Rest is something that none of us can do without.
Pillows are one of the main components that aid in rest and recovery, and this is every reason why you should invest in a good one.
Nobody likes going to bed after a long day and waking up the next morning with a stiff neck, or having their partner complain that the snoring was so loud it sounded like an 18-wheeler semi-truck on the highway.
Choosing the right pillow can transform the quality of your sleep. Therefore, it’s helpful to consider different things when choosing a pillow — whether you sleep on your side or your back, and if you prefer a softer stuffing to a firmer one.
Whatever the case, there’s a pillow out there for everyone. Let’s take a look at some of these key considerations.
Sleeping Position
Back, side, and tummy-sleepers are terms describing sleeping positions, and there are specific pillows designed for each type.
Pillows for back-sleepers offer extra support and prevent users from being propped up too high or in an awkward position.
Pillows for side-sleepers should be firm and thick to support their neck throughout the night.
And pillows for tummy-sleepers need to be flat, as they already have their spine aligned.
Material
Various things can be used in the production of a pillow. Materials for the filling include:
- Foam
- Latex
- Polyester gel
- Cotton
- Down
- Feathers
The stuffing often dictates the quality and longevity of a pillow. For example, pillows with a down and feather fill outlast pillows with synthetic fillings, such as polyester.
For back-sleepers, latex is one of the best options because it’s able to retain its shape and is firm enough to support the user’s back.
For side-sleepers, a memory foam fill is great — it conforms to the body and gives even support.
As for stomach-sleepers, soft and low loft pillows work well because they keep their spine where it should be. This makes feather pillows or down alternative fills a good fit, as they are thinner and less lofty.
Size (Using a Body Pillow)
Body pillows are bigger than the standard bed pillow, and they support the full length of your body.
This pillow measures 20 x 54 inches, making it two times longer than the standard, which is 20 x 28 inches and that only supports your head.
When it comes to size, it all boils down to preference.
Most people buy pillows that complement their bed size — if you have a queen-sized mattress, a body pillow is often a good choice.
Shape
Pillows aren’t limited to the standard rectangular shape — others include V and U shapes. These pillows are made for neck support during sleep or for use during travel.
V-shaped pillows are great, as they keep your head in place throughout the night. They ease back and neck pain, and they minimize the pressure on your airways.
They’re also a lifesaver for pregnant women because of their back, neck, and shoulder support.
What’s more, that V-shaped pillow can also come in handy for breastfeeding, since it supports these places.
Humans spend at least a third of their lives sleeping, so why not get the most out of those hours?
By now, you know what to seek in a pillow. Below is a cheat sheet to help further — a list of the best options available on Amazon in 2021, so that you can get your well deserved ZZZs after a long day.
Best Pillows on Amazon in 2021
- Weekender Ventilator Gel Memory Foam Pillow
- Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
- Casper Sleep Pillow
- Coop Home Goods Eden Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
- Utopia Bedding Gusseted Pillow
- Wenersi Premium Goose Down Pillows
Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow
This Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow is a favorite on Amazon, garnering close to 14,000 ratings at 4.4 out of 5 stars.
It has tiny holes to promote air circulation during sleep, and also comes with a washable cover — plus a 3-year warranty.
The pillow is soft but still sturdy and offers good support for side-sleepers, as the memory foam retains its shape, even after hours of lying on it.
Made using a temperature cooling gel, it is a relief for all hot sleepers — no more need to turn your pillow over at 1 a.m. to enjoy the cool side.
One reviewer also suggested letting air out after receiving the pillow because it can be stiff:
“I would also recommend giving the pillow a few days before judging. At first, the pillow is a little firm, but after a few days, it warms up and is great. 5 stars all the way.” – Carlie McClinsey
Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
This set of Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillows is the number one best-seller on Amazon and is worth investing in. Both mite and dust resistant, they are a fantastic choice for people who have allergies.
These queen-sized pillows are machine washable. They come flat after shipping due to the packaging, but their shape is restored soon after by plumping them up.
One reviewer says they live up to their luxurious ‘hotel’ quality:
“I was picturing these pillows at this one place I stayed at – I swear these pillows were made of heaven and pixie dust, firm but soft. However, what was received was more soft than firm.” – Jessica Harvey
The Beckham Hotel Pillow’s fill is made of high-quality synthetic polyester and maintains its original shape, even after countless machine washes. This gives these pillows an edge over down pillows that require more maintenance.
The Original Casper Sleep Pillow
Casper made the Original Casper Sleep Pillow, which is loved by stomach, side, and back sleepers alike. This versatile pillow also has a 100% cotton cover with a microfiber fill.
It may be a little costly, but it lives up to the hype.
It’s 2 inch gusset makes it a fantastic support pillow, particularly for people with neck pain. However, it can be considered a bit rough with its low ultra-fresh thread count of 200 (a normal 100% cotton hotel pillow has a thread count of 300).
Still, that’s nothing that a nice pillowcase can’t solve!
A pleased owner remarked that it was the pillow of her dreams:
“The material stays consistent throughout the night and doesn’t shift around like other pillows I’ve had. It adapts and holds well however you move. Even the most fidgety sleepers should give this a try.” – GR
Coop Home Goods Eden Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
The Coop Home Goods Eden Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is impressive.
Manufactured using cooling gel to give hot sleepers relief at night, and memory foam that makes it adjustable for customized comfort, the Eden Shredded Memory Foam pillow is standard-sized and worth every cent.
All one needs to do is unzip the cover and liner, and add or reduce the foam filling to change the pillow’s loft — all at your convenience.
This pillow happens to be cruelty-free and vegan, making it a good fit for anyone concerned about ethical manufacturing.
If you’re big on hygiene, this pillow is perfect for you — you can machine wash the shredded foam fill (though it will take a while to dry out).
Utopia Bedding Gusseted Pillow
This Utopia Bedding Gusseted Pillow is also multipurpose, serving back, side, and stomach-sleepers.
This pillow offers great support — it has a poly-fiber filling, and the packaging is airtight, ensuring that you’ll get yours clean and undamaged.
These gusseted pillows are both soft and hard — according to one review below — and make an excellent choice for side-sleepers and back-sleepers alike.
Specifically for side-sleepers, the gusset acts like a bridge between the shoulder and ear. On the other hand, these pillows have the loft to give back-sleepers the spinal alignment that they need, and they support the head and back throughout the night.
“These pillows are soft enough that it’s comfortable to sleep on but firm enough that it holds my head high enough to where I’m comfortable”. – Chris
The Utopia Gusseted pillow is soft without compromising support or quality, and that makes it a great investment.
Wenersi Premium Goose Down Pillows
Wenersi Premium Goose Down Pillows are some of the best down pillow options available on Amazon.
The filling is made of 85% goose feathers and 15% goose down, making this pillow thicker and loftier. The shell is also of medium density to prevent feather quills from poking through.
It comes in king and queen sizes, and there’s an option to choose between soft or firm. They’re also made with an ultra-fresh treatment to prevent mold and dust particles from getting in.
“We all know you can spend over $300.00 per pillow stuffed with 100% goose-down: We have paid over $250.00 per pillow. Comparing the Wenersi Premium goose-down pillows to our expensive ones we prefer the Wenersi!” – Physics Teacher
Down pillows can cost as high as $250 — this Wenersi option is less expensive and an equally good product.
With this detailed guide, you can choose the best pillows from Amazon to ensure sleep-filled nights all through 2021. Remember, adequate sleep is determined by the pillow you sleep on, as well as the mattress and sheets you use.
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