Pillow | Mister Sandman

What types of sleep pillows are there?

Which pillow is the perfect sleep pillow?

Sleep plays a special role in our lives. After all, we spend about one third of our lifetime sleeping. On one hand, sleep is something completely natural and taken for granted. When we can sleep well, we hardly think about the topic of sleep. It is different when something disturbs our sleep and we experience one sleepless or restless night after another. Then we feel the effects of poor sleep immediately, are irritable and unfocused.

Poor sleep affects health

In the long term, poor sleep quality affects health. Most people who suffer from sleep deprivation or disturbed sleep search for causes, perhaps reading guides on sleep hygiene or sleep disorders to address the problem. Even though serious causes can hide behind poor sleep quality, the reasons for restless or absent sleep are mostly found in the own bedroom. The search for causes begins with one's own bed, as several factors are crucial for good sleep, which can positively or negatively influence sleep:

Die Temperatur im Schlafzimmer
Die Wahl der Matratzen
Die Wahl der Bettwäsche
Die Wahl der Lattenroste
Die Wahl der Kissen und Schlafkissen

Warum ist die Wahl der richtigen Matratzen und Kissen so wichtig?

To be able to sleep optimally, the choice of the right bedding, such as mattresses, pillows, and the right bed linen is of great importance. Because each of these products directly affects our sleep. Inappropriate mattresses and pillows can not only prevent us from sleeping but can also have negative effects on our health. Because mattresses and pillows that are not tailored to our needs and sleeping habits can lead to tension and other complaints and can develop into a chronic problem. For people who already have health issues, the choice of the right mattresses and pillows is even more important. Because if the mattress or pillow does not meet the needs, health complaints can worsen. Allergy sufferers, who for example suffer from a dust mite allergy, can not only permanently improve their sleep with the choice of the right mattresses including covers and pillows but can also do something good for their health in the long run.

Choosing the right sleeping pillow prevents tension.

Another example is people with tension in the neck or chronic neck or back ailments. If these individuals choose the wrong mattresses and pillows, their complaints in the back and neck can significantly worsen. Conversely, neck and back problems can be significantly alleviated by choosing suitable products. The choice of the right products is important because:

The right mattress, the right pillow, and the right cover contribute to restful sleep.
The right mattress and the right pillow can alleviate health complaints.
The wrong mattresses and pillows can negatively affect health.

Find the right mattress at Mister Sandman

Mister Sandman offers three mattresses in its range, suitable for different sleeping habits. Whether Liara, Serena or Anea, with our mattress finder you can find the right mattress. You can try out Mister Sandman mattresses for 30 days to test whether Mister Sandman mattresses suit you and match your sleeping pillows.

Which mattress is right for me?

There is no one right mattress. People have different needs and different sleeping habits. People have various preferences and sleep in different sleeping positions. Mattresses should be chosen with regard to these individual needs and personal preferences. Even though one should ideally choose mattresses for their bed that match their own habits, there are still some quality criteria that should be considered when buying a mattress.

The density is an important characteristic of mattress quality
The compression hardness is a quality feature for certain types of mattresses
When buying a mattress, attention should be paid to the core height of the mattresses
Another quality feature is the division of mattresses into sleeping zones
A quality feature of mattresses is a high-quality mattress cover

Do not underestimate the mattress cover

When buying a mattress, one should not underestimate the importance of the mattress cover. A mattress cover should always be of high quality.

The mattress cover should be made of a breathable material
The mattress cover should be durable
The mattress cover should be tested for harmful substances
The cover should be removable
The cover should be washable
Allergy sufferers should pay attention to an allergy-friendly cover

What role do sleeping habits play in mattress selection?

To find the perfect mattress among the large selection of mattresses that is individually suitable for you, you should consider the following criteria:

Sleeping position (back sleeper? side sleeper?)
Your own body measurements (weight, height)
Preferred sleeping climate (warm, cold)
Preferred size of the mattresses
Physical complaints (allergies?, neck pain?)

Mattresses should be selected based on these criteria. Additionally, mattresses should always undergo a lying test to ensure that the mattresses are indeed suitable for you. The Mister Sandman mattress finder recommends one of the Mister Sandman mattress models based on your sleeping habits and individual needs. All mattresses are also Öko-Tex certified and manufactured in Germany.

What pillows and sleeping pillows are available?

Anyone who has ever experienced a restless night knows how important restful sleep is. Besides many other factors, the right pillow choice, especially the right sleeping pillow choice, plays a significant role. In the pillow market, there are over 300 different types of pillows and even more pillow models, from premium pillows to budget pillow offers. The sleeping pillow, that is, the classic head pillow or sleeping pillow, is just one of the many types of pillows. For pillows that are primarily used for sleeping in one's own bed, the selection of pillows is particularly large:

Pillows and sleeping pillows in various pillow sizes
Pillows and sleeping pillows made from different pillow materials
Pillows and sleeping pillows with various pillow fillings, e.g. water pillows
Pillows and sleeping pillows for special needs in health issues
Pillows and sleeping pillows for children
Pillows and sleeping pillows from various pillow brands

Decorative pillows create coziness

Apart from the classic pillow or sleeping pillow, we surround ourselves daily with pillows that are supposed to provide more comfort in our home, e.g. decorative pillows. Pillows that serve as decorative pillows usually fulfill a dual function. These pillows are meant to be aesthetically pleasing, but they should also allow for comfortable sitting or lying, for example on the sofa:

Decorative pillows for the sofa
Decorative pillows for armchairs and chairs
Decorative pillows for various rooms

Pillows for special needs

Apart from classic pillows and decorative pillows, there are also pillows designed for specific needs. Orthopedic pillows or pillows made from special materials are developed particularly with regard to health issues and their relief, for example neck support pillows. These pillows usually have fillings made from innovative pillow materials to adapt the properties of the pillows as precisely as possible to the needs of the pillow users. Travel pillows are also pillows made for a specific purpose, namely to make traveling and sleeping with a travel pillow more comfortable:

Pillows for health issues, e.g. neck pillows and neck support pillows
Travel pillow

Which pillow is right for me?

In order for the body to recover at night, choosing a suitable head pillow is essential. However, in the search for a pillow on which one can sleep optimally, it quickly becomes clear that the pillow offer is overwhelming. Roughly, sleeping pillows can be divided into a few categories. The most important category for head pillows and sleeping pillows is the category of pillow filling. Because the pillow filling of the sleeping pillow ultimately determines the properties that the head pillow or sleeping pillow has and thus for which people the sleeping pillow or head pillow is suitable.

Sleeping pillow category filling

Pillow fillings are not just a matter of personal preference. Because the filling of head pillows significantly determines the properties of these pillows. The selection of different head pillows is very large:

Head pillows and sleeping pillows with a pillow filling made of foam (head pillows made of cold foam, visco, gel foam, etc.)
Head pillows and sleeping pillows with a pillow filling made of feathers and down
Head pillows and sleeping pillows with a pillow filling made of natural material, such as spelt husk
Head pillows and sleeping pillows with a pillow filling made of gel, e.g. Technogel
Head pillows and sleeping pillows with a pillow filling made of water, e.g. water pillows
Head pillows and sleeping pillows with a pillow filling made of latex

Sleeping pillows and head pillows with foam

Foam head pillows and foam sleeping pillows have a filling made of synthetic material:

Sleeping pillows and foam pillows are shape-stable
Sleeping pillows and foam pillows tend to be harder than other pillows
Sleeping pillows and foam pillows are very suitable for allergy sufferers

Material layers in pillows

If the head pillow or sleeping pillow consists of different layers or different foams, additional properties come into play:

Sleeping pillows and head pillows with gel foam are more adaptable
Sleeping pillows and head pillows with visco content are significantly softer

Sleeping pillows and head pillows made of feathers

The feather head pillow or sleeping pillow is still the classic among sleeping pillows. Everyone has slept on a sleeping pillow or head pillow with a filling of feathers in the size 80x80 at least once. The feathers of the head pillows and sleeping pillows come from geese and ducks and are usually mixed with down. Depending on the proportion of feathers and down, the pillow is softer or harder.

A high down content makes the feather head pillow or feather sleeping pillow softer
A high feather content makes the head pillow firmer

Head pillows and sleeping pillows with feathers are only conditionally suitable for allergy sufferers, as mites feel particularly comfortable in head pillows and sleeping pillows with feathers. Also, for people who have neck problems, a pillow with feathers is rather unsuitable.

Sleeping pillows and head pillows with a filling made of natural material

Sleeping pillows and head pillows can be filled with different natural materials:

Sleeping pillows and head pillows with spelt husk
Sleeping pillows and head pillows with millet
Sleeping pillows with horsehair

Properties of pillows with spelt

Particularly popular are sleeping pillows and head pillows with spelt husk. Spelt husk pillows should not be confused with spelt pillows, which are used as heat pillows. A heat pillow filled with spelt contains only spelt grains, while a sleeping pillow or head pillow with spelt also contains spelt chaff. Spelt chaff or spelt husk have properties that are particularly suitable as filling for head pillows and sleeping pillows.

Sleeping pillows with spelt chaff are breathable
Sleeping pillows with spelt are climate-regulating
Sleeping pillows with spelt husks have good hygienic properties

Head pillows and sleeping pillows with gel

Head pillows and sleeping pillows with a full gel filling are very common in the medical field due to their properties. However, many sleeping pillows and head pillows that are not specifically designed for the medical field have a gel component. Therefore, these sleeping pillows do not consist of full gel.

Gel pillows adapt particularly well to the head and neck due to the gel filling
Gel pillows with gel have very good supportive properties
Gel pillows with gel are very suitable for allergy sufferers
Gel pillows with gel adapt to every movement

Sleeping pillows and head pillows with a water core

Water pillows are cushions filled with water. Water pillows are not particularly common, although they have a number of positive properties:

A water pillow is equally suitable for side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and back sleepers
A water pillow has an individually adjustable firmness level
A water pillow can be used by different users and always adapts individually
A water pillow is never crumpled or flat
Water pillows can be conveniently taken along when empty while traveling
Water pillows are very suitable for allergy sufferers

There is no such thing as the right pillow

Pillows and sleeping pillows are cushions used as supportive bases for sleeping and lying down. Sleeping pillows and head pillows serve to stabilize the body while sleeping and lying down and to provide pressure relief, allowing the body to relax and making it possible to fall asleep. When buying a sleeping pillow, the following points should be considered:

A sleeping pillow should be chosen to match your own sleeping habits and needs: In which sleeping position do I sleep? Do I tend to sweat while sleeping? Do I have problems in the neck and shoulder area?
Pillows, sleeping pillows, and head pillows must match the mattress. The sinking depth into the mattress determines, for example, the correct height of the pillows. The deeper you sink, the higher the height of the sleeping pillows should be. So choose a sleeping pillow or head pillow that fits your mattress.

Mister Sandman mattresses fit excellently with many different types of pillows. You can find out which of the Mister Sandman mattress models suits you with the help of the Mister Sandman mattress finder.

Choice of pillow size

The size of pillows also affects sleep comfort. The wrong pillow size can lead to tension and disturbed sleep:

The size of the pillows should be taken into account. Measurements that exceed a size of 40x80 are often too large. The classic 80x80 large feather pillow often causes neck problems.
Make sure that the size of the pillowcase matches the pillows. The pillowcase should have the correct size for the pillows. If the pillowcase does not fit and fabric hangs over, it can negatively affect sleep.
In cases of pre-existing damage to the neck and spine, a conventional sleeping pillow is usually not sufficient. In this case, an orthopedic neck pillow or neck support pillow should be used.

Neck support pillows as head pillows?

Many pillows and sleeping pillows do not fulfill the function that a pillow should have. The head is not optimally supported while lying down, the neck is not relieved, and the spine sags. People with chronic neck issues often resort to an orthopedic neck support pillow as a sleeping pillow. Neck support pillows are sleeping pillows that are specifically tailored to the needs of people with neck problems. Neck support pillows are shaped in such a way that they support the head very well and relieve the neck. On the other hand, neck support pillows are intended to prevent harmful movements and sleeping positions. Neck support pillows are offered with various fillings:

Neck support pillow with cold foam filling
Neck support pillow with water filling
Neck support pillow with gel filling

Fillings made of cold foam in neck support pillows

One of the most common fillings in neck support pillows is cold foam or various types of foams:

Neck support pillow with visco-elastic foam
Neck support pillow made of latex
Neck support pillow made of foam

Neck support pillow purchase and body structure

The neck support pillow should fit the individual's body structure. People have different body structures. Therefore, neck support pillows are offered in various heights:

Neck support pillow in S
Neck support pillow in M
Neck support pillows in L
Neck support pillows in XL

Neck support pillows and sleeping position

When buying a neck support pillow, one should consider their own sleeping position, that is, the sleeping position in which one spends most of the night. Accordingly, one should choose a suitable neck support pillow:

Neck support pillows for side sleepers
Neck support pillows for back sleepers,
Neck support pillows for stomach sleepers

Height of neck support pillows as sleeping pillows

The height that neck support pillows should have also depends on the sleeping position:

For back sleepers, a neck support pillow with a height of about 10cm is suitable
The height of neck support pillows is more dependent on body structure for side sleepers, depending on shoulder width

Which neck support pillows are good?

The Stiftung Warentest has examined neck support pillows in a recent test:

The test shows that only 4 out of 20 neck support pillows are good
The test shows that only 3 of the 20 neck support pillows are suitable for all sleeping positions
The test shows that good neck support pillows can be obtained from 80€
The test rates the most expensive neck support pillow with the grade sufficient
The test shows that many providers do not specify how the neck support pillow should be positioned

If you lie incorrectly on the neck support pillow, it can significantly worsen the discomfort.

Neck support pillows can be used not only as sleeping pillows

Neck support pillows are very suitable as sleeping pillows for people with complaints in the cervical spine area. However, neck support pillows can also be used outside of one's own bed.

There are neck support pillows for travel (neck pillows)
Neck support pillows for the bathtub

Neck support pillows as sleeping pillows are just an aid

Neck support pillows can help relieve pain in the neck and shoulder area. However, the causes of neck pain often lie outside the bed, even if an unsuitable or low-quality sleeping pillow can trigger or exacerbate the discomfort. Neck support pillows should not be understood as a cure-all, even though using neck support pillows is a good start.

Tips on neck support pillows

Neck support pillows should be covered like regular sleeping pillows
Due to the unusual size of neck support pillows, manufacturers usually provide an extra cover
In some cases, a pillowcase with the dimensions 40x80 may fit
The neck support pillow should match the firmness of the mattress