Pillows enable you to sleep comfortably all night. But finding the best pillows for sleeping can be quite challenging, too. Everyone has different preferences for sleeping positions, filling materials, and firmness levels. For instance, stomach sleepers prefer thin soft pillows, side sleepers prefer thick firm pillows, and back sleepers prefer medium pillows.
The idea is to have the best pillow to support your head and neck while sleeping so you can wake up rejuvenated. If you continue sleeping on a bad pillow, you’ll develop chronic nerve pain, tendonitis, herniated discs, and muscle stiffness. Soon you have to take your time, research, and pick out the best pillow for you.
Note that everyone is different and preferences vary with each person. If you choose good pillow fillings, you can enjoy cool nights, zero neck pain, no allergies, and even stop snoring. Yes, snoring too. If your partner snores, you can try changing his or her pillow to help them breathe better when asleep.
How Did Humans Sleep Without Pillows
Before pillows, humans slept on the grass and piled up more where the heads rested. A team of archaeologists discovered a stone age cave with straws dating back to 200,000 years ago. You would think they didn’t need one or were too primitive to consider a pillow, but it’s not the case. Those people were smart and used materials readily available to them to feel comfortable while sleeping. It was much later that the ancient Egyptians introduced stuffed fabrics to make mattresses and pillows.
Which Pillow Filling Is Best
More brands have come up with various pillow fillings for us to enjoy. Each person has a personal preference and the wide range allows you to pick the right one for you. If you're wondering which pillow filling is the best, here are a some that you can choose from.
Cotton Pillows
Cotton is the most basic and common pillow filling in the market. These filings are readily available in stores near you and are affordable. They offer good head support but not exactly the best you’d find. These pillows absorb heat and sweat, overtime they fall out of shape. You can buy them for guest rooms but they would be terrible for everyday use. Alternatively, you can buy it for short-term use as your budget for a better one.
Feather Pillows
Feathers make a luxurious pillow with more comfort and extra support. The feathers are from geese or ducks underneath feathers. They are usually light, soft, and squashy. These pillows are expensive, durable, and comfortable. They do clump up but fluffing them up can fix them well. If you’re a vegan or believe in animal rights, you can choose other types of pillows. Also, make sure you’re not allergic to feathers before you purchase such a pillow.
Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam pillows and mattresses are popular and for a good reason. They are designed to bend to the shape of your head providing maximum support and comfort. The pillows are durable, firm, and heavy. They’re good for people with allergies and need no washing. It’s meant for people who prefer firm pillows otherwise it would be uncomfortable especially when new.
Microfiber Pillows
These types of pillows are best for people who prefer soft and fluffy pillows. They are long-lasting and never clump or trap moisture. That way the sleeper stays cool and comfortable all night. Since microfiber in itself is expensive, you’ll find some pillows mixed with feathers or memory foam to balance it out.
Latex Pillows
If you’re looking for a firm and durable pillow, latex fillings are the best for you. It conforms less than memory foam and keeps you cool throughout the night. If you have latex allergies, stay away from these pillows. If not, latex is dust resistant and is best for people with dust allergies. When new, you’ll notice a chemical smell that lasts a short time and disappears. Other than that, you get a good pillow worth every dollar.
Polyester Pillows
Polyester is a cheap and basic option. It functions well short-term but clumps up fast after a while and becomes very uncomfortable. It’s soft and comfortable while new but absorbs heat and makes the sleeper sweat during the night. Back sleepers prefer it but stomach sleepers find them uncomfortable.
Are Pillows Even Necessary for Good Sleep?
Yes, they help support our heads, neck, and spinal cord. However, some mattresses are designed to eliminate the need for a pillow. In short, it’s entirely up to you to have a pillow or not. To get the best experience, you have to consider your sleeping position. That way you can choose the right pillow height to make you comfortable in your sleep.
For Side sleepers:
Most people prefer medium-firm and high loft pillows that lift all the weight from the shoulder and can allow them to slide their arms under their heads without feeling pins and needles. Make sure your pillow supports your neck properly and aligns your spinal cord properly.
A high pillow props the head up and supports the head and neck throughout the night. Stay away from soft pillows or risk your head and neck sinking too low. You can pick a shapeable puffy pillow that allows you to fluff up to give you that high loft effect. It’s a good idea to buy a pillow you can add more fillings or reduce to your liking.
READ OUR LATEST GUIDE: Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
For Stomach sleepers:
These types of sleepers mostly prefer sleeping without pillows. With a pillow, the body takes an unnatural posture and makes the sleeper uncomfortable. If you like pillows, pick a low loft one to maintain a neutral spine alignment. The pillow should be two inches high or less to avoid craning your head up causing neck stiffness.
You can go for soft pillows to provide soft support between you and your mattress. It should feel like floating to avoid your spine curving like a C shape. You can pick pillows fillings such as feathers, cotton and down alternatives to make your night restful. Such fillings are shapeable and make it easy to tuck your hands and hug your pillow for a more comfortable posture.
For Back sleepers:
These sleepers prefer medium loft with medium firmness pillows to avoid shoulder pain while preventing the head from tilting backward. In addition, it’s best to find pillow fillings that conform to memory foam and latex.
A medium loft helps relieve pressure in the shoulders and neck providing a comfortable lift. Note that if you pick a high pillow, your head will end up tilting forward causing neck stiffness and cramps. If you don’t like pillows, maybe you can get a contouring mattress that has a little lift to replace your pillows.
Medium firmness helps align your spine while supporting your head. If it’s too hard, it’ll feel like lying on a rock and if it’s too soft it’ll lose its shape beneath your head. As much as it’s best to go for pillows that conform to pressure, it shouldn’t feel like there's a pit.
Other Pillow Sizes, Styles, and Shapes You Should Consider
Other sizes
For a king-size or queen-size bed, there are huge pillows and cases available to fit the space making your bed look proportionate. You can buy extra pillows for decoration but make sure the main ones are comfortable.
Pillowcase styles
A standard pillowcase should fit your pillow perfectly. It should fold over the pillow inside keeping it safe inside. They are also known as the housewife pillowcase. It can have a little trim or border around the edges but is never too big to fall off or too small to leave some parts out.
Shapes
If you suffer from back pain or neck pain, v-shaped pillows are designed specifically for you. They are also great for stomach sleepers and people who snore. During pregnancy, you can get u-shaped pillows or pregnancy pillows to elevate your body and help support it properly.
Specialty Option Pillows
Looking for the best pillows for sleeping is challenging, but there are many varieties readily available to suit even the most specific needs. Pillows are for enhancing comfort and alleviating pressure or body pains during your sleep. So don’t be shy about your special needs and look for the one that you like best.
You can get a water pillow to create a customizable level of support and comfort. Physical therapists and chiropractors recommend these for people with special needs or recovering from major injuries.
If you get hot flashes or night sweats, choose a breathable pillow with filling materials that absorb and whisk away heat from the body. That way, the part that touches your face, neck, and shoulders remains cool. For instance, you can get a pillow with a gel top layer or micro-beads to keep you cool all night.
If you are a snorer or partner, you can get a pillow with a firm core to retain height during the night. It should be medium-firm to support your head without blocking your breathing system. That way your throat remains clear and helps prevent snoring. You can talk to your physician to help with that.
Our Verdict - What are the Best Pillows for Sleeping
Note that these are simply suggestions. Whichever side you sleep, which filling is the best, how many pillows should you use, or whatever specific need you have—what's important is that you make sure you pick a pillow that best suits you.
To answer the question, what are the best pillows for sleeping, in the end, it still depends. Overall, pillows are personal and everyone has a different preference.
