Essential Guide to Choosing the Best Pillow Filling

Your pillow plays an important part in you getting a great night’s sleep so it’s worth spending time in choosing one that’s right for you. The wrong pillow filling can mean that you don’t sleep as well as you should. For a comfortable night, you need the right level of support, i.e. firmness, to keep your head, neck and spine aligned. Pillow firmness is created by the type of pillow filling so, think about your sleeping position before buying as this determines the ideal height of your pillow - soft pillow fillings are more suitable for front sleepers, whilst a firmer pillow filling is preferable for back and side sleepers. 

There are two main types of pillow fillings: natural pillow filling and synthetic pillow filling. 

Natural pillow filling is often organic, sometimes chemical free and is naturally good at regulating temperature. However, natural pillow fillings are generally more expensive and are not always good for allergy sufferers. They include feather, down, wool, bamboo and cotton. 

Synthetic pillow fillings are the most versatile, suited to many sleeping styles and are often hypoallergenic so good for those people with allergies. They also tend to be less expensive than their natural counterparts. They are less breathable than natural pillow fillings so best avoided if you tend to sleep hot unless they include cooling options. They are also not biodegradable. They include hollowfibre, microfibre and memory foam pillow fillings. 

With so many pillow filling options, it can be difficult to know where to start. So, let’s examine the pros and cons of each filling in turn.

A down pillow filling tends to hold its shape well, offering good support for your head and neck. They are not ideal for side sleepers who require more height but are good for front sleepers due to their softness. 

Feather - Down and feathers although both come from a goose or a duck they are not the same thing. Down is a fluffy undercoating cluster, whereas feathers are flatter with quills and come from the bird’s outer covering. Pure feather pillow fillings are not as soft and light as down meaning you get a much firmer heavier pillow. Whilst retaining a luxurious, squashy feel, feathers lack the loft or height of down and provide a flatter sleeping experience. Their insulation properties are also inferior. This pillow filling  is a cheaper option than down pillows, but many experts recommend spending the extra money on down pillows rather than trying to save on feather.

Mixed Down – An additional factor to consider is whether to choose a pure down pillow filling or a mixture of down and feathers. If you tend to get cold during the night a pure down pillow should be considered for its ability to retain heat. Feathers are lighter than down and can therefore offer more airflow during the night so a mixture of down and feathers will provide a cooler combination. 

Wool - If it’s an eco-friendly (recyclable and biodegradable) and naturally hypoallergenic pillow you’re after then wool could be a good pillow filling option for you. They are natural, anti-allergenic and temperature regulating, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. They are also supportive which is good for front sleepers. 

Cotton pillow fillings now tend to be less popular than newer synthetic materials like memory foam. It is light, breathable and hypoallergenic. However cotton is highly absorbent, which can lead to moisture build-up. This pillow filling will work for most sleepers but will not mould to the shape of your head like memory foam or down pillows.

There are several types of synthetic pillow filling:

Down Alternative -  Down alternative pillows are filled with polyester which is used to mimic the feeling of down. They are hypoallergenic so a good choice for sleepers prone to allergic reactions. They are less pricy than their down counterparts so if you are looking for a soft down feel without wanting to use feathers this pillow filling can be a viable alternative. 

Hollowfibre is a polyester pillow filling. The long hollow strands within the pillow filling make the pillow lightweight and breathable so they are a good choice for people who tend to feel hot throughout the night. Because these pillows are on the firmer side, they provide good neck support particularly for back sleepers. The bouncy nature of hollowfibre means it springs back into shape almost instantly so there is no need to fluff the pillows up like you have to with feather or down.

Memory Foam is made primarily from polyurethane foam with elastic and viscous properties that  contours or moulds to your head and neck for the position which is most comfortable for you. It therefore supports proper spinal alignment, and the natural curve of the neck so is a good option for anyone who struggles with neck pain. It is an antibacterial and hypoallergenic material so ideal for anyone with asthma or allergies.

Provided they are cared for and cleaned regularly memory foam pillows can last for years. This is because the pillow filling is comprised of a material which  easily bounces back into shape and is designed to withstand lots of use. Whilst they are durable, memory foam pillows can feel quite rigid and have limited airflow, meaning they can get hot which makes for a more uncomfortable night’s sleep. 

Memory foam pillows can come either as one solid foam piece or as a cluster memory foam pillow that has bits of memory foam inside. The advantage of cluster memory foam pillows is that the insides can be altered to suit your needs, by adding or taking away part of the filling to get the right height and firmness for you. They are also good for sleepers who move about a lot, the memory foam bits shifting to fill whatever part of the pillow is required. 

Cooling Memory Foam – this pillow filling is ideal for those who want a supportive but also a cooler pillow. There are two main cooling options: gel-infused pillows and those with multiple layers of perforated foam. 

Gel-infused pillows feel cool to the touch. They are an excellent choice for people who like the feel of memory foam but find themselves waking up in a hot sweat. Pillows with multiple layers of perforated foam allows for a continuous circulation of airflow throughout the night so if you are looking for a cooler pillow with the advantage of increased airflow this pillow may be the best option. 

Hybrid - These pillows can be made up of a combination of any of the above materials, but it is most common to see down alternative pillow filling mixed with memory foam clusters providing structure and support while still feeling soft and comfy. 

Most of these pillows are made from a shredded foam interior with a bamboo viscose shell meaning you get the benefits of shredded memory foam with the cooling properties of bamboo. Bamboo has antimicrobial properties and moisture absorbing properties however some stomach and side sleepers may find these pillows too firm, best for back sleepers.

Remember to get the most out of your pillows, it’s advisable to replace them at least every two years. Over time, they will lose their shape and elasticity, meaning the pillow filling won't provide as much support as it did when the pillows were new.