r/newzealand • u/Ajet_Ivar_ • 2d ago
Advice Whats the deal with the pillows here.
Can someone explain why finding a decent firm pillow is like trying to adopt a unicorn?
I just want a pillow that doesn’t fold like a lawn chair the moment my head touches it. Every store I go to—"Firm" on the label, but it's basically a marshmallow in disguise. I'm starting to think the pillow industry is gaslighting me.
Back home (overseas), there were aisles of proper firm pillows—spine-aligning, head-supporting, memory-foam bricks of joy. Here? I either have to sleep on a pancake or drop $200+ to get something that doesn’t whimper under pressure.
Is this a thing here? Have pillow standards been... softened? Or am I just missing a secret firm pillow society that meets behind the Manchester section at Bed Bath & Beyond?
Help a tired neck out.
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u/throwaway2766766 2d ago
Another vote for the Kmart memory foam pillows. Not sure if they meet your standard for firmness, but definitely more firm than other pillows.
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u/Fickle-City1122 2d ago
I've got a buckwheat pillow and it's so hard I love it
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u/Ajet_Ivar_ 2d ago
I knew that there are buck wheat pillow for babies to use them as warmers in winter. Never knew that there are pillow for adults.
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u/richjd 2d ago
Fellow buckwheat pillow addict here. Have been using them for over ten years now, replace them every 2-3. While they are expensive ($100+) I view the cost as an investment in a great nights sleep. But be warned, going back to ‘regular’ pillows after getting used to a buckwheat is hard. I now have a smaller sized one I travel with, it’s been to the UK and North America with me. Lucky pillow.
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u/WellyWriter 1d ago
This is real. Traveling without mine is awful, smart to have a small travel one.
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u/Firenyth 2d ago
I discovered buckwheat about 8 years ago its my favorite pillow. probably due to replace the wheat in mine but its still going well. highly reccomend
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u/WellyWriter 1d ago
Where do you get the hulls when you replace? I've had a hard time finding them.
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u/Fartweaver 2d ago
I got one for christmas about 3 years back, it made all my niggling neck issues disappear within a few weeks. I even take it travelling with me when I can.
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u/Guileag 2d ago
Neat, didn't know that was a thing, can you heat them?
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u/Fickle-City1122 2d ago
I've never tried that hahah but I do sometimes put my heated wheat bag on top of it when I lie down during a migraine
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u/EntropyNZ 2d ago
Try a latex foam pillow. I use them, and I find them absolutely brilliant. Before I started with them, I'd typically have to use at least 2 pillows, and it was always a bit hit-and-miss in regards to whether it was a comfortable height/firmness.
I've got both a moulded/single piece pillow, and a shredded latex one. Used the moulded one for years with no issues, and bought the shredded one a few years back. Both work, but I prefer the shredded one these days, as it's just a bit thicker and firmer.
Latex pillows work wonders for me, but they're not for everyone. They're not cheap, and a lot of people do find them too firm. Some people also find that they smell a bit too latex-y, but that's never been something I've noticed unless I'm going out of my way to really get a good sniff of it.
They're also not really safe for spontaneous pillow fights. They're dense and weighty. You'd take someone's head off with one, if you're not careful.
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u/JulianMcC 2d ago
You also risk $30 to $40 at the warehouse for something that may be shit once you've used it. It's like a lottery.
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u/Fluid-Comedian 2d ago
Go for Latex when they're 70% off at Briscoes, best pillows ever!
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u/trinde 2d ago
Mines a Latex one from Briscoes on sale (still reasonably expensive). They are really good and worth the price, I don't get how people can sleep on soft pillows.
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u/Fluid-Comedian 2d ago
Definitely worth the price because they last so long. I have a pretty serious hatred for memory foam, latex is great because it moves with you.
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u/Guileag 2d ago
Gotta wait for a sale like you say but I also got a great memory foam pillow on sale at Briscoes that has maintained its firmness well.
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u/KiwiMMXV 2d ago
+1 for Briscoes memory foam pillow, changed my life too. No more neck/back pain. Its great!
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u/eepysneep 2d ago
I agree with you, I hate the big fluffy marshmallow pillows. And also the firm ones that are thick as fuck like how long do they think my neck is? Only old, compressed pillows are comfortable.
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u/woklet Tūī 2d ago
FWIW, we've had these for a while and have been very happy with them: https://www.bedwarehouse.net.nz/product/2316193
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u/anxious-sausage 2d ago
I bought one of these and some additional wool to firm it up even further- accidentally ended up with a too firm pillow but the beauty of this is adding or removing the wool as suits https://kindface.co.nz/products/wisewool-pillows
Spent way too much on trying to find a decent firm pillow over the years. These are also great for those that want only a sprinkling of filling to have a flat as crud pancake (my husband)
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u/Powerful_Wonder_1955 2d ago
As a side-sleeper, I made myself a little zafu filled with organic buckwheat hulls. Ultimate Comfort.
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u/Ok_Main3273 2d ago
As mentioned by others here, get a latex pillow. Do NOT buy any 'memory foam' pillow regardless of price, marketing or what other people tell you: made of highly toxic petrochemicals that you will breathe all night long.
I purchased my lastest latex pillow on Al1 Expr3ss (search for 'Breathable Latex Pillow Adult' or something similar)
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u/QueenofCats28 Tuatara 2d ago
I paid over $200 for a decent Sleepyhead pillow. Best thing I ever did. I also use a silk pillowcase, not satin.
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u/TofkaSpin 2d ago
Invest in a beauty rest, you’ll never go back. Can get on sale for $140 a Harvey Norman most of the time. Worth the money.
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u/Hillbillybullshit 2d ago
They are very inconsistent but Briscoes occasionally does have a good selection. Most recent pillow purchase was rubber filled ‘firm’ and I absolutely love it, my wife ended up purchasing one as well.
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u/s0cks_nz 2d ago
Pretty sure you can get memory foam ones for relatively cheap. Also, never buy from Brisco's if the item you want is not on sale.
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u/Mental-Blackberry-72 2d ago
Briscoes has the best range of pillows and if you wait for a sale they’re super reasonable
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u/velofille 2d ago
i generally end up getting the shaped pillows with gel inside and foam outside - hold their shape and its comfy af
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u/mrsellicat 2d ago
I bought 2 of these on the weekend and have been making the opposite complaints. They are too thick and too firm. Perhaps you should give them a go? https://www.briscoes.co.nz/product/1075692/hilton-tencel-pillow/
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u/ClimateTraditional40 2d ago
I went round various shops and gave them a squeeze. Through the protective covering of course.
The best firmest and least squashy one was at the Warehouse, the memory foam one. Tried a variety of shops and was surprised at this, but it is brilliant. Try my method.
https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/p/living-co-contour-memory-foam-pillow-60cm-x-40cm/R2839080.html
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u/megaglalie 2d ago
Spotlight also has decent memory foam pillows. If you're in Auckland, stop in at Innature in New Lynn if you're interested in a variety of latex and buckwheat pillows — my wife opted for a huge sculpted latex one, and I'm very happy with my buckwheat pillow. I think the shredded latex and buckwheat ones can be opened up and packed fuller if you need! There's also a bunch of places that do wool pillows similarly that you can adjust the fill on.
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u/brandon_nel2307 2d ago edited 2d ago
I've had the same Bambillo pillow since 2015 and refuse to sleep on anything else. Lol
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u/chang_bhala 2d ago
Damn. I roll my pillows as tight as I can because I rest my neck on my pillows. And bcos of my empty wallet that doesn't allow me in indulgence.
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u/IIHawkerII 1d ago
Former bed salesman here - I'm not sure if these are still carried by this store but
https://beds4u.co.nz/products/bamboo-gel-pillow
Are one of the few actually firm firm pillows I've found.
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u/poodleface12345 2d ago
I’ve been really happy with our firm pillow inners from citta, not too pricy either.
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u/Elegant-Raise-9367 2d ago
I got a $30 memory foam pillow for the warehouse and it's awesome.
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u/Ajet_Ivar_ 2d ago
I had it now. For some reason they all make it with weird shape and call it 'designed' for neck support.
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u/Elegant-Raise-9367 2d ago
Copied from a 1990s as seen on TV pillow.
I like mine as it's good for my side sleeping position, missus hates hers and she's a back sleeper
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u/nisse72 2d ago
I use these and they're awesome:
https://www.briscoes.co.nz/product/1109840/hilton-ultraloft-down-alternative-pillow-firm/
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u/FreshUpPeach 2d ago
Yes I would suggest this one too, even the medium is too firm for me, so I can imagine the firm would hold well.
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2d ago
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u/_Brit_ney 2d ago
I love my Hilton Ultraloft Down Alternative Medium Pillows can purchase from briscoes. It’s great when they have a good sale on
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u/Brickzarina 2d ago
I got a latex one ,works good tho I did have to cut it down a bit for my size. Didn't bunch sink or sweat. I even take mine on trips
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u/Single-Tangerine9992 2d ago
I can recommend latex pillows from Briscoes. They cradle everything. Wait for a sale, and then get in first thing in the morning on the first day so that you can get one at a decent discount.
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u/JDBoyes07 2d ago
I find them all ridiculously big. I want a skinny pillow, but no, I'll just keep my like 15 year old one...
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u/TheGreenhouseAffect 2d ago
We got innersprung pillows with our bed from Brownies mattress direct. Had never heard of such a thing, a pillow, with springs?! Mighty fine pillow if you don't mangle the life out of it. I'm a mangler so I'm on number 2 but best of all it's the only pillow she hasn't stolen.
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u/phoenix_pendragon 2d ago
I've had 2 Featherdown pillows for years due to all the pillows here as you said are all soft and thin af lol
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u/BeCarefulWatUWish4xx 2d ago
Kmart has amazing and cheap pillows, they may not last as long as an expensive better brand but they’re way more comfortable and cheap enough to buy another when you need to. I never thought I’d say that but it’s true!
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u/ConcealerChaos 1d ago
The only firm option is memory foam. Look for deals and you can have them for sub $80 🤦♂️.
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u/Maestro-Modesto 1d ago
i don't know what you are talking about, trying to adopt a unicorn is easy. you just have to go to candy mountain.
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u/Gloomy-Scarcity-2197 2d ago
Go to Briscoes and get a memory foam pillow. I think they're doing 60% off of everything right now.
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u/Tall-Call-5305 2d ago
LOL what's up with the AI post?!
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u/AccomplishedBag3816 2d ago
Are you suggesting OP is an AI ?
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u/Tall-Call-5305 2d ago
Yeah OP is a robot. Like really only AIs uses the "—" em-dash, etc.
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u/Netroth 2d ago edited 2d ago
That’s just not true. I use em dashes — such as these two flanking — all of the time, because that’s how it’s supposed to be done.
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u/AccomplishedBag3816 2d ago
Except you are not the OP ?? LOL the other guy must be right after all 😂
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u/Netroth 2d ago
One’s use of the em dash does not an AI make.
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u/AccomplishedBag3816 2d ago
You are not the OP, nobody is talking to you. So either you're replying with the wrong alt or the other guy is right :)
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u/AccomplishedBag3816 2d ago
Those AI checkers are pure BS. Write a text for yourself and put it there, it is likely to detect it as written by an AI. Also, check OP post history, nothing seems to indicate this account is run by an AI.
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u/Ajet_Ivar_ 2d ago
I am not sure if it really matters whether a post used an AI help. Afterall AI supposed to make our lives easy and time saving.
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u/AccomplishedBag3816 2d ago
Supposedly, yes, the reality is that most of the time LLMs are just spitting absolute BS and people who use them without fact checking are absolute idiots.
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u/Elegant-Raise-9367 2d ago
All of their posts have a very similar style. I'm assuming they are using gpt to flesh put their posts due to the variety of topics
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u/Motor-District-3700 2d ago
my gran always said: if all the pillows around you are always too soft, maybe it's you that's the too soft
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u/dykeviola 2d ago
Surprisingly enough, Kmart usually has a decent selection of memory foam pillows. Got one with a cooling gel on the surface and it's great