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No more neck pain.
Photo:Real Simple
We tested more than 50 popular options, including solid memory foam, shredded foam, andcooling foam pillows.
Plus expert insight fromKelly Murray, a certified pediatric and adult sleep coach.
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Symphony Pillow is one of the comfiest pillows weve ever slept on.
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It’s softer than other pillows weve used but still provides great support.
After weeks of use, it retained its shape and firmness with no signs of wear.
The pillow, fabric cover, and fill material still look and feel brand new.
PHOTO: Real Simple
The material felt soft and breathable, and the fill was supportive and evenly distributed.
It comes with a removable, machine-washable cover that’s easy to clean and replace.
The price is pretty steep, but we think its worth the splurge given its high quality.
However, its not returnable.
Its one of the pricier models on our list, and the fill occasionally gets lumpy.
The fill is even adjustable so you could find the right fit.
It gives us the perfect amount of support for our head, neck, and back.
It also has two different sides.
One is softer and more cloud-like, with the little shreds of foam gently cradling your head.
The other side is a bit firmer and cooler; it’s basically one large piece of thin foam.
Some of us noticed a few lumps, but nothing too significant.
It’s the most expensive pillow on our list and can feel a bit stiff.
For those who struggle with neck pain, the Purple DreamLayer Pillow is a total game-changer.
After months of use, our neck pain has become nonexistent.
We found it incredibly comfy for back and side sleeping because it molded to and cradled our heads.
It was firm, yet squishy enough to conform to our shape.
We plan to use it for as long as it lasts.
It’s the perfect height for supporting our head without scrunching up uncomfortably.
Despite its solid design, we found this pillow surprisingly breathable.
The fill isn’t adjustable, and the loft is pretty high.
We tried the curved version of this pillow, and we cant rave about it enough.
Six months later, our sleep has significantly improved.
We could tell this pillow was high quality right away.
While it didnt necessarily keep us cool, it didnt cause us to overheat either.
We think its a worthy investment for side sleepers looking for a supportive option.
It cradled our heads comfortably and supported our necks and shoulders.
We did have to flip it over throughout the night to stay cool.
Taking it on vacation made the experience of sleeping on a lumpy rental bed much more comfortable.
It didnt lose its shape over time, either.
We love the balance of firmness and fluffiness.
Plus, its very reasonably priced compared to the other foam pillows we tested.
Finding the ideal loft and firmness takes some trial and error.
It includes four different inserts, allowing you to customize the height and firmness.
With so many combinations available, we expect that most people will be able to find the ideal one.
However, it will take some trial and error.
While it took us a few days to break this pillow in, we quickly became obsessed.
PHOTO: Coop
It’s soft yet supportive, and it molds well to your head.
Compared to other pillows weve tried, it felt much less stiff.
It maintained its shape throughout the testing period, with no changes in texture or firmness.
PHOTO: Real Simple
Since its dense and flat, it may not be suitable for those who prefer extra loft.
If you prefer a firm pillow, the Casper Snow Foam Pillow is a must-have.
We were amazed by its durability and density.
However, we think its substantial design contributes to its durability.
We were impressed to find that it kept us perfectly cool, even during 90F summer nights.
If you typically go for a taller pillow, consider adding another beneath it for extra loft.
It isnt adjustable, and the loft may be too high for stomach sleepers.
We were so impressed with the softness and support of this dual-sided pillow.
After six months of nightly use, we still have no complaints.
The memory-foam insert is just over 3 inches tall, making it ideal for back and combination sleepers.
The breathable cotton cover is machine washable, but the pillow is spot-clean only.
We also love that it costs less than the average price of all the foam pillows we tested.
The foam felt supportive yet squishy, keeping our neck and head at the perfect height.
First, we examined the quality of each pillow, including the material and construction.
For pillows with adjustable fill, we followed the manufacturers instructions for opening them and removing or adding it.
Then came the real test.
We like theSealy Molded Memory Foam Bed Pillowfor stomach sleepers because it’s not overly firm or lofty.
Back Sleepers: To keep your spine aligned, Murray says a moderate loft is best for back sleepers.
For the most neck support, she recommends a curved or hill-shaped foam pillow.
While it didnt have a curved design, thePurple DreamLayer Pillowfelt extra-supportive when sleeping on our back and sides.
We think theSleep Number ComfortFit Pillowis particularly great for side sleepers because it provides enough support and loft.
Solid vs. Shredded Foam
Memory-foam pillows generally come in one of two forms: solid or shredded.
Cooling Properties
Memory foamparticularly solid memory foamhas a reputation for absorbing and retaining body heat.
Or, consider getting a shredded memory-foam pillow instead, which allows for more airflow.
Greenguard:TheUL Greenguard Certification Programtests products for over 10,000 chemicals and VOC emissions.
PHOTO: Purple
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PHOTO: Sleep Number
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PHOTO: The Company Store
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