The Best Pillows Of 2022
17 July 2022 | By Quiesco Research
Do you recognize this?
You need a new pillow, but don't know where to start.
So you google "best pillows 2022" and press ENTER.
Result? Overload of information. Overload of choice.
Complex.
And it's becoming even more challenging....
As an uneducated pillow buyer, you are being steered in the wrong direction: towards misbuying. The online top 10 lists of "Best Pillows of 2022" are compiled by pseudo-specialists who earn an affiliate commission if you buy. In principle, there is nothing wrong with that. Unless the proposed pillows do not meet the basic characteristics of a good pillow. Being critical is the message.
Now you're wondering: "And Quiesco does have the 'best' Best Pillow list? You offer pillows yourself! "
Fair comment.
Here at Quiesco, we care about how you sleep and work. That's why we want to show you how to sleep and work healthy. If you're looking for the 'best pillow', our first priority is to educate you about the characteristics of a good pillow, and to show you how to sleep healthy.
Based on our experience, we selected the Best Pillows of 2022.
This article is intended to inspire you and make you think critically about your pillow. This will help you choose the right pillow.
For your convenience, we have divided the article into readable chunks:
Best Pillows of 2022
|
Plumka Pillow
|
Excellent
"Perfect for side sleepers with a long neck" |
|
Quiesco Pillow
|
Excellent
"Allrounder for side & back sleepers" |
|
Butterfly Pillow
|
Excellent
"For a light neck support" |
|
Tempur Original Pillow
|
7.5 |
|
Sissel Deluxe Pillow
|
6.5 |
for side sleepers with a long neck
Plumka Pillow
- Very soft comfort
- Excellent for side sleepers
- Made of latex
allrounder for back & side sleepers
Quiesco Pillow
- Two neck support options
- Support zones for supine & lateral position
- Made of latex
for a light neck support
Mahoton Butterfly Pillow
- Light neck support
- For back & side sleepers
- Made of latex
Our Expertise
This list is compiled by our team of physiotherapists and ergonomic experts. It is based on more than 30 years practical experience of helping clients sleep healthier and continious exploration of scientific research. Do you have a suggestion or comment? Or would you like to be adviced? Contact us at info@quiesco.com.
Selection based on the characteristics of a good pillow
| CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PILLOW | QUIESCO | PLUMKA | MAHOTON | TEMPUR | SISSEL |
| Is the pillow available in different densities or heights? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Does the pillow have a (slight) neck roll? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Are there different support zones for side and back rest? | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| Does the pillow have a solid shape? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Is the pillow springy? | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| Is the pillow insensitive to temperature? | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| Is the pillow made of good ventilating material? | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| Is the pillow antibacterial and antifungal? | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Can you try the pillow at home and return it? | YES | NO | NO | NO | NO |
Related Article: How to buy the perfect pillow?
The right pillow has a significant impact on the quality of your sleep. Sleep occupies 1/3rd of our lives.
We recommend that you take 5 minutes to learn something about pillows. Then you can critically make the right choice yourself.
What are the characteristics of the best pillow?
- The pillow has the right height
- The pillow is adapted to your sleeping position.
- The pillow is adapted to your body shape.
- The pillow has a solid form.
- The pillow is springy.
- The pillow is insensitive for temperature or pressure.
- The pillow ventilates well.
- The pillow is antibacterial and antifungal.
- You can try the pillow at home.
The best pillow has the right height - and thus is available in different heights or densities.
Allright, the right height. But what exactly is the right height for me?
Your pillow is the right height when your cervical vertebrae are in a horizontal line.
Here's hpw:
And here is how not:
If the pillow is too high or too low, your neck is under tension. You overload your neck vertebrae. This leads to neck problems.
Here comes the 1st tip:
Eliminate all pillows that only come in 1 height or densitity.
You are trying your luck to when choosing a pillow that comes in only if I height. You might be lucking but its more likely a wast of money.
"Allright, I got it. How do I check if I have the right height?"Ask someone to check if your cervical vertebrae are on a horizontal line.
The right height is also important to take the pressure off the shoulder joint. If your pillow is too low, you are going to create additional pressure on your shoulder joint from the weight of your neck and head.
The pillow is shaped to fit your neck and head.
Just like a puzzle.
Your pillow should fit the contours of your face and neck.
Look in the mirror. Is your head just as wide as your neck?
Probably not.
To properly support your narrower neck (and wider head), a neck support is necessary.
With a pillow without neck support, the pressure on your head and neck is not evenly distributed. Your neck does not get enough support.
For some, a neck support is like a brace. It might be uncomfortable at first, but the long-term result is worth it.
Choose a pillow with a (light) neck support.
The best pillow is adapted to your sleeping position - and thus has different zones for side and back position.
By now you know that the best pillow has the right height and supports your neck.
The ideal height and neck support also depends on your sleeping position:
FOR SIDE SLEEPERS
The pillow should be high enough. It should fill the space between your shoulder and neck. The best pillow ensures that your head and cervical vertebrae are in a horizontal line in alignment with your pelvis.
FOR BACK SLEEPERS
The pillow gives enough space to the head. This causes your head to tilt slightly back, in its natural position. While your neck receives adequate support. With the right pillow, there is a slight traction of the cervical vertebrae.
VERSCHILLENDE STEUNZONES
The best pillows are adapted for lying on your side and back. They have different support zones: higher or harder zones for lying on your side and softer or lower zones for lying on your back.
Choose a pillow that is adapted to your sleeping position(s).
The pillow has a solid shape.
Off to a good start. Your pillow has already the right height. It is adapted to your neck and head. And to your sleeping position.
Now we want to retain this supported form. "All Night Long..."
Turning, twisting, ... You need to rely on a stable support.
Therefore, the ideal pillow has a solid form.
If your pillow is not solid in shape, the filling will move around during your sleep. And the pillow loses its supportive ability.
Examples of loose fillings that do not provide stable support.
Water, buckwheat, down and other loose materials move under pressure. To maintain a supportive shape, you have to fluff it up overnight. Not ideal.
Choose a pillow that has a solid shape, so you get stable support all night long.
With a non-rigid material, the filling moves when you shake the pillow.
- Fluff pillows: buckwheat, water, down and other loose fillings.
- Solid pillows: latex, memory foam, cold foam.
The best pillow is elastic
That proper support. You want it INSTANTLY.
A springy pillow gives you immediate support.
You turn. Yes.
You spin. Yes.
So you can move freely and always get the perfect support quickly.
Take the pillow cover off. Drop a weight onto the core of the pillow. Does the weight bounce up and down a few times? Then you have an elastic pillow. Does it make (almost) no upward movement? Then it is not very elastic.
- Elastic: cold foam, latex, ...
- Less elastic: memory foam, down, buckwheat, ...
Choose a springy pillow, so you get instant support.
The pillow is not temperature or pressure sensitive .
The list of 'potential new pillows' is shrinking noticeably.
The best pillow is not sensitive to temperature or pressure.
What does that mean? It means that the comfort of your pillow doesn't change when the temperature changes.
Visco-elastic foams like memory foam are temperature and pressure sensitive. The foam offers an excellent pressure distribution but it reacts to heat and pressure. Because of this, a memory foam pillow could feel harder at cold temperatures and (too) soft at hot temperatures.
When you change your sleeping position it takes a little time to adapt. When you turn from a back to a side sleeping position, the part of the pillow you were not lying on before might feel hard and uncomfortable at first. The pillow still has to adjust to the pressure and temperature of your head and neck.
With a temperature- and pressure-sensitive pillow, you can feel that it takes a little more time to mold back into its original shape. It is slower in its adaptation speed.
Choose a pillow where the support and comfort is not affected by pressure or temperature.
The pillow ventilates well
A pillow that ventilates poorly will feel uncomfortable. And may give cause for more sweating. Viscoelastic foams ventilate less well.
Poorly ventilating materials 🔥
- Memory foam
- Water
Good ventilating materials 💨
- Latex
- Cold Foam
- Down
|
Poorly ventilating materials 🔥
|
Good ventilating materials 💨
|
The choice of your linen is at least as important as the ventilating capacity of your pillow material. The quality of your pillow protector and pillowcase determines a large part of your sleeping climate. Always choose linens with natural materials such as cotton or tencel.
Choose a pillow made of well ventilated material.
It is antibacterial and antifungal
Probably not the first thing you think of when it comes to pillows, but good pillows are antibacterial and antifungal. This way they last longer and remain hygienic. Especially for individuals who suffer from allergies, this is very important.
Ensure that you may test the pillow at your home
Make sure you have the opportunity to try out the pillow at home. Give yourself enough time to get used to to your new pillow. We recommend that you take at least 3 weeks to do this.
Main questions in regards to the (test) service:
- Can I test the pillow at home?
- Is it an exchange guarantee or a full return service?
- Is there transparency about return costs?
Choose a pillow that you may try at home.
Summary: What to look for to choose the best pillow:
- Is the pillow available in different densities or heights?
- Does the pillow have a (light) neck roll?
- Are there different support zones for side and back position?
- Does the pillow have a solid shape?
- Is the pillow resilient?
- Is there temperature or pressure sensitive foam in the pillow?
- Is the pillow made of a good ventilating material?
- Is the pillow antibacterial and antifungal?
- Can you try the pillow at home and return it?
Our selection: best pillows (Update 2022)
1. Quiesco Pillow
There is no such thing as the best pillow but the Quiesco pillow has all the qualities of a good pillow. The ingenious pillow was invented by Quiesco designer Stéphane Mannekens based on more than 30 years of expertise. The pillow was designed to meet the shortcomings of other top quality pillows.
The Quiesco pillow was developed to give you a healthy night's sleep. It fulfills all the requirements of the ideal pillow: its unique design is adapted to your physique and sleeping position. It is made from the best pillow material (latex). A wonderful material with a firm shape. Latex is also elastic, non-temperature sensitive and ventilates exceptionally well. In short, the Quiesco pillow is our attempt to create the perfect pillow for a healthy night.
Features
- Material: Latex
- Types: Available in 3 densities (Soft, Medium, Firm)
- Sleeping position: Suitable for back and side sleepers
Advantages
- Correct, healthy support of the spine
- Perfect for side and back sleepers: unique smart design
- Suitable for all body types: 3 different hardnesses
- Two different neck supports: soft and firm neck support side
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for prone sleepers
- Not suitable in combination with a mattress with very hard shoulder area
Design & Features
First, the core of the pillow is made of latex. Latex is the most suitable material for a pillow. Among other things, the material is highly elastic, non-temperature sensitive, and ventilates extremely well.
Related Article: What are the advantages of latex over other pillow materials?
Second, the pillow has a unique design that provides natural support for your spine. Moreover, it fits all sleeping positions due to a construction in different zones: zones for side sleeping and a zone for back sleeping.
The pillow is available in 3 densities: Soft, Medium and Firm according to your body type. There are two neck support sides: a harder or a softer neck support. Finally, you also enjoy an excellent service. You get 100 days to try the pillow at home.
2. Plumka Pillow
The Plumka pillow is a latex pillow of excellent quality. The pillow is suitable for both back and side sleepers. The pillow is especially recommended for persons with a slightly longer neck because the neck roll is wider. For back sleepers, the Soft pillow is recommended because the occipital region of the Medium pillow is often too hard for them.
The Theraflex is a very soft latex pillow. The softness is created by the many perforations in the latex core of the pillow. The more perforations, the softer the pillow. In addition to the vertical perforations, the pillow also has horizontal surface profiles. These indentations also make the pillow feel extra soft.
Compared to the Quiesco pillow, the neck support of the Theraflex provides less support. The pillow can also be slept on two sides. Only one side has the horizontal cutouts, so this is also the softest side. The cover made of tencel is also of excellent quality. Tencel is a natural material with a large absorbent capacity.
Features
- Material: 50% natural latex & 50% synthetic latex
- Types: Available in 2 densities
- Sleeping position: Suitable for back and side sleepers
Advantages
- Very soft comfort feel
- Good support
- Suitable for different body types
- Suitable for people with a long neck
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for prone sleepers
- Not suitable for people with short necks.
3. Butterfly Pillow
The Butterfly pillow is a very high quality latex pillow. It is a soft and comfortable pillow. Because of the latex, the pillow has a solid shape, is elastic, non-temperature sensitive and ventilates exceptionally well. In short, a particularly good pillow for a pleasant night's sleep.
Features
- Material: Latex
- Types: Available in 3 densities
- Sleeping position: Suitable for back and side sleepers
Advantages
- Correct, healthy support of the spine
- 80% natural latex
- Suitable for all body types: 3 ≠ densities and 3 ≠ heights
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for prone sleepers
- Not suitable in combination with a mattress with very hard shoulder area
Design & Features
As with Quiesco, the core of this ergonomic pillow is made of 100% latex. Latex, also known as natural rubber, is extremely suitable for a pillow.
Secondly, the pillow has a built-in neck support that allows the muscles to relax optimally. The head tilts slightly backwards. The shape of the pillow causes the vertebrae to move apart (traction method). Moreover, it is suitable for both side and back sleepers.
The Butterfly pillow is available in 3 densities: Soft, Medium and Strong according to your body type. The pillow is also reversible.
The Butterfly pillow usually comes with a less flexible return service.
What is the difference between the top 3 best pillows?
QUIESCO PILLOW
Most versatile pillow for a healthy night's sleep.
- Two neck support sides
- Removable inner cover
- 100 day trial sleep
- ❌ Not suitable for prone sleepers
For side and back sleepers who seek a healthy sleeping position.
PLUMKA PILLOW
Soft and supportive pillow for side sleepers.
- Even softer
- Tencel cover
- ❌ Wide neck support
- ❌ No trial sleep
For side sleepers with a long neck who like softer comfort.
BUTTERFLY PILLOW
Luxurious pillow with cover made of knitted cotton and 80% natural latex core.
- Cover with knitted cotton
- 80% natural latex
- ❌ Limited neck support
- ❌ No trial sleep
For those who are very sensitive to pressure in the neck.
4. Sissel Deluxe Pillow
The Sissel Deluxe orthopedic pillow is also made for anatomically correct support of your cervical vertebrae. The pillow is made of visco-elastic foam. Visco-elastic foam is another name for memory foam.
Features
- Memory foam
- Orthopedic neck support
- 63 x 33 x 10/14 cm
Design & Features
The specific shape of the pillow provides good support for the neck and shoulder. The high neck support gives the shoulder sufficient space so that a neutral position of the spine in the vertebral and shoulder area is obtained.
As with many orthopedic pillows, the clear neck support may feel uncomfortable in the beginning. The Sissel pillow can feel hard on the cervical vertebrae. For many people, the neck support zone is too narrow. As a result, the pressure is distributed over a small area. This can lead to too much pressure on the neck. An adjustment period of two weeks is recommended.
Advantages
- Good, correct support in lateral position
Disadvantages
- One clear neck support side
- Not suitable for prone sleepers
- Ventilates less well
- No trial period
5. Tempur Original Pillow
The Tempur Original pillow is also designed with a focus on good neck support. For individuals who are sensitive to pressure on the face or ear, this pillow may be of interest. This is because memory foam has excellent pressure distribution. Thanks to the neck roll, it also offers solid support.
Features
- Memory foam
- Orthopedic neck support
- 61 x 31 cm
Design & Features
The shape of the pillow follows the natural curves of your body. The ergonomic design provides horizontal support for your spine where your head and neck are comfortably supported.
Advantages
- Good, correct support in lateral position
Disadvantages
- Only 1 neck support side
- Not suitable for prone sleepers
Discover the Quiesco Pillow
Meets all the characteristics of a premium ergonomic pillow.
- Ensures a natural spinal position
- The core is made of 100% high quality latex
- Adapted to every sleeping position & body type
- Two different neck supports
- Excellent trial service>with free shipping.
