Pillows and Cushions
Choosing the Right Pillow
Finding the right pillow can feel like a real pillow fight. The choice is enormous. First and foremost, a pillow should be comfortable – but is that enough to base your decision on? As a support for the head, a pillow plays an important role: it should support the head and neck to relieve pressure on the vertebrae and muscles.
What Should You Look for When Buying a Pillow?
- Size: From an ergonomic perspective, pillows 40x80 cm are more suitable for most people than the standard 80x80 cm size.
- Height: The right pillow height depends on your sleeping position and body shape. If in doubt, choose a pillow with adjustable height.
- Filling: Choose a material that adapts optimally to your head and neck while providing sufficient support, such as memory foam or cold foam.
- Cover: Ideally, your pillow should have a removable cover. It should be breathable and washable at 60 °C.
The cushion size
Cushions are available for various purposes, in different shapes and sizes:
- Pillow 40x40 cm
- Pillow 40x60 cm
- Pillow 40x80 cm
- Pillow 80x80 cm
Most people opt for the classic 80x80 cm pillow for sleeping. However, a narrower pillow such as 40x80 cm is often the better choice: your shoulders rest on the mattress rather than on the pillow, allowing them to sink in properly. This supports a healthier sleeping position. Smaller sizes such as 40×40 cm or 40×60 cm are available for younger children.
Standard Pillows 80x80 cm
- Shoulders often rest on the pillow instead of sinking into the mattress
- May cause an unfavourable curvature of the cervical spine
- Sleeping height is often adjusted inaccurately by folding or scrunching the pillow
Comfort Pillows 40x80 cm
- Shoulders can sink comfortably into the mattress
- Usually made from firmer materials that support the head and cervical spine
- Neck, throat and shoulder muscles can relax more effectively
- Many models offer adjustable sleeping height
Tip for Using a Small Pillow with a Large Pillowcase
Bedding sets usually include pillowcases designed for standard 80x80 cm pillows. Naturally, this type of pillowcase also fits a comfort pillow 40x80 cm if you simply fold the excess fabric underneath the pillow. If the unfilled part of the pillowcase bothers you, there’s a simple trick to solve the problem:
- Put the pillowcase on your pillow as usual and fasten it.
- Take one corner of the unfilled section of the pillowcase and tuck it between the pillow and the cover, pushing it into the opposite corner – effectively folding the pillowcase inwards. This creates a kind of pocket.
- Turn the pillow so that the opening of the pocket faces downwards and towards the head of the bed – this will keep everything securely in place.
How High Should My Pillow Be?
The right pillow height depends on your sleeping position and body shape. What matters most is that your head is properly supported and your spine maintains its natural alignment while you sleep. The BODYGUARD® Memory Foam Pillow offers adjustable height by allowing you to remove or refill some of the foam flakes. This makes it suitable for different body types and sleeping positions. Tip: Most people sleep comfortably with a pillow height of around 13–15 cm.
Adjusting Your Pillow for Side Sleeping
If you mainly sleep on your side, the ideal pillow height depends on the width of your shoulders. You can easily determine the right pillow height at home: stand sideways against a wall with your shoulder relaxed against it and measure the distance between your head and the wall. From this measurement, roughly subtract the number of centimetres your shoulder sinks into the mattress. It doesn’t need to be perfectly exact.
Adjusting Your Pillow for Back Sleeping
To determine the correct height, stand relaxed with your back against a wall and look straight ahead. The distance between the wall and the back of your head indicates the ideal pillow height. When choosing the size of your pillow, make sure that only your head and neck rest on the pillow, while your shoulders remain on the mattress.
Pillows for Front Sleepers
Very few people sleep on their stomach. This sleeping position is often discouraged because it can place the cervical spine under significant strain and may restrict breathing. If the pillow is too high, tension in the neck and shoulder area can occur. A low, soft pillow – or even no pillow at all – is therefore generally recommended.
The Right Filling for Every Head
With so many different materials used as pillow fillings, it’s easy to lose track. Thanks to modern technology, however, you now have the advantage of choosing materials that have been specifically developed for one purpose: to support your head optimally and provide exceptional sleeping comfort. These materials include high-quality memory foam and cold foam.
Memory Foam: Memory Effect for Optimal Support
Memory foam is a pressure- and heat-sensitive polyurethane foam. A memory foam pillow adapts to the shape of your head and neck and only slowly returns to its original shape once pressure is relieved – a characteristic known as the memory effect. This provides excellent pressure relief and a soft, cushioning feel.
Cold Foam: Shape-Retaining and Breathable
Cold foam is a polyurethane foam produced at low temperatures. In pillows, it stands out for its high elasticity and fast recovery properties – meaning it quickly returns to its original shape. This allows it to respond rapidly to changes in sleeping position.
Polyester: A Versatile Option with Some Drawbacks
Pillows with polyester filling – usually in the form of fibre filling – are very common. They provide a soft and fluffy feel. However, when it comes to support and shape retention, they generally cannot compete with foam pillows. Over time, the filling may lose volume and become lumpy.
Natural Isn’t Always Better
“Natural materials” such as feathers, down, wool or horsehair are often considered particularly premium. However, they have their limitations when it comes to targeted support and shape retention. Modern foam technologies can provide more precise support for your head and neck. In addition, down and similar materials are more difficult to care for, may pose allergy risks, and are associated with animal exploitation – while their production is often far less natural than many people assume.
The Right Pillow for Every Situation
Specially shaped ergonomic pillows are available for specific needs. For example, they can help relieve pressure on your knees when sleeping on your side or allow you to elevate your legs to help improve circulation.
Our Pillows at a Glance
| BODYGUARD® Memory Foam Pillow |
BODYGUARD® Ergonomic Pillow |
BODYGUARD® Bolster |
BODYGUARD® Knee Pillow |
BODYGUARD® Leg Elevation Pillow |
BODYGUARD® Seat Cushion |
RAINGUARD® Seat Cushion |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | side and back sleeping positions | back sleeping position | back sleeping position | side sleeping position | back sleeping position and sitting | sitting | sitting |
| Function | supports the head | supports the neck | relieves pressure on knees, neck, or feet | reduces pressure on the knees | relieves pressure on the legs and promotes circulation | comfortable sitting | outdoor sitting |
| Filling | visco foam flakes | soft cold foam | firm cold foam | QXSchaum® Mattress Foam | QXSchaum® Mattress Foam | QXSchaum® Mattress Foam | QXSchaum® Mattress Foam |
| Cover | HyBreeze® | HyBreeze® | HyBreeze® | HyBreeze® | HyBreeze® | HyBreeze® | RAINGUARD® Cushion Cover |
| Dimensions | approx. 40 x 80 x 15 cm |
approx. 32 x 70 x 10/12 cm |
approx. 20 x 50 x 12 cm |
approx. 25 x 20 x 16 cm |
approx. 75 x 50 x 15 cm |
approx. 40 x 40 x 5 cm |
approx. 40 x 40 x 5 cm |
| Highlights | height can be adjusted flexibly | 2 support levels | versatile use | can be secured with retaining strap | pressure-free positioning | set of two | water-repellent |
Expect to pay around €50 to €100. First, consider your sleeping needs: do you have broad or narrow shoulders? Do you need special support? What pillow height suits you? Choose the right model for your needs.
You should replace your pillow if you are no longer sleeping well on it. At the latest, however, when it is worn out or clumped together. Even if it starts to smell unpleasant, it is high time for a new one. Some models, such as the BODYGUARD® Memory Foam Pillow, have a cover that is washable at 60 °C and removable foam flakes to adjust the height.
Pillows from bett1.de are covered with a removable HyBreeze® Cover that can be machine washed at 60°C. The foam core and foam flakes should not be washed.
Most people sleep comfortably on pillows that are 13–15 cm high. The ideal height of a pillow depends on your physique. If you have broad shoulders, choose a higher pillow – if you have narrow shoulders, choose a flatter one. Models such as the BODYGUARD® Memory Foam Pillow can be adjusted in height, while the BODYGUARD® Ergonomic Pillow offers you a choice of two different heights.
Whether you sleep on your back or side, a pillow should support the natural curve of your spine in the neck area. The BODYGUARD® Memory Foam Pillow relieves pressure on your neck and shoulders and can be adjusted to suit your needs.
