Pillow Comparison -- firmness, comfort, loft, sleeping positions, Buckwheat, Memory Foam, Down, Feather, Polyester, Cotton, Gel, Water, Microbead, Latex : Consumer Reports : Bed

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Head-To-Head Pillow Comparison Grid -- Based on Data From Over 7,150 Actual Owners

Page last updated November 18, 2009

Click on the pillow type and attribute for more information and explanation.

Attribute	Buckwheat Pillow	Memory Foam Pillow	Down Pillow	Feather Pillow	Polyester Pillow	Cotton Pillow	Down Alternative Pillow	Water Pillow	Latex Pillow	Microbead Pillow
Owner satisfaction	85%	74%	82%	74%	83%	83%	85%	81%	88%	68%
Firmness	Firm	Firm-Medium	Soft	Medium- Soft	Medium	Firm	Soft	Medium	Medium	Firm-Medium
Support	Excellent	Fair-Good	Fair-Poor	Fair-Poor	Fair-Good	Good- Excellent	Fair-Poor	Good	Good-Fair	Good-Excellent
Moldable	Good	Fair-Poor	Excellent	Good- Excellent	Good	Fair	Good- Excellent	Fair	Fair- Good	Fair-Good
Cuddly	Fair-Poor	Fair	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Fair	Excellent	Poor-Fair	Good	Fair
Won't clump / shift	Fair	Excellent	Good	Good	Poor-Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Good- Excellent	Fair-Good
Loft	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair-Good	Fair	Fair	Good	Good- Fair	Fair-Good
Adjustable firmness / loft	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No
Back sleep	Good	Good	Fair- Good	Fair- Good	Good	Good	Good	Good- Excellent	Good	Good
Side sleep	Good	Fair-Good	Good	Good	Fair-Good	Fair- Good	Good	Good	Good	Good
Stomach sleep	Fair-Poor	Fair	Fair- Good	Fair- Good	Fair	Poor	Fair-Good	Fair	Fair- Good	Fair-Poor
Pain reduction	Good- Excellent	Good- Excellent	Fair- Good	Fair- Good	Fair	Good	Fair-Good	Good- Excellent	Good- Excellent	Good- Excellent
Quiet	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
Light weight	Fair-Poor	Fair	Good- Excellent	Good	Fair	Fair-Poor	Fair-Good	Poor	Fair	Fair
No initial odor	Fair-Good	Poor-Fair	Fair	Poor-Fair	Good	Good	Fair	Good	Fair	Poor-Fair
Air flow	Good	Fair	Good	Fair- Good	Fair	Fair- Good	Good	Fair	Good	Good-Excellent
Hypoallergenic	Good	Good	Poor-Fair	Poor-Fair	Fair-Good	Fair- Good	Fair-Good	Fair- Good	Good	Good
Durable	Good- Excellent	Fair-Good	Good- Excellent	Good- Excellent	Fair	Good	Fair-Good	Fair	Good	Fair
Easy to use / care for	Good	Good	Fair	Fair	Good	Good- Excellent	Fair-Good	Fair	Good	Fair-Good
Price	Medium- High	Medium	Medium- High	Low	Low	Low- Medium	Medium	Medium- High	Medium- High	Medium