The Best Leg Elevation Pillows of 2024

Many products intended for surgical recovery prioritize function over form, but this leg positioner pillow by KingPavonini is one I didn’t mind having front and center in my living room or bedroom. Not only does the soft fabric feel luxurious (and is easy to remove, wash, and re-place), but I was instantly struck by the myriad options for height of the user and portability.

The model we tested has Velcro to attach the bottom layer to the middle layer, along with handles to readjust if the user has limited mobility. There’s a contour for two legs that’s wide enough for larger users or those with a leg cast or knee brace, but it’s not so large that it won’t fit evenly on an average-width couch seat.

This pillow is also head and shoulders above the rest because its thoughtful design features two different kinds of memory foam: The top layer and pad are gel memory foam that stay cool and dry, while the bottom two layers are high-density foam that retain the pillow’s overall structure.

Heavier users, or those who thrash in their sleep, may notice some slipping of the two layers of foam in the middle pillow so they are slightly uneven on the sides. This can be modified by slipping two longer pieces of harder cardboard or light plywood into the case, so they hug the pillow’s longer sides.

For side sleepers just getting into the knee pillow game, Omloon is a good place to start thanks to its smaller size—and its small price tag. I found this one to be the least unwieldy of the models for side sleepers, especially since it’s only 10 inches wide. The softer memory foam is a bit more tolerable for those unused to sitting or sleeping with an aid (although it may not be great long term for heavier users).

As a person of average height, the dimensions aren’t overwhelming for putting between the thighs or the shins, although there’s a bit of a Catch-22 with the 3-inch center height (which curves in from 5 inches at the sides). The molding has a hole for airflow that works for breathability, but the pillow may cave in on itself slightly depending on the weight of the user because the foam isn’t as dense as other pillows’.

The other Catch-22? The super-soft polyester cover (whose zipper is admittedly easy to handle and well-made) means this pillow is more slippery than other fabric blends. Side note: Even though this isn’t my long-term leg/knee pillow of choice, it does make a great driving pillow when attached to a car headrest.

The blue and white cover reminiscent of a hospital setting doesn’t exactly scream chic, but there are many thoughtful design elements that make this model a winner—and its price point under $20 certainly helps. The 9-inch width makes this just about the largest pillow an average-sized female (5-foot-4) will be able to rest with between their thighs. The memory foam – which includes air holes for breathability, the only one we tested with that feature—is soft but still wide enough at 3.5 inches to maintain its curvature without sinking in on itself.

The clever hidden zipper design of the cover (which is easy to remove but has to be hand-washed) means there’s no contact between the skin and zipper or its pull. The elastic strap on this one, to place around the thigh or the shin for lower body placement, is comfortable, but not tight—meaning this smooth exterior might not be the ideal choice for sleepers who move frequently.

For users who need slight leg elevation in their waking hours, this KingPavonini Cooling Pillow is great to use underneath the ankle area (although the non-adjustable strap isn’t tight enough in this position for sleeping).