Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow Review

Written By Connie

CPD Sleep Consultant

How We test

Our testing process

Presented by

Paige Our presenters

18 April 2024 9 min read

We're going to go through our product testing experience and tell you everything you need to know in this Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow review. From how firm it really is and how it compares to their Simba Hybrid Pillow.

The Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow is a premium pillow that offers a good night's sleep. It's not to get confused with the Simba Hybrid Pillow which is a memory foam pillow. We will discuss the differences further down in the review, but the Firm Pillow uses a new innovative design that differentiates from the original pillow.

Simba pillows are of high quality which makes them a little pricey, so let's see if it's a worthwhile investment.

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Advantages

Adjustable design

You can alter it to suit your sleeping position.

Breathable

Thanks to the mesh panel around the edge of the pillow.

Cooling surface

Stratos technology has been used to keep one side of the pillow cool.

Disadvantages

Loose fluff

When swapping layers you will find that some fluff from inside can fall out and make a bit of the mess.

Expensive compared to others

The price is quite high for one pillow so if you're wanting a pair then it's a lot of money.

Who is this product for?

Being an adjustable pillow means you can alter it to suit you and your sleeping style. This can make the Hybrid Firm Pillow a good product for a large number of people. If you choose to take out a layer or two then it will be for those who sleep on their back or front, but if you decide to keep all three layers then it is most practical for those who sleep on their side. The layers inside serve different purposes so you can receive comfort and support from this one pillow.

To summarise, it's for:

• Side, back and stomach sleepers
• Comfort and support – adjusting for your needs
• Those who sleep hot

What do we use this product for?

The Simba pillow can be for whatever use you need it for – you can adjust it and swap the layers around until you're happy with the overall feel of it. It can be predominantly for comfort or to prioritise support but either way, you can get both from using this pillow while you sleep.

It can be used for:

• Comfort and support – adjusting for your needs
• Keeping cool with the Stratos side

Does the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow come in different versions?

While they're not necessarily different versions, they have similar names and are both hybrid pillows from Simba. One is the Simba Hybrid Pillow and the other is the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow. They use different technology to give you an adjustable product to work with your sleep position.

Simba Hybrid Pillow

A cotton cover pillow, filled with Nanocubes that can be added or removed to create your desired loft. Take them out for front or back sleepers or leave them all in if you're a side sleeper. These cubes are encased in down-like fibres (Simba Renew Bio fibres) to bring a softer feel. The cover features a mesh panel around the edge for breathability and a Stratos side to keep cool.

Take a look at our full Simba Hybrid Pillow review.

Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow

The Firm Pillow also features a cotton cover that uses filled pads/pillows as the adjustable part. Two of them use super soft fibres (Renew fibres) like the Hybrid Pillow but it has a spring pad too. You'll find the cover has a mesh panel and a Stratos side for temperature regulation, just like the other pillow.

We will go into more detail about this pillow in the rest of the review.

Features you should know about the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow

There are a few features that you should be aware of, as there are the things that make this pillow stand out from other alternatives. From top to bottom and everything in between, everything serves a purpose in this pillow. There's the outer cover, three removable layers and mesh panelling.

Here are the important features we've picked out.

Review of the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow

The cover is quilted to keep the filling plump for longer so you know it will last you a while. One thing to be aware of is the bits of fluff that come out with the inserts. To remove the cover and rearrange the layers, there’s a zip. But it’s only on one side of the pillow so some people may find it tricky to swap out the layers as it can be a squeeze. When you want to wash your pillow, you can remove the cover completely from the inner pillows. Pop it in the wash at 40ºC while you sponge-clean the Aerocoil layer, then you can put the cover in the tumble dryer on low heat.

This pillow is a breathable option, thanks to the soft fibre cushions, the tiny springs and the firm foam. On top of all of this, there’s a mesh panel all the way around the pillow to facilitate breathability.

Shop Now £159

What we like about the Hybrid Firm Pillow

There's a lot to like about this pillow but we've narrowed it down to just a few of our favourite things. After receiving the product and testing it out, there are the smaller details we liked as well as the key features of the pillow.

• Firstly, we love that included with the pillow is a little card to show you the variations of layers you can have for your desired comfort and position – and I’d say it’s pretty accurate. Don’t worry, the firmer and softer pillows are very distinctive so there shouldn’t be any confusion.q
• One side of the pillow is cooling from the cotton cover with Stratos technology. It’s the side with the same cube patterning that features on other Simba products which is so useful – although you can instantly feel the cool side. So, you can choose between the cool side or the normal side, making it good all year round.
• If you’re a combination sleeper, like me, I have the solution for you. I recommend a soft-firm-soft order. You get support in any position and it’s soft enough for you to move around during the night – it’s the perfect balance.

What we didn’t like about the Hybrid Firm Pillow

No product is going to be perfect for everyone and there are some things we did find to be a little annoying. They're not necessarily major issues but they're worth taking into consideration before buying. Here are the not-so-good factors.

• You may find that when you remove and adjust the layers, loose bits of fluff will fall out of the pillow and leave a bit of a mess to sweep up. It's not ideal, however, I don't think it's a reflection of the product as it's a high-quality pillow.
• The pillow design has a zip but it's only on one side of the pillow and doesn't continue down the edges slightly. Some people may find it difficult to take out the layers and move them around but it is definitely doable.
• As someone who fidgets a lot in my sleep, I found that the firm layer on top wasn't so comfortable. It is really firm and doesn't allow you to sink in and continuously adjust to your change of position.

Simba's customer service and company information

Delivery – You can expect delivery of your pillow within three working days unless you have also ordered a mattress. In that case, they’ll come together on your chosen delivery date.

Payment – Simba accepts standard card payments and PayPal, or you can split the payment using Klarna, DivideBuy or Splitit. Be sure to look at their specific terms.

Online customer service – There’s an extensive list of FAQs to find the answer to any other questions you may have, or you can fill out their form online for a reply to your email.

Check the alternatives to the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow

If something doesn't seem right for you with the Simba pillow then we can offer you a similar alternative that might be more suited to you. We've found another that is good for the environment, breathable, and gentle on the skin. Take a look at our other option and see which one you prefer. Both are great options for different reasons.

Panda Bamboo Hybrid Pillow

This Panda pillow is a cheaper alternative to the Simba one with some similarities but it's not an adjustable pillow. It's super comfortable for all sleepers, especially those who sleep on their side or fidget in their sleep. You'll get comfort and support when resting your head on this pillow and you'll be able to keep cool throughout the night.

Check out our full Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pillow review.

Shop Now £89

12% off with code TSA12

Advantages

Eco-friendly

100% eco-friendly. Circle of Life program, is vegan-friendly & pesticide-free.

Thermo-regulating

Active O2 Micro-pods ensure the maximum level of airflow, ensuring a sleeper pleasant sleep experience.

Supportive & orthopaedic

CharcoCell Foam maximises contouring and ultimate comfort for all sleep positions.

Disadvantages

Expensive

Though worthy, the price tag might be high for some sleepers.

Is the Hybrid Firm Pillow eco-friendly or sustainable?

Simba has used their Simba Renew fibres to create the soft layers in this pillow. It’s a sustainable option made from recycled PET bottles. Along with this, the cotton cover is sourced from the Better Cotton initiative so it’s reducing the environmental impact of using cotton. As for the warranty and trial period, you get 30 days from the day of delivery to test out your new pillow and a 1-year guarantee for the quality product.

How did we test the product? 

With every product we review, we use various tests to see if it's accurate to the brand descriptions. All the products we review go through the following tests:

• Visual inspection
• Hands-on inspection
• Measured tests

When testing this pillow, we took the specific tests below to find out the quality of the product.

• Looked for any visual details
• Trialled different sleep positions
• Spent time lying on the pillow to see how it adjusted and retained its shape
• Tested the success of the key features
• Directly compared to other pillows

Overall impressions of the product after the testing

With this Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow, you get two soft pillow inserts and one firm one so you can rearrange them to suit your position. Having the firm layer on top feels very dense and you won’t sink in at all. This is not so comfortable if you fidget in your sleep. If you choose to have the soft layer on top then you’ll find it’s super comfortable but with minimal support. This layer allows you to sink right into the pillow, yet you can still feel some support from the firm layer underneath.

I would personally recommend all three layers for side sleepers to give enough depth between your head and the mattress. Back sleepers should try two layers and front sleepers could use one layer, but if you want the benefits of both layers, you’re better off with the soft layer on top. Otherwise, your neck will be at the wrong angle.

Have you tried this pillow?

What’s your sleeping position and what have you found to be your preferred alignment?

To conclude, I can confirm the firm pillow is definitely firm – especially with that layer on top, you'll get a firmer feel. But, thanks to the softer layers you can tailor it to your needs and it makes this hybrid pillow quite versatile. And to the hot sleepers, don’t forget about the cooling technology on one side.

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About the author

Connie

As a CPD certified Sleep Consultant I know how important sleep is. And as a combination sleeper, I have found it difficult to get products to suit my sleep style. I have more than 2 years product testing experience with The Sleep Advisors which means I have slept on, with and under more than 500 products with varying degrees of success. This is added to more than 2 years experience as a product reviewer for Closer, Heat and Grazia magazines, so I've got a rigorous process. I love sharing my sleep testimonials with our readers and hearing their experiences too.