Did you know that in Ancient Mesopotamia pillows were made of rock? It’s true, the more rock pillows you had the more rich you were! Thankfully that is not the case today. Pillows today can be as soft as we want them to be.
You can have the fluffiest pillows in your bedroom and it will not only cradle your head gently but also keep you away from morning muscle stiffness and body pain. Sweeter deal than having a rock for a pillow!
Now, we are here to discuss different types of pillows out there and their benefits for different types of sleep positions. Whether you are a side sleeper or a stomach sleeper, these pillows will let you sleep like a baby!
Memory Foam
The elephant in the room right! Memory foam pillows are the most popular pillow types in the bedding world. Everything is just better with memory foam. Be it mattresses, pillows, cushions, even footwears have memory foam now!
The reason for its popularity is the unique contoured support they provide while sleeping which makes it the best pillow for all sleep positions. These allow you to mold the pillow into any position that is the most comfortable for you.
| Types of Memory foam pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Contoured | side and back sleepers needing neck and shoulder support |
| Gel-Infused | hot sleepers, regulating temperature, for all sleepers |
| Cervical | back and side sleepers, for neck pain |
| Lumbar Support | back sleepers and those with lower back pain |
| Travel | adaptable for all sleep positions |
| Shredded | all sleep positions, offering airflow and adjustability |
Latex Pillows
Latex pillows are a hit because they provide a proper support to your neck and neck and still give a soft and comfortable feel. They are not harsh for you to be uneasy at night. These pillows come in two forms. Those who prefer one size in a pillow can go for solid latex pillows, which are just made of one single piece of latex.
For sleepers who need to adjust the loft of their pillow as they sleep, shredded latex pillows will be perfect as they are made of tiny fillings of shredded latex. The filling can be increased or reduced according to your will.
Latex Pillows are best for Side and back sleepers. These are not really ideal for stomach sleepers as they have higher than average loft. Eli & Elm cooling side sleeper pillows are crafted with shredded latex to accommodate your sleep style and cater to your comfort.
| Types of Memory foam pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Solid | firm support throughout the night, best for back and side sleepers. |
| Shredded | offers more adjustability and flexibility, best for all sleep positions |
| Contour | support for the head, neck, and shoulders, ideal for back & side sleepers |
| Talalay | sleepers who prefer a softer surface and for combination sleepers who switch positions |
| Dunlop | back and side sleepers for spine alignment |
Down Pillows
If you are looking for the softest pillow, then down is perfect for you. This pillow is filled with the fluffy undercoat of a waterfowl. Down pillows are extremely fluffy and light, but they do not provide much support. They are good for stomach sleepers that prefer a cushy pillow.
Down pillows are extremely soft, close to the skin of a goose or a duck, you might say, hence they are best for stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers cannot use firm pillows, they need just the right amount of softness in a pillow to manage the entire body on their tummy. But down is also good for back and side sleepers.
| Types of Memory foam pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Traditional | sleepers mainly back and stomach sleepers who prefer a soft feel |
| Down | sleepers who prefer a firmer pillow, good for all sleep positions |
| Chamber | back and side sleepers who need more loft |
| European | all sleep positions, especially side sleepers who need extra support |
Feather Pillows
A feather pillow contains the back and wing feathers of birds, such as ducks or geese. These feathers are flatter than down and have a distinct quill. A higher-quality shell should encase the fill to ensure the quills don’t poke out. Most feather pillows also contain some down for loft.
Although feather pillows can be used by all, they are most preferred by back and side sleepers. These are comfortable and supportive and make a perfect match for such sleeping positions. Stomach sleepers might find it overbearing because of its high loft.
| Types of Memory foam pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Standard | stomach and back sleepers who like a soft feel |
| Firm | side sleepers or those who suffer from neck pain |
| Quilted | all sleep positions, especially back and side sleepers |
| Gusseted | back and side sleepers who need extra neck support |
Cotton Pillow
Cotton can be mixed with other materials or used as the main filler for pillows. It is readily available, breathable, natural, and simple to clean. Additionally, the organic version is allergy-friendly. Cotton pillows feel velvety when used as the primary fill, but it flattens and becomes stiffer over time. The pillow's loft must be regularly maintained by fluffing.
| Types of Cotton pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Organic | sleepers with allergies or sensitive skin |
| Cotton Sateen | back and side sleepers who prefer a softer surface |
| Cotton Percale | hot sleepers, mainly for all sleep positions. |
| Cotton Blend | all sleep positions, especially stomach sleepers who prefer a firmer feel |
Wool Pillow
Sheep Wool pillows are durable and regulate temperature, while being hard to get. Wool fill keeps sleepers comfortable in the summer and warm in the winter by being simultaneously breathable, insulating, and moisture-wicking.
Wool is naturally hypoallergenic and can be used alone or in combination with other materials. Wool frequently conforms little and is dense and flat when used as the only fill material. Over time, the fill may also clump. Wool fill that has been blended with polyester or cotton decreases clumping, enhances moldability, and frequently results in a more reasonable pricing point.
| Types of Cotton pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Wool Filled | sleepers who prefer natural materials and temperature regulation |
| Merino Wool | sleepers with allergies or sensitive skin, for back and side sleepers |
| Wool Blend | all sleep positions, especially back sleepers who need extra support |
| Organic | all sleep positions who are environmentally conscious |
Bamboo Pillow
Bamboo pillows have been trending in the sleep industry for a while now. This is because of their antimicrobial and moisture-absorbing properties. Bamboo pillows are essentially made of a shredded foam interior with a bamboo viscose shell, which is sheer in providing a great neck and spine support.
Bamboo pillows are most favorable for back sleepers, as they are made of shredded foam, side and stomach sleepers might find it too firm to sleep on.
| Types of Bamboo pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Shredded Memory Foam Bamboo | sleepers who prefer the support of memory foam with the breathability of bamboo |
| Bamboo Charcoal | hot sleepers and individuals with allergies |
| Bamboo Contour | back and side sleepers who need extra support |
| Bamboo Adjustable Loft | all sleep positions, especially combination sleepers who like firmer support |
Buckwheat Pillow
Buckwheat pillows originated in Japan and have been popular for some time in East Asian countries. They’re also known as sobakawa pillows. The filling is made up of small buckwheat hulls that give these pillows a firm feel and allow it to conform to your head and neck for support.
They’re also adjustable, which lets you personalize them to fit your preference by removing or adding the buckwheat hulls. Although buckwheat can be a little noisy during the night because of their shell filling. So every time you toss or move you might rustle and squeak!
| Types of Bamboo pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Traditional Buckwheat | back and side sleepers who need extra support for the neck and spine |
| Buckwheat & Memory Foam Blend | all sleep positions, who prefer a customizable and supportive pillow |
| Adjustable | all sleep positions who prefer a customizable pillow |
Gel Pillows
Gel pillows are favorites for keeping you cool at night. These pillows are perfect for people who get hot while sleeping as it minimizes perspiration at night. Gel pillows are usually made with a combination of gel and other materials like memory foam or latex, to give you all the relaxation of cooling infused with plushness and comfort. It is a great choice when it comes to durability as it can keep its shape intact for a long time and can be molded according to the contours of your sleeping positions.
| Types of Gel pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Gel-Infused Memory Foam | sleepers who enjoy the contouring support of memory foam |
| Gel-Fiber | all sleep positions and individuals who prefer a softer pillow |
| Gel-Coated | hot sleepers who experience night sweats |
| Gel-Top | all sleep positions, side sleepers who need extra cushioning |
Water Pillows
Water-based pillows offer a feel unlike that of any other pillow. The unique properties of water create a pillow that automatically moves with you at night, all while providing support that doesn’t sag as the hours go by. Water pillows are a bit firm and don’t contour to the shape of your head and neck.
Since they’re only water, water pillows are hypoallergenic and require no fluffing, however, there’s the added risk of leaks soaking and ruining your mattress. Water pillows are flexible for all kinds of sleepers. Back and side sleeper may benefit from it the most. Stomach may feel a slight uneasiness in maintaining their body posture at night with this.
| Types of Water pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Waterbase | all sleep positions, especially individuals with neck pain |
| Water Pillow with Fiberfill | all sleep positions, especially back and side sleepers |
| Wave Water | hot sleepers and individuals who experience night sweats |
| Therapeutic | back and side sleepers who require extra neck support |
Wedge Pillow
Some people just can’t sleep on your side but sometimes you have to. Sometimes habits just aren’t that easy to change or develop. That’s where wedge pillows come in handy. Even if you sleep on your back you can keep your head elevated.
This doesn’t mean the easy way out, which is stuffing pillows under your head. That would be worse for your head, neck, and shoulder. A wedge-shaped pillow, often made of memory foam, works because it supports your shoulders and back.
| Types of Wedge pillow | Best for |
|---|---|
| Elevating | back and side sleeper with acid reflux, snoring, or respiratory issues |
| Contour | back and side sleepers who need extra support |
| Knee | back sleepers and individuals with back or hip pain |
| Leg Wedge | back and side sleepers who experience leg swelling or discomfort |
Different Pillow Sizes
It's crucial to get the appropriate size pillow for your bed. Standard pillows are widely available, however if your mattress is larger, you might wish to choose a larger size. This is an explanation:
Standard Size
The most popular pillow size is 20 by 26 inches, and this is the usual size. Usually, it fits into pillowcases that are regular and queen sizes.
King Size
King size pillows are designed for persons who prefer large pillows to sleep on or for king-sized mattresses. They measure 20 by 36 inches. These pillows will give you the right support if you're a tall person.
Queen Size
These are among the most popular pillow sizes, measuring 20 by 30 inches. They are common in most homes and easily fit within a standard pillowcase.
Euro Pillows
Euro pillows measure 26 by 26 inches and have a square form. Your living room's appearance can be altered with ornamental cushions. These are the ideal size pillows for the couch, if you're asking.
Travel Size
Twelve by sixteen inches, travel pillows are small enough to slip into a purse or backpack. If your little child needs to nap on the way, they can also be used as pillows.
Best Pillows for Different Sleep Positions
How you sleep has a big impact on the kind and amount of support a pillow can provide. Regardless of your preferred sleeping position—stomach, side, or back—it is essential to select a pillow that supports healthy spinal alignment.
Owing to these disparate requirements, various pillow varieties are better suited for particular sleeping postures by nature. Nevertheless, since every model and sleeper is different, it's critical to consider these differences while choosing a pillow.
Back Sleepers
A medium firmness pillow with a medium loft. In order to prevent straining their necks from bending their heads too far forward, back sleepers usually require a lower loft than side sleepers. The perfect pillow supports the head in a neutral posture without forcing it forward or allowing it to droop. In the meantime, cushioning is provided by a medium firmness without giving way beneath the weight of the head.
Side Sleepers
A mid-range hardness pillow with a medium to high loft. To maintain the head and neck in alignment with the body, a loft that is higher fills the space. There is also a variance in the degree of hardness. A medium firm pillow is typically preferred by side sleepers for its balanced cushioning and support.
In order to customize their pillow to their unique body type and taste, many side sleepers choose for models that have adjustable loft and hardness.
Stomach Sleepers
A low-lying pillow that is soft to medium-soft. Inadvertently pressing the neck further when lying on one's stomach strains the neck. Neck strain is exacerbated by pillows that are harder or by models with a higher loft, which tilt the head forward. Some stomach sleepers choose to sleep without a pillow. When using a pillow, stomach sleepers often choose a thin, pliable, soft kind that compresses readily.
Final Thoughts
As we wrap up our exploration of the vast world of pillows, it's clear that the "best" pillow is highly subjective, depending on individual sleep habits, preferences, and needs. From the ancient stone pillows of Mesopotamia to the modern-day marvels of memory foam and latex, we've journeyed through a variety of materials, each offering unique benefits to different types of sleepers.
Whether you're a side sleeper yearning for the contouring support of a memory foam pillow, a back sleeper in search of the perfect latex loft, or a stomach sleeper looking for the soft embrace of down, there's a pillow out there tailored just for you.
Sources:
Thomsen: The Science of Pillow Materials and How They Affect Your Sleep Quality
Runners Connect: The Research on How Your Pillow Impacts Sleep and Recovery
Sole Toscana: Could Your Pillow Be Affecting Your Skin and Hair?
