Having a comfortable pillow to sleep on each night ensures that you?ll have the best sleep possible. Pillows don?t last forever though and when it comes time to purchase a new one you want to consider which type of pillow is best for you. Each pillow type has its own unique advantages. Choosing one should really be based on individual preference. One type of pillow that many people use is a down pillow. Down pillows have a filling that is made from goose down. Goose down is the soft material that is located beneath the feathers of a goose. When used in a pillow it provides a luxurious and soft feel. This type of pillow is generally the most expensive and for some people it doesn?t provide adequate support for their neck. Geese also provide another type of filling for use in pillows. That?s their feathers. A feather pillow is also soft but it is firmer than a down pillow. These types of pillows when cared for properly can last several years. It?s not advisable to machine wash a feather pillow though because the filling will clump and the pillow will then be very uncomfortable to sleep on. Foam pillows are a really good choice when you are searching for a new pillow. A foam pillow will often be suggested by a doctor if a person is complaining of neck or back pain after sleeping. With a foam pillow you get a lot more support than you would with a down or feather pillow. If you don?t suffer from any neck or back pains you might find a foam pillow too firm for your liking. A pillow with a cotton center is another choice. These types of pillows tend to be flatter than the other pillows. They also don?t hold their shape and mold into the neck and head as do some of the other types of pillows. However certain people feel very strongly that cotton pillows allow the body to rest as it naturally wants to and they faithfully use them without any difficulty. If you do choose a cotton pillow it?s advisable to replace it instead of trying to wash it. Cotton pillows can become very dense over time with the weight of the body resting on them. This can cause the material to become water soaked when washed. This creates a breeding ground for mold. Cotton pillows are very affordable and replacing them every few months is worth the cost to avoid health related problems that can stem from inhaling mold. Choosing the material that your new pillow contains isn?t the only decision facing you when you are purchasing a new pillow; size is a consideration as well. Pillows come in different sizes and many people purchase a pillow depending on the size of their mattress. If they have a king size bed they naturally choose an extra large pillow. The same can be said for a small single bed and a small pillow. The thickness of the pillow is a consideration as well. This decision should be based on your sleep pattern. If you tend to sleep on your side you?ll want a thicker pillow to support your neck. If you sleep most of the time on your back than a thinner pillow is a better choice. A thinner pillow will offer sufficient support to your head without causing neck strain. Buying a new pillow is an easy experience. Be prepared by knowing the size of the pillow you want and what material you?d like your pillow made of.