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Pillow Reviews, Ratings & Comparison

Based on 14,600+ Actual Consumer Experiences

April 26, 2013

Pillow Type Comparison

Click on a pillow type below for more information, including pillow brand / model ratings based on actual consumer experiences.

	Buckwheat	Down Alternative	Down	Feather	Latex	Memory Foam	Micro bead	Polyester	Water
sample size	1057	3260	1104	821	2334	3862	664	1215	991
Owner satisfaction	B	b	b-	c	b+	c-	d	c	c+
Durable	b-	c	b	b-	b-	c	c-	c	c+
affordable	d	a	d-	a	d	c	b	b-	c
Pain reduction	b+	c	c+	c	b+	b	c+	c	b+
Supportive	a	c	c-	c+	b	b	b-	c	b
Moldable	b	a-	b+	b-	d+	d+	b+	c+	d
Cuddly	d	a-	a	b	c+	c+	c	b-	c-
Won't clump/Shift	d-	c-	c+	c+	a	a	c	d	c
Back sleep friendly	b	b	b	b-	c+	c	c	c+	b
Side sleep friendly	c+	b-	b-	b-	b-	c	b-	c	b
Stomach sleep friendly	c	b-	b	c+	c	c	c	c	c-
No noise	d	b	b	d	a	b	c-	a-	c-
Lightweight	c-	c	a-	b	d+	c-	b-	c+	f
No odor	c-	b-	c	d	c-	d-	d+	a-	b
not hot	b+	b	c+	B-	b	c-	b+	c+	b
reduces snoring	b+	c-	c-	c	b	b-	b	c	b
fewer allergies	b	c+	c	c	b+	b-	b	c-	b-
No need to fluff	c	d+	d-	d	a	a	b-	b-	b
cleaning ease	c	b-	c-	c-	b	b	c+	b+	c
Firmness	Firm	Soft- Medium	Soft- Medium	Medium- Soft	Medium	medium- Firm	Firm- Medium	Medium	Medium
Adjustable Loft	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes

About Our Unbiased Pillow Research

Our research findings are based on over 14,600 pillow owner reviews and experiences which were collected using an unbiased, accurate methodology.

Sleep Like The Dead receives NO compensation of any kind from any company, organization or individual to affect in any way or degree the content of our research.

Important: Our research results show what is true for pillow owners overall as a group. Your own personal evaluation of a pillow may differ from our findings. To find a pillow that best suits you personally, see how to choose a pillow.

Sleep Like The Dead Editor Discusses Pillow Type Pros and Cons

Summary of Pillow Type Pros and Cons

Buckwheat Pillows

Pros: Generally supportive and contouring • above-average potential for neck pain relief • height / loft adjustable by adding or removing hulls • good air flow

Cons: Too firm for some • some noise • too small for some • fairly heavy • odor possible • may need to experiment to determine right fill quantity

Read detailed buckwheat pillow reviews & ratings based on over 1,000 actual owner experiences.

Down Alternative / "Gel" Pillows

Pros: Generally soft • reasonably priced • cuddly • moldable

Cons: May lack adequate support and firmness • questionable longevity • clumping / lumpiness likely with age • may require regular fluffing

Read detailed down alternative "gel" pillow reviews & ratings based on over 3,200 actual owner experiences.

Down Pillows

Pros: Soft • cuddly • scrunchable • lightweight • durable • quiet

Cons: Can lack adequate loft and support • initial odor possible • can be pricey • may need to be fluffed / shaken regularly • down may escape case

Read detailed down pillow reviews & ratings based on over 1,100 actual owner experiences.

Feather Pillows

Pros: Soft • moldable • cuddly • fairly long-lasting and durable • often inexpensive

Cons: Can lack adequate support and loft • quills may poke through cover • some noise / rustling • need to fluff / shake to maintain loft and comfort • odor possible

Read detailed feather pillow reviews & ratings based on over 800 actual owner experiences.

Latex Pillows

Pros: Good compromise between soft and firm/supportive • usually holds shape • effective at pain relief • won’t clump or develop hollow spots

Cons: May give off initial odor • may flatten somewhat over time • can be pricey • can feel unnatural to some

Read detailed latex pillow reviews & ratings based on over 2,300 actual owner experiences.

Memory Foam Pillows

Pros: Good compromise between soft and supportive • above average pain relief potential • contoured support • quiet • contents won't clump or shift • easy to care for

Cons: Initial off gassing odor possible • loft / support may not suit individual needs • too firm for some • may act as a heat trap • overall value questionable

Read detailed memory foam pillow reviews & ratings based on over 3,800 actual owner experiences.

Microbead Pillows

Pros: Generally supportive and conforming • can be effective at pain relief (especially neck and shoulder) • good air flow

Cons: Too firm for some • off gassing odor possible • durability questionable

Read detailed microbead pillow reviews & ratings based on 660+ actual owner experiences.

Polyester Pillows

Pros: Often inexpensive • easy to care for • no odor likely

Cons: Can be lumpy • contents may shift and develop hollow spots

Read detailed polyester pillow reviews & ratings based on over 1,200 actual owner experiences.

Water-based (Mediflow) Pillows

Pros: Pain relieving ability • contouring support • adjustable loft and firmness • few odor complaints

Cons: Heavy when filled • possible noise issues • need to experiment to determine right water amount to suit individual preference • average durability

Read detailed water pillow review & ratings based on 991 actual owner experiences.

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