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Buckwheat Pillow Reviews & Ratings -- Based on Data From Over 260 Actual Owners
Page last updated November 18, 2009
What You Need To Know
85% of the over 200 actual owners included in our research say that they are satisfied with their buckwheat pillow. Brands tend to be similarly competitive.
Pros
Supportive; adjustable height / loft; good air flow; durable
Cons
Too firm for some; heavy; some noise; need to experiment to determine right fill quantity to suit individual preference; too small for some; pricey
Related information
Pillow ratings & reviews
Pillow comparison grid
Owner data on pillow brands
What Is a Buckwheat Pillow?
Buckwheat is, in fact, not a wheat, but a fruit (fagopyrum esculentum) related to rhubarb. Buckwheat hulls are what fill a buckwheat pillow. The hulls are the husks that protect the buckwheat kernel from threats posed by nature. The hulls are not merely chaff, but are a much sought after product that is often more valuable than the buckwheat kernel it protects.
About Our Research
Our research findings are based on at least 260 actual buckwheat pillow owner reviews / comments collected from diverse sources. Click here for more information on our research methodology.
Buckwheat Pillow Ratings
Sample size: over 260 owners of various brands and sizes.
85% |
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Firm |
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Excellent |
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Good |
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Fair-Poor |
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Fair |
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Good |
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Yes |
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Good |
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Good |
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Fair |
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Good-Excellent |
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No |
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Fair-Poor |
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Fair-Good |
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Good |
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Good |
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Good-Excellent |
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Good |
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Medium-High |
Firmness
Owners overall indicate that a buckwheat pillow is of medium-high to high firmness. While most owners appreciate the firmness, those who don't like the pillow usually do so because they find it to be too firm. Getting used to the firmness requires some time, say many owners. In fact, some owners report that for the first few nights, their ears were a little sore from the firmness of the pillow.
Support
The main strength of the pillow according to owners is its supportiveness. The pillow will not sink in during the night (unlike feather or down pillows, especially) and won’t push back (like polyfiber or foam pillows). This “solid state” aspect of buckwheat means that your neck can maintain a proper, neutral position for the whole night. It also can mean less of a need to move around at night since you won’t need to adjust yourself because the pillow has changed shape.
The ability to maintain their shape is the reason many owners claim that buckwheat pillows provide relief from neck and back pain, headaches, snoring, muscle tension, TMJ syndrome, and sleeplessness.
In addition, a buckwheat pillow can conform to the contours of the neck and head resulting in even distribution, proper support and comfort. However, getting the pillow to contour properly and comfortably takes some work, according to some owners, seemingly more work than with other types of pillows. For instance, some owners need to sometimes use their hand to mould the pillow into the shape they want. This can be a problem because, on average, a person shifts their body 12 times during sleep and moves his or her head and neck position 50 times. However, in fairness, owners mention that the hulls compact over time (this is called polishing), allowing the hulls to be contoured more easily.
Finally, an absence of lumpiness helps the pillow provide good, smooth contouring support. However, the hulls can collect on one side of the pillow, but this can be easily fixed by gentle shaking.
Loft
Many buckwheat pillows (the better ones) have a zipper that allows the pillow to be opened, and this allows hulls to be removed or added. Adding or removing hulls allows a person to find the perfect amount of fill, height and firmness for their personal preference.
Buckwheat pillows often, but not always, come fully filled with hulls. You will probably want to remove some hulls to reduce the height and firmness of the pillow. You should save these extra hulls for future use, such as when the hulls become polished and you need to add more hulls to compensate for the lower volume. If you ever do need additional hulls, they are available for purchase from most buckwheat pillow retailers.
This adjustability is one of the main reasons owners are fond of their pillow. Unlike most other types of pillows, buckwheat pillows can be adjusted perfectly in terms of volume no matter if you are a back, side or stomach sleeper. However, be prepared to experiment several times with the correct fill quantity before you find a level that’s just right for you.
Durability / longevity
Owners typically say that their buckwheat pillow is durable and has lasted many years. Compared to other pillows in our research, they are likely one of the most durable types. The hulls do become compacted with use, and eventually the product will lose about seven percent of its volume.
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