I Shop Amazon for a Living—and This Pillow With 5,000 Five-Star Ratings Changed the Way I Sleep

Are you getting restorative sleep? This seemingly simple question from my doctor challenged everything I thought I knew about sleep.

When my endocrinologist asked me this several years ago, it made me realize that despite laying in bed for at least eight hours every night, I still felt tired. I realized something had to change, and it forced me to evaluate my sleep quality and hygiene. I realized that I needed some better habits, and that I needed to upgrade a few items in my bedroom, which is when I discovered this supportive and plush pillow from Casper with 5,000 five-star Amazon ratings.

To buy: $65, amazon.com

Restorative sleep has less to do with the amount of time spent asleep and more to do with the quality of your slumber. It's a deep sleep that gives your body and mind time to rest and repair, helping you to feel refreshed the next day, according to the American Psychological Association. And it can impact your energy, mood, memory, and overall health.

I knew that I spent much of the night tossing and turning, so my doctor suggested a series of improvements: decreasing my caffeine consumption, managing stress through exercise and journaling, and creating a relaxing nighttime routine (sans devices). I was also told to invest in blackout curtains and ensure that my body was comfortable and supported while sleeping, which made me realize it was time to upgrade my pillow.

On Amazon alone, there are more than 3,000 bed pillow options, so I began researching ones that had achieved an impressive number of five-star ratings and were popular with fellow shoppers. I was looking for something cooling and dense, but not overstuffed. And it had to be relatively affordable, too. I couldn't afford to shell out hundreds of dollars.

The fill and thickness of Casper's standard pillow immediately impressed me. As both a back and side sleeper, I need something versatile.The $65 find looked supportive enough to cradle my neck without lifting my head too high. And I was excited to see if its clump-resistant claim held up.

To buy: $65, amazon.com

The pillow's hypoallergenic microfiber fill gave it a fluffy feel similar to down, but without the feathers that tend to shed and make me sneeze. And it wasn't too firm, thick, or stiff, like some foam ones. It felt huggable and worthy of snuggling, which was also important. And it's all thanks to its clever "pillow-in-pillow design."

If you take it apart, you'll discover that there's an inner pillow that's more firm and supportive. This layer stays dense and doesn't shift around. And then there's another pillow that surrounds this one, which feels more soft and fluffy and gives it a plush look and feel.

The first night I used it, I drifted off—and stayed asleep—for the entire night. In fact, I woke up feeling disoriented, thinking it had to be 2 or 3 in the morning, and then realized it was time to get ready for work. I was shocked and delighted by how long and deeply I slept. There were no lumps that formed, so I didn't need to re-fluff or adjust it during the night. My neck wasn't in pain. It stayed cool through the night. And it's been my go-to ever since.

Thousands of Amazon reviewers also love the cotton-covered pillow. Owners gave it a perfect rating for its softness, comfort, support, and overall value. And it's now one of Amazon's best-selling bed pillows overall.

Many reviewers who are also back and side sleepers raved about the pillow as well. And like me, they appreciated its soft but supportive feel. Owners say it's "worth every penny," "a great investment," and "life changing."

There are still some nights when I feel restless or wired, but I can usually trace it back to something that was off that day, like too much screen time or caffeine. And while one tweak may not drastically improve the quality of my sleep, I've found that implementing several changes, like upgrading my pillow and creating better lifestyle habits, worked synergistically and helped move the needle. And I think one Amazon reviewer summarized it perfectly: "Since I discovered this pillow about three years ago, I can't sleep well without it, and no other pillow will do."

To buy: $65, amazon.com