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Many people struggle to get a comfortable and restful night’s sleep, often waking up with shoulder discomfort, headaches and neck stiffness. With so many pillows available on the market, each one delivering a hefty dose of marketing spin and the unfulfilled promise of satisfaction, it’s no wonder we tend to stick with our tired old pillow and suffer the consequences. It’s hard to untangle the facts from the marketing buzzwords, but here we will compare two popular options, bamboo and memory foam.

 

Bamboo

A bamboo pillow generally consists of a bamboo viscose shell, with an internal casing that contains shredded memory foam. Bamboo, when spun info fabric, is a very soft, highly sustainable and hypoallergenic material. It’s also moisture wicking and cool against the skin. For this reason, it’s an option to consider for people who sleep hot, or sweat in their sleep. Most bamboo pillows are customisable, allowing the user to add or remove foam filling as needed to get the correct profile – this means the same pillow can be suitable for back, side and stomach sleepers.

Compared to a solid memory foam pillow, a bamboo pillow will feel softer under your head and allow you to sink deeper into it. If you feel like your head is sinking more than you would like, you’ll need to add more filling. This will also make the pillow firmer. While it’s an advantage to be able to customise the height and firmness of your pillow, if you move a lot in your sleep, the shape of the pillow will change and won’t be as supportive.

 

Memory foam

A memory foam pillow consists of a single block of polyurethane foam that is developed to mould precisely to the contours of the head and neck, distributing weight evenly and alleviating pressure. They are available in a range of profiles to suit side and back sleepers. While some people like the stability of a memory foam pillow, it isn’t mouldable in the sense that you can manipulate its shape to suit your personal sleeping style, and the profile or loft of the pillow can’t be changed as it is a single solid piece of foam.

Like bamboo pillows, memory foam pillows can have a strong chemical odour out of the packaging and require a few days to off-gas. When choosing a memory foam pillow, look for one with a recognised materials certification that ensures that the product does not contain dangerous chemicals that can be used in the manufacture of cheap foam, such as phthalates, toxic flame retardants, ozone depleting chemicals, heavy metals or formaldehyde.

 

So, which should you get? Both pillows contain the same type of foam, with bamboo pillows offering the ability to customise the loft and shape of the pillow, while trading off the support and consistency of a memory foam pillow that will cradle your head. It’s a choice that will come down to personal preference, but it’s worthwhile doing your research and making your decision armed with as much information as possible – in pursuit of that perfect night’s sleep.

 

Article provided by Chiropedic