Body pillows are great for several reasons, but finding one that you love and that fits you perfectly can be a challenge. It’s important to know exactly what to look for to ensure that you’re getting the best body pillow for you.
What Are the Benefits of a Body Pillow?
Body pillows have many benefits and could be the missing piece to your good night’s sleep. Having a body pillow could be the difference between a restless night and the best sleep you’ve ever had.
Specific benefits include improved breathing, reduced snoring, fewer body aches, spinal alignment, and improved acid reflux. If you’re on the fence and trying to decide if a body pillow is the right type of pillow for you, here are a few ways you can benefit from using one.
Quality Sleep
Body pillows help you improve your sleep quality by improving your blood circulation and assisting joint pressure. Even if you’re not looking to relieve specific pain, body pillows are great for comfort and bring a feeling of warmth and safety. Certain shapes and sizes have different effects on your body, but regardless of the type of body pillow you get, you’ll likely see improvement in your quality of sleep.
If snoring keeps you up at night, body pillows can help you find the head and neck support you need to help you through the night without snoring. You’ll be in a comfortable and safe position, and using a body pillow to reduce your snoring is a much quieter solution than a CPAP machine.
Joint Pain
Another benefit of using a body pillow is reducing joint pain. Body pillows are great for reducing joint pain because they’re versatile and flexible enough to provide support in multiple places. Your head and neck can have support from the same body pillow that supports your hips and spinal alignment.
Having one body pillow on your bed can bring you the same benefits as three standard pillows. You can choose the firmness and filling that works best for you and your joints, which means the body pillow you choose can be specific to you and your needs.
Improved Breathing
Most people automatically think of body pillows as a great way to get comfortable at night or help with sleeping positions, but they can also provide internal bodily benefits.
Certain body pillow shapes can elevate your chest at night. Your breathing will improve, allowing you to have a peaceful night’s sleep instead of enduring another restless night. Body pillows support your head and neck, giving you the perfect position to breathe peacefully all night.
Body pillows have also proved to reduce acid reflux. Since your head and neck are elevated with a body pillow, you won’t have to worry about acid reflux giving you a hard time as you try to fall asleep.
What To Look For in a Body Pillow
Finding the right body pillow is important because it will be taking up quite a bit of space, and they’re usually not cheap.
It’s important to understand how to find the best body pillow for you because, chances are, you have specific wants and needs.
Here are a few things that you should keep in mind to help you find the best body pillow for you.
Consider Firmness
Before committing to a body pillow, you should first decide what firmness you’ll need. Different firmness levels are better for certain types of sleepers.
If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll probably want to check out soft body pillows. The softness allows you to comfortably sleep on your side while providing your neck with the perfect amount of support. Since you’ll be sleeping on your side, you won’t need the extra firmness that other pillows offer, so a soft or medium-soft body pillow will be the best option for you.
Back sleepers looking for a body pillow should consider finding a medium-firm body pillow. You’ll need more support than a side sleeper will need, but you won’t need anything too firm. Medium-firm body pillows are great for back sleepers because it gives you additional support all around your body, and they’re still extremely comfortable.
If you’re looking for a body pillow and you typically sleep on your stomach, you’ll want to look for additional support by getting a firm body pillow. The firm body pillow will provide your head and neck with extra support, which is great for your spinal alignment.
Firm body pillows will also prevent tossing and turning because they’ll keep you in place and help you sleep through the night. Stomach sleepers aren’t the only ones that could benefit from a firm body pillow. Pregnant women can also benefit from a firm body pillow regardless of size or shape because it provides support and they’re great for back pain.
Consider the Size
When you’re trying to find the best pillow for you, consider the size. Sizes can range from small travel-size pillows to full-body pillows.
If you’re tired of your standard pillow and you’re looking for constant comfort and pain relief, you should invest in the right size body pillow.
The size will determine how much support you get and where. If you’re looking for a body pillow that will provide support in a specific area, you might want to invest in a smaller body pillow. For example, if you’re looking for an option to help with your shoulder pain, you may want to opt for a smaller size instead of buying a full-size body pillow.
If you need full-body support or help with spinal alignment while you’re sleeping, a full-size body pillow will be your best option. It will bring you comfort, support exactly where you need it, and in most cases, it will keep you in the correct sleeping position throughout the night.
If you need serious pain relief or extra support, you may also want to try a full-body support pillow. This is also the best pregnancy pillow, and they’re great for stomach sleepers as well.
Another great thing about full-body support pillows is that you only need one bed pillow if you have one. You can get rid of your regular pillow and the multiple pillows you use or fluff nightly to get the support you need.
Finding the right size can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep and a restless night. Try out different sizes before committing to one, and take your specific needs and want into consideration before buying one.
Consider the Fill
Choosing the best body pillow for you doesn’t stop at the firmness or the size. You’ll also need to consider the fill of the body pillow to truly find the best option for you. Different fillings provide different support and help with various needs.
Finding the right body pillow filling for you may take a few tries. It might help to go in person and test out a few different types. It’s hard to determine which option will be best for you without actually feeling them and giving them a test run before you commit to buying one.
Down Body Pillows
If you’re looking for a soft body pillow to help you as a side sleeper or to have plush comfort at night, you’ll want to consider a feather-filled body pillow (down pillow). Down pillows are flexible, allowing you to bend the body pillow in any direction and have additional support exactly where you need it.
The soft down feathers provide a cloud-like feeling and allow the body pillow to remain maneuverable over time. Down pillows are a great option if you have different aches and pains and need one versatile option.
Down Body Pillows We Like
Amazon productMemory Foam Body Pillows
Stomach sleepers or individuals looking for firm support should consider memory foam body pillows. These body pillows are firm, meaning you’ll get support exactly where you need it, and it will take shape to your body.
Memory foam body pillows are great for individuals who need assistance with their spinal alignment or sleeping position. Memory foam is also great for pregnancies because it will hug every part of the body and adjust to you as needed.
Firm body pillows that use memory foam are not as adjustable or flexible as down pillows. The memory foam doesn’t bend or allow you to change the shape of the body pillow, so you’ll have to keep that in mind if you go this route.
Memory Foam Body Pillows We Like
Polyester Body Pillows
The most affordable and common type of body pillow filling is polyester fibers. Most body and bed pillows are made with polyester fibers unless specified otherwise. It’s a great option if you’re looking for affordability and comfort.
Polyester-filled body pillows are soft and flexible. They’re typically in between down body pillows and memory foam body pillows when it comes to firmness. Polyester will be your best option if you’re looking for something softer than memory foam but a bit firmer than down feathers.
The polyester fibers will allow you to bend the body pillow as needed, and it provides support in pressure points, which keeps you comfortable throughout the night. When you’re trying the find the best body pillow for you, consider testing out a polyester-filled body pillow.
Although polyester is not the fanciest option, it could be the perfect firmness that you’re looking for. The best part is that it’s extremely affordable, saving you money.
Polyester Body Pillows We Like
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Consider the Shape
Body pillows come in various shapes, including a “V” shape, “C” shape, wedge, and full-body length.
Each shape has specific uses, so finding the one that will work best for you is essential. While they each provide great support, there might be one shape that’s better for you than the others and will bring you extra support and pain relief.
“V”-Shaped Pillows
“V” shaped pillows are great for wrap-around support. They prevent rolling over in the middle of the night, and they give you support where you need it most.
They can also help with breathing at night because it elevates you without making you feel like you’re sitting straight up. They’re a great option for pregnancies as well.
The unique shape provides support on each side and allows you to personalize your elevation. If you put the tip of the “V” by your head, you can elevate your head while sleeping, helping with neck pain and keeping your chest up at night.
If you need help with spinal alignment or need your legs elevated, you can turn the body pillow around and put the support under your legs or hips.
“V”-Shaped Pillows We Like
“C”-Shaped Pillows
A great option for a specific body pillow is the “C”-shaped pillow. These pillows give you spinal support and help you find a comfortable sleeping position. Depending on your sleeping position, it can also support your head and neck, enabling you to breathe during the night.
“C”-shaped pillows are one of the best options for pregnancies because they can also keep your hips and legs parallel. If spinal alignment and comfortable sleeping positions are a priority, finding a “C”-shaped pillow will be a great option for you.
This will be the best type of body pillow for you if you’re looking for an option that wraps you in comfort, provides specific support, and can be used for many areas of pain or discomfort.
“C”-Shaped Pillows We Like
Amazon productWedge Pillows
Another specific type of body pillow that can help you achieve a good night’s sleep is a wedge pillow. Using a wedge pillow is a great option if you need localized support or need to sit up slightly while you’re sleeping. It might be the right pillow for you if you’re looking for neck or upper back support while lying down or sleeping.
Studies have shown that wedge pillows can reduce snoring, so if you or your partner struggle with snoring at night, this will be the best body pillow for you.
In addition to helping your spinal alignment and snoring, wedge pillows can also help with acid reflux. Many people don’t think about using a pillow to help with this internal issue, but wedge-shaped body pillows help you sit up at night, helping acid reflux that may bother you when you’re trying to fall asleep.
Wedge Pillows We Like
Full-Length Body Pillows
If you’re a side sleeper looking for support for your arms, chest, and hips, a full-length body pillow is a great option for you. Full-length body pillows are great because they’re extremely versatile, allowing you to have support where you need it most.
When you’re trying to find the best body pillow for you, your specific needs and how they affect your sleep must be considered. Full-length body pillows can help with various needs, and in most cases, they are a great option for individuals looking for a body pillow.
The unique shape of a full-length body pillow gives you the option to have support in multiple places. They’re easy to maneuver, flexible enough to bend around you, and they’re perfect for sleeping.
Full-length body pillows are also a great option for pregnancies. The support can be adjusted, so as your needs change throughout the pregnancy, the same pillow can be used where you need it most.
Full-Length Body Pillows We Like
Consider a Washable Cover
When you’re trying to find the best body pillow for you, think about if you’ll need a washable cover. Depending on your specific needs, this may be an unnecessary factor for you, so finding a body pillow with the option to have a washable cover won’t need to be on your checklist.
If you plan to have the same body pillow for as long as possible (two to three years), you’ll want to find an option with a washable cover.
Body pillows last a long time, especially if you find high-quality materials, but they can last even longer if you use washable covers. If you consistently experience discomfort while sleeping or have neck and shoulder pain that has endured for many years, you’ll want to find a body pillow that will last as long as possible.
Consider looking for body pillows that either come with washable covers or have the ability to fit under a washable cover. Body pillows with a washable cover on them will have a longer lifespan because they will stay clean, smell fresh, and stay protected from dust and dead skin cells.
Even if you’re not sure exactly how long you’ll be using the body pillow, choosing one with a washable cover is always a good idea because when you lay down at night, you won’t have to worry about the cleanliness of the pillow on your skin.
Most full-length body pillows will fit inside a washable cover, making them a great option if you’re looking for a long-term solution. Depending on the brand, you may also find “C”-shaped body pillows and wedge body pillows that will fit inside washable covers as well.
Washable Covers We Like
Amazon productFinding the Best Body Pillow for You
Once you’ve considered all the factors that go into buying a body pillow, you’ll be ready to find the best one for you. It’s important to consider all factors and, if at all possible, try out a few in person before buying.
Online descriptions are great, but you won’t be able to tell what the body pillow feels like until you try it out for yourself. After you make a list of your specific needs and test drive a few possible contenders, you’re ready to get your best night’s sleep.
