It is so important to have a good pillow to sleep on at night. You need to have just the right amount of head and neck support in order to keep your spine in alignment, and a good pillow will give you that support. Pillows can be filled with a variety of materials, with two of the most popular being the traditional down-filled pillow and the newer memory foam pillows. Which is the best option? Let’s take a look at the features of both so you can make the right choice.
Memory Foam Pillows:
A good pillow should support your head and neck, and retain its shape. That is exactly what you will get with a memory foam pillow. This material was created for airplane seats because of its comfort and conforming properties, and then someone got the terrific idea to use it for pillows and mattresses.
Memory Foam Pillow Features:
Memory foam was created for NASA, so you know it has some pretty great features. To begin, it is very supportive, and a memory foam pillow will help to keep your head and neck in alignment with your spine. Other features include:
- Neck Support – One of the reasons why so many people wake up with stiff necks is because they aren’t using good pillows. A memory foam pillow will give your head and neck just the right amount of support to avoid pain and stiffness.
- Shape – Once you lay down on your pillow, it is going to conform to the shape of your head and neck. It will retain this shape until you move into a different position. Then, it will take on that shape and retain it so you always have support where you need it.
- Comfort – When you have a good pillow that provides plenty of support, you will find that you sleep much better at night. You won’t be constantly trying to adjust or fluff your pillow, and you will be able to stay in one position longer.
- Hypo-Allergenic – Memory foam is resistant to dust and dust mites, making it an ideal material for anyone who suffers from allergies. You will find that you breathe better at night when you sleep on memory foam.
Pros and Cons of Memory Foam Pillows:
As you can see, memory foam pillows have a lot of great features. But, there are a few things that some users aren’t always happy about. Here are the pros and cons to consider before buying a memory foam pillow.
The Pros of Memory Foam:
- Styles – There are many different types of memory foam pillows available, and you will find plenty of different shapes and sizes to suit everyone.
- Snoring – Anyone who snores can benefit from a memory foam pillow. It allows your head to be up a bit and somewhat tilted forward, which will keep you from snoring.
The Cons of Memory Foam:
- Heat Retention – Unfortunately, memory foam tends to retain heat, despite advertisers’ claims. You may want to get a pillow that has a cooling gel top to avoid getting too hot.
Down Pillows:
If you are looking for a soft pillow that makes you feel like your head is floating on a cloud, you should look into getting a good down-filled pillow. Down comes from the fluffy feathers that are on the stomachs of ducks and geese. Not only are they soft and comfortable, down pillows also provide just the right amount of heat.
The Features of Down Pillows:
You may be surprised to learn that a down pillow doesn’t attract dust mites. Yes, some people are allergic to these pillows, but it is because of the actual feathers, not other allergens. Some of the great features of feather pillows include:
- Durability – A quality down-filled pillow should hold up for a minimum of five years, but you can expect it to last even longer. They do flatten over time, but fluff back up easily and will conform to the shape of your head and neck.
- Comfort – Because a down pillow conforms to your head and neck shape, you get the perfect amount of support. This means you will be more comfortable when you sleep, and you will wake up with fewer aches and pains.
- Shape – Down pillows come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you are unsure about which size and shape to get, a good place to start is with a down-filled pillow that is about 14 inches by 18 to 20 inches.
- Price – Compared to a memory foam pillow, you are going to spend a lot less on a quality down-filled pillow. Yes, they are still expensive, but when you compare the two, you will find that a down pillow is likely the better deal.
Pros and Cons of Down Pillows:
There is no such thing as perfection, and this is true of everything, including pillows. While down pillows are comfortable, there are a few drawbacks to them as well. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons to think about when looking at down pillows.
Down Pillow Pros:
- Better Sleep – When you have proper neck and head support, you get a better night’s sleep. You can shape a down pillow exactly the way you want it, for the best support possible.
- Maintenance – Caring for a down pillow is relatively easy. Simply wash and dry according to the instructions on the label. Be sure to use a good pillow case to keep body and hair oils from getting inside the pillow.
Down Pillow Cons:
- Allergies – This type of pillow is not good for anyone who suffers from allergies or asthma. If you have allergies, you are better off with a synthetic pillow that is resistant to dust, dust mites, etc.
Final Thoughts:
When choosing a pillow, the most important factors are going to be comfort and support. Next, you are going to look at price. Both down pillows and memory foam pillows offer plenty of support and comfort. The biggest difference is price. On average, a down pillow will cost less than one made from memory foam. But, both are great options, and in the end it all comes down to your own personal preference.
