Sleeping with the right pillow can mean the difference between waking up feeling refreshed or spending your day nursing a sore neck. But, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best pillows worth dozing on.
Of course, what constitutes the ideal pillow is subjective. Side sleepers will do well with firm pillows, such as those made from memory foam, while back sleepers may prefer a squashy pillow that cocoons their head – feather and down or a synthetic dupe are great options. Front sleepers need a low-profile pillow, and wool or synthetic are great for this.
Allergy sufferers should also consider investing in pillows that are hypoallergenic – synthetic, wool or bamboo are a go-to. You need to be able to wash the pillows properly, to blitz out the dust and dust mites (grim, we know, but dust mites are the main cause of house-based allergies in the UK).
Not sure if you need a new pillow? If your sleep is disrupted, then it’s likely time to get an upgrade. A pillow’s lifespan is about one to five years – and that’s if you look after it properly. Keep scrolling for our pick of pillows for all types of sleepers.
How we tested
We’ve spent two years putting pillows to the test for this article – that’s almost 6,000 hours of testing. We recruited side-, back- and front-sleepers, to check the pillows for comfort and covered loads of different fillings, with synthetic, natural and hybrid options. We also paid close attention to comfort, how easy it was to fall asleep, whether we stayed in position throughout the night, and how our neck and shoulders felt in the morning. Whether the pillows offered good value for money was also taken into consideration. Here are the ones that won the pillow fight…
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Zoe Phillimore is a journalist and editor who has been writing review features for IndyBest since 2021. She specialises in all things sleep, from mattress toppers and duvets to sleep aids and SAD alarm clocks. Having written countless sleep-related reviews, Zoe has a keen eye for high-quality materials, durability and affordability. A criteria she applied to the best pillows over months of testing.
The best pillows for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Simba firm hybrid pillow: £135.15, Simbasleep.com
- Best budget buy – Silentnight airmax pillow: £10.50, Amazon.co.uk
- Best memory foam filling – Panda London hybrid bamboo pillow: £89.95, Pandalondon.com
- Best silk option – Fine Bedding Company boutique silk pillow: £38, Amazon.co.uk
