If you’ve spent even five minutes looking for a new best pillow on the Internet, you’ve realized there are a lot of options. So, how are you expected to figure out which cushion is best for you? Allow me to walk you through my method for selecting a pillow that will not only keep your posture healthy but will also meet all of your specific sleep requirements. When was the last time you gave your bed pillows some thought? You’re not alone if you say “it’s been a long time” or “not at all.” When it comes to sleep equipment, I see many patients who think about their mattresses first. Mattresses get a lot of press, and rightfully so.
The most significant and most essential financial investment you’ll make in your sleep is your mattress. However, pillows are almost as crucial as your mattress when it comes to sleep quality. If you’re sleeping on a worn-out pillow and have to scrunch and fold it up every night to be comfortable, it’s time to replace it. Even if your pillow isn’t worn out or deflated, it may not be the most excellent option for you.
How Do I Choose the best pillows?
So, let’s start from the beginning. The most crucial purpose of your pillow at the end of the day is to keep you in your preferred sleeping position throughout the night. I don’t just mean that it feels warm and cozy when I say “support.” The correct pillow should support the natural curvature of your spine while keeping your head, neck, and spine in a neutral posture. Maintaining a neutral spine not only improves neck discomfort but also relieves pressure all over your body. Choosing a pillow is a very own decision. When choosing the ideal pillow, there is no such thing as a universal size, shape, or material. Determine your specific criteria (using the six aspects below as a guide), and then go with your gut instinct about what feels most comfortable and acceptable for you.
Position for Sleeping
No doubt, this is the most enjoyable aspect of the procedure! Take a few nights to figure out how you prefer to sleep, whether you prefer to sleep on your back, side, or front. Keep a little notebook next to your bed to record how you like to lie when you’re falling off to sleep and, more significantly, how you wake up. The most important thing is choosing a pillow is your favorite sleeping position, as this will determine how high or low your pillow should be to maximize your comfort.
Keep in mind that the goal of your pillow (together with your mattress) is to keep your spine in perfect alignment so that no unneeded strain or pressure is placed on it. A typical blunder is to believe that a cushion is just a pillow and that you can make do with whatever you discover on the store shelves. Not to imply that there aren’t good pillows in stores; there are; nevertheless, pillows should be picked based on sleep position rather than personal desire. Regardless of your chosen sleeping position, the right pillow will help keep your spine in alignment while you sleep (a.k.a. help with your sleeping posture).
Sleeping posture
Your neck, shoulders, back, and hips will all benefit from a pillow that promotes good posture, allowing you to wake up pain-free. While choosing the proper pillow is mostly a matter of personal preference, it also relies on your preferred sleeping position. Do you like to sleep on your back, side, or stomach?
The amount of support you require from your pillow will be determined by this. Now comes the tricky part: to preserve appropriate posture, each sleeping position necessitates a particular sort of cushion. But, before I teach you exactly what to look for in each type of sleeper, don’t forget about the fun aspect of pillow shopping! After you’ve taken care of your body’s demands and selected a pillow that supports a neutral spine, you can focus on the minor aspects that will make you happy. After all, there are hundreds of pillows to choose from, so you might as well select the one that is ideal for you.
Back Sleepers: Choosing the Right Pillow
Best pillows for back sleepers need what I call a “happy medium cushion,” which has a medium loft and medium firmness and helps them keep good posture. Additionally, back sleepers may find that pillows made of pressure-conforming materials (such as memory foam) are particularly effective. “But why do back sleepers require a pillow with medium loft and firmness?” you might be wondering. I’m happy you inquire. Let’s look at it more closely:
Medium Height
Providing a comfortable, comfy buffer between you and your mattress, a medium loft will assist ease pressure in your neck and shoulders. Your head will be craned upwards if your cushion is too tall (ugh, my neck!). If it’s not lofty enough, you’ll be lying flat on your mattress (which isn’t exceptionally comfy.)
Medium Firmness
A medium firmness cushion will keep your head supported and aligned with your spine while also preventing the pillow from flattening during the night. If your pillow is excessively soft, it will likely lose its shape when you rest your head on it.
Conform to Pressure
Materials that conform to pressure can help keep the head gently cradled and in neutral alignment with the neck. Additionally, pillows with a tufted top (such as the Leesa hybrid pillow) will provide additional cushion on which you can rest your temples (many back sleepers sleep with their head tilted to one side).
Now that we’ve learned more about the perfect design of the best pillow for back sleepers, let’s look at some unique features that may help you sleep better. Keep in mind that these functionalities aren’t required (and they are not specific to back sleeping). Bedding firms are increasingly producing pillows that sleepers may tailor to match their unique demands. The Leesa Hybrid pillow, for example, has a replaceable middle element that lets you play around with loft and hardness. Many pillows also have adjustable fillings, which means you can unzip the cover fabric and alter the internal stuffing until you get the right feel and support for your body. This is especially beneficial for mixture sleepers or those who are still working out their ideal sleeping habit.
Cooling qualities
Cooling pillow capabilities are ideal for hot sleepers. For example, the Leesa Hybrid has a cooling gel pad on one side of the pillow, which keeps that side cool all night. Pillows with excellent yarn and phase change material woven into the fabric are ideal for sleepers who want their entire pillow to feel icy-crisp. The phase change substance, in particular, is design to make your pillow seem cool to the touch as if it’s been refrigerate.
Choosing The best pillow for side sleepers If you sleep on your side, you’ll need a pillow.
Side sleepers want a pillow with a higher loft and firmer support to maintain a neutral spine and good posture. Side sleepers may find that fluff-able fabrics such as Kapok or shapeable materials such as down are very beneficial in this posture. This is why:
High Loft
A side sleeper pillow with a taller profile will most significantly prop your head up and align it with your spine in a neutral position. A high pillow will also reduce strain on your shoulder, ensuring that it is not bearing the brunt of your body’s weight. If your shoulder ever feels like it’s digging into your mattress, it’s possible that your pillow isn’t high enough.
Strong Backing
The best side sleeper pillow with a medium-firm or firm level of support will keep your head and neck aligned with your spine as you sleep. Your head will progressively sink throughout your 40 winks if your pillow is too soft, throwing your spine out of neutral posture (hello, a stiff neck).
Firmer pillows might be challenging to adjust to, so I recommend looking for fluffier fabrics like Kapok, down, or down alternatives. Because these materials are naturally soft, make sure your pillow is well-stuffed and has a high loft. For side sleepers with broader shoulders, selecting a pillow that can be fluffed up to a higher loft is generally advantageous. In addition, easy-to-shape pillows allow you to reach one arm beneath the cushion in a comfortable embrace, which is a favorite move of many side sleepers.
Wants a Moisture-Wicking Cushion
Just because a pillow is suppose to be excellent doesn’t mean it’s also design to be moisture-wicking. If you’re going through menopause or suffer from night sweats, naturally absorbent materials are the ideal option. Polyester, Tencel, and bamboo are all examples of materials that aren’t made to be cool to the touch but will wick moisture away while you sleep.
Natural & Organic
If you have sensitive and delight skin or are prone to breakouts, opting for pillows made entirely of natural materials may be the best option. Sleepers looking for organic, hypoallergenic materials might consider organic cotton, cellulosic fibers, and natural latex. Also, you don’t have to pick between the cover cloth and the inside fill. Many bedding businesses only employ natural materials in the creation of their sleep accessories.
Breathable Foam
There’s a reason that why memory foam is so popular: it has a deep sink and a gradual response to pressure that many sleepers crave. On the other hand, memory foam isn’t always loved by sleepers because it tends to trap body heat. What can we do about it? Instead of one solid piece of memory foam, look for pillows packed with shredded memory foam.
We now know what to look for in a pillow for back and side sleepers, but did you realize that many people alternate between these positions? If you sleep on your back and side, have a look at my list of the best pillows for combo sleepers. But here’s a hint: if you’re a combination sleeper, look for pillows with adjustable fillings. In this manner, you may customize your pillow to fit the sleeping positions you prefer.
If you sleep on one side, your pillow should keep your head aligned with your spine by supporting it in a neutral posture. Because your shoulder bears the brunt of the pressure when you sleep on your side, a broader, firmer pillow will provide your neck with the support it requires while also removing some of the weight from your shoulder.
Side sleepers have a highly healthy sleeping posture, but it’s essential to have the body’s curves and weight firmly supported for proper spinal alignment. To maintain the head up and level between the shoulders and the neck supported due to the distance left between the shoulders and head, thicker, gusseted, and more supportive best pillow for a side sleeper is generally worth considering in a side sleeping posture.
Best pillow for stomach sleepers
When it comes to stomach sleeping, choosing the ideal cushion might be difficult. Some specialists advise against sleeping in the prone position because it places the upper cervical spine in end-range rotation or extension. This implies you’re more likely to strain your neck and pressure your lower back or abdomen.
According to physical therapist Dr. Keith Poorbaugh of the Sleepopolis Expert Network, “the best solution is to use correct pillow support to decrease the risk of stomach sleeping for articular discomfort in the shoulder or spine.” And, more specifically, what is optimal pillow support for stomach sleepers? So, let’s get start.
Low Loft
Stomach sleepers require a low loft cushion to preserve neutral spine alignment (two inches or shorter). Your head will be craned forward, and your entire posture will be thrown out of whack if the loft of your pillow is even slightly too high. Keep in mind that your pillow should support your spine’s natural C curve. Pillows with soft support will provide a comfy buffer between you and your mattress while ensuring that your head is not overly push up. The more complex the pillow, the more likely your neck will be pull out of line with your spine (and discomfort will ensue).
Pillows with compressible fill, such as feathers or down substitutes, are great for stomach sleepers. Why? Those materials, on the other hand, are easily compact into a shallow loft. They’re also quite shapeable, which is ideal for stomach sleepers who prefer to hug the pillow’s underbelly rather than sleep with their arms at their sides. Searching for a pillow with an adjustable fill is also advantageous since you may reduce the loft as needed. If you sleep on your stomach and aren’t sure if you’re getting enough support, have a look at my list of the best pillows for stomach sleepers. But first, let’s look at some of the other things you would want from your pillow.
Pillowcase Priority
Pillows with obtuse forms or deep curves are commonly used to support specific positions or body types. Unfortunately, this is not perfect for people who want to use pillowcases to decorate their pillows. If you have any silky, decorative shams that you want to use, look for a cushion that claims a “classic” shape. Alternatively, if you don’t want to use a pillowcase, use cover fabrics known for being silky and hypoallergenic (like Tencel or organic cotton).
Down, as previously said, is excellent for stomach sleepers since it is shapeable and compressible to a shallow loft. Not everyone, however, likes to sleep on animal products. So, what are the options? Down replacements like poly gel fiber and micro-denier have the same feathery sensation as down, but no animals are harm in the manufacturing process. Down replacement pillows are frequently machine washable, which is a plus for people who value ease of care (whereas foam typically has to be spot cleaned).
Those who sleep on their stomachs
Stomach sleepers do not necessarily require a cushion because their spine has already lengthened along the length of their body. The issue with stomach sleeping is that no matter how well the body is support, spinal alignment is permanently impair due to the head and neck turning to the side, or even the end of the knee and hip turning to the side (which is common). Many people, however, require the support of a pillow. For stomach sleepers, skinny and soft contouring pillow options are the most outstanding options for supporting the head and neck without elevating it too far. Many stomach sleepers use pillows to support their shoulders and upper torso or sleep in a lightly hybridized stomach.
Pillows are made from different materials.
You can choose a variety of pillow fillings to make your sleep as comfortable as possible. Many are built for a softer hold, while others pillows are design for a firmer hold. These fillings can support your head and neck while also keeping your spine maintained throughout the night.
Foams
Polyfoam, latex foam and memory foam are all common fills. Overall, it’s a versatile material that may be shredded for a softer, more malleable feel or used in thin sheets for comfort and stability with other materials. Regular foams give a good foundation and which are frequently blend with other materials. In contrast, the best memory foam pillow and latex foams are frequently seen as a stand-alone to take advantage of the contouring they are well known for. It’s also often utilized as a shredded mix in adjustable cushions. Washing foam, on the other hand, isn’t always a good idea.
Best pillows for neck pain:
We’ve compiled a list of the best pillow for neck pain options for relieving neck pain while you sleep. We were mainly looking for foam and latex pillows. Why? Because studies have shown that these materials can aid patients with neck pain. Latex and memory foam both are pillows for neck pain and give support and help minimize neck fatigue, according to a 2020 study Trusted Source. We also sought ergonomic pillows that provided adequate neck support without lifting the head excessively. According to a 2016 study, pillow height substantially impacts the pressure placed on the neck and head.
Finally, we offered various other cushion options, such as filled models. Neck pain affects many people in the United States, and the causes aren’t always evident. If you frequently wake up with a hurting neck and the best pillows for neck pain can reduce it, it’s possible that your pillow is partly to blame. The purpose of your pillow is to keep your neck and head at the proper height to avoid excessive strain. As the neck tries to adjust for the absence of support, a too high or too low pillow might cause pressure to build up. Our team has examined countless pillows. During our testing, we look at how they hold up to wear and tear, assess who will find them comfortable, and see if they can help with neck pain. Bamboo pillows and wedge pillows can also reduce neck pain.
Cervical Support Pillow with Tri-Core
Both back and side sleepers will benefit from the Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow. The center dips down to cradle the head for different types of sleepers while sleeping and supports optimal spine alignment.
The full cervical roll supports the neck while the headrests are in the contour for back sleepers. A larger neck roll on one side of the pillow provides more significant support, while a smaller neck roll on the other side provides less support. The side regions are higher for side sleepers, providing for the optimal neck position. The pillow’s adaptability also makes it a good choice for folks who change positions during the night.
Last Thoughts
So, what can I say, people? Yes, there is an unending supply of pillows available, but that may be a good thing (if you know what to look for). And, hey, you know what to look for now, don’t you? Just remember that the most important thing is to maintain a healthy sleeping position, and once you’ve done that, you can explore all of the other things you want your pillow to do. So go forth and sleep well, and if you ever get lost in the vast world of bedding, Sleep polis is here to help.
