The 7 Best Memory Foam Pillows of 2026: Sleep Expert Tested

Memory foam pillows combine contouring support along with pressure relief, helping to keep your head and neck better aligned throughout the night. They’re often adjustable, filled with removable inserts or shredded materials to get your preferred loft height just right.

We’ve tested and selected the seven best memory foam pillows of 2026 to help you shop and choose the best pillow for you.

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_Our team of expert testers has tried around 30 of the most popular mattresses and brands on the market today, using our comprehensive sleep testing methodology to find the best mattresses for all folks. _

Best Memory Foam Pillows of 2026

• **Best Memory Foam Pillow Overall: **Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow

• **Best Memory Foam Pillow for Stomach Sleepers: **Saatva Memory Foam Pillow

• **Best Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers: **Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow

• **Best Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow: **Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow

• **Best Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: **Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

• **Best Budget Memory Foam Pillow: **Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow

• **Best Memory Foam Pillow for Back Sleepers: **Layla Kapok Pillow

Best Memory Foam Pillow Comparison Table

Best Memory Foam Pillow Overall: Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow

Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow

 Three firmness options available within one pillow

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at Nectar

Key product features

    *   Our thoughts: Our tester was impressed by its sleek, cooling cover

    *   What it does: Keeps you cool throughout the night

    *   Who it’s for: Folks who want adjustable firmness in their pillow

    *   What makes it different: The zipper determines the firmness, open will mean your pillow will feel softer, while completely closed increases it to firm

Pros and Cons

Pros

*   Allergy-friendly materials

    *   30 night sleep trial

*   Three firmness levels in one pillow

Cons

*   Its cover is not removable

*   Firmness changes with zipping may be subtle

    *   May not be lofty enough for some side sleepers

Our Thoughts on the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow

The Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow is our pick for the best overall memory foam pillow. It’s made with memory foam and microfiber down alternative, making it good for folks with allergies to down. The zipper determines the firmness: soft means both zippers are open, medium means one zipper is closed, and firm means that both zippers are closed. This pillow also has a quilted. Cover with a special polyethylene fabric to keep you cool throughout the night.

Beth, a certified sleep coach, tested the Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow, rating the materials quality a 4.5 out of 5. She loved the cover. “It’s sleek, smooth, and very cool to the touch,” she said, impressed by the cover materials. “It doesn’t have a synthetic or plasticky feel to it.”

She liked the materials in the filling as well, noting that it provided a combination of both support and comfort. “It’s very soft and moldable, and it doesn’t flatten too much.” Overall, Beth thinks the materials will hold up nicely and will not deteriorate over time.

Extra features received a 4 out of 5 rating. “It has two zippers, and the cover isn’t removable.” There aren’t many extra features in this pillow. “I don’t know if zipping or unzipping makes a big difference,” she said. “It’s a very subtle change rather than an overt one.”

Beth recommends this pillow for back sleepers and combination sleepers as well. “It’s very comfortable while sleeping on my back. It slightly lifts my head without causing my chin to dip forward, and my spine and neck feel straight and aligned.”

“This pillow is great for combination sleepers because you can configure it any way you want to make it compatible with multiple sleep positions,” she said.

Best Memory Foam Pillow for Stomach Sleepers: Saatva Memory Foam Pillow

Saatva Memory Foam Pillow

 Has a machine washable knit cover

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at Saatva

Key product features

    *   Our thoughts: The outside of the pillow feels cozy and soft

    *   What it does:  It has slow rise and sinkage, great for contouring

    *   Who it’s for: The high loft option is perfect for side sleepers

    *   What makes it different: The layer of graphite-infused memory foam draws away warmth throughout the night

Pros and Cons

Pros

*   High or low loft option

    *   Made with hypoallergenic materials

*   Has CertiPUR-US® certified foams

Cons

*   Only the cover is washable

*   May be too lofty for some folks

    *   Some reviewers find this pillow too heavy

Our Thoughts on the Saatva Memory Foam Pillow

The Saatva Memory Foam Pillow is our pick for the best memory foam pillow for stomach sleepers because its lower loft option helps to support and align your head and neck. It has a machine washable cover made of organic cotton. The first inner layer is graphite-infused memory foam, which helps to keep you cool as you sleep. The core layer is shredded memory foam and natural latex, both of which provide support and breathability throughout the night.

“The outside is made of a super soft cotton that is snuggly and cozy,” Beth said, rating the materials a 4.5 out of 5. “The pillow has slow rise and sinkage, which makes for excellent contouring.”

Beth was disappointed that this pillow has only obtained one certification, CertiPUR-US. This is standard and essentially means that the foams won’t poison you—she would’ve liked to have seen some additional certifications, especially since it includes natural latex.

Beth recommends the high loft option for side sleepers to ensure both sturdy neck support and pressure relief for your head. For side sleepers, either loft should allow for proper contouring and support—you can choose the height based on your elevation preference.

Stomach sleepers should opt for the low loft option. This flatter feel helps keep the neck, shoulders, and spine in proper alignment to prevent pain in the morning.

Beth rated the price a 3 out of 5. “The pillow is $165, which is a bit more expensive than some folks may be willing to pay.” The natural latex likely drives up the price, but it doesnt have any extra certifications to increase the value.

Best Memory Foam Pillow for Side Sleepers: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Neck Pillow

Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR Neck Pillow

 Available in three sizes, and as a travel pillow

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at Tempur-Pedic

Key product features

    *   Our thoughts: A basic, reliable pillow

    *   What it does: Contoured design supports your head and neck

    *   Who it’s for: Back and stomach sleepers

    *   What makes it different: It’s uniquely shaped to support your neck

Pros and Cons

Pros

*   Three size options

    *   Hypoallergenic cover

*   Reviewers love the shoulder and neck support

Cons

*   No certifications

*   No sleep trial

    *   No returns available

Our Thoughts on the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow

The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck Pillow is our pick for the best memory foam pillow for side sleepers because it’s a contoured shape uniquely made to support your head, neck, and shoulders.

Beth tested the TEMPUR-Neck pillow, rating its materials a 4 out of 5. “The pillow’s cover is polyester knit, which is hypoallergenic and feels soft, like cotton. Its removable, and inside of the cover is a solid chunk of TEMPUR-material, their proprietary blend that is very dense and has a slow response to pressure.”

After trying this pillow several times, it felt like classic memory foam, according to Beth. She noted that the pillow itself is contoured, and is shaped with two humps and a valley in the middle to mold to your head, neck, and shoulders. Overall, this is what I would expect from an orthopedic memory foam pillow. There are no certifications to note.

Beth rated the extra features of this pillow a 4 out of 5. “You can choose which size pillow you need (small, medium, or large) and there’s a handy chart on the website that breaks down which size is best for you based on your height,” she said. She also considered the unique shape of this pillow to be an extra feature.

“On my side, the large memory foam hump is completely feeling in the space at my neck and shoulders–I don’t feel any straining at all. My neck is straight and in line with my spine,” Beth said.

When sleeping on her back, the shape of the pillow supports her neck and lifts her head into neutral alignment. She wouldn’t recommend this pillow for stomach sleepers, as the contouring shape of the pillow may cause your neck to crane upwards, causing pain. We recommend the Saatva Memory Foam Pillow for folks who sleep on their stomachs.

Best Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow: Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow

Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow

 A pillow with three adjustable inserts

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at Luxome

Key product features

    *   Our thoughts: The removable layers and covers make this pillow suitable for all types of sleepers

    *   What it does: It’s adjustable both by firmness and height

    *   Who it’s for: Folks looking for a customizable, luxury pillow

    *   What makes it different: Uses CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam

Pros and Cons

Pros

*   Highly customizable height and firmness

    *   Has a bamboo-derived cover for cooling

*   Premium feel and construction

Cons

*   No warranty

*   May be tricky to get the customization right

    *   Expensive

Our Thoughts on the Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow

The Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow is our pick for the best adjustable pillow because it comes with soft, medium, and firm inserts, which you can adjust to suit your firmness level and desired loft. It’s both CertiPUR-US® and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified, with low VOCs and free of harmful substances.

Beth tested this pillow, rating the $150 cost for a queen size pillow a 4 out of 5. “I think this is a steal for everything that you get with this pillow—its customizations, certifications, and washable cover.”

She rated the extra features of the LAYR pillow a 5 out of 5. “The removable layers and filling allow you to customize the pillow to any loft or firmness preference.” This is huge, Beth said, because in theory, anyone can use this pillow and customize it to create their ideal feel. She noted that the pillow comes with extra individual bags to store the filling if you’re not using it. The removable covers over each insert are machine washable, too.

After testing the pillow, Beth recommends that side sleepers customize their LAYR pillow to have a higher loft that fills the space around their neck and shoulders. For back sleepers, she suggests taking out one insert to create a medium loft that helps keep the neck and spine aligned.

Stomach sleepers will want to keep only the soft insert in the LAYR pillow to give it a low loft, to prevent the neck from craning upwards. Beth thinks that combination sleepers may have a more difficult time finding the most appropriate loft and firmness but recommends trying different options. She noted that the pillow is not very responsive, so there’s not a bounce to assist you while switching sleep positions.

Best Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

 A pillow that will keep you chill throughout the night

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at Helix

Key product features

    *   Our thoughts: Our tester liked the sleek and cool pillow cover

    *   What it does: The GlacioTex fabric (70% polyester, 30% polyethylene) is cold to the touch

    *   Who it’s for: Hot sleepers

    *   What makes it different: It has special fabric and a cooling gel memory foam core

Pros and Cons

Pros

*   Entire pillow is machine washable

    *   Available as high loft or low loft

*   Frequently on sale

Cons

*   Includes polyurethane, which may cause an off-gassing odor

*   Not hypoallergenic

    *   Holds no certifications

Our Thoughts on the Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow

The Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow is our pick for the best cooling memory foam pillow because it includes multiple cooling features to help keep you feeling temperature neutral throughout the night. The cover is made of GlacioTex material, which pulls heat away from the body instead of only absorbing it. The inner memory core of the pillow also includes a cooling gel. We like that the whole pillow is machine washable, unlike many other options on our list, which are spot-clean only.

Beth tested Helix’s cooling pillow, rating the price a 4.5 out of 5. “It’s an exceptional price, especially for folks on a budget who are seeking a high quality, solid memory foam pillow with a noticeable cooling sensation.”

She rated the materials a 4 out of 5, noting that this pillow is missing certifications. That’s likely due to its inclusion of polyurethane, which is not allergen-friendly and may have off-gassing odors initially.

That being said, she loves the cooling aspects. “The pillow is so cooling that it actually feels cold on my skin, which feels soothing and comforting, especially for hot sleepers.” Beth thinks that hot sleepers can really benefit from the GlacioTex cover, which feels smooth and sleek. “The inside of the pillow feels solid and moderately dense, with a slow response to pressure and good contouring. Inside, one side of the pillow has what feels like a gel pad, adding more cooling.”

Beth likes the high loft option for side sleepers. “It fills in the space at the neck and shoulders, and lifts your head into spinal alignment, preventing it from rolling inwards,” she said.

She thinks back sleepers will fare well with either loft option. Stomach sleepers will likely be most compatible with the low loft option, which will help keep their neck from straining and the rest of their head aligned.

Best Budget Memory Foam Pillow: Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow

Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow

 Fully adjustable pillow available in three shapes

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at Coop

Key product features

    *   Our thoughts: Its multiple certifications prove its materials are higher quality than average

    *   What it does: Offers edge to edge support with gel-infused cooling

    *   Who it’s for: Budget conscious folks looking for high quality

    *   What makes it different: It’s both GREENGUARD and CertiPUR-US® certified

Pros and Cons

Pros

*   Entire pillow is machine washable

    *   Fill can be removed in small pieces to fit your preferences

*   Package includes an extra half pound of fill

Cons

*   Pillow is heavy and somewhat dense

*   Fine tuning the proper loft can take some trial and error

    *   Not ideal for strict stomach sleepers

Our Thoughts on the Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow

The Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow is our pick for the best affordable memory foam pillow because it provides premium features for around $100. It’s got multiple certifications (both GREENGUARD and CertiPUR-US®), is fully customizable, and comes in three shape options. The shape options are unique to this list; there’s a classic, crescent (back/side sleepers), and cut-out (side sleepers). We love that there are so many options with the Coop pillow, all at an affordable price.

Beth tested this pillow, rating the price a 4.5 out of 5. “This pillow is just $109, making it one of the cheapest pillows on our list.”

“While the materials aren’t my personal preference, you can’t deny the quality,” she said. “The cover is super soft. It’s not sleek and silky but feels more like cozy cotton.” She noted that inside the pillow, there’s shredded gel-infused memory foam and microfiber, making it easy to customize. “Both materials feel very soft and compressible. I like that you can adjust the fill for a low loft or medium loft,” Beth said.

Beth also noticed how durable the inner liner is, and that all zippers are functional. The pillow even passed the rip test—it didn’t bust at the seams. She rated the materials a standout 5 out of 5.

She thinks this pillow could be a good choice for side sleepers who prefer a softer, more compressible pillow. “Fill the pillow entirely with the memory foam and fiber filling to get the most support in this position,” Beth said.

Beth thinks this is a great pillow for back sleepers, regardless of loft preference. “Whether you have just a bit of filling, or the whole thing filled, it should provide enough support at your neck to keep it in neutral alignment,” she said.

Stomach sleepers might still like this pillow, per Beth, but she recommends only filling it part way so that it keeps a low loft. This way, your neck will stay straight and in line with the rest of your spine while you’re on your stomach, preventing any pain in the morning,

Best Memory Foam Pillow for Back Sleepers: Layla Kopak Pillow

Layla Kopak Pillow

 Has a plush, hexagon textured fabric cover

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at Layla Kopak

Key product features

    *   Our thoughts: A soft and moldable pillow

    *   What it does: Contours to your head and neck while remaining breathable

    *   Who it’s for: Side and back sleepers

    *   What makes it different: Made with kapok tree fibers, which are hypoallergenic

Pros and Cons

Pros

*   CertiPUR-US® Certified

    *   Hypoallergenic

*   Fully adjustable to your preferred loft

Cons

*   Kapok filling can be messy/stick to you when you’re adjusting the levels

*   Not 100% organic or natural materials

    *   Pricier than other options on our list

Our Thoughts on the Layla Kopak Pillow

The Layla Kopak pillow is our pick for the best memory foam pillow for back sleepers because it comes overfilled so that you can customize the loft to best support your head and neck alignment. It’s made with a hybrid of shredded reactive memory foam and kopak fill, which is made from the seed pod fibers of the kopak tree. Per the brand, it’s more sustainably harvested than cotton and is just as soft.

Beth tested this pillow, rating its materials a 4.5 out of 5. “The pillow cover is a soft knit material that feels very soft and cozy,” she said. “The memory foam isn’t slow-rising, and has a quick response to pressure, which gives the pillow some structure. The fluffy kapok allows it to remain soft and moldable,” Beth explained.

“The kapok is very fluffy; it sort of gets everywhere when you try to adjust the fill,” she said. “It reminds me of dandelion fuzz, the way it blows in the air and sticks to my clothes when I try to remove handfuls of filling,” Beth said. She’s a fan of the material, but only when it’s safely locked away inside the pillow!

We think this pillow is best for back sleepers, and side sleepers as well. It has a medium loft when completely filled. “It’s very supportive and lifts your neck to maintain proper alignment yet is still soft enough to contour and cushion your skull,” Beth said. She recommends that stomach sleepers take out half (or more) of the filling to create a lower loft.

Overall, Beth thinks this is a high-quality pillow—she didn’t notice any manufacturing errors or deteriorating materials.

How We Tested and Selected the Best Memory Foam Pillows

Our team tested pillows and scored them with ratings between 1-5. We considered aspects such as pillow materials, care, cost, and sleeping position. Here’s some more detail on how we tested.

Materials

Experience

Our tester team tried each pillow while sleeping on their back, stomach, and side and reported back to us on the experience. They also examined extra features, such as cooling aspects, washability, and comfort of materials.

Care

Testers checked to see if part of all of the pillows are washable or if they are spot clean only. They rated care on a score of 1-5, putting each to the test.

Value

Testers rated the affordability of the pillows on a scale of 1-5. They considered certifications, materials, and durability in assessing the long-term value of the pillows.

How to Find the Best Memory Foam Pillow

Your preferred sleep position can help you determine what pillow is best suited to your preferences. Here’s how to find the best memory foam pillow for you.

Sleep Position

• Side sleepers may benefit from using a higher lofted pillow, between 4 and 6 inches.

• Back sleepers tend to do well with a medium-lofted pillow, between 3 and 5 inches.

• Stomach sleepers sleep well with a low-lofted pillow, 2-3 inches high or even less.

Temperature Control

Folks who sleep hot may not only prefer cooling sheets, but also a pillow that helps to keep their head temperature neutral throughout the night. Look for breathable covers as well as cooling features and materials.

Pillow Material

If you have allergies or sensitivities, you may want to avoid down or pillows made with natural feathers. Some folks also have allergies to polyurethane, which is often included in memory foam pillows.

Certifications

Third-party certifications like GREENGUARD and CertiPUR-US® help you to know that the pillow (or other sleep-related accessories) you’re buying are non-toxic and eco-friendly.

Cost

Pillows can vary in cost. Though spending over $100 on a pillow may feel like a lot, keep in mind that you’ll be sleeping on it every night. A good night’s sleep will help you feel your best throughout the day, so consider that higher quality materials and a durable pillow may cost a little more.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest rated memory foam pillow?

Our pick for the best memory foam pillow is the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow. It’s made with memory foam and microfiber down alternative, making it good for folks with allergies to down. The zipper determines the firmness: soft means both zippers are open, medium means one zipper is closed, and firm means that both zippers are closed. This pillow also has a quilted. Cover with a special polyethylene fabric to keep you cool throughout the night.

Are memory foam pillows good for side sleepers?

Yes, memory foam pillows with a higher loft (4-6 inches or more) are great for side sleepers.

Are memory foam pillows machine washable?

Some memory foam pillows are entirely washable, while others have a removable, washable cover but the inside can only be spot cleaned.

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