Buying Guide for the Best Pillows
No bed would be complete (or comfortable) without a pillow, and finding the right one is the difference between a good night’s sleep and an aching neck! Because pillows are a necessity, the available options out there seem endless, and choosing the right one can seem like a daunting task. To help make that choice much easier, we have put together this pillow buying guide to assist you with choosing the most comfortable (and economical) pillow choice for you.
Types
Pillows can be made from or stuffed with the four following materials: naturals, synthetics, poly cluster, and memory foam. Choosing between them will be a matter of comfort and needs. Here are the main types of pillows for you to compare and choose from:
Natural Pillows: Packed with flat firming feathers, fluffy down, or a combination of both, natural pillows offer better comfort for the head and neck. They are long lasting pillows for people looking for quality comfort.
Silk Pillows: Offering the luxury feel of natural fiber with an hypo-allergenic twist, silk-blended pillows are filled with silk floss for a softer feel.
Synthetic Pillows: More often than not, synthetic pillows are stuffed with polyester and offer good value for money. The perfect choice for allergy suffers, synthetic pillows are hypoallergenic and are the most affordable choice.
Poly-Cluster Pillows: These pillows are stuffed with silicone coated polyester and are a cost effective alternative to down. With the added benefit of being hypoallergenic, these pillows will keep you comfortable for years.
Memory Foam Pillows: Pillows made from memory foam fall under the orthopedic pillow category and offer firmer support. Ideal for people with neck issues, they are a quality pillow choice for your family and the guest room.
What Reviewers Have to Say
Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:
- Support Longevity: Pillows need to not only start off with good support and rebounding but need to offer continued support and firmness/fluffiness over an extended period of time. Pillows that maintain their initial shaper over years are by far the better reviewed pillows. Good quality down pillows seem to be the best reviewed in this regard and offer the most longevity.
- Comfort: Comfort is a big satisfaction point among pillow reviewers. Consumers who have bought the correct pillow for not only their health needs but that is also suited to their way of sleeping, get a lot more comfort out of their pillows. Choosing a quality pillow suited to the type of firmness/fluffiness you prefer as well as considering the way you sleep will help you pick the perfect pillow.
- Quality: Most pillow owners who put a higher value on quality over price when they made their pillow purchase have had much higher product satisfaction than buyers who opted for a low quality bargain.
- Cleaning: Pillows that can be thrown into the washing machine for easy cleaning are prized. Most pillows can be machine washed but some may need more care than others. Compare care-instructions of possible pillow choices before purchasing to make sure it is as easy to clean as you want it to be.
Important Features
- Your natural sleeping position is a good way to determine how firm or soft you need the pillow to be for better orthopedic health. If you sleep on your back, it is recommended that you use a pillow offering medium support for the correct support of your head, neck, and shoulders. People who sleep on their side may be more comfortable with a firmer pillow that contours the head, neck and shoulders, whereas stomach sleepers may want to consider a softer pillow for more natural head support.
- Who is the pillow for? When buying for children, it is important to note that pillows are not recommended for babies 12 months and younger, and for a first pillow, experts suggest soft, hypoallergenic pillows.
- Another major consideration is comfort. If you want a soft, fluffy pillow that feels like a cloud, then opt for a down or poly-cluster pillow. Synthetic pillows are ideal for people looking for a soft pillow with a little more resistance (or firmness). If you like to feel completely supported, memory pillows are ideal for people who want a dense feeling pillow.
- Loft or fluffiness of a pillow refers to the fill power and is rated numerically. The higher the number, the loftier the pillow is. Another benefit is that the loftier the pillow is, the more durable it will be.
- Down pillows will normally come with a combination of down and feathers, and the down to feather ratio will be represented in the product specs. The bigger the down portion, the more luxurious the pillow will be. When considering a down pillow, remember that Canadian goose down pillows are a luxurious option for quality seekers while some down pillows have been treated to be more hypoallergenic, making them usable even by allergy sufferers.
- For added support and to prevent the pillow from going flat, choose a silk pillow that is filled with silk-covered polyester.
- A memory foam pillow that includes a breathable case will prevent your pillow from heating up too much during the night.
Top-Rated Brands
Serta: Serta is an American brand that was formed in 1931, specializing in mattresses and pillows. They have won numerous awards, including the 2014 Woman's Choice Award.
Sleep Better: Sleep Better makes one kind of product - pillows - and make them well. Specializing in orthopaedic pillows, Sleep Better has become a leading pillow choice.
Exceptional Sheets: In only five years, Exceptional Sheets has made a name for themselves in manufacturing quality, comfortable bed linen and pillows at affordable prices.
Coop Home Goods: Coop Home Goods are a family owned and run business that started in 2013 when they launched their shredded memory foam pillow.