Pillows

What kind of pillows are best to sleep on?

Fluffy or firm? Cool or cosy? When choosing the perfect bed pillow, it all comes down to finding what’s right for you.

Tossing and turning doesn’t have to be a part of your night-time routine. A comfortable pillow should offer the support you need to drift off into a peaceful sleep.

For those people who sleep hot, cooling pillows are a great option. Our iGel pillows are adaptive to your needs and can be the coolest pillow or release stored heat to keep you warm as and when you need it.

Every person, and each body, is different – that’s why your pillow should be, too. Discover our wide range of pillows for every budget at Bensons for Beds today. Whether it’s bespoke and wool-lined, filled with feathers or made with memory foam, Tailor your pillow to you by adding the perfect pillowcase. Whether you prefer to be cool or cosy, we have something to suit every kind of sleeper.

Is sleeping on two pillows better than one?

Does your heart sink when you arrive at a hotel and there’s only one pillow on your bed, rather than two? Have you ever been more than tempted to steal your partner’s pillow in that scenario? If you answered yes to one or both questions – we get it. For some people, one pillow just doesn’t feel like it’s enough.

Here’s a follow up question – is it you, or your pillow?

Pillows range in firmness and shape, and those qualities can change with continued use over time. Did you know, it’s recommended you change pillow every 1-2 years? This is not only because bacteria tend to build up, but your pillow can also start to lose its va-va-voom, and after spending a whole night sleeping on it, a deflated pillow is most likely going to leave you feeling deflated, too.

Two thin pillows might feel like an adequate replacement for one firm one, but that’s not necessarily the case.

Using more than one pillow can misalign your spine and neck, cause tension, and negatively affect your posture. If you’re just looking for a bit more firmness – it may be time to upgrade to a pillow with more support. A memory foam pillow is a great option, because it offers support that’s unique to your body, by moulding to the contours of your head and neck.

What are pregnancy pillows for?

A pregnancy pillow is specifically designed to prevent and ease the back pain that commonly occurs in pregnancy. These pillows usually have a long, curved shape, like a body pillow, and they can provide great overall support for people who sleep on their side.

Pregnancy pillows are helpful, but not necessary, during pregnancy. One alternative is to place any pillow between your knees, which can help to keep your spine in line, and reduce sciatic nerve pain. In the third trimester, a pillow under your tummy can provide some much-needed support, too.

What is the best pillow for neck pain?

Neck pain, stiff necks, and even persistent headaches could simply be the result of poor pillow support while you sleep. It’s important you choose the right pillow for your body, and make sure you are replacing it every 1-2 years, to take poor pillow support out of the equation.

A neck pillow for sleeping (also sometimes referred to as a groove pillow) is one that works hard to keep your neck properly aligned with your spine. And choosing a neck pillow for neck pain is easy if you know which sleeping position you tend to favour. Discover whether a thick pillow or a thin pillow is best for you in our dedicated blog post. This guide will help you choose the best pillow for sore necks according to your personal needs.

At Bensons for Beds, we know that everyone is unique, and their sleep needs are too. We have a range of pillows made of different materials, and with different firmness ratings, so there’s something for every kind of sleeper.

Remember, the ones voted the best pillows in the UK might not be the best pillows for your needs. Choosing a neck support pillow that best fits with your needs is the best way to minimize neck pain at night.

Learn everything you need to know about pillows in our dedicated blog post.

What is a body pillow?

A body pillow is a longer pillow you can use for a bit of extra support if you like to sleep on your side. If you’re concerned that your sleeping position could be putting strain on your joints, it could be beneficial to sleep with a pillow between your knees. A standard size pillow can be used as a body pillow too – it all comes down to your body, and what feels most comfortable for you.

Body pillows, or a cuddle pillow are also a great idea for the constant cuddlers out there. If you love to sleep cuddled up to your partner but find it disrupts their sleep, a cuddle (or body) pillow could be the ideal solution.

What is the best pillow for side sleepers?

It’s the age-old debate: is it better to sleep on your tummy, your back, or your side? How you sleep is really up to you – every person’s body is unique, and their sleep needs are too. The most important thing is to experiment, to find out what is right for you.

Once you know your preferred sleeping position, finding the right pillow to support you is important. At Bensons for Beds, we offer pillows with a range of fillings and firmness ratings, so there’s something for every kind of sleeper. If you like to sleep on your side, a temperature-regulating pillow is a great choice, as it helps to prevent you overheating or getting too cold in the night.

What is a memory foam pillow?

A comfortable sleep is the key to waking up on the right side of bed in the morning. A lot of that comfort comes down to having the best pillow to support you. A memory foam pillow is designed with that idea in mind – by moulding to the shape of your head and neck, these pillows are the perfect support for your unique body.

Which pillow brands are available?

At Bensons, we have a range of pillows that adhere to different people’s different sleep needs. And so, we stock various brands to be able to tailor our product offering to varying preferences.

From our TEMPUR pillow collection to affordable comfort from Simply by Bensons, and Dunlopillo pillows to Hypnos pillows – we source our pillow collection from around the world, to deliver the perfect sleep experience for your needs.

And don’t forget to take a peek at our Tempur cloud SmartCool pillow. This luxury pillow comes complete with a 3-year product guarantee and is ideal for all sleep positions including back, front and side sleepers.

What is a wedge pillow?

A wedge pillow (also sometimes called a bolster pillow) can be used to elevate the upper or lower body for a number of medical issued. Wedge pillows are handy to help improve circulation, reduce snoring, and ease pressure on injured or sensitive body areas.

Wedge pillows are usually a triangular shape. This helps them to stay in position better than standard pillows which can often move around as we do during the night.

How can I protect my pillow?

Product longevity is something we’re really passionate about here at Bensons. You want to know that your splurge is going to pay off long-term and as such, it’s worth caring for your pillows properly. If you’re interested in learning how you can improve the life expectancy of your newly purchased pillow, this guide could come in handy.

Remember that pillow protectors are a worthwhile investment. Especially if you’ve splashed out on a premium ortho pillow.

Which pillows are most like hotel pillows?

Down pillows are widely appreciated for their fluffy texture and ultimate feel-good comfort. Many hotel chains favour pillows that are made from a combination of feathers and down. This fusion offers a firm support and promises product longevity at an affordable price.

If you’re interested in purchasing hotel pillow, our Slumberland feather and down pillows could be ideal.

How to choose pillows for kids

When choosing new pillows for the little ones in your life, you need to observe the same things as you would in choosing pillows for yourself. The most important thing about a children's pillow is that it provides a comfortable place to rest their head as they drift off to sleep.

So, the key things to think about when choosing a pillow for a child would be:

**Allergies:**If your child suffers from allergies, a hypoallergenic pillow would be a wise investment.

**Sleep position:**Which position does your child usually sleep in? Observing this and shopping with it in mind will help you find the correct pillow loft (aka pillow height) for your little ones.

Temperature preferences: Some children really struggle with temperature regulation when they sleep. If this is true for your child, a temperature regulating pillow could be a game changing investment for both their sleep and your own!