Best Pillow Reviews UK 2023 – Top 10 Picks Compared

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.

Our Favourites

Editor’s Choice: Umi Luxury
Best Value: Silentnight Ultrabounce
Heat-Regulating Choice: Supportiback CoolGel

Having a restful sleep the night before is important if you want to start your day right. To achieve a peaceful slumber, surround yourself with comfortable bedroom essentials.

If you’re looking to buy new bedroom accessories, you might be wondering what the best pillows in the UK are right now. You’ve come to the right place.

After extensive research, we’ve carefully compiled a list of pillow reviews in the UK to help you make the right purchasing decision for a good night’s rest. If you’re still not sure which of our top ten pillows to go for then check out our buying guide to discover what features you really need from your new pillows, so you can go ahead to buy with confidence!

How We Compared Pillows

To find the right pillows we considered multiple factors including:

• Filling
• Cover
• Dimensions
• Support
• Breathability
• Hypoallergenic
• Cost

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

To find out more about our process please see here.

Best Pillow Reviews – Top 10 Picks

1. Umi Luxury (Editor’s Choice)

These luxurious pillows by Umi are some of the best hotel quality pillows in the UK.

Made with premium white goose feather fillings that are certified by Downpass for animal rights, the three-chamber construction complete with microfibre down-proof walling means you won’t have any pricks or irritation from the feather fillings. Complete with a premium 100% cotton cover, this highly breathable feather pillow comes in a set of two – making them better value for money than those sold individually.

These pillows are fairly large, so depending on your current bedroom setup, you may need to buy wider covers. While they are very comfortable, if you suffer from neck or back pain, you may find they don’t provide the level of firmness and support you need. Lastly, like most goose or duck feather pillows, they will require regular plumping in order to retain their shape.

2. Silentnight Ultrabounce (Best Value)

Enjoying a peaceful night of sleep is easier than ever with these delightful Ultrabounce pillows from Silentnight. Designed to offer a medium level of firmness, these pillows cushion your head and neck perfectly while giving them adequate support to fight against neck and back pain. The bouncy filling even returns to its original shape after regular use.

Made to stand the test of time, the Silentnight Ultrabounce pillow naturally springs back after regular compression to give you more comfort and support for longer. You also get the benefit of hypoallergenic materials throughout, ideal for people with allergies.

Not only are these pillows durable but they’re washable, too. Either use one pillow for extra softness or two for medium support levels. With this purchase, you get a pack of six pillows so you can organise your bedding however works best for you.

While this set is super soft and cosy for most, it may not be ideal for some people who require a firmer level of support. You may also notice that these pillows don’t last as long as some competitors.

3. Supportiback CoolGel Orthopedic (Best Heat-Regulating)

Quite possibly the most comfortable pillow in the UK, these orthopaedic pillows by Supportiback help ensure a good night’s sleep even for neck and back pain sufferers.

These comfortable pillows, made from high-density memory foam, adjust to your movements so you wake less throughout the night. Designed to be the perfect pillow that promotes correct spine alignment, relieves pressure points, and cradles your head, this pillow also features two distinct sides. Use the cooling gel side on hot nights or the plush warming side for cooler weather to ensure maximum comfort. The detachable, machine washable cover also makes them super-easy to clean.

Unfortunately, like many similar products, these pillows have a strong chemical odour that can take some time to disappear after you first receive them. And if you’re new to orthopaedic pillows, you may need a while to get used to their shape. Note that they are smaller than standard-sized pillows, so you should take this into account before you buy.

4. Ecosafeter Contour Memory Foam (Best Overall Design)

Want to improve your sleep without spending a lot? These contour memory foam pillows are the best cheap pillows we’ve come across.

They are excellent value pillows for the price. Made from high-density memory foam with a unique contoured design, they will help you to correctly align your spine for a comfortable night’s sleep. Additionally, they help with snoring as well as ease back and neck pain. Furthermore, this pillow features anti-microbial and dust mites repellent properties, making them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers, while the outer cover is easily removable and can be machine washed.

On the downside, they do have an initial chemical smell. Additionally, they are smaller than regular pillows so if you like to sleep propped up, you may need an extra support pillow to use underneath to raise their height.

5. The Original P.W.A.H. (Ear-Friendly Option)

The Original Pillow with a Hole is proudly advertised by the company as Your Ear’s Best Friend. It has a unique design that includes a hole in the centre of the pillow to provide added pressure relief to your ear.

Aside from helping reduce possible ear pain caused by sleeping on your side, the centre hole in this pillow improves breathability. It works as an extra vent that helps release body heat.

You can easily adjust the firmness and loft of this pillow by removing or adding filling to suit your body shape. The filling is made from polyester coil-fibres that are plump and durable. It has a density that is similar to a feather pillow. And, thanks to the synthetic fibres – it is hypoallergenic. You can also machine wash this pillow making it easy to clean and re-fluff the filling.

The Original P.W.A.H. is made in England and comes with easy no-hassle returns to guarantee satisfaction. As a bonus, a specially designed 100% cotton pillowcase comes included.
Be aware, this pillow has a slightly smaller size and it could be too thin for larger individuals. The design also limits your pillowcase options but overall, it makes an excellent choice for side sleepers.

6. Supportiback Therapy Wedge (Best For Neck Pain)

Supportiback wedge pillows are up there among the best pillows for sleeping when you suffer from neck pain.

The wedge design memory foam pillow is crafted at a specific angle to help to promote good posture while relieving back and neck pain. It also helps with other problems such as acid reflux. Its supportive bottom foam layer keeps you upright, while the cooling channels allow air to circulate, ensuring you don’t overheat. Unlike many other models, the zip is solidly made and allows you to remove the outer cover for washing.

Unfortunately, there is no spare cover provided and the pillow’s unusual shape makes it difficult to use another whilst washing and drying. You should also be aware that these memory foam pillows are not really suitable if you’re a stomach sleeper and you may find that you slip down it during the night.

7. Simba Memory Foam (Best Firm)

If you’re looking for a firm, supportive pillow to ease neck and shoulder pain while you sleep, then this memory foam pillow by Simba is a great choice.

Perfect for side and back sleepers, the responsive memory foam moulds around your head and neck. It provides your spine with proper alignment and relieves any tension accumulated during the day. The 100% hypoallergenic materials will not irritate the skin or flare-up allergies. Thus, you can sleep soundly in complete comfort.

One of the most common complaints with memory foam is that it ‘sleeps hot’. However, the Simba pillow has been specially designed to wick away heat for a cool night’s sleep, even in the summer months. This is attributed to the intelligent airflow channels that run through the body of the pillow, circulating air and enabling heat to dissipate. It’s easy to wash, too. Just zip off the plush cover and put it in the washing machine.

If you’re after good support, this pillow is a worthy pick. But it does have a few downsides to keep in mind. Some users found this pillow too firm, especially for those who prefer to sleep on their stomachs.

Furthermore, as with all memory foam products, the Simba will give off a strong chemical smell when first opened. After airing for a day or two, this odour should reduce. However, it may take several weeks before it fades completely.

8. Makimoo Super Soft (Best Soft)

If you are looking for the best soft pillows, then you’ll love the Makimoo Super Soft.

Sold in sets of two, it is suitable for all sleeping positions. Its hypoallergenic bamboo and polyester cover, as well as down-alternative filling, make this pillow suitable if you suffer from allergies. It’s also great if you’re looking for a very soft pillow without a down filling. As these pillows feature a machine washable cover, keeping them clean and at their finest is easy.

However, it only has a single layer fabric covering which means that the filling is loose within the cover. You will need to find somewhere to store it while washing and drying the cover itself. In addition, while this pillow is very soft, as advertised, it does not offer much support and it tends to be rather flat after a few hours of use.

9. Panda Bamboo (Best Hypoallergenic)

In search of the best memory foam pillow in the UK? Have a look at the Panda Bamboo Pillow.

These environmentally friendly pillows feature a naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial bamboo cover that is also highly breathable with excellent thermoregulatory properties. This will help to keep you cool in hot weather and to stay cosy during winter nights. The triple layer moulded memory foam provides excellent support and is suitable for all sleeping positions. Made to last, these pillows come with a 10-year guarantee too.

Note that these memory foam pillows are slightly smaller than traditional sized pillows and they may have a chemical odour for the first few weeks. Also, the zips are not of the same high quality as the pillows, so you shouldn’t be too rough when using them.

10. PureComfort (Best with Adjustable Loft)

This top-selling product is a must if you’re looking for the perfect pillow. As one of the best-rated pillows available, the PureComfort provides a cooling effect thanks to its gel-infused memory foam filling.

Suitable for all sleeping positions, simply adjust the amount of filling for a truly personalised sleeping experience. Not only are these luxury memory foam pillows hypoallergenic, but they also feature machine washable covers. It has a five-year warranty which is ideal if you’re looking for a long-lasting pillow.

On the downside, they are on the expensive side and the zip is a little flimsy. Unfortunately, no written advice is provided on recommended filling amounts for different sleep positions. Even so, these luxurious cooling pillows are without a doubt one of the very best pillows UK has to offer.

How To Choose The Perfect Pillow For a Great Night’s Sleep

Just like choosing the ideal mattress, when choosing the best pillow for a great night’s rest, there are plenty of factors you should bear in mind. While some come purely down to your personal preference, others are more practical. Here are some of the main factors you need to consider when choosing new pillows for your bedroom.

Filling

When you’re choosing new pillows, you should focus upon what type of filling you are looking for. While there’s a huge variety of pillow filling available, the main ones are: down and feather, memory foam, microfibre and latex. Whichever type of filling is right for you, you should take into account the density of that filling. Pillows with higher densities tend to be firmer and can be more supportive.

Cover

When you buy new pillows, pay close attention to the outer fabric layer. Natural fibres such as cotton or bamboo are popular choices for their breathability and durability. Whatever type of covering your new pillow comes with, it is worthwhile checking whether or not it can be removed and machine washed.

Pillows that have removable outer covers can be extremely useful. They allow you to wash your pillow covering so it looks like new and prevents any stains from building up. Additionally, check the type of fastenings included in your pillow cover, how easy it is to zip up and whether it is durable enough to last.

Dimensions

Always check the dimensions of any pillows before you buy, don’t just assume that they will all be standard UK pillow sizes. For instance, a travel pillow can be as small as several centimetres while a body pillow can be as big as a couple of feet. This can cause problems if your existing pillowcases don’t fit. You’ll most likely have to travel to a shop or go online to buy a spare one. Even when a case is provided by the manufacturer, you’ll still need to find a replacement one while it’s getting washed and dried.

Support

Finding a comfortable pillow means checking what support level they offer. It’s important to bear in mind that one person’s level of support will vary according to their needs. For instance, the perfect pillow for neck pain may give a different kind of support than a pregnancy pillow.

Breathability

If you have trouble sleeping during the warmer months of the year then you may want to look for a pillow that is made with natural materials for a more breathable, cooler feel. Memory foam pillows are typically known to heat up and lack breathability. On the other hand, there are some that may compensate by having a natural covering. Others have features such as cooling channels that will help prevent overheating. Still, others even use advanced gel style inlays that provide effective cooling.

Hypoallergenic

If you suffer from any allergies or breathing difficulties, you’ll want to opt for a hypoallergenic pillow. Choosing a pillow with a hypoallergenic covering and filling will prevent dust mites and allergens from targeting your pillow. As pillows come into prolonged contact with our face and nose, even if you do not suffer from allergies, it is important to have pillows that will inhibit potentially irritating or health-damaging micro-organisms. You can also use naturally hypoallergenic silk pillowcases to further prevent skin irritation.

Cost

Prices for pillows vary hugely. While the old adage “you get what you pay for” generally rings true, when it comes down to pillows and their comfort levels, you may find that spending a large amount doesn’t always guarantee greater comfort in the quest for the perfect pillow.

Conclusion

With such an excellent variety of pillows to choose between, we recommend our editor’s choice, the Umi Luxury. These OEKTO-TEX certified pillows are filled with premium goose feathers and feature a three-chamber pillow design with a down-proof lining. All of this ensures that you can rest comfortably and won’t be bothered by any pricks or irritations. Additionally, the pillows come with a 100% cotton cover creating a hypoallergenic and breathable place for you to slumber.

Additional Resources

• Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Best Mattress for a Heavy Person
• Best Mattress for Back Pain
• Best Memory Foam Mattress