Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Foam or Fiber Pillow? Which is Better?

Foam or fiber pillow - which is right
What type of pillow should you buy? Foam or fiber? Fiber or foam? It's the age-old question that seems to come up time and again. Or rather, it's one that comes up each time you browse or consider getting a new pillow. Some models are made from memory foams, others come from fiber blends. Each of which come with a different shape and feel, varied comfort levels, as well as specialties. But which offers which? And what's the difference between the pillows and their make-ups?

Foam Pillows


A foam pillow has the benefit of a rigid structure, once molded or cut, the pillow maintains it's shape and offers consistency each night. That shape can really help position your head, neck and shoulders properly.    Factors like the over all shape and height of the pillow become a dependable  support your body will appreciate.  Different types of foams are used to create soft or harder surfaces, light or full support, and different densities.  Different foams can be combined into layers to create special qualities.  Memory foam is very common and produces a softer, cushier foam which molds to your body.

Foam pillows are great for cervical and therapeutic pillows. They are also considered to be more supportive as they cradle the head, no matter how one moves throughout the night. Depending on the foam, certain compositions will ward off molds or other allergens too, an option that's ideal for those who are susceptible to triggers.

Some downsides of foam pillows -

  • Because of their structure, most cannot be bent or "squished" like a traditional fiber pillow
  • All foam will break down over time and slowly lose their support.   Most manufacturers recommend replacing a foam pillow each year to maintain maximum support.
  • Some foams may contain a chemical like smell that usually dissipates within a few hours of exposure to the air

Fiber Pillows


One of the biggest perks to fiber pillows is that of flexibility. They're found fairly inexpensively, and can be used to customize the perfect pillow; fiber pillows can also be mashed and folded so that they match user comfort levels. They're often a softer material, creating a more gentle sleeping space

However, fiber pillows also come with their share of cons. When purchasing a fiber pillow, ensure it's one of high quality so it won't wear down or host an array of allergens. Simply put, these types of pillows offer more head depth when sleeping, but without the proper materials, can become flat or lumpy even a few months into use.

When choosing the right pillow, look to all of the above and more for an informative decision. And check back in for even more stats on buying the right pillow! 

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