Coop Original Adjustable Pillow Review: A Side Sleeper's Research Verdict

What the Coop Original actually is

The Coop Original is a zip-open pillow filled with what Coop calls Oomph fill: a blend of cross-cut memory foam and microfiber. The Amazon listing breaks the fill down as 76% visco polyurethane foam and 24% polyester gel fiber. The inner liner is 100% polyester, and the outer cover is Coop's Lulltra fabric, which the listing gives as 60% polyester and 40% rayon from bamboo.

The listing gives these specs for the Queen:

• Item dimensions 29 x 19 inches; Coop's size guide lists the Classic Queen at 19 x 29 inches and the King at 19 x 35 inches
• Item thickness 8 inches, full from the box
• Weight 3.5 pounds
• Firmness described as Medium on Amazon; Coop's product page calls the blend medium-firm
• Zipper closure, and an extra bag of fill in the box

Coop's size guide also lists two other shapes, Crescent and Cut-out, each with a 2-inch gusset. This review covers the Classic rectangle, which is the shape the Amazon listing sells.

One detail from Coop's FAQ is worth knowing. Coop says it cross-cuts its foam rather than shredding it, and claims this is better for consistency, clumping and air circulation. That is the brand's description of its own process, not something I could verify, but it explains why you will see the words cross-cut on every Coop listing.

Fit for side sleepers: loft, shoulders and your mattress

There is no single correct pillow height. A 2021 review of the evidence in Healthcare concluded that there are still no firm conclusions about the optimal pillow height for side or back sleeping. What we do have is practical guidance. The Sleep Foundation says side sleepers usually need a medium to high loft, which usually means at least 4 inches, and that people with broad shoulders may need a pillow over 6 inches. A separate Sleep Foundation page on neck pain suggests 3 to 5 inches for side and back sleepers, so even one publisher gives two ranges.

That spread is exactly why an adjustable pillow makes sense. The Sleep Foundation says adjustable pillows can be a good choice if you are unsure what loft you need, and the Coop Original covers the whole range: 8 inches full, and much lower once you take fill out.

Your mattress changes the answer too. Cleveland Clinic chiropractor Andrew Bang explains that a firmer mattress needs a thicker pillow because your shoulder won't sink in, while a memory foam topper or pillow-top needs a thinner one. So the same Coop pillow might be close to full for a broad-shouldered person on a firm bed, and half empty for a slim person on a plush one.

The goal you are adjusting toward is simple to describe. Cleveland Clinic's rule of thumb is that the pillow should keep your neck parallel to the mattress, not bent down or up. Our guide to what kind of pillow a side sleeper should use walks through that check in more detail.

Who it doesn't fit as well

Leaving the pillow full is the most common way to get it wrong. Harvard Health warns against a pillow that is too high or stiff, because it keeps the neck flexed overnight and can lead to morning pain and stiffness. If you are petite, sleep on a soft mattress or a topper, or mostly sleep on your stomach, you will be removing a lot of fill, and a pillow that starts lower may be less fuss. Our page on the best pillow for side and stomach sleepers covers lower options.

It also suits people who will actually adjust it. If you know you won't unzip a pillow, a fixed-height pillow at the right size is the better buy, because the Coop's advantage only exists once you tune it.

What do buyers say about it?

Amazon's summary of buyer reviews says customers find the pillow comfortable, soft and supportive, and that it cradles the head and neck. Buyers also report sleeping better and waking up refreshed, and the summary mentions that the firmness can be adjusted.

The same summary flags two problems. Opinions on value for money are mixed, with some buyers calling it worth the price and others disagreeing. And several customers report an awful smell. That second point lines up with what memory foam is: the certifier CertiPUR-US says on its FAQ that it certifies foam as low in emissions, and that few things do not off-gas to some extent.

Keep in mind what this summary is. It condenses the whole listing, which sells both Queen and King, and it describes how buyers felt, not a measurement of the pillow. It is useful for spotting patterns, like the smell, that a spec sheet never shows. It cannot tell you whether the pillow will suit your shoulders.

The summary says nothing about height, so the spec sheet is the better guide there. The listed thickness is 8 inches, which is above the Sleep Foundation's 4-inch starting point for side sleepers, so many side sleepers will end up removing some fill.

Certifications, care and the smell question

The listing says the pillow is CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified. Here is what those labels mean according to the bodies that run them:

• CertiPUR-US certifies flexible polyurethane foam only. Its criteria include foam made without formaldehyde, ozone depleters, regulated phthalates, mercury and lead, with low VOC emissions under 0.5 parts per million, per CertiPUR-US. It applies to the foam, not the cover.
• GREENGUARD Gold is UL's stricter emissions tier, with lower VOC limits, per UL Solutions.

Neither label means zero smell. If odor bothers you, plan to let the pillow air out before its first night.

For care, the Amazon listing says to remove the cover first, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle without fabric softener or bleach, tumble dry low, and make sure everything is completely dry before use. It also suggests closing the zipper with a safety pin so the inner pillow doesn't spill fill in the wash. Always follow the care label on the pillow you receive.

For replacement, the Sleep Foundation's material table puts memory foam at 2 to 3 years. That is general guidance for the material, not a Coop-specific lifespan.

3 alternatives if the Coop Original isn't right

If you want the same adjustable idea with a softer feel, the Coop Eden uses gel-infused memory foam and microfiber, is sold as medium-soft, and has the same 100-night guarantee and 5-year warranty on Coop's site. Amazon's buyer summary calls its cooling effect mixed.

If you need lots of height and a larger pillow, the DreamyBlue Signature Adjustable is listed at 30 x 20 inches for the Queen with extra foam included. Its listing does not state warranty terms or a trial, and Amazon's buyer summary says some buyers mention odor.

If you would rather have a fixed contour shape than loose fill, look at the cervical options on our cervical pillow for side sleepers page. The research on contour shapes is mixed, which that page explains.

For a full comparison of fill-it-yourself pillows, see the best adjustable pillow for side sleepers. If your shoulders are wide, our broad shoulders guide covers the tallest options. You can also browse every pillow on our side sleeper pillow shop, all our reviews, or go back to our main guide to the best pillow for side sleepers.