Best Reading Pillow – Buyer’s Guide

From reading just before going to sleep to working on your laptop in bed, to having good back support while binge-watching your favorite series on the couch or playing your favorite video games, a reading pillow can be one of the most functional items to have on hand.

Reading pillows are usually much more rigid than sleeping pillows and couch cushions because they are designed offer you better back support for long periods of sitting. Most reading pillows also feature arm rests, which can be useful to keep your arms from getting tired as you hold your book or laptop. Many reading pillows also have a handle to help make it easier to move the pillow from your bed to your couch and beyond.

Choosing the proper reading pillow can seem difficult because, for the most part, they all look identical aside from variations in color or texture. To really choose the best reading pillow for you, you will want to focus on three main factors: 1) the interior material that gives the reading pillow its structure, 2) the material that makes up the exterior of the reading pillow, and 3) the size, which affects how easy it is to store and transport the pillow. These factors work together to either make a supportive reading or binge-watching companion, or they work to make a floppy, unsupportive decoration pillow.

For a quick reference guide to buying a reading pillow, check out the table below. For more details on five of the best reading pillows available, keep reading!

1. LINENSPA Shredded Foam Reading Pillow with Arms – The Overall Best Traditional Sit Up Pillow

The design of this Linenspa shredded foam reading pillow is rather typical: it features a rectangular backrest with two armrests as well as a handle to make transport of the pillow easier. It has a velour cover which can maintain its softness for a long period of time with proper care, and it comes in two sizes, standard and X-large.

An Innovative Pillow Structure

Above all, the Linenspa shredded foam reading pillow is one of the most unique pillows on the market because of its innovative structure. Unlike stiffer versions of reading pillows made from memory foam, which can cause back pain in some due to their extreme rigidity, this pillow features shredded stuffing. Ultimately, the shredded foam conforms to the contours of your body while still giving you the freedom to reshape the pillow to be more comfortable. Even better, unlike polyester fiber stuffing that loses its shape over time, the shredded foam stuffing is less likely to clump into the bottom of the pillow with extended use.

The innovative filling of this reading pillow also means that it is more able to stand on its own. While the standard reading pillow must be propped up against a wall or the back of a couch, this reading pillow seems to be structured enough to sit freely, wherever you are. This kind of versatility means that you might be use the reading pillow in much less typical locations, including at a park or a sporting event.

Some Things to Consider

One thing to note with this product is that it is shipped with the minimum of air possible inside the foam. This means that when the reading pillow arrives, it will be completely flat, and it will seem as though it has no structure whatsoever. Additionally, there is a possibility that when the product arrives, it will carry a strong chemical odor from being in the packaging for so long. However, after waiting as little as thirty minutes after all packaging has been removed, the Linenspa pillow will fluff up to be its proper size and shape, and after a few days outside of the packaging, the chemical smell seems to dissipate.
Overall, the Linenspa reading pillow is one of the most comprehensive products on the market with a very traditional structure. For these reasons, this pillow is very highly recommended.

2. Brentwood Originals Plush Reading Pillow for Bed – The Best Option for Readers and Binge-Watchers

The Brentwood plush reading pillow is slightly larger than average, featuring the usual armrests, a rectangular backrest, and handle for ease of transportation. Because of its increased size, this pillow is also slightly heavier than average. The heaviness of this pillow might be cumbersome for certain users. Nonetheless, it also features a soft, plush covering with edges that are reinforced with piping to give the pillow extra structure.

Durable and Comfortable

In addition to its durable structure, this reading pillow features a pocket on the side. This pocket can be useful for those who are avid readers, giving them a built-in storage place for their current book. It might also appeal to TV enthusiasts who would like to keep their remote controls in one convenient location. Video gamers can see this pocket as being a good place to keep their controller. Others might use this pocket to keep their cell phone nearby as they work, without having it be too distracting. In any case, this pocket is a nice added touch.

Overall

The Brentwood plush reading pillow might be the best size, structure, and to nestle in bed with a book or a new movie. The structured material can translate to proper low-back support for spending several hours curled in bed, no matter your preferred pastime.

3. Brentwood Brushed Twill Bedrest Support Pillow – The Best Option for Long-Lasting Durability

This Brentwood reading pillow seems to be typical in just about every aspect. It is the average size of reading pillows, coming in at twenty-six inches wide, and it features supportive arm rests and a handle for transport. Nonetheless, the Brentwood pillow has one feature that sets it apart from the rest of its cohort: it is incredibly lightweight and it features twill as an unconventional exterior fabric.

Lightweight and Comfy

The lightweight aspect of this reading pillow can translate to a great option for people who already have a difficult time moving around and who need to have back support in many different areas of their home. It can also be great for people who plan to take their pillow with them on trips because it can be easily stored in a suitcase for travel without adding too much weight.

Additionally, this Brentwood reading pillow covered with a durable twill fabric that is much more stain resistant than the typical velour and plush options that other reading pillows typically offer. This means that it can be a great option for those who can expect to have stain-prone environments, such as users who will use this pillow outdoors or near food.

Should I Buy One?

Overall, the Brentwood twill bedrest support pillow can be seen as one of the most durable options on the market. It is considered to be from one of the most high-quality manufacturing companies, and its twill material will likely retain its shape much longer than velour or plush. However, for those who only expect to use their reading pillow lightly, the added bonus of durability in an otherwise basic structure may not be a necessary factor.

4. Shagalicious Bedrest by Brentwood Originals – Best Option for Aesthetic Appeal

The Shagalicious Bedrest has all of the important, necessary features in order to be functional: it is twenty-six inches wide, putting it at just slightly wider than average, with good support in the backrest and armrests as well as a handle for transport. The appeal of this reading pillow, however, is the vibrant color options and its shaggy plush exterior.

Supersoft Materials

While the extra-shaggy plush material is very soft to the touch, one of the major drawbacks is that it might shed easily. People who have already purchased this pillow have given mixed reviews about the durability of the plush fibers. While most reviewers have reported that they have had no issue with the pillow shedding, a small percentage of other reviewers have claimed to have issues from the beginning. For buyers who already have experience with taking care of plush fabrics, this pillow will likely fall into their expectations of durability as the overall quality of this reading pillow is typical.

Fun and Pleasant to Touch

Shagalicious Bedrest is functional only to an average extent. However, for those who are looking for a fun pop of color and texture to add to their bedding with little worry for having the best backrest on the market, this reading pillow might be the most aesthetically appealing and fun option, while still maintaining enough support to be functional.

5. Superior Wedge Shaped Memory Foam Pillow – Best Option for Back Support and Storage

The Superior Wedge Shaped Memory Foam Pillow stands out from the rest of the market because of its interesting geometric design and its atypical materials. This pillow is made from memory foam, which means that users will need to wait at least twenty-four hours after opening their package to have the pillow be at its optimal size. In addition, this Superior-brand pillow features a cover made from a rayon-bamboo fiber blend. The triangular design of this pillow means that it can be much more versatile than other reading pillows.

Shape and Materials

The shape is not the only aspect of this pillow that makes it interesting. The removable cover can be very appealing to those who would prefer to do more than spot cleaning of their pillow’s exterior. The rayon-bamboo blend is also stain-resistant which can be a good option for those who do not want to have any marks on their pillows.
Because of its triangular shape, this memory foam pillow can be much more multifaceted than a typical reading pillow. This reading pillow can also be useful for people who suffer from acid reflux, as the angle of the triangle is meant to be the perfect slope to counteract the acid as it rises. Additionally, this pillow can be used to elevate the user’s feet or knees, which can be useful for those who have circulation problems and need to have elevated support.

In Conclusion

Above all, the unique design of the Superior-brand wedge pillow makes it a very appealing option. It has all of the support that is necessary in a reading pillow, while being much more versatile than its competitors. The only real downside of this pillow is that it does not feature armrests, which can be displeasing for those who are looking to have arm support while working on their computer or reading.

Best Reading Pillow – Buyer’s Guide

As you can see, the shape of reading pillows is, generally, identical. While there are exceptions, including the Superior-brand wedge, reading pillows feature armrests, a backrest, and a handle. Their variations, as a result, are based on only three aspects: 1) the interior material, 2) the exterior material, and 3) the size. Before you make a decision from one of the five reading pillows above, let’s take a closer look at how each of these aspects truly affects the quality and functionality of your future reading pillow.

The Interior Material

As seen in the examples above, there are two kinds of interior materials that are used to fill reading pillows: foam and polyester microfiber. For more adequate back support, foam is generally the preferred material. This is because foam is a very sensitive material that responds to heat and pressure that will form around the shape of your lower back. This provides the most comprehensive back support, and it can be the most comfortable option because it provides so much support.

Nonetheless, not all memory foam is created equally. For some, memory foam can be too stiff. This problem is remedied, however, by a shredding process that breaks a large chunk of memory foam into much smaller pieces. The shredding process does not entirely destroy the integrity of the foam, which means that even in the smaller, more flexible form, the foam will be able to conform to the shape of your body comfortably in response to your body’s heat.

For people who do not necessarily need a high-grade level of back support, however, polyester microfibers tend to be supportive enough to provide the desired comfort of a reading pillow. This material is usually cheaper as well, which can be a benefit for shoppers looking to have the best deal.

The Exterior Material

In the above examples, five different kinds of exterior materials were represented:

• velour
• plush
• twill
• shag plush
• rayon-bamboo blend

In addition to the kinds of materials seen above, you might also find pillows that are made entirely from cotton or from other synthetic materials like polyester.

Nonetheless, if you are very worried about keeping the exterior of your reading pillow clean, you will likely want to find a pillow that has a removable cover. Conversely, you can also consider buying a separate cover if you are unable to find a reading pillow that has a removable cover.

The Size

Not all reading pillows are created equally. For most adults, pillows will need to be at least twenty-inches tall in order to provide adequate lower and upper back support. More importantly, the taller the pillow, the more neck support the pillow will provide.

The amount of comfort you need from your reading pillow depends on what your intended use is. For people who want to use the reading pillow to work, back support and arm support are the most important aspects to consider, so shorter reading pillows with long arms might be more appealing. However, neck support can be particularly appealing for people who intend to use their reading pillow to lounge comfortably while watching movies.

Additionally, the width of the reading pillow can affect its comfort. Pillows that are at least twenty inches wide are generally large enough for adults. The larger the width of the pillow, the more space you will have to move around. If it is too wide, however, you may have difficulty putting your arms in the arm rest.

The best approach to getting the proper pillow size for you is to measure the space you typically need to feel comfortable with non-reading pillows, or to base it off of a reading pillow you already have. In any case, knowing what the dimensions physically look like when you are shopping will help you to avoid making a mistake when you finally order your reading pillow.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, your reading pillow will need to fit into your life and be able to function to best serve your needs. The reading pillows presented in this article represent the variety that you’ll find on the market today, each with something that makes them stand out from the others.

Nonetheless, the product that truly stands out from the others that seems to be the best candidate to meet the needs for the majority of the buyers here is the LINENSPA Shredded Foam Reading Pillow with Arms. Not only is this pillow made with the unique shredded foam technology that will allow it to stand on its own, it is also slightly taller than average. With a velour exterior, this pillow is also the most likely to be the best tactile option.

As you’ve learned above, the simplistic shape of reading pillows can be deceiving, giving the impression that all reading pillows are more or less the same. In spite of the similar shape, reading pillows can vary in many ways. The interior and exterior materials are usually varied to provide different levels of comfort and rigidity, whereas the size of the pillow can directly affect its intended function.

Using the knowledge you have gained from this article, you will now be able to more aptly discern which reading pillow is going to fulfill your needs. Never hesitate to read the reviews, and hopefully soon, you will be lounging just a little bit more comfortably!