People who prefer sleeping on their stomach or who sleep in many different positions usually find that a soft pillow offers the best results. Do you prefer sleeping on your back? Consider a medium support pillow for the necessary head and neck support. Side-sleepers can usually find the best results if they choose firm support pillows for proper spine alignment. Tend to toss and turn while you sleep? Try a down or down-alternative for a fluffy pillow, with down clusters that will adjust to any sleeping position. Are you unsure of your sleeping position? Down and down-like synthetic pillows can be adjusted to fit varying support needs.

Natural filled pillows, such as pure down and down/feather blend pillows, offer the most comfort, longest wear, and most adjustability and considered by many to be the most desirable. However, they are not suitable for people who are allergic to feathers. Although feather pillows offer support and resilience, down has more softness. Though expensive, good quality natural-fill pillows can last up to 10 years. Their durable nature and luxurious texture make them an investment that will provide you with years of comfort. White Goose Down is the best quality natural fill for bed pillows, featuring large, fluffy clusters that have the greatest ability to loft.

Combination feather and down pillows bring together the soft resilience of down with the firm support and durability of feathers. They have feathers on one side, a fabric divider through the center, and down on the opposite side. This mix is soft but not as plush as pure down. This fill combines the softness and resilience of down with firm support of feathers. It is an affordable alternative to down.

Remember to purchase cotton covers for you pillows in addition to pillowcases. They'll protect your pillow from dirt and dust and keep down and feathers from poking through. 

Synthetic and polyester pillows are generally solid but may be textured, shaped, or wrapped in batting for added softness. Quality synthetic fills are durable and inexpensive. Polyester puffs mimic the performance and resiliency of down. Some of these pillows are shaped to offer support for specific parts of the body. Synthetic pillows are generally less expensive than down and offer less wear as well. Economical latex foam pillows are resistant to dust mites and mildew but less comfortable than down or synthetic pillows. Replace them every two to four years, or whenever they lose their shape and bounce. This is a good choice for people who are allergic to down.

Foam rubber pillows are an inexpensive pillow considered hypoallergenic that can be sculpted for specific sleep style support. Foam rubber wears out quickly and will need to be replaced every year or two. For those with more specific sleeping needs, foam is used in therapeutic pillows such as memory foam pillows, chiropractic pillows, or lumbar support pillows. If you prefer the plush softness of down pillows, the extra firmness in a foam version will probably prove to be uncomfortable.

Buckwheat hulls: This fill, which has been used abroad for centuries, is relatively new to the United States. The pillows are generally smaller than standard pillows, they mold easily to form, and they are not conducive to dust mites, making them a good choice for allergy sufferers. Some people find them annoying and noisy to sleep on, however, so before buying one, ask if it is returnable, or consider purchasing a small size to try out the feel.