Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow review: A 5-star find for side sleepers

The Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow is a 5-star find for side sleepers, says tester Caramel Quin. Its unique design and premium materials make it a versatile and supportive option for anyone happy to invest in better sleep.

As a side sleeper (who sometimes also sleeps on their back), I've struggled to find the perfect pillow. Often, one isn't enough and two is too many. But, having tested several of the best pillows for side sleepers, I think I've found 'the one'. This unusual pillow contains three layers inside a zipped case. You can move them to adjust the thickness to what’s comfortable: typically two layers for a back sleeper and three for a side sleeper. You can adapt the pillow's firmness to suit your preferences as well.

So, if you're looking for one of the best pillows, I've got you covered. I tested the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow for several nights, assessing the quality of the material, support, and most importantly, comfort of the pillow for anyone who sleeps on their side.

Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow review

Specifications

• RRP: £159
• Size: 45x70x21cm
• Sleep position: Side, back
• Filling: Simba Renew Bio, includes fibres made from recycled plastic bottles
• Firmness: Medium to firm (adjustable)
• Trial: 30 nights
• Guarantee: 1 year

First impressions of the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow

This is one plump pillow if you use all the layers included in the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow. In fact, of all those I tested, it was the hardest to get into a pillowcase comfortably. It's also the pillow that looks the most hi-tech, right down to the print on the fabric and the mesh sides - it looks like it would be right at home in a space station.

But I immediately loved the versatility of this pillow. Not every type of pillow works for every person and having tested other pillows designed for side sleepers (like the Snuggledown Hotel Luxurious Side Sleeper Pillow recently), it became clear to me that adaptability was very important. I could adjust the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow to suit the way I sleep.

I set about testing it in every version, stacking the separate layers in various ways - there are five if you allow for two or three layers and always include the springy layer.

Two inner pillows are made of soft recycled fibres (called Simba Renew) and one of tiny, foam-enclosed Aerocoil springs of titanium alloy. If you like firm pillows, put the springy layer at the top. If you like soft pillows, put the springy layer at the bottom, and if you like medium pillows - you guessed it - use it as a middle layer.

What's the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow like to use?

In one word: versatile. I loved that there are five versions of this pillow in one - hopefully, this means there's something for everyone. Even though I'm a side-sleeper, I found it was just too plump with all three layers so I settled on using two.

The pillow comes with a cloth bag to store the extra layer in. While helpful and good for keeping the layer clean, it does mean you need it store it, taking up extra space where many other pillows would not.

I slept well on my two-layer pillow. And, of course, with one layer being springy and the other soft, I could simply flip it over to change between the two options to my heart's content. My head didn't overheat, so I didn't need to flip the pillow for that reason - only to experiment with the firmness.

How does the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow compare?

The Simba is great for versatility - and there's a trial period too so if you don't like the pillow, you can return it within one month for a full refund. Terms and conditions apply, but many brands don't offer this guarantee, making investment purchases a little riskier.

It’s my favourite pillow for side sleepers. You can adjust its thickness and firmness to suit your sleeping style, but there's no getting away from the fact it’s pricey. The Bensons for Beds iGel Side Sleeper Deep Pillow costs half as much and is impressive so long as you sleep on your side, but it's not versatile like this one. You need to be sure that's what you want.

For affordable, consider the Dreams Side Sleeper Pillow which you only need one of, or the Slumberdown Super Support Firmer Pillow which you need two of if you’re a side-sleeper.

If you’re interested in Simba pillows, we’ve also reviewed the Simba Hybrid Pillow, which is differently versatile. It’s filled with loose cubes of memory foam and you can take some out, or add more, to adjust the pillow’s thickness and firmness.

Should you buy the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow?

Yes, if the budget can stretch, this pillow is an excellent option. I loved the way I could adjust the firmness and depth of the pillow. It's also comfortable, a big win, and the final point that earns the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow a 5-star review in my eyes.

If you can afford to spend this much on a pillow, you won’t be disappointed. The 30-day trial period also means it’s risk-free - you have enough time to experiment with all the stacking combinations and return the pillow if none of them work for you. I think one of them will though.