Here’s a quick geometry pop quiz for you: what has a cube shape but is a perfect pillow for side sleepers? The answer? The Pillow Cube!
In this Pillow Cube review, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about this unique pillow, including who it’s for, my experience testing it, and a whole lot more.
Pillow Cube Sidekick
Side sleepers, are you looking for a pillow made just for you? Look no further than the Pillow Cube! This uniquely shaped pillow fits your "shoulder gap" (the space between your neck and your shoulder) perfectly! Get the best rest you can get with the Pillow Cube!
Mattress Clarity Score
4.90 / 5
Read Full Review
Pillow Cube Review Overview
The Pillow Cube is not a traditional pillow! Making its debut in 2019, it made us rethink the way pillows could look and how they work. Made by side sleepers, for side sleepers, the Pillow Cube’s unique shape will be a natural fit for this sleeping position.
Overall Rating
Since its debut with the Pillow Cube classic, also known as the Sidekick, it’s launched the Side Sleeper Pro, and a cooling pillow cleverly called the Ice Cube. For this review, I received the classic Sidekick. Here’s a quick overview to see who will enjoy this pillow and who might not enjoy it:
Who Might Like the Pillow Cube Sidekick:
- Side sleepers
- Fans of slow moving memory foam
- Hot sleepers
Who Might Not Like the Pillow Cube Sidekick:
- Stomach sleepers
- People who prefer down or down alternative pillows
- Side sleepers who toss and turn (opt for the longer, rectangular shaped Side Sleeper Deluxe)
Pillow Cube Video Review
Is this the pillow of your dreams? Check out our video review to see this unique product in action!
Pillow Cube Firmness and Feel
Just like a mattress, everyone has different firmness and feel preferences, so let’s go over how firm I thought this pillow was, and my experience sleeping on it.
How Firm is the Pillow Cube?
The original Pillow Cube is a single cube of memory foam. It’s not the firmest pillow out there, but it is fairly thick. I’d rate this pillow to be about a medium-firm pillow. It’ll provide great support, but will still conform to your head as you rest.
Sleeping on the Pillow Cube
As a side sleeper, I really enjoyed using my Pillow Cube. Because this pillow is designed to fit your “shoulder gap,” or the space between your neck and your shoulder, sleeping on it feels very comfortable and natural.
You don’t have to mold the pillow or worry about it becoming a weird shape. Now, because I tend to switch sides at night, the Sidekick pillow is a little too short for me. I’d need the longer Side Sleeper Pro. But if you’re the type of side sleeper who tends to stay in one position at night, the shorter Sidekick could be all you need!
Back sleeping on this pillow could work, but because it’s a taller pillow, it might push your chin too far into your chest. Stomach sleepers should definitely steer clear. It’ll be too tall, and with you already resting with your head turned to the side, you might develop some neck pain while using this.
What does the Pillow Cube Feel Like?
Being made entirely of memory foam, this pillow has that classic slow-moving feel to it. You’ll feel your head sink into this pillow, so if that’s your preference, this could be a great pillow for you.
Average Weight Sleepers – 130 lbs – 230lbs
If you’re an average weight person who prefers side sleeping, this is a great option for you. You’ll get a lot of comfort from the memory foam, and it should fit fairly naturally into your shoulder gap.
Average weight back sleepers might enjoy this pillow. If you’re a back-side combo sleeper, the Sidekick could be too short in length, so you may want the longer Side Sleeper Pro. If you’re exclusively a back sleeper, this could work, but I’d recommend something with a lower height.
Stomach sleepers need a very low pillow, and because this is a rather tall pillow, it is not going to be the best choice for this sleeping position.
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230lbs
As a heavier person myself, I think the Pillow Cube is a great choice for heavier side sleepers. I didn’t feel my head sink too far into the foam, so I still got a good amount of support.
Heavier back sleepers may be able to compress the foam more, and could sleep comfortably. But ultimately, it would be better to find something with a lower loft.
It’s a similar story for stomach sleepers. You could compress the foam enough, but again, I’d really not recommend this for stomach sleepers of any kind.
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130lbs
Lightweight side sleepers should enjoy the pillow cube. Because it’s so tall, and full of memory foam, you may not compress the foam enough, but I still think this should be a fairly comfortable pillow to use.
I wouldn’t recommend this to lightweight back and stomach sleepers though. I don’t see you guys compressing the foam enough to keep your head and neck in a proper alignment while you sleep, which could cause some neck pain down the line.
RELATED: Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
Pillow Cube Construction
Let’s take a quick look at what makes up the Pillow Cube.
Cover
On the outside, there is a cover made of polyester. It is fairly breathable, and is very soft to the touch.
When you receive your Pillow Cube, it comes with a standard white cover on the outside. However, Pillow Cube does have other pillowcases for you to choose from.
These cases range from various colors and designs (my personal favorite is the one that makes the pillow look like a stack of waffles). The unique shape of this pillow means you have to get your pillow cases from Pillow Cube.
Core
Opening the cover up, you’ll find a solid, well, cube of memory foam! This is your typical viscoelastic polyurethane memory foam. Unlike standard memory foam which can trap heat, this memory foam pillow is designed to be temperature regulating. This is great news for my fellow hot sleepers out there!
Weight
The Pillow Cube is fairly light. I’d say it’s no more than 1.5 lbs.
Height/Loft
When it comes to how tall a pillow is, we refer to that as loft. This pillow is designed to fit your “shoulder gap,” or the space between your shoulder and your neck.
For this review, I received the standard size Sidekick pillow cube, which is recommended for anyone 5’4” to 6’3”. The standard Sidekick is 5” tall and can fit a narrower shoulder easily.
The other option is the Thick option, which is designed for anyone 6’3” or taller, and is 6” tall. This is great for people with broad shoulders.
Pillow Cube Size Options and Price
Take a look at the chart below for up-to-date price information on the Pillow Cube!
| Size | Price |
| Standard (5” tall) | $69.99 |
| Thick (6” tall) | $69.99 |
Pillow Cube Sidekick
Side sleepers, are you looking for a pillow made just for you? Look no further than the Pillow Cube! This uniquely shaped pillow fits your "shoulder gap" (the space between your neck and your shoulder) perfectly! Get the best rest you can get with the Pillow Cube!
Mattress Clarity Score
4.90 / 5
Read Full Review
Pillow Cube Performance
So, how did this side sleeper like the number one pillow for side sleepers? Here’s how it performed for me in a few key categories.
Sleeping Hot or Cold
Both the cover and the foam core of this pillow are designed to sleep fairly temperature neutral. The polyester cover is pretty breathable while the foam is designed to be temperature regulating.
The Sidekick and the Side Sleeper Pro both shouldn’t sleep too hot. However, if you’re an extremely hot sleeper, or just worried that the foam will retain heat, you can always opt for the Ice Cube option.
Off-Gassing
Being made of foam, the Pillow Cube has the ability to be compressed into a box when it ships. There may be a little off-gassing when you open it up, but the smell should dissipate within 24 hours.
When I unboxed my pillow, it came to form fairly quickly, but it’s best to let it air out a bit and off-gas in a well-ventilated area before first use.
Care Instructions
The Pillow Cube comes with its outside cover, and to wash that, you can wash it how you normally would. Which is to say, with like colors, detergent of your choice, and with a typical cycle.
If you’re using a pillowcase over it, you shouldn’t have to wash it more than once or twice a year. But if you do not use a pillowcase, it’s best to wash the cover as often as you can.
If you decide to purchase a pillowcase from Pillow Cube, it’s recommended that you wash it weekly with colors, and then tumble dry.
Allergies
The Pillow Cube isn’t listed as hypoallergenic, but it shouldn’t trigger any allergies.
Company Policies
If you decide to purchase a Pillow Cube, here’s what you can expect:
Sleep Trial
You can test your pillow cube with a 60 day sleep trial period.
Return Policy
If, during the 60 day trial period, you decide you don’t like your Pillow Cube, you can return it for a full refund.
Pillow Cube only ships within the 48 contiguous United States.
Common Pillow Cube Complaints
Most of the customer reviews I see online deal with the pillow’s size and price. Some weren’t quite sure which height to choose, and found their Sidekick to be too tall or too short. Pillow Cube does provide some guiding information to help you find the right size, and you can even take a quiz to ensure you get the right pillow for you.
Others have said, based on construction, it seemed a bit overpriced. However, others have said that since the pillow helps them get a better night’s sleep, it could be worth the money.
How Does the Pillow Cube Compare To Other Pillows?
If you’re looking for bed pillows, chances are you’ve heard of a lot of other brands, but maybe don’t know what to pick. Let’s see how the Pillow Cube stacks up to other pillows on the market.
Pillow Cube vs Eli & Elm
One of our favorite pillows for side sleepers is the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow. With “side sleeper” in its name, it’s one of our best pillows for side sleepers. But what’s different about it when compared to the Pillow Cube?
To start, both pillows have a fairly unique shape to them, with the Pillow Cube being a cube, and the Eli & Elm pillow being a “U” shape. This shape in the Eli & Elm pillow perfectly accommodates your shoulder. Likewise, the Pillow Cube was designed to fit your shoulder more naturally, too.
However, the Eli & Elm is full of polyester fibers and latex noodles. You’re able to unzip the inner lining of this pillow and take out or add in fill as needed to adjust the height. The Pillow Cube is just a solid piece of foam, so there’s no way to adjust the height here.
Because of those latex noodles and polyester fibers, the Eli & Elm pillow feels much more responsive than the Pillow Cube. The cube is a single piece of slow-moving memory foam so you’ll sink into it a little more.
The Eli & Elm might be a good option if you toss and turn at night due to its length. The Sidekick is better for side sleepers who stay put at night. But if you prefer the slow-moving feel of foam, you can always opt for the Side Sleeper Pro cube.
Finally, in terms of price, the Sidekick is a bit more affordable than the Eli & Elm.
Who Should Get the Pillow Cube?
- Fans of slow-moving memory foam
- Side sleepers who tend to stay put during the night
Who Should Get the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow?
- Fans of a responsive feeling pillow
- Anyone who wants to adjust their pillow’s height
Read our full Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow review.
Pillow Cube vs Tuft & Needle
Another pillow that’s made of a solid piece of foam is the Tuft & Needle pillow.
Both the Pillow Cube and the Tuft & Needle pillow have a 5” loft, so they should be able to keep your head elevated during the night.
The Tuft & Needle pillow, however, is a custom cut piece of aerated foam and is the standard shape for a pillow. This makes it a good option for people who tend to toss and turn. Back sleepers should also find the support they need in this pillow. The Pillow Cube is ideal for side sleepers.
The foam that’s used is Tuft & Needle’s proprietary Adaptive Foam, and it feels much more responsive than the traditional, slow-moving memory foam found in the Pillow Cube.
While the original Pillow Cube doesn’t feature anything specific for cooling outside of a breathable cover and temperature regulating foam, it does come in the Ice Cube option. The Tuft & Needle pillow has foam infused with graphite and cooling beads which will pull heat away from your body. It’s also perforated with holes for airflow as well.
Who Should Get the Pillow Cube?
- Strict side sleepers
- Fans of slow-moving memory foam
Who Should Get the Tuft & Needle Pillow?
- Hot sleepers
- Side/back combo sleepers
Read our full Tuft & Needle Pillow review.
FAQs
Still have questions? I’m here to help! Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Pillow Cube.
Can you sleep on your back on the Pillow Cube?
Some back sleepers may find enough comfort and support on the Pillow Cube. However, this pillow was specifically designed for side sleepers, so it may not work for back sleeping depending on your body type.
If you’re a back/side combination sleeper who spends most of the night on your side, the Pillow Cube could work!
Does the Pillow Cube come with a pillowcase?
The Pillow Cube does come with an outer cover made from polyester. This could act as a pillowcase on its own, but if you prefer to have a pillow case, you will have to purchase one directly from Pillow Cube, due to its unique shape.
How long does it take for the Pillow Cube to expand?
In my experience, the Pillow Cube expanded relatively quickly. However, it’s best to keep the pillow in a well ventilated area while it off-gasses. You should wait about 12-24 hours for it to fully air out before first use.