When it comes to our bed, one of the most important factors of a comfy set up and good night’s sleep is having the right pillow. Nothing beats the feeling of laying your head down on your favorite pillow, and nothing can ruin your night like a bad, lumpy one. Having the wrong pillow can lead to neck pain, trigger allergies, and cause serious discomfort, so it’s important to choose one that works for you.

 When choosing the right pillow, there are a few key things you want to consider: loft, density, and material. In this week’s blog post, we’ll walk you through the options in each category so you can find your perfect pillow.

Loft

The loft, or height, is one of the most important considerations when choosing a pillow. Deciding on the right loft depends largely on your sleep position- you want your pillow to support your neck in being aligned with the rest of your spine, and a pillow that is either too low or too high can put stress on your neck and lead to neck pain.

Both our Wool Pillow and our down alternative pillows come with multiple inserts, so you can remove or add them to get your pillow to your ideal height. These inserts are also fluffy enough that you can remove one and use it as a second pillow, depending on your sleep preferences.

In general, back and front sleepers will want to go for a flatter pillow (1-2 inserts, if you’re using our wool or down alternative pillows), and side sleepers will want a higher pillow (2-3 inserts if you’re using our wool or down alternatives). If you’re sleeping on your side, you need a pillow that fills the space between the bed and the side of your head, which is quite a big bigger than the space between the bed and the back of your head if you’re a back sleeper, hence the need for a pillow with a higher loft.

Density

Another important factor in choosing the right pillow for your sleeping position is the density. If you’re lying on your side, you want a denser pillow to support your neck and keep it aligned properly. If you sleep on your front or back, a fluffier pillow will typically be more comfortable.

Pillows filled with wool or microfiber tend to be a little denser, while down and down alternative pillows tend to be fluffier.

Material/fill

There are many different materials used to fill pillows, including down, down alternative, and wool. People with allergies may have been told they need to avoid down, but this isn’t always the case. Typically, in lower quality down products, the down hasn’t been cleaned properly, and it’s this dirt that can cause allergies symptoms. All of our down is thoroughly sterilized and cleaned, so you can enjoy them without worrying about your allergies.

Down alternative offers the same fluffy comfort of a down pillow but comes at a lower price point. Because the material doesn’t come from an animal, there is no worry here about allergies.

Wool pillows are naturally hypoallergenic and have the added bonus of being both temperature regulating and moisture wicking. For anyone who sleeps warm or who loves that cool-side-of-the-pillow feeling, a wool pillow is a great option. While the name may not suggest it, wool pillows are actually incredibly soft and fluffy and feel very similar to down but with a slightly higher density.

Choosing the right pillow is a key factor in making your bed as comfortable and supportive as it can be. Our full line of responsibly sourced pillows has something for everyone. And if you’re looking for the perfect comforter to go with your new pillow, check out our guide here.

Go check out our pillows and enjoy 10% off your first purchase + free shipping!