Much earlier, down pillows were considered the best accessories for sleeping. The modern range of bedding has expanded significantly, and today, you can find pillows with a variety of fillers. All of them have their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at an assortment of fillers for pillows to decide which is right for you. 

Modern bedding manufacturers use various stuffings which all require certain requirements of customers: they should keep their shape well, be soft, do not emit unpleasant odors, do not cause allergic reactions, quickly absorb and remove moisture, and create an ideal microclimate during sleep. Both natural and artificial materials have these important features.

Inside modern pillows, you can find birds’ down and feathers, sheep’s wool, and even fibers from the cocoon of a silkworm. Down pillows are lightweight and soft; they are great at retaining heat and ventilating the air but are usually expensive. Feather counterparts are somewhat stiffer and heavier, but they cost cheaper. Fillings that consist of a mixture of down and feathers are optimal in price and quality – they have almost the same properties as elite down fillings, but in the same way, these fillings are cheaper. Pillows filled with wool of fine-fleeced sheep, merino provides perfect comfort both in winter and summer. These natural materials help to regulate the body temperature of the sleeper – they retain heat well, provide good ventilation, and quickly absorb and remove moisture. It’s better to use a pillow with these fillings in tandem with a silk or natural cotton pillowcase. Silk filling belongs to the category of elite materials: silkworm fibers have excellent elasticity (provide good support for the head and neck of the sleeper), let air through freely, and do not cause allergic reactions (an excellent choice for people with allergies to natural fluff).

Natural latex is In the first place in popularity: this is an elastic material made from hardened foamy sap of the hevea tree. Latex provides ideal support for the cervical-collar zone because it adapts perfectly to the curves of the sleeper, reduces muscle and tissue tension, and improves blood flow in this area. This is a breathable and anti-bacterial material that is durable and easy to care for. But keep in mind that only natural latex has all these features. Synthetic latex is much cheaper, but it has worse quality. Therefore, some manufacturers mix natural and synthetic latex to reduce the cost of the product. Pillows made entirely of natural latex are difficult to find and they cost very expensive. Pillows filled with bamboo fibers have hypoallergenic and antibacterial features, they are very soft, elastic, and provide good air exchange. Bamboo fibers are another popular plant-based stuffing. But you have to know they are not very durable – over time, the bamboo threads become caked, and the product loses its original elasticity and shape. Another plant-based pillow filler is buckwheat husk which is often used for orthopedic needs. Pillows filled with this material ensure the correct position of the head and neck of the sleeper and create a slight massage effect on tissues, which improves blood flow and relieves congestion in this area. In addition, the aroma of husk natural oils has a calming effect on the nervous system, providing an additional relaxing effect. The disadvantages of the products are their heaviness, short service life (up to 2 years), as well as the noise effects emitted by the particles of the filler when the sleeper changes its position.

Recently, the word “synthetics” evoked associations with low-quality products but now, you shouldn’t be afraid of it. Modern technology has developed, and materials created in laboratories are the same as natural analogs, and sometimes surpass them in quality and features. A good example is foam with a memory effect used as pillow stuffing. Initially, this material was created to reduce the load on the bodies of astronauts, and now, everyone can go into space and experience weightlessness by simply purchasing a pillow filled with Memory Foam. This unique material consists of many small cells separated by membranes. Under the influence of heat emanating from the human body, the membranes get softened, and a sleeper sinks into the pillow, receiving ideal anatomical support. Another interesting invention of modern scientists is an artificial swan down. A pillow with this filler has no differences compared to a pillow with natural swan down but it also has some additional advantages. It does not cause allergic reactions to natural swan down, and it’s much cheaper.

The quality of your sleep depends on the pillow you use. Study carefully all the filters’ properties, paying attention to the pros and cons to prioritize and choose the most comfortable pillow for a healthy and relaxing sleep. If it’s still difficult for you to select the needed filler for a pillow, consultants of a specialized store will always help you make the right choice.