Buying Guides & Advice
Choosing the Correct Pillow
Sep
Choosing the Right Pillow
Types, Fillings & Firmness Guide
Finding the right pillow can make all the difference in how well you sleep. Pillows come in different materials and firmness levels, and each type offers unique benefits. Here are some common options to help you decide which might work best for you:
| Pillow type | Feel | Support | Breathability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow fibre | Soft–medium | Medium | Good | Easy-care/value |
| Microfibre | Soft | Soft–medium | Good | Soft, lightweight comfort |
| Ball fibre | Plump | Medium–firm | Good | People wanting more loft |
| Memory foam | Contouring | Firm | Moderate | Neck/head support |
| Latex | Responsive | Medium–firm | Excellent | Support + breathability |
| Feather & down | Soft/luxurious | Soft | Excellent | Natural comfort |
The perfect pillow for Spanish climate?
Hollowfibre pillows
What Is a Hollow Fibre Pillow?
A hollow fibre pillow is filled with fine synthetic fibres that have a hollow centre. These tiny spaces help trap air within the filling, giving the pillow a light, soft and plump feel while allowing air to circulate through the fibres.
Hollow fibre pillows are popular because they offer a good balance of comfort, breathability, easy care and value for money. Depending on the amount and construction of the filling, they can range from soft and low-profile to much fuller and more supportive.
Unlike a solid foam pillow, hollow fibre can be compressed and reshaped, giving it a more traditional, cushioned pillow feel. Many hollow fibre pillows are also washable, although you should always check the individual care instructions.
Leo’s Tip — Not All Hollow Fibre Pillows Feel the Same
The term hollow fibre describes the type of filling, not how firm the finished pillow will be. The amount of filling, fibre quality and pillow construction can make two hollow fibre pillows feel completely different. Choose according to the height and support you need, rather than the filling name alone.
Are Hollow Fibre Pillows Good?
LIGHT & PLUMP
Air trapped within the hollow fibres helps create a soft, comfortable feel.
BREATHABLE
The open structure of the filling allows air to move between the fibres.
EASY CARE
Many hollow fibre pillows can be washed, making them a practical everyday choice.
GOOD VALUE
Available across a wide range of comfort levels and price points.
Hollow Fibre vs Ball Fibre
Hollow Fibre vs Microfibre Pillows: What’s the Difference?
Hollow fibre and microfibre pillows are both made using synthetic fibres, but they are constructed differently and can feel quite different to sleep on.
Hollow fibre is designed with a hollow centre that helps trap air, creating a light, springy and plump pillow. Microfibre uses extremely fine, densely packed fibres, usually producing a smoother, softer feel that can resemble the lightness of natural down.
Neither is automatically better — the right choice depends on whether you prefer a plumper, more traditional pillow feel or a softer, finer filling.
Here are some of the advantages of choosing microfiber
| Hollow Fibre | Microfibre | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical feel | Light & plump | Fine & soft |
| Reshaping | Easy to plump | Soft & flexible |
| Airflow | Generally good | Depends on construction |
| Easy care | ✓ | ✓ |
| Value | Excellent | Good–excellent |
| Best for | Traditional pillow feel | Softer cushioned feel |
Breathable
Many people are changing to microfiber pillows because they are very breathable. It can stay cool in hot conditions and act as an insulator in cold temperatures. This versatility is important to hotel chains for example since they might have branches in different parts of the world. They can buy microfiber pillows in bulk and distribute them to their chains no matter the location without worry of the weather conditions in the area.
Easy to Clean · Lightweight · Inexpensive
So, Which Is Better: Hollow Fibre or Microfibre?
Choose hollow fibre if you prefer a light, plump pillow that is easy to reshape and offers good everyday value.
Choose microfibre if you prefer a finer, smoother and generally softer pillow feel.
But don’t choose on filling alone. Pillow height, firmness and the amount of filling are just as important, particularly when matching your pillow to your sleeping position and mattress.
Buying Pillows on the Costa Blanca?
Which Pillow Should I Buy? Pillow Types Available in Altea & Costa Blanca
At Leo’s in Altea, you can compare different pillow types in person before deciding. We stock pillows for different sleeping positions and comfort preferences, including memory foam, latex, feather & down, bamboo and breathable cooling options — particularly useful for homes on the Costa Blanca.
Below are some of the most popular pillow types and what makes each one different.
Natural, Soft & Luxurious
Feather and down pillows provide the traditional softness and adjustability that many sleepers love. They can be plumped, reshaped and moulded around the head to create a very different sleeping experience from foam.
Feather provides more structure, while down creates softness, loft and a lighter feel. Many quality pillows combine the two, while higher-down-content pillows tend to offer a softer and more luxurious experience.
Quality varies considerably, so look beyond the words “feather and down”. Consider the percentage of down, quality of the filling, construction and down-proof outer fabric when comparing pillows.
As a natural product these are breathable and help temperature control. Feather pillows will take the shape of your head while still offering good support.
Best for:
Natural comfort • Softness • Adjustable/plumpable feel • Luxury bedding
Shop all Feather & Down Pillows
Supportive & Contouring
Memory foam responds to pressure and warmth, allowing the pillow to contour around your head and neck. This makes it a popular choice for sleepers looking for a more supportive, structured feel.
Memory foam pillows now come in many different designs, including soft memory foam, perforated foam, gel-infused foam and cooling-cover pillows.
If you sleep warm, particularly during the Costa Blanca summer, consider a perforated or ventilated memory foam pillow that encourages more airflow than a traditional solid foam design.
Best for:
Contouring support • Back & side sleepers • People who prefer a structured pillow
Memory foam pillows come in various shapes and sizes. a memory foam pillow can be bought as u shaped neck pillows, wedge knee pillows, seat or chair back pillows, travel pillows , aswell as popular choices to sleep with every night in bed. Apart from the variants in shapes or sizes. Great choices to point out are perforated memory foam fillings, Gel memory foam, Extra soft memory foam & carbon memory foam.
The perforated memory foam pillows are a great choice in any bedroom. As we know one of the disadvantages with memory foam is the lack of breathability and therefore a warmer temperature whilst sleeping. However The perforated memory foam pillows by velamen are every day choosen because of there air releasing sensation, not drawing back from any of the great support the memory foam has to offer. Visco aire pillow.
Shop Memory Foam Pillows
Latex Pillows
Responsive, Supportive & Breathable
Latex has a very different feel to memory foam. Instead of slowly sinking around your head, latex is naturally responsive and quickly returns to its original shape.
Quality latex pillows often use a ventilated structure that allows air to move through the pillow. This combination of support, resilience and airflow makes latex particularly interesting for people who want a supportive pillow without the dense feel of traditional memory foam.
At Leo’s we also offer Dunlopillo latex pillows, including different heights so you can choose according to your sleeping position and preferred level of support.
Sleep easy with our environmentally friendly mattresses, made using 100% pure Dunlopillo latex. All the latex we use is harvested from sustainably managed plantations, which purify over 90 million tons of carbon dioxide a year
Latex provides 37% more pressure relief than memory foam
Pressure relieving
With its unrivalled elasticity, Dunlopillo latex provides instant pressure relief and encourages a healthy blood supply to your muscles so you awake feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Best for:
Responsive support • Breathability • Side & back sleepers • Long-lasting comfort
Dunlopillo latex is 7 times more breathable than memory foam
Breathable
The open-cell structure of Dunlopillo latex consists of millions of interconnecting microscopic air bubbles, which promote healthy air circulation. Natural movement during the night works to ventilate the mattress, keeping both you and your bed at a consistent and comfortable temperature.
Buy Dunlopillo latex pillows here 
Bamboo & Breathable Pillows
A Practical Choice for Warmer Nights
For homes on the Costa Blanca, breathability can be just as important as firmness.
Pillows using bamboo-derived fabrics and other breathable covers are popular with warm sleepers because these materials can help manage moisture and create a fresher-feeling sleeping surface.
Remember that “bamboo pillow” can refer to the cover rather than the actual filling, so always check what is inside the pillow as well as the fabric surrounding it.
· Hypo allergenic · Hair feels better · Helps reduce wrinkles · Easy Care
Shop Bamboo cooling pillows
Try Your Pillow Before You Buy at Leo’s in Altea
A pillow can sound perfect online and still not feel right when you lie on it.
Visit Leo’s Home & Living in Altea on the Costa Blanca and compare different pillow heights, firmness levels and fillings before you choose. Our team can help you match your pillow to your sleeping position, mattress and preferred comfort.
With a large selection of pillows, mattresses, beds and bedding available in our Altea showroom, you can feel the differences for yourself rather than choosing from a description alone.
Most of us want to find the right pillow
Firm, Medium or Soft. Which is right for you?
Best Pillow for Your Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a pillow. The aim is simple: support your head and neck in a comfortable, natural position while you sleep.
Side Sleepers — Higher & More Supportive
Side sleepers usually need a medium-to-high pillow with good support to fill the space between the shoulder, neck and mattress. A pillow that is too low can allow the head to drop towards the mattress. Memory foam, latex and supportive fibre pillows can all work well, depending on the feel you prefer.
Back Sleepers — Medium Height & Balanced Support
Back sleepers generally suit a medium-height pillow that supports the natural curve of the neck without pushing the head too far forward. Look for a balanced combination of comfort and support rather than an excessively thick or firm pillow.
Front / Stomach Sleepers — Lower & Softer
Front sleepers normally need a low-profile, softer pillow so the head isn’t raised too far away from the mattress. A thick pillow can place the neck at an uncomfortable angle. Some stomach sleepers are comfortable with an exceptionally thin pillow or even no head pillow at all.
Combination Sleepers — Adaptable Support
If you regularly change position during the night, look for a pillow that offers medium loft with adaptable or adjustable support. Adjustable-fill pillows can be particularly useful because the height can be changed to suit your preferred sleeping positions.
Leo’s Tip: Your mattress matters too. On a softer mattress your shoulder and body sink further into the bed, so you may need less pillow height. A firmer mattress can leave a larger gap between your head and mattress, particularly when sleeping on your side, meaning a higher pillow may feel better.
Shop all pillows
Are you a side, back or front sleeper?
The posture you adopt in bed is possibly the biggest factor affecting your choice of pillow. That’s because correct spinal alignment is essential to a good night’s sleep and a pain-free day. So while we are all prone to rolling over in bed from time to time, it’s good to ask yourself if you’re most comfortable – and most likely to fall asleep – on your front, back or side.
We now know that 25% of all allergic reactions and 50% of asthmatic conditions are directly related to house dust mites, which are most prevalent in bedding: with your pillow being the most likely source of inhalation.
Every hollowfibre filling is non-allergenic, but if you or any member of your family suffers symptoms ranging from itchy eyes to full-blown asthma, it is worth considering an ‘anti-allergy’ filling, which actively resists microbes and bacteria. Latex fillings are another excellent option, as while they enable greater air-flow, they do not collect house dust mites.
Consider a anti dustmite protector for your pillow or mattress
Can I really machine-wash a pillow?
If you prefer a natural feather or down filling, we always recommend professional cleaning, as it’s very difficult to get a natural pillow dry all the way through without the right equipment.
However, all of our hollowfibre pillows are machine washable at 60 degrees C, which is great, because that’s the temperature at which house dust mites are killed.
We also recommend washing pillows one at a time to get the best results – and also using a pillow protector to reduce the frequency of full washes for your pillows.
It’s also worth knowing that 15 minutes in a tumble dryer once a week will also kill dust mites, as well as fluffing up and freshening your pillows between washes.
Machine washable pillows Here
Best Pillows for Hot Sleepers & the Spanish Climate
Warm nights are a reality for much of the year on the Costa Blanca. If you tend to sleep hot, your choice of pillow can make a noticeable difference to how comfortable you feel during the night.
Look beyond firmness and consider airflow, filling, cover fabric and how well the pillow allows heat and moisture to escape.
Bamboo
Removable, washable covers are particularly practical during the warmer Spanish months.
The fabric surrounding your pillow matters too. Bamboo-derived and other breathable covers can help manage moisture and create a fresher sleeping surface.
Leo's Tip: Don't Choose a Pillow by Filling Alone
A cooling cover cannot compensate for a pillow that is the wrong height or firmness for you. Start with the correct support for your sleeping position, then compare breathable fillings, ventilation and cooling fabrics.
Not Sure Which Pillow Feels Right?
Visit Leo’s in Altea and compare different pillow fillings, heights and firmness levels in person. Our team can help you find a pillow to suit your sleeping position, mattress and preferred feel.
