The 9 Best Foam Pillows, Tested and Reviewed

Publish date: 2024-05-20

If you wake up feeling stiff and achy instead of rested and energized for the day, your pillow might be to blame. The best bed pillow provides comfort and support to your head and neck, regardless of whether you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper. Foam pillows are often touted for providing comfortable support night after night.

“Foam pillows offer the advantage of maintaining shape better than other types of pillows, and [they keep] the neck position more stable throughout the period of sleep,” says Jason E. Lowenstein, MD, partner at the Advanced Spine Center and the Medical Director of Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ. 

Dr. Lowenstein explains that traditional down or feather pillows lose their shape over time because your head is applying constant pressure to the pillow during the night. “As the pillow changes shape, the sleeper’s neck position can change, possibly going from a stable position at the beginning of sleep to an unstable one, which can put increased pressure on the sleeper’s cervical spinal cord, and nerve roots,” he says. A poor sleeping position not only can reduce the quality of your sleep, but could cause pain, numbness, and weakness for your neck, shoulders, and arms.

To help you avoid the nightmare of aches and pains, our PEOPLE Tested team tried out 20 different foam pillows to see which ones offered the most comfortable rest. They slept on their decision quite literally; they tried out each pillow for at least one night’s sleep to evaluate its quality of construction, temperature and airflow, comfort, durability, and value.

Our PEOPLE Tested team picked The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow as the best overall foam pillow for a comfortable night’s rest. It has two sides that provide ample support — one with memory foam and one with a layer of gel fiber — so you can choose your comfort level depending on your sleep position. It’s priced well, too, so you won’t lose sleep over spending money on a new, high-quality pillow. 

If you’d like to improve your quality of sleep, keep reading to see the best foam pillows that PEOPLE tested.

Best Overall

The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow

The Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber Pillow

The Company Store

Our Ratings

Pros

Spend a night (or even a nap) with the Company Store Dual Memory Foam and Gel Fiber pillow, and you’ll wake up knowing why our testers gave it the top spot. “[My] favorite pillow I’ve ever slept on," raved our tester.

Our tester found the “very soft, luxurious fabric” to be “extremely comfortable” and was impressed at how well it maintained its shape. This pillow has two sides — one with ventilated memory foam that molds to the shape of your head and the other with a layer of gel fiber that provides comfortable support, too. It’s like having two pillows in one. Hot sleepers, rejoice: This pillow regulates temperature well (especially when paired with percale sheets), so you’ll stay cool and comfortable all night long. 

If you’ve been reluctant to try out a foam pillow because you think it’s too hard, rest assured that our tester found this pillow to be just right. “It has the perfect amount of firmness,” said our tester. At $59, it’s a good price for a standard pillow, though our tester admits they "would consider paying more” for such a high-quality, durable pillow.

Size: Standard | Material: Ventilated memory foam and synthetic gel fiber; cotton cover | Thickness: 1.5 inches

Best Budget

Qutool Memory Foam Pillow

Amazon Qutool Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

Amazon

Our Ratings

Pros

Hot sleepers, get ready for a supportive pillow that’s made with you in mind. The QuTool has a double-sided cover — one side that cools and one side that feels ultra soft — so you can customize your sleep experience accordingly. The cool silk keeps body temps down, while the soft side (a combo of bamboo rayon and polyester) provides a soft spot to lay your head. 

There was no doubt which side was which for our tester. “This pillow was amazing when it came to temperature adjustments,” they said. “I loved that if I got too warm, I have the option of flipping the pillow over.” Finding that perfect cool spot might mean adjusting your pillow throughout the night, though our tester didn’t seem to mind. “I love that it feels so refreshing, especially on the cooling side,” they said, noting that the soft bamboo side felt “warm and comforting.”

Here’s another reason to sleep easily: at only $48 for a two-pack of pillows, it’s well worth it to give the QuTool a try. The queen and king sizes come reasonably priced, too, so no matter the size of your bedding, you’ve got the QuTool pillow to match. One thing to note is that the foam had a slight odor to it at first, according to our tester; the manufacturer recommends airing it out one to two days before use.

Sizes: Standard, queen, king | Material: Fill: gel memory foam; Cover: 40% viscose from bamboo, 60% polyester | Thickness: 9 inches

Best for Neck Pain

The Company Store Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow

The Company Store Neck Support Memory Foam Pillow

The Company Store

Our Ratings

Another pillow from The Company Store made our list of best foam pillows and rightly so. If you wake up with a stiff neck in the morning, you’ll want to get this one that cradles your neck in the comfort of memory foam. This wing-shaped pillow might look a little funny because it’s designed for those who prefer to sleep on their backs. And if you’re a veteran back sleeper, you know how badly your neck can ache the next day if you don’t have a firm enough pillow. 

“This pillow is even better than I imagined,” said our tester after a peaceful night’s sleep. “My neck felt so rested; it’s great!” The fiber cover is made from Coolmax, which is supposed to keep the pillow cool all night. The tester said that while the pillow did offer some good airflow, it wasn’t as cool as they would have liked. Considering how well they felt it supported their neck, it’s a minor drawback.

While $119 is a bit pricey for a pillow, our tester — who has struggled with a stiff neck before — says it’s worth the price for “the best sleep.” After a dreamy week with this pillow, our tester concluded, “If you have a stiff neck, this works wonders!”

Size: One size | Material: Memory foam, plus a polyester/Tencel knit cover and a moisture-wicking cover with Coolmax fiber | Thickness: 4 inches

Best for Combo Sleepers

Casper Foam Pillow

Casper Foam Pillow

Casper

Our Ratings

Some nights you sleep on your back, others it’s your side, and sometimes you wake up on your stomach. You might think that if you can’t commit to a regular sleeping position, how could you possibly commit to a foam pillow? This foam pillow from Casper was made with you and your fellow combo sleepers in mind.

This Casper pillow is made with AirScape foam that’s perforated to dissipate heat. If you’re an extra-hot sleeper, you might splurge for the additional $50 per pillow to get the add-on Snow Technology HeatDelete bands, which do exactly what they say.

Our tester was impressed by the soft yet durable fabric on this pillow. After a week spent with this pillow, our combo sleeper tester said they would recommend this pillow "to other combo sleepers because it’s comfortable in all sleeping positions.”

Sizes: Standard, king | Material: Fill: 77% polyurethane foam, 23% viscoelastic polyurethane foam; Cover: 88% polyester, 12% spandex; Liner: 90% polyester, 10% spandex | Thickness: 1.25 inches

Best for Stomach Sleepers

Sealy Molded Memory Foam Pillow

Amazon Sealy Molded Memory Foam Pillow

Amazon

Our Ratings

Stomach sleepers often kick their pillow out of bed altogether to avoid a stiff neck in the morning. But there’s a better way to sleep, thanks to this Sealy Molded Memory Foam Pillow. “This pillow is magic,” said our tester. “It was so incredibly comfortable and didn’t lose its luster over time.” They did notice that the pillow got warm as the night progressed, but they didn’t mind, thanks to the pillow’s comfortable quilted texture.

Some might say you can’t put a price on a good night’s rest. But this pillow’s price tag is $34, and our tester said they’d be willing to pay far more for the excellent night’s sleep they got with this pillow. They felt it cradled their head well, and they woke up feeling that their neck and shoulders were supported throughout the night — not something that stomach sleepers can usually say.  

Size: Standard | Material: Memory foam with plush knit cover | Thickness: 5.75 inches

Best Soft

Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow

Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow

Tuft & Needle

Our Ratings

If you’ve tried foam pillows in the past and found them to be too hard, we’ve got news for you, Goldilocks: This pillow from Tuft & Needle is just right. Here’s our tester’s glowing description: “This pillow is majestic — the softest, squishiest, most aesthetically pleasing pillow.” It’s all thanks to the T&N Adaptive foam that’s designed to support all sleepers, no matter what position they prefer.

“There’s not much more I could ask for of this pillow,” said our tester after a fantastic night’s sleep. They found it to be the “perfect combination of soft and structured.” It was also quite dreamy to look at, with its rounded corners and subtle pattern that made it appear as luxurious as it felt, per our tester. 

After just two nights of sleep with the Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow, our tester was hooked and thinks you will be, too. “The pillow bounces right back, and the pillow case is butter soft,” the tester said of this “immaculate” pillow. Sweet dreams, indeed.

Sizes: Standard, king | Material: T&N Adaptive foam infused with graphite and cooling gel; micro polyamide and polyester cover | Thickness: 5 inches

Best Adjustable Fill

Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow

Coop Sleep Goods The Original Pillow

Coop

Our Ratings

This pillow from Coop lets you take the matter of a good night’s sleep into your own hands quite literally because you can add and subtract fill — made from a proprietary combo of memory foam and microfiber — resulting in the perfect amount of support. 

If you like a plumper pillow, the Coop pillow comes with a half-pound of Oomph (seriously, that’s the name of their fill), so you can fill it up to your preference. Too much? Just remove some fill to de-Oomph it, and you’re good to go (to sleep). Our tester called this the “softest, sturdiest, comfiest pillow.” 

Though it’s not billed as a cooling pillow, our tester said it stays “decently cool” and it felt super soft. “I don’t even want to use a pillowcase with this pillow; it's so soft,” said our enthusiastic tester, who was also impressed by the quality of the materials and noted the stitching was flawless. “Just get the pillow,” they concluded. “You won’t regret it.”

Sizes: Queen, king | Material: Memory foam and microfiber fill; 100% polyester liner; Lulltra pillowcase (60% polyester, 40% bamboo-derived viscose rayon)

Best for Side Sleepers

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow

Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow

Nest Bedding

Our Ratings

Pros

Our tester is a confirmed side sleeper and typically heads off to dreamland on a firm Posturepedic pillow. They said the Nest Easy Breather adjustable foam pillow was an excellent alternative. It felt very comfortable, with a luxurious fabric texture and well-made construction.

True to the name, the Easy Breather kept our test sleeper feeling cool and fresh all night. It’s washable, too, so it’s great for people who are concerned about allergens. Our tester did notice there was a slight smell from the foam pillow upon removing it, but it dissipated quickly. It also felt heftier when compared to the other foam pillows on our list.

The manufacturer ships the pillow overstuffed and recommends removing much of the fill at first, then adding it back in until it reaches the desired plumpness. If this is your first adjustable pillow, give yourself and your pillow some time to get ready for bed.

Sizes: Standard, side sleeper, queen, king | Material: Cover: 49% Icecore, 49% polyester, 2% spandex; Inner pouch: 100% knit cotton; Fill: 70% non-toxic CertiPUR-US certified virgin foam, 30% smooth polyester fiber

Best Firm

Layla Memory Foam Pillow

layla-memory-foam-pillow

Layla

This pillow might not look as fluffy or even as comfortable as some of the others on our best foam pillows list, but then again, there is a good reason that this Layla Memory Foam Pillow nabbed the Best Firm Pillow spot on our list. Our tester found the shredded memory foam fill to be very supportive, plus they liked that it was made well from quality fabric. You can adjust it to your liking by removing the fill, so you can settle in for the night comfortably, no matter what sleep position you prefer.

The pillow was on the heavier side, and our tester did notice it got a bit warm throughout the night. They said the pillow’s fabric felt thicker and more absorbent, which is likely the reason. Our tester liked that the Layla memory foam pillow came with a removable cover. 

“Great price for the quality, comfort, and size,” said our tester, a side sleeper who appreciates the support of a good, firm pillow. If you'd also like to wake up without having a crick in your neck, the Layla is a good choice.

Sizes: Queen, king | Material: 100% polyester cover; Liner: Polyester-backed, gel-infused memory foam; Fill: 70% shredded memory foam, 30% polyester fiber

Things to Consider Before Buying Foam Pillows

Pricing

Foam pillows come in a range of prices. While you don’t have to buy the most expensive one available (see our budget-friendly pick, the Simply Essential Adjustable Memory Foam Bed Pillow), you might consider foam pillows to be an investment in your sleep and overall health. Foam pillows will eventually lose their shape, but they’ll take far longer to do so than traditional pillows. Dr. Lowenstein says you should replace your foam pillow every two to three years.

Firmness

“In general, firm pillows (and beds) have traditionally been recommended, as they retain their shape longer and provide better and longer-lasting head and neck support throughout the night,” says Dr. Lowenstein. Our testers’ pick for best firm foam pillow is the Layla Memory Foam Pillow.

While many will equate soft pillows with comfort, those soft pillows lose their shape over time and cause the head and neck to change position, which could result in spinal cord or nerve root compression, according to Dr. Lowenstein.

Sleep Position

Do you snooze on your back, side, or stomach? What about a combination of all three? It’s important to know your preferred sleep position before buying a foam pillow.

“Ideally, a person’s neck is maintained in a neutral position at all times when sleeping, meaning that the head should be positioned straight and directly over the chest and torso, without significant bending to either side, and without significant head/neck flexion or extension (positioning of the head/neck forward or backwards),” says Dr. Lowenstein.

Dr. Lowenstein shares his suggestions for each kind of sleeper. For side sleepers, he recommends choosing a foam pillow that’s thick enough to keep your neck straight without bending up and away or down and toward the bed. The Nest Easy Breather Pillow made our list for side sleepers. For back sleepers, choose a thinner pillow to keep the head and neck in a neutral position. For stomach sleepers, choose a more narrow pillow to support over-rotation of the neck (the Sealy Molded Memory Foam Pillow might be a good choice).

If you’ve sampled all of these positions, you might try a pillow that’s good for combo sleepers, like the Casper Foam Pillow that made our list. Aside from pillows for the head and neck, there are custom-shaped foam pillows — including full-body pillows — that can support a range of different body sizes and sleeping positions, says Dr. Lowenstein. 

People / Jamie Griffin

How We Tested

Our PEOPLE Tested team evaluated 20 pillows based on their quality of materials and construction, temperature and airflow, comfort, durability, and overall value. They examined each pillow, noting the quality of fabric and construction, as well as how long it took for the odor to dissipate (brand-new foam pillows can give off an odor at first). They took measurements of the pillow before and after the testing period to see how well the pillow maintained its shape and support. For pillows with adjustable fill, the testers noted how easy it was to add or subtract the fill material for their desired level of comfort and support.

Then, our PEOPLE Tested team slept on their decisions for choosing the best foam pillows—quite literally. After waking up, they noted whether they had to make adjustments to the pillow during the night, whether they felt hot or cool, whether the pillow bounced back after sleeping on it, and whether it relieved or exacerbated allergies or snoring. Machine washable pillows were laundered and dried according to manufacturers’ care guidelines to see how they held up over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Barbara Bellesi Zito is an experienced freelance writer whose work has also appeared in Health.com, Forbes Advisor, BELLA Magazine, Apartment Therapy, The Motley Fool, Martha Stewart Living, and Insider. To bring you this review, she consulted our testers for their impressions of a wide range of foam pillows, taking into account firmness, materials and construction, temperature and airflow, comfort, durability, and value. While researching foam pillows, we spoke with Jason E. Lowenstein, MD, partner at the Advanced Spine Center and the Medical Director of Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ. 

What Is People Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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