Pillows for side sleepers: all you need to know
Nowadays, there are many pillows for side sleeper on the market. If you wonder what is the best pillow for a side sleeper, you are just in the right place: we will tell you all you need to know about how to choose the right product and what to focus on.
Are you a side sleeper at all?
It is always good to clarify in advance whether you are a side sleeper at all. If you have no idea about your sleeping style, there is a mobile app called Lapse it. This app always takes a photo in a set rhythm. Simply point your phone at the bed and take a photo every 30 or 60 minutes.
Alternatively, you can simply ask your partner to watch you during your nap. It is the first step to choosing the best pillows for side sleepers.
By the way, around 60% of all people are side sleepers, so the chances of being one are high.
Problems caused by a wrong product
Many people underestimate the impact of such an accessory as a pillow on well-being, health, and quality of sleep. But in fact, the wrong choice can lead to serious problems that will have to be corrected for a long time. Consider the main consequences of sleeping on a bad sleepers pillow.
Allergic and asthmatic reactions
Most often, allergies are caused by natural products. For example, a top rated side sleeper pillow with natural fillers such as fluff and wool may lead to a disaster. Although they are considered the best and have unique qualities and long service life, if a person has diseases of the respiratory system and allergies, it is not recommended to use them. Also, approximately 1% of allergies are due to natural latex cushions.
The danger lies in natural fibers being a favorable breeding ground for dust mites. By itself, it does not pose a danger, but it is the product of its vital activity that causes an allergic reaction, which, even from a slight movement, scatters through the air, provoking health problems. The more mites accumulate in the pillow, the greater the risk of allergies.
Modern technologies allow to solve this problem partially:
-
The best pillows for back and side sleepers can be washed at temperatures up to 60 degrees, both by hand and in the washing machine.
-
Woolen, downy firm pillows for side sleepers undergo special antibacterial treatment.
-
Sheep wool accessories can also be gently washed by hand or dry-cleaned.
-
To minimize harm to health, it is worth taking proper care of the item, washing it at least once every six months.
In addition, you can purchase products with plant fibers, natural silk, or synthetic fillers. The first includes bamboo and eucalyptus ergonomic pillows side sleepers. They are not a habitat for dust mites, and bamboo has an antibacterial effect. Both materials breathe well, which prevents dust from accumulating.
Synthetic modern materials include hypoallergenic polyester fiber. Most synthetic fillers are made from it, for example, holofiber, nanofiber, swan down, silicone, etc.
Lack of comfort and bad quality of sleep
A variety of problems may occur for the following reasons:
-
Knocking down the filler into lumps – if the down side sleeper pillow has been used for a very long time or it has not been properly looked after, the stuffing material may go astray. This means that in some places, there will be a lot of it, and in others, there won't be any.
-
When the service life of a product ends, it can be deformed, or lose its former shape. Under no circumstances should such a side sleeper down pillow be used.
-
The appearance of an unpleasant odor – in the absence of proper care, the bedding is saturated with odors, which causes constant discomfort.
Incorrect selection can lead not only to sleep disturbances but also to constant fatigue, slowing down of thought processes, and pains of different localization. To avoid serious consequences, you should be very careful about choosing the best memory foam pillow for side sleepers.
Points to consider
What are the best pillows for side sleepers? Let's take a look at some important aspects.
-
By far the most important thing is the correct height. It is important that the product fills the gap between your shoulders and the head as accurately as possible and can thus support the head well.
-
It is also important that your spine is as straight as possible up to the back of the head in a lying position.
-
The item should not be too high so that the spine remains straight and does not hang out. In this way, you ensure that even all the fine muscles around the spine can rest.
The ideal format that the most comfortable pillow for a side sleeper should have is 40x80 cm. However, all other rectangular formats are also possible. Flat 80x80 cm options are better suited for back sleepers. The chance is too high that you will slide your shoulder onto the pillow at night and thus increase the gap between head and shoulder. The result would then be a continuous headache. Normally, pillows best for side sleepers are relatively high, so mind it.
Options offered
There are endless different options that are suitable for side sleepers. In any case, we want to show you several options you can select.
Neck support pillow
You may have seen a neck support pillow before. They are easily recognizable by their shape. The neck support cushions have a rectangular format and two curvatures on the outer edges. There is a place for the head in the middle of the cushion.
The great advantage of these products is the solid material that often adapts perfectly to the head and thus works perfectly against neck tension and pain. This makes them probably one of the best options.
The special waveform of neck products is certainly not the right thing for everyone. Of course, there are alternatives, such as ordinary sleeping products.
These cushions are also slightly higher and filled with firmer material. Memory foam items are also not uncommon. They also fulfill the important function of supporting the head and preventing sagging and overstretching.
Long products
If you are a side sleeper, then you have probably noticed that you often clamp the blanket between your legs to prevent your knees from pressing against each other.
Another problem is that one leg always lies on top and thus creates tension on the hip and the surrounding muscles. But there is also a solution for this, namely the so-called long cushions. Such products are particularly long and offer a long foothill next to the headboard on which you can put your knee. These products are particularly popular with pregnant women and are, therefore, often referred to as the best helpers for pregnant ladies.
The best ones
Let's finally take a look at our rating of the best options for you.
-
Reflex Planet M (innovative viscoelastic Memory foam monolith, 12 cm, classic shape).
-
Alfabed Vento (100% Monolith of the latest generation Active Air Memory viscoelastic foam, 10/8.5 cm, perfect both for belly and side sleepers).
-
Alfabed Aria Ergonomico 8/11 (100% monolith of innovative viscoelastic foam of the latest generation Active Air Memory, 8/11 cm, but there are also several other sizes).
-
Reflex Star (100% natural latex granules, 13 or 15 cm, ergonomic, extraordinary shape).
In our store, you can take a look at more high-quality products for side sleepers.
Basic rules for choosing the right option
Choosing a cushion is a very personal matter. Depending on a particular person's physique, age, and other characteristics, it is necessary to choose one of a certain size and degree of rigidity. At the same time, there are general criteria for choosing. Namely:
-
It is very important that the item has characteristics that provide maximum comfort during sleep and do not allow the curvature of the spine.
-
The cushion should have such a shape and dimensions so that it can be placed not only under the head but also under the neck. In this sense, we recommend choosing oblong or square ones.
-
The softness and elasticity should be harmonious. Too tight pads do not provide maximum relaxation and comfortable sleep. Too soft ones do not support the head and neck well enough.
-
When choosing between synthetic and natural options, you should take into account the peculiarities of caring for these types of products.
So, options with natural filler can be washed no more than 2-3 times a year. Synthetic ones can be washed as often as you like.
When choosing a pillow, you need to pay attention to other criteria and characteristics.
The degree of elasticity of the pillow and its height
This is an individual characteristic of choice. A hard and high option is most suitable for people who prefer to sleep on their side. If you sleep on your stomach at night, we recommend choosing a lower item with a soft filling; this will provide you with maximum relaxation. For people sleeping on their backs, medium firmness and height options are suitable. Also, the choice depends on the structure of the body. So, for broad-shouldered people, high items are most suitable.
Filler type
The specific type of filler determines such qualities as softness and elasticity. It depends on it to ensure a comfortable state of the spine during night rest. The filler can be synthetic or natural. The use of synthetic fillers reduces the final cost of the product. Pillows with these fillers are distinguished by easy care. They can be washed in a washing machine or by hand without fear of reducing product performance. However, items with natural fillings tend to provide a higher degree of comfort during sleep.
Fabric type
We recommend paying significant attention to the fabric from which the cover is made. The durability of the entire product, the degree of comfort, as well as aesthetic qualities largely depend on this material. So, the insufficiently dense fabric does not hold the filler well. As a result, it will scatter around the bedroom, creating dust. At the same time, too dense fabric, impregnated with special means, does not pass air well. Therefore, the most important task of a manufacturer is to combine high density and breathability harmoniously. You should also pay attention to the color of the case. White fabric may begin to show through the filler over time. This will create a feeling of contamination of the product.
Tailoring quality
The filler and the material from which the cover is sewn are one of the most important criteria for choosing this bedding. At the same time, we recommend that you pay attention to such details as the quality of the tailoring of the cover, which is determined by the characteristics of the seams of the product. The seam should be as strong as possible, small, and solid. The presence of small holes and gaps is unacceptable. Using low-quality threads and improper seam performance will shorten the product's life. In addition, the seam must be performed using the smallest sewing needle. This will ensure the minimum size of punctures. In this case, the filler will not seep out. We recommend that you carefully examine the seams and slightly pull them to check the degree of strength.
The shape
The pillow can have a square, rectangular, round, or triangular shape or be made in the form of a roll. It should be noted that unusual forms are more of a tribute to fashion and do not provide maximum comfort and relaxation during the rest. We recommend choosing square or oblong options for sleeping. It is these products that ensure the correct position of the spine and avoid overstrain of the neck muscles.
Dimensions
Pillows usually have standard sizes: 40x40 cm, 50x50 cm, 40x60 cm, 50x70 cm, 60x60 cm, 70x70 cm. The choice of size depends on the individual characteristics of a person.
Checklist for a quick purchase
An ideal pillow should meet the following characteristics:
-
Good air circulation.
-
Long service life.
-
The material must not promote the formation of microorganisms.
-
The ability to retain the acquired heat.
-
No deformation should occur after washing.
Tips on what to look for when choosing a pillow in the store:
-
The seam. We have mentioned it already. It should be even and neat, made of small stitches. It should not have holes through which the filler can seep through.
-
Stuffing material. Choose the one that suits you. Do not chase the price, and remember that natural materials are still better than artificial ones (unless you are allergic).
-
It is better to buy an item that has a zipper lock. This will help you adjust the height of the product and its rigidity (you can remove excess filler).
-
The size. If you sleep on your side, it is better to choose a high pillow. Those who sleep on their stomach are recommended to choose low options. For those who constantly change positions, the best option is the average height of the pillow.
-
Elasticity. This indicator determines the quality of the product. Before buying, do a quick test: put your hand on the pillow. A high-quality pillow returns to its original shape in 3-5 seconds. Another test to check the amount of filler: take the item by one corner and shake it. If it turned out to be half empty on one side, then the manufacturer did not put the right amount of filler. With such a product, you can forget about pleasant rest.
Material matters
The filling material you choose greatly influences how the product feels. The filling material depends on more specific preferences. For example, do you want a pillow that feels warm or cool? Should it be springy or malleable? There is a wide range of solutions, and it is worth taking into account all factors so that you can exploit your best sleeping potential!
So let's look at a few different materials:
-
Polyfoam. Polyfoam is slightly more responsive than memory foam and often has a lower density. If you are looking for a soft option, a polyfoam item could be a good choice for you.
-
Memory foam. Memory foam cushions react slowly to pressure and offer a good body fit.
-
Buckwheat. Buckwheat pillows are filled with buckwheat and are very firm by nature. If you prefer it fluffy and soft, this is not the right material for you.
-
Latex. Latex is naturally cooling and hypoallergenic. It has a very springy feeling that people who like to be "top" on their pillow should like.
-
Feather. Feather pillows are cooling, fluffy and soft. They are slightly denser than down or alternative down solutions, which makes them more malleable.
-
Down/down alternatives. Down pillows and down alternatives often feel soft, fluffy, and luxurious.
Now you know everything to select the perfect product for yourself. So, stick to our recommendation and enjoy the best quality of sleep ever. Browse our site to find more products of excellent quality at affordable prices.