If you’re looking for a lower-cost option, try the Brooklinen Down Pillow, which comes in three firmness levels (word to the wise, though, stomach sleepers: stay soft). Our testers say it feels cozy to snuggle into, making it a nice pick for fall and winter weather. Memory-foam-loving stomach sleepers, meanwhile, might fall fast for the Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: Its lower loft keeps you from feeling like your neck will snap in half as you settle in for the night.
How to find the best pillow for you
When it comes to shopping for the best pillow for your needs, sleep specialist Michael Breus, PhD, clinical sleep specialist and psychologist, advises asking yourself three questions: What’s your preference when it comes to how squishy or firm the pillow is? What position do you start sleeping in? (Back sleepers and stomach sleepers should search for flatter pillows, while side sleepers may do well with a thicker option.) Do you have significant upper-shoulder or neck pain? (In which case, you might want to visit a doctor before buying a pillow.)
Next, consider the fill/fiber of the pillow (down fluff, synthetic down, polyester, etc.), the size of the pillow (standard size or king size), the breathability of the fabric, and how your pillow was made (important if you have allergies or asthma).
Types of pillows
The type of pillow you choose can affect your allergies, night sweats, and spinal alignment (translation: the amount of neck and back pain you feel). Learn about four common pillow fills below that may help please your Zzzs (and take the pressure off your achy body).
Down pillows
This pillow fill consists of goose and duck down—the innermost layer of a bird’s feathers—often blended with additional feathers. These pillows are known for their softness; the plush fluff is easy to snuggle into (which stomach sleepers will be grateful for) and creates that classic, cloudlike look atop your bed. Down is a naturally insulating material, meaning it’s a warm and toasty choice for shivery sleepers—but hot sleepers may want to steer clear.
The material also has a bad rap for triggering allergies; but that fear may be misplaced. Many people are intolerant to dust mites—not down—which can cause nasal congestion, itchy skin, and other not-so-fun symptoms. Dust mites love the warmth of down, but they can be in any type of bedding. To keep these critters out , try putting your new pillow in a case made for allergies as soon as it arrives, as Denisa E. Ferastraoaru, MD, associate professor of medicine in allergy and immunology and attending physician at Montefiore Einstein Medical Center, previously told SELF.
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