WHO doesn’t love a really good sleep? I’m a total sleep addict- I’ll Irish exit any party so I can get home to my lovely, warm, comfortable bed and sink into a deep sleep while my friends keep the party going without me.
When I’m in bed, there’s zero FOMO going on…it’s me, my soft duvet, memory foam mattress and a pillow that causes zero next-day neck pain.
But it’s the pillow situation that has always stumped me. I’m one of those people who has several different pillows, as well as an array of cushions scattered on the duvet, so I’m spoilt for choice when I slither into my bed at night. However, I still struggle to find that perfect pillow that will hug my weary head as I sleep.
Turns out, different pillows are suited to different people. Oh, and let me tell you, there are so many pillows to choose from. I rated an array of pillows, from high street to high end, spending a night on each and assessing how I felt the next day.
Best pillows at a glance:
- Best overall pillow: Feather and Black
- Best silk pillow: Opera beds
- Best body pillow: Simba
- Best adjustable pillow: Emma
- Best for alignment: Groove
Feather and Black
Feather and Black Soft as Down Deluxe Pillow Pair, £59
How to de-clutter if you have a beauty stash to last you a lifetime
Pros: High thread count cover, really does feel like down, come as a pair
Cons: I cannot think of one!
Rating: 5/5
Want down, but without the down? Well, this Feather and Black offering could be the one for you. And as I lay my head on the pillow, it literally melted into the fake down filling, which really does feel like the real thing.
This pillow is filled with synthetic fillings that feel like natural fillings, so it’s great for allergy sufferers who might not cope well with animal-based pillow fillings.
Feather and Down says that the super-soft microfibre fillings are ‘wonderfully cushioning, with a medium comfort grade to ensure your neck and shoulders are well-supported’.
Yes, they are cushioned wonderfully. They feel quite luxurious, a bit like hotel-style pillows.
Oh, and another bonus is that the cover is a pure cotton 233 thread count cover.
I love the fact that these pillows come as a pair; it just makes more sense, and it seems cheaper too.
George
George Home Luxury Duck Feather Pillow 2-Pack, £25
I’m a savvy shopper – best time to shop for Xmas 2023 is sooner than you think
Pros: Luxury, at a great price, comes as a pair, super soft and comfy
Cons: Might be too flat for some, not good for those with allergies
Rating: 5/5
OK, now we’re talking. These George Home pillows are affordable luxury with their duck feather filling and super soft cotton covers.
My head sank into these and I really did feel comfortable and at ease.
I love the fact that these aren’t overly thick - I like flatter pillows and these George Duck pillows are flatter than many of the others I have tried.
Although you can feel the duck feathers inside, it’s not too bad and with a pillow cover on so you’d never know about the feathers. George says these are made for back sleepers, which may explain why I was so comfortable resting on them, as a side sleeper myself.
Also, there really is no arguing that the price of these pillows is brilliant especially as you get a two-pack. This might just prove that you don't need to spend a total fortune on duck feather-filled pillows.
Tielle
TielleLoveLuxury The original Standard, £64
Pros: Used by 5-star hotels, super soft, feel really crisp
Cons: Sold individually
Rating: 5/5
Hotel pillows rock. So for a taste of hotel life at home, you need to get your hands on this pillow which is made with a blend of 70% duck feather and 30% duck down. These pillows are used by some of the swankiest hotels including Claridge’s and The Pig Hotels.
I was warned that as this is a natural product, it may have a slight odour, so 48 hours of airing was recommended. I didn’t notice an odour however. What I did notice was how crisp and clean these felt; yes, I can definitely sense that hotel vibe from these pillows.
I like the fact that the cover is Dust Mite Proof with a 230 Thread Count; it really does feel luxurious.
The pillows come in white cotton tie bags (again, useful bags for storage!), and the pillows themselves are just the right level of firmness. You can’t really feel the feathers inside which is great, and the cover is super soft.
The only pitfall is that yet again, they’re sold individually, so expect to pay double for a pair.
Ostrichpillow
Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow, £55
Pros: Comfortable for travel, folds down small~
Cons: None really!
Rating: 5/ 5
I travel a lot and really struggle with neck pain on those bolt-upright economy seats. A neck pillow is the solution I’ve always found but finding a good one that can fold down into something small is tricky.
Thankfully, this Ostrich Pillow is brilliant as it condenses to 60% of its volume.
It also comes with a handy travel bag and the sleeve is washable, which is always useful after a trip away where you may have picked up all sorts of germs.
The pillow itself is great; it offered me full support and was so easy to carry and store. Honestly, a godsend for journeys and I didn’t end up with a sore neck or sore shoulders.
Piglet in Bed
Piglet in Bed Merino Wool Pillow, £85
Pros: Very soft, you can choose your ideal pillow firmness
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 5 / 5
Filled with 700g of 100% carded Merino Sheep's Wool and encased in 100% Organic cotton, these are incredibly soft pillows. As in, really, really soft. Piglet in Bed says that the materials have been selected to help regulate temperature and support a restful, deep sleep. So they’re great if you’re someone who perhaps overheats in bed.
In fact, these are a bit like sleeping on a cloud; quite weightless, and my head really did settle into the pillow.
I like that these are available in three levels of firmness, so you’ll be able to find a pillow that suits you. The firmer pillow contains more merino wool whilst the softer contains 700g. Of course, the major pitfall is the price; an eye-watering £80 for one pillow.
READ MORE:
- Simba Pillow review
- Best heated throws
- Mahabis review
- Nectar mattress review
Floks
Floks Wool Pillow, £60
Pros: Hypoallergenic, comes in a great big canvas bag, designed and made in the UK
Cons: Comes as a single
Rating: 5 / 5
I opted for the regular size of this pillow in soft. FYI: There’s a choice of soft or medium.
It’s hypoallergenic (ideal for anyone who suffers from asthma and allergies) and temperature-regulating (great if you’re a hot sleeper) according to Floks. Plus, it’s made from soft British wool and organic cotton whilst also being designed, manufactured and finished in the UK, so not only is it comfy but it’s 100% sustainable too.
The pillow is super soft and when I lay down, my head slowly sunk down. It’s pretty blissful, to be honest, plus the pillow is nice and cooling. However, for £60, I should hope it’s incredibly comfy!
The bag that this pillow comes in is one of the highlights of the overall thing; it’s a huge canvas-style bag with a pull cord and straps. It’s such a handy bag for storing this and that - I am super impressed.
Groove
Groove Pain Relief Pillow, £29.95
Pros: Great for anyone suffering from neck and shoulder pain, super support for the spine, ergonomic dips
Cons: Very different to a regular pillow so might not fit so well on your bed
Rating: 4.5 /5
The Groove memory foam pillow came rolled up in a plastic wrapper, inside a small box, which I liked as there was minimal packaging. Upon opening the pillow, I didn’t really understand what the hype was; it just looked like a rectangular, memory foam pillow.
But then I lay down on it and oh wow. Firstly I lay on my back. The special groove for the head meant that my neck, head and spine were totally aligned. It actually felt really comfortable straight away. I also tried lying on my side. For side sleepers, the slightly raised sides of the pillow have small grooves underneath for shoulders, again meaning that the entire spine is aligned.
Groove says that not only does this pillow help with posture thanks to the well placed ergonomic dips, but it also helps to reduce headaches and shoulder pain by properly supporting your spine.
Groove Pillow also does a 100-night free trial, so if it doesn't work for you, simply return it and get your money back.
I’m a big fan of this, however, my only bugbear is that it doesn’t look like other pillows…so when it’s sitting on my bed, it does look out of place. But, I guess I would rather have a good night’s sleep and a pain-free back then a bed of perfectly proportioned pillows. This pillow is also well-priced I reckon, considering how good it is.
Opera
Opera Beds Premium Lightweight Silk Pillow, £85
Pros: Silk is kinder on skin and hair, super soft, silver piping around the edge
Cons: Very expensive for one
Rating: 4.5 / 5
If it’s luxury you’re after, then I’d recommend this one. I love silk pillowcases; ever since I heard that they’re kinder to your facial skin and hair, I’ve enveloped my pillows in silk cases. Yes, they undoubtedly cost more, but honestly, they do feel different when you’re sinking into a deep sleep.
And, as someone who sweats in the night, I will do anything to ensure my facial skin doesn’t feel clammy.
Opera Beds says this pillow is thermo-regulating and made with lightweight Mulberry silk. Sensitive skin? This might be a good option as this pillow is naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-absorbent.
I like how my head sank into the pillow, to the point where I was pretty flat against the bed, and my spine felt super aligned. This is important for posture and to avoid that awful pain you get after sleeping in a weird position.
The only thing that really stops this from being a full 5 out 5 is the price…it’s very expensive and you only get one in a pack which is slightly annoying.
Simba
Simba Stratos Pillow, £60 - buy here
Pros: Supportive, cooling technology, hypoallergenic
Cons: None
Rating: 4/ 5
Simba's Stratos pillow is soft but ensured that my head and neck felt super supported. Plus, the pillow is fairly flat too.
It's filled with Simba Renew Bio which is a breathable filler, helping you avoid the hot, sweaty night feeling that you may experience. The fibres are also anti-allergenic, great for those who suffer from allergies.
The washable cover contains Stratos cool-touch technology, helping to avoid nighttime overheating. I definitely noticed that one side was far cooler.
I loved that this pillow arrived in a strong bag. Not only is this useful for storing the pillow, should I need to pack it away for whatever reason, but it’s one of those generally useful bags to store anything and everything.
Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pillow
Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pillow, £89.95
Pros: Large, good height, soft but supportive, removable and washable cover, 10-year guarantee
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 4/5
I love that this pillow seems so big – lots of space for moving around in my sleep – yet it’s the same size as my other pillows! It’s soft to the touch and cool on my face, which has been lovely during the recent warm spell.
It’s made from a bamboo charcoal-infused memory foam core and a quilted hypoallergenic bamboo cover, which is removable for washing. The foam is not solid, but incorporates holes to help dissipate the heat that builds up while you sleep and together with the mesh sections of the bamboo cover, help the air to circulate.
Whenever I’ve used memory foam pillows in the past, I’ve found them too hard and too high. This one is more structured than my regular pillows, but it’s not so high it makes my neck ache. It’s also soft – in a memory foam kind of way – and is comfortable whether I’m sleeping on my side or my back.
However, I would say it does take a bit of getting used to if like me, you’re used to squishy, synthetic pillows bought from the local supermarket. It took a good one to two weeks for me to get used to it and even now at times I still swap it out during the night for a flatter alternative.
It’s good to know though that while I’m sleeping on it my spine and neck are in alignment and properly supported. I think it’s because of that – and because of the Panda mattress I’ve been testing – that I’ve suffered from fewer aches and pains on getting up in the morning recently.
This pillow is pricey, but at the same time, it comes with a 10-year guarantee. I have no doubt it will last ages and when I think about how much money I’ve spent on cheap pillows over the years, I’m not convinced it won’t actually work out to be less expensive.
Size: 70 x 40 x 13cm, Filling: Orthopaedic-grade bamboo charcoal-infused memory foam, Cover: 100% organic bamboo cover with 80% bamboo and 20% recycled nano microfibre quilting
Review by Lisa Burn
Simba
Simba Cooling Body Pillow, £109
Pros: Good for pregnancy and nursing, washable cover
Cons: High price point, takes up a lot of space on the bed
Rating: 4 / 5
I’ve been a Simba fan for a while, ever since I invested in one of their memory foam mattresses and realised what true comfort was.
This long, slightly curved body pillow is often seen on the bed of pregnant women who need the extra support; however, side sleepers can also benefit from this. Simba says this pillow has been designed to provide ‘comfortable hip and spinal alignment’, as well as offering great back support if you sit up in bed.
It’s also got a removable, washable cover which contains Stratos cool-touch technology, AKA, tech that stops you overheating. In fact, I could definitely feel the cool touch on one side of this pillow.
And, the down-like clusters within the pillow of Simba Renew Bio fibres are breathable, and so cushioned.
Simba says that to use this pillow, it’s best to hug it with your arms and arrange your legs around the bottom with one leg on top, knee slightly bent, and the other underneath and a little straighter. I got into position and really felt full support from this pillow. It’s super soft to hold and very comfortable. The only real problem with one of these pillows is where to store it!
Emma
Emma Premium Pillow £145/ in sale £65.25
Pros: Removable and washable moisture-resistant cover, layers can be removed and changed to suit you
Cons: Very expensive!
Rating: 4/ 5
So the original price of this pillow is actually eye-watering. But, in the sale, I guess it’s just about acceptable, but of course it depends on your budget.
Equally, my dad always used to tell me that it’s best to spend good money on your shoes and your bed because you’re always in one or the other!
Anyway, this pillow certainly lives up to its premium name as it’s temperature regulating, is filled with removable layers, and stays fresh and clean.
The removable layers essentially mean you can adjust the pillow to suit you.
I won’t lie, I did love this pillow.
Emma says that it’s best to keep all three of the layers for side sleepers, two to three layers for back sleepers, and just one layer for stomach sleepers.
A word on the layers:
There's a foam layer that regulates temperature. I’d say this was great for women who are struggling with menopausal or general hormonal night sweats. There’s a layer that gives extra support thanks to HRX (high Resiliency Extra) Foam. Then there’s the softest foam later which Emma says is ‘comfortable and breathable’. These layers were easy to remove and replace.
I like that the knitted white fabric of the pillow is nice and breathable. There’s nothing worse than a hot, sweaty sleep.
There’s also some serious memory foam action here - I felt so supported on my side, with all three of the layers. Because of the memory foam though, you may find this pillow a little harder than others, so whether you enjoy the pillow or not is really down to personal preference.
Silentnight
Silentnight Deep Sleep Pillow 2 Pack at Sleepy People, £17.99
Pros: Affordable, come in a pair
Cons: Basic filling
Rating: 4 / 5
Hoorah, you’ll get change from a twenty with this pack of pillows. Silentnight is a classic UK bedtime brand that I have always found to be reliable and of good quality. These pillows are made in the UK and come with a two-year manufacturer’s guarantee so you have peace of mind should anything go wrong.
They’re filled with hollow fibres and wrapped in soft-touch covers. I can vouch that they’re soft.
They’re also great for allergy sufferers as they’re hypoallergenic and kind to skin. I love that they come in a pair AND they’re affordable. It’s a win win. But, keep in mind that these are basic pillows so there are no fancy frills or luxurious animal feathers.
Terry's
Terry’s Classic Duck Feather pillows, £119.95
Pros: Come as a pair, super soft, just the right height off the mattress
Cons: Expensive, you might feel the feathers, not ideal for allergy sufferers
Rating: 4/5
OK, so if you want some real fancy-pants pillows, then these duck feather-filled pillows might be your best bet.
These come as a pair, which is something I really rate, especially for the cost. I’d be pretty peeved to pay this much for one pillow! They also come in a lovely zip bag, useful for storage.
I noticed straight away that the pillows themselves are very soft and my head really did sink down into them. They’re also not too ‘big’, so my head wasn’t raised too high off the mattress when I lay down. I find that having my head too lifted can lead to neck pain.
Plus, these pillows aren’t too firm either, which I like, and they have just the right amount of plumpness about them. However, in saying this, I think I prefer the pillows filled with down as you can feel the feathers inside this pillow which gets a little off-putting. However, I am incredibly sensitive to everything so this might just be me.
This pillow set also includes a high 233 thread count; it’s like a little bit of bedtime luxury.
Terry's
Terry’s Simply Sleep Anti Allergy Microfibre Pillow, £89.95
Pros: Comes in handy zip bag with handles, great for allergy sufferers
Cons: Comes a single, not a pair, expensive
Rating: 4/5
Another ‘just like down’ pillow, that mimics a down filling, and in my opinion, does a great job at it. Although I should hope so as the price of this single pillow made my eyes water slightly.
Anyway, the fake down means that allergy sufferers can sleep peacefully but also have the same level of comfort as those sleeping on a real down pillow.
Terry’s says that the filling fibres have also been coated with an antibacterial coating, making this even more comfortable for those with allergies.
As I lay my head on this pillow I really did feel like I could fall asleep. Honestly, it is incredibly soft; my head sunk down but my head and neck also felt supported. I got that feeling you get after a long day at work, where you melt into bed and just drift off into a deep slumber.
This pillow maintains its quality feel with a 233 thread count and a piped case, which Terry’s rightly describes as ‘ultimate elegance’.
George
George Home Soft Touch Soft Comfort Pillow Pair, £7
Pros: Affordable, soft and comfortable
Cons: Basic
Rating: 3.5/5
A pair of classic pillows that will give you change from a tenner, George says that these pillows are ideal for people who sleep on their front. The cover is soft and they aren’t hard or overly firm, instead, they’re a nice soft pair of pillows that fit inside a regular pillow case.
Look, they’re comfy and I might have loved sleeping on these when I was younger (and I could basically sleep anywhere, in any position) but as I’m older now I do look for a little more support.
Although these pillows tick the basic boxes, if you need extra support or want that luxury feeling at night, then maybe consider a different pillow.
In saying this, for £7, you really can't expect the world, and these pillows work.
The types of pillows
“From cotton to latex, pillows can be made of various materials, however, some of the best known are probably down, feather, microfibre and memory foam,” says Theresa Schnorbach is the sleep expert at The Sleep Company, Emma.
“Down pillows are filled with the soft fibres close to the skin of birds such as geese, ducks or swans. Similarly, feather pillows use feathers from the wings and backs of ducks and geese as filling.”
Theresa adds that due to their animal origin, these types of pillows might not be right for everyone.
“Vegans, for example, may prefer another choice and for some, these types of pillows could potentially cause allergic reactions.”
“There are synthetic alternatives to down, such as microfibre pillows, which offer the same level of comfort but can also be machine-washable. Memory foam is another popular choice thanks to its cushiony support.”
The best pillow for you
“Your pillow helps to align your spine as you sleep which is why a bad one can cause neck pain and tightness elsewhere in the body,” explains Theresa.
“It can also impact your quality of sleep, which is why it's important to find the right pillow for your sleep style and body.”
Theresa reveals: “Back sleepers need a pillow of medium height and softness. Memory foam is a great choice here as the material conforms to the pressure of your neck and shoulders. This will support your neck and shoulders to ensure you don’t wake up with tight or knotted shoulders.”
Side sleeper?
"This position is at risk of spine misalignment and pain without the right support,” says Theresa. She recommends a pillow created from firm material to avoid sinking into the pillow.
“You need a firm and tall pillow, as thick as the distance between your shoulder and ear so that your head, neck and spine are all held in the proper alignment.”
Stomach sleepers may not even need a pillow, or opt for a very soft one.
“Anything too high will cause neck straining and extra pressure on the lower back and abdomen,” says Theresa. You might want to try a pillow under the stomach and pelvis instead of under your head.
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