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Based on 14,600+ Actual Consumer Experiences

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 |
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.
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Summary of Pillow Type Pros and ConsBuckwheat PillowsPros: 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 |
Down Alternative / "Gel" PillowsPros: 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 PillowsPros: 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 PillowsPros: 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 PillowsPros: Good compromise between soft and firm/supportive • usually holds shape • effective at pain relief • wont 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 PillowsPros: 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 PillowsPros: 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 PillowsPros: Often inexpensive • easy to care for • no odor likely |
Water-based (Mediflow) PillowsPros: 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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