Call me a princess, but after several years of reviewing bedding for work, my standards have evolved. I didn’t realize how much until a recent trip home to Los Angeles, when one glance at my childhood bed convinced me the setup was unacceptable: too scratchy, too stuffy, and far from luxurious.
In New York, I’ve shaped my studio into a cocoon of comfort, so I wanted to bring that same sense of indulgence to my old bedroom. That led me to the Cozy Earth Bubble Cuddle Pillow.
I already owned the Cozy Earth throw blanket and loved its chalet-inspired aesthetic and plush, weighty feel. But pillows are a different story. Could that same cloud-like softness work for something you actually sleep on? After all, the most beautiful pillows, particularly the faux-fur kind, rarely deliver when it comes to real rest.
Cozy Earth’s Bubble Cuddle Pillow comes in a range of neutral faux fur colorways and multiple sizes. I went classic: a 20” x 20” in the shade ‘Walnut’. Like its throw blanket counterpart, it has that hyperreal, dimensional texture – think chic chalet, nestled in an even chicer zip code.
At $88 a piece, I took a gamble and ordered not one, but two Bubble Cuddle Pillows to my childhood home. Was this designer bedding worth it? Do these pillows live up to the reputation of their cult-favorite throw blanket sibling?
Read on for the full fluff report.
First impressions
(Image credit: Julia Demer)
I’ll admit – the photo above hardly does these pillows justice. In person, they’re far richer, visually and texturally. Unlike the Bubble Cuddle Blanket, which you can drape for maximum effect, the 20” x 20” pillow has less surface area to play with – but even so, it brings a dramatic plushness to the room. The brand’s signature bubble texture creates peaks and valleys that catch the light just so, mimicking the natural variation of real fur.
What I appreciated most? That the luxury goes all the way through. As someone who loathes ‘for show’ design – shearling on the outside, itchy poly on the inside; fake pockets on jeans – I was relieved to find this throw pillow features that same ultra-plush pile on both sides. No bait-and-switch here.
The moment I leaned back during a phone scroll session, I realized the true meaning of softness. Even through a sweatshirt, I could feel the downy resistance of the fill and the pillowy surface texture, which offered a rippled, almost cloud-like give.
In true maximalist form, I ordered a second throw blanket for my LA home to match. One for each coast. About 15 minutes in, I felt like I was floating on a cloud.
Is the Bubble Cuddle Pillow good for sleeping?
Then night fell – the real test. Plenty of things feel cozy at first touch, but when it’s actually time to sleep, the smallest irritations can turn into dealbreakers: a dripping faucet, a cat’s midnight sprint, even the faintest press of an earring against your temple.
My skin tends toward sensitivity, so while this wasn’t my primary pillow, it did spend plenty of time near my face. I noted with relief: no itchiness (a miracle), no shedding (rare for faux fur), and no breakouts (a near impossibility with synthetic fibers).
It also never overheated. It never got matted. And the signature bubble texture remained gloriously intact.
Somewhere along the way, I grew oddly attached to this new fall ritual of softness. So much so that I felt an unexpected pang as my Uber pulled up to LAX, leaving my cocoon behind.
Final thoughts
(Image credit: Cozy Earth)
In truth, appearance was a secondary consideration in choosing the Bubble Cuddle Pillow. My priority was comfort, and on that front it delivered beautifully. At last, I had a throw pillow that worked both day and night on the bed – yet looked equally at home in more visible spaces like the living room or a reading nook.
Which brings me to my next point: these pillows deserve to be seen. With fall approaching, I can’t imagine a better way to warm up an armchair or sofa than with a pair of elegantly bubbled, ultra-plush cushions.
If you’re intrigued by the Bubble Cuddle Pillow, chances are you already know – or own – its older, more popular sibling: the throw. Do the two feel redundant? Not at all. They complement one another. The throw lounges and drapes with a kind of laissez-faire elegance, while the pillow feels polished, proportioned, and unexpectedly versatile.
For anyone new to the Cuddle collection, the pillow is an excellent entry point, particularly before the temperatures drop. It remains a splurge, but at the most accessible price tier in the lineup, it’s also a smart one.
I’m even considering ordering another for my New York home. While browsing, I may have uncovered a few other Cozy Earth contenders that could tempt me in an entirely new direction.
More cozy companions
Cozy Earth
Bubble Cuddle Blanket
Starting off strong – yes, I had to mention the throw blanket one more time. Because if you don’t already have one… what are you doing? I own this exact white bedroom idea in cream, and it might just be my favorite thing in my entire apartment. It looks expensive and feels like an actual dream – especially during late-night rewatch marathons of objectively bad TV.
If you love the feel of the Cuddle but aren’t sold on the Bubble, Cozy Earth has you covered. The Cuddle Pillow is a shorter-haired, more streamlined take on the fan-favorite. This decadent new ‘Espresso’ shade just launched and makes a rich, tonal foil to the ‘Walnut’ version mentioned above. Consider it your cue for a little mix-and-match moment.
Cozy Earth
Bubble Cuddle Body Pillow
Cozy Earth usually sticks to a tight neutral palette, but every so often, they break character with something fun. Right now, that limited-edition wildcard is ‘Blossom’ – a romantic blush that feels especially fresh when paired with chocolatey faux fur accents, like the Espresso Cuddle Pillow.
You’ve likely heard the buzz about Cozy Earth’s cult-favorite bamboo bedding bundles – endorsed by celebrities like Kris Jenner and Oprah. I’ve tested them myself and can confirm they live up to the hype. Still, bedding is deeply personal, and not every editor has the same take. For a second perspective, our Sleep Editor shares her full review of the Cozy Earth bedding bundle.