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The Good Housekeeping Institute snoozed on 31 pillows to find these best buys Hollow Conjugated Siliconized Fiber
We use one every night, but it’s surprising how few of us are fully satisfied with our pillow. Common complaints range from too firm to too hot to too flat, and, as we all have different sleeping styles, there’s no one type that suits everyone.
But nothing can help you nod off quite like a comfortable pillow. So, to make finding the one that little bit easier, the Good Housekeeping Institute put 31 different types to the test and created this handy guide, detailing everything you need to know before you buy.
Simply after our top recommendations? Here’s a list of our winners:
We recruited a panel of testers to drift off on a range of pillows at home for at least two weeks. They rated each one on comfort, support, breathability, washability and overall design, and told us whether they'd continue to use it or not.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we conducted a further wash test and checked for any damage to the pillow's filling or performance.
Scroll on to discover all you need to know about our top picks.
Our winning pillow only dropped four marks overall (its lofty cooling claims disappointed slightly). In every other regard, it surpassed itself. Every tester gave it 10/10 and said they would both buy it and recommend it to friends and family.
It moulded quickly and effectively to our heads, offering optimal support to help ease neck pain. It didn't smell in any way chemical and the soft outer cover washed brilliantly, without noticeably shrinking.
It's breathable, albeit no more than most other pillows we tested, and while there's no trial period, its five-year guarantee feels generous.
For luxurious comfort that’s hypoallergenic to boot, treat yourself to this fluffy down pillow with a firm feather core.
Testers found it a dream to drift off on, no matter their sleeping style, as it offers both softness and support. It delivered a great night's sleep overall, staying satisfyingly cool and quiet throughout.
No feathers poked through to scratch us and it successfully prevented sniffles. It also stayed plump for the duration of the testing period and emerged from the washing machine looking as good as new. It’s pricey and there’s no trial offer, but it’s bliss to sink into.
Living up to its name, our panel liked this pillow’s soft outer fabric and the fact you can increase or reduce the amount of foam inside to make it work for your sleep style.
Its outer cover scored full marks in our lab wash tests, and there’s a 30-day money back guarantee if you can’t adjust it to a level that suits you. Just note that it’s big when fully fitted, so you may need to invest in a larger pillowcase.
This pillow comes in a choice of three levels of firmness, of which we tried the firmest. Its down outer layer gives it a cloud-like quality but its feathery inner stops your head from sinking in too deeply.
It regulated temperature brilliantly, keeping testers cosy but never sweaty, and it helped to improve the length and quality of their sleep.
It didn’t once lose its shape or fullness during use, but it looked slightly deflated after washing. It rustled a bit when we changed positions, too, but we welcome the generous five-year guarantee.
Naturally temperature regulating, wool is a great pick if you’re after a pillow that keeps your head cool. Don’t worry about that typical wool smell either – on test, it vanished quickly, while the pillow is also Allergy UK approved. You can even trace the wool back to the farm it originates from, thanks to its tracing scheme.
Our panel found the high-quality pillow comfortable to sleep on, with all saying the filling remained light and fluffy. You can add or remove wool too, to tailor it to your sleep style, and it emerged from our wash test in excellent condition.
With three layers of memory foam, you can easily adjust this pillow by removing a layer so it’s the perfect height for your head. You can machine wash the cover, too – note, it can’t be tumble dried – and on test it washed well with no shrinking.
Most of our panel found it a comfortable bedtime addition, noting that it maintained its buoyancy throughout the trial period. It’s quiet and breathable as well, with most of our panel reporting an excellent night’s sleep.
This pillow is designed to offer as much support and comfort as possible, regardless of sleeping style. It’s dense – but not so thick that front sleepers would struggle – and supportive, without feeling too hard.
It suited all our testers, who found its natural fibres breathable, cosy and luxurious to sleep on. No feathers poked through, it didn’t smell and it didn’t make a noise. It lost some support after a spin in the washing machine, but it was still comfortable. It didn't stay as light and fluffy as it was on arrival, but it’s easy to plump and offers great value for money.
Uniquely shaped, this pillow is carefully designed to offer maximum support to your head and neck. Due to its mouldable foam, only the case can be washed, but we found it fared well on test, emerging from our washing machine in pristine condition.
In terms of comfort, our panel was pleasantly surprised with how the pillow relieved pressure around the neck. Its look wasn’t for everyone, but it's one to consider if you often wake up with neck pain – the brand even offers a 100-day trial, so you can return it if it doesn’t ease your aches.
It’s hard to beat memory foam in the support stakes, as no other filling moulds to your head and neck as well. And this cleverly designed pillow is also adjustable, offering more control over the thickness than most – you simply remove the memory foam ‘nanocubes’ until you’re happy with its depth. Though not very breathable, we found it a joy to nestle into, and it impressed us by staying plump, with no dips in sight.
Its synthetic materials are hypoallergenic, but they gave off a funny smell at first. Thankfully, this soon dissipated. Only the cover is machine washable and there’s no trial offer or guarantee.
Memory foam has a bad reputation for retaining heat, but this pillow’s Tencel cover keeps the temperature from rising too high. It’s not especially thick, making it a good choice if you’re a front sleeper who wants to try this famed filling.
We found it comfortable and supportive to drift off on and were relieved not to notice any chemical memory foam smell. It kept its shape well but, as it’s on the slim side, it made our standard pillowcase look baggy. It’s quite pricey and there’s no way of altering the thickness, but the two-year guarantee offers peace of mind regarding quality.
You get a lot for your money with this affordable hollowfibre pillow. It’s anti-allergy and adjustable, with four easily removable inner pads.
We liked being able to customise its height and firmness but found it too rigid when stuffed with all the filling. It proved a bit of a faff to get the thickness just right, but once we did, it readjusted itself with our movements for optimal support, no matter how we were lying. It felt comfortable and breathable and looked as good as new after washing. For under £50, it’s good value.
This thick pillow moulded well to our heads and necks without making us feel claustrophobic. It felt luxuriously comfortable and cosy to lie on, despite its supportive memory foam filling, offering the best of both worlds for committed side sleepers.
It wasn’t very breathable, but memory foam never is, and it didn’t smell or dip at all. The machine washable cover shrank a fair bit but still fitted over our pillow. Everybody had a restful night’s sleep and would keep using it, but front sleepers will likely find it too chunky.
If it’s luxury you’re after, then this premium pillow should please. Its outer casing is pure cotton, making it breathable and machine washable, while its memory foam centre is soft and supportive.
Another adjustable design, it’s a notably thick pillow that offers welcome flexibility. Testers had to play around a bit to find the right height and said it needed regular plumping when they removed too much. However, if you don’t like a thin pillow, this high-quality design should be just right.
Prepare to doze off on this cloud-like down pillow, which we found super soft on test. We liked how it became fluffier after washing too – with no shrinkage or feathers poking through the cover.
It puffs up quickly but is quite thick, so keep this in mind if you prefer something slimmer. All testers found it quiet to sleep on and said they slept well. A worthwhile investment for those who like down pillows.
This memory foam pillow has a cover made partly from sustainably sourced bamboo, which eco-conscious shoppers will welcome. It moulded fairly well to our head and neck, offering a decent level of support, and we remained relatively cool all night.
However, it didn’t suit all of our testers’ sleeping styles and can’t be adjusted. It’s also smaller than standard, making our pillowcases look a little ill-fitting.
Niggles aside, it kept its shape, with no dips appearing at any point, and didn’t smell at all. It scored full marks in our wash test, too, with the cover barely creasing at all. Note that it comes with a 10-year guarantee, which feels particularly generous.
This is the cheapest pillow on our list, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a comforting buy, and our testers liked the soft, lightweight design.
It’s not particularly firm, so if you’re after a supportive pillow, it may be worth spending more, and the panel was divided on its breathability. It washed well though and held its shape nicely over our test period and after washing, so if you like your pillows plump and squishy, it’s a solid pick.
This design combines charcoal with bamboo to create a memory foam pillow that’s supposed to be temperature-regulating, anti-bacterial, odour-eliminating and sweat-wicking. Our panel said they felt well-rested after sleeping on it and didn’t experience any allergies either, including one tester who was allergic to dust mites.
The cover is machine washable and looked as good as new after our wash tests. It didn’t make any noise, nor did it dip after a night’s sleep. For some, it wasn’t thick enough, but it’s a quality design, especially if you prefer snuggling up with a pillow that doesn’t raise your head a lot.
With so many pillows on the market, it can be hard to decipher which designs will work for you. Here’s our expert guide to the different styles you can buy.
Microfibre: These lightweight man-made styles, also known as synthetic or polyester pillows, tend to be the cheapest type. They come in a range of heights and firmness levels, making them suitable for all sleeping styles, and are usually hypoallergenic. However, they’re not very breathable and can retain moisture and heat, meaning you could wake up in a hot sweat. They’re also known to flatten quickly and have the shortest life span, with some lasting less than a year.
Feather and down: This premium pillow type is unrivalled in the comfort stakes. To be classed as down, a pillow needs to be compiled of at least 70% down feathers, with the rest being made up of regular feathers. Down feathers are softer, retain heat better, and are not as sharp if they poke out of the pillow. They're expensive as they’re naturally soft, mouldable, airy and long-lasting. They’re not the best choice for those who require height (side sleepers) and they’ll flatten over time, needing occasional fluffing to regain shape. They’re not typically suitable for those with allergies, but anti-allergy options do exist.
Memory foam: Memory foam is like Marmite, so expect to love or hate it. It offers strong support by moulding to the shape of your neck and shoulders, making it a smart choice for anyone struggling with neck pain. These pillows are durable, long-lasting and easy to care for, but the height is rarely adjustable, meaning they’re best suited to either back or side sleepers. They can feel quite rigid, so are better for still sleepers than active ones. This limited airflow means they can get very hot, particularly in the summer.
Wool: Eco-friendly and naturally hypoallergenic, wool pillows are a good choice for those who suffer from allergies as they keep dust mites at bay. They help regulate your temperature, keeping you cosy in winter and cool in summer while absorbing any moisture in the process. Front sleepers benefit the most from this type of pillow, as they are normally firm and supportive without giving much height. They are heavy, though, and they flatten quickly. They can also smell a little sheepy!
Latex: We don’t have one on our list as latex pillows are fairly hard to come by, but they're sold as an alternative to memory foam, with similar properties. They're firm, durable and supportive, making them helpful for neck ache, and they're naturally hypoallergenic too. Though much more breathable than memory foam, they are pricey, often heavy and can have a distinct smell when new.
Now that you know what each pillow style does, think about the positions you tend to fall asleep and wake up in, as this will also help you find the right pillow for you. Here’s what you should be looking for, according to how you sleep.
Back sleepers: You’re looking for a fairly supportive pillow with thin to medium height, so try one of our memory foam pillows.
Side sleepers: Choose a thicker, firmer pillow to align your neck and spine correctly. Memory foam, once again, could be best, but check that its height suits you first. To align your hips and prevent lower back pain, sleep with another pillow between your knees.
Front sleepers: Opt for a flat pillow so your head can lay at a comfortable angle. Choose a soft filling such as down or microfibre or, if you prefer a more supportive pillow, try wool.
Combination sleepers: Most of us are combination sleepers, but one pillow can’t suit every angle. It’s best to meet in the middle and go for medium firmness and height to give you the best chance of comfort on your back and side. You could also try using two softer pillows and mould them to suit you.
Hannah is our senior homes writer, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys. Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah helps to uncover the best cleaning hacks too, with a focus on easy, natural solutions. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more. Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe. You can find Hannah on Instagram on @sewnbyhan
Blossom is our Senior Homes Tester. Passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for our readers, she has tested everything from blenders to pizza ovens. Blossom enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols for hundreds of items. Innovative items like robot vacuum cleaners and wine coolers are among her favourite tests to date, and her most notable accomplishment is toasting 360 slices of bread in a determined bid to find the best toaster. In her free time, Blossom openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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