The best pillows: helping you get up on the right side of the bed

We all love the feeling of our head hitting the pillow to get some well-earned shut-eye at the end of a busy day. Getting our beauty sleep is extremely important for us to be able to function properly during the day, and if you’ve got a sub-standard pillow, this can make things tricky. 

We all like something different when it comes to pillows, some of us like them firm but flat, others like to pile them up so they’re practically sleeping upright. But what pillow is right for you? We’ve narrowed down the top 8 best pillows for different sleepers that will guarantee you wake up feeling well-rested. 

Choosing a pillow is much about finding one which supports the position you sleep in. If you’re a side sleeper, then a firm pillow is the best option to support your head and spine, but if you sleep on your from then you’ll want a much softer pillow to keep your body inline so you don’t wake up with a stiff neck. Back sleepers can opt for something in between; a medium firmness will keep your head up to provide gentle support without pushing your neck too far forward. 

Then you need to think about the filling. Many people these days opt for synthetic filling as it is perfect for those with allergies and stays cool throughout the night. Not only this but they are easy to clean (usually machine washable), they bounce back and are super soft for maximum comfort. Natural fillings such as duck feathers or natural wool provide exceptional comfort but tend to be heavier and can trigger allergies, however they are generally cheaper. 

Other fabric options include microfiber and hollowfibre pillows which are lightweight and work to trap warmth for a cosy night’s sleep. For those who have neck or back problems, memory foam has become extremely popular for its responsive pressure release as it moulds to the shape of your head for the comfiest night’s sleep. It’s also temperature sensitive so will keep you cool when it gets warm in the night. 

Remember, it is recommended that you change your mattress every 10 years too, so if a decade has passed since you last upgraded yours, check out our guide to the best mattresses

1. eve Memory Foam Pillow

The most luxurious of pillows

Specifications

Best for: Luxurious memory foam
Filling: Memory foam
Firmness: Medium firm
Cover: 100% polyester removable cover

Reasons to buy

+
Hypoallergenic 
+
3 Year guarantee

Reasons to avoid

-
A little pricey 

For the ultimate good night’s sleep, the Eve Memory Foam Pillow is a sure-fire winner. Making the perfect companion to the Eve Memory Foam Mattress, its medium firmness and hypoallergenic material makes it a great pillow for a number of different sleepers. It has cooling holes to regulate temperature and removable polyester lining for easy cleaning. If you’ve never had memory foam before it may take a while to get used to this pillow, and some users have noted it feels quite flat compared to normal pillows. At £60.00, it is an investment for some; however, the Eve Pillow comes with a 30 day trial period so you can be sure you get along with it before committing to it 

2. Snuggledown Scandinavian Duck Feather and Down Pillow

The traditional pillow for a traditional night’s sleep

Specifications

Best for: Value feather and down
Filling: Duck feather (85%) and down (15%)
Firmness: Soft
Cover: 100% cotton

Reasons to buy

+
Good value for money
+
Can be shaped to your liking

Reasons to avoid

-
  Filling needs plumping

This Scandinavian Duck Feather & Down Pillow by Snuggledown is the definition of a traditional pillow. Filled with 85% duck feather and 15% down, it is a soft pillow that keeps you warm on those cold nights and is great value at just £30.00. Customers have said this pillow can be a bit flat and needs a good plumping, however it is easy to manipulate to your desired shape and means it is lightweight, making it great for all types of sleepers.  

3. Mediflow Waterbase Fibrefill Pillow

A water-based pillow for adjustable firmness snooze

Specifications

Best for: Most adaptable
Filling: Water and polyester fibre
Firmness: Variable
Cover: 100% cotton removable

Reasons to buy

+
 Adjustable firmness 
+
 Clinically proven to reduce neck pain 

Reasons to avoid

-
Risk of leaking  

Waterbeds may be seen as a thing of the past, but the Mediflow Waterbase Fiberfill Pillow is the great way to achieve optimum firmness for your style of sleep. This is one of the best pillows for neck pain and has been clinically approved in the John Hopkins Clinical Study for sleep and neck pain reduction. So whether you want firm, medium or soft support for your night’s sleep, simply adjust the amount of water you use when filling the pillow. There is always the worry of a leak or spillage which definitely splits opinions on this pillow, especially at the price of £40. It can get quite heavy if you want it super firm, but it does come with a 30 day money-back guarantee if you really don’t get along with it. 

4. Dunlopillo Super Comfort

A long-lasting pillow with great support

Specifications

Best for: Naturally allergy averting
Filling: Latex foam
Firmness: Firm
Cover: Removable knitted
RRP: £60.00

Reasons to buy

+
Holds shape
+
Hypoallergenic

Reasons to avoid

-
 Too firm for some 

If you want a pillow that is not going to lose shape after a few sleeps then the Dunlopillo Super Comfort Pillow is a great and comes in at £60.00. Its latex filling means it holds it shape therefore is guaranteed to last a long time, no matter how much of a fidgety sleeper you may be. Some say this pillow is too firm and quite high, but it does mould quickly to your shape; making it a good choice for those who sleep on their back or side. This pillow is harder to clean that a synthetic pillow but it is naturally anti-fungal and allergy-averting (although probably not if you’re allergic to latex!)  

5. Tempur Original Support Pillow

The best pillow for side sleepers

Specifications

Best for: Side-sleepers
Filling: Polyester and elastane
Firmness: Very firm
Cover: Visco-elastic foam

Reasons to buy

+
Side sleeper support
+
3 year guarantee

Reasons to avoid

-
 Expensive  

The Temper Original Support Pillow is unlike your standard pillow. Specially shaped for side sleepers, this pillow has a curve that sits perfectly under your head for ultimate comfort and support. If you often wake up with a stiff neck then this pillow will eliminate that issue entirely, allowing you to have uninterrupted sleep. However, the sizing is a little unusual and it may be difficult for some to get along with at first. At £80, this pillow is quite costly, but people who find themselves folding their pillow in half or constantly moving their pillow to find the right position say it has been a great investment and lasts a long time.  

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If you are looking to update your bedroom accessories, check out our guide to the best bedside lamps

Or head over to T3.com to read up on their guide to the best mattress toppers.