Posted by Laud Sleep
on June 14, 2024
A restful night starts with the right pillow. The wrong one leaves you fluffing and folding, waking with a stiff neck or a dull ache across the shoulders. The right one holds your head and neck in a neutral line all night, so you barely notice it is there. This guide walks through everything that matters: your sleep position, the filling, the cover fabric, cooling and allergies, and when a pillow has simply had its day.
Quick answer: how do I choose the right pillow?
Start with how you sleep. Side sleepers need a firm, high pillow to fill the gap between shoulder and ear. Back sleepers want a medium loft that supports the neck's natural curve. Front sleepers need something soft and low to avoid straining the neck. Then choose a filling that suits you, bamboo and memory foam for support and cooling, feather and down for plush luxury, and pick a breathable cover such as bamboo or cotton. Replace a pillow every one to two years, or sooner if it has gone lumpy or flat.
Start with your sleep position
Your sleeping position decides the height and firmness your neck needs to stay aligned with your spine. It is the single most important factor, so it is the right place to begin. For a closer look at matching a pillow to each position, see our guide to how to choose a pillow for side, back and front sleepers.
Side sleepers: firm and high
Side sleepers need a higher, firmer pillow to fill the space between the shoulder and the ear, keeping the head level rather than dropping towards the mattress. Look for a firm memory foam or a supportive bamboo pillow with plenty of loft. The Luff Luxury Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow and the Laura Ashley Side Sleeper Pillow are both designed with this in mind.
Back sleepers: medium loft
Back sleepers want a medium loft that cradles the neck's natural curve without pushing the head too far forward. A medium-firm feel works best, balancing softness with structure. Consider the Laura Ashley Back Sleeper Pillow or the medium-support Luff Cambridge Bamboo Pillow.
Front sleepers: soft and low
Sleeping on your front turns the head to one side, so a thick pillow forces the neck into an awkward angle. A thin, soft, low-loft pillow keeps things gentle. The Laura Ashley Front Sleeper Pillow and the soft Luff Bamboo Forest Pillow both suit front sleepers well.
Combination sleepers: adaptable
If you move between positions through the night, an adjustable pillow lets you tune the loft to suit you. The Luff Height Adjustable Prestige Bamboo Pillow lets you add or remove filling, while the dual-sided Luff Bamboo Honeycomb Pillow offers a firmer and a softer side to flip between.
Pillow fillings explained
Once you know the loft you need, the filling decides how the pillow feels, how well it breathes and how long it lasts.
- Bamboo. Naturally breathable, moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic, bamboo pillows suit most sleepers and are especially good if you tend to overheat. Browse the full bamboo pillows collection.
- Memory foam. Moulds closely to the head and neck for precise support and pressure relief, ideal for side and back sleepers. Look for aerated or gel-infused foam so it does not trap heat.
- Feather and down. Soft, luxurious and light, with that plush, hotel-bed feel that moulds around you. Our Laura Ashley pillows include duck and goose feather and down options. If you are weighing feather against down, our guide to goose and duck feather and down explains the difference.
- Down alternative. A hypoallergenic, easy-care fill that mimics the softness of down, a good choice for allergy sufferers or anyone who prefers a synthetic option.
- Natural fibres such as wool and silk. Breathable and temperature-regulating, with a natural feel. The Laura Ashley Natural Wool Pillow and Mulberry Silk Pillow sit at the luxury end.
The cover fabric matters too
The outer fabric is what touches your skin all night, so it affects both comfort and temperature. Cotton is soft, breathable and durable. Bamboo is silky-smooth, breathable and gentle on skin and hair. Linen is cool and excellent at wicking moisture. Silk is the most luxurious against the face and is kind to skin and hair. A removable, washable cover is well worth having, whichever fabric you choose.
Cooling and allergies
If you sleep hot, a cooling pillow makes a noticeable difference. Gel-infused foam and breathable bamboo covers both help release heat, and the Mayfair Cooling Gel Bamboo Pillow is built specifically for warmer sleepers. If allergies disturb your sleep, choose a naturally hypoallergenic filling such as bamboo, or a treated down alternative, both of which resist dust mites. For more on gentle materials, see our guide to the best bedding for sensitive skin.
How to layer your pillows
Many people sleep best with more than one pillow. A firmer, higher pillow underneath gives support, while a softer pillow on top adds a plush surface. Pairing a supportive bamboo or memory foam pillow with a feather and down topper is a simple way to get both structure and softness, and it is exactly how a well-dressed hotel bed is built.
When to replace your pillow
Even the perfect pillow does not last forever. As a rule, most pillows should be replaced every one to two years. It is time for a new one when you notice lumps or flattened patches, when folding it in half is the only way to get support, or when you wake with a stiff neck or worsening allergies. A pillow protector under your pillowcase keeps the fill cleaner and helps it last.
Caring for your pillow
Look for pillows with removable, washable covers, and follow the care label for the fill itself. Bamboo and cotton covers are usually machine washable, while feather and down pillows benefit from regular plumping to keep their loft. Airing pillows now and then keeps them fresh between washes.
Popular pillows at Laud Sleep
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pillow for neck pain?
The best pillow for neck pain is one that keeps your head level with your spine in your usual sleeping position. Side sleepers usually need a firm, high pillow, back sleepers a medium one, and front sleepers a soft, low one. Memory foam and adjustable pillows are popular for their targeted support.
How often should I replace my pillow?
Most pillows last one to two years. Replace yours sooner if it has developed lumps or flat spots, no longer springs back when folded, or if you are waking with neck ache or more allergy symptoms.
Are bamboo pillows good?
Yes. Bamboo pillows are breathable, moisture-wicking and naturally hypoallergenic, which makes them a good all-round choice, especially for people who sleep warm or have sensitive skin.
What pillow is best for hot sleepers?
Look for cooling features such as gel-infused foam and a breathable bamboo cover. A dedicated cooling pillow like the Mayfair Cooling Gel Bamboo Pillow is designed to release heat through the night.
How many pillows should I sleep with?
It is personal, but one well-chosen pillow is enough for proper support. Many people add a second, softer pillow on top for comfort, or use a firmer support pillow beneath a plush one to get the best of both.
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Building the rest of the bed? Our guide to choosing the right bedding is a good next step.
