The top five most popular Ikea mattresses
26 Apr 2024
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To find the best pillows we've tested the most popular memory foam, microfibre, feather and down pillows available. These include pillow brands such as Emma, Ikea, Silentnight, Simba, Slumberdown and more.
Each was rated by our team of testers, including back, front and side sleepers, for comfort, neck support and how cool they feel.
We found some clear favourites which have been awarded our Best Buy recommendation, as well as one we've named Great Value.
We even tested some hotel pillows to see how they stacked up against major retailers such as John Lewis, M&S and Argos pillows.
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Pillows | Filling type | Comfort on side | Comfort on back | Coolness | Where to buy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Excellent | Good | Cool | |||
Good | Good | Quite cool | |||
Good | Excellent | Average | |||
Good | Good | Average | |||
Good | Good | Average | |||
Average | Average | Cool | |||
Good | Good | Cool |
Dates tested: February 2023 and March 2024. Page last checked: April 2024. We are not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
All the pillows we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
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Trial period 30 nights
Need to know Memory foam filling, removable and washable cover, carry bag
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Trial period 30 nights
Need to know Individually removable memory foam layers, removable and washable top cover
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Trial period 30 nights
Need to know Two pillows inside case with microfibre filling, removable and washable cover
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Trial period Not stated
Need to know Machine washable, polyester filling, outer cover is not removable
Available from Ikea (£40)
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Trial period Not stated
Need to know Memory foam filling, removable and washable cover
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Trial period None
Need to know Duck feather and down filling, machine washable
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Trial period None
Need to know Polyester mini ball cluster filling, machine washable
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Trial period 14 nights
Need to know Carry bag, four polyester pillows inside the case, removable and washable case
Available from M&S (£39.50)
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Trial period None
Need to know Duck feather and down filling, machine washable
Looking to upgrade your mattress as well as your pillows? See our pick of the best mattresses to make sure you're buying the right one for you
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Trial period 365 nights
Need to know Memory foam filling, removable and washable cover
Available from Otty (£69.99)
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Trial period 14 nights
Need to know Bamboo memory foam with infused charcoal filling, removable washable cover
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Trial period 30 nights
Need to know Washable removable cover, charcoal memory foam filling, silky bamboo cover
Available from Premier Inn (£36)
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Trial period None
Need to know Hollowfibre polyester filling, quilted cotton-polyester protectors
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Trial period Not stated
Need to know Polyester filling, the cover can't be removed for washing
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Trial period None
Need to know Hollowfibre polyester filling, machine washable
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Trial period 30 nights
Need to know Washable removable cover, memory foam cube filling, pouch for storing spare foam, you can fine-tune the firmness by removing or adding foam cubes
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Trial period Not stated
Need to know Polyester filling, machine washable, cover can't be removed
Available from Soak & Sleep (£18.50)
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Trial period None
Need to know Polyester microfibre filling, machine washable
See our reviews of the best eye masks for sleep and the best ear plugs for sleeping.
We shortlist the most popular pillows from UK retailers and use a small army of testers. We buy all the products we test so you know our reviews can be trusted.
We regularly revisit the pillows on sale to see if there are any more popular pillows that need testing and when we find them we do.
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There are three main traditional types of pillow: feather and down, hollowfibre/microfibre and memory foam. There are also plenty of subcategories such as travel pillows.
The right pillow for you is a matter of personal preference, but to help you make your mind up, here are the pros and cons of each main type.
The ratio of feather to down can vary greatly, although as a rule if it is sold as a ‘feather’ pillow, it must be made of at least 30% of the exterior feathers of the bird. Down pillows must be at least 70% down.
If you go for a feather pillow you should find that you don’t need to turn the pillow over to the cold side as often, as they are cooler than both down and microfibre. Down retains more heat, and it doesn't have hard quills to poke through and spike into you, like duck feather pillows.
Pros
Cons
An adequate basic option if you’re shopping on a budget and want to be able to clean your pillows at home.
Pros
Cons
Memory foam pillows are often sought out by sleepers looking for strong support and neck pain relief, as the memory foam contours to your body.
Cons
Box pillows have walled sides and are increasingly popular. They can come with a variety of fillings including memory foam and synthetic fibres.
Pros
Cons
Latex pillows have a similar feel to memory foam pillows and, similarly, they will contour and spring back to support your neck. Latex pillows can often cost over £100 though. However, there are still plenty of reasons to consider them.
Pros
Cons
These are firm pillows that offer more support.
Pros
Cons
Hypoallergenic doesn't equal anti-allergy.
Dust mites can be killed however, and their allergens removed, by washing at temperatures of 60°C and above if your choice of pillow can withstand this.
Hear more from our experts on how to choose the best pillows and other essential good night's sleep tips. Listen to our free Get Answers Podcast: How to improve your sleep routine.
When deciding how to clean pillows, you should always consult the manufacturer's instructions to minimise the risk of damage.
While many feather, down and microfibre pillows can be cleaned in the washing machine, this is often not the case for memory foam pillows.
If you're going to machine wash, choose a delicate cycle. Washing two pillows at once can help to keep them in position in the machine. Dry them on a low heat to protect from damage and fluff them back into shape.
For hand washing, you can fill a tub or basin with lukewarm water and use natural detergent. A soft brush can help to clean the stained areas. Once the pillows are rinsed through, you can gently press out excess water and leave them on a flat surface to dry.