Shopping BHG Recommends The 11 Best Memory Foam Pillows of 2023, According to Lab Testing The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow made it to the top of our list because it has a great level of firmness while still feeling soft and luxurious. By Erica Reagle Erica Reagle Erica Reagle is marketing communications specialist and a freelance writer focused on interior design and the home. Her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Better Homes and Gardens, Bob Vila, and Better You. She enjoys traveling and tasting wine from all over the world.Following an editorial internship for StyleLine magazine early in her career, this Michigan native served as writer and event coordinator for SHE! magazine, a student-run fashion and pop culture magazine. She covered human interest and fashion articles for the magazine and online.Erica spent several years as a contributing writer for Her Campus, a print and online magazine targeted to college women and recent graduates.When Erica isn't traveling (10 European cities one summer!), this self-described Type A personality works as a marketing communication specialist for Clayton & McKervey. There, she generates content for webinars and targeted programs and manages the social media strategy for the company, but returns to her interests of home, decorating, travel, food and wine in her writing. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on September 14, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line Our Testing Process What to Know About Memory Foam Pillows Before Shopping Other Memory Foam Pillows We Tested Your Questions, Answered Who We Are What is BHG Recommends? We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Better Homes and Garden / Jamie Griffin If you’re looking for a new pillow that offers both comfort and support, consider a memory foam pillow. “Pillows made with memory foam come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are designed to bounce back to their original shape at different speeds,” says Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications at The Better Sleep Council. “These pillows adjust to your body contour and are designed to take the pressure off sensitive areas.” There are many factors to consider when shopping for the best memory foam pillow, like quality, comfort, support, durability, and value. You should also look for special features like cooling technology, hypoallergenic materials, and adjustable fill. To come up with this list of the best memory foam pillows, we researched the category and sent the top 20 pillows home with testers to sleep on for one week. The testers evaluated the pillows based on size, fill material, firmness, quality, durability, airflow, and sleeping position, and we used their insights to come up with our list of the best memory foam pillows. We chose The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow as the overall best memory foam pillow because it’s soft and luxurious with an optimal level of firmness. Here are the best memory foam pillows based on our research and tests. Our Top Picks Best Overall: The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow at The Company Store Jump to Review Best Budget: Qutool Cooling Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Neck Support: The Company Store Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow at The Company Store Jump to Review Best for Back Sleepers: Casper Foam Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Side Sleepers: Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow at Nest Bedding Jump to Review Best for Stomach Sleepers: Sealy Molded Memory Foam Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best Plush: Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best Cooling: Snuggle-Pedic Shredded Memory Foam Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best Gel: WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best Shredded: Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam Pillow at Brooklynbedding.com Jump to Review Best Overall The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow 5 The Company Store View On The Company Store Why You Should Get It: This memory foam pillow has a soft and luxurious feel and ideal level of firmness.Keep in Mind: The pillow itself cannot be machine washed or dry cleaned. The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow received perfect marks in all categories during testing, including in quality, durability, and value. One side of the pillow has ventilated memory foam for head and neck support, and the other side has a synthetic gel fiber fill for added comfort. This memory foam pillow comes with a removable 300-thread count cotton shell that’s machine washable, although the pillow itself should only be spot-cleaned. After using this pillow for five nights, the tester noticed it maintained a comfortable and cool temperature and didn’t lose its shape. Our tester said it was the “favorite pillow she’s ever slept on.” We especially loved the luxurious feel and firmness of this pillow and would consider paying more for it based on all of the great features. Price at time of publish: $59 Product Details: Fill Material: Memory foam and gel fiber | Firmness: Medium | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover; spot clean-only pillow BHG / Monica Aguinaga Best Budget Qutool Cooling Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillow 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon Why You Should Get It: This budget-friendly pillow has adjustable fill and a cooling side so you can customize the firmness and temperature. Keep in Mind: You may need to adjust this pillow to find the most comfortable feel since it’s so soft. This affordable pillow from Qutool scored high in all categories. It has a shredded memory foam fill with infused gel to help regulate your body temperature while you sleep. Our tester said “this pillow was amazing when it came to temperature adjustments.” The bamboo side felt warm and comforting, while the cooling side felt refreshing without having a "shockingly cold" feeling. Aside from offering different temperatures, this pillow also comes with adjustable fill so you can add or remove it for the most comfortable feel based on your preferred sleeping position. Although this pillow provides comfort and support, it is more soft and moldable than others we tested, and the tester had to adjust the pillow a few times throughout the night. All in all, we love that this memory foam pillow has options for comfort and temperature, features you might normally find in a more expensive pillow. Price at time of publish: $45 Product Details: Fill Material: Gel memory foam | Firmness: Soft | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover; spot clean-only pillow BHG / Andrea Cable Best for Neck Support The Company Store Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow 4.8 The Company Store View On The Company Store Why You Should Get It: This pillow has a wing design that releases body pressure for optimal neck support and alignment.Keep in Mind: Although it has a moisture-wicking cover, this pillow wasn’t as cool as some of the other options we tested. If you’re looking for the best memory foam pillow that offers good neck support, consider this one by The Company Store. It has a wing design to help alleviate neck pain by releasing body pressure for ideal neck alignment and support. According to our tester, “if you have a stiff neck, this [pillow] works wonders!” During testing we noticed this pillow was durable, firm, and comfortable. It comes with two covers—a polyester/Tencel knit cover and a moisture-wicking cover made of CoolMax fiber that moves moisture away from the skin. Although the pillow provided great airflow, it wasn’t as cool as some of the other pillows we tested, but we still believe the premium feel and quality neck support offered by this pillow make it worth the higher price. Price at time of publish: $95 Product Details: Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover; hand wash and air dry the foam insert BHG / Monica Aguinaga Best for Back Sleepers Casper Foam Pillow 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On Casper Why You Should Get It: This pillow has three layers of foam to keep your head and neck in proper alignment while sleeping.Keep in Mind: This pillow doesn’t come with adjustable fill, so you aren’t able to adjust the loft or firmness level. This Casper memory foam pillow stood out for its quality, durability, and value during testing. With three layers of foam, it’s designed to keep your head and neck in proper alignment for more comfort while sleeping. One of the layers is also perforated to help prevent overheating. The tester noted this memory foam pillow offered good airflow and prevented her from feeling hot during the night. She slept in multiple positions while testing this pillow and didn’t feel any pain when she woke up. Although it provided good support, it wasn’t as firm as the tester expected. This pillow has a low loft which makes it a good choice for back sleepers. Price at time of publish: $89 Product Details: Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Recommended for: Back sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover BHG / Jamie Griffin Best for Side Sleepers Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow 4.9 Nest View On Nest Bedding Why You Should Get It: This pillow kept our tester very cool throughout the night.Keep in Mind: The tester noticed a slight smell right out of the package, but it disappeared quickly. The Nest Easy Breather Pillow is a great choice for side sleepers who want a memory foam pillow that stays cool throughout the night. The luxurious fabric, durable construction, and support stood out the most during testing. This pillow is adjustable so you can add or remove foam to accommodate your favorite sleeping position. Side sleepers can try the pillow as is without removing any fill, but you may need to adjust it based on their individual comfort preferences. Aside from all of the great features of this pillow, our tester did note that the pillow had a slight odor right out of the package and felt heavier than other pillows we tested. She said the smell disappeared fairly quickly though. Overall, we recommend the Nest Easy Breather Pillow for its comfort, support, and soft and breathable cover. Price at time of publish: $86 Product Details: Fill Material: Memory foam and polyester fiber | Firmness: Customizable (add or remove fill) | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover BHG / Izzy Seely The Results Are In: These Are the 8 Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, According to Our Tests Best for Stomach Sleepers Sealy Molded Memory Foam Pillow 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Why You Should Get It: This pillow offers a nice balance of comfort and support for stomach sleepers.Keep in Mind: If you tend to get hot while sleeping, this pillow might not be the best choice because it got warmer the longer we laid on it. The Sealy Molded Memory Foam Pillow offers comfort and support, and our tester found it to be a great mix of soft and firm. It’s filled with memory foam that helps relieve pressure while cradling your body and supporting your head and neck. It also comes with a removable plush knit cover that can be machine washed. The quilted texture and weight of the pillow give it a high-quality feel. During testing, our reviewer noticed this pillow felt a little warmer the longer she laid on it, but once she flipped the pillow over, she didn’t have any other issues with airflow or temperature control. At just half the cost of many of the other pillows we tested, it’s definitely a great value. “The Serta pillow reached all of my expectations and is literally my favorite pillow I've ever used,” our tester said. We recommend this pillow for stomach sleepers because it cradles your head while providing ample support to the neck and shoulders. Price at time of publish: $30 Product Details: Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Balance of soft and firm | Recommended for: Stomach sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover BHG/ Andrea Cable Best Plush Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow 4.7 View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Why You Should Get It: This pillow offers a great combination of softness and structure.Keep in Mind: Even though it contains graphite and cooling gel (designed to pull away body heat), the tester didn’t notice an actual cooling effect when using this pillow. This memory foam pillow by Tuft & Needle scored high on quality, comfort, durability, and value during testing. It felt very soft and squishy, “like you’re lying on a cloud,” and the breathable cover was “soft as butter,” according to our tester. The tester also noted that the quality and beauty of the pillow could be seen in the detailed stitching, subtle pattern, well-made zipper, and fitted pillowcase. After sleeping on this pillow, our tester reported that it strikes a great balance of soft and structured, offering both comfort and support. It maintains its shape well and bounced right back during testing thanks to the responsive foam. There wasn’t a noticeable cooling effect, but the pillow was still very comfortable. Price at time of publish: $97 Product Details: Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Balance of soft and firm | Recommended for: Back, side, and stomach sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover BHG / Kaya Abrahamson We Put 31 of the Best Pillows to the Test & These 11 Were the Most Comfortable Best Cooling Snuggle-Pedic Shredded Memory Foam Pillow 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon Why You Should Get It: This pillow comes with a breathable bamboo cover that effectively cools down your body, and it’s machine washable, unlike many others we tested. Keep in Mind: There was a slight plastic smell when we took this pillow out of the box. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly memory foam pillow that will keep you cool throughout the night, consider this one by Snuggle-Pedic that has a cooling bamboo cover for optimal airflow. In addition to its high-performing cooling properties, this pillow is also soft and durable, which our tester could feel right when she took it out of the box. Developed by a chiropractor for ultimate comfort, this pillow adapted to our tester’s shape and offered ample head and neck support no matter her sleeping position. She also reported that she’s generally a hot sleeper, and this pillow kept her cool throughout the night. Unlike other pillows we tested, this pillow can be machine washed. Our tester washed it in cold water on a gentle cycle and then dried it on low. After washing it, she reported that “it seemed to feel the exact same as when I received it.” Although she really liked this memory foam pillow, our tester did note that it had a slight plastic smell right out of the box and the light brown color made it look dirty compared to other pillows we tried. Price at time of publish: From $29 Product Details: Fill Material: Shredded memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable BHG / Katelyn Chef The 9 Best Cooling Pillows for Every Sleep Position, According to Testing Best Gel WEEKENDER Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On 1stopbedrooms.com Why You Should Get It: This high-quality pillow bounces right back to its original thickness and shape.Keep in Mind: Despite having cooling properties like gel infusion and a ventilated design, this pillow only scored in the middle for temperature/airflow during testing. This gel memory foam pillow made our list because it held its shape really well during testing and reverted right back to its original thickness, even when used by people of different weights and sleep styles. Our tester found this pillow to be snuggly, soft, and sturdy. She noted that not only was it comfortable, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing and has a beautiful pattern. This mid-loft pillow is infused with gel to help regulate temperature and provide more comfort. It also has a ventilated design to promote air circulation. The temperature regulation and airflow wasn’t bad compared to some of the other pillows we tried, scoring a 3/5 in the cooling test. We recommend choosing another pillow if you’re looking for a cooling-specific pillow, however. The inside of this pillow is filled with CertiPUR-US certified memory foam that helps relieve pressure, and the removable pillow cover is soft yet durable and machine washable. We recommend this pillow for sleepers who are looking for a sturdy and comfortable pillow. Price at time of publish: From $32 Product Details: Fill Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Ultra soft | Recommended for: Back, stomach, and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover BHG / Kaya Abrahamson Best Shredded Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam Pillow 4.2 Brooklyn Bedding View On Brooklynbedding.com Why You Should Get It: Part plush and part firm, this pillow offers the best of both worlds.Keep in Mind: The fill of this pillow includes latex, so it weighs more than a traditional pillow. This shredded foam pillow by Brooklyn Bedding is filled with deconstructed latex and memory foam so you can adjust the loft and firmness for a custom feel tailored to your preferred sleeping position. Simply unzip and add or remove the shredded fill until you reach your ideal loft and firmness. This pillow was very plush with some firmness, preventing our tester from sinking down into the pillow when lying on it. It also comes with a cooling cover and gel foam infusion to prevent you from overheating during the night—our tester found the airflow to be sufficient during testing. One thing our tester noted was that this pillow felt a bit heavy. Latex is a naturally heavier material than memory foam, so this pillow has a bit more heft than your typical pillow. Overall, we recommend the Brooklyn Bedding pillow if you’re looking for a moderately firm pillow that’s also soft and plush. Price at time of publish: From $54 Product Details: Fill Material: Deconstructed latex and memory foam | Firmness: Adjustable | Recommended for: Side, back, and stomach sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable cover; spot clean the pillow insert BHG / Katelyn Chef Best Adjustable Coop Home Goods The Original Pillow 4.8 Coop View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Why You Should Get It: This pillow comes with an extra half-pound bag of cross-cut memory foam and microfiber fill so you can adjust the pillow to achieve proper spinal alignment.Keep in Mind: It can take up to two weeks to find the most comfortable amount of fill. The best memory foam pillows offer comfort and support, and this one by Coop Home Goods does both. It comes with adjustable (and hypoallergenic) memory foam and microfiber fill so you can customize the pillow for your size and sleeping position. This pillow is also Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified so you don’t need to worry about any harmful chemicals. Our tester said the quality of this pillow was evident in its stylish pattern and durable stitching, which she noted was “flawless.” It comes with a breathable cover which the tester found to be so soft she didn’t even want to use a pillowcase. Although it wasn't made specifically to be a cooling pillow, it stayed decently cool during testing. If you’re looking for a memory foam pillow that’s equal parts squishy and supportive, The Original pillow is a great choice. “Just get the pillow. You won't regret it,” our tester said. Price at time of publish: From $72 Product Details: Fill Material: Memory foam and microfiber | Firmness: Medium | Recommended for: Back and side sleepers | Cleaning: Machine washable (wash pillow and cover separately) BHG / Kaya Abrahamson The Bottom Line Overall, we recommend The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow because it’s extremely comfortable and made of soft and luxurious fabric. This pillow also felt cool and maintained its shape well, while providing just the right level of firmness. Our Testing Process Our team of home experts tested 20 of the best memory foam pillows at home for one week and rated them on quality, temperature/airflow (breathability), comfort, durability, and value. They examined the material and construction of each pillow and noted any odors before seeing if they fit into a pillowcase. They also measured each pillow before and after a week of use (and washing, if the pillow was machine washable) and recorded any changes. For pillows with adjustable fill, testers added or removed some of the fill to accommodate their preferred sleeping positions. They also washed and dried the machine washable pillows and covers according to the manufacturer’s instructions to see how well they held up. Our tests included lying down on the pillows to evaluate the comfort and support before going to bed and noting any pain or discomfort they felt after waking up the next morning. To reach a final score for each pillow, we averaged the scores across all of the tests. We then compared the final scores of the 20 pillows to select the top 11 for this list of the best memory foam pillows. What to Know About Memory Foam Pillows Before Shopping Fill Material Memory foam pillows are either filled with solid or shredded memory foam. Solid memory foam pillows are firm and supportive—and good at maintaining their shape. Shredded memory foam pillows are more plush while offering better airflow. Many shredded memory foam pillows also come with adjustable fill so you can customize the loft and firmness. Firmness Memory foam pillows are available in soft, medium, or firm, and some come with adjustable fill so you can customize the level of firmness depending on how much fill is in the pillow. It’s important to choose a pillow with the right level of firmness for your preferred sleeping style. “A too-firm or too-soft pillow can cause an uncomfortable angle in your neck or cause you to bend forward or backwards unnaturally,” Rogers says. Sleeping Position Most memory foam pillows can adapt to multiple sleeping styles, especially those that come with adjustable fill. Keep in mind that firmer pillows are better suited for back and side sleepers because they offer more support. Softer plush memory foam pillows are typically more comfortable for stomach sleepers. Other Memory Foam Pillows We Tested Rest Haven Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillow The Rest Haven Shredded Memory Foam Bed Pillow is suitable for a bargain hunter or college student looking for a sturdy pillow, but it wasn’t as comfortable as the other pillows we tried and didn’t feel like a true memory foam pillow. Although it’s inexpensive, we found other affordable options with higher quality. Allswell Flex Pillow Although comfortable, soft, and supportive, the Allswell Flex Pillow was thick and bulky which made it difficult to get in and out of a pillowcase. Our tester also felt hot after lying on it for a while, so it didn’t make our list of the best memory foam pillows. Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow While we loved the look and texture of the Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow, it wasn't as comfortable as other memory foam pillows we tried. The pillow also didn’t provide enough support or airflow for our tester, so she woke up with a sore neck and felt very warm throughout the night. Your Questions, Answered How long do memory foam pillows last? Most memory foam pillows last for about two to three years. If you notice a change in appearance, texture, or comfort, it might be time to replace your pillow. “The visible signs can be the most obvious clue,” Rogers says. “Less obvious signs are that you can’t get comfortable in your preferred sleeping position or you might wake up with aches and pains in your neck and shoulders.” Do dust mites live in memory foam pillows? Most memory foam pillows are hypoallergenic and good at preventing dust mites. “If you have allergies or asthma, you may want to look for hypoallergenic options,” Rogers says. Placing pillows in hypoallergenic pillow covers can also be a good solution. How many foam pillows should I use? One memory foam pillow is recommended for the best support and alignment. “The perfect pillow is one that provides you with both comfort and support,” Rogers says. “Your head, neck, and spine should be in alignment as if you were standing.” Who We Are Erica Reagle is a freelance writer focused on interior design and the home. To write this story, she researched the best memory foam pillows, evaluated the features that matter most in this category, and reviewed insights from our home tests. She also consulted Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications at The Better Sleep Council. What is BHG Recommends? Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products. Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit