It’s impossible to overstate how much the comfort and quality level of a mattress affect sleep quality. However, we tend to pay less attention to something that’s just as important: The humble pillow.
The Idle Sleep company bamboo pillows pros include cool gel memory foam, excellent conforming support, great airflow, soft and cool bamboo cover, durability, and two size options. The cons include the high price and only a soft firmness option.
UPDATE: On September 16, 2022 I checked the Idle Sleep website and their other sister company websites and it appears they are out of business
Scott Boyd
This premium pillow experience combines cooling gel technology, memory foam, and a removable cover that’s made of bamboo velour.
You’ll find a lot of technology packed into this bamboo pillow, and it just might help you to get a better night’s sleep.
As you might imagine, buying this comfort and technology isn’t cheap. For anyone who’s battling insomnia, the price is probably worth it.
TIP: The Sleep Foundation reports that about 30 percent of people experience the symptoms of insomnia at some point. Measures like investing in a better bed and improved pillow may put an end to insomnia.
About the Idle Sleep Gel Memory Foam Pillow
In the reviews that I have found the owners love this memory foam pillow because it stays cool all night.
Plus, they say it provides excellent support for the head and neck. Idle Sleep’s bamboo model is able to stay cool because it features a ventilated design.
This means that there are small holes punctured throughout, and these allow for improved airflow.
Helping with the process is the premium bamboo cover. This cover is removable, but because it’s comfortable and hypoallergenic, I’m not sure why you’d want to sleep without it.
TIP: This soft and plush bamboo cover feels a lot like a premium pillowcase, which may mean that you don’t need to use a pillowcase.
The main part is constructed of proprietary Zoned Idle Gel Memory Foam.
This technology ensures that it is better at maintaining its shape than the competition and that it generally is softer and cooler than most memory foam pillows.
Unlike other premium models, this one is made from a single block of memory foam.
TIP: Note that many other memory foam pillows contain shreds of memory foam that can be taken out or put back in to suit your comfort and sleep style.
This makes Idle Sleep’s model less customizable, but it doesn’t seem to detract much from the comfort of the experience.
About Idle Sleep
Idle Sleep does more than just make a great memory foam pillow. They also manufacture a collection of top-of-the-line mattresses, adjustable bases, foundations, sateen bed sheets, and mattress protectors.
This company distinguishes itself from the competition by offering an 18-month trial period.
That’s significantly longer than any trial period offered by other mattress firms. Plus, you get free shipping and returns as well as a lifetime warranty.
Now that we understand more about Idle Sleep and its products, let’s take a deep dive into the characteristics of its memory foam pillow.
After examining the pros and cons, you’ll be able to determine whether or not this one is the right one for you.
Pro No. 1: Cool Gel Memory Foam
Are you one of those people who wakes up over and over again during the night to turn their pillow over to the cool side? I am. If you are too, then it’s worth trying this pillow.
The cooling gel is really effective, and I believe that the memory foam is some of the softest and fluffiest on the market today.
That may not necessarily mean that this model will work for everyone, but I think it will be a hit with the majority of the population.
Pro No. 2: Excellent Conforming Support
Contoured comfort is an absolute must This is what your head and neck need to stay aligned and supported throughout the night.
With Idle Sleep’s bamboo model, this is precisely what you get. Cheaper options, like those that are stuffed with cotton, simply can’t offer this level of contouring support. The result of sleeping on cheap models is back and neck pain.
And who can sleep well when they’ve literally got a pain in the neck?
Idle Sleep’s bamboo offers some of the best-contoured support around. It just might eliminate your head and neck pain.
Pro No. 3: Great Air Flow
One of the biggest complaints that many people have about memory foam is that it gets so hot. No one can sleep with a sweaty head, and that’s why some people prefer to live without memory foam mattresses or pillows.
The folks at Idle Sleep have effectively done away with this gripe by using lots of holes to keep the air moving. Since cool sleeping is recommended by experts this is essential to quality sleep.
Pro No. 4: The Soft and Cool Bamboo Cover
In my opinion, the addition of a removable bamboo velour cover was a stroke of genius.
This material is soft, and breathable, prevents heat build-up, wicks away moisture, and does away with the sweaty feeling that’s often associated with memory foam pillows.
Because it’s removable, you can wash it as often as you like.
The quality and feel of the cover are excellent, so you don’t even need to use a pillowcase if one isn’t available or if you just like the feel of the bamboo material.
Pro No. 5: Excellent Durability
The gel memory foam and the bamboo velour cover are of excellent quality, material, and construction.
This is borne out in the longevity of these products. There’s a five-year warranty, which probably gives a pretty good indication of how long this should last.
Pro No. 6: Two Sizes
This might seem like a little thing, but if you have a king size mattress you know it looks a little funny with two little pillows on the bed when it is made.
Not to mention you can’t enjoy the entire width of a king bed if you only have a queen bed’s width of pillows. The sizes include:
- Queen: 16 x 29″
- King: 16 x 35″
Con No. 1: Price
Idle Sleep may have crafted sleep nirvana, and they know it. This gel memory foam bamboo pillow with a removable bamboo velour cover is available in both king and queen sizes, and you may just gasp at the prices.
The good news is that the company offers zero percent financing on many of its products, and it will certainly last you longer than most.
Still, the steep cost may be a turn off for some.
Con No. 2: Firmness Level
This is a con solely based on personal preference. That’s because this pillow is definitely designed to be soft, whereas I tend to prefer slightly firmer support for my heavy head.
Clearly, your experience will be different if you love a really soft feel with your head sinking deep.
Despite the softness, rest assured that it does deliver excellent support. If you can get used to a softer firmness, then you may want to get on the Idle Sleep bandwagon.
Is Idle Sleep’s Gel Memory Foam Pillow Worth It?
I know that the price may be startling for many people, but I’m taking the leap to say that the cost is worth it.
A memory foam bamboo pillow that actually stays cool all night long? There was a time when I didn’t even think that was possible.
Idle Sleep has proven me wrong, giving me the right combination of support and cooling. Now, if it just came in a slightly firmer option, that would be nirvana for me.
