I wrote about mattress pillows at Wirecutter for 5 years, and I examined dozens upon dozens of pillows. I do know higher than most individuals that there isn’t one good pillow for everyone, however my private can’t-live-without-it selection is definitely a 2-by-2-foot wedge of strong foam.
I really like my wedge pillow. These large pillows are usually product of a triangular piece of polyurethane foam with a 1- to 2-inch layer of reminiscence foam on high for additional padding. As a result of they elevate your entire higher physique, wedge pillows are significantly good for folks with sleep apnea, acid reflux disease, or different situations the place elevating the top helps you breathe simpler. I deal with mine as an extension of my mattress—like a finances model of an adjustable mattress—and plop an everyday pillow on high of it. (I’ve used the Nest Simple Breather Pillow, certainly one of our picks, for this goal for years.) Though I’ve tried many wedges, and I desire this InteVision wedge, you would possibly like a unique one based mostly in your anatomy and sleep place.
This massive, triangular memory-foam wedge pillow elevates each your torso and head for a extra upright sleeping place. It additionally comes with a small, flat headrest pillow.
Once I was pregnant with my daughter (who’s about to show 12), my pillow wants radically modified. To assist relieve all of the bizarre aches and pains that include rising a human, I collected more and more larger pillows as my physique grew bigger. It started with additional pillows stuffed below my head, between my knees, and below my ankles after which progressed to physique pillows earlier than culminating with this huge U-shaped setup. My husband began calling my aspect of the mattress The Wall. Put up-pregnancy, I found that I nonetheless wanted additional assist to breathe simpler, to handle the reflux that by no means utterly left, and to appease my again after carrying round a toddler for chunks of the day. A pile of standard pillows helped me breathe simpler however gave me neck and again ache. Ultimately I purchased my first wedge—and I by no means appeared again.
Although I began utilizing a wedge to assist with respiratory, it seems that sleeping on a wedge will be higher to your neck and again for those who’re a side-sleeper or back-sleeper. Physiatrist Akhil Chhatre, MD, director of backbone rehabilitation (amongst different roles) at Johns Hopkins College Faculty of Medication, informed me that there are not any downsides to utilizing a wedge, and that you just don’t even want to attend till you’re having aches and pains: “It may make sense for anybody.” He famous that some very uncommon spinal situations may not be appropriate with a wedge, however usually most individuals can use one. He additionally famous that it’s utterly effective to throw an everyday mattress pillow on high for additional assist, as I do. (The InteVision wedge I personal comes with a further small, flat pillow, however I’ve by no means used it.)
You’ll find several types of wedge pillows, akin to these smaller variations I’ve seen that merely elevate your head, however Chhatre mentioned, “I desire the whole-body elevation. I feel the elevation of simply the top carries extra threat of damage throughout sleep.” Wedges come in numerous heights, too. My present one is 7.5 inches excessive on the high of the slope, however I’ve additionally used a wedge that was a full 12 inches excessive. Chhatre mentioned that there’s no best to purpose for whenever you’re making an attempt a wedge for the primary time. “I’d begin with 7.5 [inches] and go from there. Everybody has a unique anatomy in addition to a unique curvature, so it’s actually like a fingerprint.” (That final sentence encapsulates the problem of being Wirecutter’s pillow author so nicely that I ought to print it on my enterprise playing cards like an inspirational quote.)
I’ve discovered that the one actual draw back to most wedge pillows—moreover the sheer comedy of sleeping a foot greater than my partner—is discovering a very good cowl. A lot of the included covers capsule simply and are hard-to-impossible to interchange in the event that they put on out or discolor over time. I purchased the InteVision wedge particularly as a result of the corporate makes a coordinating cotton pillowcase that matches it completely, seems neater on the mattress, and offers it some additional safety in opposition to stains. Additionally, needless to say the froth inside this wedge (and most others) will not be mechanically cleanable, so that you’ll have to spot-clean it or hand-wash it.
As for my husband, who’s the whole reverse of me (he usually finally ends up facedown on the mattress with barely a pillow in any respect), he nonetheless jokes that I’m to date above him, I appear like I’m levitating. I largely can’t hear his jokes, although, as I instantly cross out, with my head within the clouds.
This text was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.
Sources
1. Akhil Chhatre, MD, physiatrist, director of backbone rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins College Faculty of Medication, e-mail interview, January 10, 2023
