Side sleepers
Back sleepers
All body types (adjustable fill)
Budget shoppers
Those who want a foam pillow
Eli And Elm Pillow Review
Side sleeping is one of the most common sleeping positions among the population, and in our own market research, we found 68.7% of 2,300 Slumber Yard readers primarily sleep on their side. As such, we were happy to review Eli & Elm’s side sleeping pillow, a sleep accessory made to promote neutral spinal alignment and properly accommodate those who sleep on their side.
The company was introduced to the scene in 2019, but they’ve already proven to deliver quality products including sheets, duvets, and of course, the Side Sleeper Pillow. So, exactly how comfortable is this pillow? Do we actually think side sleepers will love it? Find out in our Eli And Elm pillow review below.
Eli & Elm Pillow Construction And Materials
Upon first glance, you notice the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow doesn’t look like your traditional rectangular pillow. We think it’s a hybrid between a U-shaped neck pillow you use on long flights to support your head if you want to take a snooze, and a big, fluffy foam pillow.

It’s available in one size; 17” x 29”, so it’s pretty large; but we think you could get away with a queen size pillow if needed. Inside, it’s made with a polyester and shredded latex foam blend, which makes for a fluffy, but still supportive pillow.
The pillow is also hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, which means it’ll be resistant against gross household allergens like bacteria, mildew, dust mites, and more. If you’re prone to allergies, and nighttime sniffles and sneezing, this is definitely a plus for you.
Cover

The smooth-feeling textured cover, on the other hand, is made with 37% cotton, 2% spandex, and 61% polyester. It also has a phase change material to help regulate temperature, so most sleepers will find it doesn’t make them hot during the night like a traditional memory foam pillow might. We also think the spandex in the cover helps with the pillow’s breathability, not to mention, it makes the cover feel smoother and stretchier.
Pillow Loft
Side sleepers usually require a loftier (taller) pillow to keep their spine, neck, and head in neutral alignment. As such, when you have all of the pillow’s polyester and latex filling inside, it stands around 5” tall. However, shorter side sleepers can unzip the pillow and remove filling to achieve a shorter, less-lofty pillow.
Eli And Elm Side Sleeper Pillow Feel
Here’s the juicy part, how does the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow feel? It’s light and soft thanks to the fluffy polyester fill, but the latex foam shreds (a bouncy, supportive material) gives the pillow a more structured, supportive feel that will keep a side sleeper’s head properly propped up. It’s also responsive to pressure, unlike memory foam which will slowly conform to the curves of your head.
The firmness will depend on the amount of filling you have on the inside. Thanks to its adjustability, you can take it from a lofty, firm pillow to a one with a softer, lighter firmness.
Sleeper Type Analysis: Is It Best For Side Sleepers?

As the name suggests, the unique U-shaped design for the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow is perfect for side sleeping, as it provides proper neck support and contours around the curves of your head and shoulders. Regardless of your size, we think this pillow is a great choice for side sleepers who want a slightly undtraditional pillow.
Back Sleepers
During our testing, we found that the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow will also work for heavy to average-sized back sleepers who like a loftier pillow. It cradles your neck, and contours your body’s shoulders very nicely. You may need to adjust the filling for a slightly lower loft (height), especially if you weigh under 150 lbs, but we think it’s a perfectly suitable choice.
Stomach Sleepers
Unfortunately, this pillow isn’t made for folks who spend their nights on their stomach. Not only is it weirdly shaped for a stomach sleeper, but it’s also a little too lofty. We don’t think it’ll be worth it to remove a ton of filling to make it more accommodating. Instead, we recommend you look at our list of the best pillows for stomach sleepers.
How To Care For Pillow
Thankfully, the cover on the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow is machine washable. Just remove it from the cover, and throw it in your washing machine on cold and do not bleach. They also suggest you don’t use fabric softener.
To dry, tumble dry on low heat and iron as needed on low.
Price Summary

As we stated earlier, this pillow is currently available in one standard size. At MSRP, it’ll run your wallet about $150. However, we have seen Eli and Elm run discounts on this pillow from time to time, dropping the price down around $20 or so.
Yes, it’s a costly pillow, but it’s also different than most pillows we’ve seen at the Slumber Yard (aside from the Purple pillows which are incredibly unique).
Eli And Elm Pillow Review Verdict
We’ve made it to the end of our review, and it’s time to deliver our true, final thoughts. It’s no doubt an expensive pillow, and sleepers can get their hands on something that’s much cheaper. With that said, it’s made with quality materials, a customizable design, and is made to accommodate side and back sleepers of all sizes.
As such, if you’re a side sleeper who’s tried to find pillows but you keep waking up with back or shoulder pain, you may want to consider this pillow. Its ergonomic design is specifically designed to provide ample support, and we think it did the job really well.
Review team
McKenzie Dillon
Combo Sleeper
Owen Poole
Side Sleeper
Tharon Green
Stomach Sleeper
Wesley Ott
Combo Sleeper
Company Policies
How do you expect to buy a pillow online when you haven’t felt it yet? Online bedding companies, including Eli & Elm, have a few company policies to go around this issue.
- Free shipping and returns – When you purchase a pillow from the company, they’ll cover all shipping costs including return shipping.
- Trial period – They offer a 45-day return policy (better than most accessory trial periods) so you have a considerable amount of time to make sure it was worth the cost.
FAQ
The brand says that a queen size pillow case would work, but if you want a looser fit, opt for a king size pillow case.
Yes, just make sure you wash in cold water without bleach or fabric softener, and tumble dry on low.
It’s best for side sleepers, but will also work great for back sleepers. The only sleeper position we don’t recommend this pillow for is stomach sleepers.