Best pillows, tried and tested for cloud-like comfort

Tested by: Daphne Bugler, Senior Commerce Writer

• Support: Soft
• Filling: Microfibre
• Size: 48cm x 74cm, 48cm x 89cm

Adjustable pillows are one of the smartest ideas around, given that everyone has their own individual preferences for how a pillow should feel and how high it needs to be to support their neck, but they tend to come with one fatal flaw - they’re expensive. The exception? Kudd.ly’s Dream Pillow. At a much more affordable price, it brings this fun adjustable feature into the mix, meaning the Dream pillow is suitable for any style of sleeper, whether you keep it firmer and with more height to sleep on your back, or like us, have it soft and squishy so you can crash out on your front.

But this isn’t where the fun stops. In fact, the Kudd.ly pillow enlightened us to a whole new pillow feature that we’ve often ignored. The pillow cover. Something we’ve never consider an essential, Kudd.ly’s cover is so soft (made from 100 per cent cotton) that it’s enlightened us to how beneficial they can be. Even under our linen pillowcase, the cover made things feel more breathable, and the sleeping surface was smoother and softer and left our skin feeling less bedraggled in the morning. Game, officially, changed. £99 £49. At kudd.ly

Tested by: Daphne Bugler, Senior Commerce Writer

• Support: Medium
• Filling: Down alternative, microfibre fill
• Size: 50cm x 75cm

If you can believe it, there is such a thing as a trending pillow and the Aeyla Dual Pillow is it. It's not all hype however, this pillow has a clever two-in-one design said to alleviate neck pain by combining support and softness and correcting your sleep posture when you're sleeping on your side or your back. We can confirm it lives up to these claims too and while we didn't think a pillow would help as much as a massage does for our neck pain, this one does which means we have less excuses for a mid-week massage now.

The pillow-in-pillow design keeps its shape night-after-night – another claim we can confirm is on the money, with a down-alternative, medium-soft fill encased in breathable cotton outer shell. We mentioned side sleeping and back sleeping, but this clever pillow is osteopath-approved and adapts to every sleep position. It's lovely and comfortable too, as a pillow should be. The only bad thing about it is that it keeps selling out! Did we mention it was also hypoallergenic and comes with a 365-day warranty? £89 £69. At aeyla.co.uk

Tested by: Teo van den Broeke, Contributing Editor

• Support: Medium/firm
• Filling: Memory foam
• Size: 60cm x 40cm

For a more supportive pillow, this memory foam model from Panda will set you up for many a good night's sleep. Designed with third-generation memory foam to provide neck support and to allow the neck and spine to align while you sleep, it's our pick of the best memory foam pillows out there and perfect for those who enjoy a firmer feel for their pillow. If you prefer anything a bit softer, you'd be wise to look for a microfibre or down option rather than memory foam but for the foam lovers out there, it doesn't get much better than this one.

Made with an eco-friendly bamboo cover, it's also naturally breathable and hypoallergenic, encouraging airflow throughout the night and creating an environment that deters dust mites. Simply pop a pillowcase on and prepare to drift off. There's a 30-night trial to help you decide if it's right for you, and there's a 10-year guarantee too so you can rest easy knowing you're covered. The only sad thing here is that you cover up the cute Panda when you put a pillowcase on. £45. At mypandalife.com

Tested by: Jack King, Contributing Writer

• Support: Soft
• Filling: Microfibre
• Size: 50cm x 75cm

With its Premium Microfibre Pillow, Emma has done the business for the softies of the world — by that we mean it's constructed the greatest pillow you’ll ever lay your head on if you prefer them light and airy, with the only exception being its Premium Microfibre Pillow, which consequently is also on our list. Back to this one however, endlessly soft, this thing moulds around your head effortlessly, a product of Emma’s comfortably pliable Aerosoft microfibre filling (as goes the name).

It’s customisable with two internal layers that can be removed as needed — as back-sleepers, we preferred to keep both inside, but side and belly snoozers might want to adjust. It's most certainly not one for those who prefer the sturdiness of memory foam, but it is absolutely perfect if you like a good sinker. We can’t sing its praises loudly enough and the only factor to consider is if you want an added cooling layer, in which case you will be better to opt for the Premium version of this super pillow. £75 £56. At emma-sleep.co.uk

**Read our full review of the Emma Microfibre pillow **

Tested by: Robert Leedham, Senior Commerce Editor

• Support: Adjustable
• Filling: Microfibre, memory foam nanocubes
• Size: 45cm x 70cm, 60cm x 60cm

Given how obsessed with Simba’s mattresses we are here at GQ, it’s no surprise that we’re also a fan of the brand's pillow too. Creatures of habit and all that. Far more advanced than most types of pillow, Simba’s Hybrid pillow incorporates both a hypoallergenic microfibre filling and lightweight “Nanocubes” to reap the benefits of both a foam-style pillow and the more traditional filled type. Making it even more exciting, it's also customisable, using adjustable Nanocube technology that allows you to add or remove cubes in order to adjust the firmness and height.

Another thing we really love about sleeping with a Simba pillow, is that while it captures some of the benefits of memory foam with its ‘nanocube’ style filling, it keeps you much cooler overnight and as a few of us tend to run on the warmer side when we sleep, it's perfect for us. With comprehensive temperature regulation and a breathable design, it helps encourage airflow, rather than contributing to anything that would make you wake up and feel overheated. £109. At simbasleep.com

Tested by: Britta O'Boyle, Contributing Writer

• Support: Soft
• Filling: Microfibre
• Size: 50cm x 75cm

We raved about Emma's original Microfibre Pillow (above) for its comfort and soft, sinking feeling, but the Premium version of that is even better. We've kept both in our list of the best pillows around as there is a price difference, with the Premium option delivering many of the same attributes, including adjustable height and support to cover off all sleeping positions whether you're a back sleeper, side sleeper or you like to spend your snoozing time on your front.

The Premium Microfibre Pillow from Emma adds an Outlast thermal layer over the original, for a cool-to-touch feeling that is simply glorious on your cheek, even with a pillowcase on. The cover is breathable and machine washable, but it's the inside that counts here. We loved that we could adapt it to suit our preferences, but more than that, we are obsessed with how comfortable this pillow is. If you want to feel like your head is on a dreamy fluffy cloud, Emma's Premium Microfibre Pillow is most definitely one way to get there. £109. At emma-sleep.co.uk

Tested by: Daphne Bugler, Senior Commerce Writer

• Support: Soft, Medium or Firm
• Filling: Microfibre
• Size: 50cm x 75cm, 50cm x 95cm

Down pillows just aren’t for everyone, whether it’s because you suffer from an allergy, don’t love the feel the feathers give off, or are vegan and trying to avoid animal products. Thankfully, finding down alternatives pillows that still capture that soft, fluffy feeling isn’t too hard these days. Enter Dusk’s aptly named Feels Like Down pillow pair that are as great as some of the company's other offerings, with its bedding and garden furniture also some of our faves.

Back to the pillows though. Designed to mimic the sensation of down as closely as possible, think of this as not just an anti-allergy alternative, but one that’s far easier on your bank balance than the more expensive down options. And what’s more? They are also customisable to your own preferences giving you the option to choose between soft, medium or firm, as well as standard or super king size before you place your order. Although this pillow is super breathable, keep in mind that its covering isn’t the softest. £37 £18. At dusk.com

Tested by: Jack King, Contributing Writer

• Support: Soft, Medium or firm
• Filling: 90% Hungarian Goose Down, 10% goose feather
• Size: 50cm x 75cm, 50cm x 95cm

If you’re trying to turn your bed into one worthy of a five-star rating, look no further than The White Company. Renowned for being one of the best places to buy gifts in the UK, it’ll come as no surprise that all of the products are super luxe and have that high-quality, premium feel to them and that doesn't just include its pillows, but its bedding and towels too.

These pillows are our favourite from the collection, capturing that cloud-like sensation to perfection, with just the right amount of bounce and a good level of support that doesn’t feel stiff. You can still choose between soft, medium and firm, but all of them maintain that nice and fluffy feel (down will do that), with a 329 thread count casing that’s equally as comfortable and a firm inner core construction that leaves you nice and supported throughout the night. From £95. At thewhitecompany.com

**Read our full review here **

Tested by: Daphne Bugler, Senior Commerce Writer

• Support: Medium
• Filling: Ethically-sourced goose down
• Size: 50cm x 90cm

Forking out this much for a single pillow might seem like an act of madness at first, but if you’ve got cash to spare and want to treat yourself to some true horizontal luxury, this ethically-sourced goosedown offering from John Lewis definitely won’t disappoint. Considering how much of your life you spend asleep, you practically owe it to yourself.

Aches and pains be damned. It's designed for the back sleepers and side sleepers out there and it incorporates Nomite, allowing those with dust allergies to enjoy it. The only problem here is that at the time of writing, it was out of stock online so you'll have to hope they have it at your nearest store and then treat yourself to a nap on it when you get back. You can also sign up to be notified when it comes back in stock online however. Looks like we aren't the only ones to think £190 is worth spending if you get the pillow of your dreams in return. £190. At johnlewis.com

Tested by: Daphne Bugler, Senior Commerce Writer

• Support: Soft/medium
• Filling: Polyester
• Size: 40cm x 70cm

Promising the five-star comfort that hotel pillows tend to deliver, the sumptuously soft embossed covers of this pair of polyester-filled pillows are a luxurious hint of the comfort within. They aren't going to give you quite the same experience as some others on this list with much more luxurious options available, but they are significantly cheaper than others too and that counts for something.

Hypoallergenic to help alleviate allergies, their soft/medium support lets you double them up if you're after a little more flexibility. Made in the UK and machine washable, they also have a two-year guarantee for additional peace of mind. We'd recommend them as a great pair of guest pillows rather than the pillow you pick to lay your head on every night, but if you don't have a huge amount of cash to spend, or you want to spend that cash on something other than a pillow then these are a solid budget option. £24 £20. At amazon.co.uk

Tested by: Heidi Quill, Senior Commerce Writer

• Support: Firm
• Filling: Memory foam
• Size: 40cm x 70cm

It isn't often that a sleep brand garners ‘cult’ status, but if ever there was one to come close, it's Emma. Best known for its Original Mattress, Emma has taken the key design elements that made it so popular and used them to create a pillow worth equal measures of hype. The three-layer construction, breathability and firm support set the groundwork for this, but it's the adjustable height and firmness that sets it apart from the rest. Remove the foam layers until it feels right for you and you'll find yourself drifting off like never before.

While the layers are adjustable, it is worth noting that as with most memory foam pillows or mattresses, it does have a firmer feel to it. If you're looking to really sink into your pillow, it won't be the right one for you, but for added support, it will do the trick. If you do want that sinking in feeling, the Emma Premium Microfibre pillow is worth a punt instead, but for a pillow that will hug your fave and support your neck, the Original Pillow is a great buy. £79. At emma-sleep.co.uk

Tested by: Jack King, Contributing Writer

• Support: Firm
• Filling: Memory foam clusters
• Size: 45cm x 70cm

If a firm support pillow is what you're after, memory foam is the best material to be looking for. And while The White Company is most widely known for its use of goose down and synthetics, its memory foam pillow is a surprising win. Made to be shape-contouring, the pillow is constructed from shredded memory foam, building it into a more supportive structure that adapts to the contours of your head and neck.

We'd say this is best suited to side sleepers as it works to align your shoulder and neck leaving you waking up feeling more relaxed, a relief if you're used to overnight aches and pains, but it should work for back sleepers and combination sleepers too. Throw in the fact that you can machine wash the casing easily, helping you keep it hygienic, and you've got yourself an excellent memory foam pillow that's surprisingly affordable for The White Company. £50. At thewhitecompany.com

Tested by Lucy Ford, Contributing Writer

• Support: Soft/Medium
• Filling: Polyester
• Size: 70cm x 45cm

Consider these pillows the holy grail of spare room styling. Affordable (because who wants to spend all of their money on something that only gets used a few times a year) and allergy-friendly, both your bank balance and any house guests will be thanking you later.

Incorporating both British Allergy Foundation-approved anti-allergy fibres, as well as anti-bacterial fibres that protect against dust mites and bacteria, it's as non-offensive as a pillow can get. And don't think we've forgotten about comfort here either. At a soft/medium firmness, they'll give most sleepers a good night's rest too. They aren't going to compete with John Lewis' £190 pillow, but you could buy a lot of pairs of these pillows for the same price as that one pillow so let's give them a bit of a break. £18 £16. At amazon.co.uk