Until very recently, I have shamelessly slept on the same pillows that I’ve had since graduating college nearly a decade ago, so when Marlow offered to send me their best-selling pillow that’s beloved by the internet, I was more than down to give it a go. That said, I know what I like—an extremely plush loft—and I'm particular about the exact thickness and material of my pillows that I set my expectations low. I also felt preemptively guilty because I figured my taste was so specific that the odds of me really liking Marlow were not looking good.
Then the pillow arrived, rolled in a tube-shaped box and wrapped in plastic. Full disclosure: I did no research before welcoming my new pillow into my home, so my first impressions are genuine. All I’ll say for now is that this pillow is amazing, and it is safe to assume that my 10-year-old ones are about to find themselves without a bed. Here’s how much I love my Marlow: I bought a second one to sit next to my free one.
What Makes the Marlow Pillow So Good?
There are many elements that contribute to how good the Marlow pillow is, but the biggest factor is the zippers, which offer fully adjustable firmness. I wanted to get the full experience on night one, so I left one side unzipped and the other zipped. It was great. It’s made of memory foam, which isn’t normally my go-to (my former pillows are both down because like I said earlier, I love a super-soft sink-in feel), but this isn’t stiff. In fact, I had a hard time believing it was 100 percent memory foam because it didn’t feel dense and heavy; it actually felt like my down ones but with a little more heft. Speaking of, it’s not heavy, so if you tend to wake up in the middle of the night and want to flip your pillow over, you won’t have a hard time with the Marlow.
My only negative comment is that I did notice a slight chemical odor, but it completely dissipated after a day or two.
Who Is the Marlow Pillow Good For?
Usually when buying a pillow, you should shop for your specific sleep position: side, back, or stomach, but there’s no need when you’re buying the Marlow because it’s adjustable by way of the zippers. When you zip both sides, it basically compacts the foam, making it a bit more firm, and when you unzip it, the foam has a bit more sponginess to it. Think of it like the zipper on the exterior shell of your carry-on suitcase: When you zip it closed, the interior capacity is smaller and when you unzip it, you have a bit more room.
Back to the pillow, though: Sleep with both sides zipped, making it less plush and offering more support for side sleepers; neither side zipped, making it more plush for stomach sleepers; or one side zipped and one unzipped, which offers medium support for back sleepers.
Marlow Pillow Pros and Cons
No product is perfect—even though the Marlow pillow is pretty close. That said, below, you'll find a few pros and cons that will help you make a more informed decision about whether or not to snag this pillow for yourself.
Pros:
- Adjustable, making it ideal for all sleep positions
- Made with lightweight memory foam
- Free 365-day returns
- Get 20 percent off when you buy two pillows
- Hypoallergenic
- Available in standard and king sizes
Cons:
- Has a slight chemical odor within the first few days of use
What Does the Marlow Pillow Feel Like?
Whether both sides are zipped or unzipped, the pillow feels the same in terms of materiality. It doesn’t just transform into a different pillow depending on where the zippers are. In either position—zipped or unzipped—the pillow does have that memory foam feel: It’s responsive to pressure and does, indeed, feel like a hug. I’ve noticed that when I sleep on my back, my neck feels very supported and cradled, and I haven’t woken up with any pain since living with the Marlow.
Does the Marlow Pillow Work for Hot Sleepers?
I saved what I think is the best question for last. As a hot sleeper, I can confirm that the Marlow pillow is ideal for hot sleepers. The memory foam is infused with cooling gel. It doesn’t feel cool to the touch like some other cooling pillows out there, but it does feel chilled when I’m actually sleeping on it. Or, at the very least, I don’t feel hot. Whenever I have woken up in the middle of the night, I’ve noticed that there’s always a ton of sweat on the nape of my neck, and, after two weeks with Marlow, that has happened exactly zero times. The brand was also kind enough to send me the cooling pillow protector, which as a hot sleeper and a New York City resident, I appreciate. Pillow protectors are a must because of all the dust mites, bed bugs, and anything else that can ruin your night.
Is the Marlow Pillow Worth It?
Yes, the Marlow pillow is absolutely worth it, and that's coming from someone who admittedly is extremely particular about my sleep accessories. In my experience, rarely does a one-size-fits-all situation rarely please everyone, but in the case of Marlow's pillow, it really will suit any kind of sleeper because it's totally adjustable.
