Best pillows in the UK in 2022

Picking the right mattress is extremely important for a refreshing, good night’s sleep. We always recommend our customers to do thorough research before investing in their mattresses to choose the best option for their needs and comfort.

However, in order to wake up rested and energised, the right type of pillow is just as important – we have all experienced before that an uncomfortable pillow will ruin your night.

Pillows come in many types of materials, firmness levels, and pillowcases. So how can you find the best pillows in the UK in 2022?

Before diving into more details, it’s essential to know that personal sleeping preferences are crucial when choosing the right pillow. In our article, we will guide you through the different pillow fillings, their pros and cons, and which materials are considered the best.  

Best pillows in the UK - Pillow Fillings

This is the most important part of your pillows. Pillow fillings impact comfort and support as well. Qualities like hypoallergenic attributes, the softness, and the firmness of your pillow are all determined by your pillow fillings.

In order to find the best pillows in the UK that perfectly suit your needs, it’s important to be familiar with the broad range of pillow filling types along with their advantages and disadvantages.

Just like in the case of mattress materials, the range of pillow fillings has considerably grown over the past few years. Now let’s examine the most popular pillow fillings so that you can choose the right one according to your sleeping style.

Down

What is down filling? Down comes from the underside of the belly of the animal. It is light and fluffy and down fillings usually don’t contain quills. These types of pillows tend to be more expensive than traditional feather pillows – at the same time, they are more comfortable.

Down pillows have many benefits. They are naturally soft, so they will adapt to your shape and won’t cause any pressure to the neck. They are long-lasting and you can enjoy their soft quality longer than in the case of synthetic pillows.

Breathability is another important benefit of down pillows. During the winter times, you won’t have that uncomfortable feeling of cold spots on your pillow. Since the material is naturally breathable, you will not overheat – your pillow will not allow moisture to settle inside.

However, when it comes to down pillows, there are some drawbacks you need to be aware of.

Some people are allergic to down, so if you have had unpleasant experiences with this material before, probably you should choose an alternative type of pillow.

As we have mentioned above, down pillows are famous for their softness. This is a great quality; however, it also means that they tend to be less supportive and can often lead to neck pain.

Feathers

When you are looking for the best pillows in the UK, you will come across feather pillows as well.

The feathers are usually plucked from the wings or back of the bird. Due to the heavier structure of the material, you will enjoy better support for your neck than in the case of down pillows. However, if you suffer from neck pain, probably it’s not the best type of pillow you choose since the support loosens during the night.

This type of pillow filling is quite durable and typically lasts longer than its synthetic counterparts. Since they are soft, you will find these pillows comfortable. They will conform to the shape of your neck, so this is another benefit of feather pillows. Of course, you need to be careful about the proper support.

They are lightweight, easy to take care of, and they have great qualities when it comes to temperature control. Thanks to their great insulation, you will never feel too hot or too cold with a feather pillow.

Of course, it’s not a perfect choice for everybody. These pillows tend to have odour, especially when they are new, but the smell normally goes away over time. Feather pillows are usually not recommended to people who suffer from shoulder or back pain because they flatten out during the night, so you can’t enjoy the proper support of your pillow all the time.

Memory foam

Memory foam is a popular material when it comes to mattresses and pillows as well.

One of their great benefits is that they are highly durable, and they provide good support. Memory foam distributes weight evenly, and it helps people who suffer from back or neck pain.

People with different sleeping preferences find memory foam pillows comfortable. Whether you’re a side or back sleeper, you will feel support in your neck and the rest of your head.

Although they tend to be pricier than traditional feather pillows, they are also denser and provide better support, as we have seen above.

Unfortunately, memory foam pillows don’t come without limitations and drawbacks. They emit a strong chemical odour – this is a common complaint from many people who have used memory foam pillows before. Just like in the case of memory foam mattresses, manufacturers use polyurethane and other chemicals when creating memory foam pillows.

They also absorb body heat, so memory foam pillows are not recommended to people who tend to sleep hot.

Wool

Wool fillings are one of the most natural pillow materials and are liked by many not just in the UK but all over the world. If you tend to sleep hot, wool pillows are perfect for you because you can enjoy the temperature-regulating quality of the material. You will never feel too hot in the summer or too cold during the winter.

Wool filling is more durable than synthetic materials, as a result, they last longer than memory foam pillows. Since it’s a heavy material, these pillows provide great support – whether you’re a stomach, back, or side sleeper, you will find wool pillows comfortable.

Though being heavy and firm is a great quality, many sleepers find them too heavy for their comfort level. These types of pillows also tend to have an unpleasant smell for a while, but it usually goes away quickly. These are one of the most expensive pillows on the market, so the price is a negative aspect for many sleepers.

Best pillows in the UK - Alpaca Wool

If you’re looking for the best pillow in the UK in 2022, our number one choice is alpaca wool.

Alpaca wool is considered a luxurious material. It is strong, light, and much more resilient than wool.

One of its great benefits is its hypoallergenic quality which means that it won’t irritate your skin. It is usually safe to wear for people who suffer from wool allergies. Wool allergies are caused by lanolin that is a natural grease on the animal’s fur. However, with alpaca wool, the amount of lanolin is so minimal so normally, it doesn’t cause irritation. (Our customers’ safety and comfort are the most important factors for us, so if you suffer from wool allergy, please consult with your physician for personalized medical advice before purchasing alpaca wool pillows.)

Thanks to its special texture, it is even softer than pillows made of other types of wool.

Apart from this, the material will keep you warm during cold days. It has great insulating qualities, which means that alpaca wool will create a warm layer of air between your skin and your pillow. Though the material is comfortably warm, you will never feel too hot with alpaca wool pillows. The materials are highly breathable, so it means that you will feel comfortable in cold and hot weather as well. Since it maintains a constant comfortable temperature inside, it’s a great choice for hot sleepers as well.

In addition to all these great benefits, alpaca wool is strong and durable, so these pillows will definitely last for many years. It’s one of the best investments for a healthy and comfortable night’s sleep without compromising on support.

If you’re looking for a product that is completely eco-friendly, this is an excellent choice. People have become more and more conscious of the environment, and with waste, we cause many problems. However, alpaca wool is biodegradable, so nature will be able to break it down.

Alpaca wool pillows from Milam

If you are looking for a real luxury pillow to have an exceptional night’s sleep, check Milam’s alpaca wool pillows that are hypoallergenic, breathable, and come in an organic cotton cover.

The pillows are constructed for medium firmness. Whether you sleep on your back, stomach, or side, you will find Milam’s alpaca wool pillows extremely comfortable.

Though it’s a superb material, it is absolutely low maintenance. It doesn’t contain odour and only needs airing occasionally.

If you want to build a truly luxurious environment, check our alpaca wool pillows here. If you are looking for a luxurious mattress to create your perfect sleep, you will find our natural latex mattresses here.

If you have any questions about our products, please contact us here. We would be happy to answer all your questions.