The core of the pillow is made from bamboo and charcoal-infused memory foam (dubbed “CharcoCell foam” by Panda), perforated to promote airflow and wrapped in a quilted bamboo rayon cover. It’s softer than Panda’s standard bamboo pillow, instead looking and feeling more like the Otty pillow featured below. The cover is also silky soft and cool to the touch – so much so, that it’s almost a shame to put a pillowcase over the top of it. A common issue is that, since memory foam works by reacting to your body heat, the heat it retains can cause it to become uncomfortably warm. Many of us prefer a cool pillow over a warm one (temperature-regulating cooling pillows exist for this very reason), so it’s worth taking this into account when buying a memory foam pillow. Of course, most brands are well aware of this fact and have implemented their own techniques (such as Dormeo’s Octaspring technology) to ensure you don’t overheat in the night. Although washing pillows can help them last longer, even with the very best care your pillow will eventually start to lose its support. Pillows usually last between one to three years depending on the quality, with higher quality pillows lasting the longest. We'd usually recommend changing yours for a new one every three years to make sure you're getting the best night's sleep possible. The best pillows you can buy in 2023 1. Silentnight Just Like Down Microfibre Pillow: Best value pillow

Just like Nectar’s A Whole Night Sleep pillow, the loft (or height) of the Emma Premium Microfibre Pillow can be adjusted by adding or removing one of its layers. The difference with Emma’s pillow is that it’s made from microfibre rather than memory foam. We found it much more “squishy” than most of its foam counterparts, so we’d argue it’s best suited to sleepers who prefer a softer pillow. Even if you did put time and effort into getting the right pillow the last time around, chances are it needs replacing. Even the best pillows don’t tend to last more than a few years, eventually failing to provide the level of support they used to – and that’s before you even think about the hygiene factor. You probably won’t want to hear this, but within two years of use, a third of a pillow’s weight is made up of dead skin, dirt, oil, dust mites and their droppings. Soft as down, light as a feather - super fine Wellsleep fibres create the outer layer and keeps the pillow plump. These soft and airy fibres also provide better air circulation adding to the cooling system. Like Sleeping on CloudsKey features – Filling: Goose down and feathers; Cover: 100% cotton cover (machine washable) Sizes: Standard, superking, square Key features – Filling: Goose down and feathers; Cover: 100% cotton cover (machine washable) Sizes: Standard size and king size

Combined feather and down pillows are good for comfort and support, eliminating pressure points and avoiding face squashing. But if you suffer from allergies, they’re a no-no. It’s worth adding that you should always take any claims of “cooling” properties with a bit of a pinch of salt. While some bedding undoubtedly offers better heat regulation, no pillow we’ve ever tested will actively cool you down. Aside from comfort, a good memory foam pillow can contribute to a better night’s sleep in a number of ways.If memory foam isn’t your thing, don’t worry: we have plenty of microfibre and down recommendations in our main best pillow roundup. Washing pillows regularly can help keep dust and bacteria at bay. No matter what kind of pillow you have, you can keep it clean and fresh by following the advice above. You might also want to take a look at some of our other guides and advice, like our mattress care guide for information on cleaning and maintaining your . Some pillows, such as our Evercomfy silver pillows, also contains a silver antimicrobial treatment to help repel bacteria and reduce odours for ultimate bed hygiene, so these might be a good option if you're looking to upgrade your current pillow. It’s a little bit firmer than the Otty Deluxe, but it’s not so firm that it feels clinical, instead landing somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. It comes with an inbuilt protector, plus a soft, breathable and hypoallergenic bamboo cover (which can be washed at 40°C), which helps you to keep things fresher than washing your pillowcase alone .

A common complaint for many sleepers, and one that is often associated with memory foam, is overheating. Designed with temperature regulation as a top priority, however, REM-Fit’s memory foam Snow Pillow aims to remedy this problem.

The pillow’s two polyester microfibre layers are encased in a soft padded pillowcase. With both layers inserted, the pillow has a good amount of loft, which is a good thing for side sleepers who need to support their head and shoulder (though we also found the pillow to be comfortable and supportive with just the one insert). While most of the pillows on our roundup have a machine washable cover, you might also be pleased to hear that this pillow – inserts and all – can be popped in the washing machine at a temperature up to 60°C.

Powered by multi-award winning Octaspring® Aerospace technology, the Octasmart® pillow is a smart pillow, featuring our special memory foam springs for optimised support and smart performance cover for the dreamiest cloud-like feel. If you think you need to replace your pillow, our guide on choosing the perfect pillow will help you find the right filling, firmness, and weight for you. Where relevant, we also take into account other aspects including trial periods, washable covers and extra features – such as adjustable and ergonomic designs – all of which can play a part in our recommendations. Synthetic pillows are usually made from polyester. As they’re hypoallergenic, they’re great for allergy sufferers and also affordable, lightweight and easy to care for. They’re good if you sleep in a variety of positions throughout the night too. But they aren’t as malleable or breathable as other pillows and they have the shortest lifespan of all pillows – with the filling often prone to clumping. It comes with a built-in protector and a hypoallergenic bamboo cover for softness and breathability, which can also be washed at 40°C. Bamboo is often lauded for its eco-friendly qualities (being one of the world’s fastest-growing plants), and while true to an extent, it’s a claim that’s often prone to exaggeration. That said, Panda is a brand that prides itself on its stance on sustainability, and has introduced an initiative to ensure all of its memory foam products are eventually disposed of responsibly.Powered by multi-award-winning Octaspring ® Aerospace technology, the OCTAsmart ® pillow is the smartest pillow we have ever created.