Pillows

How to Choose the Right Pillow

The perfect pillow can be a gamechanger for elevating the quality of your sleep and improving your posture to help prevent headaches and back pain.

We'll guide you through what you need to know when it comes to finding the perfect pillow so you can make an educated decision on your next pillow purchase.

First off, there are three main things to consider when you're looking for a pillow:

• Profile, also known as the height or loft of the pillow
• Size: standard is what is universally used, but the king may be a better option for you
• Material, as both the fill material and outer casing with impact your sleep quality

Profile

The profile or height of a pillow refers to how thick or thin it is. When determining your pillow height, think about the different positions you prefer sleeping in. A back sleeper should opt for a medium or low pillow height to align your spine, whereas a side sleeper should opt for a high pillow profile to do the same.

Ideally, a pillow should be positioned in the gap between your shoulder and head without extremely lowering or raising your head – this means that your spine and head are aligned (just as they would be if you were standing). Your frame can also make a difference in what pillow height will be most comfortable - more support may be required for a larger build.

Look at our guide below to see our pillow recommendations depending on your preferred sleeping position:

• If you're a back sleeper - A medium or low pillow is ideal.
• If you're a side sleeper - A pillow with a high profile is best - typically one with a little firmness to prevent straining your neck all night. This will offer enough support to keep the head, neck and shoulders in natural alignment.
• If you're a stomach sleeper - A pillow with a low profile will provide gentle support. 
• If you happen to be an all-rounder when it comes to the sleeping position, we recommend a medium height pillow as it offers the most flexibility as you shift positions throughout the night.

Before we move on – please know these are our suggestions, so if you know you need something wildly different, shop for the product that will suit you best.

Size

Pillows come in an extensive range of sizes, each serving a different purpose. The most common pillow sizes include:

• Standard pillows - These are typically 48cm x 73cm.
• Queen-size pillows - Slightly larger than a standard pillow. These are 54cm x 80cm.
• King-size pillows - King-size pillows are common as luxury hotel pillows and measure 44cm x 86cm. These are popular for king-sized beds or for people with broader shoulders.
• European pillows - These are the large square pillows that sit against your headboard, behind your other pillows. They typically measure 65cm x 65cm and are used for decorative purposes.
• V-shaped pillows - You might know V-shaped pillows as boomerang pillows or U-shaped pillows, and they can be used for a variety of things, such as between your knees for added support to your lower back if you are a side sleeper.
• Body pillows – As the name suggests! These are typically long straight pillows measuring 40cm x 150cm and are excellent if you like to cuddle something whilst you sleep.

Most of us have a collection of different-sized pillows on our beds. A popular set-up is two European pillows at the back, followed by two standard pillows in your sheet set pillowcases and then two standard pillows in your quilt cover pillowcases. The pillowcases that come with sheet sets and quilt cover sets are designed to fit standard pillows, so you can use them to mix and match.

Pillow Material

Next up, let's look at the different material options you have when it comes to pillows – this refers to the filling material of your pillow, and it has a big impact on how a pillow feels. More often than not, the more filling a pillow has, the denser (or firmer) it will feel, but different materials will also have varying densities.

The most popular fills are:

• Feather and down pillows
• Latex pillows
• Memory foam pillows
• Synthetic or Microfibre pillows 
• Bamboo pillows

Pillows with different filling materials offer a range of different benefits. A down and feather pillow is typically plush and extremely soft, and as a result, they are a popular choice in hotels as a luxurious option. Feather and down pillows are also easy to shape if you prefer your pillow to bunch up around your neck for added support or even to keep your head straight if you sleep on your back. Latex pillows provide great shape retention and are extremely supportive – these can be great for people with neck or back issues. Memory foam pillows are soft but firm and are a great choice for side sleepers.

It's also worth mentioning which pillow materials are best for allergy sufferers. If you are allergic to latex, please don't choose a latex pillow. For general allergies and asthma, it might be best to avoid feather and down pillows as some people find they aggravate their allergies. We recommend going with a synthetic, cotton or bamboo pillow, as these fibres are hypoallergenic and naturally resistant to dust.

Brands

The Bed Linen Co. stocks a great range of pillow brands, including:

• Armidayle
• Herington
• Hilton Deluxe
• Hilton Hotel Collection
• John Cotton
• Puradown Ultimate

So, there you go - that's our guide to finding the perfect pillow! We hope the information shared here has helped you understand the options available, and now it's just a matter of knowing what you want.