I received ty 'Z by Malouf Gel Microfiber' pillow this morning. Opening the box, I found the pillow enclosed in Malouf's excellent clear/black carrying case. Quite a presentation for an inexpensive pillow. However, when I pulled out the pillow, nothing about it screamed "cheap pillow!". First, the pillow does not have an optional cover so you are feeling the actual pillow upholstry (for lack of a better word at this moment). It had to be the softest, smoothest material I've felt - not like satin, more like silk. I didn't want to stop running my hands over it. The feel of the gelled microfiber was like sinking into a cloud. It felt like no other synthetic down I've experienced before (and I've gone through a lot of the major ones!). I couldn't wait so I laid down on it and I thought it was truly the closest to a down pillow I've ever experienced with a synthetic. After further inspection, I was very impressed with the construction. Besides the material, the seams were well done, some of the best I've seen on a pillow and better than on some more expensive pillows I've had in the past. Overall, I'd say "Z by Malouf" are far above the average pillow and with prices you don't have to sell your first born to afford!
With that said, I do have some personal observations which may be useful to others but for which I did not score down the pillow:
1) This is a SOFT pillow, no way around it. I'm a side sleeper so this is not going to be a primary pillow but it works very nice to cuddle with or to sleep on my stomach or back with. I did put it into a standard pillow cover which, due to the length, made it thicken a little.
2) Note to the manufacturer: How about making your pillows in standard widths. The length corresponded to a queen size pillow but the 16" width is 4" less than a standard/queen pillow's 20-inch width. This really does create problems if you like your pillow enclosures/pillow cases to fit nicely. Again, the size is great for cuddling and wasn't really that bad for sleeping on but I have a lot of loose pillow case on each side of the pillow. Just a suggestion. This is, to me, what keeps this from being THE Perfect pillow.
3) The microfiber gel pillow is wonderful! Can it be produced in medium and firm? Does the type of microfiber allow for medium/firm/extra firm pillows?
Overall, if you like a soft pillow, this one is heaven for the price of a Happy Meal!