Eli & Elm Organic Cotton Side Sleeper Pillow Review

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If you’re a side sleeper looking for a supportive and comfy pillow, the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow has you covered. This U-shape pillow was specifically designed to alleviate neck pain and promote the proper spinal alignment.

But is this the right product for you? Our Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow review will help you find out! We’ll take an in-depth look at its shape, soft filling, and soft cover.

Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow

Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow

If you’re a side sleeper looking for a supportive and comfy pillow, the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow has you covered. This U-shape pillow was specifically designed to alleviate neck pain and promote the proper spinal alignment.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full Review

Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow Overview

Whether you’re searching for luxury sheets or plush pillows, Eli & Elm has what you need. One of their most unique products, however, appeals specifically to side sleepers.

Overall Rating

Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow Performance Rating

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4.3
Overall Rating
4.5
Support
4
Cooling
4
Durability
5
Warranty
4
Sleep Trial Period

With a special shape and customizable loft, this pillow works well for many different side sleepers. In fact, it’s one of our top picks if you’re looking for the best orthopedic pillows. Here’s a quick overview of who may like this Eli & Elm pillow.

Who Might Like the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow

Who Might Not Like the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow

  • Those who are on a budget
  • Stomach sleepers
  • People who prefer a traditional rectangular pillow

Eli & Elm Pillow Video Review

Curious about this side sleeper pillow? Check out our video review below.

Eli & Elm Pillow Firmness and Feel

Perhaps two of the most important aspects to consider, firmness and feel play a huge role in whether a pillow will work for you. Keep reading to get an in-depth understanding of what this pillow is all about.

How Firm Is the Eli & Elm Pillow?

When you first take the pillow out of the box, you’ll notice it feels much firmer than average. If that doesn’t quite work for you, not to worry! This pillow is adjustable. Simply unzip the cover and remove some of the interior filling.

RELATED: Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Loft Pillow Review

Sleeping on the Eli & Elm Pillow

To find the right pillow, make sure your spine stays in neutral alignment. But what does this mean, exactly? If you’re side sleeping, you’ll want your ears to line up with your shoulders and your chin to align with your sternum.

Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow

Because of its U-shape, this pillow helps side sleepers keep their necks and shoulders in the most comfortable position. It may work well for combination back and side sleepers, but we don’t recommend it for those who only sleep on their backs or stomachs.

What Does the Eli & Elm Pillow Feel Like?

Eli & Elm’s side sleeper pillow has a responsive feel. When you press into it, the materials quickly spring back into place. This creates plenty of support, so the pillow shouldn’t sag overnight.

Average Weight Sleepers – 130 lbs – 230lbs

To reach neutral alignment, average weight sleepers may want to take out some of the filling. Again, because this pillow is designed specifically for side sleepers, it isn’t the best pick for average weight back and stomach sleepers.

Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230lbs

Heavier side sleepers probably won’t need to make any adjustments to the Eli & Elm pillow. Its default firmness level should provide plenty of support for those who weigh more than 230lbs.

Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130lbs

When the pillow first arrives, lightweight people will likely find that it feels too lofty and firm. People in this weight category will want to take out a large portion of the interior stuffing in order to make it the most comfortable.

Eli & Elm Construction

What makes this pillow so great for side sleepers? To find out, we’ll need to look closely at its construction.

Cover

Made out of organic cotton, the pillow’s cover feels soft and breathable. It’s also machine washable!

Core

For easy maintenance, the Eli & Elm side sleeper pillow has an interior liner. Inside, you’ll find pieces of polyester fiber and latex noodles. The fiber creates a plush softness, and the latex noodles make the pillow feel bouncy and responsive.

Eli & Elm side sleeper pillow construction

Weight

This pillow weighs 6.59lbs.

Height/Loft

Straight out of the box, the pillow’s loft is about 6”. However, if that feels too tall, you can easily remove some of the filling and adjust the size.

Eli & Elm Pillow Size Options and Price

For more information, check out our convenient chart below.

SizeDimensionsPrice
Standard17″ x 29″ x 6″$119.99
Standard Size With Pillow Case17″ x 29″ x 6″$134.99

Need a new bed to go with your plush pillows? Check out our best mattresses for side sleepers to find the mattress you’re looking for.

Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow

Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow

If you’re a side sleeper looking for a supportive and comfy pillow, the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow has you covered. This U-shape pillow was specifically designed to alleviate neck pain and promote the proper spinal alignment.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full Review

Eli & Elm Pillow Performance

How well does the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow perform when it comes to cooling, maintenance, and more? Keep reading to find out!

Sleeping Hot or Cold

Latex allows for plenty of airflow, and it promotes breathability. Because of this, it won’t trap heat like memory foam often does. This, paired with its thin cotton cover, should keep the pillow feeling cool all night long.

Off-Gassing

Oftentimes, bed-in-a-box mattresses and online pillows emit a slight chemical smell at first. We call this off-gassing, and it’s completely normal. The Eli & Elm pillow, however, doesn’t have this problem at all. You can sleep on it right away.

Care Instructions

This pillow has a machine washable cover. Just unzip the outer pillowcase and wash on the cold cycle. For the best results, tumble dry on low.

Allergies

Because it’s made with high-quality materials, the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow is hypoallergenic. It’s dust mite-resistant, antimicrobial, and mildew proof.

Company Policies

Before making your final purchase, make sure to read Eli & Elm’s company policies. Let’s learn more about their warranty, sleep trial period, and return policy.

Warranty Info

The Side Sleeper pillow is backed by a 5-year warranty.

Sleep Trial

With a 45-day trial period, you’ll have several weeks to determine whether the pillow is right for you.

Return Policy

If you aren’t happy with your pillow during the trial period, you can return it for a full refund.

Common Eli & Elm Pillow Complaints

When scanning Amazon reviews, you’ll find the majority of people love the Eli & Elm organic cotton side sleeper pillow. However, some people have complained about the pillow’s shape. If you’re a combo sleeper, it may not work as well for you. Other people returned it because it doesn’t feel like a traditional memory foam pillow.

RELATED: Best Pillows 2024

How Does the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow Compare to Other Pillows?

After reading our Eli & Elm side sleeper pillow review, you may feel ready to purchase one. Before making that final decision, take a moment to see how it compares to other popular pillows on the market.

Eli & Elm vs. Coop Sleep Goods

Like the Eli & Elm, the Coop Sleep Goods Eden pillow is adjustable. It comes with an extra bag of filling, so you can customize the loft to your liking. Both pillows are machine washable and have an interior liner for easy cleaning.

These two products have slightly different fillings. The Coop Eden has a combination of cooling gel memory foam and microfiber. The Eli & Elm pillow’s filling consists of latex noodles and polyester fiber. Both pillows feel plush and supportive, but the Eli & Elm pillow is a bit more responsive.

The biggest difference between the two pillows is the shape. Fans of a traditional rectangular pillow will prefer the Coop Eden. Side sleepers looking for extra neck support may want to get the Eli & Elm organic cotton side sleeper pillow.

Who Should Get the Eli & Elm Pillow

  • Side sleepers
  • Fans of a more responsive pillow
  • Those who want a U-shaped pillow

Who Should Get the Coop Eden

  • Combo sleepers
  • Those who like more of a slow-moving memory foam feel
  • People who prefer a rectangular pillow.

Eli & Elm vs. Purple Harmony Pillow

The Eli & Elm side sleeper pillow and Purple pillows have many differences. The Purple pillow has their classic purple hex grid in the cover. In its core sits a solid piece of natural latex foam. This makes the pillow feel especially responsive, and it gives the product a long lifespan. Because of its durability, it’s a great fit for heavier people.

Purple Harmony - Best Pillows for Neck Pain 2020

For support, the Eli & Elm pillow has pieces of shredded foam. You can easily customize its firmness level and loft, thanks to its interior lining.

The Eli & Elm pillow has a U-shape design, which helps alleviate neck pain for side sleepers. The Purple pillow has traditional rectangular shape.

Who Should Get the Eli & Elm

  • Side sleepers
  • Those who want to customize their pillow’s loft and firmness level
  • Lightweight and average weight people

Who Should Get the Purple Pillow

  • Combo sleepers
  • Heavy people
  • People who prefer a rectangular pillow

Read our full Purple Harmony pillow review.

FAQs

Before we wrap up this Eli & Elm pillow review, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

What is the best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain?

If you’re hoping to alleviate neck pain, you’ll need a pillow that promotes the proper spinal alignment. The Eli & Elm organic cotton side sleeper pillow has an adjustable construction, so you can easily get it to the ideal firmness level and loft.

How do you use Eli & Elm side sleeper pillows?

Even though it has an unusual shape the Eli & Elm side sleeper pillow works just like a traditional pillow. The U-shape design helps keep shoulders in alignment and relieve neck pain. To keep the pillow clean, simply unzip the removable cover, wash it on the cold cycle, and tumble dry on low heat.

Where is Eli & Elm made?

The Eli & Elm cotton side sleeper pillow is made in the USA.

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Katie Golde

Katie Golde

Senior Digital Content Manager/Managing Editor​

About Author

Katie Golde is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and previously served Managing Editor and Head of Sleep Research for Mattress Clarity. She handled the daily operations of the site and you’ll still see her in plenty of reviews, from mattresses to travel pillow and bed pillow reviews – plus the occasional How-To video. In addition, Katie reported, writed, and edited sleep health and sleep industry news for the site.

Since joining the Mattress Clarity team in 2016, she has reviewed hundreds of sleep products, like bed pillows and mattresses and written over 200 sleep-related stories for the site. She probably knows more about bamboo sheets and bed pillows than any one person should.

Katie has been writing about wellness-related topics, including sleep, for the last eight years. The first sleep story she wrote covered the best and worst foods to eat before bed. Her previous work can be found in print and online publications like Discover Magazine, USA Today, Bustle and The Huffington Post.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in Journalism with a focus on Interactive Publishing from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism as well. During her graduate studies, Katie focused on health and science reporting and she received the G.D. Crain Award for demonstrating leadership, management, and entrepreneurial excellence during her final innovation project.

Education & Credentials