Best Pillows for Neck Pain (2026) 

Adjustable pillows are a great option for folks with neck pain, as they allow you to create a shape that works best for your needs. My colleague Nicole Davis has self-described chronic neck pain and put Coop Sleep Goods’ Original Adjustable Pillow to the test. She praised the pillow’s overall support, and after a little adjusting every night, found sleep on this pillow to be pain-free. Based on positive results from her tests, the overall score for this pillow ended up at a respectable 4.3/5.

The pillow’s highest score was in the value category, where it earned a perfect 5/5. A standard size costs $85, and a king costs $99. Nicole called it “a great value comparatively.” Most luxury pillows tend to break the $100 threshold, but the adjustability makes it like multiple pillows in one—so there’s an added bonus there. Nicole felt that this pillow can work for just about anyone thanks to that adjustability. For further customization, Coop also offers this pillow in other shapes, with a cut-out for a side sleeper’s shoulder or a crescent shape for combination back and side sleepers.

Nicole felt the pillow was well-constructed. She said the cover was “luxurious,” and that the zipper felt “heavy-duty.” The fill is made of shredded memory foam and a proprietary microfiber with a medium-firm feel that won’t flatten out with constant use. The pillow comes with an extra bag of this adjustable fill if you need even more, but Nicole noted that the pillow was already rather puffed up upon arrival. 

She gave the materials an overall score of 4/5, only docking one point because she was curious to see how the pillow held up with years of use. After talking with the brand’s virtual assistant, Nicole found out the fill is meant to last 5 years; you can also buy extra fill separately as needed.

As a side sleeper, Nicole thought that the pillow worked amazingly well in this position, contributing to her 4/5 experience score. It has a super high loft when completely filled, so if you’re a back sleeper looking for something less lofty, you can remove some of the fill. The same goes for stomach sleepers who need that super-low loft—you could take all the fill out if you so desired, though we’d recommend leaving a little for some gentle cradling.

When it comes to care, you can wash the outer cover of this pillow and the pillow itself, a rarity that earned the pillow a 4.5/5 for overall care. Just be sure to secure the inner pillow’s zipper with a safety pin so you don’t accidentally wash the fill. 

The pillow also has a very generous warranty of 5 years, speaking to its forecasted longevity. If you’re worried about buying an adjustable pillow, you can take advantage of the 30-day return window to try before you buy.

Want a more traditional-feeling pillow? Check out the Peacock Alley Down Alternative pillow.

You may have seen some oddly shaped pillows out there, but sometimes this ergonomic shape better contours to your body. This is the case for Tempur-Pedic’s TEMPUR-Neck Pillow, which is shaped like an oblong letter “B” and designed to support the neck in the back- and side-sleeping positions. 

My colleague Matt Shickling tested out this bed primarily on his side, and found that the unconventional shape actually provided quite a bit of support. The “bump” in the pillow slotted gently between his neck and shoulder, keeping the pressure off both as it allowed the latter to sink comfortably into the mattress. After weeks of our testing, the pillow earned an overall score of 4.2/5.

Matt immediately noticed the quality of this pillow’s construction and gave it a 4.5/5 for materials. He thought the foam material within the pillow felt “supportive” and “dense.” The cover also seemed high-quality, providing a durable but comfortable feel, and is outfitted with a sturdy metal zipper. This is important since Matt also commented that traditional pillowcases won’t work with this odd-shaped guy. He tried putting one of his standard-size pillowcases on the TEMPUR-Neck and said that it looked like a kid playing dress-up in their parents’ clothes.

The actual material of this mattress is Tempur-Pedic’s proprietary TEMPUR foam. It has a firmer feel to prioritize support and comfortably fill in the gap between your shoulder or beneath your head without getting too smushed. Matt bought the medium size and wished he had gotten the large for more loft. Tempur-Pedic does offer a sizing chart based on the measured distance between your neck and shoulder, as well as your preferred sleeping position. Still, Matt didn’t know how much difference a 0.75-inch increase would provide in terms of support.

Trying it out on his side, Matt did achieve proper alignment. Back sleepers should be alright too, though he thought they had a smaller surface area to work with, based on how the pillow conforms to their neck. He also found that stomach sleeping on the lower side was actually rather comfortable. This is good news for combination sleepers who switch between these positions, as most cervical neck pillows are only good for one sleep posture.

Matt gave this pillow another 4.5/5 in the care category. The pillow features a removable, machine-washable cover, which he thought was fairly standard. The TEMPUR material can’t be washed, but the brand recommends taking the pillow out of its cover and rolling it like a sleeping bag once in a while to “refresh” its scent.

The pillow comes with a 5-year warranty, which is definitely on the higher side. Matt noted it was “uncommon.” The cover also comes with its own separate 2-year warranty, which is a nice touch. Unfortunately, though, Tempur-Pedic will not accept returns on pillows due to their “personal use,” so you’ll be stuck with it if you decide it isn’t for you. 

Looking for a pillow with a sleep trial period so you can test it out first? Check out Brooklinen’s Marlow Pillow, which has a year-long sleep trial if you purchase from the brand’s site.

Side sleepers generally need a lofty pillow with plenty of support. However, if you’re struggling with neck pain, you don’t want anything you rest on to have an unyielding feel. That’s where Peacock Alley’s Down Alternative Pillow comes in. Where some down (and down alternative) pillows deflate when you lay on them, this one is different. My colleague and fellow tester Sosha Lewis called this her new “favorite pillow of all time,” and found the two she ordered to be “soft but supportive.” She gave the pillow a string of 5/5 scores, contributing to the pillow’s impressive overall score of 4.7/5.

Sosha is a dedicated side sleeper herself, and found these pillows well-suited to this position. “These pillows are fairly malleable while also being supportive,” she said. She found that the high loft “allows just the right amount of sinkage to keep your spine aligned,” which should help with neck pain and even back pain. Sosha also stole the second pillow she’d graciously allowed her husband to try out so she could use both at once. Side sleepers may also enjoy having an additional one to put between their knees, another common area where pressure can build up.

Sosha also gave these pillows a 5/5 for materials. The microfiber fill of the pillow is wrapped up in a soft cotton cover that Sosha thought was “crisp” and “soft.” She also appreciated that the pillow was down alternative, rather than actual down. “It gave me the feel of down that I love without the pokiness or smell of down,” she said. The stitching also looked top-notch, so she didn’t think any of the fill would escape, unlike the pesky little feathers in traditional down pillows.

These pillows come in at $90 for a standard size. They’re also available in two firmness options: Medium or Firm, and come with a 30-day return period. With the level of craftsmanship and the experience Sosha had, she gave these pillows another 5/5 score for value. Pillows of this caliber when made of traditional down often break the $100 pricepoint, so they may work for folks on a budget still wanting that luxury hotel feel. 

Sosha also scored these pillows high in the care category (4.5/5) since they are machine-washable. It is recommended that you use a large capacity washer or have them professionally laundered. Sosha appreciated that the website had an entire page dedicated to how to care for these pillows, versus a few lines of text on a tag. 

Since Sosha loved these pillows so much, I’m having a hard time coming up with any downsides or cons here. If you’re a dedicated side sleeper, or you switch between your side and back during sleep, you should be set with these. Sosha did say that she was “on the fence about stomach sleepers.” The fluffy, puffy feel may provide too much support for these sleeper types.

Looking for a firm pillow for stomach sleepers? Check out the Marlow pillow.

Memory foam has a slow-moving, squishy feel that’ll have you sinking deeply into your pillow. If it’s that traditional feeling you’re after, you might like Helix’s GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow. It comes in two lofts, and its solid-block shape offers a dense, doughy support that should contour to your neck. Our tester Sosha Lewis tried out the high loft, and while she didn’t find it to be her favorite, her husband and fellow tester loved it for back sleeping. The pillow earned an overall score of 4.2/5.

Sosha docked a point in the experience department but noted it’s most likely due to personal preference. “In fairness, I am not a huge fan of solid block memory foam pillows,” she said. She also found the high loft option to be too tall, even though it was the recommended option for side sleepers. Since her husband enjoyed the higher loft on his back, she suggested that folks who want a firmer, denser pillow will be happy with its feel.

Since it’s a hefty guy, Sosha noted that she did have some trouble when toggling between sleep positions. “I found it kind of clunky and didn’t like moving it with me when I changed positions,” she said. This might be an issue for combination sleepers—or people like me, who somehow end up on the other side of the bed and upside down by the morning.

The density of the memory foam gives the pillow a more durable feel, which compelled Sosha to award the pillow a materials score of 4/5. While it’s fashioned into a large block, the memory foam itself does have perforations for airflow, complemented by the cooling fibers in the pillow’s cover. Sosha also called this cover “slick but soft.”

The care instructions for the pillow were found on a tag inside the cover, which Sosha discovered was removable and machine washable. The actual memory foam block inside is spot-clean only, which is pretty typical of these pillow types. Since it was nothing too difficult or amazing, Sosha gave it a final care score of 4.5/5.

This pillow does come with a year-long warranty and a 30-night sleep trial, which contributes both to its 4.5/5 customer service score and 4/5 value score. Even though the pillow costs nearly $150 for a standard size, Sosha felt that it had the heft and luxury quality to back it up. Still, this might be a difficult pill to swallow for budget shoppers.

If you’re looking for more of a shredded memory foam feel, check out the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow.

Back sleepers, if you’re suffering with neck pain in your current sleep setup, you might be sleeping on a pillow with a loft that’s either too high or too low for you. These folks need to find the sweet spot that fills the gap behind their neck while still keeping their heads supported. This is why I’d recommend an adjustable pillow like Luxome’s LAYR Pillow. My colleague Matt Shickling tested out this pillow and said back sleeping felt “divine.” He proclaimed this his new favorite pillow and gave it an experience score of 5/5, contributing to the pillow’s overall score of 4.7/5.

The Luxome LAYR pillow earned its name from its many adjustable components, akin to the specialized layers you see in a memory foam mattress. It has multiple inserts filled with memory foam, down alternative, or a mix of both. Even some of the inserts themselves have inserts, so we’ve got a real Russian nesting doll situation going on here. The level of customizability is insane, so it should work for just about any sleeper, not just those who sleep on their back.

Matt’s preferred configuration was the 2-inch memory foam insert as the support base, followed by the fully stuffed medium (shredded memory foam and down alternative) and soft (down alternative only) inserts on top. He said it provided a “cradling” and “cocooning” effect for his head, which should benefit folks with neck pain. Matt felt all of these components were well-made, and the cover had a thick, stretchy feel. It’s why he gave the pillow its second perfect score in the materials department.

With its adjustable feel, Matt did notice that the edges of the pillow were a little more dense and firmer than the center of the pillow. This was most evident when he switched positions. However, he did find that this evened out with repeated use, so it may just be an added adjustment period (no pun intended). 

With all these moving parts, it’s no surprise that only the cover of this pillow is removable and washable. The brand does provide an extra zipper case to store any excess fill or inserts that you chose not to use, which Matt called a “nice touch.” He gave the pillow a care score of 4.5/5.

This pillow does come in at a higher price point, at $150 for a standard size and $170 for a king; there is a deal if you purchase a two-pack, as well. Matt felt that this was a fair price as this pillow was truly luxurious and has a level of customization that most can only dream of, so he gave it a value score of 4.5/5. Still, it likely won’t work for budget shoppers. Especially since this pillow doesn’t come with any warranty, only a 30-day return policy.

Looking for a cheaper adjustable pillow? You might like Coop’s Original Adjustable Pillow, which is $50 less.

Stomach sleepers are sleeping in one of the most precarious positions for neck pain (and lower back pain), as it puts the most strain on your spine. If you’re sleeping with a pillow that has a too-high loft, you’re essentially sleeping with your neck craned. That’s why these sleepers should look for a thinner pillow. Our pick for the best pillow for stomach sleepers with neck pain is Brooklinen’s adjustable Marlow pillow, which has a loft that will change based on the firmness you choose. 

My colleague Kenny Timper is a stomach sleeper, and he found this pillow to be most comfortable in its firmest setting. He rated his sleep experience with this pillow at a 5/5, contributing to its overall score of 4.2/5.

The Marlow pillow’s firmness is controlled by the zippers on either side of the pillow. Fully unzipped, this pillow has a softer feel. With one side zipped, it has a medium to medium-firm feel. And, finally, with both sides zipped, it has its firmest feel. Zipping the pillow also makes it flatter, which should work better for stomach sleepers. Kenny claimed that he didn’t notice much of a difference between the half-unzipped and fully zipped, but fully unzipped was definitely plush. 

As mentioned, Kenny most preferred the firmest setting for his needs. The low profile, plus the firmer support, worked great for him in the stomach-sleeping position, and he reported “no issues” with getting comfortable.

Kenny gave the pillow a second perfect score in the value department. This pillow comes in at $49 for a standard size and $69 for a king, making it the least expensive pillow on this list. It’s even more valuable when you consider that, with its adjustability, you’re essentially getting three pillows in one. 

Kenny didn’t think that the pillow felt cheap either, and thought the zippers were relatively sturdy—part of why he gave it a 4/5 for materials. The pillow is made with hypoallergenic shredded memory foam and polyfiber fill, alongside some cooling gel and a breathable cotton cover. During testing, Kenny didn’t think the pillow was cool-to-the-touch, but still noted that he didn’t feel liable to overheat on it. 

Where this pillow unfortunately disappointed was in the care department, only earning a 3/5 score from Kenny. The Marlow is spot-clean only, and the cover isn’t washable. If you’re desperate to clean your pillow, you’ll need to dry-clean it. Brooklinen does offer a cooling pillow protector bundle, which includes a washable cover made with organic cotton and phase change material (PCM).

If you want to take the plunge without the bundle, know that the pillow is backed by a year-long return period if you purchase on Brooklinen’s site, even though the pillow doesn’t come with a warranty.

Want a pillow that stays cool without the add-ons? Check out Nectar’s Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow.

Hot sleepers with neck pain are dealing with two problems as they try to get some quality sleep. A pillow that can possibly solve both is Nectar’s Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow. This pillow is adjustable via two zippers on either side so you can get the perfect firmness for your support needs. Its cover is made with heat-absorbing polyethylene fibers that our tester Sosha Lewis noted “you could feel working even when it was in a pillowcase.” She awarded this pillow a 5/5 experience score after giving it a whirl for a few nights, boosting the pillow to an overall score of 4.4/5.

As a side sleeper, Sosha enjoyed this pillow in its softest setting, which is with both sides unzipped. She typically stays away from memory foam, but found this configuration worked great. “It sank in just the right amount, kept my spine aligned, and my neck and traps comfortable,” she said. Her husband, a back sleeper, enjoyed the medium setting, which is with one side zipped. “He liked it so much, I thought we were going to have to arm wrestle for the rights to it,” Sosha said. Both enjoyed the overall coolness of this pillow, too.

Even though neither she or her husband are stomach sleepers, Sosha zipped the pillow all the way up to try it on her stomach. She thought it would be a great fit for this sleeper type, even if she didn’t like this setting on her back or side. She did note it was a bit heavy, so if you plan on moving your pillow around a lot at night, it might be difficult to do so.

Sosha also found the pillow looked and felt well-made, giving it a 4.5/5 for materials. “The cover is soft, smooth and durable,” she said, adding that it also felt “cool-to-the-touch.” The mix of memory foam and microfiber gave it an edge over strictly memory foam pillows, and Sosha found it very comfortable, approachable, and versatile. 

This pillow is unfortunately only spot-clean, for which Sosha docked one point in the care category. Still, she wasn’t too upset about it, as the material seemed easy to clean. “I also don’t think it would easily stain, especially if you got to the spill quickly,” she added.

With all this in mind, your deciding factor might be price. You can only buy these pillows in a two-pack, which comes out to nearly $300 for the standard size. Frequent sales do bring the price down to about $130, so Sosha gave the value score a 4/5. If you’re a single shopper, though, you may not want to pay for the extra pillow. 

This pillow is also backed by a 30-day trial, as well as a 1-year warranty, which should help if you encounter any issues or decide it isn’t for you. 

Shopping for a more traditional memory foam feel? Helix has a GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow that might appeal to you.