Sleep Number Naturalfit Ultimate Pillow: review in brief
The Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow is among the brand's premium pillow offerings, with a starting price of $189. While NaturalFit also comes in Classic and Curved shapes, the Ultimate offers a curved design and is adjustable so it can suit any body type and sleep style.
But how does this fare in practice – and is it worth the high price tag? Our reviewer slept on a standard-size Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow for two weeks, evaluating its ease of setup, overall comfort, and durability. Keep reading to find out why we listed it in our best pillow guide and whether it's suitable for your sleep needs...
Type: Adjustable via inserts with natural down and latex fill
Cover: 100% cotton
Best for: Sleepers who like a softer pillow, hot sleepers, combi sleepers
Standard dimensions: 24" x 18" x 2"
Trial period: 100 nights
Warranty: 1 year
Instead of shredded fill, this adjustable pillow has three panels that are individually filled with a blend of natural down and latex. Our reviewer opted to remove one of the panels and slept on their side, back and stomach. The curve of the pillow cradled their neck no matter what position they slept in.
It's also breathable. The cover is made of 100% cotton, while the down and latex fill is good for airflow. Our reviewer didn't overheat once, so if you're a hot sleeper, this is a pillow to consider.
While the pillow does flatten a bit throughout the night, it did not misalign our reviewer’s spine or cause them to awaken. However, this could be an issue for sleepers who like a decidedly firmer feel or can't be bothered to frequently fluff their pillow.
There's also the matter of cost. With a retail price of $189 (or $219 for a king-size), the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate is a splurge, though you can sometimes find it on sale during holidays and sales events. (It's currently buy-one-get-one-50% off as a part of Sleep Number's current holiday sale.)
Sleep Number is known for making some of the best mattresses for people who want a custom sleep experience. If you have the cash to splash on an adjustable pillow that also sleeps cool, go for the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate, which we gave 4 out of 5 stars. You'll also get 100 nights to try it at home and a 1-year warranty.
Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow review: Price & deals
- The NaturalFit comes in three styles; Ultimate is the most expensive
- BOGO offers can help you save money
- Includes a 100-night trial and a 1-year warranty
The Sleep Number NaturalFit Pillow comes in three shapes (Classic, Curved, and Ultimate) in either standard or king size. Prices start at $149 for a standard Sleep Number NaturalFit Classic Pillow and reach as high as $219 for an Ultimate king-size pillow.
Here's a brief rundown of the sizes and list prices of the Sleep Number NaturalFit Pillow:
- Classic Standard: $149
- Classic King: $179
- Curved Standard: $169
- Curved King: $199
- Ultimate Standard: $189
- Ultimate King: $219
No matter which size or build you choose, the NaturalFit is a pricey pillow. However, Sleep Number currently offers a buy-one-get-one deal that cuts 50% off the price of a second NaturalFit Ultimate pillow as part of its holiday sale. All variations of the Sleep Number NaturalFit Pillow come with a one-year warranty and a 100-night sleep trial.
How does it compare to similar pillows on the market? The Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow has a starting MSRP of $129 and also features a curved design, a shredded latex fill and a 5-year warranty – but it only has a 45-day trial. Given the NaturalFit Ultimate's suitability for all sleepers, another comparable pillow is the Bedgear Storm Cuddle Curve Pillow, which offers a choice of four lofts. With an MSRP from $219 for a standard size, it's a pricier option, but it does feature dedicated cooling tech, such as a Ver-Tex cooling cover and a dual-firmness feature.
So despite the high price point of this pillow, those with similar features and perks are priced in a similar area.
Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow review: Design & materials
- A curved pillow with three adjustable inserts
- Inserts are filled with natural latex and down
- 100% cotton cover is machine-washable
The Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow is adjustable via three inserts. These inserts contain a blend of natural duck down and latex pieces derived from rubber trees. These materials are meant to provide a balance of responsiveness, support, and plushness. The curved shape (though it doesn't feature quite as deep a curve as the brand's NaturalFit Curved Pillow) allows you to rest your head and neck in the center of the pillow when side or back sleeping.
The slight curvature of the pillow has some similarities to the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper pillow, which has a much more pronounced curve and adjustable loft. The more expensive Bedgear Storm Cuddle Curve Pillow, also features a curved design and the option to choose from four different heights.
The cover of the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow, meanwhile, is made with 100% cotton. There's a single grey strip of athletic jersey-like material around the edge of the pillow with small holes for breathability (the cotton and latex should help with this, too.) You can machine-wash the cover in warm water on a gentle cycle with like colors and tumble dry on low.
The Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow is also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, ensuring it's free from harmful substances.
Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow review: What it's like to sleep on
- Arrives fully expanded so you can sleep on it right away
- Curved design supports the head and neck
- Breathable materials prevent overheating
While the Sleep Number NaturalFit Pillow is sold in three options – Classic, Curved, and Ultimate – this section will break down our experience setting up and sleeping on the Ultimate version, which features a slightly curved design and customizable height.
Setup
The pillow was packaged in a cloth-like bag and shipped in a cardboard box that was partially damaged (fortunately, the contents were okay.) Some pillows are vacuum-sealed and flattened, so they need time to expand, but that wasn't the case with the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow. It arrived fully inflated to size, allowing our reviewer to use it immediately.
Our reviewer found the pillow too tall for her liking so she removed one of the three inserts for a more comfortable height. This is comparatively easier (and less messy) than adjusting a pillow with shredded fill, and you can use the cloth bag to store the spare insert(s).
Score: 4 out of 5
Comfort and support
The curved design of the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow surrounded our reviewer's shoulders and kept their head and neck properly aligned when side, back, and stomach sleeping. The adjustable inserts allowed them to make the pillow as tall as it needed for it to be comfortable.
The natural down and latex blend is plush and soft, though it flattens a bit overnight so you'll need to fluff it regularly if you want it to maintain its loft. For a pillow that consistently maintains its shape, check out our Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology review.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Temperature control
Our reviewer tested this pillow during a Texas summer and slept on a hybrid mattress with a lightweight comforter, microfiber sheets and light nightwear. Their AC was set at 77 degrees F.
The Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow has a 100% cotton cover and a mix of natural down and latex within each insert. These materials are known for their breathability and they benefitted our reviewer, who didn’t sweat or get warm when sleeping on this pillow. They didn't note any heat trapping within the pillow, so if you're a hot sleeper, we think this pillow will provide you with plenty of relief.
Score: 5 out of 5
Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow review: Durability & care
- Well-made but seems expensive for what it is
- Swap inserts often to help them last longer
- Cover is washable, but the inserts are not
A pillow’s comfort and temperature regulation aren’t the only important elements. We also considered the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow’s durability and the care and maintenance it requires.
Build quality
In our reviewer's opinion, the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow neither looks nor feels like something that should cost as much as it does, but that's not to say it's poorly made, either.
The 100% cotton cover is good quality, but we can see it easily staining if customers don’t use a pillow protector or wash it consistently.
Also, the down and latex blend in the inserts will break down over time. We suggest rotating between inserts if you only use one or two, or re-ordering them if you use all three, to maximize their lifespan. That's one advantage of this adjustable design.
Score: 4 out of 5
Care and maintenance
The cotton cover is removable and can be machine-washed in warm water on a gentle cycle and tumble-dried on low. However, Sleep Number advises using a pillow protector (which you will need to buy separately) to extend the life of the pillow.
The inserts can be fluffed by hand but they're not machine-washable. Sleep Number doesn't offer any details about cleaning the inserts, but you may be able to spot-treat stains, if necessary.
This is typical of most pillows. Though there are exceptions, such as the Lagoon The Fox Pillow, which has a machine-washable cover and inner pillow.
Score: 4 out of 5
Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow review: User reviews
- Cumulative rating of 4.7/5 stars from around 500 reviews (December 2024)
- Positive reviews say it's comfortable and cooling
- Negative reviews claim it's too pricey and loses firmness
The Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow is exclusively available from Sleep Number. Since the NaturalFit Pillow comes in several styles, the reviews are cumulative. As of December 2024, it has a 4.7-star rating (out of 5) from over 500 reviews. However, there is no way of telling which reviews are for the Ultimate version of the pillow unless it's specifically noted.
Most of the reviews are positive, with many shoppers finding it comfortable and cooling. Others praise the curved design and adjustable inserts. On the flip side, some critics say it's too expensive and loses its firmness over time. There was no way for our reviewer to know if it would lose its firmness, but the high quality of the materials makes us think it'll last a while.
Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow: What we liked
✅It's fuss-free: With its fill made from three removable inserts, you can customize this pillow to suit your sleep needs, minus any hassle from loose fill.
✅It's temperature regulating: This pillow kept us cool and comfortable even during a hot Southern summer, a big bonus given that its not a dedicated cooling pillow.
✅It's supportive but plush: The curved design and adjustable loft created plenty of support for our reviewer's head and neck, while the natural down and latex fill gave a plush feel.
Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow: What we didn't like
❌ The price: The Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate PIllow has many qualities, but affordability sadly isn't one of them. This is a premium pillow with a premium price tag to match.
❌It didn't retain its shape all night: This pillow did flatten during the course of the night and required some fluffing to return to its fullest shape. It's possible those looking for firm support might find this an issue.
❌It doesn't look particularly luxe: While it has a plush feel, this pillow isn't the most luxurious looking option available right now.
Should you buy the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow?
The Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate Pillow excels in comfort no matter your sleep position – and isn’t that the most important thing to consider when buying a pillow?
With three adjustable inserts filled with natural down and latex, this pillow offers a plush, sink-in feeling when you lie your head on it. Our reviewer felt comfortable sleeping on her back, side, and stomach and liked that the curved design followed the natural curve of her shoulders, allowing her to place her head in the center of the pillow.
It's breathable, too, thanks to the 100% cotton cover and the latex and natural downfill. Our reviewer thought it regulated temperature well, and didn't wake up sweaty or warm.
However, this pillow flattens a bit at night. That didn't bother our reviewer but it could be a nuisance for those who prefer a firmer feel or don't want to keep fluffing their pillow. It's also pricey and only comes with a one-year warranty – but the 100-night trial is among the longest we've seen for a pillow so you can take your time getting used to it.
