Latex is the latest darling of the pillow world, über-firm, mold and dust mite-resistant and relatively long-lasting. What’s not to love?
A wool pillow, also mite- and mold-resistant, hypoallergenic, natural, firm, warm and long-lived, is another good choice. It keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter, a favorite of firm-o-phile side-sleepers. A little less pricey is cotton, with all the same natural attributes and a bit softer.
Dense, spongy memory foam, or Tempur-Pedic, pillows adjust to the shape of your head, reducing pressure, but it’s a love/hate thing. Some people can’t sleep on anything else, while others complain that the material gets too hot, changes texture unpleasantly in warm weather, and can outgas nasty smells.
On the cheaper end of the scale are short-lived flimsy polyester-blend pillows, but on the plus side some can be thrown in the washing machine.
Some chiropractors and physical therapists recommend water pillows, which can be customized for firmness. Cool pillows filled with beads that wick away head heat are pleasant for some. Buckwheat hull-filled pillows can be noisy but ventilate well, keeping your head cool, conforming to your head and holding their shape all night long. Touted as curing headaches, neck and back pain, snoring and night sweats, they are all-natural, chemical-free, and last longer than pillows filled with other materials.
