Memory foam originated in the 1970s and has since been incorporated into a variety of products, among the most common of which are mattresses, pillows, and sleep accessories. Memory foam pillows are attractive for a number of reasons, but they’re most well-known for their contouring. They cradle sleepers’ shoulders, neck, and head, making them an excellent choice for pain relief. For the best pressure relieving mattresses, see our picks for memory foam mattresses.
When pillow shopping, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each type, the best ones on the market, and how to choose the right one for you, so read on to learn more about memory foam pillows in this guide.
The Layla pillow combines all-natural Kapok fibers with shredded memory foam for a feel that’s plush yet supportive. With an adjustable fill level and cooling copper fibers, the Layla Pillow sleeps temperature neutral and suits all sleeping positions. The one downside is that this pillow is on the pricier side.
The Layla pillow is made with shredded memory foam and fibers from the kapok tree, which add a down-like consistency. The cover, infused with copper, helps keep the pillow cool, and the company claims it can also improve blood flow for sleepers with poor circulation. While it only comes in one firmness and loft option, it has a medium-soft feel that will suit most and works well for all sleep positions. The pillow comes with a 120-night sleep trial, a five-year warranty, and free shipping. Check out the best pillows for back sleepers and pillows for combination sleepers for more options.
What our testers say: “One of the Layla pillow’s biggest attributes is it’s adjustable fill, meaning you can remove or add as much as you need to get proper alignment. Plus, the memory foam contours to your head and neck, keeping it in place and supporting it all night. It is even featured in our best pillows for neck pain roundup.” –Becca, Editor & Lead Accessories Tester
The Leesa Pillow is made with a solid piece of memory foam that’s ideal for anyone who likes their pillow to closely conform to their head and neck. At 5″ thick, it’s best suited to back and side sleepers, but is probably too lofty for most stomach sleepers. The foam is ventilated with tiny channels that improve breathability, so the pillow stays temperature neutral, which is a big bonus for hot sleepers.
The Leesa is a solid, one-piece pillow made with premium performance memory foam. It’s engineered with hundreds of ventilation channels to offset the heat-trapping tendencies of memory foam, and the cover is machine washable and breathable. This pillow will work best for back sleepers thanks to the pain relief offered at the neck and shoulders. The Leesa comes in standard size and king size and includes a 3-year limited warranty.
What our testers say: “From top to bottom, the pillow measures 5” tall. This loft level is best for side and back sleepers since it’s lofty enough to keep their neck aligned with their spine. It’s too tall for most stomach sleepers.” –Becca, Editor & Lead Accessories Tester
The Tempur-Cloud is a great pillow for achieving proper spinal alignment— especially if you're a stomach or back sleeper.
Made by the well-known brand Tempur-Pedic, this pillow is made from Tempur memory foam, which has a medium soft feel that’s great for sleepers in any position and of any size. The Tempur foam has incredible contouring abilities, and the pillow has a thin layer of Tempur-Breeze gel on each side that helps you stay cool. Tempur-Pedic offers free shipping and a five-year warranty, but a sleep trial is not included. It’s available in queen and king sizes, and we recommend this pillow for those who are okay with the luxury price point and regularly struggle with head or neck pain.
What our testers say: “Since we so often see the warranty being an indicator of a pillow’s lifespan, I think that speaks even more to the quality of this pillow because TEMPUR-Pedic backs it for 5 years— versus other pillow brands that don’t put warranties on their pillows whatsoever.” –Becca, Editor & Lead Accessories Tester
Read our TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow review.
The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling pillow works for a wide range of individuals looking for a hot sleeper-friendly, responsive pillow that's offered in two different height options.
This gel-infused pillow is made of open-cell, fast response memory foam and is covered in a premium-quality circular-knit. The gel draws heat away from the pillow’s surface, and the pin core provides ventilation in the center. The Luxury Cooling Pillow is also naturally antimicrobial and is resistant to allergens, bacteria, and dust mites. It’s available in a high or low profile, and the company recommends high for side sleepers, low for stomach sleepers, and either for back sleepers.
What our testers say: “While it’s not the coolest pillow we’ve ever tested, the cooling capabilities are there for some relief. The memory foam insert gets the job done when it comes to contouring and comfort.” –Becca Fair, Lead Accessories Tester
The Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow is made with a shredded latex foam filling that supports all types of sleepers.
The Nest Bedding Easy Breather is made from a breathable Tencel cover with shredded memory foam fill on the inside. This pillow mimics down and feather pillows while providing better support for your neck and head. It can easily be opened to remove some of the fill to fit your preferences, and it’s available in standard, queen, and king sizes. It comes with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a 2-year warranty.
What our testers say: “Both the cover and the adjustable fill design make this pillow a great option for hot sleepers. The cover is made of a blend of Nest’s proprietary cooling fabric, they call “Icecore”, which feels cool to the touch when you lie against it and it stays cool as you sleep on it throughout the night. The adjustable fill design helps with airflow so no body heat stays trapped within the materials too.” –Becca, Editor & Lead Accessories Tester
Read our Nest Easy Breather Pillow review.
The Pillow Cube is designed to be the perfect pillow for side sleepers. With a loft level of 5” or 6” and a medium-firm feel, we agree that this memory foam pillow should help the average side sleeper get a good night’s sleep. It’s not so good for stomach sleepers or combination sleepers.
If you sleep exclusively on your side, the Pillow Cube has a design that specifically accommodates you. Because of its cube-like shape, it slots comfortably into the right angle that’s created by your head and shoulder when you lay on your side, meaning it won’t require you to angle your neck uncomfortably as you sleep. Plus, at just $69.99 it’s relatively affordable when compared to other pillows of similar quality.
What our testers say: “The Pillow Cube doesn’t skirt around the fact that they designed the cube for side sleepers, and to that end, it does a great job with alignment. Those with especially broad shoulders or narrower shoulders will want to check out the different height options.” –Loren, Editor & Accessories Tester
With many options both in stores and online, distinguishing between the different types of memory foam pillows available can be helpful as you make a decision. Memory foam pillows can be distinguished by their thickness, filling, and cover.
Shredded memory foam pillows are filled with small, shredded pieces of memory foam, whereas solid or “traditional memory foam” pillows have a single piece of foam inside. Shredded varieties tend to be more customizable in firmness and loft, as most have a zippered inner casting that can be opened to remove or add foam to your liking. Solid memory foam pillows trap more heat but will give those who love the classic feel of memory foam the deep, slow sink they’re looking for.
Thickness, or loft, will vary depending on how much solid memory foam is used and how stuffed a shredded memory foam pillow is. Thicker pillows will work well for side sleepers, allowing more space for the shoulders. Thinner pillows work well for stomach sleepers, whose spines can be thrown out of alignment if the head and neck are lifted too high.
Most memory foam pillows now include a cover that can be removed for easy washing. Manufacturers recently began to introduce added benefits through cover materials. For example, some covers are copper-infused, enhancing the pillow’s ability to regulate temperature throughout the night. Others incorporate a quilted cotton material that’s soft to the touch, and some use moisture-wicking bamboo. Check out the best cooling pillows and best cooling pillowcases for more temperature-regulating options.
If you’re shopping for a pillow, you’ve probably heard of the down pillow. But what is it, and what’s the difference between memory foam and down?
Down pillows are filled with the soft, inner feathers from the back, wing, or chest of a bird, usually a duck or goose. They’re more expensive than memory foam pillows and typically cost at least $100. They’re comfortable to the touch and are softer and fluffier than memory foam. If cared for correctly, high-quality down pillows can last ten to fifteen years.
Memory foam, on the other hand, offers better support than down. It’s the ideal choice for those suffering from neck and back pain. Memory foam also bounces back fast, making it very resilient. Pillows with memory foam cores maintain their shape better throughout the night, whereas down pillows may sink around the contours of the head, creating discomfort and neck pain.
When deciding whether down or memory foam is right for you, consider your sleeping position and preferences. If you prefer soft pillows, don’t have neck issues, and have a larger budget, down is a nice option. If you need upper body support and have limited money to spend, memory foam is the way to go.
The frequency at which you should invest in new pillows will vary depending on the type of pillow you purchase. For example, latex pillows can last up to three or four years, whereas polyester pillows only last about 18 months. The National Sleep Foundation recommends changing your pillow every 1 to 2 years, but here are a few indicators that it may be time to invest in a new one:
Memory foam pillows are widely available today both online and in-store. While these guidelines can help you determine whether memory foam is right for you, it comes down to personal preference. Do your research and be sure to choose a bed pillow that will ensure you a great night’s sleep regardless of your budget, size, sleeping position, and personal preferences.
A memory foam pillow should be replaced every two years, and possibly even sooner if it has been subject to excessive pressure. Replacing your pillow regularly ensures that your head and neck always receive adequate support.
Memory foam can help mitigate or prevent neck pain, but you’ll want to make sure that the loft of the pillow accommodates your sleeping position. side sleepers will want to look for a high loft, stomach sleepers generally do well with a low loft, and back sleepers should be comfortable with something right in the middle.
Many of them are! Often times, the memory foam in an adjustable pillow is shredded, so you can easily remove as much of the fill as you need to.
