Tested: RTS Tactical Bulletproof Memory Foam Pillow

by
posted on July 11, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Body armor, ballistic shields and plate carriers give consumers the opportunity to take advantage of the same ballistic protection usually afforded to law-enforcement and military professionals. However, because of the professional applications in which body armor is usually deployed, there are few options that fit well within a domestic environment while still offering critical ballistic protection in case of attack. RTS Tactical is changing the game with its Bulletproof Memory Foam Pillow.

Available in Level IIIA and IIIA+ configurations, the pillow features a zippered opening that allows two memory-foam halves to open up like a book, revealing the soft armor plate inside. Due to the flexibility of the plate, as well as the generous memory-foam padding located on either side of it, the Bulletproof Pillow is comfortable and easy to use, making it a legitimate option for your bed. While somewhat firmer than run-of-the-mill pillows, it's flexible and provides enough cushion for a comfortable rest.

Despite the assurances of RTS Tactical, the concept of a bulletproof pillow was oxymoronic enough to warrant some real-world testing. American Rifleman received a Level IIIA+ Bulletproof Memory Foam Pillow from the company and set about testing, and you can see the full test in the video above. While Level IIIA is a common ballistic rating that easily handles most handgun cartridges, including .357 Mag. and .44 Mag., the less-seen IIIA+ is also rated to stop buckshot and shotgun slugs. Considering that such a defensive tool would likely be employed within the tight confines of a house, the test was set up to shoot handgun and shotgun rounds into the pillow, which was arranged in a defensive posture at 7 yards. As the video above shows, the results speak for themselves.

The RTS Tactical Bulletproof Memory Foam Pillow retails at a base price of $399.99 for the Level IIIA option, while the Level IIIA+ version retails for $499.99. An extra bamboo cotton pillow case can be had for an additional $29.99. For more information, visit rtstactical.com.

Latest

CZ 75 Legend 01
CZ 75 Legend 01

The CZ 75 Legend: Rebirth of an Icon

If you make a short list of the most influential handgun designs of the 20th century, the CZ 75 would make the cut. A half century since its introduction, CZ is honoring that legendary status with the CZ 75 Legend.

39 New Rifles for 2026

Today's new rifles run the gamut from the latest and greatest packed with the most up-to-date features money can buy to retro-inspired models that give us a glimpse of the way things used to be if you wanted to send a bullet "over there somewhere."

The Armed Citizen® June 1, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Tactical Belts For The Rest Of Us

Most shooters don’t need a "war belt." While enthusiasts like the idea of preparing for every contingency, the vast majority of us need a reliable platform for a range session, a training class or a local club match.

Review: Trijicon Credo 1-10x28 mm Riflescope

With a 10X magnification range, the Trijicon Credo 1-10x28 mm riflescope is ideal for close-range targets, long-range pursuits and everything in between.

Study Shows Widespread Public Approval for Self-Defense, Recreational Shooting

Research conducted by Responsive Management annually for the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS) found that, in 2025, 78 percent of adult residents in the United States believe learning self-defense skills with a firearm is completely acceptable.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.