Choosing the right pillow to sleep on is just as important as choosing a mattress, but most people overlook the pillows and just go grab the cheapest thing they can find. Of course, ending up with the wrong pillow is a pain in the neck (and back!) and can seriously affect your quality of sleep. Do you have a stiff neck in the mornings? Do you wake up with a headache? Do you toss and turn through the night, or feel tired after a full night’s sleep? Then your pillow is likely to blame and you need to learn how to choose the right bed pillow.

First and foremost, your bed pillow should properly support your head and neck. Your head should be aligned with your back and spine, just like it would line up when standing with good posture. This means that the right pillow is going to be largely based on your ideal sleeping position. Not sure which position is ideal for you? Start off in a different position (back, side, or stomach) each night and see which one feels the best and helps you fall asleep the fastest--that will be your ideal sleeping position. You can also make note of what position you’re in when you wake up, as your body will tend to position itself properly during the night.

Lofty Pillows

Stomach sleepers might not need a pillow at all. If a pillow is desired, then choose something very thin and lofty. Your best bet would be a down/feather pillow (or synthetic down pillow for those with allergies). PillowCubes offers three varieties of down/feather pillows, all covered in our super soft feather-proof fabric--so you don’t have to worry about down escaping or feathers poking through! While all down/feather pillows are lofty and easily shaped to your preferences, the higher down content will make for an even softer and more luxurious fill. So, the 10/90 pillow (10% down and 90% feather) is delightful, the 25/75 pillow is amazing, and the 50/50 pillow is like sleeping on a cloud. Of course, as the down content goes up, so does the price.

Firm Pillows

Side sleepers need almost the opposite from stomach sleepers--a firm pillow. The best option from PillowCubes is a polyester woven pillow. The polyester/cotton blend fabric is soft, and the filling is plump yet comfortable. Alternatively, you could opt for our eco-friendly pillow insert. It has the same density as our polyester woven pillow but is earth friendly (including the unbleached, natural cotton).

Any Pillows (Just About)

Back sleepers do best with something in the medium to firm range...just enough to support your neck. This really comes down to personal preference as you could choose any of our pillows. Of course, there are tons of specialty pillows out there, all touting almost-unbelievable benefits, but often a more traditional pillow is going to provide the comfort and versatility you seek (and at the best price).

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention all the “extra” pillows when you choose the right bed pillow. Many people swear by an extra pillow between the knees, behind the back, or cradled in front of them. If you’re inclined to use these extras, you might like a down/feather pillow between the knees and a polyester woven pillow for other cradling or propping.

Sweet Dreams!