Z ZONED GEL DOUGH Gel-Infused Memory Foam Bed Pillow - 5-year Warranty - Queen - High Loft

I've turned into a bit of a crazy pillow lady......on a quest to find the perfect pillow, I've tried a handful of Malouf's pillows, and I will cover all of them in this review. Here are a few things you should know about me that may influence my pillow preference....I'm a 5'3", average-sized woman who sleeps on a pillow-top mattress and prefers a soft-enough-to-be-comfortable but firm-enough-to-be-supportive pillow. Here is the sequence of the pillows I've tried Pillow #1: Malouf Talalay Latex Pillow in High Loft Plush - I used this pillow for about 3.5 years and loved it. My only complaint was that it was a little *too* plush for me. It was still supportive, and it never caused any neck pain, but it just felt like my head was sinking in too much. I dealt with this feeling for a long time before I finally passed this pillow onto my husband and decided to try some others. Pillow #2: Malouf Z-Zoned Dough Pillow with Bamboo Charcoal in High Loft - I purchased this pillow in high loft, expecting it to be about the same size as my Talalay High Loft Pillow. Wrong. The high loft was way too high and caused my head/neck to be propped up too high to be comfortable, causing a lot of neck pain. I was stubborn and figured I just had to get used to it, so I kept the pillow past the return period...and then I was too cheap to replace it until I finally realized it was significantly impacting my sleep. The overall make of this pillow would have been comfortable if it had been the right size for me, so I'd only suggest the High Loft in this pillow for larger people with bigger shoulders. Even my husband who is 5'10" with broad shoulders felt the pillow was too high for him. Finally, I caved and decided to order my next pillow.... Pillow #3: Malouf Z-Zoned Dough Pillow with Bamboo Charcoal Travel size/Low Loft: I went with this pillow next for two reasons. One, I was scared to try the mid-loft because I didn't know if it would be much lower than the high-loft. Second, we had a vacation coming up, and I had been wanting a travel pillow, anyway. Compared to the High Loft version, this pillow was significantly more comfortable for me, and it did end up being good for travel. It was way better than standard hotel pillows. However, lo and behold, it ended up being a little too low to consider using long-term as a nightly pillow. So, I kept this for travel but decided to try a new pillow..... Pillow #4: Malouf Talalay Duo-Latex Two-Sided Plush and Firm pillow: I figured this would be the answer....a pillow that would let me choose plush or firm depending on my preference night to night! Well.....unfortunately, I was wrong again. This pillow was much lower loft than my original Talalay pillow, and there wasn't a huge difference between the firm and plush sides. There was some difference, and if I flipped the pillow back and forth a time or two, I could usually figure out which was which....but it wasn't a huge difference, and neither side felt that comfortable to me. It wasn't as supportive as most other Malouf pillows, and it just felt like a standard, flat department store pillow. After about a week, I realized this was not the one and returned it. Alas, I decided to give Malouf one more try (I told you, I'm stubborn).... Pillow #5: Malouf Z-Zoned Dough Gel-Infused Pillow in mid-loft: This is it! This is the one!! The first night I slept on this, I could tell it was exactly what I was looking for. It was almost as plush as my original talalay pillow, but my head didn't sink in *quite* as far. Yet it was still supportive enough to keep me from feeling any neck pain. I immediately noticed that I was sleeping better again....not tossing and turning and waking up multiple times to re-adjust. This pillow does give that "floating on clouds" feeling. Now after having slept on it for about a week, there's one way to sum up how comfortable this is....it's so comfortable, I don't even think about whether it's comfortable or not anymore. I just lay down, fall asleep quickly, sleep great, and wake up feeling great - well-rested, no stiff neck, no lower back pain from being out of alignment. I'm so glad I stuck with Malouf, because I do think they make awesome products....there's just such a variety, it might take awhile to find the exact one that is right for you! Read more

This Malouf zoned dough gel-infused memory foam pillow is very comfortable. While it can be used for a side-sleeper, this does not have the shoulder cutout so is not optimal for side-sleeping. I use this, along with my Malouf side-sleeper pillow, for extra support while watching TV in bed. When I sleep, I use this one as a body-pillow. It is on the firm side, and the dense memory foam is heavier than most standard pillows. Read more

I have the Gel Dough travel pillow & LOVED it so I wanted a bigger one for every night at home. This particular pillow is the Z Zoned Low Loft Gel Dough pillow in standard size. This pillow is more firm than the regular Gel Dough pillow. Don't get me wrong, this pillow isnt hard, just supportive.....but soft enough to feel snuggly. The low loft is about 3 inches high. I thought it would be too low, but it's actually pretty good. I am a side sleeper & always have trouble with my ears hurting from them being squished on my pillow. No ear pain with this one. I frequently change position through the night & this pillow very quickly returns shape so when I change position, I am not snuggling into an existing pit of my previous position. I tried a Mid Loft of this one too, but I prefer the low loft. The Mid Loft Z Zoned Gel Dough pillow was pretty nice but a little bit too high for me. It was about 4" high. I kept feeling like my head was propped up at an angle. It was very good for support when sitting up in bed watching TV or reading but not by itself. Using the Mid Loft Z Zoned Gel Dough pillow was perfect for support sitting up in bed when used with 2 other pillows. I liked how it cradled my back. As I have mentioned in my other Malouf Gel Dough pillow reviews, these pillows don't stink like most memory foam pillows do. It comes packaged in its own zipper pouch so you can store it properly should you decide you need to. Right out of the package, I could barely detect the "memory foam odor" unless I put the pillow on my face & inhale deeply. When I would lay on it....I could smell it faintly....but a week later....I don't smell it at all. I really like the plush covers they come with....but I keep mine in a pillow protector & then the regular pillow case(I like my pillows to last). I like the gel infused memory foam this brand has created. It never feels too warm nor does it feel chilly.....just a comfy pillow of regular temperature. I am quite happy with this pillow. Snuggly sleeping is wonderful! Read more

Best pillows if you have neck issues. 2nd one I've bought. First one lasted almost 10yrs. Read more

The mid loft pillow is not as thick as they claim. It’s not even 5 inches thick. It’s a low loft pillow. Very annoying. It sleeps somewhat cool though. The high loft pillow is a legit high loft pillow for side sleeping. It does sink when you lay on it quite a bit, but it offers good support. It’s very good quality foam and very soft. But the high loft pillow gets hotter than any other pillow I’ve ever had. I don’t know why it doesn’t breathe at all when the “mid” loft one does. Have to send it back. Way too hot. Read more

Yes, I read most of the reviews, particularly the negative reviews, before I ordered 2. Many reviews mentioned firmness and thick. These pillows are firmer than I had anticipated, which is good for propping you up, but not soft enough to rest your head on. But, you cannot ask for both soft and firm at the same time. I like the pillow okay. My husband likes it much more. Both pillows have a slight odor when arrived. The odor lessened after a few days. Pillow covers are very soft. Read more