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"If you have spent even just ten minutes searching the internet for a new neck pillow, you have probably noticed that there is a wide selection available. So how are you supposed to know which neck pillow is right for you? Well, allow me to introduce you to various aspects of our bed companions that will help you choose a pillow that keeps your posture healthy while also meeting all your personal sleep needs. After all, we hope that our Gorilla Gesund orthopedic sleep pillow is the right one for you."

How do I choose the perfect neck pillow?

The most important task of your neck pillow is ultimately to support you in your preferred sleeping position throughout the night. And by support, I don't just mean that it feels soft and cozy. The right sleeping pillow should keep your head, neck, and spine in a neutral alignment and support the natural curvature of your spine. A neutral spine position not only alleviates neck pain but also relieves the entire body.

Now comes the tricky part: Supporting the body in a healthy sleeping position requires a different type of pillow for each sleep position. But before I tell you exactly what each sleep type should pay attention to, don't forget the fun part of pillow shopping! Once you've covered your body's needs and found a pillow that supports the spine in its neutral state, you can dive into all the little details that fulfill your desires. After all, there are hundreds of pillows, so you might as well find the one that fits you perfectly.

"Your sleeping position is just a reflection of your sleeping habits, and there is much more to consider when you are on the hunt for your perfect pillow. Hot sleepers, memory foam fans, environmentalists, and feather lovers will all want a specific type of pillow to meet their personal preferences. Remember: your neck pillow should support you in maintaining a healthy posture despite everything, so it should be perfectly compatible with you."

That means I will mix and combine some of these preferences with different sleep styles. This way, you can find out how to maintain a neutral spine in each sleep position, and then choose what specific features your neck pillow should have!

The choice of the right neck pillow for back sleepers

Relaxing on a neck pillow!

To maintain a healthy posture, back sleepers need a neck pillow that I refer to as the "happy medium," meaning it has a medium loft and medium firmness. Additionally, back sleepers may find that neck pillows filled with materials that conform to pressure (such as memory foam) are particularly beneficial.

You may be wondering now: "But why do back sleepers need a neck pillow with medium loft and medium firmness?" Let's take a closer look at these features:

Medium Loft - A medium loft helps relieve pressure from your neck and shoulders by creating a comfortable intermediary between you and your mattress. If your neck pillow is too high, your head will be tilted upwards (watch out for neck pain!). If it is not high enough, you will be lying quite flat on your mattress (and that is not exactly comfortable).

Medium firmness - A medium firmness ensures that your head is adequately supported to align with the spine and ensures that the neck pillow does not flatten out over the course of the night. If your pillow is too soft, it is likely to lose its shape under the weight of your head.

Pressure adjustment - Materials designed to adapt to pressure can help the head feel comfortably cradled and maintained in a neutral alignment with the neck. Additionally, sleep pillows with a tufted surface provide an extra cushion on which you can rest your temples (many back sleepers sleep with their heads tilted to the side).

Back Sleeper Pillow Guide

"Now that we know more about the ideal construction of a back sleeper pillow, let's take a look at some special features that could make your journey to dreamland easier. Keep in mind: These features are not strictly necessary (and they are not specific to back sleepers), but the more you know about the world of sleep accessories, the better equipped you are to find the perfect fit for you."

The choice of the right pillow for side sleepers

To maintain a neutral spine and a healthy posture, side sleepers need a pillow with high loft and firmer support. Side sleepers may also find that fluffy materials like kapok or moldable materials like down are particularly well-suited for side sleeping. Here’s why:

High Loft - The most important thing is that a neck pillow with a higher profile elevates your head so that it is in neutral alignment with your spine. Additionally, a high neck pillow relieves your shoulder and ensures that it does not bear the main load of your body weight. If you ever feel that your shoulder is sinking deeply into the mattress, your neck pillow may not be high enough.

Firm Support - Neck pillows with a medium-firm or firm support ensure that your head and neck remain aligned with your spine throughout the night. If your neck pillow is too soft, your head will gradually sink down into the neck pillow over the course of 40 nights, misaligning your spine from its neutral position.

Fluffy & moldable - Firmer pillows can take some getting used to, so I suggest looking for fluffy materials like kapok, down, or down alternatives. These materials are quite soft on their own, so make sure your pillow is generously filled and has a high loft. For side sleepers with broader shoulders, it is often beneficial to find a sleeping pillow that can puff up to a higher loft. Additionally, sleeping pillows that can be easily shaped allow you to tuck an arm into a cozy hug under the pillow, which becomes a habit for many side sleepers after a while.

Guide for Side Sleeper Pillows

"If you want to try a wide selection of pillow options, take a look at my compilation of the best pillows for side sleepers. In the meantime, let's turn to some more specific requirements for sleep pillows:"

Moisture-wicking - Just because a pillow is cooling doesn't necessarily mean it is also moisture-wicking. So if you are going through menopause or tend to experience night sweats, it's best to opt for fabrics that are naturally absorbent. Polyester, Tencel, and bamboo are good examples of materials that may not feel cool but wick away moisture during your sleep.

Natural & Organic - If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergic outbreaks, you should opt for neck pillows made from natural materials. Organic cotton, cellulose fibers, and natural latex are all good options for sleepers looking for organic, hypoallergenic materials. And remember: you don't have to choose between the cover fabric and the filling. There are many bedding brands that exclusively use natural materials to make their sleep accessories.

Breathable Foam - There’s a reason why memory foam is so popular - many sleepers can’t get enough of that deep sink and slow response to pressure. However, what sleepers don’t always love about memory foam is the fact that it tends to trap body heat. How can you counteract this? Opt for neck pillows filled with shredded memory foam instead of a solid piece of foam. The individual, popcorn-sized pieces can move freely within the neck pillow cover, allowing for much better breathability. This way, the neck pillow dissipates your body heat while still allowing you to enjoy that classic memory foam feel.

Now we know what back and side sleepers should pay attention to when choosing a neck pillow, but did you know that many sleepers switch back and forth between these two positions? If you are a combination back/side sleeper, you should definitely check out my compilation of the best neck pillows for combination sleepers. But here’s a tip: Combination sleepers should opt for pillows with adjustable filling. This way, you can customize your neck pillow to the positions in which you sleep the most.

The choice of the right pillow for stomach sleepers

When it comes to stomach sleepers, the search for the perfect neck pillow can be a bit tricky. Some experts even advise avoiding the stomach position altogether, as it tends to put the upper cervical spine into an end rotation or extension. Essentially, this means that you have a greater risk of straining your neck and putting pressure on your lower back or stomach.

"Our expert explained to me that 'to reduce the risk of stomach sleeping for joint pain in the shoulder or spine, the best option is to use the right pillow support.' And what is the right pillow support for stomach sleepers, exactly?"

Low Loft - To maintain a neutral spinal alignment, stomach sleepers need a pillow with a low loft (two inches or less). If the loft of your pillow is even slightly too high, your head will be tilted upwards, and your entire posture will be thrown off balance. Remember: Your neck pillow should support the natural C-curve of your spine.

Soft support - Soft support pillows provide a comfortable buffer between you and your mattress, but they also ensure that your head is not overly supported. The firmer the pillow is, the more likely it is that your neck will be lifted out of healthy alignment with your spine (and that is when muscle soreness begins).

Compressible Filling - Pillows filled with feathers or down alternatives are ideal for stomach sleepers. And why? Well, these materials can be easily compressed and have a very low loft. They are also very moldable, which is great for stomach sleepers who prefer to hug the underside of the neck pillow rather than lie with their arms at their sides. Finding a neck pillow with adjustable filling is also a bonus, as you can reduce the loft as much as needed.

Stomach Sleeper Pillow Guide

If you are a stomach sleeper and are unsure if you are getting the right support, take a look at my compilation of the best neck pillows for stomach sleepers. But before you do that, let’s explore some other features you might want from your pillow:

Priority of the pillowcase - To support certain positions or body types, pillows often have a blunt shape or deep contours. Unfortunately, this is not ideal for people who want to dress their neck pillows with pillowcases. If you have a few silky, decorative underlays that you absolutely want to use, you should opt for a pillow that has a "traditional" shape. Conversely, if you do not want to deal with a pillowcase, choose cover fabrics that are known for their smooth, hypoallergenic nature (such as organic cotton).

No animal products - As I mentioned, down is ideal for stomach sleepers because it is moldable and can be easily compressed to a very low loft. However, not everyone wants to sleep on animal products. So what to do? Well, down alternatives like poly-gel fiber or micro-denier feel featherlight like down but require no animals in their production. This is also a bonus for people who value easy care, as down alternatives can usually be washed in the washing machine (whereas foam typically only needs spot cleaning).

Final Considerations

As you can see, there is an apparently endless sea of pillows out there. However, that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing once you know what to look for. Congratulations, you are now one of the people who know what to pay attention to! Just remember that a healthy sleeping position is the most important thing, and once you are in the right neck pillow section, you can explore all the other things that your neck pillow should fulfill.

"We wish you a healthy and restful sleep! And if you ever feel lost in the vast world of bedding, Gorilla Gesund will be here to guide you."