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12 best memory foam pillows to buy in 2025, tested by experts
Fancy trying a memory foam pillow but feeling spoilt for choice? The Good Housekeeping Institute is here to help...
Tested by Blossom Boothroyd and Kim Hawley
Memory foam is possibly the most divisive of all pillow and mattress fillings. You'll either refuse to sleep on it or refuse to sleep on anything else.
Durable and dense, memory foam is made from a polymer known as polyurethane that moulds to your head and neck as you sleep, providing the ideal level of support. For this reason, these pillows can feel strange to sleep on at first, putting many people off. But, if you persevere with the best memory foam pillows, you may never look back.
Which are the best memory foam pillows?
You'll find our full reviews below but these are our top recommendations for different needs and budgets at a glance:
To find the best, our Good Housekeeping Institute enlisted a panel of sleepy testers to trial a range of options from popular brands for at least two weeks. Our in-house team also conducted wash tests and collated the feedback. Scroll on for our verdicts, plus a complete guide to memory foam pillows and whether they're right for you.
Pros
- Felt very supportive
- Cover easily fits back on after washing
Cons
- Not as cooling for everyone as its name suggests
Score: 96/100
Our top-scoring memory foam pillow was a universal hit, with the entire panel awarding it full marks! It moulded brilliantly to their heads and necks, offering excellent support for all types of sleepers. It didn't have a plasticky smell and the Tencel/polyester cover survived the washing machine with only minimal shrinkage.
Its cooling claims fell slightly flat, as it only offered average breathability, but it gave every tester a quality night's sleep. They all said they would buy it themselves and appreciated the generous five-year guarantee.
Key specifications
| Support | Medium/firm |
|---|---|
| Height | 12cm (medium) |
| Filling | Viscoelastic polyurethane foam with gel powders |
| Cover | 40% Lyocell from Tencel, 60% polyester |
| Adjustable | No |
| Machine washable | Outer cover only |
| Trial offering | No |
| Guarantee | 5 years |
Pros
- Filling remained even after washing
- Didn’t form a dip over time
Cons
- Cooling properties may not suit everyone (although you can pop a pillowcase on top to limit effects)
Score: 96/100
Just like our other winner, this also has cooling properties, thanks to a cool-touch gel pad on one side that draws heat away from your head to keep you comfortable all night long. This impressed on test, and for nights where you’re not hot, you can use the other side, which is made from soft bamboo, making this a versatile buy.
It aced our other tests too, proving supportive and comfortable – a worthy joint winner.
Key specifications
| Support | Firm |
|---|---|
| Height | 11cm |
| Filling | Solid CloudTec Filling |
| Cover | Nanoweave Bamboo |
| Adjustable | No |
| Machine washable | Outer cover only |
| Trial offering | 100 days |
| Guarantee | Not stated |
The Fine Bedding Company Natural Latex Foam Pillow
Pros
- Maintained shape and support after washing
- Cover felt premium
Cons
- Expensive
Score: 94/100
Latex might not be your go-to material for a pillow, but our testers said it provided standout support, as well as enough bounce and softness for a sound sleep (and it didn’t have that horrid plasticky smell, either).
Natural latex is also fantastic for regulating body temperature as the material’s structure promotes airflow and breathability, something our testers vouched for.
Unlike some others on this list, you can’t adjust the padding inside; however, you can remove the quilted cover if you’re after something slimmer.
Key specifications
| Support | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 14cm |
| Filling | Talalay Latex |
| Cover | 100% BCI Cotton with GRS polyester quilting |
| Adjustable | No |
| Machine washable | Machine wash/tumble dry, professional laundering is recommended for best results |
| Trial offering | No |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
Pros
- Felt well-made
- Comfortable in a range of sleeping positions
Cons
- Expensive
Score: 93/100
This is another adjustable design that left our testers sleeping peacefully through the night. Like Simba’s mattresses and toppers, it has a layer of springs enclosed within foam for a supportive base. There are also two softer layers made from recycled polyester that you can add (or forgo) to create your perfect pillow.
Our testers needed a few nights to find the right combination of layers for them (and this is par for the course with adjustable products), but once they got there, they said their sleep was better than before. It’s a pricey but quality buy if you need something firm to rest your head on.
Key specifications
| Support | Firm |
|---|---|
| Height | 16cm |
| Filling | Aerocoil spring layer encased in Simba Pure foam (100% Polyurethane), Simba Renew cluster fill (100% certified polyester) |
| Cover | 100% cotton |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Machine washable | At 40 degrees (cover and filled pads only), spring pad is sponge clean only |
| Trial offering | 30-night trial (must be returned in original packaging) |
| Guarantee | Not stated |
Pros
- Offered great support to the head and neck
- Care instructions are clear
Cons
- Difficult to get all the foam back into the cover once you take a layer out
Score: 89/100
This adjustable memory foam pillow impressed our panel, who all found it comfortable to sleep with. And if it’s too tall for your liking, you can just remove one or two of its three layers.
We found it kept its height well and was breathable, which is impressive for memory foam. The cover can also be machine washed and it held up well on test, with no shrinking. A reliable buy.
We also tested the Emma Original Hybrid Pillow, which scored 87/100 and the Emma Premium Pillow, which scored 78/100.
Key specifications
| Support | Firm |
|---|---|
| Height | 11cm |
| Filling | Memory foam |
| Cover | 98% polyester, 2% elastane |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Machine washable | Outer cover only |
| Trial offering | 30 nights |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
Pros
- Very supportive
- Quilted cover felt premium
Cons
- Not deep enough for some
Score: 89/100
Hot sleepers, this is another one for you,. With a cover made from a cooling fabric (including a chilly-sounding textile called ice yarn), this pillow claims to dissipate body heat up to 10 times faster than cotton, so you stay cool, calm and collected throughout hot, sweaty nights.
It's a claim our testers backed up, although some noticed that their pillowcase reduced its chill. Luckily, its soft, quilted cover is (reliably) machine washable, so if you do need to cool down, you could forgo a typical cover. And testers praised its level of comfort, support and high-quality feel.
Key specifications
| Support | Firm |
|---|---|
| Height | 15cm |
| Filling | Visco Elastic Memory Foam Crumb |
| Cover | Polyester, ice yarn |
| Adjustable | No |
| Machine washable | 40 degrees (outer cover only) |
| Trial offering | No |
| Guarantee | 5 years |
Pros
- Could easily fit the cover back onto the pillow after washing
- Good thickness
Cons
- One panellist found it rustled a lot when rolling over
Score: 89/100
Described as “extremely comfortable” and “like a cloud”, it’s safe to say our panel were thoroughly impressed by this memory foam pillow. It has a fully adjustable design with memory foam clusters rather than layers to offer better contouring for your head, neck and shoulders. Panellists said the pillow remained very plump and regulated their temperature well throughout the night.
A washable cover makes cleaning and maintenance a breeze, but we’d recommend investing in a pillow protector to stop anything seeping through to the inner foam as this can’t be washed – and, at £70, you don’t want to be replacing the whole pillow regularly.
Key specifications
| Support | Adjustable |
|---|---|
| Height | Unspecified |
| Filling | Memory foam clusters |
| Cover | Cotton and polyester |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Machine washable | Cover only |
| Trial offering | No |
| Guarantee | No |
Pros
- Stayed bouncy without dipping over time
- Pillow was breathable and kept our panellist's head cool throughout the night
Cons
- No trial period or guarantee
Score: 86/100
While not 100% memory foam, this pillow’s filling is made up of a combination of microfibre and foam “nanocubes” that can be removed and stored in a supplied drawstring bag. This means that both its thickness and firmness can be adjusted easily to suit any type of sleeper, while still offering strong support.
We found it super comfortable, fluffy and shapely, but it smelt a little plasticky at first. Ultimately, it’s a good choice if you’re new to memory foam or prefer to sleep on your front.
Key specifications
| Support | Adjustable |
|---|---|
| Height | 22cm |
| Filling | Memory foam nanocubes and a microfibre layer |
| Cover | Cotton |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Machine washable | Cover only |
| Trial offering | No |
| Guarantee | No |
Panda Luxury Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow
Pros
- Washed well
- Good value
Cons
- Too hard for some panellists
- Foam smell upon opening
Score: 81/100
If you’re after a greener option, this takes the top spot. The cover is made from organic bamboo, which is taken from non-fertilised forests and is biodegradable. Bamboo is also naturally hypoallergenic and breathable, which makes this pillow a good choice for those with allergies.
We found it cosy and supportive to sleep on but opinions differed on its comfort. It’s shorter than the average pillow at 60cm wide, which may spoil the aesthetics of your bedroom, but front sleepers will appreciate its thinness. Its 10-year guarantee is unbeatable, too.
Key specifications
| Support | Medium/firm |
|---|---|
| Height | 12cm |
| Filling | Memory foam |
| Cover | 40% bamboo, 60% polyester |
| Adjustable | No |
| Machine washable | Cover only |
| Trial offer | 30 nights |
| Guarantee | 10 years |
Pros
- Scored full marks in our wash test
- No dips formed
Cons
- Only the cover is washable
- Not deep enough for everyone
Score: 81/100
Memory foam and temperature regulation don't tend to go together, but this hypoallergenic pillow is a refreshing exception. Literally. It makes use of bamboo's breathable, moisture-wicking properties to keep you cool in summer and comfortably cosy in winter. It's infused with naturally antibacterial charcoal too.
It felt comfortable to sink into and we enjoyed a restorative night's sleep, but it was too thin to give adequate support to side sleepers. The angled corners irritated at times and some testers found it too firm.
Key specifications
| Support | Firm |
|---|---|
| Height | 10cm |
| Outer cover | 97% polyester, 3% spandex |
| Filling | Synthetic bamboo memory foam |
| Machine washable | Cover only |
| Adjustable | No |
| Trial offering | 14 nights |
| Guarantee | No |
Pros
- Suitable for all sleep styles
- High-quality design
Cons
- On the heavier side
Score: 78/100
As the name suggests, this TEMPUR pillow has been crafted to draw heat away from the body, with a cool-to-the-touch woven cover and the brand’s signature SmartCool™ technology. “The benefits of a cooling pillow came at the right time for me with a change in life stage and the heatwave,” said one satisfied tester.The brand claims the low-sloping design will “adapt precisely” to your head, neck and shoulders, providing optimal support and comfort, whether you’re a front, side or back sleeper. Sure enough, several testers praised the support level, once they had adjusted to the unique memory foam feel. It wasn’t deep enough for others, but that comes down to personal preference.
The SmartCool™ cover is easy to wash (bung it in the machine at 40C) and it maintained its quality after a few goes in the machine, plus it comes with a carry case for storage. Note, the pillow is on the heavier side and a tad awkward to move and rearrange in the middle of the night.
Key specifications
| Support | Medium firm |
|---|---|
| Height | 21cm |
| Filling | TEMPUR Renew® material and memory foam |
| Cover | SmartCool™, polyester |
| Adjustable | No |
| Machine washable | Outer cover only |
| Trial offering | 30 nights |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
.jpg?crop=0.635xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Premium Pillow")
Pros
- Pillow shape supports the shoulders as well as the head
- Remained high quality after washing
Cons
- Flattened over time for some
- Less comfortable for side-sleepers than back-sleepers
Score: 78/100
Emma’s Premium Foam Pillow won the approval of our testers thanks to its adjustable design that allows you to remove inserts to create the perfect sleep surface for your head. Most agreed that it was comfortable and breathable throughout the night, but some found it a little too firm for their liking. The pillow does come with a 30-night trial though, so you can get your money back if you’re not 100% sold.
Our panel also loved the washable cover, which remained soft to the touch post-wash and was easy to fit back onto the pillow.
Key specifications
| Support | Firm |
|---|---|
| Height | Not specified |
| Outer Cover | 98% polyester, 2& elastane |
| Filling | Foam |
| Machine washable | Cover only |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Trial offering | 30 nights |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
How we test memory foam pillows
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we do some of the most rigorous sleep testing you'll find on the market. We don’t just ask one person to use each pillow for a night or two. Instead, we enlist the help of a panel of testers (six per pillow) to trial each design for at least two weeks before reporting back on their experiences.
Our panel have trialled 50 pillows across all styles and materials. They judged each one on its comfort, support, breathability and overall design, before deciding if they would buy it themselves. Back in the lab, our team put every pillow through the washing machine and assessed any impact on its performance and quality.
Once all the results and feedback were in, we pulled out the highest-scoring memory foam pillows. Only the ones worth investing in made our final round-up.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
In our quest to help our readers get the best night’s sleep possible, we’ve tested hundreds of products as part of our annual Sleep Awards. In total, we’ve tested over 50 different pillows – that’s a whole lot of snoozing.
Our homes testing manager, Blossom Boothroyd, and our senior sleep and wellness tester, Kim Hawley, led the reviews for memory foam pillows. They conducted the in-house tests and coordinated with our at-home panel.
All the feedback was then passed to our sleep and wellness editor, Priyankaa Joshi, and our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall. They've both written about hundreds of sleep products between them and know exactly what makes a fantastic buy.
More expert-approved sleep buys
Want to completely upgrade your bedroom set-up? We've rigorously tested the best mattress toppers, the best mattress protectors, the best duvets and the best sleep gadgets too.
Are memory foam pillows better?
Not necessarily, no. Memory foam pillows are only better than other types of pillows if they meet your personal needs!
The firm support they offer will definitely be welcome if you are looking for the best pillow for neck pain, but they can feel heavy and rigid and make more active sleepers feel a little claustrophobic. There's limited airflow in memory foam, too, so these pillows can get hot quickly, especially in the summer. However, on the plus side, they're easy to care for, supportive and long-lasting.
Memory foam pillows tend to be quite thick and you can't usually adjust the height, making them best for aligning the neck and spine of side sleepers. Back sleepers can also get on with memory foam but should look for a thin-to-medium thickness. Stomach sleepers will need something flatter so they can lay their head at a comfortable angle. Look for an adjustable memory foam pillow or opt for a down or microfibre filling.
How do I choose a memory foam pillow?
Once you've determined that memory foam will suit your sleeping style, there are several other factors to consider before clicking 'buy'.
Some models feature removable fillings or layers for adjusting their thickness. You can alter several of the pillows on our list including the Emma Original Pillow and the Simba Hybrid Pillow.
Also consider the fabric your pillow is made from. Bamboo can be a more sustainable material because it’s fast growing and regenerates quickly. Four designs on our list combine memory foam with bamboo – Luff’s Mayfair Gel Pillow is our highest scoring pick, while Panda’s Luxury Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow is another top option, as the brand provides extensive information on how it sources and manufactures its materials.
Prone to getting hot and sweaty at night? Some memory foam pillows come with cooling claims. These either have breathable covers or feature unique fillings designed to regulate your temperature, such as gel.
You can get memory foam pillows that are pre-shaped and contoured to better align your neck and spine as you sleep. Consider trying one of these if you're struggling with neck ache.
If you haven't tried sleeping on memory foam before, be sure to select a pillow that comes with a trial offer. That means you can simply return or exchange it by the end of the trial period if it’s not for you.
How to wash a memory foam pillow
Memory foam pillows cannot go in the washing machine or tumble dryer and some are spot clean only. Others have removable machine-washable covers. If in doubt, follow the care instructions given on your pillow.
How long should memory foam pillows last?
Memory foam pillows are durable and last longer than most pillow types, but expect to replace yours after two to three years of nightly use. Test whether it needs replacing by folding it in half; if it stays folded, it’s time to get a new one.
Lumpy pillows that are no longer offering adequate support should also be swapped out. Protect your pillow from stains by adding a pillow protector.
The verdict on memory foam pillows
With two designs scoring near full marks, you’re spoilt for choice when shopping for the best memory foam pillow. Rem-Fit's 500 Cool Gel Pillow offered great support for all sleepers, while Luff’s The Mayfair Gel Pillow was a fan-favourite for its cooling properties, so opt for that one if you're a hot sleeper.
Neither of our winners are adjustable though, so if you’re not sure what firmness and height suits your sleeping style best, we recommend Simba’s Hybrid Firm Pillow.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
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