How to Choose Your Pillow
The pillow is the foundation of a restful sleep experience, often determining whether you wake up feeling rejuvenated or with a painful crick in your neck. Selecting the right pillow is a deeply personal decision, as individual needs and preferences vary greatly. This guide aims to offer expert insights to help you navigate the process and find the perfect pillow that aligns with your unique comfort and support requirements.
The materials:
Down - Among the most popular and highly regarded options, 100% down pillows stand out for their light, airy feel and luxurious fluffiness. Down is known for its resiliency or “spring back effect” which cradles your head, offering gentle support.
Down & Feather - Feathers, being denser than down, bring added support when combined with the plushness of down. This blend offers the best of both worlds— the soft comfort of down with the structured support of feathers. The specific feel of each pillow can vary depending on the construction and amount of filling used, but these hybrid pillows are an excellent choice for those seeking a more supportive yet natural material option and a higher value proposition.
Alternative - Alternative pillows, typically crafted from foam or synthetic fills, offer a more structured and consistent shape compared to traditional down options or aim to replicate the feeling of down at a lower price point. These pillows are designed to provide varying levels of support, with some offering a firmer, more resilient feel, while others offer a slower rebound, such as memory foam. Whether you prefer a pillow that maintains its shape or one that adapts to your head and neck, foam and synthetic pillows provide versatile options to suit different sleeping preferences.
Sleeping position:
Back - Back sleepers typically need a pillow that provides medium support to maintain the natural alignment of the neck. The goal is to find a balance—too much support and the head will be pushed forward, creating discomfort, while too little support can lead to improper alignment and restless sleep. The ideal pillow for back sleepers gently supports the head and neck, maintaining a neutral spine position throughout the night.
Front - For front sleepers, a low-support pillow is typically the best choice. A pillow with too much height can force the head into a backward position, creating an unnatural angle that may lead to neck strain or discomfort. A thinner pillow helps maintain a more neutral alignment, allowing for a comfortable and supportive sleep posture.
Side - Side sleepers generally require the most support due to the larger gap between the head and the mattress. To maintain proper alignment of the neck and spine, a medium to firm pillow is typically the best choice. This level of support helps fill the space between the head and the mattress, ensuring that the head is held at a neutral angle without tilting up or sinking too low. The right pillow for side sleepers helps reduce pressure on the neck and shoulders, promoting a more comfortable and restful sleep.
Ultimately, finding the perfect pillow can be a bit of a challenge, but we make the process easier by offering in-store displays for you to feel before making your purchase. These guidelines are designed to help narrow down the options that best suit your needs, but personal preference will always play a key role in your decision. To further assist you, we’ve provided a detailed diagram outlining the support levels of each of our pillows, ensuring you can make the most informed choice for your ultimate comfort.