Investing in the best thin pillows is one of the most effective ways to help your neck and spine health. Side and front sleepers will find just one pillow is perfect for comfort, whilst back sleepers can stack two for the perfect arrangement. I've tested them all to find the perfect one for you.
Finding the best pillows can be tricky because every kind of sleeper has different needs. The lofty, fluffy, pillows that you'll see in adverts might look nice, but the realities of sleeping on them feel more like neck pain. If you're often practising your morning neck massages, these thin pillows will be a godsend.
There's a surprising range of different thin pillows out there, from cooling options through to natural, cushioning, and waterproof pillows too. And, if you're kitting out a guest bedroom, you can stack two on the bed and they can choose how many to sleep on. Here's my tried-and-tested favourites that will guarantee deep sleep.
The quick list
If you're tired of looking for your perfect pillow, here's the TL;DR. These are the six best thin pillows on the market. I've tested these (and plenty more) for two weeks straight to give you my personal experience with each pillow.
The best thin pillow overall
Simba Hybrid Pillow is my overall favourite thin pillow. You can remove and add stuffing to cater to your sleeping needs, and it perfectly treads the line between soft and firm for a supremely comfortable sleep.
The best breathable thin pillow
Woolroom's Deluxe Washable wool pillow has a removable wool filling that's breathable and naturally hypoallergenic, wrapped up in a quilted cotton cover. If you're looking for a natural and environmentally-friendly option, look no further.
The best customizable thin pillow
This adjustable pillow features six removable pillows for you to take out and add to your liking, and unlike Coop Home Goods' loft pillow, you don't have to worry about memory foam fill.
The best memory foam thin pillow
If you want to add a plush yet thin pillow to your bedding, consider this pick from Bluewave Bedding. It holds its shape and is infused with gel memory foam to keep you cool throughout the night, making it the perfect pillow option for hot sleepers.
The best memory foam thin pillow
Designed to fix your posture, this pillow contorts to support your neck, head, and spinal alignment. You can choose different sizes, but this one one is brilliant when you're looking for a slim, but cushioning layer to pop your head on.
The best wool thin pillow
Wool is hypoallergenic and a Grade A temperature regulator, meaning it's a great option for those who struggle with night sweats or allergy to dust mites. The price is incredibly reasonable considering it's made from traceable British wool
The best thin pillow overall
If you're wondering how to sleep better, Simba might just have the answer. Known for making some of the best mattresses, it’s no surprise that their Hybrid pillow is equally dreamy. It’s cleverly designed with two layers: a soft cotton outer cover and an inner layer filled with Simba’s signature blue foam 'Nanocubes'.
The magic that makes this the best thin pillow that you can buy is that you can customise the height. When it arrives, it’s quite plump, but you can remove handfuls of cubes to suit your sleep style, which is ideal if you prefer a lower loft. Simba even includes a little bag to store the extras (thoughtful, right?).
During testing, I genuinely had one of the best night's sleep I’ve had in ages. Even after tweaking the fill, it still felt luxuriously plush but supportive too. I woke up without any dreaded neck cricks in the morning. Whether you sleep on your back or side, it hits that perfect balance between soft and supportive.
It’s also made with Simba’s clever Stratos fabric, which helps regulate temperature. I stayed cool through the night, and the pillow never felt too warm or stuffy.
You can find out more in our full review.
The best breathable thin pillow
Woolroom’s Deluxe Washable Wool Pillow is one of the smartest thin pillows I’ve tested. It’s filled with 580g of traceable British wool inside a zipped case, so you can easily add or remove filling to suit your sleep style. If you like a flatter pillow, it’s the stuff you dream of: you can tailor the height with real effortlessness.
After a week or so of use, I noticed it flattened a little (similar to feather pillows), but it’s easily revived by opening it up and gently pulling the wool apart: no clumping, no fuss.
The reason I put this in spot number two is that it’s brilliantly breathable. Wool naturally regulates temperature, and I genuinely noticed fewer night sweats from the very first night. It’s perfect if you run hot or struggle with overheating while you sleep.
It’s also ideal for allergy sufferers. Wool and the organic cotton cover are naturally hypoallergenic and dust mite-resistant, and it’s even earned the Allergy UK Seal of Approval. Plus, it's machine-washable, so much easier to keep fresh.
I was initially unsure about the beige-toned organic cotton cover, but it doesn’t show through white bedding at all. Soft, supportive, and refreshingly cool, it’s a fantastic choice for better sleep.
You can find out more in our full review.
The best customisable thin pillow
Famous for their flatness, the Pancake Pillow is an easy way to customize your sleep set up.
The Pancake Pillow is every sleeper's dream come true, especially if you’re still searching for that just-right height. With six soft, removable layers (or ‘pancakes’), you can build your perfect pillow stack. Whether you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper, this clever design means you’re in control, making it one of the best pillows for neck pain around.
Even if you go super low, it still feels wonderfully plush. The puff gel microfibre filling keeps things soft and cloud-like, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on comfort. In fact, if you love the luxurious feel of the best hotel pillows, this one absolutely delivers on that front too.
One of the best things about the Pancake Pillow is how it takes the guesswork out of online pillow shopping. There's no need to stress about firmness or height, just unzip and experiment until it feels perfect for you. If you're picky about your pillow (and honestly, who isn't?), this flexible, supportive option might be just what you’ve been looking for.
The best cooling thin pillow
Gel pillows like the Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow can be cooling as well as ultra comfortable.
Bluewave Bedding is a great company if you're after a flatter pillow since they're well aware that thin pillows can often be preferred for sleepers who don't want to sleep too high up in bed. Their memory foam gel pillow is available in three loft sizes; Slim, Super Slim, and Hyper Slim.
Their thinnest option, the Ultra Slim, comes in at just two-and-a-half inches tall but still boasts a soothing gel filling and the rounded edges of traditional pillow shapes. Not only can this design accommodate your thin-pillow needs.
It's also said to help reduce snoring and back pain. Customers raved that this pillow is a great option for stomach sleepers and for those who sleep with their arms under their heads.
Bluewave has made sure to counteract the heating effects some memory foam can have by adding temperature-regulating gel particles into the material, making it cool to the touch for more comfortable sleep and one of the best memory foam pillows on this list, too.
The best memory foam thin pillow
The Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow is unlike any other thin pillow I’ve tried (and I’ve tested a lot). Designed by posture experts, it’s all about aligning your head, neck, and spine while you sleep, which makes it one of the best pillows for neck pain if you often wake up feeling stiff or achy.
What’s different about it is the material: it’s made from Levitex foam, which feels firmer than your average pillow at first, but don’t let that put you off. It’s supportive rather than hard, and it doesn’t squash down overnight like memory foam sometimes can, which is why it's often actually considered to be better than memory foam. It keeps its shape brilliantly, which I really appreciated after a full week of testing.
There are four height options depending on your sleep position and body size—I went for the thin ‘Small’ one as a stomach sleeper, and it made a noticeable difference to my posture.
It’s not fluffy like the best hotel pillows, but it’s got a clean, ergonomic feel that really works. If you're serious about how to sleep better and want proper support from a thin pillow, this one is worth trying.
You can find out more in our full review.
The best wool thin pillow
Unlike the adjustable pillows on our list, this is a truly thin(ner) pillow that should work perfectly for those who don't like to feel too high when they sleep. Its shallower profile is ideal for whatever sleeping position you prefer, but especially for back and side sleepers.
During testing, I slept largely on my side and found that the Putnams pillow was comfortable and supportive without being thick and oversized. Unlike some thin pillows I've tried, I didn't wake up with a sore neck and shoulders in fact, we felt very well rested.
One of the serious draws of this pillow is also the fact that its filling is 100% British OEKO-Tex certified wool. Wool has several benefits; it's hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and a brilliant temperature regulator and this all proved to be true during testing.
While I often wake up with a sniffly nose, my breathing was clear and easy come the morning. And for those who like a cool pillow, this option was fantastic (perhaps even better than the Simba), as it stayed almost cold the entire night, which provided very welcome relief during an unseasonably warm November evening.
You can find out more in our full review.
The ones that just missed the list
There are lots of thin pillows on the market. So much so, you might feel overwhelmed enough to want to bury your head in a pillow. Whilst I've narrowed down the best six, if you still don't feel like your sleep needs are met, I have three more options that just missed my roundup of the best six.
This super-thin pillow is perfect for front or belly sleepers. It's one of the best travel pillows, not just because of its size, but because it has a handy little carrying case too, and bends easily to fit into it.
This slim sleeper is just a couple of inches of gel and memory foam. The filling is equipped with small ventilation holes that help to regulate body temperature as you sleep. On top of that, its cover is made with bamboo and polyester. These natural materials help to reduce moisture and create a cool sleeping experience. Only buy it if you're a stomach sleeper though: it's very thin.
Wool is hypoallergenic and a Grade A temperature regulator, meaning it's a great option for those who struggle with night sweats or allergy to dust mites. The price is incredibly reasonable considering it's made from New Zealand-sourced wool
If you tend to sweat and overheat through the night, I highly recommend snagging this Casper foam pillow. It's cool to the touch, firm, and suits most sleeping styles.
How we tested the best thin pillows
More than just sleeping on the job, the best pillows have been tested in our own homes for support, quality, and how well they live up to comfort claims. They've been slept on for at least two weeks consecutive nights, washed, and rested on again in order to replicate real-life use. To demonstrate how we test pillows our review process includes a focus on:
- Comfort: This is the number one factor I test for; what else is a pillow for if not for comfort? When sleeping on each pillow, and upon waking in the morning, I judged how comfortable it felt to lie my head on, and how soundly I slept on the pillow. Just like with a new sofa, one of the top priorities is being able to cosy up on your pillow without feeling like you're constantly needing to adjust it.
- Support: Similarly, I judged how supported our heads and necks felt by the pillow throughout the night. Even thin pillows need to support your spinal alignment, to ensure you aren't plagued by aches and pains throughout the day, and that you don't suffer any long-term damage. A big part of this testing aspect is how firm (or not) a pillow is. While we all have our own personal preferences – some prefer an ultra-soft, cloud-like experience, while others want a super-firm pillow. The key is that your pillow doesn't leave you in pain the next morning, and makes your upper body feel supported.
- Value-for-money: Finally, one of the most important parts of any new purchase is whether it's worth the money or not. Everyone has their budget, but no one wants to pay over the odds for something that just isn't worth the price. In my assessments of the best thin pillows, we've considered whether higher-price pillows are worth the splurge, whether lower-price options are good enough quality to recommend – and whether they're actually a steal for the price.
What to consider when choosing between the best thin pillows
There are a few things to think about when deciding which thin pillow is best for you. These include:
- Your sleeping position: When choosing the best thin pillow, you should "acknowledge whether you’re a back, stomach, or side sleeper, and assess your physiology when determining the proper thickness," says Stephen Light, co-owner of Nolah Mattress. Front and back sleepers are usually better suited for thin pillows than side sleepers — who benefit from thicker pillows since they'll need something that can comfortably fit between their ear and shoulder. If you tend to switch positions, consider an adjustable pillow so you can change things up when needed.
- Material and filling: Filling material is another component to keep in mind when buying a thin pillow. Alex Savy, Certified Sleep Science Coach and the Founder of SleepingOcean recommends memory foam for sleepers who like their pillow to cradle their head and neck, while latex and polyfiber offer more buoyancy. Hot sleepers, meanwhile, should seek cooling materials such as gel-infused foam or kapok, or a company's cooling technology. If the pillow mentions cooling technology, it is generally a good option for hot sleepers.
- Whether you want adjustable or not: As demonstrated above, you generally have two options if you're on the hunt for a thin pillow; a naturally flatter option, or an adjustable pillow. Adjustable pillows can be incredibly helpful if you're not sure how flat you want your pillow and want the option to experiment. But some prefer the feel of naturally flatter pillows – so when choosing the best thin pillows for you, consider your priorities here.
- Cost and trial periods: Believe it or not, pillows can get pricey. So when you're shopping for your next thin pillow, make sure you keep a budget in mind. Some of the best pillows will cost anywhere from £50 to £130. If possible, look for a pillow that offers a trial period of at least 30 days too – though any trial period is better than none. This will give you time to adjust to the pillow before determining whether or not it's right for you.
FAQs
Are thinner pillows better for your neck?
Plush, oversized pillows may be popular among manufacturers, and they are a great option for support. But much thicker pillows are sometimes not the best choice for back or stomach sleepers.
"The goal for any pillow is to allow the spine to maintain a straight, horizontal line as much as possible...without putting a bend in the neck," says sleep therapist Risa Gabrielle. If the loft of the pillow is too high, it'll put your neck at an angle – leading to back and neck pain.
Savy adds that thin pillows may be better for the neck since "they are less likely to tilt the head and cause neck strain. Additionally, thinner pillows can fill in the neck's natural curve, offering decent support in that area."
However, it's important to note that even with thin pillows, a supportive option that is going to cradle your neck, back, shoulders, and head is essential, especially to help you avoid aches and pains. That's why the options above are still supportive, despite being technically flatter than some more plump pillows on the market.
What are the benefits of sleeping with a thin pillow?
Every sleeper needs a different sort of pillow. Side sleepers will need more support—perhaps even two pillows. But if you prefer to sleep on your front or back, a thin pillow can provide the correct alignment, which means your shoulders and your spine are in the same alignment as if you were standing upright with the correct posture.
Thin pillows can be especially beneficial for front sleepers. Hayley Chaytor, a sleep expert at Silentnight, explains, “Thin pillows are recommended for front sleepers as this sleep position requires very little support. They also have an advantage, as they can be stacked to match the individual’s exact height preference when it comes to their sleep.”
