After our hands-on testing, we are here to give you a full Emma Original Pillow review and any useful information to help you make your decision easier. Emma is known for their quality mattresses so how do their pillows compare? (Spoiler – it's impressive).
There are three layers with different purposes so you can change it to suit your sleep style.
Supportive
A firm feel that contours to your sleeping position to support your head and neck.
Removable cover
It's hypoallergenic, gentle on the skin and machine-washable.
Disadvantages
Only one size
It's smaller in size than a standard pillow size.
Too firm for some
It can feel firm to begin with but it does mean it'll last a while because it wonβt lose support quickly.
Fairly expensive
A bit more pricey when compared to similar products.
Who is the Emma Original Pillow for?
We're not exaggerating when we say this Emma Pillow is for pretty much everyone. Of course, one product cannot suit all people and their specific needs, but due to the adjustable height and hypoallergenic materials, there isn't a single person we wouldn't recommend it to.
The pillow is perfect for all sleepers who suffer from neck, spine, hip or shoulder pain and want to get relief. With the adjustable height, premium construction, hypoallergenic cover and Visco-Elastic memory foam, you can be sure that this pillow will accommodate everyone's needs.
All positions
Anyone who is labelled as a βhot sleeperβ
People with allergies
Sufferers of neck pain
What do we use this product for?
We use Emma Pillow to make our sleep more comfortable and get rid of any pain back and/or spine area. As well as to prevent the occurrence of pain anywhere in your body. Many don't know the importance of the correct spine alignment, but with a good pillow (paired with the best mattress) this is achieved and it improves the body posture both while we sleep and when we get out of bed. So, this pillow is perfect for:
Neck, shoulder, back, and hip pain relief
Helping problems with posture and spinal alignment
Reduce the chance of allergies flaring up
Breathable for a comfortable sleep
Features you should know about the Emma Original Pillow
Usually, pillows are pretty straightforward with very few features. However, when it comes to the Emma Pillow, there are many essential features that we will tell you more about. These features are in relation to the design, materials and practicality. Let's give you more details on what they are.
Adjustable height with three layers
You know that feeling when you buy a new pillow and it suits you to a T, but sometimes it's a little too flat or the pillow is too deep for your sleeping position. The Emma Original Pillow allows everyone to adjust the height according to their sleeping style and what is personally comfortable for them.
Simply switch them out to suit your preference as each has its own purpose – so swap accordingly to work with your needs. You can remove one or two layers and make it perfect for yourself. You're able to put the layers back inside the pillow when necessary. The top layer is a gel-foam layer that provides a cooling surface to hug your head and neck to give you comfort while you sleep. The middle layer is a memory foam layer which distributes any weight or pressure on the pillow, so it gives you support. Finally, you have a soft foam layer that encourages the properties of the other two layers whilst being pressure-relieving.
We recommend using all three layers for side sleepers as it is the most practical and there's enough depth to keep your spine aligned. For a stomach sleeper, you're likely to just use one layer and back sleepers can experiment with two or three foam layers. The only thing you need to keep in mind is which layer to remove when adjusting the height. Knowing the purpose of each layer is essential, so you can remove the one you need the least and make sure you're keeping the most beneficial one.
Airgocell foam
Memory foam pillows generally struggle with breathability and often don't suit hot sleepers. That is why Emma introduced Airgocell foam which is very breathable and transfers heat away from you. You can stay cool while you sleep with the enhanced air circulation due to the open-cell structure. Not only that, but it can also retain heat to keep you at the ideal temperature if you get too cool.
The Airgocell foam is its own layer and it's the most important feature for all hot sleepers. So, if you get hot at night and want to reduce the height of this pillow, do not remove this layer. That is not the only role Airgocell foam plays in this pillow. Airgocell foam also provides support by stabilising your head and constantly keeping it level with your spine.
Visco-elastic memory foam
The Visco-Elastic Memory Foam is the middle layer of the Emma pillow. Memory foam helps to distribute pressure for optimum support and that's why this layer serves pressure relief. Without this layer, the pillow remains firm and breathable, but it lacks pressure relief which is especially important for all those with pain and discomfort. Having this supportive layer is necessary for spinal alignment so it's worth keeping it in the pillow if you're a back sleeper or side sleeper.
Visco-elastic memory foam will mould to your head and shoulders, working with both your weight and pressure distribution. It adapts to your body for the ultimate support.
Although this is the firm layer in the 3-layer pillow, it's followed by the softest layer underneath so you can feel like you're resting your head on a cloud. These two layers perfectly balance each other out to give you the ideal pillow.
Hypoallergenic removable elastane cover
The cover is made of 98% polyester and 2% elastane and has moisture-wicking properties. Also, it is very breathable and does not interfere with airflow, making this pillow suitable for hot sleepers and of course everyone else.
When you remove the cover you will be able to see the three layers that you can adjust for your sleep style. What makes it better is the elastic, so no matter how many layers you remove, the cover will still fit snugly. To keep it clean, simply undo the zipper to remove it, wash it in the washing machine at 40ΒΊC and return it later.
The soft-touch cover is also naturally hypoallergenic. The properties of the cover wonβt be diminished if you use a pillowcase too.
Review of the Emma Original Pillow
The Emma Pillow consists of 3 layers and each layer has its own role. I love that you're able to make a pillow that suits all sleeping positions, by removing the layers for specific needs and the ability to adjust the height too. I'm a combination sleeper so I found all three layers suitable for me, but during my review process, I tested out different combinations and heights. It's great that the covering is removable and machine washable, making this pillow easy to maintain – not all pillows offer this.
Emma's Original Pillow is hypoallergenic and therefore a good choice for sleepers who suffer from allergies. The pillow is non-toxic, no harmful chemicals are used, and it is also vegan-friendly. I found the pillow to be very durable and premium quality, but if you're unsure, there's a 30-night free trial available for you to test it for yourself.
As a combination sleeper, I found it extremely beneficial for sleeping because the use of memory foam means it's quick to bounce back into shape. So, even if you're changing positions throughout the night, you can rely on the pillow to adapt to keep you comfortable.
Secondly, it's really supportive of the head and neck. Changing the pillow height and firmness is important to get the support and pain relief you need to work with your sleep position.
The cover being soft touch reduces the chance of irritation and makes for a comfy place to rest your head.
What we didnβt like about the Emma Original Pillow
For those who are side sleepers and have broader shoulders, you might find that it is a little flat to rest comfortably – I'm quite petite and it was just right for me.
Works for every sleep position but it does need to be adjusted to work for every individual. This isnβt so good for combination sleepers who constantly change their position during the night, so you'll have to find what works the best out of all the options. It can take some trial and error before finding what's right, but that's what the trial period is there for.
Removing layers and returning them to the pillow is not simple as you might expect. It can become quite fiddly as the zip is only on one short edge and comes slightly down the sides.
Emma's customer service and company information
Delivery β Emma Sleep offers free delivery on their orders and it can also be contact-free. This is what I experienced when receiving my order. There's also a free return if you decide after the trial period that it isn't the right pillow for you. You can expect around a week for the item to be dispatched. You will receive a tracking link when the Emma product has been ordered. When dispatched you will get a text with the delivery date, followed by a text with a time slot. On the day, they will phone when they are nearby.
Payment β Paying is easy on Emma – they have the usual payment methods of Mastercard and Visa, but you have the option to use PayPal or the DivideBuy scheme where you pay in instalments. This is ideal for those who can't afford to have a large amount of money leave their bank at once.
Online customer service β There's an online live chat available on weekdays, 9am-6pm. Otherwise, any questions need to be emailed to their email address. However, they do have an extensive list of FAQs so it's likely that you'll be able to find the answer to most things there.
Check the alternatives to the Emma Original Pillow
The best alternatives that you can find, in our opinion, are the Simba Hybrid Pillow and Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow.
Simba Hybrid Pillow
The Simba Hybrid Pillow is one of the best pillows when it comes to temperature control. It is highly breathable and also cooling, which is why it is a favourite choice of all hot sleepers who want a comfortable night's sleep.
It provides great support, but can be considered a softer pillow, which might be a great feature for side sleepers. Based on Stratos space-technology, the cold foam layer ensures you stay cool all the time!
Nanocubes & mesh border ensure high level of air flow.
Top quality materials
Carefully created to a high-standard for its specific needs.
Adjustable height
You can remove the cubes to lower the loft to suit your sleeping positon.
Disadvantages
A bit of off-gassing
This is normal for this kind of product but it will soon disperse.
A bit pricey
When compared to similar products on the market
Some can find it too soft
Might not be plump enough for some to rest their head on.
Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow
Panda Bamboo Memory Foam pillow provides great support and is covered in a soft-on-the-skin bamboo pillow cover. Panda pillow is eco-friendly and vegan-friendly.
Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial, so it is a great choice for people who suffer from allergies but also for those who want to stay cool during the hot summer nights. It takes the shape of your head and copies it to the pillow so you could have a customised loft and firmness.
Uses third generation memory foam to support your head and neck.
Bamboo cover
Its also removable, hypoallergenic and has natural properties.
Disadvantages
Off-gassing
This is normal for memory foam products but it will fade.
Only one size available
There isn't option for different loft.
Not really suitable for stomach sleepers.
It may be too firm and too high for those who sleep on their front.
Consider the Emma Original Mattress if you are buying the Emma Original Pillow
A great mattress won't mean anything without a quality pillow, and vice versa. So, consider buying this Emma Mattress that is a perfect fit with the Emma Original Pillow. There's even a 200-night trial available.
This foam mattress provides support and is very comfortable. Like the pillow, this Emma mattress is practical for all sleeping positions.
There's little to no motion transfer so you can sleep soundly.
Price-to-value ratio
The price for the quality product you're getting is great.
Disadvantages
Too soft for heavier sleepers
If you're a heavy sleeper, you might find you sink in a little too much.
Off-gassing issues
This is expected with memory foam.
Hot sleepers will struggle to sleep
It still gets quite warm on a hot summer night
What makes this product better than some other similar ones?
Adjustable height makes this product better than some other similar ones. Most pillows are fit for two of the three sleeping positions, but due to the adaptable height, this pillow will suit everyone. As well as the three layers adjusting the height, they all serve a completely different purpose rather than targeting the same thing. It should also be emphasised that it is non-toxic, hypoallergenic and easy to clean.
How did we test the product?
Now we'd like to discuss exactly how we test our products. After all, how can you trust our opinion on a quality pillow if you don't know how we got there? On the most basic level, all the products we review go through these tests:
Visual inspection
Hands-on inspection
Measured tests
And when it comes to the Emma Pillow, in particular, these are the exact test conducted to gauge its quality:
Looked for any visual details e.g. the branding, the zipper
Trialled different sleep positions
Spent time lying on the pillow to see how it adjusted, retained shape and bounced back
Tested the success of the key features by mix-and-matching the layers
Directly compared to other pillows
Overview
Hopefully, our Emma Pillow review has given you all the information you've been looking for, but we'll give you a brief summary.
All in all, I really like the Emma Pillow and I think a memory foam pillow always has a lot of potential to suit the majority. So, before I even started the review process, I had high expectations. Out of all the sleep positions, I believe that back sleepers will enjoy it the most and receive the optimum experience. It's not the most plump pillow for those who sleep on their sides, and you're only left with one layer if you sleep on your front. Back sleepers have the chance to use all three layers to their advantage whilst keeping their body aligned – everything they need for a good night's sleep. This isn't to say a front or side sleeper can't enjoy it too. No matter your position, you'll sink in and feel comfort/support.
The ergonomic design is clever and extremely beneficial to many people. Of course, there are always downsides depending on who's using it. The key things to take away are the difficulty of removing and inserting layers, it's not the best pillow I've found for combination sleepers, and some may find it's not deep enough.
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FAQs about your Emma Original Pillow
The FAQs section is here to give you answers to some more questions we may have missed in the review. And also to repeat a few things that customers are most often interested in. That includes sleeping positions, maintenance, and problems with aches and pain.
What type of sleeper is the Emma Original Pillow suitable for?
Emma Original Pillow is suitable for all sleeping positions, thanks to the foam layers.
How do I wash my Emma Original Pillow?
You can machine wash the removable cover and vacuum the pillow itself. You can't get memory foam wet so if it's in need of a clean you'll have to spot clean it.
Will the Emma Original Pillow be good for my neck pain?
Yes, because of the level of support it provides, the Emma Original Pillow will be of great help in relieving pain in your neck.
How long does an Emma Pillow last?
There's a two-year manufacturing guarantee on their pillow. This would suggest it will last you for at least those two years, and more, if cared for correctly.
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