Best Memory Foam Pillow (2021): Reviews & Comparison

Considering that the average human spends eight hours with their head on a pillow (or are supposed to, at least!), it makes complete sense to invest in a high-quality pillow that lets you rest well. 

If you’re on the lookout for the aforementioned pillow, look no further than memory foam pillows. Those familiar with memory foam mattresses may already know the excellent range of benefits memory foam pillows offer and already have their go-to memory foam pillows ready, but for the rest of you, here’s a list of our top five memory foam pillows to check out for your sleep needs.

Our Reviews of Memory Foam Pillows

We’ve also thrown in a buying guide to make the job easier when you have to pick out your own pillows, so read on!

LinenSpa Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

The first on our list is the LinenSpa Shredded Memory Foam Pillow. With its shredded memory foam filling and outer memory foam gel encasement, sleeping like a baby is assured, with this pillow!

Specifications

Benefits 

This shredded memory foam pillow comes for LinenSpa, a company known for providing high-quality products that won’t decimate your bank balance! The LinenSpa Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is all kinds of comfortable, breathable, and moldable. 

The CertiPur-US certified shredded-memory-foam filling not only keeps the pillow smooth, fluffy, and comfy but also works to make this one of the coolest pillows (literally!) in the market - the shredded memory foam allows better breathability and air circulation than pillows featuring solid memory-foam cores. 

 However, what really adds to the coolness and what most other memory foam pillows don’t feature, is the outer foam-infused layer with gel beads; this is the pillow’s most distinguishing (and most loved) feature! 

Surrounding the shredded core, this layer, with its foam and gel, works excellently to disperse heat, resulting in the non-retention of body heat, and therefore, a pillow that always stays cool. It also aids in keeping the pillow smooth, even, and comfortable, with medium-firm support that’s just the right amount of firmness and softness. 

Additionally, the pillow is hypoallergenic, making it a great option for those with allergies or sensitivity, especially older folks. The outer cover, made of 100% cotton, is removable and machine washable. The pillow is also very moldable and can be fluffed and shaped as desired for a customized fit and lift.

Pros

Cons

Verdict

Keeping a cool head won’t be that much of a problem anymore, thanks to the LinenSpa Shredded Memory Foam Pillow. This pillow gives you a level of functionality and comfort that belies its price. However, do note that the medium-firm support may not be everybody’s cup of tea.

Many users prefer extremely soft pillows, so only invest in this pillow if you’re used to sleeping on slightly firmer pillows. If you do invest in this pillow, though, you can literally rest assured that your neck, spine, and back will thank you for it!

LianLam King Memory Foam Pillow

This memory foam pillow from LianLam boasts a range of features designed to assure quality sleep and comfort. Like the LinenSpa pillow reviewed before this, the LianLam King Memory Foam Pillow also features a gel layer that prevents it from getting hot and stuffy, and the customizability to easily suit any sleeping position!

Specifications

Benefits 

As mentioned earlier, this LianLam pillow also features a gel layer that keeps the pillow cool, comfortable, and breathing the whole night (bye-bye, sweaty bed head!). In addition to the gel, the pillow’s fabric, made of 60% polyester and 40% bamboo-derived viscose rayon, also ensures breathability and efficient air circulation. 

This is supported efficiently by the 4D mesh design of the pillow that facilitates powerful ventilation and dissipation of heat, speeding up the pillow’s internal heat flow. Oh, and did we mention the cross-cut design of the memory foam itself that also aids in this endeavor, preventing any clumping and restriction of airflow?

What also makes this pillow extremely comfortable is how you can personalize it to suit any sleeping position. Side sleeper? No problem. Back sleeper? It’s nothing. Spread eagle sleeper? You’re welcome!

The edge-to-edge design of the pillow ensures that maximum support is provided to your back, neck, and shoulders, no matter how you sleep. 

Additionally, thanks to a premium adjustable pillow design, featuring inner and outer zippered covers, you can easily adjust the fill level (and thereby, the height) of the shredded memory foam filling to suit your sleep needs. This also means that the pillow can be as firm or as soft and fluffy as desired (the company even adds extra memory foam, if required). 

What’s also great is how non-toxic this pillow is - not only is it CertiPUR-US certified, but it is also constructed sans ozone depleters, mercury, formaldehyde, PBDE flame retardants, and lead, ensuring the highest standards of consumer safety and quality. The outer pillow cover, with its bamboo-derived fabric, is hypoallergenic, and dust-mite resistant, and less irritating to the skin than microfiber. 

Lastly, both pillow covers are also detachable and machine washable for easy cleaning. Additionally, the pillow is available in three different sizes - standard (20 x 26 inches), queen (20 x 30 inches), and king (20 x 36 inches).

Pros

Cons

Verdict 

Honestly, it’s very hard to fault this LianLam memory foam pillow, with a wide range of great features enhancing its functionality, and how! This pillow ticks 99% of the boxes when it comes to memory foam pillows and what we look for in them, from comfort to support to great design to safety. 

Where it doesn’t score too well, though, is the price - it’s over double the price of our first pillow and at least $10 more expensive than most other models. Many users have also complained of a chemical smell emanating from the pillow on unpacking. However, unlike the price, this at least can be rectified, to some extent, by airing the pillow out! 

Some users didn’t even notice the smell, and even if they did, have mentioned that it’s too slight to be disturbing. Therefore, it all depends on your olfactory sensitivity! 

That apart, this LianLam pillow is truly an excellent investment for quality sleep, even if it is a little bit on the heavier side.

Milemont Memory Foam Pillow

Two of the most essential features in a memory foam pillow are comfort and support, and the Milemont Memory Foam Pillow has tons of both! Designed for optimal cervical support, this luxurious, therapeutic pillow provides superior support and relief to your neck and the surrounding muscles.

Specifications

Benefits 

This contoured therapeutic pillow from Milemont is an excellent option for those suffering from back issues, with its superior cervical support that keeps the neck supported in a neutral anatomical position and height, regardless of which position you’re sleeping in (this means that your neck, shoulders, head, and spine are aligned, relieving any stress or pain). 

You can also choose between the higher and lower contour for the desired amount of support. Milemont also claims that the pillow’s contours are designed to increase restorative REM sleep while decreasing neck pain, unlike most other pillows that push the neck upward, creating unnecessary stress and instability to spinal and neck muscles. 

The pillow is composed of AirCell-Tech gel-infused memory foam inside, with an outer cover of 35% Tencel and 65% polyester. The AirCell technology also works to promote airflow and keep you cool as you sleep. The memory foam is CertiPUR-US certified and is capable of adjusting to the pressure placed on it, while also retaining its shape despite regular usage. 

Additionally, the pillowcase is hypoallergenic, built to be silky soft while providing protection against dust mites, mold, and bacteria. The fabric is chemical-free (doesn’t contain toxic materials such as methane chloride, PBDE, or formaldehyde), ensuring customers’ safety, and can be machine washed (it is removable, featuring a high-quality zipper for closure).

Pros

Cons

Verdict 

The praises are many for the Milemont Memory Foam Pillow; its unique design seems to have cured quite a few folks of their back and neck issues. However, the durability and shape retention seems to be a bit of a red flag, so you may want to consider this pillow only after you’ve exhausted other options. 

You can be forgiven for risking it though - the pillow is plush, efficient, and reasonably priced, and after all, it is only a minority that is calling the pillow’s shape-retaining ability into question. 

Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow

The Weekender Gel Memory Foam Pillow is a solid memory foam pillow that’s super-light, cool, and quite supportive. With a relatively soft filling, those who love their pillows light and fluffy, as well as those transitioning from a normal pillow to a memory foam pillow, will find this pillow a welcome change!

Specifications

Benefits 

Among the highest-rated and least expensive memory foam pillows, the solid Weekender Gel Memory Foam Pillow is excellent for those who’ve stayed from memory foam pillows for fear of stiff, lofty filling.

In fact, one of the pillow’s most popular selling points is the pronounced softness of the foam, designed to feel like your head and neck are surrounded by fluffy clouds but just firm enough to provide the right kind of support and alignment. 

The CertiPUR-US certified gel-infused memory contours well to the users’ bodies and carefully cradles their necks and shoulders while allowing super air circulation and temperature regulation (along with the pin core technology ventilated design). This keeps users cool and comfortable as they sleep, despite being a solid pillow (these are generally known for turning peaceful sleep into damp nightmares!). 

What also aids efficiently in the cooling and fast heat dissipation is the series of holes punched into the foam itself, allowing better air circulation. 

The pillow is available in three different sizes (standard, queen, and king), along with a polyester cover that can be removed and machine washed. Though the pillow is firmer than down or down alternatives, it’s softer than most other memory foam pillows in the market. It’s hypoallergenic, dust mite, mold, and mildew-resistant making the pillow a great option for those with allergies or respiratory conditions. 

The pillow comes with a three-year warranty.

Pros

Cons

Verdict 

Another solid pillow (literally!), the Weekender Gel Memory Foam Pillow is among the softest foam pillows (if not “the” softest) in the market.

For those who’ve been putting off investing in a memory foam pillow because they’re too hard, this pillow manages to efficiently combine the feeling of sinking into marshmallows and being firm enough to support your neck and shoulders - a win-win! 

Unless, of course, you’re a back sleeper, in which case, you may want to consider other options.

Epabo Contour Memory Foam Pillow

Rounding off our list is the Epabo Contour Memory Foam Pillow, a popular pillow with glowing reviews across a range of websites. This ergonomically-designed memory foam pillow is breathable, keeps your neck aligned as you sleep, and is height adjustable, ensuring quality sleep and perfect functionality, regardless of your position.

Specifications

Benefits 

This breathable memory foam pillow provides excellent support as a result of its dense-packed memory foam; additionally, the removable foam inserts ensure that users can customize the pillow’s loft as per their need. 

The high-quality memory foam is extremely therapeutic and capable of providing relief from neck pain (also thanks to the contour design that perfectly cradles your neck and shoulders), enabling users to wake up feeling well-rested. 

The fact that Epabo’s pillows are stuffed with 20% more foam than other pillows, at the same price and size range, also enhances the comfort factor. 

The premium fabric of the pillow (a blend of rayon and polyester) keeps you cool and comfortable, facilitating superior air circulation and silky, smooth and soft to the touch. The fabric also provides protection against dust mites, is hypoallergenic, and completely free of chemicals.

The pillow is also quite easy to clean, encased in a net jacket with a high-quality zipper to the side that lets you remove the inner filling so that you can machine wash the pillowcase. 

Last but not least is the company’s confidence in its product, which in turn enhances customers’ confidence - Epabo offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and if the product fails to satisfy you, you can return it for a full refund.

Pros

Cons

Verdict 

This pillow can make a world of difference to those with chronic pain, thanks to an ergonomic design that carefully cradles users’ bodies and facilitates uninterrupted quality sleep. However, it should be noted that the thickness may be too low for folks who prefer thick or overstuffed pillows.

Additionally, for those with very severe cervical conditions, this pillow may be too hard and unsuitable. However, for the average user seeking quality sleep, this pillow works wonders!

What Is a Memory Foam Pillow? 

Stiff, sore, painful necks are no laughing matter, which explains why an increasing number of people are switching from traditional down or down alternatives to memory foam pillows. 

Memory foam pillows mold themselves to the shape of the user’s body, thanks to their viscoelastic polyfoam filling. This filling is also reactive to body heat and pressure; therefore, memory foam pillows mold to the user’s body when warm and go back to their original shape once the heat dissipates and pressure is lifted. 

The relatively firm support that these pillows offer also works to relieve pain and stress on pressure points. This has many folks, who’ve suffered from neck and shoulder pain for years, swear by these pillows.

Factors to Consider When Purchasing Memory Foam Pillows

Keeping the following points in mind will help you when the time comes for you to pick out a memory foam pillow on your own!

Pillow Type 

You may have earlier wondered, on seeing "type" under the specifications for each reviewed pillow, what this means. Well, memory foam pillows come in four types - traditional (one piece), shredded, contoured, and wedge.

Sleeping Position

How comfortable your memory foam pillow is, to you, depends largely on your sleeping position. While some pillows are great for all positions, some types work only for particular sleeping positions. Traditional pillows are higher and therefore, better for those who sleep on their sides, whereas the shredded type is better for stomach and back sleepers.

Materials Used 

Though the basic aim is the same, memory foam pillows can feature a range of different materials in their construction, ranging from gel infusions to bamboo-derived fabric pillowcases. 

Memory foam eventually loses its shape-retention abilities, making it less effective for pain and pressure relief as time goes by. Though you can’t find a memory foam pillow that will forever retain its shape, you can find a high-quality one that will last you for years. 

Additionally, since chemicals are an integral part of memory foam pillows look for safety certifications such as CertiPUR. Some pillows also stay away from other toxic ingredients such as ozone depleters, formaldehyde, methane, and so on.

When it comes to pillowcases, most pillows have cotton or polyester cases, though some do have more innovative fabrics such as bamboo-derived rayon, which is smooth, silky, and less irritating to the skin. Also, look for materials that are dust-mite, mold and mildew resistant, and easily detachable cases that can be machine washed (never wash your entire memory foam pillow and follow the care instructions provided by the seller!)

Lastly, look for "hypoallergenic" in your pillow’s description, which furthers the non-toxic and safety factors.

Features 

Memory foam pillows come with a range of features, such as gel infusion for cooling, holes in the foam for better ventilation, and so on. Whatever the features are, ensure that they result in efficient pressure and pain relief (since that’s the point of the pillow!). Look closely for the firmness level as well; most pillows are medium-firm, but if you find this too firm, there are softer versions like the Weekender pillow reviewed above. 

Remember, if you’re suffering chronic pain, a soft-yet-supportive pillow is the way to go. Additionally, firmer does not always mean better support. Shredded pillows are great in this regard, as they generally allow you to adjust the firmness level by removing or adding the filling.

Don’t ignore the cooling features either; one of the most common complaints with memory foam pillows is that they get uncomfortably hot as the night wears on, retaining your body heat. As mentioned earlier, shredded pillows allow better air circulation, though some traditional pillows also come with holes in the foam to facilitate this. Gel infusion also provides great cooling. 

Lastly, consider the loft or height. Too high a pillow will not help; a medium loft is good. Again, you can adjust the loft on shredded pillows, whereas traditional pillows feature a medium-to-high loft. Some traditional pillows come with removable inserts for loft adjustment.

Price 

Some pillow types are more expensive than others - a shredded pillow is more expensive than a single-piece pillow, whereas contoured pillows are more expensive than both. To avoid making an expensive mistake, look for brands that offer free trials, good returns, and warranties.

Conclusion

Nobody likes uncomfortable sleep or waking up feeling like they haven’t slept a wink, despite putting in seven or more hours on the bed! Memory foam pillows are undoubtedly magical, given how quickly they can make you go from tossing and turning all night to sleeping like a log.

The initial couple of weeks may be uncomfortable as your body is slowly getting used to the pillow, but once you cross this period, it’s smooth sailing all along.

Invest in a decent memory foam pillow and you’ll find that restful sleep, the kind that’s the stuff of dreams, won’t just be a dream anymore!