The best pillows for a blissful night's sleep
What pillow you lay your head on makes all the difference to the quality of your sleep.
It's not simply a choice between soft or firm, instead, there's a variety of materials and shapes to shop from with advanced features such as temperature regulation, airflow and neck support.
It's important to think beyond comfort too – if you suffer from neck or shoulder pain, prefer to lay on your back or are a side-sleeper, what pillow you need will differ.
Thick, memory foam will suit the latter, back sleepers should use a medium firmness pillow and stomach sleepers will get the maximum benefit from soft, thinner options.
We've done all the hard work for you and handpicked 12 of the best, which cater to a range of sleeping needs and budgets.
The best pillows for side, front and back sleepers
Emma Original Pillow | £54.45 from Emma Sleep
While you may know Emma for its mattresses, its original pillow is a clever design that suits all types of sleepers. It offers a firm memory foam comfort but has removable foam layers so you can adjust its height.
John Lewis & Partners Microfibre Standard Pillow Pair | £6 from John Lewis & Partners
If you're shopping on a budget, John Lewis & Partners' budget-friendly range Anyday should be your first visit. This pair of pillows amount to just £3 each and work best for front or back sleepers.
Slumberdown Cosy Nights White Pillows 2 Pack | £13.31 (Was £24.99) from Amazon
Made for back and side sleepers, these polyester pillows offer medium support and can be thrown in your washing machine with no bother. Plus, if you have an Amazon Prime membership, this pair can be on your bed in 24 hours.
Hypoallergenic Soft & Light Breathable Pillow | £20 from The White Company
A bestseller for The White Company, one happy customer said in their review: "An extremely comfortable pillow. Soft to touch. Good amount of filling, keeps plumped up but with enough give to sleep extremely comfortably."
Dorma Full Forever Firm-Support Pillow Pair | £14.40 from Dunelm
Perfect for a side sleeper, this affordable pillow pair from Dunelm has a 100% cotton cover, a 233-thread count and firm support.
Silentnight Deep Sleep Pillows | £17 from Very
Thanks to a hollowfibre filling, Silentnight's pillows are light as air but offer medium support for front and back sleepers. Best of all they're machine washable so it's easy to keep them clean and hygienic.
The Memory Foam Pillow | £69 from Eve
While this memory foam pillow provides firm support for back and side sleepers, to combat neck and shoulder tension, our favourite feature is the cooling air holes which ensure temperature regulation. They're the ideal investment ahead of summer.
Kingsize Pillow | £36.54 from Wayfair
This goose feather and down pillow is perfect for kingsize beds, but also has a beautiful plush feel, so you'll doze off in seconds once your head hits the hay.
Slumberdown Box Walled Pillow | £15 from George at Asda
A good quality pillow that will soothe shoulder and neck pain needn't cost a fortune, take a look at this pair from Slumberdown at Asda. They're designed with a box edge to help straighten your spine which can be a source of everyday aches.
Touch Of Silk Set of 2 Pillows | £30 from Next
Available in soft, medium, or firm, these pillows contain a blend of polyester and silk, so they have a luxurious feel while providing enough support for front, back or side sleepers. The pillow covers are made from cotton and they're machine washable too.
2 Pack Supremely Washable Medium Pillows | £19.50 from Marks & Spencer
For a trusty pair of pillows for a reasonable price, Marks & Spencer is your best bet. Designed with a non-allergenic filling made from recycled bottles and a breathable polycotton cover, not to mention the ability to be washed at 50°C, it's a no-brainer.
The Simba Hybrid Pillow | £109 from Simba
While not cheap, this Simba pillow won't lose its shape and is made with temperature regulation, adjustable height and removable nanocubes which can be taken out to customise how firm or soft you need.
