There are many factors that contribute to the quality of your sleeping environment, from the mattress to sheets, but one of the least expensive ways to improve your set-up is by investing in a good pillow.
If you wake up feeling back pain that goes away during the day, your sleep set-up is likely the culprit, says Hannah Shore, head of sleep science at Mattress Online. She advises: “Check your pillow, as this can affect your spinal alignment from your neck all the way to your mid spine, and this is a much easier fix than a whole new mattress.”
When it comes to choosing the right pillow for your sleeping position, sleep physiologist and BBC Maestro sleep expert Stephanie Romiszewski says side sleepers will often need a fuller pillow, while back and front sleepers “usually feel more comfortable with something flatter”.
Similarly, comfort is subject to the individual – that said, some pillow fillings are better at pressure relieving than others. “If you lie in one position for a long time without support, circulation can be affected and discomfort builds”, Romiszewski explains. “Materials that distribute weight more evenly, such as memory foam or latex, can reduce those pressure points”.
It’s also worth considering if you want your pillow to have cooling properties. “If bedding traps heat or moisture, it can interfere with that rhythm and create unnecessary awakenings”, says Romiszewski. She recommends natural fibres such as cotton, wool, and linen as they allow air to flow more easily and tend to wick away moisture.
I’ve tested everything from the best duvets to the best mattresses for kids, so I know when bedding falls flat. After months of testing with the help of a crew of sleepers who prefer different sleeping positions, Simba’s firm hybrid pillow was the one to beat, partly because it can be adjusted to your sleeping position. I’ve also found hypoallergenic pillows for allergy sufferers, pillows made with cool to the touch materials, and a budget-friendly option for under £15. Keep reading for the pillows that passed my team of sleepers’ tests.
How I tested
These pillows have been tested over two years – that’s almost 6,000 hours of testing. My team of testers included side-, back- and front sleepers, to ensure that I was finding options for everyone. The testing criteria were as follows:
- Comfort: Testers paid close attention to how easy it was to fall asleep, and the level of loft, sink and overall comfort of the pillow throughout the night. Bonus points were awarded if a pillow was adjustable.
- Support: Equally important, testers assessed firmness. Softer pillows, like those filled with down, tend to be less supportive, but you want your pillow to be soft enough that it’s still comfortable. Attention was paid to how neck and shoulders felt in the morning, and whether existing neck pain was exacerbated.
- Temperature regulation: The filling and cover of a pillow can have an effect on how cool we feel during the night, so we examined whether we felt cool at night or overheated.
- Value for money: Overall quality and price were weighed up to assess this. Indicators of quality were things like the materials, including whether cotton was organic, and if any wool used was ethically sourced.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The IndyBest team test a range of sleep-related items over months and years, from the best sleep headphones to bedding sets. You can trust that we have a wealth of information and expert insights to guide our product selection and testing process.
Zoe Phillimore takes her sleep routine seriously. Since first contributing to IndyBest in 2021, she has reviewed countless sleep products, from duvets to sleep aids. The sleep industry is full of jargon and brands making lofty claims, but through thorough, real-world testing over many months, Zoe is able to put these claims to the test. As everyone’s dream pillow will be different, Zoe has assembled a group of testers for this review.
The best pillows for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Simba firm hybrid pillow: £135.15, Simbasleep.com
- Best budget buy – Silentnight airmax pillow: £14, Amazon.co.uk
- Best memory foam filling – Panda London hybrid bamboo pillow: £76.46, Pandalondon.com
- Best silk option – Fine Bedding Company boutique silk pillow: £38, Amazon.co.uk
