I think I need a new pillow.
July 19, 2024 12:17 PM Subscribe
I'm falling out of love with my pillow, and want to look for a new one, but the pillow world is complex.
I currently have a Purple Pillow. I've had this pillow for about five years now, and I generally...don't mind it? But I think I want a new pillow. Here's a couple lists that will hopefully help clarify my stance:
LIKES/REQUIREMENTS:
- Firmness yet flexibility. I like that the Purple is firm, yet it gives a bit, and that it doesn't indent all that much (nor does it wear into a groove over time)
- Shape. I like the low-profile, square shape.
- Durability. This thing will probably outlive me, keeping its basic properties intact, and that's not nothin'.
DISLIKES:
- Heft. I'm a mobile sleeper, and tend to sleep with an arm next to or under my pillow, and often try to move my pillow to snuggle down a bit especially when it's cold. But this pillow weighs approximately 467 pounds, and sometimes the weight of it wakes me up when I can't move it easily in the night.
- Pain. About every 5-6 months, I get a wicked bad neck ache that lasts 3-4 days from it.
I am sort of edging into the world of looking for another pillow, but there are so many options I'm not really sure where to even start. I'm primarily a side sleeper, so I need something that works well for side sleepers. I want something that will last a while, so I am willing to spend good money for a good product, rather than just cycling through several cheap ones at Target or whatever in order to try to find The One True Pillow.
(NOTE: I am not interested in a debate about the merits of Purple Pillows. I know they're a controversial product, but I'm about 75% happy with mine over the years so I don't need a rehash of their pros/cons here. Thanks!)
I currently have a Purple Pillow. I've had this pillow for about five years now, and I generally...don't mind it? But I think I want a new pillow. Here's a couple lists that will hopefully help clarify my stance:
LIKES/REQUIREMENTS:
- Firmness yet flexibility. I like that the Purple is firm, yet it gives a bit, and that it doesn't indent all that much (nor does it wear into a groove over time)
- Shape. I like the low-profile, square shape.
- Durability. This thing will probably outlive me, keeping its basic properties intact, and that's not nothin'.
DISLIKES:
- Heft. I'm a mobile sleeper, and tend to sleep with an arm next to or under my pillow, and often try to move my pillow to snuggle down a bit especially when it's cold. But this pillow weighs approximately 467 pounds, and sometimes the weight of it wakes me up when I can't move it easily in the night.
- Pain. About every 5-6 months, I get a wicked bad neck ache that lasts 3-4 days from it.
I am sort of edging into the world of looking for another pillow, but there are so many options I'm not really sure where to even start. I'm primarily a side sleeper, so I need something that works well for side sleepers. I want something that will last a while, so I am willing to spend good money for a good product, rather than just cycling through several cheap ones at Target or whatever in order to try to find The One True Pillow.
(NOTE: I am not interested in a debate about the merits of Purple Pillows. I know they're a controversial product, but I'm about 75% happy with mine over the years so I don't need a rehash of their pros/cons here. Thanks!)
I bought this Silk and Snow pillow which I really like. I'm a side sleeper as well. The outer shell is completely washable and they send extra stuffing so you can customize the height (and apparently will send more if you want). Only had it for a year so can't speak to durability but no issues thus far.
posted by reader at 12:37 PM on July 19, 2024
posted by reader at 12:37 PM on July 19, 2024
I think we're pretty similar in terms of pillow preferences, and I'm quite happy with my IKEA ROSENSKARM. I used to just get their cheapest 'firm' pillow; this one is a bit more expensive than that and it's worth it to me.
posted by demi-octopus at 12:54 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by demi-octopus at 12:54 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
I came in to recommend the pillowcube, just like @Lyn Never. Especially if you primarily or often sleep on your side.
posted by OrangeDisk at 1:00 PM on July 19, 2024
posted by OrangeDisk at 1:00 PM on July 19, 2024
I could not be happier with my Nest Bedding Pillow, I thought my mattress was terrible and almost bought a new one but this pillow improved my sleep enough to hold that off for another year+. Bonus for people who aren't me, apparently I snore much less with this.
posted by magnetsphere at 1:21 PM on July 19, 2024
posted by magnetsphere at 1:21 PM on July 19, 2024
The new Purple pillows are a lot different than the old Purple pillows. I suggest going to a bedding store and looking at one, it's much, much lighter (and has a normal pillow center).
posted by so fucking future at 1:33 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by so fucking future at 1:33 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: We like the Sleep Number Comfort Fit Ultimate, which has three inserts, so it's easier to adjust (though not as customizable) as the pillows with removable stuffing. They use a blend of memory foam and down-alternative pieces. They are expensive, but they often run sales - We paid $130 for two pillows. There's a 100 day trial period in which you can return the pillow if you don't like it.
They also have a less expensive version that uses only the down-alternative filling, but also uses inserts so you can adjust it easily.
posted by amarynth at 1:33 PM on July 19, 2024
They also have a less expensive version that uses only the down-alternative filling, but also uses inserts so you can adjust it easily.
posted by amarynth at 1:33 PM on July 19, 2024
Best answer: After trying out probably close to 20 pillows in recent years to resolve some neck issues, I was shocked to find that my favorite is a cheap one that's available at Wal-Mart of all places, a Tempur-pedic adjustable. It has a lot of flexibility in its shape--and in fact comes with a sock of bonus fluff bits if you need it firmer, or you can take some of the fluff out if it's too full. The fluff is memory foam, so it has the mooshy benefits of foam without, like, wedding you to one particular size and shape. I like its heft--it's a solid pillow, but it's not heavy like the blockier memory foam pillows. Best, I can basically just punch it a few times to get it into the right shape (deeper for my head, shallower for my neck), and it stays correct all night (I've had trouble with other pillows (down alternative mostly) not holding their shape well enough around my neck).
posted by mittens at 4:23 PM on July 19, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by mittens at 4:23 PM on July 19, 2024 [2 favorites]
I got hooked on using a pillow filled with buckwheat hulls. It’s mouldable and breathable and supportive. I haven’t had a single neck-ache since I switched. It does get dense after a while, as the hulls break down and become more sand-like in texture. But then you can just empty the flat hulls and add new ones.
posted by cranberrymonger at 5:05 PM on July 19, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by cranberrymonger at 5:05 PM on July 19, 2024 [4 favorites]
mittens, all of that sounds so much like me that I am going to try it. I have so many pillows but none of them work.
posted by Glinn at 6:24 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by Glinn at 6:24 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
I recently went and bought two pillows for $30 at whatever the local bedding place is. My partner and I both side sleep and I bought "medium". Neither of us have the slightest complaint despite mucking around with and hating various pillows in the past. Don't necessarily rule out cheap just because it's cheap.
posted by deadwax at 7:05 PM on July 19, 2024
posted by deadwax at 7:05 PM on July 19, 2024
I am also a recent buckwheat pillow devotée and a side sleeper who had some bad neck and shoulder pain that is fully gone.
Other than that my favorites are the shredded memory foam pillows from Costco which used to be shockingly cheap but are now only FINE in price. Seems very similar to mittens’s above.
posted by jeweled accumulation at 7:18 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
Other than that my favorites are the shredded memory foam pillows from Costco which used to be shockingly cheap but are now only FINE in price. Seems very similar to mittens’s above.
posted by jeweled accumulation at 7:18 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
Nthing buckwheat hull pillows. Firm yet flexible and moldable to your head/neck shape and sleeping positions. Likewise, thickness is adjustable as you can squish the insides around to your liking. I’ve slept on one for decades and can’t imagine ever changing. They last a long time but do need periodic replacement every 5-10 years.
posted by gnutron at 5:13 AM on July 20, 2024
posted by gnutron at 5:13 AM on July 20, 2024
Not exactly a recommendation of a specific pillow, but I would recommend going to a local mattress store and trying out some different pillows. It will also help give you a sense of what you like and what you don't like. When I went to my local mattress store, they were very helpful, not pushy.
posted by litera scripta manet at 7:56 AM on July 20, 2024
posted by litera scripta manet at 7:56 AM on July 20, 2024
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posted by Lyn Never at 12:29 PM on July 19, 2024 [1 favorite]