All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
9 best pillows to buy in 2025: tried and tested memory foam and down pillows
.png)
We spend approximately one third of our lives tucked up in bed asleep, so, when it comes to buying bedding, scrimping and saving on quality is only doing a disservice to ourselves. After all, consistently getting a good night's sleep has been linked to wellbeing, health and a longer life span.
If you want to be cost effective in your purchasing, it's okay to buy more affordable bedding, like duvet covers and pillowcases, but we recommend investing in your mattress, duvet and pillow, as these pieces are the key to a well-supported, comfortable night's sleep. Read on for our round-up of the best pillows available now.
Which type of pillow is best?
To answer this question, you need to consider a few key things, including your sleeping position. Perhaps you're a side sleeper? The best option for you would be a supportive pillow with medium firmness. This will provide neck support and relieve the pressure on your shoulders. Memory foam options are also a good choice here as they mould to your shape. For back sleepers or stomach sleepers, the most comfortable pillow will be a thinner one. Essentially, you need something that will keep your shoulders and spine in the same position as when you're standing upright.
Our editors' tried and tested top picks
.png)
| Emma Premium Foam Pillow | |
|---|---|
| Filling material | Synthetic foam |
| Casing material | 98% polyester and 2% elastane |
| Firmness level | Firm, but adjustable according to different foam layers |
| Machine washable? | Remove the elasticated top cover and pop it in the washing machine – at a maximum of 60°C, but avoid washing the pillow interior |
| Country of manufacture | UK |
| Sizes available | One size |
| Delivery | Free |
I occasionally get neck and shoulder pain, so I wanted to try a more supportive pillow. I had never owned a pillow that wasn’t down-filled, so I opted for a foam one in the hope that it would retain its plumpness while providing a little more neck support.
The casing is made of a breathable, white, synthetic knitted fabric. There is a zipper on the casing, which allows for easy access to the inner foam layers, and the grey piping around the edge is a smart touch. Although it may seem a little hard at first for those used to down pillows, you soon become accustomed to the firmer feel of the pillow and come to appreciate the amount of support it provides. Since using it, I have noticed less and less the feeling of neck pain and trapped nerves when waking up that I used to get from time to time. The three different foam layers are removable, allowing you to customise the pillow. The Emma 'Premium Pillow' is a sturdy, well-made, customisable option for anyone looking for more support during a night’s sleep. It is one of the best memory foam pillows that I’ve tried.
The pillow was packaged in a plastic bag inside a slim cardboard box, nothing too large and cumbersome, but a fabric bag instead of a plastic one, that could be re-used to store or transport the pillow, would have felt a little more premium and sustainability-minded. If you choose to adjust the pillow by taking out one of the foam layers, it would have been useful to have that fabric bag to store the removed layer.
The free delivery and returns policy is much appreciated when splashing out on a pricier pillow. There wasn't really any excess packaging, but the plastic bag felt a little unnecessary.
Best duck feather and down pillow: The White Company Perfect Everyday Duck Down Pillow
| Perfect Everyday Duck Down Pillow | |
|---|---|
| Filling material | Duck feather and down |
| Casing material | 233-thread-count cotton percale |
| Firmness level | Medium or firm |
| Machine washable? | Machine wash and tumble dry, but for best results, professional laundering is recommended |
| Country of manufacture: | UK |
| Sizes available | Standard, super king |
| Delivery | Free over £50 |
Our verdict When I first lifted my new ‘Perfect Everyday Duck Down Pillow’ from the box, I was worried. It was considerably weightier than my usual soft, cloud-like favourites and I feared this would translate into an unyielding, uncomfortable experience. But as soon as I laid my head on it, I felt that familiar feather and down cocoon and plenty of give as I moved from side to side.
Underneath a soft top pillow, it performed even better, providing additional support and slightly more structure without sacrificing any of the comfort I’m used to. Crucially, I have not woken with the aching head or neck that usually follows a night’s sleep on a too-firm pillow. I suspect this is thanks to the perfectly balanced filling of lightweight duck down and fine duck feather. As for the casing, the 233-thread-count cotton percale provides a beautifully breathable, cool and smooth feel. And for bonus points, all The White Company’s down and feather fillings are sourced from cruelty-free suppliers as a by-product of the food industry.
If you are in search of a medium-support pillow that offers the comfort of a softer design with additional structure, this is definitely worth investing in. It is ideal as a second pillow, but would also work very well on its own with the feather and down offering plenty of give and reassuring softness. I am definitely a convert.
Delivery was efficient and straightforward. A pair of pillows arrived in an easily recyclable cardboard box, with each pillow in its own plastic and fabric carry case – very useful if, like me, you are often tempted to travel with your own pillow. There was no excess packaging.
Best affordable pillow: Dusk Supreme Goose Down pillow
| Dusk Supreme Goose Down pillow | |
|---|---|
| Filling material | Goose down and goose feather |
| Casing material | Not specified |
| Firmness level | Soft, medium or firm |
| Machine washable? | No, professionally launder |
| Country of manufacture: | Not specified |
| Sizes available | Standard, super king |
| Delivery | £3.99 under £75, free over £75 |
Down is quite an easy-to-come-by filling for pillows, and goose down is a good option to choose. The Dusk version is a reasonable price, which is not always the case for such a filling. There is nothing out of the ordinary or particularly novel about the Dusk Supreme Goose Down pillow that makes it discernible from others on the market.
At first, I tested the ‘firm’ option and as soon as they arrived, I was impressed by what Dusk take to mean firm. The pillows were heavy – to the point of cumbersome – and with no give at all. This seemed positive as it made me think there would be no issue with lumps but the truth is that I had to switch to a ‘medium’ firmness as it was too hard for me and, as a side sleeper, the pillows ended up hurting my ears during the night. The medium are still very hefty but the down loosens over time to become a lot more comfortable. So far, no lumps either, though they aren't quite as firm as I'd like (perhaps, after all, the problem is me?)
These pillows are frequently on sale - currently, they are £55 for a pair, which is very reasonable.
The packaging is very simple and what you expect from high street retailers – a grey plastic parcel bag and inside were the pillows in a zip up plastic case. The pillows have been squashed to make them a smaller size to post and need airing and plumping on arrival. The delivery is not quick, taking up to a week to arrive via Evri.
Best eco-friendly pillow: Ethical Bedding Bamboo Pillows
| Ethical Bedding Bamboo Pillows | |
|---|---|
| Filling material | Eucalyptus filling |
| Casing material | 50% bamboo/50% recycled polyester shell |
| Firmness level | Soft/medium or medium/firm |
| Machine washable? | Yes |
| Country of manufacture: | China |
| Sizes available | Regular, super king |
| Delivery | Free |
I have always favoured feather-filled pillows but there are so many alternatives now available. Some of my guests have expressed a preference for non-feather pillows because of allergies and I am always interested in companies trying to take a more ethical approach to manufacturing. Ethical Bedding's ‘Bamboo Pillow’ is hypoallergenic, with zero toxic chemicals. The filling is bamboo, which is apparently naturally resistant to dust, dust mites and mould. According to the website, each pillow uses the equivalent of 12-15 recycled plastic bottles. The shell feels soft and silky (but obviously this will be covered with a pillowcase). I chose the soft/medium firmness so it is soft (which I prefer), but it does have the lack of movement I associate with a foam-filled pillow.
If you are happy to spend a little more on a hypoallergenic pillow that is produced by a B-Corp-certified company with ethical supply chain and production systems and an emphasis on sustainability, this is a good option.
It arrived in a very smart grey carry bag in a cardboard box. Yes, simple and efficient with good delivery information. The plastic bag inside the carry bag seemed unnecessary and at odds with Ethical Bedding’s avowed eco approach.
Best cooling pillow: Nectar Premium Pillow
| Nectar Premium Pillow | |
|---|---|
| Filling material | Memory foam |
| Casing material | Quilted polyester and Tencel blend cover |
| Firmness level | Not specified |
| Machine washable? | Spot clean only (though the removable cover makes this very easy) |
| Country of manufacture: | UK |
| Sizes available | 60x40x12cm |
| Delivery | Free named day shipping |
In search of something that ticked the ‘pillowiness’ box but also offered all of the comfort of memory foam, I turned to the Nectar ‘Premium Pillow'. Having had a very positive experience with my Nectar ‘Premier Hybrid’ mattress, I had high hopes.
I admit, the pillow was not exactly what I was expecting. I was used to the absolute firmness of my previous memory foam pillow, and was surprised to receive a pillow which is filled with small bundles of shredded foam which can be moved about to your liking. However, after a few sleeps, I realised that the Nectar 'Premium Pillow' offers the best of both worlds: the mouldable foam core provides structure (and keeps your spine nicely aligned throughout the night), but it's covered in a soft, cloud-like quilted outer casing. Not only is this practical, as the outer casing can be removed and easily cleaned, but it also makes the pillow ultra-breathable. The casing is made using Tencel - a cotton alternative which promises more air-flow, and also has a mesh border, allowing even more air to flow through and increasing its cooling effect.
If you're looking for a pillow which strikes the balance between supportive and cushioning, this is the pillow for you. And you'll sleep extra soundly having spent a very reasonable £65 for the pair.
Unlike most memory foam pillows, which will arrive vacuum packed and slowly inflate to a perfect rectangle, the Nectar Premium Pillow arrives ready-to-go in a large, recyclable box. It arrived swiftly and with no complications - within three days of ordering it was delivered by DPD.
Best goose feather and down pillow: Loaf Easy Kip Pillows
| Loaf Easy Kip Pillows | |
|---|---|
| Filling material | 85% Hungarian goose feather, 15% Hungarian goose down |
| Casing material | 100% cotton |
| Firmness level | Medium firm |
| Machine washable? | Yes, at 40 degrees |
| Country of manufacture: | Fife, Scotland |
| Sizes available | One size (50cm x 75cm) |
| Delivery | £6, arrives in 2-4 working days |
At the start of the year I decided it was time to invest in a new set of pillows. I knew I wanted a down pillow, as I like my head to sink into it, rather than be supported and, after a few weeks of research, I landed on Loaf's Easy Kip pillow. Loaf sell three different tiers of bedding. Easy Kip, Top Kip and Friendly Kip. Easy Kip is billed as the ‘perfect all-rounder’ and is filled with Hungarian goose feathers. Top Kip is the pricier older sister of Easy Kip, with a slightly more lightweight feel and improved breathability. The Friendly Kip range is filled with an allergy-friendly alternative to goose down.
The cover is made from 100% cotton (points for breathability), and is hypoallergenic thanks to a fabric structure that makes it impenetrable by dust mites. Inside the pillows, the filling is 85% Hungarian goose feather, 15% Hungarian goose down. Occasionally, I've found that down and feather pillows can have a slightly ‘crunchy’ feel. However, Loaf's Easy Kip pillows are super soft. They're plump and robust looking when sitting on your bed, which gives it that hotel look, yet ‘sinky’ enough to satisfy me whilst sleeping. The pillows are made in Fife, Scotland and are machine washable at 40 degrees.
With their robust, yet squishy feel, easy delivery and not-too-extortionate price point, the Loaf Easy Kip pillows are certainly worth the investment.
The pillow delivery was quick and efficient. The most pleasing part was the packaging itself. The pair of pillows arrived in a smart pinstriped fabric bag with rope handles, as opposed to being wrapped in layers of plastic. I've now used the bag to neatly store my old pillows.
Best pillow available in different sizes: Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow
.png)
| Sleep Posture Pillow | |
|---|---|
| Filling material | Levitex Foam |
| Casing material | Nylon |
| Firmness level | Medium firm |
| Machine washable? | Not specified |
| Country of manufacture: | UK |
| Sizes available | 60x40cm, available in 8, 10, 12, or 14cm thicknesses |
| Delivery | Free |
The Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow comes in four different lofts (heights), designed to be adaptable to people of different shapes and sizes. I have the medium size which is 10cm deep, and is meant for side sleepers of 5’3″ to 5’8″, or back sleepers who are 6′3″ and above. The different heights allow you to find the right size to keep your head aligned with your spine, and stop your shoulders from caving forward, if you're a side sleeper like I am (most people are). I was concerned that it was too low for me because it feels so different to the previous pair of pillows I was using, but actually it feels like it does keep my head in line.
This pillow does not, of course, have the sinking, cocooning effect that a down pillow does, but it makes up for it in the support it provides. The Levitex pillow does take a bit of getting used to. I would say that it is more on the firm side, so would be better for those looking for a firm and supportive pillow to sleep on. It also doesn't mould to the head and have that retaining shape feel that memory foam pillows tend to have - James Leinhardt, the company's founder, stresses that the Levitex foam they use is not memory foam. Instead it has a more of an instant spring back and a lighter feel. So it feels less like a traditional, dense memory foam in that sense.
Delivery
The delivery was free, fast and easy, without any excessive packaging. Levitex also offer a 44 night sleep trial, so if think you've ordered the wrong size it's very easy to swap to a different one. Returns are free too.
More tried and tested pillows
Simba Stratos Pillow
| Simba Stratos Pillow | |
|---|---|
| Filling material | Simba Renew Bio™, incorporating recycled plastic bottle fibres |
| Casing material | Cotton cover, with Stratos® ‘cool-touch’ tech on one side |
| Firmness level | Soft/medium or medium/firm |
| Machine washable? | Machine washable at 40°C (delicates); re-shape while damp, tumble dry on low heat |
| Country of manufacture: | UK |
| Sizes available | Regular 50 x 75cm |
| Delivery | Free next day |
I normally favour down pillows, but I thought I'd try something that promised more support and was also anti-allergy. The Stratos pillow's ‘down-like clusters' seemed a good compromise. As a pillow flipper, I also liked the idea of the cooling technology, which claims to keep your head nice and cool through the night. Despite claiming softness, the pillow isn't for someone looking for something that you're going to sink into. It does feel structurally robust, whilst also being quite thin – perfect for an austere sleeper who wants to feel supported without volume. If you're looking for more height, I'd recommend getting a couple to pile on top of each other. As a bonus, the pillow is made from recycled bottle fibres, so it has less impact on the environment (making it even easier to sleep at night).
The eco-friendly nature of this Simba product was the most appealing feature, and it feels good for neck support without being cumbersome.
The pillow was delivered quickly and efficiently, and arrived in a handy, handled case should I want to transport it. The company promises 100% carbon-neutral deliveries, and the storage bag is totally recycled.
Aeyla Adjustable FOAMO Pillow
.png)
| Aeyla Adjustable FOAMO Pillow | |
|---|---|
| Filling material | 100% Cool Touch Microfibre |
| Casing material | 100% Bamboo Lyocell |
| Firmness level | Medium-firm but adjustable to preference |
| Machine washable? | Machine washable cover, not filling. |
| Country of manufacture: | Not specified |
| Sizes available | 50cm x 75cm or as a long ‘body pillow’ with all the same features |
| Delivery | Free standard shipping on all orders over £30 |
It can be hard to know whether to believe people swearing their loyal commitment to a brand or product on the internet, but, side-sleepers, believe me when I say this is certainly worth committing to. It's improved my sleep (no more waking up in the night to wrestle and manoeuvre my lacklustre pillow pile), supports my neck and has genuinely improved my neck pain. I actually think I can hear the pillow calling my name from the minute I get home from work.
The pillow's innards are made of what Aeyla describe as ‘100% Cool Touch Microfibre’, and what I would describe as ‘clouds made in heaven.' You can unzip the bamboo pouch and take out as much of the stuffing as you like, or shift it around to have more around the neck if you need extra support. I worried recently that it was losing a bit of its ‘oomph’ but I just fluffed up the luxuriously foamy filling and it's popped back to perfection. It's also ‘cooling’ which is nice in the summer, but feels really cosy and sumptuous in the colder months too. The company offers various pillow cases, but it also (just about) squeezes into a standard size pillow case.
The delivery was simple and Aeyla offer free standard shipping on all orders over £30 - it arrived within 48 hours. They also offer a 30 day money back guarantee if you're not satisfied.
What are the advantages of a memory foam pillow?
A memory foam pillow doesn't sag or sink in the same way as a feather pillow, so it provides firmer support than a standard one. When choosing which to buy, we recommend opting for ones from well known brands or high quality retailers, as a lower price point often indicates lower quality components like low density foam. The 'original' memory foam was created from a material called ‘viscoelastic’ polyurethane, so look out for that in the product details.
Which is the best pillow for neck pain?
Most memory foam pillows, or firm pillows, claim to be beneficial for neck pain and back pain. However, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what is the right pillow for you. From an ergonomic perspective, your neck and shoulders need to be properly aligned with your spine to offer the best support and relieve pressure.
How often should you buy new pillows?
Sleep experts advise that your pillows should be changed once every two years. However, the average Brit keeps the same pillow for just over three years, so you're probably not alone in being surprised by that statistic. With dust mites, dirt, allergens and bacteria all vying for space inside and on your pillow, it's better to be safe than sorry.
How to clean your pillows
Do bear in mind that different materials require different cleaning procedures, some are machine washable, some are not. A memory foam pillow should not be put in a washing machine or dryer. These should be spot cleaned instead or gently hand washed. Most down or feather pillows can be machined washed on a gentle cycle and then placed in a dryer on a lower setting. Polyester pillows are the cheapest kind and, as such, won't last nearly as long as the other types. To clean these, use a gentle cycle and cold water.
- 1/3
Emma Premium Pillow
- 2/3
Perfect Everyday Duck Down Pillows
- 3/3
Pair of Supreme Goose Down pillows
.png)
