We tested 32 pillows and these are the best for a good night's sleep
We use one every night, but it’s surprising how few of us are fully satisfied with our pillow. Common complaints range from too firm to too hot to too flat, and, as we all have different sleep styles, there’s no one type that suits everyone.
But nothing can help you nod off quite like a comfortable pillow. So, to make finding the one that little bit easier, the Good Housekeeping Institute put 32 different types to the test and created this handy guide, detailing everything you need to know before you buy.
What is the best pillow to buy in 2025?
Simply after our top recommendations? Here’s a list of our winners:
What type of pillow suits your sleeping style?
Think about the positions you typically tend to fall asleep and wake up in, as this will help you find the right pillow for you. Here’s what you should be looking for, according to how you sleep.
Back sleepers: You’re looking for a fairly supportive pillow with thin to medium height, so try one of our best memory foam pillows.
Side sleepers: Choose a thicker, firmer pillow to align your neck and spine correctly. Memory foam, once again, could be best, but check that its height suits you first. To align your hips and prevent lower back pain, sleep with another pillow between your knees.
Front sleepers: Opt for a flat pillow so your head can lay at a comfortable angle. Choose a soft filling such as down or microfibre or if you prefer a more supportive pillow, try wool.
Combination sleepers: Most of us are combination sleepers, but one pillow can’t suit every angle. It’s good to meet in the middle and go for medium firmness and height to give you the best chance of comfort on your back and side. You could also try using two softer pillows and mould them to suit you.
How we test pillows
To review a wide range of pillows, we recruited a panel of testers to sleep with them for a minimum of two weeks before giving us detailed feedback.
They rated each one on comfort, support, breathability, washability and overall design, and told us whether they'd continue to use it after the trial, and if they'd recommend it to friends and family, a sure sign it's doing its job.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute lab, we conducted a further wash test and checked for any damage to the pillow's filling or performance. We then analysed all the feedback, awarding each pillow a final score.
These are the best for every kind of sleeper.
500 Cool Gel Pillow
Score: 96/100
Our joint winning pillow only dropped four marks overall (its lofty cooling claims disappointed slightly). In every other regard, it surpassed itself. Every tester gave it 10/10 and said they would both buy it and recommend it to friends and family.
It moulded quickly and effectively to our heads, offering optimal support to help ease neck pain. It didn't smell in any way chemical and the soft outer cover washed brilliantly, without noticeably shrinking.
It's breathable, albeit no more than most other pillows we tested, and while there's no trial period, its five-year guarantee feels generous.
Mayfair Gel Pillow
Score: 96/100
In the words of one of our panellists, there was absolutely “nothing to dislike” about this pillow. They loved its level of support (firm but still soft enough to snuggle into it) and general softness. Our in-house experts agreed, too, awarding it strong scores for its high-quality design and bamboo cover that washed well.
This pillow is double-sided; one side is made with soft bamboo, and the other has a cooling gel pad. This worked wonders for some, although others found it almost too cold. However, we tested over winter and if you’re a hot sleeper, this is undoubtedly a positive. Anyway, there’s always the bamboo side within easy reach if you do need warming up.
Hungarian Goose Down Pillow
Score: 95/100
For luxurious comfort that’s hypoallergenic to boot, treat yourself to this fluffy down pillow with a firm feather core.
Testers found it a dream to drift off on, no matter their sleeping style, as it offers both softness and support. It delivered a great night's sleep overall, staying satisfyingly cool and quiet throughout.
No feathers poked through to scratch us and it successfully prevented sniffles. It also stayed plump for the duration of the testing period and emerged from the washing machine looking as good as new. It’s pricey and there’s no trial offer, but it’s bliss to sink into.
Sumptuous Hungarian Goose Down Soft Support Front Sleeper Pillow
Score: 95/100
Just like the pillow above, this is also made from soft Hungarian goose down and it helped our panellists enjoy a great night’s sleep. They praised its soft, sink-in feel that was still supportive. One tester even stated: “This is the nicest pillow I’ve had.”
It was a hit with our experts too, scoring highly even after going through the washing machine. The pillow kept its shape, bouncing back to its pre-wash height, and the quality of stitching remained the same. Note, when drying, we needed to run a second tumble dryer cycle to loosen up the filling. But overall, it’s an airy dream.
Natural Latex Foam Pillow
Score: 94/100
This is the only latex pillow on our list, but there’s no need to be dubious about its unusual filling. It mimics memory foam, but it’s designed to be more breathable. And it earned high praise on test; every single panellist would recommend this pillow to a friend, thanks to their excellent slumber and the way it helped regulate their body temperatures.
There’s no plasticky smell, and testers found the bouncy design balanced softness and support dreamily, making it helpful for both back and side sleepers alike. One even compared it to “sleeping on a supportive cloud”.
You can’t adjust the padding inside the pillow; however, its thick, quilted cover can be removed if you want to make it slimmer.
Luxury Hungarian Goose Down Pillow
Score: 94/100
Another goose down pillow, another hit with our testers who gushed about its luxuriously bouncy and fluffy design. In fact, every single tester agreed that it helped them sleep soundly.
As you’d expect from The White Company, its premium design stood-out; its down is cruelty-free and no feathers poked through the cover. Plus, it’s available in two different sizes (standard or super king) as well as in three firmness levels (soft, medium or firm) to suit all kinds of sleepers. There’s even a handy bag for easy travel and storage.
While the pillow remained in good shape after washing, we did notice a slight loss of support so that’s something to keep in mind. Overall, though, it ticked the boxes for super soft comfort.
Hybrid Firm Pillow
Score: 93/100
Panellists liked how this firm option from Simba didn’t squish too much or change shape throughout the night – one even found their sleep tracker reported that they were dosing more deeply after they made the switch.
It’s filled with two layers of foam and another of tiny springs, and handily, you can remove and reorder them to suit your sleep style and preferences. This feature went down well with testers, even though some found it took a few nights to find the right combination for maximum support.
The price point is high, but Simba is a registered B Corp, meaning the pillow ticks our boxes for comfortable support and sustainability.
Bamboo Pillow
Score: 93/100
Packed with puffy fibre that’s a blend of bamboo and recycled plastic and covered in 100% eucalyptus silk, this pillow ticks our boxes for being hypoallergenic, temperature regulating, and amazingly soft. Other eco credentials include eco-friendly packaging, and carbon neutral delivery.
Testers slept soundly and liked the pillow’s overall quality. It’s deep, but their heads sunk in pleasingly – even winning over those who prefer a slimmer pillow. It aced our wash tests too, although some testers would have liked more detailed care instructions. A small niggle, for an otherwise stellar buy.
Soft As Down Pillows
Score: 92/100
Sometimes it's the finer touches that transform a pillow from good to great, and that’s certainly the case with this luxuriously soft microfibre buy. Testers said it arrived in high-quality packaging, had no lingering ‘new’ smell and appeared plump and plush.
There was barely anything to fault when it came to night time either – testers found it comfortable in all sleeping positions. So, what’s the downside? Some said that it needed squishing a little for extra height and comfort and the care details weren’t as good as some other products, but really, there wasn’t much to dislike at all.
Hungarian Goose Down Pillow
Score: 90/100
This pillow comes in a choice of three levels of firmness, of which we tried the firmest. Its down outer layer gives it a cloud-like quality but its feathery inner stops your head from sinking in too deeply.
It regulated temperature brilliantly, keeping testers cosy but never sweaty, and it helped to improve the length and quality of their sleep.
It didn’t once lose its shape or fullness during use, but it looked slightly deflated after washing. It rustled a bit when we changed positions, too, but we welcome the generous five-year guarantee.
Original Pillow
Score: 89/100
With three layers of memory foam, you can easily adjust this pillow by removing a layer so it’s the perfect height for your head. You can machine wash the cover, too – note, it can’t be tumble dried – and on test it washed well with no shrinking.
Most of our panel found it a comfortable bedtime addition, noting that it maintained its buoyancy throughout the trial period. It’s quiet and breathable as well, with most of our panel reporting an excellent night’s sleep.
Snow Pillow
Score: 89/100
This pillow is made with a soft quilted cover that’s designed to keep you fresh and comfortable throughout hot nights. Our testers found this super effective, although for some popping another pillowcase on top limited the cooling effect. But the cover washed impeccably in the lab, so you could easily go without an extra layer.
As for the firm memory foam filling, our panel found it pleasingly supportive. It wasn’t plump enough for everyone, but if you’re a hot sleeper it’s a great buy.
The Original Groove Pillow
Score: 87/100
Uniquely shaped, this pillow is carefully designed to offer maximum support to your head and neck. Due to its mouldable foam, only the case can be washed, but we found it fared well on test, emerging from our washing machine in pristine condition.
In terms of comfort, our panel was pleasantly surprised with how the pillow relieved pressure around the neck. Its look wasn’t for everyone, but it's one to consider if you often wake up with neck pain – the brand even offers a 100-day trial, so you can return it if it doesn’t ease your aches.
Climate Control Firm Pillow
Score: 87/100
Despite being the cheapest option on this list, Slumberdown’s Climate Control pillow doesn’t skimp on plumpness. Most testers found the design provided enough support to the neck and head, always reverting to their original shape in the morning.
The thick pillows land on the softer side of firm, so if you like yours verging on stiff, it may be worth trying the super support level. However, it’s hypoallergenic, and filled with breathable microfibre that’s designed to keep you cool in the heat.
Deluxe Washable Wool Pillow
Score: 87/100
Naturally temperature regulating, wool is a great pick if you’re after a pillow that keeps your head cool. Don’t worry about that typical wool smell either – on test, it vanished quickly, while the pillow is also Allergy UK approved. You can even trace the wool back to the farm it originates from, thanks to its tracing scheme.
Our panel found the high-quality pillow comfortable to sleep on, with all saying the filling remained light and fluffy. You can add or remove wool too, to tailor it to your sleep style, and it emerged from our wash test in excellent condition.
Hybrid Memory Foam Pillow
Score: 86/100
It’s hard to beat memory foam in the support stakes, as no other filling moulds to your head and neck as well. And this cleverly designed pillow is also adjustable, offering more control over the thickness than most – you simply remove the memory foam ‘nanocubes’ until you’re happy with its depth. Though not very breathable, we found it a joy to nestle into, and it impressed us by staying plump, with no dips in sight.
Its synthetic materials are hypoallergenic, but they gave off a funny smell at first. Thankfully, this soon dissipated. Only the cover is machine washable and there’s no trial offer or guarantee.
Feather & Down Medium Support Pillow
Score: 85/100
Handcrafted in Britain and filled with reclaimed feather and down, this combines comfort, luxury and more environmentally friendly practices. Our panellists appreciated this too, noting the reusable fabric bag for the packaging. They also commented on the opulence of the real feathers and the soft, moulding sensation they provided.
Some found the pillow flattened quickly though, requiring daily re-plumping, so it may not suit if you need firmer support. Despite these qualms, almost all would recommend this pillow and said they’d continue to use it after the trial period.
Pillow types explained
With so many pillows on the market, it can be hard to decipher which designs will work for you. Here’s our expert guide to the different styles you can buy.
Microfibre: These lightweight man-made styles, also known as synthetic or polyester pillows, tend to be the cheapest type. They come in a range of heights and firmness levels, making them suitable for all sleeping styles, and are usually hypoallergenic. However, they’re not very breathable and can retain moisture and heat, meaning you could wake up in a hot sweat. They’re also known to flatten quickly and have the shortest life span, with some lasting less than a year.
Feather and down: This premium pillow type is unrivalled in the comfort stakes. To be classed as down, a pillow needs to be compiled of at least 70% down feathers, with the rest being made up of regular feathers. Down feathers are softer, retain heat better, and are not as sharp if they poke out of the pillow. They're expensive as they’re naturally soft, mouldable, airy and long-lasting. They’re not the best choice for those who require height (side sleepers) and they’ll flatten over time, needing occasional fluffing to regain shape. They’re not typically suitable for those with allergies, but anti-allergy options do exist.
Memory foam: Memory foam is like Marmite, so expect to love or hate it. It offers strong support by moulding to the shape of your neck and shoulders, making it a smart choice for anyone struggling with neck pain. These pillows are durable, long-lasting and easy to care for, but the height is rarely adjustable, meaning they’re best suited to either back or side sleepers. They can feel quite rigid, so are better for still sleepers than active ones. This limited airflow means they can get very hot, particularly in the summer.
Wool: Eco-friendly and naturally hypoallergenic, wool pillows are a good choice for those who suffer from allergies as they keep dust mites at bay. They help regulate your temperature, keeping you cosy in winter and cool in summer while absorbing any moisture in the process. Front sleepers benefit the most from this type of pillow, as they are normally firm and supportive without giving much height. They are heavy, though, and they flatten quickly. They can also smell a little sheepy!
Latex: They're firm, durable and supportive, making them helpful for neck ache, and they're naturally hypoallergenic too. Though much more breathable than memory foam, they are pricey, often heavy and can have a distinct smell when new.
Other things to consider before buying
There are a few other factors to consider before investing in a pillow, ranging from allergies to cooling properties. It’s worth investing in one that meets as many of your requirements as possible.
Adjustability: Some pillows feature fillings or layers that can be removed or added to adjust the thickness. Examples on our roundup include the Kally Sleep Adjustable Pillow and the Simba Hybrid Pillow.
Hypoallergenic or anti-allergy: Most synthetic pillows are hypoallergenic, which means they’re unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, either from feathers or dust mites. If a pillow is described as anti-allergy, this usually means it has been treated with chemicals to help keep your sniffles at bay.
Cooling: Some pillows are designed to regulate your temperature using a cooling gel or an innovative breathable liner.
Anti-snore: These pillows are designed to support your head and neck better to help open up your airways and improve breathing. They can help reduce or even stop snoring.
How to wash your pillows
You should aim to wash or clean your pillows at least every six months (and your pillowcases every two months), according to our household advice editor. How you wash them depends on the type of filling – head to our handy guide to get all the tips and tricks.
Complete your bedding set
Making sure you have the right pillow will certainly go a long way to helping you sleep at night, but if your back is aching or you just can’t get comfortable, it's worth investing in the best mattress you can afford too.
If you don’t want to buy a replacement just yet, one of our experts' best best mattress toppers can help deliver an extra layer of comfort and support.
Do anti-snore pillows work?
If your partner snores, you’ll know how difficult it can be to get a good night’s sleep. Anti-snore pillows are one of many products on the market that claim to tackle the problem, so the Good Housekeeping Institute did some investigating to see whether they actually work.
We tested the pillows following our standard protocols to the lab, and then sent them to our reader panel, carefully selecting people who told us they struggle with snoring. After sleeping with them for two weeks, they fed back on all the usual elements, including comfort and design, and most importantly, whether they helped their snoring – based on their experience and feedback from any partners.
So did they work? Slightly annoyingly, the answer is, it depends. Every person is different and snoring can be caused by different things – we recommend seeking medical advice if your (or your partner’s snoring) is really impacting your sleep. However, our winning anti-snore pillow, Putnam’s Bed Wedge, had a positive impact on most of our testers’ sleep, helping them get more rest and leaving them refreshed in the morning. Their partners were woken up less too.
Read our guide to the best anti-snore pillows to learn more and shop our other top-rated picks.
The verdict: What is the best-rated pillow?
It was a tight at the top in our testing, with both REM-Fit's 500 Cool Gel Pillow and Luff’s Mayfair Gel Pillow barely dropping a mark. They're excellent choices for support and both received rave reviews from our panellists. The former suits a range of sleep styles, while the latter also has a cooling gel pad on one side, which may prove helpful if a heatwave strikes.
If you’re after a down pillow, we’d recommend either Scooms’ Hungarian Goose Down Pillow or Snuggledown’s Sumptuous Hungarian Goose Down Pillow as they both delivered a soft, dreamy night’s sleep for our testers.
And if you don’t want to spend too much on a new pillow, then Slumberdown’s Climate Control Pillow is a savvy buy for less than £30.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
In our hunt for the best bedroom set-up for optimum sleep, we’ve tested 32 different pillows here at the Good Housekeeping Institute with the help of hundreds of panellists who tried them out at home. Our homes testing manager, Blossom Boothroyd, then analysed all the results and scored them based on feedback to help you find the very best for your bedroom.
Our homes editor, Hannah Mendelsohn, and writer, Megan Geall, have written hundreds of reviews between them so know a thing or two about what makes a top-quality sleep product. Hannah has also studied sustainable textiles at the University of the Arts, London, so is able to analyse brands' sustainability claims and tell you what you need to know.
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