For people who twist and turn through the night, it can be hard to find the right pillow that fits all sleeping positions. Restless sleepers can be on their back, stomach, and sides in one night. This can be hard on the neck and back, making you feel less refreshed in the morning. If you fit into this category, do not fear. our Casper Pillow review is here.
Things to consider before buying a pillow
With a deluge of pillows available in the market, it’s easy to be spoilt for choice. You’ll know you need a better pillow if any part of your body is in pain during or after sleep. Switch pillows if you’re not happy with your current one’s loft and firmness. Here are a few tips to narrow down your pick.
Choose your preferred firmness.
Side sleepers require a thick foam pillow to fill in the gap between the shoulder and neck. When your head and neck are not aligned with your hips and back, you’ll end up with neck strain. Back sleepers need pillows that are less full because there’s less space between the mattress and the head. Stomach sleepers will want a thin pillow so the neck isn’t pushed back as they sleep.
A good pillow will retain its shape and thickness and will be free from lumps.
Get a breathable pillow.
Avoid pillows that lock in air and heat. Humidity and heat do not make for a good pillow. Generally, dense pillows are less breathable. Polyester and shredded foam are the most breathable while single block pillows are the least cool.
Check the care instructions.
Washing the entire pillow, not just the cover, is important if you suffer from allergies and asthma. Read the label for details on how to maintain the pillow. It’s recommended to change pillows every one to two years.
Presenting the product
The Casper Original Pillow (to be henceforth referred to as the Casper Pillow in this review) is the brand’s bestselling pillow and it’s easy to see why. From its unique yet subtle design to its breathable cover, the Casper Original is a down alternative pillow that’s plush and supportive.
Casper also has the Down pillow and the Foam pillow. The down version is filled with duck down and feathers while the foam pillow is their most supportive one made from a slab of memory foam.
The Casper Pillow is a pillow within a pillow. Both the core and outer layers have a down alternative polyester fiber fill. The 100% cotton cover has a percale weave, making it a breathable pillow.
The Casper Pillows come in two sizes. The king size is 18″ x 34″ with a 2-inch gusset. The standard size Casper Pillow is 18″ x 26″ with a 2-inch gusset. Casper pillows have free shipping and returns for every order.
Pros
- Gives support and softness, making it the most popular Casper pillow
- Offers spine alignment with its two-inch gusset for better sleep
- A double-layered pillow that maintains its shape and firmness
- Great for most sleepers
Cons
- Not for consumers who want an adjustable loft
- The pillow needs fluffing from time to time
- Not for stomach sleepers that want to sleep on a really flat pillow
Features & Benefits
This is the meat of our Casper Pillow review where I do a deep dive into the pillow’s pros and cons and whether it’s a pillow that’s worth the buy.
Construction and Material
The Casper Pillow has a unique pillow design. There’s a smaller pillow core inside the pillow, bounded by a two-sided zipper closure for easy access. The inner pillow is firmer while the outer pillow is plush and soft.
The outer pillow is bordered on all four sides by a two-inch gusset which serves as its frame and backbone. While it does look neat, it serves a bigger purpose: to keep your neck aligned with the spine and to distribute the fill evenly.
The plump inner pillow is filled with silky down alternative polyester fibers that feel firmer than the surrounding outer layer, so you get compact support when you sleep. The core is lined with polyester that gives it a breathable feel. Zip the outer pillow open to access the inner pillow on laundry day or to plump up the core.
The outer pillow is filled with the same soft and smooth fibers which you can feel through the cover. It’s cushy and silky to the touch. This fill isn’t called a down alternative for nothing–it’s a luxurious and fluffy space for your head to sink into.
Encasing the outer pillow is a 100% Pima cotton cover with a percale weave. The weave enhances airflow within the pillow so you stay cool, not sticky, as you sleep.
Support and Sleep Experience
It’s not enough to review how the pillow is constructed. What’s arguably more important in a pillow review is how it actually feels when you sleep on it.
The Casper Pillow strikes a balance between softness and support. This owes a lot to the pillow’s firm inner core coupled with its fluffy outer pillow. You’ll get a lush sleep experience while getting the resilience of a firm pillow.
Even though this won’t mold to your head and neck like memory foam, you’ll sink into the Casper Pillow just the same. As you apply pressure on it when you sleep, the pillow envelops the head, neck, and shoulders quickly. It has medium support, not too soft and not too firm. Just right.
The seven-inch loft of the Casper Pillow is mostly due to its fluffy outer layer. This makes it ideal for side sleepers who need extra height when sleeping. It’s also good for back sleepers since it responds well to pressure and can prop up the head comfortably when you’re lying on your back. Stomach sleepers, however, should beware. This isn’t a pillow that will flatten fully so your lower back and neck don’t strain. A quick fix is to remove the inner pillow and use it as a regular pillow.
In my opinion, though this can suit restless sleepers and sleepers of various positions, it’s best for back and side sleepers, which are the most common types of sleepers, anyway. There’s truly no one size fits all pillow so take your sleeping habits into consideration.
Breathability
When you touch the Casper Pillow, you’ll be surprised at how soft and cool the cotton fabric is. This is a treat, especially for hot sleepers. The pillow excels in the breathability arena, which it owes to that percale weave. The weave gives the Casper Pillow a crisp, matte finish like a freshly ironed shirt.
This fabric is lightweight enough to combat sweat in sweltering summers. When you push your hands into the Casper Pillow, you’ll feel the air gush out. The clump-resistant down alternative fill lets air circulate throughout the pillow so your head always feels cool.
Noise and Odor
Noses that are sensitive to chemical smells that often come with fresh pillows will be happy to know that this pillow has no offensive scent. Off-gassing won’t be an issue. When you press into the Casper Pillow, it isn’t completely noiseless but it’s because of the polyester cover of the inner pillow and not the cotton fabric cover. If you change positions frequently, this is something to be aware of.
Size
The Casper Pillow comes in two sizes, namely Standard and King. The Standard pillow measures 18″ x 26″ while the King size is 18″ x 34″.
Warranty and Trial
With your purchase, you’ll get one pillow that weighs 3.5 lbs. There’s a 1-year limited warranty which is useful if you get a defective pillow. You also get free shipping and returns, as well as a 100-night trial.
The pillow can be cleaned in the washing machine. You’ll need to unzip and remove the inner pillow before you wash it.
Social Proof
In this Casper Pillow review, I state my own personal observations with the Casper Pillow. I try to be as objective as possible but this review may be a bit subjective. If you’re thinking of making the splurge but are hesitant to take my word for it, maybe these testimonies from other people will nudge you into a clearer direction. Here are some Casper Pillow reviews I’ve found.
Alternatives
If the Casper Pillow just isn’t your style, maybe these similar pillows will be up your alley.
Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow
Beckham Luxury Linens includes a down alternative pillow with a 100% cotton cover in their lineup, like the Casper Pillow. The shell has a 240 thread count so it’s smooth to the touch. The gel fiber fill is plush and accommodating to back and side sleepers. The pillow features a sateen weave, unlike the percale weave in the Casper pillowcase, but it’s still made from 100% cotton for a breathable feel. The gel pillow is comfortable to sleep on and is constructed so it won’t shift throughout the night. It’s free from allergens and chemicals.
The pillow is also dust mite, mold, and mildew-resistant. The Beckham Gel Pillow is easy to care for because it’s machine washable like the Casper Pillow. It gives great value for money because for a lower price than the Casper, you get two pillows, in either queen or king size.
Coop Home Goods – Eden Adjustable Pillow
This has the same gusseted pillow design as the Casper Pillow but fulfills one criterion that the Casper doesn’t. It has an adjustable design and is filled with a blend of soft gel-infused memory foam and microfiber. This construction gives you more airflow so you sleep cool. Because you can remove pieces of the fill, this suits even stomach sleepers who want a flatter pillow.
The cover is made from a blend of bamboo viscose rayon and polyester. The pillow has CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certifications so it’s high quality and safe. They even offer a 100-night full refund, like the Casper Pillow, and a 5-year warranty, 4 years more than the Casper Pillow warranty.
Utopia Bedding Gusseted Pillow
This also has a gusseted pillow design like the Casper Pillow but the borders are colored an icy blue. This pillow has a similar firmness (medium) with a polyester fill. It’s a supportive cushion that will suit most sleepers. This fluffy pillow is easily shaped to conform to your head. This two-pack pillow comes in king and queen sizes and is machine washable.
Go for this if you want an affordable version of the Casper Pillow.
Conclusion
The Casper Pillow may not suit all types of sleeping positions but it’s an appealing option for side and back sleepers. And if you sleep on your stomach, you can take advantage of the removable inner pillow for firm support. The Casper Original has a unique dual pillow design and breathable cotton cover set it apart from other pillows on the market, offering equal parts support and cushion.
The fill of the Casper Pillow won’t clump and can be fluffed up. The gusset makes this a durable pillow that aligns the spine and neck. The Casper Pillow is easy to care for because you can chuck it into a washing machine.
So there you have it, a thoughtfully constructed pillow with plush medium support encased in a breathable cotton cover. Indeed, there’s a lot to like in the Casper Pillow.
