7 Best Pillows for Combination Sleepers in 2023

Best Budget Option — Puffy Pillow

Best Memory Foam Pillow — GhostPillow Memory Foam by GhostBed

There are many reasons why the GhostPillow deserves to be among the best pillows for combo sleepers. The main one, however, is its adaptive feel. Because the GhostPillow uses molding memory foam, it can easily adjust to any sleeping style. Therefore, if you are a combination sleeper, it will take the GhostPillow seconds to adapt to each new sleep position and mold to the curves of your neck and head. This means fast pressure relief and proper support no matter how you choose to sleep.

Sleepers may also love that the GhostPillow does not retain heat (unlike most solid foam models). The thing is, this pillow has a breathable design.

Thanks to the small air channels and the phase-change foam, the GhostPillow can aid thermoregulation and would work for those combo sleepers who tend to overheat during the night.

Best and Worst Types of Pillows for Combination Sleepers

Pillow shape and content plays a crucial role not only for proper neck support but also for maintaining optimal temperature in bed (2).

If you want to find a suitable pillow for a combination sleeper, you should first define the type.

Depending on your preferred sleeping positions, some types of pillows will suit you more than others (3).

So, let’s break down each of them and see how well it goes with mixed sleeping.

• Shredded foams.Shredded foam is the most commonly used material in pillows and often provides good support and comfort for combination sleepers. Shredded foam sleeps neutral, is incredibly cradling, and can support your neck alignment in any sleeping position, whether on your back, side, or stomach. The best material for shredded foam pillows is memory foam. Better still, gel-infused memory foam, which delivers top-notch breathability and cooling effect. Also, shredded foam pillows typically come overstuffed and have an adjustable height, so you can easily tailor them to your needs.
• Shredded latex. The only significant difference between shredded latex and shredded foam is that the former is natural. This adds to the cooling effect and overall durability, but generally, shredded latex shares the same properties. You can use it for any sleeping position and their combinations and feel comfortable.
• Fibers. Pillows filled with synthetic down alternatives are lightweight and fluffy, so you can expect great moldability. But fibers tend to have a shorter lifespan and may go flat sooner. This doesn’t make them a bad choice, though: those who shift between back and stomach sleeping can still use these pillows and enjoy their cradling and pressure-relieving properties.
• Feathers and down. Natural down and feathers are denser compared to their synthetic analogs while remaining lightweight and fluffy. They can cradle your head pretty well and offer decent pressure relief. Also, natural down adapts to the body temperature and creates a cooling cloud around you, preventing you from sweating and hot sleeping. Depending on the amount of filling, feather and down pillows can make a great purchase for people sleeping in different positions (4).
• Buckwheat hulls. Being a completely natural material, buckwheat hulls have great supportive properties. They might feel more rigid than other types of filling, but they offer close conforming to your body curves and easily adjust to any sleeping position. A fluffed and thick buckwheat pillow can perfectly suit those who shift between side and back sleeping. If you’re a mixed sleeper who loves snoozing on the stomach among other options, you can choose a thinner buckwheat pillow (or, remove some of the filling).
• Solid memory foam. And we’re slowly moving to the least suitable materials. Of course, you might find a solid memory foam pillow that will support you in any sleeping position. But typically, the fixed loft and firmness can only give proper support in one particular position.
  A softer solid memory foam pillow may work for combo sleepers who lie on their stomach and back. But if side sleeping is involved, it can be rather hard to find a suitable solid foam model (as side sleepers require taller, firmer support).
• Solid latex. Solid latex pillows are more bouncy and responsive than foam ones, so they might be compatible with mixed sleeping. But again, they may not be malleable enough, so in my opinion, it’s better to go with some of the other options.

One more thing to know about finding a suitable pillow type is that you should give your pillow a test before you buy it (if possible). If you prefer shopping online, you can still stop by a sleep accessories store on your way home, just to see how different options feel.

“Do not underestimate the value of user reviews and expert opinions on a particular model. You can always check them online to learn about how the chosen model is likely to perform in real life.”

Important Factors to Consider

Choosing the right pillow type is only half of a successful purchase. The other half is much more intricate and consists of numerous details you need to consider.

Because it’s the attention to detail what will ensure that you’ve picked not just a good pillow for combo sleepers but the right pillow for your needs.

So, I will list the important factors just below for your comfort.

• Loft. Combination sleepers often find it hard to decide on a perfect pillow loft, that is, the most suitable pillow height. For example, side sleepers prefer a high loft for proper shoulder and spine alignment, while stomach sleepers prefer the lowest loft. Back sleepers also tend to go for the high loft but not too high.For most mixed sleepers, it’s a combination of side sleeping with either stomach or back sleeping which makes the choice easier. But for sleepers who combine all three positions, it’s a bit harder. Thankfully, most of the best pillows for combination sleepers come with adjustable lofts.

• Adjustability. Pillows with an adjustable loft are pretty common today, which is a plus for mixed sleepers. By adding or removing some filling, you can make your pillow work specifically for your sleeping preferences. Some studies suggest that the most optimal pillow height for cervical health is about 10 cm (or 3.93”) (5), so you can try this as your starting point and then adjust it more precisely.
• Firmness. Different sleeping positions require different firmness levels. For example, side sleepers will benefit from firm pillows, whereas stomach sleepers need something softer and more moldable. Back sleepers can use pillows of medium firmness, as they offer a balance between contouring and neck support. I advise you to monitor how you sleep during a couple of days to find your most preferred sleeping positions and choose the firmness level accordingly.
• Pillow material properties. In choosing the perfect pillow for mixed sleeping positions, the material used in making the pillow should also be considered. Hypoallergenic materials are best as they ward off allergens and help get a blissful night’s rest. Some pillow materials also have antimicrobial properties, which is another major plus.
• Thermoregulation. Sleeping on the wrong pillow can be pretty disturbing, but if it also makes you sweat a lot, your slumber may easily turn into an unbearable nightmare. To avoid that, choose pillows made of natural materials, such as shredded latex, feathers, or buckwheat hulls. They’re breathable and temperature-neutral. Gel-infused foam can be an alternative, as well as a breathable cover.

  Solid foam is not the best option for chronic hot sleepers. However, some models use small air channels for improved breathability and, thus, may sleep a bit cooler.

• Usability. Before you buy any sleep accessory, you must consider its health implications if the product is safe for use. For pillows, looking out for specific certifications and labels is an excellent way to go. CertiPUR-US indicates the product free of heavy metals, ozone depleters, and other potentially harmful chemicals. The Greenguard gold label certifies low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Warranty and return policies. Sometimes it just happens: you choose a pillow, sleep on it for a couple of weeks, and realize that it’s not your type. Returns can be a lot of fuss, so try to choose reliable and well-known brands.
• Cover material. This part of the pillow is the closest to the sleeper’s face. Therefore, the choice of fabric is important. Now, hot sleepers or users with skin sensitivities might want to opt for natural, breathable fabrics. They include cotton, viscose, bamboo, Tencel, etc. Many manufacturers combine natural fabrics with polyester. Such pillows cost a bit less and are typically easier to care for. At the same time, they are usually less breathable, which can be an issue for hot sleepers.

Conclusion

Choosing a pillow for a mixed sleeper might seem complicated, but in fact, it's way easier than it sounds. First, make sure to know your prevalent sleeping positions — you can keep a sleep log for about a week to define them — so that you can choose the model accordingly. Next, opt for pillows with adjustable loft and pleasing cooling effect — in most cases, this would be enough to ensure sound sleep.

The TEMPUR-Symphony pillow stands out for me because of its two-sided design, which accommodates sleeping on the side, stomach, or back, as with combination sleepers. It's also plush, and the foam fill will easily conform to your neck and shoulder shape for optimal cradling. So, I think the TEMPUR-Symphony pillow offers good value for the bucks.

So, that’s it for me, over to you.

What are your most preferred sleeping positions? How do you choose a pillow based on them? Feel free to share below!