Pillow Talk
Thinking about the right pillow isn’t a common thought for most of us who have so many other things to worry about. If you’ve recently had time to complain about morning aches and pains as a result of your sleep, then you might want to reconsider how much value you put into a pillow. These accessories are incredibly important in aiding us for a healthier sleep cycle as well as promoting full rest and recovery after a long day of work.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, your neck is actually one of your body’s most vulnerable spots for causing bodily pain throughout your spine due to needing proper alignment when rested. It is imperative that you give your neck the support it needs in order to reduce upper body pain which can culminate into severe health problems later on in life. We’ll discuss the importance of the benefits of choosing the right pillow and also narrow down which pillow options may be right for you.
To begin with, let’s talk about the importance of pillow height with sleep position and body size. Since the human neck shaped in a way that is curved a bit upward to balance the weight of your head, it is crucial that this position is maintained when in a rested position. When the pillow is adjusted too high, then the neck is bent oddly to the side or forward, which can cause an obstruction in breathing and reduced air circulation throughout the body and even snoring.
On the other hand, if the pillow position is too low then the muscles of the neck can have a tendency to feel pressure and discomfort. Pillows usually hover around a height of 4 to 6 inches. One study states that the optimal level of pillow height should be 4 inches in order to allow for greatest comfort as well as least muscle interaction to promote better circulation.
Next, we will talk about sleeping positions that affect the type of pillow that should be used. Back sleepers should use a pillow that provides support from the base of your neck to the top of your head and make sure to align your head and back to reduce twists and stress injury to your neck. Side Sleepers should position the pillow up against your shoulders to reduce shoulder pressure and also should be as level as possible with your mattress in order to promote a healthy alignment of the spine. Back sleepers can rely on pillows that offer contouring in order to nestle your neck comfortably while you rest on your back. Finally, stomach sleepers can utilize a traditional pillow as they lay on the side, but be aware of the thickness of the pillow in order to not cause any shoulder strain.
Here we provide a list of our highest ranked pillows based on a variety of categories that have been tested by consumers and experts in order to promote the healthiest levels of sleep based on your preference. These options set the foundation to what pillow types you should consider the next time you go shopping.
1. Best Overall Pillow for Neck and Back pain: Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow – £75
Did you know that we spend 33% of our lives sleeping? Dosaze’s pillows are top of the range, and their philosophy is to make sure every single one of those hours is as refreshing, relaxing, and comfortable as possible. The innovative contoured, cervical, design and memory foam cradles the natural curvature of your neck, provides incredible support for spine alignment, and is guaranteed to never have you waking up with any shoulder, back, spine, nor neck pain again.
If you’re someone who struggles with issues relating to your neck or back, then the Dosaze™ Contoured Orthopedic pillow could be perfect for you. Made with high-quality memory foam, this pillow is specially designed to be both comfortable and firm, and is great for both back and side sleepers. What’s more, Dosaze’s pillows even provide temperature regulation to prevent breathing and circulation issues.
If you’re still not sold, then Dosaze actually offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, meaning that in the unlikely chance that you don’t get on with your pillow, you can send it back and get a full refund. But don’t take our word for it, other review sites have come to the same conclusion on the Dosaze pillow being the best pillow for neck pain. You can even check out the Dosaze pillow reviews on the site itself, if you don’t believe us.
2. Best Value Gel Pillow: Silentnight Geltex Pillow £23.99
Gel pillows can be handy for those of us who find ourselves getting too hot during the night. These pillows come with gel inserts designed to absorb and dissipate heat from your pillow so that you can stay cool all night.
There are plenty of gel pillows on offer for every budget, but one of our favorite best value gel pillows has to be the Silentnight Geltex Pillow. Geltex is a gel infused comfort filling which is highly elastic and flexible, which means that it actively responds to your movements. Not only that, but it also boasts an open cell structure, which means air can pass directly through it. This results in your pillow being totally breathable, which in turn prevents you from overheating.
3. Best Down and Feathers Pillow: Covoco Home White Duck Feather and Down – Soft SuperKing Pillow Pair £39.49
This luxuriously soft pillow contains 15% White Duck Down for hotel-quality comfort, helping you drift off into a sublime slumber. Small, soft feathers help create bulk for a soft/medium firmness without a prickly quill in sight, making this pillow ideal for front or back sleepers.
These pillows have a 233 thread count of pure cotton, and are a perfect combination of feather and down for a soft-medium support. They’re incredibly comfortable and are a king size, making them brilliant value for the quality of product. With that being said, if you prefer a pillow that offers slightly more support, then you’re better off choosing a different kind of pillow.
4. Best Value Memory Foam pillow: Ecosafeter Contour Memory Foam Pillow £20.39
The support that a memory foam pillow provides helps you to sleep in the best position for your spine. These pillows are all the range at the moment, and it’s pretty easy to find one at a decent price. These pillows are usually pretty firm, so can take a while to get used to if you’ve never tried one before. But the benefits of a memory foam pillow will soon become clear to you.
Not only are Ecosafeter’s pillows memory foam, but they also have a unique contour design which is perfect for back, side and stomach sleepers. The premium high-density memory foam will help you sleep in perfect alignment and breathe better- so it’s great for all the snorers out there. What’s more, the pillow is eco-friendly and dust proof- which more effectively extends the service life of the memory foam core.
5. Best Down Alternative Pillow: BedStory 4 Pack Sleeping Pillows, Hotel Pillow Down Alternative £54.99
Down alternative pillows are made with polyester or cotton fibers, which are designed to mimic the properties of down. And while the material may not be the same, the fibers are spun in such a way as to have a soft, fluffy feel that you’d get with down.
These pillows might seem pricey, but with four pillows included in one pack, that actually works out at around just £13.70 per pillow! These Filled Fiber Pillows are hypoallergenic & dust mite resistant, as well as being are breathable and easily be molded to provide support where you need it. If you’re looking for a soft but firm pillow, then these Bedstory ones may be perfect for you, as they have been encased in a soft-touch microfibre cover that is both soft and easy to care for.
6. Best Foam Pillow: ROYAL THERAPY 2-Pack Queen Memory Foam Pillow,Bamboo-Adjustable Shredded Odor-Free Pillow £134.08
Sleep like royalty with two of these Queen sized memory foam pillows from Royal Therapy. If you’re incredibly picky when it comes to pillows, then this pillow may be perfect for you. What makes this pillow particularly wonderful is that it’s adjustable, meaning that you can unzip the pillow cover to remove extra foam- making the pillow just the way you like it.
Thanks to the polyester/bamboo cover, you can be sure that you’ll have a cool and comfortable sleep, and many customers agree that the head/neck support that this pillow provides is the best they’ve had. Contour pillows have actually been recommended by many chiropractors, as they fill in the gap between your neck and the mattress, keeping your spine in proper alignment while you sleep.
Word of warning- some reviews suggest that these pillows can be a little misshapen on arrival- not what you’d expect for the price!
7. Best Shredded Memory Foam Pillow: pillowLY Shredded Memory Foam Pillow £23.99
Start the day off feeling amazing with these comfortable and conforming memory foam pillows. These pillows are perfect for back, side, front and even pregnant sleepers, as the fluffy, yet resilient mixed combination of foam used in PillowLY pillows will adjust to each position you sleep in.
The great thing about memory foam is that not only is is comfortable, but it’s also supportive- and unlike other pillows it won’t go flat. The shredded proprietary foam mix used in PillowLY is designed to contour to the shape of your spine, giving you proper orthopedic support, while keeping its buoyancy and allowing your head and neck to remain in the in correct alignment throughout the night.
However, if you’re not a fan of very firm pillows, then these pillows may not be for you.
8. Best Adjustable Pillow: Brightr® Sleep Nox Best Adjustable Pillow with Copper Hypo-Allergenic Pillow Cover £35.91
An adjustable pillow allows its fill to be added or removed depending on how firm and full you like your pillow to be. This is all down to personal preference, so if you’re someone who has a very specific taste when it comes to pillows, it can be very difficult to feel happy with a regular pillow. The great thing about these pillows is that you’re in full control of the thickness, meaning you can tailor the size to your exact needs.
With Brightr Nox adjustable pillow, you no longer have to compromise on a pillow that’s too high, too low, too soft or too firm. This means that you’re much more likely to get a comfortable night’s sleep. What’s more, the pillow feels incredibly soft and is made from 100% super fine fibres that give the comfort and feel of luxury down pillows.
While this is a good thing, if you prefer a firmer pillow, then this one cannot offer that for you- no matter how much fill you add.
9. Best Cooling Pillow: Coop Home Goods The Eden Pillow £157.41
Gel pads absorb the heat from your head and neck, leaving your pillow feeling cool and crisp. This means that night sweats will be a thing of the past, as Coop Home Goods pillow will keep you cool throughout the night. The Eden pillow can also be adjusted by you at home, meaning that you can create the perfect height and firmness for your preference.
The only downside is the pillow has a tendency to get thinner after 1-2 months of use, meaning that you might have to purchase a refill.
10. Best Organic Pillow: NATURECA Organic Buckwheat hulls Pillows, Orthopaedic Buckwheat pillow with pillow case Cotton £38.95
Organic pillows are any pillows that are made out of organic materials, such as buckwheat or cotton. These materials are grown without the use of chemical pesticides, and organic farmers will often try to reduce irrigation and waste levels. These organic buckwheat hulls pillows by NATURECA are breathable and great for temperature control. Due to the adaptability of the material, the pillow supports the head and neck, whilst simultaneously massaging the neck and stimulating circulation.
You’re guaranteed to get a peaceful night’s sleep with these pillows, though at £38.95 for just one pillow, we’re not sure if they’re the best value for money.
Now that we’ve presented you with 10 of the top pillows to prevent neck and back pain, we hope that we’ve made the decision-making process a little easier. Sleeping is an important part of our general health, and choosing the right pillow can make all the difference. Whether you end up going for memory foam, adjustable or cooling, make sure that your pillow is the perfect match for you- and your neck and back will thank you for it!
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