Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

There’s finally a pillow designed specifically with side-sleepers in mind

The SleepSmart Pillow enters production, and shipment should be close behind

sleepsmart pillow side sleeper inflated vs deflated comparison
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Whether you’re the big spoon or little spoon, your side needs to be comfy when you’re sleeping — the side of your head, that is. Alas, the majority of the pillows currently on the market aren’t exactly designed with us side-sleepers in mind, which leads to long nights of fluffing, refluffing, adjusting, and readjusting in vain. But soon, you’ll fluff no more. Meet the SleepSmart Pillow, an adjustable pillow meant for people who don’t sleep on their backs or on their stomachs, but on their side. After a successful Kickstarter campaign that ultimately raised over $87,000, the SleepSmart Pillow is now in production, which means shipment should be close behind.

The SleepSmart team tells Digital Trends that this new pillow is the first to be designed with both a comfort layer and an easily adjustable support layer, which allows you to set the pillow at just the right height for your neck. The pillow was designed after more than 1,000 interviews with side sleepers, who aired their grievances with existing pillows that don’t quite support their heads they way they prefer. And many of these grievances resonated with SleepSmart creator Brandon Larson.

Recommended Videos

“I got fed up with sleep solutions on the market, especially the tech, so I built SleepSmart with an inventor/engineer friend of mine, who was also frustrated with pillow options on the market,” Larson told Digital Trends. “We developed a pillow that quickly and easily adjusts its height. It has both a comfort layer and an adjustable support layer so people don’t have to compromise when trying to find a pillow.”

Please enable Javascript to view this content

So how does the support layer work? As Larson explains, a “bladder” located inside the pillow allows air to travel in and out depending on where you place your head. This increases or decreases the support height into the optimal position for your unique sleeping position.

But being adjustable isn’t the only thing that sets the SleepSmart apart. Rather, this smart pillow comes with a companion app that helps you monitor your sleep, or wakes you up with a vibration alarm. “We went back to basics [in designing the app],” Larson told us. “The apps tracks only what is fundamentally the most important for sleep tracking — sleep duration, consistency habits, and lifestyle context. The goal is to provide users with awareness so they can understand how life affects sleep and vice versa.” 

If you missed the original Kickstarter campaign, not to worry. The team is also raising money on Indiegogo, and offering early bird pricing of $129. Of course, you should always exercise caution when backing crowdfunding campaigns, even when it seems as though there’s already a proven track record of success.

Looking for more? Check out our list of the best pillows for side sleepers and cooling pillows.

Updated on March 16, 2018: The SleepSmart Pillow has gone into production.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Beatbot reveals futuristic AquaSense 2 Series pool cleaners at CES 2025
Beatbot AquaSense 2

The original AquaSense Series was wildly popular when it hit the market in early 2024, and at CES 2025, Beatbot officially revealed its successor, the AquaSense 2 Series. Consisting of three robotic pool cleaners and starting at $1,500, Series 2 models are designed to automate all aspects of pool cleaning. The high-end AquaSense 2 Ultra even incorporates AI technology into the mix, promising a superior clean.

AquaSense 2 is the most affordable of the trio at $1,499, yet the three-in-one pool cleaner is still pretty well-rounded. It can clean floors, walls, and the waterline, and can run for up to four hours before needing a recharge. Toss in obstacle detection, four unique cleaning modes, and an array of 16 sensors, and it’s well-suited for most pools.

Read more
Nanoleaf reveals three smart lights, plus a spooky LED face mask at CES 2025
A person holding the Nanoleaf Light Therapy Face Mask

Nanoleaf revealed a bunch of new products at CES 2025. Along with the usual lineup of smart lights, it also debuted an LED Light Therapy Face Mask, marking the brand’s first foray into the wellness industry. Like most light therapy masks, the one from Nanoleaf looks a bit terrifying. But since it’s an advanced Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Level 2 certified skincare device, it’ll likely become a popular choice among shoppers.

The Nanoleaf LED Light Therapy Face Mask is now available for preorder and costs $150. That makes it much more affordable than other devices, which can climb over $500. Despite the low price, it’s packed with useful features. This includes clinically proven red and Near Infrared Light (NIR) treatments to reduce fine lines, acne, and uneven skin tone, as well as stimulate collagen production.

Read more
The Dreame X50 Ultra robot vacuum can hop over small obstacles with ease
Dreame X50 Ultra

Robot vacuums offer a lot of convenience — provided you only need to clean one level. If an area is separated by steps, the robot needs a bit of help getting from one elevation to another. The Dreame X50 Ultra, the newest flagship vacuum from Dreame, has a lift system that allows it to climb over small steps up to 6 centimeters (about 2.36 inches) in height. The ProLeap System is among the first of its kind, with levers that let it hop over obstacles like cords, transition strips, and much more.

The Dreame X50 Ultra also comes with the VersaLift Navigation System that lets it drop low enough to clean under furniture like beds and couches. It drops the turret — the round part on top of the robot — and uses its onboard cameras to navigate around and avoid obstacles. With a clearance of 89mm, the Dreame X50 Ultra is the limbo champion of robot vacuums. It recognizes more than 200 potential obstacles and navigates around them.

Read more