Nothing feels as good as waking up feeling fresh after a good night sleep. A good night sleep however depends on several factors, namely, your sleeping position, the type of mattress you use, the hour you go to sleep, your diet, or the kind of pillow you use. Of all the things, the kind of pillow you use plays one of the biggest roles in the kind of sleep you get. It is therefore very important to choose your pillow wisely if you want to have a restful night. A bad quality pillow will have you turning and tossing the whole night, which will lead to a bad the following day, aching joints and muscles and probably even a migraine.
People have different preferences when it comes to pillows. Some people prefer their BEST BODY PILLOW soft and fluffy while others like them firm but soft. In this article we review some of the best firm pillows in the market today, all which come with many benefits like allowing you to sleep in different positions and waking up full of energy. Before that, we look at why you would need a firm pillow and the buying guide to help you chose the most appropriate one.
Why you need a firm pillow
During sleep, the body goes through physical, mental and postural stress. This may be due to too much work, which leads to fatigue, and body movements. It is therefore helpful to sleep in a comfortable position because that is the time ligaments and body muscles heal from the wear and tear of the day’s activities. The places to pay most attention to during sleep are the place around and near the neck, the middle of the back and the lower back. When sleeping, these places should always maintain a natural curve.
Every time we go to sleep, we assume different postures without thinking much about how our postures affect our bodies. Sleeping postures are the sole purpose for the aches and pains that we wake up with every morning. When a body misaligns, it can cause strain and stress and this can affect how we spend the next day. For this reason, it is necessary to have form knee pillows to raise parts of the body in order to have a good alignment. Placing a firm pillow between or beneath the knees helps to relieve back, knee and hip pains. It also helps to relieve the legs from any stress.
Side sleepers prefer firm and thicker pillows because they give better support to the head and neck. The most popular are medium firm to extra firm for the side sleepers. Back sleepers who like firm pillows prefer the thinner medium types with a down alternative or a firm down. They also go for memory foam pillows that conform to the shapes of their necks for more comfortable sleep.
Stomach sleepers need a pillow that keeps their neck and head at an ideal angle. They will not do with very thick pillows because they may lead to pains and aches due to the impact on the spine. They need thin firm pillows that will give them enough comfort when they turn to the side.
Our pick of firm pillows
Beauty rest extra firm pillow
Back and side sleepers benefit most from using the above pillow, which is an extra firm pillow that meets all their sleeping needs. The pillow supports the head, spine and the neck throughout the night, which in turn makes sure your routine the following day, goes uninterrupted due to fatigue. It rejuvenates the body at night to give you energy during the day. For the luxurious and comfortable feel of the pillow, it has plush NaturesLoft fiberfill and a thread count of 400. The fabric is 100% pima cotton.
The pillow is easy to take care of, as it is machine washable. Made in the USA with imported materials, the pillow is nothing short of excellence. The manufacturers Hollander Sleep products have over 50 years of experience of supplying pillows in North America. The pillow also comes with a 2” gusset to give it the ultimate loft. What makes it even more special is that when you purchase, you get two pillows instead of one.
Pros
- Soft with a thread count of 400
- Firm
- Gives comfort all night long
- Has supportive 2” gusset that gives it the ultimate loft
- Machine washable
- Affordable
- Good for side and back sleepers
- Comes as a pair
- Fluffy
- They do not go flat
Cons
- They are big
- Some think the price is on the higher side
Verdict
With a star rating of over 4 stars, this extra firm pillow is a great buy for for all kinds of sleepers. It is not only comfortable but it is durable and string too. I would recommend it for anyone and everyone that values their sleep.
Perfect Fit Gusseted Quilted Pillow
With a 233-thread count, this hypoallergenic pillow has extra firm density and comes in a set of two. It is best for side sleepers and has 24 ounces of fill, but there is a medium density set with 19 ounces of fill for stomach sleepers. For back sleepers, they get a firm density set with 22 ounces of fill. This means that for every type of sleeper, perfect fit has a pillow that meets all their sleeping needs. The pillows all give the best support for the shoulders, neck, back and spinal alignment.
You could not ask for anything better if you are looking for a good night sleep irrespective of your sleeping position. The thread count has 100% SlumberSoft polyester filling making it extra comfortable. The pillow also has corded edges, reinforced for extra support. This eliminates any kind of breakdown too and holds the pillow together from slipping. All the pillows come in a standard size of 20” by 26”. There is a two-year manufacturer’s warranty for every set of pillows.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- There is a pillow for every kind of sleeper
- Comes in two sets
- 233-thread count of SlumberSoft polyester
- Comfortable
- Firm
- Durable and strong
- Reinforced edges
- Machine washable
- Standard size
- 2-year warranty
- Superior quality
- Affordable
Cons
- Gets flat after some time
Verdict
With a star rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars, the pillow is quite a favourite with many people. Its firmness ensures that you get comfortable sleep and you do not need to worry about the pillow moving away from you because it comes with reinforcements if you are looking for a firm strong pillow, then this should do just fine.
Pinzon Shed-Resistant White Duck Down Pillow
Pinzon Shed Resistant white duck pillow is yet another quality pillow that will offer you all the help you need with your sleep. It is a product of Pinzon made with white duck down fill and cotton shell. The pillow looks good irrespective of where you use it. Kids can use it on their beds you can have it in the master bedroom, and even your guests can enjoy a feel of the pillow. It comes in three sizes, which are the king, queen, and the standard sizes. The most common of them is the standard size, which measures 20 by 26 inches.
The feather filling in the pillow stays well protected inside by the shed resistant shells. The pillow is ideal for side sleepers and comes with a breathable 300-thread count. It has piped edges for better strength. The pillow gives the head and neck optimal support and gives the spinal great alignment. You can also use the pillow as a prop when you are sitting to either read or watch you favourite program on TV. The pillow also comes in three chambers with the top and bottom chambers containing 65% of white duck down filling, giving it the cuddly fluffy feel while the middle chamber has feathers that give it added volume and support.
Pros
- Has a 3-chamber design for added support
- It is extra firm
- Great for side sleepers
- It is multipurpose
- Comes in three sizes
- 300-thread count for extra softness
- Breathable
- Piped edges
- Shed resistant shell
- Affordable
Cons
- Some people said they felt the feathers as they slept
Verdict
The above pillow is an import from china and one of the best pillows in the market especially for side sleepers. For its size and support system, it is worth every penny and I would highly recommend it. It has a star rating of 4 out of 5 which makes it a must try.
WENERSI Luxury Goose Down Pillows
Imported from Germany, these pillows are great for your health and comfort. The pillows made with 100% pure Egyptian cotton, have 3 times dedusting and The queen size pillow measures 20 by 28 inches and it has a very distinctive outer chamber design filled with feather and goose down material. It is hypoallergenic and certified by IDFL, DOWNPASS and OEKO-TEX.
It is good for all kinds of sleepers and gives extra support for even the sensitive sleepers. The pillows offer optimal support for the head, neck, shoulders and proper spinal alignment. With every purchase, you get a satisfaction guarantee of 30 days after which you can return the pillow for a full refund if it does not meet your needs.
For easy care of the pillow, air it before storing and always use a case to keep it clean. It will help to bask it regularly in the sunshine because that revitalises and refreshes it for better comfort. Do not wash it but have it dry cleaned. Also, do not iron the pillow or bleach it.
Pros
- 100% soft Egyptian cotton material
- Comfortable
- Firm
- Good for sensitive sleepers and all kinds of sleepers
- Gives optimal support to the neck, head, shoulders and spinal area
- Distinctive attractive design
- Goose down and feather-filled chamber
- Hypoallergenic
- Healthy
- Certified by health bodies
- Satisfaction guaranteed
- 30-day money back guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
- Crunchy
- Loud
- Is not machine washable
Verdict
Despite the few negative reviews, the pillow is a great buy and offers the best comfort for all kinds of sleepers. If you are looking for the perfect down pillow, then this one is worth every penny.
Luxuredown White Goose Down Pillow
Read more : Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Best Pillow For Neck Pain 12/2024
Get a blissful night with Luxuredown luxurious pillow made with white goose down. The pillow is perfect for side and back sleepers and offers them optimal support of the head, neck, shoulders, back and a great spinal alignment. The pillow is hypoallergenic and exquisitely soft. It features a smooth and soft cotton white sateen shell, which gives it the extra softness. The cotton material has a thread count of 330 and the pillow works well during all seasons. The pillow comes in the queen size measuring 20 by 30 inches.
Pros
- Extra soft and firm
- Hypoallergenic
- Made with 100% pure cotton material
- Has 650-fill medium firm strength
- Works well during all seasons
- 330-thread count
- Affordable
- Good for side and back sleepers
- Gives optimal support for the head, back, neck and shoulders
Cons
- Too soft and not firm enough
Verdict
With a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, this pillow is one of the best in the market. By reading the users reviews, there are no major complaints besides a few that said they needed something firmer than what they purchased. All the other users are full of praise, which means it is a great buy and I would recommend it to anyone that wants to have a comfortable and luxurious sleep.
What to consider when buying a firm pillow- buying guide
Before purchasing any pillow, you must take into account a few things the following are the things to consider to help you in buying the right pillow for your sleeping needs.
Thread counts
Knowing the pillow thread count will help you in determining which one to buy. The more the thread count, the more comfortable the pillow is and the more durable it is. if you are looking for a standard pillow, a thread count of 300 will do but if you want to go for a more luxurious one, get one with 500 to 800 thread count. You can also get one with 1000 thread count but you will pay much more for it.
Sleeping position
Your sleeping position matters a lot when you are choosing the right kind of pillow to purchase. If you are a side sleeper, you will need a pillow that conforms well to your neck and shoulders while at the same time giving your head and back enough support. If you are a back or stomach sleeper, you need a pillow that help to uplift your shoulders and hips and prevent them from sinking. Sinking may create tension on your body’s soft tissues, which may end up misaligning the spine.
Pillow types
Majority of the good firm pillows come with wide gussets that help to fill the spaces that cradle the head. The gussets also allow the neck to have a comfortable rest on the underneath material. Other firm pillows come with either a high or a low loft. A high loft pillow is thick while a low loft pillow is thinner. Other pillow types are memory foam pillows, down pillows, buckwheat, latex, water and microbead pillows.
Pillow size
Majority of the firm pillows and other pillows do not come in a one size fits all. Get a size that will cater for your sleeping needs without any discomforts. The most common of the sizes is standard which usually measures 20 by 26 inches. You can also get a super standard, king or queen sizes, all the last three are larger than the standard size.
The standard size is a favourite for many people because you can use them for multiple positions. Larger sizes are good for particular sleepers and especially those that sleep on their sides. When you are purchasing the pillows, make sure you also purchase the correct size of pillowcases to avoid compressing the pillows or those too large for the pillows.
Pillow filling
The filling in the pillow is another thing to consider when purchasing a firm pillow. The kind of fillings are poly fiberfill, memory foam, alternative poly down, shredded memory foam, feather down, shredded poly foam, polyester fill and others. Choose a material or fill that will make you feel comfortable and one, which is breathable.
Cost
Majority of the firm pillows in the market are slightly more expensive than the other pillows. This is because they are larger and use more material than the rest. This however does not mean that you buy the first pillow you read about without comparing prices. Though you can get all the pillows from amazon at great prices, it is good to check out for alternatives and discounts offered.
Reviews
It is very important to read what people say about different products in the market. That gives you an idea of what to expect when you make your own purchase. Look at the ratings and read reviews. If a product attracts a lot of negativity, then you should look for an alternative one.
Benefits of firm pillows
- Maintaining consistent support for all the parts of the body
- Conforms to the shape of the neck and head thus distributing your weight evenly across the surface of the bed
- Prevents pain causing pressure points
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Majority of them are breathable
- Firm and at the same time soft
- Some of the pillows are fluffy
Disadvantages
- Some of the firm pillows retain heat, which may make you uncomfortable as you sleep
- Some of the fills in the pillows is not malleable and may not conform well to the shape of the head and neck
- Some of them are too big and bulky
- The extra filling in some pillows make them less compressible
Wrapping it up
What makes firm pillows stand out from other pillows is the filling. Some of them come with fillings that you will not find in many other pillows. For these pillows, things like shells are very important and add to the quality and comfort.
Every filling comes with its own advantages and disadvantages so you have to be very careful about your sleeping needs and the filling that will cater for them. Firm pillows also appeal to certain sleepers and not all. Many people prefer other kinds of pillows to the firm ones. Whatever your choice, choose that which will make you get quality and refreshing sleep. For more on pillows, read our earlier articles.
Source: https://bestpillowsleepers.com
Category: Best Pillows
