Buying guide for best body pillows

If you wake up with more aches and pains than you had when you went to bed or you just can't seem to sleep the whole night through, you should consider a body pillow. A body pillow is the size of a full-grown adult and it is used to provide extra support and comfort so individuals can achieve a better night's sleep.

Body pillows are primarily categorized by their shape, and each is designed to serve a specific purpose. For instance, a C-shaped pillow is good for pregnant women, but a J-shaped pillow is better for individuals suffering from nasal congestion or heartburn. It's important to choose a pillow that has been manufactured using materials you're not allergic to. One that comes with an extra pillow case is highly desirable.

To begin getting the rest you deserve, consider purchasing one of the highly recommended body pillows that we've spotlighted. If you're hungry for more information, however, keep on reading.

With their comfortable support and hug-like design, body pillows reduce restless tossing and turning, leading to a more refreshing night of sleep.

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So, if you’re in the market for a body pillow, and just want to choose one in a hurry, consider tone of the product the products we've highlighted.

But if you’d like to learn more about these flexible support pillows in general, including how to choose and use them, read on. Up ahead: a great night of sleep.

Rectangle-shaped body pillows work to help prop up your knees when sleeping. We research these options to see how supportive they are when in use.

Polyester is the traditional and more affordable type of filling that is typically used. We look at these body pillows to see if they are breathable and hypoallergenic.

Body pillows typically are 48 inches and up. We look for options that provide support throughout the entire body when being used.

Lightweight body pillows often provide increased comfort for users who wrap a leg or arm under them. We assess these options for their ability to be breathable and comfortable.

Firm body pillows are great for people who like to sleep on their sides. We look for these options to provide support when held.

Memory foam body pillows provide ideal comfort thanks to the ability to shape around the body. These pillows must be firm yet comfortable to be considered for recommendation.

Most body pillows will be used to prop up arms and legs during sleep. These options must be breathable to be comfortable during the night, which is why we vet every product for heat transfer.

Body pillows create support to help stop users from tossing in their sleep. With that in mind, during our evaluations we search for the most supportive body pillows available.

Body pillows cost between $30-$70. We weigh the pros and cons of each pillow to see if it is worth the price.

Body pillowcases provide extra durability to the pillow itself. We look for body pillow options that provide additional extras such as a case.

Who needs a body pillow?

With their large size and flexibility, body pillows are perfect for adding support, height, separation, and comfort just about anywhere you need it.

• Many sufferers of sciatica, backache, hip pain, or knee pain find relief with a body pillow propped between their legs to relieve pressure on the hips and knees.

• Pregnant women sleep better with a body pillow propping up their stomach, reducing strain on the back and abdomen.

• You can curl a body pillow around your upper body to cushion your shoulders and neck, providing sweet relief from many painful conditions in these two vulnerable areas, as well as reducing gastric reflux, nasal congestion, and headaches.

• Sufferers of painful conditions that affect multiple areas of the body, such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, many autoimmune disorders, flu, and other severe infectious diseases often feel much better with a body pillow to adjust their limbs comfortably for sleep.
   

But you don’t have to be in pain or sick to appreciate a body pillow. Many people simply like the “hug” and comfort of these large pillows.

Body pillow shapes

You’ll find several different shapes of body pillow. These are the most common.

Basic rectangle

These body pillows look like a regular pillow, but stretched out much longer; typically, these body pillows are between four and six feet long. Rectangular body pillows work well for just about everyone, and are especially useful for propping between the knees, which helps relieve hip, lower back, and knee pain.

U-shaped

These extra-large body pillows make a full “U,” giving them tremendous versatility. Not only are they excellent for pregnant women and anyone with painful joints or muscles, they are also perfect for comfortably propping up the user to read in bed, lounge comfortably while watching TV, or just sleep in cozy bliss.

C-shaped

Shaped like a large letter C, these body pillows are especially good for pregnant women. The bottom of the C is perfect for propping up a pregnant tummy, and the upper portion of the C offers support to the neck and shoulders.

J-shaped

J pillows are usually curved both at the top and bottom, but not as much as the C-shaped body pillow. They are good for raising the upper body slightly to relieve nasal congestion, heartburn, and headaches, as well as supporting the legs to reduce sciatica, backache, and leg pain.

Maternity

While pregnant women can appreciate most body pillows, maternity pillows – which can be C-, J-, or U-shaped – have a bit of extra contouring along the inner edge, which conforms to the shape of a pregnant woman’s body. These pillows not only make sleeping easier during the later stages of pregnancy, they are also good for propping up the new mother and baby for nursing.

Different body pillow fills

Just like regular sleep pillows, you can choose from a variety of fills for your body pillow.

Polyester

Synthetic fills are the most common type. These are usually inexpensive, and offer good support while still being fairly soft, depending on how tightly the pillow is stuffed. Synthetic fills are hypoallergenic and generally washable, but can be hot, and don’t breathe well.

Memory foam

This pliable but firm foam provides excellent cushioning for aching joints, and gently “molds” around your contours. Some people find memory foam to be hot or too firm, however, and it can be expensive. It’s heavy, as well.

Shredded memory foam

A relatively recent development, shredded memory foam is basically regular memory foam that’s been torn into small pieces, making it softer, lighter, and cooler, yet still offering excellent support.

Microbeads

Body pillows filled with these tiny “beads” feel somewhat like a beanbag, and are very easy to mold into whatever configuration you need. The microbeads are very light, but their support is less firm than some people like or need.

Down

A down-filled body pillow is like sleeping on a cloud, but does not offer the level of support you’ll find from other types of fills. Some people are allergic to down – if this is an issue for you, but you love the fluffy feel, down alternative or synthetic down is another option. Down is lightweight and breathes well, but is expensive.

Body pillow cover and case

Every body pillow has a cover, and some include a pillowcase, as well. Both of these can be made from several different fabrics.

These are the most common fabrics you’ll encounter:

• Cotton is very breathable, easy to wash, comfortable, and durable.

• Polyester and other synthetics are durable and washable, but can be hot.

• Cotton/poly blends are generally fairly inexpensive, easy to care for, and hold up well to use.

• Bamboo is very breathable, soft, and naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, but can be expensive.

Other body pillow considerations

While a pillow is not a complicated or technical purchase, there are still a few helpful questions to ask yourself before buying one.

How big is the pillow?

Body pillows are all large, but some, particularly the U-shape, are really big. That means the pillow is going to take up a great deal of space in your bed, potentially edging out your bed partner.

You’ll also need to store it somewhere when not in use, unless you plan on leaving it in the bed.

If you share your bed, a basic, rectangular body pillow takes up the least room.

How heavy is the pillow?

Some body pillows, especially those filled with memory foam, are heavy. This makes it harder to move the pillow from place to place, so if you plan on carrying your pillow from bed to couch, for example, make sure you can easily carry it.

Does the pillow include a case?

While you can often find pillowcases for basic body pillows sold separately, it can be very difficult to find pillowcases for C-, J-, or U-shaped pillows.

If the body pillow you are considering includes an extra pillowcase, that’s a big plus.

The benefits of body pillows extend beyond the physical; with their hug-like feel and person-size length, these oversized pillows also offer emotional comfort to anyone who has a hard time sleeping alone.

Does the pillow suit your needs?

If you’re just looking for a pillow to prop between your knees, a basic body pillow is a good solution.

If you need support for multiple body areas, however, or are pregnant, you’ll probably find one of the letter-shaped body pillows to be a better choice.

How much does the pillow cost?

You’ll find very inexpensive body pillows for less than $30, but these are unlikely to offer solid support, or hold up to regular use.

Generally, you can expect to spend between $40 and $70 for a supportive body pillow, and more than that if you choose a specialized maternity pillow.