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Few things are as important to your health as getting a good night’s rest. In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control published an article listing insufficient sleep as a public health problem. While bedding is not the only factor causing insufficient sleep, poor support and discomfort can contribute to tossing, turning, and restless nights. One easily changeable factor in getting quality rest is making sure you have the best pillows for sleeping.
Replacing Your Pillow
As we age, our pillow preferences often change. Damp pillows and creaking necks are two of the many ways you will know that it’s time to make the change. Pillow types and designs may not make for great conversation starters, but when you find a pillow that dramatically improves your sleep quality, you will want to tell everyone.
Back and side sleepers generally do better with thicker, firmer pillows. Stomach sleepers tend to do better with thinner versions. Several of the versions on our list are adjustable, allowing you to fully customize your pillow to get it just right. Pillow flippers, always searching for the cool side, should check out the breathable fabrics and newer fillings available on the market. If you love memory foam pillows, make sure it is CertiPUR-US certified for high safety standards. Memory foam, gel-filled, water pillows, there are many options and choices. One of them is right for you.
The Best Pillows for Sleeping
10. Restwel Bamboo Pillow Memory Foam
Restwel’s Bamboo Pillow Memory Foam has a cover featuring their exclusive Bamboo-Tech, a blend containing 40% bamboo. This soft, luxurious cover provides breathability and air circulation. It is hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial, and resistant to dust mites. Relieve the pressure points on your head and neck with this CertiPUR-US certified memory foam, for pain free sleep. Vacuum packed to reduce shipping debris, unroll the pillow and allow it to rest and breathe before use.
9. Mediflow Original Waterbase Pillow
Water pillows have been around since 1994, yet many people haven’t even heard of them. This pillow is easily customized to get the right amount of support to keep you sleeping through the night. The outer cover is 100% cotton. A 5” layer of soft hypo-allergenic polyester fiber tops the water pouch. This combination provides the comfort and softness you want with the support your body needs. The illustrated instructions make it easy to fill and remove any air pockets. Ranked best of all pillows in a clinical study at Johns Hopkins University, the Mediflow Waterbase pillow is made in the USA.
8. Sleep Restoration Gel Pillow
Sleep Restorations Gel-Filled Fiber Pillows are great for all positions. The plush gel fiber and 100% cotton covering are tailored to provide no-shift construction. Completely allergen and chemical free, this is a great pillow for those with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems. Dust mite, mold, and mildew resistant, they are machine washable. The combination of luxury, style, and support provides for a deep sleep.
7. Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow
Buckwheat pillows have been used in the Orient for thousands of years. Buckwheat hulls do not retain body heat making them naturally cool when combined with the 100% cotton cover. The buckwheat naturally conforms to your neck and head to provide custom support. Sleeping with a buckwheat pillow is a unique, therapeutic experience of comfort and support. Be aware that the pillows are not washable, so a pillow case or cover should be used. The sizing is also small when compared to Western standards.
6. BioPEDIC Ultra-Fresh Anti-Odor Standard size Pillow
The BioPEDIC Ultra-Fresh line is designed with the sleeper in mind. Each Ultra-Fresh treated polyester fiber inhibits the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria and is hypoallergenic. The filler is encased in an all-natural 100% cotton shell and is machine washable. Each standard pillow measures 20″X26″. These pillows stay clean and fresh throughout the night. They are made in the USA from imported materials.
5. Hypoallergenic Pillow – Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Made with CertiPUR-US certified memory foam, this Xtreme Comforts pillow was rated “The best bed pillow” by The Sweethome (a New York Times Company). The shredded memory foam is supportive and moldable without the stiffness associated with traditional memory foam block type pillows. It’s suitable for all sleeping positions, promoting proper neck and spine alignment. Kool-Flow micro-vented technology is partnered with bamboo to create a cover that stays cool yet is antibacterial, hypo-allergenic, and resistant to dust mites. Vacuum sealed for shipping, these pillows should be unrolled and allowed to “breathe” before use. They are machine washable.
4. My Pillow Premium Series Bed Pillow
Made in the USA from domestic resources, the MyPillow Premium is designed for your individual needs. It’s machine washable and dryable. Stuffed with their patented interlocking fill, this Premium version has a gusset (sidewall) and is made with three pieces of fabric: top, bottom, and sidewall. The 2 inch gusseted sidewall keeps the pillow from flattening. The open cell poly fill allows the pillow to breathe and stay cool. This is the Premium Series, with four unique sizes based on your t-shirt size. It ships rolled for eco-friendly delivery. Upon arrival, place the MyPillow Premium in the dryer (per the enclosed instructions) to restore the original shape.
3. My Pillow Classic Series Medium Firmness Bed Pillow
MyPillow scores a second spot with their Classic Series. The difference between the classic is the loft and seam style. While the Premium version has a 2 inch sidewall, the Classic does not. It consists of a top fabric piece joined with a bottom in a more traditional pillow design. The materials (fabric and patented interlocking fill) are identical to the Premium version, yet with slightly less loft (filling) in the classic. The Classic Series comes in two sizes, again based on t-shirt sizes. Rolled for shipping, it should be placed in the dryer per the enclosed instructions when received. This will restore the shape of the pillow.
2. Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Snuggle-Pedic has made an ultra-customizable shredded memory foam pillow that “never goes flat.” The CertiPur-US certified foam is encased in a Kool-Flow micro-vented cover. Stay cool all night with the extra breathable micro-vented cover made from a blend of bamboo, polyester, and lycra. Removing the filling to customize the firmness is easy with the handy zipper. Adjustments can be made until you find perfect comfort. Dust mite resistant and hypoallergenic, this pillow is fully machine washable. It is rolled and vacuum sealed for shipping and should be unpacked and allowed to relax to its natural shape before use.
1. Coop Home Goods – PREMIUM Adjustable Loft – Shredded Hypoallergenic Certipur Memory Foam Pillow
Coop Home Goods has a proprietary mix of shredded visco elastic memory foam (CertiPUR-US certified) that can be added or removed for custom comfort. Bamboo derived rayon and polyester make up the cover to deliver breathability and a cool night’s sleep. Easy to care for, it’s machine washable and made in USA. Customizing the pillow allows proper neck and spine alignment for a deeper, more satisfying sleep. Allergy sufferers can rest assured that it is hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. The Coop Home Goods research and design team is committed to their mission of making the best pillows in the world. No matter which sleep position you prefer, this patented design is right for you.
Final Thoughts
You may not have realized how much research goes into today’s pillows. All the designs, options, and choices are there to help you get the best quality sleep possible. No matter who you are or what you do, you need sleep. The more comfortable you are, they better you will sleep. A pillow may seem like a small simple thing, yet the right pillow can make a world of difference, every single day.