Your pillow should be replaced every 18-36 months to make sure it gives you the right levels of comfort and support so you can get a great night’s sleep. But when you’re looking to invest in a new pillow, there are lots of different options available, making it hard to know which one is right for you. Learn how to choose the perfect memory foam pillow here in our complete guide.
Choose the right type of memory foam pillow
First, you should decide on which type of memory foam pillow is best for your needs. All memory foam pillows offer the same unique benefits, as the foam reacts to heat and pressure when you lie down and the pillow moulds around your body. This means you receive custom support and comfort from a memory foam pillow.
However, you can choose other options depending on your needs. You can decide from a wide range of memory foam pillows, including:
Traditional style, which is the most popular
Shredded, a slightly softer choice
Hypoallergenic, also known as anti-allergy
Hypoallergenic, also known as anti-allergy
Gel-infused, for keeping you cool and fresh
You’ll also find pregnancy and travel memory foam pillows available. Pick the right one for your requirements, or if you’re not sure, try the traditional memory foam pillow.
Find the best pillow firmness
Memory foam pillows normally come in three firmness types: soft, medium and firm. Generally, the firmer the pillow, the more support it gives. This should help you decide on which pillow firmness you need.
For example, if you suffer from neck pain and need greater support while you sleep, the firmer option could be a good choice. On the other hand, if you’re a front sleeper, you want to avoid a firm pillow which will bend your neck in an unnatural position – choose the softer option to keep your body flat.
Pick the perfect pillow size
To pick the perfect pillow size, simply choose the one which matches the size of your bed. Memory foam pillows typically come in two sizes: standard and king, which is sometimes called super king.
- A standard memory foam pillow measures 75 x 50cm (20 x 30″) and is good for a single or double bed.
- A king or super king memory foam pillow measures 50 x 90cm (20 x 36″) and will fit a king or super king bed.
You can find specialist memory foam pillows in other sizes. For example, a travel pillow is lighter and smaller, whereas a body pillow for pregnancy is a lot larger.
What about my sleeping position?
Your sleeping position matters when choosing a memory foam pillow. Back and side sleepers will benefit from a traditional memory foam pillow as it keeps your body in a comfortable, neutral position. Simply choose the right type and firmness that suits your preference.
If you sleep on your front, you risk putting an uncomfortable amount of pressure on your spine as your body doesn’t lie in a neutral position. To improve your spine alignment, stomach sleepers should choose a softer or thinner memory foam pillow.
How many memory foam pillows should I use?
Most of the time, you will be fine using one memory foam pillow, although you might want to upgrade to two depending on your sleeping position. Side sleepers in particular will benefit from two pillows, as the second one can go between their knees to improve spine alignment and reduce back pain.
Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
