Foam Latex Down Or Polyester We Analyse The Best Filling For Back Side And Stomach Sleepers
Everyone’s got their favourite sleeping position: from the back snorers to the tummy snoozers, and every angle in between.
Because some of these positions aren’t necessarily great for your posture, it’s important to choose the right pillow to support you.
Quality sleep is vital for good health, and a good pillow is vital for quality sleep.
On this page:
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Pillows
We discuss some further questions regarding pricing, care and maintenance, and how to identify the best soft pillow for your needs.
How much do soft pillows cost?
A standard size soft pillow can range in price from $30 to $180 or more, but the average price lies between $75 and $100. Many factors determine how a pillow is priced, notably the quality of the materials and the design. Softer pillows may cost less than firmer equivalents because they contain less fill, meaning the manufacturing cost is not as high.
How often should I replace my pillow?
The general standard is to replace a pillow after 1 to 2 years, though this timeline can vary depending on the materials. Soft pillows may wear down sooner than firmer models, as they undergo more compression. Keeping your pillow well-maintained and regularly cleaning it may help extend its lifespan. Youll know its time to replace your pillow when it starts to provide less support and you find yourself waking up sore.
Are soft pillows good for you?
Soft pillows can provide pressure relief, but the benefits of a soft pillow depend on the sleeper. Soft pillows tend to be most comfortable for stomach sleepers and some back sleepers. Most side sleepers need a firmer pillow with a higher loft, though there are exceptions to this rule. If you are currently using a soft pillow, there may be no reason to change unless it causes you pain or discomfort.
Can a pillow be too soft?How soft should a pillow be?
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Housewife Vs Oxford Pillowcase
A standard 50cm x 75cm pillowcase is sometimes called a housewife pillowcase. The name is an artefact from the late 19th century, when the Housewives Co-Operative adapted pillowcases to include a lip which you could fold over the pillow inside, keeping it secure inside. This is taken as standard now, so standard and housewife pillowcases are the same.
Oxford pillowcases fit standard housewife pillows, but have a trim or border around the edges.
How We Tested The Best Pillows
We started by sleeping on each pillow for at least three consecutive nights. We were looking for comfort, support and temperature regulation, as well as a nice feel and a pillow that didnt need constant plumping. We rated each model on these factors and combined it with insight from experts to form our ranking. If you’re still on the hunt for a better night’s sleep, you may want to read our guides to the best mattresses and sofa beds next.
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What Types Of Pillows Are There
Pillows can be constructed from a variety of different materials, each of which come with their own unique feel, level of support, and price-point. Some pillows also combine two or more materials to capitalize on the benefits of each one.
Polyfoam: Polyfoam, or polyurethane foam, is a synthetic material that offers moderate contouring. Polyfoam pillows are usually on the firmer side. They may be aerated with pincore holes to increase airflow, shredded to increase contouring, or blended with other materials to add a sturdier core. Polyfoam pillows are usually quite economical, though they may not last as long as other types.
Memory Foam: Memory foam is also known as viscoelastic polyfoam, a name that accurately captures the materials ability to contour around the sleepers body and then slowly regain its shape when pressure is lifted. The enhanced contouring gives it a softer feel than polyfoam, especially if the memory foam is shredded. Memory foam pillows tend to trap heat, an issue which some manufacturers try to solve by adding gel infusions or phase change material.
Down: Down refers to the soft, light feathers of a goose or duck that lay beneath the coarser outer feathers. A down pillow typically starts out fluffy and then compresses considerably when you lay on it. Down is moldable and durable, but it tends to be expensive and it may trigger allergies. Shoppers interested in animal welfare may want to look for ethically sourced and cruelty-free down.
Who Is Best Suited To A Soft Pillow
Soft pillows are favored by much of the population. For stomach and back sleepers, a soft pillow allows the head to settle down closer to the mattress for optimal spinal alignment. For side sleepers, a soft pillow helps reduce pressure points at the ears. Due to their malleability, soft pillows are also popular with people who like to snuggle or scrunch their pillow into different shapes. A small, soft pillow tucked under the legs or lumbar spine may help relieve pressure in the lower back.
A pillows firmness level impacts both pressure relief and support. Sleeping on a pillow that is too firm may be uncomfortable, or even cause pressure points where the head touches the pillow.
However, sleepers should take into account that a softer pillow compresses more when laying on it. This means that side sleepers and those who weigh more than 230 pounds may need to buy a higher pillow to make up for the plush sinking effect. Side and stomach sleepers should also be aware that an overly soft pillow may restrict breathing if it allows the face to sink down too far.
Its impossible to choose a pillow based on firmness alone, as the loft also plays a very important role. You may also need to consider how plush your mattress is, how much your head weighs, whether you have any special pain points to consider, and your own personal preference.
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How To Get Free Pillows: Giveaway
Want to win a pair of free pillows? Lucky you: this week, were partnering with our friends at Coop Home Goods to give away a couples set of queen pillows The Original! just like the kind I sleep on! This is a $120+ value with shipping FREE to the USA included!
One lucky Emmaline Bride reader will win TWO Queen Pillows from Coop!
All you have to do is enter following the entry rules below. Well randomly select a winner on April 7 and announce his or her name on this blog post.
Enter between 3/22-21 4/6/21 Prize: Two Queen-sized pillows plus free shipping Prize value: $120+ no cash value Winner announced on 4/7 and announced here the winner will also be emailed directly Prize must be confirmed within 1 week of winning email receipt or a new winner will be selected Prize sponsored by our affiliate partner, Coop: you can shop here if you dont want to wait for the giveaway! 🙂
HOW TO ENTER
1. You MUST follow @CoopHomeGoods on Instagram and comment below to confirm you have done so . If not following, you will not be eliginle to win.
2. Visit their website and browse their collection. What is ANOTHER product you also like or would like to try someday? Tell us in a . Please be specific.
BONUS: Follow @EmmalineBride on Instagram and confirm below with for a bonus entry.
GOOD LUCK! Were so excited to find out which one of you will be the lucky winner!
Happy Planning!
How Often Should I Get A New Pillow
Lauren Fountain at the Sleep Foundation recommends replacing your pillow about every two years. If youre waking up with aches and pains in your neck and shoulder, that might be an indicator that it’s time to replace your pillows. You should also replace your pillows if they stop offering support. Down pillows, for example, lose loft over time and get less comfortable. If your pillow is badly stained, thats also a signal that it’s time to replace it.
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Feather And Down Pillows: Pros And Cons
- Pros: Remain supportive and comfortable longer than synthetic fillings, can be moulded to suit your neck
- Cons: Can become flattened, will need to be reshaped to retain thickness, noisier than other types, need to be cleaned professionally, can be expensive
Almost a third of our members opt for feather/down pillows, and its clear why. While they are a little more expensive than synthetic fibre pillows, they have a longer lifespan, meaning they will stay supportive and retain their height for longer. They are mouldable and soft ideal for snuggling into.
The ratio of feather to down can vary greatly, although as a rule if it is sold as a feather pillow, it must be made of at least 30% of the exterior feathers of the bird. Down pillows must be at least 70% down. If you go for a feather pillow you should find that you dont need to turn the pillow over to the cold side as often, as they are cooler than both down and microfibre. Down retains more heat, and it doesn’t have hard quills to poke through and spike into you, like feather pillows.
Downsides to this natural option include that they can become flattened quickly and will need regular fluffing to retain their shape. You might find that they have a musky smell at first too, and you could find the crunching noises of feather pillows grating. As with most natural bedding, they require professional cleaning. Some premium types of feather and down, such as Hungarian goose, can be very expensive.
How Much Do Pillows Cost
You can find pillows at a range of price points, anywhere from $10 to several hundred dollars. It’s not always the case that you have to spend more to get a good pillow.
Considering how much of our lives we spend sleeping, Robbins recommends thinking of a pillow as an investment that will pay you back in better sleep. Our favorite pillow is entirely customizable and costs about $60, though you can often find it on sale for as little as $40 during the holidays and other sales events.
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Why Is It Important To Buy New Pillows Regularly
A flattened pillow from too much usage could put strain on your neck and shoulders, so experts recommend they be replaced every two years.
Dust mites and other allergens can also accumulate in pillows if you neglect to wash and replace your pillows regularly. One study from the University of Manchester found that the average pillow that has been used for more than 18 months contains at least a million fungal spores.
For this test we worked our way through a constant rotation of new pillows looking for those that will help you sleep better. The first thing we learned is that material is an important factor in the pillow you choose. Broadly speaking, there are four types that you need to know about: washable cotton, luxurious down, memory foam for support and modern microfibre. See the FAQ at the bottom of this article for a full explanation of the pros and cons of each.
Should You Buy An Anti
It could be worth buying an anti-allergy pillow if you have the symptoms of a dust mite allergy, such as:
- watery, red eyes when you wake up
- runny or itchy nose and sneezing in bed
- sore throat or hoarse voice in the morning
- coughing and other breathing problems
- skin rash and itching
- worsening of any existing asthma.
You should get these symptoms properly investigated if you’re not sure dustmites are the cause, though.
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How Should I Pick A Down Pillow
Not all down pillows are made equallythere are different gradations. When shopping for a down pillow, look for ones with the highest minimum percentage down that you can find. The Federal Trade Commission regulates down labeling, so any down pillow you buy will have a label indicating the percentage of down that is in its filling. A down product must have a minimum 75% down in the filling .
What Pillow Sizes Are Available
The most common pillow sizes are standard, queen, and king. However, you may also find specialty sizes such as super standard pillows or body pillows. While sizing is fairly standardized, different brands may vary by a few inches, so its good policy to check the dimensions before ordering to make sure the pillow fits your pillowcase and your bed. Note that the depth of the pillow doesnt typically vary, just the width.
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Back Sleepers And Pillow Firmness
Back sleepers tend to prefer a medium to firm pillow that keeps the head at a neutral angle. Back sleeping doesnt tend to cause much pressure buildup, as only the back of the head makes contact with the pillow. These sleepers can choose from a wide range of moderately contouring pillow materials, including down, latex, memory foam, polyfoam, and wool.
What About Hotel Pillows And Private Label Pillows
If youre a person who regularly checks the labels of pillows at hotels, like me, youve probably noticed one name pop up repeatedlySobel Westex. The brand claims they are the largest manufacturer of sheets and towels for the hospitality industry. In my research, I learned that Sobel Westex supplies pillows and bedding to Hard Rock Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels, Disney, and many other properties. When hotels buy pillows, as general manager of Hotel Drisco John Spears explained to me, they typically partner with a large bedding manufacturing company to buy in bulk. Hilton Hotels, for example, partners with a company called Manchester Mills to produce the Down Dreams pillow widely available in their properties. If the partnership is significant enoughsay, with a major hotel chainthen the pillow manufacturer can also manufacture a custom pillow for the hotel under their name. The Brooklinen pillow we tried says on the tag that it was manufactured by Westex International, a Canadian Down company that also sells pillows at Wayfair.
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Why Trust Good Housekeeping
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing to find the best bedding, including pillows. Lexie has been analyzing pillow data since she joined Good Housekeeping in 2013 and reviewed hundreds of pillow test scores before making these recommendations. She is often called upon as a pillow expert for TV and other media segments.
Our most recent pillow tests have been performed by senior textiles analyst Emma Seymour. Emma has rigorously tested more than 100 pillows in the Textiles Lab in the past two years, and she has coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. Emma has a B.S. in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for more than three years at Good Housekeeping.
Related Story
Woolroom Chatsworth Natural Supportive British Wool Pillow
Why we love it:
- These pillows of medium-hard firmness are made of wool: a surprisingly good middle ground between soft down pillows and slightly firmer microfibre pillows.
Pros: They’re customisable , but they’re also soft and supportive. You can wash the entire thing at the same time lining and outer including and rumour has it this is the only pillow to hold the Allergy UK Seal of Approval.Cons: Does have a faint odour to begin with.
Customers are saying: As comfortable as feather pillows and helps with overheating.
Save money on hypoallergenic pillows with these .
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Caring For Your Pillow
Before using it
Consider buying a pillow protector they’re quite inexpensive and available in most home and bedding shops. The pillow protector can be easily washed as well. Often pillow slips and/or protectors will stain yellow from a mixture of moisture and oils from your skin. Maintaining your pillow helps to keep your pillow fresh and clean, away from moisture and oils, and will also keep it from staining.
Daily
Give your pillow a good shake and fluff it up. This will help kill any dust mites and keep it fresher and cleaner.
Weekly
Some pillows can be put through a gentle washing machine cycle to keep them really clean, particularly polyester and latex pillows. Check the labels on your pillows, and if they’re suitable, pop them in the wash.
Every six months
Test your pillows with our simple four-step method to ensure your pillows are still in good condition.
Read more: How to wash a pillow
