Most Comfortable Down Alternative Pillow
Casper Original Pillow
- Fill type: down alternative
The Casper Original Pillow is also a Healthline favorite. Its fluffy but still manages to provide support, cradling your head and neck.
Casper achieves this pillowy yet supportive feel by wrapping a pillow within a pillow. The inner pillow offers a touch of firmness, while the exterior layer is nice and soft. Seriously in our honest opinion if you could touch a cloud, it might feel like this pillow. Reviewers tend to agree.
Not sure if its right for you? Wed recommend it if youre a combo sleeper or tend to end up on your side or back. Thankfully, you dont have to gamble with your comfort. You can try out the Casper Original Pillow for 30 nights and return it if its not right for you.
- Fill type: foam
One study from 2014 suggests that an orthopedic pillow might be the best for improving sleep quality. The study followed only 20 participants, who tried the pillows for a short period of time. But the results showed that an orthopedic pillow was better at supporting the natural curve of the spine.
IKEAs popular ergonomic pillow has a slight curve to it, which helps support the neck and proper spinal alignment. If you find one side too high, you can flip it over to reveal a shorter height. The medium-firm foam is also a good fit for back and side sleepers.
We also noticed a bit of off-gassing from this pillow, so you may want to skip this one if that tends to bother you.
What Is Real Simple Selects
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our teamput through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. If that’s the case, we test the product just like we test anything we buy, but we also disclose that we received it for free to be as transparent with you as possible.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.
Best Pillows For Side Sleepers Video
Watch our video below to learn more about our labs top picks for pillows for side sleepers.
We provide an overview about each of our picks, covering features that set each pillow apart from the competition. Further down, well take a closer look at how pillows affect side sleeping and offer a few tips for choosing a pillow based on thickness, material composition, price, and other factors.
Labor Day Sales Are Still Going On!
Labor Day is now behind us, but many companies are still offering major holiday discounts. Check our product reviews below for discount information. You can also head to our list of Labor Day deals and discounts.
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Easier To Clean And Use
Everyone loves a good product that will last longer without breaking or needing maintenance to keep it running smoothly! We all have busy lives, so its best to buy something that will save you time on daily tasks instead of wasting hours weekly.
This best pillows that dont go flat is easy to maintain because of its simple design, making it very easy to clean! You can wash your best item in about 10 seconds or less! And best of all, if you do run into any trouble with your product, you can take advantage of the products warranty and get it replaced for free.
What Is Pillow Loft
A pillows loft refers to its height when it is lying flat with nothing sitting on top of it.
Pillows are generally divided into low, medium, and high lofts. A low loft pillow measures 3 inches or less in height. A medium loft pillow measures between 3 and 5 inches thick. A high loft pillow measures over 5 inches in height.
Unfortunately, these measurements havent been universally adopted across pillow companies. Some companies might call their pillow low loft or high loft when it is in fact medium or average in height.
Check actual pillow measurements rather than descriptions whenever possible. Though some companies provide an exact measurement of their pillows loft, many do not.
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The Benefits Of Side Sleeping
Side sleeping is the most popular sleeping position among U.S. adults. This position has a few advantages over back or stomach sleeping. For one, side sleeping can minimize snoring because it keeps your airway open back sleepers snore more often because the tongue falls back into the throat, creating an obstruction for the airway. Side sleeping can be beneficial to people with sleep apnea and/or acid reflux for the same reason. If youre a pregnant woman, chances are youll feel more comfortable on your side than you will in other sleep positions a bolster pillow for the legs or knees can also provide comfort for pregnant sleepers.
Side sleeping can also align the spine and reduce discomfort in the shoulders, hips, and other areas where pressure points tend to develop. However, this is contingent on a mattress and pillow that offer enough support to align your head and neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips.
Keep reading to learn about special pillow considerations for side sleepers, and how to choose a pillow model based on your body type and personal preferences.
A Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow At An Affordable Price
Amazon
Fill Material: Memory foam and temperature-regulating gel | Size Options: Standard, queen, king | Density: Medium firm
Dont let the low price fool youthe Weekender has a lot going for it. This pillow is made with soft and supportive memory foam to cradle your head and neck while providing pressure relief and comfort. It also has a ventilated design and temperature-regulating gel to keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep. The removable cover is machine washable, too.
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The Cavendish Duck Down Pillow
Why we love it: This luxury bed pillow features three chambers of duck down and feather filling, and it’s the brand’s most popular pillow, offering plush support for a restful night’s sleep.
Pros: Feathers used were obtained in compliance with animal welfare restrictions.
Cons: Will take up to two weeks to be delivered.
Customers are saying: Great quality from first glance and make for a wonderful night’s sleep.
Why we love it: Buying your pillows in two-packs allows you to save money. Luckily, you won’t be skimping on quality with M& S’ unsurprisingly good-for-their-price duck feather and down pillows.
Pros: Breathable cotton case as well as being washable and suitable for the tumble dryer.
Cons: Cushioning is slightly lighter than traditional medium pillows, though feather pillows do tend to fluff back to a more plump structure relatively easily.
Customers are saying: Comfy, look great and both look and feel expensive.
Save when you shop for the best pillows with these.
Why we love it: Synonymous with luxury, The White Company was one of the first stores we made a beeline for in a quest to find the best pillow. This down feather pillow is the favoured choice of The White Company’s founder, Chrissie Rucker, thanks to its offering of the perfect soft-yet-supportive balance.
Cons: No trial period or returns accepted once opened.
Are Firm Pillows Good For You
A good pillow is one that maintains neutral alignment in your neck and spine. The right firmness depends on your preferred sleeping position, your weight, and your body type.
That means that not all firm pillows are automatically good for all sleepers. However, back and side sleepers tend to benefit from the support of firm pillows.
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What Are The Different Types Of Pillow
Generally speaking, there are four different types of pillow to consider.
- Cotton pillows like the John Lewis Natural Cotton Standard Pillows are your most basic pillow: affordable and popular. While they’re not the most durable, absorbing heat and flattening out quite quickly in comparison to other pillow types, they work well in a spare room or for use on your sofa bed.
- Feather pillows or down feather pillows despite not being vegan are more luxurious than cotton pillows: squashy, expensive-feeling and comfortable. If you’re wondering what pillows hotels use, this is probably your answer. Usually made my duck or goose feathers, they contain a mix of high-quality down feathers the fluffier feather from the underneath layer of a bird’s coat. Their downside? You have to plump your pillows everyday to help them keep their shape but if you can afford to invest, do.
Are There Extra Firm Pillows That Don’t Go Flat
Yes, there are a few models of extra firm pillows in this category. However, you must know that not all of them offer similar benefits. Whether or not the pillows go flat depends on the type of fillings they have, their construction, and overall material quality. Read the pillow features to know what it offers before making a choice.
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Best Cooling Firm Pillow: Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
The Saatva Memory Foam Pillow is designed to keep you cool while also alleviating pressure and pain.
The pillow features two layers: a graphite-infused memory foam outer layer, and a gel-infused memory foam core. Both foams are CertiPUR-US® certified to prevent off-gassing. The pillows cover is organic cotton built to stay cool and soft.
The graphite infusions in the outer layer of the pillow draw heat away from the body, while the gel infusions in the memory foam core support the head while keeping the pillow cool.
Saatva offers a 1-year limited warranty, free shipping, and free returns for their Memory Foam Pillow.
Saatva Memory Foam Pillow
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Just like the humans who use them, pillows are remarkably varied. Choosing the right one is all about identifying the things that you really like in a pillow, and finding an option that has those characteristics.
First, think about firmness. Do you want your pillow to be soft, firm, or somewhere in-between? Theres no right or wrong answer here everyone has their own Goldilocks zone based on factors such as their body shape, the weight of their head and their learnt pillow preferences.
Pillows made with memory foam tend to offer a firmer, more supportive feel than pillows with organic fillings such as goose or duck down, feathers or wool. Meanwhile, organic fillings often feel softer and lighter.
With that said, clever bedding makers are getting better at making pillows that combine materials to achieve a more moderate feel, somewhere in-between feathery comfort and orthopaedic firmness. These include hybrid pillows, made with a mix of memory foam and organic fillings, and all-organic pillows that use a dense layer of down in place of a synthetic foam.
Another differentiating factor among pillows can be their shape. Although many pillows still come in a standard rectangular design, there are some alternative options out there including the wedge-shaped pillow featured in this article.
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Best Pillow For Side Sleepers
The Casper Original Pillow offers the loft and support that side sleepers need but with the soft and fluffy feel of a down alternative.
- Fill: Polyester microfiber
- Hypoallergenic: Yes
- Sizes available: Standard and king
- Care instructions: Remove inner pillow. Wash with cool water and a mild detergent on the gentle cycle. Run the rinse cycle twice. Tumble dry low.
- Who it’s best for: Side sleepers
Pros: Soft and fluffy, 2-inch gusset that provides support for side sleepers, removable inner pillow, machine washable, 100-night trial period
Cons: Loft is not very adjustable, not as supportive as memory foam
The goal of a good pillow is to bring your neck in alignment with the rest of your spine. For side sleepers, this means bridging the gap between your ear and where your shoulder meets the mattress. But shoulder size and height can vary a lot from person to person, meaning one side sleeper might need a lofty pillow while another needs just a little bit of lift.
The Coop pillow is ideal for side sleepers because it offers a lot of customization to help fill that gap. But if you’re not a memory foam fan, your next best bet is the Casper Original Pillow.
Made from down-alternative fill with a percale cotton shell, the Casper pillow feels a lot like the soft, plush pillows you’d find in hotel rooms. A 2-inch gusset keeps the pillow lofted for the supportive lift that side sleepers require, but the plush fill still provides the “sinking in” sensation when you lay your head down.
What Is The Best Pillows That Dont Go Flat
I’m sorry if I’ve confused you. My sympathies go out to you! Even yet, it is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. If youre still unsure which type of Best Pillows That Dont Go Flat is best for you, I recommend comparing the characteristics and functionalities of the Best Pillows That Dont Go Flat listed above. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
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Are Firm Pillows Better Than Soft Pillows
Theres no definitive answer to whether or not firm or soft pillows are better, since it simply depends on your individual needs.
Side sleepers and larger people generally prefer firmer pillows to ensure their heads and necks stay neutral. Some back sleepers also need firm pillows, but others may prefer something a bit softer to keep their spines neutral. However, stomach sleepers need softer or medium pillows to provide more cushioning for their necks and head.
How To Choose A Pillow For Side Sleepers
The best pillow for side sleepers will provide adequate cushioning to support the head and neck. Our testing shows that pillows that either sink too deeply or feel too thick can interfere with spinal alignment, and neck and shoulder aches typically occur as a result. In determining the best pillow, you should look at several factors, including loft, firmness level, and material composition. In the next few sections, well discuss how side sleepers can find a pillow that will work for them.
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What’s The Best Thickness For A Pillow
Make sure you buy the right pillow for your preferred sleep style:
Back sleeper: Choose a thin pillow, as it wont throw your head too far forward, putting stress on your neck. Memory foam can also be a good choice, as it will mould to your neck’s curve, giving consistent support.
Side sleeper: A firm, high pillow is best, as this will help keep your spine and neck aligned. You may also benefit from sleeping with a pillow between your knees, as this can help to prevent pain in the lower back.
Front sleeper: While sleeping on your front isnt recommended, some simply prefer it. For front sleepers, a thin, almost flat pillow is best. Consider tucking one under your stomach, too, to avoid lower back pain.
Mixed or combination sleeper: Unfortunately, if you toss and turn between positions in the night, no pillow will completely meet your needs. A medium-height pillow is the safest bet, offering support for side sleeping but also the shallowness needed for back sleeping.
How Many Competitors Does It Have
Many different factors go into answering this question. The number of competitors can vary greatly depending on the best pillows that dont go flat you are dealing with and the scope of your business model. Knowing how these factors can affect your market share is important when deciding whether or not you should enter a new market.
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How To Choose The Best Pillow For Side Sleepers
With so many options available, it can feel dizzying trying to find the perfect pillow. However, we believe the most important thing to consider is spinal alignment. Side sleepers will want to make sure their ears line up with their shoulders and their chins align with their sternums. Selecting the correct pillow with the proper loft should prevent and alleviate aches and pains along your neck.
So, how do you reach a neutral alignment when youre resting on your side? Keep reading to learn more about what you should look for.
What To Consider When Purchasing A Pillow For Side Sleepers
In your research for a pillow that is compatible with side sleeping, youll no doubt come across pillow manufacturers who claim their products are suitable for all sleep positions, or that their pillows construction and materials offer universal comfort for all sleepers regardless of body type or personal preference. These marketing claims are misleading. Each pillow is uniquely designed to provide a distinct feel. Given the demands of different sleep positions, any pillow you select will be better suited to some sleepers and less so for others.
Rather than using marketing jargon to guide your pillow search, focus on the following attributes instead.
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Choose The Right Loft
If youre a back sleeper youll want to find a pillow that has enough loft to cradle your head comfortably, and while manufacturers tend to recommend firm pillows for back sleepers, exactly what works will vary for different size bodies.
If you have a small frame, you may find a lower loft pillow is more comfortable if youre larger you may find a higher loft pillow works for you. Because of this, Josh Tal, Ph.D., of Josh Tal & Associates, Sleep and Health Psychotherapists, advises that online shoppers look for adjustable fill pillows because you can add or remove fill to find the right fit. Our top pick is a great option, since its simple to remove fill to achieve a good amount of loft for smaller people, and it comes with additional fill if you need extra firmness.
