The Best Pillows for Neck Support: How to Choose the Right One

The right pillow is the foundation of a good night’s sleep. It’s what will help to put your body in a relaxed state and ensure you have the proper support and spine alignment throughout the night. The wrong pillow, in contrast, will lead to a night of tossing and turning and, in most cases, a few aches and pains will be thrown into the mix too. Most people know they need a good pillow but they don’t know how to choose the right one. Do you go for a soft pillow that’s low in height or do you go for a memory foam hard pillow that’s high? Let us help you choose the best pillows for neck support based on your sleeping patterns;

Pillow Loft

Have you ever thought about how the height of your pillow affects your sleep? It’s so important to choose the right pillow height based on your usual sleeping position. The ideal height for back sleepers is a medium loft which typically ranges from 8-12 cm. Side sleepers will find their sweet spot to be between 10-15 cm and stomach sleepers are at the lowest end of the scale at 5-8 cm.

Firmness

Side sleepers need to invest in firm woollen pillows as the added support and extra height is required to ensure the proper alignment of the spine. Medium firmness is best for back sleepers and stomach sleepers should choose soft pillows to ensure the spine is not elevated too much.

Material Options

There are lots of options when it comes to materials; these include latex, woollen pillows, down, memory foam and polyester. There are pros and cons to each so it’s a good idea to consider all options based on support, affordability, and durability.

Contour/Shape

The contour of your pillows is important. Points to keep in mind when thinking about the correct contour includes the natural curve of the pillow and the support that curve will give to your neck and back. Some pillows have a sharp contour and others have a slight curve so note that there are numerous options to choose from. Pillows with a traditional rectangular shape still remain the most popular choice on the market.

These are just some of the considerations to keep in mind the next time you’re shopping for pillows. Remember; it’s all about choosing a material, shape and firmness that aligns your spine, relieves pressure, and suits your sleeping position.