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The 12 Best Bath Pillows

It's time to soak in serenity and style

Best Bath Pillows

The Spruce / Marcus Millán

Unwinding in a hot bath after a long day can feel like the ultimate form of self-care, so make it even more luxurious with a bath pillow to support your neck or back. The only choice you need to make is if you want a full body pillow, or just a neck and shoulder pillow. Both come with lots of suction cups to stay in place, plus many are machine washable, which is a plus.

To help you soak in serenity — or perhaps to find a great gift for a busy mom in your life — we scoured the internet to research the best bath pillows, considering everything from material to size. Whether you have a soaking tub, a regular bath tub, or a tub and shower combo, there's a bath pillow designed for you.

Best Full Body Bath Pillows

BASIC CONCEPTS Full Body Bath Pillow

Amazon

For the most complete and total relaxation time, go with a full-body bath pillow for more support. These pillows are designed to stretch from one side of the tub to the other, so there's cushioning all over.

Best Neck and Shoulder Bath Pillows

Everlasting Comfort Bath Pillow

Amazon

If you’re short on space and want something more compact, a neck pillow is a perfect option for staying relaxed during bath time. Plus, neck pillows cost about half as much as a full-body bath pillow, so this is a good way to dip your toe into testing bath pillows.

How We Picked Our Products

For this list, we chose a mix of bath pillows that are comfortable, functional, and stylish while keeping different storage needs in mind.

Ultimately, we chose the best neck pillows for smaller spaces and full body pillows if you want a total experience—all with lots of suction so you can relax as long as you want without having to adjust the pillow.

What to Look for in a Bath Pillow

Size and Firmness

A bath pillow, in addition to adding a spa-like ambiance to your routine, may support your overall neck and spine alignment.

“For those who like to lean back and rest their heads for long periods of time, a pillow can certainly be useful,” says Dr. Gbolahan O. Okubadejo, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care. “This is especially the case for tubs with sharp angles at the top that could place significant stress on the back of the neck.” 

When in doubt, Dr. Okubadejo recommends going for the middle of the spectrum. “A medium pillow is preferred in most circumstances, both in terms of size and firmness,” he says.

Material

The materials used in a bath pillow can vary, both in aesthetic and overall construction, depending on its interior and cover. Some common materials include:

  • Mesh bath pillows offer a fabric-like feel, breathability, and a relatively fast dry time. Mesh bath pillows are usually soft and comfortable. 
  • Gel bath pillows are quite elastic and springy. They feel slightly rubbery but can conform to the shape of your body.
  • Silicone bath pillows are easy to clean, flexible, and durable. They also require no drying time because silicone is naturally waterproof.
  • Foam is both comfortable and supportive, making it one of the most popular materials for bath pillows.
  • Plastic is durable, waterproof, and easy to clean. However, it’s not very comfortable and doesn’t provide cushioning.

Installation and Storage

Most bath pillows should be relatively easy to install and store, but the product’s overall design and construction can affect its convenience. Once you place the bath pillow in your desired spot, most options come with suction cups to secure it in place.

Storage can be an important factor when choosing a bath pillow, especially for those who have limited bathroom space. Choosing a smaller, more flexible option that’s designed to tuck away in a drawer, under your sink, or fold away in a closet ensures the pillow doesn’t take up too much valuable storage space.

FAQ
  • Are bath pillows supposed to get wet?

    Yes. While the goal is not to dunk your bath pillow into the tub, bath pillows are always designed to handle a bit of splashing—and, in the case of a full-body bath pillow, full submersion. The only potential disadvantage of water-logging your bath pillow, particularly if it’s made from foam and fabric, is an increased risk of harboring mildew. For this reason, it’s important to allow all bath pillows to dry out prior to stashing them away.

  • Do bath pillows get moldy?

    They certainly can, especially if they’re made from foam and covered in fabric. That said, moldiness can be prevented by properly caring for your bath pillow. Always remove your bath pillow from your tub post-use, and leave it somewhere to dry out completely, preferably in an open area (not a dark closet). Many fabric bath pillows come with drying hooks for convenience and are machine washable.

  • How do you clean a bathtub pillow?

    Depending on the surface of your bath pillow, the answer to how to clean your bath pillow varies. In general, make sure to read the specific care instructions provided by the manufacturer, if possible. For fabric-coated bath pillows, you may have to remove the fabric cover and wash it, either by hand or in the washing machine. For smooth-surface bath pillows, such as those made with vinyl, you may be able to simply wipe it down post-use with a household cleaner.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Aliyah Rodriguez, an associate editor for The Spruce who thinks nothing is more relaxing than unwinding in a hot bath with a good book and a candle lit—she's also a long-term apartment dweller who keeps small-space storage needs in mind with every purchase.

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