Change the amount of fill
The Shredded Memory Foam Pillow has removable fill. You can reduce its height in small steps, save the removed foam and put some back if needed.
Alexa Sleep Buying Guides
Learn the difference between pillow height and firmness, and compare adjustable fill, low-profile options and fixed foam cores.
Compare pillowsBy the Alexa Sleep team · Updated September 2026
Pillow loft describes how tall a pillow is. Firmness describes how strongly it resists compression. They interact, but they are not the same thing: a tall, soft pillow can compress substantially, while a lower, firmer pillow may keep more of its original height.
That is why a photograph or an uncompressed measurement cannot tell the whole story. Compare how a pillow feels under your head, on the mattress you use, in your normal sleeping position.
For side sleeping, the pillow fills the space between your head and the mattress. Back sleepers generally need a different profile that does not push the head far forward. Mattress softness changes the gap because your body sinks into the bed by a different amount. Cleveland Clinic’s pillow guidance explains why position and mattress firmness matter.
A side-sleeper label is therefore a useful clue, not a guarantee of fit. Two people using the same mattress may still prefer different pillows.
| Factor | What to notice | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Usual sleeping position | How your head rests when you settle naturally | A lower or higher starting profile |
| Mattress feel | How deeply your shoulders and upper body settle | The pillow on your own bed, not just in your hands |
| Pillow compression | How much height remains under your head | Loft and firmness together |
| Adjustment | Whether the pillow can be changed after purchase | Removable fill versus a fixed core |
| Changing positions | How the pillow feels in the positions you actually use | Comfort across your normal movement |
The Shredded Memory Foam Pillow has removable fill. You can reduce its height in small steps, save the removed foam and put some back if needed.
The Talalay Latex Pillow comes in Soft (Low) and Firm (High), in Queen or King. Low and High are the product’s option names, not measurements in inches.
The Cooling Gel Pillow uses a molded core. Its fill is not removable, so it suits shoppers who prefer a consistent shape.
Choosing King to get more loft. King is a size option, not a promise of extra height. Read the specific profile and construction details.
Choosing a firm pillow because the mattress is firm. Matching the two labels does not establish a comfortable fit. The pillow’s compressed height matters.
Expecting cooling features to solve a height problem. A gel surface and a ventilated core describe temperature-related construction. They do not tell you whether the pillow is too tall or too low.
Removing a large amount of fill at once. Smaller changes are easier to compare and reverse. Use our adjustment walkthrough if you choose the shredded model.
For a closer look at materials, read latex vs. memory foam pillows.
