Finding the right pillow can be downright exhausting. Our goal with this article is to help you take the guesswork out of finding the perfect pillow by putting popular styles to the test – in this study, we looked at over 50 memory foam pillows available, and evaluated them to find the best ones available today.
We evaluated pillows across a number of dimensions – price, durability, consumer reviews – and for different kinds of sleepers as well (stomach, back, side) to develop a comprehensive list of the best memory foam pillows available in 2020, based on your budget and preferences.
Before we dive into the specific product reviews, let’s discuss why you should consider a memory foam pillow. Memory foam pillows are typically better for providing support to your head and neck. Because of how the material is manufactured, these pillows don’t clump and do not require any fluffing, unlike Down and Fiberfill pillows. Furthermore, memory foam adapts to the shape of your body. Here are the general benefits of using (the right!) memory foam pillow:
- Improved spinal alignment
- Reduced snoring
- Improved hygiene compared to other pillow types
- Relieved pressure points in the neck, shoulder, and upper back
- Reduced / easier maintenance than other pillows
- Improved durability compared to other pillows
That being said, finding the right memory foam pillow can also be tricky and the right pillow for you is largely dependent on your sleep preferences. Typically, side sleepers will benefit from a thicker and firmer pillow, while back sleepers will benefit from slightly thinner pillows. A firmer memory foam benefits those of us who don’t frequently change position while we are sleeping while a softer, plusher pillow will benefit those of us who are a bit more restless when we sleep. Cervical pillows can also help people with neck pain – while other shapes suit people with other kinds of pain.
You might be wondering what differentiates various memory foam pillows because, after all, how different can memory foam be? Surprisingly, a lot can vary in memory foam pillows – notably:
- The foam itself – there are actually different kinds of memory foam
- traditional memory foam – classic memory that entered the market in the 90s but can cause discomfort due to excess heat retention
- open cell memory foam – cooler than classic memory foam because it allows for more airflow.
- gel memory foam – gel memory foam is made using beads that create an even better ‘open’ cell structure to facilitate more air flow. This is the coolest memory foam
- The shape/fill of the memory foam
- molded – these pillows have a molded and defined shape. These kinds of pillows are good for sleepers who prefer or need their pillow to be shaped a certain way. For example, cervical pillows are great for sleepers with neck pain
- shredded – these pillows are filled with ‘shredded’ memory foam. In our research, most typical consumers prefer this kind of memory foam
- The cover – the cover matters more than you might think. Cheaper covers can increase heat retention and also irritate your skin.
We kept all of these factors in mind as we evaluated the best memory foam pillows out there. So without further ado, here is our comprehensive list:
1. The Best Overall Memory Foam Pillow – Dosaze™ Luxe Hybrid Foam & Down Alternative Pillow – CHECK PRICE
This pillow is the one everyone is looking for. I used to think it was normal to get hot throughout the night and toss and turn, but after trying this pillow I no longer feel this way. The moisture-wicking, temperature regulating cover keeps you crisp and cool throughout the night and the hypoallergenic down alternative fill feels like a comfortable cloud in any sleeping position. While testing this pillow, I woke up so much more well rested.
The Dosaze Hybrid Foam & Fiber pillow was one of eight different pillow options that I tried and it was by far the best one. What I really love about this pillow is how adjustable it is. This adjustable pillow is a notch above the rest because it has a “molded” and “filled” side.
A molded pillow has a different feel than a shredded fill pillow — molded pillows usually provide more support. On the other hand, fill pillows are usually more comfortable and softer (and are more easily “adjustable”).
But the issue with the pillows that are entirely “fill” (e.g., Coop, Saybrook) is that it’s difficult to stuff or adjust a simply “shredded fill” pillow enough to provide enough support without making the pillow too high. I’ve tried, and you really need to add a lot of fill (that it becomes hard to “stuff” the pillow enough). And to be honest, the shredded memory pillows can sometimes feel somewhat lumpy.
On the other hand, with the Dosaze Hybrid Memory Foam and Fiber pillow, you can easily adjust the height of the pillow by adjusting the fiber fill while also retaining the support that a molded memory foam pillow provides.
Overall, it provides the perfect amount of comfort regardless of your sleeping position so that your neck and head get the proper support it needs.
This pillow distinguishes itself from other pillows on the market in the following four ways: (1) the quality of the materials (2) the softness and comfort (3) its value for all sleepers (4) the return policy.
- Quality materials – The down in this pillow is made of Certi-PUR cooling memory foam and premium fiber fill. The ThermaCool cover ensures you stay cool throughout the night. It’s OEKO-TEK certified (safe from harmful substances) and has double-stitched edges to ensure longevity and durability.
- Softness and Comfortable at the same time – I can’t say enough about the hybrid feature of this pillow. It is so nice to be able to adjust the pillow to my perfect level, and to have the option of getting more comfort vs. support depending on how I feel. There are times when I have pain in my neck and back, and for those times I need a more supportive pillow. Other times, when I’m loser, I like a softer pillow — with this pillow, I have both.
- Value for all sleepers – The price of this pillow is really great and affordable for the value you get in return.
- Return Policy – You can easily return your product within 60 days of receiving your order.
This pillow truly has it all. I’m just glad I decided to try it out. I have never slept so great in my life and I have this comfortable pillow to thank for that!
2. Budget Memory Foam Pillow – 2-Pack Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillow – CHECK PRICE
This is a great budget memory foam pillow option – it is made of 60% polyester and 40% bamboo. The cover is hypoallergenic and machine washable – this pillow is also great for back and side sleepers as well. The shredded memory foam won’t go flat like down or down alternative pillows will. You shouldn’t have an issue with this pillow for a few years.
However, the pillow does have kind of a strong smell (according to reviewers), that requires some time to get rid of. Some customer also complained that it is very firm. Unfortunately, this pillow is not adjustable so you can’t adjust the height/firmness. However, since it is a bit cheaper it can be a good option for guest rooms.
4. Best Value Memory Foam Pillow – Cosy House Collection Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow – CHECK PRICE
This Cosy House collection pillow is a great, adjustable memory foam pillow. This memory bamboo foam pillow allows you to adjust it so that it is ‘just right.’ However, in our experience, this process can be a bit cumbersome and the pillow is pretty difficult to wash. Some users complain about the recycled memory foam since the quality control is harder to manage. It’s great that this pillow is also hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant.
5. Cooling Memory Foam Pillow –Layla Kapok Pillow – CHECK PRICE
This pillow has solid reviews, and the copper infused Kapok material claims to keep you cool throughout the night. In practice, it is a bit hit or miss. While the pillow definitely is not any warmer than most pillows, it is hard to tell whether it truly keeps you cool at night – just look at the reviews:
That being said, overall it does have nice reviews and is touted as a nice pillow. It could be worth trying as it claims to have a plush feel (from the Kapok fiber) while maintaining the support of memory foam.
6. High-End Luxury Memory Foam Pillow If You Really Want To Treat Yourself – TEMPUR-Cloud® Breeze Dual Cooling™ Pillow – CHECK PRICE
This pillow is expensive, but it has earned our title of best luxury pillow because of its sophisticated design elements. It is made of lightweight Tempur memory foam, a material touted for its supposed contouring and pressure relieving abilities. In addition, each layer contains the tempur-breeze gel, designed to keep you cool throughout the night. It does have a five year manufacturer warranty – however, it does NOT come with a sleep trial like most other high end pillows do. This is kind of a concern, especially when you consider that you need to pay $169 dollars for it!
7. Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers – Nest Bedding Easy Breather – CHECK PRICE
This pillow has a soft and breathable cover filled with a supportive foam fill. The shredded memory foam relieved pressure points that build up in the neck and shoulders. Most consider this pillow to be a medium level of firmness, which tends to be the most popular level for most sleepers. It’s a good balance for people of various weight levels – another pro is that the loft is adjustable. In addition, it does sleep fairly cool because of the breathable cover and interior.
However, the pillow is a bit pricey and some reviewers have said that it is both a bit warm and that it flattens over time:
8. Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers who like resting their arm under their pillow – Drift Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow – CHECK PRICE
This pillow is designed for side sleepers who like to rest their arm under their pillow. The unique shape allows side sleepers to rest their hand under the pillow, for maximum comfort (if you sleep that way). The reviews are generally very positive on Amazon – a lot of people say that it is supportive and cushy at the same time, and mention that the shape really helps if you’re a side sleeper. However, as always, there are some negative reviews to be aware of – the issue is that some users state that the pillow starts to compress in the middle, and so it requires frequent refilling of the foam.
9. Classic Memory Foam Pillow – Coop Home Goods Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow – CHECK PRICE
This pillow has an extremely high number of 5-star reviews, so it’s likely that it is a quality pillow. The best part about it is that it is adjustable, so you can adjust the amount of memory foam to your personal preference. There is a bit of a daily ‘fluff’ that is required to get the pillow to get the foam pieces to re-configure back into a full pillow shape. Otherwise, it tends to stay squished. This is a solid pillow all around, and while it isn’t the holy grail of memory foam pillows, it is a very good option.
We dived into some of the negative reviews and are a bit concerned with the overall durability of the pillow – there are a few reviews that state the pillow degraded after 1+ years of use:
10. Best Memory Foam Pillow For Athletes – Bear Pillow – CHECK PRICE
This pillow has a cool cover and mesh panels that allow heat to escape. It is a one-piece foam pillow that is perforated to maintain a neutral temperature. The Loft-X resembles memory foam in the way that it relieves pressure points. The material has latex-like resilience that makes it easier for you to change position – it also helps the pillow keep its shape over time.
The pillow does have a relatively high loft (5.5 inches), so it is probably better for side sleepers. It has a medium level of firmness. If you are a hot sleeper, this pillow could definitely be worth a try.
That concludes our compilation of the best memory foam pillows available – we hope you learned a lot from reading this article and that you are better informed for your purchase.
There is no one-size fits all pillow, but hopefully this article can help you find the pillow that is right for you.
