Slumbr Makes Our New Favorite Pillows

By Cator Sparks April 24, 2017

A bad pillow can really be the death knell to a good nights sleep. We’ve all been in a hotel or guest room that has pillows that just suck (BTW have you all slept in your guest room to test the pillows in there? Do it.) And how awkward is it going to Bed Bath & Beyond and doing the squish-test on 20 different pillows through plastic for an hour? The girls behind Slumbr had the same issue and decided to launch their own direct to consumer pillow company and our heads couldn’t be happier.

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Instead of doing the ‘plastic pillow squeeze’ to find the right one for us, we took Slumbr’s online quiz:

Step 1: Sleep Style- Do you sleep on you back, stomach or in a ball?

Step 2: Do you sleep with a partner? Pets? Kids? Solo?

Step 3: Pillow preference – Firm? Fluffy? Breathable?

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I have back pain (which is something you can check off on the quiz) and like a firm pillow that breathes since I’m half Greek and sweat like Hephaestus.

They sent me the Orion, Lyra, and Ara versions to give a try. Here’s what I learned:

Orion: Hypoallergenic and clump resistant (I loathe a clumpy pillow), it offers great support.

Lyra: This pillow is super breathable for my sweat soaked head, yet is still springy and firm.

Ara: Ok this one is a wild card. Filled with buckwheat hulls, it is heavy and extremely firm, but I have to say it is awesome for my back pain since it cradled my head and neck with therapeutic support. Note: When boozed, at least attempt to not pass out on the Ara, I woke up feeling like I slept on a brick. Besides that, it’s great.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Interesting to note, they suggest replacing your pillows about once a year. Their blog is a treasure trove of profound pillow knowledge. We read that, “your pillows collect dirt, oils, drool, sweat, dust mites, mildew and fungi over time. All of these icky things will break down the support in your pillow (especially ones filled with cheaper polyester-fill) — causing it to lose its loft, become yellowed or clumpy.” File under, ‘Why didn’t I think of that.’

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Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…

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