Beans72 Organic Buckwheat Pillow - Twin/Standard Size (20" x 26")

I was struggling to get comfortable and sleep through the night. Between hyper mobility and stomach sleeping, my neck was getting overextended and I was sleeping awkwardly on my face. And getting more frequent migraines because of it.So I bought this buckwheat pillow on a whim.Sure, it’s heavy enough to kill someone in a pillow fight but it’s wonderful to sleep on.Considering the weight and density, you would expect it to be too hard but the beans mold to your head and neck quite nicely. A quick shake resets the shape to mold into a new position.If you’re already here reading comments about this pillow, just dive in and give it a try.

The standard pillow is relatively large.Ordered the Japanese pillowcase and used the buckwheat from this one to fill that pillowcase with lots remaining which I used in another smaller pillowcase.You want it almost firm with a little room so that neck is cradled, at least for side sleepers.The firm may hurt your neck as it'll be too firm for back sleepers.You'll get used to the crunchy noisy from the buckwheat.It is relatively expensive but so far it's helped me with a better sleeping posture.Put the buckwheat case inside a regular pillow case cover so you don't have to wash the buckwheat case as often.Still, the buckwheat pillow case does get dirty relatively easily for whatever reason.Just wash it every other month or so to get it cleaned but you won't get all the dark areas out without bleaching it.Be very careful how you handle the buckwheat.The included pillow case has the zipper in the MIDDLE side section of the case which is VERY AWKWARD instead of a full zipper making handling not so well!Store any buckwheat, once you've customized the firmness of the pillow to your needs, in a plastic zipper bag and store in a cool place away from sunlight. After a few months when the buckwheat slowly breaks down, you'll have more than enough for [the 1st] replacement.The Japanese pillow case is smaller (~1/2 the size of the standard case or so) but is MORE convenient to use!

Prior to trying this, I had used pillows of varying materials: polyester, gel fiber, down, and memory foam (both low- and high-density). I am so glad that I discovered buckwheat pillows, for I have found them to be far superior to anything that I have owned before.As a side sleeper, I had tried firm pillows since those are generally recommended for side sleeping; but I found that firm pillows would often keep my head at an angle that induced cricks and headaches by morning. Consequently, I resorted to doubling up on fluffy, soft down pillows, which seemed to cradle my head comfortably. The tradeoff with down was that it is somewhat high maintenance. I'm actually lazy enough to be bothered by fluffing every morning, and I loathed paying for special cleaning, so they would lose their loft in a year or so. Plus, despite high-thread count, "down proof" covers, inevitably the down would gradually escape.Memory foam was an improvement. It was very low maintenance, and I was quite content with an Isotonic contour pillow that I had purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. However, when I had to replace it, I could not seem to find the same model, and two other brands proved unsatisfactory. The low-density one was comfortable, but only if I slept on the corners; and in time, the pillow lost its resilience and flattened. I then switched to a high-density memory foam pillow, and it proved so unyielding that I developed severe headaches and neck pain.Desperate to replace my memory foam pillow, I tried polyester and gel fiber (which seems to be a kind of polyester according to the materials tag). Polyester fill has improved since the years when I slept on them as a child, but they were not as comfortable as I had hoped. I recalled that one of the best night's sleep that I enjoyed was in a Ritz Carlton, where the pillow felt like an heirloom, overstuffed down pillow, whose plumes had condensed over time and allowed one's head to sink in somewhat but comfortably cradled and supported the head instead of collapsing and smothering it.Buckwheat behaves just like that dense, down pillow for which I was searching; it is a Protean shapeshifter that is almost magical. I find it amusing that something so low-tech as buckwheat hulls should outperform NASA-designed memory foam. The wonder of buckwheat is that it is extremely malleable, yet once in place, it can keep your head rigidly in place. This ability is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, when I take the time to ease into the pillow and mold it around my neck and shoulders, I sleep so soundly that I often awaken without turning once; on the other hand, if I fail to shape the pillow properly, like any extra firm pillow, it locks me into an uncomfortable position, and I wake with pain.To prove my objectivity further, let me note three additional flaws. One, they are noisy; but this has not been an issue for me since I do not toss so much any more. Two, they are averse to moisture; so if you are a drooler, you may need to enclose it in a waterproof casing. Three, they are heavy; so you may injure yourself or others if you employ it in a pillow fight.Thus, the pillow is not perfect, but I like it better than any other pillow I have used except, maybe, for that Ritz Carlton pillow. Until, however, I can inherit an Eider down pillow that has been passed down and squished down into a gentle but firm and supportive mass, I shall be happy to settle for a relatively inexpensive buckwheat pillow.I have spent the bulk of my review lauding its comfort, but one could lavish equal praise on its durability (just refill it with hulls as needed) or its versatility (unlike down, poly, or foam it can be turned into a giant sachet). I wish to end my review with commendations for the manufacturer, Beans72. The product was promptly shipped and well packaged, and they did not skimp on the lavender. Their attention to detail and quality embodies the virtues of cottage industries.