The 10 Best Memory Foam Pillows, According to Bedding Experts

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When you think of putting together the most comfortable bed, your mattress and sheets are probably front of mind. Unfortunately, all too often we overlook a major element of the equation for a perfect night’s sleep: the humble pillow.

Rather than spending your 7 to 9 hours counting sheep, consider resting your head on something that really supports you. Read on for our top memory foam pillow picks.

A quick look at the best memory foam pillows

• Best memory foam pillow for side sleepers: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow
• Best cooling memory foam pillow: DreamCloud Best Rest Memory Foam Pillow
• Best cooling adjustable memory foam pillow: The Nectar Memory Foam Pillow
• Best memory foam pillow for back sleepers: Leesa Pillow
• Best memory foam pillow for combination sleepers: Amerisleep Flex Pillow
• Best memory foam pillow for people who snore: The Zoma Sports Pillow
• Best adjustable memory foam pillow: Coop Home Goods The Original Pillow
• Best budget memory foam pillow: Sealy Memory Foam Contour Pillow
• Best fully washable memory foam pillow: Snuggle-Pedic Original Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Pillow
• Best contour memory foam pillow: Sleep Number True Temp Pillow

How we chose the best memory foam pillows

To find the best memory foam pillows, here’s what we considered:

• Real-world testing. Our writer and the Healthline editorial team tried out some memory foam pillows and picked the best of the best.
• Sleep styles. We made sure to test the pillows in various sleeping positions so you can find a comfortable pick no matter your preferred sleeping style.
• Warranties and company policies. Finding the perfect pillow may take some trial and error. We included pillows with good return policies and warranties to help alleviate any testing concerns.
• Variety. We included both solid and shredded memory foam pillows on our list.

Pricing guide

The majority of the prices reflected in this article are based on a standard-size pillow. However, some pillows only come in queen- or king-size options. In those cases, we based the price on a queen-size pillow.

• $ = under $100
• $$ = $100–$150
• $$$ = over $150

Healthline’s picks of the best memory foam pillows

Best memory foam pillow for side sleepers

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow

• Price: $$$
• Type: solid foam
• Available sizes: queen or king
• Pros: free shipping, 5-year warranty
• Cons: doesn’t offer returns or trial periods

This pillow gets its name from the combination of a medium-firm solid memory foam piece and two layers of Tempur-Pedic’s patented breeze gel, which provides a cooling touch.

Although the company claims their pillow is beneficial for any sleeping position, one of our editors said it works particularly well for side sleeping. She also appreciated the removable, washable cotton cover, which may be especially helpful for those with allergies.  

Although Tempur-Pedic doesn’t offer returns or any kind of trial period, they do provide a 5-year warranty and free shipping.

Best cooling memory foam pillow

DreamCloud Best Rest Memory Foam Pillow

• Price: $
• Type: solid foam
• Available sizes: standard or king
• Pros: financing available, 50-night trial, free shipping and returns
• Cons: cover is not machine washable

This pillow from DreamCloud is designed to fully support your head, shoulders, and neck while sleeping.

The foam is infused with a copper gel to create a cooling effect, and after a few nights in the writer’s bed, she can attest to the fact that it really does stay cool.

The pillow also returned to its original shape after use, no matter how much she switched sides and sleeping positions in the night.

This memory foam pillow comes with a 50-night, risk-free trial as well as free shipping and free returns within that trial period window. Financing options are also available.

Best cooling adjustable memory foam pillow

The Nectar Memory Foam Pillow

• Price: $
• Type: adjustable foam
• Available sizes: standard
• Pros: cooling pillow, can adjust firmness
• Cons: some reviewers mention the adjustable foam can be messy

This pillow has a “pillow-in-a-pillow” design that makes it adjustable. You can remove some of the fill around the inner pillow if you want it to be less firm.

Our writer tested this pillow and says it has a soft and squishy texture. The pillow’s foam contours to fit your head and neck while still providing adequate support. It also features a cooling outer Tencel cover.

Best memory foam pillow for back sleepers

Leesa Pillow

• Price: $
• Type: solid foam
• Available sizes: standard or king
• Pros: temperature regulated, washable cover
• Cons: some reviewers describe the pillow as “bouncy”

The Leesa Pillow is made of perforated foam to promote breathability and temperature regulation. The company says their pillow works well with any sleeping style.

One of our editors tried this pillow and said it was a “good combination of squishy foam and support.” She also says she loved the quilted pillow cover so much that she could’ve slept without a pillowcase. (The cover is removable and washable.)

Leesa’s pillow is made in the United States. The pillow comes with free shipping, a 30-night free trial, and a 3-year limited warranty.

Best memory foam pillow for combination sleepers

Amerisleep Flex Pillow

• Price: $
• Type: shredded foam
• Available sizes: queen or king
• Pros: washable cover, good contouring support
• Cons: no trial period

This pillow is filled with shredded, CertiPUR-US certified foam. One of our copy editors tried out this pillow and says that while the memory foam offers support, it still has the softness and squishiness of a traditional pillow.

Amerisleep calls this pillow “moldable” and “reshapable.” Our copy editor notes that it does adjust throughout the night, which makes it great for switching positions. In testing, she found that it even works for stomach sleeping without causing neck pain.

The pillow comes with a removable, washable cover.

Best memory foam pillow for people who snore

The Zoma Sports Pillow

• Price: $
• Type: blend of shredded foam and polyester fill
• Available sizes: queen or king
• Pros: 10-year warranty, doesn’t keep heat
• Cons: no trial period

This pillow arrives compressed, but it doesn’t take long to expand to its full size.

Due to the seemingly lumpy texture of Zoma’s signature shredded foam, one Healthline editor was skeptical of this pillow at first. But once she put a pillowcase on it, she said she felt no lumpiness. The pillow is soft, fluffy, and works well for back sleepers.

Our editor also asked her partner, who snores at night, to test the pillow in order to provide a more diverse review. It altered the angle of his head just enough that he stopped snoring.

The pillow cover is made with a ventilated fabric and has moisture-wicking properties. With your purchase, you’ll get a 10-year warranty and free shipping.

Best adjustable memory foam pillow

Coop Home Goods The Original Pillow

• Price: $
• Type: adjustable shredded foam
• Available sizes: standard, queen, or king
• Pros: 100-night trial, washable cover
• Cons: some reviewers mention strong odor, can retain heat

Coop Home Goods has designed a pillow that sleepers can customize to fit their preferences and sleeping styles. The fill is made of cross-cut memory foam and microfiber. It comes with a half-pound bag of extra fill so you can add extra volume (or remove fill if you have a place to store it).

Coop Home Goods claims the pillow works best for those who prefer a firmer feel, but since the foam level is adjustable, the pillow can really work for any kind of sleeper.

One of our editors has this pillow and praises it as one of the comfiest pillows she’s ever owned.

The Original Pillow is made in the United States, hypoallergenic, and cruelty-free. It comes with a 100-night trial, 5-year warranty, and machine washable, breathable cover.

Best budget memory foam pillow

Sealy Memory Foam Contour Pillow

• Price: $
• Type: solid foam
• Available sizes: standard
• Pros: moisture wicking, washable cover
• Cons: no clear warranty or trial period

One of our editors uses this pillow and says it’s comfortable for both side and back sleeping. Despite the soft, plush feel, she notes that it still provides plenty of support, as she doesn’t wake up with neck pain. The contour design is meant to better align your spine to its natural shape.

The pillow cover can be removed and is machine washable. It’s also moisture-wicking. 

Best fully washable memory foam pillow

Snuggle-Pedic Original Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Pillow

• Price: $
• Type: shredded foam
• Available sizes: standard, queen, or king
• Pros: cooling features, entire pillow is washable, 120-night trial
• Cons: some reviewers mention an odor

Our writer has this pillow — and didn’t even realize all its features until she started working on this assignment! As a side sleeper and tosser and turner, she says this pillow is comfortable and easily adapts to whatever position she’s currently sleeping in.

The shredded memory foam design gives the support of a high-density memory foam pillow with a light and airy feel — no lumpy texture or tendency to clump.

The shredded foam also provides that breathability and cooling feature so many sleepers look for, especially when combined with Snuggle-Pedic’s bamboo cover. The entire pillow (not just the cover) is machine washable.

Snuggle-Pedic’s Original Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Pillow is made in the United States and comes with a 20-year warranty. Users also get a 120-night free trial.

Best contour memory foam pillow

Sleep Number True Temp Pillow

• Price: $$
• Type: solid foam
• Available sizes: standard or king
• Pros: three different styles, 30-night trial, temperature balancing
• Cons: some reviewers find this pillow too firm

The Sleep Number True Temp Pillow comes in three different styles: classic, contour, or ultimate. All three are made from CertiPUR-US certified foam and come with a removable cover.

The classic style provides gentle support and is advertised as best for stomach or back sleepers. The ultimate style has three removable foam inserts so you can customize your pillow’s support and height. This style is advertised as working for any sleeping position.

One of our editors tried the contour version. Although she was skeptical at first about how comfortable the contour style would be, she was pleasantly surprised. In testing, she found that the pillow was equally comfortable for side and back sleeping.

The pillow itself is made of a large piece of solid memory foam with a layer of polyester fill sewn into the cover. Our editor notes that due to the polyester layer, she couldn’t actually feel the contour of the foam. If you’re looking for a traditional contour pillow, this may not work for you.

However, the pillow still provides excellent support, and there’s a risk-free 30-night trial. Sleep Number also offers a 1-year limited warranty in addition to free shipping.

The pillow also has temperature-balancing technology, which our editor says worked in terms of the pillow remaining cool to the touch.

Comparison table

How to shop for a memory foam pillow

When shopping for a memory foam pillow, it’s important to keep in mind the pillow style. Some pillows have a solid memory foam fill, while others are shredded. Both provide a slightly different texture, especially if the solid foam has layers. Shredded memory foam can appear to be lumpy, but shouldn’t feel that way once you actually lie on it.

Pillows that feature a contoured shape are often designed for side or back sleeping and to promote proper alignment of the spine. Consider the type of sleeper that you are when researching contour memory foam pillows.

For the folks that tend to run a little hot at night, memory foam pillows that come with a cooling feature are definitely worth including in your search for the perfect pillow.

The many faces of memory foam pillows

Contrary to popular belief, all memory foam pillows aren’t made the same. Some have cooling agents, such as gel layers, while others are a combination of foam and polyester fills. Some are adjustable, while others are shaped in a particular contour fashion to cradle the neck.

Filling can range from solid foam or shredded foam to a mixture of foams, cooling agents, and blends.

Despite all the options, picking the right pillow for you is achievable. Many companies offer warranties, returns or refunds, exchanges, and trials. Don’t feel like you have to keep a pillow that might not serve you. Give it a few nights, then decide whether it’s what you’re looking for.

Who should use a memory foam pillow?

Simply put, anyone can benefit from the use of a memory foam pillow. Given the amount of time the average person spends sleeping, having that extra support to ensure the body and neck are in proper alignment helps prevent aches and pains.

Some healthcare professionals caution against using memory foam pillows if you have asthma or are sensitive to smells, as new memory foam pillows might have a slight chemical smell or dust mites before they’re used.

How do you care for a memory foam pillow?

Memory foam pillows aren’t machine washable. So the first step for caring for a memory foam pillow is purchasing a pillowcase. Clean the case regularly to remove dead skin and dust mites.

Many of the pillows on this list come with a machine washable cover. For deep cleaning, a simple hack is to apply a layer of baking soda to the bare pillow, then vacuum it.

Frequently asked questions

How much do memory foam pillows cost?

The cost of a memory foam pillow will vary based on the material, such as solid foam, the addition of a cooling agent, and the size. There are affordable options, though, on the lower end of the price spectrum, like the Leesa Pillow or The Original Pillow by Coop Home Goods, among others.

Do some research and compare options. The best pillow for you doesn’t have to break the bank.

What’s the best memory foam pillow for neck pain?

The best memory foam pillows for neck pain are ergonomic, meaning they provide cervical support without raising your head at too much of an angle. This list contains a few pillows that specifically address neck pain, such as the Sealy Memory Foam Contour Pillow and the Amerisleep Flex Pillow.

Do memory foam pillows really help?

Memory foam pillows are meant to help keep your spine in proper alignment. Whether they help you fall asleep faster or sleep more soundly depends on you and other factors. They can provide the support your spine, neck, and head need for a full night.

A 2021 review of 11 studies found “moderate evidence” that memory foam pillows with latex and a contoured design can help provide a good night’s sleep.

How do I choose the best memory foam pillow for me?

The first thing to consider when choosing a memory foam pillow is what kind of sleeper you are, as many companies make pillows specifically for back or side sleepers, for example.

From there, consider whether you run hot at night. If you do, then narrow your search to cooling pillows. Lastly, decide what material you’d prefer, such as a solid memory foam pillow, shredded, adjustable, or something with a polyester fill.

Takeaway

Finding a pillow that cradles and supports your head is just as important as finding a supportive mattress. When shopping for a memory foam pillow, consider the type of foam and any special features, and look for a pillow that’s designed to support the kind of sleeping you do — whether you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper.

Alexandra Shimalla grew up writing princess stories on her family’s laptop in their makeshift laundry room/office. She’s now a freelance journalist based in Georgia. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and enjoys writing about health and wellness, gluten-free living, and higher education. Her writing has appeared in print and digital publications, such as Paste and Georgia Magazine. If she’s not at her computer, then she’s at the gym. Learn more about Alexandra by visiting her website (www.alexshimalla.com).