Like so many things in life, when it comes to pillows, it’s what’s inside that counts.
Forget feathers, foam or polyester, now we have personalised, ergonomic, high-tech pillows with space-age stuffing, said to beat wrinkles, keep you cool or smell of pineapple.
This week, John Lewis launched a pillow that it claims can stop snoring.
But advances in pillow technology aren’t cheap. So, is it worth paying upwards of £30 for a ‘premium’ pillow?
Jenny Wood (pictured) tested high-tech bedding to see if paying upwards of £30 for a pillow is worth the price
SNORE NO MORE
Anti-snore pillow, £35, John Lewis
This pillow seems like any other; but give it a squeeze and you’ll notice the S-shaped foam core. This helps support your head and neck to minimise snoring. It can’t be washed, however, and the basic cover feels a bit scratchy. But if you’re a persistent snorer, at £35, it might be worth a try. Comfort factor 2/5
Anti-snore pillow, £35, John Lewis: This pillow seems like any other; but give it a squeeze and you’ll notice the S-shaped foam core
THE PERSONAL TOUCH
Nanu personalised pillow, £35, nanusleep.co.uk
When given your height and weight and whether you sleep on your side, back or front, plus whether you prefer a soft, medium or firm pillow, Nanu claims to make one that’s ‘perfect for you’.
Guaranteed for two years and hypoallergenic, it’s reasonably priced for something bespoke.
Comfortable and good quality, it’s a step above the average. 4/5
Nanu personalised pillow, £35, nanusleep.co.uk: Guaranteed for two years and hypoallergenic, it’s reasonably priced for something bespoke
KEEP A COOL HEAD
Medigel cooling pillow, £115, penelopebedroom.co.uk
The bottom layer is a ‘viscoelastic memory foam developed for NASA’, which moulds to your head. But it’s on top that the magic happens, with a blue ‘CoolTech’ gel-like layer, designed to decrease body temperature.
Personally, I wasn’t a fan — it felt weirdly chilly under my cheek — but would be a godsend in a hot summer, or for night sweats. 1/5
Medigel cooling pillow, £115, penelopebedroom. co.uk: The bottom layer is a ‘viscoelastic memory foam developed for NASA’
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Simba Hybrid pillow, £99, simbasleep.com
This contains hundreds of small foam ‘Nanocubes’, made from recycled materials, which you add or remove to adjust height and firmness.
There’s also a padded cotton cover ‘inspired by the technology developed for space suits’, to absorb heat when needed to regulate temperature.
Although it took a bit of faffing to get the firmness I wanted, it gave me a great night’s sleep. 4/5
Simba Hybrid pillow, £99, simbasleep. com: This contains hundreds of small foam ‘Nanocubes’, made from recycled materials
IRON OUT WRINKLES
Yu-nu moisturising pillowcase, £35 for two, Nanusleep.co.uk
This beautifying pillowcase suggests you can boost your skincare regime in your sleep.
Yu-nu moisturising pillowcase, £35 for two, Nanusleep. co.uk: The probiotics can take 12 washes; hence it’s recommended you alternate two cases, washing weekly for six months
The good quality cotton has been ‘enriched with the same organic probiotics found in fruit and vegetables’, and is ‘clinically proven to reduce wrinkle depth’.
The probiotics can take 12 washes; hence it’s recommended you alternate two cases, washing weekly for six months.
It didn’t give me pillow-wrinkles, however, it could take time to see if it tackles those caused by ageing.
But at £35 every six months, it’s far from a budget option. 3/5
GET A LITTLE FRUITY
Slumberdown Scented BerryBliss/Tropical Twist, £7.49, Amazon.co.uk
Infused with ‘subtle scents known to positively boost your mood’ this is available in either a berry or a tropical pineapple and passionfruit fragrance, released when you lie on it.
Slumberdown Scented Berry Bliss/Tropical Twist, £7.49, Amazon.co.uk: Infused with ‘subtle scents known to positively boost your mood’
It claims to make your bedroom ‘a relaxing haven’.
The scent lasts up to 20 machine washes, although I found it barely noticeable after a few minutes. 2/5
A BIT ON THE SIDE
Babylon pillow, £100, Penelopebedroom.co.uk
This four-leafed clover shaped pillow has been developed for side-sleepers, fitting perfectly between shoulder and face.
Made of viscose, it moulds to your body like memory foam, but without as many chemicals.
Only the pillowcase is washable, and there are two in the pack — just as well, because it looks strange squeezed into a rectangular case.
Babylon pillow, £100, Penelope bedroom.co.uk: This four-leafed clover shaped pillow has been developed for side-sleepers, fitting perfectly between shoulder and face
I was sceptical, but it gave me the best sleep of all the pillows I tried. 5/5
POCKET-SPRUNG
Silentnight pocket sprung pillow, £21.99, Amazon.co.uk
Like a mattress, this has pocket springs for ‘superior long-lasting, flexible but firm support’.
The cotton cover is good quality, but can’t be washed (because of the springs).
Silentnight pocket sprung pillow, £21.99, Amazon.co.uk: Like a mattress, this has pocket springs for ‘superior long-lasting, flexible but firm support’
It’s strange to feel everything bouncing back into shape when you roll over but it gave me a very restful sleep. 4/5
FOLD-UP SUPPORT
Three-fold Folding wool pillow, £69, Devon Duvets.com
An ingenious invention, this is like a flat-ish duvet that folds up and into the built-in cover.
You can roll up one of the three sections, creating extra neck support.
Three-fold Folding wool pillow, £69, Devon Duvets.com: This is dust mite resistant and can be machine washed
It’s eco-friendly, and made in the UK with ‘platinum grade’ unbleached British wool.
This is also dust mite resistant and can be machine washed.
It was a little too supportive for me, but got a big thumbs-up from my husband. It smells slightly, well, organic — although apparently this should fade. 3/5
SUITS EVERY GUEST
Sealy Dual Comfort pillow, £51.96, Amazon.co.uk
Why settle for one pillow when you can have two-in-one?
One side is filled with soft polyester; the other contains more structured memory foam, so you can flip it depending on how much support you need.
Sealy Dual Comfort pillow, £51.96, Amazon.co.uk: One side is filled with soft polyester; the other contains more structured memory foam
The cover and polyester insert can be machine washed, but the foam section can’t. I found the firm side a bit unforgiving but the squishy side was, as Goldilocks might say, just right.
This was my husband’s favourite of all the pillows. Great for a guest room. 3/5
Advanced pillow technology comes with a premium pricetag with claims to stop snoring and fight wrinkles (file image)