13 Factors to Consider For Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers

People talk about picking pillows that suit your favorite sleeping position. That makes sense, but what if you don’t stick to a single position each time? What if you toss and turn and you sleep on your back, on your side, and even on your stomach every now and then? If that describes you, then you’re a combination sleeper. Fortunately, it’s actually possible for you to find the best pillow for combination sleepers.

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Coop Home Goods - PREMIUM Adjustable Loft - Shredded Hypoallergenic CertiPUR Memory Foam Pillow

5 out of 5

Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Combination

5 out of 5

Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow

4.5 out of 5

Sleep Restoration Gel Pillow

4.5 out of 5

Le'vista Hotel Collection Standard/Queen Pillow, Set of 2

4 out of 5

Points to Ponder

If you’re doing your research on the most suitable pillows for combination sleepers, you should do what you normally do when you’re looking for the best of any type of consumer product. That is, you need to read customer reviews.

The customer reviews tell you what advertising copy won’t say. They can tell you the various drawbacks of the products, and you can find out for yourself if the supposed benefits of the product are real. Now you have actual customers writing, and for the most part they’re more objective.

In addition, you can find out with customer reviews about which pillows are the most popular. In general, the more popular pillows with a high rate of rave reviews tend to be the pillows that also offer the most value for your money.

6 Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers

Here are some pillows that many combination sleepers can try out:

1. Coop Home Goods - PREMIUM Adjustable Loft - Shredded Hypoallergenic CertiPUR Memory Foam Pillow With Washable Removable Cover - 20 X 30 - Queen Size

This is billed to be good for every type of sleeper, and that means it’s good for combination sleepers too. It’s made with a secret blend of memory foam, while the case is made from bamboo-derived rayon. They don’t use scrap materials left over from the production of other items, but only use premium brand-new materials.

Highlighted Features:

  • The memory foam adjusts to the shape of your head nicely.
  • The fill was freshly produced before it goes in the pillow case.
  • The fill can be adjusted so that it can be as thick as you want.
  • It uses a 2-way stretch inner liner to let you mold the pillow in the shape you want.
  • The outer case is made from sustainable bamboo, and it’s breathable.
  • The 30-inch length lets you turn and change position while you still have the pillow under your head.
  • It’s CertiPUR-certified.
  • You can try it out for 100 days, and the warranty is for 5 years.

2. Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Combination with Adjustable Fit and Zipper Removable Kool-Flow Breathable Cooling Hypoallergenic Pillow Cover (Queen)

Yes, it’s another queen-sized model. When it comes to combination sleepers, longer pillows are better. This also uses memory foam, and it’s adjustable. For those who are worried about quality, this is made in the US.

Highlighted Features:

  • It’s made with memory foam so it shapes itself to the contours of your head.
  • It’s breathable, so you can breathe easier even when you turn your head too much towards the pillow.
  • The fill can be adjusted so you can get it just right.
  • It’s hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mite.
  • It’s CertiPUR and Biogreen-certified without any harmful ingredients.
  • The cover helps keep you cool all night.
  • The warranty is for an amazing 20 years, and the trial period is for 120 nights.

3. Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow

This is only available in either queen- or king-size, so either way its size works with combination sleepers. It doesn’t shift, so it stays in place even when you move your head. You can buy this as a 2-pack, and you may as well get a pair to have one by your side when you turn.

Highlighted Features:

  • It uses gel-filled fiber to help keep you cool.
  • It is free of allergens and chemicals.
  • It’s resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mite.
  • It’s even resistant to fading and staining, so it looks nice after washing.
  • The trial period is only good for 30 days though.

4. Sleep Restoration Gel Pillow

This is another 2-pack offer, which you should get instead of just a single pillow. It feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud, and its design is actually patented. Again, it’s also available in either a queen or king size. These sizes work for combination sleepers.

Highlighted Features:

  • The size is good for constant movers while sleeping.
  • The pillow also doesn’t shift.
  • The gel-filled fibers can mold to your head and keep you cool.
  • It’s resistant to dust mite, mold, and mildew.
  • It also doesn’t stain or fade, and it’s machine-washable.
  • It doesn’t have chemicals or allergens.
  • The trial period is also only for 30 days.

5. SmartHome Bedding Hotel Collection Plush Pillow

This uses down alternative materials, so you get the plushness without the expense and the potential allergy. Get the king-size which measures 20 by 36 inches, so you have ample pillow material to support your head as you turn over when you sleep. Though, if you also sleep on your stomach, the smaller standard size will work too.

Highlighted Features:

  • This uses 100% hypoallergenic polyester filling, so allergies are out of the question.
  • It also only uses virgin materials and not scrap leftovers.
  • If you’re worried about the quality, don’t be. It’s made in the US.
  • It’s actually designed for all sleeping positions.
  • It resists fade and stains.
  • It’s soft and light.

6. WonderSleep PREMIUM Adjustable Loft

This uses shredded memory foam, which offers many advantages. The memory foam is great in contouring itself to the shape of your head. But as it uses shredded memory foam, the pillow is more breathable which works better.

Highlighted Features:

  • The foam amount can be adjusted to suit your needs and preferences.
  • The premium fabric helps to keep you cool.
  • It is resistant to dust mite and also hypoallergenic.
  • The zippered cover is machine washable, and so is the entire pillow.
  • The warranty is just for one year.

The Combination Sleeper

Combination sleepers are those who don’t stick to a particular sleeping position. They may change to another position in the middle of the night. They may like to fall asleep on their sides hugging a large pillow, but they may end up waking up in the morning on their back (or even on their stomach).

Now such a tendency can be rather problematic especially when you’re trying to buy the most suitable pillows for sleeping. After all, many pillows are designed with a particular sleeping position in mind. So you may like a pillow that suits your preference to sleep on your back, but then the pillow you’re using may not be all that suitable when you shift to sleep on your side.

However, it’s not an impossible problem to deal with. In fact, there may even be some advantages to being a combination sleeper. Being such a person isn’t really a problem, and if you’re one of them then you can’t help it.

But you can help yourself with your choice of pillow.

Why You Should Use Combination Sleepers' Pillow?

There are several good reasons why you should insist on getting the right sort of pillow for a combination sleeper:

1. Relief for The Pain in Your Neck

Relief for the Pain in Your Neck

It’s possible that your tendency to shift position in your sleep may put some strain on your neck. This is especially possible with the wrong sort of pillow. But the right sort—not too firm, not too soft—can help. A medium firm pillow can offer the proper support while also enabling you to shift position more easily.

2. Support for Your Spine

Bad posture isn’t good for your spine when you’re on your desk when you work the whole day. But it can really be bad for your health if you persist in maintaining an improper sleeping posture for another 6 to 8 hours when you sleep.

The right pillow can ease the strain on your spine. If you’re often bedeviled by back aches when you wake up, this sort of pillow can reduce the problem.

3. Snoring Control

You may think that your snoring isn’t a problem, even if your sleeping partner may vehemently disagree. But snoring can also be your problem if you snore, because you may actually be woken up frequently during the night because of the noise you’re making. A good pillow that can help you breath more easily may help reduce your snoring.

4. Easier Position Shifts

It’s possible that you can wake up yourself up even momentarily when you shift positions. That’s because you have the wrong pillow that prevents you from changing positions more smoothly. But with the right pillow, you can change positions during your sleep without encountering any hitch.

Are There Any Downsides to Being a Combination Sleeper?

It’s true that being a combination sleeper may come with some drawbacks:

  • You won’t easily find a suitable pillow that suits all your favorite sleeping positions.
  • You’ll have the same problem about choosing the right mattress.
  • Your sleeping partner may not appreciate all your changes of position during the night, as you may wake them up every time.
  • You may even wake yourself up when you change position.
  • When you do a lot of position changes during the night, you may end up not feeling as refreshed as you should.

Who is a Combination Sleeper? What Kind of Pillows Appeal to Them?

Who is a Combination Sleeper


Combination sleepers aren’t exactly rare. In fact, it’s probably safe to say that most people are combination sleepers. If you wake up on your side after falling asleep on your side, then you’re a combination sleeper. Sometimes you may even go back and forth from one position to another multiple times during the night.

For that kind of sleeper, a special versatile pillow will be needed so that all the various positions can be accommodated. A standard pillow just won’t do, if it’s designed for a particular sleeping position.

The pillow should also enable such a person to shift from one position to another more easily, so that their sleep isn’t disturbed. This means you can’t sue a pillow that keeps you from turning your head easily.

If you’re a combination sleeper, the best pillows for you are likely to be the ones that can easily adjust to your needs regardless of your sleeping position. These may be made of multiple materials that contour to your shape well, or materials like buckwheat hulls that can make easy adjustments to your various sleeping positions.

6 Types of Combination Sleeper Pillows

Since you need multiple types of materials to accommodate your various sleeping positions, it should help you to know about the characteristics and features of several popular pillow materials:

1. Down Alternative

Actual down feathers aren’t really recommended, because you may be allergic to them and they may lose their shape more quickly with your constant movement.

But you may find down alternative materials more useful. They’re like down in that they’re soft and comfy, but the synthetic materials aren’t as likely to lose their shape as easily. They’re often cheaper too.

2. Memory Foam

This modern material conforms to body contours very well. They work well for combination sleepers since they easily change their shapes to fit your new contours when you shift position. However, the memory foam can make you sleep a bit warm. That’s why may uses shredded foam so the pillow is more breathable and the air flow is better.

3. Buckwheat Hulls

These refer to the hard outer shells of buckwheat seeds. They allow for air movement, and very supportive and moldable. They’re hypoallergenic too.

On the other hand, it may be a bit to firm unless you reduce the amount of hulls inside the pillow. Also, some of these pillows make a wee bit of noise when you shift position.

4. Latex

This is actually a natural product, as it’s rubber from a tree. It’s soft and yet supportive. It dissipates heat. It’s also resistant to mold and mildew. It retains its shape well too.

However, some latex pillows aren’t very breathable. They can be a bit heavy too.

5. Gel

Gel is a very common material in pillows with memory foam. It offers a cooling effect that counters the warming tendency of memory foam. The gel also doesn’t let you sink as much into the pillow. This also makes shifting into a new position easier, but it’s not really as comfortable as sinking into a pillow, is it?

6. Feather

This holds its shape well, and it’s soft and lightweight. It’s a bit firm too, which again lets you shift positions more smoothly.

But be careful about quills sticking out of the cover, and it may be too warm for some. Allergies to the feathers are also possible. While feather pillows work, this may not be your best option as there are other materials that offer greater support and comfort.

13 Important Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers

13 Important Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers

We’ve already talked about the importance of reading customer reviews when you’re trying to determine the best pillow for you. Of course, you also need to read the about the specs and features of each pillow.

When you do read these specs and reviews, pay attention to the following factors when they’re mentioned:

1. Pillow sizes

You may need a larger one, since you can turn and run out of pillow material. But it’s perfectly okay to just get 2 pillows and place them side by side.

However, if sleeping on your back is one of your sleeping positions, then a standard pillow may work. Some experts say that when you sleep on your back, you’re better off not using a pillow at all so your head is aligned with your spine.

2. Thickness

The trick is to have your head aligned with your spine even when you turn and change positions. The medium thickness should do the trick, which is about 3 to 5 inches. You may want to try the pillow out first, though you may want to try the adjustable ones first. If you have pain in your neck or back, then the thickness may not be right.

3. Softness

Pillows that are too soft may not offer sufficient support for your neck, so you may end up with a strain or a painful neck. But if it is too firm, then it may not feel too comfortable. It has to be just right for you.

4. Material

The material or materials you choose for your pillow must suit your various sleeping positions and your own preferences. Be mindful of the pros and cons of each material, so you know which drawbacks you can live with. Also, it may turn out that you’re sensitive or allergic to certain materials.

5. Cover

It’s better if it is soft and feels nice, because you may end up with your cheek on your pillow instead of the back of your head. It’s better to get the covers with a higher thread count, so that there are fewer chances of the fill coming or sticking out accidentally.

6. Warranty

We all want a pillow to last as long as possible, but how do we know which ones are durable? Aside from long-term customer reviews, you can also check the length of the warranties. In general, the ones with longer warranties tend to last longer overall.

7. Price

This is important, especially when you’re considering buying many pillows for multiple bedrooms. But you may want to splurge on your pillows. Even the more expensive ones are cheaper than the most affordable mattresses!

8. Quality

The pillow should be well-made with high quality materials so that it can last a while. It should retain its shape, size, and features, and remain comfortable to use for a long time to come. You ought to read the customer reviews about quality, as they reviews can tell you whether or not the pillows offer decent sleep.

9. Safety Issues

Many pillows have been certified for their lack of toxic materials. Also, go for the pillows that are resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria. Also, don’t go for feather pillows with low thread count covers as the quills may poke out—and poke you in the eye!

10. Sleeping Positions

The pillow should accommodate your needs and the requirements of each sleeping position you use. Fortunately, some pillows are designed for more than one sleeping position. They may, for example, say that they’re meant for people who sleep on their backs or on their sides. A small pillow may be needed if you like to shift into sleeping on your stomach, as you shouldn’t use a thick or firm pillow in this position. So when you shift, you run out of pillow material and you can sleep on your stomach without a pillow under your head.

11. Position Of Pillow

Position Of Pillow

This factor is important if you like to sleep with your head under a pillow sometimes. If that’s the case, a low loft pillow is a good choice.

11. Body weight

Those with slight builds tend to go for high loft pillows. Medium loft works for those who weigh anywhere from 130 to 230 pounds. If your weight is greater than this range, go with a low or medium loft.

12. Size Of Your Head

High loft pillows work best for heavy or large heads, as the head can compress the pillow more effectively. If your head isn’t that large or that heavy, go with the low or medium loft.

13. Mattress Type

If you have a firm mattress, then you need a pillow with a high loft so that your head keeps level with your body. On the other hand, softer mattresses require pillows with low or medium loft.

Top 3 Choices by Sleeping Position

Here are the features you need to get for the particular positions you tend to use:

1. Side Sleepers

  • Adjustable loft for ideal neck and spine alignment
  • Shredded foam (either memory foam or latex foam) material for pressure point relief
  • Those who wish for natural materials can go with adjustable down pillows

2. Back Sleepers

  • Low or medium loft is crucial, to keep the head straight with your spine
  • Medium and high loft can work, but only for those with heavier bodies and heads
  • High loft can also work for those with breathing difficulties.

3. Stomach Sleepers

  • Have you tried not using a pillow?
  • The lowest loft you can find will work
  • Heavy people can go for medium loft.

Best By 7 Specific Medical Condition or Needs

Best By 7 Specific Medical Condition or Needs

We all have our preferences, but some of us have rather urgent needs that must be addressed by our pillow choices.

1. Allergies

Some materials can be less resistant to dust mites and microbes, so check if you’re allergic. Others may be allergic to other natural materials like feathers. If you have allergies, go with the hypoallergenic materials. These include premium memory foam, cotton, buckwheat, latex, and many synthetic materials.

2. Snoring

Most people who snore are back sleepers. Slightly elevating the head with a higher loft may work, but it can cause neck pain. However, memory foam can help with snoring without causing neck pain.

3. Neck Pain

If you’re using very old or dilapidated pillows, and you recently started getting neck pains when you sleep—blame the pillows. You need to make sure your pillow supports your head enough so that it’s straight with your shoulders and spine.

4. Migraines

A bad sleeping posture can lead to migraines, though sleeping warm can also contribute to the problem. So go with memory foam with gel as it can help straighten your sleeping posture. Pick the ones with good breathability.

5. Sleep Apnea

If you suffer from this position, you may want to try sleeping on your side instead of on your back. The pillow should be able to support your neck at the right height.

6. Toddlers

Babies don’t have the same head and neck proportions as adults, so you need special pillows for babies. Go with medium firm (not soft) pillows to minimize the risk of suffocation. Make sure that the baby isn’t allergic to the materials, and go with those that don’t contain harmful chemicals.

7. Pregnancy

Go for a body pillow designed to help pregnant women to sleep comfortably on their sides.

Sleep Better Tonight with These Tips

Sleep Better Tonight with These Tips

Even the best pillows in the world won’t help you much in improving your sleep if you don’t learn how you can sleep better. To help you with that, here are some useful tips:

  • Have a routine for sleeping. The unchanging routine subliminally prepares your body and mind for sleep. So perhaps you can prepare for sleep by changing into pajamas and then brushing your teeth.
  • Sleep with a cooler temperature. You can always bundle up with a blanket, but if it’s too warm it’s more difficult to get to sleep. A temperature range of 60 to 67 degrees ought to be fine.
  • You may want to take a warm shower about an hour before you sleep. When you enter the cooler air of your bedroom, it will lower your body temperature. This in turn slows down your metabolism so your body becomes more prepared for sleep.
  • Eliminate as much ambient light as you can. Cover any flights from your appliances, or disconnect them from your outlets. You may want to try out eye masks so you won’t be bothered by ambient light from the windows, or when someone enters the bedroom and turns on the light.
  • You may want to try breathing in relaxing scents like lavender as you try to go to sleep. Sniff lavender oil for 2 minutes in 10-minute intervals, and incorporate this in your bedtime routine.
  • Instead of watching TV or peering on your smartphone screen, try reading a book in bed. Read a familiar book, so you’re not in suspense about what happens next in the book. A new book may be too engrossing and you may always want to keep reading to see what happens next.
  • If you have any worries, write about them on a piece of paper. Then let them be for tomorrow. Writing down your worries can help keep you from thinking about them while you’re trying to get to sleep.
  • Don’t try to drink alcohol, as they can reduce the quality of your sleep.
  • Of course avoid caffeinated drinks in the evening.
  • Try to hide your clock, because when you check the time constantly you just add to your stress. It keeps you from relaxing.
  • Don’t count sheep. Instead, picture a place where you feel relaxed.
  • If you need music to fall asleep, try classical music with slow rhythms.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to Know If You’re a Combination Sleeper?

  • Your partner can tell you if you change position when you sleep. Ask them if you move around when you sleep.
  • If you sleep in one position and wake up in another, then you’re a combination sleeper.
  • You can try using a vidcam to record how you sleep. A security cam with a motion detector may work, as it can record only when you move.

2. What Type of Pillows Will Work for You?

A standard pillow won’t work. You need a something that suits your preferences so you’re comfortable in any position. It’s better to use a somewhat firmer pillow, instead of one that you sink into, so you can change positions more easily.

Nobody else can tell you which pillows are the best for you but you. You can find out easily enough by testing the pillow. If you suddenly have any negative effects like neck or back pains, or any allergies then you know that the new pillows are to blame.

That’s why it’s crucial that you have a testing period for your new pillow. You may be unfamiliar with it at first, and that’s common. But when you get used to it, you need to not its actual effects on your quality of sleep.

As you can see, it’s not impossible to find pillows that will suit your combination sleeping tendency. Try our list of recommended pillows first, though you can read reviews on other pillows too. But the most important thing is that you can’t just settle for an ordinary pillow. If you tend to change sleeping positions, you need a pillow that works regardless of that position.

Billy L. Osorio
 

My name is Billy. I am a computer engineer by profession. So, most of my work is on the desk. In my past days, I had many back pain issues due to a long time sitting, eating, working habit. I did a lot of studies and consulting for overcoming my problem. Now, I am trying to share my knowledge.

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