I Never Found a Pillow I Like—Until I Tried a Custom-Built Pluto Pillow
Updated: Jan. 31, 2024
Yes, even a modern-day Goldilocks can have a fairytale ending when it comes to finding her perfect pillow.
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Some people can fall asleep anywhere, at any time. I’m not that person. I require roughly 19 conditions to be exactly perfect to have any real chance of getting a good night’s sleep. First, there’s my DreamCloud Mattress. Next, the room has to be pitch black by way of blackout curtains. Then, there must be complete silence and the gentle hum of my trusty Hatch Restore sleep machine (learn all about it in our review), a little Neurogan CBD to help calm my racing thoughts, a Mulberry silk pillowcase to preserve my hair, and of course, the perfect pillow.
As you can see, I’ve solved every one of those problems over the years (OK, finding the best mattress took a hot minute)—except for the best pillow. I feel like I’ve tried them all at this point (though, admittedly, I haven’t tried the Pillow Cube), and I always find myself painfully aware at 2 a.m. that the one-size-fits-all mentality of most pillow manufacturers just doesn’t work for me. And I’ve probably wasted a thousand dollars on my pillow purchase fails.
That’s why I couldn’t believe my bedtime prayers were answered when I discovered the Pluto Pillow.
What is the Pluto Pillow?
The Pluto Pillow is a pillow that’s custom-built to your specific needs. How do they know how to build it? You’ll answer a series of online questions about your height, weight, sleep habits (such as the position you fall asleep in and the position you wake up in), and your thoughts on your current pillow.
The brand then runs your data (don’t worry, they don’t sell that sensitive information) through their proprietary algorithm and out pops the profile for your perfect pillow.
Pluto Pillow’s choice of materials creates more than 35 possible variations. The pillows have a modular design that’s crafted from a solid foam core and encased in an outer plush layer, which is how they adjust the height, density, and temperature.
Once they’ve created your custom masterpiece, Pluto Pillow ships it to your home for free, and you have 110 risk-free nights to test it out.
How we tested the Pluto Pillow
Once my Pluto Pillow arrived in its eye-catching packaging, I took it out and immediately inspected its contents. Upon unzipping the case, I discovered the foam core inside and the ample padding on both sides of the encasement.
Then, I compared it to the pillow I’ve been using to see how it measured up in thickness and length. It was about the same thickness, but a bit shorter. It wasn’t immediately obvious to me what the differences were just by looking at it, and I began to be a bit skeptical.
Next, I tried taking a nap to test drive it. (As you might have guessed, napping isn’t a skill I’ve ever mastered, but here I was giving it my best shot.) My Pluto Pillow felt comfortable and supportive—but I definitely detected an odor coming from the foam. It wasn’t as strong as some of the others I’ve experienced, but I decided to let it air out for a few hours before trying again.
The odor dissipated quickly, and I slept on the pillow that night. Throughout the first two nights, I tossed and turned as I got used to my new pillow. (Pluto Pillow suggests a two-week-long break-in period to fully adjust.)
After a few weeks, I became most impressed with how the Pluto Pillow cradled my head and supported my neck. As a side sleeper, I’ve found that thick pillows don’t support the hollow area under my neck, which causes a weird bend that leaves me stiff and sore. And pillows that are too thick force my neck to hyperextend—another miserable feeling.
With the Pluto Pillow, I noticed that I don’t wake up in the middle of the night because my pillow has flattened or bunched up strangely—those sleep problems are a thing of the past. And the addition of the cooling fibers kept me cool all night long, which is a great attribute for a hot sleeper like myself. Though the differences between my standard pillow and the Pluto Pillow are subtle, it’s the absence of discomfort while sleeping—and when I wake up—that make this $110 plush 110 percent worth it.
This modern-day, brunette Goldilocks found the pillow that was just right.
Pluto Pillow features
Pros:
What I liked about the Pluto Pillow
- Custom-created for each individual
- 110-night risk-free trial
- Hypoallergenic
- Free shipping
- Temperature-regulating options
- One-year warranty
- Machine washable cover (not the foam)
Cons:
What to consider about the Pluto Pillow
- Contains Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Not available in Alaska or Hawaii
- On the pricier side
Frequently asked questions about the Pluto Pillow
What is the foam like?
According to the brand’s website, foams used in the Pluto Pillow are a high-performance, breathable polyfoam made in the USA. They’re CertiPUR-US certified, meaning they’re free of ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP, and TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Does the foam smell?
Yes, I noticed a slight smell coming from the Pluto Pillow when I first tested it, but after letting it air out for a few hours, the smell went away. The Pluto Pillow website explains that the scent comes from fresh foam—not harmful chemicals—and will dissipate within a few hours.
Will I be able to see my exact pillow after completing the questionnaire?
Since the Pluto Pillow is made to order based on your sleep profile, you won’t be able to see your specially designed pillow before checking out.
What is the 110-Night Trial?
Likely one of the best features of the Pluto Pillow package is that it offers customers 110 nights to test their specially designed plush. If you aren’t happy with it after 110 nights, you can return the Pluto Pillow for a full refund.
Other Pluto Pillow reviews
Over 1,400 reviewers give the Pluto Pillow five stars. Though negative reviews are rare, the brand responds to unsatisfactory experiences to find a solution.
Verified customer M.B. writes: “I have literally bought several hundred dollars’ worth of pillows—they all suck! No matter how much they’re designed to alleviate neck pain, I would wake up with a killer headache. I got my Pluto Pillow and let me tell you, it’s freaking AMAZING! No neck pain, no headaches!”
Fellow verified customer A.V.D. writes: “First of all, the pillow itself is the most cozy pillow I’ve ever felt. I did not have super high hopes because in my 33 years of life, I’ve never really found ‘the perfect’ pillow. The pillow I received from Pluto was 99 percent perfect—it’s like we had a conversation, and they knew exactly what feel I wanted. However, I needed the pillow just a tad bit lower in loft. I reached out to them via email, and I was met with a human, humble, and very helpful response in less than a day. They are already working out solutions with me that will fit my needs best.”
Final verdict
I’m flying across the country in a week and I’m already dreading the fact that I won’t have enough room to pack my Pluto Pillow. I’ve grown used to its cozy embrace, perfect height, and comforting density. But I’m thrilled to have a dreamy solution waiting for me when I return home.
Where to buy the Pluto Pillow
Pluto Pillow is sold exclusively on the brand’s website, for $110. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, make use of the company’s referral program—it’ll net anyone you share your code with $5 off their first purchase, and you’ll receive $10 in cash rewards (via PayPal).
Originally Published: June 08, 2022
