According to a recent article by the CDC, roughly 1 in 3 Americans are not getting enough sleep. That translates to about 108 million people who struggle daily to get enough quality rest at night. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night. Sleeping less than 7 hours a night increases your risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and mental illness. Sleep is clearly very important for our health, but nearly one-third of us struggle with this basic health necessity. The question is, why can’t we sleep? We’re going to look at some reasons why, and then take a look at one possible solution to make our sleep more comfortable—the Purple Pillow.
For some, the struggle to sleep is due to serious conditions such as sleep apnea or chronic insomnia. However, for a lot of people, poor sleep is simply due to poor sleep conditions. This could be an old, worn out mattress; a room that’s too hot or too cold; too much noise or light; or the use of a terrible pillow. Using a worn out, worn down, or just incorrect pillow can cause all sorts of problems. So if you’re struggling to sleep, you should make sure you have a pillow that is providing the type of support you need.
The pillow dates back more than 7,000 years. The ancient Chinese used to make pillows out of rocks, bronze, and porcelain. They were ornately decorated and were used to keep the head carefully positioned during sleep. The ancient Greeks and Romans first started filling pillows with softer things, such as straw or feathers. In Mesopotamia, having more pillows was a sign of status. The industrial revolution birthed the modern pillow as we know it today, and we’ve come a long way from sleeping on decorated rocks.
In 2018, we have multiple kinds of pillows available to us. There are down pillows filled with feathers, foam pillows, microbead pillows, memory foam pillows, and more. Each one has its positive and negative qualities. Selecting a pillow is a very personal choice as each person has different needs and different structure in their back and neck. If you are considering buying a new pillow, you want to choose something that will give you good quality sleep, will last a long time, and doesn’t break the bank. Let’s look at how the Purple Pillow stacks up.
Comparison Table
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What Is A Purple Pillow?
The Purple Pillow is the name of a new pillow concept created by Tony Pearce. Originally a Kickstarter campaign, the Purple Pillow is now sold through Mattress Firm, Amazon, and other retailers. It is a spinoff of his first product, the Purple Mattress. The pillow is made out of patented Hyper-Elastic Polymer, often referred to as “the stretchy purple stuff.” The material is organized into hundreds of little triangles. A triangle is a very strong structure, and that holds true in the Purple Pillow. Where other pillows will lose their shape and turn flat, the Purple Pillows supports your head all night long and for years to come. There’s no re-adjusting or fluffing, just support. This pillow even has an “air booster” to add a little height to the pillow. The pillow and the booster fit neatly into the included cover, which is made of polyester and is very smooth against your face. It’s also breathable and stretchy enough to mold with the pillow to your head.
Product Specs
The Purple Pillow is built with firm edges, a soft center, and is made up of lots of tiny triangles to provide softness without sacrificing support. It measures 24″ x 16″ x 3″ and weighs 10.2 lbs. The pillow comes with a white cover made of polyester, bamboo, and spandex that keeps your face and neck cool at all times. It is designed to retain its shape over time and with use. The Purple Pillow uses free air flow technology with breathable channels to keep the air cool rather than trapping heat. It is naturally antimicrobial and does not use germicides, and the material protects you from allergens and dust mites. All the materials in the pillow are certified by the FDA and CertiPUR-US, making them very safe.
Pricing
The Purple Pillow retails for about $$$ on Amazon.com. The price is comparable at Mattress Firm and other retailers.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
My Pillow Premium Series
Ghostbed Luxury Memory Foam Ghost Pillow
Coop Home Goods Eden Memory Foam Pillow
Purple Pillow
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Price – $$
Ease of Cleaning
The Purple Pillow has a machine-washable cover. The pillow itself can be wiped down to keep it clean.
Durability
The Purple Pillow claims to have a long life due to the material from which it is made. Unlike foam, feathers, or polyfill, it will not wear down or pull apart. This pillow is relatively new to the market, so a true longevity test has yet to be done, but the material appears to be long-lasting.
Design Quality
The Purple Pillow has been researched at length and was created to solve several sleep-related problems at once. It considers several of the most common pillow complaints, namely overheating, wearing down over time, and constantly needing to be fluffed. However, some people found it to be too heavy and cumbersome. People who move a lot in their sleep or who like to reposition their pillow may not love the design.
Warranty
The Purple Pillow comes with a 100-day limited warranty. This is the shortest of the warranties offered on comparable products, so the guarantee on this pillow could be better.
Pros
- Height adjustable
- Holds its shape
- Stays cool
Cons
- Very heavy
- Too low for a side sleeper
- Height adjuster doesn’t hold air
My Pillow Premium Series
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My Pillow is made of Open Cell Poly, allowing it to breathe and stay cool all night long. It has a patented 3-piece interlocking fill that will support your head and neck for a full night of sleep. Invented by Mike Lindell, he includes a personal guarantee that My Pillow will be the most comfortable pillow you have ever owned. This pillow will adjust to the body no matter position you sleep in. It measures 17.2” x 7.1” x 6.7” and weighs 1.9 lbs. The whole pillow is machine washable and dryable, making it very easy to maintain. My Pillow comes in 2 different loft levels and it is 100% made in America.
Price – $
My Pillow Classic retails for about $, and the premium version is about $$. There is also a two-pack available for about $$.
Ease of Cleaning
My Pillow is machine washable and dryable, making it very easy to clean.
Durability
My Pillow will retain its shape for at least 2 years, which is a good rating for any kind of filled pillow.
Design Quality
This product is very well designed. It offers things customers were looking for, such as breathability and coolness through the night. It offers support while also being lightweight and moldable. My Pillow comes in different sizes and levels of firmness, allowing the customer to choose what works best for them.
Warranty
My Pillow has a 10-year warranty on any workmanship flaws or defects.
Pros
- Machine washable and dryable
- Different firmness levels
- Fast shipping
Cons
- Not the best support
- Gets fuller over time
- Not as durable as some others
Ghostbed Luxury Memory Foam Ghost Pillow
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The Ghost Pillow is designed to adjust to your neck and head, which will help you achieve better spine alignment. It also adjusts to your body temperature throughout the night, making sure you are cool and comfortable all night long. The Ghost Pillow uses Coolburst Airflow Technology to keep itself cool to the touch at all times. The fabric removes moisture quickly. The cover is easy to remove and can be machine-washed. Inside, the Ghost Pillow uses solid pure gel memory foam to retain shape and cradle your neck and head. This pillow measures 23.6” x 15.8” x 5.5” and weighs 2.8 lbs.
Price – $$
The Ghost Pillow retails for about $$.
Ease of Cleaning
The Ghost Pillow is relatively easy to clean. Simply remove the embroidered cover and machine wash it. The pillow itself can be wiped down.
Durability
The cover does an excellent job of protecting the pillow from stains, wear, and tear. If you spot clean the pillow, it should last for years.
Design Quality
This pillow is well designed. It provides breathability in a long-lasting, lighter-weight pillow. The gel memory foam gives the pillow extra durability that other foam does not have. The removable cover keeps the pillow clean while eliminating the need to wash, and thereby wear out, the pillow.
Warranty
The Ghost Pillow offers a 5-year warranty.
Pros
- Great for neck pain
- Lavender scented
- Compresses easily
Cons
- Doesn’t cool wel
- Fresh scent dissipates
- Expensive
Coop Home Goods Eden Memory Foam Pillow
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The Eden Memory Foam Pillow is made of gel-infused cooling memory foam with a gusseted design that allow for edge-to-edge support during sleep. It has a 100% polyester inner cover and an outer cover made out of 40% bamboo derived rayon and 60% polyester. The Lulltra fabric provides breathability while the gel-infused memory foam draws out heat. This will keep you comfortable all night long. The foam is shredded to prevent clumping and compacting. You can adjust the design to suit your needs using the proprietary down-like memory foam and siliconized polyfill; just add or remove as much as necessary to achieve the desired firmness. The fabric guarantees cashmere softness, making you feel like you are sleeping in a 5-star hotel every night.
Price – $$
This pillow retails online for about $80.
Ease of Cleaning
The outer case is machine washable for easy cleaning; however, the interior cannot be washed.
Durability
Since this pillow is refillable, it’s designed to last quite a long time. However, the fill does break down over time.
Design Quality
This pillow is very well designed. It provides comfort, breathability, and adjustability. The replacement polyfill also means it can last longer than a non-refillable pillow.
Warranty
The Eden Memory Foam Pillow offers a 100-night trial during which you can return the pillow for a full refund. After the trial, the pillow has a 5-year warranty.
Pros
- Higher quality foam
- Great for side-sleepers
- Refillable
Cons
- Has a slight smell
- Pillow cannot be washed
- Does not stay cool
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a pillow, it’s very important to get it right. Getting quality sleep is important for your overall health, so you need to be comfortable at night. Pillows have come a long way since the Chinese slept on rocks, and the Purple Pillow is certainly a vast improvement. It’s thoughtfully designed, lasts a long time, and is easy to clean. This pillow will support your head and neck, keep you cool, and stay in place. If you are looking for support above all else, we highly recommend the Purple Pillow. However, if you are looking for a more well-rounded product, My Pillow may be better for you.
My Pillow is not as durable, but it is lighter and easier to adjust. Some people found the Purple Pillow to be too low. In this case, the best pillow is the pillow the best meets your needs. Our bodies are all different, and our needs are different when it comes to nighttime support. Whether you choose the Purple Pillow or My Pillow, you will not be disappointed.