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The right memory foam pillow might mean fewer aches and pains, better sleep, and a less grumpy start to your day. But the best option for you depends on your sleeping position, what feels comfortable, and the level of support you’re looking for. Alexis Vitale, founder of interior design firm Vitale Design Group, shares the ins and outs of what to know to make a smarter memory foam pillow purchase.
What Makes Memory Foam Pillows a Good Choice?
A memory foam pillow molds to the shape of your head and neck, providing support that can help relieve pressure in some situations. Unlike down or traditional fiber-fill pillows, memory foam has a more consistent shape and is less likely to flatten, shift, or bunch up.
They’re the preferred choice of pillow by many thanks to their cushion and structure. But how do you know if they’re a good choice for you—and how do you choose the right one? A good sleep environment is crucial, after all.
“Memory foam pillows can be worth the investment, but pay attention to how your neck feels,” says Vitale. “With some pillows, you sink in, but they never pop up so you wake up cramped. It’s really about the quality of that memory foam.”
Of course, not all memory foam pillows are the same. Contoured designs can help keep your neck aligned with your spine, while adjustable ones let you customize the pillow’s height—referred to as “loft”—for the right fit.
Then there are products made with cooling materials that can help improve airflow, potentially producing a more restful night’s sleep.
According to Vitale, higher-density foam provides better support and durability than lower-density foam. But you also need to think about firmness: “The firmness of memory foam is often soft, medium, or firm. Medium firmness works well for a lot of people. Personally, I stick to more of a harder firmness because I think it supports the neck more, but a lot of people don’t need that.”
At the end of the day, memory foam isn’t for everyone. Some sleepers might find it too firm and prefer something softer and fluffier. If that’s the case, feather, down, or down-alternative pillows may be a better option—but it all depends on what feels comfortable for you.
Best Memory Foam Pillow for Different Needs
We looked at what matters most when buying a memory foam pillow, including materials, design, and value. These are the products that stood out:
Best Overall: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow
If you want the classic feel of traditional memory foam, it’s hard to beat the TEMPUR-Cloud. Made from Tempur-Pedic’s signature pressure-absorbing foam, which was inspired by NASA-developed technology, it contours around your head and neck without feeling too stiff.
Altogether, this pillow creates a supportive, cushioned feel that suits various sleepers—back, side, combination, and so on.
Best for Side Sleepers: Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow (High Loft)
Sleep on your side? You may need more height and support from a memory foam pillow. This one from Saatva has a high-loft design (around 6-7 inches), which provides extra cushioning to help keep your head and neck aligned during the night.
The pillow also has a cover that you can take off and wash, as well as a breathable graphite-infused core that helps prevent overheating.
Best for Neck Pain: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
With its contoured design, this pillow from Tempur-Pedic follows the natural curve of your neck to maintain alignment when you sleep on your side or back. Because it delivers targeted pressure relief, it may be a good option if you wake up with neck pain or stiffness.
As a cool perk, this option also features heat-absorbing fibers woven into the cover, which can draw away warmth if you run hot at night.
Best for Cooling: Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Adjustable Pillow
Memory foam tends to trap body heat, but some pillows have cooling properties that may actually improve airflow. Case in point: the Cool+ Adjustable Pillow from Coop Home Goods.
This top choice combines cooling gel and plus-shaped memory foam with microfiber fill, which the brand says allows for 50% more breathability.
Best Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow: Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
Comfort is personal: if you want a customizable pillow, this one comes with shredded pieces of memory foam fill that you can add and remove until you find your ideal height and level of cushioning.
It also has a machine-washable cover and a two-way stretch polyester inner layer designed to support your neck. The fill contains microfiber, which allows the product to keep its shape.
Best Firm Memory Foam Pillow: LUXOME LAYR Customizable Pillow
Tend to sink too far down into your pillow? You may need something harder that keeps your head elevated. The LAYR Customizable Pillow is also fully customizable, so you can adjust firmness and height by adding or removing inserts—and it includes a firm insert constructed from solid memory foam.
This pillow comes with a machine-washable cooling cover made from natural viscose from bamboo, which works great to improve airflow.
Best for Back Sleepers: The Company Store Firm Support Memory Foam Pillow
A pillow that keeps your head and neck neutral may be worthwhile if you sleep on your back. This one from The Company Store uses pressure-relieving memory foam to support spine alignment and help prevent your head from sinking too far.
This one includes two covers, including a moisture-wicking cover with cooling fibers that move heat away from your body.
Best for Stomach Sleepers: Cushion Lab Deep Sleep Pillow
Stomach sleepers need a pillow that doesn’t push their head too far upward. With its contoured memory foam, Cushion Lab’s Deep Sleep Pillow is a great choice that gently supports the neck to help you maintain alignment and a more comfortable sleeping position.
How to Choose the Right Memory Foam Pillow and What to Keep in Mind Before You Buy
Here are some things to consider when shopping for a memory foam pillow:
Sleep Position Matters
The type of memory foam pillow that will work best all comes down to how you sleep:
- Stomach sleepers typically benefit from a lower-loft pillow that keeps the head from being lifted too high—”Normally, to help stabilize the neck, we recommend two- to four-inches of pillow,” suggests Vitale.
- Back sleepers, on the other hand, may require a medium-loft pillow, which can support the natural curve of the neck. “We recommend a four- to five-inch pillow because it gives you a little bit more height.”
- Side sleepers often need firmer pillows to stop their heads from sinking too deeply and straining their necks. “They’re sleeping at an angle, so about a five- to seven-inch pillow works well.”
Combination sleeper? You may need a more flexible pillow: “Combination sleepers really need flexibility that allows the pillow to adapt as they move while sleeping,” says Vitale.
Neck and Shoulder Support
A good memory foam pillow should support your neck and shoulders while keeping your spine in a comfortable position. If a pillow is too high, too low, or too firm, it can put these areas under extra pressure, leaving you feeling stiff when you wake up.
Whether You Sleep Hot
Because traditional memory foam can trap body heat, you’ll probably want a cooling pillow if you run warm at night. Pillows with covers made from lightweight materials, such as cotton and bamboo, may reduce heat buildup.
You can also get products that contain cooling gel: “The gel may initially feel cool, but really what it does is it allows airflow and breathability, which is nice throughout the night,” says Vitale.
That said, check the tags on a pillow to make sure any cooling claims are certified. “There are a lot of cheap materials out there that say that they are cooling, and they’re really not.” The actual amount of cooling can also vary between products, so read customer reviews before you buy.
Whether You Want an Adjustable Pillow
Some memory foam pillows have removable layers or shredded foam, allowing you to adjust height and firmness. This can be useful if you’re not sure what pillow height works best for you or you frequently change sleeping positions.
How to Clean and Care for a Memory Foam Pillow
Never place a memory foam pillow in the washing machine, as water can damage the material and cause it to lose its shape. Here are better ways to keep it clean and in good condition:
Spot Cleaning
If you have stains or spills on your pillow, mix warm water and a small amount of mild detergent and gently rub the affected areas. You don’t want to aggressively rub, as this can push stains deeper into the foam. Then, blot with a dry, clean towel to absorb excess moisture.
Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals to clean your pillow because they can damage the foam.
Removable Covers
“A lot of pillows now have machine washable covers,” says Vitale. Check the manufacturer’s instructions, but most covers can be washed on a cold cycle with mild detergent. You may want to do this every one to two weeks.
Airing Out the Pillow
Memory foam can hold onto nasty odors, so it’s a good idea to air out your pillow every few weeks to keep it fresh. Do this in a well-ventilated room, away from direct sunlight, ideally for a few hours.
A pillow might have a slight odor when you first use it. This is because of something called off-gassing, which happens when compounds from the foam are released after the pillow is removed from its packaging. If you notice a smell when unboxing, let your new pillow air out in a ventilated room for 24-48 hours.
When to Replace It
Most memory foam pillows last for 2-3 years. However, you may want to replace them sooner if they lose their shape, become lumpy, or no longer keep your head and neck aligned.
