Britt is a stargazer and sunrise-chaser with a collection of magic erasers, and a fascination with the fantastic. A storyteller at heart, she finds inspiration in all the small things, and can likely be found singing show tunes, catching up on K-dramas, or going on adventures to satiate her natural-born wanderlust. (Sometimes even all at the same time.)
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The 21st century certainly has its disadvantages. Amid skyrocketing temperatures and an abundance of tiny (but not always affordable) apartments, it can be easy to feel emotionally drained. Sometimes, however, I think about how our forebears had it much worse in many ways. For example, it used to be common practice for pillows and mattresses to be stuffed with straw, animal hair, and other not comfortable materials. In remembering this, I feel blessed to live in a time of so much technological and textile innovation. Not only do I not have to wake up at the crack of dawn to work on the farm, I’m also not subjected to backache-inducing sleep on a lumpy sack beforehand. If anything, the plethora of cooling, moisture-wicking, foam, organic, and further customizable bedding essentials on the market practically prohibits anything but a relaxing night’s rest.
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What’s more, AT editors are constantly testing and sharing different home products in a variety of categories, including bedding, to help you determine the best fit for your own space. Not too long ago, AT commerce managing editor Ivy Ford tried out Tuft & Needle’s original foam pillow, and it completely changed the way she sleeps. “I found myself actually excited to go to sleep because I love my Tuft & Needle so much,” she wrote. “At $100, it’s still an investment purchase, but at a much more affordable price point than some options that run upwards of $150 — and the quality is seriously top-notch.” Now, you can actually get the original foam pillow for $85 instead of $100.
What makes this pillow a standout even amid pricier alternatives is that its firm, adaptive foam material conforms to your body, providing support all night long. Tuft & Needle customers appear to be nothing short of pleased with their purchases. “I’m kind of stunned at how great this pillow is,” one buyer wrote. “I am a back and side sleeper, and it’s hard to find a pillow that’s good for both, but I’m super happy with it.” When Ivy slept on the original foam pillow, she found that it somehow managed to hold her head and neck in a comfortable position, yet it was soft enough to sink into. “If you’re looking for a medium-firm or a medium-plush feel, this is a perfect pick,” she shared. Additionally, the pillow contains graphite and cooling gel beads that pull heat away, and its smooth cover is super breathable. It seems like this product has it all. Don’t miss out while it’s on sale!
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Friends, gather round and allow me to share my cautionary tale with you. When you finally get to the point where you’re absolutely done with cheap pillows because of you’re tired of waking up with a sore neck, I implore you to shop around a bit before purchasing. Do not, I repeat, do not splurge on the first pricey, grown-up pillow you try — because there’s likely something just as good, if not better and less expensive, out there. That’s the lesson I learned, at least, when I got to try Tuft & Needle’s Original Foam Pillow for our Best List pillow testing.
I have to say that although the Tempur-Pedic pillow I bought (when I was having my “I’ve had it” moment) is absolutely wonderful and did solve my stiff neck problems — and I don’t even *want* to admit this because I made an investment purchase, but… I like my Tuft & Needle pillow more. Way more. Okay, I absolutely love it and had to think hard about how to incorporate it into my sleep life since I don’t want to even think about not using my other pillow and wasting money. That’s still a work in progress, but my point is: Supportive foam pillows with many added benefits do not have to be super pricey. (Just read The Best Pillows You Can Buy Right Now for proof of that sentiment!) It retails for $85, but compared to other similar pillows on the market, I found this one to be, by far, the best value for the quality you’re getting.
As soon as I started testing a few pillows, I couldn’t stop turning to the Tuft & Needle for an amazing night’s sleep. I’m mainly a side sleeper who tosses and turns, and because I need piles of heavy blankets (even in the summer, and yes, I know that’s weird), sometimes I do sleep a little hot. The pillow cover’s breathable wicking material made my pillowcase glide right on, and the custom-cut foam pillow and the cooling gel beds and graphite technology within worked together beautifully to create a cooling base with the perfect density. The pillow was firm enough to support my head and neck in any position, but soft and squishy enough to sink right in. (If you’re looking for a medium-firm or a medium-plush feel, this is a perfect pick.)
All in all, I found myself actually excited to go to sleep because I love my Tuft & Needle so much, and that’s when I truly knew I was in trouble with my other pillow. At $85, it’s still an investment purchase, but at a much more affordable price point than some options that run upwards of $150 — and the quality is seriously top-notch… just try it for yourself!
