Best Memory Foam Pillow: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Second to choosing the best mattress for your needs, a comfortable pillow is one of the most important pieces of bedding to promote spinal alignment and alleviate chronic back pain. A lousy pillow can cause sleep deprivation, headaches, and neck pains- leading to productivity loss at work and in your personal life.

In this article, we’ll review five memory foam pillows and describe the different types of foam pillows available today. From there, we’ll offer tips on buying the best memory foam pillow.

Types of Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam pillows come in all shapes and sizes, although there are two common types- solid one-piece and shredded foam- both are engineered to enhance sleep.

All memory foam pillows are made with open-cell foams, enhancing breathability. Unlike traditional memory foam, open-cell foam is cushy and reduces the chances of off-gassing and heat retention. Open-cell construction is less dense, offering more resilience and deeper contouring.

Solid Core Memory Foam Pillow

Solid core memory foam pillows are single pieces of foam cut to fit the measurements of the cover. This type has better support and pressure-relieving qualities compared to traditional pillows perfect for side and back sleepers. Most solid pillows have air holes throughout the surface, eliminating heat retention.

Unfortunately, solid memory foam pillows usually can’t be adjusted or molded, which can be problematic for combination sleepers since the height of the pillow isn’t compatible with all sleeping positions.

Contour Memory Foam Pillow

Made of one or two solid pieces of foam glued together, this ergonomically designed pillow has high and low lofts supportive to side and back sleepers. Contouring pillows are meant to relieve chronic pain.

Unfortunately, contour pillows tend to sleep hot and do not always mold to fit a sleeper’s needs. Stomach sleepers would find this pillow uncomfortable as the variable height isn’t low enough for support or pressure relief.

Wedge Memory Foam Pillow

Taking the shape of a triangular prism, wedge pillows or reading cushions can prop up your back while you read or watch TV. If used as a sleeping pillow, you can relieve lower back pressure by placing a pillow under the knees. You can also use a wedge pillow to elevate your torso for potential snoring and acid reflux relief.

These pillows can increase blood circulation and help some users switch from side to back sleeping.

Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

Shredded memory foam pillows are usually made from leftover materials or foam mattresses. The shredded foam cores cultivate better airflow- perfect for those who overheat.

Depending on the pillow’s construction, the pillow could have adjustable or moldable qualities, which allows the user to adapt the pillow to fit their sleeping style. With moldable pillows, you shift the pillow filling around. Adjustable pillows allow you to pull out or add filling, adjusting the pillow’s firmness.