10 Best Memory Foam Pillows, Tested by Lab Experts
Finally, achieve ultimate neck support and proper alignment.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
For ultimate neck support and stability, look no further than a memory foam pillow: it cradles your head and neck giving you support, pressure relief and sometimes even neck pain relief. All memory foam is technically made of a viscoelastic polyurethane material, but you’ll find plenty of varieties ranging in firmness, height, cooling factors and other special features.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tests all types of pillows, including memory foam, down, down alternative, latex and more. Recently, we have tested over 175 pillows with 400 different at-home testers. GH fiber scientists evaluate each pillow in the Lab by performing laundering evaluations, pressure recovery tests and checking to see if each pillow fits in a Standard-size pillowcase. In addition to Lab analysis, at-home sleep testers give feedback on each pillow's comfort, cooling capabilities, support and more.
Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow
Pros
- Supportive and plush shredded foam and down alternative cluster blend
- Machine washable cover and fill
- Best-seller on Amazon with over 59,000 reviews
Cons
- Adjusting the amount of fill can be a bit messy
If you want to skip the time and effort of shopping for your best fit, the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow comes with extra stuffing that you can add or remove to create your own personalized firmness. Testers raved that it's both supportive and plush thanks to its blend of shredded memory foam and microfiber clusters. Just be prepared for some spills: We found the process of adjusting the fill a bit like unpackaging a box with packing peanuts.
Testers unanimously said they preferred this pillow over the pillows they were previously using and that it improved their sleep quality. "It wraps around my head and I sink into it," reported one tester. Another said she was "able to comfortably switch from side to back to stomach and still feel supported and comfortable." We love that the fill and cover are machine washable and that the foam is CertiPUR-US certified. It’s also a bestseller on Amazon with more than 59,000 reviews. Did we mention that this pillow is not only our top-tested shredded memory foam pillow but also our best pillow ever tested?
RELATED: The Coop Original Pillow Is the Best Pillow We've Ever Tested
| Fill material | Proprietary blend of medium-firm memory foam and microfiber fill |
| Cover material | 60% Polyester, 40% Viscose Rayon |
| Available sizes | Queen, King |
Tuft and Needle Original Foam Pillow
Pros
- Supportive but not too firm feel
- Foam maintained its shape in Lab tests
- Discount if purchased as a set
Cons
- Only one height option
This Tuft & Needle foam pillow was a top performer in our Lab, earning one of the highest scores overall among memory foam pillows — and testers loved sleeping on it. It was especially popular for being comfortable with "just the right amount of firmness" and a "great balance between firm and soft;" all testers said they would continue to use it.
This pillow is designed for all sleeping positions but was a favorite among our back sleeper testers. With a machine washable cover, it showed no signs of wear after washing. When weights were applied in the Lab to mimic real use, the pillow quickly bounced back to its original shape. Although it's available in Standard and King sizes, there's only one height option. You can also purchase the pillows as a set for a discount. We love that the brand offers free shipping and a 100-night trial too.
| Fill material | Foam infused with graphite and cooling gel |
| Cover material | Micro polyamide & polyester |
| Available sizes | Standard, King |
Pros
- Contoured shape designed for side and back sleepers
- Machine washable cover with multiple color options
- Cutouts on the sides to support your arms and shoulders
Cons
- Foam may be too soft for some
A supportive pillow doesn't need to break the bank. This cervical foam pillow from Elviros costs around $50 and has a contoured design to help provide proper support for back and side sleepers. The ergonomic design has cutouts on the sides to support your arms to help reduce shoulder pain. Because of its contoured shape, it doesn't fit perfectly in a pillowcase, but it comes with a machine-washable cover that's available in six colors.
We just began testing this pillow and are already receiving promising feedback from testers. "I'm surprised I like the contoured shape as much as I do," said one tester. "It helps keep my head in proper alignment while I'm sleeping." The foam isn't as firm as other tested styles, so it might not provide enough support for some. The brand recommends using the Standard size if you're under 5'1", Queen for sleepers 5'1" to 5'7" and the King size for anyone over 5'7".
| Fill material | Memory foam |
| Cover material | 38% viscose and 62% polyester |
| Available sizes | Standard, Queen, King |
Tempur-Pedic breeze° Pro + Advanced Cooling Pillow
Pros
- Supportive foam
- Cooling cover washed well in Lab tests
- Two height options
Cons
- Not designed for someone who changes sleeping positions throughout the night
Made from solid memory foam that's surrounded by a layer of cooling gel, this memory foam pillow has a sink-into-the-bed feel and is designed to keep you cool. In our Lab, the SmartClimate removable cover washed well without shrinkage and felt cool to the touch. Our testers gave it high scores for support and comfort too. "I like how comfortable it is and contours to my body," said one tester. Another tester added, "It had no odor and was comfortable whether I laid on my back or side."
Because of the firm foam, it didn't return to its original shape as quickly as some other pillows, so it's not well suited for someone who tosses and turns during the night. The lower height is best for back sleepers, while the higher height is designed for side sleepers or those with a larger frame.
| Fill material | Memory foam with cooling gel |
| Cover material | Not listed |
| Available sizes | Queen, King (in Lo and Hi) |
Pillow Cube Side Cube
Pros
- Foam bounced back to its original shape after pressure tests
- Unparalleled support for side sleeping
- Innovative design
Cons
- Cover showed some signs of wear after Lab wash tests
Side sleepers need thicker pillows that will keep their spine aligned. Unlike most memory foam pillows with tapered edges, this innovative pillow from Pillow Cube has 90-degree angled edges for unparalleled neck support when sleeping on your side. There are three different height options, and testers said that this pillow was "life-changing." Some even said they "couldn't sleep without it." One said this pillow “perfectly holds up my head,” and another said it “decreased my soreness.” Many noted that it takes some time to get used to, and it’s not suited for those who toss and turn or change sleeping positions during the night, as it’s truly a side sleeper pillow.
The foam quickly returned to its original shape during Lab evaluations. After wash testing, the cool-to-the-touch cover did show some signs of wear, so we recommend hand washing the cover for best results. Because of its innovative design, it doesn't fit perfectly in a Standard-size pillowcase, but one GH analyst said, "It's so comfortable that it's worth the mismatch."
RELATED: The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, According to Bedding Experts
| Fill material | Solid memory foam |
| Cover material | 100% polyester |
| Available sizes | One size |
Layla Sleep Adjustable Fill Kapok Pillow
Pros
- Supportive yet plush feel
- Adjustable fill
- All testers gave perfect scores for comfort and support
Cons
- Grey color visible through some pillowcases
What is your best bet if you worry a memory foam pillow will be too firm and cause neck pain? This supportive-but-not-hard pick from Layla. The fill is a blend of shredded memory foam and kapok, a silky natural fiber that’s similar to cotton. The supportive yet plush feel is ideal for back and stomach sleepers. We recommend removing some of the fill if you're a back sleeper since back sleepers need pillows with a medium height. Stomach sleepers should use an even thinner pillow for proper alignment.
Textiles expert and Good Housekeeping Institute Executive Director, Strategy & Operations Lexie Sachs uses it at home. She loves that the fill is adjustable and that it's not too high, because she changes sleeping positions throughout the night. One tester said, "I feel like this pillow is soft yet more supportive" and another added, "It provides support for my neck and has limited my need for two pillows to feel properly set to sleep!" This pillow received the highest overall score from testers, with all testers giving perfect scores for comfort and support. Note that the grey color may be visible if you have a light pillowcase.
| Fill material | Shredded memory foam blended with natural kapok fibers |
| Cover material | 66% polyester, 30% viscose, 4% poly/lycra blend |
| Available sizes | Queen, King |
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
Pros
- Contoured design
- Resilient foam held up in our pressure tests
- Three thickness options
Cons
- Very firm
Constantly waking up with neck pain? It might be time to upgrade your pillow to a style designed to prevent neck pain like this TEMPUR-Neck Pillow.
It has a contoured design to properly support your head, neck and shoulders, making it ideal for back and side sleepers. The foam is extra-firm and the pillow is available in three thickness levels to cater to sleepers of different heights and statures. The pillow didn't fit well in a Standard-size pillowcase because of its contoured shape and smaller size, but he foam aced our pressure tests, returning to its original shape after we applied weights. In addition to our Lab analysts, testers were also impressed with the foam. "It fit around my neck and shoulder perfectly," reported one tester. Another highlighted that the foam slowly molds to your head and neck.
RELATED: 10 Best Pillows for Neck Pain, According to Physicians and Sleep Experts
| Fill material | 100% memory foam |
| Cover material | 100% polyester |
| Available sizes | One size with small, medium and large thickness levels |
Pros
- Perforated foam for improved airflow
- 100-night no risk trial period
- Option to add a cooling cover for an additional cost
Cons
- Cover isn't dryer safe
Testers gave Casper's foam pillow a perfect score for keeping them cool all night long. This pillow has perforated foam, allowing air to flow through it to prevent overheating. For an additional $50, you can add advanced cooling features called Snow Technology, including a cooling cover that we found adds an icy feel to the pillow. The machine washable cover showed no signs of wear during Lab evaluations, but it's not dryer-safe, so it must be laid flat to dry.
Side, back and stomach sleeper testers also gave it perfect scores for waking up without any soreness and maintaining its proper shape after use. "The pillow felt cool and pleasant against my skin," reported one tester. "I felt my neck was supported well when on my side." Casper offers free shipping and a 100-night no-risk trial period.
RELATED: 9 Best Cooling Pillows for Hot Sleepers, Tested by Sleep Experts
| Fill material | 77% Polyurethane Foam, 23% Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foam |
| Cover material | 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex |
| Available sizes | Standard, King |
Sleep Number True Temp Contour Pillow
Pros
- Removable inserts to adjust pillow height
- 37.5 cooling technology
- 100-night trial period
Cons
- Cover is challenging to put on
Sleep Number's contoured pillows are popular among our testers for providing excellent neck support to promote proper alignment. It has three removable foam inserts to adjust the height and amount of support. The cover is filled with 37.5 technology-infused polyester for a plush feel that will store and release heat throughout the night to keep you at a stable body temperature. Note that although the cover is machine washable, it was difficult to get back onto the pillow after drying, which is likely due to the nature of the contoured design. Because of its shape, this pillow is best for back and side sleepers. Sleep Number also offers free shipping with a 100-night return period.
| Fill material | 100% foam |
| Cover material | 46% polyethylene, 31% 37.5 polyester, 23% polyester, filled with 80% polyester, 20% 37.5 polyester |
| Available sizes | Standard, King |
Pros
- Easy to adjust the pillow's height without making a mess
- Foam maintained its shape
- Testers reported that you don't feel the separate pods while sleeping
Cons
- The cover took a long time to dry
Adjustable pillows can help you achieve proper spinal alignment by allowing you to customize the height of your pillow, but many are messy with loose fill. The Twilla Adjustable Pillow is different. It comes with 10 pods (which are mini pillows filled with shredded foam) that you can add and remove from the pillow to find your perfect height. The outer pillow cover is made of Tencel and filled with down alternative fibers. "You don’t feel the actual pods inside the pillow," reported one tester. "It just feels like one solid pillow." Testers appreciated how easy it was to adjust the pillow's height without creating a mess. The foam proved resilient in our Lab tests, but the cover took a long time to dry after laundering.
This pillow was a recent Good Housekeeping 2024 Bedding Awards winner!
| Fill material | Shredded gel infused memory foam |
| Cover material | Tencel with polyester fill |
| Available sizes | Queen, King |
How we test the best memory foam pillows
Our Textiles Lab pros have evaluated over 175 memory foam, down, latex and fiberfill pillows in our Lab and with over 400 consumer testers before making these recommendations. Here is how we test pillows:
We determine pillow fit by putting every pillow in a Standard-size pillowcase to ensure it'll look nice with your bedding at home.
To see if the foam will return to its original shape, we conduct support and recovery tests. We put weights on the pillows for an extended period and then measure how quickly it returns to its original shape, mimicking real-world use.
We check each pillow's care label to ensure it's machine-washable before laundering it. Some memory foam pillows only have machine-washable covers. We wash each pillow according to the care label multiple times to see how well it holds up to continued laundering.
Each pillow is matched to a tester based on their sleeping position and fill preference. Testers sleep on the pillow for at least a month before giving feedback on comfort, support, pressure relief, temperature regulation and more.
How to find the right memory foam pillow for you
✔️ Focus on your sleeping position. Your head, neck and spine should be aligned when you sleep, so when you lay your head on a pillow, it shouldn’t tilt in any direction.
- Side sleepers should choose a thicker, firmer pillow
- Stomach sleepers need a thinner, softer pillow
- Back sleepers need a pillow in between with medium height
✔️ Look for cooling features. Memory foam gets a bad rap for retaining heat. If you sleep hot, look for foam options with holes for airflow, or you can opt for pillows with gel or cooling fibers.
✔️ Consider solid versus shredded foam. Solid foam is often firmer and intended for side or back sleepers, whereas shredded is plusher and the filling can be moved around with some fluffing. Many times shredded foam is mixed with fiberfill for an even plusher feel.
✔️ Check the cover. Unlike most down and fiberfill pillows, memory foam isn’t usually machine washable. Make sure to buy a pillow with a removable, washable cover if that matters to you. You can also use a pillow protector to keep it safe from spills and wear and tear.
How to care for a memory foam pillow
To keep your pillow in pristine condition, it's important to wash it regularly. Unlike most down and fiberfill pillows, you can't just toss your memory foam pillow in the washer. Good Housekeeping Institute cleaning pros recommend washing your pillows two to four times a year (about every four months).
To properly clean a memory foam pillow, first remove the cover and machine wash it according to its care label. For solid memory foam, spot-clean any soiled areas with a cloth and mild sudsy soap. Be very gentle when cleaning, as wet foam can tear easily. Allow the foam and pillowcase to dry completely before putting the pillow back on your bed. Some pillows with shredded memory foam are entirely machine washable, but most shredded styles have only a washable cover or cannot be cleaned at all. If there's no washable cover, we highly recommend using a pillow protector.
Memory foam pillow FAQs
Do memory foam pillows make you hot?
Sometimes. Memory foam conforms to your body's shape when you lie on it and recovers more slowly to its original shape. With heat, it'll soften its shape more easily to conform to body contours. Therefore, it can trap heat, making you feel hotter compared to other pillow materials. Many brands add key cooling features to prevent overheating. Additionally, you may sometimes notice that in colder temperatures, your memory foam pillow can feel stiffer. Give it a good squeeze to help warm it up, so it'll more easily conform to your head's shape.
How long should you keep a memory foam pillow?
There isn't an exact timeline, but generally, you should think about replacing your memory foam pillows after around three years. Once you notice any staining, shedding, tears or changes in feel, it's time to buy a new pillow. To keep your pillows in excellent condition for longer, we recommend washing your pillow every few months (if it's washable) and always using a pillowcase.
Do memory foam pillows off-gas?
Yes. You may notice an odor when you first unbox memory foam pillows. This happens because the smells get trapped in the package right off the production line, so we recommend airing out your new pillow for at least a day before you sleep on it. If you’re worried about the chemicals in your pillow, check to make sure it’s CertiPUR-US certified, which ensures it’s made without known harmful substances like formaldehyde, heavy metals and certain flame retardants.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab senior textiles analyst Emma Seymour has performed our most recent pillow tests. Emma has rigorously tested more than 100 pillows in the Textiles Lab in the past two years and she has coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. Emma has a B.S. in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for five years at Good Housekeeping. She may try different pillows, but she hasn't found a pillow she likes more than her Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow.
More pillow shopping guides
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
The Best Rollaway Beds
The Best Down Comforters
The Best Down Pillows
The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
