Dr. Anish Bajaj, a New York City-based chiropractor specializing in spinal correction, recommends that shoppers identify the positions they tend to sleep in the most, as that will affect what qualities they should focus on when looking to buy a new pillow. “Regardless of material, when you sleep on your back, the contour, positioning, and size of the pillow are quite different from what you need if you’re sleeping on your side,” he says. “Memory foam does offer adaptability where areas of greater pressure can get some relief and support, but the shaping of the pillow, whether it comes from the predetermined shape of the filling or the way that it’s encased, determines what position your head will be in.” After hours of research, we put top-rated memory foam pillows to the test at both The Lab and in our homes, evaluating them based on their quality, temperature and airflow, comfort, durability, and value. Of all the options we assessed, The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow was our favorite pick because of its innovative two-in-one design, cloud-like comfort, and luxuriously soft cotton shell. Read on for the best memory foam pillows, backed by our testing. Overall, our tester enjoyed how she could easily switch between the sides, depending on her preference and needs. “If you want a pillow that has both a firm and soft option, depending on your mood, then I would recommend this,” she said. “The memory foam side offers support, while the gel fiber side is very soft and feels like a cloud.” However, our tester also noted that because of the gel fiber side, the pillow overall was not as firm as some other options on our list. So if you prefer an ultra-firm pillow, you may want to consider an alternative that doesn’t include the plush gel fiber this one has. During testing, we were immediately impressed by the pillow’s quality, as the texture of the removable cotton cover felt soft and luxurious. Even though this product isn’t marketed as a cooling pillow, our tester also loved how the pillow stayed cool and maintained a comfortable temperature throughout the night. In addition to its extremely comfortable design, it held up well after a month of consistent use, maintaining its shape and overall quality. All in all, if you’re looking for a high-quality, well-designed pillow that will last you for years to come, this pillow’s versatility, comfort, and durability make it a stand-out option that we can’t recommend enough. Price at time of publish: $59 Considering their low price point, the overall quality of these pillows was excellent. Their quilted texture gives them a high-end feel, and our tester pointed out the soft and supportive construction. However, while the pillow provided our tester with an overall enjoyable and restful experience, she did find that she had to adjust the filling a few times throughout the night to maintain comfort. To do that, you would simply add or remove the shredded memory foam through the zippered inner and outer cover. We like that this feature provides more customization in terms of loft and density, so anyone can adapt the pillow to their personal preference. After washing the cover and adjusting more of the filling, our tester noted that the pillow felt brand new again, a good sign of the product’s durability. Especially when you consider this product’s CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifications, these pillows offer a ton of value at a relatively low price point, making them a great option for those who want a high-quality pillow that won’t break the bank. Price at time of publish: $47.99 The Sealy Molded Memory Foam Pillow features a quilted texture and a weighty design, giving it a high-quality feel. The pillow cradled our tester’s head very comfortably without straining her neck, and she reported having a restful night’s sleep afterward. This product doesn’t offer specific cooling properties; however, our testers didn’t face any problems with temperature throughout the night. Throughout the duration of the long-term testing, this pillow held up very well, with no signs of change or wear over time. While softer pillows may provide more plushness and give, the Sealy Molded Memory Foam Pillow proves you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for adequate support. Price at time of publish: $32.99 After one month of consistent use, our long-term tester said she was able to sleep throughout the night with fewer interruptions. “I used to wake up repeatedly throughout the night, tossing and turning, fluffing pillows, turning them over, rearranging them,” she said. “Now I mostly sleep soundly throughout the night and don’t recall having to squish or fluff my pillows.” With thousands of five-star reviews online, the Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow is the perfect option for those willing to splurge on an ultra-soft pillow that both looks and feels luxurious. Price at time of publish: $100 During testing, we found the pillow to look and feel high-quality due to its solid, heftier construction and a minimal yet pleasing design. Overall, this pillow is very comfortable, and our tester loved how plush and squishy it felt: “This pillow is very soft, bouncy, and the cooling feature works well,” she said. However, this pillow was by far the longest option we tested at 31 inches, and we found the pillow to be somewhat awkward and cumbersome at times due to its size. While this product might not work for all bed sizes, this is a great option for those who like a larger pillow. With over 1,500 five-star reviews online, The Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam Pillow is a top-notch pick, offering a customizable sleeping experience, contouring comfort, and sufficient airflow. Price at time of publish: $40.50 We were impressed by the overall quality of this pillow, which is both CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold Certified. The casing is made of the brand’s signature Lulltra fabric, which is composed of 60 percent polyester and 40 percent bamboo-derived viscose rayon. Our testers even found the material to feel so soft that they didn’t need to use a pillowcase with it. Coop The Original achieved the perfect balance of plushness and sturdiness, and our tester loved how the shredded filling conformed to her body, while still maintaining its structure and support. “The pillow is great for a back or side sleeper who wants support but also wants a soft, cushy-feeling pillow that doesn’t feel like stiff memory foam,” she said. Price at time of publish: $72 Our testers were impressed with the overall quality of this pillow, as the pillow itself was hefty and sturdy while the fabric felt luxuriously soft. We also enjoyed just how much loft and support the pillow provided throughout the night, and it held up well during our long-term testing, too. “I love that it’s adjustable and morphs to your head without deflating and is exceptionally supportive,” our tester said. While this pillow hit the mark in both quality and comfort, its real standout feature was its cooling capabilities. Price at time of publish: $85.60 Price at time of publish: $31.99 for a Standard While the pillow felt well-made and featured an innovative adjustable design, our testers did note that the pillowcase could be softer. However, we think that because of its unique adaptability, Marlow’s The Pillow is still well worth the investment. In terms of comfort, we found that the pillow provided ample support throughout the night and was on the firmer end of the spectrum. Our testers also said the pillow aligned their body while sleeping, helping to prevent neck and back pain. Marlow’s The Pillow was also one of the most breathable options we tested, as its ventilated zipper gussets and low-density percale shell allow for adequate airflow throughout the product. Price at time of publish: $65 In addition to our standard real-world testing, we also conducted long-term testing for 15 of the memory foam pillow options. We asked testers to rate the pillows based on the same attributes we used in the standard real-world tests, but for an entire month. (After all, the best way to really assess the quality of a pillow is by seeing how it holds up over a long period of time.) We also asked how the pillows may have affected their sleeping routine and other general thoughts they had about the product. We supplemented our results from real-world testing with lab-testing insights, as we put 31 pillow options with a variety of fill types to the test in The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa. After compiling all of our external research with the testing data gathered at The Lab and at home, our editors came up with this list.
What to Look for in a Memory Foam Pillow
Firmness
While most memory foam pillows are designed to accommodate various sleeping positions, you should still keep your preferred sleeping style in mind when shopping around. Firmer and contoured options that maintain their shape tend to be best for back sleepers and side sleepers—and back sleepers should choose a thinner pillow than side sleepers. On the other hand, those who doze on their stomachs will want to look for something a little less firm and a bit more squishy, like shredded memory foam. Adjustable picks, like Marlow’s The Pillow, are designed to work with all sleeping styles.
Adjustability
When browsing memory foam bed pillows, you’ll find shredded options as well as those featuring a single piece of foam. If you’re looking for an adjustable pillow, like our top pick from Snuggle-Pedic, go with the former. In most cases, the case will have a zipper opening, where you can add or remove the shredded fill to adjust the firmness. (Bear in mind, though, that not all shredded memory foam pillows are adjustable, so be sure to check the product description.) One thing about memory foam pillows is that they can be quite warm, says Dr. Hayden. “I can think of no contradiction for foam pillows other than possible allergies and the fact that they can get warm: they reflect your body heat,” he shares. To combat this by adjusting your preferences yourself, he recommends adding a cotton pillowcase.
Shape and Size
You’ll also want to consider the size and shape of the pillow. Memory foam pillows often come in Standard, Queen, and King sizes to accommodate regular pillowcases and shams. However, some are on the smaller side, contoured, or otherwise oddly shaped. With this in mind, lots of folks have a designated pillow for sleeping and a more decorative option for making the bed.
Care
You’ll also want to consider the care instructions. Some memory foam pillows have removable covers, which are typically machine-washable. With others, you can toss the entire pillow—fill, case, and all—into your washing machine and dry it in your dryer. Most importantly, the pillow should be easy to clean, as this will help it last longer. Some of our testers deducted point for difficult care instructions, despite how much they enjoyed the pillow.
Certifications
One of the most important certifications you’ll want to look out for is CertiPUR-US, which tells you that the foam component of your pillow meets rigorous standards for emissions and durability. This means it’s been independently tested to confirm the product is made without formaldehyde, ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP, or TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Bianca Pineda, a commerce writer specializing in bedding, bath, and home decor at the Spruce. For this roundup, she consulted both lab and real-world testing insights to analyze the performance of each product. She also conducted supplemental research about the topic, assessing numerous customer reviews, product specs, key features, and material certifications to compile this list of our top picks. All of the products in this roundup met our quality standards during the research process and performed the best during our lab and real-world tests. Depending on the shape, thickness, and specific contouring, some can help support your natural alignment. As such, memory foam pillows can help prevent a stiff neck and sore muscles. In addition, Bianca also spoke to experts in the field in order to gather some guidance regarding the benefits of memory foam pillows on overall sleep quality. Insight was provided by Dr. Jan Lefkowitz, founder and owner of Body In Balance Chiropractic, and Dr. Anish Bajaj, a New York City-based chiropractor specializing in spinal correction. Expert advice was also provided by Robert Hayden, DC, chiropractor and spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association.
