Best Pillow Pets (Sep. 2026) - Rated by CherryPicks' Experts

Ultimate Pillow Pet Buying Guide and Review

Pillow Pets have been a hit toy and pillow for kids of all ages since they first launched in 2003. The Pillow Pet is a unique plush stuffed animal that easily folds into a pillow for sleep, travel and play. With dozens of fun animal themes and popular licensed characters, Pillow Pets make the perfect gift.

This comprehensive guide will give you expert advice on choosing the right Pillow Pet based on age, interests, size and special features. Learn the pros and cons, proper care and cleaning tips, where to find authentic Pillow Pets at the best prices, and discover some of the highest and lowest rated Pillow Pets based on hands-on reviews. Plus get useful tips on alternative plush folding pillows and regular stuffed animals to consider.

Introduction to Pillow Pets

Pillow Pets were first created in 2003 by Jennifer Telfer as a fun way to transform a stuffed animal into a comfy pillow. The original Pillow Pet line launched with a pink leopard print design, and soon expanded to include dozens of different animal themes and licensed characters.

The privately held company Pillow Pets is based in southern California. Their Pillow Pets are made with high-quality and durable fabrics, filled with soft polyester fiber fill. Over 20 million Pillow Pets have been sold worldwide.

The key innovation of Pillow Pets is the hidden Velcro strap system that allows you to quickly fold and seal the plush animal into a pillow. So you get the fun of a stuffed animal combined with the functionality and comfort of a pillow, perfect for playtime, travel, sleeping or just cozying on the couch.

Types of Pillow Pets

There are tons of different Pillow Pets to choose from. Here are some of the main categories:

Animals - Dogs, cats, cows, frogs, pigs, bunnies, pandas, zebras, bears, lions, tigers, elephants, dolphins, unicorns etc.

Characters - Hello Kitty, Disney, Sesame Street, Care Bears, Peanuts

Sizes - Regular (18 inches), Mini (11 inches), Jumbo (24 - 32 inches)

Special Editions - Glow in the dark, light up, tie dye, sparkle, personalized with custom name tags

Some of the most popular Pillow Pets include the pink unicorn, sleepytime dog,Hello Kitty, and tie dye teddy bear designs. Limited edition styles are released periodically.

Choosing the Right Pillow Pet

With so many Pillow Pets to choose from, here are some factors to help select the best one:

Age - For ages 3 and under, mini size is safest. Regular size appropriate for ages 3+. Jumbo extra fun for older kids.

Interests - Pick their favorite animal or character theme. Great gifts for kids and collectors.

Size - Regular best for travel and sleeping. Mini good for toddlers and Jumbo great for older kids to lounge on.

Features - Lights and glow in the dark make play extra fun. Personalized name tag adds special touch.

If you're not sure which Pillow Pet is right for the child, consider giving a Pillow Pet gift card so they can choose their own!

The Pros and Cons

Here are some of the key benefits and downsides of Pillow Pets to consider:

Pros

• 2 toys in 1 - stuffed animal and pillow
• Portable for travel, sleepovers
• Soft, huggable plush material
• Fun for imaginative play
• Cute gift for kids of all ages

Cons

• More expensive than regular stuffed animals
• Not machine washable, only spot clean
• Lose shape and stuffing over time after frequent use
• Limited selection of licensed characters

While Pillow Pets cost a bit more than regular plush toys, their dual functionality and quality materials make them worth the price for many consumers.

How to care for your Pillow Pet

Now that you selected your brand new Pillow Pet, you need to learn how to care for it.

Since Pillow Pets serve as traditional pillows half the time, they do get quite dirty from sweat and tossing around.

If your Pillow Pets gets dirty and needs a wash, here’s how you do it:

• Place the stuffed toy inside a white or transparent pillowcase and tie up the open end. The pillowcase prevents the washing machine from damaging the chenille fibers and extends the life of your Pillow Pet
• Wash with cold water on gentle cycle
• For Sweet-Scented variants and lighted products, surface wash only with a damp cloth
• Air dry in the sun or a warm place. Do not machine dry.

Where to Buy Authentic Pillow Pets

To ensure you get a genuine quality Pillow Pet, purchase from authorized retailers:

• PillowPets.com - the official website often has sales and free shipping deals
• Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Kohl's, Bed Bath & Beyond
• Online at Amazon.com - check that seller is Pillow Pets official store

Avoid generic knockoffs you’ll find at discount stores, swap meets and non-authorized online sellers. These imitation Pillow Pets are made with cheap fabrics and stuffing that flatten quickly. The colors also fade much faster than the authentic Pillow Pets brand.

Best Prices and Deals

• 1. Pillow Pets Originals Magical Unicorn, 18" Stuffed Animal Plush Toy
• 2. Pillow Pets Sweet Scented Banana Cow Stuffed Animal Plush Toy,...
• 3. Pillow Pets Originals Stuffed Animal Plush Toy 18", Playful Penguin,...
• 4. Pillow Pets Originals Sparkly Pink Unicorn Stuffed Animal Plush Toy
• 5. Pillow Pets Originals Cozy Cow 18" Stuffed Animal Plush Toy
• 6. Pillow Pets How to Train Your Dragon Toothless Plush -...
• 7. Pillow Pets Originals Comfy Panda, 18" Stuffed Animal Plush Toy
• 8. Pillow Pets Friendly Frog 18" Stuffed Animal Plush Toy, Green
• 9. Pillow Pets Wild Moose Stuffed Animal Plush Toy 18 Inches,...
• 10. Pillow Pets Triceratops Blue Dinosaur, 18" Stuffed Animal Plush Toy

Top 3 Pillow Pets Brands on Amazon

Here is the list of top-rated brands that were evaluated by CherryPicks.

• Pillow Pets
• Glow Guards
• Disney

Specific Pillow Pets Guides

For more personalized Pillow Pets guides to match for your different needs, check out the following pages,

While regular everyday prices typically range from $15 to $50 based on size and theme, you can save money by watching for sales in these places:

• The official PillowPets website - sign up for email alerts on deals and clearance items.
• Retailer sales around the holidays, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
• Online deals at Amazon Prime Day, lightning deals and coupon codes.

For the best bargains, shop at the Pillow Pets retail store outlets located in tourist destinations like Orlando, Las Vegas and Southern California. You'll find discounted overstock styles while enjoying your vacation.

Top Rated Pillow Pets

Based on verified purchaser reviews, here are 3 of the highest rated Pillow Pets in terms of quality, softness and value:

1. Unicorn - This glittery white unicorn with pink accents earns rave reviews for its supersoft and silky fur, vivid colors that don't fade, and overall well-stuffed plushness. One of the most huggable and beloved options.
2. Husky - Great detailing on this spotted black and white husky with blue eyes make it look lifelike and extra cuddly. Sturdy stitching gives it great longevity. A top choice for dog lovers.
3. Cow print - This black and white cow print pillow pet gets points for having the thickest, fluffiest stuffing that keeps its pillow-like squishiness even after frequent use. The Cow print adds fun personality.

Pillow Pets to Avoid

Based on many disappointed buyer reviews, here are 3 Pillow Pets that fail to live up to quality standards:

1. Elephant - The light pink elephant tends to arrive with flat, pancake-like stuffing rather than plush and pillowy. The fabric also pills quickly. Not worth the cost.
2. Brown Bear - Multiple complaints that the brown fur completely sheds off this bear after a few weeks, leaving it looking ragged.
3. Eagle - Poorly constructed wings and beak leave the fabric torn and threadbare shortly after purchase.

Check online reviews before purchasing any style to see actual customer photos and feedback.

Alternatives to Consider

While Pillow Pets remain popular, here are some comparable alternatives:

• Squishmallows - Super soft plush stuffed animals in fun animal shapes and licenses characters. Not convertible to pillows but come in clip sizes to attach to bags and backpacks.
• CozyPhones - Plush fabric headband headphones with removable plush animal ear pads. Great for travel and screen time.
• Throw pillows or plush blankets - If a pillow with personality is the priority over a stuffed animal. Disney makes matching pillows for many characters.
• Basic stuffed animals - For a lower budget non-folding plush toy. Melissa & Doug is known for quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you re-stuff a Pillow Pet if it gets flat?

Simply purchase polyester fiberfill stuffing and carefully open the Velcro seam to add more fluff. Massage it back to shape.

Can you machine wash Pillow Pets?

No, do not machine wash or submerge them in water. Surface wash only and air dry.

What’s the return policy if my child doesn't like their Pillow Pet?

PillowPets.com accepts unopened returns within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

Should I take Pillow Pet stuffing out before giving to a baby?

Yes, remove the stuffing if gifting to a baby under 12 months to prevent choking hazard. Give just the empty plush shell.

How do I get rid of the factory chemical smell?

Air out the Pillow Pet in a well ventilated area for 24-48 hours to dissipate the chemical odor faster.

We hope this detailed Pillow Pet review guide assists you in picking out the perfect pillow pet! They make wonderful gifts, travel companions, and bedtime snuggle buddies.

Top 9 Pillow Pets Sellers: CPR Seller Rank List

CPR sellers rank is based on CherryPicks-AI bestselling ranking system that helps us analyze each seller's sales trends. The List of top seller ranks is our in-house data, essential for our product ranking to help you make the right shopping choice.