Layla Kapok Pillow review 2025: Customized support for an uninterrupted night's rest

Tom's Guide

5 days ago

Layla is a brand familiar to many Americans, thanks to its wide range of memory foam mattresses crafted to provide premium comfort and support without a hefty price tag.
The Layla Kapok is one of the brand's top-selling products, created to be the "one pillow to rule them all" with a fully adjustable memory foam and kapok fiber fill. What makes it stand out from the best pillows we have reviewed is the addition of naturally hypoallergenic and breathable kapok fibers, which are silkier and softer than organic cotton.
Here we take a close look at the Layla Kapok pillow, assessing it against core performance indicators such as comfort, support and temperature regulation. If you're short on time, scroll down to find a brief summary:
Type: Shredded memory foam and kapok fibersBest for: All sleepersSizes: Queen, kingTrial: 30 nightsWarranty: 5 yearsPrice: From $109 MSRP at Layla
As already mentioned, the Layla Kapok pillow is designed to suit all sleeping styles and body types. It comes overstuffed with its foam and kapok fiber fill, which you can remove (and store in the complimentary bag that comes with it) to create the ideal feel, comfort and pillow loft your sleeping position requires.
It provides a contouring yet firm support for all sleeping styles, especially for those who sleep on their side. Our lead tester, a combination sleeper (side and back), was impressed by how it perfectly meets her sleep preferences in terms of the loft, support and comfort, which eases the pressure on the neck muscles.
We tested the Layla Kapok Pillow during a particularly warm summer with the temperature going up to 27°C (68°F) and found it to sleep neutral. Hot sleepers might, therefore, require a pillow with specialized cooling tech to combat the heat and night sweats. Additionally, we also think the hypoallergenic kapok fill will be a good fit for sleepers who are prone to allergies.
The Layla Kapok Pillow starts from $109 for a queen size. Let's now look at the pillow specs and performance in detail:
Layla is mainly focused on creating affordable mattresses that offer great comfort and support for the money you pay. While adjustable pillows are made to fit everyone and therefore pricier than the traditional models, the Layla Kapok is definitely more expensive than other brands we've seen.
The Kapok model is the most expensive out of the two pillow options offered by the brand, with the queen priced at $109 and the king at $129. However, Layla is also known for its frequent mattress sales, which also mean good discounts on its pillows. The current 'buy one get one 50% off' bundle sale is a great example, dropping the cost of a pair of queen pillows from $218 to $163.50.
In terms of benefits, Layla is almost as good as Coop Sleep Goods (which has the top bedding benefits we've seen so far), with a 30-night trial, 5-year warranty and free shipping and returns.
Layla Kapok Pillow: from $109 at LaylaThe Layla Kapok Pillow is available in two sizes: queen and king. The MSRP for a queen is $109 while a king is priced at $129. This also includes a 30-night trial, 5-year warranty and free shipping and returns.
The Layla Kapok has a fully adjustable fill made of CERTIPUR-US certified shredded memory foam and kapok fibers, resulting in a medium-firm to firm pillow suitable for all sleeping positions and body types.
The biggest highlight of the design is the striking grey and white honey-combed OEKO-TEX certified fabric cover, made from 68% polyester, 33% rayon and 1% spandex.
The slightly raised hexagonal texture is soft to the touch and comforting enough to enable you to relax. Unlike other options with gussets, piping or frills, the Layla Kapok pillow features a thin seam, adding to its fuss-free construction.
The composition is vegan, hypoallergenic and naturally moisture wicking, and resistant from dust mites and other allergens. Kapok fibers are also silkier to touch and softer than cotton, so you get a breathable and contouring blend when incorporated with memory foam.
We slept on the Layla Kapok pillow for two weeks testing the core parameters which makes up a good headrest. These are our findings below:
Like most adjustable models, the Layla Kapok arrived in a cardboard box, rolled up and sealed in a plastic cover, and came with a cloth bag for storing any fill you remove while customizing it to suit your preferences.
The fully-stuffed pillow began to unfurl and expand as soon as it was out of the package. Although there weren't any specific instructions from the brand regarding the expansion time, our tester waited for 24 hours before sleeping on it.
Like the best memory foam mattresses, you might also notice some off-gassing in foam-blend pillows too. However, in our experience the Layla Kapok did not have any noticeable smell during the expansion period.
Nailing the right amount of fill was one thing I struggled with initially, since I prefer a plush feel to my pillows. It took a while for me to break into the pillow and get adjusted to the medium-firmness it offered.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Being a combination sleeper (side and back), I found the Layla Kapok to be a bit too firm to break into. I then removed about a quarter of the foam and kapok fiber fill, and fluffed it up to evenly distribute the fill and bring it back to its original shape.
The pillow felt perfect for both the positions and especially for side sleeping. After the slight readjustment, it seemed to provide the right loft and support, to bridge the gap between the ears and shoulders, while lying on the side.
Since there weren't any clear guidelines on setting up the pillow for each position, we reached out to Layla directly. We learned that while side and back sleepers may need to remove only a little (amount not mentioned), stomach sleepers might have to remove much more to flatten it out and ensure it does not compromise a healthy spinal alignment.
In comparison with the Coop Original Adjustable pillow I reviewed previously, the Layla Kapok is by no means a plush pillow. This could be because of the difference in the type of fiber used.
While this might be considered a major drawback, especially for those who prefer a softer and fluffier pillow, it is also one of the advantages the Layla has over the Coop Adjustable, since the latter tends to flatten or shift easily.
As an objective test to gauge its comfort and support, I placed a 10lb (roughly equivalent to an adult head) kettlebell on the center of the pillow. After waiting for five minutes, I removed the weight.
The pillow took over seven seconds to return to its original shape and firmness. This is line with our experience of sleeping on the Layla Kapok, which overall maintained its support and shape consistently, and required only minimal fluffing up during the testing period.
Score: 4 out of 5
Most memory foam pillows are known to retain heat, unless they also feature organic cooling materials or specialized tech.
The Layla Kapok is made with a combination of memory foam and breathable and naturally moisture-wicking kapok fibers, but lacks other dedicated cooling tech to beat the heat.
I tested the Layla Kapok Pillow when the temperatures were soaring high up to 27°C (68°F). Even with the Sijo Airyweight Cooling mattress protector, I did wake up one morning feeling hot and stuffy, due to the sunrise-facing position of my bedroom.
Conclusion? The Layla Kapok basically sleeps at a neutral temperature and will not cater to extremely hot sleepers or warm weather.
Score: 3.5 out of 5
While we should remind you that your pillows need to replaced every one to two years, it's important that the one you sleep on every night is built to last. Let's now look into whether the Layla Kapok passed this test.
While the two-week testing period is insufficient to understand whether it will stand the test of time, based on the construction and use of premium materials, we think the Layla Kapok pillow is made to last.
Our tester also didn't notice any sagging or flattening, which is a common failing in other memory foam-blend pillows. It proved to maintain its support, comfort and shape overall, without the need for frequent fluffing or readjustments.
Score: 5 out of 5
The outer polyester cover of the Layla Kapok pillow is machine-washable. Pop it in a cold water cycle and tumble dry on low heat. The inner fill layer, however, is spot clean only.
While you can fluff it up by hand, the brand also recommends putting it in the dryer for five to 10 minutes on the lowest heat setting, every so often.
Score: 4 out of 5
During our two-week testing period, our combination sleeping tester was convinced that the Layla Kapok Pillow is best suited to side and back sleeping.
The fully adjustable foam and kapok fiber fill will be a perfect fit for anyone who prefers a firm pillow that supports their head, neck and shoulders. Unlike the Coop Original Adjustable, this does not flatten or shift easily during the night and requires minimal fluffing to maintain its shape and support.
However, we recommend that stomach sleepers opt for a softer model such as the Tempur-Cloud, which is designed for that specific position and hence comes ready to be slept on.
Our reviewer also thought that the Layla Kapok slept at a neutral temperature throughout the testing period. Hot sleepers, therefore, might need something designed specifically for cooling, like the Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology, as the breathability of the kapok fiber would prove to be insufficient in handling extreme heat or night sweats.
Overall, we think the Layla Kapok is a strong choice for sleepers in search of a low-maintenance and consistently supportive adjustable pillow that offers generous sleep benefits for its price.
✅ You're a side sleeper: You'll need little to no adjustment, since the Layla Kapok perfectly bridges the gap between your ears and shoulders while lying on the side.
✅ You prefer a medium-firm supportive pillow: Unlike other plush adjustable options that tend to flatten easily, the Layla Kapok maintains its shape and medium-firm support for longer.
✅ You want extra benefits: The Layla Kapok pillow comes with a 30-night sleep trial and 5-year warranty, so you can try it stress-free before committing.
❌ You like a plush pillow: The Layla Kapok remains medium-firm no matter how much fill you remove, so if you prefer a plush pillow, this might not be right for you.
❌ You're a stomach sleeper: You'll have to remove a good quantity of the fill to achieve the loft and comfort that's ideal for stomach sleeping. It's easier to opt for dedicated models like the Tempur-Cloud instead.
❌ You're a hot sleeper: Made from a memory foam and kapok fiber fill, you'll not find it to be the most cooling option, especially if you're prone to overheating or night sweats.