Most people use the same pillows for years- only replacing them when they are seriously lumpy or flat. According to The Sleep Council, it's a good idea to replace your pillows at least every two or three years - or if they go lumpy or misshapen. The ideal pillow should, also, keep your spine perfectly aligned. In other words, your head should be positioned, lying down, in the same way as if you were standing perfectly upright. Your pillow should also hold its shape and provide consistent support throughout the night, even if you move around a lot. There are two types of memory foam pillow; a shredded memory foam pillow and solid memory foam. While shredded foam is more mouldable, you can lose out on support.

Memory foam is a man-made material using visco-elastic polyurethane. It was first invented in the 1960’s by NASA scientists who were looking for ways to cushion astronauts as they launched into space. After further development it became commercially available in the 1990’s when the first memory foam mattress was released by Tempur, shortly followed by pillows.That’s why a group of researchers in Hamburg developed a pillow that can detect when you start to snore and gently turn your head into a different position. The Nitetronic Z6 has a built-in microphone, head-position sensors and six flexible chambers that inflate and deflate to coax your head to one side or the other. It’s been tested in three German ENT clinics and, while not proven to be a treatment for sleep apnoea, it is thought to reduce mild to moderate cases by about 40 per cent. Time spent snoring is reduced by nearly 70 percent. Key specs – Filling: Memory foam; Cover: 100% cotton cover (machine washable 60C); Sizes: Large is 61cm x 31cm (11.5cm max height); also available in Medium (10cm height) and X Large (13cm height)

This pillow is made up of a memory foam core and shell with a hollow fibre filling. The plus side is you will still get some support from the memory foam but with added breathability thanks to the hollow fibre, which will help you to keep cool. If you’re looking to try a pillow that offers more support, then this is a good introduction to memory foam as it is more of a hybrid option and comes with a reasonable price tag. From choosing the perfect pillow to cleaning and care tips, here’s everything you need to know about sleeping on a contour memory foam pillows. The pillow is encased in a luxurious knitted cover which feels very soft to the touch but it is also worth using a pillow protector to help it last longer.Key features – Filling: Memory foam; Cover: Quilted scuba (neoprene) (machine washable); Sizes: 1 (60 x 35cm, 11/6cm height) verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

If you’re thinking of taking the plunge, here’s a few things to look out for to know you’re buying quality; The right supportive pillow could make all the difference – but instead we sleep on the same saggy old pillow for years on end. “Think about how many hours you sleep each week,” says Gary. “Your car has an annual MOT, but how often do you do an MOT of your pillow? It’s literally, let’s wait until it’s gone threadbare!” Memory foam often gets a bad rep for getting too hot and stuffy. However, recent innovations in sleep technology mean that it’s now possible to find memory foam pillows that help keep you cool throughout the night. How do I look after my memory foam pillows? To maintain a clean pillow and to help keep dead skin cells out you should use a removable pillow cover that is machine washable. Go for a cover that is breathable e.g. cotton, bamboo or linen and always use in addition to a pillowcase.It’s much more comfortable than it looks, thanks in part to the soft, smooth Coolmax material it’s covered in. As a filling, wool is good at temperature regulating and is anti-allergenic, but it takes a bit of getting used to if you’ve only ever slept on common-or-garden hollow fibre pillows before. Our Coolmax contour memory foam pillow is made up of intelligent Coolmax fibres which whisk excess heat and moisture away from the body, keeping you cool and dry all night long.