No matter how you like to hit the hay, understanding the different pillow types that are right for your preferred sleeping position can help make sure you don’t wake up with a stiff neck.
For example, side sleepers should look for softer pillows with a higher loft to ensure their neck isn’t strained at night. Meanwhile, stomach sleepers should look for medium to medium-firm pillows with a lower loft to ensure their neck is propped up at a comfortable angle. Back sleepers need to find that sweet spot where the support is firm without pushing their neck too far forward.
Keep reading to learn about different types of pillows and which one is best for your sleeping position.
Down pillows are made from the soft fibers close to the skin of a goose, duck, or swan. Since these pillows are sometimes blended with feathers, be sure to look at the down to feather ratio when purchasing a down pillow.
It’s also important to find an ethically sourced down pillow. Since down is taken from animals, it’s important to make sure down pillows are certified by the Responsible Down Standard which guides the ethical treatment of ducks and geese.
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Who this pillow is best for: Side, back, and stomach sleepers. Down pillow material is one of the best pillows for stomach sleepers due to its cushion and pillow softness.
Down alternative pillows are a synthetic version of the classic down pillow. Most down alternative pillows are filled with polyester that is used to mimic the feeling of down. Polyester makes down alternative pillows hypoallergenic and much more affordable. If you’re looking for a soft down feel without wanting to use actual feathers, a down alternative pillow is a great option.
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Who this pillow is best for: Back and side sleepers. Stomach sleepers can also use down alternative, but the soft and fluffy nature of down alternative pillows makes it one of the best pillows for back and side sleepers.
Feather pillows are made of a traditional filling that’s great for providing support without losing shape. Feather filling is an excellent option if you’re looking for a comfortable, supportive option. However, it’s important to note that many feather pillows are also filled with a small amount of down, so people allergic to down should be sure to look at the makeup of a feather pillow before purchasing.
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Who this pillow is best for: Back and side sleepers. Feather pillows are similar to real down in that they are soft and fluffy, but the higher loft makes it one of the best pillows for side sleepers and back sleepers.
Cotton pillows have been on a downward trend in popularity in favor of newer synthetic materials like memory foam. But cotton pillows are made of classic pillow material that does have specific advantages, particularly for people who are allergic to synthetic materials. Additionally, since cotton pillows are simple to clean, it’s easy to wash your cotton pillow regularly.
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Who this pillow is best for: Side, back, and stomach sleepers. Cotton pillows are very versatile and work for almost all sleepers, but it’s important to note that this material won’t mold to the shape of your head like memory foam or feather pillows.
Latex pillows are gaining popularity because of the high level of support they provide for your head and neck, while still maintaining a soft and cozy feel. Latex pillows are sold both in solid and shredded material. However, be sure to watch out for latex-blend pillows, which are commonly blended with polyurethane foam, which can potentially be toxic.
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Who this pillow is best for: Side and back sleepers. This pillow is not recommended for stomach sleepers because of its higher than average loft.
Memory foam pillows are becoming extremely popular because it contours to your body, meaning that it can be a good fit for all sleeping positions. This allows your head and neck to mold the memory foam pillow into a position that’s most comfortable for you.
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Who this pillow is best for: Side, back, and stomach sleepers. However, memory foam pillows may be too firm for some side sleepers.
Shredded memory foam pillows are a rising alternative to traditional memory foam. Since shredded memory foam pillow filling can be added or removed depending on the individual’s preference, shredded memory foam is a good fit for nearly every sleeping preference.
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Who this pillow is best for: back and side sleepers. Some stomach sleepers may like shredded memory foam, but others report finding this pillow uncomfortable due to the more firm material.
Bamboo pillows have been a rising trend in the sleep industry for a while, likely because of their antimicrobial properties and moisture-absorbing abilities. Most bamboo pillows are actually made of a shredded foam interior with a bamboo viscose shell, meaning you get the benefits of a shredded memory foam pillow with the cooling properties of bamboo.
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Who this pillow is best for: Back sleepers. Since bamboo pillows are made of dense shredded memory foam, stomach and side sleepers may find these pillows too firm.
Gel pillows are touted for their ability to keep people cool at night. Many gel pillows are actually made of gel combined with another material, like foam or latex, to give the cooling benefits of gel with the softness of another material. The gel material is firm and holds its shape well, but can be molded to fit the contours of the sleeper, similar to memory foam.
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Who this pillow is best for: Stomach and back sleepers. Side sleepers may find gel pillows to be too firm to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Polyester fiberfill pillows, sometimes referred to as poly-fill, are a popular budget-conscious pillow choice. However, due to the cheaper material that poly-fill pillows are made with, they tend to absorb heat and become lumpy fairly quickly.
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Who this pillow is best for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers. Since poly-fill can be produced with varying levels of firmness, it works for all sleeping positions.
Buckwheat pillows have been popular in Asia for a while, and are just starting to make their way over to North America. These pillows are filled with buckwheat shells, which are firm yet still breathable. However, it’s important to note that the buckwheat shells can be noisy if you move around in your sleep.
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Who this pillow is best for: Back and stomach sleepers. Side sleepers may find buckwheat pillows to be too firm.
Microbead pillows are similar to buckwheat pillows in feeling, but are made with a synthetic material called uniform polymer particles. As a synthetic alternative, microbead offers lots of similar advantages like breathability and conforming to your head shape, but they may also lose their shape faster than true buckwheat pillows.
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Who this pillow is best for: Back sleepers. Some stomach sleepers may also like microbead pillows, but the high level of firmness is ideal for back sleepers.
Understanding different pillow shapes and fills can mean the difference between a restful snooze and a frustrating night spent counting sheep. Whether you’re looking for hypoallergenic bedding or something designed to ease back pain, you can find different types of pillows that fit your needs. That way, you’ll never feel the need to sleep without a pillow again.
Ready for some sweet dreams? Pile on the comfort with a soft and supportive Casper pillow today.
