Migraine headaches can completely disrupt your day. When the intense pain sets in, oftentimes the only solution is to hide under the covers in a dark room.
To help you get the pressure relief and comfort you need during these painful moments, I rounded up a list of the best pillows for migraines. A new pillow won’t completely cure you, but they can alleviate neck tension and help you feel better faster.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Pillow for Migraines?
I named the TEMPUR-Neck pillow as the best pillow for migraines. It has a leg up on traditional pillows, because it has an ergonomic design that was made to help alleviate neck pain. It’s firm and supportive, and it should lend itself to a comfortable rest for those who are experiencing migraine symptoms.
The Best Pillows for Migraines
- TEMPUR-Neck Pillow – Best Pillow for Neck Pain and Migraines
- Sleep Number True Temp – Best Cooling Pillow for Migraines
- Purple Harmony – Best Pillow for Migraines for Combination Sleepers
- Layla Kapok – Best Adjustable Pillow
- Cozy Earth – Best Eco-Friendly Pillow for Migraines
- IMAK – Best Eye Pillow for Migraines
- Sutera – Best Cervical Pillow for Migraines
- Lagoon Otter – Best Memory Foam Pillow
How We Chose Our Products
The Mattress Clarity team, which I am a part of, has tested hundreds of pillows and mattresses. For this specific roundup, we focused on pillows that offer excellent neck support and help keep the spine in a neutral alignment.
As someone who gets migraines frequently, I know how important it is to alleviate neck tension when a migraine strikes. I combined my first-hand experience with our subjective tests to find the best pillows for migraines.
Best Pillow for Neck Pain and Migraines – TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
The ergonomic shape to the TEMPUR-Neck pillow makes it an ideal pillow for anyone dealing with neck pain. This solid slab of memory foam will contour to your head and neck, giving you good support and will alleviate neck pain.
Mattress Clarity Score
3.90 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
This contoured ergonomic pillow is great for people who deal with neck pain and migraines. Its curved shape cradles the neck and helps back sleepers maintain the proper spinal alignment. Because it’s made out of firm TEMPUR material, it gently cushions the back of the neck, offering good support, which is beneficial for those who experience migraines.
The TEMPUR-Neck pillow has a soft cover made out of a polyester knit material, and it’s available in three sizes. It’s as versatile as it is durable.
What We Love About the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
- It has a curved, ergonomic design that can help people with migraines and neck pain.
- The TEMPUR-Neck pillow is Tempur-Pedic’s firmest pillow, making it very supportive, so it’s a great choice for back sleepers.
- It’s available in three sizes for different body types. The sizes (small, medium, and large) are based on shoulder width.
What to Keep In Mind About the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
- This pillow’s ergonomic design works well for back and side sleepers. However, if you’re a strict stomach sleeper, this pillow will feel uncomfortable.
Read our full TEMPUR-Neck pillow review.
Best Cooling Pillow for Migraines – Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
With advanced cooling technology, the Sleep Number True Temp Pillow is a luxurious option. It has a plush and supportive feel, so it’s great for back and side sleepers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.60 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
If you get migraines, the last thing you want is a pillow that traps heat and makes you feel even more uncomfortable. Luckily, the Sleep Number True Temp pillow has many impressive cooling features and offers the comfort you’ll need.
This firm and supportive memory foam pillow has a high loft, so it’s ideal for side sleepers. It has a thin and breathable cover that promotes airflow, and the foam insert is aerated for even more breathability. It’s even made out of hypoallergenic materials, so you don’t need to worry about allergy flare ups.
What We Love About the Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
- It has temperature-regulating technology, so you shouldn’t overheat at night.
- This pillow has a high loft and supportive feel, so it’s great for side sleepers.
- The Sleep Number True Temp pillow is made out of hypoallergenic materials.
What to Keep In Mind About the Sleep Number True Temp Pillow
- This pillow costs around $110 at full price, which might be too pricey for some people.
Read our full Sleep Number True Temp pillow review.
Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers – Purple Harmony
Purple Harmony™ Pillow
The Purple Harmony pillow combines a solid and bouncy feel – thanks to its ventilated latex core – with the squishy nature of the Hex Grid that’s made with the brand’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
The uniquely constructed Purple Harmony pillow is very versatile – it comes in three different loft options. The Harmony is constructed with a thin layer of Purple’s proprietary gel grid, and underneath that is a thick layer of Talalay latex foam. The pillow’s construction and customization options make it a great fit for combination sleepers who move around throughout the night.
The Purple Harmony is squishy, thanks to the hyper-elastic polymer grid, and beneath that there is a firm layer of latex foam. It’s also important to note that, since latex is aerated, this pillow won’t trap heat like some of its competitors.
What We Love About the Purple Harmony Pillow
- This pillow is made for cooling. The gel grid is open and it has a latex foam core, which is a breathable material. You shouldn’t feel hot on this pillow.
- This pillow has a bouncy, springy feel. This makes it easy to switch sleeping positions.
- There are height options available, so it works for a variety of people.
What to Keep In Mind About the Purple Harmony Pillow
- At full price, this pillow costs $200. While it is occasionally discounted throughout the year, this might be too expensive for some.
Read our full review of the Purple Harmony pillow
Best Adjustable Pillow – Layla Kapok
Layla Kapok Pillow
The Layla Kapok pillow combines shredded foam and natural kapok tree fibers to give you a great balance of comfort and support. You can also take out some of this fill to adjust the height of the pillow to make it work for you.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Adjustable pillows are great for people who get migraines because they’re versatile and can meet different needs day-to-day. My favorite adjustable pillow is the Layla Kapok. Filled with open-celled memory foam and Kapok seed fibers, this pillow has a lofty and luxurious feel.
The pillow arrives with tons of filling inside, making it great for side sleepers. But if you prefer to rest on your back or stomach, you can easily unzip the cover and remove the filling. No matter how you choose to customize your pillow, you can rest easy knowing that the copper fibers in the cover will keep you cool at night.
What We Love About the Layla Kapok Pillow
- It is customizable, so it works well for back, side, and stomach sleepers. This can help you find that “Goldilocks” feeling which can help with neck and head pain.
- It’s made with fluffy Kapok fibers and shredded memory foam. This gives it a soft, slow-moving feel.
- The pillow has a cooling cover made with copper fibers, so it shouldn’t trap heat.
What to Keep In Mind About the Layla Kapok Pillow
- While the adjustability is a huge plus for this pillow, it’s easy for the fill to get everywhere if you’re not careful. This means that the process can get messy quickly.
Read our full Layla pillow review.
Best Eco-Friendly Pillow for Migraines – Cozy Earth
Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
The Cozy Earth Silk Pillow is filled with soft silk and covered with a material made out of naturally cooling bamboo viscose.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.90 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
Sleeping in silk sheets can feel luxurious, so it’s no surprise that Cozy Earth’s silk pillows are extremely comfortable too.
The pillow’s cover contains 100% viscose made from organic bamboo. In the core, there’s 100% long-strand mulberry silk fibers. It’s a super soft pillow, and it’s made with temperature-regulating materials so it won’t overheat while you sleep on it.
What We Love About the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
- It’s made with organic materials that are produced in sustainable and ethical ways.
- The Cozy Earth Silk Pillow has a plush feel and a medium firmness, making it a good choice for both back and side sleepers.
- It feels cool to the touch, so it’s great for hot sleepers.
What to Keep In Mind About the Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
- This pillow is made with high-quality, durable, and luxurious materials. This makes it rather pricey, putting it out of some peoples’ price ranges.
Read our full review of the Cozy Earth pillow
Best Eye Pillow for Migraines – IMAK
IMAK Eye Pillow
The IMAK Pain Relief Mask helps massage sore muscles and block out the light so people can get a restful night’s sleep.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.50 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
My migraine headaches often cause piercing pain around my eyes. If you have similar symptoms, you may want to check out the IMAK eye pillow. Filled with dense ErgoBeads, this eye mask gently massages the face and helps alleviate headache pain.
The IMAK offers deep pressure touch stimulation, which has been shown to lower cortisol levels and make people feel more relaxed. It’s the same therapeutic effect created by weighted blankets! Due to its weight, the IMAK is best suited for back sleeping; it may fall off your face if you use it while resting on your side.
What We Love About the IMAK Eye Pillow
- It is filled with ErgoBeads, which gently massage the face and help alleviate migraine pain.
- The IMAK can help lower stress levels thanks to its deep pressure touch simulation.
- It works well for back sleepers.
What to Keep In Mind About the IMAK Eye Pillow
- If you’re a combination sleeper, or someone who changes positions frequently during the night, the eye pillow might move out of place.
Read our full list of the best sleep masks.
Best Cervical Pillow for Migraines – Sutera
Sutera Dream Deep Pillow
The Sutera pillow has a unique contoured shape that will keep your spine in its natural, curved state. All three sleeping positions will enjoy this pillow due to its soft foam feel and unique contoured shape.
Mattress Clarity Score
3.90 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
Cervical pillows are particularly helpful for people who get migraines, because they cradle the head and help alleviate neck pain. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pick, check out the Sutera.
This pillow has an ergonomic shape, which helps sleepers maintain the proper spinal alignment throughout the night. It feels firm and supportive, so you don’t need to worry about it sagging as time goes on. Another benefit: It’s made out of chemical-free materials.
What We Love About the Sutera Cervical Pillow
- It’s a supportive pillow with an ergonomic design, which helps with pain relief.
- This firm pillow won’t sag as the night goes on.
- The Sutera is sold at a budget-friendly price, and it’s conveniently sold on Amazon.
What to Keep In Mind About the Sutera Cervical Pillow
- The ergonomic design is great for those who have neck pain or need a more supportive pillow. However, because this isn’t a traditionally shaped pillow, it might take some time getting used to.
Best Memory Foam Pillow – Lagoon Otter
Lagoon Otter Pillow
The Lagoon Otter pillow works best for side sleepers who like soft plushness.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Memory foam offers excellent pressure relief and support, which is why it’s a popular material for migraine-friendly pillows. Lagoon Sleep has made it even easier for people to find the memory foam pillow of their dreams. Simply visit their website and take their sleep quiz; it will match you to the ideal firmness level and loft.
Here at Mattress Clarity, we really love the Lagoon Otter pillow. It has a medium-firm feel, and it’s filled with breathable shredded memory foam. The loft works well for most side sleepers, because it helps promote the ideal sleep posture.
What We Love About the Lagoon Otter
- Lagoon has a handy sleep quiz that matches you to your perfect pillow.
- The Otter pillow has a medium-firm feel and high loft, making it great for side sleepers with migraines. However, you can adjust this pillow, so it can meet a variety of needs and preferences.
- The shredded memory foam filling promotes airflow and offers support.
What to Keep In Mind About the Lagoon Otter
- While the adjusting process is great for those who want a “one-size-fits-all” pillow, the foam can get very messy if you’re not careful.
Read our Lagoon pillow review.
What Kind of Pillow is Best for Migraines?
Pillows won’t completely cure migraine symptoms, but they can promote the proper spinal alignment and soothe neck pain. When your head is properly aligned, it can make migraine symptoms more bearable.
Due to their pressure-relieving benefits and supportive feel, memory foam pillows work well for people with migraines. If you’re particularly worried about neck tension, you may want to choose an ergonomic pillow like the TEMPUR-Neck or Sutera.
Adjustable pillows are also great options because they allow sleepers to control the loft, which plays a large role on how comfy a pillow will feel in each sleeping position.
Can Your Pillow Cause Migraines?
While your pillow may not be the sole cause of your pain, it could contribute to it. Migraine triggers vary from person to person, and sometimes, they’re brought on by sleep deprivation and irritated nerves. If your pillow isn’t supportive, you may put pressure on the nerves in your upper neck and develop migraines. Uncomfortable pillows can also hinder sleep quality, which can exacerbate migraine headaches.
Related: Can Pillows Cause Headaches?
How to Sleep with a Migraine
It can be difficult to fall asleep with migraine symptoms that feel like someone is drilling a hole through your head. Fortunately, there are several ways to make falling asleep easier when you’re living with stabbing pain.
- Sleep in a dark room, and turn off electronics. The blue light emitted from screens can make it more difficult to fall asleep.
- Eliminate noise. When a migraine strikes, many people become sensitive to noise. It may be helpful to sleep with earplugs in order to drown out the sound.
- Avoid caffeine. Many over-the-counter migraine medications have caffeine in them, so check the ingredients before taking a pain pill before bed.
- Apply hot and cold packs to the neck and forehead. This can help alleviate pain and make it easier to fall asleep.
- Practice meditation. Migraines can be stressful. Many tools, like the Headspace and Calm apps, have guided meditations that can help you relax before bed.
Best Sleep Positions for Migraines
Migraines and neck tension go hand-in-hand, so if you’re suffering from a miserable headache, you’ll want to make sure you’re not adding neck pain into the mix. For that reason, it’s best to sleep on either your back or side when you have a migraine. Stomach sleeping puts extra strain on neck muscles, which could make the pain feel worse.
But it’s not as simple as just changing your sleeping position. It’s equally important to find a pillow that promotes a neutral alignment. For back sleepers, this means a medium loft pillow that helps the chin line up with the sternum. Side sleepers should sleep on a higher loft pillow that offers more neck support. For a good rule of thumb, make sure your shoulder lines up with your ear when you’re side sleeping. However, you don’t want to make your pillow too tall. If you’re sleeping on your side, and your head is craning upwards, this could potentially put strain on your neck, causing pain.
Summary
Once again, here are our top picks for the best pillows for migraines.
| Pillow | Best For |
| TEMPUR-Neck pillow | Best Pillow for Neck Pain and Migraines |
| Sleep Number True Temp | Best Cooling Pillow for Migraines |
| Purple Harmony | Best Pillow for Migraines for Combination Sleepers |
| Layla Kapok | Best Adjustable Pillow |
| Cozy Earth | Best Eco-Friendly Pillow for Migraines |
| IMAK | Best Eye Pillow for Migraines |
| Sutera | Best Cervical Pillow for Migraines |
| Lagoon Otter | Best Memory Foam Pillow |
The Best Pillows for Migraines FAQs
Can lack of sleep cause migraines?
For some people, sleep deprivation can cause a migraine attack. Triggers vary from person to person, however, so this may not apply to every person.
Does sleep help migraines?
Many studies have found that sleep can end migraines, so if you’re suffering from an attack, you may want to go to bed early and rest up.