15 best memory foam pillows to buy in 2025, tested by experts

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Score: 89/100

Hot sleepers, this is another one for you, and it’s the most affordable option on our list. 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.

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.

Score: 87/100

If you struggle with neck pain, the unique design of this pillow could make all the difference. The foam is carefully moulded to support your head and neck, and our panel was impressed with how well it relieved pressure. It also comes with a 100-day trial, for added peace of mind.

Its cover is washable and emerged from our machine in the same premium condition as before it went in. Its unique look wasn’t to everyone’s taste, but we think the comfort it offers could be worth the compromise.

We also tested The Groove Pillow 2.0, which scored 80/100.

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.

Score: 84/100

Aeyla says this pillow is hypo-allergenically and dermatologically tested, making it a trusty pick for keeping sneezes at bay. Plus, its 100% cotton outer is soft and breathable, and testers praised the all-round premium feel.

Inside, the pillow contains shredded memory foam that you can remove to find the right level of support for you. This could be handy if you like a thinner pillow, as it’s thick when full, but our panel found some trial and error was needed to find their sweet spot. Overall though, the adaptable design makes this pillow a practical buy.

Score: 83/100

Designed with contoured support for the neck and shoulders, the Putnam Pillow claims to keep your spine aligned while you sleep, to ease pain, numbness and headaches.

Most of our panel agreed that it reduced shoulder pain after the trial period, and liked the firm, supportive fit around the neck. The foam material wasn’t very cooling, but our panel didn’t experience any overheating and still achieved a quality night’s sleep.

One thing to note is that the pillow is smaller than a standard pillowcase and looked slightly odd with one, as the material gathered in places.

Score: 82/100

You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a good memory foam pillow, and this buy from Primark is proof. It’s soft and comfortable with an even filling that allowed our testers to relax into it as it moulded around their heads.

Some found the memory foam a little too firm to begin with, so it may take getting used to. The pillow can’t be washed or dry cleaned either, and there’s no separate washable cover. But a pillow protector could help here, and for a fraction of the price of many other brands, it’s worth considering.

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.

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.

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.