People rarely put as much thought into their pillow as their mattress or duvet and yet finding the right pillow for your body shape and size – as well as your style of sleeping - is critical to a good night’s sleep and not waking up with a crick in your neck.
Even if you did put time and effort into getting the right pillow the last time round, chances are it needs replacing. Even the best pillows don’t tend to last more than a few years, eventually failing to provide the level of support they used to – and that’s before you even think about the hygiene factor. You probably won’t want to hear this, but within two years of use, a third of a pillow’s weight is made up of dead skin, dirt, oil, dust mites and their droppings.
Not sure where to start on your pillow shopping spree? Then our buyer’s guide will help you find out what filling, level of firmness and cover fabric will suit you best.
How to buy the best pillow for you
How often should I replace my pillow?
Most of us are guilty of putting up with our pillows long after they’ve lost their original fluffiness. But old pillows can lead to back and neck pain, as well as allergies. Some pillows may need replacing after as little as six months, while others will give you two years. Down pillows last longer – up to five years – and a feather pillow might even give you eight years.
Not quite sure whether your pillow needs replacing or not? If it has lost its shape and/or you are waking up with a sore neck or a blocked nose, chances are it’s time to invest in a new one.
What difference does my sleeping position make?
A good pillow, according to the Sleep Council, is not just about personal preference, but alignment. So whatever kind of sleeper you are – back, front or side – your pillow should hold your head in relation to your shoulders and spine as if you were standing up with perfect posture, with the cushioning of the pillow nicely tucked into the neck and shoulder area to fully support your head.
- Side sleepers should ideally choose a medium-high thickness pillow (high-fill down, memory foam or medium-high synthetic are all good) to support the shoulders, neck and head.
- Front sleepers should go for a softer pillow (down or low-fill synthetic are both good).
- Back sleepers need a medium-thickness pillow (high-fill down, orthopaedic memory foam or medium synthetic are good).
- People who sleep in a mixture of positions should go for medium thickness (for example, high-fill down or medium synthetic).
What type of filling should I go for?
There’s a whole world of pillow fillings out there. Combined feather and down pillows are good for comfort and support, eliminating pressure points and avoiding face squashing. But if you suffer from allergies, they’re a definite no-no.
We’d recommend avoiding pure feather pillows as those pesky feather quills seem to have a way of escaping and stabbing you in the face, and it’s worth noting they don’t offer the support and height needed for side sleepers. Plus, they can be noisy and they don’t suit allergy sufferers.
- Pure down pillows, on the other hand, are the ultimate in luxury, particularly if you like your pillow soft and fluffy. They’re lovely and light, as well as being airy and quiet - and they last well too. But side-sleepers, be warned they often lack support and height so you may need a firmer pillow underneath. Other downsides are that they can be expensive and they are high maintenance, needing lots of shaking to get them back into shape. And once again, they’re no good for allergy sufferers.
- Synthetic pillows are usually made from polyester. Because they are hypoallergenic, they are great for allergy sufferers and they’re also affordable, lightweight and easy to care for. They’re good if you sleep in a variety of positions throughout the night too. But they aren’t as malleable or breathable as other pillows and they have the shortest lifespan of all pillows – with the filling often prone to clumping.
- Memory foam pillows mould your neck and head, creating a comfy and smooth cradle while you are in the land of nod, making them a great option for pain relief and strong support. They are also quiet, as well as being easy to care for and temperature sensitive. But they are dense and firm, which makes them a poor option for restless sleepers and they can start off with a rather chemical smell, as well as being pricey.
More niche pillows include micro-bead, buckwheat and water pillows (again, good for pain relief as they’re so mouldable), but they can be noisy and have that certain smell.
Does the cover fabric matter?
It’s easy to assume this is irrelevant as you’ll have a pillow case covering it. But it’s worth noting that natural cover fabrics like cotton have much more breathability than polyester and other man-made fibres, which can make for a far more comfortable night’s sleep if you’re prone to getting hot at night.
The best pillows to buy
Silentnight Just Like Down Microfibre Pillow: The best pillow under £10
Price when reviewed:£9
You’ll have no problem drifting off with this cushioning your head and, as its name suggests, you could easily be fooled into thinking the soft and fluffy filling is down whereas in fact its mere microfibre. The result is a well insulated, warm pillow that comes in at a fraction of the price of a real down one. Moreover, you get two in the pack, making the cost saving even greater. The pillow spells good news for people with allergies too as it’s hypoallergenic and we also like the fact that the whole thing is washable. Unlike down pillows, however, it’s relatively big and bouncy, making it better for side and back sleepers than front ones, and on the downside, it won’t last as long as real down. Still, given that you can pick up a pair for under £15, these are only minor moans.
Key specs – Filling: Microfibre; Cover: 100% cotton (machine washable); Sizes: Standard size only
Tempur Cloud Pillow: The best memory foam pillow
Price when reviewed:£85
Memory foam pillows are the marmite of the sleep world, but don’t jump to conclusions about this unconventional and firmer choice, which can be life-changing. In particular, people suffering from allergies, back and neck pain report feeling almost instant relief from the memory foam that moulds itself into the natural curvature of your neck and head, avoiding pressure points for added comfort. And while there are plenty of rival pillows on the market, we think none of them comes close to this in terms of comfort, malleability, support and longevity. Plus, it’s made from extra-soft material and responds to body temperature, so no need to wake up to a damp pillow if you get clammy at night. The cover is machine washable.
Buy the Tempur Cloud Pillow now from John Lewis
Key specs – Filling: Memory foam; Cover: 100 per cent cotton cover (machine washable); Sizes: Standard size only
Mediflow Waterbase Fibrefill Pillow: The best adjustable orthopaedic pillow
Price when reviewed: £40
For those who regularly wake up with a stiff neck, this orthopaedic option may be your saviour. Not only does the pillow – which is effectively a water pouch - contour to the shape of your head and neck, which in itself will help sooth a sore neck (and back for that matter), but it allows you to adjust the water level, so that you can enjoy customised firmness and height. It responds to your sleeping position and also keeps your neck and head nice and cool too. There’s plenty of clinical research to show that all this has the desired effect and the dense microfiber polyester fill means it’s surprisingly comfortable, so you don’t need to worry that you’ll feel like you’re lying on a sack of water. But it’s not for everyone, especially as it can feel quite heavy – and if you get an air pocket, it can be noisy. Plus, it won’t last you as long as other pillows.
Key specs – Filling: Water; Cover: 100% cotton cover (machine washable), hypoallergenic polyester fibre inner layer; Sizes: available in standard size only
Casper Pillow: A great memory foam pillow, but it's a bit noisy
Price when reviewed:£60
Not satisfied with having created a one-type-suits-all mattress, this American, celebrity-backed brand has now ventured into the world of pillows, making the same bold promise that just one type is comfortable for everyone, regardless of their sleeping position. For front sleepers, we found the inner pillow was spot on, while the dual version (for which you simply zip on an outer layer) is also impressive for those who sleep on their backs or sides, although be warned it might be a touch too high for people who weigh less than average. Made from synthetic fibres with a pure cotton machine-washable cover, there’s a useful two-inch gusset along the perimeter of the pillow for neck support and spine alignment. But while it’s beautifully soft and fluffy, it’s surprisingly noisy for a pillow. Not sure? At least the 100-day free trial means you can afford to take a chance.
Buy the Casper Pillow now from Casper
Key specs – Filling: Microfibre; Cover: 100 per cent cotton; Sizes: Standard and super-king
Beaumont and Brown Savoy Pillow: The pillow of choice for five-star hotels
Price when reviewed: £55
If you’ve stayed in a posh hotel lately, there’s a chance you’ve already slept on one of these. Filled with 70 per cent duck feather and 30 per cent duck down, these British-made pillows are supplied to five-star establishments including Claridges, the Connaught and Gidleigh Park because of their luxurious and fresh feel at a surprisingly affordable price. As all the feathers are secured in the middle of the pillow, with the down in the surrounding outside pocket, it feels soft against your face, but with medium to firm support for reading, making it a winner for all kinds of sleep styles, particularly side and back sleepers. The quality felt as good as some pillows we tried (but which didn’t make the cut) at twice the price and it lasts longer than many other feather/duck pillow combos on the market too.
Buy the Savoy Pillow now from Beaumont & Brown
Key specs – Filling: 70% duck feather, 30% duck down; Cover: 233 thread-count cotton cover (machine washable); Sizes: available in standard, king and square sizes
The White Company Luxurious Siberian Goose Down Soft Pillow: The best pillow over £100
Price when reviewed: £170
This costs more than many people spend on their whole bedding set, let alone a single pillow, but the filling of white-goose down clusters with a smidgeon (10 per cent) of white-goose feather – all encased in a 360-thread count luxurious cover - is the nearest feeling you’ll get to sleeping on a cloud. It’s when you squeeze it that you really grasp the luxury factor because it’s just so incredibly soft, yet springs back into shape the moment you stop hugging it. Used alone, it’s best for front sleepers, but side and back sleepers can still get a piece of the action by using a firmer one underneath, with this softer one against their face. Hey presto, everyone has their head and neck aligned with that sumptuous under-head feeling. Be sure to give it a shake every morning and be warned that you will never want to sleep on anything else again.
Buy the Luxurious Siberian Goose Down - Soft Pillow now from The White Company
Key specs – Filling: 90% Siberian white-goose down, 10% Siberian white-goose feather,; Cover: 360 thread-count cotton jacquard cover; Sizes: Standard and superking; Washing: Pillow can be washed and tumble dried at up to 60°C