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The products or services listed have been independently tested by our journalists. We earn a commission from the affiliate links in this article. Read more >
Our expecting mothers tested pillows from brands including Bbhugme, Dreamgenii and Silentnight
The products or services listed have been independently tested by our journalists. We earn a commission from the affiliate links in this article. Read more >
Sleeping can be an uncomfortable experience as your bump grows bigger in the second and third trimesters, but the best pregnancy pillows can help you get a little more shut eye in the months leading up your baby’s arrival.
Longer in length than a normal pillow, pregnancy pillows are designed to support the changing shape of a pregnant woman’s body. There are hundreds available online, but together with the help of Rachel Fitz-Desorgher, a baby and parenting expert, we’ve selected our top 11.
They range in price from £27 to £159 and we’ve covered brands from Cushy Puff and Bbhug me to Silentnight and Simba. Our full reviews of each are below, followed by an FAQ section on how to use them, but if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our five of our favourites:
When you start searching for the best pregnancy pillow you might feel overwhelmed at the amount of choice available. Fitz-Desorgher says the key types are U-shaped and C-shaped. It’s also worth looking for a pillow with cooling properties, to help with night sweats.
“A U-shaped pillow can be great for pelvic girdle pain,” Fitz-Desorgher says. “It gives that essential full-leg support as well as comfortably hugging the back. And, of course, there is no need to shift it when you turn over.”
C-shaped pillows can be more flexible. “Bend and shape it around you to support whichever bits of your body are crying out for a little help,” Fitz-Desorgher says. “Some pillows concentrate more on the bump and back whilst others cater more for hips and legs. Few do it all, so be prepared to supplement a little with a regular bed pillow where needed.”
Any pregnancy pillow is supposed to bring your limbs back into alignment and take the strain off the ligaments supporting the heavy tummy and breasts. Fitz-Desorgher explains: “How you place and wrap the pillow depends on where the aches are. An aching back needs a bit of oomph right in the lumbar region of the spine, while a woman struggling with pelvic girdle pain needs support between the full length of her legs, from thigh to ankle to keep them parallel and hip width apart all the way down.”
We spoke to Fitz-Desorgher for guidance on what features are useful in a maternity pillow. We then compiled this guide taking into account various concerns, from hip and back pain and side sleeping to hot sweats and versatility.
All of the pregnancy pillows below have been tested by two Telegraph Recommended writers, Millie and Boudicca. The pillows were tested during their own pregnancies, and they slept with each to judge comfort and support. Throughout use, they also considered each pillow’s versatility, adjustability, quality and portability. Care requirements were assessed and followed, with Millie and Boudicca looking to see if washing was easy or if it caused any shrinkage or fading. You can visit our Who We Are page to learn more about our testing process.
If you’re looking for other ways to improve the comfort of your bed during pregnancy and beyond, you may want to read our guides to the best mattress toppers and best electric blankets. We even have a guide to the best anti-snore pillows too if your partner is keeping you awake more than your bump.
Best Buy Pregnancy Pillow
Cushy Puff £145.00
Buy nowI tested the Cushy Puff every night for four weeks, through stifling heatwaves and 3am bouts of restless leg syndrome. The Cushy Puff is a far cry from the clinical pregnancy pillows of old, with the jersey cover cool on the skin and a range of on-trend colourways (including candy pop stripes and muted pastels) to suit various spaces.
Though of course, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. As a reluctant but recently converted side sleeper, I loved the ease of manoeuvring the micro-beads to mould to the contours of my bump, alleviate pelvic tension and help align my hips and knees to reduce ligament strain. In contrast to modular pillows, it’s easy to adjust firmness of the Cushy Puff with well-placed knots for more support. This is handy if, like me, you’re looking for one pillow to work with you throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
The inner pillow is spot clean only but on the whole, I found cleaning a breeze too. After multiple 40C washes, the fabric cover remained vibrant and super soft. It’s not the smallest pillow in this guide but the travel case is handy for weekends away, even by train, and I wouldn’t risk travelling without it now. While the price is on the higher end, the quality, adaptability and longevity make it worth every penny.
Best Value Pregnancy Pillow
Silentnight £27.00
Buy nowHaving a baby is an expensive business, but Silentnight’s Body Support Pillow is proof that you needn’t blow the budget to boost your comfort during pregnancy. Make no mistake, it’s a straightforward, no-frills design, but the generous length means it can run from shoulder to ankle, allowing you to hug it while tucking it between your knees for proper hip alignment.
The hollowfibre fill is hypoallergenic and gives medium-firm support. It doesn’t mould to your body quite as precisely as microbead or memory foam options, but it kept my spine in a neutral position and relieved the pressure points that usually leave me tossing from side to side.
What impressed me most was its versatility. During the day, I’d prop it behind me on the sofa for lumbar support or loop it round in a U-shape to read in bed. At just £27, it’s far less of an investment than specialist maternity pillows, but just as versatile. The removable cover is machine washable and it held up well to repeated laundering without clumping too. For budget-conscious buyers, this one is a no-brainer.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Versatility
Developed by three Norwegian chiropractors, the Bbhug Me has gained cult status since its inception in 2013 and for good reason too. The fine microbead filling cleverly supports all the key pressure points – bump, lower back, pelvis, knees and ankles – and, better yet, shifts silently (no squeak or spring-back here).
The silicone “Pebbles” at each end are deceptively simple. Slide them along and you can go from a loose, cloud-like drape (great for curling up on a hot night) to firmer support that props up your bump and helps keep hips aligned. During my second trimester, I kept it loose for lounging; by the third, I’d cinched it tighter for more lift under my back.
The machine-washable jersey cover has a cool, matte handfeel and didn’t cling, even when the bedroom was stuffy in summer. It’s quite a large pregnancy pillow overall so it demands some bed real estate, but at 2.1kg, it was heavy enough to stay put when I rolled over at night. The inner pillow is spot clean only and it’s expensive, but the ability to use the Bbhug for feeding and supporting postpartum justifies its price.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Travel
This is a pregnancy pillow that looks and feels gorgeous with premium design details including decorative tassels and a handle. The tassels can be a little irritating at night but it hardly looks like a pregnancy pillow and it could easily remain on beds and sofas after pregnancy.
It is long and plump enough to hug at night, as well as place between the knees for support. The softness and malleability of the sausage shape means it moves with you as you toss and turn from side to side, while the material was supportive yet soft enough to rest comfortably under my bump.
Having used it constantly, it has withstood washes well. The tassels did not come apart in a 40C wash cycle and body moisturiser stains came out of the fabric.
My only complaint would be that the design is made up of two separate pillows within one long tube, plus the exterior cover. This makes carrying the pillow by the handle easy, as it folds in two nicely and it’s lightweight, but the join between the two pillows can lose plumpness. It may also not be rigid enough in the middle to act as a nursing pillow for some.
Still, this was my pillow of choice on my Babymoon, being easy to transport and easy on the eye when walking into a nice hotel reception.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Hot Sleepers
Reviewing the Babybub Ice Cool Blissful Sleep Bundle through a string of late-summer heatwaves was the ultimate test and it excelled (even when temperatures reached 30C and my trusty fan packed in). Thanks to its temperature-regulating fabric, this pillow stayed noticeably cooler than standard cotton.
Unlike bulkier U- or C-shaped pregnancy pillows, the Babybub takes a more modular approach: a compact, winged wedge pillow to support the bump while left-side sleeping and a full body attachment to keep hips aligned. This meant I could position the pieces exactly where I needed them without feeling swamped by fabric, which was a real benefit when sharing a smaller double bed.
Over a month of use, I found the foam inserts kept their shape well, though they do need a quick fluff or reposition every few nights to maintain even support. It’s on the smaller side compared to other full body pregnancy pillows, but if you’re prone to overheating or share a bed and want to keep your sleep footprint small, the Babybub is a brilliant buy.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Structured Support
Simba Sleep £109.00
Buy nowThe Simba Body Pillow isn’t just for pregnancy. Yes, it was great at easing late-pregnancy hip pain, but it also proved invaluable for propping myself up while reading in bed and even as a recovery aid to take the strain off my lower back after one too many lengths in the pool.
At 1.4-metres long, it supports the whole body: tuck it between your knees, hug it to your chest or wrap it around your back for extra stability. Its filling combines Simba’s Aerocoil micro springs with clusters of down-like cushioning, delivering both firmness and comfort that keep your hips and spine aligned without sagging, even after weeks of nightly use.
The breathable cotton cover was a standout during summer, preventing overheating during the hottest July nights. It zips off, is machine-washable and dries quickly, making upkeep refreshingly low-effort (especially welcome in the latter stages of pregnancy and postpartum, when streamlining the rigmarole of household tasks takes top priority). The firmer form makes it a tad bulky for frequent travel and it’s not particularly soft, but that weight means it stays put during a restless night so you won’t be fishing it off the floor at 1am.
If you’re looking for a supportive, multi-purpose body pillow that works well beyond pregnancy, the Simba is one of the most adaptable and durable options on the market right now.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Feeding
The Najell Pregnancy Pillow stands out for one clever reason: it doesn’t retire once your baby arrives. During pregnancy, its curved, modular design offers comfortable bump and hip support without monopolising half the bed and the medium-firm filling cushion pressure points, while boasting enough structure to keep your spine aligned.
Over four weeks of testing, the Najell’s skin-soft cotton cover kept me cool during warmer nights and as someone who spent much of the third trimester in bed, the fact that the muted linen beige colour blended neatly into the bedroom without screaming “maternity pillow” was a bonus.
But its real versatility shines postpartum. The two ends quickly unzip to become individual nursing pillows. This is invaluable if you’re feeding in different rooms and want to avoid lugging around a bulky body pillow. The soft cotton cover requires careful washing to maintain its shape but if you’re seeking a pillow that will earn its keep beyond pregnancy, make it this.
Best C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
BellaMoon £139.97
Buy nowAt 1.4-metres long, the C-shape of the BellaMoon 3-in-1 Pregnancy Pillow nestles neatly around the body during sleep without overwhelming the bed. The medium-firm polyester fill may be a little thin for some but I found it delivered gentle, shapable support for my hips, bump and neck without being too soft or collapsing overnight.
The real cleverness lies in its modular functionality. A hidden zip transforms each arm into a separate nursing prop, adding solid support for feeding positions. I found myself using one half solely as a side-nurse pillow, while the other kept lumbar tension away. It even doubles as a baby sitting aid, providing gentle support when your little one is practising upright posture.
I loved the look and feel of the cover (especially this Waterleaves colourway) and although it needs to be air-dried after washing, which takes a little longer than a whizz in the tumble dryer, the fabric remains fresh and crisp after weeks of use. Overall, this pillow feels like a game-changer (and a great gift for expectant parents), delivering comfort before and after your baby arrives.
Best Pregnancy Pillow with Machine-Washable Cover
Kally Sleep £49.99
Buy nowThe Kally Body Pillow became a fixture in my daily routine. I didn’t just use it for pregnancy support, but for reading in bed, watching TV and cushioning my back during long shifts working from home. Its borg-textured cover is a standout feature: incredibly soft and tactile, with the kind of cocooning warmth that makes you want to hibernate. That makes it a dream in cooler weather, although it does trap a bit of heat in sunnier spells. You can add a spare, breathable cotton cover for £10 though, which is great if you’re navigating the unpredictable British weather or unexpected body temperature fluctuations.
Compared with slimmer pregnancy pillows I’ve tested, the Kally’s plump, medium-firm filling offers better hip and bump support without the log-like heft that makes turning over a chore. At 140cm, it’s long enough to hug and wedge between knees, but still light enough to shift around easily in the night. The hypoallergenic filling stayed fresh after weeks of nightly use and the removable cover washed well, keeping its softness.
At under £60 (RRP), it’s a more budget-friendly option that outperformed other full-body pillows in comfort, ease of cleaning and overall versatility. So much so that I’ve recommended it to my friends and invested in the brand’s wedge pillow to help combat third-trimester heartburn and acid reflux.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Postpartum Support
The Dreamgenii is compact in comparison to other full-body pregnancy pillows in this guide, gently wrapping around you without laying claim to half the bed. Its slightly curved shape is deliberately designed to encourage side sleeping (the NHS-recommended position) and I found myself waking up still snuggled and secure in that position, which is no mean feat for a lifelong back sleeper.
The polyester hollowfibre filling provided soft support for my bump and top leg, easing pressure on my hips and lower back. It’s lightweight enough for travel too, stowing away easily for a long Bank Holiday weekend by train, yet stable enough for a good night’s sleep. The jersey cotton cover was soft and breathable in summer and kept its form after machine washing. I washed it gently at 40C and air-dried on the line, as recommended, though it’s worth noting the inner cushion can’t be washed.
The pillow promises to work hard post-birth too and can help to prop up your baby and protect your arms during regular feeds without needing extra cushions. While not as plush and supportive as premium pregnancy pillows, as well as less optimal for back or front sleepers, this budget-friendly buy ticks all the boxes for those who prefer a low-profile, effective sleep aid, without forgoing too much bed space.
Best Small Pregnancy Pillow
Pram World £31.20
Buy nowThis Mamas & Papas C-shape pillow seduces with its good looks. The gorgeous leaf print is calming and gentle, and it didn’t dominate in terms of size either, being on the slightly slimmer side of pregnancy pillows.
The banana C-shape seemed to fit my bump shape well, curving underneath and between the knees and overall, I had high hopes. Sadly it was a bit of a let down, in that it wasn’t comfortable for a whole night. The fixed shape made it hard to switch sides without a bit of a grapple with the whole pillow and the stiff material meant it wasn’t the cosiest to nestle into either.
For short naps, however, it is well-suited and I’ve found myself using it a lot on the sofa where the smaller size is a bonus. At half the price of some other pillows on the market, it is also a budget-friendly option.
The cover washes well and is easy to remove and replace on to the pillow filler. I can also see that this pillow will come into its own post-partum when I’m looking for something C-shaped and firm enough to work as a nursing pillow.
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