Over my past decade in the mattress industry, an item that has frequently been a topic of excitement, alongside mattresses, is the humble pillow. Spending quality time with the Dreams Extra Firm Support Pillow, I've had a rather intriguing experience which I'm excited to share with you in this review.
Design and Features
At first glance, the Dreams Extra Firm Support Pillow promises a luxurious sleep experience. Clothed in a soft-touch embossed polyester cover, it issues an unspoken invitation to sink in for a night of restful slumber. It's packed with 25% more fibre fillings than standard pillows, so 'extra' is not just a term on the label. The pillow takes pride in serving the needs of side sleepers and those of us seeking that additional bit of support. But what about the practicalities? Well, fret not; it is fully hypoallergenic and easily machine washable at 40°C. Further boosting its credibility, the fillings promise to stand the test of time and repeated washing.
Construction
Opening the soft-touch cover of this firm pillow reveals extra fibre fillings engineered to deliver long-lasting support and comfort. The fillings, which are 25% more than you'd find in your standard pillow, offer a reassuring pillow loft that is hard to resist. Now, it is natural, considering its 'Extra Firm' designation, to wonder if it comes across as uncomfortably hard. However, my time in the mattress industry has taught me that firmness and comfort can indeed go hand in hand, provided there's a perfect equilibrium. This seems to be exactly what the Dreams Extra Firm Support Pillow has attempted to curate.
Suitability
Now, the pillow in terms of my personal experience. I'm predominantly a back sleeper and this plays a large role in my pillow preference. Now, I couldn't help but realise that the Dreams Extra Firm Support Pillow may not be the most suitable for me personally due to its extra firmness. Back sleepers like me tend to prefer a medium to firm pillow to ensure the perfect amount of support and alignment for our neck and spine. However, the extra firmness of this particular pillow felt slightly overwhelming, causing disturbance rather than promoting relaxation.
But let's not generalise based on my personal, somewhat biased experience. The fact that I didn't find the pillow to my exact liking doesn't negate the potential it holds for others, particularly the side sleepers. Remember that what works best for one person may not work best for another.
The reviews split much the same way. One owner called it "good for side sleeping" but "a bit deep for some", and another found the pillows "too thick for me being a back sleeper". It isn't a hard rule, though, because a few owners say it works for them on their back as well as their side.
What Customers Thought
Owners mostly like it, and support is what they talk about most. Several say their neck is better for it. One has had "no shoulder or neck pain since using", and another is sleeping with "no neck pain or headaches". A few who used to sleep on two pillows now manage with this one.
Height is the most common complaint. One owner who likes a firmer pillow found this one "both really firm and really high", and another called it "way too high and bouncy for me". Some found it a squeeze to get into a standard pillowcase.
Owners don't agree on the firmness. Most call it firm and one found it "too firm for my liking", but another said it was "not quite as firm as I expected" and one that it is "NOT firm at all". Several say it keeps its shape, though one owner's was "not bouncing back to its original shape" and another's "didn't last more than 2 months". It doesn't suit every neck: one owner said it "gave me a stiffness in my neck".
The Verdict
Keeping front and centre my in-store product testing and the collection of customer reviews, I can assert that the Dreams Extra Firm Support Pillow, although not perfectly suited to my personal preference as a back sleeper, holds excellent potential for side sleepers or anyone seeking that extra firmness. Its high-quality construction and the credentials of being easily washable and hypoallergenic make it a pragmatically luxurious addition to your bedroom. However, your personal sleep style and comfort preferences should guide your final decision making.
If you're a side sleeper or someone seeking additional support to keep your neck and shoulders in alignment, the Dreams Extra Firm Support Pillow could prove to be your dream partner. But for back or stomach sleepers like myself, you may need to consider compromising on that extra bit of firmness for the sake of comfort. After all, there's a pillow for every sleeper, and the trick lies in finding the one which primes you for the sweetest dreams!
