Key specs – Filling: Memory foam; Cover: 45% Ice Yarn, 55% polyester (machine washable); Sizes: Standard size only

Box pillows have walled sides and are increasingly popular. They can come with a variety of fillings including memory foam and synthetic fibres. Wash your bedding regularly: washing your sheets, pillowcases, and bedding protectors at 60°C or more can kill any dust mites. Be sure to follow the care label to avoid damaging your sheets. The mattress is also reasonably priced and great value for money compared to other hybrid designs that have similarly luxurious finishes. The mattress comes well equipped with everything you need to get it out of the box and set up on your bed easily, doesn’t leave much of an odour after opening and well ventilating the room, and it has just enough cushioning on its firm support design to leave you feeling comfortable during the night.The outer cover is made from 60% Polyester, 40% Viscose, with the inner casing made from 100% Polyester. 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 There’s nothing more annoying than being disturbed by a snoring, restless partner when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep. While there’s not much you can do about the snoring – although our guide to how to stop snoring could help – you can do something about the mattress to stop you noticing their every move. To test the Otty Original Hybrid’s edge support I sat on all three exposed sides of the bed. I found that while it wasn’t the best I have tried over the years, the edge support on the mattress did allow me to sit and slowly stand out of the bed as opposed to sliding out. The corner support could be improved, however, as I found each corner squished a little too much for my liking when I sat on each.

Bamboo is good to consider if you're looking for a naturally sourced hypoallergenic material that prevents dust mites. Bamboo pillows are a lot more breathable than other pillows, which can help prevent dust mites from settling inside. Despite offering sufficient comfort, those looking for the highest levels of support might find the Otty adjustable pillow a little too squishy and, as such, might instead prefer Nectar’s pillow. Ultimately, this comes down to personal preference. There’s a whole world of pillow fillings out there, so we’ve summarised the pros and cons of the various types below. Where relevant, we also take into account other aspects including trial periods, washable covers and extra features – such as adjustable and ergonomic designs – all of which can play a part in our recommendations.Key features – Filling: Memory foam; Cover: Quilted scuba (neoprene) (machine washable); Sizes: 1 (60 x 35cm, 11/6cm height) Well, you can. It's not a lot, but there is one thing you can do and it's not to turn the pillow over. It's using a silk pillowcase. It will provide you with a noticeably cooler sleeping surface until you drift off to peaceful slumber. So, don't expect any too noticeable temperature regulation or enhanced airflow. It's better than regular foam and worse than latex pillows. In other words, you'll still flip your pillow over on a steamy summer night. Hypoallergenic

For instance, taking the height of a pillow into consideration is necessary when recommending a pillow for side sleepers, who might want a firmer, more lofty pillow to support their shoulder. How warm a temperature can feel during the night will vary depending on what it’s made from: all-foam pillows, for example, will retain heat more than non-foam ones, making them a less viable option for those prone to overheating. The soft white polyester outer cover is well made and has a grey viscose band around the middle which I believe offers extra breathability, however it does tend to make my hair static! Not the best look in the morning. It is smart though and rather like the fabric on an office chair. The cover can be unzipped and machine washed at 40 degrees which is great if you don’t want to use an extra pillow case and also for allergy sufferers. As is the blue memory foam filling which has been infused with a cool gel to provide a cooler sleeping surface for your head, reducing tossing and turning in the night.

Support & Comfort

Synthetic pillows are usually made from polyester. As they’re hypoallergenic, they’re great for allergy sufferers and also affordable, lightweight and easy to care for. They’re good if you sleep in a variety of positions throughout the night too. But they aren’t as malleable or breathable as other pillows and they have the shortest lifespan of all pillows – with the filling often prone to clumping.

There are three main traditional types of pillow: feather and down, hollowfibre/microfibre and memory foam.The pillow is constructed in such a way to include a layer that not only keep your head supported and comfy but also allow for airflow and breathability. OTTY has incorporated a cool blue gel-infused memory foam, this layer has a slow response from the memory foam properties giving you that cloud-like feeling. Although, memory foam is known to retain heat, OTTY have combated this by introducing airflow technology. This is a special way the memory foam is made to include larger size air bubbles, regulating temperature and ensuring that you are cool, thus you get the comfiness of memory foam without the heat retention properties. (Image credit: OTTY) Cover