How to Choose a Pillow: 2022 Ultimate Buying Guide
Written by Nectarsleep editorial team
Last Updated on Jan 17, 2023
What is your idea of a perfect pillow? Maybe a soft and fluffy pillow that feels like a cloud.
Or a pillow that keeps your head, neck, and spine neutrally aligned and supports your spine's natural curvature as well.
If you think choosing the right pillow is as easy as it sounds, you could be wrong. All pillows might look similar, but they feel different. Having a perfect pillow is highly recommended if you wish to sleep better every night.
This pillow buying guide will help you choose the best pillow for sound sleep.
How to Choose the Right Pillow
How to pick a pillow? Consider these things while buying a new pillow.
1. Fill
There are various fill options available in the market. There is no best fill type; it depends on your preference and requirements. Here are some common fill types.
- Down: Down pillows are soft and lightweight. These are made from duck or goose fibers. Goose-down pillows are more delicate and expensive compared to duck-down pillows. Drawback of down pillows? People are often worried about allergic reactions from down pillows. Allergic reactions could be caused by low-quality down fibers that aren’t clean. While looking for down pillows, consider choosing pillows made from hypoallergenic down fibers. Synthetic down pillows are less costly than natural down pillows, and they will flatten with time.
- Wool: These pillows are naturally hypoallergenic as well as dust mites and mold resistant. As wool pillows wick away moisture from your head and neck, they can help regulate your body temperature. They are firm pillows with sag resistance. If you want a wool pillow without hardness, you can get alpaca wool instead of cashmere fibers.
- Cotton: Cotton pillows are similar to wool pillows. These are firm and flat. They are naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and molds. If you have allergies and are chemically sensitive, you should get cotton pillows.
- Latex: Latex pillows are firmer than down but are comfortable. These are not the pillows you squish into the way you like; these pillows hold their shape. Like cotton and wool pillows, these are dust mites and mold resistant. Did you know that contoured pillows designed for better support are made of latex.
- Memory Foam: These days, memory foam pillows are in huge demand. These pillows contour to the lines of your head, neck, and shoulders and is a popular choice for people with neck and head pain. However, as it retains heat, it can lead to discomfort and sweating. These pillows can also give a chemical smell in the beginning.
2. Weight
The weight of a pillow is a matter of personal choice. Memory foam and latex are heavy pillows. If you are looking for lightweight pillows, you can consider down and synthetic pillows.
3. Size
There are various pillow sizes available in the market. A standard-size pillow is sufficient for most people. If you want a larger pillow, make sure it keeps your sleep posture in alignment.
There are specialty shape pillows as well for better support to your head and neck. Cervical and contour pillows can help with neck and back pain. Contoured body pillows provide support and relief for pressure points on the body.
4. Fabric
Always use natural and breathable pillow covers for your pillows. Good quality pillow covers can help extend the life of your pillows while improving your sleep quality.
5. Quality
What makes a good pillow? A good quality pillow will not only last longer but will also help you sleep better. The quality of the fill, outer cover, stitching etc. play a vital role in determining the quality of a pillow. Once you have finalized the type of pillow, read online reviews to learn about the quality.
6. Breathability
Make sure that pillow materials don’t hold onto the heat. Memory foam pillows can lead to discomfort and sweating while sleeping.
What pillow is best for me? To learn more about the right pillow, you need to know about your sleeping position. You need different pillows depending on your sleeping position.
How to Choose the Right Pillow for Back Sleepers?
If your mattress doesn’t provide enough support to your spine, you can tuck a small pillow below your lower back and knees.
Back Sleeper Needs:
- Medium Loft: A medium loft can only relieve the pressure on your neck and shoulders. If the pillow is too lofty, you will have to crane your head upwards. If your pillow has a low loft, you will feel like lying flat on the mattress. Hence, a medium loft pillow is the best type of pillow for back sleepers.
- Medium Firmness: To have a healthy posture, back sleepers need a medium firm pillow. For back sleepers, it’s essential to have good neck and head support. Your spine and neck should stay aligned while you sleep. For that, it’s advisable to get a medium-firm pillow.
- Pillow Material: Materials like memory foam are beneficial for back sleepers as they adjust according to pressure.
Wants:
- Bouncy Support: You might not need a body-conforming foam or a slow sink into the pillow. You can find a light bounce pillow that is filled with Dunlop or Talalay latex.
- Cooling Quality: Hot sleepers are always on a hunt for pillows with cooling quality. They can look for pillows with cool yarn or phase change material. Phase change material is icy cool to touch and thus perfect for hot sleepers.
- Customizable Support: Many brands are making customizable pillows to meet the customer’s needs. These pillows have adjustable fills too. These pillows are the best options for combination sleepers.
How to Choose the Right Pillow for Side Sleepers?
Side sleepers need a high loft and firmer pillow for a healthy posture. Fluffy materials like kapok or down are ideal for side sleepers.
Side Sleeper Needs:
- High Loft: A high loft pillow for sleeping can help you have neutral alignment with your spine. It can also help you relieve pressure on your shoulder. If you feel your shoulder digging into your mattress deeply, you probably need a lofty pillow.
- Firm Support: Medium-firm support pillows will keep your head and neck in line with your spine. A soft pillow can result in a stiff neck in the morning.
- Fluffy Pillows: Fluffy materials like Kapok, down, or down alternatives will make sure your pillow is adequately stuffed. If you are a side sleeper with broader shoulders, it’s best to have a fluffed pillow into a higher loft.
Wants:
- Breathable Foam: Memory foam is excellent when you want to have that slow response to pressure, but it traps body heat and can lead to sweat and discomfort. To avoid the pain, you can look for shredded memory foam. This way, you can enjoy that deep sink with better breathability.
- Moisture Wicking: You should look for a naturally absorbent pillow, especially if you are going through menopause or night sweats. Materials like polyester, Tencel, and bamboo can help you with moisture-wicking.
- Natural: If you have sensitive skin, you should consider pillows made from natural and organic materials. Some of the good options are organic cotton, cellulosic fibers, and natural latex.
How to Choose the Right Pillow for Stomach Sleepers?
How to know what pillow is right for you? Finding the perfect pillow for stomach sleepers is challenging. However, here are a few things you can consider.
Stomach Sleeper Needs:
- Low Loft: A low loft pillow (two inches or shorter) is best for stomach sleepers. A high loft can be wrong for natural spine alignment.
- Compressional Fill: Get pillows filled with feathers or down alternatives as these are easily compressed to a low loft. It’s even better if the pillow has an adjustable fill.
- Soft Support: Pillows with soft support can provide a comfortable buffer between you and your mattress. A firm pillow can lead to soreness in the neck.
Wants:
- Pillowcase Priority: Some pillows have obtuse shapes or deep contours to support certain positions or body types. This may not provide the best support to stomach sleepers. Look for designs that can either support all kinds of sleepers or one that specifically supports stomach sleepers.
- No Animal Products: As discussed, down is an excellent material for stomach sleepers, but many people prefer animal cruelty-free products. If you are one of them, you can try down alternatives like poly gel fiber or micro-denier. These will give you the same feel without harming any animal. Additionally, down alternatives are easier to clean.
When Should you replace your Pillows?
You should replace a pillow every 1 to 2 years. If you have a good-quality memory foam pillow, it may last longer (about three years).
Signs you need a new pillow:
- It is sagging or is clumpy
- There are stains, tears
- It has a smell that you can’t get rid of
- You are experiencing neck and shoulder pain
Do the fold test. If you fold your pillow, does it spring back or hold the same position? If it stays folded, you need a new pillow.
How Does Your Mattress matter for Choosing a Pillow?
It’s essential to consider a mattress while choosing a pillow. If you are using a firm mattress, go for a softer pillow. A soft pillow will have a firm mattress as support and will be soft enough to adapt to the pressure of your head when you are set to sleep.
If you are using a soft mattress, go for a firm pillow to keep your neck and head aligned.
To conclude, don’t underestimate the pillows. For a healthy body posture and good quality sleep, investing in the right pillow is crucial. Now that you know how to find the right pillow, it will be easier to find one.
Our Nectarsleep Pillows
At Nectarsleep we offer a variety of pillows. Each pillow comes in either a standard or king size.
Check out our Memory Foam Pillow, Graphite Pillow and Premier Copper Pillow.
