A good night's sleep is dependent on a suitable pillow. When it comes time to buy a pillow in NZ, there are plenty of different options on the market, and it can be hard to narrow down which material will be the most beneficial for you. Different pillow cores have distinct characteristics. Your sleeping position, skin condition, living habits, and a range of other factors will all affect your choice.
Below, we’ve put together a list of the benefits and disadvantages of each material to help you make your choice. Read on to learn more about each pillow material.
Buckwheat
A buckwheat pillow, otherwise known as a Sobakawa, is a traditional Japanese pillow filled with hulls that encase buckwheat seeds. They are springy under compression but provide a firm, contouring support that supports the proper rest of your head and neck positioning. You can personally tailor its firmness to suit your sleeping preferences, by adding or removing buckwheat hulls from the pillow. This natural material has good airflow and is warm in winter and cool in summer. However, some people struggle with the rustling, crunching sound that the husks make when they move, which makes this pillow unsuitable for light sleepers.
Down
Down pillows are filled with the undercoating of a bird’s feathers, which makes for a very soft and fluffy pillow. These pillows are very malleable and mouldable, which offers a lot of support for the head. With proper care, down pillows can last for a lot longer than some synthetic alternatives. Down pillows can be a bit of a hassle to clean, however, and they require a lot of fluffing to make sure they maintain their form.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a manufactured material that rebounds to its original shape. Pillows made from memory foam don’t clump or need fluffing, and they can offer good support, but the material isn’t breathable, and it builds up and retains body heat. Memory foam is made from polyurethane and several other chemicals and sometimes emits a toxic smell.
Natural latex
Latex pillows are becoming quite popular. They offer good support for your head and neck while retaining a soft feel. Latex is antimicrobial and antibacterial. Plus, it is resistant to mildew, dust mites and other common allergens. These make it a great choice for people with allergies and sensitive skin. However, natural latex is inconvenient to clean and has lower air permeability.
Fullair air fibre
Our goal at Fullair is to make the best pillows in NZ. The Fullair layer is 90% air, keeping you comfortable, no matter the temperature. The average pillow can have up to one million dust mites after only a year of use. We’ve avoided this problem by making both layers of the Fullair pillow entirely washable. Due to its high breathability, the Fullair material doesn’t allow moisture, bacteria, or mould to develop. Fullair pillows are firm enough to support your neck all night long. Due to our innovative technology and a focus on sustainable practices, the price of a Fullair pillow can be higher than others, but it is worth it!
Want to know more?
Looking for a quality pillow that’s healthy for you and the environment? While our idea is simple, our technology is anything but. Find out what makes Fullair different from your average pillow.