Best Pillows

Buying guide for Best pillows

Did you know that a pillow is one of the most important sleeping accessories you own? The right pillow not only supports your head and neck, but it helps maintain proper alignment of your spine while you sleep. Knowing that, it's easy to see why just any pillow isn't good enough. For a healthy sleep, you need the best.

You need a pillow that is properly sized for your bed and your preferred sleeping position — side sleepers, for instance, need firmer pillows than others. If you have allergies, you do not want a pillow filled with material that causes a reaction. An antimicrobial pillow can reduce unpleasantries like bacteria, making it a desirable option.

For more information on materials, cost, tips on when to replace your pillow, and a look at pillows that are designed for specific sleeping conditions, keep reading. If you're all set to purchase, consider one of the highly recommended options that we've listed.

Sleeping on the appropriate pillow can help prevent and alleviate back and neck pain.

Is it time to replace your pillow?

Pillows don't last forever, but quality pillows can last a decent amount of time. That said, it's important to know when it's time to replace a pillow.

Discoloration

People lose an average of one pint of sweat per night. Some of that sweat inevitably seeps into your pillow. A discolored pillow is an indicator that it's probably harboring a fair amount of bacteria. If your pillow is discolored, it's time to get a new one.

A flat or lumpy pillow

If your pillow has flattened and won’t plump back up, or if you can feel lumps in the filling, throw it out and get a new one.

Back or neck pain

Waking up with back or neck pain can be a sign that your spine isn't properly aligned while you sleep. Your pillow is a likely culprit. If you wake up with back or neck pain, it’s time to get a new pillow.

Runny/stuffy nose

If you wake up with a wheeze or nasal congestion, it's time to get a new pillow. Barring any other health issues, these signs point to a possible allergic reaction to the dust mites living in your pillow.

Not all pillows fall into the three main size categories. We take non-standard pillows into account and note the difficulties consumers may have matching them up with pillow cases that fit.

Standard, queen, and king are the three most popular sizes for pillows. In our research, we consider their dimensions and factor in how these pillow sizes fit consumers’ needs as well as different bed sizes.

We assess the thread count of the exterior of a pillow, which determines its softness. The higher the thread count, the softer the fabric.

Most pillows can be laundered, but we make note of specific issues that indicate it’s time to toss them and invest in new ones. Lumps, stains, and allergic reactions like nasal discomfort may be signs of dust mites and are reasons to buy new pillows.

Because different firmness levels fit different needs and sleep positions, we factor in whether a pillow is soft, medium, or firm into our reviews.

Individuals may be side, stomach, back, or mixed sleepers. We take these sleep preferences into account when we do our research so we can help consumers find pillows that promote restful sleep.

During our research, we think about the various health concerns consumers may have and how those issues may be aggravated or relieved by the appropriate pillow.

We explore the pros and cons of different types of pillow fill. Memory foam, microfiber, hollowfiber, and feather and down are the most common fill options on the market today.

Pillows are sold at a wide range of prices. A new pillow may cost less than $10 or more than $60. We analyze the prices of pillows to find recommendations for every budget.

Some pillows offer antimicrobial properties that resist bacteria growth. When assessing a pillow, we want to know if it has this feature, which is often found in premium options.

Importance of choosing the right pillow

Now that you know when to get a new pillow, you might be wondering why it's so important to choose the right one.

The pillow you use affects your spinal alignment when you’re snoozing. Consider the fact that most people spend roughly one-third of their lives asleep. It follows, then, that your nighttime posture affects your wellbeing during the day.

Choosing the correct pillow will help keep your spine in proper alignment when you sleep. The result: more hours of uninterrupted rest and fewer, if any, back and neck aches in the morning. (This is assuming that you don’t have any other issues, of course.)

Considerations

Filling

Pillows come with a variety of fillings. Here, we review some of the most common fillings so you can decide which is best for you:

• Hollowfiber is a form of polyester that is robust yet lightweight. Manufacturers use it to create pillows of all firmnesses; the denser the filling, the firmer the pillow. It's generally considered to be hypoallergenic and can even be treated so it's antimicrobial.
• Microfiber pillows are synthetic, just as hollowfiber pillows are. However, the fibers are much finer. A microfiber pillow can’t get much firmer than “medium” density (unless the fibers are combined with hollowfiber). They’re hypoallergenic and sometimes antimicrobial. Microfiber pillows “feel” more like down than any other type of synthetic pillow.
• Feather and down pillows are highly traditional, but they have fallen somewhat out of favor in recent years. Some people find them too outdated; others worry about the ethical implications of using animal products in pillows. Feather pillows are extremely soft. Down pillows and feather/down mixes are firmer, but they also tend to cost a lot more.
• Memory foam pillows, like the Coop Home Goods Shredded Memory Foam Pillow, mould to the contours of your head and neck and are extremely supportive. This newer technology is seen as the gold standard of pillows in most circles. Memory foam pillows are durable, long-lasting, and hypoallergenic. However, they do tend toward the firm side, so they might not be suitable for everyone.

Size

The majority of pillows are sold in one of three sizes: standard (20 by 26 inches), queen (20 by 30 inches), and king (20 by 36 inches). The right size for you depends on the size of your bed. Some pillows are sold in non-standard sizes. Finding pillowcases for these products could prove to be more difficult.

Firmness and sleeping position

Some people think that pillow firmness should be all about personal preference. But really, the degree of firmness that’s best for you depends on how you sleep. Take these guidelines into account when choosing between a soft, medium, or firm pillow:

• If you sleep on your front, a soft pillow is best. Your head needn’t be raised very much in this position, so a soft or flat pillow will do the trick. We recommend a soft microfiber pillow.
• If you sleep on your back, a medium pillow is best. This helps maintain the natural curve of your spine by supporting your head without pushing it too far forward. The Perfect Fit Quilted Sidewall Pillow offers a nice medium-density option.
• If you sleep on your side, a firm pillow is best. Side sleepers need plenty of height to support their head and neck in the proper alignment. A firm memory foam or hollowfiber pillow should do the job.
• If you're a "mixed sleeper," a medium pillow is best. Anyone who changes positions throughout the night should find a “happy medium” with a pillow of medium firmness.

Thread count

If you want your pillow’s outer covering to be soft and luxurious, look for a product with a high thread count. The Serta Perfect Sleeper has a decent 300 thread count that yields good quality without breaking the bank.

That said, most people focus more on the thread count of their pillowcase than the thread count of the pillow inside it. It may be more practical to spend your money on bedding with a high thread count than pillows with a high thread count.

How much should you pay for a pillow?

There's no right or wrong price to pay for a pillow. You’ll find a product out there for every budget.

Some of the most expensive memory foam or down pillows can cost in excess of $60 for just one pillow. On the other end of the spectrum, you can find packs of two pillows for less than $10.

If you’re looking for a middle-of-the-road solution, $30 will get you a very respectable two-pack of pillows that should keep you comfortable and your spine well-aligned.

When it comes to pillows, you tend to get what you pay for in terms of comfort and durability. That said, you needn’t go to the very top of the line to get a decent one.

FAQ

These are some of the most frequently asked questions in the world of pillows:

Q. What is the best pillow filling?

A. There isn't a single best pillow filling; what works for you depends on your needs and preferences. If you're not sure what your preferred filling is, it can take some trial and error to get it right. If in doubt, hollowfiber pillows are generally comfortable, affordable all-rounders. However, they won't necessarily be right for everyone.

Q. How often should you replace your pillow?

A. There's no hard and fast answer to this question. If your pillows are stained or lumpy, or you wake up with a sore back or neck, it's probably time to get some new pillows. Even if you don’t note these problems, it’s smart to replace hollowfiber pillows every six months to a year. High-quality memory foam pillows should be replaced every three to four years.

Q. Should you get an antimicrobial pillow?

A. While they’re not essential, antimicrobial pillows reduce the amount of bacteria and other nasties that build up in your pillow. If you have a compromised immune system or are particularly concerned about bacteria, an antimicrobial pillow affords you some peace of mind.

Q. Are there any specialist pillows to help with specific issues?

A. Yes. If you suffer a particular issue or condition, certain pillows could be more suitable for you. For instance, if you suffer from sleep apnea or acid reflux, you can get a wedge pillow to help you maintain a near-upright position during sleep. If you experience severe neck pain, you may wish to consider an orthopedic pillow for neck support.