It is the place you lay your head night after night, so it’s important that the pillow you choose is just right for your needs.
But how do you pick out a pillow? What’s the best type of pillow for you, and how do you balance comfort with all-important head and neck support? If you’ve ever wondered which type of pillow is best for you, look no further than our pillow selection buying guide.
In this guide, we’ll break down some of the key factors to consider when choosing a new pillow, get into the detail of what a good pillow to buy is, and troubleshoot some of the problems you might have been experiencing with your old pillow. Ready to make your sleep even better? Let’s get into it.
How to buy a pillow
If you’ve been agonising over how to choose the right pillow, or your current one just isn’t cutting it anymore, updating your head pillow can feel like a complicated task. To help you make the right choice, an important step is figuring out what priorities are the most important to you. Once you’ve established these, you can narrow down your field of options, choosing a pillow that will best serve your needs.
Sleeping position — Whether you curl up and sleep on your side, lie flat on your back or tend to end up on your stomach, your sleeping position is perhaps the most important element to consider when buying a new pillow. Front sleepers need a slim profile pillow to avoid raising their head and neck up too high, and so a flat pillow is ideal for them. A very flat pillow won’t be suitable for side sleepers who need a pillow to cradle their head and hold their neck securely and in line with their shoulders. Pillows of medium firmness are great for back sleepers, who want a little elevation of the neck to keep in alignment with the rest of their spine. And those who move around and don’t tend to have a set sleeping style need an adaptable pillow that offers plenty of different zones and options for different positions.
What ‘feel’ you prefer — Of course, what you need in a pillow is only one part of the decision making process. Comfort is key when it comes to picking out the right pillow! Generally, feel will coincide with what’s best for your spinal posture — you’ll quickly feel uncomfortable if a pillow is too high or too low to cradle your head in a natural position. However, the feel of a pillow can also refer to its firmness and density, not just its height. Whether you like a bit of resistance, or prefer to gently sink into your pillow will affect the softness that you choose.
What material is right for you — Material often goes hand in hand with feel, but it will also dictate how long you can expect your pillow to last, and how to care for it. Latex and memory foam both have a life span of up to 10 years, are hypoallergenic and mold to the sleeper’s shape over time to give you that perfect fit at night. Feather down or eiderdown are both a soft, premium and fluffy choice, but bear in mind that this is an animal product and so may not be suitable for your lifestyle. They also can last from 5 to 10 years. Cotton and wool options have a shorter life span but are made from a naturally insulated material that is still breathable. Polyester tends to have the shortest lifespan of all materials but is easily flattened into a low profile pillow for front sleepers, and tends to be the most budget-friendly option as well.
The climate – If you live in a climate that experiences temperature extremes, this will factor into your choice of pillow. For very cold climates, feather down and wool can create extra layers of insulation and warmth while still maintaining breathability. In hot and humid climates, an open cell structure foam pillow helps regulate the body’s temperature while also being mould-resistant, sweat stain-resistant, and easily washed regularly for a fresh, clean pillow every night.
Allergies — Latex foam and memory foam are good hypoallergenic options and are easy to clean while resisting dust mites or other allergens. Latex, wool and feather down can all be potential allergens, so bear this in mind when making your decision. All pillows should be regularly aired, fluffed, and laundered to avoid the build-up of dust, fungal growth or mites, and to prolong their life.
How do you pick out a pillow everyone will like?
If you have a guest room that you’re furnishing, you want to choose a pillow that’s a great all-rounder, pleasing all types of sleepers and regulating the temperature for out of town visitors who may not be used to the weather. So how do you buy a pillow that fits the bill for everyone? A great solution to the problem of finding a Goldilocks pillow is the SwissAire 5 in 1 Ergonomic Pillow. Made from a viscoelastic foam with a very open cell structure, the Ergo 5 in 1 pillow allows your guests to find the perfect zone for their sleep style, no matter what that is.
Each side has a different level of firmness, allowing them to choose the right level for their comfort, whether they like a softer or more firm surface. Depending on their sleeping position and height, different guests will need different styles of pillows too. With the 5 in 1 ergonomic pillow, they can choose from three different heights, allowing for comfortable side sleep, back sleep and stomach sleep, no matter how broad their shoulders or petite their frame. Best of all, this foam pillow is anti-fungal, antibacterial, dust-mite resistant and can be laundered regularly in a 60ºC wash, making it the hygienic choice that’s perfect for high use guest bedrooms with multiple visitors.
Choose the right pillow for you at SwissAire
If you’re wondering how to buy a pillow that will give you a great night’s rest and won’t let you down, look no further than SwissAire. Swiss technology meets quality craftsmanship in our entire range of pillows designed to support and offer maximum comfort, no matter how you sleep. If you’re ready to buy your next pillow, chat with us today about the best option for you.