Written by Tony Klespis, Staff Writer
These days, there are a lot of materials that pillows can be made out of. If you’re tired of down or down alternative pillows falling flat, then the Bear Talalay Latex pillow could be a good option.It’s made out of bouncy latex foam and comes in two loft options that should support your neck throughout the night.
If this sounds like something you’d want to try out, but aren’t totally sure, don’t worry. In my unbiased Bear Talalay Latex pillow review, I cover my testing process, explain the materials, price, and more. Keep reading to find out all the details.
Bear Talalay Latex Pillow
Bear Talalay Latex Pillow Overview
Bear is a mattress company that’s all about emphasizing the restorative properties of sleep. We’ve tested many Bear mattresses, from the Bear Original to the high-end Bear Elite mattress. But like many mattress companies, it doesn’t stop with just mattresses.
Bear offers five different pillows, so there’s a lot of variety for different preferences. This review focuses on the Bear Talalay Latex pillow. Before I get into the nitty gritty, take a look at my brief overview below:
| Who Should Get the Bear Talalay Latex Pillow? | Who Shouldn’t Get the Bear Talalay Latex Pillow? |
| Hot sleepers | Fans of traditional down or down alternative pillows |
| Budget-minded shoppers | Stomach sleepers |
| Fans of soft pillows | People who prefer firmer pillows |
Bear Talalay Latex Pillow Firmness and Feel
Firmness and feel are just as important to a pillow as they are to a mattress, so let’s go over this for the Bear Talalay Latex pillow. For reference, I tested the high loft version of this pillow. Because the low loft model is made with similar materials, I think it’s safe to say that it has a similar firmness and feel as the high loft model.
How Firm is the Bear Talalay Latex Pillow?
When I assess firmness, I do two things: I press my hands into the pillow to see how easily I’m able to compress it, and then I rest my head on the pillow.
I would say that the Bear Talalay Latex pillow is a soft pillow. However, because I opted for the high loft version, I was pleasantly surprised that this pillow was still fairly supportive despite this firmness. I say this because sometimes soft pillows aren’t always the most supportive.
Sleeping on the Bear Talalay Latex Pillow
Once more, I tested the high loft version of the Bear Talalay Latex pillow. The different lofts will change how this pillow feels in different sleeping positions. Because I’m a natural side sleeper, and side sleepers need tall pillows, I started my sleeping position tests here. I felt the most comfortable in this sleeping position. I compressed the pillow just enough, so there wasn’t any strain on my neck.
Moving over to my back, I felt OK here. I compressed the pillow a good deal, but because of how tall this pillow is, I still felt my chin begin to jut into my chest. For reference, back sleepers want to make sure their chins are in line with their chest, so if it’s jutting into your chest, the pillow is too tall. Back sleepers may prefer the low loft version of this pillow.
I don’t recommend this pillow for stomach sleeping. It was ok for the quick test I did, but if you’re a strict stomach sleeper, you’re more than likely going to put strain on your neck. I felt my head craning upwards, which put some strain on my neck.
30-60 Min Nap
Because the high loft worked the best for side sleeping, that’s the position I slept in during my nap test. I actually needed a couple naps to get used to this pillow, just because latex pillows are so unlike the memory foam pillows I usually sleep with. But once I got settled in, I did find the pillow to be quite comfortable.
One thing that was consistent with each nap was the fact that this pillow didn’t overheat, which is a huge plus for me. I live in Texas, and when the AC and ceiling fan aren’t on, things get hot and stuffy. I don’t want my pillow to be an additional source of heat. Fortunately, not once did I feel like I needed to flip over to the “cool side” of the pillow.
What Does the Bear Talalay Latex Pillow Feel Like?
Talalay latex is one of two types of latex foam, and it’s the softer version of the two. Because of this, that makes it perfect for pillows. Talalay latex feels bouncy and springy. When I press my hands into this pillow, the foam springs back immediately.
This is unlike the slow-moving property of memory foam or the fluffy, cushioning feeling of down alternative you might be more familiar with.
Average-weight Sleepers – 130 lbs – 230 lbs
Average-weight side sleepers, especially those with broader shoulders, should opt for the high loft of this pillow. It’s soft and can be compressed easily, but its height offers a lot of support that will keep side sleepers heads and necks supported.
Back sleepers should opt for the low loft version, because this will help promote a neutral alignment. Stomach sleepers who weigh closer to 230 lbs may feel comfortable on the low loft model,but overall, I don’t really recommend this pillow for this position. Check out my list of the best pillows for stomach sleepers for more appropriate picks.
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230 lbs
I fall in this category (around 280 lbs), and I felt well supported on my side with the high loft model. So if you’re similar in size to me, this pillow will work. Those over 300 lbs may need a firmer pillow, so check out my list of the best firm pillows for some options.
Heavyweight back sleepers should opt for the low loft version, as this will be able to keep their chins in line with their chests. The pillow is soft enough that some heavyweight stomach sleepers might be able to compress the low loft version, but I still wouldn’t particularly recommend this pillow for stomach sleepers.
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130 lbs
Depending on how narrow their shoulders are, the high loft version might be too tall for lightweight side sleepers. I think that the low loft version should work well for lightweight back and side sleepers. Both versions will be too tall for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Bear Talalay Latex Pillow Construction
Let’s take a look at the materials that Bear uses to make the Talalay Latex pillow.
Cover
The outer cover is made from a material called TENCEL lyocell. This is a material made from eucalyptus trees, and it feels soft and smooth. This fabric is breathable and moisture-wicking.
Core
As the name suggests, the core of this pillow is made from Talalay latex foam. It is a single piece of foam, and has been perforated with holes. This gives the core some extra ventilation and allows air to flow through the pillow much easier.
Loft
Loft refers to how tall the pillow is. The Bear Talalay Latex pillow comes in two loft options: low and high. The low loft is 5.75” tall, and the high loft is 7” tall.
Bear Talalay Latex Pillow Size Options and Price
Take a look at my pricing chart for up-to-date information on the Bear Talalay Latex pillow. Note, the price does not change depending on what loft you get, nor does this price include discounts.
| Size | Price |
| Queen | $110 |
| King | $135 |
Bear Talalay Latex Pillow
Bear Talalay Latex Pillow Performance
I’ve covered some important information regarding the Bear Talalay Latex pillow, but now let’s consider a few other key performance factors.
Sleeping Hot or Cold
As someone who tends to get hot very quickly, knowing if a pillow can stay cool at night is very important to me. No one really wants to constantly flip over to the cool side of the pillow while they’re sleeping. After my tests, I found that the Bear Talalay Latex pillow did a great jot at staying cool.
It has two things going for it: its cover and the latex itself. The cover is made from a cooling material called TENCEL, which stays cool and dry because it’s breathable and moisture-wicking.
Latex foam is also a great choice for hot sleepers. It’s breathable, and because you don’t sink into it like traditional foam, you don’t have your body heat reflected back on you. The latex core also has a bunch of tiny holes throughout the pillow which allows air to flow very easily through the pillow, helping it stay cool.
Off-Gassing
One of the good things about latex foam is that it springs to form almost immediately when you unbox it. The Bear Talalay Latex pillow was compressed into a box when it arrived on my doorstep, but true to latex foam form, once I removed the plastic, it was immediately in shape. There still may be a slight smell to the pillow, so it’s still a good idea to let the pillow off-gas in a well ventilated area. But if you’re not sensitive to smells, the pillow is good to use right out of the box.
Care Instructions
Bear mentions that the best way to clean this pillow is to spot clean it. However, the outer cover is removable and can be machine-washed if you’re in a pinch. Bear doesn’t mention any specific instructions for this, so I’d recommend washing in cold water with a mild detergent and then tumble drying on low heat.
Do not wash the foam core, however. Putting the latex foam in the washing machine will ruin your pillow.
Allergies
Bear mentions that the pillow is completely hypoallergenic. Those with sensitive allergies shouldn’t worry about this pillow trapping dust, dirt, or other allergens in your sleep environment.
Company Policies
Here’s what Bear offers with the Talalay Latex pillow.
Warranty Info
The Bear Talalay Latex pillow has a one-year limited warranty. It’s worth noting that this limited warranty only covers factory defects, such as if the pillow arrived damaged. Intentional damage done to the pillow will void the warranty.
Sleep Trial
From the moment the pillow arrives on your doorstep, you have 30-days to try out the pillow and make return or exchange decisions.
Return Policy
Bear offers free shipping on all orders, although additional fees may apply to Alaska and Hawaii. Bear also covers the shipping costs for all returns and exchanges.
How Does the Bear Talalay Latex Pillow Compare To Other Pillows?
Let’s take a moment to seehow the Bear Talalay Latex pillow compares to a classic memory foam pillow from LUXOME and a down alternative pillow from Saatva.
Bear vs LUXOME
The LUXOME LAYR is a pillow that has, well, layers to it. It comes with three inserts that allow you to customize the loft, firmness, and overall feeling of the pillow. Two of these three inserts contain memory foam, so if you prefer a slow-moving memory foam pillow, the LUXMOME LAYR is the one to get.
The Bear Talalay Latex pillow comes in two loft options, but it can’t be customized like the LAYR can. For some, adjusting pillows is a good thing, but others might not want to go through trial and error. The Bear pillow is soft no matter which loft option you choose. If you want something firmer, then go with the LAYR.
The Bear pillow will work well for back and side sleepers thanks to its loft. But the LAYR works well for stomach sleepers because it can be adjusted to be low enough for this position. Finally, both pillows are included in seasonal discounts, but the Bear pillow is more affordable and can sometimes cost under $100 if you’re shopping at the right time.
| Who Should Get the Bear Talalay Latex Pillow? | Who Should Get the TEMPUR-Cloud Cooling Pro Pillow? |
| Budget-minded shoppers | Fans of a traditional memory foam feel |
| Back and side sleepers | Stomach sleepers |
Read our full LUXOME LAYR pillow review.
Bear vs Saatva
The Saatva Down Alternative is a tall pillow that’s full of fluffy filling. If you prefer a cushioning feeling, this is a good option. However, there’s nothing specific in terms of cooling with this pillow.
The Bear Talalay Latex pillow is going to work better for hot sleepers because it has a cooling TENCEL cover and the foam is perforated with holes. This gives the pillow room for airflow, helping it stay cool while you sleep.
Both pillows work well for side sleepers, but Saatva is only offered in one loft option. The Saatva pillow is quite tall, around 7”, so it really only works for side sleepers. If you’re someone who prefers sleeping on their back, the low loft option of the Bear pillow will work better.
| Who Should Get the Bear Talalay Latex Pillow? | Who Should Get the Saatva Down Alternative Pillow? |
| Hot sleepers | Fans of fluffy down alternative pillows |
| Back sleepers | Side sleepers |
Read our full Saatva Down Alternative pillow review.
Bear Talalay Latex Pillow FAQs
Which is better for pillows, Dunlop or Talalay latex?
Talalay latex works better for pillows. Of the two types of latex foam, Talalay latex is considerably softer than Dunlop. However, Talalay latex is often blended with synthetic materials, so it may not last as long as Dunlop latex. The Buyer’s Guide in our best latex mattress list fully explains the difference between these two types of foam.
Can you wash the Bear Talalay Latex pillow?
No, you can’t wash the pillow in its entirety. This would ruin the latex foam. However, the outer cover is removable and machine-washable.
What if I don’t like my Bear Talalay Latex pillow?
From the day the pillow arrives on your doorstep, you’ll have 30 days to make return or exchange decisions. I recommend giving yourself about a week to adjust to the Bear pillow, especially if you’re new to latex pillows. If you still don’t like it, as long as you initiate the return within 30 days, you’ll get a full refund.
How long will the Bear Talalay Latex pillow last?
Around three to five years. Latex foam is much more durable than traditional memory foam or down alternative. With good care, I see this pillow lasting several years, and it shouldn’t fall flat.