What Is The Best Memory Foam Pillow To Buy
Memory foam pillows can be solid or shredded, and many of the best pillows today feature cooling techniques to battle the heat retention that was typical of traditional memory foam. Pillows made of this moldable and highly versatile material are widely available in all budgets.
what is the best memory foam pillow to buy
Whether you suffer from neck pain or whether you're simply looking for a pillow that will support your spine and help you get a better night's sleep, look no further. We've rounded up some of our top picks and compiled a comprehensive guide on how to choose the best memory foam pillow.
The Saatva Memory Foam Pillow is another great option for sleepers whose loft preferences change from night to night. It features a removable inner pillow made of graphite-infused memory foam, along with a shredded memory foam core. Simply remove the inner pillow to adjust the thickness and feel of the pillow.
The cover is composed of breathable organic cotton quilted with phase-change material, which helps the pillow maintain a cool temperature. As a result, this pillow is suitable for anyone who normally finds memory foam too hot. Air also circulates freely through the shredded core, and this foam is infused with gel to draw heat away from your body. The dual memory foam layers also ensure even conforming and relief for any aches and pains in your neck or shoulders.
The cover can be machine washed and dried, but spot cleaning is recommended for the inner memory foam pillow. Saatva offers free ground shipping to all customers in the contiguous U.S. The pillow can be returned within 45 days of delivery, even if it has been used or laundered. It is also backed by a one-year warranty against material defects.
High-quality memory pillows can be somewhat expensive, but the Nectar Resident Pillow is a great example of an affordably priced foam-filled model that still performs at the same level as its main competitors. The fill consists of shredded foam that adapts closely to the head and neck. You can unzip the cover and add or remove the fill to adjust the loft and firmness level. Nectar does not sell additional foam in bulk, so you should keep any fill you remove in case your preferences change in the future. When at full volume, the pillow measures about 6 inches thick.
A mesh shell encases the foam. The fabric is fairly breathable and promotes enough airflow to offset the foam's heat-absorbing properties, allowing you to sleep cool despite the deep contouring. We recommend the pillow to anyone who normally sleeps hot on memory foam. You should not machine wash the cover or fill, so spot cleaning may be needed if stains of smudges occur. A pillowcase or protector can help safeguard your Resident Pillow from contaminants and physical damage.
The Marlow Pillow is both lofty and conforming, making it a comfortable option for side sleepers or those with neck pain. The pillow also has an adjustable design that allows sleepers to pick a firmness and loft that works best for their needs.
The pillow is filled with a memory foam and polyester blend that contours closely to your head and neck. The pillow is encased in a cotton shell, providing a soft, breathable surface. While most pillows offer a single firmness, the Marlow has a unique zippered construction that lets sleepers adjust both the firmness and loft with an easy zip. Those who prefer a firmer and loftier pillow can zip the side of the pillow closed. If you enjoy pillows that are softer and thinner, simply unzip the side.
Side sleepers need a pillow that is lofty enough to support their head but conforming enough to cradle their neck, preventing pressure buildup. With its memory foam fill and adjustability options, the Marlow is a great choice for side sleepers to find the perfect match for their needs. The pillow is also ideal for people whose loft and firmness preferences might change from night to night.
Memory foam is notorious for trapping heat, The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow has a cover made from proprietary fabric designed to promote airflow and sleep cool. By drawing heat away from your body, this material can offset the uncomfortable warmth that often occurs when memory foam traps heat.
Brooklyn Bedding offers the pillow in queen and king sizes. The price-points for both are quite approachable compared to memory foam pillows from competing brands, and all customers in the contiguous U.S. qualify for free ground shipping. The sleep trial lasts 30 nights, and all orders are backed by a 1-year warranty against structural defects.
A shell composed of bamboo-derived viscose encases the fill. This fabric is highly breathable and has moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry and comfortable on humid nights. Mesh panels along the border also promote airflow throughout the interior. As a result, the LAYR should be a good option for people who normally sleep hot on memory foam.
Due to its medium (5) feel, the pillow should contour closely without sinking too much. The cover has a soft feel to accentuate the foam's deep cushioning. At 5 inches thick, the pillow is a good option for side and back sleepers who need a bit of extra loft. The cover cannot be removed, so spot cleaning is needed if the cover becomes stained or smudged. Standard and king sizes are available.
Our tests also show back sleepers may find the Best Rest comfortable, provided they prefer their pillows on the thicker side. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, may need a lower-profile pillow to reduce the potential for neck strain. A breathable mesh cover encases the foam. You can remove and spot clean the cover if stains or smudges occur. We recommend using a pillowcase or pillow protector to safeguard the insert from permanent damage. Standard and king sizes are available.
Memory foam is popular in pillows because it molds to the head and neck, providing a supportive surface that can be shaped to the user's liking. This close-conforming material is unrivaled in its ability to alleviate pressure points.
The market is flooded with manufacturers who tinker with their memory foam to give it different qualities, such as using gel infusions to achieve better temperature neutrality. Some proprietary foams do succeed in their aims, but it can be very difficult to tell before trying the pillow out for yourself.
Before you shop for a memory foam pillow, it's important to understand the basics behind how they are constructed and what kind of options exist. Focusing on the following factors can help you see past the marketing hype to choose the best memory foam pillow for you.
Memory foam has unsurpassed contouring abilities that make it one of the best pillow materials for pressure relief and support. However, memory foam has some drawbacks as well, the most notable of which is its tendency to trap heat. The material also has a slow response to pressure that some people like, but that can be restrictive when changing positions.
Memory foam pillows are generally best suited to side sleepers, back sleepers, and anyone who suffers from neck pain or who prefers a pillow with a higher loft. While your best pillow will partly depend on your body type and personal preference, here are some general considerations for choosing a memory foam pillow according to sleep position and other factors.
Our top-scoring memory foam pillow was a universal hit, with the entire panel awarding it full marks! It moulded brilliantly to their heads and necks, offering excellent support for all types of sleeper. It didn't have a plasticky smell and the Tencel/polyester cover survived the washing machine with only minimal shrinkage.
If you struggle with neck pain, the unique design of this pillow may make all the difference. The foam is carefully moulded to support your head and neck, and our panel was impressed with how well it relieved pressure. It comes with a 100-day trial too, for extra peace of mind.
Front or back sleepers looking for both firmness and slimness should try this medium thickness pillow. Its Tencel cover kept all our testers cool at night, despite memory foam's famously dodgy breathability.
It didn't smell chemically and there was no dip left in the foam by the end of the trial. It felt comfortable and supportive to sleep on but its slender shape made our pillowcase look baggy. It's pricey, too, but it comes with a two-year guarantee.
Memory foam and temperature regulation don't go together as a rule, but this hypoallergenic pillow is a refreshing exception, literally. It makes use of bamboo's breathable, moisture-wicking properties to keep you cool in summer and comfortably cosy in winter. It's infused with naturally antibacterial charcoal too.
It's easy to adjust this memory foam pillow to your desired height, meaning front sleepers can get in on the act too. It didn't mould to our heads and shoulders as well as other pillows on test, so wouldn't be our top pick for neck pain sufferers, but it stayed quiet and didn't have a plasticky smell.
It didn't feel particularly premium to sleep on and it's spot clean only, but it's an affordable adjustable option if you're new to memory foam and it comes with a two-year guarantee.
Hannah is our senior homes writer, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.
I personally prefer memory-foam pillows. As a side-sleeper I like a fair amount of height and a very firm pillow to keep my shoulders and arms from getting sore, and in testing for this guide I had some of the better nights of sleep I can remember. I also co-wrote our main guide to bed pillows. Our picks are the pillows I would spend money on myself. 041b061a72