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Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow

Fill:

Solid Memory Foam Block (Gel-Infused)

Firmness:

Medium Firm

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this link for the most current Sleep Is the Foundation discounts

At SleepFoundation.org, we consider sleep to be a pillar of health. We make it our mission to provide you with the knowledge and tools to achieve the best sleep possible. Our team has tested thousands of sleep products, getting hands-on with each product and assessing their performance with qualitative and quantitative data. Throughout our testing, we’ve come to know which designs and materials produce the best results. We took this knowledge and created the Sleep Is the Foundation product line in 2023, specializing in sleep products.

We’ve tested over 200 pillows, so we know what works and what doesn’t. Based on our findings, we created two pillows — the Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow and the Sleep Is the Foundation Loft Pillow. We’ll focus on the Gel Memory Foam Pillow.

The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow contains solid memory foam infused with a cooling gel. It features a polyester inner liner and a quilted cover made of a polyester and bamboo-derived viscose blend fabric, both of which may be removed due to their zippered construction. The pillow is available in two standard sizes, both with a 5-inch loft and a medium firm feel.

We’ll break down the design and benefits of the Gel Memory Foam Pillow and offer guidance on who the pillow is best suited for.

Pillow Performance Ratings

We recognize that it’s a bit unconventional to review your own products. That being said, product testing is the core of what we do. Our testing team prides themselves on providing honest, objective assessments of products to provide our readers with the insight they need to find the right match for their needs. If we’re going to develop a product ourselves, we’re going to subject it to all the same tests and evaluations we would use on any other product in the same category.

We are careful to take a few extra precautions to eliminate any bias in favor of the products we’ve developed. Here’s a breakdown of the measures we take to provide a fair look at our Gel Memory Foam Pillow:

  • We remove all brand labeling from the pillow before sending it to our Sleep Foundation test lab and keep the pillow brand anonymous to our testers throughout the testing process. In this case, we used a prototype version of the pillow that did not include the logo quilted into the cover. 
  • We test our pillow in a batch with a few other products that were also missing any logos or other identifying information.
  • Our testing team members are only told the name of the products after they have completed their ratings for each product.
  • Our product testing team is not allowed to alter their test ratings for these products in any way after submitting them.

During the pillow testing process, our testers assessed contouring, support, breathability, and overall firmness and feel. We also handled the pillow extensively to evaluate moldability and shape retention. We performed other tests using tools such as thermal sensors and VOC meters to measure temperature control and off-gassing.

Our testers found the Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow offered excellent contouring and pressure relief. Like most memory foam pillows, this model also earned high marks for shape retention, which means the pillow consistently returned to its full shape once weight was removed from the surface. The pillow performed well in temperature neutrality tests compared to other solid foam pillows we’ve tested. However, as is typical for foam, this model retained more heat than a pillow made of cooler materials like latex or buckwheat.

Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow

Durability

The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow is made with high-quality memory foam. Given the pillow’s strong shape retention, we expect this model to keep its full shape and loft beyond the average lifespan of a pillow. The machine-washable cover is easy to clean and further promotes a longer lifespan.

Firmness Options

The pillow is not adjustable and only comes in one firmness option, medium firm. This is a suitable firmness for many types of sleepers, regardless of sleep position or body weight, but those who prefer softer or firmer pillows may want to choose a different model.

Shape Retention

Memory foam is known for its excellent shape retention, and the Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow is no exception. Our testers observed that the pillow easily retains its full shape after removing weight from the pillow surface. It also regained its shape after we hugged or folded the pillow. Strong shape retention helps prevent flattening over time.

Moldability

Unlike down or feather pillows, which are easy to squeeze, this model does not mold particularly well. This is due to the responsive nature of memory foam. If you’re looking for a foam pillow that is easier to snuggle and squish, the shredded memory foam design of the Sleep Is the Foundation Loft Pillow is a good alternative.

Conforming

The pillow performed very well when we tested it for conforming. The memory foam contours closely to the shape of your head and neck, which helps relieve pressure buildup while still maintaining support. Strong contouring also helps keep your head and neck properly aligned with your spine.

Temperature Control

Although the memory foam cradles your head, the pillow has an overall medium firm feel that keeps your head from sinking too deep. This helps prevent heat from getting trapped by allowing more air to circulate around your head and neck. Memory foam generally runs hotter than other common pillow materials, like latex or down, so this model may feel warm if you’re an especially hot sleeper.

Odor Potential

Certain pillows may emit a harmless off-gassing odor upon unpackaging. This odor comes from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that typically dissipate within hours or several days. Memory foam is prone to off-gassing, and we found this pillow did emit a short-lived odor that dissipated quickly in a well-ventilated room.

Cleaning and Care

The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow is encased in a cover and inner liner that help keep the foam insert free of stains and dirt. You may remove the cover and liner and wash them in a machine using cold water, then tumble dry on a low setting. The foam insert should be spot cleaned only. Avoid submerging the foam itself in water, as this can lead to mold growth.

Sleeping Style and Body Weight

Your sleep position and body weight are big factors in determining whether a pillow is suitable for you. Below we’ll explore how the Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow performs for different sleep positions and body types. Given the medium firm feel, the pillow generally felt more comfortable for sleepers over 130 pounds than it did for sleepers under 130 pounds. Lighter sleepers don’t exert as much pressure on pillows and typically find softer pillows more comfortable and pressure-relieving.

Side Sleepers

 Side sleepers tend to feel most comfortable on firmer pillows with a high loft in order to fill the gap between the neck and mattress. The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow is a medium-loft pillow with a medium firm feel, so it’s well suited for many side sleepers. 

It’s an especially good fit for side sleepers over 230 pounds, since these sleepers will sink deeper into the mattress and require a medium loft to support the neck. Some side sleepers under 230 pounds may prefer a slightly thicker pillow to keep the head, neck, and spine in comfortable alignment.

Back Sleepers

Compared to side sleepers, back sleepers don’t have as much space to fill between the neck and mattress. For this reason, back sleepers fare best with medium loft pillows that elevate the head but not excessively so. The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow’s loft is perfectly suited for this sleep position, offering just enough thickness to raise the head while still keeping the head, neck, and spine in healthy alignment. 

Back sleepers over 130 pounds felt most comfortable on the pillow, while those under 130 pounds may benefit from a slightly softer pillow.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers need a low-loft pillow to prevent the head from angling up too high. Some stomach sleepers even prefer sleeping with no pillow at all. The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow has a 5-inch loft that may feel too thick and firm for many stomach sleepers. That said, the adaptive foam compresses moderately under the head and may suit certain stomach sleepers, especially those who enjoy a bit of loft.

Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow

Under 130 lbs.130-230 lbs.Over 230 lbs.
Side SleepersGoodVery GoodExcellent
Back SleepersGoodVery GoodExcellent
Stomach SleepersPoorFairGood

Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow Review Breakdown

To Recap:

  • The Gel Memory Foam Pillow is a medium firm pillow with a 5-inch loft. 
  • Its interior is a block of solid gel-infused memory foam. 
  • Its quilted cover is made from a blend of polyester and bamboo-derived viscose.
  • The pillow’s liner and outer cover are both machine-washable.
  • Its medium firm feel and mid-level loft are best for side and back sleepers.

Materials and Options

ProductSize OptionsLoftFill MaterialCover Material
Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam PillowStandard: 16” x 24”
King: 20” x 36”
5″Solid Memory Foam Block (Gel-Infused)Polyester and Bamboo-Derived Viscose Blend
Sleep Is the Foundation Loft PillowStandard: 20” x 30”
King: 20” x 36”
Adjustable (8” Standard)Shredded Memory Foam (Gel-Infused)Polyester and Bamboo-Derived Viscose Blend

Pricing Information

The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow and Sleep Is the Foundation Loft Pillow have average price-points for memory foam pillows. The Gel Memory Foam Pillow is slightly more expensive than the Loft Pillow. You will find memory foam pillows on the market that are significantly more expensive, but price is not necessarily an indicator of quality. The Sleep Is the Foundation pillows performed just as well as many of the pricier foam pillows that we’ve tested.

Pillow prices can range anywhere from less than $10 to several hundred dollars or more, but you’ll find many pillow options for under $200. Memory foam is known for its durability, so the price-points tend to be higher than pillows made with materials like polyester. When comparing pillow prices, some factors to keep in mind are size, quality of materials, and reputation of the brand. These factors can all influence the price.

Discounts and Deals

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this link for the most current Sleep Is the Foundation discounts

Trial, Warranty, and Shipping Policies

Availability

The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow is available for purchase online. It is currently sold only through Amazon.com.

Shipping

The pillow ships free for Amazon Prime members residing in the contiguous U.S. Amazon charges a shipping fee for residents in Alaska and Hawaii, as well as international destinations.

Trial

The pillow does not come with a sleep trial, but Amazon offers a standard 30-day return policy. You will receive a full refund for pillows returned within the standard timeframe.

Warranty

The Sleep Is the Foundation Gel Memory Foam Pillow comes with a one-year limited warranty that can be activated after purchase, available through the SleepFoundation.org site.

Still have questions?

Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

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