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Which One to Choose: Latex vs Memory Foam Pillows

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latex pillow

We all need great sleep, each and every night. You may not realize it, but the pillow you lay your head on is a huge part of creating a bed that feels like a slumber oasis. Here at City Mattress, we want you to find the perfect pillow for you. As you begin to look into buying a new pillow, you will soon realize you have many more options beyond cotton or down feathers. It is time you look into whether a latex foam pillow or memory foam pillow is right for you!

What's Inside? 

Latex and memory foam are both types of foam, but when it comes to sleep items, they definitely are not interchangeable. The main difference between types of pillows are the materials inside. What is memory foam made of? In fact, you probably don’t know what a latex foam pillow is made of either. What’s the difference? Let’s answer these questions right now: 

Memory Foam 

Memory foam is a type of high-density polyurethane foam. Memory foam softens in response to heat and pressure. This property gives it its characteristic “body-hugging” feel. It is important to note that most memory foam products, both mattresses and pillows, are not 100% memory foam. This doesn’t mean it is a low-quality product! If your memory pillow was 100% memory foam, it would be so soft that you would sink in too deeply. This would wreck the spinal alignment you need to sleep peacefully and wake up pain-free. Instead, premium memory foam pillows are made from layers of foams of different thickness and density. This makes for the right combination of both squishy comfort and lasting support.

Latex Foam 

While memory foam is man-made, latex is a natural material. It is made from the sap of the rubber tree. To convert it into foam, it undergoes special processing. Due to the fact that the material is derived from a natural source, it is biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and much more eco-friendly. 

What Are the Benefits? 

The question that remains is latex or memory foam?Memory foam is known for perfectly contouring to your body’s curves, whether it be a mattress or a pillow. Latex foam has a very similar contouring ability, but the foam pushes back more against your weight, giving it a more “bouncy” feel.

Memory Foam Pillow Benefits

If you love a memory foam mattress, you’ll probably love your pillow to be made of the same material. A good-quality memory pillow is moldable while also offering good support as you sleep. This pillow will then bounce right back to its original shape when you get up. 

In the past, the main complaint of memory foam products is that they feel too warm because their closed-cell structure can trap heat. Latex, on the other hand, feels much cooler to the touch. The material has an open cell structure that promotes better airflow through the pillow, at first and all night long. It is important to note, though, that many newer memory foam pillows have addressed the issue and added cooling gel layers and other ventilation features. Today’s best memory foam pillows don’t retain as much excess heat as those from even just a few years ago.

Benefits of Latex Foam

Latex pillows are becoming quite popular, because they offer good support for your head and neck while retaining a soft feel. As stated above, this latex is both eco-friendly and breathable, meaning your latex pillow can actually help you stay cool at night. Because this is a “green” option, you can feel good about your purchase! That’s not all there is to love about latex pillows. All-natural latex pillows are among the most durable, typically lasting several years longer than other pillow types.

Pillow Brands to Consider

PranaSleep

PranaSleep is well known for luxury mattresses made from the best-quality natural latex. We also carry two premium latex pillows made by PranaSleep. These are naturally hypoallergenic, plus mold, mildew, and dust mite resistant. They are available in your size and comfort level choice. Our experts consider these options to be some of the best latex foam pillows available on the market today.

Malouf

We carry dozens of Malouf pillows, so there is sure to be one that matches your exact needs. A few of our favorites include the Malouf Contour Gel Dough™ Pillow and the Weekender® Gel Memory Foam Pillow with Reversible Cover. Great for any sleeping position, this cooling pillow features specially-ventilated memory foam infused with gel to provide high air ventilation, keeping you cool and dry while relieving pressure points. These are far from the only options though. There is a Malouf pillow for everyone and every sleep need!

Blu Sleep

One of our favorite options in this brand’s offerings is the Blu Sleep Ice Gel Pillow. Made of extra breathable foam, these pillows are constructed with ventilation holes for maximum air circulation while you sleep. The composition provides 3,000 times the cooling power of ordinary memory foam. Blu Sleep is known for gel foam pillows in an array of wonderful scents, like Lavender and Green Tea. As soon as your head hits the pillow, you’ll be ready to drift off into dreamland!

There are memory foam pillows, gel-filled pillows, natural latex pillows, organic cotton pillows, wool pillows, micro-fiber pillows, down feather pillows, and more. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages and will work best for individual sleepers. We encourage you to visit your nearest City Mattress location and speak to a Sleep Expert. When you do this, you can discuss your exact sleep needs and they can help direct you to the perfect pillow for you. You already trust our brand name and love our mattresses, and the same commitment to excellence comes through in the pillows we sell as well. When you leave, you’ll know for sure you got the right product for you!