£29.95
When making this guide, we tried dozens of different pillows - and picking a top five was difficult. But something stood out to us about the Groove® pillow from the moment we saw it. It’s designed with an ergonomic ‘groove’ which we hear they designed with the help of orthopedic consultants, to promote better posture while you sleep. This separated it from other pillow styles that we tested, with more traditional, flatter shapes.
The ‘groove’ is designed to keep your neck in a neutral alignment to ease tension overnight, and while we were a bit skeptical at first, after trying it out for a few nights, we felt the difference. All of our testers woke up with less stiffness and felt comfortable sleeping on their backs in the groove, or on their sides on the lateral raises.
With the improvements to our neck pain, the unique orthopedic design, and a very reasonable price and 100 day free trial, we had to give our award to the Groove® pillow.
Key specifications
Support: Ergonomic ‘groove’ for back sleeping, lateral raises for side sleeping
Filling: Bamboo charcoal memory foam
Cover: Cotton
Machine washable: Cover only
Trial offer: 100 days
Guarantee: 12 months
Ratings
| Metric | Score |
|---|
| Comfort | ★★★★ |
| Pain Relief | ★★★★ |
| Support | ★★★★ |
| Value | ★★★★★ |
2. Simba Hybrid® Pillow
£109
Enjoy the supporting benefits of foam while customizing the stiffness of this pillow with the ingenious, removable 'nanocubes.' This makes it appropriate for various sleeping types, and our testers found it to be extremely comfortable.
It also received high praise for remaining fluffy and not flattening. The stench was strange at first, but it vanished fast, so it wasn't enough to put us off. Unfortunately, there is no trial period or guarantee, but it is a highly adaptable choice that can be tailored to your preferred support and depth.
Key specifications
Support: Adjustable
Filling: Foam nanocubes; microfibre layer
Cover: Cotton
Machine washable: Cover only
Trial offer: No
Guarantee: No
Ratings
| Metric | Score |
|---|
| Comfort | ★★★★ |
| Pain Relief | ★★★ |
| Support | ★★★★ |
| Value | ★★★ |
3. The Moon by Rested: Best memory foam pillow that feels like down
£59
Although down pillows are wonderfully soft, the sinking sensation is not good for your neck and shoulder muscles, which require extra support. The visco-elastic memory foam in this pillow does an excellent job of simulating the softness and give of down while still providing excellent bounce-back and enough support to prevent shoulder strain and stiff neck.
We particularly like how one of the long corners folds inwards to provide a nook for your shoulder. If you have a long neck or shoulders, however, this pillow may be too flat (12cm) for comfortable side sleeping.
Key specifications
Filling: Memory foam (visco elastic polymer);
Cover: 'Sleepsoft' outer cover (machine washable);
Sizes: 1 (40 x 60cm; 12cm height)
Ratings
| Metric | Score |
|---|
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Pain Relief | ★★★ |
| Support | ★★★ |
| Value | ★★★★ |
4. Eve Memory Foam Pillow: Best firm memory foam pillow
£65
Although Eve's pillow lacks the ergonomic shape of some of the other alternatives in this list, it is one of the best memory foam pillows, especially if you want a firmer feel. When compared to some of the other memory foam pillows we've tried, it scores substantially higher on the firmness scale. Not only that, but after you lift your head, it quickly returns to its original shape and provides excellent bounce-back, similar to The Moon by Rested.
The Eve memory foam pillow is a good alternative for sleepers who have neck ache or shoulder strain because of its level of support.
If you don't notice a difference in your sleep after 30 days, Eve offers a 30-day trial period during which you may return your pillow for a full refund if you're not satisfied.
Key specifications
Filling: Memory foam;
Cover: Polyester (machine washable);
Sizes: 1 (42 x 66cm, 13cm height)
Ratings
| Metric | Score |
|---|
| Comfort | ★★★ |
| Pain Relief | ★★★ |
| Support | ★★★★ |
| Value | ★★★ |
5. Tempur Original Large Pillow: Best memory foam pillow for neck pain
£105
For folks suffering from neck pain, contoured memory foam is the pillow of choice, and Tempur is the king of memory foam pillows. This traditional, sturdy pillow is costly, but it's an excellent investment if you want to sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed.
While you sleep, the raised part supports your neck and allows your head, neck, and shoulder muscles to fully rest in their natural posture. The Large size is 11.5cm at its highest point, which isn't particularly tall, so although it's ideal for back sleepers, side sleepers may require a little more height to support their shoulders.
Luckily the Tempur Original also comes in X Large with 13cm of support, which is ideal for side sleepers. However it's also worth noting that the pillow will compress and firm up over your first few nights of sleep.
Key specifications
Filling: Memory foam;
Cover: 100% cotton cover (machine washable 60C);
Sizes: Large is 61cm x 31cm (11.5cm max height); also available in Medium (10cm height) and X Large (13cm height)
Ratings
| Metric | Score |
|---|
| Comfort | ★★★ |
| Pain Relief | ★★★ |
| Support | ★★★ |
| Value | ★★ |
