Layla Pillow Review

The Mattress Nerd’s Take: Layla’s most popular pillow, the Layla Kapok pillow, is completely adjustable and filled with kapok and memory foam filling. But some have complained it comes over-stuffed, and it’s a bit expensive.

If you’re a side sleeper or back sleeper who needs a lofty pillow that’s soft and supportive, the Layla could be the pillow for you. But if you tend to sleep really hot and cooling is the number one consideration on your mind, it might be best to pass up the kapok in favor of a material that’s cooler.

Layla is one of the best bed-in-a-box mattress companies with their ever-popular Layla Memory Foam Mattress, but did you know they also make pillows? Layla makes two pillows: a kapok pillow and a memory foam pillow, and each one is great for different types of sleepers. Since the Layla Kapok pillow is the most popular pillow sold by Layla, – according to a friendly customer service rep we chatted with online – we’re going to focus on the Layla Kapok pillow.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing the right pillow, like sleeping position, ease of washability, eco-friendliness and durability. Find out how the Layla Kapok pillow measures up, and if it’s a good fit for your needs. For other all-natural sleep products, check out the best organic mattresses. 

What Makes Layla Pillows Stand Out

Pros

• Kapok material is softer than cotton and not likely to clump together
• Includes copper fibers in the cover construction for odor reduction and antimicrobial properties
• A good pillow for side sleepers who need extra support to keep the head in proper alignment
• Can be adjusted by removing pillow fill

Cons

• Customer reviews say the Layla pillow comes too overstuffed, and lots of stuffing has to be removed for stomach sleepers to get comfortable
• Decent cooling measures, but not top-of-the-line
• Expensive compared to other pillows, starting at $99

What is the Layla Kapok Pillow Made Of?

Kapok Fibers

Okay, first, what is kapok? Kapok is a cotton-like fiber used as a down alternative. It’s taken from the seed pods of kapok trees, a tree that grows throughout Mexico, the Amazon, and western Africa. If kapok is “cotton-like,” why use kapok instead of just using cotton? Basically, because kapok fibers are softer, fluffier, and naturally resists clumping and flattening, unlike cotton.

Reactive Memory Foam

In addition to the Kapok fibers, the Layla Kapok pillow is filled with shredded memory foam as well. This foam is CertiPUR-US certified, which means these are polyurethane foams that are completely free from ozone-depleters, chemical flame retardants, mercury, lead, formaldehyde and phthalates. Layla is dedicated to making their pillows safe for both you and the environment. Though memory foam is typically known for sleeping hot, we like that this pillow mixes the two materials together and doesn’t use a block of memory foam.

Copper-Infused Cover

The pillow cover is removable and machine-washable for convenience, but it’s also made of Layla’s proprietary CuTEC fibers, which are fibers made with copper. Why include a copper infusion in your pillow? Because copper is antibacterial, which is great because our heads are not always the most hygienic.

We carry around oils, bacteria, or even straight dirt on our necks, faces, and hair, and these absorb into our pillows. Over time, this can create an odor, and the bacteria might start transferring back to our skin, which can cause irritation, acne, and more. Thanks to the positive ions in the CuTEC fibers, it’s okay if you don’t have time to throw your pillow cover in the washing machine every single week.

What does the Layla Kapok Pillow Feel Like?

Both the Layla Kapok pillow and Layla Memory Foam pillow are amazingly comfortable and surprisingly affordable. The Layla Kapok pillow is filled with a combination of kapok fibers and shredded memory foam.

Together, these materials are great for anyone with neck pain or back pain. The kapok makes up the majority of the fill, so if you don’t love the “hugging” feeling of memory foam, you can rest easy. You will likely not notice a typical memory foam feel from this pillow. The cover is made from polyester, viscose, and CuTEC copper fibers to fight off bacteria and dust mites.

The copper-infused CuTEC fibers in the cover also pull away body heat, so you should feel a cooling effect from the pillow.

Still, the fabric of this pillow cover is soft and cloth-like instead of meshy and breathable. If you truly sleep hot and can’t get a cooling feeling throughout the night, it might be best to look for other, more cooling materials. One more complaint about the pillow? The cover’s distinctive hexagonal design is said to show through thinner or lighter-colored pillowcases.

Kapok is the best pillow fill material for side sleepers or people who prefer a soft pillow feel. When you sleep on your side, you need soft but supportive materials that will contour to your spine’s natural alignment. A pillow that’s too firm could bring your neck out of alignment, causing neck pain in the morning. Check out the best pillow for neck pain for options that support the body’s alignment.

Kapok is soft enough to let your neck find the best natural alignment. Back sleepers and stomach sleepers could also sleep well on the kapok pillow, but you might want to remove some extra fill for better neck alignment. See the best pillows for combination sleepers if you are looking for a pillow that works for multiple sleeping positions.

Layla Pillows Pricing and Specs

Because kapok doesn’t grow in the United States or China, where Layla sleep products are manufactured, it has to be shipped, which adds to cost. You’ll see below that the Layla Kapok pillow is almost double the cost of the Layla Memory Foam pillow.

However, just like a new mattress is an investment in your sleep health, a new pillow is an investment too. The kapok pillow is more expensive, but remember that kapok resists bunching and flattening, meaning it is more likely to last longer than cheaper, cotton-filled pillows. The extra cost may not be worth the difference for everyone, but it is worth considering.

Both Layla pillows come in queen or king sizes, but it is worth noting that the kapok pillow is slightly smaller than the memory foam pillow and weighs slightly more. The biggest difference comes down to price.

Layla Kapok Pillow

Layla Memory Foam Pillow

Layla Pillow Policies

Shipping

Like many bed-in-a-box companies, Layla offers free shipping to the contiguous 48 states. If you’re ordering from Canada, Alaska or Hawaii, there will be an extra fee. And if you decide during the sleep trial that you’d like to return the pillow, Layla will cover shipping costs for the return.

Sleep Trial

The best part about both of these pillows is the 120-night sleep trial where you can test out the pillow and decide if it’s right for you. If it’s not, for any reason at all, you can return your pillow for free within the first 120 days. This trial period is nice because a great pillow is an investment, and you don’t want to waste that money if you realize after buying that shredded memory foam fill just isn’t for you, or kapok is too plush for your preferences.

Warranty Coverage

Each Layla pillow purchase comes with a 5-year warranty that protects against defects in materials or workmanship. Reach out to Layla online or through the phone to start the warranty process (our team reached out through their online chat option, and we were surprised with the responsiveness!).

Layla Pillow FAQs

How do I adjust the loft of the pillow?

If you get your Layla pillow and decide you want the loft (AKA, the height) of the pillow to be a little lower, all you have to do is undo the zipper on the pillow cover, then the zipper on the inner liner, and remove some of the pillow fill. Remove excess fill until the loft is exactly where you want it to be.

Can I wash my pillow?

You can wash both the memory foam and kapok pillows, but they take quite a while to dry. We recommend simply removing the cover and washing that instead of the whole pillow. If you do decide to wash the pillow, it won’t hurt anything, just be prepared to put it through the dryer with a clean tennis ball several times.

Which pillow is better, the kapok or the memory foam?

This really depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you prefer a pillow that is soft, fluffy, and all-natural, then the kapok will probably be a better fit. If you’re looking for a cooling pillow that contours to your neck and head, then the memory foam is the better choice. Both are high-quality pillows, they just have different feels.

See laylasleep.com for more FAQs.

The Nerd’s Final Take

If you are looking for a pillow with all the plush coziness of a down pillow without actually using down, then the Layla kapok pillow could be a great fit for you. We highly recommend it for side sleepers and folks who prefer soft pillows over firm pillows, but it may not be the best fit for people on a budget, since the price is on the high end.

The Layla memory foam pillow is a great option for combination sleepers and people who tend to get hot at night. The only reason we wouldn’t recommend this pillow is if you don’t enjoy the “hugging” sensation of memory foam.