Looks like the last thread on this topic was a number of years ago. I’ve used a Pacific Coast down pillow for years and have always liked it. Having said that, at least once a week I wake up with neck pain which leads to a headache. It occurs to me that this might happen when the down moves to one side and I sleep for too long with my head not aligned properly. I’d like to look for another option (non down) but am overwhelmed by the options. I’m a side and stomach sleeper. Anyone have any suggestions? Either for a specific pillow or even where to start? The only thing I do know is sometimes hotels have shredded foam pillows where you can feel the pieces – definitely don’t care for those.
I use the same down pillow, I like that I can scrunch it to fill in beneath my neck, but I nearly always fold it in half and I also use a normal pillow underneath it to prop up my head. I’ll look forward to reading the other posts.
There is no universal “ideal pillow.” You might have to give many a try before you find the perfect match. Ahhh… long gone are the days of youth when we could plop our head on a boulder and fall asleep. 
Having an adjustable bed made a big difference for me. Before I used several pillows to,keep my head raised.
Current pillows came from Mattress Firm, and they are firm. I replaced pillows yearly and didn’t find find the expensive ones served better. It’s so individual.
I don’t know what their logic is and this is probably a marketing ploy, but some pillows are marked with “best for side sleepers”, etc.
Costco has a great selection of pillows at good prices. From a better “economy” to hotel style and many others. We’ve been partial also to Ralph Lauren pillows we often find at TJMaxx. But we usually change out our pillows every couple years (?).
Consider a buckwheat hull pillow.
You mention that keeping your head aligned is important. On a trip to Japan at first I was concerned that the tiny flat pillow would never be enough for a side sleeper. Was I wrong! With a little wiggle of my head the filling molds to the exact shape I need to be comfortable, and unlike down pillows it stays in that position. It does take a bit to get used to a pillow that makes noise as it’s reconfigured.
Are you kidding, The My Pillow Guy!! But, seriously, we switched to tempurpedic pillows years ago when we bought our bed, and I swear by them. Before this pillow, I stacked pillows (not good for your next), and never thought I’d sleep “flat” on one pillow. I think I’ve had it 10+ yrs now!
I also use a tempurpedic pillow. After having neck pain for several months my husband bought one for me and poof, neck pain gone.
I’ve tried all kinds of pillows. ( I prefer firm, although back and side sleeper.) My absolute favorite was an inexpensive Target pillow I can no longer find. Next is IKEA pillows. They’re cheap, but don’t maintain their firm quality long. I’ve tried more expensive versions found at TJMaxx, but don’t know if these are truly better quality, or discounts sold to TJM. I dislike the soft pillows found in most hotels and EU visits. I’ve also tried memory foam pillows from Costco, and not at all impressed. Very uncomfortable (for me). Short version: You need to try a lot to find what works for you (imho).
For me it’s always been hit or miss. I’ve got a stack of “miss” pillows - which I end up donating to the local cat shelter - I hate pillow shopping, it’s depressing and can be expensive. Believe it or not, my latest “hit” was found quite by accident at Big Lots. I was picking up laundry detergent, and wandered the aisles and saw a selection of pillows. One, a memory foam type, caught my attention as the cover was removable with a zipper (means I can wash the cover!), and when I squished it in my hands it stayed put, felt firm, but not hard. It was $25 or so, and with my usual “we’ll see” attitude I bought it. That was a little over a year ago. I sleep better than ever. It was a no-name.
Our guest room has an assortment of pillows that were misses for me. Still looking for my perfect match but have ruled out My Pillow Guy!
Definitely will not be trying The Pillow Guy…I probably do just have to try a lot of different options. The frugal as well as the be-good-to-the-environment and produce less waste parts of me struggle with the idea of buying knowing the likelihood that I could either be returning or sending directly to the landfill.
I’ll be at Costco today and will check out their selection. I’m still not sure what I’m looking for (other than any indication that the pillow might be made for a side/stomach sleeper) but I guess I’ll dive in.
For those using tempurpedic pillows, or any particular brand for that matter, if you know the specific style, that is helpful.
Our latest are Wamsutta pillows. They are terrific…synthetic fill so they really don’t mat down. I find them comfortable. DH uses a Temperpedic and he says it’s perfect for him. It was not perfect for me.
I’ve also tried bamboo filled pillows that were pricey and were duds.
The last good pillows came in a two pack at BBB in one of their bins in aisles. $15.99 for two pillows. I liked them so much, I bought a set for “my room” at my sisters house when I visit. They were some generic brand…very soft and not at all firm.
Do you have tight shoulder muscles? I consistently have tight deltoid muscle on my shoulders that have caused headaches when I wake up in the morning. I have been applying Salonpas patches to the deltoid muscles when I sleep and that helps to alleviate shoulder pain and headaches in the morning.
I also had been on a quest to find the perfect pillow and haven’t found the perfect one.
@collage1 , I know you aren’t looking for down, but if others following this thread are - the best down pillows we have ever bought are the two pack at Costco. They plump up and retain their size better than pricier pillows that we have bought elsewhere.
I don’t know if Costco still sells their 2 pack (might have been 4 pack?) of Pacific Coast down pillows but they really are very good. Not sure if that’s the brand you have, @dragonmom.
Just not sure they’re working well for me anymore. I purchased a pillow for my mom to use when she visits that’s just a basic foam (?) pillow and that worked fairly well last night but needed to be a little higher. My D swears by a particular pillow from Ikea and it’s on the bed in her childhood room and I’m going to try that tonight.
@cbreeze, the tightness I get is on the top part of my shoulder/top of my back. It’s really unpleasant and can impact much of the day. I’m not familiar with Salonpas patches but will look them up. So you put them on at night and sleep with them on?
@cbreeze, I’m intrigued. Which type do you use?
@collage1, I get mine from Costco and it is on sale now. I put one or two patches on each shoulder where it hurts and sometimes I put one right at my occipital area that is also painful. It’s the area at the base of the skull behind the ears. Yes, I put them on before sleep and I don’t have any problems even past the 8 hour limit stated on the box.
https://www.costco.com/salonpas-pain-relieving-patch,-140-patches.product.100344345.html
I had a bout of shingles last year and the prescription 5% lidocaine patches did not relieve my pain as well as the regular Salonpas patches.
We have a Tuft & Needle mattress that came with the pillows on a holiday sale. They are the best we’ve ever had. I’m a side sleeper and DH is a back sleeper and we both love them. We’ve had them for 2 years and they haven’t lost shape or gone soft at all. I can’t imagine the amount of money we’ve spent over the years on pillows - cheap ones, expensive ones, foam, feathers and who knows what.
My dad got suckered into buying the My Pillow ones. Gave them to us - they are terrible.
Thank you, @daylily1, for your recommendation. After experimenting the last couple of nights, I do think a foam pillow is best. I may purchase a couple less expensive ones first but, if not, I may order one. I’m a big fan of buying online but, some things, like pillows, I just prefer to see and touch.