Best Pillows UK (2024)

If you're waking up with any pain or tension, you may have a pillow that's not quite right for your sleeping position.

While firmness matters, the right pillow also has to have the right loft. 🗻

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A pillow that's too high or too low for your sleep style will likely leave you in pain.

Best pillows for side sleepers

Side sleepers will do well on a slightly firmer pillow that can give them proper support, or a softer pillow that can be squished up and moulded to fit the space between neck and mattress perfectly.

What's important, though, is that the space between the head, neck, shoulder and the mattress is adequately filled to keep your spine in a neutral position.

This will help your muscles relax and prevent a build-up of pressure points.

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High loft pillows are often a good idea for side sleeping. 🏔

But, the pillow shouldn't be too high.

You never want to feel as if your neck is bending upwards (or downwards).

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The right height will depend on the distance between your neck and shoulders, which is influenced by your overall build and body size.

More petite builds will require a lower loft pillow, but larger builds will do best on a very high loft pillow.

The Kally Sleep adjustable pillow has one of the highest lofts of all pillows, measuring 22 cm (8.6 inches).

BUY KALLY ADJUSTABLE PILLOW£ 49.99

Side sleepers are often prone to pain and tension, so you could also consider one of the best pillows for neck pain to help with this.

Best pillows for back sleepers

Back sleepers do best on medium-firm pillows of a medium-high loft.

The pillow should be low enough to align your upper spine.

If you feel like your neck is bending up, you need a lower or softer pillow.

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In contrast, if you feel like your neck is bending down or your head is falling back, you need a slightly higher and firmer pillow.

The Panda pillow is a good medium-firm, medium loft pillow that should suit back sleepers and even most side sleepers really well!

15% OFF PANDA PILLOW

Best pillows for stomach sleepers

We wouldn't recommend sleeping on your stomach as it's likely to cause increased neck and shoulder tension.

This is because your head will always have to be turned to one side so that you can breathe properly. 👃

Naturally, this will result in a build-up of tension, leading to agony over a period of time.

If you do sleep on your stomach, though, you should be sleeping on a soft, low loft pillow.

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You can also opt for an adjustable pillow, like the Emma Original Pillow, and keep only one memory foam layer.

Alternatively, you can also try sleeping without a pillow.

Combination sleepers

Most people are combination sleepers, changing sleep positions quite regularly throughout the night. 🕺

A medium-firm pillow of medium height would be the best choice.

It's also a good idea to invest in two different pillows so that you can move between them if necessary.

Pillows will always consist of an outer fabric envelope filled with materials of either natural or synthetic origin.

There are many materials a pillow could be made from. 🌎

There is no right or wrong choice, but you'll need to find the one that works best for you.

Below, we'll look at some of the most common pillow filling materials. 👇

What are the best cotton pillows?

Cotton pillows are very traditional.

They're cheap and readily available, but not always the best choice.

Cotton pillows tend to absorb heat and flatten out quite quickly. 😕

What are the best microfibre and hollowfibre pillows?

Microfibre and hollowfibre are both synthetic materials. 🧪

Both are made of polyester, though microfibre is more finely woven.

Polyester pillows are among the cheapest pillows on the market.

They're very lightweight and come in a range of heights and firmness levels. 🤩

This is very convenient, as you're likely to find a microfibre pillow that's perfect for you.

These synthetic pillows are usually also hypoallergenic, making them suitable for people prone to allergies. 🤧

On the downside, they tend to retain moisture and heat, and they aren't very breathable. ♨️

This can be uncomfortable for very hot sleepers.

They also tend to flatten out quickly and have the shortest life span of all.

Some cheap synthetic pillows may last less than a year!

If you're going for a polyester pillow, we'd suggest you stick to a very high-quality down-alternative microfibre pillow, like the Emma Sleep Premium Microfibre pillow.

What are the best feather pillows UK?

Down and feather pillows are naturally soft and very comfortable.

They're also mouldable, breathable, and long-lasting. 💨

Down pillows are often considered the best luxury pillows - they're much softer and more luxurious.

They are made from the feathers from the softer, fluffier layers underneath the bird's outer feathers.

Down pillows have to consist of at least 70% down feathers.

The rest can be made up of regular feathers.

• Duck feathers and goose feathers are very popular choices.
• Hungarian goose down, in particular, is a luxurious option.

Even though down and feather pillows are comfortable and long-lasting, they flatten out over time and need frequent refluffing. ☁️

This isn't the best choice for side sleepers, who require a slightly higher, firmer pillow.

Feather pillows may be made of natural materials, but they are not suitable for vegans or people prone to allergies. 🌱

You can occasionally find anti-allergy options where the pillow has been chemically treated to reduce the risk of allergies.

What are the best memory foam pillows?

Memory foam is a synthetic material that softens with temperature and moulds to the shape of the sleeper's body.

Memory foam pillows offer good pressure relief, making them a great choice for anyone struggling with pain and tension.

They're also very durable and likely to last a long time. 🗓

Memory foam is also hypoallergenic, making memory foam pillows great for allergy sufferers.

On the downside, memory foam pillows retain heat and limit airflow. 🥵

They can get very hot and uncomfortable, especially if you're sensitive to temperature.

They can also feel quite firm and rigid and often don't squash sufficiently to adjust height.

This makes them better suited for back and side sleepers.

Of course, there are a few customisable height-adjustable memory foam pillows and shredded memory foam pillows on the market.

The Simba Hybrid pillow is a great option.

20% OFF SIMBA HYBRID PILLOW

What are the best wool pillows?

Wool pillows are an excellent choice for anyone looking for an eco-friendly and naturally hypoallergenic pillow. 🌎

They're also dust-mite-resistant.

Wool helps regulate temperature, keeping you cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Wool pillows are usually firm, supportive, and have a lower loft, making them suitable for front sleepers.

On the downside, they flatten out quickly and can be very heavy.

The Woolroom Deluxe Natural Wool Pillow is a great all-natural option that acts as a down and feather alternative. 🐑

You can even adjust the filling to suit your preferences!

BUY WOOLROOM PILLOW£ 55.24

What are the best latex pillows?

Latex is a costly natural material with properties similar to memory foam. 💰

Latex pillows are also firm, durable, supportive, and hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for people with pain or those prone to allergies.

They're also much more breathable than memory foam pillows.

On the downside, latex pillows are very expensive and exceedingly difficult to find.

What are the best bamboo pillows?

Bamboo pillows are becoming increasingly popular, but very few are actually made of 100% bamboo. 🌱

You're more likely to find memory foam or microfibre pillows with bamboo covers, like the Panda Bamboo Memory Foam pillow.

15% OFF PANDA PILLOW

Bamboo pillows have numerous advantages:

• They're hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial.
• They're breathable and temperature-regulating.
• They offer silky-soft comfort.
• They're eco-friendly and sustainable.

On the downside, not all bamboo pillows are created equal.

Some are less sustainably produced than they claim to be.

Additionally, many pure bamboo pillows can be exceedingly firm, which isn't great for all types of sleepers.

Synthetic materials are best if you struggle with severe allergies.

People usually react to feathers or dust mites living within the pillow.

Of course, if you have a latex allergy, latex pillows will also be a problem.

Just because you have an allergy, though, doesn't mean you have to stay away from pillows made from natural materials.

You will be able to find anti-allergy pillows made from natural materials.

There is a distinction between anti-allergy pillows and hypoallergenic pillows:

• Hypoallergenic: The actual material and filling of the pillow aren't made of a known potential allergen, like feathers, wool, or latex. But other allergens, like dust mites, can still develop.
• Anti-allergy: The pillow is treated with a chemical to combat the development of dust mites. Anti-allergy pillows are great if you have asthma, eczema or rhinitis.

Dust mites can be killed by washing at temperatures of 60℃ or higher.

We would also recommend investing in a pillow protector to better protect you from your pillow and vice versa, and to opt for natural cases - like silk pillowcases - for additional anti-bacterial properties.

Our recommended pillow protector:

Pillows haven’t changed much in shape and dimensions — but they have certainly benefited from technological innovations in their fillings.

You can choose anything from traditional wool, feather, or down pillows or opt for a newer model filled with memory foam or microfibres, nanotubes, etc.

Down pillows are generally regarded as the top choice, but memory foam pillows can also be a great option if you're looking for firmer support.

Regardless of whether you prefer natural or synthetic models, you’re guaranteed to find a pillow that’s perfect for you.

While, ultimately, the choice of pillows is a personal one, we still believe that some pillows do a better job than others.

The best pillows in the UK: