Car pillows in the Philippines: Why some car owners need them and what kind to buy

If we’re being frank about car seating comfort, some cars just lack the necessary equipment or design to fit everyone comfortably. There are cars with seats and headrests that are either too soft, too hard, too bolstered, bulgy, and many other possible complaints.

This is compounded by the universal fact that no two human bodies are the same, and while car engineers are known to toil just to balance out production costs, the price of the car, and comfort, sometimes a car interior’s capability of providing that sweet cushy ride that will please everyone simply cannot be.

This is where car pillows step in

And yes, even the most expensive luxury car’s seats will accrue some sort of nitpicky complaint, but that nitpicky complaint can become a full-blown muscle cramp on long trips.

So what’s a car owner/commuter to do? Well, you could just suck it up and take a beating on your daily commute, or you could be a smart person and get a car pillow.

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I. Kinds of car pillows in the Philippines

If you’ve browsed the many online shopping sites here in the Philippines, then you’ll have seen the hundreds of kinds of car pillows. So let us break down the most common, and arguably the most useful for you.

1. Car neck pillow

For some drivers who are either too short, too tall or whenever they sit inside their cars, their heads don’t rest comfortably on the provided headrest for some reason, driving for long periods of time can cause aches and pains that may even extend as far as the shoulders. So to support one’s neck, we employ neck pillows to support the weights of our heads.

Also, car neck pillows are effective in giving comfort not only for drivers but also for passengers. Do note though that some neck pillow designs will restrict head movement, and that’s something you wouldn’t want when you’re doing the driving.

2. Lumbar support

What even is lumbar support? Why do we need it? Well, lumbar back support helps keep good posture by filling the gap between a driver’s lumbar spine and the car seat. As a result, the natural convex curving part of the lower back is supported.

But what if you don’t have lumbar support? Well, the result is of course bad posture because a human body will tend to slouch or lean forward. This is especially true for long-distance driving, and slouching for a long time will cause a lot of muscle pain, and for the long term, a lot of posture problems.

More premium cars like this Audi S8 will have armrests, lumbar support, and very adjustable headrests

To address this, some cars will have back support built into them. Do note though that not all cars have these, and that this feature is more common on premium vehicles. However, there are some pillows that you can buy that are intended to fulfill the purpose of back support.  

3. Aftermarket armrests

As with lumbar support, some cars will have armrests for the driver, and/or front passenger to rest his/her arms on. This is particularly useful for long drives, or when just sitting tight while waiting for your drive-thru order, or for your significant other to finish his/her shopping. It’s not as important as the prior two but is a great addition to a car without an armrest.

II. The best car pillows to buy online in the Philippines

1. Powerlong Car Seat Headrest Pad

Made out of high-quality materials, the Powerlong Car Seat Headrest Pad is a useful tool for both long-distance and city driving. It offers a comfortable surface to rest your noggin on, and the best part of all, it’s actually mostly made out of memory foam so it will perfectly cup the shape of your head.

Apart from that, this  headrest pillow is very easy to clean, machine washable, and you can even use it on passenger seats (as long as it has a headrest to attach to). It measures 42cm x 28cm x 12cm, can fit most car models, and is very easy to install. And lastly, they don’t look gaudy, and will definitely fit the look of most car interiors.

2. Yi.one.ph Universal Armrest

Made out of memory foam, and covered in high-quality fabric, the Yi.one.ph universal armrest measures 30x16x10 cm. As such, it will fit many car models sold here in the Philippines.

Do note though that some cars don’t have a center console to mount this on. Also, one should also allow for a 1-2 cm margin when installing this item, and one should expect that it’ll be a bit wobbly. That however can be easily addressed by filling up the item’s gaps.

3. Hozada Lumbar Support Pillow

Ergonomic, made out of breathable material, and very portable. The Hozada Lumbar Support Pillow is useful for those suffering from posture problems, or those who want to maintain their posture despite needing to drive for long periods.

The best part of all though is that the Hozada Lumbar Support pillow can be used on multitudes of seats. So apart from your car seat, you can also use this product in your office seat.

4. Travel Pillow Memory Foam with 360-Degree Head Support

The stereotypical u-shaped travel pillow. Ideal for long-distance travel in whatever means of transportation be it on an airplane, or on the passenger seat of one’s family vehicle. Covered in premium fabric, and high-quality foam. Do note though that the 360-degree head support might restrict head movement so this might not be ideal for drivers.

5. Iris Collection Lumbar Support Pillow

Like the other lumbar support pillows on this list, the Iris Collection Lumbar Support pillow is great for keeping away lower back pain and maintaining good posture. It is, however, far more affordable than the previous item, and is covered in a more basic, but still breathable polyester material. Also, its overall shape isn’t that ergonomic, but hey, this car pillow still works great for most body types.

III. FAQs about Car Pillows in the Philippines

Question: Can I use a neck pillow while driving?

Answer: It depends on the design. If it's a u-shaped neck pillow that restricts head movement, that's dangerous. There are however neck pillows that do not restrict side to side head movement.

Question: Which cars have built-in lumbar support?

Answer: Usually, the cars that come with built-in lumbar support are top-of-the-line variants or luxury cars. Some even have car seat headrests, so buying a car pillow for these cars is kind of redundant.

Question: Is there a way to add an armrest to my car?

Answer: Yes, there are aftermarket armrests that you can add to your car. Some cars however lack the means to mount an aftermarket armrest and you might have to consult your car dealership if you want to install one.

Question: Is lumbar support really necessary?

Answer: For some people, sitting for long periods of time will cause significant pain to their lower backs. In such a case, a lumbar support pillow will help greatly.

Question: Can you use your car pillow outside of your car?

Answer: Yes, there are some neck and lumbar support pillows that were intentionally designed to be used on just about any kind of seat.

For more recommended car-related items, and other tips and tricks to maintain your car, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.