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The best pillows, tried and tested for cloud-like comfort
To get you sleeping more soundly in 2024, these are the best pillows you can buy right now, including options tried and tested by GQ reviewers.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Finding yourself with one of the best pillows out there can be a total game-changer when it comes to your sleep. A comfortable pillow is one of the essential components of a good night’s sleep; the finishing touch of a holy trinity that incorporates the best mattresses and duvets, too. Finding a good pillow is no easy feat, however. There’s a host of different styles, fillings, trial periods and firmness options, as well as a lot of lingo to work through, with words like nanocubes and microfibre destined to send you to sleep before you even start your research.
If you’re a particularly hot sleeper, the best cooling pillows will maintain a cold surface throughout the night to help regulate your temperature with features like cooling gel, while for those that sleep in multiple positions, you might want something adjustable. Whatever your need, we've selected our top picks for the best pillows on the market, selected by GQ editors and testers to ensure you’re equipped for a wonderful night’s sleep.
Skip to: What is the best pillow you can buy in 2024? | How do we test pillows? Our criteria for reviewing the best pillows | How do I choose the right pillow? | Shop GQ's picks the best pillows 2024…
What is the best pillow you can buy in 2024?
At this point, we've tested upwards of 20 pillows for this guide and none of them have managed to maintain such a permanent position on our beds like the Kudd.ly. It's suitable for every kind of sleeper, isn't too soft or too firm and feels cool to the touch even in warmer months.
- Best overall pillow: Kudd.ly Dream Pillow, £49 at kudd.ly
- Best adjustable pillow: Simba Hybrid Pillow, £109 at simba.co.uk
- Best memory foam pillow: Panda Memory Foam Pillow, £45 at pandalondon.com
- Best synthetic pillow: Emma Premium Microfibre Pillow, £109 at emma-sleep.co.uk
- Best down pillow: The White Company Luxury Hungarian Goose Down Pillow, from £95 at thewhitecompany.com
- Best value pillow: Dusk Feels Like Down, £18 at dusk.com
How do we choose the best pillows? GQ's test criteria for reviewing the best pillows
Finding the best pillows is a tricky feat, but sleeping on some of the best pillows on the market is certainly not the most tasking of things to take on. Our pillow testers and writers are all led by GQ's senior commerce writer Daphne Bugler who has four years of experience in the interiors field, so if you can trust someone to know a pillow, it's Daphne. We brought in different writers depending on their sleep styles and positions to put the pillows from the best sleep brands to the test, sleeping on as many of them as we can for a couple of weeks each and then weighing them up against a range of criteria.
We were looking for comfort first, along with support, how well they suited each different sleeping position, and how our sleep was impacted throughout the testing period. We also tested out any of the pillow’s individual claims such as temperature regulation and cooling properties. And when we couldn't test them, you can be confident they come from brands we love and trust and that we're familiar with the materials used.
Our verdict: GQ's best pillow for 2024
Pillows are ultimately very personal, and what works for us might not be your absolute favourite. Having combined all of our writers' and contributors' thoughts and feelings, however, we think we've found the best selection of pillows on the market for every sleeper. Our favourite pillow overall was the Kudd.ly Dream pillow, ideal for all kinds of sleepers and incredibly comfortable. We also liked the Panda memory foam pillows, if you're after something firmer, we loved Emma's Premium Microfibre pillow for something a little softer and we will always recommend John Lewis pillows for a not-so-budget-friendly but high-quality buy.
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How do I choose the right pillow?
The best pillow and pillow filling for you will depend on your sleep position, as well as what you find comfortable and any other preferences you might have. For some guidance, memory foam options are great for contouring to your head and neck, providing pressure relief. They are often ideal for side sleepers and those with neck pain. Down pillows are typically soft and breathable, good for back and stomach sleepers who prefer a softer feel. Latex and microfibre pillows are usually supportive and bouncy, with good cooling properties. They are a good option for combination sleepers (those who change positions throughout the night) and allergy sufferers.
If you are a back sleeper, look for a medium-firm, flat pillow as minimal loft is required to keep your head, neck and spine aligned. Side sleepers should consider a firm, thick pillow as you need a higher loft to fill the gap between your ear and shoulder in order to maintain spinal alignment. Stomach sleepers should opt for a very soft, flat pillow, while combination sleepers should consider an adjustable pillow or one with different loft zones to allow the pillow to adapt as they move around.