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Side sleeping is my position of choice. I find it the most natural, yet I often struggle to get comfy and end up shoving a spare pillow between my legs for extra support.
On my quest for a more restful night, I decided to try a body pillow. Not just for pregnant women, these L-shaped designs are meant to encourage spinal alignment and prevent excessive pressure on the hips, shoulders and lower back. They can also help alleviate pain for those with chronic conditions like arthritis and sciatica.
Of course, only the best would do, so I opted for the Simba Body Pillow, which scored 83/100 in our Good Housekeeping Institute tests. Would it stop my tossing and turning for good? I got snoozing to find out.
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The Simba Body Pillow at a glance
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | 120 x 135 |
|---|---|
| Materials | Cotton with Stratos tech, combed polyester fibres |
| Machine washable | Yes, at 40C |
The Simba Body Pillow is a long, gently curved pillow designed to support side sleepers and expectant mothers. It’s not meant to replace a classic head pillow; instead, you wrap your arms and/or legs around it for extra comfort and support. It can also be used to cradle your back when sitting upright in bed or nursing a baby.
It features a cotton cover with the brand’s Stratos cool-touch tech to encourage breathability and prevent overheating, while the Simba Renew™ bio clusters in the filling (made from recycled PET bottle fibres) promise cushioning and support. Both the cover and pillow are machine washable at 40C.
My Simba Body Pillow verdict
I’ve been using my body pillow for several months, and honestly, I’d struggle to get to sleep without it now. I find wrapping my arms and legs around the plush design extremely comforting (the fabric is soft and cosy) and my joints feel nice and supported. It’s stopped my knees from knocking together when I curl up and I experience less lower back pain as my spine’s in a neutral position. I also love using it behind my back to prop up my arms when I’m reading in bed.
As a eternally hot sleeper, the built-in Stratos tech – which the brand claims provides instant cooling and helps excess heat dissipate – is a lifesaver. The fabric feels wonderfully cool to the touch; I was even able to keep the pillow in bed with me during the summer heatwaves.
It's worth pointing out that the pillow is large and will take up significant space. Fortunately, I have a king-size bed, so there was just about enough room alongside my husband, but he did complain about it getting in his way a few times. The bulky design is also a bit of a pain to store – I just leave it sitting on my bed throughout the day as I can’t be bothered to stuff it back in its storage case each morning.
The cover is easy to unzip and wash, although it's a slight faff getting it back on the pillow due to its long shape. The internal pillow is washable too, but you’ll need a large machine to fit it in.
The Good Housekeeping Institute review
Pros
- Provides comfort and support for side sleepers
- Washable
- Comes with a carry case
- Good for hot sleepers
Cons
- Bulky design not suitable for those with small beds
- May be too short for those on the tall side
- Expensive
Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts enlisted a panel of three side sleepers to trial the pillow for a minimum of three weeks before reporting back on design, comfort and, most importantly, how it affected their sleep.
My fellow testers said it had a positive impact on their sleep, praising the soft, supportive design. “It’s so nice and comforting to hug, I feel like I’m sleeping much better,” said one. Another told us: “I loved the squishiness. It’s not too soft and not too hard; the perfect Goldilocks pillow.”
They also rated the “super premium feel”, noting it looked and felt extremely high quality, and said it was easy to clean once they managed to get the cover off. One panellist – who shares a small double bed with their partner – did say the size was an issue and, as a combination sleeper, it was cumbersome to move when shifting positions.
However, it aced our in-house wash tests, with no notable changes to the pillow or cover after a few goes in the machine. So, you'll be able to keep it nice and fresh.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
Having tested products for over 100 years at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we know exactly what to look for when it comes to the best sleep buys, from the best mattress to the best cooling pyjamas.
Our sleep and wellness editor, Priyankaa Joshi, has written about hundreds of sleep products, and interviewed several leading experts, so also knows a thing or two about creating your ideal sleep set-up.
She works closely with Kim Hawley, our senior sleep and wellness tester, who oversees all our sleep reviews, creating our in-depth testing protocols to make sure we're assessing each product against its claims. She analyses the results and scores products based on feedback to help you make an informed decision before shopping.
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How to use the Simba Body Pillow
Whether you’re a dedicated side sleeper, expecting a baby or suffering with chronic pain, here’s how the brand recommends positioning your pillow:
- Hug one end with your arms and arrange your legs around the bottom; and
- place one leg on top of the pillow, with your knees slightly bent, and the other underneath and a little straighter.
The verdict: should you buy the Simba Body Pillow?
If you’re a dedicated side sleeper looking for additional support, then the Simba Body Pillow is worth considering. It’s a high-quality, well-thought-out design that helped our panel members sleep comfortably night after night.
It's certainly helped improve my sleep quality, keeping my spine in a better position so I don’t feel the need to keep tossing and turning to get comfy.
Keep in mind, though, that it might disrupt your partner’s sleep if you have a small bed and it’s a faff to store during the day. Plus, if you’re a combination sleeper, you might find it gets in the way when lying on your front or back.
There’s no getting around the price tag, either. At £109, it’s an investment and you’ll need to use it alongside a standard pillow. Not sure whether it’s right for you? Simba offers a 30-night trial for peace of mind when investing.
The Simba Body Pillow is available to buy from the Simba website.
More expert-approved pillows for side sleepers
Score: 93/100
Another Simba option, this firm, adjustable design allows you to remove and reorder the layers to suit your sleep style and preferences.
Score: 89/100
You can easily adjust this memory foam pillow by removing a layer so it’s the perfect height for your head and shoulders when you're sleeping on your side.
Score: 83/100
This great-value pillow, which boasts a hypoallergenic cover, provides firm support to ensure you sleep soundly on your side night after night.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
