Like all Casper product or anything of the like there is a slight smell.  Let it air out for a few hours and it will be fine.    The pillow is very firm but not unforgiving.  It has good neck height, and will take a few nights of sleeping on it to really mold to head and neck shape.  Which has helped with neck pain and headaches in the morning.  And it will not sink in like I have found others to do.  I generally sleep on my side, but will occasionally roll to my back in my sleep causing me to snore horribly.  With this pillow, if I happen to roll to my back I have been told that I do not snore or if I do it is considerably less.
So... Win - win all around.