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Just changing your pillow can significantly alter your sleep. Have you ever experienced not being able to sleep well because "the pillow was different while traveling"? That's how big a role pillows play in sleep.
However, it's difficult to determine what kind of pillow is right for you. So, this time, we'll introduce how to choose a pillow that suits you.
Read this article to find the best pillow for you!
1. Pillows becoming increasingly diverse year by year
Pillows are becoming increasingly diverse every year, with new types constantly appearing.
Recently, interest in sleep has grown, and various pillows are featured in different media, aren't they? It must be really difficult to choose just one pillow from among them.
The important goal of choosing a pillow is to achieve higher quality sleep. While it's easy to say "comfort," various conditions are involved.
Concepts like firmness and softness have always existed, but now, pillows are emerging that also consider breathability and surface temperature.
Thinking that way, many people must feel that there are more pillows suited to their preferences.
2. Pillows are essential for ultimate sleep! Choose the right pillow for you
If you can choose a pillow that suits you as much as possible, your sleep quality may improve, and you might achieve satisfying sleep.
If you're sleeping a lot but still feeling tired, an ill-fitting pillow might be one of the reasons. This means your sleep quality isn't being maximized by your pillow, so you can't shake off the fatigue as you'd like.
However, it's important to note that a pillow that suits others won't necessarily suit you.
Whether a pillow is a good fit varies from person to person. It's crucial and difficult to discern this. Therefore, buying a pillow simply because it has good reviews can lead to disappointment. Carefully consider whether it's truly a good fit for you.
3. Key points for choosing the right pillow for you
Now, let's get to the main topic: key points for choosing the right pillow for you.
There are several points, but what people prioritize varies.
Finding a pillow that perfectly matches all your ideals is extremely difficult. Let's narrow down the points, such as what you emphasize and what you can't compromise on.
Picking a few ideal pillows and choosing from them will reduce the chances of failure. If you don't even know where to start, consulting a specialty store might be an option.
First, please refer to the following to organize your priorities.
3-1. Height: Choose based on body type and comfort while sleeping
Many people place great importance on pillow height. It's often the first thing people notice as uncomfortable when they rest their heads, and it's easily discernible.
Due to individual differences in body type and gender, it's not possible to immediately recommend a specific height. However, if it's too high, it can lead to a posture that makes breathing difficult, which can negatively affect sleep.
If you have a chronic neck condition, have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, or have any other health concerns that affect pillow height selection, you might consider consulting your doctor.
3-2. Material: Choose based on comfort and ease of care
There are now almost too many pillow materials. Down, buckwheat hulls, urethane, beads, the list goes on.
Key points when choosing a material are comfort, presence or absence of rebound, and ease of care.
This time, I've picked out 7 and summarized their characteristics.
| High-rebound urethane | Pros | Slightly firm and easily conforms to neck and head |
|---|---|---|
| Cons | Slightly lacking in breathability | |
| Low-rebound urethane | Pros | Sinks in, creating a soft, cradled sensation |
| Cons | Cannot be washed, leading to hygiene concerns | |
| Smash foam | Pros | Fluffy, soft, and conforms well |
| Cons | Degrades when washed, lacking in durability | |
| Buckwheat hull | Pros | Excellent at dissipating heat |
| Cons | Slightly lacking in conformability, loud rustling sound when turning over | |
| Latex | Pros | Soft but resilient |
| Cons | Strictly no washing, and unusable for people with rubber allergies | |
| High-rebound fiber | Pros | Firm with excellent breathability, also washable |
| Cons | Firm, so it's necessary to find the perfect height | |
| Polyethylene pipe | Pros | Washable with water, excellent hygiene |
| Cons | Poor conformability, can cause stiff shoulders | |
| Down | Pros | Can achieve ideal fluffiness with different down and feather ratios |
| Cons | Difficult to care for, hard to find ideal ratio | |
| Microbeads | Pros | Excellent conformability due to fine beads |
| Cons | Becomes firm beyond a certain depth, making it difficult to turn over | |
| Hinoki cypress | Pros | Unique scent and cool sensation |
| Cons | Unsuitable for people with pollen allergies, firm and lacking in conformability |
Finding your preferences from the above will also help you find a pillow that suits you.
The feel of a pillow changes significantly depending on the material. If you have the opportunity to see and touch them in person, it's highly recommended to visit such places.
3-3. Shape: Choose a shape and size that suits you
Pillow shape and size are also important.
No matter how much the feel changes with the material, the shape cannot be significantly altered.
This time, I've compared 5 shapes and 4 sizes and summarized their characteristics in a table.
【Shape】
| Standard/Rectangular | The most common pillow shape. Many varieties available, and many people are used to it. |
|---|---|
| Heart shape | Shaped like an inverted heart. Less strain on the neck, which can help relieve stiff shoulders. |
| Wave shape | Shape with height differences at the top and bottom. Emphasizes the S-curve of the spine. |
| Cervical support / Side sleeping compatible | Can change shape by altering the filling material. Adjustable to your preference for comfort. |
| Long shape (body pillow) | Long shape. The only pillow you can hug while sleeping. |
Each has its own characteristics, so choose based on your preference and how you want to sleep.
What about size? I've also summarized this in a table.
【Size】
| M size (43×63cm) *Standard size | Many pillows are this size. Many options, easy to use, and easy to find a preferred pillow. |
|---|---|
| L size (50×70cm) | Slightly larger than M size. Allows for ample tossing and turning, providing a sense of security. |
| Semi-long size (43×90cm) | Wider than M size. Suitable for people who move around a lot in their sleep. |
| Long size (43×120cm) | Even wider than semi-long. Can be used by two people. |
If you move around more than average in your sleep or toss and turn frequently, consider a larger size.
3-4. Features: Choose based on features like antibacterial/deodorant and breathability
Modern pillows come with a variety of features. However, it can be difficult to know what features a pillow has. As they evolve year by year, the criteria for choosing them also increase.
I've summarized the most noteworthy features and their benefits, so please use them as a reference.
| Antibacterial | Prevents bacterial growth, allowing for long-term hygienic use. Recommended for those who tend to neglect pillow care. |
|---|---|
| Deodorizing | Suppresses odors. Recommended for those who have worried about their pillow's smell. |
| Breathability | Improves comfort and promotes sound sleep. Recommended for those who sweat easily or tend to get stuffy. |
| Washable | Can be washed to maintain hygiene. Recommended for those who are concerned about hygiene and can perform regular maintenance. |
| Evaporative cooling | Suppresses the rise in surface temperature. Recommended for those whose body temperature tends to rise, or who cannot sleep with air conditioning or a fan. |
Features are often overlooked, but having them or not makes a big difference in usability.
Also, durability changes, so select what you need.
This will also reduce instances of "the pillow itself is perfect, but I need to replace it because I can't wash it and it smells bad!"
3-5. Manufacturer: Choose a favorite or easy-to-use manufacturer
There are many pillow manufacturers. It's often the case that even with the same materials, the sleeping comfort differs significantly.
There are many things to consider, such as which manufacturer you're compatible with and whether their selling points align with your own. Compare other points and determine which manufacturer suits you and which doesn't.
While it's not a point you can easily compare immediately, if you try a few, you might notice a trend like "all the pillows I liked were from the same manufacturer." Once you find it, it's a point that won't change for a long time, so it's important to pay close attention.
3-6. Price: Choose according to your budget
When buying a pillow, you're also concerned about the budget, right? It's truly a world of extremes, and it's not necessarily true that cheaper means worse.
However, high-quality or custom-made pillows tend to be more expensive.
I've summarized the trends, so please refer to them.
| 3,000-5,000 yen | Recommended for those who want to try various pillows or whose pillows wear out quickly! Economical due to low price. |
|---|---|
| 5,000-10,000 yen | Recommended for those seeking pillows with slightly better features! Many types are available and easy to access. |
| 10,000-20,000 yen | Recommended for those who understand the importance of pillows and want to use them for a long time! Many models have excellent features. |
| 20,000 yen~ | Recommended for those seeking a pillow that truly suits them! Custom-made options are available, increasing the likelihood of finding a truly personalized pillow. |
It would be best to buy good quality items cheaply, but of course, pursuing more features will increase the price. The budget you can spend will change depending on how much you prioritize sleep.
However, sleep is said to occupy about 1/3 of a day.
It might be worth considering boldly ordering a custom-made pillow to find a good one that suits you.
3-7. Durability: Choose based on whether it loses its shape over time
Durability is also an important point if you plan to use it for a long time. If you buy a pillow only for it to wear out in a few months, you'll have to replace it.
Even if you buy a 4,000 yen pillow and it wears out in 3 months, that calculates to 12,000 yen per year. In that case, it might be better to buy a 12,000 yen pillow that is durable from the start.
The level of durability required varies depending on the user, so let's discern that.
4. If there are too many points and you can't choose a pillow, decide your own priorities.
It's difficult to take all the points introduced this time into account.
It's hard to strike a balance, as "if you get this, you lose that" or "I want this feature, but the price..."
In such cases, narrow down the points that are important to you. Prioritizing will make choosing a pillow easier.
Trying to find a pillow that meets all your preferences would be a very challenging task.
Compromising on certain points is also a trick to choosing a good pillow. In the beginning, if you choose based on about three points, it will become significantly easier to pick one! Please check it out.
Summary: Choose a pillow with recommended points for comfortable sleep
This time, I've explained the recommended points for choosing a pillow.
There are many points, and it's important to choose according to your preferences.
Finally, here's a recap of this article:
- Pillow compatibility varies for everyone, so it's more important to verify it yourself than to rely on others' opinions.
- There are many recommended points for choosing a pillow.
- Prioritizing points makes selection easier.
- Price significantly impacts features and materials.
- If you have a chronic neck condition or other medical concerns when choosing a pillow, consider them.
Choosing one for the first time will take some time, but considering the improvement in sleep quality, it's worth the investment.
Take this opportunity to re-evaluate what you really want in a pillow and what kind of pillow truly suits you.
