If memory foam isn’t your thing, don’t worry: we have plenty of microfibre and down recommendations in our main best pillow roundup.

Key specs – Filling: Memory foam; Cover: 45% Ice Yarn, 55% polyester (machine washable); Sizes: Standard size onlyPowered by multi-award-winning Octaspring ® Aerospace technology, the OCTAsmart ® pillow is the smartest pillow we have ever created. Memory foam or microfibre pillows are often a more hygienic option to feather or down, as the filling doesn't tend to attract dust mites and bacteria as much as feather versions.

We also focus on other key factors including trial periods and washable covers, plus adjustable and ergonomic designs – all of which help us build a clear picture of the product. The best memory foam pillows to buy 1. Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow: Best value memory foam 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 . If you have a single or double bed, choose a standard-size pillow. If you have a king or super-king bed, you may want to consider a super-king pillow. Square pillows are typically used for decoration.Key features – Filling: Goose down and feathers; Cover: 100% cotton cover (machine washable) Sizes: Standard, superking, square It’s easy to assume this is irrelevant as you’ll have a pillowcase covering it. But it’s worth noting that natural cover fabrics such as cotton have much more breathability than polyester and other man-made fibres, which can make for a far more comfortable night’s sleep if you’re prone to getting hot at night. How we test pillows Our clean and fresh mattress and bedding care kit contains everything you need to mop up spills and keep your pillows, mattress, duvet, and bedding as good as new. 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. Pure feather pillows – as luxurious as the idea of pure feathers may sound, we’d avoid this type as those pesky feather quills seem to have a way of escaping and stabbing you in the face. It’s also worth noting they don’t offer the support and height needed for side sleepers. Plus, they can be noisy and don’t suit allergy sufferers.