These are our 6 favorite tried and tested memory foam pillows for a good night's sleep

The perfect bed partner

Best memory foam pillow: pastel wavy background with three types of pillows on top
(Image credit: Future)
Best memory foam pillows: Quick Menu

If you're in the market for a memory foam pillow, then look no further. We've been tasked with the super tiring job of testing a whole bunch of the best pillows, from memory foam picks to latex and down alternatives, and we've decided on which ones are our favorite when it comes to comfort and convenience. Here, you'll find our favorite memory foam picks, all of which wowed us in testing and let us have the most dreamy night's sleep possible.

Why memory foam? Not only does it contour around your head, shoulders, and neck and mold to your shape, but this type of pillow tends to be soft yet supportive. It's also super popular among side and back sleepers — front sleepers need something a little more solid and less sinkable. Memory foam is often a love or hate situation, since it's so plush. If you fall into the first camp of people, then here are some great picks with prices from $40. We've reviewed half of the pillows in this guide — the last three have been featured based on their incredible customer ratings.

The best memory foam pillows to buy in 2024

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Memory foam pillows we've reviewed

We've slept on all of these pillows for a minimum of four weeks in order to reach a verdict.

More memory foam pillows

We haven't yet got our hands on these pillows to review them, but customers rate them highly and really rave about them for quite a few reasons.

What to consider when buying a memory foam pillow

There are just a couple of things to consider when choosing a memory foam pillow, beyond your sleep position and whether you prefer a plush or firm pillow.

1. Is it washable? Or does it have a washable cover?
Some memory foam pillows are totally machine washable and can also be popped in a tumble dryer on low. Others are spot clean only but have a washable cover. Depending on what you need, choose wisely and always check the washing instructions on the pillow. And here's exactly how to wash your pillow, BTW.

2. What is its cover made of?
Most pillow covers are cotton, but some have a high thread count and will feel a little more luxurious. Because you will be putting a pillowcase over this cover, it's not really the end of the world if it doesn't feel super high quality. So long as it's washable.

3. How much is it? And will you need to buy two?
A new pillow can pretty much be as cheap or as expensive as you make it. If you want your bed to look symmetrical, you'll probably want two. If you're on a budget, you might want to go for a two-pack like the Beckham Hotel Collection Pillows from Amazon. Otherwise, some brands offer a discount on the more pillows you buy. As a rule, if you sleep with more than one pillow, we'd say to ensure that your top pillow is high quality as the others are mostly there for depth. So, if you sleep with three pillows there's no need to buy three of the same if they're all expensive.

4. Does it hold any certifications?
This is a biggie, and one that all of the pillows we recommend will have. There are a few certifications you want to look out for but the main ones are OEKO-TEX and CertiPUR-US. These certifications mean that during the process of making and filling your pillow, nothing has been used that's harmful or toxic to you. 

5. Is it cooling?
This only really matters if you tend to be someone who sleeps hot, or if you live somewhere with super warm summers. A couple of pillows in this guide are nice and breathable and feature some sort of cooling layer inside them so that they are cool to the touch. This means no more pillow flipping during the night, woo hoo!

6. How many sizes does the pillow come in?
Most pillows come in a standard size but if you do prefer a larger pillow, a few in this guide come in queen and king sizes. This often comes with a higher price, and you'll likely need larger pillowcases.

7. Does it come with a trial and/or warranty?
Not all pillows will come with these things, especially those that are on the cheaper side. Our first three pillows, the ones we've reviewed, all come with trials so that if you don't like them, you can return them and get your money back.

FAQs

Is memory foam the best pillow?

If you've read our five-step guide to choosing the perfect pillow, you'll know there are a few things to look out for: material, sleep style, filling, size, and budget. Memory foam can be a love-it or hate-it material, so it's really down to personal preference. 

Memory foam can generally make a pillow hard and boxy, as opposed to a plush feather-filled option. Once resting your head, it sinks and molds around your neck for cushioning and support. It's usually best for back sleepers since it cradles the head without your neck hitting the mattress. It's also okay for side sleepers as the thickness and height can work well to keep your spine aligned. We recommend front sleepers avoid them.

Wondering if you can wash memory foam pillows in your washing machine? The short answer is yes, but there is one rule to remember.

How we test memory foam pillows

Coop Home Goods Adjustable pillow corner with tag

Coop Home Goods Adjustable pillow in review

(Image credit: Future/Annie Collyer)

We've tried to sleep on all of the pillows we recommend in this guide, but we are still working our way through them. As of this update, three out of six of these pillows have been slept on, and the other three have been featured based on their incredible reviews. The pillows we have given a star rating are the ones we've tested, FYI.

For the pillows we have slept on, a member of the team has used it for four weeks minimum on their bed, being careful not to change anything else about our sleep setup during this time. We consider everything, including price, care, how easy they are to clean, and comfort, which is key. We try to sleep on them in different positions to get a good feel. We recommend each pillow based on the way that certain people sleep, so what is good for a side sleeper probably won't be the best for a front sleeper — unless it's adjustable!

For the pillows we haven't reviewed, we researched, read reviews, and compared products that claimed to be ultra cozy. We're working to review them over the coming months, don't you worry!

Meet our memory foam pillow reviewers:

Annie Collyer author image
Annie Collyer

Annie has been testing products for Real Homes since 2018 and has tested 10+ pillows. She sleeps on her side mostly, as she's currently pregnant so can no longer sleep in her normal sleeping position — on her stomach. Right now, she's sleeping on the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow and she has her husband testing the Coop Home Goods Eden Cool + Pillow.

Christina Chrysostomou selfie
Christina Chrysostomou

Christina has been writing for Real Homes since 2021 and has tested everything from pillows to air fryers for us. She usually sleeps on her side and her front and is currently reviewing the Zamat Contour Memory Foam Pillow.

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.

With contributions from