Stomach sleepers– A pillow with low loft and soft support will help keep the spine in alignment, and prevent the head from being too propped up. A compressible fill allows the pillow to be shaped into a comfortable low loft. Depending on the recycling center you visit, the fibers inside pillows can be recycled into clothing, rugs and carpets, cleaning cloths, and other household items. You can take your pillows to a textile recycling facility as long as they aren’t stained with sweat, oil, blood or grease. Light and lofty, this bestselling Hungarian pillow is generously filled with 90% large, lofty Goose Down pillow filling— so you can be sure of luxurious softness. It comes in two different firmness levels, and is wrapped in a breathable 280 thread count cotton case that’s been double stitched and piped for maximum durability and comfort. It’s one of the most comfortable pillows around which offers the perfect combination of soft and supportive. It also comes with a warranty. Cons: While it may cocoon your head for sleep apnoea sufferers, it can be a tad much for non-snorers. With regular nightly use, your dead skin cells, hair, sweat and more build up on your pillow. This moist environment provides plenty of food and nourishment for dust mites, and these microscopic bugs and their droppings can trigger allergies and make asthma worse.

Well, as you may have come to realise if you’re tossing and turning at night squishing your current pillow into all kinds of shapes to try and get comfy, when it comes to pillows, one size does not fit all. To help you get to grips with the basics, we've broken down the pros and cons of most common pillow fillings below. Cons: They're not quilted, so the filling won’t necessarily always be evenly distributed. Basically, be prepared to do some pillow punching and plumping! Pros: Compared to the Emma Original pillow, this one is 100% washable — as opposed to just the cover on the previous model.First up, it's synthetic fillings. These pillows are filled with manmade fibres, like polyester and polymide that are made from petroleum-based plastics. While you’ll still need to wash your sleep pillow regularly and replace it every two years, a protector will do the majority of the heavy lifting for you when keeping your pillow clean. You should wash the protector monthly, or more often if you experience night sweats, dandruff or skin irritations. For the full boutique feel, teaming one of the best pillows with one of the best duvets will ensure that what you're sleeping under feels just as luxurious as what you're sleeping on. How often should you replace your pillows? Cons: If you’re a side sleeper who still likes quite a bit of softness, this pillow might feel a little too firm. And let’s face it — it’s also crazy expensive!

Cons: The brand recommends you air the pillows each day without the cover on top of them to prevent any unpleasant odours. Pros: Technogel® is the only polyurethane gel made without plasticiser oils that’s currently on the market — so it’s virtually odourless, and completely non-toxic. To ensure continued support and hygiene, experts recommend replacing your pillows every one to two years. But since you will get up close and personal with your pillow every night,a regular wash can also be necessary to ensure longevity.

Pillows at a glance

However by thinking about the factors that make up the best pillows, such as materials, responsiveness, firmness and loft, and considering how you actually sleep, you're much better placed to choose a pillow that'll work well for you and deliver a much more comfortable night. Wool pillows are resistant to dust mites and bacteria, and naturally hypoallergenic. They’re temperature-regulating — so will keep you cool in the summer months — and are also completely biodegradable. Side sleepers– Look for a pillow with high loft and firm support to relieve pressure at the shoulder and help maintain a neutral spine position. Adjustable pillows with fluffable materials will also help you adjust the shape more easily to suit your position. Although it’s undeniably expensive, it’s worth noting that the unique gel formula has been designed to withstand years of daily use. But perhaps its biggest selling point is the patent-pending air-tunnel design that makes this pillow rival even the very best breathable ones on the market. It comes with a soft and snuggly cover that’s perfect for the winter months, but when the temperature amps up, it’s well worth taking it off so you can reap maximum benefit from the innovative gel cubes. Combination sleepers– If you tend to change position a lot in the night you need a more versatile pillow to keep up with you. Look for something with a more responsive feel, and maybe even with an adjustable fill so that you can get it to your perfect depth.

Ensure the rest of your sleeping space is comfy and supportive too. There are plenty of mattress sales each month that cover bedding such as pillows and protectors, and you'll find luxury and budget options here. These include the best Saatva mattress sales for luxury sleep, and the latest Nectar mattress sale for memory foam bedding. Can pillows be recycled? Spend some time looking for a new pillow and you'll soon realise there are a whole host of pillow fillings available. From hollowfibre to goose down, synthetic to natural, the array of terms and materials can fast become a little overwhelming. Pillows aren’t usually accepted in curbside recycling bins, so you’ll need to visit a textile recycling center. When recycled, pillows are broken down into their separate components, with the material shredded or ground up for reuse in another item. Pros: It’s got a breathable cotton case, and is also machine washable and suitable for the tumble dryer.

Performance Comparison

Cons: Although The Fine Bedding Co have a wide range of pillows, these specific Breathe pillows only come in soft/medium support level. Finding the best pillows for a good night’s sleep should be a pretty easy task. After all, there’s not that much science to finding a good pillow, right?

The position you sleep in will largely determine the type of pillow you need to keep your spine aligned nicely straight. Microfibre– the 'luxury' version of hollowfibre, a microfibre fill is made of much finer strands of polyester resulting in a very lightweight pillow with a, yes, more luxurious feel. Some compare microfibre to the feel of down, but it has the upside of not running the risk of animal cruelty. However, again, being made of synthetics, the environmental impact of production and disposal is a concern. Like hollowfibre, microfibre can also cause overheating. Although there are affordable pillows to be found, investing in the best pillows on the market doesn't usually come cheap. But, if you're after a better night's sleep, then we think it really is one area of your sleep set-up where it pays to spend a little more.Pros: It’s got the classic temperature-regulating 100% cotton cover that Simba are famous for, so is super breathable. Then there are the more traditional, natural fillings to consider. These range from all types of feathers and down to wool filling. With down lauded as the ultimate luxury, many top rated hotels will use down, or a feather-filled blend in their pillows. Down pillows are often also the best all-rounders when it comes to catering to a wide array of sleep positions. So while memory foam options are really good for the individual buyer, they aren't quite as versatile for multiple users. Support level: Adjustable support and shape pillow - taller for side sleepers, shorter for stomach sleepers etc.