Can a Square Pillow Actually Reduce Neck Pain? (2024)

As a fiber scientist and product analyst here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, hundreds of bedding products have come across my desk — some that I love and others that I... don’t. I have tested over 100 pillows in our Lab to find the best pillows on the market, so my first impression of bedding products is usually spot on, but then there was the Pillow Cube.

When I first saw this cube-shaped foam pillow, I thought, “Who would ever like this?” Turns out, it was me and many other side sleeper GH testers who tried it out!

What is the Pillow Cube?

Unlike traditional pillows that have tapered sides, Pillow Cube pillows have 90-degree edges available in a variety of heights to provide proper neck alignment when sleeping on your side. It's made of solid memory foam, and some styles also come with cooling covers. The brand has launched a variety of pillow options in different heights, all designed specifically with side sleepers in mind.

To find the best fit for you, the brand recommends lying on your side in bed and placing a stack of books under your ear. Keep adding and removing different-sized books until your head feels level with your shoulders. The height of the stack will determine the height of the Pillow Cube you should order.

How we tested the Pillow Cube

Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we put all types of pillows to the test: down, down alternative, memory foam, latex, cooling and more for every sleeping position. First, we check the care labels to see how easy they are to clean (PSA: some are not machine washable!), then we wash the whole pillow or cover five times to see whether they'll actually hold up to laundering. We also look at how well they fit into a pillowcase and we perform support and recovery tests that mimic the pressure of your head lying on it all night: A weight is left on the pillow for an extended period then we measure how quickly it returns to its original shape once the weight is removed.

In addition to in-Lab testing, we also have real consumer testers try them out for in-depth feedback on things like comfort, support, temperature regulation and more. Testers are assigned a pillow based on an initial survey to make sure they're getting a good match, then they're given several weeks to sleep on it before providing both scored and open-ended responses.

We put the Side Sleeper Ice Cube Pillow to the test in our Lab and with consumer testers. It aced Lab testing with the memory foam quickly returning to its original shape and the cover showing minimal shrinkage. We did notice a bit of fuzziness and loose threads on the cover after laundering five times, so we recommend hand-washing the cover for the best results. Although the cover has a cool-to-the-touch feel that testers said kept them at a stable body temperature, the pillow is made of solid memory foam, which is known to hold onto heat.

Testers raved about the unapparelled support and comfort they found with this unique pillow shape. One said this pillow “perfectly holds up my head,” and another said it “decreased my soreness.” Many noted that it takes some time to get used to and it’s not suited for those who toss and turn or change sleeping positions during the night, as it’s truly a side sleeper pillow.

After reading all the testers’ rave reviews and seeing it ace Lab testing, I knew I had to try it out for myself. I was still a bit skeptical at first as it's quite firm, but after a few nights of sleeping on it, I understood the hype! It cradled my head while keeping my neck properly aligned, so I woke up the next morning without any soreness. Because of its unique shape, it didn’t fit perfectly in a standard-size pillowcase, though the brand does offer pillowcases specifically for Pillow Cube pillows. The Pillow Cube definitely stood out on my bed compared to my other pillows, but I found the comfort to be worth the slight mismatch.

Based on its innovative design and impressive Lab and consumer performance, the Side Sleeper Ice Cube pillow won a Good Housekeeping Bedding Award this year!

The bottom line: Is the Pillow Cube worth it?

There isn’t a magical pillow that works for everyone — that’s why we test so many to help you find the right pillow for you. If you are a side sleeper who likes solid memory foam pillows, GH textiles pros recommend trying out the Pillow Cube. Make sure to follow the brand’s sizing guide to find the right height for you, as neck alignment makes all the difference. If you're unhappy with it, the brand does offer returns within 60 days of purchase, but you’ll have to cover shipping costs.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Emma Seymour is the senior textiles analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has rigorously tested more than 100 pillows in the Textiles Lab in the past two years, and she has coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. Emma has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for more than three years at Good Housekeeping.