Best Affordable Pillows UK – 2022

When Looking for a new, cheap and affordable pillow, you will want a pillow that has a good mix of material and breathability while also being the correct amount of firmness for your sleeping position, as well as being made of cost-effective material.

This article will look at what other aspects to consider when looking for a new and affordable pillow and how often pillows should be replaced, alongside our best selections.

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The Best Affordable Pillows

1. Slumberdown Super Support Pillows

2. Silentnight Deep Sleep Pillows

3. BeddingHome Shredded Memory Foam Pillow 

4. Silentnight Just Like Down Pillows

5. CHILIMILII Luxury Hollowfibre Pillows

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What to Consider When Purchasing a New Pillow?

There are a few factors you will want to consider when purchasing a new pillow, such as:

• Firmness.
• Your type of mattress.
• The pillow’s breathability.
• The pillow’s care instructions.

What is Pillow Firmness?

Pillow firmness is an important aspect to consider when choosing a new pillow, as your preferred firmness will allow you to sleep comfortably on the right type of pillow. If you sleep on your side, you will want a pillow with more fullness that will fill the gap between your mattress and your neck and head.

A proper loft will help you to keep your neck aligned and avoid any spinal strain. 

If you sleep on your stomach, you will want a pillow with a low amount of loft to keep your back straight, and if you are a back sleeper, you will want a pillow that’s in between the loft and firmness of the side and stomach sleepers.

How Does Your Mattress Affect the Type of Affordable Pillow You Should Choose?

Your pillow and your mattress work together to give you the best sleep, so if you find yourself with a mattress on the softer side, you will want to look for a thinner pillow, especially if you sleep on your side or back.

Softer mattresses cause you to sink into the material, meaning there is less of a gap between your head and the mattress. On the other hand, firmer mattresses give you a larger gap between your head and the mattress floor, making a fuller and firmer pillow necessary.

What is Pillow Breathability?

If you find yourself hot at night, consider a pillow that allows air to pass through it, making it breathable. Materials that allow for breathability are polyester and shredded foam, while pillows made of a single, whole material are not as breathable.

How Does the Care Label Affect the Type of Affordable Pillow You Should Choose?

If you want a pillow that can be washed, you will want to check the care instructions before purchase as not every pillow can be washed conventionally.

This is important to consider if you have a sensitivity or allergy to dust mites, as they can only be removed if the pillow can be immersed in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) once a month to remove all the bacteria and keep the pillow fresh.

When Should I Buy a New Pillow?

Sleep experts recommend replacing your pillows at least once every year or two years. This will ensure that your pillows are fresh, fluffy, and clean.

It is easy to tell when a pillow needs replacing. For example, if you start to notice that you are waking up with sores and a stiff neck, it may mean that your pillow is too deflated to support your head anymore.

And similar to mattresses, you should keep an eye out for any malformations, lumps, and uneven sagging in your pillow. If your pillow is staining yellow or if you are noticing allergies at night, these are indications that your pillow needs to be changed.

Our Best Selections

1. Slumberdown Super Support Pillows

The Slumberdown Super Support pillows are an affordable pair of pillows that feature a foam core. This is designed to provide a good level of support. It is incredibly popular on Amazon, receiving over 25,000 ratings, over 80% of these are rated as 4 or 5 stars. Customers rave about this pillow with highlights from the reviews including ‘’If you want a firm, fluffy pillow that keeps its shape, look no further.’’ and ‘’Very, very pleased with these pillows.’’

This pillow is the standard UK size of 48 x 74cm. Making it fit perfectly in regular pillowcases. It gives firm support compared to other pillows at this price. This makes it ideal for side sleepers as they require extra support from their pillows. Handcrafted in the UK, it has an inner fill made from Dacron polyester and a foam core. The cover is made from a blend of 48% cotton and 52% polyester and the full pillow is machine washable. Great for keeping it fresh and hygienic. 

2. Silentnight Deep Sleep Pillows 

The Silentnight Deep Sleep pillows are well-filled pillows filled with cleaned and purified recycled hollowfibre. They are currently rated as Amazon’s best selling pillow and have over 17,500 ratings. Over 85% of these are 4 or 5 stars. Highlights from customer reviews include ‘’Lovely and soft offering suitable support for our needs.’’ and ‘’Brilliant, like being in a hotel.’’

The pillows are standard UK size at 70 x 45cm. They offer a medium support level as they are generously filled. The cover is made from a polycotton blend giving it a super soft feel. The pillows are hypoallergenic, fully machine washable and come with a 2-year manufacturer’s guarantee. They are also manufactured within the UK.

3. BeddingHome Shredded Memory Foam Pillow 

Another great memory foam pillow to select is the BeddingHome Shredded Memory Foam Pillow. This pillow is specifically great for individuals with allergies because the pillow is made from hypoallergenic and antibacterial materials. With over 150 ratings this pillow is well liked. Over 80% of these ratings are 4 or 5 stars. Highlights from customer reviews include ”wow, what a difference! No more sweating! Seriously amazing!” and ”Very happy once I got used to the firmness of the pillow but now I would not be without.”

This memory foam pillow is made from shredded bamboo memory foam. This will help you sleep tight, without worrying about waking up with allergy-related headaches or breathing problems. For further allergy help, the pillow also comes with a removable washable zip pillow cover.

4. Silentnight Just Like Down Pillows

Silentnight is one of the largest bed brands in the UK. Their products come with an expectation of being good quality and this pillow does not disappoint. The pillow uses a microfibre fill to imitate the soft, comfortable feel of down. On Amazon it has gained over 2,000 ratings, over 80% of these are rated as 4 or 5 stars. Highlights from customer reviews include ‘’

The Silentnight Just Like Down pillows measure 74 x 48cm so fit into a standard size pillowcase well. Rated as a 4/10 for firmness, these down imitation pillows are on the softer side but should be a suitable fit for all sleeping positions. They also use 100% recycled materials inside the pillow. These pillows are machine washable so it is easy to keep them fresh and hygienic. 

Our full review of this pillow can be found here.

5. CHILIMILII Luxury Hollowfibre Pillows

The CHILIMILII luxury pillows are an excellent value four-pack of super-soft pillows. They are extremely popular with over 2,500 ratings on Amazon. Over 85% of these are 4 or 5 stars. Highlights from customer reviews include ‘’Wow that’s all I can say, for the price amazing quality.’’ and ‘’Bought to use on the spare bed, but they are so comfy and use them in the main bed now.’’

These pillows are a standard size, measuring 75 x 50cm and will fit well into standard sized pillowcases. The fill material is polyester hollowfibre and the cover is made from a poly-cotton blend. They are hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant and fully machine washable. Most sleepers should be suited to these pillows but they are likely to suit back and front sleepers the best due to their softness. The only downside of this material is that it does not last as long as other fill materials but it provides excellent value for money.

What Material is Best for an Affordable Pillow?

The best material for an affordable pillow is microfibre, which are small strands of polyester or nylon, and are typically one of the most affordable options for pillows. Even though they are easy to care for, they may break down faster than other types of pillows and will require replacement sooner.

And although they come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, microfiber pillows are not the most breathable and are not ideal for people who find themselves too warm at night.

What to Look Out For in a Good Quality Pillow?

The best materials for a good-quality pillow are:

• A mix of feathers and down.
• Memory foam.
• Wool and cotton.
• Latex.

What is a Feather Down Pillow?

Feather-down pillows are incredibly soft and can repel mites, but may require professional cleaning and frequent re-fluffing. Nevertheless, these are an excellent option for people with more budget.

What is a Memory Foam Pillow?

Memory foam is specially designed to conform to the body’s shape and can be an excellent option for those with soreness issues while sleeping, as it can relieve pressure at pressure points in the spine and neck.

The only drawback with memory foam is its higher price point and that it retains heat more quickly than other materials.

What is a Wool and Cotton-filled Pillow?

Wool and cotton pillows are repellent to dust mites and are typically quite soft. However, they retain heat and lose their shape faster than other pillow material types.

What is a Latex Pillow?

Latex foam is derived from rubber tree sap and is considered to be one of the more expensive pillow materials. However, latex does not retain heat, is durable, and holds its shape well for a longer period.

The Verdict: Affordable Pillows

To ensure you are purchasing the right affordable pillow, keep the following tips in mind:

• Your pillow will want to confirm your preferred sleep position, with the right amount of loft for if you are a side sleeper, back, or stomach sleeper.
• Keep to materials such as polyester and shredded foam, as these materials tend to be more affordable than other materials.
• Keep in mind that if you are allergic to certain types of materials, such as latex, buckwheat, or dust mites, you will want to keep this in mind while you choose a new pillow.

How to Make Your Pillow Last Longer?

Here are a few methods to increase the longevity of your pillow’s fluffiness:

• Massage Your Pillow: Take your pillow and shake or rub the filling, breaking it up and re-distributing it.
• Use a Tennis Ball In A Sock Method: Throw your pillow (if it’s machine-washing-friendly) into the dryer with a tennis ball in a sock. This will help your pillow regain its fluffiness.
• Fluff Pillows in Dryer Without Tennis Balls: If you don’t have tennis balls, simply throw the pillow into the dryer as it works well for encouraging fluffiness as well.
• Fluff the Pillow Outside: Set the pillow outside on a sunny day. The sun and wind will clean up the pillow and give it a fresh smell.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API