Let’s say you have just bought yourself a perfect mattress and a bed. But this is not all you need for a comfy, good night’s sleep. There is one more thing that you need to buy and that is the right-sized pillow.

When buying a pillow, you have several options. You can either go with a standard pillow or you can pick a queen pillow. Both of these pillow types differ mainly in terms of their sizes. The difference in their size determines their usability and intended purpose greatly.

This blog delves into standard and queen pillows in detail. It also sheds some light on the importance of the pillow size for better sleep so keep on reading till the end.

• What are Standard Pillows?

• What are Queen Pillows?

• Standard vs Queen Pillow: Key Differences

• Reasons Why Pillow Size Matters for Sleep

What are Standard Pillows?

Standard pillows, as the name suggests, are regular pillows that people mostly pick for their best mattresses and beds. These pillows have dimensions of 20" x 26" or 51 x 66 cm.

These compact pillows do not move a lot while you sleep which makes them perfect for back, stomach, and side sleepers. Standard pillows are a versatile option that you can use with most body types and bed designs.

What are Queen Pillows?

Queen pillows tend to be slightly bigger than standard pillows. These pillows have dimensions of 20" x 30" or 51 x 76 cm. These pillows have the same width as the standard pillows but their length is about 4 inches more.

Queen pillows are perfect for bigger queen beds and for people who move around a lot while sleeping. These pillows provide extra body support which relieves pressure and ensures more restful sleep even for bigger individuals. 

Standard vs Queen Pillow: Key Differences

The following are some key differences between a standard pillow vs queen pillow that you need to know.

• Bed Compatibility

You can use standard pillows with smaller, queen, or king size bed. You can simply add more pillows as the bed gets bigger to fill out more space. Most experts, however, recommend using standard pillows with twin and full-sized beds.

With twin beds, you can use one standard pillow, and for a full-sized bed, you can use two pillows to get maximum comfort. You can use three standard pillows for your king-sized bed as well.  

Queen pillows are more suitable for queen-sized beds where they offer enhanced coverage and comfort. You can use one queen pillow on your twin bed as well. For queen beds, two queen pillows offer the best aesthetics and comfort.

• Costs 

The costs of buying a standard pillow are far less than what you pay when buying a bigger queen pillow. The overall costs are further reduced since the pillowcases for standard pillows are also less expensive.

• Sleeping Habits

Back sleepers can use both standard and queen pillows. However, most experts suggest standard pillows for such sleepers. For side sleepers, queen pillows are a better option since they provide greater head and neck support due to their increased surface area.

For stomach sleepers, using standard pillows is often recommended as it leads to more support and comfort.

• Aesthetics

Queen pillows create a more luxurious vibe as they cover a wider area. These can cover larger bed frames without leaving empty spaces. With standard pillows, you get a proportionate and classic vibe for smaller beds and bedrooms.

Queen pillows impart a beautiful aura to even the biggest master bedrooms you normally see in grand hotels or mansions.

Reasons Why Pillow Size Matters for Sleep

Now that you know what separates a standard pillow from a queen pillow, let’s go one step further and see how this size difference impacts your quality of sleep.

1. Neck and Spine Alignment

Using the right-sized pillow for your mattresses can better align your neck and spine. Queen pillows being larger, provide better support to these parts of your body which makes them perfect for people who need better support while sleeping to alleviate pains and pressure from their necks, shoulders, backs, and spines.

The use of wrong-sized pillows that don’t fit your body type and bed size can put a strain on your muscles of the neck or the joints of the spine which makes you wake up tired and exhausted.  

2. Improved Sleep Posture

The use of the right pillow gives your whole body the support it needs while asleep. It improves your sleeping posture by giving you a neutral spine position. This eliminates unnecessary stiffness or muscle tension allowing you to sleep soundly for longer periods.

3. Better Sleep Quality

A pillow with the right thickness and height allows your body to relax in its most natural posture. When your body feels relaxed, it induces a deeper, uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.

Wrong-sized pillows can compress your airways which leads to snoring and difficulty in breathing. These issues are eliminated when you pick the right pillow which leads to a much better sleep for you and your partner.

4. Personalized Comfort

A quality pillow enhances comfort which is the number one requisite for a good night’s sleep. Such pillows gently support your head and neck without sinking them too low or pushing them too high. With the right-sized pillow that suits your body type and mattress size, you can easily lay your head down and go to sleep without having to adjust anything.

5. Prevents Body Stiffness

A pillow that meets your size requirements prevents tightness or strain in your muscles even when you sleep for several hours. On the other hand, the wrong pillows make you stiff and sore.

This means you wake up tired and uncomfortable every single day which can affect your performance. The whole purpose of sleep is that you wake up relaxed and well-rested, which is only possible if you choose the right pillow. 

Conclusion

Picking the right pillow can make a big difference in the duration and quality of your sleep. When choosing between a standard and a queen pillow, make sure to take into account the size of your bed, your own sleeping habits, body type, and budget.

Buying a pillow randomly not only wastes your money but also negatively affects your sleep experience. Both queen and standard pillows have their own plus points and it is mainly a matter of your personal choice which way you want to go.

 So, make sure to consider your specific needs and consult a professional to help you find a pillow that gives you maximum comfort and a sound sleep every night.

You can also visit our website Nayam Sleep to check out our wide range of premium quality pillows that fit perfectly with most bed types, mattresses, and body shapes to get a pain-free and relaxed sleeping experience.