A Deep Guide to Popular Pillow Types

Pillows look and feel very different depending on the material, the designed sleeping position, and specific characteristics.

Sleeping on the wrong pillow can cause headaches and neck pain and prevent you from getting the quality sleep you need.

Have you been using your current pillows longer than you can remember? Are they yellowed, flat, or crowded? If so, it’s time to say goodbye and replace them with new ones. Here are the types of pillows that you could consider when choosing the one that suits you.

Feather

Feathers are a more cost-effective pillow fill than down. Feathers are robust, dependable materials found in the topcoats of ducks and geese. Due to the fact that feather pillows aren’t extremely soft on their own, many brands blend feathers with down to produce softer pillows while keeping the price point low. Feather pillows require frequent fluffing to preserve their loft and comfort since the feathers tend to collect together. Feathers have the potential to rip through clothing and even emit unpleasant odors.

Down

Down is a lavish and wonderfully soft material found in the underbelly of ducks and geese. Although the material is hypoallergenic, you cannot use it if you have a duck or goose allergy. Although down pillows need to be regularly fluffed, they are incredibly strong and flexible.

Down makes a cozy and inviting pillow fill, especially on frigid nights. Down pillows are popular, although they are not as supportive as memory foam or latex. Companies blend down ordinary feathers to provide additional support, but the resulting pillows are less fluffy and velvety.

Consider the fill power, or the amount of down measured in cubic inches, when comparing down pillows. A fill level of 600 or above is required for down pillows of exceptional quality and longevity. The

Microfiber 

These are pillows made of hypoallergenic materials made from synthetic fibers such as polyester or fiberfill. If you are allergic to down, down substitutes, or microfiber, this is the way to go. It’s not as warm, plush, or durable as down, but it’s cheaper, more responsive, and easier to clean.

Memory Foam

Pain-relieving and well-contoured memory foam pillows are available. The material follows your curves and moves quickly in response to your movements. The chemical odor that some memory foam pillows emit is known as “off-gassing.”

Memory foam pillows come in two varieties: shredded and block. When making memory foam, polyurethane is broken down into tiny pieces and sometimes combined with polyfill. Although you can mold and shape shredded foam pillows to fit any sleeping position, they do require regular fluffing. Block memory foam is a piece of stiff, solid polyurethane. It is supportive and doesn’t clump as other pillows do.

Cotton

Cotton padding is a very common material in all kinds of bedding and fabrics because it is affordable and low-maintenance. While cotton is breathable and soft, it does not fit the head and neck well. Over time, the material weakens and flattens, but routine fluffing can lengthen the life of the pillow. As cotton deteriorates over time, it absorbs sweat and becomes susceptible to mildew.

In favor of new synthetic materials like memory foam, cotton pillows are losing popularity. However, cotton pillows are made from a classic pillow material that has certain benefits, especially for those who are allergic to synthetic materials.

Latex

Latex foam is soft and permeable, and your sleeping environment is clean because of its great pressure-point relief and resistance to mold, mildew, and dust mites. Latex is also offered in shredded and block forms, much like shredded and block memory foam. Memory foam, on the other hand, can be a better option if you are allergic to latex.

Natural rubber is eco-friendly and biodegradable. As opposed to blended or synthetic latex, 100% natural latex is more resilient, pleasant, and environmentally friendly, so make sure your pillow is created from it.

Gel

Gel pillows are touted for their ability to keep people cool at night. Combining the softness of the material The gel material is stiff and holds its shape well, but it can conform to the contours of the body like memory foam.

Wool

Wool is a fill that is very breathable, soft, and fluffy. The fluffiest option is 100% wool, although it can also be found mixed with different fillings. Vegans might not be interested in buying wool products because they come from sheep. Because they are more expensive and have fewer machine-washing options, wool pillows are less common than other types.

Microbeads

Microbeads, also known as unexpanded polystyrene beads (EPS), are a supple, conforming pillow fill. Horseshoe neck pillows frequently contain microbeads because they provide excellent back support.

Microbeads are airy and cool; however, there is a chance that your pillow will tear and the beads will flow all over the place. Microbeads are also not a green filling material because it takes polystyrene 500 years to biodegrade, according to a study.

Microbead pillows feel similar to buckwheat pillows but are made of uniform, synthetic materials called polymer particles. As a synthetic alternative, microbeads offer many of the same benefits, such as breathability and conforming to the shape of your head, but they can also lose their shape faster than real buckwheat pillows.

Water

Even though they are unusual, water pillows can vary in comfort according to the amount of water they contain. Water pillows feel incredibly constant and won’t sag or lump because you can just add more water as needed.

Water pillows don’t conform to the curve of your head and neck and are somewhat hard. Water pillows are hypoallergenic and don’t need to be fluffed because they are made of only water, but there is also a chance that they could leak and harm your mattress.

Still feel confused about choosing a pillow best suits you? Look through Sobel Westex, a leader in pillows and hotel bedding retailers, and find your own pillow. Also, don’t forget to buy your pillows with a Sobel Westex coupon code to get amazing savings and discounts.