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Finding the perfect pillow often requires trial and error. As a side sleeper, I haven’t yet found a pillow that’s the right height, firmness, provides the right amount of support to keep my neck aligned, and reduces my neck pain. That is, until I tried the Pluto Pillow. The Pluto Pillow is custom-made based on a questionnaire, and I was surprised and delighted that the manufacturer got my pillow design exactly right.
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The Pluto Pillow is customized based on body stats, like your height and weight, sleep positions, and preferences. These include whether you prefer a smooth or quilted cover. According to the Pluto website, there are 35 potential variations.
To order my pillow, I filled out a brief online questionnaire answering these questions, which took about five minutes. I’m a side sleeper, prefer a plushier “melt-in” feel, chose a soft firmness, and selected a smooth cover. From there, I received some basic information about the manufacturing process. The pillow would have a CertiPUR-US® foam core to provide bounce and support. That core would be encased with individually blown down-alternative microfibers—an alternative to down feathers for those with allergies. And the cover would be 350 thread count cotton for a smooth feel and breathability.
Once I placed my order, I received an email confirmation. Three days later, I received a second email informing me the pillow was being crafted. While the Pluto website states pillows can take about three weeks to ship, my pillow arrived 10 days after I placed the order.
The Pluto Pillow arrived double-boxed and in excellent condition. The main box featured eye-catching branding and a fun “This one’s for you” message printed on the underside of the lid. The package included a card outlining the details I’d submitted when completing the questionnaire, and the pillow was wrapped in tissue paper. It’s a beautiful presentation and felt like I was opening something truly special.
Straight out of the box, the pillow felt like a higher quality pillow than any I’ve tried. It had a good weight to it, and the cover was very soft and smooth. I was surprised at how thick the pillow was—it was about six inches thick at the center, even though I’d indicated in the questionnaire that my previous pillow was between zero and three inches thick. I was pleased to find there was almost no odor, and I began using the pillow that night.
The original size Pluto Pillow costs $125, while the king size costs $155. Shipping is free.
Since the Pluto Pillow is customized based on your sleep preferences and body stats, it could be a good match for just about anyone. According to the website, this pillow can be designed for side, stomach, and back sleepers, delivering the combination of support, firmness, and height that each sleeping position requires.
While I can’t attest to the pillow’s suitability for stomach and back sleepers, my pillow was designed for my side-sleeping habits. I was impressed with how comfortable it was and think it’s an excellent pillow for neck pain relief for side sleepers.
The Pluto Pillow is more expensive than other pillows, so consider your budget. Additionally, you’ll need to input data such as your name, height, and weight, which some people might not be comfortable with. (The website indicates that you can request to have your data removed from their records at any time.) If you’re allergic to common pillow materials like down or latex, or are having a hard time finding the pillow that gives you that just-right feeling, the Pluto Pillow might be an ideal solution.
As a side sleeper, it’s difficult to find a pillow that offers the right combination of height and support. Thicker pillows often feel lumpy and awkward, and I find that I slide around on them during the night and almost inevitably end up with my head down toward the bottom of the pillow, resulting in neck pain. Over the past few years, I started using thinner pillows. While they didn’t create the lumpy and uneven feeling that thicker ones did, I still woke up with neck pain because of the lack of support and the fact that my head was angled down through the night.
I was hopeful the Pluto Pillow could solve this conundrum, but when I started using it, I was almost positive I wouldn’t be able to get used to it. It seemed very thick, and having my head raised up to the proper angle was a significant change. I almost gave up after a half hour of trying to use the pillow that first night, but then I fell asleep. And when I woke up the next morning, my neck didn’t hurt.
It took about a week before sleeping on the pillow felt normal, but falling asleep got easier each night. I realized that I stopped shifting around during the night, too. Previously, I’d wake up in different positions, but since using the Pluto Pillow, I consistently wake up exactly where I went to sleep—on my side, with my head centered on the pillow. I’ve used the pillow for a month and can’t imagine ever switching to another.
I prefer a soft pillow, and the Pluto Pillow feels soft but doesn’t let my head sink in so much to create an angle in my neck, which can lead to neck pain. Its height seems just about perfect since my head and neck are aligned, rather than curving my neck.
The pillow is designed to help prevent heat buildup, and I’ve found that it does seem to sleep cool. I used it during a two week heatwave here in Massachusetts when temperatures reached up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I never noticed the pillow was uncomfortably warm.
It also retained its shape very well. It’s soft enough to be comfortable, but after a month of use, the pillow is still in its original shape and shows no signs of compression.
While I don’t have allergies to down or latex, I appreciate that this pillow is a hypoallergenic option for folks with such allergies. I also like the fact that the cover can be removed and washed, which makes maintaining the pillow easy.
The Pluto Pillow features a hybrid design, meaning the foam core is encased with a cushioning cover. The polyfoams are made in the U.S. and are all CertiPUR-US certified. The foams vary in features, height, and colors depending on your questionnaire responses, and they serve as the foundation to the pillow. The plush cover is machine washable, though Pluto recommends using a pillowcase to help prevent oil, dirt, and skin cell buildup.
To wash your pillow, remove the cover from the foam and put the cover in the washing machine. It can be machine washed cold on a delicate cycle and tumble dried on low heat. Pluto recommends washing the cover every two to three months and fluffing the pillow every few days.
Pluto offers free shipping and a 125-night trial in your home, during which time you can use the pillow. The company highlights the fact that it can take time to get used to a new pillow, and notes that you should expect a break-in period to take about two weeks.
If you’re not satisfied after that two-week period, you can email Pluto to request a prepaid shipping label to return the pillow. The company may suggest an adjustment to improve the pillow’s fit, or you can receive a full refund.
Pluto Pillows are backed by a one-year limited warranty to cover manufacturer defects in the cover or foam. It also covers workmanship for one year from the purchase date.
If you don’t think the Pluto Pillow is right for you, you might try the Purple TwinCloud Pillow. The TwinCloud features hypoallergenic down-alternative fibers, and its two-chamber construction means you can choose between a softer or a firmer feel, depending on your preferences.
Similarly, the Marlow Pillow features a zippered design that lets you control the pillow’s firmness. It can be suitable for side sleepers, back sleepers, or stomach sleepers based on how you position the zippers.
Since the Pluto Pillow is custom-made based on your body and sleep preferences, it’s good for side sleepers, but also for stomach and back sleepers. It’s hypoallergenic and manufactured right here in the U.S., and the ordering process is easy. The pillow performed well in terms of support, shape retention, comfort, and heat dissipation, and is likely an excellent choice for many sleepers. I was impressed by the significant reduction in my neck pain and the increase in my overall comfort that I experienced using this pillow. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a pillow that offers the right combination of height, softness, and support.
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