Buckwheat Pillow Vs Memory Foam Pillow [Which is Better Pillow?]

The right mattress can help you sleep better. But if you don’t have the perfect bed accessories such as fitted sheets, comforters, and especially a pillow, your sleep experience may be a little compromised.

Sleeping on the wrong pillow may leave with neck and head pain. Hence choosing the right pillow is an essential part of having a restful night’s sleep.

The proper filling while choosing the correct pillow can be confusing at times. Everyone has a preference in terms of materials. Each material will offer a different feel and comfort.

The most common fill-materials in pillows are memory foam, latex, water pillows, etc. apart from this material, we have some sustainable pillow materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, Tencel, and buckwheat hull, that are gathering attention in the present scenarios. 

Today we’re discussing one such sustainable material in pillows. i.e., buckwheat. Historically the buckwheat pillows originated from Asia, mainly Japan, and were used for their fantastic performance in providing support, aligning the spine, and regulating temperature while sleeping.

In the following sections, we will guide you more about the buckwheat pillow material, comparing its performance with memory foam, and lastly, listing our top three recommendations for both types of pillows.

Buckwheat Pillow Vs Memory Foam Pillow

Buckwheat pillows or sobakawa pillows are constructed with buckwheat hulls that are a natural, renewable product. These traditional Japanese pillows are being popular in other countries because of it

• Stronger and contouring support
• Reducing strain and tension in the muscles
• improving spinal alignment
• Easily shape with head and neck
• Anti-allergic and
• Highly durable.

Memory foam pillows are made from polyurethane visco-elastic foam in order to provide support and comfort by contouring the shape of the head and neck. Other paybacks of memory foam pillows are:

• Best used for muscle pains.
• They also lessen bedsores and gangrene.
• Help in reduction of snoring and neck pain
• Relieving pressure points 
• Hypoallergenic 

Both memory foam and buckwheat pillows are popular among sleepers, but there are certain areas where both of them outshine each other.

	Buckwheat	Memory foam
Construction	Its natural and organically made.	It’s completely synthetic and made by mixing chemicals with polyurethane.
Adjustable	The loft of these pillows can be shaped to a range of thicknesses and sizes by adding or removing buckwheat hulls.	Its predefined geometric shape conforms to the neck and head, but it cannot be shaped, plumped, or molded. Alternatively, shredded memory foam can be used as its malleable.
Breathable	Buckwheat hulls create airspace in the pillow due to their irregular and hollow shapes. Hence highly breathable.	Memory foam is also breathable but a bit less than buckwheat.
Heat retention	These pillows mostly feel more relaxed and fresher throughout the night.	Memory foam pillows tend to retain heat so that you might end sleeping sweaty.
Care/Maintenance	Buckwheat pillows can’t be washed or put into the washing machine. Water will damage the hulls. However, you can remove the zippered cotton cover and wash it separately. The buckwheat hulls can be individually set under the sun to dry.	Memory foam pillows can be cleaned through a vacuum cleaner or by spot cleaning. It can’t be machine washed, except the removable cover.
Smell	The smell of a buckwheat pillow is wonderful.	The chemical-like odor or off-gassing may last for about a month.
Noise	The hulls make some rattling sounds in the night that can be disruptive for sleepers.	Memory foam is soft and firm—no such issues relating to rattling sound while tossing and turnings during sleep.
Non- toxic	It is nontoxic, 100% organic, and used as a food supplement, and hence they are environment-friendly products.	Some manufacturers use fire retardants and specific chemicals (Volatile Organic Compound) to make memory foam toxic.
Durability	Very High	Standard
Weight	Heavy	Light

When to Choose Buckwheat Pillow Over Memory Foam Pillow

Buckwheat pillows are better than memory foam pillows. As seen above that memory foam aren’t malleable and adjustable in most cases. These buckwheat pillows can accommodate every body shape and sleeping position.  

So, buckwheat pillows are preferred over memory foam under the following circumstance:

• When you are a hot sleeper, this pillow will exceptionally make you sleep cool without turning the sides of the pillow.
• People who suffer from allergies caused by traditional pillows.
• People looking for more substantial support and firmer option
• People suffering from many sleep issues like migraines, snoring, back pain, etc.
• When you need a versatile product for all sleeping positions
• All kinds of sleepers, including children and those who are sensitive to chemicals 
• Long-lasting product

Top 3 Buckwheat Pillows

1. ComfyComfy Premium Buckwheat Pillow [Best Features]

It helps to place your head and neck in an ergonomic position.

The 14”x21” pillow contains 5 lbs of high-quality organic buckwheat hulls and comes with an additional 1 lbs of hulls so as to meet any demand to customize the pillow firmer. You can change the shape of the pillow accordingly.

The contouring feature of this pillow is proved to give excellent results. Problems of snoring and migraine are reduced to nil for users. Moreover, the pillow features high breathability and stays cool all through the night.

The Brand sourced all the material from sustainable farms in the USA and cleaned it without chemicals or fumigants. The brand ships all its product in plastic-free packages.

The buckwheat proves beneficial to side sleepers, children and is apt to carry while traveling. The cotton fabric cover is washable, and the hulls can be freshened up if dried out in the sun.

2. ZEN CHI Organic Queen Size Buckwheat Pillow [Value for Money]

However, it is not filled to the top and has ample space for hulls to move around. This structuring helps the pillow to circulate the air naturally and contours the head and neck in the best way.

The brand uses a natural cooling technology. The hulls repel heat and keep the head cool. Further, you can add or remove the hulls based on your needs and requirement for your ideal loft.

This feature helps get a restful sleep experience and alleviates discomforts like stiff neck, back pain, headaches, and tension. The pillow has Zippered casing cotton covering, and this outer casing is machine washable.

The brand guarantees a no-use chemicals treatment throughout its processing. Zen Chi Large size buckwheat pillow is worth the value.

3. Sobakawa Traditional Buckwheat Standard Size Pillow [Best Price]

The buckwheat pillow is free from any unnatural fillers or added ingredients.

Suitable for all kinds of Sleepers, the pillow offers adjustable support and optimal alignment with the spine. The buckwheat material is known for repelling heat and allowing fantastic airflow.

The Sobakawa is long-lasting and structured as durable. The natural buckwheat hulls retain their shape. Thus, you don’t have to worry about its flattening out over time.

Unlike other foam or ordinary pillows, there are no issues with fluffing and flipping. The eco-friendly pillow sleeps you cool.

The lightweight pillow can be packed easily in your backpack or suitcase and is reasonably priced.

When to Choose Memory Foam Pillows Over Buckwheat Pillows

As we have seen above, there are circumstances when a buckwheat pillow is a better option for sleepers than memory foam. However, memory foam pillows have their own trusted benefits.

• They are the best doctor’s recommended therapeutic orthopedic pillow.
• When you suffer from physical issues like sciatica or cervical or back problem
• People who complain from a sore or stiff neck while waking up
• If you are sensitive to dust allergens
• If you want good support and pressure point reliefs.

Top 3 Memory Foam Pillows

1. DreamyBlue Premium Pillow for Sleeping – Shredded Memory Foam [Value for Money]

The Dreamyblue pillow is very innovative and is a Revolutionary Hybrid designed product. The pillow is adjustable as the amount of foam you need can be added or removed as per your convenience from the zippered casing.

The brand sends an extra package of shredded foam for free. The ergonomic structure of high-quality memory foam makes the pillow soft and breathable

The outer casing/ cover is made from Bamboo Extracted Rayon fabric that is hypoallergenic and mite resistant. The pillow comes in 20 x 30 inches size with a 5-inch loft and weighs around 6.30 pounds.

The use of shredded foam offers soft bliss and firm support. You can sleep in the most comfortable position without any more tossing and turning while sleeping. The pillow solves problems like snoring, stiff neck, insomnia, etc.

Suitable for all kinds of sleepers, this memory foam pillow is a top-of-the-line orthopedic pillow that offers you the most indulgent and uninterrupted sleep.

2. Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow [Best Features]

It is ideal for back and petite sleepers or stomach sleepers with a medium to the large framed body.

The 4.5-pound extra soft pillow is made with an open-cell structure and designed to conform to the head and neck with the brand’s signature pressure-relieving feature. The high-quality cushion-soft memory foam can be easily compressed for travel.

The pillow is constructed with a single layer of memory foam slab. Again, this feature makes it non-adjustable, but the pillow does come with a machine-washable removable cover.

The product comes with free shipping with a 5-year warranty on foam and two years on the outer casing. However, there is no trial period or return option.

3. WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow [Best Price]

The plush and soothing memory foam pillow is quite sturdy enough to support your head.

The pillowcase is made of breathable bamboo extracted 100% polyester material that keeps your head much more relaxed at night. The mid loft memory foam pillow is constructed to a standard size of 16 inches by 25 inches with a 5-inch loft.

The foam pillow molds your body takes the pressure off your neck and spine and provides good comfort, support, and convenience while lying on the bed.

The brands offer two more sizes in this model and all fall in the inexpensive category. The pillow comes in a compressed form with a 3-year warranty on the product.

Hence given the price and the features, the weekender memory foam pillow is for those who, in other cases, can’t buy a foam bedding accessory.

Final Comments:

The most preferred material in mattresses and pillows is foam, particularly memory foam, as people like its firm feel and comfortability. However, foam material has adverse effects in terms of heat absorption or chemical sensitivities. Hence people are looking for better eco-friendly alternatives to memory foam.

Buckwheat had gained popularity in recent times for its sustainability feature. If we look from the perspective of comfort support and relaxation, buckwheat hulls pillow performs well as any foam pillow. They conform to the shape of your neck and head and provide superior support to give you a healthier sleeping position.

Ultimately, the type of pillow you need depends on your many personal factors like sleeping position, heat levels, vegan or eco-friendly, style and shape.