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
- Return policy / warranty
- Value
After multiple trials with multiple pillows I found that my favorite pillow was the Dosaze Hybrid Foam & Fiber 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 fiber fill. If I want a softer pillow, I can reduce fill and sleep on the fiber 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 help you sleep more hours. 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 down alternative fill feels like a comfortable cloud in any sleeping position. While testing this pillow, I woke up so much more well rested.
The Dosaze Hybrid Foam & Fiber 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”).
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.
On the other hand, with the Dosaze Hybrid Memory Foam and Fiber pillow, you can easily adjust the height of the pillow by adjusting the fiber fill while also retaining the support 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 softness and comfort (3) its value for all sleepers (4) the return policy.
- 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.
- Softness and Comfortable at the same time – 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 loser, I like a softer pillow — with this pillow, I have both.
- 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.
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!
UPDATE (3 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 great 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.
- Price / Value – this pillow is pricier than some of the pillows on our list, but its features don’t quite justify the cost. While the fill is good quality we can’t justify the higher price when other options on this list were less expensive and provided more comfort.
- 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.
- Memory + Polyester Fill – While it’s great that this pillow is fully adjustable the material felt a bit stiff and hard when using it, even after I removed some of the fill. It was on the harder side that soft, comfortable side.
If you prefer a stiffer pillow, this may be a good fit for you and it is great that it can be adjusted if you’d like to switch things up from time to time. However, for the price I do think there are other better options on the market.
This plush luxury pillow is made of incredibly soft, fully adjustable memory foam fill. The pillow is encased in a hypoallergenic bamboo viscose case that’s designed to support and provide cooling comfort, and the middle layer consists of a special adaptive transition foam to keep your head elevated and distribute weight evenly.
The pillow is made and designed for all different sleeping positions. However, some sleepers reported that it does not stay cool throughout the entire night. This was my experience as well. I didn’t find that it really had cooling properties as the company stated. However, I did think the exterior of the pillow was soft and comfortable.
Another drawback to note is that it’s only available online. The good thing is, the company promises a 90-day risk-free, money-back guarantee if you’re not fully satisfied with your purchase.
When I used the pillow I thought the combination of bamboo and memory foam felt a bit too firm for my liking but it is nice that you can adjust the memory foam within the pillow if needed. For the price point, this seems like a good option for a bamboo/memory foam pillow, however, it just wasn’t my personal favorite due to the stiff feel I experienced.
The Foam Pillow by Casper comes from a reputable company. It’s made of a three-layer foam pillow that aims to support your neck and keep you cool throughout the night. However, being a foam pillow it can come off as “stiff” with very little give, making it a bit uncomfortable if you’re looking for something more soft and comfortable.
It has a breathable jersey knit cover that helps to prevent the foam from getting too hot while sleeping. This jersey knit material ensures the air circulates out and away to prevent an uncomfortably warm pillow.
Considering the price, it is definitely a pricey pillow and for me personally, I couldn’t justify spending this much on a pillow that didn’t fully meet my comfort needs. The pillow had no give and was too stiff for my liking. Also, rather than comforting my neck it actually gave me more neck pain due to its stiff nature.
The Cloud Pillow by Purple is a unique pillow geared for fans of down or down-alternative-filled pillows, but rather than being filled with plush down material Purple uses ultra-fine gel fibers that don’t trap heat or flatten over time.
This may not be the best pillow option for you if you prefer a higher-height pillow as it’s recommended for those who prefer low to medium height support. Purple does however sell a pillow booster set if you need to add additional height to your pillow for an additional cost.
The return policy is great. The company offers a 100-night trial and a 1-year warranty which is a great benefit if you’re not fully satisfied with the product.
While I liked the gel fiber filling I found myself having to fluff the pillow from time to time and it didn’t offer me as much neck support as I would have wanted, but considering the price point I still think it’s a pillow worth mentioning if you prefer lowe to medium height support for your pillows.
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.
If you’re looking for a premium down pillow this is a great option for you. The one major drawback is that it’s expensive. The DOWNCOMFORT™ PILLOW comes in three different shapes, all geared towards different sleeping positions. The classic shape is best for stomach or back sleepers, the curved is best for side or back sleepers and the ultimate is made up of three removable inserts that lets you customize the support and height of your pillow. The ultimate is a great choice for all sleeping positions.
Some side sleepers found the pillow to be too uncomfortable for their liking. Myself included. Although the material and pillow itself feels very comfortable when I laid on it on my side I felt as though the pillow just sank and my face and nose brushed against the pillow. I also had a lack of neck support.
Again, the price point is very high but the pillow does come with a 1-year limited warranty and an up to 100-night trial if you decide to return or exchange it.
Our final product highlight goes to The Pillow by Marlow. This pillow is filled with memory foam that’s cooling infused to keep you cool and well rested throughout the night. The foam can be adjusted to meet your needs using a zipper along the side of the pillow that you can easily zip open or closed to adjust the memory foam firmness. This allows you to adjust the firmness without the mess, which I loved!
The drawback is that after purchase, it does give off a chemical-like odor that some new pillows tend to give off. This odor goes away over time but if you are sensitive to smells it is something to consider before purchasing.
The cooling infused foam has a breathable mesh that provides airflow throughout the pillow while you sleep. However, when comparing this pillow cover to other pillows it just wasn’t that impressive. Marlow offers a 2-year warranty, which is the best we saw in comparison to other companies and a 365-day free return policy so that you can “sleep on it.”
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
