By Calmont · Published: May 2025 · Reading time: approx. 5 minutes
There are many sleep products. Excellent sleep products are rarer. In 2024, an international jury of 39 design experts from 20 countries made their decision: The SIDE+ pillow from Calmont is one of them — and has won the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024. One of the most prestigious design awards in the world.
In this article, we explain what the Red Dot Award means, why the SIDE+ pillow was recognized — and why good design makes a measurable difference in sleep.
What is the Red Dot Award?
The Red Dot Award: Product Design has been presented since 1955 — initially in Essen, now known worldwide as one of the three major design awards (alongside the iF Design Award and the Good Design Award). Winners include products from Apple, Ferrari, and Sony.
What makes the Red Dot special: The jury evaluates not based on sales figures or marketing budget, but on objective design criteria:
- Degree of innovation — How novel is the solution?
- Functionality — Does the product fulfill its purpose better than existing solutions?
- Ergonomics — Is it adapted to the human body?
- Aesthetic quality — Is the product also visually appealing?
- Environmental compatibility — Is it designed sustainably?
In 2024, products from 60 countries participated in 51 categories. Only a small percentage of all submissions win. The "Red Dot: Winner" award means: The product convinced the jury in all dimensions — without exception, without compromise.
The SIDE+ Pillow: Why did it win?
Most pillows solve one problem: they are soft. The SIDE+ pillow solves a different problem — it adapts to the sleeping position, instead of the sleeper having to adapt to the pillow.
Three zones. One logic.
The SIDE+ pillow was developed in collaboration with a Swiss specialist doctor and features a three-zone geometry that makes it unique:
- Side sleepers: The raised side walls support the head and neck at the correct height — spine and neck remain aligned. No arm falling asleep, no waking up with stiff shoulders.
- Stomach sleepers: The lowered center minimizes neck rotation. Less pressure on the cervical spine and facial skin — also relevant for those who want to avoid sleep wrinkles.
- Back sleepers: The gentle indentation in the middle area provides natural support for the back of the head, without pushing the head forward.
"Among the numerous submissions from companies and design studios from all over the world, the outstanding quality and design of your product convinced our international jury!"
The material behind the design
Design is more than form. The SIDE+ pillow consists of a Gel Memory Foam core with high resilience — meaning: The pillow gives way, adapts, and returns to its original shape after getting up. The cover made of 87% nylon and 13% elastane is breathable, machine washable at 30°C, and tested for harmful substances according to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.
Dimensions: 70 × 40 × 10 cm. Weight: approx. 1,200 g. Size and weight are deliberately chosen — large enough for all sleeping positions, compact enough for travel.
Why design in sleep means more than aesthetics
The Red Dot Award evaluates, among other things, ergonomics — and this is not a minor detail for a sleep product. We spend an average of 7-9 hours per night in the same position. A poorly aligned pillow means 7-9 hours of incorrect loading on the cervical spine, shoulders, and neck.
Good pillow design is invisible. It works while you sleep — without you having to think about it. This is exactly what convinced the Red Dot Jury about the SIDE+: It solves a problem so naturally that you forget it was a problem.
If you want to know which pillow suits your sleeping position, you can find a complete overview in our pillow collection — from ergonomic neck pillows to anti-snore pillows.
Red Dot Award: What the award means for you as a buyer
A design award is not a marketing argument. It is an independent statement of quality from experts who have no connection to the manufacturer. When 39 international jurors from 20 countries honor a product, the product has worked — in application, not just on paper.
For you as a buyer, this means: You are not buying a promise. You are buying a product that has been tested, evaluated, and found to be good. And as always with Calmont: If you are not convinced after 60 nights, you return the pillow. Full purchase price back, no reason for return needed.
The SIDE+ pillow is available for €79.00.
Calmont and Design: Why awards are important to us
We didn't found Calmont to sell pillows. We founded Calmont because poor sleep is a solvable problem — and because most products on the market don't truly solve this problem. The day begins at night. We mean this sentence seriously.
The Red Dot Award is a confirmation for us, not a goal. Confirmation that the approach works: products developed with specialist doctors, certified according to standards, and that deliver overnight what they promise. Nothing more, nothing less.
You can find more about our approach to sleep and product development on our philosophy page.
And if you're not just looking for the best pillow, but also the best blanket for warm nights: Our Active Cool™ cooling blanket was developed with the same high standards — Q-Max 0.40, OEKO-TEX® certified, 60 nights trial.
Frequently asked questions about the Red Dot Award and the SIDE+ pillow
What is the Red Dot Award?
The Red Dot Award is one of the most prestigious international design awards, presented since 1955. In the Product Design category, an independent jury of up to 40 international experts evaluates products based on criteria such as degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics, aesthetic quality, and environmental compatibility. Only a small percentage of all submissions win the award.
Why did the Calmont SIDE+ pillow win the Red Dot Award 2024?
The SIDE+ pillow was awarded the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024 because its three-zone design uniquely supports all sleeping positions — side, stomach, back — ergonomically correctly. The international jury recognized the combination of functional design, high-quality materials (Gel Memory Foam, OEKO-TEX® certified), and its development in collaboration with a Swiss specialist doctor.
Who is the SIDE+ pillow suitable for?
The SIDE+ pillow is suitable for side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and back sleepers. The three-zone geometry with raised side walls, a lowered stomach area, and a supportive center adapts to the respective sleeping position. It is particularly recommended for people with neck complaints, shoulder problems, or difficulty falling asleep due to incorrect pillow height.
How much does the Calmont SIDE+ pillow cost?
The Calmont SIDE+ pillow costs €79.00. All Calmont products can be tested risk-free for 60 nights — if you are not satisfied, the full purchase price will be refunded, no reason for return needed. Free shipping for orders over €99.
Is the SIDE+ pillow washable?
The cover of the SIDE+ pillow is machine washable at 30°C. The Gel Memory Foam core should not be washed. The pillow is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified — all materials have been tested for over 100 harmful substances and are approved for direct skin contact.
Where can I buy the Red Dot Award-winning Calmont pillow?
The Calmont SIDE+ pillow is available directly in the Calmont online shop. Direct purchase from Calmont includes the full 60-night trial period, 2 years warranty, and free return shipping — services that are not always available on other platforms.
