Best memory foam pillows for neck support and a great night's sleep

The very best memory foam pillows are those designed to conform to the shape of your head and neck, providing personalised support and comfort while you sleep - indeed, one of the major benefits of memory foam pillows is that they can help reduce pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and back.

According to The Sleep Foundation, pillows made from a low-resistance polyurethane foam (LRPu) respond to body heat and pressure. In addition to this, the foam helps to distribute weight evenly, which can alleviate pressure points and prevent uncomfortable positions that can lead to pain and discomfort.

The team at YourHomeStyle were intrigued to know if there how much substance there was to the hype around memory foam pillows, so we've been hard at work testing models from the leading brands to see if they live up to their claims of providing unparalleled comfort and support.

Tried-and-tested | Best memory foam pillows at a glance:

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  • Panda Hybrid Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow (RRP £89.95) | Buy now from Amazon
  
  
  • Zamat Original Cervical Pillow (RRP £63.20) | Buy now from Zamat
  
  
  • Tempur Memory Foam Cloud Pillow (RRP £109) | Buy now from Tempur®
  
  
  • Aurora Foam Dual-Sided Foam Pillow (RRP £65) | Buy now from Dreams
  
  
  • Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow (RRP £44.95) | Buy now from Amazon
  
  
  • Putnam standard contoured pillow (RRP £89)| Buy now from Back in Action
  
  

We've also put together a round up of the best wedge pillows, as well as the best pillows, best silk pillows, best feather pillows and best for side sleepers. The team has tested mattresses too, including Emma's Original Mattress and Simbatex's Essential Foam mattress as well as a roundup of the best winter duvets, with a 13.5 tog rating. And if you're after more general bedding inspo, check out our round ups of the best sustainable bedding, best spring and summer bedding, and Katie Piper's bedding range.

Best memory foam pillows for 2024

Panda Hybrid Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow

Score: 9 out of 10

• Buy now from Panda and Amazon

Pros:

• No odour
• Quality, quilted, removable pillowcase.
• Completely made from sustainable bamboo material
• 30-night free trial
• 10-year warranty
• 10 trees planted for each pillow sold

Cons:

• Only available in one size

It's also hard to beat Panda's eco-credentials: The pillow case is made from 100% bamboo, and the filling is 80% bamboo, and 20% Nano-Micro Fibre, the latter made from recycled water bottles removed from our oceans.

Unlike other pillows on test, this doesn't come vacuum-packed, so the box is quite large - but that does mean you can use it straight away without waiting for it to inflate.

I loved this pillow and had great night's sleep when I used it: it's plump and soft, and the quality of it is obvious immediately, with its quilted pillow case that can be unzipped and removed, it's generous proportions and the fact it's sustainable.

While this doesn't include any orthopaedic terms in the title, according to Panda, it features 'pressure sensitive orthopedically approved' memory foam which provides support to your neck, shoulders and back. It's also made using charcoal-infused bamboo, to help keep you cool and wick away moisture. As memory foam is prone to retaining heat, the pillows also feature direct air flow pads to help regulate temperatures.

It's also hard to beat Panda's eco-credentials: The pillow case is made from 100% bamboo, and the filling is 80% bamboo, and 20% Nano-Micro Fibre, the latter made from recycled water bottles removed from our oceans.

It is one of the more expensive pillows on test, but feels worth the investment given the modest 30-night free trial, 10-year warranty and the fact that it's kind to the environment.

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Zamat Original Cervical Pillow

Score: 9 out of 10

• Buy now from Zamat, (£63.42)

Pros:

• Removable piece of memory foam to adjust for comfort
• No odour
• Removable (zip) pillowcase
• Available in two sizes and two colours
• 100-night free trial
• 10-year warranty

Cons:

• Memory foam and pillowcase material isn't sustainable

This contoured pillow is designed to support your head, neck and shoulders as the pillow shape follows the natural curve of your body and as a side-sleeper I found it was really comfortable

This pillow arrived in a compact box, which means it's vac-packed and needs to be unpacked and left for several hours to inflate. The pillow didn't have any lingering 'packaging smell' at all, even immediately after opening, which is as expected as the brand promotes 'No Odours’ as a feature.

As its name suggests, this contoured pillow is designed to support your head, neck and shoulders as the pillow shape follows the natural curve of your body and as a side-sleeper I found it was comfortable - though I don't have any neck, back or shoulder issues. I did check the reviews and was impressed by the number of customers who do have problems and who have found the pillow has helped.

According to Zamat, this design also caters for back or stomach sleepers as well as 'low pillow' sleepers. Unlike the other pillows on test, there is a removable piece of memory foam that can be added/removed from the bottom of the pillow, allowing you to adjust for optimum comfort.

The cheapest on test, this pillow comes with a 100-night free trial and 10-year warranty, which means you really can buy happy in the knowledge that if it isn't what you're after, you'll be able to return it after a generous three-month trial.

The pillowcase - not pillow - is machine washable, and it's available in two sizes: 23.6"x13.4"x4.9/3.9" (Queen), and 24.8"x15.4"x4.9/3.9" (King)

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Tempur® Comfort Pillow Cloud

Score: 8 out of 10

• Buy now from Tempur (£109)

Pros:

• No odour
• Quality, quilted, removable pillowcase.
• 30-night free trial
• 3-year warranty

Cons:

• Only available in one size
• Not made using sustainable material

...worth considering - especially if you're looking for a very firm pillow.

This pillow is deeper than most other pillows on test and felt significantly heavier than the Panda and Zamat. The memory foam also felt noticeably firmer and is said to provide support whichever side you sleep on. Ultimately, this will come down to personal preference and, reminiscent of the three bears in the children’s story, Goldie Locks, it might be too firm for some, and just right for others.

I found it a little on the dense/firm side, but I became accustomed to the fact that it isn’t a squishy, sink-in type of pillow after several nights, and slept well. As with Panda’s memory foam pillow, there is a 30-night trial, so all’s not lost if it’s not quite right for you.

The material is high quality, and the pillow is well-made, with a zip cover that can be removed and washed. I liked that there are spare pillowcases available – at an additional cost. This pillow is a rectangular shape, which fits into a standard pillowcase.

One of the most expensive memory foam pillows that we tested, it exudes quality, which, together with 30-day trial period and a relatively generous warranty, makes it worth considering - especially if you're looking for a very firm pillow. However, it did loose points as it's only available in one size and isn't made from sustainable materials.

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Aurora Foam Dual-Sided Foam Pillow

Score: 8 out of 10

• Buy now from Dreams

Pros:

• No out of the box odour
• Dual-sided cosy or cool surface
• Gentle support
• One-year warranty

Cons:

• Spot clean only

The Aurora Foam Dual-Sided Pillow from Dreams' Hyde & Sleep brand is billed as a medium-support pillow, which should offer gentle support so unobstrusive that you barely notice it's there. And indeed, on test, I found it was comfortably supportive, without a distinct 'firm' feeling. As a side sleeper prone to ear pain from overly-firm pillows, it was ideal for me.

The selling point of the Aurora Foam pillow is the unique construction - one side of the pillow is filled with fluffy synthetic down for a cosy feel, while the other is padded with Aurora® Foam, which is designed to be more breathable than traditional memory foam.

I was initially sceptical, but on test it was abundantly clear which side was which - the 'cosy' side felt warm almost as soon as I rested my head. As I prefer a cool pillow, I flipped to the foam side and noticed the difference at once.

At £65, it's one of the cheaper memory foam pillows we tested and I think it's good value, especially considering the advantages of the dual-sided construction. Although no specific information about the sustainability of the materials is provided, the fact that the pillows are made in the UK does at least suggest a reduced carbon footprint in the manufacturing process.

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Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow

Score: 7 out of 10

Pros:

• Made from bamboo material
• No odour
• 30-night trial
• Removable pillowcase

Cons:

• Only available in one size
• Doesn’t have any special features e.g. cooling technology

The foam moulds to your head quickly and springs back into shape with ease – making it a brilliant choice if you’re prone to fidgeting.

This pillow has a pleasing amount of squidge, despite it looking firmer and flatter than some of the other pillows being tested, so it’s a great option if you want extra support but aren’t keen on very dense memory foam. The foam moulds to your head quickly and springs back into shape with ease – making it a brilliant choice if you’re prone to fidgeting (although I found it particularly comfy when sleeping on my back or side).

Though I don’t have any neck pain, I was impressed with the amount of reviews that said the pillow had helped other people’s neck pain. As with Panda’s Hybrid Bamboo Pillow, a 30-night trial is included with this pillow for extra peace of mind.

If you don’t want to risk stretching your favourite pillowcase, a removable cover made from soft bamboo is included. It’ll also keep the memory foam protected from dust and dirt and can be washed for extra cleanliness.

The pillow scores well on sustainability, as the pillow and case are made from organic bamboo and Panda’s Circle of Life program means you can return the pillow to the company at the end of its life for repurposing.

Putnam standard contoured pillow

Score: 8 out of 10

• Buy now from Back in Action

Pros:

• Ergonomic-led design
• Cooling features
• Available in different sizes
• Removable pillow case

Cons:

• For back and side sleepers only
• No trial available

Family-founded company Back in Action is known for its ergonomic-led design options, so we were expecting impressive results in this test. Initially, this memory foam pillow appears much denser than other options. Its shape is also very different, with an ear recess for side-sleepers and a rounded neck support – which has been designed to improve spinal alignment and neck positioning. The contoured grooves encourage air circulation and help keep you cool.

While I hadn’t experienced significant neck or shoulder pain before testing, my head and neck felt much more supported by the pillow – and it was comfier than expected. I did test the pillow on a night when I did have some pain and found it to be comfortable sleeping on my back and side. Online customer reviews often mention that it’s helped with pain while sleeping.

The pillow comes with a removeable, washable cover but can also fit into a standard sized pillowcase. All Putnam pillows are made in the UK in its Devon-based factory and its covers are sewn by hand.

While this is one of the priciest options on test, it appears to be a worthwhile investment if you do struggle with neck and shoulder pain – plus, Back in Action have a price-match promise if you see a cheaper deal elsewhere.

Not quite what you're looking for? No problem. The team is currently testing more memory foam pillows from all the top brands, including SilentNight and Emma. Check back soon for these reviews.

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FAQs

Why choose memory foam pillows?

Memory foam pillows can improve sleep quality, reduce snoring, and there's even evidence to suggest they offer relief from sleep apnoea, as the pillows provide adequate support for the head and neck, ensuring that the airways are open, and breathing is not obstructed.

Which type is the best memory foam pillow?

There are several different types of memory foam pillows to choose from, each with their own unique benefits.

• Traditional memory foam pillows are made from a single piece of foam and are typically firm and supportive.
• Shredded memory foam pillows, on the other hand, are made from small pieces of foam that can be moved and adjusted to provide customized support.
• Gel-infused memory foam pillows, on the other hand, are designed to provide a cooler sleep experience, as the gel helps to dissipate heat and regulate temperature.

What to look for in a memory foam pillow?

A good memory foam pillow can be an investment in your comfort and health, so it's important to choose one that will last for years to come. We think these are the important factors to consider:

• Think about your sleeping position and the level of support you need. Back sleepers may prefer a firmer pillow that keeps their head and neck in alignment, while side sleepers may benefit from a softer, more flexible pillow that can conform to the curves of their body.
• Consider the size and shape of the pillow. Memory foam pillows come in a variety of sizes and shapes, including standard, queen, and king sizes, as well as curved and contoured shapes designed to provide extra support to the neck and shoulders.
• Look for a high-quality pillow that is made from durable materials and comes with a warranty or guarantee.