Key takeaways
- One pillow height does not fit everyone. Shoulder width, sleeping position and mattress firmness all change how much support your head and neck need.
- The Yourzzz pillow is adjusted at home. After it arrives, the calculator tells you how much filling to take out, and you keep the extra filling in the storage bag.
- A well-fitting pillow supports your head and neck. It is not a treatment, and persistent pain is a reason to see a healthcare provider.
What does a custom fit pillow actually mean?
It means the pillow is not a fixed size you have to accept. Most pillows are made in one or two heights and sold as soft, medium or firm. You choose the closest option and hope for the best.
A custom fit pillow turns that around. Instead of picking a size from a shelf, you shape the pillow to your body. Thijs van der Hilst, the Dutch physiotherapist who developed the Yourzzz algorithm, compares it to shoe sizing: a store that sells one size rarely has yours.
Why do pillow height and fit matter?
When you lie down, your head, neck and shoulders rest on two surfaces: the mattress and the pillow. A pillow that is too high or too low leaves a gap, or a bend, between your shoulder, neck and mattress. A pillow that fits fills that space so your head is supported without being pushed up or left to drop.
Fit is mostly about comfort and support. Research has not shown that one pillow height prevents neck problems for everyone, and we do not claim that. What we can say is that a pillow that suits your body is easier to sleep on, and that the right height differs from person to person. For more on how sleep and your setup work together, see our Yourzzz sleep guide.
How does your sleeping position change what fits?
Your sleeping position changes the distance your pillow needs to fill.
- Side sleepers have the largest gap between ear and mattress, because the shoulder holds the body up. They usually need more loft. Our page on the best pillow for side sleepers goes into this.
- Back sleepers have a smaller gap and usually need a medium or lower loft so the head is not pushed forward. See the back sleeper guide.
- Stomach sleepers turn the head to the side and usually do better with a low, soft pillow. The stomach sleeper guide explains why height matters here.
Many people change position during the night. If you fall asleep on your side and wake up on your back, pick the position you fall asleep in as your starting point. You can adjust again later if it does not feel right.
Does mattress firmness matter for pillow fit?
Yes. On a soft mattress your shoulder sinks in, which reduces the gap your pillow has to fill. On a firm mattress your shoulder stays higher, and the gap is larger. The same person can need a different pillow height on a different mattress. That is why the Yourzzz calculator asks whether your mattress is soft, medium or firm, along with your height, weight and sleeping position.
What can a custom fit pillow not do?
We want to be clear about this. A pillow that fits will not fix a worn-out mattress, and we do not say it removes the cause of stiffness or pain. It changes how your head and neck are supported, nothing more.
If you wake up with pain that keeps coming back, or you have numbness, tingling, weakness in an arm or pain after an injury, see a healthcare provider. Our pages on waking up with neck pain and pillows and neck pain cover what you can check yourself first.
How is the Yourzzz pillow adjusted?
The Yourzzz pillow is filled with premium memory foam flakes and polyester fibers. You adjust it by taking filling out, which makes the pillow lower and softer. You do this at home, after the pillow has been delivered.
- Order the pillow. You do not need to measure or calculate anything beforehand.
- Use the calculator. When the pillow has arrived, open the Yourzzz calculator and enter your height (inches), weight (lbs), sleeping position (side, back or stomach) and mattress firmness (soft, medium or firm).
- Take out the filling. The calculator tells you how much filling to remove and shows the final weight of the pillow. Use a kitchen scale. 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.
The algorithm behind the calculator was developed by Thijs van der Hilst. For a broader look at finding the right height, read our guide to the adjustable loft pillow.
What are the details of the Yourzzz pillow?
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $89 per pillow; buy 2 pillows and get 10% off |
| 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 and one softer side |
| Outer cover | Tencel and polyester blend, removable, machine washable at 104°F (40°C) |
| Not washable | Inner cover and filling |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 5 years on material and production faults |
| Origin | Developed and produced in the Netherlands |
The inner cover has a firmer side and a softer side, so you can turn the pillow over and see which one you prefer. Wash only the outer cover. Our care guide explains how to look after the rest.
Can you adjust the pillow again later?
Yes. Bodies and mattresses change, and a first guess is not always right. Because you keep the removed filling in the storage bag, you can put some back and make the pillow higher again. The storage bag is also handy when you travel with the pillow. Extra filling can be ordered separately if you want to go higher than the pillow as delivered.
Every pillow wears out eventually. We recommend replacing a Yourzzz pillow after 5 years at most for hygiene. Some users replace it every 3 years. Our page on how often to replace pillows has more detail.
What if it still does not suit you?
You have 100 nights to try it. If you are not satisfied, you can return the pillow. There is no prepaid label, so return shipping is at your expense, and you need to include the return form. The refund goes to your original payment method 5 to 7 business days after we receive the return. The 5-year warranty covers material and production faults. Normal wear and changes in firmness are not covered. Questions about returns are answered on our FAQ page.
Ready to try a pillow that fits you?
If one fixed size has never felt right, an adjustable pillow is a practical alternative. You order first and adjust at home, with a 100-night trial to make sure it works for you. Order your Yourzzz pillow for $89, or buy two and get 10% off.
After delivery
Once your pillow has arrived, open the calculator. It tells you how much filling to remove from the pillow you received, based on your height, weight, sleeping position and mattress firmness. Keep the extra filling in the storage bag in case you want to adjust again.