Pillow filler - which is better?

Regardless of the size and shape of the pillow, its main consumer properties are still determined by the filler. Therefore, in the process of choosing a pillow, you need to pay special attention to the pillow filler - which is better, you can decide for yourself after reading this review. You can understand the advantages and disadvantages of how well a pillow made of a specific material corresponds to its main purpose - to serve as a support for the neck and head in the most convenient position for the body. To make it easier for you to determine with which filler it is better to choose a pillow, we will analyze the most popular of them, their advantages and disadvantages. But first, let's figure out what types of pillows are.

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Types of Pillows

Nowadays, pillows are used not only for sleep, so first we look at what they are and what they are for. By appointment, all pillows are divided into such models:

• For sleep and relaxation - here the name speaks for itself.
• Decorative - usually used to decorate the interior.
• Massage - intended for office workers, travelers.

Important! In their dimensions, they also differ. Massage and decorative come in different shapes and sizes. Well, products for sleep, as a rule, are made 30-50 cm wide. In the CIS countries, the most popular format is 70x70 cm. And the European standard is 70x50 cm.

In the old days there was one filler for pillows - goose down. Today, the assortment of pillow fillers is so wide that many people have a question, what pillows are best to choose? To understand this issue, let's take a closer look at each of the popular species.

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Fluff

The fluff of various birds (geese, ducks, swans, eiders and chickens) is a natural traditional filler of animal origin.

Benefits:

• Comfort - such pillows are soft, soft and comfortable.
• Silent - natural fluff does not rustle, does not creak and does not absorb external sounds.
• Durability - a pillow with such a filler will last more than 5 years.
• Good support - down padding holds and restores well.
• Breathability - since the fluffs do not touch tightly, you won’t suffocate even if you put your nose in the pillow.
• Lack of smell - a good downy filler is odorless.
• Excellent thermoregulation - fluff protects well from both cold and overheating.

Disadvantages:

• Pain in the neck - excessive softness of the fluff can provoke pain in the cervical spine.
• Allergenicity - over time, dust accumulates in the fluffs, and ticks can settle in it.
• The high cost of such products - this filler is considered one of the most expensive (along with Memorform foam and latex).
• Quite difficult care - feather pillows need regular cleaning.

Important! Products with a filler in the form of fluff are suitable for people who prefer naturalness and softness. It should be borne in mind that the filler is considered to be a filler in the ratio of feather to down 15/85.

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Pen

Understanding the issue, pillow filler - which is better, you should also pay attention to the feather.Pillows with such a filler have been used as long as down ones, but they are a little less popular, because their quality is much lower.

Benefits:

• Low cost - the price of products with this natural packing is lower than many artificial counterparts.
• Good support - due to the fact that the feathers have flexible and solid rods, pillows from them are quite elastic and hold their shape well.
• Breathability - air circulates freely between the feathers, maintaining the optimum temperature on the surface of the pillow itself.
• Durability - such a pillow will last about 5 years.

Disadvantages:

• A specific smell - a small bird smell from such products does not disappear for a long time.
• Allergenicity - mold and fungi can start as quickly as in fluff.
• Pain in the neck - just like down pains, pillows filled with feather can provoke pain in the cervical spine.
• Uncomfortability - the sharp tips of the feathers come out through the bed and can scratch the skin.
• Noisiness - feathers rustle, creak and create discomfort.
• Complex care - such products require regular special cleaning, ventilation and drying.

Important! Due to the risk of scratching the skin, such pillows are undesirable for children. When buying, be sure to make the bedcloth made of a dense look of fabric.

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Thinsulate (artificial swan fluff)

Thinsulate is a highly siliconized polyester fiber that is made in the image and likeness of natural bird fluff.

Benefits:

• Noiselessness - such stuffing does not rustle and does not creak.
• Comfort - Synthetic fluff is as soft and light as natural.
• Lack of smell - thinsulate does not have a smell, is not able to absorb strangers.
• Hypoallergenicity - does not cause allergic reactions itself and pathogenic microflora does not start in it.
• Low cost - prices for synthetic fluff are quite affordable compared to feather filler.

Disadvantages:

• Support - this material is not elastic enough, so it does not hold its shape well.
• Neck pain - since tinsulate is too mild, it is not suitable for people who suffer from neck pain.
• Durability - does not lose its properties for 2-3 seasons, after which it gets lumpy and can no longer be restored.
• Zero hygroscopicity - the material does not absorb moisture, so it is not suitable for people with excessive sweating.
• Electrified - Swan fluff builds up static electricity.

Important! Thinsulate can serve as a good alternative filler for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. It is inferior to natural fluff only in thermoregulation and durability, while it is several times cheaper.

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Ecofiber, comfort, holofiber (polyester fiber)

The manufacturing technologies of these new generation synthetic materials and their properties are approximately the same. Therefore, in order to determine which pillow filler is better, their pros and cons can be considered comprehensively.

Benefits:

• Hypoallergenic - these materials do not create conditions for the life of pathogenic microorganisms and do not irritate the skin.
• Comfort - products made of polyester fibers are comfortable, smooth, soft.
• Lack of a smell - polyesters do not have any smell, strangers do not absorb.
• No noise - these materials do not rustle, do not creak.
• Good thermoregulation - due to its porous structure, these fillers are able to “breathe”, so that they do not overheat.
• Low price - in terms of budget, “polyester” products can be compared with feather ones.
• Simple care - artificial fiber is easily erased and dries quickly enough.

Disadvantages:

• Poor support - excessive softness prevents these fillers from stably supporting the neck and head in a physiologically correct position.
• Pain in the neck - due to the increased softness of the product with such fillers, it can provoke or intensify pain in the cervical spine.
• Durability - these pillows are able to serve no more than 3 years.

Important! Pillows made of synthetic materials are comfortable, practical and inexpensive. They are suitable for any person who is not prone to pain in the neck.

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Latex

Latex is a natural material of plant origin, which is obtained from rubber milk of Brazilian hevea.

Benefits:

• Excellent support - natural rubber elastic and resilient. These properties make it possible to use its orthopedic products.
• Silent - latex-filled pillows make no noise.
• Relief of pain in the neck - the material is able to relieve pain in the cervical spine and serves to prevent them.
• Durability - latex products last more than 10 years.
• Hypoallergenic - the material has not only hypoallergenic, but also antibacterial properties.
• Easy care - such pillows do not need special care. It is enough to regularly change pillowcases.
• Comfort - sleeping on such a product is convenient, however, due to the increased elasticity, it will take some time to get used to it.

Disadvantages:

• Specific odor - latex may have a specific milky odor, which disappears after about 2 weeks after the start of use.
• High cost - latex products can compete with Memorform foam and fluff pillows for their price.

Important! Latex pillow is a great option for a person who cares about his health. Its high price pays off with no less high service life.

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Memory foam

Memorform (memory foam) is a high-quality polyurethane that is able to accurately follow the contours of the neck and head. When determining which pillow filler is which one is better, special attention should be paid to this option.

Benefits:

• Support - such products can adapt to the contours of the neck and head, due to which their physiologically correct position is stably ensured.
• Relief of neck pain - this material is widely used in the manufacture of orthopedic pillows. Products from it relieve pain in the cervical spine, serve to prevent them.
• Silent - the memory foam is completely silent.
• Comfort - sleeping on such a product is convenient, but due to the fact that it is not soft enough, you need to get used to it.
• Hypoallergenicity - this filler is chemically neutral, not capable of causing allergies.
• Durability - the life of such pillows is up to 4 years. After this time, it begins to adapt somewhat worse to the bends of the neck.
• Easy care - taking care of the pillow from the memorform consists only in replacing the pillowcase.

Disadvantages:

• Specific odor - the material has a specific chemical odor that disappears after a couple of weeks of use.
• Rigidity - such products are quite tough. In cold rooms, this drawback can be exacerbated.
• Poor breathability - Memorform does not let air in and quickly heats up.
• High cost - products from this material are the most expensive (more expensive than latex and down).

Important! Products with a memory effect have excellent orthopedic properties and will be the best choice for people who suffer from neck pain. To avoid overheating of the head during sleep, it is advisable to use cooling gels when using them.

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Buckwheat husk

Buckwheat shells are a vegetable, environmentally friendly filler with an orthopedic effect.

Benefits:

• Support - the filler well supports the neck and head in a physiologically correct position.
• Relief of pain in the neck - such pillows significantly relieve pain in the cervical spine, serve to prevent them.
• Hypoallergenic - husk from buckwheat grains causes skin itching and allergies in extremely rare cases.
• Massage effect - sharp buckwheat flakes easily massage the skin, thereby improving blood microcirculation in its upper layers.
• Durability - the life of the buckwheat filler is 2-5 years.
• Affordable cost - the prices of such products are comparable to the prices of pillows made of polyester fibers.
• Easy care - products require only a pillowcase replacement.

Disadvantages:

• Noisiness - products with buckwheat filler creak and rustle from any touch.
• Smell - buckwheat smell does not finally disappear even with time.
• Heavy weight - the weight of products can reach up to 5 kg.
• Discomfort - not everyone will like to sleep on a noisy and hard pillow.

Important! Buckwheat husk pillows are the most affordable orthopedic bedding, but they are not suitable for people sensitive to odors and noise.

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Bamboo fiber

Bamboo filler is a natural plant material that is derived from fluffy cellulose fiber produced from a bamboo stem.

Benefits:

• Comfort - products with this material are soft, light and comfortable.
• Silent - bamboo fibers do not emit extraneous sounds.
• Lack of a smell - the bamboo has no smell, does not absorb extraneous odors.
• Hypoallergenicity - the filler does not cause allergic reactions, pathogenic microorganisms do not start in it.
• Breathability - due to its porous structure, bamboo fiber quickly evaporates moisture and does not become damp.
• Easy care - the material withstands numerous washings.
• Affordable cost - the price of such a pillow is comparable to the price of a product made of polyester fibers.

Disadvantages:

• Poor support - this filler is very soft, so poorly supports the bends of the neck.
• Pain in the neck - excessive filler softness can provoke pain in the cervical spine.
• Durability - the life of these pillows is no more than 3 years. After this time has passed, they fall off and lose their elasticity.

Important! Pillows with bamboo fiber are not suitable for people suffering from cervical osteochondrosis and protrusions, but will be appropriate for those who prefer a natural filler to artificial.

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Stock footage

Summing up, we can say that defining the best filler for pillows, Memorform foam and latex occupy a leading position. The main obstacle to their purchase is the high price. Therefore, if you want a pillow with an orthopedic effect, but your financial possibilities are limited, pay attention to buckwheat husk products. Although the rest of the fillers also have their followers, therefore, to a greater extent - this is a matter of personal taste.