I tried one of the most hyped pillows for side sleepers — in just one week, I was sleeping better than I have in years

The downside of having your whole job revolving around testing pillows, bedding and sleep health products is that you're hyper-aware of your sleep needs and rarely impressed by what the market offers.

Which is why I went into testing one of the most popular side-sleeper pillows with low expectations. The main highlight of the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper pillow is its curved shape, similar to big names such as the Tempur-Neck Pillow and the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow that feature in our best pillows guide.

Available in two variants, latex and shredded memory foam, the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow is designed to eliminate neck pain and keep your spine aligned. Here's what you need to know about it, and my thoughts after a week of testing...

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How much does the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow cost?

• The Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow costs from $139.99
• It comes with a 45-day money back guarantee
• It also coms with a 5-year warranty and free shipping

The Side Sleeper Pillow is one of Eli and Elm's top sellers, and is currently priced at $139.99 for a queen and $145.99 for a king, irrespective of the fill you choose (latex noodle or shredded memory foam).

For reference, this is a premium price point when compared with pillows such as the queen size Coop Original Adjustable Pillow ($89) and the standard size Purple GridCloud ($149).

The good news is that you can often find it on sale with up to 20% off, including bundle offers. Right now, you get 15% off a single Side Sleeper Pillow, which drops the MSRP from $134.99 to $114.99 as part of Eli and Elm's Spring bedding sales. Buy a pair, and you can take advantage of the brand's Buy One Get One 50% off discount.

While the benefits aren't as impressive as our top pick overall for all sleepers, the Coop Original Adjustable, the brand offers a 45-day return policy, a 5-year warranty and free shipping.

Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow: was $134.99 now $114.99 at eliandelm.com

The Eli and Elm Side Sleeper comes in two variants (latex and memory foam) and two sizes (queen and king). It also includes a 45-day return policy, a 5-year warranty and free shipping. You can now get up to 15% off a single pillow in Eli and Elm's Spring Sale, bringing the price down to $114.99 (was $134.99).

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Unboxing my Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow

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• No expansion time, arrived ready to sleep
• No off-gassing scent
• Fully adjustable fill

The Eli and Elm Side Sleeper pillow arrived at full size, ready to sleep on. Many top-rated pillows are vacuum-packed and require at least a few hours to a full night to expand. But with the Eli and Elm, there was no expansion time required.

The fully adjustable fill can be customized to create your ideal pillow feel and loft. So, like the other memory foam adjustable pillows I've reviewed, the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper also needs to be fluffed up to suit your sleeping style before you sleep on it.

I also didn't notice any off-gassing. This refers to the strong chemical smell that can be released when unpackaging memory foam products. While it's not dangerous or toxic, it can irritate the airways. As your airways are in direct contact with a pillow, it's a massive perk that the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper pillow doesn't produce this smell.

What it's like to sleep on

Night 1: Soothing neck comfort

I tried the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper pillow in its shredded memory foam and polyester version. Unlike the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck pillow, known for its firmer feel, this ergonomic-shaped pillow has a soft to medium-firm feel.

As a combination sleeper who alternates between back and side sleeping during the night, I was unsure about the support it would give my neck and shoulders. For my first night, I decided to use it without any fill adjustments as it already seemed rather flat, and a low-loft is best for back sleepers.

To my surprise, the cutout design exactly filled the gap between my head and the mattress, easing my neck and shoulder muscles and reducing strain — a feature often found in the best side sleeper pillows we've tested so far.

The shredded memory foam and polyester fiber fill held my head in a comfortable position, contouring to my form without letting me sink too far into the pillow.

In the morning, I found myself rolled over to the side, clutching the slightly elongated edge, which made it easier to rest my arm as well (a constant annoyance for side sleepers).

I was also impressed to see it had maintained its shape, support and feel throughout the night without the need for shifting or adjustments.

Night 2-7: Perfect for my combi sleep style

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Even though it features a dedicated U-shaped design for side sleepers, I think the Eli and Elm model could easily become a strong contender for our best pillows for back sleepers guide. The reason? Because the cutout design contoured my shoulders when back sleeping, which meant my neck and shoulders instantly relaxed and avoided strain.

The consistent support during the night without flattening, sagging or uneven shifting meant there was no risk of neck or shoulder pain.

The soft, removable top cover made from a blend of cotton, spandex and polyester remained at a neutral temperature throughout the initial testing period. But it is important to note that I'm not prone to overheating at night. So far, it's difficult to tell whether it would keep a particularly hot sleeper, whether experiencing night sweats or hot flashes, cool enough. Although the cotton is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, which will help regulate temperatures.

If I were to nitpick, my main criticism would be the size of the pillow. It seems a lot wider than most of the pillows I've previously tried. While this did provide a lot space to move around on, I found the pillow took up too much space on the bed. It was also heavier than a down or microfiber pillow, meaning it could feel a little cumbersome if you wanted to move it during the night.

Is the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper Pillow worth it?

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After a week of testing, my first impression is that the Eli and Elm Side Sleeper memory foam pillow is a solid choice for back and side sleeping.

Due to its fully-adjustable build, I'd recommend it to everyone, including side, back and stomach sleepers. Although those who sleep on their front will want to remove a lot more fill to achieve a lower loft to suit the position better.

The ergonomic curved shape, gentle contouring of the memory foam and the consistent support make it ideal for sleepers who are looking for soft comfort over the firmer support pillows like the Tempur-Neck provide.

While I need more time to fully assess the benefits, based on my early experience, I largely agree with the rave reviews for the Eli and Elm pillow. But watch this space, because I'll be following up with my full review soon.