Most pillows on the market are designed to provide better back support for larger body types, according to a study by the Consumer Council.

The watchdog said overall durability and comfort were satisfactory for the 13 models it tested, including seven memory foam, three latex and three polyester pillows.

However, it found that support levels varied depending on the physical builds of users, with the disparity seen most in tests on people who go to sleep in the supine position on their backs.

On a five-point scale for back support, nearly every model tested scored a four or above for users with larger body sizes, with five being the best for lumbar support.

But for those with smaller body sizes, only two pillow models managed to score a four.

The council also highlighted that quality was patchy among polyester and memory foam options.

It noted that one polyester model was found to have a small contact area for the head while two memory foam models showed poor performance in allowing water moisture to pass through, affecting the comfort for their users.

Kenneth Chan, vice-chairman of the watchdog's committee on sustainability, public affairs and education, urged users to be selective in their choice and use of pillows.

“When using a suitable pillow in the supine position, the head, neck and chest should be aligned horizontally when viewed from the side of the body,” he said.

“When sleeping on one's side, the face, neck and chest should form a straight line when viewed from the front of the body.

“Do not continue to use a pillow that is too high. If a pillow feels too low, place a towel underneath and gradually increase the height until it is suitable.”


Edited by Tony Sabine