I tried high street pillows – the £4 supermarket winner helps give you a great night’s sleep
FINDING the perfect pillow can be tough but it’s worth persevering as the best ones can completely transform the quality of your sleep.
We all have different preferences with some of us preferring firm, memory foam pillows and others wanting squashy pillows, perhaps made of feather and down.
The options are endless with many companies now offering hypoallergenic options for allergy sufferers or “cooling” materials for those that get hot at night.
Whichever pillow you plump for, it should keep your spine aligned through the night so you don’t wake up with aches and pains.
Around three million Brits are affected by back or neck pain every year, so getting it right is key to getting your eight hours and waking up refreshed.
So which is best? Lynsey Hope reviewed a selection of best-sellers and here, she shares her verdict:
Silentnight Restore Cooling Copper Pillow
- £30, Argos
Lynsey says: “Sleeping with a copper pillow has been proven to reduce wrinkles and boost collagen production, so that’s a plus.
“But this pillow is naturally cooling, so if you are someone who gets hot at night, this is a winner.
“You can feel the difference in temperature between this and a standard pillow just by placing your head on it.
“It was designed specifically with menopausal women in mind.
“The outer casing is thick and supportive but the pillow itself is quite soft so if you prefer a firm pillow, this might not be for you.
“The pillow is also machine washable so you can keep it fresh all year round.”
Comfort: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 6/10
Adam Home Pillows
- £13.99 for 2, Amazon
Lynsey says: “These arrived vacuum packed and didn’t look terribly appealing, but once they were out of the packaging and fluffed up a bit, they were pretty cosy.
“They felt soft to touch with a quilted case and a plush filling.
“Even though they were quite soft and fluffy, they provide reasonable support and I didn’t notice any neck or back pain after using them.
“To boot, they are machine washable and hypoallergenic.
“Great value at just under £14 for two.”
Comfort: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Overall score: 7/10
George Home Extra Support Soft Touch Pillows
- £8 for 2, Asda
Lynsey says: “An impressive, supportive pillow made with soft hollow fibres for added comfort and support.
“These are ideal for people who want a bit of extra support and sleep on their side and they were soft and bouncy to sleep on.
“The cover is soft so gentle to the skin and these can be machine washed and even tumble dried.
“Even after washing, they held their shape pretty well and seemed quite durable.
“Amazing really when you consider they only cost £4 each. My top choice budget-friendly buy.”
Comfort: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Overall score: 10/10
Slumberdown Cool Summer Nights Firm Support Pillow
- £18 for 2, Wilko
Lynsey says: “A great option for side sleepers or those who require firm support.
“These pillows are designed to lift and support your head, whilst maintaining proper alignment of the spine and neck, preventing stiffness and discomfort.
“The covers are soft to touch and they have a cool, hollow fibre filling to keep you cool through the night.
“Lightweight, breathable and reasonably priced.”
Comfort: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Overall score: 8/10
Slumberdown Anti Snore Pillow
- £10, Asda
Lynsey says: “Snoring has a big impact on your sleep but on your partner’s too.
“This pillow is designed with a unique s-shaped block to encourage better breathing and to help relieve symptoms of snoring.
“It offers medium support and was quite comfy if you sleep on your back.
“The cover is 100% cotton. It can’t go in the washing machine and you are advised to sponge it clean with a damp cloth, so after a while, it might get dirty.
“Did it stop snoring? Not entirely, but it did make a difference so if that’s a struggle for you, this is only £10 and could be worth a shot.”
Comfort: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Overall score: 7/10
The Range Copper Infused Pillow
- £14.99, The Range
Lynsey says: “Another pillow infused with copper, but this is half the price of the Silentnight option.
“It’s incredibly soft and I liked the knitted copper infused cover, which can apparently help with skin irritation and inflammation.
“I felt it provided adequate support to my neck and head and was cooling, too.
“The cover is 96% polyester with 4% copper and the filling is 100% polyester. Machine washable at 30 degrees.”
Comfort: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Overall score: 9/10
Simba Stratos Pillow
- £60, Simba Sleep
Lynsey says: “This is a more budget-friendly option from luxury sleep brand, Simba.
“They claim it’s soft but this isn’t an option for someone who wants a fluffy pillow you are going to sink into.
“It is structurally robust, but quite thin so a great option for someone who wants support and not too much volume. It needed regular plumping, but I slept well on it.
“The cool touch technology is fantastic and worked a treat, but this pillow only has it one side so you can’t flip your pillow in the night.
“As an added bonus, the pillow is made from recycled bottle fibres so it has less impact on the environment. No getting away from the fact it is pricey.”
Comfort: 4/5
Value: 3/5
Overall score: 7/10
The Fine Bedding Company Smart Temperature Pillow
- £30, Fine Bedding
Lynsey says: “Half the price of the Simba option, but even better.
It had the same cooling technology, but this time, on both sides of the pillow and it was very effective.
“It’s thermoregulation two-step system works by firstly offering a cooling sensation before the first sign of moisture.
“It can sense an increase in body temperature, which then activates a unique cooling effect allowing moisture to evaporate.
“When the body has reached its ideal temperature, the reduced body heat will guide the cooling effect to ease back so that you won’t feel a chill.
“And the technology works through all types of linens, so it won’t matter what covers you have over it.
“It’s washable at 40 degrees and can even go in the tumble dryer, after which it retained it’s shape well. I have to say, I was impressed and at £30 it won’t break the bank.”
Comfort: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Overall score: 10/10
Dunelm Full Forever Anti-Allergy Side Sleeper Pillows
- £25, Dunelm
Lynsey says: “Great quality pillows, which kept their bounce really well after use.
“They are very firm, ideal for side sleepers, and actually, I found them quite high to sleep on.
“Many people may only need one of these.
“They are filled with non-allergenic hollowfibre, so are a good option for allergy sufferers and the 100% cotton cover feels crisp and breathable.
“They have a high-thread count casing which creates a natural barrier against bedbugs.
“They feel quite luxurious for the price – hotel quality – and they are both machine washable and tumble-dry friendly.”
Comfort: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Overall score: 8/10
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