Down-alternative pillows are a great option for sleepers who like a fluffy, soft pillow but don’t want a pillow made with real down feathers. In this review, I’ll be covering a down-alternative pillow from Nolah called the Nolah AirFiber pillow. We’ll get into what this pillow is made of — what exactly is “AirFiber” made of? — as well as my personal experience testing it out.
Short on time? Skip ahead to my review summary.
Nolah AirFiber Pillow
The Nolah AirFiber is a down-alternative pillow with a cool-to-the-touch cover.
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Is the Nolah AirFiber Pillow a Good Pillow for You?
Every sleeper has different wants and needs from their pillow, so let’s go over who the Nolah AirFiber pillow will be best suited for.
Who should try the Nolah AirFiber pillow
- Stomach sleepers should be quite comfortable on the Nolah AirFiber pillow, as it is soft enough to prevent their necks from craning upwards.
- Hot sleepers will also likely appreciate how cool to the touch this pillow feels.
- Sleepers who want a fluffy, moldable pillow will like the feel of this pillow.
Who should not try the Nolah AirFiber pillow
- Side sleepers likely won’t get enough support to prevent neck pain from this pillow. I’d recommend something firmer, such as a memory foam pillow.
- Shoppers who are looking for a king size pillow should consider another pillow, as the Nolah AirFiber is only available in queen size.
- Shoppers who want time to decide about their pillow may not like the shorter trial that Nolah offers, which is only 30 nights.
What Does the Nolah AirFiber Pillow Feel Like?
I personally tested the Nolah AirFiber pillow to get a sense of how it feels, but keep in mind that feel is subjective, so you might have a different experience than I did.
Nolah AirFiber Pillow Firmness
When it comes to firmness, I generally categorize pillows as either soft, medium, or fim. Each firmness level is best suited to a different sleeping position, to ensure sleepers maintain spinal alignment in that position. For side sleepers, I recommend a firm feel. For back sleepers, I recommend a medium feel. And for stomach sleepers I recommend a soft feel.
I decided the Nolah AirFiber had an overall soft feel. This is a pillow you sink right into and it doesn’t prop your head and neck up much. It also feels quite fluffy and moldable, akin to a true down pillow.
Nolah AirFiber Pillow Loft
Like firmness, pillows can be categorized by loft, or height, and each sleeping position does best with a different loft. I recommend a high loft for side sleepers, a medium loft for back sleepers, and a low loft for stomach sleepers to maintain spinal alignment.
The Nolah AirFiber looks at first sight like it has a medium loft, but the fill is so soft and compressive that the loft ends up being quite low once you’re actually lying on the pillow, because it squishes down and flattens out.
Now let’s go over my experience with this pillow in different sleeping positions.
Side — This pillow is too soft and low lofted for side sleepers, in my opinion. I did not get enough support to keep my neck in line with my spine and felt it dipping down, which can cause neck pain. I’d opt for a higher loft, firmer pillow. See our best pillows for side sleepers.
Back — I think the Nolah AirFiber pillow is okay for back sleepers. Some back sleepers may find that it is lacking in enough support to fill the space between their neck and the mattress properly, but if you are a back sleeper and know you prefer a softer, more moldable pillow, the Nolah AirFiber could work.
Stomach — I thought the Nolah AirFiber pillow was really well-suited to stomach sleepers, because it is so soft and compresses to a low loft. Lying on the Nolah AirFiber, I didn’t feel my neck craning upwards, which is key for stomach sleepers, who need a pillow that raises their head and neck as little as possible off the mattress.
Under the Arm — The Nolah AirFiber pillow could work decently as a pillow to sleep with under your arm, but I found it a little too soft, lacking any firm support to really grab onto. I’d look for something just a bit firmer that you can really hug onto.
Between the Legs — I think the Nolah AirFiber could work for sleeping with between your legs, as it is soft and low enough that it won’t lift your legs out of alignment, but should offer some pressure relief for your legs.
Nolah AirFiber Pillow
The Nolah AirFiber is a down-alternative pillow with a cool-to-the-touch cover.
Read Full ReviewWhat is the Nolah AirFiber Pillow Made Of?
Cover: The cover of the Nolah AirFiber pillow is made from 100 percent cotton and treated with phase-changing Outlast® cooling material. This phase change material was originally invented by NASA to protect astronauts from extreme fluctuations in temperature. This pillow cover is made with “Space Certified Technology!”
Fill: The fill of the Nolah AirFiber pillow is 100 percent polyester fiber. Nolah says these fibers are ultra-thin and light spun to achieve a high loft and provide support. This is called a down alternative, because it uses synthetic materials to imitate the feeling of real down.
Down alternatives are good options for people with allergies, shoppers who don’t want to purchase animal products, and shoppers on a budget, as real down is generally more expensive.
This pillow is only available in a queen size.
Is the Nolah AirFiber Pillow Good for Hot Sleepers?
If you’re a hot sleeper, it’s important to choose bedding that won’t cause you to overheat. The Nolah AirFiber pillow is a fantastic choice for hot sleepers. In my experience, this pillow is extremely cool to the touch and maintains that cool temperature, thanks to the Outlast® cooling material used in the cotton cover. This pillow doesn’t just stay temperature neutral — it’s actually quite cold.
The fill and cotton cover do allow for some airflow, preventing hot air from being trapped inside the pillow, in addition to the Outlast® material.
Complete your hot-sleeper-approved bed setup with our best cooling sheets. Or check out some of our other favorite cooling pillows.
Nolah AirFiber Pillow Sizes and Prices
Wondering how much this pillow costs? Here’s a breakdown of prices.
Price listed will be before discount or offer for each size. Click one of the coupons throughout this article to get our best price.
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Queen | 20″ x 30″ | $79 |
Nolah AirFiber Pillow
The Nolah AirFiber is a down-alternative pillow with a cool-to-the-touch cover.
Read Full ReviewMy Final Thoughts About the Nolah AirFiber Pillow
The Nolah AirFiber pillow is a great choice for stomach sleepers and for hot sleepers — so if you’re a stomach sleeper that’s prone to night sweats, this may just be the pillow for you to get that perfect night’s sleep.
It’s soft and compressive, so it keeps stomach sleepers’ necks from craning upwards. The Outlast® cooling material keeps the surface of this pillow cool to the touch, while breathable materials prevent hot air from being trapped.
This pillow also works decently for back sleepers, so it could work for back/stomach combination sleepers. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for side sleeping, as it is just too soft to provide the support side sleepers typically need.
Nolah AirFiber Pillow Policies and FAQs
How does the Nolah AirFiber pillow ship?
Nolah ships for free within the contiguous 48 United States. You can expect your pillow to ship within one to two business days.
Does the Nolah AirFiber pillow come with a sleep trial?
Yes, Nolah offers a 30-day trial period with this pillow. If you return the pillow, you will receive a full refund, but customers are responsible for paying return shipping. Additionally, the pillow must be returned undamaged and clean. Learn more at nolahmattress.com.
Does the Nolah AirFiber pillow come with a warranty?
Nolah pillows come with a 2-year warranty.
Is the Nolah AirFiber pillow machine washable?
The Nolah AirFiber pillow is machine washable. Nolah recommends washing on a delicate cycle in warm water with half the amount of recommended detergent. Be sure to balance the machine by washing two pillows or adding additional items. To dry, tumble on permanent press or a cool-down cycle — 160 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
Does the Nolah AirFiber pillow need a pillowcase?
This is a personal preference, since the pillow is machine washable. However, I always recommend using a pillowcase to ensure your pillow stays as clean as possible. Additionally, there is a logo embroidered on the pillow cover, which I would personally find uncomfortable to sleep on without a pillowcase.
Nolah AirFiber Pillow Vs
Now let’s compare the Nolah AirFiber pillow to some competitors.
Nolah AirFiber Pillow vs Purple Cloud Pillow
- The Purple Cloud is another down-alternative pillow, filled with gel fiber coated in silicone. This gives the Purple Cloud a more medium feel that keeps your head and neck elevated, while still allowing just a bit of sinking in.
- It’s also completely machine washable, which is a big pro for sleepers with allergies.
- I found this pillow most comfortable for sleeping on my side, so it could be a good alternative to the Nolah AirFiber pillow for side sleepers.
- Want to learn more? Read my full Purple Cloud pillow review.
Purple Cloud Pillow
The Purple Cloud pillow is a down alternative pillow filled with gel fibers coated in silicone.
Sleepopolis Score
4.10 / 5
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Nolah AirFiber Pillow vs Casper Pillow
- The Casper pillow is a down-alternative pillow with a pillow-within-a-pillow design.
- It’s a great pick for both back sleepers and side sleepers. It also maintains a cool temperature, making it a solid choice for hot sleepers.
- The dual-pillow design makes this pillow fluffy on the outside, but with firm support inside, giving it an overall medium-firm feel.
- Curious about this pillow-within-a-pillow? Read our full Casper pillow review.
Casper Original Pillow
Sleepers can enjoy Casper's pillow-in-a-pillow design in order to customize the loft and feel!
Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
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Other Products from Nolah
- Nolah mattress
- Nolah Signature mattress
- Nolah Evolution hybrid mattress
- Nolah Natural mattress
- Nolah Bamboo sheets
- Nolah Squishy pillow
Finally, here are my star ratings for the Nolah AirFiber pillow.
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Materials
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Comfort
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Value
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Cooling
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Durability
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Trial
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Warranty
