Simba Hybrid Pillow

Simba Hybrid Pillow Review UK (2024)

Last updated: 01.11.2023 Reading time: 6 Min.

Are you tired of waking up with a stiff neck and tension headaches?

Your pillow might be at fault. 😳

It turns out that your pillow is the key to keeping your upper body in alignment.

It has to be perfectly matched to your sleeping position and requirements. 😴

The Simba Hybrid pillow with Stratos promises to fulfil your every need - but does it live up to this promise?

And is it worth the high cost? 💸

We find out in our comprehensive Simba Hybrid pillow review.

Let’s dive right in. 🥳

Top features of the Simba pillow

Cooling
Cooling Technology
Nasa-approved
Memory Foam Nanocubes
Machine-washable
Machine-Washable Cover
Customisable
Customisable Height & Firmness

Advantages

  • Ideal for all types of sleepers.

  • Fully adjustable height and firmness.

  • Excellent breathability & temperature regulation.

  • Machine-washable cover.

  • Free from harmful chemicals.

  • 1-year guarantee.

Disadvantages

  • More expensive than other premium pillows - but also has a unique design with innovative technologies.

  • Doesn't adapt as well as pillows with memory foam layers.

What makes the Simba pillow special?

  • Innovative temperature-regulating Stratos technology.
  • Fully customisable nanocube technology.
  • Machine-washable Simba pillow cover.

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We've dedicated hundreds of hours to testing mattresses and sleep accessories, and rely on a team of testers of differing weights, temperature preferences, and sleeping positions to evaluate each product. 

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Simba Hybrid pillow composition

The Simba Hybrid pillow with Stratos is one of the most unique pillows on the market.

It features space-age cooling Stratos technology and removable memory foam nanocubes. 👾

We'll go into detail on what this means and how it affects your sleeping comfort further down.

The Simba pillow comprises three layers:

  • Top Aerelle layer: This layer has mineral-enriched fibres that help dissipate excess heat and provide a soft feel.
  • A middle layer of polyester casing with hundreds of individual Simba nanocubes: These blue cubes made of viscoelastic open-cell memory foam provide the perfect cushioning and support.
  • Bottom comfort layer: This layer is soft, durable, and fully hypoallergenic.

The Simba Hybrid pillow is fully customisable.

Simba hybrid pillow composition
Composition of the Simba pillow.

But, it differs remarkably from other customisable pillows like the Emma pillow and the Nectar pillow.

The Simba pillow relies on hundreds of individual visco nanocubes that make up the bulk of the pillow.

In contrast, most other customisable pillows feature different layers of memory foam and foam, which can be combined as required.

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

Simba Hybrid pillow composition
The Simba Hybrid Pillow features nanocubes in a breathable cover.

What exactly are Simba nanocubes?

Simba nanocubes are small cubes of blue memory foam.

You’ll find these in a polyester casing at the heart of the Simba pillow. 💙

Each Simba pillow comes standard with hundreds of nanocubes (640 g, to be exact).

We show you what these look like in the video below:

Nanocubes play a vital role in adjusting the pillow's height and firmness.

We'll get to this in the next section. 👇

You'll also find a standard Simba memory foam pillow, which differs from the Simba Hybrid pillow with Stratos technology. We'll look at this one in more detail in the FAQ section of this article.

What does it feel like to sleep on the Simba Hybrid pillow?

The height and firmness of the Simba Hybrid pillow are completely adjustable.

This means that you can get the pillow to the comfort level that is best for you. 🤩

To adjust the height and firmness, you'll rely on Simba's unique nanocubes.

In general, though, the Simba Hybrid pillow can be described as providing soft, cushioning support.

Simba pillow firmness
The Simba pillow is very cushiony.

Soft cushioning

During our Simba pillow review, we found that it could best be described as a medium-firm pillow.

Because it is made of smaller foam pieces, the Simba Hybrid pillow wraps around your head more than traditional memory foam pillows. 🤗

This provides more of that soft cushioning you may be used to from luxurious feather pillows.

It's not as firm as solid memory foam pillows but also not as soft as down pillows.

Simba Hybrid pillow
The Simba Pillow gives you the feel of a down pillow with the benefits of memory foam.

We’d say the Simba pillow achieves the perfect balance between memory foam and down. ⚖️

This is also why the Simba pillow is called a hybrid pillow.

It's a hybrid between traditional memory foam pillows and traditional down and feather pillows!

Do you still get the memory effect?

Since these are individual foam cubes, you won't get that full contouring effect you may be used to from pillows with memory foam layers.

If you're looking for a soft, cushioning memory foam pillow that's similar to feather pillows, then the Simba Hybrid pillow is perfect. 👌

On the downside, it's also likely that the foam cubes move around while you sleep.

We did experience this during our Simba pillow review.

This will change the level of support you'll feel. 😱

If you're after the contouring and pressure-relieving abilities of memory foam, it's best to stick to more traditional memory foam pillows.

The Panda pillow or the Emma pillow are great choices!

We didn't struggle with a lack of support too much during our Simba Hybrid pillow review but still preferred the feel of the slightly more supportive Emma pillow!

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

Simba pillow nanocube
You can adjust the Simba Pillow to suit your sleep position.

How nanocubes affect your sleeping comfort

The Simba nanocubes can be added or removed to adjust the height and firmness of your pillow so that it meets your exact requirements and supports your head and spine in all positions.

This is important for upper body and spinal alignment. 📏

Finding the right height and firmness may take a little experimentation.

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

You can use the following as a guideline:

  • Side sleepers need a pillow with more height to fill the gap between the neck and shoulders and prevent neck pain.
  • Back sleepers need a medium-height pillow for optimal support.
  • Front sleepers need a very flat pillow.

Look at the below visual demonstration:

Different fill levels of the Simba Hybrid pillow

Simba Sleep recommends the following nanocube adjustments:

  • Firm: 640 g (entire bag)
  • Medium: 520 g (remove 4 - 6 handfuls)
  • Low: 450 g (remove 8 - 10 handfuls)

But don’t worry if you can’t decide immediately.

You can always add or remove more cubes as and when you please to get a good night’s sleep.

Conveniently, Simba gives you a little bag to store any excess nanocubes. 🎉

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

Simba pillow nanocubes
You can remove nanocubes as needed.

Does the Simba pillow sleep hot?

Since the Simba pillow features memory foam, it's easy to assume that it may sleep hot - as memory foam products often do.

But, the Simba Hybrid is a cooling pillow, which is largely due to the unique Simba pillow cover.

Let's look at this in a tad more detail. 👇

Simba Hybrid pillow cover

The Simba pillow case feels soft and cool to the touch.

It is divided into two separate sleeping surfaces:

  • Top half with Stratos technology
  • Bottom half made of breathable cotton

The Simba pillow case has been uniquely designed to keep you cool. ❄️

Simba pillow cover
The pillow combines breathable cotton and a mesh panel to enhance airflow.

Simba Stratos technology

The top half of the pillow cover, marked by the blue border, contains Simba’s revolutionary Stratos technology with active temperature regulation.

Stratos is a temperature-regulating fabric that absorbs, stores, and releases heat as required.

The fabric will release heat if your body temperature drops but store heat if your body temperature is high. 🔥

This keeps the cover perfectly temperature-regulated, providing for a comfortable sleep no matter the season.

Naturally breathable cotton

The other side of the Simba pillow case, marked by the grey border, is made of naturally breathable cotton.

Simba only uses BCI-sourced cotton. 🌱

The Better Cotton Initiative is a programme that encourages higher standards of sustainability within the cotton industry, supporting cotton producers and reducing the impact the industry has on the environment.

Simba pillow cover close-up
The Simba pillow cover is soft and cool to the touch.

Separating mesh border

The two halves of the pillow are divided by a distinct mesh panel.

This not only enhances the design of the pillow but also serves an active cooling function. 💨

The mesh border allows for greater air circulation within the pillow, keeping the nanocubes cooler and removing excess heat.

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

The design part is subjective, though. The border of the pillow will shine through a white pillowcase - it did for us, at least. This was definitely a downside when we did our Simba Hybrid pillow review. If you're looking for a clean white bedroom look, then this pillow might not be the right fit for you.

Can you wash Simba pillows?

The Simba Hybrid pillow cover can be machine-washed at 40℃ and tumble-dried on low heat. 🧼

The nanocubes cannot be washed.

To wash your pillow cover, simply remove the inner pouch containing the nanocubes and pop the cover into the machine.

To protect your pillow, you should also use a pillowcase.

This won’t interfere with the Stratos technology.

Simba pillow washing instructions
The outer Simba pillow cover is washable.

If you’re a heavy sweater or enjoy your morning coffee in bed, we’d also recommend you opt for a pillow protector. ☕️

You won't find any branded Simba pillow protectors, but we can recommend a few alternatives.

Get Simba pillow protectors:

Simba Hybrid pillow size

The Simba pillow is available in one standard size of 75 x 50 cm (29 inches x 19 inches).

It comes with a standard loft of 20 cm (7.8 inches) and a weight of 1.78 kg (3.9 lbs). 🏋️‍♀️

Of course, this will change as you remove the nanocubes.

Simba Hybrid pillow price

The Simba Hybrid pillow is more expensive than a few other pillows on the market.

But, it does seem to be on par with Nectar's Whole Night's Sleep pillow, a very comparable product.

It's also a tad cheaper than the Emma pillow!

If you have the budget, this pillow is definitely well worth the price.

You can also get the Simba pillow via Amazon or at a slightly lower price through Argos.

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

Matching quality with price
Always opt for the highest quality you can afford.

Though, we’d always recommend purchasing directly through Simba Sleep UK. 👌

This guarantees that you get all the Simba trial periods, warranties, and delivery & return conditions.

Simba pillow discount code

Simba Sleep UK regularly offers discount codes and vouchers for its mattresses.

But, Simba pillow sales are rare.

That said, the company often offers a percentage off purchases over a certain amount. 🥳

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

Man sitting on coins
You'll occasionally get great discounts on Simba products!

This is great if you’re looking to buy more than one pillow - or need a few items.

You could also get a percentage-off discount if you purchase your Simba pillow together with a Simba mattress.

We do our best to find discount codes for you and collect them all on our discounts page.

Once you've found a good coupon code, simply apply it upon checkout to get your discount. 🛒

If there are any Simba pillow sales currently running, we'll also display them throughout this page.

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

Simba Hybrid pillow NHS discount

Simba Sleep UK also offers an NHS discount for healthcare workers and Blue Light Card members.

This discount gives you 41% off any Simba Hybrid mattress, plus 41% off bedding, pillows, duvets, and sheets when you purchase these in addition to a mattress.

To get your Simba NHS discount, you need to register for Health Service Discounts or the Blue Light Card.

You will need to provide some form of identification to register.

The Simba NHS discount cannot be used with any other offer.

Simba Hybrid pillow UK delivery conditions

The Simba Hybrid pillow is delivered to your doorstep within 2 - 5 working days.

Deliveries to Highlands and Islands may take longer.

Delivery within mainland UK is free of charge. 🇬🇧

DPD Local will deliver pillow orders between 8 am and 6 pm, Monday - Friday.

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

Simba Hybrid pillow
The Simba Hybrid Pillow is delivered compressed in a box.

Give your pillow time to expand

Since your pillow will be wrapped up, much like standard bed-in-a-box mattresses, it will take about 5 - 6 hours for the foam cubes to expand. ⏰

Wait until the foams have fully expanded before you sleep on your pillow.

Don’t worry about off-gassing

You may also notice some off-gassing.

This is an odd chemical smell usually associated with bed-in-a-box memory foam mattresses.

This smell is not toxic, but it may be a little unpleasant.

We recommend you let your pillow breathe until the smell disappears. 🏡

Simba pillow trial

You may be used to the 200-night trial period that comes standard with the Simba mattress.

Unfortunately, there is no Simba pillows trial period. 😔

But since the Simba pillow is so customisable and of such exceptional quality, you probably wouldn’t return it even if you could.

Simba pillows on simba mattress
Unlike the Simba mattress, Simba pillows don't come with a trial period.

Simba pillow refund policy

While the Simba pillow doesn't come with a trial period, it does come with a standard 14-day return policy. 🗓

You can return your pillow unused and securely wrapped in the original packaging within 14 days of delivery.

If a trial period is a non-negotiable for you, consider the Emma pillow or the Panda pillow instead.

Pillows with great trial periods:

Is the Simba Hybrid pillow UK worth it?

We enjoyed sleeping on this pillow for our Simba pillow review.

The Simba Hybrid pillow may be very expensive, but it is definitely a high-quality pillow worth the cost. 💰

It has some pretty unique features:

  • It is fully customisable to suit your needs and ensure proper support and spinal alignment.
  • It contains innovative Stratos cooling technology to keep you at the optimal temperature all night long.
  • It is comfortable and soft to the touch.

If you don’t have budgetary constraints and are looking for a pillow that feels more like a down pillow, but with all the benefits of memory foam, then the Simba pillow is for you.

But if you're looking for a customisable pillow with more of that traditional memory foam feel, you'd do better with the Emma pillow or the Nectar adjustable pillow.

BUY SIMBA PILLOW£ 109

Rating

4.1
  • Material

    Quality materials.

  • Comfort

    Not as comfortable as memory foam layers.

  • Off-gassing

    Can be a problem but disappear quickly enough.

  • Breathability

    Very breathable.

  • Motion transfer & support

    Not as supportive as traditional memory foam pillows.

  • Delivery & returns

    Free delivery but no trial period.

  • Value for money

    Good value but very expensive. 

Material
Comfort
Off-gassing
Breathability
Motion transfer & support
Delivery & returns
Value for money

Contact Simba Sleep UK

Customer service: To contact Simba Sleep directly for complaints, support, or queries, please e-mail them at hello@simbasleep.com or visit their live online chat. The customer services team is available Monday to Friday, from 9 am - 5 pm., and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.

Registered office: Simba Sleep, The Stable Yard, 60 Petty France, Westminster, London SW1H 9EU

Frequently asked questions

  • How does the new Simba pillow differ from the previous version?


    The revamped Simba Hybrid pillow with Stratos technology is the company’s latest innovation.

    The previous version of the Simba pillow relied on Outlast technology, originally developed by NASA, to ensure optimal temperature regulation.

    It also had a down cover.

    In the revamped version, Stratos technology has replaced the Outlast technology.

    Simba Sleep has also removed the down to make the pillow 100% vegan.

    The previous version of the pillow also used white nanotubes, while the new version uses blue nanocubes.

  • What’s the Simba travel pillow?


    You can also buy the Simba Travel Pillow, which provides the support and comfort of a real pillow in a convenient travel size.

    It is made from adaptable Simbatex foam, designed for better airflow.

    The pillow rolls up nicely and fits into a compact carry bag.

  • How do I keep my Simba Hybrid Pillow UK plump?


    To keep your pillow plump, give the filling a shake once every two weeks.

  • Is the Simba pillow environmentally-friendly?


    Simba Sleep does everything it can to minimise its environmental impact and provide products that are good for you. 🌎

    All foams used in Simba products are pro-planet and free from TCPP, parabens, biocides, and other harmful chemicals.

    Products are also manufactured in an eco-factory accredited with ISO 14001, where environmental impact is monitored, and energy is obtained from certified renewable sources.

    Simba Sleep also aims to reduce the direct use of energy, materials, and logistics. ♻️

    They try to keep waste as low as possible.

    The Simba Hybrid pillow is 100% vegan.

  • Does the Simba pillow come with a guarantee?


    The Simba Hybrid pillow comes with a 1-year warranty should your pillow be faulty in any way.

  • What else does Simba Sleep UK offer?


    Simba Sleep is most famous for its award-winning mattresses:

    Simba in the UK is also well-known for its luxurious hybrid mattress topper.

  • References

Nicky

Nicky Peters

Editor & Certified Sleep Therapist

Nicky is an experienced writer and editor with BA, BA(Hons), and MA qualifications. As a certified sleep coach, her interests lie in understanding how sleep problems arise from hormonal and environmental issues, particularly as part of stress and anxiety management.

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