Do you experience shoulder, back, or neck pain after a night of rest? Sadly, many people do. This could be caused by several different things. The way you sleep could be causing the discomfort. This is something particularly common with people who sleep on their stomachs. A mattress that is either too firm or too soft could be contributing to a sore and stiff morning. Or, your pillow could be the root of your problem. This is because your head and neck need to be at a very precise angle to create healthy spinal alignment throughout the night. The best memory foam pillow could be the solution.
Before you buy a new mattress or try switching your sleeping position, which is not impossible but difficult and time-consuming, try the easy and often very effective option first: get a new memory foam pillow with lots of support just where you need it. Often a simple change like this can make all the difference.
Memory foam pillows are very popular for people looking to eliminate back, shoulder, and neck pain in the morning because they offer pressure relief, extra support, and conformity. If it sounds like you could be one of these people, or you are simply looking for a new memory foam pillow, keep reading to learn about our top 7 picks to help you decide which pillow best suits your needs!
Our Top Picks
Our Top 7 Best Memory Foam Pillows
You’re in luck, we sorted through lots of available products to find the best memory foam pillows available today, so you don’t have to! Take a look at our memory foam pillow reviews to determine what suits you.
1. Coop Home Goods’ The Original (Editor’s Choice)
Overview:
- Warranty: 5 years
- In-home Sleep Trial: 100 nights
- Thickness: Adjustable
- Firmness: Medium firm
- Available Sizes: Queen (20’’x30’’), King (20’’x36’’)
Topping our best memory foam pillows list is Coop Home Goods’ the Original, our editor’s choice. The Original is made from a blend of firm shredded memory foam and microfiber. It is American made and CertiPUR-US certified. This mixture of materials allows the memory foam pillow to be firm, soft, and bouncy all at the same time, providing for a good night’s sleep. It has an outer casing and an inner lining for the shredded memory foam fill, making this pillow easily adjustable and washable. The manufacturer also offers a five-year warranty and a 100-night trial period on this product.
Best Sleep Position
It can adapt and provide enough support regardless of how you sleep. Just like the Coop Home Goods Eden pillow, it is fully adjustable. You can easily add or remove the memory foam pillow’s fill to get the exact level of firmness, softness, and/or height you desire. It is even possible for you to buy extra filling should there be a need to improve your head, neck, and shoulder alignment. Plus, it comes in varying firmness so there’s definitely one to suit your preferences. All in all, this could also be the right memory foam pillow option for different types of sleepers.
Heat Retention
This memory foam pillow by Coop Home Goods does an excellent job at regulating temperature. The outer casing is derived from sustainable bamboo which is soft and breathable. Just like a cooling pillow, the shredded foam also promotes airflow throughout the entire pillow. The microfiber used in the core mixture does not retain heat either. All of these things combined ensure the pillow retains minimal body heat and sleeps cool all night long. Hence, this shredded memory foam pillow might be the overall best option if you tend to sleep hot.
Keeping It Clean
This memory foam pillow features an outer casing that is completely removable, washable, and dried at home. The zipper closure tucks away neatly once sealed so the hard metal clasp will not bother you while you sleep. The inner casing and filling can also be washed and dried at home. To prevent mold, make sure all parts of the pillow are completely dry before you use them again.
- Adjustable loft suits sleeping in any position
- Provides great neck and shoulder support
- A washable cover keeps it clean and fresh
- Sleeps cooler because of breathable shredded foam construction
- Has more of a down pillow feel, unlike other memory foam options
- Mixture of firmness, softness, and bounce
- Pillow comes with a 5-year warranty and a 100-night trial
- Requires regular re-fluffing
- Off-gassing period lasts for a few days
- Shredded memory foam is less durable
- Less affordable than some other options
- The shredded memory foam fill becomes firmer when exposed to cooler temperatures, below 50 degrees Fahrenheit it may feel solid
2. Snuggle-Pedic’s Ultra-Luxury Bamboo (Best Shredded)
Overview:
- Warranty: 20 years
- In-home Sleep Trial: 120 nights
- Thickness: Adjustable
- Firmness: Medium
- Available Sizes: Standard, Queen, and King
The Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo is a close competitor of The Original. These memory foam pillows share many traits. However, they also have some key differences. For starters, this shredded memory foam pillow is more affordable and has a long 20-year warranty plus a 120-night in-home trial period.
Its filling is a blend of high-end, low V.O.C. foam. It is American made with Biogreen and CertiPUR-US certified memory foam. This blend gives the pillow more of a soft down feel, unlike other firm memory foam pillows.
Best Sleep Position
Our top pick for the best shredded memory foam pillow, this product is fully adjustable so it can accommodate different sleep positions. With adjustable memory foam pillows, you simply add or subtract filling from the inner lining to get the exact level of height and firmness you require, regardless of what position you sleep in. They offer additional foam with a customizable blend option if you determine you need more.
Heat Retention
This pillow features a patented Kool-Flow cover that is made from a mix of bamboo, polyester, and lycra. It is designed to be soft, and breathable. Filled with shredded memory foam, it also promotes airflow throughout to properly regulate temperature while you sleep. This pillow retains minimal heat and is also designed to keep you cool throughout the night.
Keeping It Clean
The outer casing is easily removable with a hidden zipper. Both the exterior and the shredded memory foam interior can be washed with your personal washer and dryer at home. This is an added benefit that helps prolong the life of the pillow overall. After washing, make sure the entire memory foam pillow is completely dry before you use it again to prevent the growth of bacteria within the shredded foam interiors.
- Adjustable loft makes it suitable for sleeping in any position
- Sleeps cooler than most memory foam pillows
- Great value and more affordable
- Washable cover keeps it clean and fresh
- Lengthy 20-year warranty with 120-night trial
- Slight off-gassing period initially
- Requires regular re-fluffing
- Shredded memory foam is less durable
- Loft diminishes too quickly for some
- Too firm for some sleepers
3. Sleep Innovation’s Contour (Best Contouring)
Overview:
- Warranty: 5 years
- In-home Sleep Trial: None, but you can return if you are not satisfied and purchased it on Amazon
- Thickness: 8’’ available in higher or lower contour option
- Firmness: Medium soft
- Available Sizes: Standard, Queen, King, and Travel
Sleep Innovation’s Contour is our pick for best contouring pillow. Most contouring memory foam pillows are comprised of a solid piece of memory foam ergonomically shaped to cradle your head and neck. The specialized shape of this solid memory foam pillow is designed to reduce neck, shoulder, and back pain caused by sleeping on a pillow without ample support. All of the company’s memory foam pillows are American made and CertiPUR certified. In addition, this pillow is covered by a five-year warranty.
Best Sleep Position
This product by Sleep Innovation could be the best overall memory foam pillow for back and side sleepers. The manufacturer offers this memory foam pillow in queen, king, travel, and standard size options, all of which come in two contour profiles, high or low. The emphasis on the curves gives you an additional choice that will enable maximum comfort and prevent back, shoulder, and neck pain based on your individual body type. The high contour option is an ideal memory foam pillow for side sleepers and larger people. For smaller individuals or back sleepers looking for the best pillows, memory foam pillows with low contour are a great choice.
If you sleep on your stomach, it is most likely too thick to provide the proper neck support, even if you get the low contour option. The shape is designed to complement the natural curve of your shoulders, head, and neck when you lie on your side or back, another reason it is not a good option for stomach sleepers.
Heat Retention
This contour pillow may be great for side and back sleepers but it does not do much to minimize heat retention. This is one of the main complaints people have concerning the pillow overall. Unlike shredded memory foam, this pillow’s solid foam construction does not allow for optimal breathability. It may retain heat when the memory foam pillow compresses under the weight of your head. They do offer a newer version that incorporates SuperTemp foam. This type of foam helps minimize body heat retention by increasing airflow. If you generally sleep hot, this should definitely be considered as a better option.
Keeping It Clean
Like many other memory foam pillows, this pillow cannot be machine washed. If you have an accident like a spill and washing becomes a necessity, you can spot clean the area. Make sure it is completely dry before you use it again or the moisture inside could start to form bacteria.
- Provides extra support for side and back sleepers
- More affordable than other memory foam options
- Available in a high or low contour option for customized support
- Contoured shape for ergonomic neck support
- Not as heavy as other memory foam pillows
- Constructed from a single piece of memory foam
- Pillow comes with a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer
- Initial off-gassing period lasts for several days
- Retains heat
- May not provide the best neck support for stomach sleepers
- Quality has diminished compared to previous models from past years
- Travel pillow is smaller than the industry standard
- No in-home trial period
4. Elite Rest’s Ultra-Slim Sleeper (Best Firm)
Overview:
- Warranty: No available warranty information on their site
- In-home Sleep Trial: 30 days
- Thickness: 5’’
- Firmness: Medium firm
- Available Sizes: 16’’x 24’’
Elite Rest’s Ultra-Slim Sleeper is our pick for best firm pillow option. Its design is best for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and people who may even prefer to sleep without a pillow at all. Its thin structure will provide support while promoting healthy spinal alignment while you sleep. It is two-sided with the ability to change without issue. One is flat, the other is slightly rounded and bulbous like a typical pillow.
Best Sleep Position
This pillow is best for stomach and back sleep positions. It is very thin and as a result, does not provide enough support or height for side sleepers. However, given its height, this might be the best memory foam pillow for stomach sleepers. It offers a layer of comfort and support without forcing your neck to bend awkwardly in an uncomfortable position. Stomach sleepers often experience neck, back, and shoulder pain because their neck is bent to the right or the left all night long. This memory foam pillow will help promote a better way to sleep which in turn minimizes discomfort in the morning.
Heat Retention
This pillow is encased in a 100% breathable cotton cover to promote temperature regulation. This is a good pillow for hot sleepers as it does an excellent job of mitigating heat retention. This feature, paired with the memory foam pillow’s thin profile, ensures you stay cool throughout the night.
Keeping It Clean
The cotton cover easily comes off and can be washed and dried in your personal machines at home. However, the memory foam core cannot be machine washed. If absolutely necessary, you can spot clean it but try not to get it very wet. When memory foam gets wet, its structure starts to deteriorate, shortening the life of the product. It also takes considerable time to dry and if it stays wet for too long it will develop bacteria and mold.
- Great height for back and stomach sleepers
- Doesn’t allow your head to sink entirely through to the bottom of the pillow even though it is extra thin
- A mixture of softness and support while still being thin
- Only weighs 1.9 lbs.
- Promotes healthy spine, head, and neck alignment
- Slight off-gassing period
- Only comes in standard size and not available in travel, queen, and king sizes
- No manufacturer information
- Short in-home trial period and no warranty
- May nor be the best for side sleepers or heavier individuals
5. Malouf’s Z Gel Infused DOUGH (Best Gel)
Overview:
- Warranty: 5 years
- In-home Sleep Trial: None, but can be returned if you are not satisfied and purchased on Amazon
- Thickness: 6’’, or 7’’
- Firmness: medium
- Available Sizes: Standard, Queen, and King
Malouf Z Gel Infused DOUGH is our pick for best gel infused memory foam option. The pillow is made from a unique type of foam called Gel DOUGH. It is designed to be squishier, softer, more contouring, and cooler than traditional memory foam. It provides you with the support you need while still providing a soft sinking sensation. This memory foam pillow is molded and not cut which helps facilitate its extra conforming nature while also giving it the aesthetic look of a traditional down pillow. The foam is CertiPUR certified and all of their pillows ship from warehouses within the United States of America. It also comes with a 5-year warranty.
Best Sleep Position
This is one of the best pillow options for hot sleepers. This gel memory foam pillow works best if you tend to sleep on your side, back, or alternately on both sleep positions. It comes in two loft height options so you can further customize your level of comfort. The trick is to have enough height that it will support your neck, but not so much that it forces it to bend unnaturally overnight.
Side sleepers best respond to medium to high loft memory foam pillows. Thus, if you sleep on your side or are larger, you will probably enjoy the 7’’ loft best. If you are smaller or prefer to sleep on your back, chances are the 6’’ loft option could be the best cooling pillow for your needs.
Heat Retention
The gel infused DOUGH memory foam is designed to sleep cooler than a traditional foam pillow. It has open cell technology that increases and promotes ample airflow throughout the entire pillow as well as the cooling gel infusion which lowers the temperature overall by dispersing body heat. The cover is breathable and made from a mix of fabrics that aid in keeping you cool like bamboo, Tencel, and rayon. Tencel fabric also wicks sweat away from your head when necessary, making this sleep product one of the best cooling pillow options for those who sleep hot throughout the night. Thus, if you’re a hot sleeper looking for the best pillows, memory foam options that come with a cooling gel infusion and a breathable cover should be right up your alley.
Keeping It Clean
The cover of the gel memory foam pillow is easily removable and can be machine washed and dried at home on delicate and low-heat cycles. Like other memory foam pillows, the core can only be spot cleaned and this should only be done when absolutely necessary so you do not contribute to its early deterioration.
- Great height for side sleepers and back sleepers
- Gel infusion helps it sleep cool
- Removable cover keeps it clean and fresh
- Available in various heights
- Excellent mixture of softness and firmness
- Some people find it too firm for their taste
- It may be too heavy to travel with comfortably
- Off-gassing period lasts for several days
- It may be too thick if you sleep on your stomach, even with the thinnest option
- May not be affordable if you are on a budget
6. The Layla (Best Soft)
Overview:
- Warranty: 5 years
- In-home Sleep Trial: 120 nights
- Thickness: 4’’
- Firmness: Medium soft
- Available Sizes: Standard and King
The Layla is our pick for soft memory foam option. The filling is comprised of a mixture of shredded memory foam and kapok fibers. The kapok fibers are very soft, airy, and provide loft to the pillow overall. One unique feature of this memory foam pillow is its copper infused cover. The copper facilitates a cool, antibacterial, antifungal, and ion rich surface for you to sleep on, all of which promote healthier, better sleep. It is American made and CertiPUR certified.
Best Sleep Position
This shredded foam pillow is best for side and back sleepers, but mostly side sleepers. Its construction allows it to be malleable, but it is often still too thick if you prefer sleeping on your stomach.
Heat Retention
Three things contribute to this memory foam pillow’s effective temperature regulation. First, shredded memory foam promotes circulation throughout the entire structure. Second, the kapok fibers are very breathable and do not retain heat like traditional memory foam. Third, the copper-infused polyester blend cover is also breathable and the copper infusion works to dissipate any heat emitted by your body.
Keeping It Clean
The major downside to this memory foam pillow is its difficulty in keeping it clean. Like most of its competitors, you should only spot clean this pillow when absolutely necessary. Excessive moisture will only break down the material within and shorten the life of the product.
- All natural and hypoallergenic
- Sleeps cool
- Copper infusion is antibacterial and antiviral
- Great height for back and side sleepers
- Easily moldable if you prefer a down feel that is soft
- It may be too heavy to travel with comfortably
- Too soft if you have a heavy head
- Some find it is too thick if they sleep on their back
- Not suitable if you sleep on your stomach
- Less affordable than some other options
7. Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-Neck (Best for Neck Pain)
Overview:
- Warranty: 5 years
- In-home Sleep Trial: None, but can be returned or tried out before buy in many retail locations
- Thickness: 3’’, 4’’, or 4.5’’
- Firmness: Extra firm
- Available Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Travel
Tempur-pedic’s Tempur-Neck is our pick for the best memory foam pillow for neck pain. The pillow is comprised of one single piece of specialized memory foam, called TEMPUR, which is more durable than generic memory foam. It is shaped to contour your head, neck, and shoulders. The orthopedic shape promotes healthy spinal alignment through firm support and gives it its pain-relieving properties. Those with neck pain best respond to this pillow’s shape that also gives it superior pressure point relief and durability. In addition, Tempur-Pedic’s memory foam pillows are American-made with CertiPUR certified materials.
Best Sleep Position
It comes in three varying heights: 3’’, 4’’, and 4.5’’. This makes it suitable for people who sleep in any position. The 3’’ is best if you sleep on your stomach. The 3’’ or 4’’ is best if you sleep on your back. The 4.5’’ is best if you sleep on your side. Of course, these are just general guidelines and the true determining factor relies on your body type and your personal sleep preferences.
Heat Retention
On the downside, this Tempur-Pedic memory foam pillow has been known to retain heat. Its smaller size does help a little but no extra precautions are taken to prevent heat retention. The thinner models retain less heat than the thicker options because they are less dense. However, the added pressure from your head makes it hard for air to circulate while you sleep.
Keeping It Clean
Like other solid foam pillows, it is not machine washable. It can be spot cleaned if necessary. Their website recommends letting it air out and breathe occasionally by taking it out of any case you put on it, and rolling the material up and releasing it several times in both directions. This same technique can be used on other memory foam pillows to achieve the same results.
- Ergonomic shape relieves neck pain
- Pressure point relief
- Extremely durable and long lasting
- Multiple loft options for maximum comfort
- Great for side sleepers and those who sleep on their back
- Comes with a 5-year limited warranty
- Even with the thinnest option, its shape may be uncomfortable if you sleep on your stomach
- These memory foam pillows are smaller than many people expect
- Off-gassing period lasts for several days
- Too firm if you prefer a softer pillow
- If you have a large stature, it may be too thin for you if you sleep on your side
What To Look For In A New Memory Foam Pillow
You have probably heard great things about memory foam, but before you decide it is the material you want your pillow made out of you should know the basics. This guide should give you all the information you need and assist you in making the right decision.
What is Memory Foam?
Memory foam was invented in 1966 by NASA to act as a soft, energy-absorbing cushion in aircraft seats. It was first used in a mattress in 1991 after its production and use became more affordable. Memory foam responds to heat and pressure from your body when you lie down allowing it to evenly distribute your weight across the surface of the mattress. After pressure relief, the foam slowly retakes its original shape.
What Should You Consider When Buying a New Memory Foam Pillow?
What else should you take into consideration when buying a new memory foam pillow? There are three main characteristics you should look for when looking to buy the best pillow for your specific needs.
a. Sleep Position
How you sleep has everything to do with what type of pillow you should use. For a good night’s sleep, you want your head and neck to be supported in a neutral position. If your head or neck is forced to tilt in any direction for an extended period of time it will certainly cause discomfort. Your whole spine needs time to decompress and realign while you sleep and your pillow is a key tool in aiding this recovery.
Memory foam pillows are typically best if you sleep on your side or sleep on your back. However, some new memory foam pillow options cater to stomach sleepers as well.
b. Heat Retention
Staying cool is the main motivator for most people concerning sleep products, and memory foam pillows are no exception to this. It is important that your head, and entire body, do not overheat while you sleep. If it does, you can sweat or be woken up by the temperature change. This leads to unrestful sleep and in some cases sleep deprivation.
Memory foam pillows have not always been the best at regulating temperature overnight but new designs, cooling gel infusions, and things like shredded foam are changing that. If you tend to sleep hot, you should definitely consider a shredded foam or gel-infused memory foam option, as they tend to sleep the coolest.
c. Keeping It Clean
The air you breathe all night long circulates over and through your pillow while you sleep. This makes keeping your pillow clean important to promote healthy respiratory function.
Solid memory foam pillows can be spot cleaned but are not machine washable, but some brands offer removable covers that can be easily washed and dried. Most shredded foam pillows boast the entire thing is machine washable. Putting this type of memory foam pillows in the dryer is often recommended as a way to fluff them and help them regain their shape.
What Else Can You Expect From a Foam Pillow?
Are memory foam pillows good? There are a lot of variables that should be considered, but according to reviews of memory foam pillows, the answer is yes. Aside from the three main things listed above, what else should you know about before you make a decision?
Memory foam pillows often emit a smell when they are initially unpackaged. This is called off-gassing. This can last anywhere from a couple of hours up to a month. Most memory foam pillows lose their smell after a couple of days. Some people find the smell produced is not bad, others find it unbearable. It is advised the check if your memory foam pillow is CertiPUR-US certified.
Memory foam pillows also offer superior pressure relief. This alleviates a lot of stiffness or soreness experienced from sleeping. Its conforming abilities offer the exact right amount of support, in the exact right places. Many people find their shoulder and neck pain dissipate when sleeping with memory foam pillows and mattresses.
What Sizes and Shapes of Memory Foam Pillows are Available?
Most memory foam pillows come in travel, standard, queen, and king sizes. However, depending on the manufacturer these sizes are not always in line with industry standards. Some people find they wind up with a small memory foam pillow, even if they ordered a king size memory foam pillow. To avoid this, it is important you always check each individual company’s size chart so you get exactly what you want. It is also best to look for height adjustable memory foam options like Coop Home Goods’ Eden and Original pillows.
Because of the composition, these memory foam pillows can come in unique shapes. Some are rounded and rectangular like a traditional pillow, as many of the newer models are. Other memory foam pillows are flat or shaped in an s-like formation to orthopedically compliment your head, neck, and shoulders. You should consider the shape as well as size when shopping for a new foam pillow.
And The Winner Is…
While there are many determining factors that depend on your individual sleep position, body size, body weight, sleep temperature, and overall sleep preferences, the Coop Home Goods’ The Original is our editor’s choice for best overall memory foam pillow. It comes with a 5-year warranty and a 100-night trial period. What’s more, it excels in all of the main categories established in this article which determine what makes a good foam pillow. Let’s review.
Sleep Position
The Original has an adjustable filling core that makes it suitable for different sleeping positions. You can easily add or remove filling to achieve the desired height and firmness you desire based on what position you like to sleep in, and what body type you have. Additional filling in various firmness is available for you to buy if needed.
Heat Retention
The combination of shredded memory foam and microfiber in it works to regulate temperature and ensure you do not heat overnight. The bamboo casing is also breathable allowing maximum airflow.
Keeping It Clean
The entire shredded memory foam pillow can be washed and dried at home! The cover can be removed for a quick wash, and the core can be washed and dried to clean and re-fluff as well. This helps to lengthen the lifespan of your pillow while also providing you with a clean, healthy surface to sleep on.
It may be our editor’s choice, but that doesn’t mean it is the best choice for you personally. Consider your own needs and preferences in relation to this information to make sure you get optimal performance from your future pillow.
With all of your new-found knowledge concerning the best memory foam pillows, we hope you will be able to search for the right one that suits your individual needs will be easier and more fun. Enjoy!