How To Choose The Best Pillow For You

How To Choose The Best Pillow For You

Best pillow – The variety of offers you’ll find in stores is really wide

If you already know you need a new pillow to get both comfort and support for your body while you sleep, time to make your choice. The variety of offers you’ll find in stores is really wide. We’re here to help you.
Let’s take a closer look at all kind of best pillows available and things you need to consider if you want to know how to choose the right pillow for you.

As selecting a new pillow is a very individual process, there is no one size, shape, or material that fits all. The best way to find THE pillow is to use your own requirements-following the six elements below as a guide that will teach you how to choose the right pillow for you – and then decide what feels most comfortable and appropriate for you.

1. Choose the fill/ fiber

There are plenty of fill options for pillows. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages. It all boils down your needs and preferences. These are the most common types:

  • Down. If you prefer a soft place to rest your head at night, you may like a down pillow. These kind of pillows are typically made from goose or duck fibers. Generally speaking, goose down tends to be softer and more expensive than duck down.
    Down pillows are made of different combinations of down, feathers, and other fillings. Notice that “pure down” pillows may also contain feathers and other fill.

    If you worry about allergic reactions and sensitivity to down, you need to know that the allergic reaction to down often comes from a lower-quality down filling that hasn’t been cleaned properly. The dirt on the down (rather than the fiber itself), can result in allergy and discomfort.
    You can look for hypo-allergenic down, which is a deeply cleaned blend of pure down and syriaca- a natural substance that helps boost the allergy-free properties of the down, and make the pillow last longer. Good quality down pillows are expensive, but worth it if this is the kind of pillow you like.

  • Synthetic down and polyester fill. Synthetic down pillows are less expensive than natural down. Also, you will need to replace more often as they flatten with time. Polyester fill pillows are a quite inexpensive choice, in comparison to other types. Typically, they are medium to soft, but less soft than down.
  • Fill power Some basic facts: the higher the number, the better the quality of the pillow, which means it will last longer. A fill-power of 600 and higher means a high-quality synthetic or natural down pillow. However, there are limits to the fill power.
    An 800 and higher fill power does not mean your pillow will last for ten years, regardless of what the sales pitch says.
  • Wool. Naturally hypo-allergenic, and resistant to mold and dust mites. Wool pillows wick away moisture from your head and neck.
    They help regulate your body temperature while sleeping- they keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Wool pillows are usually quite firm. If you are looking for something less firm, opt for alpaca wool.
  • Cotton. Naturally hypo-allergenic and resistant to dust mites and mold. Cotton pillows are usually flat and firm. They are often a smart choice for people with allergies and chemical sensitivities.
  • Latex. Very comfortable, but more firm than down. These pillows hold their shape. Also, latex is resistant to mold and dust mites. Contoured pillows designed to provide additional support to the head and neck, or to limit movement during sleep, are made of latex
  • Memory foam. Recently, this kind of pillows has become really popular. Memory foam adjusts to your own shape. Responding to your weight and temperature, memory foam gets softer and contours to the lines of your head, neck, and shoulders.

    Additionally, it distributes weight evenly across its surface. That’s why it’s a popular choice for people with head and neck pain. On the other hand, memory foam retains heat, which can result in sweating.
    High-quality memory foam pillows are often made with ventilation but it is still a heat-retaining material. When they are brand-new, these pillows can also give off chemical smells so take it into account if you are sensitive to smells.

2. Fill weight

Down and synthetic pillows are lightweight choices, while memory foam and latex are heavier. The weight of your pillow is about personal preference. If you like to re-shape and move your pillow with you as you rest, a lighter pillow may be a better choice.

3. Quality of fill

Quality matters to comfort, support, and longevity, which is reflected in the price. Once you’ve decided on the type of pillow fill that’s right for you, opt for the highest quality pillow you can afford. Just think about thousands of hours on this pillow over the duration of its life and make your comfort and health a priority.

4. Size

For most of us, a standard-size pillow is large enough. If you need a larger pillow, make sure you can keep your sleep posture in alignment. The thickness or thinness of your pillow should enable you to sleep with your head, neck, and shoulders in a line with your spine and make you feel comfortable at the same time. What’s more, the pillow cover and pillowcase must fit properly. Don’t stuff a big pillow into an undersized cover, or put a standard-size pillow in an extra-large pillowcase.

5. Chemistry

Synthetic materials like memory foam and polyester are made through chemical processes. Be aware of the chemistry that went into making your pillow. Make an investment in a well-made product, and consider your own allergies and chemical sensitivities when choosing the right pillow.

6. Pillowcase fabric

Best pillow

Remember to use natural fabrics to cover your pillows. Additionally, pillow covers under pillowcases protect pillows against stains and sweat, so they help extend the life of the pillow.

Your mattress and your pillow choice?

The rules of matching your matress with your pillow are fairly simple to remember. If you use a firm mattress, a softer pillow could be better.
As the pillow is lying on a firm surface and needs to adapt to the pressure of the weight of your head in your initial sleep position. If you have had a softer mattress, a firmer pillow may be a better choice to keep your head and neck aligned.

Sleeping position and your pillow choice

There are general guidelines that match sleeping position with pillow type, but they are not hard and fast rules since we switch sleeping positions throughout the night.

For example, you might be a side sleeper who spends some time during the night on your back. The same applies to the stomach sleepers who shift occasionally to one side. You need a pillow that works for you in all your sleeping positions.

Side sleepers should opt for a firmer pillow and a pillow on the thicker side. Find one that is as thick as the distance between your ear and outside shoulder.
Stomach sleepers need a soft pillow underneath their head. Additinally, a pillow under your stomach and pelvis will help prevent back pain.

Back sleepers need a flatter pillow in order to keep your head and neck in a line. Back sleepers may like a softer pillow. If you suffer from neck pains and sleep on your back, select a pillow that provides extra support and remains soft.
Don’t ignore your pillow! It’s an essentail element of your sleep environment, and having the right one under your head can provide more comfort and rest at night.

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