Cushion Lab Deep Sleep Pillow Review

I've never been much of a pillow snob. Former attempts at talking to me about the softness, density, or "cush" factor of a pillow were normally met with a blank stare.

Sale items or ones made with eco-friendly materials get tossed into my shopping cart. Gently-used hand-me-downs from trusted relations and my Buy Nothing Group? Fair game. These pillows could be found in a massive mountain on my bed, resembling tattered dolls before getting replaced.

But on my enduring quest to improve my sleep (hello, longtime sufferer of sleep disturbance!), I came across Cushion Lab's Deep Sleep Pillow. It was the equivalent of being upgraded from driving a jalopy to a Cadillac with all the accouterments. Like going from the two-buck Chuck stuff to a $300 bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Here's why, after trying out this pillow designed for deep and restful slumber, I become a convert.

What is the Cushion Lab Deep Sleep pillow? 

The Cushion Lab Deep Sleep pillow is a high-end, thick pillow that is designed to be optimal for any sleep position. There is a high side and a low side, which is intended to support your frame for either back or side sleeping. The raised side bolsters are intended for comfort and relief for side-sleepers.

Created by Cushion Lab, a company that prides itself on human-centered, purposeful and intentional designs, the Deep Sleep pillow took two years to develop. Its cover slip is made of a mix of cooling nylon and polyester, and the technology behind the memory foam core is the company's proprietary invention.

What I like about the Deep Sleep Pillow

Good for different positions

I've long been called a "wiggle worm" in my sleep, and am prone to tossing and turning, and changing sleep positions depending on how tired I am, my mood and the weather. After testing it out for about a month straight—during both heat waves and cooler periods—I've found that the Deep Sleep Pillow provides great support whether I'm on my back, on my side with my arms cradling the edges of the pillow, or splayed out like a conked-out zombie.

While it's dense and brick-esque, it's very soft. Plus, no matter what position I find myself in throughout the duration of the night, my spine, neck and head don't feel strained or tight when I wake up like they used to.

Durable

After testing out this pillow for about four weeks straight, the elasticity or composition of the pillow is intact. It hasn't lost its integrity in the slightest. Nor has it become less firm. At times I am known to unknowingly wrestle with my bedding and pillows, and wake up to find them on the ground in a pile of chaos.

This is also the case with the Deep Sleep Pillow. Even when it has been knocked around a bit, it still maintains its fluffiness and density.

It makes sense. According to Cushion Lab, they did spend a fair amount of time developing this particular pillow, and also the memory core is meant to be soft yet enduring. It's designed to support different types of bodies, sleeping positions and preferences.

One-year warranty 

Another standout feature is that the Deep Sleep Pillow comes with a one-year limited warranty. So if there's anything defective with the workmanship or material under regular use, then your pillow is covered.

What I didn't like about the Deep Sleep Pillow

Industrial smell

While the pillow is dense yet soft, the first thing I noticed when I took it out of its box was this strong factory-esque smell that reminded me of burnt rubber or gas. Hopeful, I took off the cover and washed it. Unfortunately, the odor originates from the memory foam core—which you can't wash.

After a month's time, the smell is more subdued, but a trace remains. I added a zippered pillowcase on top of the existing case to avoid inhaling it.Ironically, the Deep Sleep pillow is Climate Neutral Certified**.** That means that the carbon footprint is measured by Cushion Lab, and the company is held accountable to reduce or offset carbon emissions, and make the elimination of carbon emissions a business priority.

Synthetic material

No doubt that the Deep Sleep Pillow is incredibly soft and cushiony. And while that sheen material that both the case and core are made of does resemble a silk-like fabric, the slip-on cover is an 85%/15% mix of cooling nylon and polyester. The memory foam core is a visco elastic material. 

I'm aware this is nitpicky, and might be chalked up to the fact that I typically purchase a bamboo, cotton, or down pillow. This can easily be remedied by covering the pillow with a case of the fabric and texture of my choice.

Is the Deep Sleep Pillow a good side sleeper pillow?

Generally, a good side sleeper pillow needs to be thicker. That way, the gap between your neck and shoulders is filled, and you're getting proper spine alignment, and spine and neck support. Dense, thick cube-shaped pillows tend to rank high up there for this sleep position. So do memory-foam ones.

The Deep Sleep indeed hits these marks. The pillow contours to your head and neck without feeling too stifling. Plus, the dual-density memory foam helps make you feel like you're sinking into a soft, marshmallowy cloud.

I recommended playing around with the pillow to see which side or part of the pillow best suits your dominant sleeping position. I tried putting the higher side of the pillow to my left and the lower side to my right, and vice versa. As I tend to doze on my left side, the higher side offers more support. That being said, I personally preferred sleeping on the lower side of the pillow.

Should you buy the Deep Sleep Pillow? 

Absolutely.

The Deep Sleep Pillow is a great option for both side sleepers and those who, like me, tend to wiggle around, change positions, or toss and turn throughout the night. For something that retails at $135, it's definitely an investment in restful respite, especially for those who don't slumber on their back. For those that do, because it ranks high in comfort and versatility, it's worth considering.