There are pros and cons to every kind of pillow.
Down & Feather Pillows
The most durable and luxurious neck pillows. Down is made from the delicate tufts that cover geese beneath their feathers, and is very fluffy and soft. Feathers are flat and have quills running through their centers. Feathers are also very soft but not quite as fluffy as down, and provide firmer support. Down pillows are classified by fill power, or fluffiness, and weight (how many ounces of down are in a pillow). The higher the fill power and weight, the higher quality the pillow. It is legal for a product to be labeled GOOSE DOWN and contain as much as 30% feathers.
Pros: Soft, moldable, cuddly. Easily shaped for comfort and support. Very durable if well cared for, and can last for years. Washable.
Cons: Can feel sweaty and hot to some folks who sleep hot. Need to be coaxed and pulled into the shape you want every time to change positions. Some folks have allergies to down & feathers. Not supportive enough for folks with big, heavy heads (like big guys), who may need supplement the neck support with a cervical roll.
Synthetic fiber pillows
These fills were created to mirror the texture of down, but they're not quite as moldable or soft.
Pros: Allergy free. Firmer head and neck support. Higher quality fibers can last for years if well cared for. Washable.
Cons: Synthetic fiber pillows don't contour well. Neck support contour needs to be sewn in, and sized to the individual user. Lower quality fibers can wear unevenly and get lumpy. May need a week or so to "break-in" and soften for comfort.
Foam pillows
Specially molded for specific neck, back and spine support.
Pros: Provide the most precise and supportive positioning available, especially for folks with neck, upper back and shoulder area symptoms. Foams that are springy and bouncy must be contoured to precisely fit the user. "Memory foams" contour more readily, making a precise fit less critical, but are less supportive. Combination foam pillows generally use resilient foam for support, covered with memory foam or fibers for contouring comfort.
Cons: Sleep hot, and for some, get sweaty. Off gas formaldehydes slowly over time, which is unnoticeable to most, but produces allergic responses in the chemically sensitive. Not as durable as other pillow types. May need a week or so to "break-in" and soften for comfort. Can have a chemical smell for a day or two when new.
Cotton pillows
Pure, natural, absorbent.
Pros: Feel firmer and flatter than down pillows.
Cons: Can compress and begin to feel very hard. Heavy. Does not contour easily to body curvature. Retains moisture, and if not cleaned regularly, creates an attractive envirnoment for dust mites and molds.
Wool pillows
Pure, natural, breathable.
Pros: Cool in summer, warm in winter. Naturally a great insulator, wool responds to your body to keep you at a constant, comfortable temperature as you sleep. Wicks away moisture, so you won't wake up damp from nighttime perspiration.
Cons: Can compress and begin to feel very hard. Heavy. Does not contour easily to body curvature.
Buckwheat hull pillows
Natural, breathable, firm.
Pros: Can be shaped to conform to the contour of your head and neck to provide very firm support. Do not compress, so neck and head support remains constant through the night. The coolest, most dry, and best ventilated pillow available for those who get uncomfortably hot and sweaty during sleep. Lasts for 10+ years.
Cons: Extremely firm. Some find them too hard. Makes little crunching noises (or, depending on your perspective, soothing, rustling noises) when you change positions. During the first year of use, loses about 5% - 7% of its volume. Pillows are generally sold overstuffed. Save the extra hulls and add them back later.
Article reproduced with permission from
ergoTALK.