Choosing the best pillow is one of the most important decisions you can make, both for your productivity during the day and for your physical health. Professionals recommend that you get 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
In order to get that sleep, you need to be comfortable in bed so you can have restful sleep and reduce that tossing and turning. To find the best pillow, follow these steps.
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Step 1: Think About How do you Sleep
The first step to choosing the best pillow is to think about how you sleep.
Everyone sleeps differently, and the way you lay and position your head will have an impact on the pillow you choose. Not only will you be more comfortable, but choosing the right pillow can keep away physical aches and pains.
Side Sleepers - Most people sleep on their sides, and they need a thicker pillow that will keep their head in a stable and neutral position. Some of the best pillows for side sleepers are this Tempur-Pedic and this (more cost-friendly) Home Goods premium pillow.
Back Sleepers - for those who sleep on their back, a firm and full pillow is best. According to experts, some of the best pillows for these sleepers include the highly-reviewed dough memory foam pillow and the cooling contour memory foam pillow, which may take an adjustment period, but it will do wonders for your back.
Stomach Sleepers - If you sleep on your stomach, then you need a pillow that will prevent you from putting stress on your neck as your head is higher up on the pillow. If this is your style, then try this unique face-down stomach sleeper pillow or the Bluewave memory foam pillow.
Combination Sleepers - If you sleep on your back, side, and stomach, then you are likely more active while you rest during the night. With that in mind, you need a pillow that is an all-in-one solution to all of the issues above.
With that in mind, some of the best pillows for combination sleepers include the highly recommended Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury pillow and the ultra-comfortable pancake pillow filled with down alternative microfiber.
Step 2: Look at the Size of the Pillow
Now that you know the type of pillow you need, the second step to choosing a pillow is picking the correct size.
In general, you will want two standard pillows on a full-size bed. Add 2-3 accent pillows on top of that for looks.
The rest depends on how you sleep. A large pillow gives you something to hug and can feel a bit more cozy. Some of the best large pillows include this 55-inch pillow from Insen and this extra long pillow that gives you many different sleep positions.
Step 3: It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts
The third and final step to choosing a pillow is selecting a filling. Everyone has a preference, and each type of filling has its pros and cons.
Down pillows are usually softer and lightweight. However, those with extreme allergies may have issues. Most pillows are made of down. The best down pillows include goose down pillows and luxury down pillows.
You also have the option of polyester filled pillows that are also comfortable but are usually less expensive, like this British-style pillow and the lumbar stuffer pillow.
Memory foam pillows are great for sleepers who sleep in the same position every night. The great thing about these pillows is that they will stay put once you find that perfect sleep style. Highly rated memory foam pillows include the cost-friendly Weekender gel pillow and the shredded memory foam pillow from Milemont.
You can also purchase a cotton-filled pillow, an all-natural latex-filled pillow, and a pillow made of wool, which can help to keep you cool at night as you will always be laying on the cool side of the pillow.
Wrap Up and Final Notes
Although there are recommended pillows for different sleep styles, every person is different, and it may take some trial and error to choose the best pillow for you.
You may have noticed that some of these pillows are a bit more expensive than the $4 pillows that you will see at local retailers like Target and Walmart, but spending that little will end up costing you more in the long run.
More expensive pillows are made with sleep in mind, and they will last 4x as long as the cheap pillows you see at general retailers.
Thanks for the information Justin! I never knew there were so many different kinds of pillows.