Pluto Pillow Review: A Custom-Made Option That Turned Out Just Right
Call me Goldilocks because I’m always looking for the sleep setup that’s “just right.” If the bed is too hard (or too soft), if I’m too hot or the sheets are too scratchy, I toss and turn all night. Pillows are a particular problem: I usually need to stack them to get the right support, which doesn’t always keep my spine in correct alignment. Recently, I’ve been testing the Pluto Pillow, which is custom-made to your specifications and personal needs based on a detailed questionnaire.
The Pluto Pillow is crafted for your individual sleep needs and preferences.
As someone who spends most of the night on my back and side, with an occasional hour or so of stomach sleeping, I need a pillow that adjusts to different sleep positions. While I’ve tested (and loved) other pillows, the Pluto Pillow has become a new favorite for its plush yet firm feel, its comfort in all sleep positions and its cooling qualities. Ahead, read my full Pluto Pillow review and learn more about some of this pillow’s best features and its minor downside.
Pluto Pillow Features
A Custom-Designed Pillow Made Just For You
The most appealing feature is that this pillow is made specifically for you. You fill out a brief questionnaire that asks your age, height and weight. You also answer questions about your current pillow, including the materials, firmness level (from super soft to hard as a rock), its height and how satisfied you are with it.
Finally, you share how firm your bed is, as well as what position you fall asleep in and what position you wake up in. You also have a chance to review your answers before submitting, in case you need to change anything.
Both the pillow’s core and cover are built-to-order.
These answers are then run through the company’s proprietary algorithm to come up with the final analysis for the pillow build. The brand says real people also evaluate the responses to ensure the pillow is constructed using its patented process in a way that is most comfortable for your body size, sleep style and personal preferences.
Custom Heights And Firmness Levels
Based on your answers, the new pillow may be anywhere from 2.5 to over 12 inches thick. Mine is somewhere in the middle, at about 6 inches tall. The firmness level ranges from squishy-soft to firm and solid. Mine is somewhat firm but with a nice plush feel that’s supportive but not too hard.
I found both the height and firmness levels allow me to sleep in all positions (side, back, stomach) without discomfort. I did not need to stack other pillows underneath, as I usually do, to get into the right position and keep my neck and spine in alignment.
Cooling Features
You’re asked if your head gets hot on the questionnaire. Your pillow cover is then made with different materials to meet your needs, such as 100% cotton or a smooth cooling fabric. My pillow had a quilted temperature-regulating outer surface; I found the cooling cover silky-soft and effective in keeping my entire head and neck cool. The cover doesn’t remain cool all night, but it doesn’t heat up to a level I find uncomfortable.
A look at my Pluto Pillow’s cover.
The core is encased within a plush cover, filled with down-alternative microfibers (not polyfill or cotton batting), which varies in thickness and quantity, depending on your responses. My cover is roughly 1 to 1.5 inches thick. I like that this cover can be washed on the delicate cycle in your machine and tumble dried. Other pillows I have tested could not be machine-dried, so the covers took several days to dry flat.
My Expertise
I’ve been testing home and garden products for more than a decade. I’ve written pillow reviews, mattress reviews and numerous sleep product roundups for Forbes Vetted. With a background in health reporting, my focus includes health and lifestyle articles, with bylines in other publications such as Good Housekeeping, Elle Decor and Prevention.
Final Thoughts
After using this hybrid-design pillow for about six weeks, it’s definitely one of my favorites that I have ever tested. The company suggests a two-week break-in period, and I’d agree. The first night the pillow felt a little on the hard side, but after a couple of weeks, it definitely feels “just right.” I find it comfortable in all positions, including my back, side and stomach. I don’t have to mash it into shape every time I turn over, and it has retained its form well.
It’s also surprisingly lightweight, which might sound unimportant, but it’s a plus if you like to travel with your pillow. It’s been ideal for taking on weekend getaways since it doesn’t weigh a ton, and it’s easy to toss in the car for road trips. Having a good pillow in a hotel room or family member’s guest room definitely helps me sleep better when I’m away from home.
In addition, I like that the cover can be machine-washed and dried on gentle cycles. The only minor downside is that the foam core cannot be washed, but it’s completely encased and hidden inside the cover—so I can’t imagine a reason you’d ever need to wash the core anyhow.
I also like that the core is CertiPUR-US certified, so I know I’m not breathing in harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other potentially dangerous chemicals. The pillow had zero smell, even on the first night. As one more plus, the box the pillow was shipped in was made with wood that comes from FSC-certified forests.