5 Tips to Find Your

Perfect Pillow

What’s there when you fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning? What always provides support and never expects anything in return? Pillows, of course! It’s easy to forget how important pillows are, but it’s only a matter of time before your sleep essentials are due for an upgrade. As you shop, the question shouldn’t be “what is the best pillow?” so much as it should be “what is the right pillow for me?” Just as with a mattress, personal pillow preferences are highly variable, and only you can decide what works best. Here’s how to get started:

Down or Down Alternative: A Primer

One of the first things you’ll notice when you shop for pillows is that there are two main categories of stuffing: feather/down and down alternative. If you have allergies, down alternative may be the better choice for you, but there are plenty of other reasons to love this fluff. For starters, down alternatives have become highly advanced over the years, meaning a high-quality down alternative pillow will keep its shape and support for years to come. Secondly, down alternatives are vegan-friendly as they’re most often produced with synthetic fibers.

On the other hand, if you’ve never experienced any reaction to a down comforter, jacket or cushion before, a down pillow might be just the thing. Generally, down provides the highest level of insulation and lasts for years to come. Plus, there’s just no replicating that feeling of sinking into a freshly fluffed down pillow.

Let’s Talk about Support

The pillow filling you choose can have a big impact on firmness and support, but that’s not the only way to judge how soft your pillow options are. Some pillows are labeled with different firmness ratings much like mattresses, ranging from soft to extra firm. Your sleep position can have an influence on which pillow firmness is ideal for you, with firm pillows generally considered best for side sleepers, soft-support pillows for stomach sleepers, and medium-support pillows for back sleepers

Pillows can also be classified as “high-loft,” meaning they are particularly plump and plush. Do you prefer a firm sleeping surface and a thinner pillow that keeps your head close to the mattress? Are you more inclined to want to sink into a nest of plush pillows in a soft and cushy bed? Take a look at the words used to describe a pillow’s firmness and loft. Getting the support you need for your neck and back is an important consideration, so you might want to experiment with different support to find your ideal pillow.

Temperature Control

Sleep temperature can be an essential component of comfort at bedtime, and your bedding isn’t the only way to control how warm or cool you feel at night. You can also find specially designed pillows that help keep you cool as you sleep. Features such as moisture-wicking fabric and specially designed pillow fills can provide a breezily cool sleeping experience if you tend to overheat at night. If, on the other hand, you tend to sleep cold, you may want to forego these specially designed cooling pillows so you can stay comfy-cozy.  

Size Matters

Pillows are often available in a variety of sizes. They can coordinate with the full spectrum of mattress sizes or simply come in a Standard or King size. King size pillows are, like the mattress, large and luxurious. They’re designed in proportion to the size of a king-size mattress, so if you have a king or California king bed, you may want to stick with the matching pillow size to keep your bedding arrangement looking neat. If you like having a large pillow, though, a king-size option can also be nice for use on a smaller bed. You can go with your gut when it comes to size – your preference matters more than your bed’s dimensions.

Planet-Friendly Pillows

If you’re on the lookout for an eco-friendly option, the question of how to choose the right pillow can take on an additional dimension. You can find som eco-friendly pillow options that use sustainably produced fabrics and fill materials to send you off to a peaceful sleep. If you’re thinking about your own health and safety in addition to the state of the environment, look out for pillows with certification from Oeko-Tex® and other independent organizations that evaluate eco-friendly production methods.