| Fill | Feel | Firmness | Warmth | Adjustable | Price | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shredded foam | Supportive but mouldable. Unzip it and take fill out until the height is right. | Medium | Average | Yes | $$ | 2 to 3 years |
| Memory foam | Slow sink that holds its shape all night. Often comes as a contoured (cervical) shape. | Medium-firm | Warm | No | $$ | 2 to 3 years |
| Latex | Springy and supportive, pushes back quickly so it is easy to turn over. Stays cooler than memory foam. | Medium-firm | Cool | No | $$$ | 3 to 4 years |
| Down | Soft, light and squishy. Lovely for stomach sleepers, too flat for most side sleepers. | Soft | Average | Yes | $$$ | 3 to 5 years with fluffing |
| Down alternative | Soft like down, cheap and washable, but goes flat sooner. | Medium-soft | Average | No | $ | 1 to 2 years |
| Feather | Mouldable and cheap, needs plumping, and the odd quill pokes through. | Medium-soft | Cool | Yes | $ | 1 to 2 years |
| Buckwheat | Firm, heavy and very cool. It rustles when you move, which some people love and others hate. | Firm | Cool | Yes | $$ | 5 to 10 years |
Who each fill suits
Adjustable shredded memory foam
Supportive but mouldable. Unzip it and take fill out until the height is right. Firmness: medium. Average to sleep on. Lasts 2 to 3 years.
Solid memory foam
Slow sink that holds its shape all night. Often comes as a contoured (cervical) shape. Firmness: medium-firm. Warm to sleep on. Lasts 2 to 3 years.
Latex (natural or Talalay)
Springy and supportive, pushes back quickly so it is easy to turn over. Stays cooler than memory foam. Firmness: medium-firm. Cool to sleep on. Lasts 3 to 4 years.
Down (or down and feather)
Soft, light and squishy. Lovely for stomach sleepers, too flat for most side sleepers. Firmness: soft. Average to sleep on. Lasts 3 to 5 years with fluffing.
Down alternative (microfibre)
Soft like down, cheap and washable, but goes flat sooner. Firmness: medium-soft. Average to sleep on. Lasts 1 to 2 years.
Feather
Mouldable and cheap, needs plumping, and the odd quill pokes through. Firmness: medium-soft. Cool to sleep on. Lasts 1 to 2 years.
Buckwheat hulls
Firm, heavy and very cool. It rustles when you move, which some people love and others hate. Firmness: firm. Cool to sleep on. Lasts 5 to 10 years.
Not sure which one?
The pillow finder weighs fill against your position, pain, heat and budget.
How we pick. We match product specs to you using published sleep and physiotherapy guidance. We have not lab-tested individual products and never invent reviews. Not medical advice: for ongoing pain, see a doctor or physiotherapist. We may earn a commission from shop links. Details