Pillows come in different shapes and sizes and, when it comes to getting the perfect night's sleep, finding the perfect one to suit your individual needs and preferences can be a journey in itself.
Which one is better above all else? In our opinion, for maximum comfort and reliability, shredded memory foam pillows are the way to go. In this article, I'll explain all you need to know about this type of pillow and why it could be the ideal pillow for you.
What is Shredded Memory Foam?
Shredded memory foam is like your regular memory foam. The only difference is that the foam has been cut into tiny pieces to form a whole. Thus, instead of having a single solid mass of foam, you have a unit made up of shredded memory foam pieces.
Advantages of Using Shredded Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam in itself is considered a great choice for mattresses as it is known to provide motion isolation and is notably quieter than spring mattresses. So, why shred them to make pillows? Here are some of the reasons:
1. Support and Adjustability
Good sleep is a balance of many factors. If you’re looking for a pillow that’s soft enough to conform to the shape of your head while offering enough support for the shoulder and neck, you can’t go wrong with shredded memory foam. It conveniently ticks both boxes.
You can also adjust the pillow filling if the pillow is too high or feels a tad too firm. With a traditional memory foam pillow, you have a solid piece of memory foam inside that’s not adjustable. This means a shredded memory foam pillow gives you more customization options to suit your sleeping needs.
2. Breathability
Another advantage of using a shredded memory foam pillow is the improved breathability it offers. Thanks to the fact that shredded memory foam pillows have tiny foam pieces, air circulates better, giving sleepers maximum sleeping comfort all night long.
3. Hypoallergenic Properties
Memory foam mattresses often come highly recommended for people suffering from allergies. This is because the composition of a typical memory foam makes it unattractive to microbes and allergens.
The same applies to shredded memory foam pillows. With this pillow and a great pillow cover, you can rest easy knowing full well that microbes and fungi are the least of your worries.
4. Durability
If you’re looking for a pillow you won’t be changing anytime soon, a shredded memory foam pillow should be high on your list. Although experts recommend replacing pillows every one to two years, pillows with shredded memory foam can last up to four years.
This is twice as long as you can get from certain pillow options. For example, polyester or down alternative pillows typically need to be replaced every six months to two years.
5. Ease of Use and Care
Many people prefer pillows with shredded memory foam to other types of pillows because they are easy to maintain. You can refill and replace the foam according to your needs Also, you can air out the foam itself to let out trapped odors, if any.
How Shredded Memory Foam Pillows Compare to Other Pillow Types
Factors like comfort, support, breathability, allergy considerations, durability, and price, are important considerations. To get a better understanding of why shredded memory foam pillows have so much appeal, let’s see how they compare to other pillow types.
Shredded vs. Traditional memory foam
Compared to a regular memory foam pillow, a shredded memory foam pillow is adjustable and more breathable.
Shredded memory foam vs. Down pillows
Though down pillows pass the breathability test, there is the issue of animal cruelty with down pillows as the filling is obtained from insulating feathers of ducks and geese. They are also not as firm as memory foam and shredded memory foam pillows.
Shredded memory foam vs. Fiberfill pillows
Fiberfill pillows are not ideal for individuals with chemical sensitivity, and they are not as durable as shredded memory foam pillows.
Shredded memory foam vs. Latex pillows
Although latex pillows are high-density options, they are not as comfortable as shredded memory foam pillows. Latex pillows lack the body-contouring properties of shredded memory foam pillows.
Things to Remember When Choosing a Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Individual sleeping patterns and positions differ. Therefore, there are a few things to consider when choosing a pillow with shredded memory foam.
Loft
In terms of loft (height), pillows are classified as low loft, medium loft, and high loft.
- Low-loft pillows are pillows that are up to 3 inches thick.
- Medium-loft pillows are pillows that are between 3-5 inches thick.
- High-loft pillows have a thickness of five inches or more.
There is no hard and fast rule about the best pillow loft for sleepers. For example, stomach sleepers will need to ensure their heads are not raised too high. This means a low-loft pillow suits them best.
For side sleepers, high-loft pillows are ideal because they allow for proper spinal alignment in that position. Back sleepers will be best served by mid-loft pillows.
Since pillows with shredded memory foam are easily adjustable, you should have no problem getting the right loft for your pillows.
Pillow Covers
For best results, you should combine your shredded memory foam pillow with an equally breathable and machine-washable cover. This combo ensures longevity and overall comfort.
Environmental and Health Considerations
Before choosing your pillow, be sure to check if it is made with CertiPUR-US® certified foam. This certification affirms that the foam was made without formaldehyde and ozone depleters. It also means the foam has low volatile organic compound emissions for indoor air quality.
Final Thoughts
The quality of your pillow undoubtedly impacts the quality of your sleep. With quality shredded memory foam pillows, you have a pillow that gives you the best features of regular memory foam with the extra perks of breathability and adjustability. We hope this helps and wish you many nights of great rest ahead!
FAQ
Is a solid or shredded memory foam pillow better?
If you want comfort and breathability, a shredded memory foam pillow will better serve your needs.
Are shredded memory foam pillows lumpy?
No, shredded memory foam pillows are not lumpy. They usually have a cooling and body-contouring feel that makes sleeping more comfortable.
Do shredded memory foam pillows have an odor?
They might have a slight "new pillow" smell initially. This is known as the off-gassing period. However, this smell is not harmful and usually dissipates within a few days.
What is the price range for a high-quality shredded memory foam pillow?
Prices vary based on brand, size, and features. You can get high-quality shredded memory foam pillows for between $30 to just over $100.
