Check The Return Policy
Since one pillow will not work for everyone, make sure to check the brands return policy. Many brands offer a trial period or returns, but some brands do not allow you to return the pillow. Youll want to choose a pillow with a good return policy in case the pillow does not work for you, unless youre willing to take the risk of not being able to return it.
How Thick Should A Pillow Be For Side Sleepers
Generally, side sleepers should aim for a pillow thats 3 to 6 inches thick the goal is to keep your head and neck in a straight line with your spine. That said, your pillow shouldnt be so high that it makes your head tilt, nor should it be so low that it collapses toward your shoulders.
If youre unsure or if your preferences change, adjustable pillows are a smart choice for all sleepers. These include the Leesa Hybrid, the Drift Side Sleeper Pillow, the Layla Kapok Pillow and the Coop Adjustable Loft Pillow, all on this list.
Choose The Right Loft
According to Josh Tal of Josh Tal & Associates Sleep and Health Psychotherapists, people who sleep on their sides need to look for a pillow that provides support for the shoulder, neck and head, and allows for a neutral, supportive position. Because of this, Tal says, side sleepers usually prefer a pillow with more loft to cradle the head, paired with an indentation to comfort the shoulder and a potentially an elevated bump in the bottom of the pillow to support the neck.
Also, keep in mind that everyones neck is different, so the type of contour or density of fill that achieves this will vary from individual to individual. If youre smaller-framed, you may need a lower loft pillow if youre bigger, you may need a higher loft pillow to keep the neck aligned with the spine.
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How We Chose The Best Pillows For Sleep Apnea
When choosing pillows to feature on this list, we opted for pillows that:
- Are good for stomach and side sleeping.Research suggests that many cases of obstructive sleep apnea happen because of a persons sleeping position. In these cases, a simple change to your stomach or side rather than your back can make a difference in symptoms.
- Can help elevate the head. Sleeping on your back can make sleep apnea worse . However, if you can only fall asleep while resting on your back, elevating your upper body with something like a wedge pillow may help.
- Are compatible with CPAP machines. If you have moderate or severe sleep apnea, you may have difficulty sleeping while wearing a CPAP mask. Some pillows are designed to accommodate the bulky masks and prevent them from digging into your face.
- Have rave reviews. We checked customer feedback to make sure each pillow is rated highly.
- Are adjustable. If youre lying on your stomach, a soft, thin pillow is usually most comfortable. For side sleepers, a firm or extra-firm pillow is key. That said, preference plays a part, too. Thats why weve included a couple of adjustable pillows that allow you to remove fill layers to accommodate your preferred sleeping position and pillow feel.
Fast Facts On Biphasic And Polyphasic Sleep:
- A persons internal circadian rhythm is responsible for their sleep-wake cycle.
- A monophasic sleep pattern is when an individual sleeps once per day, typically for 8 or so hours a night.
- A biphasic sleep pattern is when someone sleeps twice per day, sometimes referred to as a siesta sleeping pattern.
- A polyphasic sleep pattern is when a person sleeps for periods of time throughout the day.
People have an internal circadian rhythm, a routine of biological and behavioral processes that roughly occur every day over a 24-hour cycle. Despite this, what is the correct time for a person to sleep per night?
And do we really know what the best and healthiest sleep pattern is for an individuals overall health and sleep hygiene?
In this article, we learn more about the three types of sleep patterns that are most common. These sleep patterns are described below.
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Final Comments On The Tempur
While its not our favorite pillow in the world, there is a lot to like about it. Its comfortable and accommodating, plus has a machine-washable cover. Whether its worth $80 per pillow, thats up to you. But, if you want a memory foam pillow thats durable and medium in terms of size/loft, its a pretty good option.
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These Bestselling Pillows From Amazon
Amazon
Fill: Down alternative fill | Trial period: 30-day return policy | Adjustable: No
Amazons bestselling pillow has gel memory foam filling and a rectangular shape that offer an ideal combo for side sleepers. Its important to have a pillow that contours to the head and neck, and this pillow does just that. Its no-shift design makes it ideal for the side sleepers who switch sides during the night and dont want to constantly adjust to find that perfect angle for a quality nights sleep.
What the reviews say: With more than 155,000 reviews,happy sleepers agree that the Beckham pillows are the ideal balance of firm and soft. When you lay down on them your head sinks into the pillow but is still supported enough to stay slightly elevated, writes one 5-star reviewer. For side sleeping, this is one of the very few pillows where it is just the right height and I don’t have to use a second pillow with it, writes another.
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Coop Home Goods Eden Adjustable Pillow
Coop Home Goods Eden Adjustable Pillow
Coop Home Goods Eden Adjustable Pillow
- Cover and fill are machine washable
Cons
- Fill showed signs of wear after washing
Like our best overall pillow, the Coop Home Goods Eden pillow has an adjustable shredded memory foam fill to customize your perfect height. As stomach sleepers need a thinner pillow, it’s easy to reduce the fill amount. Because of the shredded memory foam and microfiber cluster fill, it’s plush to grab and hold, which stomach sleeper testers loved. The fill also has shredded cooling gel to keep you cooler as you sleep. In Lab testing, the pillow fit perfectly in a standard pillowcase and bounced back to its original shape when weights were applied. The cover showed minimal signs of wear, but the fill showed a bit more wear after washing. The brand offers a 100-night trial, but with over 11,000 rave Amazon reviews, we’re sure you’ll want to keep it forever.
Best Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain
Choosing A Pillow For Sleep Apnea
When shopping for a pillow for sleep apnea, your first consideration should be whether you need it to accommodate a CPAP mask or not. If the answer is yes, youll need a specialized pillow with an indentation for your mask and its tubing.
If you dont use a CPAP device, the next consideration is whether you prefer to sleep on your back, side, or stomach. Sleeping on your back can worsen sleep apnea symptoms, but some people simply cant fall asleep in any other position. If this describes you, you might find relief with a pillow that elevates your head like one with a wedge design.
Stomach sleepers should look for a soft pillow, while side sleepers need firmer support.
If possible, look for a company with in-home sleep trials, so you can test whether the pillow helps with your symptoms, fits with your mask, and lets you sleep comfortably.
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$12499 From $9999 At Eli & Elm
The supportive Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow has a curved cutout that creates room for your shoulder when sleeping on your side, setting this pillow apart from the rest. We found the extra room quite comfortable and also appreciated how it let us hold onto the edges of the pillow while sleeping on our side, keeping our arms and hands more comfortable too. As a bonus, we loved that we felt like we were cradled when we slept on our backs too, so its a great choice if you shift positions often.
The pillow is filled with a blend of latex and polyester that is adjustable and removable. Similar to other adjustable pillows, you can take out as much fill as you want to achieve the exact height and firmness level thats most comfortable. We found the pillow came with plenty of fill for those that like a firm pillow, though we had to remove some to soften it up. If you like an extra-firm pillow, Eli & Elm offers an option to buy extra fill. It took a few nights of trial and error before we figured out the optimal amount of fill, but once we did we found the pillow very comfortable.
The Side Sleeper has two slight drawbacks. First, we found that the pillow sleeps slightly hot not so much so it disturbed our sleep but if you are sensitive you may want to keep that in mind or plan to accessorize with some of our recommendations for hot sleepers.
What To Look For In A Mattress For Side Sleepers
Regardless of your sleep position, some traits tend to be most important when selecting a mattress. Side sleepers should also take their way of sleeping into account to find the best mattress for them. Mattress companies sometimes use misleading words and phrases, like universal comfort, but what is comfortable for others may not be best for side sleepers.
When mattress companies claim that their mattress is comfortable for every sleeper, that usually just means that it is a mid-range firmness that can accommodate the needs of most sleepers. However, side sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds and those that weigh over 230 pounds may rest more comfortably on softer or firmer models respectively.
Tempur-Pedic offers a range of mattress models, so theres something for virtually any side sleeper. Focusing on the following traits may make it easier to select the best option for you.
Pressure ReliefPressure relief tends to be especially important for side sleepers because their hips and shoulders usually put more pressure on the mattress than the rest of their bodies. With some models, this can lead to aches and pains from sharp pressure points. Mattresses crafted for pressure relief redistribute your weight, taking pressure off your hips and shoulders. However, finding the ideal balance between pressure relief and support also requires selecting the right firmness.
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What Kind Of Pillow Should A Side Sleeper Use
Jessalynn Adam, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Baltimores Mercy Medical Center, suggests using a thicker pillow to keep your head and neck aligned if you sleep on your side. This can be achieved with any fill, including memory foam, down or cotton. So, consider your other sleep preferences: Do you love the contouring feel of memory foam? The luxe loftiness of down? How about a cooling sensation when your head hits the pillow? Considering these factors will help you make your final decision.
Pros And Cons Of Tempur
Tempur-Pedic pillows are popular among many different types of sleepers. Here are some of the most compelling reasons why:
- Pain and pressure relief.Memory foam pillows conform to the shape of your head, relieving pressure around sensitive areas. The dense material can also keep your neck from contorting into awkward positions, which helps reduce neck pain.
- Support. The contouring offered by Tempur-Pedic memory foam delivers personalized support for your head and neck, adapting to your unique shape and weight. This, in turn, allows for proper spinal alignment and more restorative sleep.
- Noise. Unlike buckwheat and feather pillows, Tempur-Pedic memory foam pillows remain virtually silent even as you change sleeping positions during the nightVariety. As demonstrated in the chart above, Tempur-Pedic pillows come in a huge variety of designs, firmnesses, and sizes. Tempur-Pedic pillows also come blended with different materials, such as down, cooling gel, and micro-cushions. Youll also find everything from travel pillows to body pillows among Tempur-Pedics selection.
- Trusted brand. As the first manufacturer of commercial foam, Tempur-Pedic has more than 30 years of building a solid reputation and innovating with new products.
There are some disadvantages to be aware of when considering a Tempur-Pedic pillow:
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My Final Thoughts About The Tempur
These five Tempur-Pedic pillows are great for anyone looking for memory foam pillow options.
The TEMPUR-Cloud has a medium firmness and loft, making it an especially good choice for back sleepers, but it also works for side and stomach sleepers. However, its not the best pillow for hot sleepers, as the foam traps heat easily. Its the most popular pillow from the brand, but also the simplest.
The TEMPUR-Neck pillow has a firm pillow feel and comes in three different sizes, making it versatile for different body types. Its effective at maintaining spinal alignment for back and side sleepers, but I definitely would not recommend it to stomach sleepers, because of its rounded, ergonomic shape. Its also not a great choice for hot sleepers or anyone who likes an extra-soft feel from their pillow.
The TEMPUR-Symphony pillow has a medium firmness and a medium loft. It also has an arched side and a flat side, designed to offer two different types of pillow in one. Its comfortable for back and side sleeping, and makes an especially good choice for back/side combination sleepers. However, its not the best for stomach sleepers or hot sleepers.
Lay On The Pillow For At Least 15 Minutes
Susan J. Gordon research professor at the Flinders University College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Adelaide, Australia, who has studied the effect of pillow types in relation to sleep quality and their effect on waking back and neck pain, recommends laying on a pillow for at least 15 minutes to try it out. Thats the time it takes for the body to fully settle so youll know whether or not the pillow is right for you.
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What Is A Tempur
Tempur-Pedic pillows are made with a material that was originally developed by NASA to cushion astronauts during lift-off. This viscoelastic is a slow spring back foam that contains billion of open cells that are heat sensitive.
This proprietary memory foam contours to your head and neck, provides pressure relief, and is purported to help improve the quality of your sleep. Each pillow is purposefully designed with specific sleeping positions in mind, and the memory foam adapts to your body as you move throughout the night.
Pillow firmness makes a huge difference on your sleep quality and general comfort. Its important to get the right pillow pillows that are too flimsy or too thick may prevent the spine from aligning properly.
How To Choose A Pillow For Side Sleepers
While many brands design and market pillows tailored specifically to back, stomach or side sleepers, all of the experts we spoke to told us that pillow comfort is very personal, and just because a pillow is marketed for side sleepers doesnt mean it will work for you. According to Dr. Andrew Varga, neuroscientist and physician at The Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, There is limited, if any, scientific evidence regarding pillow types.
After testing dozens of pillows, we have found that the way pillows are labeled can give at least some indication of how the pillow will feel, and that makes a good starting point when shopping for side sleeper pillows . In general, pillows meant for side sleepers like those for back sleepers are often firmer and loftier than pillows for stomach sleepers, which helps keep your head elevated properly when laying on your side. And some contoured or cutout designs may provide better comfort for some side sleepers.
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Buying A Tempurpedic Pillow
If youre on the hunt for a TempurPedic pillow, youre going to have plenty of options, both in terms of the type of pillow and from where you purchase. For example, on TempurPedics website they sell about a dozen different pillows, ranging in price, firmness, and fill.
If you end up , they also offer one for pretty much every situation. In fact, they largely carry the same inventory, although, from what weve seen Amazon has a lot of their older pillows in addition to the new ones. And, Amazon seems to have the best prices.
There is no trial period or return policy if you order on TempurPedics website, however, with Amazon you have their standard return/exchange policies. Basically, you have 30 days to try out the pillow, and if decide dont want it anymore you just have to cover return shipping charges.
However, you will get free shipping regardless of the pillow you choose, as well as a 5-year limited warranty.
How did the Slumber Yard get this pillow?
We were sent these pillows by TempurPedic in order to review them.
Does TempurPedic accept returns?
No. Unfortunately, TempurPedic does not accept any returns of the TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow, or any of their pillows
How firm is the TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow?
Wed say this is about a medium-soft to a soft pillow. A lot of this depends on your size, but its fairly soft overall.
Is there any off-gassing with the TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow?What are the dimensions of the TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow?CHECK CURRENT OFFERS
Cloud Pillow Sleeper Types
We see the pillow being best for petite and medium-size individuals that sleep on their back and side. You need to make sure that youre keeping proper spinal alignment and that your neck isnt out of whack, but for most people between 100 lbs and 200 lbs it will best for back/side sleepers. If you have a larger frame , you will probably be just fine as a stomach sleeper with this pillow.
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