Outdoor throw pillows look like indoor ones, but the fabric and fill are chosen to shed water and dry out. Some come sewn closed, some have a removable cover over an insert, and some are inserts only, waiting for a cover you already own.

We compared outdoor pillows on size, fill, fabric and treatment, whether the cover comes off, and care instructions. For long rectangular pillows, see Best Outdoor Lumbar Pillows, or browse the Outdoor Cushions category.

Our Top Picks

PickProduct
Best OverallArden Outdoor Toss Pillow 2-Pack
Best for Removable CoverTWLEAR Outdoor Pillows with Inserts
Best for ReversibleGreendale Home Fashions Outdoor Throw Pillow 2-Pack
Best for Size RangeWHATWEARS Outdoor Throw Pillows with Inserts
Best ValueUtopia Bedding Outdoor Pillows 4-Pack
Best for Inserts OnlyMIULEE Outdoor Pillow Inserts Pack of 4
1
Arden's toss pillows come as a pair at 16 by 16 by 5 inches. The cover is 100% polyester outdoor fabric with enhanced UV protection and a C0 water and stain treatment, and the polyfill is made from recycled plastic bottles. Arden is a long-running outdoor cushion brand, and these pillows are sold to match its seat cushions.
Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Established outdoor cushion brand
  • C0 water and stain treatment
  • Recycled fill

Cons

  • Smaller 16 inch size
  • Cover does not come off
  • Care instructions not listed
Detailed Review

Arden's toss pillows come as a pair at 16 by 16 by 5 inches. The cover is 100% polyester outdoor fabric with enhanced UV protection and a C0 water and stain treatment, and the polyfill is made from recycled plastic bottles. Arden is a long-running outdoor cushion brand, and these pillows are sold to match its seat cushions.

Amazon rating: not available in our product data.

2
TWLEAR's 18 by 18 inch pair pairs a removable polyester cover with a separate insert holding 480 grams of PP cotton. The covers are water repellent, TWLEAR says the fabric resists fading for over 1,000 hours of direct sun, and the auto-locking zipper keeps the insert in place. TWLEAR backs its pillows with a 1-year warranty.
Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Removable cover over a separate insert
  • Written 1-year warranty
  • Many patterns

Cons

  • Spot clean only per the maker
  • Needs 24 to 48 hours to expand
  • Fade figures are the maker's own
Detailed Review

TWLEAR's 18 by 18 inch pair pairs a removable polyester cover with a separate insert holding 480 grams of PP cotton. The covers are water repellent, TWLEAR says the fabric resists fading for over 1,000 hours of direct sun, and the auto-locking zipper keeps the insert in place. TWLEAR backs its pillows with a 1-year warranty.

Amazon rating: not available in our product data.

3
Greendale's square pillows are 17 by 17 by 5 inches and reversible, so you can flip them for a fresh side. The cover is a heavy-duty outdoor polyester, and the polyfiber fill is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Greendale recommends storing them covered and spot cleaning with warm, diluted soapy water.
Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Reversible design
  • Filled in the USA from recycled fiber
  • Clear care instructions

Cons

  • Cover is not removable
  • Maker advises covered storage
  • Fewer sizes than rivals
Detailed Review

Greendale's square pillows are 17 by 17 by 5 inches and reversible, so you can flip them for a fresh side. The cover is a heavy-duty outdoor polyester, and the polyfiber fill is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Greendale recommends storing them covered and spot cleaning with warm, diluted soapy water.

Amazon rating: not available in our product data.

4
Covers come in 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 inch sizes with a one-size-up insert that has its own zippered cover, so the core stays protected.
Detailed Review

Covers come in 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 inch sizes with a one-size-up insert that has its own zippered cover, so the core stays protected.

Amazon rating: not available in our product data.

5
Four plain white 18 inch pillows with a low-absorption water-resistant shell, a simple base to layer under your own covers.
Detailed Review

Four plain white 18 inch pillows with a low-absorption water-resistant shell, a simple base to layer under your own covers.

Amazon rating: not available in our product data.

6
Four 18 inch inserts with 7D fiber and a 110GSM waterproof shell. MIULEE says they are machine washable on a gentle cycle and can be tumble dried low.
Detailed Review

Four 18 inch inserts with 7D fiber and a 110GSM waterproof shell. MIULEE says they are machine washable on a gentle cycle and can be tumble dried low.

Amazon rating: not available in our product data.

All Products Compared

ProductBest ForSizePackFillCover
Arden Outdoor Toss Pillow 2-PackBest Overall16 x 16 x 5 in2Recycled polyfillSewn closed
TWLEAR Outdoor Pillows with InsertsBest Removable Cover18 x 18 in2480G PP cottonRemovable, zippered
Greendale Home Fashions Outdoor Throw Pillow 2-PackBest Reversible17 x 17 x 5 in2Recycled polyfiberSewn closed, reversible
WHATWEARS Outdoor Throw Pillows with InsertsBest Size Range16 to 24 in27D hollow fiberRemovable, invisible zipper
Utopia Bedding Outdoor Pillows 4-PackBest 4-Pack18 x 18 in4Poly staple fiberWater-resistant shell
MIULEE Outdoor Pillow Inserts Pack of 4Best Inserts Only18 x 18 in47D fiberWaterproof fabric shell

Top 3 Outdoor Throw Pillows Reviewed

#1 Arden Outdoor Toss Pillow 2-Pack: Best Overall

Why We Picked It

Arden's toss pillows come as a pair at 16 by 16 by 5 inches. The cover is 100% polyester outdoor fabric with enhanced UV protection and a C0 water and stain treatment, and the polyfill is made from recycled plastic bottles. Arden is a long-running outdoor cushion brand, and these pillows are sold to match its seat cushions.

Key Specifications

  • Amazon rating: not available in our product data
  • Size: 16 x 16 x 5 inches
  • Pack: 2
  • Fill: polyfill from recycled bottles
  • Fabric: 100% polyester, UV-treated
  • Treatment: C0 water and stain
ProsCons
Established outdoor cushion brandSmaller 16 inch size
C0 water and stain treatmentCover does not come off
Recycled fillCare instructions not listed

Best For

Dressing up an outdoor sofa with coordinated pillows from one brand.

Who Should Skip It

Anyone who wants to wash covers in a machine.

Verdict

A well-made, simply specified outdoor pillow pair.

Arden Outdoor Toss Pillow 2-Pack

#2 TWLEAR Outdoor Pillows with Inserts: Best Removable Cover

Why We Picked It

TWLEAR's 18 by 18 inch pair pairs a removable polyester cover with a separate insert holding 480 grams of PP cotton. The covers are water repellent, TWLEAR says the fabric resists fading for over 1,000 hours of direct sun, and the auto-locking zipper keeps the insert in place. TWLEAR backs its pillows with a 1-year warranty.

Key Specifications

  • Amazon rating: not available in our product data
  • Size: 18 x 18 inches
  • Pack: 2 covers and 2 inserts
  • Fill: 480G PP cotton per insert
  • Fabric: water-repellent polyester
  • Fade claim: 1,000+ hours (maker)
  • Warranty: 1 year (maker)
ProsCons
Removable cover over a separate insertSpot clean only per the maker
Written 1-year warrantyNeeds 24 to 48 hours to expand
Many patternsFade figures are the maker's own

Best For

Shoppers who want to swap covers by season.

Who Should Skip It

Anyone who wants a machine-washable pillow.

Verdict

A flexible cover and insert set with a written warranty.

TWLEAR Outdoor Pillows with Inserts

#3 Greendale Home Fashions Outdoor Throw Pillow 2-Pack: Best Reversible

Why We Picked It

Greendale's square pillows are 17 by 17 by 5 inches and reversible, so you can flip them for a fresh side. The cover is a heavy-duty outdoor polyester, and the polyfiber fill is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Greendale recommends storing them covered and spot cleaning with warm, diluted soapy water.

Key Specifications

  • Amazon rating: not available in our product data
  • Size: 17 x 17 x 5 inches
  • Pack: 2
  • Fill: recycled polyfiber, filled in the USA
  • Fabric: heavy-duty outdoor polyester
  • Care: spot clean, air dry (maker)
ProsCons
Reversible designCover is not removable
Filled in the USA from recycled fiberMaker advises covered storage
Clear care instructionsFewer sizes than rivals

Best For

Covered porches where pillows stay dry most of the time.

Who Should Skip It

Fully exposed patios in a rainy climate.

Verdict

A reversible, clearly documented pillow pair for sheltered spaces.

Greendale Home Fashions Outdoor Throw Pillow 2-Pack

Also on Our List

How to Choose Outdoor Throw Pillows

Sewn Closed or Removable Cover

Sewn-closed pillows are simple and sturdy, but you clean them whole. Removable covers let you wash or swap fabric by season, and a separate insert can be replaced on its own.

Fill

Polyester fiber is the usual fill. It is light and dries faster than foam, but it compresses over time. Fluffing pillows in the sun after rain helps them recover.

Fabric and Treatment

Outdoor pillows rely on polyester or acrylic fabrics with water and stain treatments. A treatment helps water bead off, but a soaked pillow still needs time to dry through.

Storage

Bring pillows in or store them in a box when rain is forecast, and keep them out of standing water. That does more for their life than any fabric label.

How We Evaluate Outdoor Throw Pillows

For this guide we compared outdoor pillows on size, fill, fabric and treatment, cover design and care instructions. We read each maker's specifications and noted which pillows are inserts only. Most listings here had no rating data in our product feed, so ratings did not decide the order. We did not handle these pillows ourselves, every figure comes from the maker's listing, and we never repeat a waterproof or fade claim as our own.

Variants of one listing count as a single product, and we would rather list a few strong picks than pad the list. Our full process is on the How We Review page.

FAQ

Can outdoor pillows stay outside all the time?

Most makers recommend bringing them in during rain and storing them covered. Even water-resistant pillows last longer when kept dry.

Can I put indoor covers on outdoor inserts?

You can, but indoor fabric is not made for sun and rain. Use outdoor-rated covers for pillows that live outside.

How do I clean outdoor throw pillows?

Follow the maker's care label. Some covers are machine washable, while sewn-closed pillows are usually spot cleaned and air dried.

Final Verdict

Arden's toss pillow pair is our top pick for its treated outdoor fabric and recycled fill. TWLEAR has removable covers and a written warranty, and Greendale is reversible with clear care instructions.

WHATWEARS offers the widest size range, Utopia Bedding is a simple 4-pack, and MIULEE sells inserts only. For seat cushions to match, see Best Patio Chair Cushions.