For the longest time, pillows have been stuffed with all kinds of fill – goose feathers, duck feathers, cotton, buckwheat and others. However, did you ever consider using water to fill your pillow with? Why not, after all? During the 1980s and early 1990s, waterbeds were considered a hot item. So, it only stands to reason that water pillows would be something to consider, right?
The problem with this idea is the misconception people have about water pillows. They are often regarded as leaky, sloshing water. The reality is that water is sealed tightly in the bladder (internal reservoir) with other materials enveloping it (fabric and foam, for instance).
Therefore, water pillows do not leak or slosh. Instead, they offer users a distinctive sleeping experience that is sure to aid in comfort.
The reason for their popularity is that they don’t waver when it comes to firm support. Traditional pillows, softer ones, will use fill-like down that will eventually collapse after being subjected continuously to the weight of your head. This collapse will ultimately cause a crick in your neck due to the downward position.
The great thing about water pillows is that the loftiness will stay the same no matter how much pressure is placed upon it. This means your head rests at the right level all the time. Since water is an incompressible liquid, there are benefits to using it as a fill in a pillow:
- Not squashable
- Flexible
- Conforming
What does a great water pillow make? And, how can you find a water pillow that’s right for you?
Table of Contents
The Best Water Pillows
Picture | Product | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mediflow Fiberfill Waterbase Pillow | - 300-thread count sateen cover | |
 | - Memory foam layer will conform to head and neck | ||
 | - Dacron fiber filling adjustable upper layer | ||
 | - Hypoallergenic fiber filling | ||
 | - Superior-quality fiber filling |
Mediflow Fiberfill Waterbase Pillow Review
- 300-thread count sateen cover
- Down-like comforted microfiber polyester fill
- Hypoallergenic and machine washable
Price:
The Mediflow Fiberfill Waterbase Pillow is loaded with hypoallergenic Micro Denier Fiberfill, which is made to mimic the feel of down. The insulated water base supports the soft layer of the down alternative filling, which will respond to head movement while sleeping. The down-like material retains its shape and will stay lofty for a long time. The Mediflow Fiberfill Waterbase Pillow is encased in a 200 thread count poly cotton sateen cover.
The pillow can be found in jumbo size; as with other Mediflow products, it comes with a 30-day trial and three-year warranty.
Mediflow Memory Foam Water Pillow Review
- Memory foam layer will conform to head and neck
- Customized support thanks to Waterbase technology
- Gel infusion ensures cooler sleep
Price:
Another great product from Mediflow is their Mediflow Memory Foam Water Pillow, which offers a balance between water and a standard memory foam material. There are many wonderful features in this product, including the original pouch water base and cooling gel infusion.
The upper side of the memory foam will keep the head and neck aligned, offering both cervical support and comfort. The insulated water chamber underneath will respond to movement, adding to your comfort. The memory foam has plenty of ventilation thanks to airflow pockets that keep it from overheating, unlike what you’d see with traditional memory foam pillows.
The Mediflow Memory Foam Water Pillow base is made of the company’s trademark water pouch that users can also adjust to get the appropriate firmness and comfort. A hypoallergenic cotton 300-thread count cover comes in a single size and provides exceptional comfort for the head. The company offers a 30-day return policy with a three-year warranty.
Blissbury SpineRight Adjustable Water Pillow Review
- Dacron fiber filling adjustable upper layer
- Extraordinarily soft bamboo fabric
- Machine-washable outer cover
Price:
The Blissbury SpineRight Adjustable Water Pillow is not like others for offering great comfort at an affordable price, in addition to a waterproof seal and a water-filling funnel. Though all water pillows come with an adjustable water base, Blissbury gives users a chance to adjust the upper layer of the Dacron fiber as well by adding or removing the fill. When you order from the manufacturer, you get an additional portion of Dacron fiber to boost the loftiness and firmness to your comfortability level.
The Blissbury SpineRight Adjustable Water Pillow comes with a soft-to-the-touch, hypoallergenic bamboo cover in either Dolphin Grey or Summer White colors. You can remove the cover and throw it in the washer machine when necessary. Blissburry manufactures these in Large or Queen size with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee trial and a one-year warranty against production defects.
Mediflow Original Water Pillow Review
- Hypoallergenic fiber filling
- Machine-washable outer cover
- Jumbo size fits standard pillowcases
Price:
John Hopkins University led a clinical study focused on the Mediflow Original Water Pillow. Researchers wanted to know how effective the pillow was at giving users high-quality sleep and alleviating neck pain while sleeping. Those in the study found that the Mediflow offered one of the best water-based pillows in its class, surpassing every testing standard.
The product has an upper layer of hypoallergenic, breathable Dacron Hollofill fiber on top of an insulated water pouch base that can be filled to your comfort level. Like other models on the market, the Mediflow Original Water Pillow will adjust to the movements of the head, keeping the neck and head aligned with the spine. No matter what your sleeping position is, the pillow will support the neck, which is especially helpful for side sleepers who need to fill a gap between their neck and the mattress
The cover is a 200-thread count pure cotton jumbo that you can easily wash and dry. The Mediflow comes with a 30-day sleep trial and a three-year manufacturing warranty.
Chiroflow Waterbase Pillow Review
- Superior-quality fiber filling
- Thermal insulation for temperature regulation
- Made for Standard and Queen pillowcases
Price:
According to Chiroflow, their pillows have been clinically-proven to alleviate neck pain and improve sleep quality. Though they market mainly to the medical industry, ordinary buyers can purchase their pillow on Amazon as well, offering them an opportunity to try it out themselves without making a pit stop at the physician’s office.
The Chiroflow Waterbase Pillow closely resembles the Mediflow, with the exception of two things - its intended functionality and filling material. This product comprises of a special kind of fiber called Dacron stalest holfill fiber. It’s far superior to the typical polyester fiber filling and is said to improve comfort and durability.
The Chiroflow has a water pouch that is encased in a thermal insulator to maintain a steady temperature without any heat loss. It prevents the water from getting cold from room temperature levels or heating up due to body heat. Hot water is also permitted for use if you need it for therapeutic reasons. Since the insulated core will maintain the temperature, this will help muscles get the needed relief from soreness and pain.
The outer cover is made of Dacron stalest fiberfill with a 300-thread count. A standard or queen size pillowcase can be used, which means you don’t have to go looking for an odd-sized pillowcase for your purchase. With the Chiroflow Waterbase Pillow, you’ll get the optimal cervical support that has proven itself to reduce neck stiffness and pain. Chiroflow offers a 30-days money-back guarantee as well as a three-year warranty.
A Closer Look At Water Pillows and How They Work?
When people hear “water pillow,” they immediately think about a waterbed, which would slosh about when laid upon. However, this image is not accurate. Instead, water pillows are like any other pillow one lays their head on. They are comprised of polyester fiber and cotton but have an extra space inside (a bladder or internal reservoir) that will hold the water.
This “bladder” is comprised of a hardy, insulating material that keeps bacteria from growing and stop heat from seeping out. It can be filled using tap water with the preferred height and firmness using a funnel through the pillow’s valve.
If it weren’t for the interior water pouch, the water pillow would similar and work just like a traditional pillow. And, just like those pillows, water pillows can be filled using all kinds of materials that offer various levels of firmness, support and feel.
There are common kinds of water pillow fill:
- Polyester Fiber – This type of fill is synthetic, which was created to look and feel like cotton. This type of water pillow is hypoallergenic, weighs less and has no smell. You can also buy them in an array of firmness levels. A drawback to these pillows is that they often clump up or flatten after repeated uses. It’s the water base that keeps them from flattening out altogether.
- Memory Foam – This type of fill adapts to both pressure and heat, contouring to the neck and head, giving them the support needed to alleviate pain. These types of pillows are more expensive than the standard fills, and they give off an odor when the plastic is taken off. Sleepers who run hot may find that memory foam water pillows lock in heat.
- Down – This fill is made from the soft underside feathers of geese and down, and they are usually lightweight. Traditional down pillows often lose their shape, but the water chamber inside the pillow keeps it from sagging and compressing. Down fill tends to have an odor and may irritate some users’ allergies.
- Down Alternative – Down alternative is just a polyester fiber material that’s created to replicate the lightness, feeling and softness of actual down. These pillows don’t usually last as long but are great for allergy sufferers or people who are sensitive to odors.
What is it about water pillows that make them so worthwhile? Are they really any better than your typical pillow? Traditional pillows comprise of either memory foam or cotton fillings, but they tend to flatten as time passes because of your head’s weight. In the beginning, the pillow feels very comfortable, but eventually flatten out.
Water pillows, on the other hand, maintain their height and thickness, conforming to your head’s shape. It’s all due to the water chamber, which contours to head movement, supporting its weight and ensuring the neck and head stay aligned with the spine.
Thanks to the firm water pouch, you don’t wake up with the need to fluff your pillow.
2 Kinds Of Water Pillows For You To Consider
Believe it or not, there are two kinds of water pillows on the market – both with their pros and cons.
- Pouch Waterbase Pillow – This kind of pillow is very popular on the market, as it contains a polyester pouch the user fills up with tap water. It’s hidden beneath the hypoallergenic polyester fiber filling, so you get the feeling of sleeping on a regular pillow with the added benefits that come with a water pillow. The water inside this pillow keeps the pillow from flattening under your head’s weight and keeping your neck and head supported all night long.
- Memory Foam Waterbase Pillow – Rather than a polyester fiber filling within the waterbase pillow pouch, these pillows comprise of memory foam. What makes memory foam in waterbase pillows so interesting is that the water is soaked into the memory foam by way of a gel, which causes the pillow to act similarly to a pillow that’s filled with tap water (meaning you don’t add tap water to this type of pillow). Another significant aspect is that the gel produces a cooling effect and will still contour your head.
5 Positive Aspects To Owning and Using A Water Pillow
When it comes to owning and using a water pillow, there are some worthwhile benefits to them. Why should you consider buying this kind of pillow for yourself?
- Support – A water pillow’s best feature is the support it provides. If you properly fill it up, the pillow will ensure your head stays elevated at the right angle throughout the night.
- Pain Relief – According to a 1997 Johns Hopkins Study, water pillows, when properly filled, can alleviate pain and improve quality of life. This support is aided through the water pouch, which can decrease both body and neck pain all night and into the next day. The pouch will contour the head and neck, even as the user moves around while they sleep. Thus, your spine, neck and head stay in alignment.
- Better Sleep Quality – In the Johns Hopkins study, researchers found that the pillow can improve one’s sleep quality because it alleviated the nighttime aches. Water pillows, unlike traditional pillows, can maintain their shape better, meaning people don’t always wake up to deal with their pillow.
- Customization – Everybody needs their own level of support, and each person wants their desired firmness and softness when they sleep. Water pillows can be adjusted to meet your preferences. You get a firm feel when the pillow is filled up entirely while a softer pillow comes from adding little water. The water level will also affect height so that you can get a neutral sleeping position.
- Regulate Temperature – The pillow’s inner pouch stays insulated so heat won’t be lost, and you can remain cool when needed.
5 Negative Aspect To Owning and Using A Water Pillow
Just as there are positive aspects to using a water pillow, there are some negative points to consider as well when you’re in the market for a new pillow. What are some of the negative issues you should keep in mind?
- Weight – The biggest drawback of a water pillow is its weight. After they have been filled with water, they can be quite heavy (in some cases, weighing up to 15 pounds). If you want to carry yours around, this is something to be mindful of.
- Sloshing Noise – People who don’t get into a good deep sleep may have a hard time resting on a water pillow because of the noise it can make when you move around. A way to cut down on the sound is to take out the air in the water pouch. This is done by putting pressure on the pouch before replacing the cap.
- Complex Adjustments – It’s going to take time to get your preferred loft and firmness, which means experimenting until you get it just right. This can be a tedious process, and, for some people, it’s a deal-breaker.
- Un-Moldable – A water pillow will never change its shape, which means the water will continuously bounce back.
- Toughness – Cheaper water pillow models often leak before one year of use, and this is aggravating considering how much money is spent on this kind of pillow. However, their lifespan is usually longer than feathers and other similar pillows, so that’s something to bear in mind.
Who Should Use A Water Pillow?
Since these pillows conform to a user’s head and neck and can be adjusted to a preferable firmness, these pillows are ideal for many kinds of sleepers including the following:
- Head and Neck Pain Sufferers – This type of pillow helps in relieving neck pain throughout the night and the following day.
- People Who Want Choices – If you like the idea of options for your firmness and loftiness or you’re not sure what level of firmness or loftiness you need, then a water pillow is right up your alley.
- People Who Sweat At Night – The water pouch’s insulating over was created to keep it from being transferred with the upper layers of the down, down alternative and fiber allowing for airflow.
- People Who Sleep On Their Backs – People who sleep on their backs can use a water pillow to alleviate the neck’s pressure points (along with other areas). These pillows are adjustable, so you can increase the loftiness and give our head and neck increased support.
- People Who Sleep On Their Sides – Side sleepers may find a water pillow is much better for them to alleviate the pressure put on their shoulders and neck. They also do better when their pillows have a higher loft because it bridges the gap between the pillow and neck.
Who Should Avoid Using A Water Pillow?
- Anybody looking for a simple-to-use pillow may find water pillows intimidating and tedious.
- People who sleep on their stomachs may feel the loft is too high even with an empty water chamber.
- Light sleepers may have issues with this pillow because even the fill of the pillow can’t block at all the noise it can make when compressed.
How To Choose The Right Water Pillow Based On Filling?
It’s important to keep in mind that certain water pillow fillings do better for some individuals than others, so here are a few helpful tips to help you in your search for a water pillow:
- Memory foam water pillows are ideal for people who sleep on their side, but don’t get too hot. Memory foam provides amazing pressure relief for the neck and head but often locks in heat.
- Down water pillows are ideal for side and back sleepers who overheat easily and weight no more than 200 pounds. Down filling is extremely breathable but doesn’t have ample support for people over 200 pounds.
- Down alternative water pillows are ideal for side and back sleepers with allergies, as they replicate the feeling and support down provides without any allergy issues.
- PolyFiber water pillows are ideal for any sleeper but don’t alleviate all pain you see with other pillow materials.
What Are The Sizes Water Pillows Come In?
You can purchase a water pillow in three sizes, but what the specifications are for those sizes will vary on the manufacturer. The basic dimensions are:
- Travel – 13”x16” to 13.5”x21.”
- Standard – 16”x25” to 18”x26” (ideal for regular pillowcases)
- Large/Queen – 20”x28” (ideal for regular or queen pillowcases)
4 More Things You Need To Consider Before Buying A Water Pillow
While the pillow’s design is the most significant factor in choosing a water pillow, there are other important factors to consider:
- Mattress Encasement – Reputable brands do what they can to protect the water pouch from damage, but it would still be a good idea to find a waterproof encasement mattress to give you that extra layer of protection from fluids.
- Cleaning – It’s imperative to read the recommended manufacturing instructions on how to properly care for your pillow. Can you remove the cover and put it in the wash? Is the pillow spot clean only? You also need to find out if the pillow can be washed or if there is special cleaning required?
- Warranty & Returns – You also want to see what kind of warranty and return policy the manufacturer offers. The longer the warranty, the more confident the manufacturer has in its pillow. If you find a defect in the pillow after the return window has closed, you can take advantage of this warranty offer.
- Shipping & Delivery – Be aware that each manufacturer has its own shipping and delivery policy, with some of them even providing free shipping to specific locations. If you order a water pillow via Amazon, see if the pillow qualifies for its Amazon Prime two-day free delivery.
How To Properly Care For Your Water Pillow
As you see, water pillows can be very useful to your health, but caring for it can be problematic if you don’t know how to do so correctly. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure your water pillow stays in tip-top shape:
- Let out the air in the pound before you start filling it up with water. This will keep the water from sloshing around and making noise as you sleep on it.
- Never use hot water to fill up the pillow. Instead, cold water should be used (lukewarm is acceptable so long as it doesn’t surpass 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Tap water is best, and if you use well water to fill up, add a touch of bleach to it.
- Empty and refill the water at least once a year, but adjust it to your preference as needed.
- Empty the water to wash the pillow. Put the casing in the washer machine, using cold water and on the gentle cycle. Never use bleach and make sure it’s mild detergent only.
- It’s best to air dry your pillow, but you can put it in the dryer on the no-heat setting. Never dry clean or iron it, as this can affect its durability.
5 Commonly Asked Questions People Have About Water Pillows?
How Much Water Should You Put In Initially?
One significant aspect of water pillows is that you can customize it to your likeness. You can add as much water you want or decrease the amount. It’s best to begin with three quarts of water and go from there to find your desired firmness.
How Long Can Water Remain In A Pillow Before A Change Is Necessary?
The water is good for up to a year; then it should be changed. Most people like washing their pillows, which is when you should really change the water out.
Can You Use Tap Water In Your Pillow?
It’s perfectly fine to use tap water. However, if using well water, you may need to add several drops of bleach to the water.
Can You Wash This Pillow Type?
You can wash your pillow using the manufacturer’s care instructions. Be sure to empty the pillow first of both water and air before you wash it. You want to replace the cap before you wash it. Do not allow the water to exceed the 105 Fahrenheit temperature. Be sure to air dry it or toss it in the dryer on “no-heat.”
What Is The Right Side Of The Pillow To Sleep On?
You need to sleep with the cap down on the mattress.
What You Need To Keep In Mind About Water Pillows
These are just like any other pillow on the market other than they have a reservoir you fill with water. They can improve your sleep quality, reduce the number of times you wake up in the night, can be adjusted to meet your firmness preference and alleviate sore necks entirely.
These pillows are also heavier than your typical pillows, which could be problematic if you’re traveling with the pillow. Since sleep is such an essential aspect of your life, you need to have a pillow that gives you the most comfortable sleep possible.
Now, there are all kinds of water pillows on the market – each one with its pros and cons. Do your homework, and you will find the water pillow that’s just right for you. With a little knowledge about water pillows, you can wake up feeling ready to bring on the day.
