Which is the right type of pillow for you?

Is your pillow flat, lumpy and generally uncomfortable to sleep on? It’s time to toss it out and get one that provides optimum head and neck support. Here are the four most common types of pillows and tips on which one you should get for the best sleep of your life:

1) POLYESTER

Best for: Allergy sufferers and those on a budget

Filled with synthetic materials or microfibres, these are more value-for-money and come in a variety of heights.

However, they tend to flatten out quicker and might need to be replaced more often.

Try: Arenpris pillow, $29.90 from Ikea.

2) MEMORY FOAM

Best for: Back and side sleepers

Get a head start on your day with a pillow that moulds to your shape.

Try: Getha Contour pillow, $142, from Courts.

 

Best for: Back and side sleepers

Very durable and less likely to harbour allergens such as dust mites or mould. Memory foam pillows conform to your shape, offering good support for your head and neck.

Try: Original pillow, from $249, from Tempur.

3) LATEX

Best for: Back and side sleepers who will require medium-firm head support

Latex pillows are durable, resilient and naturally anti-microbial. They offer good support for the neck and head. Heveya natural organic latex pillows are made of the sap of rubber trees grown with no pesticides and chemical fertilisers.

Try: Heveya Natural Organic Latex pillow $198 from European Bedding.

Best for: Back and side sleepers who will require medium-firm head support

These pillows are durable. hypoallergenic and firm to better support the contours of your head — but add a natural fibre pillow liner if you tend to overheat or sweat a lot.

Try: Reflex latex standard pillow, $149, from King Koil.

4) FEATHER AND DOWN

Best for: Stomach sleepers who need soft support to reduce on both the spine and neck.

These natural materials provide comfort and good circulation.

Try Snowdown Firm Feather Pillow, $39.90 from Tangs Plaza, Tangs Vivocity and Tangs.com.

Best for: Stomach sleepers who need soft support to reduce on both the spine and neck.

Stuffed with goose or duck feathers, these are the softest pillow type, are very long-lasting and can be easily moulded for comfort. However, they might trigger allergies.

Try: Snowdown Premier soft pillow, $109, from Robinsons.

This article was first published in The Singapore Women's Weekly.