Category: reviews

Can you remember the feeling of getting up in the wee hours to maybe get some water or go to the bathroom, and as soon as you turn on the light, it so disrupts your sleep that falling back to sleep turns into a struggle? It’s just the worst, right?  

That is why our smart inventors came up with a brilliant idea – nightlight. Believe it or not, it was first invented in the 1960s because one inventor believed it would help his child to feel more secure. Even though decades have passed since then, many people use it for the same purpose.   

Most parents decide to buy it for their little ones who are scared of the dark or being alone. Also, it is very practical when you have guests over because they won’t trip over something or hit their little toe on the corner of the table and we know how painful that is. Even places that are public, like theaters, have built-in lights to ensure that emergency routes are visible.  

Since this is something that became a necessity in every household, you can find it in any size or shape from standard plugins to toys which have a light that is built in and projectors. Depending on the model prices might vary but usually, you can find a nightlight which costs below 30 dollars. Although there are many benefits to using this kind of a gadget, you should also pay attention to safety measures due to some risk factors for consumers.  

Today we will talk about the best nightlights for kids, giving you our top picks and also providing you with a buyer’s guide to know on what you should pay attention. Firstly, let’s see what the usual designs are.  

Nightlight Typical Designs and Features  

According to a definition of a nightlight, it should produce a soft and calming glow which will not interfere with your sleep cycle. Studies have shown that nightlight helps kids fall asleep easier and reduces their fear of night or darkness. Also, it is of great help to parents who have a newborn or toddler and have to check on them because they can continue sleeping even if the nightlight was turned on due to its soothing effect.  

Nightlights are light fixtures that are made for bulbs that are incandescent, halogen or CFL and LED lights. We will now review the differences between these choices.  

1. Incandescent bulb – Is an electric light bulb that works by means of incandescent – meaning when the filament gets heated to a specific temperature it emits light. The wattage is 60, and it can last 1000-2000 h, but it’s hot to touch, causing burns on your skin if touched directly. The cost is around 2 dollars or less than that.  
2. Halogen bulb – Is similar to an incandescent bulb that uses a gas called halogen that makes a chemical reaction with tungsten that has evaporated preventing it from sticking to the glass. The wattage is 60 and it can last 3600 h but it’s very hot to touch, even causing burns on your carpet, that is why it is usually made with quartz. The Cost is from 1 dollar to 3 dollars.  
3. CFL – is a compact fluorescent light that is made for energy saving and cost-friendly purposes. The light is emitted due to a combination of phosphors that emit one band of color individually that are all in range of ultraviolet light. The wattage is from 13 to 18, and it can last 6000-8000 h. Regarding the heat it is quite similar to an incandescent bulb, it will burn your skin if it is in direct contact. The cost is 2 dollars or less which is quite affordable compared with the strength you get.
4. LED – is a light emitting diode that gets the light solely due to electrons that move through a semiconductor material. This kind of system is called electroluminescence. The wattage is 10, and it can last 15 000- 30 000 h but unlike other lights due to a different way of transmitting the light, it doesn’t cause any burns, and the heat is minimal, not to mention the energy saving you’ll get plus it lasts longer than. The cost is from 3 dollars to 6 dollars.  

You could already guess that LED exceeds the needs of consumers even though it is a bit more expensive compared to the rest of them, but it is worth it. It doesn’t need as much energy as it is made in a different way. Since the heat is much lower you won’t have to worry about your kids hurting or burning themselves if they get up during the night or if you have to check up on them. It is essential, however, to keep in mind that led lights that are used for nightlight to use smaller diodes so, the strength and their life capacity is lower than average (approximately 1000-3000).   

Actually, the nightlights that are electroluminescence based do not contain a light bulb at all. The light is produced when the material reacts to the flow of the electrical current that it is attached to.   

In the early production the nightlight had a switch to turn it on and off, but nowadays you can get various types. For example, you can get those that contain sensors that turn on as soon as they sense motion or the ones that have a built-in timer so you can set up the time you want it to turn on and off automatically.   

We should also mention that most nightlights are not bed-friendly so it is not recommendable to let kids sleep with them.  

Here are the types of nightlights that consumers found the most practical: 

1. The ones that are portable – Like the title already says, the practicality of this source of light is that you can take it anywhere and everywhere since it runs on batteries so, it can be recharged easily. On the downside, the availability is limited, and the price is a bit higher than average. The lowest price is around 10 dollars, and it can go up to 40 dollars.  
2. The ones that are plug-in based – Usually the association with a nightlight is this system, and logically we should ‘plug it’ into some electrical outlet. The great thing about this type is that it is highly accessible meaning that more often than not you can find it in your local shop and at an affordable price (up to 10 dollars or lower). On the downside, it is necessary to be connected to an outlet, and if you use an incandescent type of light, it might damage textile materials due to high heat.   
3. The ones that are tabletop models – These are great if you want a light to stand on your nightstand or close to your bed. You can get ones that come with their own stand, lampshade, and pullcord or the ones that just stand alone. It can be connected to an electrical outlet or draw energy from batteries, depending on your needs/preferences. Due to these factors, it could be a great choice of reading light for kids instead of a typical tabletop lamp. Also, the price and availability are consumer friendly since the price can be found for less than 20 dollars and you can easily buy it in the usual shops. On the downside, depending on the softness of light, it can disrupt your or child’s sleep cycle, and it might be necessary to use electric outlet depending on the model.  
4. The ones that work as a projector – This system is great if your kids like to fall asleep with soothing images since it provides just that. The images can be chosen depending on the model, and it can be projected on the ceiling or wall. Also, you can find baby nightlight projector with soothing music to help your little ones fall asleep easier and faster. The price range is lower than 20 dollars. The only downside is that sometimes images might not be visible if the projector is located too close or too far.   
5. The ones that are built in toys – The big perk of this nightlight is the security. Since the light is built in the stuffed toy, it gives kids who are scared of dark maximum comfort so they can get a good night sleep. Guess what? It is the only model that is made especially for newborns and infants, so, it is bed friendly, and it runs on batteries. Of course, with this kind of advantage, there is a price to be paid. So, the downside is that the cost is higher compared to others ranging from 20 dollars to 40 dollars and the availability is limited. 

Our Picks for Best Nightlights  

Multi – Color Nightlight by Maxxima – The Best Value  

The great thing about this product is that it has multi-functions as well as the price range that is pretty affordable. They offer two products for around 11 dollars. Also, what makes it practical is that it uses LED bulbs and it can last around 100 000 h. Maxxima’s Multi-Color Nightlight produces light in white colors, red and blue and it’s very easy to use because, on the front of the nightlight, you have a switch that can be used for turning the light on and off as well as changing the colors.  

Some research says that the most soothing light is the red one and it doesn’t give any negative impact. It is light that is soft enough for your kids but bright enough for you to be able to move around, but it might be a problem if you prefer to have more light. That is why you have other colors to solve this problem.  

Also, what is cool about it is that it offers sensors that are automatic and unless another source of light appears it will stay turned on. Due to its practical size, it is an excellent choice for people who want to use it in hallways. You can be assured that all three options for color, would help your kids feel less scared and more comfortable to fall asleep.   

Maxxima offers a warranty of one year in case something happens to your nightlight.  

Recommended for: 

• People who have newborns and toddlers   
• People whose house has hallways that are really dark   
• People who have someone in their family who is scared of the dark   

Key Points: 

• One year warranty   
• Uses plugin system
• Variety of light choices
• Automatic sensor nightlight  

Gummy Bear Nightlight by Gummygoods – Best portable nightlight  

This light will excite your inner child. I don’t know about you but I was a big fan of gummy bear sweets as a kid, and I think kids still love them. So, I was happy to know that somebody else shared that joy and made a gummy bear that you can have and not be tempted to eat them.  This light not only is a fun and creative way to embellish your room but it is practical in many ways.   

Firstly, it is portable and bed friendly, that means it is completely safe for your kid to carry it around and snuggle with it during the night. It contains a LED light that is built inside of this bear made of rubber, so with the squeeze of his little tummy the light will be activated, and the light is ambient only but that works great cause the bear comes in five colors to choose from – pink, red, purple, blue and green. Also, if you wish you can hang it on the wall or just put it to stand on your night table.  

Secondly, it contains a timer that works in two ways -a timer that is infinite meaning it will stay on unless you squeeze it to turn off, and a timer that lasts 1h and then automatically turns off. These options will work with any needs that your child has.  

And lastly (although I’m sure you’ll find many benefits than stated) it comes with a battery – low indicator. Gummygoods Gummy Bear Nightlight will blink twice, and after 30 seconds, you can replace batteries. Since it is a portable nightlight, it runs on two AA batteries only. It is safe for your kids as you need a coin-shaped tool or the coin itself to open the battery compartment. If you want, you can get a port for charging on the wall, but it depends on the model. 

Gummygoods offer a warranty of 90 days.  

Recommended for: 

• Kids who prefer a toy-like huggable nightlight   
• Newborns and toddlers  
• Children who need a bit more time to fall asleep  

Key Points: 

• Variety of body color choices  
• A portable nightlight  
• Warranty of 90 days  

Slumber Buddies by Summer Infant – The Best Projector Nightlight  

The advantage of Slumber Buddies Projector Nightlight is that it doesn’t look like a nightlight at all so you can rest assured that your kids will feel safe next to it. Why do we say that? The design looks just like an ordinary plush toy, but it is not.  

It has a plastic shell on the back that has starry shapes engraved, and it projects them when it’s turned on. You have various models like a hippo, bee, elephant, lamb and a butterfly and you can choose between amber nightlight colors, green or blue light. Pretty great range of choices.  

In addition to all of that, you have recorded nature sounds and five lullabies: Heart beats, Hush little baby, Frolic Rhodes, Brahm’s lullaby and Babbling Brook. They will make your little ones feel calm even if the outside world is a bit noisy. You also have an option to choose your preferred volume level from the three levels that are available.  

If your kid still doesn’t have a fixed sleeping pattern and needs more time before he/she hits the dreamland, no need to worry this projector nightlight contains an automatic shut off program that will shut down in 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 60 minutes.   

Unfortunately, the lights cannot be manually changed if they stop working, but you don’t have to worry as Summer Infant offers one year warranty. It is portable, bed-friendly, and it uses three AAA batteries. This plush nightlight weighs only one pound, so it is pretty light to any child (of course newborns are the exception).  

Recommended for: 

• Newborns and toddlers who have trouble falling asleep
• Active kids who want to play in the middle of the night (it will be entertaining enough for them to fall asleep to)
• Children who like to listen to lullabies before sleep  

Key Points: 

• Variety of models and light choices
• Variety of lullabies
• One year warranty
• Portable nightlight  

The Rest by Hatch Baby – The Most Innovative Nightlight  

If you are interested in a new gadget and find typical nightlights boring, look no further this nightlight can be controlled by –wait for it- your phone and you don’t need to be in the room to do it. It is a great way to adjust settings how you want without disrupting your kids’ sleep while you enter their room.

They understand that most parents of very young children can’t get enough of sleep so that is why they designed a nightlight that will promote healthy circadian rhythm and production of melatonin. The best thing about this product is how customizable it is. There are a variety of colors, patterns and sounds to choose from and you can adjust all of it from brightness to hues and the volume. Also, you get a free app to do all that with. If you feel like you need a decorative nightlight, it is good to know that you can even accessorize it how you want with coverlets that have interesting and creative patterns and they are sold in the set of three. If you suddenly want to make some additional changes after you finish accessorizing but worry that everything you did will be lost, you will be glad to hear that you can save multiple favorite settings. 

One consumer recommended that you should try to help kids learn which color is their cue to get up, as it will save you the trouble of going to their room. It is not only good for parents who have older children to help them gain the sleep and morning routine, but also for new moms who struggle with breastfeeding, providing soothing sounds to help your little ones feel safe and more comfortable during their feeding time.  

Because Hatch Baby Rest uses high technology, this would be a good choice for people who are willing to expand their budget to enjoy the privileges that go with it, and they offer one year warranty.  

Recommended for: 

• Newborns and toddlers  
• Kids who are scared of the dark  
• Kids who like to fall asleep to the sound of white noise machines  

Key Points: 

• High-tech system and design   
• Unique nightlight with an app control system  
• Warranty of one year  

VAVA Baby Nightlight by VAVA – Our Editor’s Choice  

Is a cute egg-shaped nightlight that produces very soft light and it is very convenient, especially for babies. But don’t let that simple design fool you, it uses just as much of high technology as the previous model, in a different way. The use is pretty simple – if you wish to adjust the softness tap at the top and hold it to change, to change the light color click on the logo and to turn it off just double tap on it. VAVA Baby Nightlight also contains a one-hour timer that you can activate by tapping twice on the logo.  

The light contains a bulb that is an eye-friendly LED of three-watt, that way it won’t have a blue light effect and it will not disrupt your kids’ sleep. If you charge the battery for three hours, it can last 80h, and since it uses the rechargeable battery, it comes with charging base and USB cable. Baby nightlight is made of a material that is resistant to shock and waterproof so you can even take it when camping and hang it somewhere and adjust the light that is to your liking.  

Recommended for: 

• Newborns, young kids, and toddlers  
• Parents who like camping   
• Mothers who are breastfeeding  

Key Points: 

•  The light that is yellow  
• Mode for breastfeeding and a timer  
• People who like tabletop types  
• Controls that are touch sensitive
   

Now that we covered those aspects, we should not forget these few tips:  

Safety Measures and Nightlights    

How to avoid the risk of fire – If the model that you use contains bulb that is CFL or incandescent it can cause a fire if it is close to something that is flammable due to the production of high heat. It is not common, but the best way to prevent it is to: 

• set your nightlight somewhere that is not close to carpet, curtains or touching the bed.  
• not put a material that is flammable over the nightlight  

• avoid overheating by using bulbs that have a lower wattage  

How to avoid poisoning – Inform yourself if the nightlight that you are using contains a toxic material called methylene chloride, so in case it breaks you should throw it away in a manner that is safe to prevent fatal consequences if it is in direct contact with the skin or inhaled.   

How to avoid electric shock – In case it is not specified otherwise on the model, most nightlights are not intended to stay outdoors due to the risk of them getting wet that applies to closed damped areas like a patio with pool or hot tubs, even garages and it should never be plugged on electricity when outdoors.

Important factors to consider before your purchase:   

Before making any decision, it would be very useful to check out these tips when you are comparing models and brands to make sure you get the best deal for your needs.  

• Cost – Make sure you determine a budget before searching and inform yourself what would be the most reasonable cost that you would pay for a bulb or nightlight because some nightlights can cost up to 40 dollars or lower.  
• Nightlight bulb types – This pretty much depends on your budget if you want a lower price option or a safer option. The CFL and incandescent bulbs are cheap, but they heat up quickly and may cause damage if you are not careful. On the other hand, LED bulbs are very safe and last longer, but they are pricy. If you are looking for a compromise, nightlights that are electroluminescence are the right choice since the price is fair and they don’t contain bulbs at all.  
• The size of the nightlight – General information of the nightlight dimensions, including the weigh and shape, will help you determine if it will work well with the space that you envisioned it with but also pay attention to the position of the outlets. 
• Nightlight lifespan – On average most night lights last from 7-10 years depending on the price of the model and their warranty. Usually, the models that have higher price use materials that make the nightlight more durable so if you decide to buy the cheapest model you might have to replace it often, and the total cost would surpass the cost of a higher quality nightlight. So, think twice before you make a purchase.  
• Charging methods of a nightlight – Depends on a model but here is an important thing to consider. Go to your child’s room and check for the outlet locations. If you find that the only outlet location is next to the bed, it might not be very wise to use the plugin night light since it has a higher chance of setting a fire. A safer choice would be to use the nightlight that requires batteries.  
• Nightlight and sensor – Nowadays most of them are motion sensor nightlights that get activated as a person enters a room and they have an automatic on and off daylight sensor that is activated and deactivated depending on the day. If you prefer a manual setup, you can still find some of them although they are not as common as they were in the past.  
• Light emission – The most recommended choice is a nightlight that has a red light emission because the white and the blue light even though brighter interrupt the production of melatonin that helps your child sleep better.  
• Warranty coverage – Most depend on the model some doesn’t have a warranty at all while others can go up to ten years, but the usual warranty is no longer than one year.  

The Good and the Bad Sides of Nightlight  

Most products have pros and cons and after a long time of comparing and doing research to give you the latest information we concluded that there are many benefits to using nightlight and there is only one downside to its usage. We encourage you to compare and decide for yourself.  

Nightlight Pros  

Disruption of the sleep is minimal – The key to a good quality nightlight is the softness of the light. The best nightlights usually use electroluminescence or LED lights that create the best softness of the light for perfect melatonin stimulation the brighter the light the opposite effect gets stronger. It is not only great for your kids but for you as a parent as well, so you can get right back on the sleep track after you finish checking up on your kid compared to bright lights that make you more awake than you are in the mornings.  

High visibility – You might think – “The point of the nightlight is to make the visibility only for the necessary movements, not the other way around” and you do have a point, to some extent. As we talked about in this article, the purpose of the nightlight is for you to be able to move freely without disrupting your sleep pattern on your way to the bed. Also, most of the kids’ rooms are everything but tidy, toys laying everywhere, they somehow ‘magically reappear’ even if you’ve put them back on their place, so if you want to survive back and forth to your room without having Lego stuck under your foot – the nightlight would be a good idea. We recommend to put it where the stairs are for higher safety.  

A way to relieve stress – Due to fear of the dark, some kids might feel intense stress and anxiety when they are alone even if the parents are in the room next to theirs. Nightlight will soothe and calm them down and give them a sense of security, so should they wake up during the night, they could return to their dream with ease and in no time.  

Expense effective – Since we did discuss the cost of the light bulb and which one would be the best, to understand better how it will affect your financial state, imagine this scenario. Hypothetically, let’s say that your electricity bill is calculated 0.10 dollars per kWh. If you use three light bulbs of seven watts that can last up to 3000h, that would be enough to light up one room for one year. The annual cost would be approximately 20 dollars or less meaning you would spend 6 dollars per bulb.  

Nightlight Cons  

Light perception – Humans perceive light in wavelengths. The shortest wavelength is violet or purple, longer ones are green, blue, orange, yellow and the longest one is red. The light that is white is a combination of all colors at once since our eye sees all light in wavelength at once.  

The production of melatonin– a hormone that helps you have a healthy sleep cycle- is tightly connected to the exposure to light. This hormone is produced when there is little to no light present. Another hormone called cortisol makes you feel alert when your body perceives natural daylight. The light that is colored blue and white trick our brain into thinking it is day time, so our body doesn’t produce enough of melatonin, and naturally that makes falling asleep harder.  

The red light, however, was proved to not interfere whatsoever due to its long wavelength. Sadly, most of the nightlights have white or blue light although if the light is soft then it will not cause any trouble for sleep and some models even have adjustable light settings for optimal color and softness. If you have a chance to buy a red nightlight, we strongly encourage you to do so.  

 + Bonus Tips for Better Sleep  

You could try these tips in addition to using a nightlight, to ensure the best sleep quality for your kids: 

• Establish when to go to sleep and when to wake up – On average kids who go to school need around 11h of sleep to feel rested but it is vital to follow natural habits of your child 
• Make a routine before bedtime – Kids need to stick to a schedule before it becomes a habit for them. So do the essentials, brush teeth, bathing and other bathroom business. It will help them to prepare mentally that it is bedtime and they should sleep.  
• Screening time should be limited – As we mentioned blue light interferes with melatonin production and as we all know most of the electronic devices emit a fair amount of it. If you limit kids time with those devices around two hours before bed and do activities like reading or drawing (paper materials only) it will help them fall asleep faster.  
• Regulate room temperature – The temperature of the room should be slightly cooler to help the production of the melatonin.  
• No sugar before bed – Avoid food and drinks that contain caffeine and sugar before bed and intake products like dairy, banana, nuts and leafy greens that trigger sleepiness.  
• Rocking babies before bed is a no-no – Even though this can have a soothing effect on the child, it can cause a disorder called sleep onset association, later in life. To soothe them it would be a good idea to give them something that will make them feel secure and safe like a doll, plush toy or a blanket (I think we all had our blankie when we were kids so this is a trustworthy method)  

Truth to be told, despite all of our efforts some things can be out of our control such as children developing a sleep disorder, but nothing is lost. Nowadays we have so many articles, researches and studies, so inform and educate yourself about what sleeping disorders are and are not and how to approach them to get the best possible result.  

Polyester is well-known for its artificial nature, crafted to replicate the feel and look of cotton. The demand for plastic and synthetic fibers has significantly risen, especially in the last ten years, as they present a more budget-friendly alternative to natural substances. As synthetic fibers prove to be a cheaper option compared to their natural counterparts, polyester has emerged as a favored material in pillow production.

There are good sides and bad sides of these pillows. The good side is that they are widely available, in all shapes and sizes. Their price is low, and they be bought easily in all stores that have pillows in their inventory. The filling is hypoallergenic, which is a big plus if you suffer from any respiratory problems. Another pro is that these pillows are usually machine washable and don’t absorb smells as much as some of the natural alternatives.

On the other hand, polyester pillows can get lumpy and typically have a shorter lifespan. They are considered loud and they are prone to bedbugs. One of the latest controversies is that these pillows are toxic, and the same controversy surrounds foam pillows. There are no scientific data to support this theory, but it doesn’t stop the media from writing about it.

In this article, we are going to explore polyester pillows.

The Loft

The inside of a polyester pillow is made from shredded clumps of fiber fill. This fill is usually light, weighing from one to three pounds. Even though the fill is polyester, the cover is usually made out of cotton or a cotton polyester mix.

The Sizes

Polyester pillows are available in different shapes and sizes.

• Body: If you prefer to cuddle or hug a pillow while you sleep, the body pillow is the size you are looking for. It is long and narrow making it perfect to put your arm and legs around it.
• Euro: Euro pillows are most common in Europe, hence the name. They are square and depending on your preference, can have different sizes. The most common size is the one used for throw pillows and backrests.
• King: As you can guess, the king size is the biggest size, and it is preferred by people who toss and turn a lot during the night. Pillows of this size are five or more inches longer than the Queen size and ten inches longer than the Standard size.
• Queen: A Queen size pillow is bigger than the Standard model, suitable for those who find the Standard to be too dense. Usually, they are great for people who move a lot during the night.
• Super Standard: This size is another excellent alternative for people who consider the standard size too small.
• Standard: The Standard is the most common pillow on the market. Usually, it is the cheapest and most sold size. Being the smallest, it is more compact than the others.

What Does a Polyester Pillow Have Going for it?

The good things about polyester pillows are:

• Price: As the average polyester pillow costs about 10 bucks, it is perfect for those who want to stay on a budget.
• Weight: It is not hard to maneuver a polyester pillow, as it weighs below four pounds, making it a great option for those who like to cuddle with one.
• Softness: One of the main features that polyester mimics is the softness of cotton.
• Smell: Polyester is a material that doesn’t absorb that much odor, making it a great alternative to some other types of pillows.
• Maintenance: The best way to clean polyester pillows is to throw them in the washing machine. They rarely need to be dry cleaned.
• Doesn’t get hot: Not retaining heat is a great advantage for those who tend to sleep hot.

Let’s see some of the bad sides of owning a polyester pillow:

• Durability: The lifespan of a polyester pillow is typically short because they quickly start to lose consistency.
• Lumpiness: These pillows often lose their shape and become lumpy which can cause pain in the neck and shoulders.
• Allergetic: Even though polyester is a material that repels allergies, it tends to attract dust mites.
• Sound: One of the main complaints is that these pillows are noisy.
• Pressure points: As these pillows lose their shape quickly, they are not as supportive as some of the other alternatives.  

The Conclusion about Polyester Pillows

It is safe to say that polyester is suited for those who sleep on their side, back and stomach. If you like to snuggle with a pillow, you should consider getting a polyester model as these pillows are very soft. The lack of odor is the third advantage, as unlike some down or latex pillows that absorb smells, polyester models are not prone to bad odors.

However, if you are prone to dust allergies, or have respiratory issues, you might want to avoid polyester. If you have pressure point issues or are prone to pain in the neck, shoulder or head area, you should keep in mind that polyester pillows often get deformed or flat after usage. Over time, this can lead to more pain problems. Lastly, noise is one of the main complaints about this pillow, as it makes a rustling sound when you move, making it easy to wake up at night.

Criteria of Polyester

One of the best things about polyester pillows is that they are very affordable, with an average price of around $16. Some of these pillows can be found for as low as $2 which makes them an absolute steal. Another excellent feature of these pillows is that they are very lightweight.

Polyester is a low-density material and pillows made from it can be moved with ease during the night. These models are also very easy to maintain as they can be washed in a washing machine, and they are almost odor-free, as polyester does not absorb smells. These pillows usually have middle firmness and are available in all sizes. You can find them in any store that sells pillows. It is almost impossible to visit any home accessory store and not find these pillows.

One of the main complaints about polyester models is the noise, as the sound is made when pressure is applied to the pillow/ It is not as loud as models made with different materials, such as buckwheat, but they still produce noise. Also, they are not quite durable as they tend to wear out or flatten out after a couple of years, which makes them a short-term investment. They lose their quality because of the lumpiness that leads to pain in the shoulders, neck, and head. Being in pain while you sleep or when you wake up can lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia. 

Polyester Pillows Basics

Polyester pillows are cheaply made and that’s why their prices are affordable. They are also widely sold and can be found in all sorts of retailers or e-commerce stores. Some of the bigger chains that have these pillows are Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Ikea, Macy’s and Walmart. They are also available online, on Amazon and Overstock.

The price range of a polyester pillow usually goes from $2 to $30. This makes the average price of these pillows around $16, which is more than affordable. Some polyester pillows can cost more than $29.99 which is still more affordable than average feather pillows, which cost between $24.99 and $49.99, or average latex pillows, with prices between $39,99 and $59,99.

Usually, polyester can be washed in a washing machine, and this makes polyester pillows easy to maintain. You should set your machine at a higher temperature if you want to prevent dust mites.

Where Can I Find Polyester Pillows?

If you are looking for a polyester pillow, many home decor stores have them. The cheapest ones can be found in Walmart or Ikea, with the price ranging between $2 and $16. Polyester pillows are also available in other stores such as MyPillow, Sealy, and Serta, but they are more expensive going up to $34,99.

Sealy and Serta usually offer polyester pillows with a cotton cover, while Ikea offers polyester models with cotton and lyocell blend cover. In Walmart, these models have a pillowcase made of polyester.

When it comes to available sizes, a standard option is available in all stores that we are reviewing, except Serta. Queen size of these pillows is available in every store, and the King size is available anywhere except MyPillow. If you are thinking about buying the Euro size pillow, you should visit Walmart, and if you want a Body pillow, you should go to Ikea or Walmart.

If you want to buy a soft polyester pillow, you should visit Ikea or Walmart. Medium firmness is available at Serta, Sealy and MyPillow, whereas firm models are available in Serta, Sealy, and Ikea.

When it comes to loft preferences, pillows with the lower loft is available at Ikea, Walmart, and MyPillow, the medium thickness is available in Ikea, Walmart, and Sealy, and you can buy pillows with high loft at Seasy and MyPillow.

All of the stores mentioned above offer a test trial period. Ikea has the longest sleep trial period of 365 days. Walmart offers a 90-day trial period, MyPillow a 60-day trial, and Serta and Sealy offer a 30-day sleep trial period.

For a lot of people, just hearing about feather pillows can instantly take them back to their childhood, probably because these were the most common pillows found, celebrated for their unparalleled comfort, ability to stay cool, and their significant size and heft. At some point, they seemed to become forgotten. The introduction of new man-made materials flooded the market, and suddenly, it felt like everyone had switched to using memory foam and latex for their bedding needs. However, feather pillows have not vanished; they remain as classic bedding options, representing quality and true value. Therefore, we’ve chosen to dedicate this piece to honoring the enduring feather pillow.

Feathers used for pillow stuffing usually come from ducks and geese and can be divided into two subcategories, down and feather. Although down is technically also a feather, it stands for inner plumage which is softer and smaller, while by feathers we consider only the firmer outer plumage. While both down and feathers can go together inside of a feather pillow, down is usually placed in the edges, while the feathers are in the middle of the pad, providing stability and support.

We are going to review some of the best feather pillows in 2019 and go through all the advantages and disadvantages of using feather pillows, so keep reading if you want to learn more about them.

Review of The Best Feather Pillows in 2019

1.      Canadian Down & Feather Company Down Perfect Pillow
2.      Malouf Z TripleLayer Down Pillow
3.      Three Geese White Feather Pillow
4.      JA Comforts Goose Feather Down Pillow

Canadian Down & Feather Company Down Perfect Pillow

Key features:

• Warranty period – 5 years
• Different firmness options
• Hypoallergenic

As our top choice, we seclude the Down Perfect pillow – it’s designed with three chambers inside, which secure an equal distribution of downs and feather. Central core chamber is filled with small white goose feather so that it provides firm support for the head. Two lateral chambers are much softer and stuffed with white goose down. The chambers are encased in a 100% fine cotton fabric, which helps with breathability. This pillow has 575+ down fill power,  which means that its loft measures 575+ cubic inches per ounce of fill.

Sleeping on a feather pillow is something that people with allergies tend to avoid, but with this pillow, there is no need to worry about it, because Down Perfect model is hypoallergenic, and during manufacturing, anti-microbial processes were used to eliminate bacteria. In conclusion, you can sleep tight and without potential health problems. The total thread count is 255, so the down and feather cannot „escape.“

We suggest placing a pillowcase over it and a zippered cover because that way you will prevent stains and avoid premature wear. To keep it fresh and fluffy, just occasionally leave it outside on the air to „breathe.“ Do not place it in a machine washer or dryer, because if the filling gets even a bit wet, the down or feathers will huddle together and probably enable mildew growth. In need of cleaning, the best option is to dry clean it or take it to a special cleaner that knows how to treat and clean feather pillows. Some small stain can be spot cleaned with warm water and soap, but you have to pull the fabric away from the filling, and then to clean it. For drying, use a hair dryer on a low heat level.

This pillow comes in three sizes: Standard 20 x 26, Queen 20 x 30, and King 20 x 36 inches. All three dimensions are available in two levels of firmness: Medium and Firm. Its produced in Canada.

Great for:

• Sleepers of all weight groups and sleep positions
• Sleepers with allergies
• Sleepers who want to sleep cool

Malouf Z TripleLayer Down Pillow

Key features:

• Warranty period – 3 years
• Luxuriously soft and cool
• 90% down outer layers

For a real luxurious sleep experience, we represent you the Z TripleLayer Down model, designed with three horizontal layers of down and feathers to provide an outstandingly comfortable sleep. The supportive inner core layer consists 90% of duck feather and 10% of duck down, while the bottom and top layer are filled with 90% of duck down and 10% of duck feather. These three separate layers are encased in a natural cotton cover which is 100% unbleached, undyed, quilted and highly breathable. The cover is not removable, but the pillow comes with a cotton pouch that is meant to get used for transportation or storage.

The company claims that their down and feathers are harvested responsibly, which means that they never pluck from live animals.

This pillow can be spot cleaned manually with mild detergent, without any bleachers or whiteners. Chlorine bleach will weaken the fibers and cause them to go yellow prematurely. Try blotting excess moisture with a towel, or tumble dry on low heat.

It comes in two sizes, Queen 16 x 29, and King 16 x 34 inches. Although it is on a pricier side with the above average price, it does come with a 3-year warranty, and a proper cozy down feel that is hard to resist.

Great for:

• All types of sleepers (back, side, stomach)
• Average and lightweight sleepers
• Sleepers seeking for a very soft pillow

Three Geese White Feather Pillow

Key features:

• Sleep trial period – 30 nights
• Medium firm
• Hypoallergenic

Three Geese White Feather pillow can be a great one for back and side sleepers especially because it has more than 4 inches thick loft, which makes it a medium- to a high-loft pillow, with a medium level of firmness. Side sleepers usually find feather pillows too soft and not supportive enough, because this sleep position requires more than average support level to achieve the spinal alignment and pressure relief.

It’s designed with three inner chambers, the middle one is filled with small goose feathers, while the outer bottom and top chambers are filled with high-quality soft microfiber, so they are extra cuddly. The sleepers will get the comfort of the feather pillow, but the feather itself would not be so close to the sleepers’ face, which is beneficial for those people who are prone to allergies. The cover is not removable, and it is hypoallergenic, OEKO-Tex certified and is made using 600 thread count Egyptian cotton. Comfort, support, high breathability, and cool sleep are top features of this pillow.  It is not meant to be machine washed, bleached, or exposed to direct sunlight.

There is a 30-nights sleep trial, so it easy to try it out and see if it works for you. With excellent customer service comes as well the affordable price, and you can save up some extra money if you buy two pillows at once.

Great for:

• Average and heavyweight sleepers
• Value seekers
• Back and side sleepers

JA Comforts Goose Feather Down Pillow

Key features:

• Warranty period – 3 years
• Sleep trial period – 90 nights
• 95% goose feathers, 5% down

If you are looking for a goose feather pillow with a less than average price point than this could be the perfect deal for you. This pillow contains 95% of goose feathers and 5% down encased in 233 thread count 100% cotton fabric cover. Down is placed around the edges, while the feathers occupy most of its inside, providing decent support and balance between firmness and softness. It is dust mite resistant and has hypoallergenic effects, so if you suffer from asthma or allergies, this pillow can suit your needs too.

JA Comforts Goose Feather Down pillow comes vacuumed, so when you take it out for the first time, it is suggested to shake it a little bit, and he will quickly recover its shape. Probably one of the best features of this pillow is the fact that, unlike the other feather pillows, this one can be machine washed and dried, no need to struggle with spot cleaning, so that it will save your time and money. It has excellent temperature regulation, and breathability as all of the feather pillows have, and it gently contours to your body curves.

Sleep trial period of 90 nights is rare and long enough to check out if this is the best feather pillow for yourself, it is also backed up with a 3-year warranty which ensures you that even though it is cheap, this pillow is not some gimmick product. Pillow can also get sold in a 2-pack, which makes them even more affordable, and it is another reason to give it a chance.

Great for:

• Back and side sleepers
• Light and average groups of sleepers
• Sleepers on a budget

Everything You Need to Know about Feather Pillows

After we have reviewed our top picks, now it is time to go into details and see which qualities and features have kept them so popular and long on the market.

Ducks and geese are animals whose plumage is used mostly for feather pillows, but sometimes feathers from some other waterfowl species are used as well. Feathers are thicker and heavier than down, and often feature a small quill which is probably the most annoying thing because those quills could poke you through the pillowcase, sounds funny but it has happened. On the other hand, down is smaller, softer, lighter, inner plumage, and it does not have a sturdy quill, that is why down is usually set around the edges or as a top layer so that the feather quills cannot reach through. Each bird produces way more feather than down, so that also raise the price of pillows with higher down percentage.

Most pillows produced today contain both, feather and down because that blend provides optimal support and softness. Pads that are made with a higher percentage of the feather, or entirely without the down, are usually cheaper. Due to its luxurious feel and softness, down is more praised by the sleepers. If a pillow declares as “feather pillow” it should contain minimum 30% of feathers and less than 70% of down. So any pillow with more than 70% of down is a “down pillow.” The most common case is that there are much more feathers than down in a pillow. If you are interested in finding out which down pillows we recommend, check out our guide to choosing the best down pillow.

To prevent down escaping through the stitches, essential is to have enough thread count, TC stands for the number of threads per square inch of fabric. If the number of TC is high, that means that the thinner thread its used and that the fabric surface has a smoother and softer feel. So, what is the optimal TC for feather pillows? Well, it depends, but anything from 233 to 500 TC is considered to be the proper number. Anything below 233 can lead to feather and down “escaping” or poking through the cover.

Fill power measures fluffiness or the loft height of a down pillow. It ranges from 300 for feathers to 900 for the high-quality goose down. More expensive and rare down of species such as Common eider or Muscovy duck usually has higher fill power that geese down. Measurement process includes 20g of a down which is placed in a Plexiglas cylinder and compressed down with a weighted piston. The test can get executed in an environment with controlled temperature and humidity conditions.

In most cases, feathers that are used for pillows come as a secondary product from geese and ducks raised for consumption. Raising these species for their plumage alone would be too expensive. The lower fill down comes from geese that are around four months old, their down is sorted carefully and washed, but it will never loft as much as the more mature down. The 700+ fill power is rare and expensive, and it comes from a small number of birds that are kept for breeding and molt naturally during the spring.

Features of Feather Pillows

As any other, feather pillows have their good sides and those, well, not so good. We are not going to say “bad” sides just because at the end it all comes down to personal preferences, and something that suits one sleeper needs, may not work for some others. So when buying a feather pillow, listen to your needs and read our list below to check if they match. Some highlights of feather pillows include:

• Softness – because they are filled with such delicate material, feather pillows are excellent for those sleepers who prefer to snuggle with their pillow or to feel maximal comfort level.
• Coolness – all other breathable pads aside, I think that there is no pillow with better temperature regulation. No air holes, vents, or innovative structures can achieve such level of cooling sleep surface through the night.
• Lifespan – these pillows have decent durability and can perform well at least a couple of years.
• Price – although some feather pillows are expensive, most of them comes with an affordable price, so comparing to the other types of pillow stuffing, feather ones can be described as easily available.
• Shape – the pillows are easy to scrunch, fold, and then re-form, if you need a loft adjustment. If you wonder how to know if your cushion is worn-out, fold it in half, and if it’s still in good shape, it will spring back. If the pillow does not unfold itself, then it might be the time to replace it.

Some potential concerns may include:

• Odor – well, as they are made from natural material, these pillows tend to emit unpleasant smells more than some other types of pads.
• Allergies – bird feathers can be a nuisance to almost everyone suffering from allergies or asthma. Symptoms can vary, but most common ones include sneezing, itchy eyes, skin rash, headache, etc. So if you are prone to allergies, try finding feather pillows that are hypoallergenic.
• Cleaning – most of the feather pillows should not be machine washed or dried, so spot cleaning is the only way, and that sometimes is just not enough. Some feather pads can be dry cleaned, but that is more expensive.
• Support – these pillows flatten easily and start losing their support level which may lead to neck pain, the pressure in shoulders and spinal misalignment. So to keep up pillows shape and fluffiness, just shake it up from time to time.
• Noise – feather models are probably among the loudest pads on the market, if not the loudest, because as you move you can hear constant rustling and crunching sounds.

Shopping Tips for Feather Pillows

If you have decided that you need a feather pillow, here are some additional information and tips which will ease your shopping experience.

• Sleep type – after we have summed up all the pros and cons, we can say that feather pillows will suit the best those who sleep hot because there is no better heat regulation pillow. They are highly moldable which makes them perfect for sleepers who love to snuggle with a pillow when sleeping. Back and side sleepers will enjoy them as well because feather pillows offer proper support without too feeling too firm. If you are a stomach sleeper, feather pillows are not your ideal match.
• Online shopping – feather cushions can be found in in-store brands but can also be purchased online. If you are unsure about your choice, try buying first a pillow which comes with a sleep trial period. That way you can check if the feather pillows are for you without losing any money. Also, check our guide for online shopping, its created for mattresses, but some tips can be helpful for pillows as well.
• Thread count – make sure to pay attention to the thread count number, a higher number means that the cover is tightly knitted and that it will prevent quills poking through, or down escaping through small spaces in the material. With lower thread count quills will easily poke through and may scratch your skin.
• Cleaning – remember that feather pillow can be a little hard to maintain because not all of them are suitable for machine washing and drying. Usually, they have to be spot cleaned or dry cleaned which can cost you your money and time, so try finding the one that is washable.
• Firmness – feather pillows firmness is determined by the amount of feather or down stuffed into it. Pillows that are softer contain fewer ounces of the feather, while the more firm ones contain more ounces of the feather. Also, if the pad has a more significant percentage of down, it is likely to be softer than the ones with higher feather amount.
• Considerations – if you are prone to allergies, seek for pillows with hypoallergenic feathers that are cleaned of bacteria, dust mites, and bird dander. But, do not let your allergy turn you away prematurely from feather because some studies have shown that synthetic pillows can contain even more dust mites than feather pillows, and that is another consideration to keep in mind for people suffering from allergies.
• Budget – a proper feather pillow can be found from 20$ to 55$, which is not as expensive as some non-feather pillows. Of course, there are some pricier feather pillows, but overall, the vast majority of them is widely affordable. Compared to other pillows, only polyester and down alternative pillows can be found on a lower price, and feather pillow offers much bigger quality for just a little bit more.

Price Comparison Chart

In this table, we would like to show you average price points of different types of pillows, so that you can compare how different materials and compositions dictate the price, and how our feather pillows stand in comparison to others.

Size Range of Feather Pillows

Feather pillows are available in some of the most common sizes, so in the table below, we are going to summarize it all in one place for you.

Imagine a world where your bed is smarter than your alarm clock. We’re talking about smart mattresses here, folks! These aren’t your regular chunk of foam or springs. No sir, these beds are like having a sleep coach and a butler in one. They sync up with an app and let you tweak everything just the way you like it. Want your back a bit firmer? Done. Feet feeling hot? Cool them down with a tap. And get this – you can even have different temperatures on each side so you and your partner won’t have to argue about it being too hot or too cold anymore.
Now, let’s not beat around the bush – these futuristic snooze pads do cost a pretty penny more than your standard mattress. But think about what you’re getting: a way to make sure your sleep is just right, night after night. So, who stands to gain the most? Anyone who’s ever wished for a magic button to fix their sleep woes.
Take it from someone who’s seen it firsthand – a smart mattress could be the game-changer you never knew you needed. By the time you’ve adjusted your bed to that just-right angle and temperature, you’ll wonder how you ever slept without it. Why keep reading? Because there’s nothing like the sweet dream of a perfect night’s sleep, and a smart mattress just might get you there.

Some of the brands that stand out are ReST Bed, Eight Sleep, and Sleep Number. The ReST Bed makes mattresses that respond to the sleeper’s needs during the night and adjusts to their sleeping positions. It is achieved by automatically changing firmness in real time. Also, the ReST Bed can give feedback on your sleep cycle, which means it provides data on how many times you woke up, how much you moved, etc. Sleep Number has a similar offer, although it focuses more on the responsive air technology which helps you to feel comfortable in all positions during the night. Eight Sleep offers foam mattresses covered by a smart cover that monitors and stores information that you can use to adjust your sleeping habits.

In this article, we will review the best smart mattresses currently sold on the market. To create these reviews, we relied on existing verified online reviews, and combine them with key features of the models and their price point.

All the models listed below are sourced from the three above mentioned companies, as they are considered leaders in the field of manufacturing smart mattresses.

Eight Sleep Jupiter

As we mentioned before, smart mattresses can be pricey, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find one at an affordable price. The Eight Sleep Jupiter falls into the lower price category. Its price goes around $950, for a Queen size,  which is almost as a non-smart all foam mattress. If you decide to order this mattress, you will receive a model which firmness falls about in the middle. It is about as thick as an average non-smart mattress. The loft of this model consists of two foam layers and is excellent if you have a lot of pressure points.

The cover of the mattress is technologically advanced. It’s made of polyester and can be taken off and washed. The smart cover measures the temperature of the sleeper, the rate of the sleeper’s heart, movement as well as other data that can help you find track your sleep cycle and improve the quality of your sleep. There is an app that comes with the mattress that can monitor your sleep patterns and you can also sync it with other technology in your bedroom.

Eight Sleep has a warranty of ten years on the mattress, warranty of one year on the cover, and a hundred-night trial. The shipping is free, and white-glove service delivery is available for an extra fee.

The Jupiter is excellent for every sleep position, and it covers all weight groups. As the temperature can be adjusted, it is perfect for those who need a little extra help with temperature control. Lastly, if you prefer a smart mattress with average thickness, this model may be a perfect choice.

Sleep Number c2

One of the smart mattresses that fall in the ‘’lower budget’’ category is the Sleep No. c2. It is available for just under $1000, for a Queen size, and it is an airbed. People who sleep on their stomach and those who have a few extra pounds really like this mattress as it is less thick than an average airbed.

The model is made from two inches of polyfoam and two chambers filled with air. These chambers can be adjusted according to the preference of the sleeper. The firmness of the mattress is adjustable, and it can be softer on one side and firmer on the other.  Sleep data is collected and stored so that you can easily track your movement during sleep, how many times you woke up, and similar data that can be used to improve sleep.

A trial for this mattress is one hundred nights, and a warranty lasts twenty-five years. An option of home delivery is available as well as the service of assembling the mattress at your home. The coverage is in the U.S. only.

As mentioned, stomach and back sleepers prefer this mattress more than side sleepers. Also, low weight group sleepers are not as contempt with this mattress as others. Couples love this mattress due to its adjustable side firmness.

Eight Sleep Mars+

Eight Sleep Mars is made from memory foam mixture, and it has an average price for a smart mattress. For a Queen size, the price is around $1300. The layers of the bed are made from memory foam and polyfoam, with a core that supports the coils in the pockets. The materials are very dense, meaning this model has quality edge support. When it comes to firmness, it is medium firm.

The cover is removable and it collects sleep data while you snooze. It monitors your breathing, heart rate, and movement. One of the main selling points of this mattress is that you can sync it with the house wifi and use it to control the room temperature, the lights, or even sync it with Alexa.

The Mars+ has a sleep trial of one hundred days. The warranty for the mattress is ten years, and one year for the cover. Free shipping is available all over the U.S.

The Mars + mattress is best for those who need temperature control and prefer middle firmness models. It is best for people with average weight or those who are a bit heavier.

Sleep Number p5

For a middle ranged price of $1900, for a Queen, you can get the Sleep Number p5. This high-quality Airbed is made of polyfoam layers, which is great for pressure relief and pain-free sleep. The firmness can be customized which makes the model great for couples, and it is excellent for sleepers of all weight groups.

As per the other mattresses that the Sleep Number offers, SleepIQ is embedded in the model and collects sleep data every night, such as the speed of your breathing, heart rate, motion and similar. Remote control can be used to adjust the loft and the firmness of the mattress. You can use SleepIQ via Bluetooth or wireless internet.

The manufacturers offer white glove service delivery for an extra fee, meaning the will take away your old mattress and assemble the new one instead of you. This bed comes with a sleep trial of one hundred days and a warranty of twenty-five years.

We have noticed that this mattress works best for back and side sleepers, as well as couples. The model is generally preferred by people of all weight groups and those who sleep best on medium mattresses.

Eight Sleep Venus+

The Venus+ is a very luxurious bed. It is eleven inches thick, with latex layers and polyfoam that contours to the body and relieves all the right pressure points to decrease stress and alleviate back pain. It has very firm edges and a three-inch thick base that reinforces the bed. The material that makes the mattress is designed to stay cool, but the cover has temperature control as well. The firmness is medium soft, and it is not ideal for heavier sleepers.

Like all the previously mentioned smart mattresses, there is an option to gather sleeping info via a tracker that is built in the cover. It offers temperature control and customization and even comes with an alarm that can wake you up in the morning. You can sync the cover to home tech, which means light and temperature control of your bedroom is only one click away.

The Venus + comes with a one hundred day sleep trial and a dual warranty. The mattress has a warranty of ten years, and the cover has a 1-year warranty. The shipping is free in the U.S.

The best experience was noted by back sleepers and people who sleep on the side. It is mostly preferred by lightweight sleepers or people in the average weight group.

Sleep Number i7

The i7 is the only smart mattress that is filled with gel memory foam, which makes it great for side sleepers. The comforting system is five inches wide, and the firmness goes from soft to medium, so if you were looking for a soft smart mattress, here it is. Couples may prefer this mattress, as the firmness of each side of the bed can be adjusted. One of the downsides of this product is that is more costly than others, with an average price of $2300 for a Queen size.

The bed also comes with an app that can track and analyze your sleep data, such as movement, heartbeats, and breathing. Every night, an overall score is calculated, and the app estimates if your sleep time was spent more or less comfortable.

This app can be accessed online or via Bluetooth. A remote is delivered with the mattress to adjust the firmness.

The model comes with a 100 days trial period and a warranty of 25 years. Free shipping covers the states of the U.S. with a possibility of White Glove Delivery for an additional fee.

Side sleepers and people who sleep on their back, find this mattress to be very comfortable, as long as they are in the light to an average group of weight. If you have back pain, this mattress can help to reduce it.

ReST Bed

The IT industry is full of innovations,  which leads to fast changes in the industry of smart mattresses. The Rest is considered to be one of the most technologically advanced products in this field. One of the reasons for this is the adjustment of firmness. Based on a sleeper’s preference the setting of firmness can be automatic, which means that the firmness changes based on the sleeper’s habits. The second setting is manual and the third is called ‘Position Detection’ which changes during the night based on the position of the person sleeping on the mattress. Sensors measure movement during the night, and this allows the application to adjust the firmness to a perfect degree. It can sync with any wireless device.

One of the most impressive features is that the firmness can be adjusted in the head, shoulder, and leg area. The shoulder part may need to be a little softer than the stomach part of the mattress, so the air chambers adjust this during the night. This takes care of the general issue that people have with air mattresses, and that is pressure and pain. Since air beds can’t transfer firmness to all parts of the body adequately, many sleepers end waking up in the morning with aches and pain. The ReST is more on the softer side, making it best for those in the light to average weight groups.

The ReST bed can sync with any home tech very easily. The biggest downside is its price – $4000 for a Queen. The model comes with a sleep trial of 90 days and a warranty of 10 years.

Reviews have shown that this mattress is excellent for couples and people who prefer firmer models. Also, back and side sleepers enjoy the possibility of firmness adjustment.

What is a ‘’smart mattress’’?

Anything updated with technology and/or an app gets a prefix ‘’smart’’. Smart mattresses are improved by tech so that we can improve our sleep. The apps can collect information about our sleep stages, if we tend to sleep hot, track our heart rate and breathing and similar. Some of these mattresses can even adjust the temperature, loft height, firmness, and also connect to your wifi. Sometimes they are remote-controlled or have an application that controls all the features.

It is not easy to make a mattress that is technologically advanced, so smart beds are typically expensive and hard to find. Some can be cheaper than others, but the average price is around $1900. For this amount of money, you can get three regular mattresses.

Functions of a smart mattress

The functions of a smart mattress can be any of the following, or all:

1. Sleep data collection: As the cover of a smart mattress has state of the art technology, there is no need to stick sensors to your skin to collect sleeping data. The mattress can detect the following things:

• When did you go to sleep?
• When did you fall asleep?
• How long did it take you to fall asleep?
• When did you get up?
• When did you get out of the bed?
• How long was your REM phase?
• Did you wake up during the night?
• Did you move a lot while sleeping?

2. Physical observations: Just like in the paragraph above, a smart mattress can access physical information while you sleep such as:

• Heart rate
• Breathing
• Body temperature
• Surface temperature
• The temperature of the environment

3. Rating: When all of these sleep data is collected, some smart mattresses give out an overall snooze score. You can even set alarms to observe the quality of your sleep through this grade.
4. Customization of the model: Some smart mattresses have air-filled pockets that can adjust some of the features of a bed. These features include:

• Density: Air chambers can soften or harden the mattress itself, which is excellent for those who toss and turn during the night.
• Temperature adjustments: This feature is common in smart mattresses: some models have the option to customize the temperature in different parts of the bed, which is fantastic for couples. Although, keep in mind there are complaints the temperature changes may take up to half an hour to take effect.
• Room adjustments: Most of the smart mattresses can sync with other home devices which gives you an option to control your bedroom through an app on your phone. This way you can control the lights, temperatures, appliances, TV-s, etc.

5. Additional features that occur in smart mattresses include:

• Wake-up alarms
• Music and white noise.
• Meditation programs
• Apps that monitor your daily consumption of coffee, sleep, physical activity, etc.

What is the Best Mattress for You?

If you want to get a perfect smart mattress, you should compare the most popular models and see which one would be an excellent fit for you.

Eight Sleep

This company offers three smart mattresses. Each of these models has a polyester cover with a built-in sleep tracker connected to an app.

• The Jupiter + model has three layers. The first layer is made out of memory foam, the second layer has contouring memory foam, and the third layer is made out of polyfoam.
• The Mars + is a hybrid model. The comfort layer of this model has two memory foam layers and a transitional polyfoam middle layer. The support core of the mattress has pocketed coils, and the base contains polyfoam of high density.
• The Venus + is also a hybrid, and its comfort layers have transitional polyfoam and latex. The base of the mattress is made with high-density foam, and the support core has pocketed coils.

ReST

The company called Responsive Sleep Technology offers an excellent smart airbed called ReST. The ReST Bed offers three different customizations:

• Automatic: The firmness is continually adjusted to help the sleeper feel more comfortable during the night
• Manual: sleepers themselves can adjust the firmness of the mattress for all five body zones whenever they want
• Auto Position: sleepers can customize the firmness settings of this model for different sleep positions, and the ReST Bed will respond as soon as the sleeper changes the position while sleeping

The cover of this mattress contains Lycra, and it has two thousand built-in sensors that monitor the pressure on sensitive areas of the sleeper’s body and track sleep activities and patterns. Sleepers can access their sleep data using almost any wireless device, thanks to the ReSTdash app. The comfort layer of this model consists of two gel memory foam layers. The support core of the ReST Bed has a high-resilience polyfoam top layer and foam-encased air chambers that target five body zones including legs, hips, lower back, head, and shoulders.

Sleep Number

One of the best companies in the smart mattress industry is the Sleep Number. This company offers eight models of mattresses, and each of them can be connected to the SleepIQ App. These models are separated into the following categories:

• Classic models: this category includes c2 and c4 mattresses. The c2 is eight inches thick and has two polyfoam layers. The c4 is nine inches thick and has a thicker layer of polyfoam. Both models have reasonable prices.
• Performance models: this category includes two airbeds – the p5 and the p6 model. The p5 model is 10” thick, the p6 model is 11” thick, and both models have a layer of polyfoam.
• Innovation models: this category includes four airbeds – the i7, i8, ILE, and the i10. The ILE and the i10 are special as they can be temperature controlled. The i7 is 11” thick and has a gel foam layer. The i8 model is 12” thick and has a polyfoam layer.

All of these models have a remote control, and they have a different density. You can also customize these mattresses, depending on your budget. You can buy a base called a FlexFit (FF):

• The FF 1 offers head adjustment, it has a night light, and it is priced $1200. The mattress is not included in this price
• The FF 2 offers the adjustment of the head and the feet part of the mattress, has a night light, and it costs $1900.
• The FF3 has the same features as the FF 2 model, with an added system for heating the feet area. This base costs $2000.

No matter the season, the importance of comforters in affecting the duration and quality of sleep is undeniable. The journey to discover the perfect comforter is no small feat, considering the wide array of choices out there. To aid in this quest, we have compiled a guide that provides a thorough examination of the top 5 comforters of 2019, complete with all the necessary information for making an informed decision. Delve into the construction and fabric of each option to select the perfect match for your needs.

The Best Comforters of 2019

Parachute Down Duvet Insert

Highlights

• Smooth cotton-sateen shell
• Canadian goose down fill
• Fitting for all seasons
• Lightweight
• 60-day trial

The Parachute Down Duvet Insert is the best down duvet insert comforter you can find on the market. This luxury option has Canadian goose down with a 750 fill power that will create a dense and lofty layer that can give excellent warmth in colder periods. The best thing is that it is available in two thicknesses options – a lightweight model and all-season model. Additionally, it has a Responsible Down certification for standard, meaning the production is sustainable and ethical. It also has a 60-day sleep trial.

Buffy Comforter

Highlights

• Cooling cover made from eucalyptus
• Excellent warmth
• Eco-friendly fill

The Buffy comforter is our editor’s pick for many reasons. It is an eco-friendly product that provides excellent temperature regulation during all seasons. The fill has a fluffy feel, but it is made from recycled plastic that gives excellent insulation and warmth. About fifty plastic bottles are cleared from the environment and used for the production of each comforter. The cover is made from eucalyptus, so it is very comfortable, breathable and it will stay cool even in hotter periods. It is an excellent choice for people who have sensitive skin. It is available in all sizes (Twin, Twin XL, Queen, King, Full and California King) with a free trial and shipped in a certified package, by the Forest Stewardship Council without any shipping or return fees.

Silk Camel Silk Comforter

Highlights

• Breathable
• 100% silk fill
• Provides excellent cooling

Our choice for the best lightweight comforter for hot sleepers is the Silk Camel Silk Comforter that is designed to give exceptional warmth and cooling while wicking away moisture. It is filled with mulberry silk – a natural material that is breathable and cool, encased in a cotton shell that is breathable and smooth. It is lightweight, with only four pounds, and available in King, Queen, Twin, and California King size. It also has corner and side clasps that will prevent it from slipping off you while you are sleeping.

Hanna Kay Down Alternative Quilted Comforter

Highlights

• Baffled construction
• Warm fill
• Machine-washable
• Hypoallergenic
• Very affordable

When searching for your perfect pick, the price is one of the most significant factors that can influence your buying decision. Some models even have prices within a three-figure range, but that does not mean good quality. This model is our pick for the best value. The filling of the Hanna Kay Down Alternative Quilted Comforter contains fluffy and hypoallergenic fibers, which will give you exceptional warmth and insulation from the cold. This model also has baffled stitching that will keep the fill evenly dispersed and prevent clumping. Unlike many expensive models, this one can be washed and dried in a machine, and it won’t lose its shape. The price of the product is low, less than $40.  

Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Duvet

Highlights

• Multiple weight options
• Lofty fill
• Cool cotton cover
• Corner straps that will prevent any slippage
• 100-day trial

The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Duvet is the best down alternative duvet insert. It contains polyester microfibers – a popular material for comforters, which offers excellent softness and insulation similar to authentic down. Apart from that, down models are very inexpensive and hypoallergenic as well. The model is available in medium and light weights, and is perfect for different sleeping preferences. The lighter version is sewn through and it is thin, making it suitable for individuals who tend to sleep hot, and the medium option is Baffle-stitched, which helps to prevent the clumping of the material.  The smooth Cambric cotton encases the fill and ensures proper temperature regulation. Corner loops on the product prevent it from slipping off you while you are sleeping. Apart from that, the product has a 100-day sleep trial, free returns, and the warranty lasts for 3 years.

Sleep Restoration Down Alternative Comforter

Highlights

• Lofty
• Hypoallergenic
• Ten color options
• Low-maintenance
• 30-day sleep trial

Even though most of these products give an equal amount of warmth, some models are designed to offer a completely different sleep experience. For the best warm comforter, we recommend the Sleep Restoration Down Alternative Comforter. It is an oversized model padded with down alternative fibers in a dense cover that has baffled stitching for the additional shape retention. Unlike many other models, it is machine-washable and available in ten different colors. The price of this product is affordable, with less than $40, and a 30-day sleep trial. It is so popular with people that hotels often use them for their rooms.

Buying Guide

Comforters have many features and options that can make shopping difficult and to help you, we have gathered all the vital information you need to know when buying one. Take a look at our buying guide below!

Comforter vs. Duvet

A comforter is a thick, quilted, and fluffy blanket that is used to keep you warm or cool, depending on which you need. The fill usually contains synthetic fibers and is stitched or quilted to keep it secure and evenly distributed. Unlike a duvet, it only forms one piece of all of your bed linens. A duvet is sometimes referred to as a comforter; it is a soft and flat bag that is filled with feathers, down, wool, or some synthetic alternative to these. It has a removable cover that acts as a protective layer of the entire duvet and has a closure that you can remove and wash.

Types of Fabric Used

Finding the right material can make a difference in the comfort you have when you are sleeping or even just relaxing. However, it is not easy to choose the right one without trying it out, as the choice ultimately depends on personal preference.

There are many types of materials that are used for these products, but we are going to go over materials that are considered the most comfortable.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural material that is very soft and comfortable. Comforters made from cotton offer exceptional breathability, temperature regulation, and comfort. Overall, they are an excellent choice if you sleep hot. Since it is a natural fiber, it is breathable and remains cool when in contact with your skin. It also has excellent moisture wicking abilities that help with temperature regulation of the bed.

You can find two types of cotton in these products – preshrunk sanforized cotton and mercerized cotton, which is made by putting cotton in a strong lye solution to be more absorbent, durable and colorfast. The best thing about cotton is that, as it ages, it gets better – it gets softer and even more comfortable. However, compared to other materials, it wrinkles often and can shrink if you don’t wash it properly.

Silk

Silk is made from the cocoon of the silkworm caterpillar, which is spun with a continuous silk strand. The natural and breathable material is as soft as down, but it stains easily and requires dry-cleaning. Comforters made from silk are typically available only in white or eggshell, with a duvet cover for protection. Unlike wool, but similar to cotton, silk is excellent for both winter and summer seasons – it can be cool or warm, depending on what you need. For allergy sufferers, silk is also an ideal choice of material. However, like wool, silk can be expensive.

Heavy silk models have around 400 grams per square meter (gsm) or more, while lightweight ones have around 200 gsm. Heavier products are best for getting more warmth in winter, while lighter ones are the best for the summer season. Silk models are also delicate and need gentle care, which means you can’t wash it in the washing machine. If you want to clean it, use a wet piece of cloth to wipe it.

Bamboo

Bamboo comforters are starting to be popular thanks to their amazing properties. They are very luxurious without costing a fortune. Based on the manufacturing process, there are a few variations of bamboo models. Some of them resemble silk have the same benefits of silk for a cheaper price, while others are more like cashmere. They have excellent breathability and softness, but they do retain some warmth.

Wool

Because of the naturally hypoallergenic properties of wool, these products are an excellent choice for individuals that have sensitive skin. Wool is a natural fiber that can provide softness and warmth, wick away moisture, moderate body temperature, and resist smells and bacteria. During the winter, it will keep you warm, but even though you can use wool in the summer, people usually avoid it. It is also very soft, lightweight, and flame retardant. However, it is also expensive, because wool fibers are spun from the fleece of different animal hair breeds such as cashmere goats, angora rabbits, alpacas, and so on. Comforters that have wool in their construction are comfortable and soft, but not always machine-washable. Instead, you should dry clean them or use warm water and mild detergent for removing small stains. After that, you can rinse the washed area with cold water, but avoid using chemicals and bleach because they will destroy the fabric.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic filling material that can be found in more-affordable options. It’s often the ideal material for allergies because the fibers are non-allergenic. Although it is not as breathable as natural-fiber fills, it offer durability and affordability. You can wash it in the washer/dryer, and it dries quickly. However, since traps moisture and heat, this type of material may be uncomfortable during warmer seasons.

Down

Comforters made from down are lightweight and offer high levels of comfort and warmth. The air trapped between small pieces of down will give the right amount of heat and breathability. The most expensive ones are with the pure white goose down, while those that use a mixture of feathers are less-expensive. However, most down models are not machine-washable.

Fill Power

Fill power is the main attribute of down and down alternative comforters. It is the volume or the number of ounces of down in a product. The fill weight is also the primary driver of warmth – the higher the fill power, the higher the volume and warmth. The power can vary depending on different factors, such as whether the fill is from goose or duck and if it is a feather or cluster. At 400 or less fill power, there is less loft, and you can get limited warmth. From 400 to 599, the product will have better heat retention and give you more warmth. However, the loft is still limited, so it might not give you enough warmth for colder periods. Between 600 and 799 is the most suitable for all-season models and even higher-end winter models. The amount of loft in this range of fill power will trap heat and provide you with a cozy sleep environment. A down comforter with more than 800 fill power will have denser feathers and clusters that will offer exceptional levels of durability, softness, and warmth.

Construction

The construction refers to the extra stitching on the interior that prevents the fill material from shifting and creating dead spaces and lumps. Most fill materials tend to have these issues, so it is essential to find the one that will fit your preferences.

Thread Count

Thread count is the density of the fabric used per square inch. If the thread count is higher, the product will be more durable, but also softer. If the weave is denser, it will stop the fill from pouring out of the comforter. The thread count usually ranges from 300 to more than 800. For most shells, TC is between 300 and 400 – it can retain the fill and be smooth. A slightly tighter weave, from 400 to 500, will add extra durability. Having a thread count between 500 and 800 is not much different compared to lower TC, but sometimes, the models with a higher number will have two-ply yarns in the weaving instead of more threads. The same goes for the ones with more than 800.

Size

Comforters should cover the entire bed, so it is vital to match the size. They are available in many sizes, including Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full/Queen, Queen (including Oversized), King, California King (including Oversized King). However, some variations are possible with the dimensions, so you should always check the exact measurements, and they can somewhat differ from mattress sizes.

At some point, everyone has experienced neck pain. Waking up with a stiff neck and soreness can ruin our day, regardless of whether it’s Monday or not. Neck discomfort is often referred to as a symptom of the digital age, caused by our excessive use of technology. Spending long hours in a slouched position in front of a computer or continuously scrolling through our phones, causing our neck to stay in a forward tilt, are everyday behaviors that lead to our neck feeling sore and strained. Getting enough sleep is essential because it helps with our recovery overnight, reducing neck pain. Therefore, selecting a suitable pillow is critical for providing neck support, as the wrong pillow can exacerbate the issue.

Sleepless and rough nights are often caused by the wrong choice of pillow, so if you are having problems with neck pain, you may consider changing your pad first. The pain usually occurs from time to time, but it can become a chronic condition, that is why the choice of the right pillow is so essential. Also, we usually sleep on one pillow for a few years, and during this period it is getting a lot of use. It is crucial to be aware of the symptoms of a worn-out pillow. When your pillow starts developing indentations, sagging, sinking, losing its firmness, when you start folding it beneath your head, etc. those are all the signs that you might need a new one. But, how to find a good one when there are so many different compositions, features, shapes, and sizes? Well, that is why we are here, we have prepared reviews of the best neck support pillows, and an in-depth buyer’s guide that will point out which factors you should pay attention to.

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow

Highlights:

• Warranty period – 5 years
• Extra firm
• Different loft sizes

As our first choice, we represent you an orthopedic TEMPUR-Neck pillow with an ergonomic design that follows your body curves and raises the neck while supporting it gently and adapting to your head. This pillow is made from memory foam that is described as “extra firm” which means that this pillow will not sink in overtime and jeopardize the spinal alignment. This model offers three different levels of loft thickness, 3, 4, and 4.5 inches, so that the shoppers can find a perfect match which suits their body preferences such as shoulder width, head size, and neck length. Despite being tagged as “extra firm,” this pillow is not uncomfortable, it contours and cradles your head and neck while relaxing the muscles and aligning the spine.

Memory foam base is covered with a micro vented polyester knit cover that is easily removable, machine washable and breathable. Foam core should not be washed, if anything spills over it, try blotting up as much as you can and leave it out to dry itself.

Although the average lifespan of memory foam pads is around 2 to 3 years, the TEMPUR-Neck pad is backed up with a 5-year warranty, which guarantees that this model is more durable than the other foam pads, they would repair it or replace it if necessary. It also comes with a price below the average price point, which means that you will get a quality pillow for a low price. It weighs 2.8 pounds, and its dimensions are 20 x 4 x 14 inches. The shipping is free within the contiguous US.

Great for:

• Back and side sleepers
• Sleepers looking for a fair price
• Average and heavyweight sleepers

Malouf Z Zoned Gel Dough Pillow

Highlights:

• Warranty period – 5 years
• Different loft sizes
• Excellent heat regulation

This memory foam pillow is infused with Gel Dough formula which keeps it cool and helps with heat regulation. Also, almost an entire surface of the pad is perforated with Zoned Technology designed holes of different dimensions. They provide airflow and thanks to them this model is probably the most breathable pillow on the market. It comes with a Tencel mesh removable cover, and this eco-friendly fabric helps as well with heat and moisture regulation. The cover is machine washable, but the pillow itself is not. If any stains occur, try spot cleaning it with a damp cloth.

The Zoned Technology design sets the focus on optimal comfort feel for the head and neck. Larger holes were placed in the middle of the pillow so that they can cradle and support the head, while the smaller holes go around that area and conform to the neck. This pillow contours your body without losing its shape and also affects the improvement of spinal alignment.

Z Zoned Gel Dough pillow comes in two different dimensions, King 16 x 35 inches, and Queen 16 x 29 inches, both options come with three loft sizes. The low-loft is 4.5 inches, the medium is 6 inches, and high is 7 inches thick. A warranty period of 5 years guarantees you that you are investing your money in a pillow that is durable more than other foam pads, and all shoppers within the contiguous US have free shipping.

Great for:

• Back and side sleepers
• Hot sleepers
• All weight groups

Snuggle-Pedic Bamboo Pillow

Highlights:

• Warranty period – 20 years
• Sleep trial period – 120 nights
• Adjustable loft

This pillow offers the comfort of a down pillow, but unlike the down pillow, this one will not lose its shape over the time due to the mix of different types of shredded foam. The foam that this company uses for pillows comes from excess foam used for their mattresses. They combined hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US certified foam which is very low in V.O.C. with Biogreen foam. These pillows filled with small pieces of foam are incredibly soft and comfortable, but also resilient and lighter than other cushions from shredded foam. Dense memory foam is naturally dust mite resistant, which makes it the most comfortable and hypoallergenic material in bedding.

The Kool-Flow Micro-Vented Bamboo cover is made from polyurethane and bamboo viscose, and it is hypoallergenic, soft and highly breathable, so it is going to keep you cool all night long. The whole pillow can be machine washed and dried, so there is no need to worry about cleaning because it is very easy to maintain. Its adjustable loft suits everyone providing the right amount of comfort and support that will please your neck and release the stress of the muscles.

This pillow is super lightweight with only 1.01 pounds, and it comes in three cut sizes, Standard 26 x 19 inches, Queen 28 x 20 inches, King 35 x 20 inches. But its dimensions and loft thickness are adjustable and can be easily personalized by gathering or spreading out the foam. The company recommends shipping the pillow back to them if there is a need for customization, to remove or add some extra foam, the shipping is free. With such excellent customer service, very affordable price, 120 nights sleep trial and a 20-year warranty, Snuggle-Pedic Bamboo Pillow is one model that is hard to beat.

Great for:

• People looking for a fair price
• Sleepers of all weight groups and sleep positions
• Hot sleepers

Purple Pillow

Highlights:

• Warranty period – 1 year
• Sleep trial period – 100 nights
• Medium loft (3”)

For all of you who are searching for a more innovative pillow design, we represent you the Purple pillow, constructed with the company’s signature Smart grid design. The company started with mattresses, and then they adjusted their design to other products and cushions. Their unique design of open Hyper-Elastic Polymer mesh allows free air flow which provides maximal breathability, and it is antimicrobial. This rubbery-like material contours to your body without losing its shape. Reinforced firm edges will support your neck properly while the soft middle part cradles the head.

The key material used for this pillow is a polymer, which by itself is not a very breathable material, but when it is used to create a triangle-grid structure with air pockets, that results with air moving freely even when you are lying upon it. Construction of this pillow makes it a top cooling pad, but it is important to say that sleeping cool is a relative category, because on the overall body temperature can also influence our pajamas, mattress, blanket, etc.

The polyester and bamboo blend was used for a cover which is removable and can be machine washed and dried, the polymer grid is attached to a firm base layer of polymer, and it can be hand-washed and air-dried.

This unusual pillow is a bit heavier, it weighs 10 pounds, and it comes in one size 16.3 x 8.4 x 6.9 inches. There is a sleep trial period of 100 nights so you can try it out and feel if it is the right one. Also, it comes with a 1-year warranty and free shipping within the contiguous US.

Great for:

• Back and side sleepers
• Sleepers willing to spend more
• Average and lightweight group of sleepers

Coop Home Goods Travel and Camping Pillow

Highlights:

• Warranty period – 5 years
• Sleep trial period – 100 nights
• Adjustable loft

The Coop Home Goods Travel and Camping pillow was created for all travelers and campers who are not into inflatable pads but are looking for the comfort of a standard sleeping pillow. Although it has a smaller shape, this pillow is made out of the same materials as their best-selling standard pillows. Comfortable, shredded memory foam is CertiPUR-US certified and blended with a poly fiberfill, and you can increase or decrease the filling to reach that perfect loft size, you do get a package of extra stuffing with it. These and the fact that it can be compressed are the reasons why this pillow will be your new inevitable travel companion. It works for every sleep position, and it will give you the right amount of neck support even in the upright posture.

For the cover, they used bamboo-derived viscose and polyester blend which is quilted for increased airflow. The cover is hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant and breathable, not to thin so that it provides a cozy and soft comfortable feel. Both cover and the pillow with its filling are machine washable and dryable, but it is important to dry it out completely. We also recommend washing it with cold water, do not use fabric softeners, and make sure that the foam filling is completely dry. Shredded foam is easier to dry than the regular one-piece dense foam pillow, so this is a huge advantage when it comes to maintaining your pad.

This travel size pillow comes with a stuff sack which saves the space and decreases the size of the pad, its dimensions are 19 x 14 inches, and it can be compressed to 10 x 6 inches, so it saves a significant amount of space, perfect for campers and travelers. And with a 5-year warranty, you are sure that you have made a good choice.

Great for:

• Sleepers of all weight groups
• Travelers and backpackers
• All sleep positions, including upright

Nest Bedding Easy Breather

Highlights:

• Warranty period – 2 years
• Sleep trial period – 100 nights
• Adjustable loft

For sleepers with neck pain, loft size is an important thing, that is why the Easy Breather pillow with its adjustable loft can be their perfect choice. This pillow contains shredded memory foam combined with polyfill like substance, and this material blend can be easily removed or added through the zipped cover, to customize the loft height. There is only one thicker cover layer, so it is not really removable like most of the other covers.

This material mix mimics the comfort feel of a feather and down pillow, it cradles the neck and head, provides optimal support and contour. No matter how much of a filling you remove or add, this pillow is still going to provide proper contouring and comfort. Due to its stuffing, this pillow has free air flow, and the Tencel blended cover adds up extra breathability to it. Tencel comes from eucalyptus pulp, and it is considered as an alternative for cotton although it has to go through some synthetic processes to create a fiber which can be used for fabric. For this cover, Tencel is combined with polyester, and the plushy surface is quilted to create that luxury appearance and feel.

Easy Breather sleeping pillow is eco-friendly, owns a CertiPUR-US certificate, and it is free from flame retardants, phthalates, heavy metals, or anything that could harm your health. The only downside of this pillow is the fact that it cannot be machine washed or dried, it can only be spot cleaned, including the cover. So we suggest using a pillowcase over it for easier maintaining and more hygienic sleep surface. The pillow comes in three sizes: Standard 24 x 16 inches, Queen 27 x 16 inches, and King 32 x 16 inches. There is a 100-night sleep trial period, 2-year warranty, and free shipping within the contiguous US.

Great for:

• Light and average groups of sleepers
• Back and side sleepers
• Sleepers willing to spend more

Let’s Talk About Neck Pain

After we have introduced you to our top picks of pillows for neck pain, now it is time to get to that more painful subject. Neck aches can lower the quality of your daily activities and jeopardize your mental and physical condition. Usual symptoms of chronic neck pain are constant headaches, stiffness, reduced motion range of head and neck, spasm, muscle strain, etc. In most cases, neck pain does not require medical treatment, but we suggest speaking to your doctor if you are experiencing severe and constant aches, pain that is followed by numbness, tingling, or it migrates to the shoulders, arms, or any other areas of your body. Some of the most common causes of neck pain are:

• Muscle strain – many factors can cause strained neck muscles, sitting at work desks for a long time, reading in bed, or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
• Injuries – many different body injuries can lead to neck pain, but especially people who are involved in car accidents can experience very severe neck pain due to the sudden and intense head wince forward or backward.
• Sitting at a computer – since we all spend a lot of time in front of a computer, the wrong desk setup and a sitting posture are among the most common reasons that can cause neck pain.
• Worn joints – as we age, our neck joints aggravate, so due to their age, many adults but mostly elderly people are experiencing neck pain. If the person is suffering from osteoarthritis, that can make the problem even worse because it wears down the cartilage between vertebrae.
• Nerves – some spinal problems like bone spurs or herniated disks can prevent nerves to extend fully, and that also develops neck aches.
• Traveling – we all love it, but sitting and sleeping in an upright position is not good at all for the neck, so whether you are traveling by plane, train, bus or car, make sure to bring a travel pad that can help you sleep more comfortably and that will support your neck correctly. It prevents sore muscles and stiffness so that you can rest while in transportation.
• Diseases – it has been proven that some diseases like spinal meningitis or cancer can lead to the development of chronic neck pain.

Shopping Tips for Sleepers with Neck Pain

Pillows are made from different materials, constructions, and can have a significant impact on your neck by either aggravating the current condition or making an improvement and relieving the aches and pressure. For people with pains in their neck, too high and stiff cushions are not appropriate because they are not comfortable enough and can cause muscle strain. Memory foam pillows are an excellent choice for a sensitive neck, and the foam will contour to your body shape and cradle your neck and head. Feather pillows are also a good option because they as well conform closely to the body contours, but they tend to flatten quickly and must be replaced often because flat pillow can aggravate neck pains. So if you are not ready to buy a new pad each year or two, you might as well skip the feather filled pillows. For neck pain sufferers, pillows with adjustable loft can be the right solution. They are filled usually with shredded memory foam which contours the body curves correctly, and that foam can be added or removed by sleeper’s desire, adjusting the loft and giving him the maximal custom experience.

It is recommended that people with neck pain should sleep on their side or back, as those two sleeping postures are the best for their condition. We are now going to give you our advice for each sleep position and suggest a matching pillow.

• Side sleepers – sleeping in this posture can cause spine misalignment, so it is essential to achieve spinal alignment in this position. That can be accomplished with a pillow that has elevated edges to support the neck properly, and a lower central area to conform to the head.
• Back sleepers – in this position it is also essential to have more elevated and rounded surface beneath the neck, with an indentation in the middle for the head. If you use an adjustable pillow, you can spread the filling so that it is more concentrated and thicker beneath your neck. Also, the combination of a rounded pad beneath the neck and a more flat pad beneath the head works great as well.
• Stomach sleepers – while sleeping on your stomach there are no chances to achieve proper spinal alignment, and that is why this sleeping posture is considered as the unhealthiest one, and it can be the cause of a neck and back pain. While sleeping like this, your neck is usually turned to the side, which can develop muscle strain. Changing the preferred sleep position can be difficult, but if you are having problems with your neck try avoiding this sleeping posture.

Buyer’s Guide: Pillows for Neck Pain Sufferers

If you are experiencing neck pain, there are three main pillow features which you should pay attention to when choosing the right one for yourself. Those three categories are size, loft, and shape; we will start with the size.

There are six standard pillows sizes and an extra “small” size for orthopedic memory foam pillows that have elevated neck support. In the table down below we listed pillows by their size and features, all measures are in inches, the first number stands for width and the second one for length.

Right after the size, the next feature you should consider is the shape of a pillow. For sleepers with neck pain curved or flat surfaces are the best as they will provide them with the right amount of support and pain alleviation.

• Curved surface – these cervical or orthopedic memory foam pillows have an elevated area that supports the neck, while the head area is indented. Some people use it upside-down and claim that they feel much more comfort and support using it that way. Cervical pillows for neck pain are probably the best thing that you can afford for your comfort during the night and pain-free mornings.
• Flat surface – flat shape is considered as a standard pillow shape. With this shape neck pain sufferers may achieve the right amount of support, depending on pillows composition and filling. Shredded memory foam is usually the best choice of pillow fill for people with neck pain because it contours so well to their neck and head. Feather filled cushions are also comfortable and pain-relieving, but they tend to lose their firmness and shape quickly. Contouring materials have turned out to be the best for relieving aches in the neck and shoulders.

The loft or thickness of a pillow is another category that you should have in mind, based on your body features you should choose a loft that suits you. Your head size, shoulder width, personal weight, preferred sleep position, mattress, are all important factors which when combined with appropriate loft size can round up a perfect sleeping experience. We are going to summarize down below which loft suits the best all of those factors so that you can quickly figure out which one is perfect for you.

There are three different loft sizes:

• Low-loft – pillows that are less than 3 inches thick
• Medium-loft – pillows that are from 3 to 5 inches thick
• High-loft – pillows that are more than 5 inches thick

When it comes to sleep position, people who tend to sleep mostly on their back usually prefer medium-loft pads because they offer the right balance between thickness and softness. Side sleepers typically go for high-loft to compensate that extra space between their pillow and neck, but the medium-loft can suit some of them as well, for example, sleepers with narrow shoulders. Stomach sleepers often sleep even without the pillow, but when they use it, it should be the low-loft one because that is the most comfortable thickness for them. Although we have to point up one more time that sleepers with neck pain should avoid this sleeping posture.

Pillow position is something that we did not mention before; there are two types of positions. Sleepers who sleep with a pillow partially beneath their head should go for medium-loft or even high-loft for better neck support and spinal alignment. On the other hand, those who sleep with pillow entirely under their head should suit the best low-loft or even medium-loft thickness.

Finding a perfect match pair of mattress and pillow can be a challenge. Although pads and mattresses are often sold in a pair, sometimes the pairing that company made may not suit your needs. For low-loft pads, the best mattress type is memory foam or latex model, because they sink deeply below the sleeper so that there is less space between the sleep surface and neck and head. Medium and high-loft pillows go well with innerspring mattresses and hybrids because they are less responsive, so there is more space between the surface and sleepers head and neck.

Body weight is important for mattress choice, but it can also be a factor for the selection of loft thickness. Sleepers who are heavyweight (above 230 pounds) usually sink in too much into their mattress, so for them, a low-loft or a medium-loft pillow is a must. On the other hand, average and lightweight sleepers cannot sink in as much, so they should go for medium-loft or even high-loft thickness to fill the gap better.

People with smaller head should use low-loft or medium-loft, while the ones with larger and heavier heads will find better support and less sinkage while sleeping on the high-loft pillows.

Sleepers with broad shoulders have a bigger gap between their neck and head and sleep surface, so for them, high-loft is the most comfortable option. For those sleepers with more narrow shoulders, low-loft or medium-loft should be enough thickness for proper support.

As we have mentioned before, adjustable pillows can provide different and custom loft thickness, so they are a somewhat universal solution that can suit all sleepers with neck pain, regardless of their body features.

Pillow Construction and Materials

In a particular section, we would like to highlight different types of pillow materials that are most common among pillows and try to seclude which ones are the best for neck pain. We are going to go through seven mostly used pillow materials.

• Buckwheat – usually from 5 to 10 pounds of buckwheat hulls is used for one pillow. These pillows provide the above average support, coolness, and adjustable loft. They are a bit heavy, noisy, and their price can be even heavier for your wallet. Some sleepers may find it too firm, so keep that in mind, but they do provide decent support for the neck, so overall they are suitable for neck pain sufferers.
• Down – soft feathering that can be found beneath the outer feathers of ducks and geese’s is used for pillows with adjustable loft. These pillows are super lightweight, soft and comfortable, but they come with a higher price and need to be fluffed frequently. Also, they tend to lose their shape quickly and can cause problems to sleepers with allergies. They usually come with a low-loft and are maybe too soft to provide support and soothe neck aches.
• Down alternative – polyester fibers are used to mimic the weight and softness of down. They also have adjustable loft, softness, but there are no allergy risks, and they are much more budget friendly. Yet, they as well lose their shape quickly, need to be fluffed, but when it comes to neck pain, there is not much that this pillow can do, it can only deteriorate your symptoms and aches.
• Feather – outer feathers of geese and ducks are also used for filling. These pillows are lightweight, soft, the loft is adjustable, and they have a long lifespan. Sometimes you may be poked through the pillowcase by the quills, and the price point for feather filled pillows is higher than the average. There is a need for often fluffing, but besides that these pillows conform closely to sleepers head and neck, and can be a good choice if you are dealing with neck pain.
• Polyester – this synthetic fabric is created to mimic the softness of cotton, usually shredded or interlocking fibers are used for pillows. They come with a low price, no risks of allergies, but their lifespan is short and they tend to lose their shape quickly. People with neck pain should avoid pillows with shredded polyester as they can aggravate their symptoms and conditions. On the other hand, pillows with interlocking fibers can be convenient for neck pain problems.
• Latex – this natural substance is extracted from the sap of rubber trees, and latex pillows offer close conforming, long lifespan, support, cool sleep, but they do not come with an adjustable loft. Latex models are a bit heavier and pricier but are great in releasing the pressure of your neck and shoulders.
• Memory foam – initially developed by NASA, memory foam quickly became popular material which guarantees an increased feeling of comfort. Whether it’s a solid piece of viscoelastic polyfoam or shredded memory foam, this is a material that gets softer once it comes in touch with body heat. It provides close conforming, if the foam is shredded the loft can be adjustable, and it produces no noise. Memory foam is probably the best pillow material for people with neck pain. These pillows can be expensive, but they soothe and relieve neck pains more effectively than any other.

So, to summarize our material review, memory foam and feathers turned out to be the best choices for people with neck pain. Buckwheat and latex pillow can also come in option, but their high price and lack of some features earned them a lower score. Materials such as polyester, down and down alternative, are at the bottom of our list after comparing different pillow materials for neck pain sufferers, so we highly recommend people with aches to avoid them.

At the very end, we would like to mention one popular and somewhat innovative pillow for sleepers with neck pain. That is the pillow with inner water chambers that can be drained or filled to personalize the loft thickness. They conform closely and are pretty popular among neck pain sufferers.

Choosing the right blanket requires careful consideration due to the vast selection available. The variation may lie in the fabric, design, or construction of the blanket. It may be tempting to save money, but investing in a premium blanket pays off with superior comfort and longevity. The look of the blanket is equally important. With a wide range of colors and patterns available, you’re sure to find one that matches your style and bedroom decor seamlessly. Continue reading for key insights on what to look for when buying a blanket.

Types of Blankets

First of all, it is crucial to know what blanket types are available on the market so that you could determine what you are looking for. Here are some of the most common types.

• A standard blanket – As there are so many types of blankets available, the term “standard blanket” is used for a model that suits all regular bed sizes. There is a King, Queen, Double, and Twin size.

• A throw – This is a lighter type of blanket which is often used to decorate furniture other than the bed. Their regular size is seventy by fifty inches, making it a good fit for a chair or a couch in your living room. This means that you can buy a blanket to adorn any part of your house, as they are really adaptable.

• A quilt – These are some of the most beautiful blankets. They are similar to a standard blanket, but its exterior is made of various materials stitched together. This results in an attractive and decorative look that will make any bed look great.

• A Heated blanket – If you want to be safe and warm during cold nights, this blanket is for you. This electrical model can provide additional heat when plugged in. Some models can even regulate temperature so you can set it up however you like.
• A weighted blanket – A special kind of blanket designed to be heavier than usual. These models are made for people who feel more secure and comfortable with added pressure. The typical model weighs from five to thirty pounds.
• An Afghan – Another blanket that is more often used for decoration, than for practical purposes. As it has a crocheted design, it has large holes in the stitching, so it won’t be very good for keeping the warmth. But if you are looking to adorn a part of your room, this is one of the prettiest options.

Types of Material

Type of material from which a blanket is made can affect several things. It can make it warmer or more breathable so that it provides a cooling effect. It can also make it smoother and more comfortable. So, you need to know what you are going to use your blanket for, and at what time of the year you are going to use it. These are some of the most popular materials used to make blankets.: 

• Wool – This commonly used material is both warm and breathable. So, during colder nights, it will keep the optimal temperature, while being cooler during warmer nights. Although not as soft as some other materials, it is still pretty comfortable. Wool is also good at wicking moisture away.
• Down – A bit pricier than some of the other materials, down is both very soft and light. This material is also good at insulating. Due to its properties, it can be used throughout the year. This is all thanks to the origin of the material – duck or geese feathers.
• Cotton – A type of material used to create a blanket which is very soft and comfortable to use. It is commonly used for bedding products because it is good at absorbing moisture. Aside from that, it is generally smooth and plush to touch, with good breathability that will keep you cool during warm nights. This type of material is often used to create pillows, blankets, sheets, and many more.
• Synthetic – There are several types of synthetic materials. These are made with specific characteristics in mind. For instance, polyester is cheaper and can mimic different textures. Fleece is made to have all the best features of wool and can be used by people allergic to wool. The only downside is that it is not as breathable so it might not be the best solution for warmer parts of the season. Acrylic is similar to wool or cashmere, but it is cheaper and lighter than them. The only problem is that it is not very durable, because after some time the material will start to peel and balls of fabric may form.  

Other Factors

When considering the purchase of a blanket, there are several more things to know that could prove useful. Some of these can affect them in either a good or a bad way, so knowing what to look for in a blanket can prove essential for buying a model that you will be completely satisfied with.

Size

Depending on what you want to use your blanket for, size can be vital. Most types are made to fit the standard mattresses. On the other hand, some, like the throw ones, can be smaller, as they are usually meant to be used as a decoration. If you are going to use it for sleeping, check your mattress’ size and then look for a blanket accordingly.

Durability

One of the most vital things to focus on is the durability of the product. This will let the customer enjoy the product for a longer time. The materials that are used to create blankets like wool and down are very durable. However, you can expect a higher price, and it can be harder to clean and maintain. Moreover, blankets that are used for sleeping tend to last shorter than the decorative ones. Washing them frequently can also affect their durability.

Weave

It is essential for a customer to know how their blankets are woven because it can affect the performance of the product. For example, the type of weave is essential for temperature regulation. If it’s loosely woven together, it will be breathable, but the heat will disperse, so this can’t be used for colder nights. On the other hand, these types of weave are great for decoration. When the weave is tightly made, it will keep the warmth, but can also hold in moisture.

Color and Pattern

Although not as vital, how your blanket looks can affect the overall aesthetic of the room. Look for the models that best suit your style, and fit nicely with the design of the rest of the room. This can change the atmosphere of the entire space, and make it a place you want to stay in all day.

Organic Materials

Non-synthetic material like cotton or wool can be produced to meet the standards of organic material. Although this usually makes them more expensive, the quality is also much better because they are made without any possibly harmful chemicals. This means that this type of material keeps safe both the ecosystem and you.

Cleaning procedure

Most blankets require a standard cleaning procedure by using a washing machine and a dryer. Just to be sure, when buying one, read the instructions as some models may need special treatment and different procedures for cleaning.

Return Policy

There is a chance that, even though everything is right with the product, it just doesn’t suit you well and you would like a new one. Many producers have a return policy for this kind of cases. Check if the model you are buying has a sleep trial or even a warranty. You can often get a full refund because it is in their best interest for every customer to be satisfied

Reviews of the Best Blankets

If you have troubles choosing the best blanket, we can help! Read our unbiased reviews and guide to find your perfect pick!

Creswick Australian Mills Wool Blend Blanket 

This company has been making products made of wool for a long time. Therefore, this experience has helped them make one of the best wool blankets money can buy. Creswick Australian Mills Wool Blend Blanket is actually a blend of wool and linen, although it mostly consists of wool. Linen is there to provide it with additional stretch and great durability. This isn’t any kind of wool, either. It is derived from a special breed of Australian sheep which gives particularly dense wool that results in an extra soft blanket. This type of wool is great at keeping the optimal temperature, and it is naturally hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial. You won’t have to worry about sweating or any kind of moisture, as it can wick it away easily. There are multiple sizes and colors available to choose from.

2PO 100% Cotton Thermal Blanket

If you need a good blanket that will keep you cool during the summer, don’t look any further. 2PO 100% Cotton Thermal Blanket is a lightweight model that is entirely made of high-quality cotton fibers that are breathable and ensure sweat-free sleep. Furthermore, thanks to the way it is woven, this thermal blanket is able to reduce the heat and help you sleep cool. On the other hand, during cold winter nights, it will keep you warm, so you can use it throughout the year. Like any product made of fine cotton, this blanket is durable so you won’t need a new one for a long time. There are ten different colors you can choose

Great Bay Home Sherpa Stretch Knitted Blanket

Affordable, comfortable, and great looking blanket. What more can you ask for? This cozy and elegant model is made of fleece polyester that is plush to the touch and both lightweight and warm so you can use it during the entire year. As it looks great, you can also use it as a throw blanket and decorate your living room with it. With various sizes, color, and patterns offered, fitting it with the rest of your room has never been easier. Another advantage of Great Bay Home Sherpa Stretch Knitted Blanket is a 30-day trial period in which you can get a full refund.

The Magic Linen Waffle Pattern Blanket

This model has it all. It is incredibly soft, very durable, can resist moisture, and looks beautiful in any room. This is the result of the material being the blend of linen and cotton and taking the best properties of both. Linen gives it the ability to wick moisture away and a long life span. By stone-washing it and then combining it with cotton, ultimate softness is achieved. Cotton also provides this blanket with warmth, meaning that you will be safe and comfortable during cold winter nights. Lastly, its waffle pattern makes this a classy choice that will fit your bed or couch perfectly, adapting to any style. Just to make sure, there are several colors available. The Magic Linen Waffle Pattern Blanket is machine washable, meaning there aren’t any specific requirement when it comes to cleaning. This product doesn’t require any special treatment, meaning you can just wash it in your washing machine.

In today’s market, a wide array of smart home devices encompasses advanced home security solutions designed to identify and deter unauthorized persons and attempts to enter your home and property. This comprehensive system utilizes various elements including doors, windows, locks, alarms, motion sensors, security cameras, lighting, and environmental monitoring sensors, all meticulously positioned to safeguard your property. Its primary function is to ensure the secure closure of doors and windows, activate alarms, light up particular regions, and perform all essential measures for the protection of you, your loved ones, and your valuables. Moreover, sophisticated security systems are equipped with a range of sensors that can detect immediate threats such as smoke, fire, and water leakage.

Depending on your preferences and homes, a home security system could be wired or wireless. A wireless system is flexible because it allows you to place it near the entry points where intruders usually get in. You can also opt out for DIY installation or a professional installation at a charge. Some security companies might need a long-term contract and those that don’t have any contract give product trial for a couple of weeks or a month, with a money-back guarantee policy if you are not satisfied with the product or want something else.

When choosing the right system, you need to consider its functions, prices, installation process, and features. We’ve gathered a list of recommended best home security systems with the features and services they have, with a guide explaining everything you need to know when searching for the right product.

Review of the Best Security Systems

Before reviewing the essential information, take a look at our top choices. Let’s start with our Editor’s pick – the SimpliSafe Home Security, that offers professional monitoring with available upgrades. For the best comprehensive security we have chosen the Vivint Smart Home Security, and for the best customization, we have picked ADT Home Security. The best customer service model is the Frontpoint Home Security, while the choice for the best budget is the Abode Smart Security Kit. Let’s take a look at them individually.

Frontpoint Home Security

Highlights

• Wireless
• DIY installation
• Upgrade environmental protection
• Video doorbells
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa
• Contracts for one or three years
• Requires 24/7 professional monitoring charge
• 30-day free trial
• Door and window sensors
• Garage sensors
• Carbon monoxide sensors
• Glass sensor
• Smoke sensors
• Flooding and fire sensors
• Motion sensors

Frontpoint Home Security has the best customer service reputations – it is known for being very responsive and helpful for homeowners’ concerns. This security product is a 24-hour wireless system with a battery backup that will work when electrical power is down. Just like SimpliSafe, the Frontline base station uses WIFI and other cellular technology to operate. It comes with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day free trial. 

The system has a variety of motion sensors for your doors, windows, and other entry points. You can also add more environmental sensors for smoke, flood, fire, and even carbon monoxide sensors, along with the option to add a panic button for medical assistance. This home security model also contains an artificial intelligence that assists you with your daily schedules and reduces the risk of false alarms. This smart and friendly device can be customized with other home devices like smart locks or motion-triggered lights. The Frontpoint Home Security installation is DIY, with required 24/7 professional monitoring.

Pros

•    DIY installation that saves you money 
•    Z-wave compatibility
•    Smash protection
•    Security alerts
•    Stand inclusive monitoring
•    Great support
•    24/7 live professional monitoring
•    30-day money-back guarantee
•    Wireless equipment

Cons

• Long-term contracts
• Touch screen panel is not standardized
• Simon XT keypad

Vivint Smart Home Security

Highlights

• Only professional installment 
• No long-term contracts
• Optional 24/7 professional monitoring
• Compatible with Google Home and working with Amazon Alexa
• 30-day return policy
• Doorbell camera
• High definition indoor video recording
• Outdoor video surveillance
• Remote control that locks the door
• Activated home automation

If you are looking for the best all-out security to protect your home, the Vivint Smart Home Security is our recommendation. This security system has motion sensors, video doorbells, smart locks, security cameras, and sensors for fire, flood, and carbon monoxide. Since it is integrated with a remarkable range of smart home devices, it is a suitable option for homeowners who have or wish to buy other smart home devices. 

This model comes with Kwikset smart locks, environmental sensors that you can connect to a Nest smart thermostat to set the temperature, or Hue Philips light to produce flash on and off during emergencies. The Vivint Smart Home Security is also compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Additionally, there is a Vivint smartphone app that can notify you when something suspicious is happening, or when somebody arrives at your door. This system was made for individuals that want the top-line home security and protection. When you wish to install the Vivint Smart Home Security, the company personnel will interview you to find out your concerns and tell you their terms and conditions before setting up a plan. If you decide to install Vivint Smart Home Security, a professional will do the installation for you and show you how this security system functions.

Pros

• Modern equipment
• Home automation
• Remote access for the mobile app
• Wireless security system
• Same day installation possible
• Lifetime warranty
• Environmental disaster protection
• Doorbell camera

Cons

• Short trial period
• Long-term contracts
• Average monthly charges
• Mandatory professional installation

Adobe Smart Security Kit

Highlights

• Only DIY installation
• Free remote access
• Professional monitoring available
• Without long-term contracts
• 14-day return policy

We chose the Adobe Smart Security Kit as the best budget home security system. This budget-friendly system comes with a base station, key fob, motion sensors, as well as window and door sensors. You can also acquire different Adobe security accessories for your home – cameras, entry point sensors, sirens, and environmental sensors, all of which can be used to amplify your security system.  Due to the unique self-monitoring remote that is entirely free, the product is one of the most affordable ones you can find. You can even monitor your home with an iOS or Android phone and a web app. The Adobe Smart Security works well with other smart home devices – the Phillips Hue and Lifx smart lights, Zigbee and Z-Wave, Nest, and Yale and Kwikset smart locks.

Even though the 24/7 professional monitoring and storage are limited, you can get an upgrade to a Secure plan for $30 per month, or an annual 30% discount for the subscription. The product has free shipping and a 14-day return policy if there are any technical errors.

Pros

•    No long-term contract
•    Simple set-up
•    Easy to use
•    Free notifications
•    Optional professional monitoring
•    CUE home automation engine

Cons

•    Low-resolution camera
•    Patchy sensor connectivity
•    Blurry images

SimpliSafe Home Security

Highlights

• Choice of installation (DIY or professional)
• No long-term contracts
• Compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa
• Money-back guarantee for 60 days
• Professional monitoring with at least $14.99/month

If you are looking for the best DIY home security system, take a look at SimpliSafe. This security model offers standard security equipment with additional upgraded features like sensors that detect floods, smoke, and carbon monoxide gas. The company gives homeowners flexible options for payment without long-term contracts.

The SimpliSafe has three entry sensors – for the back door, front door or anywhere else you may wish to watch over. SimpliSafe motion detection is well-tuned to humans, so you will no longer have to worry about your pets triggering a false alarm. The keyboard of this security system is wireless, which means you can place it near your doors or windows without worrying about the outlet as a source of power. Even if the keyboard gets damaged, it will still alert you in any of their monitoring sensors.

Additionally, you can install the SimpliSafe mobile app, which allows you to check and monitor the condition of your devices anytime and allows you to watch video footage if you have installed security cameras. You also have professional monitoring available for 24 hours without long-term contracts, at a specific charge. The SimpliSafe Home Security has an option for a DIY installment at a smaller cost, but professional payment is also available at a high price.

Pros

• Lower monthly rates
• 60-day free trial of the product
• Award-winning professional monitoring
• No long-term contracts
• The alarms work without supervision
• Wireless equipment
• Phone alerts
• Can be upgraded with environmental sensors and protection
• Video security (indoor)

Cons

• No home automation
• Higher equipment expenses
• Has proprietary material

ADT Home Security

Highlights

• Long-term contracts that last for 36 months
• Professional installment
• Remote access with monthly charges
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa
• $500 theft protection
• Pet-friendly motion sensors
• Video surveillance

When talking about technological improvements, wealthy plan options, and equipment selection, ADP is our best customization choice. The company has been on the market for over a century, but ADP is still the most popular security company. The company has multiple monitoring centers over the country, so slow response time is out of the question.

ADT is available as both wired and wireless options with landline and cellular connections. It is an excellent choice for people who want to customize the look and select the features for the device. You can choose from multiple motion detectors, environmental sensors, entry sensors, keypads, panic buttons, and cameras. If you have ADT Pulse subscription, you can even manage and control everything on your phone – remotely access your home devices such as locks, garage doors, lights, and many more. With the app, you can also look at live camera footage, set up alerts for your devices, and upgrade and get a video monitoring plan with an option to save the recorded videos. It is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Kwikset smart locks. In case somebody breaks into your home, ADT will pay you $500 if you have their devices. However, you are obligated to sign a 3-year contract without an option for system relocation.

Pros

•    Low monthly rate
•   Wireless or wired options
•    Best for indoor cameras
•    Home automation
•    Both cellular and landline connections
•    6-month money-back guarantee

Cons

•    Long-term contract
•     The company’s technician usually visits your home

Home Security System Buying Guide

After reviewing our top choices, we have put together a guide that will explore all the essential things you need to know about when buying a home security system – purpose, features, installation, types and more.

Purpose

The installment of these systems today is starting to be necessary due to the increasing number of theft, burglaries, murders, natural damaging phenomena, and other situations. With this in mind, the home security system can be a useful tool for the protection of your home and family when you are away, sleeping, or at work. They don’t just offer broader protection for your home, but to your pets as well. Not to mention that homes with installed security systems have a quicker response from emergency services because they are immediately contacted in case of danger.

Installation

You can choose from two options for the installation of your device – you can do it yourself or pay professionals to install it. Paying for professional installation has benefits like optimizing the installation according to your needs, getting a walkthrough of the system, and it will save you the hassle of doing it yourself. However, it comes at a charge and requires a scheduled appointment, unlike the DIY installation. If you do it yourself, it will be cheaper, but also tricky because they were not designed for the average user to install it.

Type

There are two types of home security systems – wired and wireless. A wired network connects your landline, making it easier for burglars to unplug it or cut the line. Wireless models connect through cellular and WiFi technology. They are safer because there isn’t anything to be cut.

Security Cameras

Home security systems have cameras by default or as an addition to the package. This way, you get footage that you can later give to the authorities, but they can also help confirm false alarms that happen when you’re away, by seeing the live footage on the mobile app. When it comes to type, cameras can be intended for indoor or outdoor use, they can be mobile or static, but they can allow you to zoom in through the app.

Smart Home Integration

Home security systems can be compatible to work with other smart home devices, which means you can synchronize your other devices like smart locks or lights to turn off or on along with the security device, all using your phone. 

For those that consider this feature necessary, you need to check if the desired security system is compatible with any of the devices you have or plan on buying, and the wireless protocols used by the brands (WiFi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee).

Motion Detection

Security systems also have motion sensors that you put in the most-trafficked area of the home. The sensors have proven to help watch over your elderly loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia who tend to wander off. They trigger the sensor, and you can stop them before they leave. However, it’s better to have entry sensors for pets.

Entry Sensors

These sensors detect when someone enters, smashes, or breaks into your door or windows.

Environmental Sensors

Security systems that have environmental sensors can help protect you from any possible environmental dangers like floods, fires, smoke, and carbon-monoxide increase. In case there is an increase in water, carbon monoxide, or smoke in your home, it will sound off a loud alarm.

Battery Backup

Most of these devices come with a battery backup in case of a power outage. The important thing is to check the battery life of the system components and see how often they need to be replaced.

Medical Monitoring

The security systems that have medical monitoring can have medical alert devices that help you with the safety of your family members, especially elderly ones. For those of you looking to get this feature, choose the one with a panic button which allows the person to call for help if they need medical assistance. 

Video Doorbell

With video doorbells, you get the footage of your front door as soon as someone approaches it. They can also have a two-way talk option that allows you to talk to the person at the door. They have also been helpful when you want to check if packages arrived safely.

Mobile App

All modern networks come with a free mobile app, where you can disarm or arm the system remotely, make schedules, check the batteries of the devices, and more. You’ll also get notifications when an alert happens, with the option to turn off any false alarms. If you have smart home integration, you can also turn on and off other devices. You can coordinate your lights or locks to react when motion sensors are triggered.

Service Contract

Many home security companies require a contract that usually lasts for 36 months, while others can have a monthly subscription fee or the option to get the equipment without any monitoring. When you are buying your new device, check if there is a contract, and in case there is, see the cancelation terms. If the system does not suit you, you would want to return it without any additional costs or fees. 

Geotracking

Some security devices have geotracking that uses the location of your smartphone to check if you are close to home. You can give the device a command to disarm as you approach the house, or to close your garage door automatically.

Customer Service

The customer service of any product is vital, especially with security devices. You want to be sure that you can call them anytime you need to ask a question, and of course, that they will contact the right authorities in case of an emergency. When you are buying a product, check if the company has awards or reviews about its customer service.

Advantages 

Protecting Your Home

The main reason you should consider installing a home security system is because of the protection it offers to you and your family members. The number of crimes is growing, and homes without security systems are more likely to be the targets of intruders and burglars.  Some don’t feel safe, while others are taking this problem for granted. The burglars usually expect that their target home is empty, and finding someone inside can cause them panic and force them to display aggressive behavior. Having a security system can prevent the intruder from entering and give you time to find a safer place to hide, while the alarm dispatches the authorities.

Knowing your home is secured and everyone in it is safe is one of the many benefits that will keep your mind at ease, especially if you are away from home. With a home security system in place, your home will be monitored, and you will be able to check if everything is okay from anywhere. They can also help with many situations – PTSD problems, unsafe neighborhood, checking on professionals you hired, looking at what your pets are doing, keeping an eye on older adults that live with you, or making sure your children arrived home safely.

Serviceable For Medical Assistance

Along with the broad protection of your home and family members, some still have concerns about the medical conditions that their family members have, especially if there is no one around. A home security system linked with an emergency option has medical alert pendants that can be used to call or dispatch an emergency vehicle directly to your home. Your home security system won’t just protect you and your home, but it will also save your life.

Disadvantages

False Alarms

Even though home security systems are a reliable security measure, they are not perfect. It is widespread for false alarms to happen. In these situations, the police or fire department may have been dispatched to your home, leaving you to explain that the wrong information or mistake occurred. A police department may charge you if you call them frequently without a reason, which includes false alarm situations. In order to prevent this scenario, you should make sure that your security system is functioning properly and forward any concerns to your security company to determine if any errors or aspects need adjustment.

Expenses

Installing a home security system will give you broader protection with multiple features that could help you in your daily encounters, but it does not come free. Most systems are expensive, to begin with, but they can also have additional costs that you may need to pay. You can upgrade your home security system in order to have better security with more features like protection from theft, unexpected environmental dangers, and personal situations. Some security companies charge a monthly fee for monitoring services. Keep in mind that these particular charges are another problem that you will have to face if you are on a budget.

Maintenance

One of the additional costs also includes maintenance. You will have to spend some money to maintain the system from the moment of purchase. The first expense is the installation. In some cases, you will have to pay professionals to do it, but sometimes you can install it by yourself. Even though some home security systems have a DIY installation, you still need to pay charges. After that, you might have to pay professional monitoring for companies that require a professional monitoring system.

People who tend to overheat while sleeping know all too well that simply throwing off the covers is not the best fix. It’s incredibly aggravating to wake up soaked in sweat early in the morning and then find it challenging to fall back asleep. Some people naturally sleep hotter, and this can cause major sleep disruptions due to night sweats. The ongoing loss of sleep can adversely impact their health and overall wellbeing. Thankfully, cooling pillows exist to help ensure they get the sound sleep they require. 

Investing in cooling pillows can make a big difference and help hot sleepers get enough comfortable and undisrupted sleep that they deserve.  Do cooling pillows work? These pillows don’t retain heat from the body, and they provide a perfect sleep temperature. Many models of cooling pillows are available on the market, and they have different designs, covers, and materials. We have picked out a few best cooling pillows available that can provide relief from sweat and help hot sleepers get enough restful and cool sleep that they deserve. Here are our top picks for hot sleepers, based on product research, analysis, and customer reviews: 

Snuggle-Pedic Bamboo Pillow 

If you tend to wake up in sweat and are searching for the perfect cooling pillow, the Snuggle-Pedic Bamboo is an excellent model that you should take into consideration. This pillow is from Relief Mart, and it is also known simply as the Snuggle-Pedic. It is an excellent option for all sleep positions, and sleepers in all weight groups. This memory foam pillow has advanced cooling features, and it can help those who tend to sleep hot to get enough undisrupted rest that they deserve. Some sleepers consider it the best cooling pillow 2018. 

The outside cover of this model is very soft, and it has a textured pattern. It is made with the mix of polyester, viscose from bamboo, and lycra. This bamboo cooling pillow cover is very breathable, and it has micro vents which improve its breathability even more. This pillow also has an inside cover, which is very thin and holds the filling in place. The pillow is filled with a proprietary mixture of Biogreen and CertiPUR-US certified shredded memory foam. It provides excellent airflow thanks to being filled with small chunks of memory foam that allow the air to circulate through the pillow. As you can see, the fill of this model also provides extra cooling benefits.  

When it comes to firmness, Snuggle-Pedic is medium, and it is a fantastic model for people who have neck pain and shoulder pain. It is made with hypoallergenic materials, and it is a perfect pillow for allergy sufferers as it doesn’t contain any allergens. It has excellent cooling features and fantastic breathability, and as a result, it helps people sleep cool on it without having to worry about waking up all sweaty at night. It is one of the best cooling pillows that you can find on the market, and it is available in three sizes – standard, queen, and king. 

This pillow has a moderate amount of sinking, but sleepers won’t bottom out on it, and it provides the right amount of bounce, despite being an all-foam model. It offers fantastic support, excellent pressure relief benefits, and close conforming to the sleeper’s head and neck. Additionally, it is very comfortable and provides much-needed support. It is also possible to adjust the loft by removing some of the filling, depending on your preferences. Maintenance is easy as the entire pillow is completely washable. What makes this pillow a fantastic option for hot sleepers is the fact that it provides the same comfortable and cooling sleep experience as high-end models, but its price is below average for cooling pillows. 

Snuggle-Pedic Bamboo model comes with a 120-night trial period and a warranty of 20 years, which is exceptionally long. The shipping is free for shoppers in all 50 states.  

Recommended for: 

• Allergy sufferers 
• Hot sleepers 
• People with neck pain or shoulder pain 
• Value seekers 

Layla Pillow 

The Layla is a cooling pillow with excellent breathability, and it is a fantastic model for hot sleepers. The pillow is filled with shredded memory foam which allows amazing airflow and helps keep the entire pillow cool. It is an ideal model for every sleep position, and it is the best for sleepers in the light and average weight category. When it comes to firmness, it is medium soft, and it is an excellent product for people who prefer pillows on the softer side. Despite being medium soft, it offers the proper support.  

Layla pillow has an incredibly soft cover which is very comfortable, durable, and made from polyester, viscose, lycra, and rayon. The cover is also infused with copper, which improves air circulation of the entire pillow and reduces pressure on sensitive areas of the sleeper’s body. It is antimicrobial, and it is a fantastic model for people who are prone to allergies. The filling of the pillow is made with a mixture of shredded memory foam and Kapok fibers. Memory foam that goes into this pillow is responsive and CertiPUR-US certified, which means that it is friendly to the environment, and Kapok fibers are natural and also eco-friendly. Memory foam is dense and resilient, and it provides the right support and conforms to the sleeper’s head, neck, and shoulders. Fibers from the Kapok tree are airy, soft, hypoallergenic, and very comfortable.  

The primary benefit of the Layla is its exceptional coolness, and that’s what makes it a perfect pillow for people who tend to sleep hot. It doesn’t retain body heat, and sleepers don’t have to worry about night sweats with it. It is considered the best cooling pillow for night sweats. Besides being very cool, this pillow has excellent pressure relief benefits on sensitive body areas and soft contouring. It offers significant pressure relief for sleepers with pains and aches. Thanks to being very moldable, the pillow is perfect for sleepers who want to snuggle with a pillow. It can maintain a full shape with only minimal fluffing. Additional health advantages that this pillow provides thanks to its copper-infused cover are improved blood circulation, clean skin, reduced sleep apnea and snoring. 

The Layla comes with a 120-night trial period and a warranty of 5 years. The shipping is free for shoppers in the continental U.S. The delivery fee for Alaska and Hawaii is $20, and if you want this pillow delivered to Canada, you need to pay $40.  

Recommended for: 

• Allergy sufferers 
• Hot sleepers 
• Vegans 
• People with light and average weight 

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow 

Easy Breather pillow is another excellent cooling pillow. It is filled with shredded gel-infused memory foam that sleeps much cooler compared to standard memory foams. The pillow is very comfortable and has excellent breathability. It is a perfect option for lightweight sleepers, sleepers with average weight, and for those who like to sleep on medium pillows. It is one of the best pillows 2018.  

The cover is very breathable and soft, and it is made of Tencel-blended fabric, which is a plant-based substitute to cotton. This fabric is very sensible and delicate, and it is known for its moisture-wicking properties. It helps the entire pillow stay cool and dry throughout the night. The cover of the Easy Breather also comes with a very reliable zipper. The pillow is 8 inches thick and it is filled with shredded gel-infused memory foam that delivers exceptional coolness to the pillow and has enhanced molding and contouring capabilities. The filling of this model is adjustable, and sleepers can add or remove it to increase or decrease the thickness. Thanks to the adjustable loft, the pillow is excellent for all sleep positions, and for people with changing loft preferences. 

This pillow sleeps exceptionally cool compared to most of the other memory foam pillows thanks to its breathability and gel-infused cooling foam. This model is the best pillow for sweaty head. Pressure relief is fantastic on this pillow, and it is a perfect model for those who suffer from pain in shoulders and neck. You can choose from three sizes of this model – standard, queen, and king depending on your preferences. The response to pressure is slow, and the support is fantastic. However, the downside of this pillow is that you can’t wash it in the washing machine, which means that you should get a pillow cover to keep it clean. What sets this pillow apart from other models is the outstanding warranty – Nest Bedding offers a lifetime warranty on this pillow model. 

Easy Breather comes with a trial period of 100 nights and free shipping to customers in the continental U.S. It also comes with free returns and lifetime warranty. 

Recommended for: 

• Sleepers with light and average weight 
• Hot sleepers 
• People with shifting loft preferences
• Sleepers who suffer from chronic pain in shoulders or neck 

Mediflow Original Water Pillow 

If you tend to sleep hot, and you are looking for an innovative pillow for your bedroom, you should consider the Original Water Pillow from Mediflow. Although getting water on the pillow can seem like a strange idea, it is not. This unique and innovative model offers excellent cooling benefits, amazing neck support, and provides relief from neck pain. The Original Water model was clinically proven to improve sleep and reduce neck pain, and that’s what makes it an ideal option for people who suffer from whiplash or different sleep issues. If you decide to get this pillow, you can rest assured you’ll get good night’s rest that you need and deserve. 

The cover of this pillow is made of pure 200 thread count cotton shell which is very smooth and soft and stays comfortable and cool all night long. Not only it provides exceptional comfort for the head and neck, but it is also hypoallergenic. Inside the pillow, there is a fully sealed and insulated water pouch that can hold five quarts of water. It provides the proper support, adjustable height, and flexible movement. There is a layer of resilient Dacron Hollofil fiber on top of the water pouch which is hypoallergenic, incredibly soft, and it provides fantastic comfort for the sleeper’s head.  

Thanks to the layer of water, this pillow provides responsive support. It is available in one universal size, and its dimensions are 20” x 28”. It is an excellent and innovative model for all sleep positions and every weight group of sleepers. Another amazing thing about this model is that it is entirely adjustable. It is possible to adjust the firmness of the pillow to your liking by adding or removing a certain amount of water until you achieve the perfect level of support that matches your sleeping preferences. Thanks to the adjustability of this pillow, it is a perfect model for all sleepers, especially those with shifting loft preferences. The layer of water and a cover made of 100% high thread cotton allow the Original Water model to stay very cool, and that’s why it is one of the best cooling pillows available. It is one of the best things for hot sleepers. Sleepers can even try different water temperatures when filling the pillow with water and find what works for them. 

The Original Water is an amazing true cooling pillow that helps sleepers avoid waking up in sweat. It has excellent cooling benefits and provides fantastic support and comfort. It provides relief from neck pain and shoulder pain, and it allows the proper spinal alignment. Additionally, it is very easy to maintain as it can be washed in a washing machine. There is no need to worry about waking up at night to fluff the pillow as it adjusts to the sleeper’s head motions and maintains outstanding support. 

This pillow comes with a trial period of 30 nights and a 3-year warranty. If you don’t like it, you can return it within 30 days, no questions asked.  

Recommended for: 

• People with shifting loft preferences
• Hot sleepers
• Every sleep position
• Every weight group 

Bear Pillow 

The Bear Pillow is another excellent model for people who tend to sleep hot. It is made by a company with an established reputation, and it delivers an outstanding sleeping experience. The Bear is a hybrid poly foam model and it is a perfect combination of the response of latex and comfort of memory foam. Although it has the comfort of memory foam, it responds quickly, and sleepers don’t have to worry about feeling stuck. Additionally, it is very cool to the touch, and it is one of the best cooling pillows available on the market. It is considered the best cooling pillow for night sweats. 

The cover of this pillow is revolutionary and thanks to it the Bear pillow stays cooler than most of the other pillows in the industry. This cover is made with 60% polyester and 40% cool yarn, and it is unique. It has a satin-like feel, and it is very soft and comfortable. The cover is also breathable thanks to mesh caps on the sides that allow air to circulate through the pillow. The inside of the pillow is made with a proprietary blend of polyurethane foam, and it is a hybrid of memory foam and latex. The Bear is a one-piece hybrid model with excellent breathability thanks to holes punched into it that promote air circulation. 

This pillow is a suitable sleep solution for all sleep positions. However, it is best suited for back sleepers and stomach sleepers. When it comes to firmness, the Bear Pillow is medium, which makes it an excellent option for people in light and average weight group. It is also a good fit for heavier sleepers who want a softer pillow with a balanced feel. It provides close conforming to the sleeper’s head, shoulders, and neck, and it alleviates pressure on these sensitive areas. The cover of this model is entirely washable, even in the washing machine, but the foam core of this pillow isn’t, and it shouldn’t get wet. If you must spot clean it, you should use a mild detergent and a damp cloth, and wait until it is completely dry. The entire pillow is antimicrobial and hypoallergenic inside and out, and it provides protection against bacteria, dust mites, and other allergens. 

This model comes with a sleep trial period of 100 nights and a 2-year warranty. The shipping is free for buyers within the continental United States. 

Recommended for: 

• Sleepers who want a hybrid pillow 
• Hot sleepers 
• Allergy sufferers 
• People who want excellent pressure relief 

Available Sizes of Cooling Pillows 

In case you are searching for the right cooling pillow, you need to determine the size of the pillow that you need. Your choice should depend on your needs and preferences. People with broader shoulders opt for larger-sized pillows, while sleepers with small body frames choose smaller models. Also, people who toss and turn a lot while sleeping need a pillow of the larger size. Once you determine the right size of cushion for your bed, you can start shopping. We will explain typical sizes of cooling pillows that you can find on the market, and help you make an informed decision. 

Standard 

This size of pillows is the most common all over the world. The reason for this is simple – it is very compact, which makes it a suitable option for most sleepers. It is also the cheapest option available as fewer materials are used in the production of standard pillows. The dimensions of the standard pillow models are 20” x 26”. 

Queen 

The dimensions of queen-size models are 20” x 30”. As you can see, these pillows are 4” longer compared to standard models, and they are perfect for those who shift positions a lot while sleeping. This size of pillows is also ideal for people who tend to toss and turn a lot during the night. If you think that standard models are too compact and short, you should opt for pillows of queen size. 

King 

This size of pillows is also excellent for restless sleepers and those who shift positions a lot. The dimensions of king size pillows are 20” x 36”, and they are the largest option available. You can also use them as backrests and headrests when watching TV or reading a book. King-sized pillows are also perfect for sleepers with broad shoulders as these people need additional support that standard pillows simply don’t offer. 

Specialty 

Some cooling models are also available in a specialty size. The dimensions of this size of pillows are 24” x 16”, and they are perfect for people who don’t think that standard, queen, and king size is what they need. 

What are the Advantages of Cooling Pillows? 

Each type of pillows has its own benefits and drawbacks. Here are the most important advantages that you can expect to get from sleeping on a cooling pillow: 

No Noise 

Unlike some types of pillows, cooling pillows don’t produce noise. These models are usually made from materials like memory foam or latex, and these materials produce little to no noise when the pressure is applied. It is a critical benefit as sleepers don’t have to worry about being woken up by the noise. This benefit is especially relevant to people who can be woken up very easily, by even the slightest sound. 

Neutral Temperature 

The most obvious advantage of using cooling pillows is that they help sleepers to sleep cool on them. Unlike other pillow types, that tend to retain body temperature and sleep hot, cooling pillows don’t retain body heat. These pillows help diffuse heat from the body instead of trapping it, and they stay cool to the touch throughout the night. People don’t have to worry about night sweats when sleeping on this type of pillows thanks to the cooling benefits that they provide. 

Support 

Due to being made with memory foam or latex, or both materials, cooling pillows are very supportive. Latex and memory foam provide above-average support, in comparison to other materials of pillows. Pillows made with these materials adjust to the sleeper’s shoulders, neck, and head, and they help keep the spine properly aligned. Cooling models provide the right amount of support that sleepers need, and they can help prevent neck pain and back pain. 

Comfort 

Another benefit of this type of pillows is that they are quite comfortable. These pillows are made with materials that provide an excellent level of comfort and the right cushioning. They spread and diffuse pressure and conform to the sleeper’s body. Thanks to them, people can sleep comfortably throughout the night and wake up refreshed and full of energy in the morning. 

Durability 

Pillows made with latex and shredded memory foam have a longer life expectancy compared to models made from other materials. If you opt for these pillows, you will enjoy at least a few years of restful sleep. The average lifespan of these pillows is four to five years, and it is considered above average. You can also increase the life expectancy of your cooling pillow if you take proper care of it and maintain it regularly. 

Relief from Pain and Pressure 

Since most cooling pillows are made with memory foam or latex, they provide excellent pressure relief on sensitive areas such as neck, head, and shoulders, and they can prevent the pain in these areas. These pillows are perfect for people who tend to suffer from neck pain and similar issues, especially if they are chronic. 

What are the Disadvantages of Cooling Pillows? 

Some of the drawbacks that you can expect from cooling pillows include: 

Price 

If you want to get a pillow that sleeps cool, you need to be prepared to pay the price for it. Of course, these pillows are not unreasonably expensive. They are simply slightly pricier compared to regular pillows, but it is completely understandable due to their specialized designs. Most people are ready to pay a bit more for these models so that they don’t need to worry about night sweats. All in all, cooling pillows are worth it, and they are a wise investment. 

Allergies 

In case you suffer from allergies, you need to be very careful when choosing the right pillow. Pillows that contain latex can trigger allergies in sleepers who are allergic to this material. Also, memory foam can attract dust mites that can also trigger allergies. It is crucial to be careful when searching for the best cooling pillow for your bedroom. However, you can avoid this problem by opting for hypoallergenic pillows. Some cooling pillows are hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, and you can sleep comfortably knowing they won’t trigger your allergies. 

Weight 

Another drawback of cooling pillows can be their weight. Some of these pillows are much heavier compared to normal models, which can make it difficult to move or flip them throughout the night. Latex and memory foam pillows can be dense and heavy. For example, they tend to be heavier than down pillows. However, most sleepers don’t consider their weight an issue, and they don’t have any problems moving the pillow throughout the night. 

Maintenance 

Pillows made with shredded memory foam need to be fluffed regularly so that they keep their full shape and provide the right level of comfort. On the other hand, latex cooling pillows are usually one-piece models and they don’t require being fluffed, but they can’t be washed in a washing machine, which makes their maintenance a bit difficult. Of course, these pillows can be dry cleaned or spot cleaned. It is crucial to use warm water and mild detergent when removing spots on these models. Additionally, cooling pads, no matter the material that they are made from, need to be entirely dried in a well-ventilated area so that they don’t pick up mold. 

Smell 

Cooling models made with latex can have a rubbery smell as latex comes from rubber trees. Some sleepers can find this smell unpleasant. Memory foam models also sometimes produce strong off-gassing odors. Of course, these odors usually last only for a couple of days, but if you want a completely odor-free pillow, you should opt for a different type of pillows. 

Dentists often recommend using dental floss, but even with regular application, it’s difficult to be sure if it’s being done correctly. Many people forgo flossing on a routine basis, and when they do attempt it, they sometimes encounter bleeding gums, leaving them puzzled about what went wrong. An efficient alternative is to opt for water flossers, which offer a faster, simpler, and gentler way to floss. Water flossers clean the areas along the gumline and between the teeth by emitting a jet of pressurized water. For individuals struggling with dental hygiene or aiming for thorough oral cleanliness, water flossers can significantly improve the cleanliness of the mouth. We have compiled a list of the best water flossers available and provided a buying guide to help you make a well-informed choice.

Top Choices for Best Water Flossers

Panasonic Portable Water Flosser

Features:

• Collapsible, portable design
• Cordless and uses 2 AA batteries
• 2 pressure settings
• 5.5-ounce reservoir for 40 seconds of cleaning
• 100% waterproof for quick and easy cleaning

The Panasonic Portable Water Flosser is our choice best portable model that is suitable for people who travel often or simply want an easy way to floss on the go. Since it runs on AA batteries, and it is cordless, it can easily fit in any purse, suitcase, gym bag, or backpack. With a 5.5-ounce reservoir, you can get forty seconds of flossing, without losing that clean feeling you get while at home. Additionally, it has a lower-speed pulse that is suitable for children and people who have sensitive gums, and a high-speed pulse for adults to do their everyday cleaning. This portable model is 100% waterproof, which means it is easily cleaned with water.

Waterpik Aquarius Professional

Features:

• On/off switch on the handle
• 10 pressure settings
• 90+ second reservoir capacity
• 1-minute timer with 30-second pacer
• 7 tips included

In 1962, Waterpick made its first water flosser, and since then it has been a leader in this industry. Their most advanced model is the Waterpik Aquarius Professional that offers ten pressure settings and two modes: floss mode and hydro-pulse massage mode. It also has seven tips included, with several ones that are specialized for braces, implants and other dental work. Additionally, it has a one-minute timer, thirty seconds pacer, and more than ninety seconds of reservoir capacity.

H2ofloss Water Flosser

Features:

• More affordable than similar models
• Comes with 12 tips
• Large, 150-second reservoir capacity
• Runs quietly
• 100% waterproof

The H2ofloss Water Flosser is our best value model because it is more affordable than most models on the market. This countertop model is very quiet, and it also allows you to accommodate the pressure by adjusting the sliding bar that is on the handle. The 800 mL reservoir is enough for 150 seconds of cleaning. It comes with twelve tips for different kind of uses – periodontal, tongue,  orthodontic, and nasal tips. Not to mention that it is 100% waterproof, which allows easy cleaning under running water.

Philips Sonicare AirFloss Rechargeable Water Flosser

Features:

• Air technology that requires less water required
• Sleek, minimal design
• The reservoir has enough for two cleanings
• Only requires 30-second session
• Lasts three weeks on a single charge

The Philips Sonicare is well known for their electric toothbrushes, but their AirFloss Rechargeable water flossers is among the most popular water flossers. It is beneficial, even though it doesn’t have many features as the other models. Since the reservoir is located in the handle, it has a smaller profile, allowing it to store enough water or mouthwash for thirty seconds of cleaning. WIth the nozzle, it can blast water by using air, which means it needs less water than other models. On a single charge, the AirFloss Rechargeable can last for three weeks, and every six months you need to replace the nozzle on it.

Guide for Buying Water Flossers

Oral hygiene is extremely important for our overall health. Flossing is one of the necessary steps to make sure the interdental cavities are clean of the food remains which cause further problems with germs and bacteria. Toothbrushes cannot reach the small areas between our teeth, so flossers are very helpful. The lack of flossing can lead to gum diseases because the gums are prone to inflammation as a consequence of excessive plaque, which builds up around our teeth. Gum diseases then lead to other illnesses like cardiovascular diseases, bacterial infections, and even diabetes. Also, gum disease causes sleeping problems due to various reasons, among which the pain it triggers, thus interrupting the most important tool our body has to recover from the daily exhaustion and stress we are exposed to.

Furthermore, flossing as a routine procedure helps us bring routine care into other aspects of our sleeping habits, such as going to bed at the right time of the night.

Water flossers are easier to use than regular flosses, especially if you suffer from limited hand mobility.

Types and Features

Water flossers come in a variety of models and with various features, out of which we have to choose the ones we really need because additional features cost more. You can choose from the basic models to the ones customized to respond to various demands.

The usual features are specialized tips, timers, pressure controls, and rotating heads.

Flossers can come with only one tip, which is sufficient for one user, but if you have a family to share it with, you will need more tips and storage to keep them in. Also, tips can be customized to clean braces, so this is a matter to think about before buying for those who wear them.

Timers are convenient features as there is a recommended time for the flossing to be efficient, which we tend to forget.

Pressure control is also important since we all react differently to pressure, and being able to adjust the power of pressure enables us to find our best option. This is particularly useful for people with sensitive gums or children. Plus, if we use our water flosser regularly, we will probably increase the power of pressure in time, as we get used to it. Interdental areas which are hard to reach can be cleaned with another feature this item offers – rotating head.

There are mainly two types of water flossers to choose from – countertops or portables. There are also models that are connected directly to the tap, but they are less effective, so we will concentrate on the two previously mentioned models. Let us try to ease your choice by indicating the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Countertops are connected to AC power sources, so it needs to be available for this model to work. They offer more pressure, as they have better pressure controls. They also have larger water reservoirs which enable you longer flossing, and you can finish it without having to refill it in the middle of flossing activity. Being a larger device, it usually offers more features, however, it is also louder and harder to store, as it requires more space. It usually comes with additional storage to put the extra tips in, which is practical, but you still need to find suitable space for it. So, the ones with small bathrooms should bear that in mind.

Portable versions are powered by batteries, so we need to remember to buy them regularly. They are small and suitable for home use and travel. That also makes them quieter and simpler to use. Nevertheless, it also means they are less powerful. They also come with smaller water reservoirs, so they usually need to be refilled during flossing which can be bothersome.

So, all things considered, even though the priority should always be the final effect, it all comes down to considering your living conditions and current circumstances.

Cleaning

Cleaning is obviously very important since water flossers are meant to keep our mouth clean. The easiest models to clean would be the ones which are waterproof because they can simply be washed under running water. Some models can even be washed in a dishwasher, which is also practical. There are countertop models that are directly connected to the power source in the wall, but there are also rechargeable ones free of cords which are easier to clean. Those models which are connected directly to the plug are cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions, so you need to check the manual to make sure you are doing it properly. In that respect, portable models are less difficult to maintain, as they are free of cords.

Prices

The pricing of water flossers ranges from $20 to $150, depending on the model. As the number of features increases, so does the price. This is where you need to be precise about your needs, because there may be features you will be paying for without actually needing them. For example, if you do not wear braces, you will need regular tips, not the ones specialized for braces. That will lower the price of your water flosser. On the other hand, if you do wear braces, perhaps it is worthwhile to pay a little more to make sure you are doing the right thing for your oral hygiene. Also, if you are a beginner in flossing, you will probably need multiple pressure options, as you will start with the lower pressure and gradually increase it as you get used to the flosser. If you are a veteran in this field, you can opt for one pressure level.

Perhaps it may be prudent to opt for a portable model at first, until you make sure you are experienced enough to move to the next level, as you will save money at the first stage of trying what works for you. Later, if you decide to buy a countertop model with more features, you can keep your portable water flosser for travel.

Warranty

Warranty is usually limited to a two-year period, so you should replace your product if you experience any defects or malfunctions during this time. The warranty obviously does not cover breakages or physical damages from improper use. Some producers extend their warranties to more extended periods, so this can also be a point to think about.

A favorable option is a return policy, as it will enable you to return the product with the money-back guarantee if you do not find the product satisfactory. It usually lasts for 30 days, so check the producers’ return policy options before making up your mind.