Types of Pillows for Sleeping On

Down

• Down pillows are made from feathers. A few different types of down pillows are available, including goose down (made from geese feathers), feather pillows (made from a variety of bird feathers) and allergy-free down (feathers wrapped in hypoallergenic material). Goose down is regarded as the highest quality down, while feather pillows are similar to goose down in their overall feel but are made of less expensive material. All down pillows are typically soft and lightweight, but they tend to lose support after a few hours of pressure being placed on them.
  
  

Polyester

• Polyester pillows are fairly common pillows and are typically less expensive than other types. They're easy to wash, unlike down pillows, but they can become bunched, lose support and are unlikely to contour to your neck. They're generally considered "middle of the road" pillows and are of average firmness, durability and density.
  
  

Memory Foam

• Memory foam pillows are made from a heavy, dense foam that contours and holds shape wherever pressure is placed upon it. When pressure is taken off of the area, the foam returns to its original shape. Memory foam pillows can be relatively expensive compared with other pillows and are quite distinctive in their physical qualities, which may take some getting used to. They may also become hot due to their lack of air flow and can emit a chemical-like odor, especially when first purchased.
  
  

Latex

• Latex pillows are somewhat similar to memory foam pillows in that they're dense and pliable, but they have much better air flow, making them more desirable. They're filled with a latex foam, which is supportive and contouring when pressure is placed on it but returns to its original shape when pressure is removed. But like memory foam pillows, latex pillows may emit a chemical-like odor during the first few days or weeks after purchase.