Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow review 2024

This side sleeper pillow performs well across the board —even for back and stomach sleepers

Woman sleeping on her side with a pillow under her neck
(Image: © Getty Images)

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleep Pillow perfect for side sleepers, thanks to its curved design. However, the adjustable fill to tweak the firmness level means it's also comfortable for back and stomach sleepers. It's breathable, and the cooling cover meant it performed well with temperature regulation, keeping sleepers cool throughout the night. Its outer cover can be removed and washed which makes it easy to care for and potentially long-lasting. It might be rather expensive, but it performed so well in our tests that we'd still say it's good value.

Pros

  • +

    Adjustable fill

  • +

    Removable cover

  • +

    Cooling really works

  • +

    Supremely comfortable

Cons

  • -

    Good value - but not a budget price

  • -

    No king size option

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Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow: Review in brief

Nest Bedding does it all. The company makes mattresses, foundations, and frames, as well as mattress protectors, sheets, duvet covers, and comforters and blankets. 

The company also makes a variety of Easy Breather pillows in different sizes and designed to suit different types of sleeper. The Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow is, as you might have guessed, one of these.

Type: Shredded foam
Best for: Side sleepers; also good for stomach and black sleepers as well as hot sleepers
Price: $119 at Nest Bedding
Size: 29” x 17”
Benefits: Adjustable fill, temperature regulation, luxurious feel, washable cover
Trial: 30 nights
Warranty: Two years

I slept on the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow for several weeks to assess its performance. I tend to be a side sleeper, so this was the perfect design for me.

When I’m not sleeping on my side, I’m sleeping face down, and I also made efforts to test it while sleeping on my back. I tend to sleep hot since I’m under the covers in every season, so I tested it for this as well.

Two white Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillows side by side on a made bed

(Image credit: Future)

When sleeping on my side, I found the pillow provided superb support and comfort. While on my stomach, I did not find it necessary to remove any of the fill – although some stomach sleepers may find the loft of the pillow too high and need to take some of the fill out. On my back, I did find the pillow was too high to be comfortable, so I removed some of the fill when testing in this position.

Two white Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper pillows stacked on top of each other on top of a made bed

(Image credit: Future)

I never woke up with aches and pains. Since I naturally sleep on my side and stomach, I should make it clear that I felt more comfortable in those positions. However, when I removed some of the fill, I was as comfortable as expected when sleeping on my back. When those tests were over, I added the fill back to the pillow.

The only reason the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow is half a point from the perfect 5/5 is that the curved shape of the pillow means it looks awkward in a pillowcase. An aesthetic issue rather than a performance one, certainly, but it does make a difference. A shame, really, because the curve in the pillow provides just the right cradle for my neck.

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow review: Price and deals

The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow is available in four choices: standard/queen size, MSRP $119; King, MSRP $131; Junior, with an MSRP of $49; and Side Sleeper, the model we're reviewing here. It retails for $119, the same as the standard size, but you can't get bigger and smaller versions.

Those prices often drop. We've often seen the Side Sleeper variant for $107, for example. At the time of writing, Nest Bedding's back to school sale has all pillows at 20% off their retail price. That makes the Standard/Queen and Side Sleeper variants a very reasonable $95.20, the King a slightly pricier $104.80, and the Junior version a positive bargain at $39.20.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow, the more expensive Purple Harmony Pillow, which retails for $199 at Amazon (standard size), is also a great choice for side sleepers. It has a honeycomb GelFlex grid that bounces back when you move your head, and comes in 3 height options, so you can pick the pillow that’s best for your needs. It’s also a moisture-wicking and breathable option with a washable cover.

The Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology, which retails for $139, is a good choice if keeping cool is your primary concern. The pillow incorporates HeatDelete bands and a cooling gel to eliminate sweating while you sleep. The foam pillow also has a squishy soft feel that’s both comfortable and supportive, and a removable and washable cover.

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow: Was $119 now $95.20 at Nest Bedding

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow: Was $119 now $95.20 at Nest Bedding
The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow retails for $119 at Amazon, we've often seen it for $107 and, right now, it’s $95.20 if you buy direct from the Nest Bedding website as part of the company's Back to School sale. It’s good value at those prices, considering the level of comfort and support it provides. In addition, the ability to remove fill ensures you get the right height for your needs. The pillow has a 30-night trail, and free shipping. It also has a two-year warranty. 

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow review: Design and materials

The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow is a foam pillow. It’s made of 70% non-toxic CertiPUR-US certified virgin foam, along with 30% smooth polyester fiber. 

The cover is made of 49% icecore (a proprietary material that disperses heat), 49% polyester, and 2% spandex. These materials combine to make it a comfortable and supportive pillow with strong cooling properties. 

After unzipping the pillow’s cover, there’s another zipper on the actual pillow. After further opening this second zipper, the foam chunks inside can be removed as desired to make the pillow less firm.

The inside material of a Nest Bedding side sleeper pillow

(Image credit: Future)

Choosing a pillow is often a matter of preference. As a point of comparison, the Purple Harmony Pillow is made of a lightweight Talalay latex, which is also comfortable, supportive, and breathable. However, it has a bouncier feel that springs back much more than the Nest pillow.

The Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology combines polyurethane foam and viscoelastic polyurethane foam for a squishy feel. The pillow incorporates HeatDelete bands and a cooling gel to eliminate sweating while you sleep. It also has a bouncy feeling.

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow review: Performance

I slept on the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow for several weeks to assess its ease of setup, its level of comfort, and its supportive features. I also evaluated temperature regulation, durability, and care. 

Setup

The pair of Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillows arrived in a brown shipping box and, inside of that, individual branded boxes. Inside of those boxes, the pillows were wrapped in plastic. 

Each box also contained a special plastic bag to hold any fill that you might remove from the pillow, and then a cloth bag to house the plastic bag.

The packaging of the Nest Bedding side sleeper pillow showing the cover, a bag, and the pillow vaccum packed and rolled up

(Image credit: Future)

After carefully tearing open the clear plastic surrounding the pillows, they started to expand. I didn’t stand around timing the expansion process, but when I returned an hour later, the pillows had decompressed to a certain degree. Several hours later, when I returned again, they were fully decompressed. This is similar to the process for the Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology. However, when I tested the Purple Harmony pillow, it did not need to decompress.

Score: 5/5

Comfort and support

Despite its name clearly stating what Nest considers this to be for, I found the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow to be quite comfortable in every position. 

Conveniently, my primary sleeping position is on the side, although I do also sometimes sleep on my stomach. This is comfortable and supportive in both positions. 

When it came to testing it on my back, I removed some of the fill to help my neck when sleeping on my back. It was comfortable, but I don’t like sleeping on my back, so I didn’t find this position quite as pleasurable as the others. That's a personal thing, though.

Since the fill is removable, it’s quite easy to lower the height. The Purple Harmony Pillow does not have removable fill – although you can choose from three different pillow lofts, so removing it would be a little redundant. The Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology doesn’t have removable fill either, and only comes in a low loft version. However, both of these pillows are among the most comfortable and supportive that I’ve tested, so perhaps removable fill isn't everything 

Score: 5/5

Temperature control

The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow is actually cool to the touch. Its shredded foam and cooling pillow cover helped to regulate my temperature and keep me cool while I was sleeping, even though I also sleep under the covers in every season.

Up close image showing the texture and design of the cover of the side sleeper pillow

(Image credit: Future)

My mattress is a Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress and, at the time of testing, I had cotton sateen sheets and duvet cover from The Company Store, and a Casper Lightweight Down Duvet on my bed. I never wear heavy night clothes, only T-shirt-type material since I tend to sleep under the covers. Thankfully, I have an HVAC, so my room is always thermostatically-controlled to provide a pleasant experience. However, I can’t guarantee that you would not get hot if you’re sleeping in a different type of environment.

The level of temperature regulation is comparable to both the Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology, and the Purple Harmony Pillow.

Score: 5/5

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow review: Durability and care

When testing the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow, I also assessed build quality, care, and maintenance. 

Build quality

Since Nest Bedding's Easy Breather Side Sleeper pillows are considered luxury pillows, I expected them to be made of high quality materials. I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the silky, luxurious feel of the pillow cover, and the silky-like trim.

One nest bedding side sleeper pillow upright on a made bed, the other lying down on the bed

(Image credit: Future)

In addition to sleeping, I also read and watched TV in the bed, and the pillows held up quite well to a variety of use. At the end of several weeks, they still looked and felt brand new. The pillows never sagged, they didn't feel flat, and there was no need to plump them up to retain the shape.

The quality of build is comparable to the Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology, and the Purple Harmony Pillow, although their covers aren’t as luxurious as this.

Score: 5/5

Care and maintenance

It's pleasing to get a removable cover, as the ability to wash the outer helps pillows feel fresher and more hygienic. The cover here can be removed and washed in cold water on a delicate cycle and dried on a low heat setting so as not to warp or shrink it. Nest does advise against using fabric softener or bleach, since this can degrade the quality of the fabric. 

The laundering instructions are similar for the Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology, and the Purple Harmony Pillow. However, both Casper and Purple recommend air drying their pillow covers.

Score: 5/5

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow review: Should you buy?

If it’s in your budget, the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow is definitely worth the cost. The foam pillow provides an excellent level of support while also being comfortable, and the curve in the pillow perfectly cradles the head. 

It's more universal than it seems. The fact that it’s adjustable makes this a good choice for side, back, and stomach sleepers. The pillow is also breathable and cool, reducing the chances of night sweats for hot sleepers. And the removable cover provides a luxurious touch while leaving this easy to care for.

Except for the price, the fact that it doesn’t come in a king size, and the awkward looks when inside a pillow case, I can’t think of any drawbacks.  

Buy the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow if:

You need something precise: The adjustable fill lets you customize the pillow so it fits you exactly. Whether you’re a side, stomach, or back sleeper, this can be customized to meet your needs.

You're concerned about cleanliness: The removable cover makes this more hygienic than some. The ability to launder the cover in the washing machine and then toss it in the dryer makes it convenient to maintain.

You sleep hot: The Nest Side Sleeper keeps you cooler as you sleep, although some of this may depend on your sleeping environment. It’s a breathable and cool pillow that regulates heat. 

Don't buy the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow if:

You're looking to save money: It’s not for people on a budget. Although it's currently under $100, that's still a premium price, meaning this is not the most economical choice.

You find that size matters: The side sleeper version does not come in a king size. It’s only available in a standard/queen size, which may be too small for those with larger beds. 

You're worried about the looks of your bed: The curved shape of the Nest Side Sleeper means it's super comfortable on the neck and shoulders, but does make it look a little weird compared to regular-shaped pillows.

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow review: Alternatives

Purple Harmony Pillow:

Purple Harmony Pillow: $199 at Amazon
Another option for side sleepers. It has a honeycomb GelFlex grid that bounces back, and comes in 3 height options, so you can pick your desired pillow. It’s also a moisture-wicking and breathable pillow that has a washable cover. 

Casper Snow Foam Pillow with Snow Technology:

Casper Snow Foam Pillow with Snow Technology: $139 at Amazon
A good choice if your primary concern is keeping cool at night as you sleep. Using HeatDelete bands combined with a cooling gel, it’s designed to eliminate sweating, while also providing support. It also has a removable, washable cover.  

Terri Williams

Terri is a freelance writer living in Birmingham, AL. She is an experienced mattress and bedding product reviewer, and has tested hundreds of home and tech products, with bylines at Architectural Digest, Popular Science, CNN Underscored, NBC News, The Daily Beast, USA Today, Homes & Gardens, Bob Vila, and Tom's Guide.