How to choose the right pillow

The pillow is the most undervalued part of sleep. Most people choose randomly and sleep poorly for years without knowing why. But you can decide in 60 seconds when you know what matters.

Here are the 7 factors that decide.

1. How you sleep — the most important factor

The position you spend most of the night in determines the correct height and firmness.

Side sleeper

You need height — the pillow must fill the space between your head and shoulder to keep your spine aligned. Too low, your neck tilts down. Too high, it tilts up. Both cause pain within 30 days.

→ Pillows for Side Sleepers

Back sleeper

You need low-to-medium height and stable firmness. The pillow only supports the natural curve of your neck — it doesn't overcorrect it.

→ Pillows for Back Sleepers

Stomach sleeper

You need an almost flat pillow. Too much height forces your neck back. Ideally, a low pillow or no pillow at all.

→ Pillows for Stomach Sleepers

Combination sleeper

Look for medium firmness and high loft — it adapts to various positions with minimal compromises. The Yawara, Mochi, Nobi, and Kaiteki models are good compromises.

2. The height of your mattress matters

The higher the mattress, the more height the pillow needs (to align the neck with the spine).

  • Low mattress (≤20 cm — Hirune, Kumo) → low to medium pillow
  • Medium mattress (20-25 cm — Sora, Mizu, Hisui, Kaizen) → medium pillow
  • High mattress (26-30 cm — Takumi, Samurai, Shinobi) → high pillow

3. Do you get hot at night?

If so, avoid traditional memory foam and heavy feathers. Look for:

  • Cooling pillows with TPE or gel (Shinsen, Sui)
  • Natural thermoregulating pillows (Yuki wool, Natura Bamboo, Kapok Hikari)

→ Cooling Pillows

4. Material — natural or synthetic?

There's no best — there's personal preference.

Natural

  • Feathers and down (Hane, Hane Premium, Shiro) — classic, cool, premium feel
  • Wool (Yuki) — firm, thermoregulating, Portuguese sheep's wool
  • Vegetable fibers (Natura Bamboo, Natura Toki, Kapok Hikari) — eco, cool, hypoallergenic

Synthetic (memory foam)

  • Adapts to the neck, relieves pressure
  • Warmer than natural materials
  • Generally firmer
  • Models: Mochi, Yawara, Nobi, Sui, Kuro, Shinsen, Kaiteki

→ Natural Pillows

5. Do you have specific complaints?

  • Regular neck pain → Kaiteki (ergonomic with cervical shape)
  • Acne or sensitive facial skin → Kuro (core with anti-bacterial carbon)
  • Night sweats → Shinsen or Sui (cooling effect)
  • Respiratory allergies / dust mites → Yuki, Natura Bamboo, Kapok (natural hypoallergenic)

6. Weight and shoulders (few think about this)

  • Slim person / narrow shoulders: medium height pillow, any firmness
  • Robust person / wide shoulders: taller and firmer pillow to support head weight
  • Couple with differences: each their own pillow. Don't try to share.

7. Budget

  • €15-€20 (Fuwa, Mochi, Hinode Pack): guests, first home, no major commitment
  • €25-€40 (Yawara, Hane, Natura Bambu/Toki, Kapok, Nobi, Kuro, Sui, Hane Premium): daily use
  • €40+ (Yuki, Kaiteki, Shiro, Shinsen): serious investment in sleep

Still unsure?

Contact us. You'll speak with Ana Cristina, our Sleep Advisor. She'll resolve your query in 5 minutes.

📞 21 150 95 04
✉️ clientes@dreamura.com

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