Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsGood first impressions but it denied sleep for the entire first night
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2020
An oddly shaped pillow but one that promised to provide relief for those with neck and upper lumbar problems but also to aid those side sleepers who need additional and specific support, the "Elviros Cervical Contour Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain Orthopedic Neck Pillow for Shoulder Pain Ergonomic Head Neck Support Pillow for Side/Back/Stomach Sleepers with Removable Cover" will easily fit into any standard pillowcase to match other bedding should you so wish although it has its own zipped cover.
Although memory foam pillows exist that share some of its characteristics and design elements but are significantly lower in price, they are often also rather smaller. Although not quite 'normal' size (typically circa 48 x 74 cm), this is of a reasonably large size - 33 x 64 cm - with a variable depth across its several profiles.
As with all memory foam, there is a noticeable initial odour - fishy in this instance; it will normally dissipate within a few days in a warm room, longer in a cool one. Users may prefer to aerate the pillow unused and out of the bedroom for a suitable period if the odour cannot be tolerated.
Once fully expanded, which takes several minutes after some gentle pumping, it was subjected to a brief 'dry run' and then seemed comfortable. When attempting to later sleep on it, it was found to lack loft and substance and was considered too soft for the head to be retained within the profiled 'basket' at its centre - the slightest movement shifted the head out of its 'sweet spot'. Portions are almost paper thin and incapable of support. The concept may be good but its execution was poor.
It is expensive for what it is and for those for whom it provides the relief promised it may offer good value. Neck and upper back pain are only occasional personal issues and it was for the additional comfort promised for side and front sleepers that was the undelivered attraction. It was considered ineffective and not to offer value for the price paid.
It allowed no sleep at all for its first night of use as it was impossible to achieve comfort. Prior experience with memory foam pillows - none with a profile had ever been found effective while those of a standard form were mostly effective and comfortable if only for a while - showed that it may need a few days to accustom to it but extreme tiredness after just one night and a prospect of several additional sleepless nights ahead decided upon a return to the previously used memory foam pillow and for the return of this one.
