There are dozens of reasons you may choose to purchase a reading pillow other than simply reading while being propped up in bed. Reading pillows can be used after surgery if recommended by a doctor; they can be used while watching TV, doing work, or to give you more support in bed, especially in 2021.
In fact, quality reading pillows should be able to support your spine and conform to your pressure points, which prevent strain on your back, as well as shoulders, and even the neck.
Quick Look At Our Top 5 Picks In 2021
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You can use a simple wedge pillow for this, but I have found that the pillows with back, arm, and neck rest provide maximum comfort and support. The added arms and neck give you a place to lean against and allow the pillow to support you completely.
Take a moment to consider my top choice for a reading pillow, and then look at the top 5 options to see what may work best for you in 2021.
Editor’s Choice For Best Reading Pillow In 2021

- Large size
- Fully adjustable
- Added neck roll
Special Considerations For Compiling This 2021 List
- Durable: I chose pillows for this list to be long-lasting and hold up not just to nightly but almost constant use without flattening or diminishing quality.
- Comfortable: Pillows that I have chosen are the most comfortable options for a reading pillow that comes with armrests and ample back support.
- Portable: Each pillow on this list is equipped to move from one place to the next with the help of a handle on the top of the pillows.
The Top 5 Reading Pillows For You
Linen Spa Shredded Foam Pillow
This is a plush pillow option from Linen Spa that can be ordered in either the standard size or the extra-large size, depending on which is more comfortable for you. It is a multi-functional pillow used for reading, gaming, TV watching, or doing homework or work at home. This pillow’s stuffing is made of shredded memory foam that allows for adjustments to make and air to flow through the pillow more easily. The cover is grey and made of velour, soft and plush against the face, and can be easily cleaned.
The pillow is not extremely heavy and comes with a handle on the top of the pillow that allows you to easily move the pillow from one room to another without issue. There is a 3 year warranty on this pillow in the event that you feel you are not fully satisfied with the product, though I do not believe this will be the case.
Pros:
- Not too expensive
- Multi-functional
- 3 year warranty
- Durable
Cons:
- Takes long to fluff up
- Odor
Brentwood Originals Shagalicious Bedrest
I put this option on the pillow to give you ideas for a teenage girl if you want to give her a present for her birthday or if a doctor requires her to have a supportive pillow to rest on in bed. I say it’s more for a teenage girl because it is a shag pillow that comes in mostly bright colors, including hot pink, lime green, and baby blue.
The pillow runs you about twenty-five dollars and provides optimal support, and is comfortable for prolonged periods of time to rest on. You cannot put the cover in the washing machine, but you can use a damp cloth to spot clean the pillow cover’s surface.
This pillow will be a good aesthetic piece for you in your teenager’s room and will be good for their backs to rest upon if they sit up reading, watching TV or doing homework. The pillow is not to heavy, and it is also not an extremely large pillow and this makes it easy to sit on as well as easy to move from place to place.
Pros:
- Fun color options
- Inexpensive
- Supportive
- Not heavy
Cons:
- Not machine washable
- Not great for boys or adults
Brentwood 557 Corduroy Bedrest
This is an imported pillow option for you that is, as in the name, covered in corduroy material and filled up with polyester to give you a plump and firm pillow. The pillow is not only comfortable for you but is supportive and helps to keep you propped up regardless of how long you are laying or leaning against the surface.
The pillow is marketed around thirty to forty dollars and the price fluctuates with the various color options that you choose from. There are six different colors, including black, coffee bean, tan, navy, chili pepper, and shaded spruce which is close to a teal color.
Pros:
- Supportive
- Comfortable
- Inexpensive
- Color options
Cons:
- Polyester may make it a hot pillow
- A bit soft
Husband Pillow With Neck Roll
You will pay a bit more if you choose this pillow, but it will be worth the higher price tag to get the better quality pillow with more options for you. For example, you can choose what color you want the pillow to be from a range of 16 different colors, including ones like black, grey, and white and brown, baby blue, pink or purple.
The pillow boasts being much larger and more comfortable than your typical reading pillow and has strong, supportive armrests and a head roll for maximum support. The pillow is made of memory foam to give you proper support and conform to your body and is covered in a microfiber cover that is soft against the skin.
This pillow is adjustable in the sense that you can make adjustments to the “loft” or the height of the pillow to make it stand taller or shorter to better fit your height. As with the other reading pillows, this one has a handle comfortably situated on top of the pillow to make it easy for you to pick it up and carry it with you from one place to the next.
Pros:
- Adjustable height
- Memory foam
- Many color options
- Easy to transport
Cons:
- Expensive
- Very large
Milliard Reading Pillow
Milliard’s reading pillow is not an expensive option. Actually, it comes in only one color, grey. However, it comes in three different sizes to give you a good pillow for yourself, your significant other, or even your child. Instead of being filled up with beans as in a bean bag chair, the pillow is stuffed full with shredded memory foam that is guaranteed to give you a comfortable and supportive pillow to prop your back while you are reading.
Because of the shredded memory foam, the pillow is fully adjustable, allowing you to take out or add stuffing to the pillow as often as you need to. You can make it firmer, flatter, or soft depending on what you, individually, need while trying to read in bed, on the sofa, or even on the floor.
The cover of the pillow is velour and has a zipper so you can unzip and remove it and toss it in the washing machine in the event of spills or dirt. There is also a handle on the top of the pillow to make it easier for you to move it from one place to the next.
Pros:
- High quality foam
- Size options
- Fully adjustable
- Machine washable cover
Cons:
- Small
- Hard
Final Thoughts
Whatever reason you are looking for extra support in bed and being propped, I suggest you sincerely consider a reading pillow from this list. I have taken the time to seek out the best, high-quality, low-price pillows that I could find.
Make sure you speak with a doctor before using these pillows after surgery. Choose one that is supportive and comfortable to your own body and needs. Once you select one, test it out and check the warranty if you are not completely satisfied, although I hope you find satisfaction with any option from this particular list.
If you’re selecting one to read books without getting your neck sore, then make sure to try them out if you can before purchasing so you can check if they are the perfect size for your specific body and shape.