Do you have trouble staying asleep throughout the night? You may want to consider investing in a new and improved pillow. Pillows come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes to fit your sleeping needs. Read on to learn more about pillow types and how you can take action to improve your sleep.

Pillow Types: Types of Pillows

When it comes to pillow types, you have a range to choose from. Many pillow shapes vary according to the purpose they serve. It is up to you to choose the best kind of pillow for your needs.

Bed: Bed pillows are the most basic pillow type and can fit most standard-sized pillow cases. They are rectangular in shape and designed to support your head and neck while you sleep. You can find bed pillows in a range of sizes and styles, all depending on what you prefer.

Body: Body pillows are elongated, usually covering the span of two bed pillows. Although it is possible to use them to sleep in a variety of positions, body pillows are especially favored by side-sleepers and pregnant women. This is because the length and huggable pillow shape can help to alleviate the pressure on your hips, knees, and back, along with the discomfort that often accompanies sleeping on your side.

Contour: Whether you are looking for the best pillow type for side sleepers or searching for a back pain pillow, consider trying a contoured cushion. They have a unique sloping shape designed to conform to your neck and head while keeping your spine aligned. This in turn keeps your head in a stable position through the night without making you uncomfortable or losing its shape.

Wedge: Unlike most other pillow types, wedge pillows are designed for a number of uses. Thanks to their triangular or wedge-shape, these pillows can help to support and protect your neck when you sleep. They can also be used for reclining, back support, and even raising your legs. Additionally, you can place a wedge pillow on your office chair for lumbar support, or on a daybed or couch to provide a comfortable sitting position.

Pregnancy: Many expectant mothers know it can be tough to get into a comfortable sleeping position. Pregnancy pillows are specially designed to help provide ergonomic support to aid sleep. They have a U-shape that includes a flat top surface for your head, and long "arms" that run down either side to be contoured to your body. These pillow types can also be used by people with chronic pain, restless sleepers, and can even help moms get comfortable while they are nursing.

Nursing: Nursing your newborn is often a lengthy process that often ends with your little one asleep in your arms. This can become quite uncomfortable if you don't have the right support. Nursing pillows are small U-shaped cushions made to wrap around your little one and support them during feeding, while taking the weight off your arms. These pillows can also be used for tummy time, positioning, and eventually even sitting up.

Infant: Infant or "anti-flat head" pillows are designed specifically for babies. These pillows often have a curved shape that leads to a small opening in the middle. This is designed to remove pressure from the back of your baby's head and evenly distribute their weight while their skull is still forming. This pillow shape also creates a cocoon-like feeling while wrapping around your little one's head, which can help to soothe them as they sleep.

Pillow Types: Fill Materials

Before you buy a new pillow, it’s extremely important to consider the different types of fill materials. There are both synthetic and natural materials available, and both kinds bring different benefits. Synthetic pillows tend to be affordable and range in firmness from soft polyester fiberfill pillows to extremely firm memory-foam pillows. Natural pillows tend to be expensive but can make up for price with longevity, dust mite and bed bug resistance, and environmental friendliness. Check out the different pillow types below.

Natural Fills

Down & Feather: Down and feather pillows are a step up from polyester fiberfill. Down pillows are high quality, biodegradable, and will retain fullness for 5–10 years or more with proper care. Feathers are a more affordable alternative to down but will not retain fullness as effectively. Feather pillows are likely to last about 7 years before they lose their shape. Both of these pillows types are extremely lightweight, malleable, and easy to machine-wash. Some may find these pillows – particularly down – too soft and unsupportive.

Cotton: If you like a lofty and supportive pillow, cotton may be the best kind of pillow material for you. This material is very breathable, keeping the pillow cool to the touch. Cotton is hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and machine-washable.

Latex: Natural latex pillows tend to be soft but supportive; some like to think of them as a softer version of memory foam. These pillows are ideal for those who like the support of a memory-foam pillow but would prefer less firmness. These pillows are biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and can last 5–10 years.

Tip!
Some pillows are filled with synthetic latex, which is a blend of latex and synthetic fillers. Make sure to double-check your pillow’s material if you’re seeking the biodegradable and hypoallergenic qualities of a natural latex pillow.

Wool: Wool pillows are extremely breathable and will keep you cooler than a down or feather pillow. They provide medium to firm support, are resistant to bed bugs and dust mites, and last for 1–3 years. These pillows have a springy support that is similar to polyester fiberfill pillows, but they are less likely to clump.

Synthetic Fills

Polyester Fiberfill: The term polyester fiberfill describes a synthetic fiber pillow filling that is lightweight and inexpensive. These pillows are soft but sometimes can be difficult to mold to a preferred shape for sleep. They are affordable but may not last as long as other pillow materials in the long term – their shelf life is about 18–36 months. Get polyester fiberfill pillows when you won’t be using them frequently (perhaps for use on a guest room bed or as a decorative pillow).

Down Alternative: Down-alternative pillows are made from polyester and are designed to feel like real down, making them the best kind of pillow for people who want the comfort of down but are allergic to the material. They are very breathable, meaning air flows easily through the pillow, keeping it dry and cool. These pillow types are more expensive than normal polyester/polyester fiberfill pillows and last only about two years, significantly less than a down pillow.

Memory Foam: For those who find down and feather pillows to be too soft, memory-foam pillows are a great alternative. Memory foam molds to the pressure from your head, cradling it firmly. This can help keep your spine aligned, reducing back and neck pain. Memory-foam pillows last about 2–3 years before they need to be replaced.

Shredded Memory Foam: If you like the contouring qualities of a memory-foam pillow but dislike the firmness, consider a shredded memory-foam pillow. These pillows are made of the same material, but the foam is shredded, creating a looser mold.

Gel Memory Foam: Gel memory foam is manufactured in one of two ways: gel-infused which sees the memory foam infused with gel beads or particles, or gel-coated which has the gel coating only the surface of the memory foam. Thanks to the cooling properties of gel, these pillows can help to disperse heat and increase airflow and breathability. This pillow type is ideal for hot sleepers.

Fiber: Fiber is a synthetically produced material designed to emulate down. Pillows stuffed with fiber are comfortable and offer consistent support over their whole surface. Fiber doesn't retain heat which means these pillow types sleep cooler than memory foam pillows. The fibers do tend to clump over time, so do bear this in mind.

Gel Fiber: Just like fiber pillows, gel fiber is made to replicate the feeling of down filling. Gel fiber is an extremely thin synthetic polyester fiber that is breathable, durable, and budget-friendly. These pillows are firm and offer great support while still providing a plush and cozy feeling.

Tip!
To check if your memory-foam pillow needs to be replaced, fold your pillow in half for a few minutes, then place a hardcover book in the center. After a minute of letting the book rest on the pillow, remove it and observe how quickly your pillow returns to its original shape. If it never does, or if it takes a few hours, you should replace your pillow.

Pillow Types: Comfort Level

Plush: Plush pillows are very soft and allow your head to sink for fluffy comfort. Some common plush materials are down, feather, polyester, wool, and cotton. Plush pillows are best suited for stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers force their head to curve up on their pillow at an unnatural angle. A plush pillow allows the head to sink toward the mattress, improving the alignment of the head and the spine.

Medium: Medium pillows are soft but firm and provide more support for the head than a plush pillow. Medium pillows can be made out of any pillow material and are ideal for back sleepers – the pillow provides a cushion for the head and support for the spine.

Firm: Firm pillows provide lots of support for the head while fitting the shape of the head and neck. Firm pillows can be made with most materials but are commonly made from memory foam, feathers or down, and latex. These pillows are ideal for side sleepers because they provide firm head support. A side sleeper’s head can easily droop below their spine with a soft pillow, causing neck pain. A firm pillow keeps the head aligned with the spine.

Pillow Types: Sizes

Standard Pillows (20" x 26"): The standard pillow is typically used on twin, twin XL, and double/full beds. These pillows fit two across on a double bed.

Jumbo/Super Standard Pillows (20" x 28"): These pillows are 2" wider than the standard pillow. These pillows provide extra pillow length for those who roll and switch sleeping positions throughout the night.

Queen-Size Pillows (20" x 30"): Queen-size pillows are usually used on queen beds and fit perfectly two across.

King-Size Pillows (20" x 36"): King-size pillows are for use on king and California king beds. These pillows fit perfectly two across a California king bed and with a couple extra inches of space on a king bed.

European Square Pillows (26" x 26"): These square pillows are meant to sit behind your usual pillows for an extra layer of decor. Use two Euro pillows on a twin, twin XL, full/double, or queen bed, and three on a king or California king bed.

Tip!
Don’t be afraid to mix and match pillow sizes! Stacking pillows can be a fun way to dress up your bed.

Extra Features

Machine-Washable: If you want to be able to throw your pillow in the washing machine for easy cleaning, make sure you are getting a machine-washable pillow. Cotton, feather, and polyester fiberfill are common types of machine-washable materials.

Tip!
When washing pillows, you should put two in the washing machine at once to balance each other out and minimize misshaping. Use warm water and a mild detergent, and run an extra rinse cycle to make sure all the detergent is out of your pillow. For more information about washing pillows, check out our guide Pillow Cleaning 101: How to Wash Pillows.

Hypoallergenic: Hypoallergenic pillows discourage dust mites and bed bugs, both of which can aggravate allergies and asthma. Many natural-material pillows are hypoallergenic.

Cooling Technology: When your head becomes too hot, it can cause the rest of your body to overheat and sweat. If your pillow is making your head overheat, it can cause uncomfortable night sweats that can even wake you from your sleep. Try a pillow with cooling technology to keep night sweats at bay. Cooling technology can include pillows with high breathability or with cooling gel material. These pillows will give your head a cool place to rest, lessening the chance of night sweats throughout the rest of the body.