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Considerations When Searching for the Best Memory Foam Pillow
Support, pressure relief, and cooling properties are just a few of the factors to keep in mind when searching for a new memory foam pillow. We offer tips on things to keep in mind during your search.
Fill Material
Memory foam fill material generally falls into one of three types: solid, shredded, or blended. Each type offers contouring, pressure relief, and support, with some variations.
Solid: A solid block of memory foam offers the traditional contouring associated with memory foam. It slowly conforms to the shape of your head and neck. It cradles your head and neck without sacrificing support and alignment. Although traditional memory foam tends to hold body heat, new materials are available that prevent heat retention and promote cooling airflow.
Shredded: Shredded memory foam offers contouring comfort with less firmness and density. It’s a great option for those who prefer sinking into a slightly plush pillow. Shredded memory foam pillows also help keep you cool by allowing air to circulate.
Blended: Some memory foam pillow brands blend memory foam with other fill materials, such as down alternative or latex foam. The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow, for example, has a shredded memory foam core surrounded by a layer of latex foam and an outer layer of solid memory foam.
Pillow Loft or Thickness
When choosing a top memory foam pillow, a crucial consideration is the pillow’s loft or thickness. Selecting the right loft comes down to personal preference and sleep style. Saatva offers its Graphite Memory Foam Pillow in two lofts: standard (4-5 inches high) and high (6-7 inches high). The standard loft is most suitable for back and stomach sleepers because the lower height keeps the neck at a neutral angle. Side and combination sleepers will likely prefer the high loft because it helps maintain alignment by cradling the head and neck.
Pillow Sizes
Memory foam pillows are generally available in standard, queen, and king sizes. Standard pillows are designed to fit two pillows on a twin, twin XL, or full-size bed. You can fit two queen-size pillows on a queen or king bed, and two king pillows can fit on a king or California king bed. Alternatively, a single larger-size pillow will fit nicely on a smaller-size bed. Saatva’s Graphite Memory Foam Pillow comes in standard or queen size (28″ x 16″) and king size (34″ x 16″), making it suitable for most mattress sizes and sleep styles.
Contouring and Support
One of the most important features of a memory foam pillow is the way it contours to your head and neck. When memory foam reacts to heat, it softens and conforms to your body’s shape. The pillow cradles your head and neck, relieving pressure as it supports the neck.
Saatva’s memory foam pillow contains a shredded memory foam core that offers plush comfort as well as contouring pressure relief. The outer solid foam layer provides classic memory foam contouring, while the inner layer of latex foam adds responsive support. These materials combine to offer pressure relief and cushioning, as well as contouring support to help keep the spine properly aligned.
Cooling Technologies
As mentioned above, traditional memory foam can trap body heat as it hugs your shape. Fortunately, modern memory foam has come a long way and is more breathable than older kinds. Plus, cooling technologies exist that further prevent the pillow from overheating. If you tend to sleep hot, consider memory foam pillows with cooling properties, such as these:
Cooling gel: Memory foams infused with cooling gels, which draw heat away from the pillow surface. Cooling gel pads are also sometimes placed near the surface of the pillow to keep the pillow cool to touch.
Phase change material: When woven into memory foam, phase change material makes the foam feel cool to the touch. Even as the pillow conforms to your head and neck, you’ll stay cool and comfortable. This advanced material can also be woven into the cover. For example, the cover of Saatva’s memory foam pillow is quilted with cooling phase change material.
Graphite and copper infusions: Graphite and copper infusions can be woven into the pillow’s cover or infused into the internal memory foam. While these cooling materials do not feel cool, they prevent the pillow from absorbing heat. Rather than cooling the pillow, the overall effect is to keep it at a neutral temperature. Saatva’s Graphite Memory Foam Pillow, for example, has a graphite-infused outer layer of solid memory foam that dissipates heat.
Moisture-wicking cover fabric: To prevent waking up in sweat, some memory foam pillows have a cover made of moisture-wicking fabric. With this feature, the cover absorbs perspiration, keeping it away from your skin. Saatva includes a moisture-wicking cover made of soft, knit fabric with its Graphite Memory Foam Pillow.
Other cooling features in the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow include the inner layer of latex foam and the shredded memory foam core. Both features allow air to circulate and draw away body heat, keeping the pillow at a cool and comfortable temperature.
Safety Certifications
Some pillow brands online use eco-friendly, safety-certified materials in their products. For example, the CertiPUR-US® certification shows that the foam used in a pillow has passed stringent tests for harmful substances. We like the fact that Saatva uses CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam in its Graphite Memory Foam Pillow, ensuring that the foam is free of formaldehyde, heavy metals, and several other harmful substances. According to the Saatva US website, the certified foam will not produce the temporary odor or “off-gassing” common in new memory foam pillows.
Hypoallergenic
Allergic sniffles do not have to be an issue with the best memory foam pillows. Many brands, including Saatva, use hypoallergenic materials in their pillows. The hypoallergenic Saatva Graphite memory Foam Pillow lets you sleep comfortably with significantly less risk of triggering allergy symptoms.
Care Requirements
We all like bedding that is easy to care for, and the best memory foam pillows are no exception. Although memory foam is typically not machine washable, memory foam pillows sometimes have a removable, machine washable cover. The foam core usually can only be spot cleaned.
The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow has a removable cotton knit cover. To freshen and clean the pillow, just unzip and remove the cover and put it in the washing machine in cold water. Air dry or tumble dry the cover on a low setting. When the cover is washable, it’s easier to keep the pillow clean and fresh.
Does the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow sound like a good fit for you? See what else buyers have to say.
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Return Policy and Warranty
When choosing a memory foam pillow, you want to find a pillow right for you. Some memory foam pillow brands come with a trial period that lets you return the pillow for a refund within a specified time. Saatva offers a 45-night sleep trial with its Graphite Memory Foam Pillow, giving you more than a month from when it is delivered to test the pillow in your bed.
The Saatva pillow also comes with a 1-year limited warranty. During the first year after purchase, the company will repair or replace a pillow it deems to be defective due to faulty workmanship covered by the policy. We recommend checking warranty terms before you buy a new memory foam pillow.
How to Find the Best Memory Foam Pillow: Final Thoughts
Of course, finding the right memory foam pillow is a matter of personal preference. There are many considerations to keep in mind, such as contouring, pressure relief, support, and temperature control. Other key considerations include pillow loft, size availability, safety certifications, and ease of care, as well as return policy and warranty.
The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow offers a thoughtfully crafted combination of these features. The shredded memory foam core works with the solid memory foam and latex foam layers to cradle the head and neck and promote alignment. The choice of lofts makes the pillow accessible and suitable for most sleep styles.
We have reviewed and compared top memory foam pillow brands. After our research, we recommend including the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow in your online search for a new memory foam pillow.
