Pillow Talk

About this episode

The right pillow can make the difference between waking up refreshed and waking up with a sore neck. But given you usually can’t try before you buy, it can be surprisingly difficult to figure out which pillow will actually work for you. Wirecutter sleep writer Shaena Montanari explains how to choose a pillow based on your sleep position, what makes a pillow supportive, and how to tell when yours has reached the end of its life. She also breaks down the major pillow materials, what to look for before you buy, and why it’s probably time to wash your current pillows. This episode covers: • Your sleep position should guide your pillow choice. Side-, back-, and stomach-sleepers need different amounts of height and support, so start by figuring out how you actually sleep before shopping. • The goal is spinal alignment. The right pillow should keep your head and neck aligned with the rest of your body while you sleep. • A pillow that’s too soft may not stay supportive. Pillows compress over the course of the night, and many people end up needing more firmness or height than they initially expect. • Pillows don’t last forever. Synthetic fills such as memory foam and down alterna