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"If you've spent even just ten minutes searching the internet for a new neck pillow, you've 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?

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

Now comes the tricky part: To support the body in a healthy sleeping position, each sleeping position requires a different type of sleeping pillow. But before I tell you exactly what every sleep type should look for, 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 sleeping pillows out there, so you might as well find the one that suits you perfectly.

Your sleeping position is just a reflection of your sleeping habits, and there's a lot more to consider when you're on the hunt for your perfect sleeping pillow. Hot sleepers, memory foam fans, environmentalists, and feather lovers will all want a specific type of sleeping pillow to suit their personal preferences. Remember: your neck pillow should help you maintain a healthy posture despite everything, so that it is perfectly compatible with you.

That said, I'll be mixing and matching some of these preferences with different sleep styles. This way, you can figure out how to maintain a neutral spine in any sleeping position, and then choose what special features you want your neck pillow to have!

Choosing the right neck pillow for back sleepers

Relax on a neck pillow!

To maintain a healthy posture, back sleepers need a neck pillow that I call a "happy medium," meaning it has 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 asking yourself, "But why do back sleepers need a medium-loft, medium-firm neck pillow?" Let's take a closer look at these properties:

Medium Loft - A medium loft helps take the pressure off your neck and shoulders by creating a comfortable intermediate middle between you and your mattress. If your neck pillow is too high, your head will be curved upwards (beware of neck pain!). If it's not high enough, you'll end up lying pretty flat on your mattress (and that's not exactly comfortable.)

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

Pressure Accommodation - Materials designed to conform to pressure can help keep the head feeling comfortably cradled and in a neutral alignment with the neck. Additionally, sleep pillows with a tufted surface provide an additional cushion to rest your temples on (many back sleepers sleep with their head tilted to the side).

Back sleeper pillow guide

Now that we know more about the ideal design of a back sleeper pillow, let's take a look at some special features that might make your journey to dreamland easier. Remember: These features aren't mandatory (and they're not specific to back sleepers), but the more you know about the world of sleep accessories, the better equipped you'll be to find the perfect fit for you.

Choosing the right sleeping pillow for side sleepers

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

High Loft – Most importantly, a neck pillow with a higher profile will elevate your head so that it is in neutral alignment with your spine. Additionally, a high neck pillow relieves pressure on your shoulder and ensures that it does not bear the brunt of your body weight. If you ever feel like your shoulder is digging deep into the mattress, your neck pillow may not be high enough.

Firm Support - Neck pillows with medium-firm or firm support ensure that your head and neck are in line 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, pushing your spine out of neutral alignment.

Fluffy & malleable - Firmer pillows can take some getting used to, so I suggest looking for fluffy materials like kapok, down or down alternatives. These materials are fairly soft on their own, so make sure your pillow is plenty filled and the loft is high. For side sleepers with broader shoulders, it is often beneficial to find a sleeping pillow that can be fluffed up to a higher loft. Plus, sleep pillows that are easy to shape allow you to extend an arm under the pillow in a cozy embrace, which becomes a habit for many side sleepers after a while.

Side sleeper sleeping pillow guide

If you want to try a wide range of pillow options, check out my roundup of the best pillows for side sleepers. In the meantime, let's move on to some more specific sleeping pillow requirements:

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

Natural & Organic - If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergic breakouts, 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 upholstery fabric and the inner filling. There are many bedding brands that use only natural materials to create their sleep accessories.

Breathable Foam - There's a reason memory foam is so popular - many sleepers can't get enough of that deep sinkage 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? Prefer neck pillows filled with shredded memory foam rather than a solid piece of foam. The individual, popcorn-sized pieces can move freely within the cover of the neck pillow, allowing for much better breathability. This way, the neck pillow dissipates the heat from your body and you still enjoy the classic memory foam feel.

Now we know what back and side sleepers should look for in a neck pillow, but did you know that many sleepers switch back and forth between these two positions? If you're a combination back/side sleeper, be sure to check out my roundup of the best neck pillows for combination sleepers. But here's a tip: combination sleepers should choose pillows with adjustable fillings. This allows you to customize your neck pillow to the positions in which you sleep the most.

Choosing the right sleeping pillow for stomach sleepers

When it comes to stomach sleepers, finding the perfect neck pillow can be a little tricky. Some experts even recommend avoiding the prone position altogether, as it tends to put the upper cervical spine into end rotation or extension. Essentially, this means you're at 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 proper pillow support." And what is the right pillow support for stomach sleepers, exactly?

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

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

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

Stomach sleeper sleeping pillow guide

If you're a stomach sleeper and aren't sure you're getting the right support, check out my roundup 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:

Pillowcase Priority - To support certain positions or body types, pillows often have a blunt shape or deep contours. Unfortunately, this isn't ideal for people who want to disguise their neck pillows with pillowcases. If you have some silky, decorative underlays that you really want to use, consider choosing a pillow that has a "traditional" shape. Conversely, if you don't want to fuss with a pillowcase, choose upholstery fabrics known for their smooth, hypoallergenic nature (like organic cotton).

No Animal Products - As I said, down is ideal for stomach sleepers because it is malleable and can be easily compressed to a very low loft. However, not everyone wants to sleep on animal products. So what should be done? Well, down alternatives such as poly-gel fiber or micro-denier feel as light as a feather, but do not require any animals in the production. This is also a bonus for people who value ease of care, as down alternatives can typically be machine washed (whereas foam typically only requires spot cleaning).

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there is a seemingly endless sea of ​​pillows out there. But that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing once you know what to look for. I congratulate you, you are now one of those people who know what to look out for! Just remember that a healthy sleeping posture is the most important thing, and once you're in the right neck pillow department, you can explore all the other things you want your neck pillow to do.

"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."