Does the type of pillow you sleep on really affect your sleep quality and overall comfort?
Selecting the ideal pillow and getting a good night’s sleep depends on three crucial points: comfort, temperature control, and value for money.
The majority of individuals tend to opt for feather or polyester stuffed pillows, often due to their affordability or lack of awareness about other options. However, in 2024, I reviewed pillows made by the top bedding companies that are revolutionizing the sleep industry and redefining the way people think about pillows.
According to doctors, achieving the deepest and healthiest sleep requires a pillow that offers the perfect balance of loft, firmness, and alignment.
The ideal choice is a memory foam pillow that has a medium loft and medium firmness. Memory foam pillows help promote proper spinal alignment and prevent uncomfortable neck arching or sinking of the head, which can lead to long-term damage.
Moreover, memory foam pillows are generally hypoallergenic, and they stay fresh for extended periods. I’ve observed that cotton pillows don’t excel in these aspects, as they tend to retain oils and common household allergens until they are washed. For individuals who tilt their heads to either side, this can become concerning, as their skin and nose come into close contact with the pillow. Without daily washing of bedding, sleepers may unknowingly endure discomfort during sleep.
Navigating the vast array of pillows available on the market can be both challenging and daunting.
To alleviate this dilemma, I conducted months of thorough research on this emerging category. My comprehensive guide will help you identify the key factors to consider and the pitfalls to avoid when selecting the perfect pillows for your needs.
After testing dozens and dozens of pillows, here are the top 5 memory foam pillows, as ranked by me:
- Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow
- Coop Premium Adjustable Pillow
- Casper Foam Pillow
- Purple Harmony Pillow
- Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow
Here’s a summary of our findings before I dive into the details below:
- Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow – for the first time in years, I woke up with no neck pain or headache or anything. I don’t think I have slept that deeply in a long time. This was one of the last pillows I tried and was the only one where I clearly noticed a difference in sleep quality.
- Coop Premium Adjustable Pillow – This pillow was probably my 2nd favorite. It’s a solid option and the adjustability was nice! I still had some crinks in my neck when I woke up.
- Casper Foam Pillow – my sleep quality did not change with this pillow, it was comfortable but overall pretty average.
- Purple Harmony Pillow – the springy feeling definitely took some getting used to, but it’s worth a try for some people. This one was also pretty cool.
- Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow – was really looking forward to trying this one. It’s comfy, but nothing special. My sleep quality didn’t really change.
The Top 5 Pillows Of 2024
After conducting extensive research, analyzing metrics from our HomeHacks Ranking System, and taking into account thousands of reviews from shoppers just like you, I have compiled a list of the top five pillows currently available on the market.
Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow
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Dosaze’s Contoured Orthopedic Pillow offers an incredible value featuring CertiPUR-US Certified memory foam, providing all sleepers (back, side, and stomach!) the proper support and comfort that’s packed with many wonderful benefits. The curve of the pillow keeps your spine aligned while you sleep, ensuring proper sleep posture. The natural, temperature-regulating bamboo cover is perfect for year-round use. Wake up truly refreshed!
Buy with peace of mind as this pillow has been tested rigorously to ensure there are no harmful chemicals and contaminants. Moreover, you get 60 nights to test the pillow, risk-free, otherwise, the company will refund you, no questions asked.
The Coop Adjustable Pillow is a very good pillow for general use – it is adjustable and can suit the needs of many different kinds of people. Our primary issue with this pillow is that it doesn’t specifically help with neck pain.
In my experience, neck pain is mostly due to incorrect alignment between your neck and back. Your neck and back can become misaligned vertically and horizontally. This pillow helps with the vertical misalignment – i.e., you can adjust the pillow so that it is the correct height for your neck and back. However, it does not do much to align your neck horizontally – i.e., while you sleep your neck can tilt left or right and this will cause strain to build up and you to wake up with neck pain.
I again would recommend this pillow for a general audience (or maybe for your guest room, if you really like your guests!), but not for someone who is specifically dealing with neck pain.
Some other minor complaints I had with the pillow are the following:
- Over time, it becomes harder to fluff
- The pillow isn’t 100% memory foam fill and you can tell vs. other adjustable fill pillows – this fill doesn’t provide as much support as 100% memory foam pillows.
- The adjustable fill can get messy
The Casper Foam Pillow for Sleeping includes CertiPUR-US Memory foam but lacks adjustability. While it provides satisfactory support for certain individuals, the 2” loft may not meet the preferences of many sleepers, especially back sleepers who had varied opinions about it.
Several reviewers have mentioned issues with firmness, waking up feeling itchy, and the pillow’s price. While it’s a decent option, I suggest considering other choices if you’re seeking the best value for your money.
The Purple Harmony pillow is good for someone looking to try something new. It definitely takes some getting used to (and you may very well like it a lot), but it wasn’t for me. This pillow is probably better suited for someone who tends to sleep very hot – the grid is breathable, and I did notice that I slept cooler throughout the night.
However, the latex is pretty “springy” and honestly provides a bit too much resistance against your head – for me personally, this pressure was a bit too much to handle. The pillow is a bit “jiggly” as well, and the vibrations can make it challenging to fall asleep.
The pillow also does not promote alignment in any particular way, so your head, neck, and spine may get out of alignment. Some people also complain that the grid feels weird against their skin and can leave marks (although I didn’t have this issue).
This pillow does come in multiple sizes, so make sure you follow the guidelines based on your height and sleep style to get the pillow that suits you. I will say, however, that Purple does have a pretty good return policy – you have 100 days to make a return or exchange. So you can try this pillow and see if it suits you with little to no risk.
That being said, I would expect a generous return policy given the extremely high price point of this pillow ($159). For that much money, you could get two or more of a lot of other pillows.
The Snuggle-Pedics Bed Foam Pillow boasts an adjustable memory foam, though it appears to be made from factory excess and not of the same quality as other options. Nevertheless, it holds the CertiPUR-US Certification.
Currently priced at $68.98 for the King Pillow, it’s cheaper than some of the choices I have listed above, but you get what you pay for. While it performs decently, I consider it to be our last recommendation among the options available.
An Overview On What I’m Looking For
What You Need In The Perfect Pillow
After carefully considering all the healthful attributes mentioned earlier, I have distilled a concise list of four essential characteristics that you should always seek in an excellent sleeping pillow. Aim to find a pillow that embodies all of these qualities:
Postural Support – The best pillows offer postural support, unlike traditional one-size-fits-all pillows that may not suit everyone. Generic pillows are often not designed to ensure you are sleeping with good posture. Sleeping with bad posture can often lead to neck pain, back pain, and general discomfort when waking up.
Softness & Comfort – The best pillows are not only silky soft, even softer than Egyptian cotton, but they also come with a heap of additional features. CertiPUR-US Memory foam is ideal for cradling your head to sleep. However, if you are a back sleeper, pillows that are too soft can cause your head to sink in, leading to discomfort and pain in the neck and shoulders. The perfect middle ground lies in a memory pillow that offers a soft and plush feel while providing the firm and comfortable support that back sleepers require.
Temperature Regulation – Most pillows on the market lack versatility in temperature regulation, making them unsuitable for varying seasonal changes. Polyester pillows may work well for winter, but they become overly hot and sweaty during the rest of the year. Cotton pillows excel in breathability and cooling during summer but fail to regulate temperatures adequately throughout the year. Traditional memory foam pillows tend to retain heat, leading to discomfort and sweating at night. However, memory foam pillows that utilize a thermal-regulating bamboo cover, effectively wick away moisture, ensuring a cool and dry sleep experience every night.
Gentle On Skin & Noses – Memory foam pillows are hypoallergenic, breathable, and stay cleaner between washes, effectively combating common household allergens. The combination of these features maximizes their individual benefits.
What to Avoid When Buying Pillows
Pricey Pillows That Don’t Support Your Posture
Contrary to popular belief, the highest-priced pillow may not always be the best choice. Many traditional-style pillows are not designed to keep your body and neck aligned while you sleep. They don’t leverage the latest in sleep technology and research!
Traditional pillows commonly feature cotton pillow covers that tend to absorb moisture, potentially leading to discomfort and skin issues.
Chemicals
When it comes to pillows, many are treated with harmful chemicals to prevent shrinking, wrinkling, and pilling during washing. It’s essential to prioritize CertiPUR-US certified pillows to avoid such concerns.
While cotton pillows might seem safe, the way cotton is grown often involves the use of chemicals and pesticides that can transfer to the final product. Considering I spend 7-8 hours a day sleeping on these pillows, this can lead to potential issues.
To ensure pillows are free from harmful substances, opt for reputable brands with a CertiPUR-US Certification. This certification guarantees that the product has undergone testing for harmful substances and is safe for human health, offering peace of mind for everyday use.
Final Thoughts
The Bottom Line
When it comes to picking the perfect pillow, it’s important to find a product that uses high-quality materials and promotes proper sleep posture. It also needs to regulate temperature properly, so you stay cool while you sleep.
After searching the Internet to find the best memory foam pillow and evaluating them based on a variety of metrics, I believe the Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow is the best on the market.
Dosaze provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee & a 60-day money-back guarantee on all orders!
Please note: The results of reviews are based on the HomeHacks Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
