Currently, there are many types of pillows with beautiful models that are sold in large numbers on the market. However, not all pillows will suit your needs. Many people suffer from head neck and shoulders pain after 8 hours of using the computer a day, while others have backache after having to drive for hours. Based on the user’s issues and needs, these pillows will be designed to support all these problems.
Picking the right pillow is really important. People use a third of their lives to sleep. Therefore, it is essential that you have a good pillow, which is comfortable enough to support a good night’s sleep.
So do you want to choose the right pillow for yourself? We are here to help you.
What Is The Material Used In Pillows?
What is the material used in pillows?
Firstly, we need to learn about pillow materials. Depending on the personal preferences and based on the pain in different sleeping positions, you will be able to make the right decision.
There are so many pillow types that are made of various materials.
We have pillow materials made of memory foam and latex. We also have natural pillow materials such as cotton or down feathers. All of these materials will improve your sleep in many ways.
However, there are too many types and you do not know what you should choose? Are you wondering if they are similar or not, and what are the differences? What advantages and disadvantages do you have to consider? The answer will be in the next section. Please follow me!
Let’s go!
10 Best Pillow Materials: Advantages and Disadvantages
A perfect pillow will help you to sleep well throughout the night. As we have known, there are plenty of types of pillows for you to choose from. Now let us dig deeper into the details of these pillows.
Feather Pillow
A feather pillow is a popular choice nowadays. If you are in search of some pillows for neck pain, then you might be interested in this one.
Pros
Because these light and malleable pillows always bring soft feels to its users, they are nice bed pillows that every family should have.
You can mould and fold it for your own sleeping ways. When you want to bring it to the original shape, just fluff it with your hands.
This pillow is not as thick as other pillows. Therefore, people who use it often feel very comfortable. Because it is very soft, your head and neck will be fully protected. Isn’t it great?
Cons
This type of pillow contains feathers, so if you have night sweats, you may get some troubles. The feathers absorb water very quickly and then leaves a strong, hard smell. Of course, sleeping with an unpleasant odor is really not easy, right?
Water Pillow
A water pillow is an unconventional type of pillow widely used by tons of people. Have you ever thought that you can sleep on water?
Pros
The pillow consists of 2 parts. The top part is made of polyester and the other part is where you add water. Due to the weather condition, you can add cold or warm water.
Body heat is no problem with this water pillow. Because it can keep cool over the night, you will not have to flip it over and over to reduce the heat.
What makes this pillow special is that users can adjust the height and the firmness level by changing the amount of water. By adjusting the water pillow to your liking, you can protect your head neck effectively.
Cons
A disadvantage of this water pillow is that it is quite heavy. With water inside, it is maybe hard for you to move it.
In addition, a water pillow is also more expensive than other types of pillows. But in fact, it is really worth paying for a good pillow like this one.
Memory Foam Pillows
This memory foam is recommended by many people. With memory foam pillows, you can hold its shape as you wish. It will be very handy for those who often suffer from neck and shoulders pain.
Pros
Firstly, it provides users with stability. This pillow material is very popular with people who often have neck pain.
Second, this pillow has a certain thickness, which can return to its original shape slowly. Memory foam brings a feeling of softness when lying down, creating a sense of comfort even in sleep.
Cons
Most people will feel uncomfortable about the smell of memory foam in the first few days. However, this smell is not harmful and will evaporate within 1 week if you expose them to the sunlight.
Besides, memory foam is quite heavy compared to other pillows. This makes it difficult for you to move or wash your pillow.
In the summer, the memory foam becomes warm, which makes you feel hot and uncomfortable while sleeping. If possible, use a pillowcase that can keep cool like bamboo to deal with such a problem.
Memory foam pillows are quite expensive. However, the high price is worth. A good quality pillow will definitely give you a true sleep.
Shredded Memory Foam Pillows
Shredded memory foam pillows are the same as memory foam ones but it is shredded. This makes the pillow softer than other pillows.
Pros
With traditional memory foam, one of the major drawbacks is poor air circulation. However, the shredded memory foam will solve that issue completely.
Shredded memory foam allows you to adjust the height, the width of the pillow to your liking. This helps you fall deep into sleep in the most comfortable state.
Cons
Shredded memory foam can not stabilize the shape. Therefore, the shape may change during you sleep. It is softer than the usual type of memory foam. However, this could be good or bad depending on your preference.
Latex Pillows
This type of pillow made from latex foam earns many positive reviews from its users.
Pros
This latex pillow has great levels of firmness. So if your neck hurts each time you change your lying position, this latex pillow will support you to decrease the neck pain.
Although this pillow is made from natural latex, it is designed to avoid causing allergy to its users. Besides, it can resist dust mites as well.
Lastly, the latex pillow is very durable and easy to clean by hands.
Cons
If you are the kind of person who washes everything with the washing machines, then this pillow is not suitable for you. Furthermore, you should neither soak it nor expose it to the sunlight. The pillows will be broken if you do one of such things above. And of course, you do not want to replace your pillow right?
Another con of this pillow is that the latex may make you feel slippery. So if you do not have a pillow cover, you may feel uncomfortable while sleeping.
Gel Pillows
The manufacturers often infuse the gel beads to the latex or memory foam pillow.
Pros
Gel pillows are soft and cushy. When your body, especially your neck or head needs support, you only have to mold and scrunch the pillow.
Because the foam pillows or latex pillows do not please some users, the manufacturers have added gel to them. Using these gel pillows, users tend to sleep better.
If you are the kind of person who does not have time for handwashing the pillows, do not worry l. This product is machine washable. In addition, after washing with the machine, you can dry it by the dryers too.
Cons
A thing that you may not like about the gel pillow is that the gel can have a bad effect on the durability of the pillow. The cellular structure of the foam will be broken down by the gel beads. Therefore, this type of pillows are not able to last long.
The price of memory foam or latex pillows are already high. Now they come with gel, which means the price will increase. Of course, you get what you pay for, but if you find it not necessary to spend a huge amount of money on a pillow, you can choose some alternative pillows that have a similar function.
Buckwheat Pillows
It sounds ridiculous! Buckwheat is found only in smoothies or health food stores. But no, buckwheat can also be used as a pillow material.
Buckwheat pillows include natural buckwheat hulls and buckwheat seeds. They are becoming more and more popular recently.
Pros
Buckwheat pillows help shape your neck and relieve neck pain like memory foam pillows.
On the other hand, it helps to circulate air, which makes you feel cool and comfortable even on the hottest summer days.
Buckwheat pillows are very environmentally friendly, which is probably a point that many people love. And so do I!
Cons
Buckwheat pillows give you a pleasant feeling. However, it makes a rustling noise when you move, which can wake you at any time.
Besides, the buckwheat pillow is quite heavy. If you intend to bring it to travel I do not recommend it.
A typical point of buckwheat pillows is that it takes a long time to dry. Once you wash them, if not properly dried or not dried enough, your pillow will smell musty. Over time, buckwheat hulls will soften and break, damaging its inherent texture.
Kapok Pillows
Kapok pillows are made of flowers of the Kapok tree. They bring softness, comfort as cotton pillows.
Pros
People often use Kapok as a substitute for other materials to have a soft and smooth pillow. This pillow is very attractive due to its luxurious, polite appearance.
Kapok pillows are environmentally friendly and biodegradable with no toxic chemicals.
Besides, Kapok pillows are often used with a zipper. This allows you to increase or decrease the amount of Kapok. Of course, it does not mold like a normal pillow.
Cons
This material is less effective in reducing neck, back pain.
In addition, Kapok is a very flammable material. Moreover, it is also very easy to clump after a period of use. Therefore, Kapok could not maintain a stable shape.
Wool Pillows
This type of pillow is made from natural and organic wool.
Pros
The wool pillow type is one of the most comfortable sleeper pillows. Anyone who has sleep disorders because of weather conditions now has a chance to sleep better with this lovely item.
In the summertime. the wool pillow stays cool and during winter time, it can keep warm. Therefore, your body is able to stay at a constant temperature at night.
Besides, this organic pillow does not cause allergy to its users. So you can be assured when buying this item.
Cons
The durability of this pillow is not high because it will become flat after a time of use.
Anyone who has shoulder pain should not lie in flat places. Therefore, wool pillows are not recommended for those with shoulder problems.
Body Pillows
Body pillows are oversized pillows that are designed to support your entire body when you sleep.
Pros
As we see, this product is the biggest of all pillow sizes. Using body pillows, you do not have to worry that they will move around your bed during sleep.
A special advantage of this item is that it provides pressure relief. Each time you feel stress, you can punch or kick it. Then you may feel much better.
Not only that, but body pillows are also useful for pregnant women or stomach sleepers. Because it is big, soft, you can simply lie on it without any difficulty.
Cons
The body pillows take much space. So it will not be the best choice if your bed is small.
Finding pillow protectors for this kind of pillow is also hard. Normally, the pillow cover is often produced in the standard size. Therefore, there would be fewer options for this oversize type. A suggestion from us is that you should find cotton cover for body pillow because cotton is used widely.
What Is The Softest Pillow Material?
There are many types of pillow filling. But in order to make soft pillows, the manufacturers often use cotton.
Cotton is taken from the silk of cotton plants. It can be said that cotton is the material used by most consumers. Why is cotton so loved?
The reason is that it is suitable for both apparel and bedding. As you can see, not only pillows are made from cotton. Cotton is used in making clothes, blankets, socks, pillows cover, pillows cases, etc. as well.
Cotton suit all types of weather. It is cool for the summer and warm for the winter. Because the cotton has high ability of ventilation and sweat absorbency, it is easy to use, easy to wash and clean.
Conclusion
To conclude, here are the top 10 best pillow materials according to the survey nowadays in general and my opinion in particular. There is no pillow is the best or the worst. They all depend on your personal preferences and needs.
Please consider and read carefully before making a decision.. And please, remember to check price also.
Hopefully, after this article, you will have a better overview of pillow material and can make the best choice for yourself. If you need any help or questions, please leave a reminder or contact us. We are always here to help you.
