Best Pillows For Every Sleeping Position

One in three adults    (  link of the study : https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0215-enough-sleep.html ) doesn’t get enough sleep in the US. Even though the sleep technology has reached unprecedented highs – with sleep-tracking smartwatches and even smart beds becoming a norm – it seems we’re clueless about how to get those Zs back.

Turns out, there’s an underrated and incredibly inexpensive hack that you can try to sleep again like a baby – just upgrade your pillow! It might not sound significant to you, but believe us when we say that it is a BIG DEAL! After all, you spend one-third of your life resting your head on it, so why don’t spend a few bucks to have a nice, comfy one.

Today, we’ll explore the best pillows for sleeping. We’ll list the pros and cons of each option, along with a link to where you can buy them. But before we start, let’s discuss a few important things first.

How to Find the Best Pillows for Sleeping?

Your sleep position is the single, most-important factor that can determine which pillow you should get. According to Micheal Breus, a fellow doctor of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, “the thickness or thinness of your pillow should enable you to sleep with your head, neck, and shoulders aligned with your spine, as well as provide you comfort.”

Usually, if you’re a side sleeper, you would need a thick and firm pillow with a loft height of around six inches to fill the gap present between your head and shoulder. On the other end, if you’re a stomach sleeper, you may want to get a thin and soft pillow to stop your head from being pushed back. And if you’re a back sleeper, you may need to find something in between, but still comfy and soft.

What are Standard Pillow Sizes?

Pillows are usually characterized into the following four sizes:

• Standard, measuring 20 by 26 inches.
• Queen, measuring 20 by 30 inches.
• King, measuring 20 by 36 inches.
• Body, measuring 20 by 54 inches.

What are the Best Pillows for Sleeping?

Without further ado, let’s see what the best pillows for sleeping are.

Down Pillows

Down pillows are made from animal products. They mostly contain the soft fibers present close to the skin of ducks, geese, and swans. Unlike pillows that have man-made fibers, down pillows can be easily re-cased and rejuvenated.

Down pillows are soft, cushiony, moldable, and lightweight. They provide extremely good neck support and are considered the best pillows for stomach sleepers. They are durable and can last you years. However, they aren’t easy to clean as compared to other pillow types.

Since these pillows use animal-sourced fiber, they can cause an allergic reaction in some people too. Another downside of using these pillows is that you have to be very careful to find a manufacturer that ethically sources the fiber used in these pillows.

Buy here.

Feather Pillows

Feather pillows are often confused with down pillows – but they’re not the same.

While down pillows are made from quill-less fibers taken from the chest and underbelly of ducks and geese, feather pillows contain soft, quill-containing feathers from the backs and wings of the birds. However, almost all feather pillows do have a blend of down fibers in them.

Feather pillows adapt themselves to the shape of your head and neck to provide a highly comfortable and supportive experience. Besides being moldable, they’re also very lightweight and cushiony. Their loft is a bit higher than the down ones, so they make the best pillows for side sleepers and back sleepers.

Like down pillows, they can also trigger an allergic reaction in some people and need to be sourced from ethical sources.

Buy here.

Down Alternative Pillows

If you want to enjoy the softness of a down pillow but are reluctant to buy it due to its animal sourcing, you can go for this great alternative!

Filled with a special type of polyester or gel fiber, down alternative pillows are a synthetic version of the traditional down pillow. The material used in these pillows is designed to mimic the ultra-soft, cushiony nature of the fibers used in down pillows. Among other benefits, they’re easy to clean, don’t trigger allergic reactions, and are relatively affordable.

The only downside of down alternative pillows, when compared to the original down cushions, is that they’re not as moldable as you might want them to be. Still, their fluffy and soft nature makes them one of the best pillows for side sleepers and back sleepers.

Buy here.

Gel Pillows

Gel pillows can be a great option in summers.

These pillows use a cooling gel to reduce heat build-up and regulate temperature on the surface of your pillow, giving you a cool touch. Gel pillows combine the gel with a cooling agent – such as latex or foam – to give you an ultimate experience. Though gel isn’t soft when compared to many alternative materials, its ability to fit the contours of your head makes it extremely comfy.

Among other upsides, gel pillows are hypoallergenic and easy to clean. As per the economics, they can be in a higher price bracket than other synthetic options like polyester and cotton. While side and stomach sleepers can find them a bit firm, they make the best pillows for back sleepers.

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Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam is a kind of polyurethane foam that has been treated with certain chemicals to make it elastic and viscose. Its unique composition and characteristics allow this foam to slowly contour to your body when pressure is applied. Once the pressure is lifted back, the foam regains its original shape.

Memory foam pillows can work for all sleeping positions and are, therefore, becoming extremely popular nowadays. No matter where you use these pillows, you’ll have a comfortable experience without any clumping. They’re also very good for pain relief.

Buy here.

Shredded Memory Foam Pillows

Shredded memory foam pillows add whatever is missing from the usual memory foam pillows. In fact, these pillows are hailed as a better and improved alternative.

Being highly customizable in nature, the filling of shredded memory foam pillows can be easily added or removed depending on your preference and sleeping style. This makes them one of the best pillows for back sleepers, as well as the stomach and side sleepers.

Shredded memory foam pillows are moldable. They don’t clump and are very easy to care. However, they can wear out sooner than other comparable options.

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Latex Pillows

Latex pillows are either made from soft, all-natural latex or a relatively more affordable synthetic latex.

These pillows are very durable and provide comfortable support and a cozy feeling. They’re also softer than memory foam pillows. Among other benefits, these pillows are moldable, breathable, and environmentally friendly.

Natural latex is hypoallergenic, anti-fungal, and mildew resistant. It also has a cooling effect that can be of great use in hot weather. Available in both solid and shredded options, latex pillows are the best pillows for side sleepers and back sleepers.

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Polyester Pillows

Polyester pillows are among the most budget-friendly pillows that you can buy right now.

Also known as fiberfill or poly-fill pillows, they’re soft, lightweight, and hypoallergenic. However, their low cost may translate to some unpleasant features as well. These pillows quickly become lumpy, can absorb heat from the surroundings, and are not breathable. Most importantly, they’re not durable and long-lasting.

But considering their price-point, they provide adequate sleeping comfort (though for a short time) to all kinds of sleepers.

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Buckwheat Pillows

Buckwheat pillows were invented in Japan, but they have now made their way to American and European markets. These pillows have buckwheat shells, the hard outer covering of buckwheat seeds, in them. The good thing about this material is that you can easily change its volume in the pillow to change how supportive or lofty it feels to you.

Also known as sobakawa, these pillows are cooling, breathable, malleable, and long-lasting. As far as the cons are concerned, the buckwheat pillows weigh more than other options and can be too firm for some of the users. Also, they make noise when you move around. Nonetheless, they make a great option for back and stomach sleepers.

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Microbead Pillows

A synthetic alternative to buckwheat pillows, microbead pillows have almost the same properties as them. They allow you to breathe through them and can adapt to the contours of your head.

Microbead pillows are made of uniform polymer particles that are equally firm and supportive as the natural buckwheat hulls. However, in sharp contrast with the sobakawa pillows, they tend to lose their shape faster.

These pillows don’t last as long as their natural alternative and can retain relatively more heat than the buckwheat cushions. Their malleability, nonetheless, makes them comfortable pillows for back sleepers.

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Bamboo Pillows

The popularity of bamboo pillows has been skyrocketing in American and European markets. It’s mainly because of their moisture-absorbing, antimicrobial, and hypoallergenic properties.

Bamboo pillows comfortably absorb body sweat to regulate the body temperature of the user and are also highly breathable. Moreover, they’re an extremely hygienic option due to their resistance to mold, bacteria, and dust mites.

Bamboo pillows are made of a bamboo viscose shell with a shredded foam interior. It means you not only get all the benefits of bamboo, but you also enjoy the comfort and malleability of shredded memory foam.

The downsides of bamboo pillows include their heavy weight and a slight difficulty in cleaning. While their dense shredded memory foam makes them a bit firm for stomach and side sleepers, they’re hailed as the best pillows for back sleepers.

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Cotton Pillows

Cotton pillows might be going down in popularity due to the variety of synthetic materials like gel and memory foam pillows; this list can’t be complete without mentioning them. It’s because they’re the classic pillows that have ruled the sleep industry for decades, if not centuries. And despite being on a downward trend around the globe, they still have a long way to go before becoming totally obsolete.

The biggest advantage of cotton pillows is that they are extremely hypoallergenic. They’re light, odorless, and breathable as well. Moreover, they’re the easiest to clean – you can wash them as many times as you want, and they’ll be there to stay.

Some may wonder what type of pillow is best for stomach sleepers ? , As per the downsides, cotton pillows can’t conform to your head and can quickly become lumpy. Their soft nature and comfy touch make them one of the best pillows for stomach sleepers, as well as the back and side ones.

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To Sum Up

A good pillow can help you have a sound and healthy sleep. But finding the best pillow for sleeping can be difficult at times. In the end, it all comes down to your sleep position and your individual preference for the filling material. Stomach sleepers need a soft, thin pillow; side sleepers should get a firm, thicker one; and back sleepers should choose something in between.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best pillows to sleep on?

The thickness and firmness of the pillow that can be most comfortable for you depend on your sleeping position.

How many pillows should I sleep with?

You should sleep on just one comfortable pillow instead of using multiple worn-out pillows stacked on one another.

What is the best way to sleep on pillows?

According to some studies, sleeping on your side is the best and healthiest way to sleep on pillows.

What are the best sleeping pillows with neck support?

Shredded memory foam cushions that evenly contour to your head are the best sleeping pillows with neck support.

What are the best sleeping pillows for back pain?

The cushions with gel or memory foam filling can be the best sleeping pillows for back pain.

What are the best pillows for back and side sleepers?

Down alternative and shredded memory foam pillows are the best pillows for back and side sleepers.

What are the best pillows for stomach sleepers?

Down pillows are hands-down the best pillows for stomach sleepers due to their ultra-soft cushiony nature.