Ask Happy Dan: Picking the Best Pillow

When you have questions about pillows and other bedding, Happy Dan the Pillow Man is your guy!  He’s happy because he always gets a good night’s sleep.  Happy Dan is the alter ego of Dan Schecter, Senior Vice President at Carpenter Co., and the creator of SleepBetter.org.  He’s spent 30 years learning about pillows and sleep and how those two items go together, and he’s now available to answer your questions!

In this edition of Ask Happy Dan, Dan answers a number of questions on picking the best pillow.

Cindy Mannon: What type of pillow is best for a person who sleeps on their left side?

Pillows today have something called a gusset, which offers a higher crown. You should look for something that has a gusset of at least two inches. The real key is to make sure the pillow is 100% adjustable.  You need to be able to scrunch at night. So says Happy Dan The Pillow Man.

Suzanne Mackey: How do I make a hard bed softer?

You can buy a topper that offers you a more soft and cushy sleep surface.  So says Happy Dan The Pillow Man.

Sheila Benavides: What is best pillow density for back sleeper?

Hello Sheila! I don’t believe in pillows that offer side, back and stomach sleeper solutions.  Most are the same and a rip off .  Rather, I would look for a pillow that is 100% adjustable So says Happy Dan The Pillow Man

Carrie Shoults: I toss and turn all night. What pillow would be best?

Pillows will not help you reduce tossing and turning.  That has more to do with your mattress. That said, since you are so very busy at night (most of us are), a pillow that is 100% adjustable will provide you a higher level of comfort when you are tossing and turning. So says Happy Dan The Pillow Man.

Lisa Gordon: What is the best mattress?

Tough question – there is no answer except to say when shopping take your time .  Try the mattress in every position.  Do some research, and then take your time. The big question is, “ what is your return policy.” So says Happy Dan The Pillow Man.

Check back soon for another edition of Ask Happy Dan.  If you have a question for Dan, ask it on our Great American Bad Pillow Project page, and be sure to enter our contest for a chance to win one of three bedding makeovers, each valued at approximately $700!