There are many factors to consider when shopping for the best memory foam pillow, like quality, comfort, support, durability, and value. You should also look for special features like cooling technology, hypoallergenic materials, and adjustable fill. To come up with this list of the best memory foam pillows, we researched the category and sent the top 20 pillows home with testers to sleep on for one week. The testers evaluated the pillows based on size, fill material, firmness, quality, durability, airflow, and sleeping position, and we used their insights to come up with our list of the best memory foam pillows. We chose The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow as the overall best memory foam pillow because it’s soft and luxurious with an optimal level of firmness. Here are the best memory foam pillows based on our research and tests. Keep in Mind: The pillow itself cannot be machine washed or dry cleaned. After using this pillow for five nights, the tester noticed it maintained a comfortable and cool temperature and didn’t lose its shape. Our tester said it was the “favorite pillow she’s ever slept on.” We especially loved the luxurious feel and firmness of this pillow and would consider paying more for it based on all of the great features. Price at time of publish: $59 Fill Material: Memory foam and gel fiber | Firmness: Medium | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover; spot clean-only pillow Keep in Mind: You may need to adjust this pillow to find the most comfortable feel since it’s so soft. Aside from offering different temperatures, this pillow also comes with adjustable fill so you can add or remove it for the most comfortable feel based on your preferred sleeping position. Although this pillow provides comfort and support, it is more soft and moldable than others we tested, and the tester had to adjust the pillow a few times throughout the night. All in all, we love that this memory foam pillow has options for comfort and temperature, features you might normally find in a more expensive pillow. Price at time of publish: $45 Fill Material: Gel memory foam | Firmness: Soft | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover; spot clean-only pillow Keep in Mind: Although it has a moisture-wicking cover, this pillow wasn’t as cool as some of the other options we tested. During testing we noticed this pillow was durable, firm, and comfortable. It comes with two covers—a polyester/Tencel knit cover and a moisture-wicking cover made of CoolMax fiber that moves moisture away from the skin. Although the pillow provided great airflow, it wasn’t as cool as some of the other pillows we tested, but we still believe the premium feel and quality neck support offered by this pillow make it worth the higher price. Price at time of publish: $95 Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover; hand wash and air dry the foam insert Keep in Mind: This pillow doesn’t come with adjustable fill, so you aren’t able to adjust the loft or firmness level. She slept in multiple positions while testing this pillow and didn’t feel any pain when she woke up. Although it provided good support, it wasn’t as firm as the tester expected. This pillow has a low loft which makes it a good choice for back sleepers. Price at time of publish: $89 Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Recommended for: Back sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover Keep in Mind: The tester noticed a slight smell right out of the package, but it disappeared quickly. This pillow is adjustable so you can add or remove foam to accommodate your favorite sleeping position. Side sleepers can try the pillow as is without removing any fill, but you may need to adjust it based on their individual comfort preferences. Aside from all of the great features of this pillow, our tester did note that the pillow had a slight odor right out of the package and felt heavier than other pillows we tested. She said the smell disappeared fairly quickly though. Overall, we recommend the Nest Easy Breather Pillow for its comfort, support, and soft and breathable cover. Price at time of publish: $86 Fill Material: Memory foam and polyester fiber | Firmness: Customizable (add or remove fill) | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover Keep in Mind: If you tend to get hot while sleeping, this pillow might not be the best choice because it got warmer the longer we laid on it. During testing, our reviewer noticed this pillow felt a little warmer the longer she laid on it, but once she flipped the pillow over, she didn’t have any other issues with airflow or temperature control. At just half the cost of many of the other pillows we tested, it’s definitely a great value. “The Serta pillow reached all of my expectations and is literally my favorite pillow I’ve ever used,” our tester said. We recommend this pillow for stomach sleepers because it cradles your head while providing ample support to the neck and shoulders. Price at time of publish: $30 Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Balance of soft and firm | Recommended for: Stomach sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover Keep in Mind: Even though it contains graphite and cooling gel (designed to pull away body heat), the tester didn’t notice an actual cooling effect when using this pillow. After sleeping on this pillow, our tester reported that it strikes a great balance of soft and structured, offering both comfort and support. It maintains its shape well and bounced right back during testing thanks to the responsive foam. There wasn’t a noticeable cooling effect, but the pillow was still very comfortable. Price at time of publish: $97 Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Balance of soft and firm | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover Keep in Mind: There was a slight plastic smell when we took this pillow out of the box. Developed by a chiropractor for ultimate comfort, this pillow adapted to our tester’s shape and offered ample head and neck support no matter her sleeping position. She also reported that she’s generally a hot sleeper, and this pillow kept her cool throughout the night. Unlike other pillows we tested, this pillow can be machine washed. Our tester washed it in cold water on a gentle cycle and then dried it on low. After washing it, she reported that “it seemed to feel the exact same as when I received it.” Although she really liked this memory foam pillow, our tester did note that it had a slight plastic smell right out of the box and the light brown color made it look dirty compared to other pillows we tried. Price at time of publish: From $29 Fill Material: Shredded memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable Keep in Mind: Despite having cooling properties like gel infusion and a ventilated design, this pillow only scored in the middle for temperature/airflow during testing. This mid-loft pillow is infused with gel to help regulate temperature and provide more comfort. It also has a ventilated design to promote air circulation. The temperature regulation and airflow wasn’t bad compared to some of the other pillows we tried, scoring a 3/5 in the cooling test. We recommend choosing another pillow if you’re looking for a cooling-specific pillow, however. The inside of this pillow is filled with CertiPUR-US certified memory foam that helps relieve pressure, and the removable pillow cover is soft yet durable and machine washable. We recommend this pillow for sleepers who are looking for a sturdy and comfortable pillow. Price at time of publish: From $32 Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Ultra soft | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover Keep in Mind: The fill of this pillow includes latex, so it weighs more than a traditional pillow. This pillow was very plush with some firmness, preventing our tester from sinking down into the pillow when lying on it. It also comes with a cooling cover and gel foam infusion to prevent you from overheating during the night—our tester found the airflow to be sufficient during testing. One thing our tester noted was that this pillow felt a bit heavy. Latex is a naturally heavier material than memory foam, so this pillow has a bit more heft than your typical pillow. Overall, we recommend the Brooklyn Bedding pillow if you’re looking for a moderately firm pillow that’s also soft and plush. Price at time of publish: From $54 Fill Material: Deconstructed latex and memory foam | Firmness: Adjustable | Recommended for: Side, back, and stomach sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover; spot clean the pillow insert Keep in Mind: It can take up to two weeks to find the most comfortable amount of fill. Our tester said the quality of this pillow was evident in its stylish pattern and durable stitching, which she noted was “flawless.” It comes with a breathable cover which the tester found to be so soft she didn’t even want to use a pillowcase. Although it wasn’t made specifically to be a cooling pillow, it stayed decently cool during testing. If you’re looking for a memory foam pillow that’s equal parts squishy and supportive, The Original pillow is a great choice. “Just get the pillow. You won’t regret it,” our tester said. Price at time of publish: From $72 Fill Material: Memory foam and microfiber | Firmness: Medium | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable (wash pillow and cover separately)
Our Testing Process
Our team of home experts tested 20 of the best memory foam pillows at home for one week and rated them on quality, temperature/airflow (breathability), comfort, durability, and value. They examined the material and construction of each pillow and noted any odors before seeing if they fit into a pillowcase. They also measured each pillow before and after a week of use (and washing, if the pillow was machine washable) and recorded any changes. For pillows with adjustable fill, testers added or removed some of the fill to accommodate their preferred sleeping positions. They also washed and dried the machine washable pillows and covers according to the manufacturer’s instructions to see how well they held up. Our tests included lying down on the pillows to evaluate the comfort and support before going to bed and noting any pain or discomfort they felt after waking up the next morning. To reach a final score for each pillow, we averaged the scores across all of the tests. We then compared the final scores of the 20 pillows to select the top 11 for this list of the best memory foam pillows.
What to Know About Memory Foam Pillows Before Shopping
Fill Material
Memory foam pillows are either filled with solid or shredded memory foam. Solid memory foam pillows are firm and supportive—and good at maintaining their shape. Shredded memory foam pillows are more plush while offering better airflow. Many shredded memory foam pillows also come with adjustable fill so you can customize the loft and firmness.
Firmness
Memory foam pillows are available in soft, medium, or firm, and some come with adjustable fill so you can customize the level of firmness depending on how much fill is in the pillow. It’s important to choose a pillow with the right level of firmness for your preferred sleeping style. “A too-firm or too-soft pillow can cause an uncomfortable angle in your neck or cause you to bend forward or backwards unnaturally,” Rogers says.
Sleeping Position
Most memory foam pillows can adapt to multiple sleeping styles, especially those that come with adjustable fill. Keep in mind that firmer pillows are better suited for back and side sleepers because they offer more support. Softer plush memory foam pillows are typically more comfortable for stomach sleepers.
Other Memory Foam Pillows We Tested
Rest Haven Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillow
The Rest Haven Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillow is suitable for a bargain hunter or college student looking for a sturdy pillow, but it wasn’t as comfortable as the other pillows we tried and didn’t feel like a true memory foam pillow. Although it’s inexpensive, we found other affordable options with higher quality.
Allswell Flex Pillow
Although comfortable, soft, and supportive, the Allswell Flex Pillow was thick and bulky which made it difficult to get in and out of a pillowcase. Our tester also felt hot after lying on it for a while, so it didn’t make our list of the best memory foam pillows.
Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow
While we loved the look and texture of the Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow, it wasn’t as comfortable as other memory foam pillows we tried. The pillow also didn’t provide enough support or airflow for our tester, so she woke up with a sore neck and felt very warm throughout the night.
Your Questions, Answered
How long do memory foam pillows last?
Most memory foam pillows last for about two to three years. If you notice a change in appearance, texture, or comfort, it might be time to replace your pillow. “The visible signs can be the most obvious clue,” Rogers says. “Less obvious signs are that you can’t get comfortable in your preferred sleeping position or you might wake up with aches and pains in your neck and shoulders.”
Do dust mites live in memory foam pillows?
Most memory foam pillows are hypoallergenic and good at preventing dust mites. “If you have allergies or asthma, you may want to look for hypoallergenic options,” Rogers says. Placing pillows in hypoallergenic pillow covers can also be a good solution.
How many foam pillows should I use?
One memory foam pillow is recommended for the best support and alignment. “The perfect pillow is one that provides you with both comfort and support,” Rogers says. “Your head, neck, and spine should be in alignment as if you were standing.”
Who We Are
Erica Reagle is a freelance writer focused on interior design and the home. To write this story, she researched the best memory foam pillows, evaluated the features that matter most in this category, and reviewed insights from our home tests. She also consulted Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications at The Better Sleep Council.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products and we let you know that we got it for free to remain as transparent as possible about our picks. Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.
