Any recommendation on high quality pillows? A family member requested one, but I have no clue what to look for. Maybe in the $50-75 range?
Fat, thick, thin, fluffy, hard, soft, synthetic, down, foam, foam beads, bamboo?
I think I’ve got one of each. I’ve tried them all. My current favorite is a real plumped up cheapy from WalMart…and for the price I’ll just toss it when it wears down. Range from 5-10 bucks. Sometimes on sale at 2.50 each. Bought one for my dad too and he loves it also. Go figure–price and quality doesn’t guarantee comfort I guess.
The “My Pillow” as seen on TV is very versatile–you can pretty much punch it into any shape you need and it will stay.Plump it back up in the dryer every few weeks. Washable. Bit lumpy though because it’s foam pieces–need to try it for a week to get used to it. Needs a special pillow case.
I like the foam bead pillows too but they need special pillow cases that stretch with the pillow for them to work. Cant really wash them.
Memory foam gets hot and really need special stretchy pillow cases for them to work well. Can’t wash them either. they mold to you but you cant mold them–and they tend to be heavy.
Synthetic down would be pretty nice choice as a gift and would fit your price range.
If you want “down fill” the best I have found is Garnet Hill"s Signature Jacquard Down pillow. Think this might be more than you want to spend though. If you want “synthetic fill” then The Company Store’s Black Label Prima-loft is a great choice.
You first need to find out what position they sleep in. That’ll determine the softness of the pillow. Or ask their preference.
Back: medium
Front: soft
Side: firm / extra-firm
The Five Star Down Alternative pillow (available at Amazon) got top reviews from several sources (I might buy one myself!).
Pillows are so personal. I love a combination of soft and medium fill down pillows, but they have to be 100% down with no feathers. Feathers poke through and irritate my sensitive skin. Others prefer foam pillows, which are hypoallergenic and tend to be cooler. I can’t imagine choosing someone elses’s pillow!
Sorry…but I would never buy someone else a pillow. This is something they need to try. How about a gift certificate…or a shopping trip to get them a nice pillow.
Try “Sleep Like the Dead” website. Unbiased review (they collect reviews and analyze them from all over the net.) Great site for compare and contrast/ pros and cons.
Thumper–It’s HARD to try pillows in a store. You can’t just push on one and say “yeah, this is the one!”
And some people would never have a new pillow if someone didn’t gift it. My only caveat is I’d start cheap and move up.
My absolute favorite pillows that I’ve ever had are Yves Delorme. They are above the price range you indicated, though.
I agree that people should be buying their own pillows
Gouf, so funny about the Walmart 2.50 pillows! My H is always on the quest for the perfect pillow and he is currently using down alternative ones with the Walmart ones underneath. He says it’s the best he’said slept in a long time. He’s a back sleeper who’s out like the dead. I agree with everyone else, OP, don’t buy for someone else. Everyone has specific prefetences…like 2.50 Walmart pillows vs. $80 specialty ones.
Quite true about buying for others–maybe – the desire for pillow vs. “hate to shop” balance can be difficult,
And shopping for your own pillow isn’t a slam dunk either. I can attest to that.
Remember that OPs relative ASKED for a pillow.
. But hard to pass up the WalMart special. If the stocking is big enuf you could stuff one in!
And WalMart has a cheap alternative down one on-line. Tempted now…18 bucks.
I like WM pillow because it’s pretty soft and easy to bunch up to suit your style.
I think this is the kind of thing someone has to shop for themselves, or at least tell you their preferences.
My spouse is really picky about pillows - he has what he calls “the sacred pillow” (it’s king size, even though we don’t have a king size bed) and he’s even been known to take it with him on trips. I, on the other hand, am really low maintenance - I can sleep on anything – and am fine with the cheap foam ones as I normally burrow my head underneath it anyway. Can you get the relative to be more specific about his preferences?
I also love The Company Store down pillows, but not everyone likes down. We spent a bit of time trying out pillows at the Sleep Number store and purchased new bed pillows for H and I.
We like the memory foam pillows.
The first time I saw a Japanese pillow in a hotel I wondered how a side sleeper could ever be comfortable using such a tiny thin pillow. Then I discovered the wonders of a buckwheat hulls. I smoosh the pillow into shape and it stays in position to support my head and neck really well.
I’m extremely picky about my pillows (I sleep with two and they are both different.) I take them if I am going anywhere by car. One is probably 25 years old. I don’t like a pillow which is too hard, too soft or too thick. I hate down pillows because they sink in the middle.
Last week I was in the Keys on a Mimi break at a very nice resort. I had a very hard time falling sleeping because I didn’t like the pillows.
The experts may have guidelines for back/front/side but they do not work for H or me. I tried following them but…there’s a donation of another pillow (since we have enough old pillows for the guests).
I would buy a GC to a place that sells pillows or specializes in linens, I’ve had great luck buying down pillows from Cuddledown. Lots of choices and the sales people are helpful. The down pillows are probably above your price range, but the synthetic ones aren’t.