There’s sleep, and then there’s good sleep. Getting quality slumber is more than just luck; it starts with a space set up for sleep success, and what it takes is personal for everyone. But before you get lost in what can feel like a never-ending list of suggestions for snoozing, let’s start with the basics.
Pillows are a crucial part of the foundation you create for a space that is cozy and (literally) supportive in the way that works best for you. As you may have guessed, we’ve given the subject some thought and created a pillow for every type of sleeper. Side, back, and stomach sleepers all need something different, and we’ve got a style for each. So, which one are you?
The best pillow depends on how you sleep: side sleepers need a firm, high pillow, back sleepers need medium support, and stomach sleepers need the softest, flattest option. Here’s how to find yours.
For the Side Sleepers
Side sleeping leaves the biggest gap between your head and the mattress, so you need a firm, higher-loft pillow to fill it. The goal is to keep your head level with your spine, not tilted down toward the mattress. Our Firm Down Pillow is our most supportive style, and the Marlow Pillow with both zippers closed gives you its firmest setting. If you sleep with your arm under your pillow, that’s often a sign your pillow is too flat.
- Down Pillow (Firm): Our most supportive style with a firm, dual-core build.
- Marlow Pillow (Both Zippers): The firmest setting for your Marlow Pillow is perfect for you.
For Back Sleepers
Back sleepers need a balance of softness and support: enough loft to cradle the curve of your neck without pushing your chin toward your chest. Our Medium Down Pillow is our most versatile option, with a supportive inner layer and a soft down outer layer. Prefer an allergy-friendly pick? Our Down Alternative Pillow, a medium fill for a balance that back sleepers love. The Marlow Pillow with one zipper closed gives you an in-between feel.
- Down Pillow (Medium): Our most versatile pillow, with an extra supportive inner layer of feathers and a soft outer layer of Down clusters.
- Down Alternative: For an eco-conscious and allergy-friendly option, our Down Alternative pillows offer a fill that falls between our plushest and mid-plush pillows for a balance that back sleepers love.
- Marlow Pillow (One Zipper): One zip gives the in-between firmness ideal for sleeping on your back. Softness and support go hand-in-hand on this setting.
For Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers need the softest, lowest pillow, because a high pillow bends your neck back for hours at a time. A soft pillow lets your head sink in so your neck stays closer to neutral. Our Soft Down Pillow is filled entirely with down for a cloud-like feel, and the Marlow Pillow with no zippers closed is its softest setting. Some stomach sleepers also tuck a thin pillow under their hips to keep their lower back aligned.
- Down Pillow (Soft): Landings don’t come any softer than this style, with a cloud-like fill made entirely of Down.
- Marlow Pillow (No Zippers): Fully unzip your Marlow pillow for its loftiest, softest setting, designed with stomach sleepers in mind.
For Combination Sleepers
If you switch positions through the night, choose a pillow that works across all three: medium support you can easily reshape. Our Medium Down Pillow moves with you, since down shifts and re-lofts as you turn. The Marlow Pillow’s adjustable zippers let you dial in a setting that works for your most common position. When in doubt, base your choice on the position you fall asleep in.
For Sleepers with Neck Pain
If you wake up with a stiff neck, your pillow height is often the cause: too high or too low for your sleep position pulls your neck out of line with your spine. Match the pillow to how you sleep, using the guidance above: firm for side, medium for back, soft for stomach. Replace a pillow that no longer springs back after you fold it in half. If neck pain lasts, talk to a doctor or physical therapist.
How to care for your pillow:
Our Down and Marlow pillows are spot-clean only, which protects the fill. Pair them with a pillowcase and a pillow protector you can toss in the wash, and fluff daily to keep their loft.
No matter your sleep style, the right pillow means better nights ahead. And, if you’re looking for an even deeper dive into achieving your loftiest sleep goals, visit our About Pillows page for more details.
FAQS:
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Can I wash my down pillow? Spot-clean it, and use a removable protector you can machine wash. That keeps the down lofty for years.
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What pillow is best for side sleepers? A firm, higher-loft pillow to fill the gap between shoulder and ear: our Firm Down Pillow, or the Marlow with both zippers closed.