Which Brand Of Pillows Is Best
While we wish there was a pillow that magically worked for all types of sleepers, shopping for pillows is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Different brands work better for different types of sleepers, and while some have a range of pillows targeting all kinds of sleepers, there isn’t one definitively best brand. There are many pillow brands on the market worth a gander which we’ve included in our edit below, and we’ve had many a good night’s sleep on them to show for it.
What Makes The Layla Kapok Pillow Stand Out
- The adjustable fill makes it great for combination sleepers. Play around with the height to find a match for you!
- Hot sleepers will also love this pillow because the cover has copper infused into it, which will draw away body heat.
- You have a 120-night trial period to test it out, and an impressive 5-year warranty if you keep it!
Do You Need A Pillow Protector
A pillow protector keeps your pillow clean for longer, safeguarding it from dust mites, spills, stains and germs in the same way a good mattress protector looks after your mattress. While spills and stains are unsightly and a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites are the other big problem with unprotected pillows – especially those that arenât cleaned regularly.
With regular nightly use, your dead skin cells, hair, sweat and more build up on your pillow. This moist environment provides plenty of food and nourishment for dust mites, and these microscopic bugs and their droppings can trigger allergies and make asthma worse.
So if you cut off their food supply by covering your pillow with an anti-allergy pillow protector, youâll make it harder for them to thrive. Not all pillow protectors are up to the job though, and the best are certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America as asthma and allergy friendly. To get this certification, the pillow protector has been proven to block over 95% to 99% of dust mite allergens.
While youâll still need to wash your sleep pillow regularly and replace it every two years, a protector will do the majority of the heavy lifting for you when keeping your pillow clean. You should wash the protector monthly, or more often if you experience night sweats, dandruff or skin irritations.
Read Also: Which Mattress Is Better Nectar Vs Purple
Should A Pillow Be A Certain Height
Like a pillows firmness, pillow height is a matter of personal preference. However, back and front sleepers may wish to buy a flatter pillow to reduce neck and shoulder strain from elevating the head. In contrast, side sleepers might prefer higher pillows that align the head with the rest of the body.
Casper Pillow Sleeper Type Analysis
We also think the Casper Down Pillow can accommodate all sleeper types back, side, stomach, and combo. Its supportive and lofty enough for most side and back sleepers, but it compresses enough for a stomach sleeper to be comfortable too.
Bodyweight, however, does play a big role in how comfortable a pillow is going to be. So if youre a heavy side sleeper, its possible that neither of Caspers pillows will be supportive enough. But feel free to try them out because you always have that risk-free trial to fall back on.
Also Check: How Long Casper Mattress Inflate
How To Pick A Pillow
Choosing a pillow from the vast field of options might feel daunting, and whats right for you will depend on all kinds of factors. As Dr. Eric Landsness told me, It’s a combination of your personal preferences, like whether you sleep on your side or your back, and it varies from one individual to the next.
There are four main types of pillow filling: down, down alternative, solid memory foam and shredded … memory foam.
Most pillows come with a trial period, and Dr. Landsness recommended doing your own sleep testing to find out which pillow is best for you by tracking how well it works for you over a period of time. There will always be some degree of trial and error in finding the right pillow for you. To help narrow down your choices, heres what to consider.
Pillow Posture And Finding The Right Pillow
Pillow posture, or choosing the right pillow to go with your preferred sleeping position, is also important. Pressure on your spine and neck is different with each position, so your pillow can help correct it.
When choosing a pillow, think about the curve of your neck in your favorite sleeping position. You want to choose a pillow that fills in that curve while giving your head enough ergonomic support:
- Back sleepers: look for a pillow that fills the space between your neck and bed. If you can see your feet while youâre lying down, the pillow is probably too high for you. Your pillow needs to support your head, neck, and the natural curve of your shoulders. If you have a foam pillow, you can trim it down to lower the pillow.
- Stomach sleepers: you need a small, flat pillow to keep your head level and even. Stomach sleepers can even sleep without a pillow if itâs more comfortable.
- Side sleepers: you need a thicker pillow than back sleepers do. The pillow you choose should fill in the space between your ear and the bed. You can also place a pillow between your knees to align your spine and remove the stress from your hips and lower back.
Read Also: What Is The Perfect Mattress For Me
How We Chose The Best Pillows For Sleeping
A new pillow might be a small purchase, but its an important one. We considered the following factors to make sure we only recommend quality pillows:
- Customer reviews. User feedback is often the best way to know how something really works, and pillows are no exception. We used reviews to narrow down our search for the best pillows and to make sure the ones we recommend are everything the brands have fluffed them up to be.
- Company reputation and transparency. For your peace of mind, we make every effort to recommend products from brands known for being up front about product materials and construction. We also look for brands with good customer service ratings.
- Variety. With the hope of including something to meet everyones needs, weve selected pillows made from various materials, at different price points, and for every sleeping style.
What Type Of Pillow Material Is Most Comfortable
While there are many types of pillows to choose from, the fill is the most important aspect when it comes to comfort. Here are the key differences between the most common options:
- Down pillowstend to be the fluffiest, but a combination of down with feather may be firmer and less expensive.
- Down alternative pillowscan still feel soft and offer good support, but they’re usually made with synthetic fill so they’re more affordable than down.
- Memory foam pillowsare thicker and often firmer. You can choose from solid memory foam or memory foam clusters, which feel plusher to lie on while still offering the support of foam.
- Latex pillowsfeel similar to memory foam, but they have more of a bouncy feel with less contouring. Another difference: latex foam is typically made from rubber trees.
- Hybrid pillows mix foam and fiberfill so you get the best of both categories i.e., supportive yet plush.
How do I pick the best pillow?
After picking your favorite fill, before you get shopping for a new pillow, here’s what to keep in mind as you pick out your best pillow:
According to Dr. Baxi, “Your ears should be aligned with your shoulders and your chin faced forward.” To achieve this alignment, you’ll need to factor in your body size and how you sleep. Here’s how to pick your height:
Read Also: Casper Pillow Essential Vs Original
How I Tested The Best Pillows
For the 15 standard sized pillows I tested, I slept on each one, and also asked my parents and my partner to sleep on finalists. While I slept on every pillow that I tested, I split up the other pillows according to the general material each tester preferreddown alternative, memory foam, and downand took notes on how they liked each pillow. Once I determined each persons favorite pillow, I then slept on it again to further assess. But since taking notes while asleep is notoriously unreliable, I also devised a series of objective tests for the most important factors of a good pillow.
I used an 11-pound bowling ball to approximate the weight of a human head in testing.
Pillows can notoriously retain heat, which leads to an uncomfortable, sweaty sleepthe cool side of the pillow is a sought-after quality for a reason. To test for breathability and temperature retention, I also put a hot water bottle with 99 degree wateras close as I could get to the resting human average of 98.6 degreeson each pillow for half an hour. I measured how hot the pillow got, and used a humidity sensor to gauge how much humidity was on the surface of the pillow once the hot water bottle was removed, to see how cool a pillow would remain once resting on it.
What Makes The Pillow Cube Stand Out
- Its been designed specifically for side sleepers.
- Its a tall pillow that will keep your head from craning too far down, which means you wont have to worry about developing neck pain.
- Pillow Cube also sells this in a variety of options, like the longer Side Sleeper Pro for people who change positions, and hot sleepers can opt for a cooling cover!
Read our full Pillow Cube review.
Recommended Reading: How Does Hassleless Mattress Work
How Long Do Pillows Last
Even the best pillows aren’t meant to last forever for the best sleep, the National Sleep Foundation recommends replacing a well-used pillow every couple of years.
Our fluffy little pillows absorb a shocking amount of dead skin and body oils night after night, which is the perfect breeding ground for allergens like dust mites.
You can tell if it’s time for a new pillow if your pillow is lumpy or flat, no matter how much you fluff it. Robbins also told us that a healthy pillow springs back when you compress it if you fold your pillow in half and it stays put, it’s probably time for a new pillow.
What Pillow Sizes Are Available
Pillows come in a variety of sizes to fit beds of different sizes and people with varying sleep habits. Pillow size can be as important as firmness and loft when it comes to finding the pillow that best fits you.
- Standard: Standard pillows measure 20 inches wide by 26 inches long. These pillows are among the smallest, and therefore the least expensive, pillows on the market today. They are also the most commonly sold pillows.
- Super Standard: Super Standard pillows measure 20 inches wide by 28 inches long. Like standard pillows, they are usually used one per twin or full bed, and two per larger bed. Super Standard pillows provide 2 more inches of length for sleepers who need extra space due to head size, body weight, or propensity to move during the night.
- Queen: Queen pillows measure 20 inches wide by 30 inches long, 2 inches longer than Super Standard pillows. Queen pillows give extra room if you tend to toss and turn throughout the night or find yourself slipping off of smaller pillows.
- King: King pillows measure 20 inches wide by 36 inches long. King pillows are much larger than most pillows, measuring 10 inches longer than standard pillows and 6 inches longer than queen pillows. King pillows work well with king beds and larger sleepers.
- Body Pillow: Body pillow dimensions vary, though 48 or 54 inches wide by 20 inches long are common sizes. Body pillows are meant to be hugged. Side sleepers and pregnant women tend to most enjoy them.
Also Check: Best Pillow For Neck Pain Amazon
Can Pillows Stop Snoring
The NSF states that a raised or thicker pillow may ease snoring. When people sleep on their backs, the airways narrow due to gravity. Therefore, a higher pillow position could help keep the airways open during sleep.
However, some people may have sleep apnea, where a persons breathing pauses during sleep. If an individual believes they have this condition, they should speak with a doctor to discuss treatment options.
The 10 Best Pillows For A Peaceful Night’s Rest
Sweet dreams.
Weve all had those restless nights where comfort and sleep seems like a distant dream. Tossing and turning is one of the most dreadful feelings when you desperately need a good night’s rest. One factor to your less than peaceful night of sleep can be the pillow you’re using. The wrong pillow may be one reason why you aren’t sleeping well, and it could lead to any neck or joint pain and discomfort you may experience while sleeping or throughout the day.
Sleep specialist and neurologist, Dr. Winter says that a pillow is a very personal choice. It should fit your body size, sleeping position and temperature preference. It should have construction and weight that caters to your particular sleeping style. He urges that a pillow should be something that you choose, not something you simply find yourself using.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a new pillow. You need to think of how you sleep and the positions you find yourself most comfortable in. Then, you need to decide if you like a softer or firmer pillow, or if youd like one that adjusts to your body’s temperature. Heres a list of 10 pillows that will help you slip into a peaceful and comfortable night of sleep.
We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
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More Pillows We Recommend
Pillows under $60
- FluffCo Down Alternative Pillow: FluffCo set out to create hotel-style pillows at an affordable price point. We liked its soft fluff pillow, which is an excellent option if you’re looking for simple, high-quality pillows for your bed.
Pillows under $100
Pillows over $100
- LAYR Pillow: This adjustable pillow offers three layers that can be added, removed, or independently adjusted for your perfect pillow. It’s a good option for guests since each layer is made of a different material and firmness, but it feels pretty underfilled with layers removed.
- Leesa Hybrid Pillow: This dual-sided, adjustable pillow is another great choice for neck pain. It has a soft polyester microfiber side and a gel side to keep you cool. You can remove the insert for a lower loft. The biggest drawback is its short, 30-day trial.
- Saatva Memory Foam Pillow: Previously our pick for “best luxury pillow,” we still think this is a great option, but feel you can get a “luxury” experience from any of our top picks. This pillow isn’t adjustable, but it’s supportive and firm and has a tremendous spa-like feel.
- Pillow Cube Side Sleeper Pro: A rectangular version of the popular cube-ish pillow, the polyurethane block is meant to keep your neck well aligned . It’s available in a few heights but lacks the adjustability of some of our other picks. Still, if one of the sizes happens to fit you, you’ll probably find it soft and supportive. Read our full Pillow Cube Side Sleeper Pro review.
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
Also Check: Pillows For Back And Side Sleepers
The Pillow Tips And Advice
- You may not realize it, but pillows need to be replaced fairly frequently. Memory foams can last up to three years, but other types of pillows need to be switched out after about 18 months.
- If you purchase a pillow online, it will likely be vacuum sealed for compactness during shipping. Once it arrives and you remove it from the packaging, it will begin to expand. Give it at least 24 hours to come to its full size before sleeping on it.
- Temperature is also a consideration. Some pillows are built with breathability in mind, which will help if you tend to sweat while you sleep. Gel filling can have more cooling properties than other types of inserts, which also helps with temperature control.
- Some pillows are designed with a sideband that helps them keep their shape.
- Although youll probably use a pillowcase with your pillows, having a pillow you can toss in the machine comes in handy. Some also have an exterior that resists dirt buildup to ensure it looks new longer.
- Youll find pillows are sized similarly to mattresses and sheets: standard, queen and king are the most popular. You dont have to match your pillow size to your mattress size, though. Just be aware that with a king-size, bed, you may need three standard pillows to reach from one side to the other, whereas two king pillows will fit solidly side by side across that area.
