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Memory foam pillows contour to your head and neck to provide supportive comfort while you snooze, and there are options for all sleeping styles. The best memory foam pillows are soft, supportive, and retain their shape well over time. Whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach—or you're a hot sleeper—there's a pillow on this list that's right for you.
Below, the best memory foam pillows for every budget.
Best Overall: Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
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For a memory foam pillow that accommodates every sleeping position and every preference for firmness, the Snuggle-Pedic Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is our overall top pick.
This memory foam pillow is filled with shredded, low VOC foam. The benefit of shredded foam is the ability to fluff and adjust the pillow to your liking, and the company’s proprietary foam blend is designed to never go flat. The pillow and its components are all made in the United States, which provides some peace of mind to customers concerned about phthalates and metal contamination. The pillow may initially smell right out of the box, but a day or two of airing it allows for any smell to dissipate.
What really makes this pillow rise to the top is the fact that the fill is adjustable. The Snuggle-Pedic pillow has a side zipper that allows you to remove or add foam to suit your desired level of loft. And if the pillow just isn’t suiting your needs with these minor adjustments, the company offers complimentary adjustments by sending the pillow back to the facility for more tweaking. This pillow's adjustability is a major plus, and it suits side, back, and stomach sleepers. If you’re concerned about finding a memory foam pillow that is just right for you, the Snuggle-Pedic Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is a great place to start—thanks to its adjustability and customization options.
"The shredded fill can be removed or adjusted to achieve your desired loft level, but because it’s so crumbly, this can be quite messy. Be sure to do so over a trash can or bag to avoid getting it all over your floor."—Michelle Hainer, Product Tester
Best Budget: Mainstay Memory Foam Cluster Standard Pillow with Cover
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If you have a small budget but want big results from a memory foam pillow, this basic version from Mainstays is a great choice.
The Mainstays Memory Foam Cluster Pillow is affordable and features memory foam clusters for a supportive feel. The clusters may be a bit denser and contribute to the heavy feeling of this pillow, versus memory foam pillows with shredded fill. Still, you'll likely find this basic memory foam pillow to be highly satisfactory.
In fact, this pillow could become an instant favorite—even beating out pricier versions of memory foam pillows. The pillow is described as being best for back and side sleepers—stomach sleepers may find it too thick to be comfortable. For an affordable memory foam pillow, don’t hesitate to try the Mainstays Memory Foam Cluster Pillow.
Best for Side and Back Sleepers: Sleep Innovations Contour Memory Foam Standard Size Pillow
A contour pillow is a great choice for side and back sleepers, and the Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Contour Pillow is a high-quality pick.
This memory foam pillow features contoured edges to accommodate either back or side sleeping positions and support your head, neck, and shoulders while you sleep. The soft and comfy cover is machine washable for easy cleaning, too.
This pillow should be very comfortable for side sleeping, which may help reduce snoring and back pain. Choose the Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Contour Pillow if you like to have options in terms of sleeping position and want to experience less snoring and back pain.
Best for Stomach Sleepers: Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper
A thin profile memory foam pillow is excellent for stomach sleepers, and the Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper Memory Foam Pillow is a great choice.
If you’ve been searching for a pillow that will allow you to comfortably sleep on your stomach without putting your head at awkward angles, then this version from Elite Rest may be perfect for you. This ultra-thin pillow is flat on the bottom and slightly rounded on top, with an overall height of only about 2.5 inches. Inside is hypoallergenic memory foam that will contour to your head and neck.
People that are serious stomach sleepers and have an aversion to fluffy pillows will enjoy this low-profile pillow. It offers just enough support without being uncomfortable, and the length and width of the pillow are just right. Sometimes thinner pillows are also smaller in other dimensions, but this pillow is of standard size. For stomach sleepers looking to lay their head on just the right pillow, give the Elite Rest Ultra Slim Sleeper Memory Foam Pillow a try.
Best for Neck Pain: HOKEKI Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Neck pain can keep you from waking up refreshed, but the right pillow can save the day (and night!). This contour memory foam pillow is one to consider if neck pain is keeping you up at night.
The contoured pillow is ergonomically designed to promote proper spine alignment and support the head, neck, and shoulders while you sleep, and the curved shape of the pillow is especially comfortable for back and side sleepers. The supportive memory foam pillow has an inner cotton cover to protect it from allergens and stains, and the soft and breathable outer cotton cover is removable and machine washable. If you're tired of waking up with aches and pains, this pillow is an excellent, affordable choice that can help you get a good night's rest.
Best Cooling: Linenspa Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Gel Memory Foam
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Some memory foam pillows are known for being hot and stuffy, but the addition of gel memory foam to the Linenspa Shredded Memory Foam Pillow makes this a good choice for a cooler night of sleep.
This Linenspa pillow is filled on the inside with shredded memory foam, which allows for better air circulation and breathability than solid memory foam cores. But what really sets apart the Linenspa pillow is the outer layer of memory foam surrounding the shredded foam. This outer layer features foam infused with gel beads that assist in dispersing heat. The result is a pillow that stays cooler to the touch and won’t retain body heat.
One thing to note about this pillow: The gel memory foam encasement makes it so that the fill level is not adjustable unless you tear the seams open. Still, the pillow has a fill level that most people will find to be suitably supportive. For a cooler version of a memory foam pillow that is still comfortable, choose the Linenspa Shredded Memory Foam Pillow.
Best for Travel: AERIS Memory Foam Travel Pillow for Airplanes
If you don’t want to sacrifice comfort while you’re on the go, choose a memory foam neck pillow designed for trips like the Aeris Travel Pillow.
This memory foam travel pillow really stands out thanks to its ventilated cover. The tiny holes in the cover allow for circulation and keep the pillow from becoming overly warm and stuffy. This is a nice feature, as many other memory foam travel pillows draw complaints due to the fact that they trap body heat and become stuffy.
This pillow is very soft and supportive, and the toggles keep the pillow in place rather than allowing it to slide around. If you want a travel pillow that will mold to your head and support your neck while on the road or in the air, pick the Aeris Travel Pillow.
The Snuggle-Pedic Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is our top choice because it's great for every sleeping position and can be fluffed and adjusted to your liking. If you're a hot sleeper, opt for the Linenspa Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Gel (view at Amazon), which has cooling gel beads and a breathable design.
What to Look for in a Memory Foam Pillow
Firmness
While memory foam molds to your head and body, some pillows are firmer than others—and how firm of a pillow you want is largely a personal preference. Some options, however, come with the option to adjust the level of firmness by removing some foam, which is great if you’re not sure exactly what you want.
Design
While some memory foam pillows are fine no matter how you sleep, others are designed specifically for side, back, or stomach sleepers. If you switch frequently between positions during the night, you may not want to select one that’s too specifically designed. However, if you always sleep the same way, a pillow designed for that position may be a comfortable choice.
Comfort
Comfort is the main thing you want when your head hits that pillow. While the firmness and design certainly contribute to that, some pillows have other features, such as a cooling gel layer, to up the comfort even more. Consider all the materials a pillow is made of, in addition to its shape and weight, before picking one for your bed.
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