A comfortable pillow is essential for a good night’s sleep, and thus for our overall health and well-being. The basic character of the pillow is dictated by its filling material, which is available nowadays in a variety of options. Criteria like strength, durability, maintenance and comfort, according to your individual needs and preferences, should be taken into consideration while selecting the pillow’s infill material. Here is a guide to the different types of pillow infill materials.

Pillows are available in three basic sizes:
 

• Standard pillows are 20 x 26 inches.
• Queen pillows are 20 x 30 inches.
• King pillows are 20 x 36 inches.

These are the most popular pillow infill materials:

1. Feather and down pillows
These pillows are made with the feathers of birds like goose and duck. The feathers include the wing and back feathers of these birds while the down feathers include the fluffy feathers that are located near the bird’s chest and form the undercoating of the bird. Pillows made with down feathers are one of the most expensive pillows and are comparatively fluffier than feather pillows.

Pillows can also be made with a combination of both these feathers, where the inner core is made with feathers while the outer portion of the pillow is made with down feathers.

2. Organic cotton pillows
Organic cotton is a natural and sustainable material that is widely used as a filling for pillows.

Pros
These pillows are very soft, light in weight, are environmentally friendly and free from toxic materials. Cotton is naturally resistant to mould and mildew.

Cons
Some species of cotton can be highly inflammable. Also, cotton pillows do not hold their shape and need to be fluffed periodically.

3. Memory foam pillows
These pillows are made with polyurethane, which is also known as viscoelastic foam. Memory foam pillows provide good support and have the ability to contour the shape of one’s head and neck onto the pillow.

Some memory foam pillows are finished with a layer of gel on them; these pillows are known as gel memory foam pillows. In these pillows, one gets the cooling effect of gel and the contouring effect of memory foam.

Pros
Memory foam pillows provide good support to the neck and head and are highly durable.

Cons
Memory foam is made with chemicals that give off a bit of a smell for some time which is known as off-gassing. Additionally, memory foam is responsive to temperature and has the tendency to get overheated due to the body’s heat, which may result in hot and sweaty nights.

4. Latex pillows
Latex is extracted as a sticky white fluid from natural rubber trees and used to manufacture rubber products, latex pillows being one of them. This type of pillow filling is soft and it provides good support. It is also available in the form of synthetic latex.

Pros
Unlike memory foam, latex is comparatively more breathable and provides a cool surface. It is a naturally antimicrobial material.

Cons
The main drawback of natural latex is that it may not be suitable for people with latex allergies.

5. Synthetic fill pillows
These pillows are made with a synthetic filling made with polyester or rayon that mimics the softness of feather pillows. Synthetic filling pillows are a popular choice because of their availability and affordability.

Pros
These pillows are soft, hypoallergenic and light in weight.

Cons
Synthetic fill pillows do not provide the warmth of feather pillows and may flatten out with use over a period of time.