The 9 best pillows for all sleep styles – I've tested over 50 options to shortlist my top recommendations

Finding the best pillow for your sleep style is key to a good night's sleep. That's because – as you may already have realised if you’re tossing and turning at night squishing your current pillow into all kinds of shapes to try and get comfy – when it comes to pillows, one size doesn't fit all.

Just like shopping for the best mattress, finding the best pillow for your best night’s sleep depends on several factors, including your preferred sleeping position – i.e., whether you’re a back, stomach, or side sleeper – your body build, how firm a pillow you like, and your preferred choice of filling.

So with all this to factor in, how do you find the right pillow for you? That's where I come in. I'm Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, and alongside our wider review team, I've spent the last five years putting well over 50 pillows through their paces.

I've tested pillows from all the leading brand names and every loft, filling, and construction possible to bring you my top recommendations below.

The quick list

Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best pillows I've tested. You'll find more information on each pillow and why I recommend it if you keep on scrolling.

Best pillows – tried and tested

Best pillow for side sleepers

Image 1 of 4

Side sleeping is the most popular sleeping position, and as such, there are a *lot* of pillows that are aimed specifically at side sleepers on the market. I've tested over 50 of them, and overall, I think the Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow is one of the best pillows for side sleepers available.

The thing I like most about it is its natural latex core. Latex is still a fairly unusual pillow filling, but if you sleep on your back or your side, it's by *far* my favourite fill to opt for. That's because it offers great support, but unlike foam or memory foam, it doesn't feel dense or hard. Instead, it has a lovely amount of 'give' and bounce, a little like resting your head on a very firm jelly!

That support is particularly important for side sleeping, because in this sleeping position, we need a pillow that will keep our head raised up and in alignment with our spine. This material offers that height, but without the block-like feel that's common in memory foam or foam pillows. In comparison to most other side sleeper pillows I've tested, the Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow feels a lot more luxurious.

Even better, latex is breathable, and that means a cool sleep. I've overheated on pretty much every memory foam or foam pillow I've tested, but not so with latex options.

This pillow also comes in two height options, a 15cm and an 18cm depth. This choice is important for side sleeping because the width of our shoulders and the softness of our mattress will affect the height of the pillow we need to keep our head, neck, and spine aligned when we're lying on our side. This pillow also comes wrapped in a cotton and wool quilted cover, which gives you even more wiggle room on its height. The cover adds a couple of cms to its depth, so remove it or add it back on to tweak the height to suit your body frame even more closely.

This pillow isn't cheap, but having tested a *lot* of other options aimed specifically at side sleepers, I do think it's worth it. Plus, it's made from fully traceable, responsibly sourced, all-natural materials with no harmful chemicals. Even better, a 30-night sleep trial means there's plenty of opportunity to test out if it's for you before you commit.

Best pillow for back sleepers

Image 1 of 5

I really love the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pillow. I found it really comfortable for back sleeping, but it's also a decent pillow for a side sleeper (especially one who has narrowish shoulders) which makes it a good choice if you're an active sleeper who tends to change your sleeping position in the night.

It has a medium loft that isn't too high or too low and a squishy memory foam core that offers a great mix of support and cushioning. Unlike most memory foam pillows, it also feels really luxurious. It can almost give a top-end feather and down pillow a run for its money.

Its silky smooth bamboo rayon cover, a layer of quilted microfibre, and a squishy memory foam core create a premium feeling pillow, and I loved the feeling of sinking my head into it at night.

Its synthetic core does sleep a little warmer than a pillow filled with natural materials, but it sleeps cooler than most synthetic options. Plus, a 30-night sleep trial makes this pillow's high price tag a little more palatable. That return period allows you to sleep on it – literally – to test out whether you think it's worth the money before you commit.

My Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pillow has the full detail.

Best pillow for stomach sleepers

Image 1 of 4

Before we begin, it's perhaps worth mentioning that every sleep expert I've ever spoken to has told me that stomach sleeping is bad for your neck. And as someone who happily slept on their front for many years, before having to switch to side sleeping because my neck began complaining, I would personally advise avoiding this sleep position if you can.

However, if there are reasons you need to sleep on your front, this is the most comfortable pillow I've found to do so. Because stomach sleeping puts so much pressure on your neck, I always found I needed a very low and soft pillow for front sleeping, and this goose feather and down pillow in the medium loft delivers.

It feels super soft and squishy, and doesn't have too much filling, which means the pillow doesn't lift your head too far from the bed. And, because I was always an active sleeper who often started off sleeping on my back or side and then switched onto my front during the night, I loved the fact that I could squish the pillow filling into the right height, whichever sleeping position I was in. You can't do that with a polyester, memory foam, or latex pillow.

The other *big* bonus is that, unlike so many (often far more expensive) feather and down pillows I've tested, I've owned this pillow for nearly four years, and there are still barely any feathers escaping.

Plus, as a hot sleeper, I *love* the fact that, unlike pillows with synthetic fillings, a feather and down never makes me overheat. There's never any pillow flipping in search of the cool side with this pillow.

Best pillow for neck pain

Image 1 of 4

In my hunt for the best pillow for neck pain, I've found that the Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow is one of the best pillows to try if you're suffering from a sore neck.

Firstly, this pillow comes with a 44-night sleep trial. That means you can test it out at home (by actually sleeping on it) before you commit to keeping it. I've found that when searching for a pillow to prevent neck pain, you can easily spend a lot of money on pillows that aren't the right fit for your body. A sleep trial means those 'mistakes' on the journey to a pain-free sleep aren't so costly.

Second, it's one of the few pillows on the market that's available in four height options. This is important because a lot of neck pain is caused, or made worse, by a pillow that's too high or too low. Ideally, we all need a pillow that keeps our head and neck in the same alignment with our spine when we're lying down, as it would be if we were standing up straight. A pillow that's too high or too low can put pressure on the neck and create pain.

That's why the fact that the Levitex pillow comes in 8, 10, 12, and 14cm depths is such a game-changer. I simply input my usual sleep position, height, and mattress tension into the Levitex 'find your pillow size' online calculator, and it advised a pillow height that fit my body perfectly.

And third, whilst it took me a while to get used to the pillow's firm 'block-like' feel, I soon discovered that that firmness is another big plus point for neck pain relief. Unlike memory foam, polyester, or feather and down pillow fillings, which all slowly sink under the weight of the head, this pillow's foam core is *very* stable. That meant it kept my head, neck, and spine aligned all night long, rather than the filling gradually shifting and my head dropping, which tends to trigger my neck pain.

The main downside is that I do miss the luxury of a little 'squish' in my pillow. If either of the two height options in the Woolroom Natural Latex Washable Wool Pillow are the right height for your body frame, I find that pillow a more luxurious choice for neck pain. But the Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow's extra two height options are invaluable for others.

My Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow review has the full lowdown.

Best memory foam pillow

Image 1 of 5

All things considered, the Panda Memory Foam Pillow is one of the best memory foam pillows I've tested.

Many memory foam pillows can feel a lot like sleeping with a solid block under your head, but the Panda Memory Foam Pillow has just a little more give for a slightly more cushioned feel without losing any of its height.

Although it sleeps warmer than a natural-fill pillow, its synthetic memory foam core is still one of the most breathable memory foams I've slept on. Plus, its removable and machine washable cover is a nice touch, although I did find that cute embroidered Panda logo showed through white pillowcases a little.

However, best of all, is its price. Considering how well-designed and premium it feels, it has a very reasonable price point. Even better, Panda offers it with a 30 night sleep trial, which is a great length of time to test it out and see if it's the right pillow choice for you.

My Panda Memory Foam Pillow review has more details.

Best feather and down pillow

Image 1 of 4

I've tested a lot of feather and down pillows, and overall, I think the scooms Hungarian Goose Down Pillow is one of the best you can buy.

I tested the soft-medium support pillow (there's also a medium-firm option) and I found its super plump filling a good height for back sleeping and a great height for side sleeping. It delivers that 'just right' mix of comfort and support thanks to the combination of a Hungarian goose feather inner core surrounded by a softer, squashier layer of goose down.

Plus, the joy of a feather and down pillow – especially one with a high ratio of down to feathers, such as this – is that it's super malleable, so I found I could squish it to be higher or lower to get it to fit into the gap between my shoulder and neck perfectly.

As a hot sleeper, I also found I slept much cooler on this feather and down pillow than any synthetic-filled pillow I've tried. That's because the natural filling offers great breathability. Unlike many feather and down pillows I've tested, its Nomite-certified dustmite-proof cover also prevents any filling from escaping – I'm yet to discover any stray feathers when I change the bed.

Although it is an investment, it delivers a real sense of hotel-style luxury at home.

Best adjustable height pillow

Image 1 of 5

As I've mentioned, finding the best pillow for your body is all about finding the right pillow height to fit both your sleeping position and your individual body frame.

This can be challenging, as we are all built differently, which is why an adjustable-height pillow is such an ingenious concept. I've tested a few different options over the past five years, from the Simba Hybrid Pillow to the Emma Premium Cloud Pillow, and all in all, I think the Fine Bedding Adjustable HoneyFoam Pillow is one of the best customisable pillows we've tested.

That's because it contains individual memory foam 'HoneyFoam clusters' that can be added or removed to make the pillow into the exact right height you need for side, back, or front sleeping.

That memory foam is also more sustainable than most, and our reviewer Jennifer found it slept cooler than similar options. She also enjoyed its soft, plump feel, saying, 'I found my head stayed nicely cradled in one place throughout the night. That meant that during my four-week testing period, I've been waking with a less stiff neck and shoulder.'

The only downside is that, unlike Simba and Emma's adjustable options, the Fine Bedding Adjustable HoneyFoam Pillow doesn't come with a sleep trial. If that's a dealbreaker for you, you'll find Simba and Emma's adjustable pillows in our also tested section below.

Our Fine Bedding Adjustable HoneyFoam Pillow tells more.

Best cooling pillow

Image 1 of 4

If you're looking for the best cooling pillow, it's likely you're currently sleeping on a synthetic hollowfibre or microfibre pillow, or a memory foam pillow, that is making your head too hot at night.

The simplest solution is to opt for a feather and down pillow instead. This natural pillow filling has much better breathability, and in my experience, a feather and down pillow always offers the coolest sleep.

However, if you're vegan or prefer a firm pillow, feather and down won't be for you. So instead, I'll also suggest the best cooling pillow made from man-made fibres, which in my opinion is any of Tempur's SmartCool pillow collection.

These pillows are made from memory foam, so they feel firmer than any feather and down pillow, but as someone who usually overheats on memory foam, I can confirm the SmartCool covers are exactly that: smart enough to feel cool to the touch, whatever the weather, which is bliss to this hotheaded sleeper.

As a side sleeper, I prefer the firm ergonomic Tempur Original SmartCool Pillow that comes in three height options, but if you're a back sleeper, the lower and squishier TEMPUR Cloud SmartCool Pillow is also great. A 30-night sleep trial also makes their hefty price tag a little easier to swallow; at least you know you can return it if it isn't right for you.

Best firm pillow

Image 1 of 4

If you're looking for a firm pillow, it doesn't get much firmer than the Simba's CustomFlex Pillow (previously known as the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow). In fact, I have to admit this pillow is far *too* firm for my liking. I actually found it gave me an earache! But multiple of my firm-loving pillow testers say this is their very favourite pillow and sleep on it every night, so I'm going to bow to their opinions on this.

The reason this pillow is so much firmer than most is that it contains springs. Yep, it's the only pillow I know of that contains an actual spring layer, and that makes it almost like a mini mattress for your head.

The other plus point of this pillow is that its height is customisable. All in all, there are three layers stuffed into its outer case: the titanium alloy micro springs layer, and then two layers filled with recycled polyester to soften those springs a little.

That means you can play around adjusting the comfort and support layers, and alter the height of the pillow, which is particularly useful for side sleepers.

The downsides are that despite the cooling tech in its outer cover, I found it still slept a little warmer than I would have liked. And – the big one – its £159 price point is eyewatering. Plus, Simba no longer seems to offer a sleep trial on its pillows, which makes it a risky investment.

However, both our reviewer Richard and experienced bedding expert Zoe wouldn't be without it, so if nothing else is proving as firm as you like, this pillow may well be worth the investment for you.

See what my fellow pillow tester Richard thought in his Simba CustomFlex Pillow review.

Quick comparisons

Also tested

How we test pillows

Amy Lockwood

I'm Amy, Ideal Home's Sleep Editor and Certified Expert in all things sleep-related. I've spent the last five years testing sleep products by night and sharing my findings with our readers by day. That includes sleeping on more than 50 different pillows (and counting) to find the best in class. All in all, that's over 10,000 hours of at-home pillow testing under my belt!

Before creating this shortlist, I slept on each pillow for at least three nights (in most cases far longer) on my own bed to assess its comfort when side, back, and stomach sleeping.

I also noted how warm each pillow slept – i.e., if it caused my head to get hot during the night or if I stayed cool and fresh – after all, no one wants to wake up with a sweaty head! Plus, I considered how easy each pillow is to care for, whether it comes with a sleep trial, and its value for money.

This guide includes only those pillows that performed the very best during my tests. I regularly update this guide and remove any pillows that don't make the grade long-term, whether that's due to escaping feathers, not washing well, or flattening over time.

Where to buy the best pillows

Wondering where to shop? I've rounded up a quick list of the best places to buy a new pillow.

• Amazon: affordable synthetic pillows
• Argos: affordable pillows of all types
• Dunelm: affordable pillows of all types
• John Lewis: high-quality pillows of all types
• Kally Sleep: pillows for neck pain
• M&S: high-quality pillows of all types
• Panda: high-quality memory foam pillows
• scooms: high-quality feather and down pillows
• Simba: height-adjustable synthetic pillows
• Soak & Sleep: high-quality pillows of all types
• The White Company: high-quality feather and down pillows
• Woolroom: high-quality wool pillows

How to choose a pillow

As I've mentioned, finding the best pillow for your best night’s sleep isn't a one-size-fits-all affair, and it's important to get it right.

As Kora Habinakova, sleep and bedding expert from bedding specialist Sleepseeker, explains, ‘the purpose of a pillow is to support your head and align your neck and spine while you lie down’. But get it wrong, and misalignment between the neck and spine can create ‘discomfort, stiffness, and even pain in the neck, shoulders, and back,' says Kora. 'It can also exacerbate existing spinal conditions or lead to new ones over time.'

So, finding the right pillow for you will depend on a few key considerations. These include your regular sleep position – i.e. whether you’re a front, back, or side sleeper – your body frame, whether you prefer a firm or a soft pillow, and if you have any preferences about the materials your pillow contains.

You can find more detailed buying advice in our guide to how to choose a pillow, but here's a quick checklist of the four main considerations.

1. Sleeping position

Your usual sleeping position is key to your pillow choice, because this affects the pillow height (also known as loft) that you need.

As Dave Gibson registered osteopath, sleep expert, and founder of The Sleep Site explains, 'your pillow should hold your head in the same position as it would be if you were standing upright with good posture. Too low and your head falls back creating pressure in the neck. Too high and it tends to leave the neck muscles stiff'.

This means a side sleeper generally needs a high pillow, a back sleeper a low to medium-height pillow, and a stomach sleeper a very thin pillow.

2. Your body frame

One of the things that makes finding the perfect pillow so difficult is that all of us are built differently, and this often affects the height of pillow we need. This isn't quite such a factor for back or stomach sleepers, but it's a *big* consideration if you're a side sleeper.

This is because the ideal pillow for a side sleeper should fit snugly between the ear and the mattress when we're lying on our side, without the head dropping down or raised too far up, both of which can cause neck pain. Think of the neck and spine as one long tube, and we want to keep that tube as straight as possible with no kinks.

Where this can cause problems is that all of us have different shoulder widths. So those of us with wide shoulders will need a higher pillow for comfortable side sleeping than those of us with narrow shoulders. This means that one side sleeper's ideal pillow isn't necessarily going to be the dream for another side sleeper.

Adjustable height pillows, or those with multiple height options (such as the Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow), can be very useful here. You might also have to accept that it will take a little trial and error to find your perfect pillow height. And in this case, a pillow sleep trial is like gold; more on that in a minute.

3. Firm or soft?

Your sleeping position can also affect which pillow firmness is best for you.

A side sleeper needs a firm pillow that keeps the head lifted during the night. Whereas a back sleeper might prefer a medium-firm or soft pillow that cushions and cradles the back of the head. A front sleeper needs a far softer pillow that won't lift the neck too far from the mattress.

4. Filling type

Your choice of pillow filling may also be dictated by the type of support you need; for instance, memory foam is best for firm support, and feather and down, microfibre or hollowfibre can offer medium or soft support.

However, each filling also has its own pros and cons. For example, natural fillings such as wool or feather and down tend to sleep a lot cooler than synthetic fillings. Our guide to the best filling for a pillow has more information.

5. Sleep trial

My last tip is to try and make the most of a sleep trial when it comes to choosing a pillow.

A sleep trial generally means that you buy the pillow and then have a set number of nights to trial sleeping on the pillow on your own bed. Terms and conditions may apply, but if you don't like the pillow, you can usually then return it for a refund within the trial period, or swap it for an alternative pillow.

Not all pillow manufacturers offer this feature, but many – such as scooms, Panda, Tempur, and more – now do. Because choosing a pillow isn't one-size-fits-all, a sleep trial is a great way to avoid wasting money on a pillow that ends up not being the right fit for you.

FAQs

Finding the best pillow for your needs is a key component of how to sleep better. However, it isn't the only important piece of bedding you need to know about.

As well as a comfortable mattress, you'll also want to source the best duvet, and potentially the best mattress topper for your bed. Luckily, we've tested numerous options to help you find the best products for your sleep setup.