Buying Pillows Online

Like other retailers, bedding stores have embraced e-commerce and moved online, shuttering many brick-and-mortar outlets in the process.

Shopping for pillows online is wonderful for a number of reasons:

• You can shop in your pajamas
• You can have a glass of wine
• You save on gas and travel time
• You can have a second glass of wine
• You don’t need to wait in line at the store
• You can easily compare prices and look for the best deal
• Your purchase is delivered right to your door

While more convenient, shopping from home can be daunting. How can you select a pillow without having felt it? How do you know which pillow will give you a great night’s sleep and which will leave you full of neck pain and regret?

Before you embark on a shopping spree, here are some tips for buying pillows online:

Know what you have, know what you like, know what you want:

Are you replacing well-loved pillows that you’ve enjoyed sleeping with? Or perhaps you had a one-night stand with the perfect pillows at a hotel or a friend’s house. If so, find out the type of fill and how many ounces of fill they contain, and look for a close match.

Maybe you’re breaking up with your pillows because they’ve left you hurting one too many times. If this is the case, try to determine what you don’t like about the pillows, so you can search for an alternative.

Know what type of pillow suits your sleeping style:

While this isn’t an exact science, here are some guidelines:

Read more about the difference between down and feather here.

Ask questions:

Online descriptions can be vague or brief. Don’t be fooled by words like ‘luxurious’ or ‘comfortable’. Know what you’re looking for, and ask for it.

Fill: What material is the pillow filled with? What is the loft of the fill? How many ounces of fill does it contain? How supportive is this pillow?

Shell: What is the shell made of? (More on thread count here.)

Maintenance: What are the washing and care instructions for the pillow?

Warranty: Does the pillow come with a warranty, and what does that warranty cover?

Other specifications: What are the dimensions of the pillow? Is the pillow exactly as it is pictured online?

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice when searching for ‘the one’. Contact the store and tell them how you sleep, and what you’re looking for in a pillow – let them be your matchmaker!

Vet the brand:

Invest in pillows from a trusted manufacturer and retailer. Look for a brand with positive customer reviews. The staff should be knowledgeable about the products, and the company’s website should provide ample reading and resources. If the company issues warranties and has a fair return or exchange policy, they stand behind the quality of their products.

Consult reviews:

Customer reviews provide excellent insight about the quality and longevity of a product, as well as the buying experience with a company. Keep in mind that there is no pillow that is right for everyone. One customer may find a down alternative pillow too soft, while another may find it provides the perfect amount of support. Pay more attention to reviews that highlight construction and quality of a product (such as stitching or leakage issues) than the reviewer’s personal taste.

Are you ready to shop? Put your feet up and pour yourself that glass of wine. Armed with some knowledge and the right questions, you can find the pillow of your dreams without a trip to the store.

Have any tips to add to the list? Have a pillow shopping experience to share? Leave us a comment below!

Graphics and illustrations by Amanda Nguyen