After a long day when you’ve been dreaming about bed, is there anything worse than being greeted by a lumpy pillow? Enter: why we think the best memory foam pillows deserve a little more love.
Yes, we like a lot of things for a bedroom (that’s right, we host Sleep Week every year), but this category is truly one of one. Unlike squishy down pillows or durable latex pillows, memory foam pillows feel like they’re actually giving your head a hug, offering a balance of fluff and contouring pressure relief.
## Our Top Picks for the Best Memory Foam Pillows
And that’s just the start. There are so many high-quality, customized memory foam options with moisture-wicking covers for hot sleepers and adjustable fills with foam pieces so you can get the feel just right — whether you prefer a plush or extra-firm pillow to rest on each night. All of our selections are editor-tested, so you know you’re getting the best the AD team has come across over the years.
Mosey below for all the best pillows that are right for you. Prices in this story reflect standard/queen sizes; however, all of the picks in our list come in king sizes too.
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### Best Overall Memory Foam Pillow
**Specs**
– Sizes: Queen, King
– Fill Material: Cross-cut memory foam and microfiber blend
– Cover Material: Lulltra fabric
– Care: Machine-wash the removable cover
**Upsides:**
– Breathable cover
– Can cater to specific sleep woes like back pain
– Adjustable fill
**Downsides:**
– Small foam pieces might be messy to pick up if spilled outside the pillowcases
Our top pick is the talk of the town—well, at least in the Condé Nast office. Made with an adjustable memory foam fill, two of our staffers own and love this pillow for its ability to be softened for stomach sleepers and back sleepers or firmed up for those who need extra neck support.
Associate commerce director Lori Keong is on her second one of these Coop pillows, which she calls plushy for all sleep positions:
> “I’ve been singing the praises of Coop’s adjustable memory foam pillow for years and years, which has occupied a prime spot on my bed and never been dethroned despite testing so many other pillows since then. The shredded fill is easy to remove or add to as you see fit, and there’s enough of a mound in there to firmly (or at least medium firmly) prop your head up.”
Commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher describes this comfy bed pillow as “life-changing” for her sleep routine as she alternates between side and stomach sleeping.
> “The memory foam and microfiber combo has helped with movement isolation so I don’t wake up with a stiff neck anymore; plus, it just feels luxurious,” she adds.
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### Best Personalizable: Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow
**Specs**
– Sizes: Standard, King
– Fill Material: Gel-infused and CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam
– Cover Material: Natural viscose from bamboo
– Care: Machine-wash cover; spot clean foam inserts
**Upsides:**
– Interchangeable foam layers
– Buttery-soft quilted bamboo cover
– Cooling fill and cover
**Downsides:**
– Rounded corners are less crisp and refined for a bedscape
Slightly different from the Coop shredded memory foam pillow, the Luxome LAYR pillow comes with memory foam layers for easily adjustable loft.
> Contributor Yelena Alpert says, “There are four (!) inserts inside the quilted shell, which means at least 10 combinations for fill loftiness.”
She loves keeping this bed accessory in her guest room so visitors can personalize their pillow with high loft or their preferred firmness. The extras also come with designated pillow covers for storage, so you’re never just sticking these inserts in your linen closet haphazardly.
Bonus: the pillow includes a machine-washable quilted cover that adds to the plushness factor.
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### For Cooling Comfort
**Specs**
– Sizes: Standard, King
– Fill Material: 80% cooling-infused memory foam and 20% plush microfiber
– Cover Material: Polyester
– Care: Spot clean recommended; dry-clean if needed (do not bleach or iron)
**Upsides:**
– Three customizable firmness levels
– Ideal for combination sleepers
– Distinct emerald trim design
**Downsides:**
– Polyester cover may not appeal to everyone
Hot sleepers: this cooling pillow is calling your name.
> Yelena Alpert shares, “The shell texture is nice and crisp, and it comes with a pillowcase cover that has the same fresh, crisp feel. Basically, when you think of fresh crisp bedding, the feel of Marlow is what you would imagine it to be.”
Its fiber fill blend is made with cooling-infused memory foam for a refreshing feel, paired with three customizable firmness levels that you adjust with the pull of a zipper: plush (both sides unzipped), medium (one side unzipped), or firm (both sides zipped).
> “I was like Goldilocks, testing every loft level each night. I settled on the medium firmness, which is one zipper open,” says Alpert.
Unlike other adjustable pillows with extra inserts, the Marlow’s three-in-one design is perfect for those with limited storage space.
*P.S. This pillow is currently 20% off during Brooklinen’s Friends and Family sale.*
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### The Pick for Side Sleepers
**Specs**
– Sizes: Queen, Queen Silk Gift Pack, King, King Silk Gift Pack
– Fill Material: Gel memory foam and microfiber
– Cover Material: Viscose from bamboo
– Care: Machine-wash the cover
**Upsides:**
– Ergonomic crescent design
– Down alternative, hypoallergenic fill
– Includes silk pillowcase
**Downsides:**
– Pricier than some other pillows in this guide
If side sleeping is your preference, this crescent-shaped pillow will be your perfect little cocoon. The curve is designed to support your head so your neck and shoulders have extra comfort. The down alternative fill is hypoallergenic and doesn’t fall flat over time. While adjustable, it leans slightly firmer to maintain the structured pillow shape side sleepers usually need most.
Commerce director Rachel Fletcher loves it:
> “It’s got the perfect amount of firmness for me — I cannot stand a soft pillow.”
It’s also breathable and features CertiPUR-US-certified, copper-infused memory foam filling — a great combo for side sleepers who tend to run hot.
> “While a side sleeper pillow might look a little funny on your bed, I love that it comes with its own fitted silk pillowcase, which is (a) great for skin and hair and (b) makes it look neater in my pillow-scape,” Fletcher adds.
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### Best Memory Foam Alternative
**Specs**
– Sizes: Standard, King
– Fill Material: Patented adaptive foam infused with graphite and cooling gel
– Cover Material: Micro Tencel
– Care: Machine-wash cover in cold water with light colors; do not bleach; hang to dry
**Upsides:**
– Targets pressure points
– Infused with cooling gels
– Stable, improved iteration of memory foam
**Downsides:**
– Cover must be air-dried
Not quite memory foam, Tuft & Needle designed this pillow to be a new and improved version of the classic material. Some sleepers dislike how traditional memory foam can feel like “sinking into quicksand,” but this adaptive foam gives a supportive and comfortable feel that adjusts to your movements for a more stable sleep experience.
With graphite and cooling gel infusion, it’s refreshing year-round.
Digital features editor Katherine McLaughlin is a fan, sharing:
> “I’ve had mine for over a year, and it’s held up great — hasn’t gotten thinner or lost any of its plushness.”
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### More AD-Approved Memory Foam Pillows
#### My Sheets Rock Cooler Memory Foam Pillow
**Specs**
– Sizes: Standard, King
– Fill Material: Memory foam
– Cover Material: Bamboo rayon
– Care: Not specified
**Upsides:**
– Excellent pressure relief
– Supportive design
– Cooling gel pad for hot sleepers
**Downsides:**
– Care instructions are not specified on the site
For sleepers seeking a truly firm pillow, this choice fits the bill. Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker calls it the ultimate supportive pillow. She primarily sleeps on her side with this pillow to keep her neck supported in the same spot all night but feels comfortable in any sleep position — making it great for combination sleepers too.
> “It has a structured build and feels slightly firm to the touch but shapes to my head for a soft, cradling feel as I sleep,” Baker says. “The support helps keep neck pain at bay.”
Another perk:
> “I was surprised by the cooling gel pad that feels refreshing, making it a go-to when the weather heats up,” she adds.
After over a year of use, Baker says it hasn’t flattened at all.
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#### Coop Sleep Goods Cool + Adjustable Pillow
**Specs**
– Sizes: Queen, King
– Fill Material: Visco polyurethane foam with gel and microfiber
– Cover Material: Nylon, polyester, visco polyurethane foam pad with gel
– Care: Machine-wash outer cover separately in cold gentle cycle; special care instructions for foam available
**Upsides:**
– Great airflow between foam pieces and pillow cover
– Soft, squishy memory foam
– Comes with an extra pack of fill
**Downsides:**
– Less ideal for people who prefer foam layers instead of loose foam pieces
Like other shredded foam pillows in Coop’s collection, this adjustable fill pillow offers an added bonus of cooling power.
Nashia Baker also has this pillow in her bedroom and says:
> “I have the crescent design, which slightly hugs my neck in any position. In my first few nights, it felt like having an ice pack around my shoulders from the cooling sensation.”
The fill pieces are soft, almost like squeezing mini chunks of cotton candy. Note: allow about a day for the pillow to fully expand after unpacking since it ships tightly sealed, much like a mattress in a box.
Baker found the pillow’s initial fill plush enough for stomach sleeping but supportive for side sleeping. Plus, it comes with an extra bag of foam pieces for added firmness.
She also appreciates the machine-washable cover to keep the interior clean from residue from hair or skincare.
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## How We Tested
Consider us the sleep experts you’ve always wanted for bedding recommendations. As design editors, we seek the latest and greatest products from trusted brands that elevate the sleep setups in our homes.
For this roundup, we tested each pillow for at least a month. We considered factors like machine-washable covers for easy upkeep, fill materials such as foam blends, and standout features like graphite-infused fabrics for refreshing yet cozy comfort. We also prioritized options with extensive return or warranty policies, ensuring you can find a perfect fit risk-free.
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Sleep well and happy pillow hunting!
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/best-memory-foam-pillows
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