Choosing the wrong pillow can lead to neck and back problems, as well as many restless nights. That’s why swapping your old pillow for a new firmer one can quickly improve the alignment of your neck and spine and potentially greatly improve your sleep experience.
But how can you choose a quality firm pillow that fits the bill and checks all the boxes? There are many products on the market – from good quality ones from reputable companies to cheap Chinese crap that we wouldn’t recommend to our worst enemy.
That’s why we created LightSleeper – to help you choose the product that is right for you and you alone and help you make that choice along the way. Companies can never pay to feature their products on LightSleeper, nor we are getting paid to recommend one product over the other – we are an independent resource, and we only recommend products that have passed our tests, and we feel that they are the best in their category.
We tested over 30 different pillows that claim to be firm and supportive. We weren’t surprised to find that some of them don’t offer adequate support and some were even on the soft side, which is not great when you need proper support and alignment. So without further ado, let’s see what we think are the best firm pillows on the UK market:
1. Tempur Comfort Pillow Original
Our clear winner in today’s category is the TEMPUR Comfort pillow, measuring 50 x 74cm. It is specially developed with TEMPUR® Material Micro-cushions and offers a firmer feel than most.
Tempur’s pillow is suitable for most sleeping positions, but it’s specifically designed for side sleepers, which is around 70% of the Earth’s population. In addition, the Tempur pillow comes with an exclusive CoolTouch™ cover that does wonders on those hot summer nights.
The technology offers cooler yarns wool into the cover that combines conductive and heat absorption qualities, providing you with a cool touch sensation. The cover is also easily removable and machine washable at 40°C, so your purchase always stays clean and fresh.
The pillow is designed with TEMPUR’s micro-cushions that enable the product to provide the ultimate support and comfort for your head, neck and shoulders. And if that’s not enough, Tempur also offers a 3-year warranty.
2. Ergoflex HD Pillow
Next, we have the only brand in our guide that has been in operation for longer than their mattress warranty, and in our opinion, this means something. The company was established in 2006, and its latest release is the Ergoflex HD Pillow. It was designed with the idea to deliver the “perfect” ergonomic posture for your head while bringing incredible support and comfort.
Its core is made from visco-elastic, a high-density memory foam that relieves pressure like no other. The set core has a slow response, and that’s why it will gently shape your head and neck, so you don’t have to worry about your head sinking in too deep.
This memory foam pillow is constructed from a single foam layer, which means that both pressure relief and support will be present at any point of the item. Forget about the need for fluffing with the single foam core layer, as your firmer pillow will return to its original shape.
The high-quality foam is wrapped in a Tencel cover that’s a wood fibre that doesn’t require as much water as others, making it removable and washable. As a result, you get a breathable and comfortably soft product that is anti-allergenic and anti-microbial, with which you prevent the build-up of foreign objects. Ergoflex’s HD pillow comes with next-day delivery and a 2-year guarantee.
3. Kally Anti-Snore Pillow
Next on our list today is the Kally Sleep, which is an ergonomic pillow with an affordable price and an anti-snore benefit. Kally’s cushion has an ergonomically S-shaped foam core that encourages deep, quieter sleep while firmly supporting the head and neck, opening the airways for improved breathing.
The British Sleep Apnoea Association has tested Kally’s pillow for reducing snoring frequency and volume by approximately 60%, which is very impressive. It’s made from hollow fibre filled with a soft and breathable polycotton cover. Kally’s product is also anti-allergy treated to protect against any unwanted bacteria and dust mites.
It can be purchased in one size only, which is 70 x 40cm, with a firmness of 6 out of 10 (1 being the softest and 10 the firmest). Kally Sleep is a brand that offers you a 14-day sleep trial period and free delivery on all orders over £39.
Overall, the Kally Sleep pillow can be suitable for most back and side sleepers, it is anti-allergy treated, and its ergonomic design will adequately support your head and neck every night.
4. Emma Original Pillow
It’s time for an award-winning product with over 100,000 units sold in 2020, and that’s the Emma Original. Emma is designed to suit people in every sleep position due to its adjustable height and firmness level.
It can be purchased in only one size, and that’s 40 x 70cm. It’s constructed with a moisture-wicking UltraDry cover that helps you sleep cool and comfortable and has three unique memory foam layers, which will provide you with the ultimate comfort.
On top, we have the durable and supportive HRX Supreme Foam that’s on the firmer side, followed by a soft and ultra-breathable Airgocell® layer that transfers heat from your head. Finally, you’ll find the ZeroGravity viscoelastic foam that contours to your head and neck for a tremendous weightless airy feel.
The Emma OG was created to give you the freedom to adapt height and firmness to your personal needs. Ema’s products are proudly made in the UK and undergo strict testing to ensure they meet the highest quality standards. This excellent choice has a 200-night sleep trial and free delivery on all orders on the mainland.
5. Eve Memory Foam Pillow
Eve has come up with a perfectly supportive pillow made from memory foam, ideal for side and back sleepers, which is designed to relieve tension and weariness each night while keeping you cool and relaxed at all times.
This option is more supportive than squishy, and it will keep your neck and spine properly aligned for the perfect night’s sleep.
Memory foam tends to trap heat, but you don’t have to worry about overheating due to the cleverly placed air holes that eliminate unwanted heat. In addition, Eve has fantastic cooling properties due to the supportive PU foam and a 100% polyester removable cover with a lovely stretchy and soft feel.
It comes in one standard size (50 x 75cm) with a 14-night trial period in which you can test it out for yourself, and if you don’t love it, you can send it back with no questions asked. Eve also provides a 3-year warranty and free delivery service within the UK’s Mainland.
How to choose a firm pillow that works?
Besides having a good mattress, another essential bedding item, which will support your head and neck and promote proper body alignment is the pillow. Let’s be honest here, you get your bedding with one thing in mind, and that is a great night’s sleep.
Before you end up choosing one, think about your sleeping position, size, and filling type, so that you can pick a firm pillow that will bring you maximum comfort. Here are the factors you have to consider:
Height & Shape
Generally speaking, higher pillows are usually firmer and offer more support, but in some situations, they might hold your head in an uncomfortable position. In comparison, a lower height pillow might feel less supportive.
Pillows can come in different shapes. The most popular options have a contoured design or a V-shape. V-shaped pillows are good for preventing any rolling while you sleep and maintaining your position. Th V-shape is most popular when it comes to choosing orthopaedic pillows as well. They fit snugly around your neck, keep your head upright and your spinal cord in the correct alignment.
In comparison, a contouring pillow typically has a dip in the middle, which is incredibly suitable for back sleepers. On them, your head can nicely fit into the centre to keep you from shifting while sleeping. This way, the sides will support your neck and shoulders and keep them at a natural angle.
Material
Materials are also essential in your pillow choice. You need to consider both the cover and inner components since they can wide range of qualities and issues. Be careful with what you choose. Don’t consider only your sleeping position but also your body shape and weight. The right materials can offer a longer lifespan and better overall performance.
The materials a pillow is constructed from affect how firm it’s going to be. You can receive the firmest support from materials such as microbeads and buckwheat. In contrast, if you’re searching for an option with adjustable support, your best bet will be memory foam, down, and down alternatives.
Pressure Relief
Most people that prefer firm pillows sleep on their side, and they often feel pressure in the shoulders and hips if their mattress isn’t supportive enough. Pressure can build up from improper use of pillows just as much around the neck and shoulders. Thus side sleepers usually need a supportive cushion that will also contour their body.
Price
Just like with everything else, the price can vary depending on the pillow’s components. If you’re on a budget, polyfoam, down alternative, and feathers typically have the lowest price points. But if your willing to spend the extra buck, opting for memory foam, latex, down, and buckwheat pillows is the better option.
Bottom line
Choosing the right pillow for your sleeping position and habits is crucial. There are many firm pillows on the market today, and that’s why you need to make sure the one you choose is made from the right materials and has the ideal level of support and cushioning to improve the alignment of your body.
All of the bed products we listed above have great customer reviews and are well received. We hope you could find what you were looking for in our guide regarding the best firm pillow the market has to offer. To simplify your shopping experience, we’ve selected some of the best pillows in the UK.
Brands in the bed industry frequently change, and so do the products they offer, which is why we will continue to provide you with the most up-to-par information. We hope that this article was helpful, and you could find what you are looking for.
Now it’s our turn to hear from you if any questions regarding the subject were left unanswered. If you want to share some information, we would gladly hear about it in the comments below.