What Is A Gusseted Pillow? (Explained)

 

A pillow plays an important role when it comes to the quality of your sleep.

It could interrupt your sleep if it doesn’t have the right shape, density, or texture.

You might even wake with a sore neck or back because it doesn’t support your spine.

One pillow you might consider buying is a gusseted pillow.

Before you buy a gusseted pillow, it’s worth determining what it is and whether it’s beneficial or not.

 

What Is A Gusseted Pillow?

 

A gusseted pillow is a type of pillow that has an extra piece of fabric on it.

Usually, this piece of fabric wraps around the edge of the pillow.

Its purpose is to give further structure and length to a pillow.

You’ll often find gusseted pillows in hotels.

They add a touch of luxury.

Sometimes the extra piece of fabric has a different pattern or print than the rest of the pillow.

Other times, it’s the same color as the pillow.

Those that use a different print tend to be more expensive since it costs more to make printed fabric than non-printed fabric.

Depending on a few factors, you might find that a gusseted pillow is perfect for your needs.

 

What Are The Advantages Of A Gusseted Pillow?

 

If you’ve never used a gusseted pillow before, then you might wonder how its design and structure can benefit you.

You might wonder if it’s really different from any other type of pillow.

Here are a few advantages to consider to help you decide whether you should buy a gusseted pillow.

 

1. Better Spine Support

 

One of the best benefits that you might receive from your gusseted pillow is better spine support.

Spine support is important when you’re sleeping.

If you often wake up with back pain, neck pain, or even joint pain, then your pillow may be to blame.

When you sleep, your body sustains the force of gravity.

You’re usually stretched out on either your side, back, or stomach.

With gravity pushing down on you, it means your spine is taking the brunt of the weight.

Without proper support, your spine is doing all the work on its own.

However, with the right pillow, you can cushion your spine and support it.

That extra support can alleviate the tension in your body and make you feel refreshed when you wake.

One of the benefits of a gusseted pillow is that it can provide this sort of support.

Because of the extra fabric panel that they have, gusseted pillows tend to be a bit firmer than regular pillows.

They hold their structure well.

As such, they give your spine and neck more support.

Because of their height and structure, a lot of people will suggest using a gusseted pillow if you’re a side sleeper.

Its shape, size, and structure can provide the right support.

When you have the right support, you will likely wake up with reduced back pain and neck pain, and even fewer headaches.

You might not even feel pain at all.

If you wake up in pain, then you might want to try a gusseted pillow.

 

2. Holds Shape Better

 

Another benefit of a gusseted pillow is that it holds its shape well.

Pillows that lose their shape is a common problem.

After you buy a new pillow, it might only last for a few months before it starts to deflate.

Part of the reason it starts to flatten is that it lacks structure from the pillowcase.

Standard pillows use pillowcases with an open end.

The open-ended structure allows pillows to flatten out.

There’s nothing holding the filling together.

Gusseted pillows, on the other hand, have extra fabric panels to keep them together.

This maintains the structure and keeps the pillow from flattening out.

Gusseted pillows typically have more filling than standard pillows, so the filing has less room to spread out and flatten.

As a result, the pillow remains firm and cushioned for quite some time.

You might find that you have to replace your gusseted pillows far less often than standard pillows.

Not only does that save you money, but it also means you’re probably enjoying more nights of relaxing sleep, too.

Flat pillows aren’t ideal for your spinal health.

They don’t provide the support that your back and neck need.

As such, you might experience pain when you wake up.

Since gusseted pillows hold their structure and don’t flatten quickly, you can enjoy more nights of pleasant sleep.

 

3. Can Help Keep Your Pillow Cool

 

A final benefit of using a gusseted pillow is that it can help keep your head cool.

One problem you might have when you sleep is that your pillow becomes hot.

Your head might generate heat when you sleep.

When you wake up, you might find that your pillow is wet from your sweat.

Besides being unpleasant and smelly, it can also impact your quality of sleep.

Gusseted pillows are better at staying cool than standard pillows.

Part of that is because of their ability to maintain their structure.

Since these pillows are bigger and thicker, the heat has more area to absorb through and transfer through.

Your pillow stays cooler as a result.

With standard pillows, there isn’t a lot of density or structure.

That keeps the heat right against your face and head rather than deep into the pillow and away from your head.

If you’re someone who needs to feel cool in order to sleep, then you might enjoy a gusseted pillow.

 

What Are The Disadvantages Of A Gusseted Pillow?

 

While there are quite a few benefits of using a gusseted pillow, it does have its problems as well.

To ensure you’re making the right decision about using a gusseted pillow, here are a few disadvantages you should be aware of.

 

1. More Expensive

 

One of the problems you’ll face with a gusseted pillow is that they tend to be more expensive than standard pillows.

The fact that they are made of extra pieces of fabric is part of the reason they’re more expensive.

Since they use more materials, they’re going to have higher production costs.

That’s especially true if the particular type of material the pillow is made of is expensive.

Silk or high-quality cotton gusseted pillows, for example, are going to be more expensive than low-quality cotton gusseted pillows.

You might find that gusseted pillows are too expensive for your budget.

 

2. Might Not Be Ideal For Smaller Beds

 

Because gusseted pillows are larger, they may not be ideal for those who have small beds.

The extra panels allow the pillow to expand a bit.

If you have a small bed and you’re sharing it with another person who also has a gusseted pillow, then you might find that both your pillows don’t fit comfortably.

Gusseted pillows are geared toward those who have larger beds or who sleep alone.

However, if you and your partner don’t mind having your pillows touching, then you’ll probably have no problems.

For those who like their space in bed, you might find a gusseted pillow to be too large for your cramped sleeping space.

 

3. Doesn’t Always Provide Support

 

A final disadvantage of gusseted pillows is that they don’t always provide the support that you need.

While they’re ideal for side sleepers, they may not have the same effect for people who sleep on their back or their stomach.

Those who sleep on their back might find that the pillow is too dense.

It might cause them to sleep with their chin pressed against their chest.

Those who sleep on their stomachs might find that the pillow presses against their face too much, making it difficult to breathe.

As such, a gusseted pillow may not provide the right support or comfort for you depending on how you sleep.