Choosing the Right Pillow:The Ultimate Pillow-Buying Guide

There are too many types of pillows on the market at the moment, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of bed pillows to choose from. However, in this article, we will give you a pillow-buying guide you can use on your pillow-buying journey to find the best pillows for sleeping for you according to your sleeping style and preferences.

Why does the right pillow matter?

The right bed pillow, along with the right mattress, provides the support needed for your head and neck. In addition to maintaining the alignment of your shoulders, hips, and spine, all of these elements contribute to helping your body relax and improve your sleep

What Is the Best Pillow Based on Sleeping Position?

You need to know what the best pillow is for sleeping in each position, as your sleeping position plays a pivotal role in selecting the ideal pillow for optimal comfort. Each posture necessitates specific support and good pillows ensure a restful night's sleep.

Back Sleeping

Medium Loft

The best pillows for sleep if you're a back sleeper, which will help alleviate the pressure from your neck and shoulders, but make sure that the pillow is not too thick as it can crane your head forward and put it in an uncomfortable position.

Medium Firmness

Medium firm bed pillows will align your head and neck with your spine, in addition to maintaining its shape over time and not getting flat underneath the weight of your head., which makes them good pillows if you're a back sleeper.

Conform to Pressure

The best bed pillows for back sleepers should be made from material that conforms to pressure, as this will prevent waking up the next day with a sore neck, as it will cradle the neck and head.

Side Sleeping

High Loft

Side sleepers need high loft pillows to relieve the pressure from their shoulders and align the neck with the spine. A side sleeper pillow shouldn’t let their shoulders dig into the mattress; it has to be slightly lifted to prevent any pressure buildup on them, and high-loft pillows do exactly that.

Firm Support

If the pillow is too soft, your head and neck will sink too deep into it if you’re a side sleeper, which will cause discomfort during the night, and a pressure buildup will occur, so to prevent all of these issues, you need to use firmer pillows.

Fluffy and Shapeable

Fluffy material, such as down or down alternatives, is a great choice for side sleepers as it balances out the firmness of the pillows themselves and keeps the pillows fluffy and cushiony.

Stomach Sleeping

Low Loft

If you're looking for a stomach sleeper pillow, then you need to consider bed pillows with a low loft, as you don’t want your head to crane upwards, which will put your body in an uncomfortable posture.

Soft Support

The most comfortable pillow for side sleepers should be softer pillows, which are going to cushion between the head and the mattress; these pillows also won’t push your head back and maintain neutral spine alignment.

Compressible Fill

Pillow filling such as down alternatives or feathers is a good pillow-filling option for stomach sleepers because these pillows compress under pressure, which is ideal for stomach sleepers.

Other Elements To Consider While Choosing The Right Pillow

There are different types of pillows and different shaped pillows, and each one has its own set of features and qualities which will fit certain sleeping preferences and it will exceedingly enhance the quality of your sleep.

Pillow Shape

Standard Pillow

Standard Pillows are the most common type of pillows, and that’s for a good reason, as it’s highly convenient and will fit pretty much any sleeping position, or sleeping style.

Contour

Contour pillows are known for their curvature which cradles the neck and maintains its natural alignment with the spine. Contour pillows are usually quite firm and have a high level of shape retention to properly support the head and neck.

Wedge Pillows

Wedge pillows are a great option for people who like to prop their head a bit up while they’re asleep or people who usually sit in bed for long periods, as they offer sufficient lumbar and back support, and that’s due to their unique triangle shape.

Body Pillow

Body pillows are an elongated type of pillow that can be as tall as your body, and it’s one of the best pillows for side sleepers as they can wrap their arms and legs around them for better support for their hips and lumbar area.

Cervical

Cervical pillows can also be called orthopedic pillows, due to their use in the medical field. It has a designated area on the front half of the pillow for your neck to rest on, which prevents neck pain and maintains neutral spinal alignment.

Pillow Size Guide

• Standard Size Pillow: A standard pillow is 20 by 26 inches, and because of its small size, it is considered a top-rated pillow for people who don't switch positions while they sleep. A standard size could be perfect for you if you sleep on your stomach, back, or side.
• Queen Size Pillow: A queen pillow is 20 by 30 inches, which is the same width as a normal pillow plus a few inches longer. A queen bed can accommodate two queen-sized pillows with ease, and the additional length is beneficial for restless sleepers who frequently switch positions as they sleep.
• King Size Pillow: A king-size pillow's typical measurements are 20 by 36 inches. For people who just like a bigger surface area or who move around a lot while they sleep, a king-size pillow is a suitable choice.
• Body Pillow: Body pillows are typically 20 by 54 inches, and they're perfect for those who sleep on their sides. When you sleep on your side, these pillows provide enough support since they mold to the curve of your body, as they're considered to be one of the best pillows for pregnancy.

For more information about pillow sizes, check out the article “Pillow Sizes: The Ultimate Guide”.

Pillow Firmness

• Soft: Softer pillows act as a buffer between the head and the mattress, as they compress under the pressure of the head. This makes them perfect for stomach sleepers, as they don’t want their heads to be propped upward, which won’t maintain the alignment of the neck with the back.
• Medium: Pillows with a medium firmness level don’t let your head sink too deep into the mattress or push it upward into an uncomfortable position, which makes them perfect for back sleepers, as they want their neck to align with their spine while they’re lying on their back.
• Firm: Pillows with a firm support keep your head lifted, which makes them ideal for side sleepers as it prevents their shoulders and hips from sinking into the mattress, and alleviates the restraint from the pressure points.

For more information about pillow firmness, check out the article “Soft vs. Firm Pillows: Understanding Pillow Firmness”.

Pillow Filling

Down pillows

A natural down pillow is a luxurious and expensive pillow material, that's why a down pillow is also considered to be a hotel pillow. The most common types of down pillows are goose-down pillows and duck-down pillows, with goose-down pillows being the more expensive option, because it’s less likely to retain any unpleasant odors. A down pillow is a great option if you're a back sleeper because it's a fluffy pillow, and it provides great neck support and neck alignment, it's also a natural pillow.

Feathers pillows

A feather pillow's construction is made of the feathers of ducks and geese, and feather pillows tend to be very soft, breathable, and conforming, which makes them a good fit for all sleep positions, especially stomach sleepers. They can also be used as outdoor pillows or as throw pillows.

Memory foam pillows

Memory foam pillows absorb heat and conform to a unique mold according to every head and neck shape and neck support. They're also hypoallergenic, which means if you’re prone to any kind of allergy, memory foam won’t trigger any allergic reactions, there are different types of them, such as gel memory foam pillows or shredded memory foam pillows.

Artificial Down-Down alternative pillows

While several materials can be used to make artificial down, polyester and microfibers are two of the most widely used pillow materials. This synthetic pillow material is often warmer and less insulating; these artificial down pillows also feel very similar to real down pillows, just lacking a bit of loft and neck support.

Latex pillows

A Latex pillow can be bouncy and breathable. In addition to feeling slightly softer than memory foam pillows, and gel memory foam pillows, latex pillows lack the contouring properties of memory foam pillows. Generally speaking, luxury buyers who want an even- feel will enjoy Talalay latex, while environmentally conscious consumers will likely go with all-natural Dunlop latex.

Buckwheat pillows

Due to their hull fill's firmness and adaptability, a buckwheat pillow provides unmatched neck support. These pillows are perfect for those who sleep hot because their hulls, provide steady ventilation and regulate the core temperature. A buckwheat pillow is generally considered to be a great cooling pillow.

Personal Preference

The differences between some pillow fillings, such as a shredded memory foam pillow and a shredded latex pillow, are not that big, but choosing between them depends completely on your preference and what makes you more comfortable, maybe you'd prefer a firm pillow more than a soft pillow, or your favorite pillow could be made from shredded foam, or it could be gel pillow. Allergy reactions might also be a factor in which pillow you choose, as some pillows that are made from natural materials could trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Also make sure to check out a bed pillow guide, pillow selection guide, and the best pillow reviews, to make sure that you're buying the best bed pillows for you.

Budget

When purchasing bed pillows, it's important to consider your budget. While a genuine down mattress may be beyond your means, memory foam or latex pillows may be the best pillow type for you.

FAQs

When should you replace your pillow?

It’s typically recommended to replace your bed pillows every 1 to 2 years, and that’s to ensure that your bed pillows are still maintaining all of their supporting features, as well as their cleanliness and hygiene.

What is the best pillow for neck pain?

The best pillow for neck support is the one that doesn’t prop your head upward or tilt it downward but keeps your head and neck aligned with your spine. This pillow support will fill the space between the mattress and your neck and alleviate the pressure from your neck. A contour memory foam pillow is one of the best for people who suffer from neck pain.

What size is a standard pillow?

A standard-size pillow is 50cm by 75cm (20” by 30”). A king-size pillow, also called a super king pillow, is 50cm x 90cm (20” x 35”).

Does your mattress matter to your pillow choice?

Of course, there’s a strong correlation between the mattress and the bed pillows, which can decrease the quality of your sleep if it isn’t considered such as the size of the mattress and the firmness of the mattress.

How can I be sure I am using the right pillow?

The right bed pillows should keep your head, neck, and spine, all in neutral alignment, and support the natural curvature of your spine. Keeping a neutral spine not only alleviates neck pain and provides neck support, but it also relieves pressure throughout your entire body.

What makes good pillows and bad pillows?

Before buying bed pillows, you have to make sure that they accommodate your sleep positions, don’t fit your mattress type, prop your head up, or sink it in a way that prevents spine alignment and puts too much pressure on your neck.

Which type of pillow is best for sleeping?

Good pillows can differ from one person to another It completely depends on many factors, such as your favorite sleep positions, your mattress type, and even your budget. There isn’t one perfect bed pillow that could fit all kinds of sleeping patterns.

Should your pillow be hard or soft?

Side sleepers will prefer a firm pillow, as it alleviates the pressure from their hips and shoulders; meanwhile, stomach sleepers will prefer a soft bed pillow, as it won’t push their head upward and won’t keep the alignment of the neck with the spine.

What are the best pillow care tips?

whether you're using a down pillow or a memory foam pillow, the most important thing in bed pillow care is to know the bed pillow washing instructions for your favorite pillow type.

Conclusion

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to pillows. We all have distinct sleeping preferences, patterns, and needs, making sleep a very personal matter. However, there are some factors that you should consider that will help you find the right mattress for you, such as your sleeping position, your mattress type, the pillow filling, and your budget.