6 Best Memory Foam Pillows To Rest Your Heavy Head
Everyone wants to get a good night's sleep and with the best memory foam pillow, you can do just that. It will keep you comfortable and supported throughout the night. A memory foam pillow will provide plenty of neck support for both side sleepers and back sleepers.
These pillows are now superbly versatile. You can get shredded memory foam pillows that can be adjusted to match your sleeping position exactly. You could also choose a pillow with gel infused foam that dissipates your body heat and stops you from getting too hot. Read our comprehensive guide before investing in one yourself.
The Best Memory Foam Pillow
1. Coop Home Goods Premium Memory Foam Pillow
HIGHLIGHTS:
Hypoallergenic and organic memory foam pillow
Filled with shredded memory foam for comfort
Fully adjustable using provided shredded memory foam
Available in queen and king sizes
Suitable for side, stomach and back sleepers
100 night sleep trial for your peace of mind
1.
Coop Home Goods Premium Memory Foam Pillow – Best Choice
An adjustable pillow that will fit your body perfectly so that you can get a great night s sleep. The shredded memory foam fill can be added or removed so the pillow will be as high as you want it. With each pillow you get a half pound bag of spare shredded foam to use as you wish.
The Coop Home Goods – Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow enables you to keep your head and neck perfectly aligned as you sleep and avoid neck pain in the morning. It’s suitable for side and back sleepers and for those people who like to sleep on their stomach. This memory foam pillow provides a balance of comfort and support and can help to ease neck and shoulder pain. The pillow is made from organic and cruelty-free materials right here in the US making it the ethical choice. It meets the GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US standards of certification for low chemical emissions. The materials are hypoallergenic, making it suitable for people with allergies. The casing of these memory foam pillows has been manufactured from a Lulltra fabric. This is a blend of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester. It is breathable and soft and therefore keeps you cool throughout the night.
To make sure that you get the pillow that is right for you, Coop offer a 100 night sleep trial and will provide you with free loft customization if the pillow doesn’t feel right.
Learn more about Coop Home Goods Premium Memory Foam Pillow
2. Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow
HIGHLIGHTS:
Adjustable memory foam pillow
Filled with shredded memory foam that can be added and removed
Soft shredded memory foam that removes heat for hot sleepers
Whole pillow is machine washable
Soft bamboo cover for comfort
Suitable for side sleepers as well as stomach and back sleepers
A supportive and comfortable pillow filled with shredded foam, the Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow is the perfect choice for people who suffer from head neck and shoulder pain and anyone who just wants a good night s sleep! It contours to the shape of your spine and therefore provides just the right amount of support for your head and neck – keeping them in the correct alignment. The convenient zipper allows you to remove or add the shredded foam as required.
This pillow will suit back sleepers and stomach sleepers and is also suitable for a side sleeper – it can even be adjusted to help with snoring by opening up the airways. The soft foam pieces allow plenty of air to circulate which is great for those who sleep hot as it dissipates body heat. The whole pillow is machine washable and the soft bamboo cover is designed for the greatest comfort. This memory foam pillow has CertiPUR-US certification and has been made without the use of ozone depleters or heavy metals. It is available in three sizes.
Learn more about Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Pillow
3. Z Memory Foam Pillow with Tencel Removable Cover
HIGHLIGHTS:
Ideal sold memory foam pillow for neck pain
High loft is the perfect pillow for side sleepers
Dissipates heat – great for hot sleepers
Available as high or low loft to support head neck and shoulders
Can help with neck pain
Cooling pillow – helps with heat retention
The Z Memory Foam Pillow contains a soft and doughy memory foam that uses an open cell design to make it both resilient and durable. The foam also resists dust mites and allergens and may help people with allergies. It is available in a high and low design and can be firm or plush. This solid memory foam pillow will support your head at just the right height to prevent neck pain. Side sleepers will find the 7 inch high loft perfect for them. Stomach sleepers and back sleepers may prefer a lower loft.
The solid foam material is breathable which prevents heat retention and is great if you tend to sleep hot. This cooling memory foam pillow has a Tencel cover that can be removed. It has moisture-management properties which also help to keep you cool and fresh as you sleep. It is a traditional shape and will therefore fit into most pillowcases.
Learn more about Z Memory Foam Pillow with Tencel Removable Cover
4. Iso-Cool Memory Foam Pillow
HIGHLIGHTS:
Cooling memory foam pillow for side sleepers
Supports the head and neck
Made from a cooling Visco-elastic memory foam
Gusseted design for comfort
PCM beads release your heat if you are too cold
Removeable pillow cover that is machine washable
4.
Iso-Cool Memory Foam Pillow – Best Value
Here we have a memory foam cooling pillow that supports your head, neck and shoulders and helps you to remain at the optimum temperature for restful sleep. The Iso-Cool Memory Foam Pillow is made from one-piece of Visco-elastic memory foam and the gusseted design is just right for side sleepers. It is also available as a standard option that may suit both side and back sleepers.
It includes air active technology to keep you cool as you sleep. It contains tiny PCM beads that absorb heat if you are too hot and releases heat if you are too cold. It comes with a soft cover that can be removed and machine washed. The overall pillow dimensions are: 23 inches x 15.5 inches x 5 inches.
Learn more about Iso-Cool Memory Foam Pillow
5. Classic Brands Conforma Memory Foam Bed Pillow
HIGHLIGHTS:
Memory foam pillow for side sleepers and all sleeping positions
Solid memory foam with perforations to keep you cool
Made from one piece of memory foam to provide support
Made from naturally hypoallergenic memory foam
Contour pillow molds to your shape to suit all sleeping positions
Removable soft cover that can be machine washed
5.
Classic Brands Conforma Memory Foam Bed Pillow – Budget Pick
Available in two popular sizes, the Classic Brands Conforma Memory Foam Bed Pillow may earn its place as your favorite pillow to date! This compact pillow is made from one piece of memory foam but it has small punctured holes to keep air moving and regulate temperature.
The responsive memory foam provides excellent support for the head and neck, making it perfect for side sleepers and back sleepers and an ideal pillow for neck pain. The material in the memory foam is naturally hypoallergenic making it great for people with allergies. The foam molds to suit your shape and position making it suitable for all sleeping positions. It comes with a plush cotton cover that can be removed and washed in your machine.
Learn more about Classic Brands Conforma Memory Foam Bed Pillow
6. Comfort & Relax Gel Memory Foam Contour Pillow
HIGHLIGHTS:
Cooling gel memory foam pillow
Contour memory foam pillow to provide neck support
Can help to reduce neck pain and stiffness
Pillow loft alters with your shape and sleeping position
Hypoallergenic and made without using toxic materials
Comes with a lightweight cover made from 100 percent polyester
6.
Comfort & Relax Gel Memory Foam Contour Pillow – Premium Pick
The Comfort & Relax Gel Memory Foam Contour Pillow is an outstanding contour memory foam pillow infused with cooling gel. It is made from one piece of solid foam but contains a special type of cooling gel to keep you comfortable all night. The gel is soft and supple and very comfortable to sleep on. This gel infused memory foam has been certified by CertiPUR-US for safety and does not contain any toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde or methane chloride. However, it protects you from mold spores, dust mites and bacteria which is great for people with allergies.
The memory foam supports your head and neck which reduces pain and stiffness in your neck and shoulders so that you wake up feeling refreshed. The clever contour design will suit all sleeping positions. The actual height level of the pillow will depend on who is using it. It will change according to your sleeping position, your head size and weight, your body size and weight and the width of your shoulders (if you sleep on your side). It comes with a lightweight and breathable spandex cover made from 100 percent polyester and that will also keep you cool at night.
Learn more about Comfort & Relax Gel Memory Foam Contour Pillow
Features to Consider When Choosing Memory Foam Pillows
The best memory foam pillow for you is the pillow that helps you to get a good night's rest and wake without any shoulder pain or neck pain. The choice of pillow is a matter of personal preference and everyone is different. However, here are the main things that you should look out for. If possible, choose a memory foam pillow that offers a sleep trial so that you can try it out and see if it suits you.
Size
The best memory foam pillow brands supply their pillows in a variety of sizes. You will see them available in standard, queen or king size. The right one for you will depend on the size of your bed and whether you prefer a larger pillow.
The size of the pillow refers to its width. This is different from the loft height which describes how high your head is off the mattress. The loft height of a pillow is very important as it determines the alignment of your spine as you sleep. Side sleepers need to take note of this. If you are a side sleeper and you have broad shoulders, you need a high loft height to stop your head from sinking down and putting a strain on your neck. This can result in you waking up with neck ache.
Back sleepers also have to aware of this. If the loft is too high when you sleep on your back, it will force your chin into your chest and this can also cause neck pain. Overall, stomach sleeping is not considered great for your neck whatever type of pillow you have.
Quality Materials
The materials used in memory foam pillows are important. The best memory foam pillows will be made using safe materials that do not involve harsh chemicals or toxins such as heavy metals. This is better for you and better for the environment.
You may also want to look at memory foam pillows that are hypoallergenic, especially if you suffer from allergies. House dust mites can be found in bedding materials including pillows. They can cause conditions such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Memory foam pillows that are hypoallergenic do not encourage the growth of house dust mites and may help with your allergy symptoms.
Firmness Level
The selection of the firmness level of memory foam pillows is a matter of personal choice. Some people prefer a softer pillow and some prefer a harder one. Some memory foam pillows are available in a choice of firm or plush. Side sleepers may prefer a firmer pillow to give them more support. Back sleepers may prefer to sink back into a softer pillow.
Some of the shredded memory foam pillows allow you to adjust the loft height and firmness by adding more foam. A shredded memory foam pillow is a good choice if you are not yet sure what level of loft or firmness you will require.
Cooling Properties
When memory foam pillows were first introduced, some were criticized for making people too hot at night. The memory foam was not very good at moving heat away from the body. These days, a lot of adaptions are introduced to make memory foam pillows cooler and more comfortable to sleep on.
Shredded memory foam pillows have more air space inside them and this allows air to circulate more freely. The warm air can travel away from your body and cool you down.
Other memory foam pillows are made from one piece of foam but it has holes in it. The foam presents a barrier to the dissipation of heat but the holes let air move around and this keeps you cooler.
Finally, you may decide to choose a pillow made with gel infused memory foam. This has a cooling gel that makes sure that the pillow provides a cool surface for you to sleep against. If you tend to sleep hot, this could be a great option.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief pillows are special memory foam pillows that are contoured to the shape of your neck and head. The pillow provides pressure relief at the head and neck and holds the spine in alignment. The strain on the neck is reduced and you are less likely to suffer from strain and pain. The bottom of the memory foam pillows has a raised edge the fits under your neck. This is very useful for back and side sleepers.
Support
Memory foam pillows must provide enough support to stop your head from sinking into the mattress when you are sleeping on your side. It is important for back and side sleepers but is most important for side sleepers in particular. If your pillow is not firm enough, your neck will be stretched into an unnatural position and your spine will not be aligned. Your muscles spend all night trying to maintain the correct posture and you wake up exhausted and with neck pain.
Memory foam pillows tend to be firm and so they are very good at supporting the head. Some memory foam pillows are available as firm or plush to suit your comfort needs. Stomach sleepers may need less support. Their head needs to sink into the pillow or it will be stretched too far upwards. In general, stomach sleeping is not great for anyone who suffers from neck pain.
Memory Foam vs. Traditional Down Pillow
If you have always used traditional down pillows, you may be reluctant to start using foam pillows. This is understandable as some traditional memory foam pillows could make you very hot at night as they did not dissipate heat well
Things are now different and foam pillows may earn your trust! Memory foam pillows are usually made from one block of foam but this can now be infused with cooling gel. Also, you can get shredded memory foam pillows that keep you cool and comfortable. To help you make a choice, we've listed the main pros and cons here.
| Memory foam pillow | Traditional Down Pillow |
| Contours to the outline of your neck and head | Maintains its own shape and can have lumps |
| High density to provide support | Flattens when weight is applied |
| Helps with pressure points for people who sleep on their side and back | Provide less relief for pressure points |
| Needs to be replaced every 24-36 months | Needs to be replaced every 24 months |
| Can retain heat even with gel infusion | Dissipates heat well |
| Does not wick moisture | Wicks moisture to keep you fresh as you sleep |
| Can off-gas an unpleasant odor | No unpleasant odor |
| Hypoallergenic | Not normally hypoallergenic |
Memory Foam Pillow FAQ
Q: Who is best suited to a memory foam pillow?
A memory foam pillow is a very useful pillow for side sleepers although back sleepers and stomach sleepers may also find them useful. Side sleepers can suffer from neck pain if their head is not supported correctly. A gel memory foam pillow may be very useful as it will also keep you cool as you sleep.
If you find that you are not getting enough support from a feather pillow and you are waking up with a sore neck, it would be worth giving one a try. Because they are hypoallergenic, they may also suit people who have asthma and other allergic symptoms.
Q: Which sizes are available for memory foam pillows?
You can often buy foam pillows in different sizes. Queen and king sizes are the most common but you may also be able to buy a memory foam pillow as standard. This will determine the width of the pillow.
The height of the pillow is called the loft. You may want to choose a high loft if you have broad shoulders and sleep on your side. It will need to be high to provide adequate support. If you sleep on your back, you may prefer a low loft to stop your chin from being pushed into your neck.
Q: How do I clean a memory foam pillow?
It is important that you follow the washing instructions provided by the manufacturer. These may be on the pillow packaging or on a label. Most memory foam pillows have a machine washable cover that can be removed using a zipper.
However, it is less common for the whole pillow to be machine washable. When it comes to washing pillows memory foam is one of the materials that you have to be very careful with. Some shredded memory foam pillows can be placed in the washing machine but not all of them.
The problem is that when memory foam gets very wet, the water gets deep into the structure of the foam. It can be very difficult to dry this out completely and mold can form.
Luckily, there are other things that you can do to freshen up your pillow even if you cannot wash it in the traditional way. You could use the upholstery attachment of your vacuum to suck up dust from the surface and then air it outside for an hour or so. Tackle spillages immediately by removing the pillow case and cover. Use a dry cloth to blot the stain and then use another cloth with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Remove any excess water and then air dry the pillow.
If you notice that your pillow has an odor of sweat, you can try to tackle it by removing both the pillow case and cover and sprinkling the pillow with baking soda. Leave it in the sun for about two hours and then remove the baking soda with the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner. You may need to do this on both sides.
Steam cleaning is usually not recommended for a foam pillow.
Q: How long do memory foam pillows last?
In general, memory foam pillows need to be replaced every 24 to 36 months. This is because the structural stability of the pillow breaks down with age. Once this is lost, the pillow no longer offers support and will not align your back, neck and head. Remember that you spend around eight hours a day on your pillow so it has to work quite hard! When it comes to the lifespan of pillows memory foam wins the prize! These pillows last longer than down, feather and polyester pillows.
You can extend the life of memory foam pillows by using a pillow cover. This protects the pillow from physical damage caused by the weight of your head. It also protects it from dirt and grime. Use both a pillow cover and a pillow case to protect memory foam pillows. Together, they will soak up moisture from sweat, saliva and body oils before they can reach the pillow itself. If you are going to wash your pillow, make sure that you do it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Some can be machine washed but some can't and you could cause damage to the pillow.
You will be able to tell when it is time to replace your pillow because you may see visible lumps and bumps, you start to wake up with headaches and aches in your neck, you no longer feel supported in your sleeping position or the pillow is obviously stained and marked.
Q: Do memory foam pillows off-gas?
Memory foam pillows are associated with a problem called off-gassing. All new foam materials exhibit this - you will have detected a similar smell from paint and inside a new car. It's caused by volatile organic compounds breaking down and being released into the air. Because gases are formed, it is called off-gassing. There are many compounds in a foam pillow that could cause off-gassing including methylene chloride and trichloroethane.
Memory foam pillows may off-gas but that does not mean that it is harmful. Some manufacturers warn on the label that the product may have an initial odor that will soon wear off. Some of these chemicals can cause headaches, eye irritation and other symptoms but they stop once the pillow has aired out.
Some people are concerned because the chemicals that cause off-gassing are also potential carcinogens. They choose to reduce their exposure by choosing a product that is certified by CertiPUR-US®. This is an independent test that verifies that the pillow has been made without the use of harmful VOCs, phthalates, heavy metals, CFCs, formaldehyde or PBDEs.
If you do notice an odor after unwrapping your new pillow, you may want to let it air out for several days before you use it. Do this in a well-ventilated garage or room.