"Pillowtalk" received widespread critical acclaim for its production, lyrics and Zayn's vocals. Writing for
Forbes, Hugh McIntyre commented the song "is decidedly grown up, complete with plenty of x-rated words and adult imagery and themes. This isn’t another simple tune about broken hearts; it’s about love being both a paradise and a warzone. The song may be about similar situations, but Zayn is feeling—or expressing—things differently now."
Fuse's Jason Lipshutz described "Pillowtalk" as "a sexy, engrossing R&B track." Brennan Carley of
Spin praised the lyrics and Zayn's vocals, stating he "demonstrates a mastery on modern R&B within seconds. There’s passion in his voice, an instrument unencumbered and unshaven for the first time." For
The Guardian's Harriet Gibsone, it is a "slow, minimalist and lusty explosion of testosterone, a fountain of champagne and dodgy aftershave. It is a deliberate – and understandable – step into a more austere artistic guise."
The Guardian chose "Pillowtalk" as their pick of the week, stating that "against all odds, Zayn Malik’s debut single is shockingly good."
The Irish Times also chose it as their track of the week, describing it as "slick" and "nouveau R&B (like
Miguel) with a blogwave backing." For
Stereogum, Tom Breihan called it a "sleek, immaculately constructed piece of moody." In
Digital Spy, Lewis Corner gave the song four-out-of-five stars, writing "Zayn's clear vocal tone – at its very best on this – along with a big chorus and brain-niggling melody, keeps it sexy and fun without being sordid." He musically compared the "seductive R&B" track to
The Weeknd's sounds and
Justin Timberlake's early solo work, and concluded it isn't the "same old pop shit" but "the new British male superstar you hadn't realised you've been waiting for." Lucas Villa of
AXS wrote that the song "might not be [Zayn's] Justin Timberlake '
Cry Me a River' breakthrough just yet but it's a sweet something that will surely satisfy his older fans in the meanwhile." Brittany Spanos in
Rolling Stone called it a "smooth, sexy pop song." Joe Lynch of
Billboard noted that the song drops "One Direction's
MOR pop for the more critically respected PBR&B". Another
Billboard review wrote that "Malik has left bubblegum pop behind" and from "here on, it's slick R&B."
Newsweek said the "track has an epic crashing chorus that’s raunchy and romantic in equal measure, with
jazzy electronic elements that don’t overpower the 23-year-old’s formidable vocal chops."
AllMusic said the song features "his strong vocals over distinctly more adult-themed alt-R&B similar to The Weeknd and Miguel." Magdalen Jenne of
PopMatters said "Pillowtalk" is "hands down the best pop single of 2016 so far."
Rolling Stone named "Pillowtalk" one of the 30 best songs of the first half of 2016, writing "Like his AWOL boy band forefathers, Zayn Malik decided to use R&B and sex appeal to launch his post-
One Direction. This Number One hit is a smooth, seductive lover's croon."
Billboard ranked "Pillowtalk" at number 37 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list.
Spin staff ranked it as the 16th best boy-band solo debut single. ==Chart performance==