We’ve covered plenty of the best pillows overall. But, every sleep expert agrees that there is no one best pillow to rule them all. Rather, it’s all a matter of what’s best for you. As a general rule, stomach sleepers typically sleep best with softer, flatter pillows, side sleepers should opt for a medium model, and back sleepers often do well with a firmer pillow.

Stomach sleepers often have an especially tough time finding the right pillow because it’s nearly impossible to find a neutral neck position while lying face down. There’s no way around the fact that sleeping on your belly puts your back, neck, and head out of alignment. But, for many, they may not have a choice because that’s the only way they can sleep comfortably. It just comes down to finding a pillow with the right shape and loft for your personal sleep style. Here’s what to look for:

Loft (a.k.a. Thickness or pillow height)

Choosing a pillow with the right thickness—also called “loft”—is key for getting good rest, no matter how you sleep. Ideally, you want your head slightly elevated, but not so much so that it’s out of alignment. That’s why low-profile pillows are best for stomach sleepers, since they don’t force the head too far “up” (relative to the mattress).

In-home Trial

No amount of online research or reading reviews will tell you whether a pillow will work for you. That’s why there’s no substitute for trying new bedding at home. So, too, with a new pillow. Ideally, you want a bedding brand that offers some type of in-home trial and a generous return policy. You need at least 30 minutes, ideally a whole night, to test out a new pillow to know if it’s for you.

Cleaning and Care

Ideally, you want to wash your pillows (the pillows themselves, not just the covers) once every season to minimize bacteria, dust mites, and other nastiness. The best pillows, and even many budget models, include machine-washable covers to help expedite the cleaning process. Most foam and memory foam pillows can’t be thrown in the washer, so you’ll just need to rely on a regular pillow cover cleaning schedule instead. Down pillows, on the other hand, can typically be machine-washed in cold water on a gentle cycle to freshen them up.