The 10 Best Memory Foam Pillows of 2024, Tested by Experts

We’ve been fans of Tuft and Needle products for years now. Everything in the brand’s catalog strikes a perfect balance between luxury, comfort, and price. So, we weren’t surprised that the Original Foam Pillow won us over as the best overall option. The Adaptive Foam material on the inside is softer than most solid memory foam pillows, yet it’s still supportive enough to keep its shape.

This model has a cooling gel infused in the foam that pairs well with a breathable micro polyamide and polyester cover, creating an all-night cooling feel that helps disperse heat much better than other pillows we tested. On the sustainability front, the Original Foam Pillow has Greenguard Gold certification to show it has been screened for toxic chemicals, plus a CertiPUR-US certification to show its foam is free of harmful chemicals and gases.

Some sleepers might find the Original Foam Pillow to be less supportive than they prefer. We agree there is other memory foam that offers a bit more of an assist in this department, but if you’re looking for one that balances softness with support—all for a price under $100—then this is your top choice.

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Anyone who struggles with neck and shoulder pain knows finding the right supportive sleep pillow can seem impossible. The Tempur-Neck Pillow is the best contoured memory foam pillow we tested for neck support thanks to its soft, yet supportive design. We love how it is designed to provide neck support for side sleepers and back sleepers alike. Multiple sizes are available too, so you can choose from a small, medium, or large profile to fit your body.

One of our top sleep experts, Dr. Chris Winter, a neurologist, author of The Sleep Solution, and host of Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter, names Tempur-Pedic as a brand you can’t go wrong with buying. “When I think about memory foam pillows, Tempur-Pedic is one brand that has some of the best options,” says Winter. “They are a go-to brand in that space.”

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Layla’s Memory Foam Pillow is a true hidden gem. The secret is in the shredded memory foam material that’s blended with kapok, a natural fiber that’s soft and lightweight (kind of like cotton). The inner makeup of the pillow won’t give you the most rock-solid support, but what you do get is less weight and more breathability than a solid memory foam design. Plus, you also get a whole lot more support with the Layla Memory Foam Pillow than you would a traditional down or latex-filled pillow.

Add in the fact this pillow has a breathable 320 GSM Hex cover weave to enhance cooling, and you’ve got a shredded memory foam pick that’s great for those looking for some targeted support, yet still want a lofty, cooling feel.

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With the Original Loft Pillow, you get a shredded foam makeup of memory foam and microfiber that’s supportive and lightweight. The fact you can actually customize the fill of the pillow is what stands out the most, as you can use the provided extra fill bag to add more support, or you can remove the fill from the pillow to make it lighter and softer. The fill feature also allows sleepers to customize the height of the pillow to create a proper head alignment with their sleeping position.

Dr. Raj Dasgupta is a big fan of the Coop Original Pillow’s adjustable fill feature, but he notes how the pillow appeals to those with allergies also. “The pillow’s hypoallergenic bamboo-derived cover, coupled with the shredded foam’s ability to promote airflow, makes it suitable for allergy sufferers and helps regulate temperature,” says Dasgupta.

Memory foam pillows can cost a fortune but you don’t have to spend north of $150 for a decent one. Case in point: Weekender keeps it simple with its aptly named Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow. It’s essentially a rectangular memory foam brick that does exactly what it promises: supports your neck and shoulders, making it a great, wallet-friendly option for side and back sleepers.

If we have one quibble, it’s that this model isn’t quite as supportive as other memory foam pillows we’ve tested. But that could be a good thing if you find traditional memory foam pillows too stiff. It’s currently ranked as Amazon’s Choice in the Bed Pillows category, which isn’t surprising considering it’s among the cheapest and best-reviewed memory foam pillows we’ve seen anywhere.

Pros

• Temperature-balancing materials
• Height-adjustable
• Cool-touch cover
• Hypoallergenic design
• Removable, machine-washable cover
• Solid 100-night free trial

Sleep Number makes more than great mattresses. Its True Temp Ultimate Pillow is one of our favorite foam pillows for back sleepers. With the Ultimate, you get three removable foam inserts (comes in a 4 in, 5 in, or 6 in contour) so you can dial in a height to properly align your spine and head. The cool-touch cover and temperature-regulating fabrics ensure that the pillow stays comfortable throughout the night.

The pillow’s 37.5 Technology also works to waft away water vapor and humidity. About the only drawback is that the fill is not made with true memory foam. It is, however, CertiPUR-US certified foam, which guarantees fewer emissions, better durability, and more eco-conscious materials.

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Side and back sleepers rely on targeted neck and shoulder support for a good night’s sleep. Juvea’s High Profile Pillow features a high-arched design that’s perfect for keeping your head and spine aligned and relieving neck pressure. Open-cell technology helps airflow and better temperature regulation.

The 100% Talalay latex materials are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they’re free from harmful chemicals and even baby-safe. This pillow is among the pricier models we tested and it has a slight, chemical odor when it first arrives (inherent in natural latex). But, after removing it from the packaging and leaving it out overnight, that quickly dissipates. We especially love that it’s made using animal cruelty-free manufacturing processes. A low-profile version is also available for stomach sleepers.

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Finding a pillow as a stomach sleeper is tricky business. Luckily, memory foam pillows can be a good solution to setting this kind of sleeper up with the support and spinal alignment they desire. This ultra-thin pillow from Bluewave Bedding is a top favorite of stomach sleepers thanks to its low profile and dense foam. If you think the pillow is too low, you can buy the pillow in several different height measurements to get the exact positioning you need. On top of the foam is also a layer of cooling gel that feels great on the skin through the entire night.

You might have some issues with the pillow getting hot due to how thick the foam is, but you still have the cooling gel to help limit that heat. And when you consider this pillow is under $40, it’s more than a worthy choice for stomach sleepers to try out.

Read more: Best Cooling Mattress Toppers

Cooling sleepers, rejoice! The combination of graphite-infused, shredded memory foam and a breathable, organic cotton cover ensure that you’re never flipping this pillow throughout the night to chase the cool side. The contour is ideal for side sleepers who need extra neck support and pressure point relief. With an adjustable fill level, it’s easy to remove or re-add the foam to switch up the height and comfort. There’s a 45-day free trial for the Saatva Memory Foam Pillow that should be enough for most sleepers, though it’s not quite as generous as other options on this list (especially considering the premium price tag).

Most pillows, even memory foam pillows, are designed for specific sleep types. Inspired by Goldilocks, Sealy’s Molded Memory Foam Pillows offer a “just right” design that’s comfortable for just about any sleep position. The adaptive memory foam fill offers a medium-density firmness with a great balance of support and give, no matter whether you sleep on your side, stomach, or back.

Like many of the best memory foam pillows we researched, the plush knit cover is removable and machine washable. But we especially love the price. At around $40, it’s the second cheapest pillow we tested.

Meet The Experts

Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, is a Chief Medical Advisor at Sleepopolis.

Dr. Chris Winter, MD, is a neurologist, author of The Sleep Solution, and host of Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter.