Thought body pillows were just for mums-to-be? Think again, friends.
They can make wonderful bedfellows for anybody suffering with aches and pains or insomnia, and offer excellent support for your back, legs and neck.
Is it worth buying a body pillow?
If discomfort is proving detrimental to your sleep, the best body pillows can help to alleviate it and, in doing so, boost your sleep quality in the process.
Even if you are not suffering with pain, a body pillow can help aid a deeper sleep by ensuring your body is properly aligned with crucial support for your back, neck and spine to encourage healthy sleep positions.
Of course, body pillows are also fantastic if you’re expecting, and can also offer unrivalled support through the nursing stage post-pregnancy. So, they're a versatile investment you won't know how you lived without.
How do I chose the right body pillow?
Body pillows come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. What you'll most want to consider is what kid of sleeper you are and how much support you'll need:
Straight body pillow: Best if you're looking for an all-rounder, superb for pregnancy and for anyone with back and/or neck problems.
U-shaped body pillow: Best for a full-body support experience. They take up quite a bit of room due to the shape but offers unrivalled body support.
V-shaped body pillow: Best for lower body support and more compact so will keep your knee, hips and waist nicely aligned.
We've rounded up the best body pillows for a truly contented slumber below. Say hello to sleeping like a baby...
Best body pillows to buy
1. Silentnight Body Support Pillow
Best pillow for full body support
Need some extra support while you're catching forty winks? Want to feel more comfortable while you're enjoying a good book? This body pillow is the answer.
It can aid pain relief by supporting your back, hips, neck and stomach, and can be propped up and used as a pillow while reading or nursing. What's more, it's machine washable and you can even pop it in the tumble-dryer too.
One fan said: "Although not mentioned, it came with a white pillowcase, and both the pillow and pillowcase are high quality and well made. I essentially cuddle it, with my lower arm and knee under it and upper arm and knee over it making a comfortable snuggle to fall asleep in. This has already eased the strain on my shoulder and hip in the few weeks I have used it."
2. Kally Sleep Full Length Body Support Pillow
Best full-length orthopaedic body pillow
This highly-rated body pillow has been ergonomically designed to help encourage longer periods of deep, uninterrupted sleep.
The support helps encourage healthy sleep positions, and the hypoallergenic hollow fibre takes pressure off all your joints, for a weightless, more peaceful sleep.
A happy customer said: "Can't sleep without it... Many aches and pains since working from home alongside insomnia. This pillow has saved my sleep! Essential for side sleepers and gives my hips and back a well deserved rest."
3. Argos Home Orthopaedic V Shape Firm Support Pillow
Best budget body pillow
Are you sitting comfortably? No? Time to invest in this orthopaedic V-shaped pillow to offer support and comfort around the back and sides of your neck.
It's machine-washable, tumble dryer-friendly, and also comes with a cotton-blend cover. At £11 you also can't go wrong if you're looking for something on the cheap.
One review said: This pillow is amazing. I have a bad shoulder, arthritis in my hip, and lower back pain, and I can move this pillow around my body to suit." Another read: :My wife found it very comfortable for sitting up after having knee replacement surgery. Would recommend anyone needing support in bed or sitting in a chair to buy this pillow."
4. Dorma Full Forever Medium-Support Body Pillow
Best for body pillow for back sleepers
This body pillow is perfect for eco-conscious consumers (the filling is a blend of recycled fibres) as well as allergy sufferers.
It boasts a 100% cotton cover, and contains a brilliant spiral fibre filling, which helps it stay fuller for longer.
"I absolutely love this pillow," says one reviewer. "I wish I had discovered it before. It gives excellent back support as you can change the position to a comfortable sleeping position. I am back to buy one for my daughter and sister-in-law."
5. Adams Home Premium Hollowfiber Filled Bolster Pillow
Best hollowfiber body pillow
This great-value body pillow provides excellent lumbar support while lying or sitting, and supports your whole body alignment when used in bed.
You can also use this pillow to elevate parts of your body that are prone to swelling or aching when you're stationary for long periods of time.
It's non-allergenic, machine-washable and tumble dry-friendly for easy maintenance.
6. Byre Support Pillow
Best memory foam support pillow
Fed up of body pillows losing their shape? This little number is filled with thousands of pieces of memory foam crumbs, which rebound after use.
It comes with a luxurious velvet pillow for extra snug factor, which is also removable and machine-washable. It's excellent for pregnancy support, but equally great for sports recovery, surgery recovery, or to help reduce hip, leg and lower back pain by sleeping with it between your knees.
Separating your knees helps to keep your spine in alignment, aiding pain relief and boosting sleep.
7. Medium V-Shaped Pillow with Pillowcase
Best body pillow for side sleepers
A perfect solution for or support specifically to the upper body area (head, neck and shoulders), this V-shaped pillow from Marks and Spencer's is another top option from the high street.
The plump filling allows you to contort it in a way that is comfortable for you, whether you're aiming for the perfect night's rest or you're just using it to prop yourself up in the day.
One thing we love is the under £20 price tag, which is something to think about if you don't want o break the bank on a suitable body pillow.
Buy now from Marks and Spencer (£19.50).
8. Milliard Bolster/Full Body Pillow with Shredded Memory Foam
Best bolster body pillow
Trouble sleeping? This memory foam-filled body pillow moulds to your shape to support your back, legs and hips for a more restful snooze.
It has an outer cover crafted from eco-friendly bamboo, which is also machine-washable, and the memory foam can be removed and added to get a just-right plumpness factor.
When it's not in use, the bolster pillow won't affect your interior choices too much as it has a chic, and subtle embossed pattern.
9. Rohi Ultra Soft Body Pillow
Best hypoallergenic body pillow
Keep your body in the right position for an ultra-comfy sleep with this super-affordable body pillow.
It boasts a 100% hypoallergenic polyester fill that supports in all the right places, aiding you in getting comfortable so you can enjoy a restful slumber - every single night.
For under £10 this option is a complete steal and well worth investing in for yourself, and even for your guests in the spare bedroom too. You'll be asking your partner to sleep in the spare room so you can accommodate your new object of desire.
10. New Zealand Wool Body Pillow - Medium/Firm
Best cooling body pillow
Moulding to the shape of your body for all-night comfort, this New Zealand wool body pillow is perfect for adding extra support wherever you need it.
Keep yourself cool at night with either a 233, or a 200 thread count percale cotton to help wick away moisture for a cooler, more refreshing night's sleep.
The pillow is five foot long and features piped edges and double stitching finishes, making it perfect for the bedroom and as durable as it is comfortable.
Buy now from Soak and Sleep (£70).
11. Utopia Bedding Body Pillow
Best budget body pillow for pregnancy
This pillow provides the perfect support for your shoulders, hips, abdomen and back, and is great for side sleeping or for use during pregnancy.
Side sleepers tend to place the entire weight of their body on one side of their shoulders or hips, which increases the pressure on both. This body pillow is designed to relieve that pressure by providing support to your entire body including the arms, torso, and top legs.
Wrapping your arms around a body pillow can help ease the pressure off your shoulders. You can also use the body pillow between your knees to keep your pelvis aligned with the spine, which reduces the chances of spinal misalignment, causing relief to lower back pain or muscle tension.
12. BBHUGME Pregnancy Pillow - Dusty Pink
Best luxury body pillow for pregnancy
Another fantastic support for the hips, abdomen, shoulders, knees and your ankles tool.
Whether you're a side sleeper by nature or because of pregnancy, this luxury option is great for side sleeping or for use during pregnancy the BBHugme Pregnancy Pillow has been designed to relieve pain, helping you to get a better night's sleep.
The pillow is adjustable and adapts to your body throughout all stages of your pregnancy, making it a great investment piece.
It's machine washable and crafted from natural, super soft and Oeko-Tex certified cotton that shapes around the body, making it easier to relax and get comfortable.
Buy now from JoJo Maman Bebe (£145).
13. Grandma Shark Pregnancy Pillow
Best U-shaped body pillow for pregnancy
The Grandma Shark pillow will make drifting off to sleep a lot easier, see it more as a big hug rather than a support pillow.
The L shaped design provides maximum for your lower body - perfect if you're expecting or if you suffer with aches and pains below the waist.
It's nice and affordable for the size of the pillow, so if you're looking for an investment that can stand the test of time, this is one well worth trying out first.
