Cushionized Sofa II by LoFi Studio/Christiane Högner
Confession: I am 41 years old, and I have never owned a pillow that I love sleeping on. This needs to change, because…well, because I am 41 years old and my joints aren’t what they used to be, and I’m tired of having to do origami on my pillow every night just to fall asleep, only to wake up feeling like a stale pretzel.
I usually sleep on my side, but sometimes I migrate to my back. My chief complaints about pillows tend to be that they are either too squishy, too thin, too soft, too lofty, or too lumpy. Or it starts out feeling good, and then two months later it’s like sleeping on a flattened cereal box. And I hate memory foam.
My ideal pillow provides neck support without being a weird shape (I want it to look like a normal pillow), doesn’t contain down/feathers, comes in standard and king sizes, and is machine washable.
HELP MEEEEEEEE. Tell me all about your favorite pillow. Links, please!
My neck and spine thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Stale Pretzel Dorfman
147 Comments
So I’m not a fan of memory foam because I find it to be too hot. They now have memory foam pillows with some sort of gel overlay that helps the pillow to stay cool. Could this solve your problems? i found mine on amazon but I’ve also seen them at places like Ross.
Thanks, Jessica—I tried one of those a few years ago hoping it would be magical, but I really didn’t like the way it molded to my head. It was like sleeping on Silly Putty? But maybe there are different kinds. Do you have one you love?
I know you want a normal-looking pillow but I have all the same requirements in a pillow and I saw a marked decrease in back pain and other aches when I switched to this about 5 years ago:
Z Memory Foam Contour Pillow – Luxurious Washable Cover – Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038FWRXC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6WwczbPP0QFHR
my husband prefers Tempurpedic but I found that too dense and heavy; this is a way cheaper option butnis also much lighter weight and not as silly putty-ish. (I totally know what you mean.) I miss mine a lot when we travel and see a real difference in how I sleep and feel. It’s slim enough that you can layer a reading pillow and throw pillow over it during the day, too.
(It does need to air out for a few days; it has a chemical smell that fades.)
The Sweethome has great reviews on all sorts of products and I’ve been thinking about trying their pillow recommendation but I haven’t bit the bullet. I’m almost 38 and I too have never had an AMAZING pillow. Right now I’m making do with one I found at Costco and it’s OK but starting to lose it’s shape and firmness.
Don’t get Sweethome’s pillow recommendation! I did (the Xtreme Shredded Memory Foam one), and while it was admittedly great for the first couple weeks, it ended up becoming so hard and lumpy. No amount of fluffing it in the dryer (the recommended protocol) would fix it. I ended up returning it to the company. Really disappointed.
I’m now sleeping on the Plush Down pillow from Brooklinen, and both the Medium and Firm Down Alternative pillows from Snowe. (I’m pregnant, so mixing it up every night.) I’ve been really happy so far.
Thanks, you two!! I remember reading that review on Sweethome a while back, and then seeing some follow-up comments (or maybe reviews somewhere else?) from people who are pretty unhappy with their purchase. That’s the thing about pillows—sometimes it takes a few months (or longer) to know whether it’s going to hold up. I don’t want to have to buy a new pillow twice a year!
And Cambria, I will definitely have to check out both Brooklinen and Snowe—they’ve both been on my remote radar for a while now, but I haven’t really investigated. Thanks!!
If only I could second this several more times!! I got both versions of this pillow, for back and stomach sleepers, and both were terribly disappointing. Good to hear a good review of the Brooklinen ones; i’ve been thinking about trying those too.
Talalay latex pillow. Hands down the best pillow you will ever use, as a side/back sleeper. It’s the perfect combo of support and give, and stays cool. I don’t have a favorite brand because it’s the material that’s the real star. Just check our Amazon for the highest reviews. You will not be sorry.
Second that. Latex pillows are springy, so supportive, but conform to the weight of your head. They are not hot like memory foam. I swear by them. (And I can remember my aunt doing so, too, bringing her pillow when she visited.)
Thanks, Brandy and Pam! I’ve never heard of Talalay before, but I’ll check it out.
Talalay is one process for creating latex foam; Dunlop method is the other. Don’t know if it matters much.
Latex all the way. I got mine last year and was iffy about the price but have never looked back!
Thirded. I’ve had latex pillows for quite a number of years now. They’re not hot, they are comfortable and no lumps and bumps. You just need to find the right depth that works for you!
I was just going to suggest the same thing. I’m going on two years with mine, and they haven’t lost their shape at all. Still springy.
Voting to latex too, specifically shredded latex – delicious! If the filling isn’t to your liking loft-wise you simply remove or add some. The one I use to sleep on is actually marketed as a toddler or travel pillow, which is perfection for me personally and every time my sister visits, she instead of trying to stuff me into her luggage she tries to abscond with my pillow!
This sounds good for me too Greeninoc–what’s the brand and model?
Most of my pillows are from Pure Rest (http://www.purerest.com), the shredded latex. That’s where my toddler pillow came from too – it’s the “child – 14″ x 20″”, shredded rubber w/non-zip Damask Outer Pillow.
A long time ago I also bought a shredded rubber dog bed (don’t remember from where) – that thing is SO comfortable that the pets trick each other to move so they can steal it and, don’t tell anybody, but when I’ve had too many people over but not enough beds, I’ve slept on it & slept well!
Happy Slumber!
Oh my goodness. Latex is the best. I have a regular down one (an Australian brand) and a Dunlop latex in regular size/density. I’ve had both for 10 years, in top condition thanks to a quilted pillow protector on the latex and a good cotton protector on the down. I worked in the Manchester section of a department store for several years and this is what I recommended to everyone. I alternate, it’s good having the other option plus they are a similar height and look like normal pillows.
I have a regular laura ashley pillow that I got at Marshalls and I put a temperpedic cervical pillow on top. I hate all memory foam mattresses because they are too hot, but for some reason this works for me. I got the cervical pillow on the advice of my neurologist because of my migraines. It’s supposed to help support your neck. I don’t think it’s helping my migraines, but I sleep awesome. I’m also 100% a side sleeper.
I wish I could sleep with a cervical pillow! I just get too conscious of the unusual shape and it feeds my insomnia. Sigh…
I use my u-shaped muji neck pillow – the ones you bring on airplanes … on top of my pillow and it supports my neck perfectly – Emily, is this what you are doing too?
My physical therapist says a pillow should be very flat. In her sessions, she uses a very small bolster pillow with a very small diameter (I never have found any quite as small). Squishy, too. Just something to support your cervical curve when on your back. In the savasana pose (my favorite for sleeping, probably thanks to yoga), it’s heaven.
However, a thin pillow that you can fold while on your side might be useful.
I’ve given up trying to sleep on my back. Insomnia is a huge problem for me, and for whatever reason, I’m much more aware of my body when I’m on my back than my side. Sometimes I wake up on my back, though!
Right now I’m doing the “folded up thin pillow” thing, and it blows. It takes me so long to get comfortable enough to fall asleep.
I’m a shift worker and have occasional insomnia. Apart from the usual advice (turn off your downlights at 8:30pm, have a hot shower before bed etc) I take magnesium. It has made a huge difference.
I have had similar struggles with pillows for years. Everything was too thick, too hard, too flat, etc. My solution was a microbead pillow. Which is way less uncomfortable than it sounds. I now carry that pillow everywhere, even pack it in my suitcase when I fly, rather than struggle with strange pillows.
Pros: the pillow can be adjusted to be fat or thin as needs change through the night. (I like it fat on my side, thin on my back.) The beads don’t squish over time, so after years of use, the pillow is the same density as it was when I got it. It doesn’t get hot.
Cons: while most of the time the beads are fine to sleep on, if I have a headache or my head is feeling particularly tender that day, it can feel a little hard. (I have a backup pillow for those rare occasions.)
Thanks, Barbara! I’ve wondered about those, and buckwheat pillows as well. Is there a particular brand you recommend?
I like buckwheat pillows! Mine is from Japan, but this looks similar: https://www.amazon.com/Beans72-Organic-Buckwheat-Pillow-Japanese/dp/B0006HVVFK/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1493758515&sr=8-6&keywords=buckwheat+pillow. I like that it conforms to my head in whatever position I’m in. Takes some getting used to, but I’m a fan.
I’m adding another recommendation for buckwheat pillows. They take a little getting used to (they are firm and they rustle a little), but for side sleeping they work! I ordered buckwheat hulls from Amazon and made my own pillow so I could make it the size and heft I wanted.
I tried the buckwheat but it crunched when I moved – right by my ears – I know – princess and the buckwheat
I third (fourth? Fifth?) buckwheat pillows. I’ve been using one from a Canadian company called Dream Designs for about a billion years and I lurrrvv it. My husband loved mine so much that he bought one for himself and his even has a layer of wool batting inside that muffles the buckwheat-y sound. It’s always cool, doesn’t get flat or lumpy and stays exactly where it’s supposed to all night. I think I’m going to go have a nap now, just be cause I love it so much 🙂
I sixth buckwheat. Not sure if you can wash it though. Have you tried a pillow with kapok? It’s an old fashioned natural filling for pillows.You cannot wash kapok though. Personally I like it (there are a few fillings that I like in natural pillow fillings). Buckwheat is nice because, once it forms itself around you, it becomes quite firm but not inflexible.
I don’t know why I bought this and not buckwheat, but I have used it a few years now and I love it: http://ekotextil.se/i-hemmet/tacken-kuddar/dinkelkudde-speltkudde/
I thought buckwheat was too hard — it hurt my ear. never tried microbead though. I wonder if it would work to combine microbead with a really thin layer of foam, to help it feel supportive yet cushiony?
I found the https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/sobakawa-reg-standard-cloud-pillow-153/1017217160?Keyword=microbead+pillows worked for me. If this hadn’t worked, I was going to try a buckwheat pillow next.
I used to be exclusively a side sleeper but now that my left shoulder is frozen, I’m sleeping more on my back.
Millet hull pillows are just like buckwheat in terms of texture and support, but they don’t make the crunching noise that buckwheat hulls do.
LATEX PILLOWS. normal shape, firm but not hard, lofty but not too high, no feathers, lasts forever, not hot like memory foam and springs back to shape also unlike memory foam. do it! do it!
Thanks, Emily! I have a latex mattress and love it, so that makes sense.
I am a latex pillow fan too. I have a one piece one. I love the smell (which Wm0 only notice when you have the cover off), they don’t get too hot like synthetic foam, they are soft yet firm. They can be hand washed, mine is years old and still going strong. I use a cotton padded pillow cover so it is not so much exposed to hair oils etc.
I have a shredded latex pillow that I love. I got the supplies from a DIY natural bedding store online (not sure if you want links here) and made it myself. It was a little messy but basically involved filling a pillow case with shredded latex.
I’m 40 and still haven’t found a pillow that I love. That said, Aldi had organic cotton pillows on sale recently and I bought 2 because they were super cheap. Funny enough, they’re super comfy! I ended up going back and buying 2 more for our guest room bed. I don’t have to sleep with 2 pillows (one on top of the other) anymore, which is what I was doing to alleviate sinus drainage.
I feel you on the sinuses, Julia! Ugh…just another thing to make sleeping more difficult. :\
It’s a weird shape, but this one from Target was a life changer for me. And only $20. I was actually mad at myself after I slept on it the first night that I hadn’t tried one sooner, because I literally have tossed and turned at night for years. It says “memory foam” but it’s nothing like a tempurpedic pillow (and it isn’t warm either). No K size, as far as I know. http://www.target.com/p/comfort-revolution-contour-memory-foam-bed-pillow-white-standard/-/A-50616940?lnk=rec|pdpipadh1|related_prods_vv|pdpipadh1|50616940|0
Thanks, Dede—I wish I could use contoured pillows, but as an insomnia sufferer anything that deviates from the norm is a dealbreaker for me. I actually had that exact pillow, but after attempting to sleep with it for a week (and spending hours lying there thinking about my “weird” pillow), I had to give up.
I so want to know the answer to this question!
I had a set of two pillows that I loved but a couple of years ago I was moving and they were coming to the end of their lifespan so I decided to toss them. I haven’t been able to find anything that comes close to their perfection. Firm enough that they did not squish down to nothing in a week or two, but with just enough give to let your head sink in ever so slightly. And, a must for me, not feathers/down. They kept their shape for years and were absolute heaven.
Nothing I’ve found comes close to replacing them. Part of my problem is I got them from my aunt who found them too firm for her tastes and years later I have no recollection of the brand.
If you find an answer to the never ending hunt for the perfect pillow please share!
Oh gosh, how frustrating!! If only you’d thought to check the brand before tossing them! I hope you can find a replacement someday.
I ADORE my pillow, but I stole it from my mom, who received it as a wedding present from an elderly woman in our community who plucked the chicken feathers she stuffed it with herself. True fucking story. So I am no help, sorry! I know the struggle though, because my fiance has yet to find one that he likes. Good luck!
Haha!! I hope you never have to give up that pillow, Rae. 😉
Pretty much my story — my grandmother made my two pillows, stuffing them herself. They are made of feather, not down, and so have quite a bit of body and heft — they do not squish down to nothing like down. Plus, they are quite a bit bigger than pillows in North America (which makes finding pillow covers a bit of a pain — either custom, or I buy them in Europe): they are 50 x 70 cm, or 19.7 x 25.7 inches. Every once in a while, we wash them with down wash in our front loading washing machine, or leave them to air out in the sunshine, but in Europe, the feathers are steam cleaned and broken ones replaced. These pillows are quite old, but irreplaceable. I wish they had pillows like this here, or even there! But these were custom made, and the skills are pretty much lost by now. I feel your pain Anna, because I have tried many, many times to find comfortable pillows here, but just can’t.
I wholeheartedly agree with Brandy about the Talalay latex pillow. I’ve had mine for 7 years and still bless it every single night! I got mine online from a latex mattress site (sorry I can’t remember which one) and was able to choose which firmness I prefered. Latex is a completely different animal than memory foam – not hot and not moldable. Absolute heaven.
Got mine from Bed, Bath and Beyond. LOVE IT!
Thanks, you guys!! I definitely need to look up Talalay latex—this is new territory for me.
I’ve been plagued by recent shoulder/neck/back issues recently and just picked up the Brookstone BioSense for side sleepers. The shoulder cut-out is relatively minimal, so it’s still comfortable when I roll to my back, and the soft cushioned cover keeps it from feeling TOO memory-foam-ish. Since I’ve only slept on it a few nights I can’t give a full endorsement yet, but, I’m optimistic!
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/brookstone-reg-biosense-reg-memory-foam-2-in-1-shoulder-pillow-with-better-than-down-reg-cover/1044553098
Thank you, Liz! Does it look/feel like a regular pillow when it’s in a case?
Yes! Especially compared with the Ikea shoulder pillow I’ve used previously which looks super weird. Only downside is it’s a standard size and I have a king-sized bed, but, I don’t think my boyfriend and cat care too much about the styling quandary I’m now faced with.
Hi Anna!
I bought a Tempur Pedic pillow from BB+B w/ a 20% off coupon about six years ago and I still love it and sleep on it every single night! It isn’t too firm. I’d say buy one that is soft/firm. (I think I spent around $120) The Mr. has a firm TP and he can’t sleep on it! So, of course depending on your needs, so get what feels cozy on your neck. (…and yes, I did rest my head on the pillows in the store before I purchased one!) ALSO, do you like using a silk/satin pillow to sleep on to decrease dryness in skin…AKA…aging?!
Thanks, Karli—I wish I could do memory foam, but Tempur-Pedic stuff makes me sweat like crazy. Even in winter! I know some folks love it, but I can’t do it. (I kind of feel that way about silk/satin or any smooth fabrics, too. The texture makes me feel nauseous. I’m a linen fan!)
Following for advice. I’m in dire need of a new pillow or two!
I’m kind of just wanting that pillow sofa. 😉
It literally looks like a slice of heaven.
I have a Silvana support pillow (emerald). Great for side and back sleeping. It has a foam bar for neck support but normal filling above. It doesn’t feel hot, sticky or molded around your head and with a cover it looks completely normal.
http://www.pillowsonline.nl/en_GB/a-26343937-1049724/pillows/silvana-support-emerald-lila-a-bit-soft/
Oh my! This looks like it might be EXACTLY what I’m looking for. I hope I can find it or something like it in the US! The worst thing about pillows for me is that I can never find something that both supports my neck AND doesn’t push my head up in the center (I must have a light-weight head, ha!)
This looks GREAT, Marieke, thank you!! And Emma, it’s available here in the US (maybe other sources too, this was just the first place I found):
http://fortistextiles.com/pillows/silvana-support-pillow-emerald
Gaaah, looking at the “Pillow Picker” chart I need a totally different pillow? Am now overwhelmed instead of sleeping. (Huh.) So, basically — you are not alone.
I hope you review this pillow-I trust your judgement and this one looks like it might work for me. PS a few years ago I was going mad looking for a new matress; bought a tuft and needle after reading your review, it saved my sleeping life. Now all I need is the perfect pillow!
http://parklanemattresses.com/product/cooling-transcend-pillow/ This is the pillow we got when we got our new mattress here in Portland. We are very happy with them. The curve at the bottom seems to do the trick for us.
Thanks, Gerrie! I can’t do anything with an unusual shape, unfortunately—I’m sure it would be great for my neck, but I’m so conscious of it that I can’t fall asleep. Insomnia is a drag!
It’s kind of weird, but I’ve been really happy with my buckwheat hull pillow. Foam is out because I sleep really hot, and buckwheat is cooler than all other pillows I’ve tried. It’s not air conditioned cool (wouldn’t that be fantastic!), but I’m only flipping it every hour or less through the night instead of every 15 minutes. I like how I can mold it specifically to my comfort and it doesn’t shift nearly as much as microbead or other small-particle fills I’ve tried. The problem for you might be that you can’t wash the hulls themselves; only the cover. But with a proper pillow protector, the hulls won’t get dirty anyway. Some people complain about the faint rustling from the hulls, but that doesn’t bother me at all. I’d recommend a half-sized pillow; surprisingly, it’s plenty big enough, and they’re cheaper and easier to move around because buckwheat is heavy. (fwiw, I’m 90% side, 10% back)
I’ve been really curious about buckwheat pillows, Amy! Is there a particular brand you recommend?
Sorry I didn’t check back sooner!
I believe my pillow is from Hullo. They use organic materials and guarantee that the hulls are intact, as opposed to some percentage being in pieces, which would just make the pillow super hard and impossible to mold.
I also love my buckwheat pillow. I had one from Korea at first, but it stayed with my ex-boyfriend, so I had to make my own. They are much smaller than regular pillows: The outer cover is approximately 10×20″, the inner one slightly bigger (!). Both have zippers, so you can adjust the firmness and height *to perfection*.
When you go to sleep, you can mould it as you like and it pretty much stays that way. There is some rustling when you shift around, but it doesn’t bother me.
I also like to add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the hulls – it’s good agsinst insomnia!
My husband and I love this Therapedic pillow from Bed Bath and Beyond (https://goo.gl/VRIvzA). The gusset makes it so it’s tall enough to actually provide support when you sleep on your side, it stays really cool, and I don’t feel like I’m imprisoned or drowning like I do in normal foam pillows.
Interesting, Suzie! I’ve had really bad experiences with memory foam, but it looks like maybe they’ve made some progress. Those reviews do look good…
Okay, it looks sooo cheesy (like, I cringe even linking to it), but the MyPillow (mypillow.com) is really excellent. There are all sorts of ways to shape it, but I’m able to fluff it to look like a regular pillow when I make the bed. It is lumpy, but not the way you expect. It’s made to be used by all sorts of sleepers, so everyone in my family uses it differently. The MyPillow takes some time to get used to, but I’ve found my pillow for life.
I second this. I have all sorts of weird neck issues, I grind my teeth blah blah blah. I stayed at a friends house who had these and woke up without neck pain for the first time in AGES. It looks normal, feels a little weird but in the end I immediately came home and bought one. So far so good! My backup pillow is one filled with shredded latex. Also nice, but the mypillow just has something that works for me.
Anything I buy that’s bedding related lately, I go right to sleepsherpa.com, there’s pretty extensive reviews on most pillows and bedding there! He’s also pretty good at responding to questions and usually has promo codes as well. Good luck! I’m currently 8 months pregnant and I feel like I should have found something decent with my pillow mountain I sleep on now, but they all suck still. I need to invest soon!
This pillow changed my life – no lie – http://www.jcpenney.com/isotonic-iso-cool-side-sleeper-memory-foam-pillow/prod.jump?ppId=pp5003161223&catId=SearchResults&searchTerm=isotonic
I’m a side/back sleeper and this pillow keeps me from getting tension headaches! I also love the way it stays cool 🙂
I’ve been really curious about this pillow, because I have the Casper mattress and it’s incredible! https://casper.com/pillows
My roommate introduced me to this pillow. I LOVE it. I have two, because I purchased two different lofts to test them and ended up keeping both. Hope it helps! Keeps me cool and supported!
https://www.amazon.com/Zoned-Memory-Pillow-Velour-Removeable/dp/B00E4FX3GA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457061425&sr=8-2&keywords=malouf%2Bz%2Bpillow&th=1&psc=1
Buckwheat hull pillows – excellent if you have back issues, or if you toss and turn all night, flipping your pillow over constantly because it’s too hard, too soft, or too hot. Buckwheat hulls conform to your head/body, they do not retain heat, can be adjusted with just a turn of your head. They take about a week to get used to as they are very different from other pillows and can seem a little noisy at first, but once you’re used to them you’ll never use another pillow. Also, they last forever. You’ll have to do a google search to find suppliers, but give it a try!
Re: buckwheat: I agree with everything Amy posted. I bought my buckwheat from Fedco seeds in Maine (https://www.fedcoseeds.com/ogs/search?item=8322) and made my own so can’t vouch for a particular brand—it looks like there are some decently reviewed pre-made pillows on amazon (e.g. Beans72 Organic Buckwheat Pillow). I made travel sized, which works great if you don’t move much when asleep. I imagine standard would be better if you’re a mobile sleeper. Pros are that it’s cool, breathable, great for my neck, good for back and side sleeping, conforms to head shape without holding it forever like foam, and you can adjust the amount of buckwheat for preferred softness. Cons are that it’s heavy, rustles (you get used to it), and doesn’t hold its shape so isn’t great for sitting up in bed. Hulls can’t be cleaned but are easy enough to air out when cleaning the pillowcase. If you hate it, at least it can be repurposed for landscaping!
I too have been on the eternal hunt for a great pillow. I think I have found it with the Vispring Hungarian goose feather pillow. It was amazing when I laid my head on it in the shop but I was also lying on one of their £10,000 mattresses as I obviously had to see what a £10,000 mattress felt like (amazing). Not sure if that brand is available in the US.
I do love my pillow, but unfortunately it’s one of those contour pillows that you’ve already vetoed! I, too, hate that it doesn’t look like a regular pillow, but it’s so much more comfortable and better for my neck and back that I just deal with it. I actually have two of them, which helps with the aesthetic look, and I put silk pillowcases on them for that extra layer of luxury.
What I DO have a recommendation for is the insomnia: Sleep With Me podcast. It’s a thrice-weekly podcast in which the guy (Drew Ackerman, also known as Scooter) tells a rambling bedtime story for adults. His voice is very soothing and he goes off on meandering segues. Sometimes it’s an original story, sometimes it’s a recap of a TV show. The point to it all is that it provides just enough of something to focus on that your mind stops racing, but not enough that you’re alert and trying to follow what he says or get invested in the ending.
It doesn’t work for everyone, but I pretty much swear by it when I can’t get to sleep on my own.
Thanks for sharing about the podcast Mandi! I hope is helps someone out there get some rest!
I have this one: http://www.thecompanystore.com/duo-sleep-neck-pillow/pp25-ps-h16.html#sz=12&start=13
but I find it’s not quite firm/high enough in the neck part. It looks more or less like a regular pillow in the case, though. I’ll be checking out those latex pillows–at 43, I too have not found my pillow soul mate.
It’s funny because I was talking I my partner about this this weekend! We have to have king size pillows and they have to be vegan friendly. My two that I’m gonna try is Tuft & Needle and Casper. The T & N is supposed to be cooling and really supportive and the Casper one is made of fibers and you can wash. They both have a 100 day guarantee so I feel like, what’s not to lose? Look forward to seeing what you go with and like!
Love this one had it for 9 years: https://sleepworks.com/oxygen-pillow/
I have nothing to add except that I will be reading these comments closely, requesting personal updates, and I’m calling you Stale Pretzel from now on.
I came across this the other day. Looks interesting. I know it’s a little different to your regular pillow but perhaps not too different? http://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-pillow-for-neck-pain-review.html
My osteopath put my partner and me through a rigorous test to see which of five pillows were ideal for my body type. He was very thorough. I ended up with a very different sized pillow to my partner. Neck support was critical. But it has to be at exactly the right height. Here’s a link to my technogel pillow although I don’t think you’d be a huge fan. http://us.technogelworld.com/pillows/original/anatomic/
However, he told me I had to give it a whole week before I gave up on it. I didn’t like it for a few days but eventually found that my shoulder and head were feeling better throughout the night.
I’m also an insomniac and have found that spraying lavender spray on my pillow at night has helped me sleep more deeply. It sounds crazy and I have heard good things about lavender fir many years. But my sleep has improved enormously and I have vivid dreams. Good luck on your pillow journey.
As a fellow side-sleeper, I can confirm that the first pillow listed here is the best one I’ve used so far. http://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-pillow-for-side-sleepers.html
I still have to place it on top of another pillow at an angle to get the right height (wide shoulders!) but it doesn’t tend to shift around during the night.
Good luck, Anna!
This is the brand I use but I don’t know if it’s available in the US. https://www.mrvitamins.com.au/thursday-plantation-lavender-spray-140g?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=CjwKEAjw3KDIBRCz0KvZlJ7k4TgSJABDqOK7LWflUsKe21Rxe6VKz9UqSrVfdzstLXlJ2nuUmx-FWxoCS0Xw_wcB
This pillow changed my life. I keep four pillows on my bed and every time i have trouble sleeping I realize my head is not on this one (i like to hug another one!). I call it the magic pillow because I fall asleep faster and sleep so much deeper. Its not hot, its allergy resistant. I may as well be a walking advertisement. https://www.pranasleep.com/sets/pranasleep-latex-pillow
I feel your pain. I’ve also struggled as a side sleeper finding the just right pillow. I have sleep apnea and bum shoulders. My first choice would be a down pillow but I have a significant feather allergy. I finally gave up and every July on my birthday I buy myself two new pillows. I get the cheapest pillows that Target carries; typically they are on sale as part of the back-to-school promo. I’ll run them on the air fluff setting in the dryer for half an hour with a couple of old tennis balls to air them out before they go on the bed. They are washable which is great. When I get new pillows, the previous year’s pillows become the ones I tuck in between my knees and the old between-the-knee-ers get tossed. It’s not sustainable and I’d much rather have organic rubber or wool, but I can’t bring myself to spend $100 on a pillow that will eventually be replaced because of dust mites.
Latex doesn’t harbor dust mites.
Relatively flat and very, very light density hypoallergenic filling. Major problem with neck and head and spine, and side sleeper. Always need the malleability of a soft pillow so it’s thicker for the empty space between shoulder and underside of neck, but tapering (or molded) thinner for the side of headso the cervical spine stays relatively aligned with the rest of the spine. I also found a new mattress did wonders..Went from firm to soft (but with innersprings) as I aged…hope you find the perfect pillow! (I also watch how my animals sleep–it can be enlightening!)
MyPillow. Life changing for me. I flip from side to back to side. Never have sore back or neck anymore. I thought my mattress needed replacing, but discovered my old pillow was the problem. https://www.mypillow.com
For YEARS I swore by two cheap polyester synthetic pillows (the kind you buy for like $6.99), propped one on top of the other, but then noticed my neck was starting to hurt. I was convinced that my broad(ish) shoulders required a lot of height if I were sleeping on my side, to prop my head up to the right spot, hence the two cheap pillows. Anyway, long story short, I finally caved and bought one of those Martha Stewart Tempurpedic knockoffs at Macy’s and, after several nights of getting used to it, I haven’t looked back. Now my old polyester pillows feel insubstantial and too soft. I’ve grown to like the feeling of my head molding into the pillow! Have you given the Tempurpedic a few nights to sink in, so to speak?? It took getting used to, for sure, but now I love it!
I really wanted to love the buckwheat pillow too but found it a tad hard & unforgiving,
even after removing some of the bulk.
I gave in to the infomercial as well > https://www.mypillow.com/ and I don’t regret it!
They’re kinda lumpy in a good way and you can send ’em back if you don’t like them.
You can wash them & dry them and their rectangular shape fits in a regular case.
(I was not paid to say this) 🙂
I really hope to hear a review if you do go the T. Latex route, so interested after these comments!
I like my buckwheat pillow but am not in the mood for it more than twice a week.
What I’ve been doing for a few years is pulling apart the covers and looking for the tags and taking pics of any pillow I like at a hotel. The most recent one lead to a $230 pillow (!) I had to say no thanks to, but I’m happy with the ones below from Amazon I picked after trying them amongst a handful I chose from the “pillow library” of a different hotel a few years ago.
Down Alternative Pillow – Five Star – 100% Cotton Fabric – Super Standard (20x26x1.5″) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0033506JO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2cvczbYEX8W2T
OMG, my heart skipped a beat when I saw this because I LOVE my pillow so much. It’s firm yet squishy, not too thick, and affordable.
http://www.jcpenney.com/royal-velvet-microgel-down-alternative-pillow/prod.jump?ppId=pp5003500323
You know how you feel when you nuzzle up to a human for cuddles? That’s what this pillow feels like. I have one for my head and one for spooning because it’s THAT nice.
The Casper pillow has been life changing for us. https://casper.com/ca/en/pillows
My husband broke his back and neck a decade ago and decided to try one of these pillows because we loved our Casper mattress so much. He loved it and ended up ordering one for me. I cannot believe how well I sleep now. They have a 100 night money back guarantee thing if you don’t like it, so I think it is worth trying out!
I was hoping someone would mention the Casper pillow. I have had mine for a few months and the “two pillows in one” system is amazingly supportive but still soft and fluffy. I truly, honestly look forward to laying my head down onto it every night.
I have two from Ikea: Gosa Raps and Järnört. I sleep on my side, and depending on my mood I either use one or both on top of each other. They are the first pillows I’ve owned that I absolutely love. They were some of the most expensive ones Ikea had in Australia at the time, but I’m so glad I splurged on them.
Latex all the way… oddly i used to design pillows.
I always used to sleep on two old, flat pillows, but last year I decided to look into something new. I now love my Sealy PosturePedic Extra Firm, for side sleepers, sold for $13 at stores like Kohl’s. It contours to your head so it doesn’t feel too thick, and oddly enough, if you give it ~10 vigorous punches before bed (a recommendation I read on another site like this), it retains its thickness.
I got the Balance performance pillow for free when I bought my mattress and I LOVE it. Stays cool, keeps me from moving around too much, and has made an enormous difference. They have tons of options depending on your sleep style. https://www.bedgear.com/shop/balance-1-0-stomach-sleeper-pillow.html?campaignid=360231568&gclid=CO63leqK1NMCFZSIfgod240I4g
I just noticed that BEDGEAR is having a sale! 20% off their big selection of pillows. I never thought an expensive pillow would be a thing I would proselytize about, but I LOVE my pillow so, so much.
20% off with code GEARUP: https://www.bedgear.com/shop/performance-pillows.html
I LOVE my buckwheat pillow!! I’m even planning on buying a travel size version because I hate being without it. You can adjust the amount of filling (buckwheat hulls) so you have the perfect fit. It’s heavy and awkward and kinda lumpy, but I love mine so much (I’m also a side sleeper). Mine has a comfort wool side which not only is more comfortable but it dosen’t make that rustling noise. I bought it here in Vancouver at Dream Designs (https://www.dreamdesigns.ca/products/buckwheat-pillow-cloud-with-wool), but I’m sure you can find something local.
This guy is my ultimate pillow: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/wamsutta-reg-dream-zone-reg-synthetic-down-side-sleeper-pillow/3245691 I have several of them, and the older one (8+ years old) still feels just about the same as the newer ones (1-2 years old)—maybe a tad firmer. I actually didn’t realize they have some sort of memory foam core in them until I was looking at that site just now (shame on me!) but I swear you’d barely notice it. Nothing foamy and gross about these.
Pillows are the devil when I’m insomniac. It’s not pretty but I tend to fold towels underneath the pillow to get just the right height in a pillow emergency.
I bought a Primaloft down alternative last year, and I have never loved a pillow more. Kinda pricey, but you can try it at the store (Bloomingdales.)
https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/bloomingdales-my-primaloft-firm-density-down-alternative-pillow-queen-100-exclusive?ID=481452
My pillow doesn’t fit your requirement of being a normal shape. After I hurt my neck in car accident many years ago, my physical therapist recommended a neck roll. I got so used to it that now I can’t sleep without neck support and use contoured pillows. I just got this one last year and it is really great https://smile.amazon.com/Organic-Latex-Contour-Pillow-Standard/dp/B00H8Z4TG6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493859279&sr=8-3&keywords=latex+rubber+pillow+neck They also make it in a regular pillow, but I don’t have any experience with it. I like to sleep slightly elevated so I put the contoured pillow on top of another regular cotton pillow.
I can’t read all the comments to see if this was already mentioned but this shredded latex pillow is the best. It melds to the shape of my head/neck and it’s sturdy but not too stiff. It’s the perfect balance of support and softness but not too much. https://bedroomsandmore.com/product/shredded-latex-pillow/
Buckwheat!! With a washable pillow protector. I LOVE it! I bought mine in Canada. I am also a side (occasionally back) sleeper and that thing is perfect. Great support for my neck. I have had mine for 8+ years and will never go back. Though it does sound a tiny bit like you are sleeping on Rice Krispies (which I also happen to love:)
Look no further than the Pillo1. Pillo1.com. It has a hole for your head if you lay on your back, grooves for your shoulders if you lay on your side. It’s perfect.
This is a great thread. One of my most favourite. I have a normal sized wool pillow and a king sized silk pillow which I construct a nest out of. Being a side sleeper I sort of hug/balance the silk which is placed on top of the wool one and I’m out for the count. The ones I have are from a UK site which if you cannot find three in the US I can share a link to. SILK pillow is like a reassuringly solid pile of silk fibres so the cloudyness of the wool gives you the squelch.
Good luck, good sleep is precious stuff.
I can’t recommend a pillow, because I prefer down. Some of these comments are tempting me to switch to latex, though.
But, I did start doing something that I love:
I couldn’t decide on a firmness because I sleep in every single position humanly possible. So, I have different pillow firmnesses on my bed (two firm, two medium, and two soft) and use them for different positions. There are three different pillow cases (a solid, a patterned, and one that match the duvet) and I identify them by the cases.
OMG, Josh, that sounds so stressful!! Hahaha
LMFAO, there was a bit of a learning curve. But it wasn’t as stressful as trying to sleep on my stomach with a firm pillow.
Just switched to Casper pillows two months ago and in love. Have been using Casper mattress for two years and -amazing!!!
I also hate memory foam. But I bought this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B014E9UO12/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for BF who had desperate need for new pillow but is also super picky about pillows. He loves it. I stole it a few times until I bought my own and I’m super happy with it. The shredded foam part is what makes this. It’s washable and fluffable. They also make a regular (non-slim) version if you want it thicker.
Not to get political*, but if you’re anti-don-the-con, you might not want to support ‘mypillow’.
*2017 = Politics involved in my pillow purchases 🙁
Your mileage may vary! My husband and I both started with the same new IKEA pillows in January when we moved into our temporary apartment. After four months mine is pretty trashed and his is near pristine! I smoosh mine a lot and am a stomach and side sleeper while he’s a back sleeper. So, not all pillows wear the same for everyone. PS – I sleep with earbuds in and an audio book droning on. Great big historical tomes that you can drift in and out of (and I’m a historian, so this isn’t a dig on history!) Right now I’ve been falling asleep during the Tudor era and waking up somewhere in the Stuarts. Ha ha! It works great for my insomnia and helps me sleep better in hotels where the noises might be different or louder than at home. Good luck!
Coming late to the party and I’m sure someone has already mentioned these, but here’s a go:
Latex pillow. Just enough springy-ness for this side sleeper. Also, the latex cushion was perforated so it wasn’t hot against my face.
Also love this squishy down alternative pillow from Amazon.com:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BMRP9NI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I don’t have a link because I bought the pillows an embarrassingly long time ago but I have latex pillows from bed bath and beyond and they are just as big as the day I bought them. I am also a side sleeper and need something that doesn’t go flat
Not a good sleeper, old enough with pain aplenty – I love this pillow:
https://casper.com/pillows
PS in relation to the insomnia have you thought about when you drink coffee and what kind and how much? We have a habit of not drinking coffee after 4 in the afternoon. Especially not that trickle down kind of coffee (a good espresso after dinner is not really a problem for me) it takes me hours to fall asleep after one of those coffees (my mother in law serves the trickle down type).
I started to drink coffee because I needed to stay awake during the construction classes on friday after going out until 2 am and that teacher was quite flat and softspoken (so easy to fall in sleep).
I only drink coffee in the morning. I’ve had trouble with insomnia since I was a child.
I bought the Night pillow for my husband for Christmas a few years ago, but I stole it back from him and love it now!! https://discovernight.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwrsDIBRDX3JCunOrr_YYBEiQAifH1Fnbf9o50FKHB8nohiLVBISkb4iW0yVE3EpIdNW1nTsYaAhWW8P8HAQ
I hope that link works for you. I know you said you don’t like memory foam, but I don’t either and i LOVE LOVE this pillow! It is so perfect–never compresses, doesn’t ever get lumpy. I’ve used this pillow for maybe two years now and it’s still perfect! Plus it looks like you can try it for 100 days and get a full refund if you don’t like it. I LOVE it so much that I take on overnight trips with me! When I used to use a feather pillow I’d have to flip and fluff it constantly during the night. I never do that with this pillow. It’s not hot either–like some memory foam. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I have two Joseph Abboud down alternative pillows with jacquard stripes that I must have purchased years and years ago, and just keep using and washing. I love them and they have held up beautifully with no lumpiness. They are my favorite so far. Just the right amount of coolness, loft and squish. Sadly, I have not been able to locate replacements online. I think you should do a pillow round up if you end up trying any of the above!
I have the absolute best pillow that I bought from my bone cracker and you fill it with water so it’s basically a waterbed for your head. You can play with the amount of water that works for you but I put in about two vitamix containers. It’s washable and also has a polyester fill. I seriously LOVE it but it was $75 bucks CAD which is a steal for you! Get one stat!
YES! My chiropractor says that you want to keep your spine neutral while sleeping, so the water squishes around depending on whether you’re on your side or your back. I’m going to buy one the next time I visit him — people rave about them!
Premier Down-like Personal Choice Density Pillows in medium (not firm)
Best pillows ever!
I have a very flat, old pillow. I tried so many other pillows, including a Tempurpedic and down filled. It turns out that I needed trigger point massage to release my shoulders and a flatter pillow. Who knew??
TRY THIS – – > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX2FcnxrHyA
I just got one and all I have to say is you don’t need the free 100 days. You’ll be hooked after the first night. Seriously unlike anything I have ever slept on.
OMG. Me too. I thought I was the only one. I’ve been using the same 2 pillows for the past 25 years because everything I’ve tried to replace them with has been a FAIL!
My ex bought me this pillow after watching me suffer for months with a sad and flat down fill pillow:
https://www.tempurpedic.com/pillows/symphony-pillow/
I love that it has two sides – one with more support for sleeping on your side and then you can flip if over for more neck support if you want to lie on your back. I’ve had it for about 7 years and still love it.
Anna, I have an incredible pillow recommendation. The Wynn Hotel has their own bedding line I think at their hotels only. They have the best pillows!
I spoke too soon! Here’s a link : http://www.hotelpillow.com/wynn.html
I’m only suggesting you try them because I have a hard time finding good pillows and Im constantly changing them out and buying new ones…but these were on a freinds bed and I SLEPT VERY WELL. <3
Thanks, Bethany, but I won’t use a down-filled pillow..
I recently bought two Høie DownFeel pillows and I’ve liked them so far. 🙂 Mine have zippers so I removed some of the filling because they were too puffy for my taste. I don’t know if Høie is available in the US but thought to mention them anyway. 🙂
http://hoie.com/produkt/1602/hoie-downfeel
I read this post a couple of weeks ago and understand this dilemma. Crappy pillows are The Worst. I’ve tried so many different kinds. I recently read a post on another blog that raved about some kind of shredded bamboo memory foam pillow that sounded like it was going to finally be The Best. They’re not. It’s been a few months since I purchased them and I hadn’t replaced them until this week. I just got back from a stay at a friend’s home in Austin and she had Target’s Threshold pillows in the guest room. They were so wonderful that I pulled off the pillow cases the first morning after sleeping on them to see what they were and was actually surprised that these were from Target and so nice. They are the Threshold firm pillows with a cotton shell and polyester fill. They’re not really like other firm pillows I’ve felt before, though. They’re kind of like springy clouds! At least they are for me. I immediately bought a pair at Target when I returned home. And they cost $12.99. Bargain. They’re the kind with the pale green and white striped piping trim if you go looking for them.
Just curious Anna, if you ever found the perfect pillow?
Hah, no, I haven’t even had time to finish reading the comments. Everything takes forever!
I also suggest the Casper pillow. I’ve had mine for a year and half, and while they do get *bunchy* and it isn’t exactly as fluffy as it was when I got it, I love that I can wash it and fluff it up — feels so hygienic! I’m a bad neck/shoulder person (designer = mouse use) and also a side-sleeper so I’m quite picky!
I had noticed that so many things in my life were under control (finally) except my pillow. Yes, I was determined to finally have one that I LOVED.
My solution: I upcycled a quality duvet into a pillow. I sewed up a beautiful double seamed pillow ticking cover and then went outside… I sat out in the garden on a breezy fall day and opened a small section seam of the duvet and grabs handfulls and carefully shoved it into the pillow. It did seem a bit like it was snowing but it dispersed quite well (and I bet some birds have very nicely ‘feathered’ nests). I filled and poked til it felt just right but I knew I could always add more. No feathers that were ‘pokie’, only pure down.
Now, every night I get into bed I am excited to sleep on my ‘cloud’. It is soft but conforms to whatever shape you like and then fluffs up again. There really is no substitute for natures solutions to a problem… I now understand my mothers obsession with down (she used to have a small vacuum that would suck it out of one case and blow it into another)
I’ve been keeping an eye on this thread, and looking forward to hearing about what you choose. Remodelista had a post about the Casper pillow today, and it looks like it ticks your boxes (though it does have a foam core). It also has a good return policy/warranty, which always helps me pull the trigger on online purchases!
https://www.remodelista.com/posts/for-the-perfect-mattress-the-perfect-pillow/
I refuse to sleep on anything else then tempur pillows since 20 years. Latest Addition ombracio for sleeping on my tummy.
I don’t know if you ever resolved your pillow situation, but I found one recently that you might want to consider. I have neck and upper back issues from an injury. I’ve been working with an osteopath and PT and they both recommended this sort of pillow. It’s shredded latex with a slight indentation in the center of the pillow. I don’t notice its shape on the outside with a pillow case on, and sleeping on it has been great. I’m able to push the latex around and it stays where I want it. It’s a firmer pillow than I’ve used in the past but I like how I feel when I wake up more than the soft squishy old pillow. I sleep on my sides and back. The indented area allows a better alignment of the head/neck/shoulders both on my back and on my side so I’m finally waking up with no soreness or stiffness. I know you said you didn’t think you could do a non traditional looking pillow so it might not be your thing, but I thought I’d share because your post (and comment section) was a big help to me in looking for a new pillow. Oh and this one is organic so no toxic smelly weirdness! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XN9AJMO