Are you looking for the best pillow with a low profile? Are you looking for a thin pillow for stomach and back sleepers? You’ve come to the right place.
Some people struggle to squish their pillows down to a low height while sleeping. Some people prefer a thin pillow that’s as flat as a pancake. And some even buy soft pillows and then spend several months or years trying to get them to deflate to a comfortable height.
Most people naturally assume that soft and thick pillows are the way to go. But that’s not entirely true — plenty of people actually prefer thin pillows with a low loft height. Stomach and back sleepers, for example, should ideally use thin pillows that facilitate spinal alignment.
In this article, we discuss why you should care about the loft height of the best pillow and we review the best low profile pillow on the market in 2021.
Why does the Loft Height of the Best Pillow Matter?
Have you ever woken up with intense neck pain? Well, that’s probably because you’ve slept on a pillow that’s either too high and thick or too flat for your particular sleeping position.
Stomach and back sleepers, in general, shouldn’t opt for high-loft pillows because they can throw your neck too far up, leading to neck pain. As such, you may wake up with soreness, stiffness, or general neck pain that radiates down your back.
The loft height of the best pillow matters because the primary purpose of a pillow is to facilitate spinal alignment. When you sleep, your neck should be aligned with your spine and hips. If it’s too high or too low, you can suffer from neck pain.
As such, you need a loft pillow that maintains your neck in a neutral position in relation to your spine and hips.
Why is a Low Profile Pillow the Best Pillow for Back Sleepers and Stomach Sleepers?
Stomach and back sleepers should generally choose thin pillows or flat pillows with a low loft height. When you sleep on your back, your head shouldn’t go too far up. And when you sleep on your stomach, you should ideally not use a pillow at all. But if you have to use a pillow, it should have an extremely low profile so your neck doesn’t crane up too much.
Thin pillows or flat pillows are ideal for a number of other reasons as well. You don’t just have to use them under your head:
- If you’re a side sleeper, you can fold the thin pillow and place it between your knees to take the pressure off your hips.
- If you’re a stomach sleeper, you can also place the pillow under your abdomen to take the pressure off your lower back.
Reviews of the Best Pillow with a Low Profile
Elite Rest Slim Sleeper — Best Natural Latex Firm Pillows
Elite Rest Slim Sleeper is one of the best firm pillows on the market. This pillow measures 2.75 inches in height, which makes it one of the thinnest pillows out there. This pillow is perfect for stomach and back sleepers because of its loft height and firmness. As a natural latex foam pillow, it’s not malleable and it’s fairly firm — it doesn’t sink or compress when you lay your head on it. As such, you can rest assured that your neck will remain in a neutral position throughout. This pillow also comes with a 100% cotton cover and it’s made of pinhole technology so it has lots of ventilation holes for air circulation. As such, this pillow also keeps you cool in hot temperatures.
Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper — Best Memory Foam Soft Pillows
Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper is one of the best memory foam soft pillows on the market. The primary quality of memory foam is that it conforms to the shape of your body, which makes it one of the best soft pillows. This pillow measures only 2.5 inches in height, which is perfect for stomach and back sleepers. It also has a dual sleeping surface — the rounded top for comfort and the flat bottom for stability.
Perform Pillow — Best Pillow for Back Sleepers
Perform Pillow is the best pillow for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers. This is a memory foam neck pillow with a contoured design. The lower contour only measures 2.25 inches, making it perfect for stomach and back sleepers. The upper ergonomically rounded contour measures 3.5 inches, making it the best pillow for neck pain side sleeper. If you’re a side sleeper, you can rest your head on the elevated neck roll for relief. It’s covered in a soft bamboo cover that facilitates air circulation and breathability.
Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Pillow — Best Thin Pillow
Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Pillow is one of the best memory foam pillows for stomach and back sleepers. This thin pillow measures 2.5 inches in height, which makes it perfect for stomach and back sleepers. This pillow is particularly suitable for hot sleepers and those in hot climates because the memory foam is infused with gel particles to absorb the heat and keep you cool. It comes with a machine washable cover made of 60% polyester and 40% rayon.
Belly Sleep Gel Infused Pillow — Best Pillow for Stomach and Back Sleepers
Belly Sleep Gel Infused Pillow is a memory foam pillow infused with cooling gel, which makes it extremely supportive and ideal for hot sleepers. This pillow measures 2.5 inches in height, which makes it perfect for stomach and back sleepers. It comes with a moisture-wicking cover that keeps it perfectly dry and prevents you from getting night sweats.
