The 8 Best Reading Pillows & Book Seats [2025 edition]

A reading pillow, also known as a “husband pillow”, is a cushion specially designed to take your reading experience to the next level and make it 100% more comfortable.

The best reading pillows, reviewed

Here’s our updated list of the best husband pillows based on features, value, and reviews:

1. The Linenspa Reading Pillow
2. The Husband Pillow Big Bedrest
3. The Avana Kind Bed Orthopedic Support Pillow
4. The Brentwood Shagalicious Bedrest
5. The BedLounge Classic
6. The Arlee Oversized Bedrest Lounger
7. The YesIndeed XL Reading Pillow
8. The MittaGonG Backrest Reading Pillow

Click on each to know more about them or click here jump to our buying guide.

Reading pillows with arms: reviews

If you wish to buy a reading pillow and are looking for a bit of direction, you are in the right place.

Let’s dive right in:

1. The Linenspa Reading Pillow

My favorite of the bunch. Good for adults and teens, the Linenspa Reading Pillow is filled with shredded foam clusters and covered in breathable velour, which makes it both durable and soft.

It also incorporates a handle, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go. This reading pillow with arms is available in two sizes (standard and extra-large), which I’m sure tall people will appreciate.

Oh, and it comes with a 3-year warranty. Nice, uh?

2. The Husband Pillow Big Bedrest

Talk about comfy additions! The Husband Pillow wholly elevates the concept. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more complete reading pillow. Let’s see:

• Side AND back pockets? ✔
• Neck roll? ✔
• Blend of foam AND memory foam? ✔
• Multiple colors to choose from? ✔
• Convenient handle for easy portability? ✔

This back-rest pillow is filled with a blend of foam and memory foam, which makes it more breathable, and covered in soft microsuede.

I know what your next question will be: can I remove the cover to wash it? Yes.

Even the inner cover includes a zipper so you can access the foam.

It’s also bigger than most husband pillows, which tall people I’m sure will appreciate, and comes with a 3-year warranty.

3. The Avana Kind Bed Orthopedic Support Pillow

The Avana Kind Bed combines four pillows into one super-bed rest system. Each of the pillows is filled with foam and a 1-inch layer of viscoelastic memory foam and the cover is micro-velvet and it can be removed and machine washed.

All in all, a very solid option for people confined in bed for long periods of time due to its versatility.

It comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

4. The Brentwood Shagalicious Bedrest

Nothing shy about this reading pillow. The Brentwood Shagalicious Bedrest comes in hot pink, lime, and turquoise.

You’ll feel like Sulley from Monsters Inc. is hugging you.

5. The BedLounge Classic

The BedLounge Classic might be the most adjustable of all the reading pillows we’ve seen so far:

• You can adjust the headrest (it rises up to 12 inches and rotates);
• you can adjust the arms (which are flexible to accommodate multiple body sizes;
• and you can adjust the lumbar pillow (for extra support).

The construction is also quite interesting: the cushions are filled with feathers and down, a two-inch fleece polyfiber, and urethane foam. As for the cover, you’ll be able to choose from multiple materials –cotton, denim, microsuede–and colors.

All in all, maybe not the most breathable pillow, but the covers are removable and machine-washable.

6. The Arlee Oversized Bedrest Lounger

The Arlee Oversized Bedrest Lounger prides itself on being comfortable for adults of all sizes. At 36″ x 19″ x 24″, this “extra-tall” pillow offers back and neck support, and a wide body with even wider arms.

The filling is a mix of virgin polyester fibers and fibers made from repurposed plastic bottles, which is very cool of them. However, despite being 100% polyester, the cover is spot-clean only. If not being able to machine-wash your new pillow is a deal-breaker, this might not be the one for you.

7. The YesIndeed XL Reading Pillow

If you’re looking for a large reading pillow, look no further. The YesIndeed XL Reading Pillow is 18 inches high and has an arm length of 12 inches.

This pillow is filled with shredded foam and covered in velour. Best thing about the cover? It’s soft, breathable, water-repellant and —and this is great— double-stitched. However, it does not come off, which means no machine-washing.

The YesIndeed XL also comes with a 4-year warranty, which is the longest of all the reading pillows in this article.

Keep in mind that this pillow comes in a compressed form, so you’ll need to let it sit for 3 to 5 days in a well-ventilated room until it reaches its full shape.

8. The MittaGonG Backrest Reading Pillow

Yet another item for the extra-large reading pillows category. At 21-inches high and 20-inches wide, the MittaGong Backrest Reading Pillow claims to be more supportive than usual reading pillows.

Filled with shredded foam, one of the main features of this husband pillow are its long and thick armrests. They will help you relieve neck pain by taking some weight off your shoulders and neck muscles when you’re reading, watching tv or playing video games.

The cover is machine-washable and fully removable thanks to the zipper at the bottom of the pillow. It also includes a very convenient side-pocket and a handle for easy transportation.

Bookseats, the Perfect Reading Companions

Since we’re on the topic of a comfortable reading experience, let’s go the extra-mile: BEHOLD, THE BOOKSEAT:

This unique pillow will hold your book (or tablet) upright wherever you are. Also, thanks to its shape, plushy construction, and softness, bookseats can also double as travel pillows.

Add to that a convenient storage pocket and you have yourself the perfect companion to your reading pillow. This, right here, is what peak comfort reading looks like.

What is a reading pillow and how can it benefit me?

A reading pillow, also known as a “husband pillow”, looks like this:

• The backrest, which is fluffy and big, provides full back support—from the neck down to the lumbar area.
• The armrests are high and wide, and equally fluffy, so your forearms and elbows will rest comfortably.

As you can see, this pillow’s whole shape is designed to keep your body in an optimal position for reading, resting, working on your laptop, or watching TV.

No more piling random pillows against the headboard until they’re flat and ruined, and no more neck or shoulder soreness due to lack of body support.

By the way, if your lower back hurts after sitting for long periods of time, you might find our articles about lumbar support pillows and coccyx cushions informative.

How to choose the right reading pillow
(aka “husband pillow”)

If you want to buy the reading pillow of your dreams, here’s what you need to know to make the right decision:

1. The Filling

Generally, reading pillows are filled with a combination of foam and memory foam. Memory foam is a type of polyurethane that you might also know as “viscoelastic foam” because of its elasticity and viscosity. It was invented by NASA back in the 60s, and today it’s used a lot in comfort items like mattresses and pillows.

Reading pillows are usually filled with shredded memory foam because it’s lighter, more moldable, and allows for better airflow than solid foam. This unique composition not only provides excellent support for your back and neck while you read or watch TV but also conforms to your body shape, enhancing your overall comfort. Additionally, the breathability of shredded memory foam helps regulate temperature, ensuring you stay cozy without overheating. When choosing a reading pillow, consider the filling type, as it greatly impacts your reading experience, allowing you to indulge in your favorite activities for hours on end without discomfort.

2. The Cover

When choosing a reading pillow, the exterior material should be:

1. Breathable.

Breathability is the ability of a fabric to allow moisture to be transmitted through the material, instead of building it up inside the fabric. This feature is essential for maintaining comfort during extended use. Shredded memory foam allows for better airflow than other fillings, enhancing the overall comfort of the pillow. Combined with a nice breathable fabric, such as cotton or microfiber, it will help you avoid a sweaty back and limbs when resting on your reading pillow for long periods of time.

Opting for a cover that promotes airflow not only enhances comfort but also contributes to a healthier sleeping environment by minimizing humidity and heat retention. Additionally, breathable fabrics are often easier to clean and maintain, ensuring that your reading pillow remains fresh and inviting. Overall, choosing the right cover material is just as important as selecting the right filling, as it plays a crucial role in your overall reading experience.

2. Removable and easy to wash.

If you’re worried about being able to machine-wash your new pillow, make sure to choose one with a removable cover.

Reading pillows with removable covers consist of an “interior bag”, which will contain the fillings, and an “exterior shell” that will cover it.

Thus, the interior bag will remain clean (and the fillings safely contained) and the exterior shell will be easy to take off whenever it needs to be washed.

3. Soft and comfortable.

Reading pillows are designed for comfort, so they’re usually covered in soft fabrics like cotton, microsuede or microvelvet.

Conveniently, the three are breathable, durable, and easy enough to clean.

3. The Construction

Craftsmanship is important if we want our new reading pillows to last for a long time.

Being able to clean them when necessary is important, but making sure they don’t fall apart at the seams after a few months of use is an absolute must.

Make sure to double-check the quality of the materials used in your product, and that its stitches are tight and even.

Double stitched seams would be optimal.

4. The Warranty

A good warranty offers peace of mind to the buyer AND goes to show that the manufacturer believes in the quality of their product.

Thus, my philosophy is that quality products should have at least a 3-year warranty.