Best 10 Pillows
As Of February 2021
Is your neck sore or in pain every time you get out of bed? Believe it or not, your pillow could be the leading cause of your lack of a good night of sleep.
When you lie in bed, do you feel like your pillow is too thick or too soft for your taste? There is plenty you can do about it, starting with finding the perfect pillow. Keep scrolling & you will!
We did the
Best pillow overall
- Adapts to your sleeping style thanks to the nanocubes technology
- Adjust pillow filling to suit your firmness & height needs
- 2 different material sides cool & soft to choose from
- Highly breathable with Strato fabric for regulating temperature
Best for side sleepers
- Firm support design for cosy side or back sleeping position
- Cleaning is a piece of cake as it’s machine washable at 40°C & dryer friendly
- Sleep tight with its soft cover for a smooth & breathable feel
- Great pack of 2 pillows with anti-allergenic feature
Best microfibre pillows
- Hollow fibres that make it soft & bounce back to shape
- Machine washable for easy maintenance
- 2 pillows to use as one or combined for soft to medium firmness
- Durable eco-friendly pillow made from recycled materials, with a 2-year warranty
Best for stomach sleepers
- Microfiber filling with soft to medium-firm design for side sleepers
- If you have allergies then go for this hypoallergenic pillow
- Controls temperature to keep you warm or cold throughout the night
- Effortless cleaning by just machine washing it
Best for a mixed sleeper
- Versatile hollow fibre filling for back, side & front sleeping
- Comfortable with polyester material provides firm neck support
- Soft & breathable cover for a good night’s sleep
- Throw it in the washing machine & keep bacteria & dust mites away
Best anti-allergic pillow
- Top choice for allergy sufferers as it reduces bacteria & dust mite buildup
- Great firm support for side or back sleep position
- Clean & use it the same day using a machine wash & tumble dryer
- One for you & one for your partner large-sized pillows
Ideal for an eco-friendly choice
- Eco-friendly pillow made from 100% recycled material
- Fluff hollow fibre filling offers a soft feel for front sleep position
- Has great breathability made of polyester with cotton cover
- Good quality hypoallergenic pillow for alleviating allergies
Best orthopaedic pillow
- The V-shape design offers excellent personalised support for your head, neck & back
- Use it on a chair when travelling or when pregnant
- Non-allergic fillings reduce chances of allergic reactions
- Ideal temperature with its high breathability cotton material
Best goose down pillow
- No allergic reactions, it's hypoallergenic & hygienically treated
- Durable with double stitching to keep the goose down filling in place
- Firm but soft feel with goose feather filling for front & side sleep
- Super comfy with its soft & breathable cotton case
Best adjustable pillow
- Remove or add filling wool easily with the zip tag
- Natural anti-allergy & hypoallergenic wool keeps bacteria & dust mites away
- Loose wool filling enhances airflow for great moisture wicking
- Firm filling & material to withstand washing in a machine
Pick The Best Pillow For A Good Night’s Sleep
As many experts are recommending, a good night of sleep is the epitome of a healthy life. You might keep up with all the fitness and wellness routines, you can lay your hands on, but if you are not getting enough sleep, then all the rest will be for nothing.
When was the last time you had a sweet, comfy and restful night of sleep? You woke up in the morning and could feel it was a good night? No backaches with your neck not in pain from all the straining. Funny enough, many of us experience this but never think much about our pillows being the cause of it. The truth is, the pillow could either be too thick, too soft, or too high to allow such comfort. Most of us have already invested in the best mattresses and bed sheets the UK market can offer. But we are still lacking the good night sleep that led us into investing in such bed items.
A pillow, although not well thought of before, is an essential asset for your bedroom. A good pillow is not hard to come by, and there are plenty of excellent options out there. That's getting one requires much consideration, to ensure you know what to look for.
This buying guide is here to help you with the decision! It offers you a better perspective on what to look for when shopping for a pillow and gives you the best options to consider.
What are the benefits of using the right pillow?
It is not only your mattress that determines whether you sleep soundly and wake up to a painless morning. A pillow plays a role, too. And, with the right pillow, you can say goodbye to a sore and stiff neck in the morning.
Pillows also play a role in maintaining your spine's structure, from your head to the neck and lower back. Without the right pillow, there will be no proper alignment of this structure, leading to lower back pains for most people.
What types of pillows are there?
There are a few different pillow types you need to consider before you place one in your basket. Here is our list to help you pick the best one for you:
Microfibre
Microfibre pillows also referred to as polyester or synthetic, are some of the most common and affordable pillow types. They are lightweight, hypoallergenic and will come in various heights and firmness levels.
These pillows are ideal for any sleeping position. Unfortunately, they tend to retain a lot of heat and moisture, meaning you will not have much breathability during the hot nights. They are also not that durable, lasting less than a year, as the filling tends to flatten fast.
Memory Foam
Just like memory foam mattresses, the pillows are very popular for their ability to adapt to the shape of your head, neck and shoulders. This moulding design offers excellent support for the upper side of the body, making it an ideal choice for a still sleeper or if you have neck pain. Memory foam pillows are durable and require little maintenance compared to others like the feather and down pillows.
On the flip-side, you cannot adjust the height of memory foam pillows. Unless you sleep on the side or back, this pillow will not be comfortable for you. They are also not great on breathability, especially during the summer.
Latex
A great alternative to the memory foam is a latex pillow, although they are not as common as their counterparts. These are also durable, strong and firm with excellent support, making them a perfect choice for anyone with neck pains. Latex is also a naturally hypoallergenic material, so you will not have allergic reactions to the material.
What makes latex pillows better than memory foam pillows is their breathability and the ability to regulate temperatures. Latex pillows are on the higher end of the price spectrum and will have a distinct smell when you first start using it.
Duck Feather & Goose Down
Duck feather pillows are soft and durable, but not the best option for an allergic person or a vegan. Goose down pillows, on the other hand, use a regulator under the goose or ducks feathers. It makes them fluffier, softer and breathable, than the duck feather pillows alone, but they are also more expensive.
For the pillow to qualify as down, the down feathers need to make at least 70% of the filling, and the rest can be regular feathers. These pillows flatten with time, and you need to keep adjusting the filling for the pillow to regain its shape. Expensive as they are, these pillows are quite comfortable, and the few hypoallergenic options enable people with allergies to enjoy the cosiness of a down pillow.
Wool
If you are an eco-friendly user or have allergies, a wool pillow would be a great choice. Wool is naturally hypoallergenic, thus causing minimal allergic reactions. It is also great at regulating temperatures, keeping you cool when it is hot and warm when it is cold.
Wool pillows are also firm with great support but not too much height to make you uncomfortable. As such, they are great for a front sleeper. But, they are a bit heavy and tend to flatten fast. You might also notice some scent when you start using it.
ou need to keep in mind a few things when you are in the market for the best pillow, which are:
1. Hypoallergenic
If you have allergies, check out the hypoallergenic features of the pillow. Hypoallergenic pillows are excellent at resisting bacteria and dust mites, reducing or stopping allergic reactions. So, for allergy sufferers, this is your go-to pillow. Change your ordinary pillow for a hypoallergenic one and enjoy your beauty sleep more!
2. Adjustability
Can you remove or add the layers or fillings in the pillow to adjust its thickness or height levels? An adjustable below allows you to change the fillings' level to suit your needs for better comfort. Many people prefer very thin pillows and others enjoy thicker ones. It all comes down to your personal preferences. So what do you love the most?
3. Breathability
Does the pillow allow for air to flow freely for better perspiration? A highly breathable pillow is more comfortable as it helps regulate temperatures. This ensures you are neither too hot nor cold regardless of the weather conditions. A pillow that works great in all seasons all year round? Yes, please!
Special Features
Apart from the standard features, there are special features in some pillows that meet particular needs, such as neck pain. If you have such needs, some of the speciality pillows to watch out for include:
Cool or Gel Pillows
If you suffer from night sweat or hot flushes, a cooling pillow would be a great choice. They have tiny beads or gel as the filling, which absorb or whisk away the heat leaving the pillow cool and with excellent breathability for your skin.
Water Pillows
The filling of these pillows is usually water. It allows the pillow to conform to your density and support levels. Chiropractors and therapists mostly use water pillows.
Anti-Snore
If you snore in your sleep, an anti-snore pillow can help alleviate your neck and head for better support, opening your airways. This will enhance your breathing, which in turn reduces or even stops the snoring.
Pregnancy Pillows
These are designed specifically for pregnant women. They have a U or C shape that moulds to the shape of your baby bump, giving your head, tummy and back great support and comfort when sleeping.
How to choose the right material for your pillow
It is best to consider your sleeping style and allergic reactions if any when choosing a pillow. Various sleeping positions require different support levels, which is why a front sleeper needs a soft material while a side sleeper requires a firm one. You can also consider your mattress's material if you want to match every part of your bedding, including the duvet, sheets, mattress toppers and pillow casing.
Hypoallergenic and anti-allergy pillows: Are they different?
When shopping for a pillow that alleviates your allergic reactions, it is best to keep in mind that hypoallergenic and anti-allergy pillows are not the same thing.
Hypoallergenic pillows refer to those whose filling or material do not have any known allergen, like wool or feathers that can cause allergic reactions to individuals who are allergic to these. But, these pillows can still lead to other allergens' development, like bacteria or dust mites.
On the other hand, anti-allergic pillows mean that the pillow's fillings or material are treated to resist allergens like bacteria and dust mites, which reduces the chances of allergic reactions like asthma, rhinitis, and eczema.
The good news is that it is easy to kill dust mites and other accumulated bacteria that lead to allergic reactions by washing the pillow at high temperatures, usually over 60°C. The best option is to check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions, and if the pillow meets this, you can buy it and wash it every 2 months or so to keep the allergens away.
Choose the right pillow according to your sleeping position
How do you sleep at night?
Back Sleeper
You need a fairly supportive pillow, whose height ranges from thin to medium. An excellent choice for you would be a memory foam pillow that adapts to the shape of your head and returns to its form when it is not in use.
Side Sleeper
Side sleepers require medium to thick pillows with great firmness and support to align their neck and spines. The best choice would be a memory foam that moulds to the shape of your neck and shoulders. A latex pillow would also be great for a side sleeper, although it is not as firm as a memory foam pillow. Ensure you check the height of the latex or memory foam so that you get one that meets your needs.
Pro tip: Side sleepers are even advised to use two pillows, with one between the knees. Sounds strange, but it will help align your hips, preventing pains on the lower back.
Front Sleeper
Flat and soft pillows are best for front sleepers, as you require a pillow that allows your head to be at any comfortable flat angle without messing with the alignment of your spine. A feather and down or microfibre pillow would be ideal, but a wool pillow will do if you need one with more support.
Combination or Mixed Sleeper
Do you sleep in every position, from back to front and side? Unfortunately, no pillow type suits 100% all sleeping styles, but you can go with one that suits your particular needs. For outstanding comfort when sleeping on the side and back, you can go for a pillow with a medium height and firmness. Alternative, two flat and soft pillows will do, such that you can combine them and mould them to suit your exact sleeping position.
Do I need to wash my pillows?
Yes, you need to wash your pillows for better sleep and overall hygiene, just as you wash your bed sheets. While you have a pillowcase to protect, the pillow, body fluids and skin cells soak through the case into the pillow with time. That's why washing your pillow, at least every six months, ensures you keep your pillow as clean and hygienic as possible.
Watch out for the washing instructions as they will vary depending on the type of pillow you are using. Some pillow types, like the feather and synthetic pillows, are usually machine washable. The only pillow you should never wash in a washing machine is memory foam pillows. Besides, this type of pillows is hypoallergenic by nature, which reduces the chance of allergic reactions. But if you were to clean your memory foam pillow, especially when you spill something on it, hand washing and air drying would do.
It is best to follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure proper care and durability of the pillow with the other pillow types.
How often should you replace your pillow?
On average, you need to replace your pillow every two years. That's the average amount of time it takes for pillows to withstand the movement and the head's weight without flattening out. However, the timing will depend on your sleeping style and weight and the durability of the pillow you have.
Some pillows do not last for two years, especially those with soft synthetic and feather fillings. The guiding factor would be whether you are waking up with neck pains or a stiff neck. In that case, it is time to buy a new pillow.
Always keep in mind…
Whether you are looking for a firm pillow for side sleeping, a soft pillow or an adjustable one with a removable filling that allows you to adjust the height and the firmness to suit your needs, we've got you covered!
Our guide and list of recommendations offer all of this, with options ranging from a budget-friendly to expensive pillows. All you need to know is what kind of a sleeper you are, what materials give you allergic reactions and your preferred budget.
What are you waiting for? Let’s start shopping so our beauty sleep will be the more relaxing one ever!
