Final Winner: 1 out of 8 (See Below for In Depth Review and Process)
In Depth Review And Process
For most of my life I’ve gone without thinking twice about the pillow I sleep on. That all changed as I began aging. Suddenly, my neck and body started feeling a little stiffer each morning. With age comes wisdom – and I finally realized my inexpensive, no-name-brand pillow just wasn’t going to cut it anymore so I began seeking out answers by testing out different pillows using the following criteria as a guide.
- Material
- Softness & Comfort
- Additional features
- Return policy / warranty
- Value
After multiple trials with multiple pillows I found that my favorite pillow was the Dosaze Hybrid Adjustable pillow. I tend to move around a lot throughout the night, in multiple different sleeping positions, and this pillow was the most comfortable one to sleep on. I love how many dimensions of adjustability it has. I can adjust the height of the pillow by adding or removing the shredded memory foam fill. If I want a softer pillow, I can reduce fill and sleep on the shredded side. If I want a more supportive pillow, I can simply flip it over and sleep on the molded memory foam.
I was skeptical at first, but the pillow actually stayed cooler than the other pillows I tried. I highly recommend this pillow as my top pick and the price point is fair considering the comfort and value you’re getting in return.
Is It Worth It To Consider Pillows Under $50?
In my honest opinion, no. As a once buyer of pillows under $50 I saw a significant difference in the quality, value and comfort that a $50+ pillow brings. I won’t be going back. Ever. And you might feel like you’re saving money in the short term by opting for a less expensive pillow but truth be told, these cheaper pillows don’t last long so you will be swapping them out a lot more frequently than if you went for a more expensive option. Therefore a pricier pillow could likely save you money in the long run.
I personally do not think it is best to consider pillow options under $50. You would likely lose more money in the long run by buying a cheaper pillow because the manufacturers of cheaper pillows tend to cut corners. These pillows also generally do not last as long. If you get the right pillow (even if it is more expensive), you’ll likely save money in the long run.
Cheaper memory foam pillows (especially those that are not CertiPUR certified) tend to use lower quality foam which ends up getting you a worse pillow. As far as less expensive down and down alternative pillows under $50, they tend to use more quills than down clusters which will result in being poked in the face as you sleep. They also tend to have less down filling, giving you a lack of support and a flat pillow.
The right pillow can drastically improve your overall sleep quality. It’s worth it to consider an over $50 option for this reason.
This pillow is the one everyone is looking for. I used to think it was normal to get hot throughout the night and toss and turn, but after trying this pillow I no longer feel this way. The moisture-wicking, temperature regulating cover keeps you crisp and cool throughout the night and the hypoallergenic shredded memory foam feels like a comfortable cloud in any sleeping position. While testing this pillow, I woke up so much more well rested.
The Dosaze Hybrid Adjustable pillow pillow was one of eight different pillow options that I tried and it was by far the best one. What I really love about this pillow is how adjustable it is. This adjustable pillow is a notch above the rest because it has a “molded” and “filled” side.
A molded pillow has a different feel than a shredded fill pillow — molded pillows usually provide more support. On the other hand, fill pillows are usually more comfortable and softer (and are more easily “adjustable”).
[INSERT PHOTO OF THE PILLOW SHOWING THE SHREDDED SIDE AND THE MOLDED SIDE]
But the issue with the pillows that are entirely “fill” (e.g., Coop, Saybrook) is that it’s difficult to stuff or adjust a simply “shredded fill” pillow enough to provide enough support without making the pillow too high. I’ve tried, and you really need to add a lot of fill (that it becomes hard to “stuff” the pillow enough). And to be honest, the shredded memory pillows can sometimes feel somewhat lumpy – I tend to prefer the feel of molded pillows.
On the other hand, with the Dosaze Hybrid Adjustable Pillow, you can easily adjust the height of the pillow by adjusting the memory foam fill while also retaining the support and feel that a molded memory foam pillow provides.
Overall, it provides the perfect amount of comfort regardless of your sleeping position so that your neck and head get the proper support it needs.
This pillow distinguishes itself from other pillows on the market in the following four ways: (1) the quality of the materials (2) the overall feel (3) its value for all sleepers (4) the adjustability.
- Quality materials – The down in this pillow is made of Certi-PUR cooling memory foam and premium fiber fill. The ThermaCool cover ensures you stay cool throughout the night. It’s OEKO-TEK certified (safe from harmful substances) and has double-stitched edges to ensure longevity and durability.
- Overall feel – I can’t say enough about the hybrid feature of this pillow. It is so nice to be able to adjust the pillow to my perfect level, and to have the option of getting more comfort vs. support depending on how I feel. There are times when I have pain in my neck and back, and for those times I need a more supportive pillow. Other times, when I’m more loose, I like a softer pillow — with this pillow, I have both. It’s so great to have all the adjustability of the most popular adjustable pillows, while also having the feel of a molded one. Ultimately, it’s this feature that makes the pillow really stand out.
- Super cooling – this is, hands down, the coolest pillow I slept on. No joke – the cover on this thing feels cool and stays cool all night. I loved it!
- Value for all sleepers – The price of this pillow is really great and affordable for the value you get in return.
- Return Policy – You can easily return your product within 60 days of receiving your order. It also comes with a 3 year warranty.
This pillow truly has it all. I’m just glad I decided to try it out. I have never slept so great in my life and I have this comfortable pillow to thank for that!
[INSERT PHOTO SLEEPING ON THE PILLOW WITH A SLIGHT SMILE]
UPDATE (4 months later!): I’ve been sleeping on this pillow for three months now, and it is still my favorite pillow! The pillow’s quality is still very comfortable and very much intact. I have zero regrets about the investment I made by purchasing this pillow.
The Coop Adjustable Pillow is a very good pillow for general use – it is adjustable and can suit the needs of many different kinds of people. Our primary issue with this pillow is that it doesn’t specifically help with neck pain.
In my experience, neck pain is mostly due to incorrect alignment between your neck and back. Your neck and back can become misaligned vertically and horizontally. This pillow helps with the vertical misalignment – i.e., you can adjust the pillow so that it is the correct height for your neck and back. However, it does not do much to align your neck horizontally – i.e., while you sleep your neck can tilt left or right and this will cause strain to build up and you to wake up with neck pain.
I again would recommend this pillow for a general audience (or maybe for your guest room, if you really like your guests!), but not for someone who is specifically dealing with neck pain.
The Coop Adjustable Pillow is a good adjustable memory foam pillow option with a great minimalistic design. When purchasing, it comes with an additional foam fill that can be added to your pillow to customize and truly make your pillow your own.
Overall it provided good value, however it had a couple of different drawbacks.
- Sleeps hot – while this pillow claims to be cooling, it actually does sleep relatively hot. This is confirmed by a lot of the top reviews on Amazon
- Smell / Odor – The fill does have a smell / odor that can be uncomfortable to some users that are more sensitive to smells. In my experience, it took about a week for the smell to fully dissipate.
- Lumpy feel – While it’s great that this pillow is fully adjustable, the shredded memory foam can feel a bit lumpy
- Goes flat easily – after a couple months of use, the pillow tends to go flat pretty quickly. This isn’t ideal and it requires a refreshed foam filling, so you end up spending more (and you’ve already spent a good amount on this pillow already). This is the caveat / downside of 100% shredded memory foam fill pillows
Some other minor complaints I had with the pillow are the following:
- Over time, it becomes harder to fluff
- The pillow isn’t 100% memory foam fill and you can tell vs. other adjustable fill pillows – this fill doesn’t provide as much support as 100% memory foam pillows.
- The adjustable fill can get messy
This pillow is decent – but not much more than that. For the money you spend on this pillow, I really think you can do better.
[INSERT PHOTO ZOOMING IN ON THE FILL QUALITY]
This graphite infused memory memory foam pillow is a combination memory foam and latex foam pillow pillow – you can definitely feel the quality of the fill when you sleep on it. The pillow is a good level of firmness – it isn’t too firm and it not too soft. It definitely provides enough support for your head.
The pillow also sleeps relatively cool – the graphite infused memory foam and the latex foam are generally cooler than most memory foams. It is overall a good pillow, but we had two primary issues with this pillow.
- Price / Value – this pillow is expensive, there is simply no other way to put it. While the fill is good quality, we would have also expected a higher quality cover (than just cotton) for a pillow of this price. It is significantly more expensive than others on the market. We think the quality of this pillow justifies some price increase, but definitely not this large of a price increase
- No specific neck pain reduction features – this is a great overall pillow, but it doesn’t do too much too help reduce neck pain. It is not adjustable and does not have an innovative shape or design to help reduce neck pain, and you can tell by sleeping on this pillow. It definitely does not help reduce neck pain as much as other pillows do, but it is a high quality pillow nonetheless.
This is a pillow that you either love or probably don’t like very much. The latex feel does take some getting used to (but if you love it, you love it). I think it’s good for a particular user, but isn’t honestly the best option for most people, especially given the price.
You can see that the pillow doesn’t do much to align your neck and back – it is a high quality pillow, but I didn’t find it the most comfortable. I didn’t really enjoy the feel of the latex, which was a bit too “springy” for me.
The Marlow pillow is a new pillow brought to market by the makers of Brooklinen, the sheets company. After sleeping on this pillow, I think it is a solid pillow for the right person.
If you want a high loft, Marlow’s got it.
The Marlow is one firm pillow that will definitely keep your head propped up while reading a book or lounging in bed. It reminds me of a more traditional pillow that would work for a back or side sleeper. I think this pillow has way too much loft for stomach sleeping. I didn’t feel my head sinking into the pillow, which is good for neck alignment but at times it was a little too firm for me.
After a few nights testing it out, I felt some lumps, which typically don’t happen with memory foam pillows. The Marlow is 80% memory foam and 20% polyester fiber. It’s possible the polyester fibers tend to lump up after a while. After a little fluffing, it was back to its extra puffy, extra firm feel. Brooklinen.com actually suggests regular pillow fluffing. So if you don’t mind the occasional lump, or the fill moving a bit on you, then this might be an option for you to try. Remember that you will need to fluff the Marlow pillow up occasionally…perhaps a couple of times a night…to achieve your desired loft.
The Marlow does give you the option to unzip the two sides in order to adjust the loft, however, I felt that even after unzipping, it was still too firm for my liking. I thought the cooling-infused foam was very comfortable and the breathable mesh on the sides helped to keep air circulating throughout the fill. I never felt overheated during the night and I felt my head and neck being supported while back and side sleeping but was very uncomfortable if I flipped on my stomach. Overall, I love the clean lines of the Marlow and the crisp white cover that is, unfortunately, spot clean only. It was too firm for me and a bit lumpy at times but it did keep me cool and supported during the night.
How often are you going to adjust your pillow once you get it? Once you find that ideal level of firmness, you probably don’t have to adjust it again. That also brings me to my next issue with the pillow – if you don’t happen to like one of these levels, then it will not help you at all with reducing your neck pain. These levels might be too high or too low for you.
Marlow does offer an extremely generous return policy / warranty. You’re able to return the pillow within 365 days (so you can definitely try it for a long time to see if it suits you, although you’ll probably know sooner than that). And the pillow has a 2 year warranty in case it gets damaged.
As you can see, this pillow (even when zipped) is clearly too high. It can work for some people, but definitely not everyone.
Average support for side sleepers.
When I opened the box with the Kapok pillow by Layla Sleep inside, I fell in love with the design. The cover featured an aesthetically pleasing grey and white pattern of hexagons. This is one stylish-looking pillow that I was excited to try out. The Kapok is named after the fill, which the company states are ‘Kapok fibers harvested from the seeds of the Kapok tree.’ Apparently, the fibers give the pillow an airy, lightweight feel.
After testing it I did see some similarities between the Kapok and a down feather pillow. I love a fluffy down feather pillow but one big downside is, much like a down-filled pillow, the Kapok flattens pretty quickly and needs to be puffed up again to regain its shape. The adjustable loft of the Kapok pillow is a great feature but I’m not sure I would really want to take any fill out because the pillow would definitely lose critical head and neck support. I love the natural fibers and the look of the Kapok but overall it did not offer the comfort and support I was hoping to find.
Although the pillow is initially very comfortable and supportive, my head inevitably ended up shifting due to the airy fill flattening out. Waking up in the middle of the night to fluff the pillow was not ideal. Some positive points about the Kapok include a super soft, machine washable cover and a lightweight, breathable cozy feel. I never felt overheated during the night and the loft worked really well for stomach sleeping. If you are looking for a lower loft pillow for stomach sleeping, this might be a great option for you. This comfy pillow also works well for side and back sleeping but you may need to occasionally fluff the pillow in order to maintain proper head and neck alignment.
You can see that the pillow doesn’t do much to align your neck and back – if you are looking for a solid generic pillow, this is a good option, but might not be the best if you struggle with neck pain.
The Purple Pillow’s ‘bounce’ may not be the best option for head and neck support.
My initial reaction to The Purple Pillow was a combination of intrigue and skepticism. The pillow is so different than the others in my test group. The signature ‘Hyper-Elastic Polymer Purple Grid’ fill is definitely one-of-a-kind. Out of all of the pillows I tested, this one kept its shape the best. As soon as I turned my head in one direction, the pillow would pop back into place. The only issue with this was that I felt like I was sleeping on a very comfortable pool float. The Purple Pillow has a very buoyant feel to it and therefore, did not give me much neck support. I never woke up in pain or uncomfortable, however, I did wake up quite a few times throughout the night due to the pillow’s bouncy constitution. At times, the spongy fluidity of the pillow rocked me back to sleep, while other times it had me awake thinking about how my kids would love to use it as a mini trampoline for our cat.
The Purple Pillow’s breathability was superior. Yes, it’s a fun pillow to squish but that fill also means you will stay cool all night long. The company mentions that there are ‘hundreds of open-air channels’ in the Polymer Purple Grid’ that allow for optimal airflow. While the grid is great for breathability, there is one not-so-great grid feature. You might wake up with an imprint of the grid on your cheek. It happened to me each morning after testing the pillow and my kids loved to point it out. So if you don’t want to wake up with what my kids called, ‘mom’s honeycomb cheek,’ it’s worth knowing that the Purple grid is firm enough to leave a pattern on the skin. I would estimate that it faded after about 20-30 minutes. So, I wouldn’t say it’s a deal-breaker for choosing this pillow but definitely something to consider.
The Purple Pillow is a fun pillow to own but I wouldn’t want it as a long-term choice.
The Purple Pillow was absolutely great for side sleeping but back and stomach sleeping proved to be a challenge for me. The loft of the Purple Pillow can be adjusted by removing one or two of the ‘pillow boosters.’ I did remove the boosters to make back and stomach sleeping more comfortable but ultimately taking out the boosters reduced the head and neck support even more. The bouncy nature of the fill was a little too much for me when my ultimate goal was to wind down at the end of the day and wake up pain-free.
The Memory Foam pillow by Snuggle-Pedic comes at an affordable price but when comparing it to other pillows on the market at the same price point the foam just wasn’t as good of quality.
The pros are that it’s adjustable and hypoallergenic but on the flip side, adjusting the pillows fill can get messy and the foam hardens quickly over time. Once again showing that the value of the actual product material isn’t there. While I love the idea of adjusting my pillow I don’t like the idea of making a mess in the process with the fill.
I found that the material wasn’t as breathable and the pillow itself had a strange chemical-like odor that I didn’t want to breathe in. If the pillow doesn’t turn out to be the pillow of your dreams, as was the case for me, they do offer a 120-night risk-free trial which is a pro.
The deep contour may not be optimal depending on the sleeper.
When I unboxed the third orthopedic memory foam pillow, the Sutera, I was pretty impressed by the ‘butterfly wing’ contours. The pillow’s ergonomic design was definitely the most non-traditional pillow shape in my test group. The Sutera touts itself as being able to accommodate all sleeping positions while offering additional support with cutouts and its signature ‘wings.’ I was excited to try it out to see if the unusual shape and neck cradle performed as well as expected.
After testing it out just a couple of nights, I was impressed by Sutera’s ability to quickly regain its shape. Since Sutera is a solid piece of memory foam, I did not have to do any fluffing whatsoever, which was great. I did notice an odor coming from the memory foam but it did seem to fade each night. Although the Sutera is made from 100% High-Density Memory Foam, it is not CertiPUR-US certified. Again, this was not ideal.
The pillow features a deeper contour than the Epabo and the Dosaze orthopedic contour pillows. Initially, I was under the assumption a deeper contour meant better head and neck support, however, that wasn’t the case for me. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fully relax with the contour being so deep that my head felt stuck. Instead of proper alignment and pain-free sleep, I felt restricted and uncomfortable.
The ‘butterfly wings’ of the Sutera pillow had their good points and bad. At times, they were great for side sleeping because you can just rest your head directly on the ‘wing.’ I felt like my neck was getting some good support while on my side. However, when I was sleeping on my back, the ‘butterfly wings’ felt slightly confining. Also, resting my head on the ‘wing’ didn’t give it much room and it would eventually fall back into the contour.
I was happy, however, that the Sutera kept me cool at night. Where the foam lacked in other areas, it made up for in breathability. I really wanted to love this pillow because of its unique shape and promise of superior spinal alignment. At the end of the testing period, I did think the Sutera was a supportive pillow for side sleepers. The butterfly shape may be appealing but in my case, it was a bit much.
The Sutera pillow is also one that is a bit of a risk – you can definitely try it out, but be aware that you don’t have that much time to test it. They only provide a 30 day trial period, and they don’t advertise this, but they do have a 15% processing fee to return the pillow – just look at the reviews online.
Conclusions
For most sleepers (side, back, and combination) I would highly recommend the Dosaze Hybrid Foam & Fiber Pillow. It checked off my most important features and above all provided me with the most comfortable night of sleep and neck support.
Source: Photo by Castorly Stock from Pexels