The deep contouring provides excellent pressure relief for sleepers who may be experiencing discomfort or pain in the neck area during sleep. The pillow comes in three heights, or densities, and the lo and mid options are made with two sheets of memory foam sandwiching a middle layer of micro cushions (the layer looks a bit like hundreds of mini marshmallows squished together). Before you shop for a memory foam pillow, its important to understand the basics behind how they are constructed and what kind of options exist. Previously she was a school librarian, and shes been a quilter for about 15 years. Compared with other types of pillows, memory foam pillows are similar to latex pillows, cheaper than buckwheat or down pillows, and more expensive than polyester or down alternative pillows. Memory foam can feel hotter than down and down-alternative pillows, though, so in some cases we considered pillows with great support that felt a little warm. Most of our side- and back-sleepers found this pillow very supportive, but some thought it was too big. Air also circulates freely through the shredded core, and this foam is infused with gel to draw heat away from your body. They give a little more playing room to people who move around during the night, or who like to sleep with their pillow folded or scrunched up. The pillow is very flat and very heavy. Jackie Reeve is a senior staff writer covering bedding, organization, and home goods at Wirecutter since 2015. Memory foam is popular in pillows because it molds to the head and neck, providing a supportive surface that can be shaped to the users liking. It is also backed by a one-year warranty against material defects. The materials also felt much lower quality. Inaccurate or unverifiable information will be removed prior to publication. Queen (20 x 30): Queen size pillows are commonly available as an alternative to standard pillows. An interior cover is made of a mesh fabric that enhances air flow, while the exterior cover is made with a proprietary Ghost Ice fabric engineered to feel cool against the skin. Our testers generally prefer shredded foam to solid, layered, or contoured foam, and the Easy Breather is one of the most comfortable shredded-foam pillows weve found. In this guide we recommend only our top memory-foam pillow pick in each style (shredded, solid, layered, and contoured), but this Sleep Number model is the next-best after the Easy Breather. Customers who order two pillows with their purchase receive a 50% discount on the second model. Most online bedding companies offer king size pillows. The redesigned 2021 Easy Breather is the only shredded foam pillow we tested that can be washed, due to the new inner pouch that holds all the foam (Nest does not recommend washing older models). Our guide will showcase some of the top options, Choosing the best CPAP pillow is more complicated than it looks, but well walk you through everything you need to. SF Readers get 25% off pillows at GhostBed. Although the surface has a bumpy texture that split our test panel, its less lumpy, and more uniform, than the shredded foam of the Nest Bedding pillow, so it may require less of a transition if youve previously been sleeping on down or down alternative. Standard/queen and king sizes are available. Plagiarism is never tolerated. These are most frequently used by side sleepers, who tuck them between the legs to keep the hips aligned and reduce strain on the lumbar area. One tester noted, It feels the most like a regular pillow, but with more support.. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Slow response to pressure: Memory foam is not very responsive, which may lead some people to feel stuck when trying to shift sleeping positions. Due to its medium (5) feel, the pillow should contour closely without sinking too much. It typically costs more than twice the price of the Weekender solid-foam pillow, but its loftier and also has adjustable fillits consistently popular among testers. Its more customizable than most solid-foam pillows we found, as it comes with two layers of foam that you can add inside the cover to increase its height. After 30 hours researching pregnancy pillows and evaluating eight with a physical therapist, the Bluestone Full Body Contour U Pillow is the best for most people. Memory-foam pillows (shredded foam, solid foam, layered foam, or contoured) are best for people who sleep on their side or back and dont get enough support from down and down-alternative pillows. But no one in our testing liked it better than the Nest Bedding Easy Breather or the Xtreme Comforts. If your current down or down-alternative pillow seems comfortable at first but sinks too low while you sleep, or if you wake up with pain in your head, neck, and shoulders, you might like a memory-foam pillow insteadtheyre firmer, and they keep their shape. Shipping and returns are free for customers who reside within the contiguous U.S. Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Nectar pillows. The Ecosa has a 100-night return policy, the longest of any pillow we recommend. Body Pillow (54 x 20 OR 48 x 20): Body pillows are long and skinny, meant to be cuddled against. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. The cover is cool and smooth, and it fits the foam inside perfectly, with less bunching and excess material around the edges than on other pillows we tested. Shredded memory foam pads the other side, creating a slightly more supportive feel. We tried the Purple Pillow, which is made with the same purple, jiggly Hyper-Elastic Polymer as the top layer of the Purple Mattress we tested. This close-conforming material is unrivaled in its ability to alleviate pressure points. SleepFoundation.org does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment options. She moderates Wirecutters staff book club and makes her bed every morning. Some guides and articles feature links to other relevant Sleep Foundation pages. The Weekender pillow comes with Amazons 30-day return policy. It might be a good choice if you prefer a medium-height pillow. Writers and editors caught stealing content or improperly citing sources are immediately terminated, and we will work to rectify the situation with the original publisher(s). We like that you can pick both a custom density and height, giving you lots of different options to customize (unlike our Tempur-Pedic pick, which combines both height and density into three options). Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Although Sleep Foundation maintains affiliate partnerships with brands and e-commerce portals, these relationships never have any bearing on our product reviews or recommendations. Also known as viscoelastic foam, memory foam contours in response to heat and pressure. If you enjoy pillows that are softer and thinner, simply unzip the side. We think its the best contoured pillow for most bodies. Noise: Memory foam absorbs movement and produces little to no noise, minimizing sleep disruptions to you and your partner. We only cite reputable sources when researching our guides and articles. The material also has a slow response to pressure that some people like, but that can be restrictive when changing positions. The foam contours to fit the head and neck, maintaining the natural curvature of the spine while reducing pressure on the ears. The pillows ships for free within the contiguous U.S. Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Tempur-Pedic pillows. At 5 inches thick, the pillow is a good option for side and back sleepers who need a bit of extra loft. The cover cannot be removed, so spot cleaning is needed if the cover becomes stained or smudged. This pillow comes with a five-year limited warrantythe longest warranty of our picksand its one of the few pillows weve tested that you can try in stores to make sure your choice fits your body before you buy. Memory foam pillows typically come in the following sizes, although the exact dimensions may vary by manufacturer: Decent memory foam pillows usually start around $50 and can go up to $150 or more. When squeezed, the foam inside returned to its original shape faster than that of any other memory-foam pillow we tried, so we think this pillow will probably hold its shape and provide comfortable support for longer than any of our other picks. Return policy and warranty: Determining whether a pillow is a good fit takes a few nights, so we looked for generous return policies (from 30 to 100 days) from the companies whose pillows we recommend. It was our former top pick, but half of our test Xtreme Comforts pillows in 2019 had a strong chemical smell that didnt dissipate; if you end up with a smelly one, you may have to replace it. We tested the Pro, and though one of our sleep testers thought it was fine (I do like that the support of the pillow starts lower down my neck than it would with a traditional pillow, so Im probably going to stick with it for a whilebut it definitely hasnt changed my life), it gave me a headache after about 10 minutes of use. We also checked the foam to see if it was fragile. With a 6-inch thickness, the GhostPillow Memory Foam is best suited for side and back sleepers who typically benefit from pillows with mid-range to higher lofts. As with all of our picks, the cover is removable and washable. Those who prefer a firmer and loftier pillow can zip the side of the pillow closed. Memory foam pillows come in two types: one-piece and shredded. While most pillows offer a single firmness, the Marlow has a unique zippered construction that lets sleepers adjust both the firmness and loft with an easy zip. Tempur-Pedic was the first company to use memory foam in its mattresses and continues to be one of the biggest names in the industry. One of the experts we interviewed for our upcoming standalone Pillow Cube review, Dr. Akhil Chhatre, director of spine rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins, thought adding a 3-inch size and a 7-inch size would allow this line to fit a wider range of people. King (20 x 36): In addition to providing plenty of room while sleeping, king pillows are also one of the most comfortable sizes to lean against while sitting up in bed. The Saatva Memory Foam Pillow remains our best overall pick for this product category. The Marlow Pillow is both lofty and conforming, making it a comfortable option for side sleepers or those with neck pain. The classic version comes in two thicknesses, 5 inches and 6 inches, whereas the Pro version is also available in a 4-inch height. Our testers love shredded foam more than any other type, and this pillow is a longtime favorite. Pillows made of this moldable and highly versatile material are widely available in all budgets. The Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow has a unique design that can accommodate most people regardless of their primary sleep position or general firmness preferences. The Easy Breathers thick Tencel-blend cover is softer than the covers on our other memory-foam pillow picks, with a stippled surface that masks the slightly lumpy texture of the shredded-foam fill. Availability: Memory foam pillows are a popular product that youre sure to find virtually anywhere pillows are sold. Its raised curves are more rigid than the fill of our other memory-foam picks, and it keeps its shapeyour head doesnt feel as molded into the foam as with our other picksbut also stays squishy so you dont feel like youre sleeping on a brick. By drawing heat away from your body, this material can offset the uncomfortable warmth that often occurs when memory foam traps heat. Here are some of the major ways in which one-piece and shredded memory foam pillows differ: Memory foam pillows are generally best suited to side sleepers, back sleepers, and anyone who suffers from neck pain or who prefers a pillow with a higher loft. The Weekender comes with a three-year warranty, and if you buy through Amazon, you have 30 days to return it. The exterior cover is removable and machine-washable. The pillow is encased in a cotton shell, providing a soft, breathable surface. Breathable lyocell-blend fabric makes up the cover. Standard and king sizes are available. We used the same criteria for this guide as we used for our main guide to pillows: Comfort: We looked for pillows with good neck and shoulder support, and we ruled out most pillows that caused overheating. I also co-wrote our main guide to bed pillows. When you remove the cover, this pillow looks like solid foam, but unlike most solid-foam pillows, which are flat rectangles, this one is rounded and overstuffed. Our testers were divided on the quality of the quilted outer coversome thought it felt cheap, others noted it was cool and softbut when its inside a pillow case, we dont think youll notice. Customizability: The viscous nature of memory foam means manufacturers can mold it into virtually any shape, which is why its commonly used in orthopedic pillows. Prices vary depending on size, foam density and quality, cooling features, and other features such as special shapes or high-quality covers. Stomach-sleepers should try the Sleep Number PlushComfort Ultimate. If this sounds like you, try to look for a pillow thats certified by a third-party organization for low emissions, and let the pillow air out in a well-ventilated space for a few days or even a few weeks before using it. It has an organic-cotton cover and is made with shredded latex foam instead of memory foam. Its also smellier than most other memory-foam pillows we tried, so you need to air it out for a day or two before using it. Its constructed with phase change material that is meant to maintain temperature neutrality as your body temperature fluctuates through the night. This pillow is comfy and firm, offering neck support that doesnt cause pain. These include peer-reviewed journals, government reports, academic and medical associations, and interviews with credentialed medical experts and practitioners. Nest Beddings Easy Breather Natural Pillow is a version of our favorite pillow, the Easy Breather. This fabric is highly breathable and has moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry and comfortable on humid nights. Every member of our team brings years of industry experience and knowledge to our hands-on evaluations. It was comfortable for such an affordable pillow, but it didnt score as high in our tests as the Easy Breather, the Sleep Number ComfortFit Ultimate, and the Xtreme Comforts pillow. The Malouf Z Zoned ActiveDough Pillow is thinner than the other solid-foam pillows we tried, but one of our smaller-framed testers (a side- and back-sleeper who prefers memory foam to other fills) gave it the highest ratings. The Weekenders foam feels less high-tech and engineered than that of our other picksit reminded me of the inexpensive foam you can buy at sewing and craft stores. If you need focused support for your neck muscles or struggle with any kind of upper-body pain (including headaches), the contoured Ecosa Pillow might help you get a better nights sleep. As a side-sleeper who likes a tall, firm pillow, I chose the Saatva as my overall favorite in 2019 testing, as it was softly supportive and cloudlike. An approachable price-point and free shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. make the Graphite Pillow a good choice for budget-conscious shoppers. Customers can choose from two options in terms of thickness level. Nest redesigned the Easy Breather in 2021making it the third version of this pillow weve testedand its now completely machine-washable and still our favorite shredded foam pillow. You can also place the unwashed pillow in your dryer to recover its shape if flattening occurs with prolonged use. We personally test every product featured in our reviews and guide to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations. It does come with a five-year limited warranty. It features a removable inner pillow made of graphite-infused memory foam, along with a shredded memory foam core. The pouch also has a zipper, so you can still add and remove as much shredded-foam filling as necessary to get your ideal loft. Youll also receive a 50-night trial period with your order, as well as a 5-year manufacturers warranty if you decide to keep the pillow. The Weekender Gel Memory Foam Pillow was the highest-rated solid memory-foam pillow for our testers, and its one of the cheapest foam pillows we tried. The TEMPUR-Cloud Dual Breeze one-piece memory foam pillow boasts the supreme pressure relief that is the companys hallmark. Memory foam pillows can be beneficial if you frequently wake up with a stiff or sore neck especially models with solid foam cores. Its pricier than others we recommend, but its the favorite of our back- and side-sleepers who struggle with pain. Another plus: The Easy Breather doesnt have the chemical smell weve found in other shredded-foam pillows weve tried. Its not as tall or as firm as the Nest Bedding, Tempur-Pedic, and Ecosa pillows, but another tester, who has a small frame and generally prefers low pillows, still found it too high. These are the result of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) being released into the air. As a side-sleeper I like a fair amount of height and a very firm pillow to keep my shoulders and arms from getting sore, and in testing for this guide I had some of the better nights of sleep I can remember. Jonathan Kirschner, MD, RMSK, physiatrist at New York Citys Hospital for Special Surgery, phone interview, March 4, 2019, email interview, April 23, 2019, Rebecca Robbins, sleep consultant at The Benjamin, phone interview, May 7, 2018, Sean Bergman, chief marketing officer at PureCare, phone interview, October 27, 2015, Michael Breus, PhD, psychologist and American Academy of Sleep fellow, interview, Terry Cralle, RN, sleep industry consultant, phone interview, October 27, 2015, Shannon Maher, assistant professor of home products development at the Fashion Institute of Technology, phone interview, October 26, 2015. Memory foam is notorious for trapping heat, The Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow has a cover made from proprietary fabric designed to promote airflow and sleep cool. Our stomach-sleeper thought it was supportive but just couldnt get past the feel. In 2019 we tried a total of 18 memory-foam pillows in shredded, solid, layered, and contour styles. This hands-on approach allows us to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations for mattresses, pillows, sheets, and other sleep essentials. For this guide I built on the research from our main guide to pillows, and I also interviewed Dr. Jonathan Kirschner, a physiatrist at New York Citys Hospital for Special Surgery. They still love the Easy Breathers adjustability, though, and we think its worth the temporary messkeep a vacuum handy. While your best pillow will partly depend on your body type and personal preference, here are some general considerations for choosing a memory foam pillow according to sleep position and other factors. If youre looking for a pillow that stands apart from other memory foam models in terms of comfort, the GhostBed GhostPillow Memory Foam is worth your consideration. It offered some of the best neck and shoulder support without overheating our testers. The pillow contains a solid piece of memory foam infused with a cooling gel and featuring a perforated design that promotes air circulation. We tried the layered mid-density version with testers of various body sizes in various sleep positions, and we wouldnt recommend anything taller unless you have especially broad shoulders or need significant height. Your purchase also comes with a solid memory foam insert that can be added to increase the loft and make the pillow feel firmer. Most of our testers didnt like the texture, which was soft but not as squishy as a plain down-alternative pillow. A graphite infusion in the core provides added temperature control. To top it off, the company backs this pillow with a 5-year warranty. Our picks are the pillows I would spend money on myself. These internal links are intended to improve ease of navigation across the site, and are never used as original sources for scientific data or information. We tried 18 memory-foam pillows and picked our favorite of each type, but the one that was the most popular with our testers was the adjustable shredded-foam Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow. From a style perspective, we thought the contrast piping looked cute. side sleepers who weigh 130 to 230 pounds). Height-adjustable and curved to provide targeted neck support, the Ecosa was the best contoured pillow we tested. In addition to testing products, weve spoken to sleep experts and toured manufacturing sites. Washing them could void the warranty or affect the ability to return pillows youve purchased. We think the addition of half-sizes in the future would help buyers get a more accurate fit and prevent pain. It has three sealed envelopes of shredded foam inside a soft cover, and you can remove these pouches to adjust the loft for your needs. The material provides a supportive, pressure-relieving cradle that makes it ideal for use in pillows. As with past versions, with this one you can remove clumps of the shredded foam until you get the loft just right (and maybe save those pieces in a bag for future adjustments); we think this makes it the most flexible of our memory-foam pillow picks. Tempurpedic offers free shipping but does not accept returns. Our experts have told us time and time again that a good pillow should work with the natural contour of your neck, and the Ecosas shape sits right against the neck to directly support its arc. This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan. The pillow can be returned within 45 days of delivery, even if it has been used or laundered. Yes, memory foam is a synthetic material that will release some off-gassing odors. The pillow is filled with a memory foam and polyester blend that contours closely to your head and neck. It comes with two thin sheets of foam that you can add inside the cover to raise the height, and in our tests we found that Ecosas guidance on the number of layers to use was fairly accurate. It smelled a bit when it arrived, but that odor faded after a few days. Most shredded memory foam pillows offer users the opportunity to adjust the loft by adding or removing filler, and some one-piece pillows have removable inserts. Weve tested shredded-foam pillows for several years for our main pillows guide, but this was our first time considering all styles of foam pillows. Focusing on the following factors can help you see past the marketing hype to choose the best memory foam pillow for you. With its memory foam fill and adjustability options, the Marlow is a great choice for side sleepers to find the perfect match for their needs. Shredded memory foam pillows can also be scrunched into different shapes if the shape of the cover allows. GhostBed includes a 101-night sleep trial and 5-year warranty with all pillows. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Best Anti-Snoring Moutpieces & Mouthguards, Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow, Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow, Adjustable fill level for customized support and loft, Graphite-infused, shredded memory foam sleeps cool, Breathable organic cotton cover with phase-change material for cooling, People who arent sure of their ideal pillow loft and firmness, Those who experience neck pain during sleep, People who appreciate a pillow thats cool on both sides, Gel-infused foam helps dissipate body heat, The contouring feel of memory foam, without the excessive heat retention, People who typically sleep hot on memory foam pillows, Low and high loft options to accommodate different sleep positions and preferences, Breathable, circular-knit cover designed to sleep cool, Approachable pricing and hassle-free 30-night trial, People who experience neck pain during sleep, Shoppers seeking a foam pillow that retains less heat, People with persistent neck and shoulder pain, Those who normally sleep hot on foam pillows, Solid memory foam core contours evenly to the head and neck, Cooling cover helps reduce heat absorption, All orders include a 50-night trial period and 5-year warranty, Those who want a pillow with adjustable settings, Ergonomic shape cradles the head and neck while promoting even spinal alignment, Adjustable design lets you customize the feel and loft, Cover is made from breathable, lyocell-blend fabric, People whose pillow preferences vary from night to night, Those who tend to overheat or sweat in their sleep, Reversible design with optional insert should accommodate most sleep positions and firmness preferences, Shell composed of breathable, moisture-wicking viscose derived from bamboo, Shoppers get a substantial discount when they purchase two pillows. Since one-piece pillows are prone to developing mildew when wet, the best you can do is keep them as clean as possible and wash the pillowcase regularly. Due to this high loft and medium feel, the Tempur-Cloud succeeds in providing a comfortable surface for side sleepers. Not only does the pillow offer the deep contouring commonly associated with memory foam, it is also designed with cooling features that help reduce the kind of heat retention that memory foam is known for.