We’ve analyzed reviews for the most popular pillows available on the market (read about our accurate, unbiased method). We compared them side-by-side, and scored them according to a range of factors including comfort, pain relief potential, durability, initial odor, and heat retention ability.
Below, you will find top ranked pillows (click on the product name to read the full review). Also, check our buying guide.
Top Ranked Memory Foam Pillows | Ratings | Buying Advice | How We Test |
Our Ranking | #1 | #2 | #3 | ||||||
Product Name |
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Editors’ Awards | |||||||||
Price |
from $48 Buy at Amazon |
from $34 Buy at Amazon |
$27 (set of 2) Buy at Amazon |
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Overall Score |
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Editors’ Rating | |||||||||
User Rating | |||||||||
Pros | Feels cooler than other mf pillows, machine washable, hypoallergenic,good pain relief | Hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, soft | lightweight, soft, good pain relief | ||||||
Cons | Highly dense, easily wears out | Lacks “memory” ability, not as sturdy as expected | not suitable for side sleepers, too thin | ||||||
Date Reviewed | February 17, 2015 | February 17, 2015 | February 17, 2015 | ||||||
Scores | Sleep Better Iso-Cool | Sleep Innovations Contour | Dream Supreme Plus | ||||||
Comfort | |||||||||
Pain relief | |||||||||
Durability | |||||||||
No bad odor | |||||||||
No sleeping hot | |||||||||
Snoring reduction | |||||||||
Back sleepers friendly | |||||||||
Side sleepers friendly | |||||||||
Front sleepers friendly | |||||||||
Read the Review |
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Sleep Better Iso-Cool Read the Review |
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Sleep Innovations Contour Read the Review |
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Dream Supreme Plus Read the Review |
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You should know this:
Memory foam pillows come in Standard and contour shapes. Contour shaped pillows provide more neck support and pain relief. Standard shaped pillows are usually more comfortable. As all other memory foam products, pillows have an initial chemical odor and heat retention potential.
Advantages
- Above average comfort
- Above average neck pain relief ability
- Good snoring reduction potential
- Good for back sleepers
- More restful sleep
Disadvantages
- Bad odor for several days/weeks
- May feel hot
- Average durability
- Not very good for side and front sleepers
Memory Foam Pillows VS Other Pillow Types
Memory Foam | Latex | Down | |
Comfort | |||
Pain relief | |||
Durability | |||
No bad odor | |||
No sleeping hot | |||
Snoring reduction | |||
Back sleepers friendly | |||
Side sleepers friendly | |||
Front sleepers friendly |
Firmness and comfort.
The firmness of memory foam pillows depends on the model, but according to the research most of the customers find these pillows much more comfortable than latex or regular pillows.
Safety and Health Risks
According to the research emissions of memory foam caused various combinations of upper-airway irritation (i.e., sensory irritation), lower-airways irritation (pulmonary irritation), and decreases in mid-expiratory airflow velocity in mice.
This doesn’t mean that these pillows are toxic or dangerous and bad for your health, but we don’t recommend using them for babies.
Pain reduction.
Memory foam pillows provide better neck support and more pain relief than other types of pillows. More than 20% of owners report neck pain relief after sleeping on these pillows.
Sleeping position.
These pillows provide the most benefits for back sleepers. They are not very comfortable for side and stomach sleepers, so if you like to sleep on your stomach or side, you should look at the other types of pillows.
Sleep apnea
According to the report of Kathy R. Gromer, MD., sleep specialist with the Minnesota Sleep Institute, despite the fact that memory foam pillows improve sleep, they don’t do anything for sleep apnea or other sleep-breathing disorders.
Dust mite resistance and hypoallergenic properties.
These pillows are hypoallergenic, but they may cause airway irritation because of the emissions of memory foam. Dust mites consume skin particles, which is why they exist in pillows. Even without the natural fibers of an feather pillow, they can still consume the skin cells that slough off onto your memory foam pillow.
In fact, a 2002 study published in the “European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology” revealed that foam pillows have as many dust mites as usual pillows, which is likely because of their more “open cell” structure.
Cleaning and replacement.
Memory foam is constructed of tiny, porous foam cells. These cells will hold water particles long after it comes out of the washing machine and has been rung out to dry. This can facilitate fungus growth and also destroy the memory foam’s compression properties.
Therefore, putting a pillow in the washing machine is not recommended. Most foam pillows have the lifespan of 2.5 years. They lose their properties after that time and should be replaced.
How to clean a memory foam pillow?
Sprinkle some baking powder on your pillow and let it stay for 1 hour. It will give it a bright and fresh smell. Remove the powder with vacuum. This will also clean other debris, such as dust or pet hair. If you have a stain, wet a washcloth with warm water and a little bit of dishwashing liquid.
Gently rub the stain in a circular motion. Use a fresh damp wash cloth to press against the area to help dry and blot the liquid out of the foam. Spot clean any stains with a small amount of mild laundry detergent and water on a clean cotton cloth.
Gently dab at the stain with the solution. As for drying your memory foam, you can air dry it outside, use an electric fan, or place it in a well-ventilated area.