Brooklinen Marlow Pillow Review: Dreamy Comfort For Side Sleepers
Brooklinen is known for its comfortable luxury bedding, with a catalog that includes everything from soft linens and comforters to a down-alternative mattress topper. Most of the pillows in the brand’s lineup are made from down or down-alternative materials, but the Marlow Pillow stands out thanks to its comfortable blend of supportive and soft materials, and its breathable and versatile design. My Brooklinen Marlow Pillow review summarizes my experience with the pillow after sleeping with it for several months and details who I think it is—and isn’t—suitable for.
My Brooklinen Marlow Pillow review reveals my thoughts on the fluffy bedding accessory after … [+]
Pillows aren’t always designed to be a one-size-fits-all option, and a pillow that properly accommodates your sleep style and body type can make a difference in your quality of sleep. I’ve tested dozens of pillows as a mattress and sleep editor, but the Marlow Pillow has stood out for a list of reasons that I’ll get into below.
Our score: 9 | Fill material: Polyurethane foam and polyester fiber | Firmness: Adjustable | Size: Standard and king | Trial: 365 nights
Best for:
- Side and combination sleepers
- People who sleep warm
- Those with allergies or sensitive skin (vegan and allergy-friendly)
Skip if:
- You’re a stomach sleeper
- You want a light, fluffy pillow
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow Features
Made With A Blend Of Comfortable, Supportive Materials
The Marlow Pillow is made with a cozy combination of materials; 80% is made from gel-infused memory foam, and the other 20% consists of fluffy, airy polyester fibers. This design offers the best of both worlds—the foam provides ample support for the head and neck, while the polyester fibers give it a soft, plush feel that’s squishier and more malleable than a foam slab. As a result, the Marlow Pillow stays structured and supportive all night without falling flat.
Breathable Design Accommodates Hot Sleepers
The Marlow Pillow doesn’t feel cool to the touch, but its construction includes multiple materials that are specifically designed for temperature regulation. Heat collects the most under your head, and the pillow’s gel-infused memory foam is designed to draw body heat away from that problem area and disperse it evenly through the pillow. When you pull on its zippers along the side, you reveal mesh gussets that allow hot air to escape and fresh air to pass through for added breathability. I live in a warm climate and sleep hot at night, but the Marlow Pillow kept me comfortable without having to constantly flip it to find the “cool side” like I do with other pillows.
Adjustable Firmness Levels
The pillow’s design is a little different from other adjustable pillows where you remove or add fill to change its firmness and loft. Instead, you can customize its firmness level to your choosing by toying with its zippers.
- Firm: It feels the firmest when both zippers are completely closed.
- Medium: It gets a little softer when one zipper is open and one is closed.
- Soft: It feels the softest when both zippers are open.
The pillow’s mesh gusset allows you to adjust its firmness level and promotes airflow.
The differences in firmness levels are subtle but noticeable. Side sleepers should consider the firm or medium zipper adjustments, while combination sleepers may like the soft feel the most. And it’s worth noting that the softest firmness level isn’t actually a true soft, as the pillow still maintains a supportive and lofty profile. With that said, I don’t recommend this pillow unless you sleep on your side (or some variation). As a stomach sleeper, I found it was too tall and firm to sleep comfortably in this position, but it was a perfect fit when I would lie on my side. It fit right in the space between the mattress and my head and kept it properly supported.
My Expertise
As I mentioned above, I am a mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted alongside senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. I have a sleep science coach and stress management coach certification, and I’ve been testing sleep products for more than five years. I’ve tested dozens of pillows, from the fluffiest of down models to those made from organic latex foam. As for the Marlow Pillow, I slept with it for more than three months before I gifted it to a side-sleeping friend who was in need of a more supportive option.
Final Thoughts
Even though I’m predominantly a stomach sleeper, I kept the Marlow Pillow on my mattress for months for when I did switch to my side because I recognized how great of a job it does for this sleep position—so many pillows out there lack the loft and firmness needed to promote spinal alignment. My friend, who is 5 foot 9 and sleeps on her side, kept complaining about her fluffy down pillows, so I offered the Marlow Pillow knowing it would help—and I was right. Now, she claims that she and her husband get in nightly tug-of-war battles over who gets to sleep with it.
If you’re a side or combination sleeper and find yourself constantly fluffing your pillow or squishing it together for more support, the Marlow Pillow is a great option that can also help keep you cooler at night. But if you strictly sleep on your back or stomach, consider one of the best pillows for stomach sleepers or best pillows for back sleepers for a more suitable feel.
What Is The Difference Between The Marlow Pillow And A Down Pillow?
The Marlow Pillow is much more structured and supportive than a down pillow. It features 80% gel-infused memory foam and 20% polyester fibers. While the polyester fibers are light and fluffy, like down feathers, the memory foam helps the pillow keep its shape without falling flat. Down pillows require regular fluffing, but you don’t need to tend to the Marlow Pillow to maintain its supportive profile.
Do You Put A Pillowcase On A Marlow Pillow?
You don’t have to keep a pillowcase on the Marlow Pillow since its 100% sateen cotton shell is soft enough as is, but it does help keep it cleaner from stains and spills considering the pillow’s cover is spot-clean only. If you’re worried about weakening its cooling abilities, opt for a cooling pillowcase.
Is The Marlow Pillow Good For Stomach Sleepers?
No; I found it to be best for side and combination sleepers. The best pillows for stomach sleepers have a low height to promote a neutral spinal alignment. The Marlow Pillow, on the other hand, is a tall, lofty pillow with a pretty firm profile.