The best memory foam pillows
Contoured foam that keeps its shape, or shredded foam that can be plumped and adjusted: five memory foam pillows compared on shape, size and height.
Memory foam pillows come in two kinds. Contoured ones are a single moulded block with a dip for the head and a raised edge under the neck, so the height is fixed (MULISOFT’s gives a choice of two by turning it round). Shredded ones are filled with loose pieces of foam that can be taken out or topped up through a zip until the pillow feels right.
The foam itself began in 1966, developed under a NASA contract to make aircraft seat cushions safer. Check the size before buying: contoured pillows are often smaller than an ordinary pillow, and shredded ones can take a day of airing after unpacking to plump up fully.
What matters
- Contoured or shredded: a fixed shape, or loose filling that can be adjusted.
- Height: two heights on MULISOFT’s contoured pillow; the shredded ones change with the filling.
- Size and pack: contoured pillows are often smaller and sold singly; shredded ones usually come in pairs.
- A zip-off, washable cover, since the foam itself doesn’t go in the wash.
#1 of 5
Best overall
MULISOFT P-105 Contoured Memory Foam Pillow
£20–£30 Price range
A butterfly-shaped contoured pillow with a different height on each long edge, 10cm and 12cm, and armrest grooves for sleeping with an arm under the pillow. The foam is CertiPUR-US certified, and the stretchy cover zips off for washing.
What owners say: Owners find it supportive without being hard, and say it cradles the head comfortably through the night.
A closer look: Turn it round to swap between the two heights, and give each a few nights before settling on one. The foam is on the firm side, so anyone who likes to sink into a soft pillow may get on better with one of the shredded pairs.
- Contoured butterfly shape, 6 zones
- 10cm and 12cm edges
- Armrest grooves
- CertiPUR-US certified foam
- Zip-off, machine-washable cover
Best for: A choice of two heights
- Type
- Contoured (butterfly)
- Size
- 66.8 x 36.5cm
- Pack
- Single
- Height
- 10 or 12cm
- Cover
- Nylon-spandex, washable
#2 of 5
Best premium
Cosi Home Luxury Memory Foam Pillows (2-pack)
£44.99 RRP · for two
A pair of shredded memory foam pillows, 40D foam mixed with fibres and cooling gel, that can be made lower by taking foam out, with a bag in the box to keep the spare. The bamboo-blend covers come off for the washing machine.
What owners say: Owners compare them to hotel pillows, and like being able to take foam out until the height suits them.
A closer look: Start with them full, then take out a handful at a time and sleep on it before taking any more. The covers want a cold wash, and a day of airing after unpacking lets any new smell fade.
- Pair of 71 x 45cm pillows
- 40D shredded memory foam and fibre
- Remove foam to lower the height
- Storage bag for spare filling
- Bamboo-blend washable covers
Best for: Hotel-style shredded pillows
- Type
- Shredded, adjustable
- Size
- 71 x 45cm
- Pack
- Pair
- Height
- Adjustable (remove foam)
- Cover
- Bamboo blend, washable
#3 of 5
BedStory Shredded Memory Foam Pillows (2-pack)
£20–£30 Price range
Pillows filled with shredded gel memory foam and polyester fibre, with a hidden zip for adding or taking out filling until the height and firmness feel right. BedStory describes the 3D knitted cover as cool to the touch, and it zips off for cleaning.
What owners say: Owners like how easily the firmness can be tuned through the zip, and find the fill supportive.
Heads up: Give them a good fluff and a day to air after unpacking, as BedStory suggests, so they reach full thickness.
A closer look: Fully fluffed they’re generous, so a standard pillowcase can feel snug until some of the filling comes out. The fibre mixed into the foam is there to stop it clumping, and a shake each morning keeps the loft even.
- Pair of 75 x 50cm pillows
- 75% shredded gel memory foam, 25% fibre
- Hidden zip to adjust the filling
- 3D knitted cover, 550 GSM
- Removable cover
Best for: Tuning height and firmness
- Type
- Shredded, adjustable
- Size
- 75 x 50cm
- Pack
- Pair
- Height
- Adjustable (zip)
- Cover
- 3D knit, removable
#4 of 5
Ecosafeter Contour Memory Foam Pillow
£20–£30 Price range
A medium-firm contoured pillow in high-density memory foam, with an inner cover to protect the foam and a bamboo-blend outer cover for the wash. Ecosafeter shapes it for back, side and stomach sleepers alike.
What owners say: Owners describe it as soft to lie on yet supportive, and many say they sleep more soundly on it.
Heads up: At 56 x 36cm it’s smaller than an ordinary pillow, so keep it in its own cover rather than a standard pillowcase.
A closer look: The fresh-foam smell fades within a few hours of unpacking in an aired room. It has a single height, so anyone unsure between a low and a high pillow may prefer MULISOFT’s two edges or one of the adjustable shredded pairs.
- Contoured, 56 x 36 x 11cm
- Medium-firm, high-density foam
- Inner cover plus bamboo-blend outer
- Outer cover washable at up to 40°C
- For back, side and stomach sleepers
Best for: Contoured foam for less
- Type
- Contoured
- Size
- 56 x 36cm
- Pack
- Single
- Height
- 11cm
- Cover
- Bamboo-polyester, 40°C wash
#5 of 5
Best budget
Utopia Bedding Adjustable Memory Foam Pillows (2-pack)
£10–£20 Price range
A low-cost pair of shredded memory foam pillows, each with a zip for changing the loft and extra filling in the box for plumping them up later. The fill is 85% foam and 15% polyester fibre, for a soft feel.
What owners say: Owners find them soft and comfortable, and like having extra filling to top them up.
A closer look: Loose shredded foam flattens with use, so a quick fluff and reshape each morning brings the loft back, as Utopia suggests. Side sleepers usually want more filling and back or stomach sleepers less, which is where the spare fill earns its place.
- Pair of 74 x 48cm pillows
- 85% foam, 15% polyester fill
- Zip to add or remove filling
- Extra filling included
- Machine-washable jacquard cover
Best for: Trying shredded foam
- Type
- Shredded, adjustable
- Size
- 74 x 48cm
- Pack
- Pair
- Height
- Adjustable, extra fill
- Cover
- Jacquard polyester, washable
How they compare
| Feature | #1MULISOFT P-105 | #2Cosi Home (2-pack) | #3BedStory (2-pack) | #4Ecosafeter contour | #5Utopia Bedding (2-pack) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best budget | |||
| Picked Rating | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Price | £20–£30 Price range | £44.99 RRP | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Type | Contoured (butterfly) | Shredded, adjustable | Shredded, adjustable | Contoured | Shredded, adjustable |
| Size | 66.8 x 36.5cm | 71 x 45cm | 75 x 50cm | 56 x 36cm | 74 x 48cm |
| Pack | Single | Pair | Pair | Single | Pair |
| Height | 10 or 12cm | Adjustable (remove foam) | Adjustable (zip) | 11cm | Adjustable, extra fill |
| Cover | Nylon-spandex, washable | Bamboo blend, washable | 3D knit, removable | Bamboo-polyester, 40°C wash | Jacquard polyester, washable |
| Best for | A choice of two heights | Hotel-style shredded pillows | Tuning height and firmness | Contoured foam for less | Trying shredded foam |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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