Best Pillows

Determining the best pillows can be tricky because pillow comfort is very individual and there are many choices available.

Is it time to buy a new pillow?

Generally, for a good night sleep, you should consider replacing your pillow when it is between six months and two years, however, this depends on the fill inside the pillow - synthetic or feather.

Pillow stuffing can make a big difference. Hypoallergenic and synthetic fillers are good for people with allergies. You can get blends with feathers too. Not many people have problems with cotton and wool fills. Some people with neck problems like memory foam pillows.

* If your pillow has a tag, use a marker to write the date you bought it, so you can see how it ages.

* If you are uncomfortable in bed, or wake up with a sore neck or shoulders, you may need to reassess whether you need a pillow providing different support to what you have.

A pillow test

For synthetic and feather down pillows you can try this test (suggested by Choice.com.au) to see if your pillow needs replacing:

* Place your pillow on a fairly flat surface and fold it in half.
* Place a sports shoe on top.
* If your pillow springs back to its usual shape, and the shoe flies off, your pillow is in good condition.
* If the pillow doesn’t bounce back into shape and the shoe stays put, it’s probably time to buy a new pillow.

Sleeping position

What position do you like to sleep in? Although there is no definitive guide to picking a pillow because nobody sleeps in the one position the whole night, pillow marketers suggest some general rules-of-thumb when assessing your needs:

Back sleepers

If you sleep on your back, the best pillow is medium-to-firm with a medium profile. You need a soft but supportie pillow. If you get neck pain or stiffness from your current pillow, try something firmer.

Side sleepers

If you sleep on your side mostly or have a bigger body, a firm to extra-firm pillow might be better. Try a pillow as thick as the gap between your ear and outside shoulder.

Stomach sleepers

If you sleep on your stomach or have a small build, a very soft pillow is best, or even no pillow at all. Try a pillow under the stomach to avoid lower back pain.

Do you have special needs?

Sleepers with special needs, like acid reflux, snoring or surgical recovery, may find the bed wedge pillow good - it elevates your back allowing you to sleep with your head and shoulders raised.

A leg wedge pillow is specially designed to keep legs in a comfortable position for people with back problems or recovering from surgery.

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