Neck Support Pillow Materials Explained: Memory Foam, Microfiber, and Other Options
The material of a pillow relates to how soft or firm it feels, and how supportive it will be to your neck. Some pillows are made of memory foam, while others use microfiber, gel foam or bamboo fabric. Each material has a different feel. In this blog, we will explain different types of neck support pillow materials and how they compare so you can choose the best material for a neck support pillow for your comfort.
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Why Do Pillow Materials Matter for Neck Support?
Here are the top five reasons pillow materials matter:
Proper Spine Alignment
A suitable pillow helps align your head, neck and back into the correct neutral position, preventing you from allowing your head to drop too far and causing extra strain on your neck.
Natural Neck Curve
The neck naturally has a curve. A good pillow will help support your neck whilst lying down. It will fill in any gaps between the neck and the surface you are sleeping on. The pillow will also help keep your head from tilting too far forwards or backwards.
Reduces Pressure on the Neck and Shoulders
The right pillow distributes pressure across your head and neck. It also provides good support for your shoulders and will help keep you comfortable, particularly if you are a side sleeper.
Improves Sleeping Posture
A good pillow will comfortably support your head and neck. It supports your sleep posture without pulling or straining your neck or upper back.
Helps Prevent Morning Stiffness
In case your pillow is too soft or too hard, your neck may not be properly supported. The right material helps relax your muscles and can help avoid those occasions when you wake up with a stiff neck.
Different Neck Support Pillow Materials Explained
There are a variety of types of pillow filling materials available. Some are soft and fluffy whilst others provide firm support to your head and neck.
1. Memory Foam
A soft material that moulds around your head. The memory foam pillow moulds to your head and neck while giving you support. The pillow conforms to your head and neck while retaining its shape after being placed under your head.
- Conforms to your head and neck
- Evenly distributes pressure
- Retains its shape
- Medium firmness
2. Microfibre
These are filled with very fine synthetic fibres, which make these pillows soft, light and fluffy, similar to hotel pillows. For people seeking a soft pillow, choose a microfiber pillow.
- Soft and fluffy
- Lightweight
- Filled with breathable material
- Comfortable pillow surface
3. Bamboo Memory Foam
It is often considered the best material for a neck support pillow because it uses memory foam as the filling and bamboo fabric for the cover. In this bamboo memory foam pillow, the bamboo fabric is soft, and the memory foam supports your head and neck.
- Conforms to your head/neck
- Bamboo fabric is soft against the skin
- Helps with moisture control
- Removable cover for easy cleaning
4. Gel Infused Memory Foam
A mixture of normal memory foam and cooling gels. This pillow provides support like normal memory foam but contains cooling gel to help with temperature control. This could be a great option if you find your pillow gets too hot at night.
- Provides optimum support
- Helps with temperature control
- Comfortable sleeping surface
- Available in beautiful designs
How to Choose the Right Pillow Material?
In case you are confused about memory foam vs. microfiber pillow, you need to keep these points in mind before buying a pillow:
Check the firmness
A microfiber pillow is the way to go if you like a super squishy pillow. But if you like a little more support for your head and neck, you may want to choose memory foam.
See how warm it is
In case you like to sleep in a warm environment, consider gel memory foam or a breathable cover on your pillows.
Pay attention to how you sleep
In case you are a side sleeper, a thicker pillow is often better to fill in the space between your head and shoulder. Medium-firm pillows can help provide neck comfort for back sleepers.
Check the pillow cover
Opt for breathable, soft pillow covers. A removable cover for easy washing is also a useful feature.
But see how long it lasts
Some pillows are also durable and wear less quickly. Microfiber will compress over time; memory foam is generally more resilient.
Conclusion
The fill in your pillows can also affect sleep. Memory foam is a little denser and more supportive/conforming; microfiber feels softer and fluffier. The foam is infused with cooling gel and the breathable cover is made of soft bamboo fabric. Think about your preferences, sleep position, and the types of support and comfort you need when it is time to buy a pillow. Start with a material you find likely to promote a good night’s sleep.
FAQs
Q1: Do you sleep with a thick or thin pillow?Ans: Neither is good for all. Your pillow should also keep your neck and head in a straight and comfortable position. If the pillow is too high or too low, it will put stress on the neck.
Q2: What is the best loft for back sleepers?Ans: Back sleepers generally benefit from a medium-loft pillow that supports the natural curve of the neck without pushing the head too far forward.
Q3: What types of pillows to avoid?Ans: Stay away from hard pillows, soft pillows, flat pillows or old pillows. They’re probably not supporting your head and neck properly. You want to avoid those pillows that you find uncomfortable or those that get in the way of getting into a comfortable sleeping position.
Q4: Do neck support pillows help neck pain?Ans: A neck support pillow can help keep your head and neck in a comfortable position while you sleep, thus reducing discomfort. But it cannot treat all causes of neck pain. If the pain persists, see a physician.
Q5: How thick should a pillow be to sleep on?Ans: There is no set thickness. The ideal height depends on how you sleep, the width of your shoulders and the firmness of your mattress. Your pillow should support your head and neck in alignment with your spine.
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