A pillow is a rectangular cushion which you rest your head or any other body part like neck, knee or your whole body. Your pillow supports your body while it is at rest for aesthetic, therapeutic, or comfort reasons. According to several studies (1,2,3), pillows designed for specific purposes can significantly help in pain reduction and other medical therapies.
Types of Pillows
There are several different types of pillows available for different purposes. We have prepared an exhaustive list for you to help you find the best pillow.
Pillows can be classified into 2 categories based on:
- Pillow Filling
- Pillow Type
Pillow Filling
Pillow fillings or stuffings define the character (softness or hardness) of the pillow. There are several different materials which are used as fillings, the most popular of them are:
- Down Pillow Stuffing
- Polyester Fiberfil Pillow Stuffing
- Feather Pillow Stuffing
- Memory Foam Pillow Stuffing
- Buckwheat Hull Pillow Stuffing
- Kapok Pillow Stuffing
- Cotton Pillow Stuffing
- Wool Pillow Stuffing
- Latex Pillow Stuffing
- Microbead Pillow Stuffing
What is the best pillow filling material?
This is one of the most common questions, the answer to which is subjective in nature.
Some people prefer down fillings while others prefer latex pillows for its superior support, breathability, and durability.
With every passing day more and more customized pillows are being developed to cater to specific needs of individuals.
Let’s have a look at some pillow types which have been designed for specific purposes.
Sleeping Pillow
As the name suggests, the sleeping pillow is one of the most popular pillows used while resting/ sleeping on a bed. There are several different types of sleeping pillows available to provide adequate comfort to different type of sleepers. Here’s a list of 8 such pillows which were designed to help people support different body parts:
- Neck Pillow
- Back Pillow
- Leg Pillow
- Knee Pillow
- Shoulder Pillow
- Arm Pillow
- Head Pillow
- Body Pillow
There are also some other types of pillows designed for specific needs and we’re sure, many more will be designed and made in future.
Throw Pillow
Throw pillows are pillows that serve both decorative and practical purposes. The terms “toss pillow,” “scatter pillows,” and “just cushion” are also occasionally used to describe throw pillows. Oversized throw pillows are also called “Floor Pillows”.
Throw pillows are fine for decorations or leaning on or adding a little more comfort, but they aren’t particularly pleasant for sleeping on. They are also sometimes used as space fillers. Throw pillows are typically found in square, lumbar, round or cylindrical designs.
Wedge Pillow
Wedge pillows are unique, triangular pillows that elevate your upper body while you sleep. Wedge pillows are usually recommended for people who have recently undergone surgeries or for people with other health issues like acid reflux, snoring, joint pain, etc. The size of the wedge pillow should be around 20 inches and its height should be minimum 7 inches to get best benefits.
Pregnancy Pillow
A pregnancy pillow is a sleep device that has been specially designed for expecting moms to cater to the changing shapes of their bodies. Pregnancy pillows help pregnant women find a comfortable resting posture while sleeping. During pregnancy the stomach starts growing after around 16 weeks but pregnant women can wait till around 19 weeks before they start using pregnancy pillows. However, it’s a matter of individual choice.
Contour Pillow
Contoured pillows are designed specifically to support the head and neck while you sleep. It is advisable for people who are undergoing physical therapy sessions to use contour pillows as they are ergonomically designed to provide the proper support and speed up recuperation. They can be a bit pricey, but the payoff in terms of pain relief and comfort makes up for it.
Travel Pillow
Travel Pillows are usually meant for times when you don’t have the comfort of your bed to sleep. As most travel pillows measure around 3”- 5” and weigh around 10 ounces or less, you can carry them with you when you travel by car, train or even by plane (you can pack it in your carry-on bag). Travel pillows are available in several different types like:
- U-Shaped Travel Pillows
- Inflatable Travel Pillow
- Compressible Travel pillow
- Travel pillows for kids
Pillow Chart (coming soon)
Pillows designed for special needs
Best pillow for Neck pain
Firm pillows ideally provide good support to the head, neck, and back. Stomach sleepers usually prefer soft pillows while side sleepers would prefer a firm one.
Best pillow for a children
A pillow with great head and neck support is ideal for any child. You also want to look for breathable pillow covers that are made from natural materials such as cotton or microfibres.
Generally speaking, a fairly slim profile with medium support is best, particularly for little ones. That’s because you don’t want a pillow so soft that it could fold around the head and cause a suffocation risk.
Best Pillow for Back Sleepers
Back sleepers need to make sure that their pillows don’t push their head too forward and disturb their spine alignment. The height of the pillow should not be more than 3-5 inches; however, the perfect size can be determined based on individual body type and preferences.
Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers should also make sure their pillows aren’t too high which might push their head backwards. As with back sleepers, the height of the pillows for stomach sleepers should be 3-5 inches subject to individual body type and preferences.
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
Side sleepers should prefer to use pillows which are a little bit thicker and firmer than what back sleepers or stomach sleepers need. The size of the pillow for side sleepers could be around 3 to 6 inches depending on their body type. Side sleepers should preferably use one pillow for their head and one to keep in between their knees for better spinal alignment.
Pillow Sizes
The sizes of pillows may vary depending on their use. There are several different types of pillows which have been designed for different purposes. The standard sizes of different pillows are as mentioned in the chart below (chart will included soon)
Now that we have covered all the basic information about pillows, let’s have a look at some of the other important questions which people generally are curious to know about:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How do I know which pillow is right for me?
There is only one rule to follow while evaluating if your current pillow or the pillow that your are planning to buy is the right one for you – Your pillow should keep your head, neck and spine in proper alignment.
Is my pillow too high or too low?
You need to consider your body weight, current medical condition (if any) and above all, your sleeping position to evaluate the above. As we mentioned above, the pillow type required for side sleepers is different from that of stomach or back sleepers. So, consider your individual requirement to decide if your current pillow is of ideal height or you need to get a new one.
How much should a pillow cost?
A good pillow could cost anywhere between $10 to $1000. However, you need to remember that while buying any product, you need to focus on the quality rather than its price.
What is the weight of a pillow?
A standard bed pillow weighs around 24.2 ounces or 685 grams. However, the weight of the pillow usually depends on the type of the pillow and its size. An average pillow can weigh anywhere from 7ounces or 200 grams to a max of 4 pounds or 2 kgs.
Why are hotel pillows so comfortable?
Hotels are usually focused on providing the best experience to their customers. The Hotel pillows feel much luxurious or softer just because of one simple reason – the filling material. They opt for the best materials which offer maximum comfort.
Final Words
We believe we have covered many essentials topics about pillows in this page. If you feel we have missed out on something, please feel free to let us know.
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