Best Memory Foam Pillow – Top 6 Picks for 2024

Things to Consider When Shopping for a Memory Foam Pillow

To help you in the shopping process, you’ll want to consider important product details. Taking into account these factors can help you find the best memory foam pillow for your needs.

Budget: Memory foam pillows are available at different prices, making it easier for everyone to find a model that works for their budget. You should start by deciding how much money you’d be comfortable spending. Then, consider what you’re getting for the price. Your memory foam pillow doesn’t have to be expensive, but you should think about if you’re investing your money well. Think about the durability, warranty, comfort, cooling, and other features you may or may not get for the price you had in mind.

Sleeping Position: Some memory foam pillows are designed for specific sleeping positions, while others are more versatile. Your preferred sleeping position is important because not every pillow will fit every sleeper. For example, back and side sleepers usually need a thicker pillow or a higher loft, while stomach sleepers may prefer a lower profile memory foam pillow.

Firmness: Memory foam pillows are available in different firmness levels, ranging from a soft to firmer feel. You should also consider your sleeping position because not every firmness level will be comfortable in each position. Back and side sleepers usually like medium to firm pillows, while stomach sleepers typically like softer pillows.

Motion Transfer: Memory foam is an excellent material for motion isolation, so it’s a good option if you’re sharing a pillow with your partner. Memory foam pillows ensure you don’t experience motion transfer, so partners won’t disturb one another if they move around. The firmer the memory foam, the less likely you will feel any motion across the pillow.

Cooling Properties: Memory foam isn’t the best for cooling, but pillows made from this material usually include cooling features to help prevent overheating. Cooling pillows include gel or copper-infused memory foam that pulls the heat away from you, reducing any chance of hot flashes and overheating. Some also feature cooling covers to further keep heat at bay.

Loft: Pillow loft refers to how thick a pillow is. Thickness is an important consideration because it plays a vital role in spine and neck alignment. A low loft pillow is 4 inches or less, while a mid-loft pillow is 5 to 6 inches thick. A high loft pillow is thicker than 6 inches. The best way of deciding on a pillow loft is to consider your sleeping position. Back sleepers should like all three loft options, while side sleepers usually go for mid or high loft. Those who prefer sleeping on their stomach typically need a low loft pillow.

Pressure Relief: Memory foam pillows are good for relieving pressure and preventing it from building up. Pillows made specifically for pressure relief are typically best for side sleepers. Side sleepers often struggle with pressure build-up on the neck and shoulder area, which a good memory foam pillow should help with.

Who Would Benefit From a Memory Foam Pillow?

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers should benefit from memory foam pillows and the pressure relief they provide. Unlike a traditional feather pillow, a memory foam pillow retains its shape throughout the night. This allows the neck to stay in a neutral position so that you don’t wake up feeling stiff and achy.

Specifically, for those who mainly sleep on their sides, it’s common to experience stiff necks each morning due to improper alignment of the spine. There are many side sleeper pillows on the market, and many of them are foam based.

People with Allergies

Allergy sufferers should benefit from memory foam pillows because the material doesn’t hold dust mites the way traditional pillows do. According to Ashley Woodcock, Professor of Respiratory Medicine in South Manchester, most traditional feathered pillows contain dust mites and millions of fungal spores that create miniature ecosystems within your pillows. (Source). Furthermore, Jeffrey C. May of May Indoor Air Investigations suggests these traditional pillows are causing severe health risks for those with allergies. By far, the most long-term and optimal solution is to use a safer and more hypoallergenic option, like a memory foam-filled pillow.

Learn More: Are There Hidden Toxic Chemicals in Pillows?

People with Neck Pain

Those struggling with neck pain may find relief in a memory foam pillow. These pillows provide elevated support, helping ease the neck pain you may feel due to Cervicalgia or another condition.
Your neck and head should be elevated to a specific height when trying to alleviate neck pain.

Memory foam pillows are a way for you to accomplish this because polyurethane is specifically designed to provide elevated support and a “melting in” feeling that adds to your overall comfort.

Get More Info: Best Pillows for Neck Pain

Different Types of Memory Foam Pillows

Now that you are aware of the pros and cons, it’s good to look at the different subcategories and their unique features to determine which of these options is right for you.

Traditional

The most commonly purchased option is the traditionally shaped pillow. With a traditional pillow, a piece of memory foam is cut to the size specifications of your cover. A traditional pillow has a rectangular shape.

Contour

A contour pillow is cut into a more specific shape, and it is uniquely crafted to cradle your head at just the perfect angle. With the aim of providing ideal support for the head and neck, you’re likely to experience maximum results regarding neck pain relief.

However, this type is not favored among those sleepers who tend to move regularly throughout the night. This model is commonly only comfortable in certain positions. Stomach sleepers will find this pillow unpleasant.

Shredded

The shredded option is similar to the traditional in that it is shaped much like a pillow filled with feathers. However, its contents are made up of thousands of shredded pieces of memory foam that are tightly compacted together.

This style is becoming more popular, because its shredded interior provides extra breathability throughout the night. Additionally, by squishing it, the loft and proportion of stuffing can be adjusted to the desired form.

Wedge

The wedge shape is the most unique of the four offerings. This pillow style consists of a large triangle made from a single slab of memory foam. While it is not primarily used in sleep situations, it has many practical applications for your health.

This is a great pillow for reading in bed, while pregnant, or for those with respiratory problems.

View Our Full Guide: Top 9 Wedge Pillows

Memory Foam Pillow Sizes

Pillow sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but most stick to traditional dimensions. Standard, Queen, King, and body pillows are the most common sizes, each with their unique measurements. Although a Standard-size pillow is the most versatile, it doesn’t work for everyone. The exact dimensions of each pillow size are listed below.

Standard: 20×26 inches
Queen: 20×30 inches
King: 20×36 inches
Body: 20×50 inches

Some brands offer a Super Standard size that’s two inches longer than a Standard pillow. This is good if you want a pillow that’s larger than a Standard-size model but smaller than a Queen or King.

Pros and Cons of Memory Foam Pillows

Pros

Memory foam pillows bring many benefits that make them a popular option. Plus, these pillows are versatile enough for most people regardless of their preferred sleeping position.

Shape

Memory foam retains its shape, supporting and contouring your head, neck, and shoulders. The pillow should mold to your head regardless of the loft and firmness you choose. Many memory foam pillows provide relief for common pressure points in the neck and shoulders. Since it doesn’t compress under the weight of your head, the pillow keeps your spine aligned, preventing you from waking up with a stiff neck.

Support

Memory foam pillows are excellent for people with chronic shoulder, neck, and back pain. Frequent pain can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep, but a comfortable memory foam pillow should help ease the pain. The material also retains its shape, offering consistent support and pain relief regardless of your preferred sleeping position.

Motion Isolation

If you have a memory foam mattress, you probably know how well the material performs for motion isolation. Memory foam is a good option for partners who like sharing a pillow because it doesn’t transfer motion. Instead, the material absorbs motion, so you’re unlikely to wake up your partner if you toss and turn.

Cons

While there are very few issues found by those who have purchased memory foam pillows, it’s important to consider the few problems that have been highlighted by consumers.

Cost

Memory foam is high-quality, but it’s one of the more expensive options on the market. The upside is that shoppers have plenty of brands to choose from, and the direct-to-consumer model helps bring down costs. Ultimately, if a memory foam pillow fosters better sleep, paying a little more would be a smart investment.

Heat Retention

Much like it’s counterpart, the memory foam mattress, this polyurethane material is known to retain heat throughout the night. Although this has been a frequent complaint in the past, manufacturers have implemented cooling measures into their memory foam cushions to help hot sleepers rest more comfortably.

Find Out More: Top Rated Cooling Pillows

Smell

One of the most commonly discovered issues is the unpleasant chemical smell that accompanies this material for the first few days or even a couple weeks. This off-gassing is usually harmless and will dissipate. However, people who are easily bothered by strong scents could see this as a drawback.