SEX IS supposed to feel good, and if it doesn't, don't be afraid to stop and change positions. Even the smallest adjustment can make a big difference in the amount of pleasure you and your partner both feel during sex.
Take the missionary position, for example. It's probably the most classic and traditional sex position, but what if we told you changing your position could make it even better? You can, and a sex pillow can help. By raising your partner's pelvis by just a few inches, this slight adjustment allows for deliciously deep penetration. And that's just one example and one position. If you want to increase pleasure and experience new sensations from your standard sex positions, it's time to invest in a pillow or cushion specifically designed for sex.
“Sex pillows give you the option of altering the sex position you’re in so that it’s optimal for both partners,” explains Kenneth Play, an international sex educator and sex hacker. “Adjusting things like the angle of penetration by changing the angle of one person’s pelvis can make a big difference, especially for the receiver. For example, angling a pelvis upwards, called an anterior pelvic tilt, is great for A-spot and G-spot stimulation.”
Using a sex pillow is great for the giver, too. Often, the giver has to place themselves in a strenuous position in order to prop up their partner, but the thing is, you’re not going to be able to focus on the naked person in front of you if your knees are aching and your neck is strained.
Additionally, sex pillows free up your hands, since you no longer have to hold up your partner and can make oral sex much more pleasurable, too. “With the hips raised, the genitals are at eye level, making oral sex better as no one gets a tired neck,” says Taylor Sparks, an erotic educator and founder of Organic Loven. (Speaking of hands-free action, there are even sex pillows with holes to insert a vibrator or dildo.)
Here are Play and Sparks' favorite sex pillows and cushions, along with some highly-rated fan favorites on Amazon.
Both Play and Sparks independently recommended the Liberator Wedge. Play went as far as to say it should be a staple in every couple's bedroom.
Sparks adds, "It takes doggy style and every other position up one level. With a 27 degree angle, g-spot penetration and satisfaction are easily achieved."
Our sexperts love Dame's firm-but-cushiony pillow that comes with a waterproof liner that's removable, so you can throw it in the washing machine if sex on it get messy. "Sex is juicy! We might not want those juices on our pillows at night," says Al Fine, CEO of Dame.
It's the Liberator Wedge with a sexy BDSM twist. This highly-rated pillow comes with a blindfold and clips to attach restraints for the wrists or ankles.
A #1 bestseller in Amazon's sex furniture category, this inflatable wedge-shaped pillow has hundreds of five-star ratings. (Plus, it's on the cheaper end of the spectrum.) Fans appreciated how easy it was to inflate, as well as the comfort and sturdiness of the pillow. "My S.O. inflated it for me earlier this evening with about 4 or 5 big breaths," one reviewer said. "It gets really firm and holds air. It doesn't stretch out under my weight either. It definitely improves the 'angle' for the act so he hits just the right spot."
For a much cheaper alternative, this half moon pillow is an Amazon fan favorite. With over 1,300 five-star ratings, this pillow does more than adjust your angles. It also has a hole to insert a vibrator or dildo, so you can straddle it like a Motorbunny sex machine. (Reviewers recommend inserting the toy before you blow it up.)
"The Liberator Jaz is great for those new to using sex pillows," Sparks says. "It is smaller than your bed pillow but wide enough for most people’s hips. It comes in a variety of colors to match your bedroom decor and you can just leave it on the bed."
"The Liberator Black Label Wedge/Ramp Combo are two pillows that fit together to adjust to all body types," Sparks says. "It comes with a blindfold, handcuffs, and ankle cuffs that easily attach to the pillows." In addition to being able to use the pillows together or separately, "It’s a fun entry into some light kink and sensory deprivation," Sparks says.
The Liberator Toy Mount Sex Pillow lets you put a sex toy in it—think: a vibrator or a dildo—and then ride or grind against it hands-free. (Even if you're not using a sex toy, you can use this product like a regular sex pillow to prop up various body parts.)
"These Buckwheat Pillows from Amazon work great," Play says. Made from cotton and filled with buckwheat, these extra firm pillows "conform to the shape of the body and are cooling. They also don’t lose shape with time," Plays says.
Specs
Filler Material
100% organic buckwheat hulls
Cover Material
100% natural unbleached cotton
Dimensions
20"L x 14"W
Machine washable?
Yes
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Best Sex Pillow That Doesn't Look Like A Sex Pillow
Liberator Heart Wedge Pillow
Best Sex Pillow That Doesn't Look Like A Sex Pillow
Oh, cute! It's a heart! Well, yes, but it's also strategically shaped to make for easier access to certain key areas. Reviewers said that if one partner lies on their back and aligns their booty with the curves of the pillow, it's easy for their partner to perform oral without straining their neck, and to add in a toy for bonus internal stimulation.
If you need a cheap, no-frills wedge pillow that lets you get into all sorts of sexual positions, this one gets the job done. It has a 15-inch ramp that allows for super deep penetration, and its foam construction provides firm-but-still comfortable support.
Dimenions
15 x 5.5 x 9 inches
Weight
.78 pounds
Machine washable?
No
What to Look for When You Buy A Sex Pillow
There are two types of sex pillows: foam and inflatable. Foam pillows are more firm and provide more support, but they can also be big and bulky, which can take up a lot of space in a small bedroom. Inflatable pillows are less dense but can still provide plenty of support. Unlike bulky wedge or ramp sex pillows, inflatable pillows can be deflated and put away in storage. They're great for travel to help spice things up on your next vacation.
Sex pillows come in all shapes and sizes and some are even designed to be put together to support your different body parts and enhance different positions. If you're into more solo play or mounting sex toys, some sex pillows come with an opening to insert a sex toy and engage in some hands-free pleasure.
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How Do Sex Pillows Make Sex Better?
"Sex pillows are great for reducing pain, and increasing pleasure," says Al Fine, founder and CEO of Dame. "They help adjust the angels in genital and body interaction, and provide support. It's like how being in a supported bridge in yoga is very different from being in an active bridge: same idea!"
The Difference Between A Regular Pillow And A Sex Pillow
What makes a sex pillow so special? The main difference between a sex pillow and a standard pillow is the height and angle. Regular pillows are soft and allow your head to sink in, whereas sex pillows are more firm and designed to keep you propped up and in one place to hit that *perfect* spot and hopefully result in an orgasm (or multiple). Sex pillows are also angled to make sex more comfortable and pleasurable by providing support for different parts of the body so all you have to focus on is embracing the full spectrum of sexual pleasure.
How We Selected
To find the best sex pilows, we consulted with Men's Health sex columnist Zachary Zane, Kenneth Play, an international sex educator and sex hacker, and Taylor Sparks, an erotic educator and founder of Organic Loven. We evaluated our picks based on value, style, and just how well they worked. We also considered anal sex toys that had high customer ratings on Amazon.
Jordyn Taylor is the Executive Digital Editor at Men's Health. She is the co-author of 'Best. Sex. Ever.: 200 Frank, Funny & Friendly Answers About Getting It On,' and an adjunct professor at New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She's covered sex, relationships, health, wellness, and LGBTQ+ issues since 2013, and has previously worked as a reporter and editor at Mic and the New York Observer.