The 9 Best Pillows You Can Buy for a Luxurious Night’s Sleep, Tried and Tested
Trust us, we know what makes a good pillow
Self-care looks different for everybody, but the one thing that I always try and prioritise is a good night's sleep. You don't need me to tell you how important sleep is, but sometimes it can be hard to get your eight hours a night—particularly if your bedding isn't up to par.
Whether it's too noisy outside, you can't get comfortable, or perhaps you're feeling stressed about something the next day, there are lots of things that can keep you awake when all you want to do is drift off.
There's nothing wrong with doing a relaxing yoga class, spraying your favourite pillow spray or doing a calming meditation to help you wind down, but no amount of prep can make up for a lumpy or rigid bedding setup that keeps you tossing and turning to find a comfortable spot.
Something that I have finally invested in that has dramatically improved my sleep is a good quality pillow. This might seem like a simple step, but with so many different pillows on the market, it can be hard to know which one to go for—and many of us end up opting for the first one we find rather than taking the time to figure out what will best suit our needs.
So, I took it upon myself to speak to the experts to understand how to find the right pillow for you, and enlisted the help of the Marie Claire UK team who have tested a range of different pillows—and rounded up the best of the best below. Keep on scrolling for everything you need to know, and get ready for you best night's sleep yet...
The best pillows: Quick shopping links
- Best personalised pillow: £109 at Simba
- Best all-rounder pillow: £85 at PillowPillow
- Best affordable pillow: £22 at Very
- Softest pillow: £60 at Rise&Fall
- Best down pillow: £250 at The White Company
- Best supportive pillow: £59 at Piglet In Bed
What different types of pillows are there?
As mentioned above, there are many different pillows on the market, so it can be tricky to know which one to go for. According to Theresa Schnorbach, a sleep scientist and sleep expert at Emma, the most popular pillows are down, feather, microfibre and memory foam.
"Down pillows are filled with the soft fibres close to the skin of birds such as geese, ducks or swans," explains Schnorbach. "Similarly, feather pillows use feathers from the wings and backs of ducks and geese as filling. Due to their animal origin, these types of pillows might not be right for everyone—vegans, for example, may prefer another choice—and for some, these types of pillows could potentially cause allergic reactions.
"There are synthetic alternatives to down, such as microfibre pillows, which offer the same level of comfort but can also be machine-washable. Memory foam is another popular choice thanks to its cushiony support."
How to choose a pillow for your sleeping style
When choosing between the different types, it's important to keep in mind how you like to sleep. As explained by Schnorbach, "your pillow helps to align your spine as you sleep which is why the wrong one can cause neck pain and tightness elsewhere in the body. It can also impact on your quality of sleep which is why it's important to find the right pillow for your sleep style." Keep on scrolling to see which one is right for you.
- Pillows for back sleepers: According to Schnorbach, back sleepers need a pillow of medium height and softness. Memory foam is a great choice here as the material conforms to the pressure of your neck and shoulders, ensuring you don’t wake up with tight or knotted muscles.
- Pillows for side sleepers: A lot of people sleep on their side, but this position is at risk of pain without the right support. It's a good idea to buy a pillow created from a firm material to avoid sinking into the pillow. You also want quite a tall pillow, as thick as the distance between your shoulder and ear so that your head, neck and spine are all held in the proper alignment.
- Pillows for stomach sleepers: Schnorbach says that finding the correct pillow for stomach sleepers can be tricky. Those who sleep on their stomachs may not need a pillow altogether, or should use a very soft one, as anything too high will cause neck straining and extra pressure on the lower back and abdomen.
How often should you replace your pillows?
So, now you know which pillow to get, when's the right time to take the plunge and invest in a new one?
"A simple test to see if your pillow is effectively supporting your neck is to check if it is holding your head and neck in a neutral position – this means your head, neck and spine are aligned naturally," says Schnorbach. "If you have the correct pillow, then when you lie down, you should be able to imagine a flat, horizontal line running up along the centre of your spine, with your head and neck acting as a continuation of this line. If the line curves or bends, then your pillow might not be supporting you in the right way, and it could be time to replace it."
I also spoke to the sleep experts over at Simba, who said as a general rule, you should replace your pillow every two years. If you feel that you're in need of an upgrade, check out my top picks below. Happy shopping, or should I say, sleeping!
The best pillows to buy now
The Simba Hybrid Pillow
"I was unsure how a hybrid pillow would work, as it seemed a little too good to be true for there to be a pillow that adjusts to your needs. However, I'm pleased to report that this Simba model really does it. It's simultaneously firm yet incredibly soft and bouncy, and it can be completely personalised to you, as it's filled with hundreds of Nanocubes® that can be added or removed to tailor the height and firmness. These foam cubes have also been designed for maximum airflow, allowing air to escape to keep you cool throughout the night.
The pillow is also a brilliant size—it's bigger than a standard pillow (but still fits into my pillowcases) which makes it feel truly luxurious and a joy to lie on. It provides plenty of support but still gives my head the feeling of sinking in, which is a dream combination. I don't feel like I need any extra pillows when I have this on my bed, and it's comfortable for both side and back sleeping. Considering its clever technology and how soft it is, it's worth every penny." - Amelia Yeomans, Junior Shopping Editor
Rise&Fall The Recycled Down Pillow
"If you love a light, cloud-like pillow, this is the option for you. I went for Rise&Fall's Recycled Down Pillow in soft, and it is easily the fluffiest pillow I have ever tried. It's made using recycled down, so it's an eco-friendly alternative to a regular down pillow, and it's temperature regulating, moisture wicking, and 100% biodegradable. This makes it a brilliant option for the warmer months, particularly if you often overheat in bed.
The soft option is definitely on the thinner side, which is to be expected, so I love stacking it on top of a firmer pillow for extra support but a hotel-worthy feathery feel that I can just sink right into. It hasn't lost any of its volume in the months I've been sleeping on it, and it looks gorgeous when plumped up on my bed. Plus, I love that Rise&Fall provides a down option that is ethical and sustainable, as well as being comparable to other premium brands but for a brilliantly affordable price tag. If you hate a rigid pillow and want something that you'll look forward to laying on every night, this undoubtedly gets my vote." - Amelia Yeomans, Junior Shopping Editor
The White Company Canadian Goose Down Pillow
"If you’ve ever stayed in a five-star hotel, you’ll know that they only use the most luxurious, feather- and down-stuffed pillows on their beds—and they result in some of the comfiest, cosiest, softest sleeps imaginable. This White Company pillow creates that same cloud-like effect at home, and while it’s quite the investment, it’s worth every penny. Those who prefer a firmer feel should opt for the ‘medium’ option, that’s ideal for side- and back-sleepers, but every bit as spoiling." - Clementina Jackson, Fashion Editor
Piglet In Bed British Wool Pillow
"I am very picky when it comes to my sleep. In fact, I struggle with even the most luxury of 5-star hotels, and much of my chagrin can be chalked up to the pillows. As such, I know what I like and I know what I dislike. I err towards pillows that are firm, but not “tall” enough to make me ache the following day. They also have to feel plush, and ensure my neck feels supported. This Piglet in Bed pillow is the best of all worlds, it’s super soft and luxury-feeling, but has ample support to ensure that my head region feels supported all night long, even if I’m tossing and turning. If I could travel with it, I would." - Nessa Humayun, Beauty Editor
Scooms Hungarian Goose Down Pillow
Soft/Medium:
"I was really impressed that the goose down and feather within the pillow is guaranteed responsibily sourced and constructed using eco-friendly technology with STeP & GRS accreditation. It its also dust-mite proof with 100% cotton for those who might be prown to allergies. I tried this and the medium/firm from Scooms which I personally preferred, but if you are looking for a softer pillow then I would recommend this.
Medium/Firm:
I am someone who loves a lot of support when it comes to pillows. Before testing this pillow out, I have been known to have sometimes 3 pillows to fall asleep to. Not anymore though, this pillow has a firm core of a small goose feather and then a softer outer-rim of goose down so that is is the perfect mix of firmness without hurting your neck. Even after sleeping on it consistently every night, It didn't lose shape or firmness however they recommend shaking it out and plumping daily so that the down remains airy." - Sophie Cookson, eCommerce Analyst
PillowPillow Down Surround Pillow
"Usually I hate the question “How did you sleep last night?” because my answer is always the same: terrible. However since sleeping with this pillow, I’ve never been more excited to answer this question. I honestly didn’t think such a comfortable pillow existed, and I am so happy to be proven wrong. It’s the perfect pillow for side sleepers who like feeling like they’ve rested their head on a cloud, but without feeling like it’s all consuming and borderline suffocating. If you’ve given up on the idea of a goodnights sleep, please let me introduce you to this pillow and get ready to finally wake up fresh and rested." - Maggie Joyner, Junior Social Media Editor
Silentnight So Full Pillow
"These Silentnight pillows are one of my absolute favourites, and for the price, you really can't go wrong. I either sleep on my front or back, so don't need something really firm, and this style provides the perfect soft to medium support. They feel super bouncy after months of use and look nice and full on my bed, plus they are hypoallergenic so are nice and kind to my skin." - Grace Lindsay, E-Commerce Writer
Emma Foam Pillow
"If you're looking for something really firm, you can't go wrong with the Emma Foam Pillow. As someone who doesn't need firm support, they were a little too hard for me, however my partner is a side sleeper and found them very comfortable. What's clever about this pillow is that it comes with adjustable layers, so you can switch up the pillow depending on how thick you want it to be." - Grace Lindsay, E-Commerce Writer
Dusk Feels Like Down Medium Pillow
"If you're looking for an affordable option with medium support, say hello to the Feels Like Down Medium Pillow by Dusk. These pillows are filled with 100% fine microfibres to resemble a luxury Down pillow but without any feathers, so those of you with allergies don't have to worry. They aren't as plump as other designs, but when testing I practically sank into them for a super comfortable sleep." - Grace Lindsay, E-Commerce Writer
