Fill: Feathers
- Weight: Not specified
Glowing Customer Review: "Bought one several months ago and then another one just recently. I have two because they are the most comfortable lumbar pillows that I have found!"
Pros
- Available in three wedge heights
Cons
- Some reviews mention strong “chemical” smell
Brentwood Home has TONS of supportive foam wedge pillows for all your lounging needs, but its bestseller is this amazingly affordable option, which comes in three different sizes and includes a removable (and washable!) bamboo cover. Why a wedge? According to Mitchell, the shape is "ideal for sitting up". Just make sure the rest of your body is well supported.
- Dimensions: 24" x 24" x 7" (for smallest size)
- Fill: Dense foam
- Weight: Not specified
Glowing Customer Review: "This wedge is comfy for both reading and sleeping. I developed acid reflux and needed to elevate my head and it seems to help! The fabric is great quality."
Pros
- Offers substantial arm support
Cons
- Some reviewers say it wasn't filled enough to be supportive
This option from Moon Pod has earned hundreds of five-star reviews, and for good reason: It’s comfy AF. The Crescent is filled with thousands of high-density beads that cradle you like a bean bag chair but still leave you feeling totally supported. It's also relatively light, so it's easy to move from room to room.
- Dimensions: 50-56” x 20-24” x 20-24”
- Fill: High density beads
- Weight: Not specified, but reviewers say it is lightweight
Glowing Customer Review: "This has great neck support to read, watch TV, or just relax."
How to find the best pillow for sitting up in bed for you
We all have different tastes when it comes to decor, so I'll leave that up to you. When it comes to what you should be looking for in a pillow for sitting up, however, there are a few key things to look for.
What is the best pillow with neck support?
If you're looking for a pillow with neck support, you'll want to look into a bigger pillow that reaches your neck or one that comes as part of a set. Mitchell warns that you want to make sure it's not too high or pushing your neck forward, but you also want to make sure it's not too low. She says the best pillow will support the curve of your neck, adding, "Not on your head and not on your shoulders."
What pillow is best for working in bed?
If you got used to working from bed during the pandemic, well, join the club. Unfortunately, that could be the reason for more frequent aches and pains. "As an ergonomist, I never recommend working from bed," Mitchell says. But if you are working from your bed, you need three essentials: a sit-up pillow, a knee pillow, and a lap desk.
Finally, comfy though your bed set-up might be, Mitchell also cautions against staying in one position for too long. "Take breaks regularly to encourage blood circulation and muscle recovery," she advises. "This might look like taking a 1-5 minute break for every 45 minutes you are seated."
Meet the expert:
- Audrey Mitchell is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L), Postural Alignment Specialist (PAS), and Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist (CEAS). She is also the founder of Bloom Ergonomics.
Why trust Cosmo?
As you probably know, Cosmo’s lifestyle team spends all day, every day scouring the internet, testing products, and reading reviews so we can bring you the type of high-quality content we’d want for ourselves (and our standards are preeeetty darn high, TBH).
It’s also really important to us that each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge, and we try to make sure the products we feature are good for both you and our planet. If we wouldn’t buy something for ourselves, we sure as heck won’t recommend it to you—and we’re always gonna keep it really, really real. Pinky swear.
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