How to Choose the Best Pillow for the Perfect Sleep
Follow this simple guide to help you sleep like a baby, all night, every night
Pia Sinha
11 July 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former Chief Copy Editor of GoodHomes, India Magazine. I write professionally about design and decor. Personally too, I am a big fan of design that marries functionality with elegance. At home, I use a combination of striking patterns, colourful prints and natural materials for some chutzpah and cheer!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former Chief Copy Editor of GoodHomes, India Magazine.... More
Nothing will start your day off better than a restful night’s sleep, and choosing the right pillow is key to achieving this dream. You see, pillows have one important function and that is to keep your head and neck balanced while you sleep. But, selecting the right pillow can be daunting due to all the varieties available. In fact, most of us will end up using trial and error (and money), buying and sleeping on multiple pillows before finding ‘the one’. Here, we decode the pillow jargon and help you choose the best head rest for your sleeping style, before considering different filling options and some basic shopping guidelines so you buy once, buy right.
Pillow 101: What is pillow loft?
Loft refers to the height or thickness of your pillow. So when you’re at the shop and the salesperson mentions the word ‘loft’, simply know that they are referring to the pillow’s height. Other popular terms are ‘plush’ and ‘firm’, so while, pillow shopping, if you come across a high-loft plush option, it would be a high pillow that’s soft enough for your head to sink into.
Conversely, low-loft firm would mean a thin pillow with a firm yet supportive surface, to keep your head and neck aligned.
Browse through pictures of super cosy beds
Loft refers to the height or thickness of your pillow. So when you’re at the shop and the salesperson mentions the word ‘loft’, simply know that they are referring to the pillow’s height. Other popular terms are ‘plush’ and ‘firm’, so while, pillow shopping, if you come across a high-loft plush option, it would be a high pillow that’s soft enough for your head to sink into.
Conversely, low-loft firm would mean a thin pillow with a firm yet supportive surface, to keep your head and neck aligned.
Browse through pictures of super cosy beds
Sleeping style: Side sleepers
If, like most people, you prefer sleeping on your side, you’ll want to go with the loftiest pillows available. You’re looking for a firm and high pillow that fills the distance between your ear and the shoulder. Opt for a traditional or contoured memory foam pillow and/or latex pillows. They work to better support your head at the right angle, and will not flatten as easily as the polyester or down varieties.
Tip: For side sleepers and women in particular, it’s beneficial to place a soft pillow between their knees to keep the upper hip aligned while sleeping.
Learn how to turn your bedroom into the ultimate slumber cave
If, like most people, you prefer sleeping on your side, you’ll want to go with the loftiest pillows available. You’re looking for a firm and high pillow that fills the distance between your ear and the shoulder. Opt for a traditional or contoured memory foam pillow and/or latex pillows. They work to better support your head at the right angle, and will not flatten as easily as the polyester or down varieties.
Tip: For side sleepers and women in particular, it’s beneficial to place a soft pillow between their knees to keep the upper hip aligned while sleeping.
Learn how to turn your bedroom into the ultimate slumber cave
Back sleepers
As a back sleeper, you may prefer low/medium-loft firm or high-loft plush pillows so your head isn’t raised a great deal and the natural curve of your neck is maintained. Opt for high-fill down pillows, orthopaedic memory foams or even medium synthetic pillows for a more comfortable experience.
As a back sleeper, you may prefer low/medium-loft firm or high-loft plush pillows so your head isn’t raised a great deal and the natural curve of your neck is maintained. Opt for high-fill down pillows, orthopaedic memory foams or even medium synthetic pillows for a more comfortable experience.
Stomach sleepers
You’ll need the lowest and softest pillows available to keep your spine in its natural position. Select from low-loft plush pillows such as soft polyester fills, extra soft natural down/feather or even thin foam fills.
Mixed sleepers
If you’re a mixed sleeper and change your sleeping positions through the night, the safest option is to go with a high-fill down pillow or a medium synthetic pillow.
You’ll need the lowest and softest pillows available to keep your spine in its natural position. Select from low-loft plush pillows such as soft polyester fills, extra soft natural down/feather or even thin foam fills.
Mixed sleepers
If you’re a mixed sleeper and change your sleeping positions through the night, the safest option is to go with a high-fill down pillow or a medium synthetic pillow.
Understanding pillow fillings:
Goose down/feather
The goose-down filling is among the softest and most luxurious of choices. It’s easy to shape, feels cool and airy and will last a long time. Many sleep experts recommend a goose-down pillow for a good night’s rest.
A feather filling is a more affordable alternative. Usually, manufacturers will add some down clusters to the feathers to enhance the longevity of the filling. However, goose down and feather fills do not always provide a lot of height and larger fills tend to get expensive. In case you suffer from allergies but are still looking for the comfort of down pillows, synthetic down/microfibre pillows may work well, and are also an animal cruelty-free option.
Goose down/feather
The goose-down filling is among the softest and most luxurious of choices. It’s easy to shape, feels cool and airy and will last a long time. Many sleep experts recommend a goose-down pillow for a good night’s rest.
A feather filling is a more affordable alternative. Usually, manufacturers will add some down clusters to the feathers to enhance the longevity of the filling. However, goose down and feather fills do not always provide a lot of height and larger fills tend to get expensive. In case you suffer from allergies but are still looking for the comfort of down pillows, synthetic down/microfibre pillows may work well, and are also an animal cruelty-free option.
Memory foam
Memory foam pillows provide excellent support and pain relief, and are particularly popular because they adjust easily to the shape of your body and neck.
They’re durable, easy to care for and provide plenty of comfort. On the downside, memory foam is relatively dense and warm as it does not facilitate a lot of air flow. The fixed height is not suitable for people with mixed sleeping patterns.
Latex
Latex pillows are similar to memory foam, but tend be to lighter and more breathable. Latex is a naturally obtained ingredient from the sap of a rubber tree and is therefore sustainable and renewable. What’s more, latex fillings are firm; as they are also resistant to mould and dust mites, and can be ideal for allergy sufferers. They’re airier than memory foams and have a longer life.
Memory foam pillows provide excellent support and pain relief, and are particularly popular because they adjust easily to the shape of your body and neck.
They’re durable, easy to care for and provide plenty of comfort. On the downside, memory foam is relatively dense and warm as it does not facilitate a lot of air flow. The fixed height is not suitable for people with mixed sleeping patterns.
Latex
Latex pillows are similar to memory foam, but tend be to lighter and more breathable. Latex is a naturally obtained ingredient from the sap of a rubber tree and is therefore sustainable and renewable. What’s more, latex fillings are firm; as they are also resistant to mould and dust mites, and can be ideal for allergy sufferers. They’re airier than memory foams and have a longer life.
Synthetic
Synthetic or polyester fillings are the least expensive choice and are well suited for multiple sleeping styles. However, they flatten quickly and tend to lose their shape, which means they also have the shortest life span.
Microfibre
Another popular option is the microfibre pillow, which mimics the general feel and comfort of the down pillow. It uses a fine-denier fibre, which ensures that the fill is airy, soft and silky. Microfibre is a low-maintenance pillow and will breathe like cotton. Of course, that also means the microfibre pillow will be more expensive than standard polyester fillings.
Cotton
Cotton fillings are breathable, cool and will resist mould and dust mites easily. However, cotton fillings can clump easily after a few months and may need to be replaced more frequently. You can also shop for fills that blend cotton and synthetic fibres for more durability.
Synthetic or polyester fillings are the least expensive choice and are well suited for multiple sleeping styles. However, they flatten quickly and tend to lose their shape, which means they also have the shortest life span.
Microfibre
Another popular option is the microfibre pillow, which mimics the general feel and comfort of the down pillow. It uses a fine-denier fibre, which ensures that the fill is airy, soft and silky. Microfibre is a low-maintenance pillow and will breathe like cotton. Of course, that also means the microfibre pillow will be more expensive than standard polyester fillings.
Cotton
Cotton fillings are breathable, cool and will resist mould and dust mites easily. However, cotton fillings can clump easily after a few months and may need to be replaced more frequently. You can also shop for fills that blend cotton and synthetic fibres for more durability.
Points to remember
- A pillow must be able to disperse heat from your head. That’s why pillows with natural materials often make for a great choice.
- Know when it’s time to replace your pillow. If you notice lumps and signs of sagging, then it’s probably time for your pillow to go. Ideally, pillows older than 18 months should be replaced, as they could be laden with allergy triggers, dead skin cells and dust mites. Fold your pillow in half and see if it springs back to its original shape on release. If it doesn’t, then your pillow is as good as dead.
- Most pillows can be machine washed; however, some will require dry-cleaning. Wash your pillow at least 2-4 times in a year to ensure it lasts longer. Even pillow protectors can help extend its lifespan.
- To select the right pillow size, factor in the size of your bed, the number of pillows you need and how you’ll be using them. That said, you can always go with an over-sized pillow to make your small bed seem cosier. If you like the feeling of a pile of pillows to prop you up while you read, buy small pillows that you can layer your bed with.
When you shop
Look beyond the price tag. Remember that cheap pillows will just not last long. You’ll find that they’ll easily lose their firmness, and with that the support they offer for your head and neck. This can decrease the quality of your sleep over time. The opposite is also true. The most expensive pillow may not necessarily be your best choice either.
Consider how your head feels when you rest it on the pillow. Spend at least 10 minutes examining it at the store. Most importantly, let your sleeping style dictate your choice. And while a good pillow can help you get a good night’s rest, it will not make up for a poor choice of a bed or mattress.
Read more:
Bedroom Colour: The Secret to More Sex and More Sleep
Tell us:
What type of pillow do you use for sleeping? Does it help you sleep better? Tell us why in the Comments below.
Look beyond the price tag. Remember that cheap pillows will just not last long. You’ll find that they’ll easily lose their firmness, and with that the support they offer for your head and neck. This can decrease the quality of your sleep over time. The opposite is also true. The most expensive pillow may not necessarily be your best choice either.
Consider how your head feels when you rest it on the pillow. Spend at least 10 minutes examining it at the store. Most importantly, let your sleeping style dictate your choice. And while a good pillow can help you get a good night’s rest, it will not make up for a poor choice of a bed or mattress.
Read more:
Bedroom Colour: The Secret to More Sex and More Sleep
Tell us:
What type of pillow do you use for sleeping? Does it help you sleep better? Tell us why in the Comments below.
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Totally agree Sarah!
Very timely - I have made notes. Thank you.