Pillows Buying Guide

People have hundreds of different sleep preferences, and there are hundreds of different styles of pillows to match those preferences. There are soft, cushy bed pillows to suit every kind of sleeper and every kind of bed. While choosing a bed pillow is largely a matter of your sleep preferences, learning a little bit about the options that are available -- down pillows, memory foam pillows, body pillows and so forth -- can help you find a pillow that is just right for how you sleep.

Buying a Pillow:

1. Filled pillows: Traditional bedroom pillows are filled with a number of different materials, from duck feathers to buckwheat hulls; however, the most common types of fill are down and synthetic fills (often polyester). Down pillows are most often filled with a combination of down and feathers; while 100 percent down is ideal for bedding, it often is too light for a pillow, which is why many companies add feathers to down pillows. Polyester-filled pillows are the most common kind of bedroom pillow, in large part because poly-filled pillows are usually inexpensive and still quite comfortable. Bed pillows with synthetic fill feel springier than down pillows, but they don't conform to the shape of your head quite like down pillows do. While synthetic fills are inexpensive, they do not last as long as down pillows.

2. Foam pillows: Memory foam pillows have become more popular in recent years as prices have dropped on memory foam products. Owners of memory foam pillows enjoy how memory foam pillows conform to the unique shape of their neck and head. However, foam pillows have had a following long before memory foam came on the scene. Latex foam pillows are becoming more popular because they make great hypoallergenic pillows, they offer great neck support and some of them are the only 100 percent organic pillows on the market. If you want an eco-friendly pillow, choose a certified organic latex pillow. Contour pillows are foam pillows that are molded to mimic the curve of the neck, facilitating proper breathing and proper neck alignment during sleep, which is why many people with sleep apnea prefer contour pillows.

3. Sizes: Standard-size pillows, queen-size pillows and king-size pillows are the most common pillow sizes. Each of these sizes is 20 inches in height, but the lengths are 26 inches, 30 inches and 36 inches, respectively. Some of the less common sizes in bed pillows are euro-size pillows and body pillows. Euro pillows are square, 26 inches by 26 inches, and are usually used on a bed as support pillows or accent pillows. Body pillows are usually at least 50 inches long; body pillows are usually for snuggling with, not actually to put your head on, and are very popular as maternity pillows (in fact, they are sometimes marketed as "maternity pillows").

4. Varieties: While bed pillows are probably the most common type of pillow, remember that pillows aren't just for sleeping. Accent pillows, also known as throw pillows, are a great way to add comfort, color and style to a sofa or bedding, and throw pillows are a great way to change the look of your bedding or decor without spending a fortune. Travel pillows and lumbar pillows can help make a long flight or eight hours in the office a much more comfortable experience. Travel pillows are usually small pillows that go behind or wrap around your neck, whereas lumbar pillows are usually cylinders designed to support the small of your back.

5. Price: Pillows vary widely in price, from small inexpensive synthetic-fill pillows to pricey king-size 100 percent down pillows. Some of the more expensive pillows offer cloud-like loft and high-quality materials, which many people love. However, many people are satisfied with less expensive pillows and prefer to save money by buying them. Remember that while different varieties each have things to offer, there is not a best pillow, so you should base your choice on preference.