5 Things to Know Before Buying Pillow Vs Cushion

Have you ever spent the night at a hotel and wondered what it was that caused your neck and back to ache so much the next day? Or maybe it was reversed — you had the best sleep of your life and can’t quite pinpoint why. While the mattress may have been a contributing factor, a big part of your experience could have been the result of your pillow. Knowing how to choose a pillow that’s right for you will help you either avoid or relish that hotel experience every night. 

Having the correct pillow height and firmness can do wonders for your beauty sleep. Depending on your normal sleeping position, your pillow can either help or hinder your spinal alignment. Knowing how to choose the right pillow will help you avoid sleeping in unnatural and uncomfortable positions — thus eliminating aches and pains.  

How Do You Know What Pillow Is Right for You? 

Many times when we think of “the right pillow” we think of something soft and fluffy that feels like a cloud when laying your head on it. However, the right pillow is actually one that will keep your head, neck, and spine neutrally aligned while supporting your spine’s natural curvature. For some, this can still be that soft, fluffy pillow — but others may want a firmer pillow that holds its shape better.

Before deciding on the right pillow, you’ll need to determine what your go-to sleeping position is. Back, stomach, and side sleepers will all have different things to look for in their perfect pillow, so be aware that you may be on the lookout for different qualities than your partner or friends are.  

When shopping around for pillows, there are a few key things to keep in mind: 

• Pillow Loft: This is the compressed height of the pillow when your head is resting on it. You’ll typically find low, medium, or high loft options.
• Firmness of pillow material: Different materials will vary in firmness. How firm you prefer your pillow can play a role in your personal comfort level. 
• The firmness of your mattress: This is a very important factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. The softer your mattress is, the lower your pillow should be. 
• Your normal sleeping position: Your go-to sleeping position will determine the ideal pillow loft for you. Typically, you will need a higher loft pillow when you sleep more on your side compared to on your back. . 
• Your weight and shoulder width: The width of your shoulders and your weight can help you determine the pillow loft you should be looking for. The wider your shoulders, the higher your pillow should be. Likewise, the heavier you are, the more likely you are to sink into the mattress which will leave you needing a lower pillow.
  

Side Sleeper Needs

When sleeping on your side, your shoulder bears most of the support — which is why having a mattress designed to be softer in this area is beneficial, like our Nova Hybrid. Depending on certain factors like your mattress firmness and shoulder width, a low, medium, or high pillow loft can be best. For many side sleepers, a firmer pillow can also be both comfortable and supportive enough to sleep comfortably, however, this can vary from sleeper to sleeper. 

Here’s what to think about if you’re prone to side sleeping: 

• Firmer fill and material: Having a pillow with soft fill will make your head sink in and put pressure back on your shoulder — giving you a stiff neck in the morning. Firm material can be anything from foam to a heavy-duty down alternative. 
• Low, medium, or high loft: The most important thing for side sleepers to look for is a pillow loft that will align your head, neck, and spine, and take some pressure off the shoulder. Any range of pillow loft can be a good fit depending on the width of your shoulders and how heavy you are. The wider your shoulders, the taller your pillow should be. Likewise, the heavier you weigh, the lower the pillow should be.  
• The firmness of your mattress: The firmer your mattress, the higher your pillow should be. If you have a softer mattress that you tend to sink into, a medium or low loft pillow should do the trick. 

Back Sleeper Needs

While not the most popular sleeping position, back sleepers tend to reap the most benefits — especially when using a mattress designed for support. If your mattress doesn’t provide enough support for your spine’s natural curve, it can be beneficial to tuck a small pillow underneath your lower back and knees. 

Because many mattresses don’t provide that specific support, we’ve designed our Zoned Support™ foam to be firmer around the waist and lower back area, while being softer around the shoulders. This helps with ergonomic spinal alignment so you don’t need to use extra pillows under your lower back and knees. The Zoned Support™ foam is found in the Casper Original Mattress, the Nova Hybrid, and the Wave Hybrid. 

Here’s what to look for in a pillow if you’re prone to back sleeping: 

• Low or Medium loft: Medium-firm material paired with a low or medium loft is perfect for back sleepers. One important thing to keep in mind is sleeping high enough on the pillow to support your neck fully. 
• The firmness of your mattress: If you sleep on a soft mattress, you may find that a low pillow loft or no pillow at all will keep you neutrally aligned just fine. However, using a firm mattress may require you to use a pillow to support your neck.

Stomach Sleeper Needs

Despite experts recommending sleepers avoid snoozing on the stomach due to short-term and long-term spinal problems that may arise, many find this a comfortable position. Because sleeping on your stomach with the wrong pillow leaves you at risk for neck strains and low back pressure, use a pillow that will help your body avoid this pain. It’s also a good idea to use your pillow more towards your chest to reduce neck bend if you regularly sleep in this position. 

Here’s what to look for in a pillow if you’re prone to stomach sleeping: 

• Soft & compressible fill: Feather or down pillows will give you a cushy feel while not being too firm. Sleeping on a foam or other firm pillow will prop your head higher than it should be, which can lead to aches. 
• Low loft: The higher loft you have, the more craned your head can become which also pushes the rest of your body out of a neutral alignment.
• The firmness of your mattress: If you have a soft mattress that you tend to sink into already, it may be best to opt for no pillow, as any pillow you use can prop your head up more unnaturally. Your body isn’t likely to sink into a firm mattress, so a low loft pillow is still something to use if you don’t find yourself sinking into your mattress material. 

You may want to consider putting a low loft pillow underneath your stomach and pelvis to help your body stay in a neutral position and your spine maintain its natural curvature.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing a Pillow

While the key points we mentioned are important to look for in a pillow depending on your go-to sleeping position, there are also a few general things everyone should keep an eye on. No matter how you sleep, referencing the following points will help you know how to choose a pillow that’s right for you. 

• Cooling qualities: Hot sleepers will especially benefit from having a pillow that provides specific cooling features.
• Breathability: Similar to the above, you should make sure the pillow materials used don’t hold onto heat, particularly with foam pillows. 
• Social responsibility: Depending on your values, you may consider looking at brands with certifications that strive to use ethically sourced materials for various products.
• Size: Pillows come in a variety of sizes, from your typical standard to body length. Knowing what pillow size you’re looking for will lessen your stress when shopping for a new one. 

Our Casper Pillows

Here at Casper, we offer a mix of different pillow fills and materials. Each pillow comes in either a standard or king size, and you have the option of choosing a low or medium loft. 

Check out our Original Casper Pillow, Foam Pillow, and Down Pillow to find the best one for you. 

Using a pillow not conducive to keeping your head, neck, and spine in alignment will inevitably leave your body with some discomfort. However, unless you prefer sleeping without a pillow, knowing how to choose a pillow for your needs can dramatically change how you feel when you wake up in the morning. And if you’re still unsure what pillow loft is best for your normal sleeping position, take the pillow height quiz on any of the Casper pillow pages next to “Select your pillow height.”

Having trouble sleeping? Wondering why your sleeping patterns feel completely off? Have you already invested in pillows advertised to be state of the art which promised a perfect night’s sleep?

There may be some missing factors you might want to consider before investing in therapeutic pillows.

Keep reading to learn about common pillow-shopping mistakes to avoid.

1. Choosing Therapeutic Pillows That Do Not Match Your Sleeping Position

It is crucial to make sure that your pillow aligns with how you sleep. A thick and dense pillow may be right for one person and not for another. Or, a thin and soft pillow may sound nice but not offer the support your body needs for a restful night. 

While a wide variety of options is a benefit, it can also lead to confusion. To narrow down your search, make sure to shop only for pillows that match your sleeping position and physical requirements. 

A person who sleeps on their stomach should use a flatter, softer, pillow while someone who sleeps on their back should use a pillow of medium firmness and one that supports the neck with a rounded surface and a side-sleeper should have more of would be advised to choose a firmer pillow that elevates their head 3-5 inches above their mattress. 

All of the back and side lying pillows should also have a shoulder cut out that allows the person to maintain a nice comfortable position with essentially zero pressure on the shoulders.

2. Matching the Pillow to the Size of Your Bed

While it might be easy to assume that pillows must be purchased in a size that is comparable to that of your bed frame and mattress, (a king sized pillow for a king sized bed) this is actually more a matter of aesthetics.

Decorative considerations aside, the most important factor when choosing a pillow is sleep, support and comfort, not visual appeal.

Choose pillows that provide a good night of REM sleep, in whatever size, and move decorative pillows that don’t provide sleep support to the floor at night. 

3. Pillows That Do Not Suit Your Mattress

“When in doubt, match it out” This is the slogan of the game when buying therapeutic pillows that basically says to use the same firmness and foam type of the pillow to match the type of foam and firmness of your mattress

You must always think about the type of mattress you have before you consider what pillow to use. 

If you have a relatively soft mattress, then make sure to pair this with a lighter and softer pillow. Likewise, a firmer mattress calls for a firmer pillow.

This rule of thumb will help to ensure the proper distribution of your weight and the correct elevation of your head between your mattress and pillow. 

4. Therapeutic Pillows That Are Too Firm

While a firm pillow can seem like the answer if you need more neck or head support, overcorrecting can cause as much pain as having no pillow at all.  Also, one of the most common issues and problem that people are completely unaware of is that too much support and height under the head puts tremendous stress on the discs (the cushions between the vertebra) and can cause disc protrusions (herniations) and thus nerve irritation.   

Aim for a perfect balance depending on your specific needs and look to a pillow that is scientifically designed

5. Choosing Pillows That Are Too Soft

Keep in mind when shopping for pillows that even the best pillow will likely lose some firmness and support  over time. To avoid sleeping on a deflated pillow after a few weeks or months, select a pillow that has high quality foam with  enough density and firmness to  keep its shape over time. 

6. Gravitating Towards The Most High-Tech Pillows

Sometimes the pillows with the most bells and whistles are  sold using  clever marketing terms, are not necessarily the best on the market.

High tech features sometimes may seem appealing, but they need to be backed with solid research in order to offer a true benefit. 

Make sure to do your research and pay attention to reviews.

7. Going for the Discount Pillows

Remember that you get what you pay for. While department or retail stores often offer low-price pillows as impulse buys, frequently packaged in sets of two, these bargains will likely result in a pain in the neck  as well as a pillow that lasts only a few weeks and then falls apart losing its resilience and support  Cheap products don’t last and oftentimes do more harm than good.

When it comes to shopping for a therapeutic pillow, an informed and educated up-front investment is likely to save you money in the long run, reducing the possibility of astronomical medical and pharmaceutical costs in your days ahead.

Avoid These Common Mistakes When Buying Therapeutic Pillows

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to recognize a few red flags when shopping for therapeutic pillows, you’re well on your way to better nights and more rested days.

Watching out for these seven common pitfalls will better equip you to find the perfect therapeutic pillow.

Still have questions or concerns? Contact us today for help and guidance selecting the pillow you need for the sleep you deserve. 

Dr. Ray Hall

Dr. Raymond Hall, the renowned DC, inventor, author, lecturer, television personality and sleep expert who has been honored by the International Association of Healthcare Providers as the "TOP CHIROPRACTOR IN CALIFORNIA" for 2015, 2016 and 2017. Dr Hall currently practices at Pacific Coast Sports Medicine in West Los Angeles and lives in Malibu, CA.