Contents
A comfortable pillow is essential for a good night’s sleep after a long day. But more often than not, pillows fail to retain their original shape, become lumpy, or lose firmness. This not only makes you increasingly restless during your sleep but can also have adverse effects on your health in the long term. Are contoured memory foam pillows a solution? The answer is yes!
How exactly are contoured memory foam pillows better for your sleep, you might ask. These pillows provide much-needed support and comfort to your head and neck while sleeping, maintain their firmness over time and help with pain relief. They also restrict the growth of fungus and bacteria and are easily washable!
The Best Contour Memory Foam Pillows
1. Elviros Cervical Contour Pillow
2. Ecosafeter Contour Memory Foam Pillow
3. UUQ Contour Memory Foam Pillow
An Introduction to Contoured Memory Foam Pillows
What exactly are they? The most prominent feature that sets contour memory foam pillows apart from regular pillows is their unique contour shapes, comprising of grooves and ridges that mimics the curve of your upper spine. This allows your head and neck to rest in a natural position, ensuring lasting comfort. Introduced a couple of decades ago, these pillows are quite popular today, with an increasing number of people making the switch from regular pillows.
Our Best Selections
1. Elviros Cervical Contour Pillow
PROS
- Double-sided with different heights for each side.
- Ergonomic design gives great support.
- Fits into a normal size pillowcase.
CONS
- It may have a slight smell when first received.
- It will take some time to adjust to this style of pillow.
The Elviros pillow is a cervical contour pillow providing orthopaedic support for neck and shoulder pain. It is designed to keep the head in a naturally supported position, required for good sleeping posture. The rest area for the head is ergonomic and has a removable cover. This pillow comprises high-density memory foam with a slow rebound. As a result of this, the pillow keeps its shape extremely well and you will only need one of these pillows to be well supported as you sleep.
With a 1.3 kilogram weight and available in two different sizes, the pillow is sure to suit a wide range of sleepers. The cover of the Elviros Cervical contour pillow comprises 38% ice silk and 62% polyester. This makes the fabric breathable, hypoallergenic and has a comfortable, soft touch. On Amazon, over 5,200 people give it 4.2 stars and it is highly placed among Amazon’s highest rating and best selling pillows.
2. Ecosafeter Contour Memory Foam Pillow
PROS
- Good design to suit all types of sleeping positions.
- Contains anti-allergenic properties with the pillow.
- Made from high-quality memory foam.
- Pillow comes with a 30-day money-back trial period.
CONS
- Smaller than the average pillow, this can make finding a pillowcase more difficult.
- Has a strong chemical off-gassing smell when first opened.
The Ecosafeter memory pillow supports the head and neck by having a curved shape that allows you to sleep with the major joints being kept in alignment. The different levels allow for the neck and head to get the different levels of support they require. This pillow is highly rated among the vast majority of buyers. It has received over 8000 reviews on Amazon and ranks as the top-rated within its category. Reviewers’ comments include ‘Finally found the pillow of my dreams and ‘2 years on and I can’t go anywhere without this trusty pillow!’
The core of this pillow is all fully high-density memory foam. This makes it good at keeping its shape over time, it cannot be washed, however. The outer cover is made from a blend of 60% polyester and 40% bamboo fibres. The outer cover is fully removable and machine washable, allowing you to keep the pillow fresh and hygienic. This pillow also features an inner cover that is dustproof, keeping the pillow in good condition for longer.
3. UUQ Contour Memory Foam Pillow
PROS
- Contours of the pillow support the necks natural shape.
- The cover is removable and machine washable.
- Maintains its shape well.
CONS
- Slight memory foam chemical smell when first received.
The UQQ contour pillow is a memory foam pillow that is shaped to support the head and neck in the optimal position in all sleeping positions. It is an average-sized pillow, measuring 60cm x 40cm with a depth of 12cm. This changes across the pillow though due to its ergonomic design. The pillow is relatively new to the Amazon market and has received over 200 reviews on Amazon so far. Over 75% of these are rated as 4 or 5 stars and it is highly praised among reviewers, receiving comments such as ‘It felt instantly comfortable as soon as I lay my head upon it.’ and ‘Miraculous – this actually works!’
The pillow consists of a memory foam core that cannot be washed. To keep the core clean, it comes with an anti-mite inner cover and also a washable outer cover. The outer cover has a soft touch and is made from a blend of 35% cotton and 65% polyester. The outer core is easily removable and machine washable, making it easy to keep the pillow fresh and hygienic.
4. Misiki Orthopedic Memory Foam Pillow
PROS
- Head and neck support keeps the neck in a good position.
- Inbuilt armrests are very comfortable.
- The removable pillow case is easily cleaned.
CONS
- May get too warm for people prone to overheating.
- May be too firm for some sleeping positions/sleepers.
The unique Misiki orthopaedic pillow is a butterfly-shaped cervical pillow. The pillow is designed to give a high level of support to the neck and back. Inside of the pillow is exclusively memory foam which gives a firm feel and is excellent at keeping its shape over time. Misiki’s primary design goal from this ergonomic, orthopaedic pillow is to promote good spinal alignment and help prevent the development of neck pain. An interesting feature in the design of this pillow is that it features a specific spot for the arms to rest. Collecting over 2,500 reviews on Amazon it ranks among their best selling pillows.
The pillow is about the average size for a contoured pillow, measuring 39 x 64 cm with a depth of 12.5cm. It also features a removable cover which is made from a blend of 60% polyester fabric and 40% staple rayon. Making it both skin-friendly and easy to keep clean. Reviewers of this pillow give it high praise with comments such as ‘I think I’ve finally found my perfect pillow!’ and ‘If you have neck pain, treat yourself with this pillow!’ One drawback of the pillow is that when it is first received it will need to be aired out as it may have a strong memory foam odour.
5. ComfyCozy Luxury Memory Foam Pillow with Silk Eye Mask
PROS
- Holds its shape extremely well
- The double cover layer helps the pillow last for longer
- Bonus silk eye mask is included with the pillow
CONS
- Might get too warm if you tend to overheat as you sleep
- It may be too firm for some sleepers
The ComfyCozy memory foam pillow is a well built, quality pillow choice at a reasonable price. It is extremely well rated on Amazon, receiving over 500 reviews, over 80% of them being rated as 4 or 5 stars. Reviewers leave comments such as ‘Kiss neck pain goodbye!’ and ‘I am so impressed that I am going to buy my husband one in the hope it helps with the snoring.’
The size of this pillow is quite close to a normal pillow, measuring 60cm x 35cm, it has a depth of 11cm at one end of the pillow and 8cm at the other. Featuring a washable outer cover and a protective inner cover to keep the memory foam core free from sweat, dirt and dust. There are a few different variations of this pillow shape available on Amazon but this one comes out top due to its great build quality and the bonus Silk eye mask that comes with every order.
What to look for in a memory foam pillow
Choosing a quality memory foam pillow goes a long way towards ensuring you get the most out of your sleep. One thing to factor in when buying one is the durability of the memory foam. A good memory foam pillow should feel springy but firm when compressed lightly. This indicates that your pillow won’t get “flat” quickly with extended use.
Another thing to pay heed to is the cover of the pillow. The cover should be light, breathable, as well as easily removable to wash when needed. Most memory foam pillows have covers that are designed to repel common toxins, so keep an eye out for that as well.
How do I choose the best memory foam pillow?
Picking out the perfect memory foam pillow for yourself can be a daunting task, given the plethora of options available in stores. It all comes down to your sleeping style and preferences and how you intend to use the pillow. Here are a few pointers to help you decide.
Concerning firmness, memory pillows mainly come in two variants: shredded (soft, breathable) and solid (firm, more support). If you suffer from frequent neck and/or back pain, the latter is a better option as it provides greater support. Interestingly, some pillows also offer adjustable firmness, for those who prefer having that choice.
How you intend to use your memory foam pillow is also an important question. Do you need one for sleeping at home? Go for the king or queen variants. Do you want one as a travelling accessory to help you relax during lengthy trips? Choose the travel variant.
Head over to Amazon, eBay or Target when you’re ready to buy one; all of them have diverse collections of memory foam pillows.
Are contoured memory foam pillows better for side and stomach sleepers too?
Let’s be honest. Not all of us have a proclivity for sleeping on our backs. Some of us find sleeping on our sides or stomachs far more comfortable. Fortunately, contoured memory foam pillows come in special variants that cater to these sleeping positions. Side sleepers can opt for any memory foam pillow based on their preferences. For stomach sleepers, the pillow has a shallower dip to accommodate the head comfortably. Since these variants also mirror the curve of the spine, they’re better for side and stomach sleepers as well, as opposed to traditional pillows.
What makes contoured pillows better than traditional pillows?
Traditional pillows can easily cause some of us to develop neck and/or back ailments as they offer no ridges to cushion the curve of the upper spine. As a result, you might remain restless throughout your sleep and wake up feeling fatigued. Contoured pillows allow your head to rest in a natural position, alleviating pressure on the spine.
Benefits of using a Contoured Pillow
Switching over to a contoured pillow can have numerous benefits. Your upper spinal curve remains in its natural position and thus the chances of developing neck pain are greatly reduced. This improves your quality of sleep and your overall health. Contoured pillows are also effective in healing various injuries. For this purpose, special arm and leg contoured pillows are available that keep the affected area at a particular angle so that it heals faster.
Pros and Cons of Contoured Memory Foam Pillows
Contoured memory foam pillows offer several benefits that can positively impact your health. However, they also have a few drawbacks.
The good
Contoured memory foam pillows are highly durable and firm. They are easier to wash and maintain and their lifespan is considerably longer than that of traditional pillows. These pillows help avoid neck and back pain and expedite the healing process of various injuries. In addition, contoured memory foam pillows have special covers that restrict any bacterial or fungal growth, making them safe and hygienic to use.
The bad
Making the switch from traditional pillows may not be easy. Some new users may find it hard to get accustomed to the new, perhaps unusual sleeping position. Furthermore, if contoured memory foam pillows are exposed to moisture (water, blood, beverages, etc.), their toxin-repelling property may be undermined, leading to fungal growth.
The Verdict: To contour or not to contour
For anyone fed up with the woes of traditional pillows, contoured memory foam pillows are a promising alternative. They solve nearly all of the issues associated with traditional pillows and greatly improve the quality of your sleep. Although they come with a few problems of their own, for anyone brave enough to make the switch, the benefits are numerous!
Last update on 2023-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API