Firm vs soft pillow: which should you choose?

Firmness affects how much the pillow compresses, which means it changes effective loft as well as feel.

A firmer pillow may suit you if

• You dislike sinking deeply into fill.
• You want a stable sleeping surface.
• You need the pillow to retain more height under load.

A softer pillow may suit you if

• You like a plush, moldable feel.
• You frequently reshape your pillow.
• You prefer more compression.

Do not judge firmness separately from height. A tall soft pillow and a tall firm pillow may behave very differently.