Key takeaways
- Comfort is personal, and one pillow height will not suit everyone. Your build, sleeping position and mattress all change the height you need.
- With Yourzzz you order first. When the pillow arrives, the calculator tells you how much filling to remove, and you keep the extra filling in the storage bag.
- You can try the pillow for 100 nights and return it if you are not satisfied.
Why can a regular pillow feel too high or too low?
Most pillows come in a limited range of fixed heights. That is convenient for a store, but your body is not a standard size. Thijs van der Hilst, the Dutch physiotherapist who developed the Yourzzz algorithm, compares pillow sizing to shoe sizing: a store that sells one size rarely has yours.
When a pillow is too high, your head is pushed up and your neck bends to one side or forward. When it is too low, your head sinks toward the mattress. Either way, there is a gap or a bend between your shoulder, neck and mattress that the pillow does not fill. A pillow that fits fills that space with support, so your head and neck rest in a comfortable line with the rest of your body.
If you want a closer look at the topic, our pages on pillow height and on how to tell if your pillow is too high go through the signs in more detail.
What changes the height you need?
Three things matter most: how you sleep, how your body is built, and what you sleep on.
- Sleeping position. Side sleepers have the biggest gap to fill between ear and mattress, because the shoulder holds the head away from the bed. Back sleepers usually need less. Stomach sleepers usually need the least. Our guides for side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers explain what to look for in each position.
- Height and weight. Broader shoulders and a larger frame change the distance between your head and the mattress.
- Mattress firmness. On a soft mattress your shoulder sinks in more, which changes the gap. On a firm mattress it sinks in less.
These are the same four inputs the Yourzzz calculator uses: your height, weight, sleeping position and mattress firmness.
What is an adjustable memory foam pillow?
A solid block of memory foam has one shape. You cannot make it lower without cutting it. A pillow filled with memory foam flakes works differently. The flakes can be taken out or added, so the pillow can be made lower and softer, or higher, to match you.
The Yourzzz pillow is filled with premium memory foam flakes and polyester fibers. Inside is a polyester inner cover with a memory foam sheet. One side of that sheet is firmer and the other is softer, so you can choose the feel you prefer. The outer cover is a removable Tencel and polyester blend. For more on this type of filling, see our page on the shredded memory foam pillow.
How is the Yourzzz pillow adjusted?
You adjust it at home, after the pillow has arrived. This is a different approach from picking a size in advance and hoping it fits. The process has four steps.
- Order the pillow. It arrives with filling that you can remove.
- Use the calculator. Once the pillow is at your door, open the calculator and enter your height in inches, your weight in pounds, your sleeping position (side, back or stomach) and your mattress firmness (soft, medium or firm).
- Take out the recommended filling. Use a kitchen scale. The calculator also shows the final weight of the pillow. Without a scale, a 200 ml (6.8 fl oz) glass holds about 50 g (1.8 oz) of filling.
- Keep the extra filling. Store it in the storage bag, so you can adjust again later if your mattress, sleeping position or preferences change.
The algorithm behind the calculator was developed by Thijs van der Hilst. Extra filling can also be ordered separately if you decide you want the pillow higher.
What are the Yourzzz pillow facts?
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Price | $89 per pillow; buy 2 pillows and get 10% off |
| Shipping | Free on all orders |
| Size | About 25 x 17 in (64 x 44 cm); fits a standard US pillowcase (20 x 26 in) |
| Filling | Premium memory foam flakes and polyester fibers |
| Inner cover | Polyester with a memory foam sheet: one firmer side, one softer side |
| Outer cover | Tencel and polyester blend, removable, machine washable at 104°F (40°C) |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 5 years on material and production faults |
| Origin | Developed and produced in the Netherlands |
What can an adjustable pillow not do?
A pillow is one part of how you sleep. Your mattress, your sleeping position and your daily habits all play a role. We describe the Yourzzz pillow in terms of fit and support. We do not claim that it treats pain or removes the cause of stiffness.
If you wake up with ongoing neck or back pain, or you have numbness, tingling or pain that gets worse, see a healthcare provider. A better-fitting pillow will not replace a medical assessment. Our sleep guide has more general background on sleeping well.
How do you care for it, and how long does it last?
The outer cover is removable and machine washable at 104°F (40°C). The inner cover and the filling are not washable. Our care guide covers the details. For hygiene, replace the pillow after 5 years at most. Some users replace it every 3 years.
Can you try it before you commit?
Yes. You have 100 nights to decide. If you are not satisfied, you can return the pillow. There is no prepaid label, and return shipping is at your expense. Include the return form, and the refund goes to your original payment method 5 to 7 business days after we receive the pillow. The 5-year warranty covers material and production faults. It does not cover normal wear or changes in firmness. More answers are on our FAQ page.
Ready to try an adjustable pillow?
The Yourzzz pillow is $89, with free shipping and a 100-night trial. Buy 2 pillows and get 10% off. Order your Yourzzz pillow.
After delivery
Once your pillow has arrived, open the calculator. It tells you how much filling to remove from the pillow you received. Keep the extra filling in the storage bag so you can adjust again later.