ReviewHome & Garden
Eli & Elm Review: The Pillow Built Around Your Shoulder
A clever, well-reviewed design with free shipping and a 5-year warranty, though return shipping is deducted and it’s only for side sleepers.
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rating 7.7 / 10
7.7/10
- Best for
- Side sleepers with neck and shoulder pain who want a pillow shaped for their sleep position
- Price
- ~$39.99 to ~$196+eliandelm.com
01 Why We Reviewed Eli & Elm
Eli & Elm was started by three founders from New Haven, Connecticut, and launched around 2019, aiming to solve one problem: side sleepers waking up with sore necks and shoulders. Its signature Side Sleeper Pillow has a curved cutout where your shoulder rests, so your neck stays aligned. It’s filled with adjustable latex and fiber so you can tune the loft. The company says more than 100,000 side sleepers use it. The range has grown to an Everyday Pillow, a Body Pillow, a Side Sleeper Mini and a Weighted Comforter.
The honest caveat: this is a specialist product. It’s designed for side sleepers and isn’t ideal for stomach or back sleepers. Some buyers find it too firm or lofty out of the box (removing fill helps) or notice an initial smell. The 45-night trial is generous, but return shipping is deducted from your refund. Trustpilot has no reviews, while the BBB rates the company A+, and on-site reviews average about 4.4 from more than 2,100 reviews for the Side Sleeper Pillow.
02 At a Glance
At a glance
- Launched
- ~2019 (entity formed 2018), Connecticut
- Founders
- Three New Haven founders
- Signature
- Side Sleeper Pillow (shoulder cutout, adjustable fill)
- Range
- Side Sleeper, Everyday, Body Pillow, Mini, Weighted Comforter
- Price Range
- ~$39.99 (Mini) to ~$196 (Weighted Comforter, sale)
- Shipping
- Free on all orders
- Trial
- 45 nights (return shipping deducted)
- Warranty
- 5 years
- BBB
- A+ (accredited)
- On-site Rating
- ~4.4/5 (2,100+ reviews, Side Sleeper Pillow)
- FailleGlam Rating
- 7.7/10
03 Honest Breakdown
✅ WHAT WORKS
- Smart ergonomic design. The shoulder cutout keeps the neck aligned for side sleepers.
- Adjustable fill. You can remove latex and fiber to customise the height.
- Neck pain relief. Many owners report fewer morning headaches and less neck pain.
- 5-year warranty. It’s long for a pillow.
- Free shipping. There’s no minimum on any order.
❌ WHAT TO KNOW
- Side sleepers only. It’s not suitable for stomach sleepers and is limited for back sleepers.
- Firm out of the box. You may need to adjust the fill.
- Initial smell. Some buyers notice off-gassing.
- Return shipping deducted. Refunds aren’t fully free.
Overall, it’s one of the best pillows for dedicated side sleepers. Take time to adjust the fill.
04 Best Products
Best Overall Pick: Side Sleeper Pillow, Queen, Latex (~$114.99 on sale)
The original cutout design and the reason to buy Eli & Elm. It’s ideal for neck and shoulder relief.
Best Value: Side Sleeper Mini (~$39.99)
A compact version for travel, kids or smaller frames, and a low-cost way to try the design.
Premium / Upgrade Pick: Weighted Comforter, Twin 13 lb (~$196 on sale)
A calming weighted layer to pair with the pillow for deeper sleep.
Approach With Caution: Everyday Pillow (~$97.49)
It’s a solid pillow, but without the cutout it loses Eli & Elm’s main advantage.
05 What Buyers Are Actually Saying
No more morning headaches, very little to no neck pain!
Both my husband and I absolutely love this pillow.
False advertising!
Some owners say the pillow is too firm or lofty at first and needs fill removed. — Customer feedback (summarised)
The pattern: Side sleepers who adjust the fill are very happy. Complaints are mainly about firmness out of the box and marketing claims.
06 vs The Competition
| vs The Competition | Our pick Eli & Elm | Coop Home Goods | Purple Harmony | Saatva Latex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulder cutout | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Adjustable fill | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Price | ⚠️ | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ |
| Warranty | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| All sleep positions | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free returns | ❌ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
07 Is It Right For You?
Perfect For
Dedicated side sleepers with neck or shoulder discomfort.
Worth Considering If
You switch between side and back and are willing to adjust the fill.
Skip It If
You sleep on your stomach or want a soft, low-loft pillow.
08 FailleGlam Recommends
Eli & Elm
Side Sleeper Pillow (Queen, Latex)
A pillow built around how side sleepers actually sleep.
09 FAQs
Q.01Is Eli & Elm good for neck pain?
Many side sleepers report relief thanks to the shoulder cutout. Persistent pain should be checked by a doctor. This isn’t medical advice.
Q.02Can I adjust the Eli & Elm pillow?
Yes. Unzip it and remove latex or fiber fill to lower the loft.
Q.03What is Eli & Elm’s return policy?
A 45-night trial for any reason. Return shipping is deducted from the refund.
Q.04Does Eli & Elm have a warranty?
Yes, 5 years.
Q.05Is Eli & Elm good for back sleepers?
It’s designed for side sleepers. Back sleepers may prefer the Everyday Pillow or another option.
10 Scorecard
