Updated October 2026. Every pillow, quilt and topper named here is part of Tontine's current range; product details are taken from each product page.
Tontine labels every pillow by two things: height (low, medium or high) and feel (soft, medium or firm). Get those two right for the way you sleep and you are most of the way to a good pillow. The fill then decides how it feels, how it holds its shape and how you care for it.
Quick picks by sleeper
| If you are a... | Height | Feel | Pillows to look at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side sleeper | High | Firm | Luxurious Support Pillow, High & Firm, Hotel Collection Ultimate Loft, High & Firm, Extra Support Pillow, High & Firm |
| Back sleeper | Medium | Medium to firm | Tontine Luxe Anti Allergy Pillow, Medium, Comfortech Talalay Latex Pillow, Medium, Comfortech Memory Foam Pillow with Bamboo Cover |
| Stomach sleeper | Low | Soft | Classic Comfort Pillow, Soft and the low and soft range |
| Hot sleeper | Match your position | Any | Comfortech Hydrocool Active, High & Firm, Comfortech Coolmax Memory Foam Pillow, Classic Comfort Cool Dry Medium Pillow |
| Allergy-conscious | Match your position | Any | Organic Cotton Anti Allergy Pillow, Medium, Quick Dry Easy Wash Anti Allergy 2 Pack |
| Child aged 2 to 5 | Low | Soft | My First Pillow |
| Child aged 6 to 10 | Low | Soft | Junior Pillow, Low & Soft |
Best pillow for side sleepers
When you lie on your side, the pillow has to fill the space between the mattress and your ear so your head stays level with your spine. That space is widest of any position, so side sleepers usually need a high, firm pillow that will not flatten under the weight of the head. Broad shoulders push you higher still; a soft mattress that lets your shoulder sink in brings you back down a little.
Look at the Luxurious Support Pillow (high profile, firm feel, natural cotton cover) or the Hotel Collection Ultimate Loft (high, firm, premium cotton cover). If you have narrower shoulders, the medium height, firm Comfortech Memory Foam Pillow with Bamboo Cover is often a better fit. See every option in pillows for side sleepers.
Best pillow for back sleepers
On your back, the pillow only needs to support the curve of your neck without pushing your chin towards your chest, so a medium height pillow with medium to firm support suits most people. Memory foam holds one steady shape, Talalay latex feels springier and responds as you move, and fibre can be plumped to adjust the height.
Good starting points are the Tontine Luxe Anti Allergy Pillow (medium height, medium soft, natural cotton cover) and the Comfortech Talalay Latex Pillow. Browse the full back sleeper range.
Best pillow for stomach sleepers
Stomach sleepers need the least height of all. A thick pillow tips your head back and twists your neck, so choose a low, soft pillow, around 8 cm high or lower, that squashes flat under your head. Some stomach sleepers prefer no pillow at all under the head and a thin one under the hips instead. See the stomach sleeper range.
Best pillow for hot sleepers
If you wake up warm, the cover matters as much as the fill. Moisture-wicking and cooling covers move heat and sweat away from your face, and some fills are designed to breathe. The Comfortech Hydrocool Active uses evaporative moisture management in a high, firm pillow; the Comfortech Coolmax Memory Foam Pillow pairs medium height memory foam with a Coolmax cover; and the Classic Comfort Cool Dry Medium Pillow uses Suprelle® climate control filling under a cotton japara cover. More in cooling pillows.
Best pillow for allergies
Every pillow collects dust mites over time. Anti allergy pillows are treated to inhibit dust mites, mould and bacteria, and easy-wash designs let you clean the whole pillow often. Pair the pillow with an anti allergy pillow protector for a second barrier, and choose height and feel by sleeping position as above. See all anti allergy pillows.
Memory foam vs latex vs fibre vs feather and down
| Fill | How it feels | Holds its shape | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory foam | Moulds slowly to your head and neck | Very well | Back and side sleepers who want steady support |
| Talalay latex | Springy and responsive, bounces back quickly | Very well | Sleepers who change position and want a cooler foam alternative |
| Fibre (Ultrafibre® and polyester) | Light and plumpable, from soft to firm | Well, if you plump it daily | Every position; the easiest to machine wash |
| Feather and down | Soft, mouldable and natural | Needs regular plumping | Back sleepers who like to shape their pillow |
| Wool surround | Breathable, medium feel | Well | Warm sleepers who prefer natural fibres |
How we rate height and feel
Tontine's height and feel labels describe the pillow, not the sleeper, so you can compare across the range: a High & Firm pillow is designed to hold more height under load than a Medium pillow. Fill weight and the cover also play a part, which is why two medium pillows can feel slightly different. If you are between sizes, go by your sleeping position first, then your build and your mattress.
How do you know it is time for a new pillow?
Fold your pillow in half. If it stays folded instead of springing back, feels lumpy, or you have started stacking two pillows to get comfortable, it is no longer doing its job. Read more in our guide to when to replace your pillow, or start with the pillow buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a firm or soft pillow better?
Neither is better for everyone. A firm pillow keeps its height under the weight of your head, which suits side sleepers. A soft pillow compresses more, which suits stomach sleepers who need very little lift. Back sleepers usually sit in between with a medium feel. Choose the feel that keeps your head level with your spine.
What is a high profile pillow?
A high profile pillow has more fill than a standard pillow, so it sits taller and gives extra lift under your head. It suits side sleepers, people with broad shoulders and anyone who likes extra height. Tontine labels these pillows High & Firm.
Can the wrong pillow cause neck pain?
A pillow that is too high or too low can leave your neck bent through the night, which many people notice as stiffness in the morning. Matching height to your sleeping position helps keep your neck in a natural line. If pain continues, talk to a health professional, because a pillow is not a treatment.
What is the best pillow for combination sleepers?
If you move between your back and side, choose a medium to high pillow with a responsive fill such as Talalay latex or a firm fibre, which adjusts quickly as you turn. Slow-moving memory foam can feel like it holds you in one position.
Shop: All pillows | Side sleeper pillows | Memory foam pillows | Kids pillows
