Find the perfect pillow with these easy questions and transform your sleep

Finding a new pillow is no easy task! There are so many options available right now that it’s hard to know where to start. And the last thing you want is to be trying to drift-off on a pillow that’s too firm, squishy or find yourself overheating at night. The good news is with a little effort, and research before buying a pillow you will be enjoying a great night’s sleep!

Finding your perfect pillow can be an entirely subjective process – what feels right for you may feel awful for someone else – but if you know what you should be thinking about when shopping for new pillows then you'll be able to make a much more informed decision on what to buy. Here are the big questions you should be asking yourself:

What's my sleeping style?

This is the big one. You may not have even thought about what your sleeping style is, but it can make a serious difference to the type of pillow that's best for you. If you're not sure about your sleeping style, the best indicator is the position you wake up in, come the morning; you'll likely be a side sleeper, a back sleeper or a stomach sleeper (or you could be a combination).

Side sleepers need pillows with plenty of thickness, and just the right mix of softness and firmness to provide support. Back sleepers require less thickness but plenty of support to promote spinal alignment, while stomach sleepers (the rarest group) don't need very much thickness at all, otherwise, their heads and necks can become over-elevated, leading to back and shoulder pain; they also benefit from softer, smoother pillows. The good news, however, is that whatever your sleeping style, the Panda Hybrid Pillow adapts to your position naturally, providing a soft, cool and supportive sleep surface that won't leave you sore in the morning.

What filling do I want?

You're pretty much spoiled for choice when it comes to fillings for your pillow. If you're a traditionalist then you may want to go for a feather or down filling; these are typically lovely and soft, but watch out for quills poking through the cover, and be aware that they're not especially supportive, which means they're not great for side sleepers, or indeed people with allergies. Alternatively, you can opt for a synthetic microfiber filling; it's lightweight, cheap and easy to keep clean, and it won't trigger allergies. However those fibres clump together easily, so you'll need to plump your pillow regularly, and it's unlikely to have a very long lifespan.

Foam is another option; though remember not all foams are made equal  Memory foam is an increasingly popular choice for its incredible comfort and support. Many memory foams are orthopaedic grade meaning they keep your head in perfect alignment while you sleep.   Panda Hybrid Pillow goes above and beyond other memory foam pillows. Their CharcoCell™ (charcoal-infused orthopaedic memory foam) combined with Active O2 Micro-pods™ for maximum airflow and breathability, designed to keep your head cool at night.

What materials should I look out for?

Besides your pillow's filling, you should also think about its casing as this can make a huge difference to how it feels to sleep on. Synthetic covers such as nylon and polyester are cheap, but they're not hugely breathable and neither are they especially soft. Natural fibres such as cotton are a much better bet, especially if you go the extra mile with luxurious Egyptian cotton, which is wonderfully soft and smooth and feels much cooler than normal cotton. 

But have you considered bamboo? The Panda Hybrid Pillow's case is made from 100% bamboo fibre, which is gloriously soft and fluffy, naturally breathable and washable too, as well as being naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, so it’s perfect for anyone with allergies or sensitive skin in search of an irritation-free night.

How firm is my mattress?

This may not have occurred to you, but the firmness of your mattress can make a real difference to the sort of pillow that's best for you. If you have a soft mattress, you should go for a firmer pillow in order to keep your head and neck in better alignment. And conversely, with a firm mattress, you'll need a softer pillow to compensate. However, the Panda Hybrid Pillow pairs well with any kind of mattress, delivering just the right amount of softness and support regardless of how firm your mattress is.

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How long will my pillow last?

If you've had your current pillows for years, they're probably well past their best. If they've lost their shape and you're waking up with a stiff neck every morning, that's a sure sign they need replacing. And you may not realise that even the best pillows will only last for three or four years. The Panda Hybrid Pillow is an exception, though; it comes with a guarantee that it'll remain supportive and intact for 10 years.

How sustainable is this pillow?

Buying a pillow can be a nightmare if you're environmentally aware. Artificial fillings and covers are often manufactured using unpleasant and polluting chemical processes, while if you opt for a feather or down pillow you might not want to think too hard about where that filling came from. 

If you choose the Panda Hybrid Pillow, however, you're getting a pillow that's both eco-friendly and socially friendly. Its cover is ethically sourced from organic bamboo that's grown pesticide-free; it's also vegan friendly and it even comes in a recycled (and recyclable) box. Panda is committed to protecting the environment; it’s also working to protect rainforest with every purchase; so far it's protected over 600,000 trees.

Your choice of pillow made easy

Rather than spend ages weighing up all the available options, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy by opting for the Panda Hybrid Pillow. Whatever your sleeping style you'll find it fantastically soft, supportive and cooling, and its eco-credentials are second-to-none, too. Best of all, you can buy with confidence; on top of that 10-year guarantee, you'll also get 30 days to make absolutely sure you love it. If you don't, simply send it back for a full refund, and Panda will even cover your postage costs.

So why delay? Head to Panda London to find out more about the UK’s favourite pillow - Panda Hybrid Pillow, and order today. You'll even get free delivery in the UK; another reason to sleep easy!

Check out our Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow review to see why this dreamy product won our T3 5 star Platinum award.