Want to splash out on some new pillows in the Black Friday mattress sales but not sure where to start? Take our quick pillow quiz to find the right ones to help you sleep better.
All you have to do is answer a few questions, and we’ll match you with one of our top-recommended pillows — plus a Black Friday deal to take the price down.
If you have a more complex set of needs (for example, if you experience neck pain), head over to our best pillows guide, where you’ll find some more detailed recommendations. Otherwise, take our quiz and we’ll show you the best pillows based on your dominant sleeping position and budget…
Tom's Guide's Best Pillow award-winners
Bear in mind that the experience of a pillow is subjective. Just as there isn't one, singular best mattress, there also isn’t one pillow that will suit everyone perfectly (we know — we’ve tested enough of them across our team).
The right one for you will depend on a few different factors, including your dominant sleeping position, whether you experience any neck or back pain, how soft or firm you prefer your pillow, and so on.
However, some pillows are just brilliant — like these two, which both picked up awards in the inaugural Tom's Guide Sleep awards this month. Here are two of our top-recommended pillows of 2025...
What's your preferred sleeping position?
One of the biggest factors affecting how comfortable and supportive you’ll find a pillow is the position you sleep in. If you tend to change position a lot, you’ll need a pillow that’s good at adapting to your movement so that it can keep your neck and spine aligned.
“Adjustable pillows in particular are worth checking out, since you can add or remove fill to suit your preferences,” advises Becky George, Tom’s Guide’s resident pillow expert.
Side-sleepers, meanwhile, should look for a taller pillow, ideally around four-six inches. “The most common issue faced by side sleepers,” continues George, “is a stiff neck. This happens when you’re sleeping on a pillow that’s too low, too high or extra firm.”
If you sleep on your back a lot, you’ll need to find the right loft — that is: height. A low loft often works well, helping keep your chin in a neutral position. “Keep away from pillows that are too firm, tall or big, as these can raise your head, misaligning your spine,” George adds.
A low-loft pillow is also a good recommendation for stomach sleepers, she continues, as are contoured pillows. “Chiropractors agree that these will provide better neck support, and, since your head will be resting further forward than your neck, they promote healthy alignment.”
Read more: How to choose the right pillow for your sleep position
