I tried Simba’s Hybrid Firm Pillow to see if it would banish my neck pain

My pillows have certainly seen better days. Recently, I’ve been waking up with a sore neck, likely due to them losing their shape and firmness over time, making sleep rather uncomfortable.

Given the significant amount of our lives we spend sleeping, it was high time for an upgrade in hopes of avoiding that stiff neck feeling upon waking. Enter Simba’s Hybrid Firm Pillow, priced at £159.

Getting a pillow online always feels like a bit of a punt. Ideally, I’d prefer to give it a squeeze on a shop shelf to find the right level of softness for me.

However, what appealed to me about the Simba pillow is its adjustable feature, allowing you to modify the firmness to your personal preference.

Upon delivery, I was delighted to find the pillow comes in its own carry case, which will be useful if I decide I can’t sleep on anything else when staying out overnight. I was keen to open it and give it a try, only to discover that when I first laid my head on it, it felt very firm, much firmer than I would prefer, reports the Mirror. 

However, that initial disappointment quickly disappeared as I began adjusting the interior sections to suit my personal preference. Depending on your preference, the interchangeable layers can be adjusted to provide a medium, medium firm, or firm feel.

The Hybrid Firm pillow features three inner pillows, two of which are crafted from down-like Simba Renew, and a more supportive one made with Aerocoil micro springs encased in a cushioned sleeve. You simply layer them up to suit your sleeping style and your preferred level of firmness.

Preferring a pillow that provides adequate support but also has a softer feel, I chose the medium setup and found this much more to my liking, sinking back into a fluffy paradise of comfort.

Keen to thoroughly test it out, I decided to attempt a quick afternoon nap, only to drift off for a couple of hours, such was the comfort. I’ve since slept with the pillow for a week and found it to offer brilliant support, and banish that stiff neck feeling when I wake in the morning.

And don’t worry, for those doing the maths for two pillows and gulping, Simba says only one pillow is needed, something I’d agree with, given the height and support offered.

If the Simba firm pillow is a bit pricey for your taste then it does also stock a cheaper version, the Hybrid pillow, priced at £109.

Those familiar with sleep brands will likely have heard of Emma, too. I have one of their mattresses – the Original mattress – which I’ve found to be extremely comfortable.

Emma also offers a variety of pillows, including the Premium Cloud Pillow, priced at £64. This pillow features technology designed to keep sleepers “cool and comfortable”, with inner layers made from Aerosoft microfibre that are thin and removable, allowing you to adjust the height and firmness of the pillow to your exact preference.

For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Silentnight Hotel Collection Pillows 4 Pack, available on Amazon for £34.99, could be just the ticket. These pillows are hypoallergenic, meaning they’re gentle on the skin and don’t contain any materials likely to cause allergies.

One issue I often grapple with is overheating while I sleep. I usually have a fan running, so having a pillow that can help with this has been a welcome addition.  Simba claims its Stratos cool-touch tech is akin to the innovation used to keep astronauts cool in space, dubbing it “a sort of pillow thermostat”.

It’s engineered to provide an immediate, noticeable coolness, even through a pillow case, and helps dissipate excess heat. While it hasn’t been excessively warm during my time testing the pillow, I have noticed the cooling effect Simba mentions, which will be greatly appreciated as the weather starts to heat up.

The pillow also comes with a zip-off washable cover, making it easy to keep it clean and fresh for a good night’s sleep.

The pillow in question may be top-notch and expertly crafted, but its eye-watering £159 price tag will surely give shoppers pause for thought. In the crowded world of bedding, where you can pick pillows up for a tenner, this plush cushion stands out not just for its quality, but also for its premium cost.

For those not fazed by upscale spending, this pillow may well be a dream come true; yet, for the budget-conscious, there’s plenty of cheaper alternatives available.

A buyer gushing with satisfaction shared: “Why would you spend over £100 on a pillow? Well, that’s something I would have said until I tried the Hybrid Firm pillow. I was suffering from an ache in my neck and shoulder, which I couldn’t shift, so I took the plunge and just bought the one to give it a go. Arrived quickly and well packaged, and I set it up for the firmest. After one night sleeping with it, I felt way better and so I ordered a second. They are so full that they are a little snug inside a standard pillow case but will fit. No going back, and even my daughter tried and loves them.”

Another stated: “Loving my new Simba adaptable pillow. You just have to make sure you have the right side facing up!”

Despite numerous glowing reviews, one customer noted: “Bought this pillow as an upgrade for the hybrid pillow I recently purchased but I much prefer the hybrid to this one, not worth the money.”