Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Set
- Easy to clean and keeps its shape
- Good value for the pair
- Too high for those who switch positions to their stomachs
- Fill material: Polyester down alternative
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
Designed specifically for side and back sleepers, the poly stuffing is lightweight yet still significantly firmer than other down alternatives. It aced all of our Lab’s evaluations, including pillowcase fit, shrinkage after laundering and how well it kept its shape after we applied weight. This is especially important because side sleepers need their pillow to keep its shape all night for proper alignment.
On top of that, it uses a synthetic down alternative, which is ideal for easy care and a lower cost. In fact, this set of two pillows cost less than other individual ones. The fill also prevents it from feeling too dense, which can sometimes be a downside to pillows made for side sleepers.
Tester notes: Our entire panel was impressed with how it stood up to pressure, and a user told us it “kept its shape better than any other pillow I’ve ever used.” More importantly, they all rated it supportive and comfortable to sleep on. One even called out its luxurious attention to detail, saying it had “excellent quality with good materials and stitching.”
Best Pillow for Back Sleepers
Pillow Warranties And Trial Periods
Just like a mattress, it takes time to get used to sleeping on a new pillow. Some manufacturers include a sleep trial precisely for this reason. Shoppers can purchase the pillow and return it either completely for free, or less the cost of shipping. If youre trying out a new type of a pillow, or not sure youll like it for some other reason, make sure the manufacturer offers a trial period of at least 30 nights. Thats sufficient time for you to decide.
Pillow warranties are also something to brush up on before you buy. These typically only cover manufacturer defects, but can last anywhere from one year to a lifetime.
A Supremely Thin Gel Memory Foam Pillow
Amazon
Fill Material: Gel memory foam | Size Options: Standard super slim , ultra slim and hyper slim max | Density: Medium firm
Bluewave makes it known that this pillow is really thina huge perk for helping stomach sleepers keep their head and neck in alignment while they snooze. The pillow comes in three height options2.25 inches, 2.75 inches or 3.25 inchesand features cooling gel-infused technology to absorb and dispel heat at night. Ventilation holes in the pillows memory foam interior also help keep you cool.
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Find The Right Height
You may need a higher pillow than back sleepers, since youâve got your shoulder in the picture. But if you go too high, your neck will be at an angle all night and youâll be unhappy in the morning.
Ideally, you want your head and neck to be in line with your spine when youâre on your side. Think about forming one straight, comfortable line.
Ology: How Do I Pick The Right Pillow
Regardless of your preferred sleeping position, your pillows most important job is to support healthy posture by keeping your head, neck, and spine in neutral alignment.
This basically means that the natural C-curve of your spine is being supported rather than craned into an unsafe position. If you want to know if you have a neutral spine alignment, simply check to see if your ears are in line with your shoulders and your chin is in line with your sternum.
Below, Im going to briefly break down the main factors to consider when shopping for the pillow thats right for your preferred sleep position. But for even more details, be sure to check out my guide topicking the best pillow for your position.
Once youve found the pillow that supports healthy sleeping posture, youre ready to dive into the exciting details! For example, take some time to decide if you want a pillow that feels silky or fuzzy. Warming or cooling. Traditionally shaped or ergonomic. The world of pillows is vast, and its worth it to find one thats just right.
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What Are The Best Pillows For Hot Sleepers
If you tend to sleep hot, you may find pillows with down or down alternative filling such as the Casper Original Pillow, Parachute Down Alternative Pillow, Saatva Pillow, or Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillows have better airflow than memory foam pillows.
Some memory foam pillows have started advertising “gel foam” that purportedly keeps your cooler. However, we haven’t found that this type of foam produces a marked difference in comfort for hot sleepers. If you absolutely must have a foam pillow, the Leesa Hybrid Pillow is the coolest foam pillow we’ve found.
When To Replace Your Pillow
Most pillows need replacing every few years. Is it time for you to replace your pillow? Look for the following signs:
- Do you see any clumps, lumps, or bumps? These may appear as clumps of shredded filler, or feathers poking out of the case. Memory foam may develop a dent from your head or neck. If you notice any of these issues, its time for a replacement.
- Does your pillow smell? Pillows can develop an odor if theyre not regularly cleaned or naturally odor-resistant. If the odor persists after cleaning, you need a new pillow.
- Can your pillow still hold its shape well? If you have a fiberfill or down pillow, fold it in half. If it springs back, thats great. If it stays folded over, it needs to be replaced.
- Do you wake up with aches and pains? When a pillow breaks down, it loses its supportability, often resulting in neck or shoulder pain.
- Are you getting a new type of mattress? If youre changing your mattress type, your pillow may no longer adequately support spinal alignment.
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What To Consider When Purchasing A Feather Pillow
Some feather pillows contain all feathers or all down, while others may have a mix of the two. If you dont want your head to sink deeply into the pillow, you may prefer a pillow with more feathers than down, as this type of pillow tends to have more structure.
The Federal Trade Commission mandates how companies label their feather and down pillows. The materials used to construct the pillow should be listed in the product description and on the pillow tags. Feathers and down are typically sourced from ducks or geese.
FillFeather pillows can contain down, feathers, or a feather/down blend. Pillows with 100% down can be harder to find and more expensive. Pillows with more feathers than down tend to be more affordable. Pillows that are filled with 50% to 80% down tend to balance the plush feel of down with the structure and support of feathers. Synthetic down alternative pillows are also available.
Sleeping PositionYour sleeping position and your pillow should work together to support your head, neck, and spine. The loft and firmness of the feather pillow you choose should help you maintain spinal alignment. Side sleepers usually benefit from a thicker, firmer pillow. Pillows with lower lofts are more suitable for individuals who sleep on their backs or stomachs.
Quality MaterialsMaterial quality affects multiple factors, including support, comfort, temperature, and moldability. High-quality down and feather fill is more likely to keep its shape over time.
What Should You Consider
Shoppers should consider a variety of factors when choosing a pillow, including body type, sleep position, and health concerns.
Your Body Type
Body weight, size, and head shape all affect the way a pillow feels and performs. Sleepers under 130 pounds usually enjoy a plusher model that offers more cushioning. However, a thinner design can still feel supportive for sleepers in this weight category.
People between 130 and 230 pounds are the most versatile and can enjoy a range of lofts and firmness levels. Sleepers over 230 pounds cause pillows to compress more, so they typically require a firmer model to support that level of pressure.
Weight aside, some people simply have broader shoulders, making anything smaller than a queen or king pillow feel cramped. People with larger heads sink into their pillows more, so they usually prefer higher lofts for additional support.
Your Sleeping Position
Sleep position is a huge factor when it comes to pillow compatibility. Side sleepers tend to do best with a high loft pillow that keeps their head on the same plane as their neck and shoulders. A low to medium loft design can help maintain a straighter spine for back sleepers. Stomach sleepers usually require a thin pillow to keep their head from straining upwards.
Your Health Needs
A number of pillows are designed to address various health needs. Pillows that elevate the head and upper body can alleviate snoring, acid reflux, and allergies caused by nasal congestion.
Your Budget
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How To Choose A Pillow
The best pillow for sleeping varies from person to person, and there is no single perfect pillow for everyone. To find your ideal pillow, you must consider your sleep position preferences, as well as many aspects of pillows youre considering.
This section guides you through the various pillow qualities to evaluate while pillow shopping. Once you know what to look for, you can feel confident that youre truly buying the pillow that best fits your needs.
What Is A Wedge Pillow
Wedge pillows are wedge-shaped pillows with varying inclines that are typically larger than the average pillow. Wedge pillows are orthopedic pillows that are often used to elevate different parts of the body to aid with support, circulation, pain, and more. That being said, they can be used for everyday purposes such as a supportive backing for sitting up in bed.
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Best For A Silk Pillow: Silk Bedding Direct Luxury Silk
- Price: around $290
In general, a good pillow provides comfort and relief for pressure points while supporting the head and neck. In contrast, an unsuitable pillow loses its shape quickly and does not provide comfort or support throughout a persons sleep.
When shopping for a pillow, people may wish to consider the following:
- Sleep position: Side sleepers may benefit from a box pillow with elevated edges to support the neck, while back sleepers may prefer one featuring tapered edges to reduce head elevation.
- Neck support: Anyone who experiences neck pain should look for a pillow that provides extra neck support.
- Snoring: A pillow that elevates the head more may help reduce snoring.
- Cooling technology: An individual who regularly overheats during sleep may prefer a pillow consisting of natural fibers, such as wool or cotton, or one that contains cooling materials, such as copper fibers.
- Allergies: People with allergies should look for pillows with hypoallergenic certifications.
Pillows can contain various materials, and what works for one person may not for another. A pillow may comprise the below materials.
Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow
- Slightly loose fit in pillowcase
- Fill material: Foam
- Firmness level: Medium-firm
Tuft & Needle makes our list again, but this time for its foam pillow. It’s made with solid foam instead of foam clusters for a more supportive surface, but it has ventilated holes to make it breathable along with graphite and cooling gel to prevent overheating. The brand describes the feel as “squishy while remaining supportive” and we fully agree based on our evaluations.
In Lab tests, it bounced back to shape immediately after we applied pressure. It fit fairly well into a pillowcase but is just a bit smaller than other pillows so there’s a slightly loose fit. Only the cover is machine washable, but it laundered well without any shrinkage.
Tester notes: It was a top-rated pillow from sleep testers, who gave it perfect scores for comfort and keeping its shape. Plus, testers unanimously said it felt like an upgrade from the pillows they normally use. Its praise included comments like, “this pillow was firm enough that it kept its shape, but felt overall soft” and, “it was comfortable in multiple sleeping positions and the perfect level of firmness.”
Best Latex Pillow
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Why Its Good For Hot Sleepers
Its features are specifically designed to keep hot sleepers cool, from the cool-to-the-touch cover to the graphite and copper infusions, which help draw heat away from the body.
The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Pillow comes in King size and Queen size, and is available with a high loft or low loft. I recommend side sleepers go with the high loft version, while back and stomach sleepers will be more comfortable with the low loft version.
Still curious? Read more in our full review.
Price: $129149, with a 30-night trial and a three-year warranty.
The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling pillow is perfect for sleepers who love the feeling of memory foam and want to sleep cool.
Why Its Good For Adjustability
The pillows filling is incredibly easy to manipulate. Just zip open the pillow, then reach in to add, remove, or adjust the fill without even having to take off the cover. And because each cube contains gel memory foam, it molds easily to your head, regardless of your sleeping position.
Price: $89$119, with a limited five-year warranty.
Have you ever wished you could make your pillow just a bit flatter? Or just a bit more plush? The WinkBeds Adjustable pillow allows you to do just that!
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Casper Pillow Review Verdict
If youre a fan of down pillows and their signature fluffy feel, were pretty certain youll be a fan of Caspers. Its a luxury pillow that accommodates a wide range of sleepers, and we were big fans of it here at The Slumber Yard. You can sleep well at night knowing the down was sustainably sourced, and because its uber comfortable. We do recognize, however, that its kind of an expensive pillow. Thats why we recommend the Original Casper Pillow to anybody looking to save some money. It doesnt feel exactly the same, but it still has the same soft qualities that a down pillow has. So if you cant justify the purchase of the Casper Down Pillow, we say go for their original.
The only sleeper who might not love this pillow is a strict side sleeper over 250 lbs. Side sleepers already need a lofty pillow, and it needs to be extra supportive for folks over 250 lbs. With that being said, youll have a little over three months to decide if you love the pillow you chose. If not, return your pillow to try out the alternate model, or take a look at our other full-length pillow reviews to check out other options.
The Casper Down Pillow is made with responsibly sourced down and organic cotton, while the Original Casper is a down-alternative pillow with a more affordable price tag.
Casper Pillows are ideal for all sleeper types including back, side, stomach, and combination.
Review team
Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow
This CertiPUR-US certified and GREENGUARD Gold certified pick is a favorite among folks with allergies, who love that its free of harmful chemicals or potential allergens.
Materials
The Eden is a shredded memory foam pillow. The cover is made up of a proprietary blend of what Coop calls Lulltra fabric a blend of bamboo-derived viscous rayon and polyester, which is partly what makes it hypoallergenic. The inner lining is made up of 100 percent polyester.
Why its a Good Hypoallergenic Choice
As highlighted above, the Eden pillow is CertiPUR-US certified and GREENGUARD Gold certified, meaning its been tested and found to produce a) low chemical emissions, and b) that its made without formaldehyde, heavy metals, mercury, lead, flame retardants, or ozone depletion all of which are not only bad news for the environment but research suggests may be associated with allergies and asthma.
Could this be the perfect pillow for you? Read our full review here.
Price: $96, with a 100-night trial period and 5-year warranty.
With cooling Lulltra fabric and shredded gel-infused memory foam fill, this down alternative pillow from Coop Home Goods is great for hot sleepers, side sleepers, and back sleepers.
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What Types Of Pillows Are There
Pillows are constructed with a variety of materials. Understanding what these materials are and how they generally perform will help you determine which pillows best fit your needs.
Pillow covers also come in a variety of materials. Most pillow covers are made of cotton, polyester, or a cotton-poly blend. Some are made of other materials, such as bamboo-derived fabric or satin.
Cotton covers tend to be more breathable than polyester. Different cover materials feel different to the touch, but the feel is less important since most customers use pillow cases over their pillows.
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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What Are The Different Types Of Pillows
Pillows arent that complicated really, and come in just a few different types. These include the following:
Memory foam pillowsThis is probably the most popular type of pillow as, just like the best memory foam mattresses , these are designed to cradle your head. Most pillows for neck pain support are made using memory foam, but this material does retain heat more than other types. So if youre a hot sleeper, choose a cooling memory foam pillow, or go for one with naturally cooling latex.
Down pillowsLook away now if you have allergies, as these are not the best pillows for you. For everyone else craving a soft place to lay their head at night, youre in for a treat here as down pillows are comfy and plush. Theyre commonly made with the soft fibers found under the exterior of a duck, goose or swan, and are often mixed with feathers for extra fluffiness. They best suit stomach and back sleepers, as most arent firm enough for side sleepers.
Latex pillowsThese are among the best cooling pillows you can buy. Thats because latex is naturally cooling, so heat wont build up as much inside compared to some synthetic materials. Latex is an allergen for some though. Plus, theyre expensive, so be prepared to pay a higher price. But if you want a non-toxic, organic pillow for healthier sleep, wed start with latex.
