If you’re waking up with neck pain every morning, your pillow might be the culprit. A pillow that’s ill-suited to your sleeping position and body could push your neck out of alignment with the rest of your body, causing discomfort. You need a pillow that’s not just comfortable, but that also works with you, rather than against you.
But with so many pillow options out there, it can be hard to find the right new pillow to solve this pesky issue. That’s where we come in. Our team of sleep experts has tested and reviewed more than 700 sleep products and 200 accessories over our seven years in operation. We’ve helped over 35,000 people buy a new mattress, including 5,919 in 2024 alone.
To help find the right pillow for you, we researched dozens of top-rated options, put them to the test in our homes, and consulted our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, who helped ensure our picks line up with the latest in sleep science. “Finding the right pillow is key to keeping your spine aligned and your neck comfortable while you sleep,” Dr. Dasgupta said.
Safe to say, we’ve got your back—or your neck—when it comes to the best pillows for neck pain.
Editor’s Note: The information provided in this article should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a medical professional if you have personal health-related questions.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Pillow for Neck Pain?
We picked the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow as our best pillow for neck pain. Our tester with neck pain was able to find comfortable rest on this supportive, luxurious-feeling pillow, and its adjustability means it should work for a wide variety of sleepers.
The Best Pillows for Neck Pain
- Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow – Best Pillow for Neck Pain Overall
- TEMPUR-Neck Pillow – Best Pillow for Neck and Shoulder Pain
- Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow – Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain
- Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow – Best Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain
- Luxome LAYR Pillow – Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Neck Pain
- Brooklinen Marlow Pillow – Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers with Neck Pain
- Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow – Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain
What Matters Most in a Pillow for Neck Pain
To choose our finalists, we consulted with our chief medical advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in pulmonary and sleep science, to find out what we should be looking for in the best pillows for neck pain. “A good pillow for neck pain should be supportive and pressure-relieving, so that it maintains proper spinal alignment and neck posture throughout the night,” he said. We also took into account what you as a consumer might focus on most when online shopping: price.
- Support –A pillow with good support will keep your neck in line with the rest of your body, putting it in a neutral position that should ward off discomfort. Depending on your preferred sleep position, this can look different from pillow to pillow. For this reason, we considered how the shape, loft, and feel of a pillow should support a sleeper and which sleeper type will enjoy it most.
- Pressure relief – Pressure can build up when any part of your neck or head digs uncomfortably into the pillow, exacerbating pain. Pressure relief is especially important if you have a thick, highly lofted pillow. You want it to be soft and yielding enough to allow everything to comfortably sink in, which is a sign of good pressure relief.
- Value – Finally, we took a look at the overall value of the product. Rather than just looking at the price tag, we weighed our experience against the cost of the product. From there, we judged whether or not we would pay what we paid for each of the products.
Our Testing Experience
Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow – Best Pillow for Neck Pain Overall
Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow
With its customizable fill, this pillow allows sleepers to tailor loft and firmness to their exact preference.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
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.
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow – Best Pillow for Neck and Shoulder Pain
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
Tempur-Pedic’s TEMPUR-Neck pillow has an ergonomic shape that makes it an ideal pillow for anyone dealing with neck pain. This solid slab of memory foam will contour to your head and neck, following the spine’s natural curve.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.20 / 5
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.
Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow – Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain
Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow
Offering the plush feel of down without allergens, this pillow is ideal for those seeking a soft and hypoallergenic option with a hotel-like feel.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.70 / 5
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.
Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow – Best Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain
Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow
Designed with GlacioTex technology, this pillow offers a cool-to-the-touch feel and supportive memory foam core.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.2 / 5
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.
Luxome LAYR Pillow – Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Neck Pain
Luxome LAYR Pillow
The Luxome LAYR Pillow can be tailored to your specific needs with multiple foam inserts and adjustable fill.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.7 / 5
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.
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow – Best Pillow for Stomach Sleepers with Neck Pain
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
Depending on how you zip it up, the Marlow Pillow can have a firm, medium, or plush feel to it, making it a great pick if you want adjustability.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.20 / 5
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.
Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow – Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain
Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow
Nectar’s Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow lives up to its name with its cool-to-the-touch cover, but it also features adjustable firmness thanks to its side zippers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
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.
Other Pillows for Neck Pain We Considered
We’ve tested dozens of pillows, so, naturally, there are a few that didn’t make the cut for this list. However, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t work for neck pain. If you didn’t find what you were looking for above, take a look at these other options:
- Saatva Latex Pillow – This all-natural latex pillow contains certified organic materials and doesn’t trap heat. It’s available in two lofts; the higher loft should work for side sleepers, while the standard loft should appeal to back sleepers. Either option is too thick for stomach sleepers, though. It’s also a bit expensive ($165 for a standard size, $185 for a king size) and may not be the best choice for folks looking to keep costs low.
- Purple Original Pillow – The Original Purple pillow is unlike any other on the market, since it’s primarily made of a thick piece of the brand’s proprietary gel grid. Not only does this hyperelastic polymer create plenty of airflow, it has a unique feel that may take some getting used to. Squishy at first, the grid feels firm once you apply pressure. This isn’t a very budget-friendly option at $250, though it should be a long-lasting one for those that want to splurge.
- Lagoon Fox Pillow – The Lagoon Fox is a memory foam pillow with a medium feel, a balance that should be great for those with neck pain. Unlike other foam pillows, this one shouldn’t trap heat. The foam is shredded for airflow and the cover includes bamboo (a naturally cooling material), so it should sleep cool all night long. It’s also adjustable, so you can add and remove fill to your liking—it just might get messy. At full price, this pillow is around $120, which could be out of budget for some.
How We Tested These Pillows for Neck Pain
A good pillow is necessary to get high-quality sleep every night. “When you’re comfortable and properly supported, you’ll have one less reason to struggle to fall asleep,” our chief medical advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta says.
In testing these pillows, we prioritized support and pressure relief, as these are hallmarks of sleeping comfortably with neck pain. Let’s take a deeper look at the categories that influenced our final best pillows for neck pain makeup.
Support
When it comes to support in a pillow, it’s important to strike the right balance for your needs. Per Dr. Raj Dasgupta, “A pillow that’s too flat can leave your head unsupported, while one that’s too thick can push your neck into an awkward angle.” What makes a pillow supportive is therefore a combination of many factors: loft, firmness, and fill. Basically, the shape of the pillow, what’s inside it, and how it feels can determine the level of support and who will feel most supported by the pillow.
This is why we tried out each pillow in every sleeping position. Some pillows were adjustable (meaning you had to add or remove fill) and required some extra refinement to get the right feel; however, we tested each pillow in every possible configuration, and sleeping position to get the full picture of how they perform for different types of sleepers.
Pressure Relief
“If you’re suffering from neck pain, you may need to look into a new mattress or pillow that will provide the proper support or pressure relief for whatever problem you are facing,” Dr. Raj Dasgupta says. Pressure relief, as the phrase implies, takes the tension off common areas that bear the brunt of your weight as they dig into the pillow. It can also balance out firmer neck support with softer contouring, helping to alleviate pain from a stiff neck.
In general, memory foam does a nice job of providing pressure relief because it evenly distributes weight across its surface. Latex also offers good pressure relief, but it will have less of that sinking feel. Options like down and feather pillows may not provide as much pressure relief, since you’re more likely to sink far into these pillows without the support of a denser material below.
Value
When it comes to purchasing a pillow specifically for pain relief, you might want to consider spending a little more. A cheap pillow likely won’t be as supportive and won’t last you as long as a more expensive one that was crafted with high-quality materials.
But how do you know the difference between luxury pricing and getting ripped off? Well, we put all of these pillows to the test, comparing their feel, experience, and quality with the listed price to assess the overall value of each. We also considered any sleep trials or warranties offered by the brand. If there were any discrepancies, we made sure to mention them, and it affected our final value score out of 5.
What Else Is Important When Buying a Pillow for Neck Pain?
With so many pillows available to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what you should look for in finding the best pillow for neck pain depending on your personal preferences, body type, and sleep position.
Loft
As we’ve mentioned, loft is a very important factor for sleepers with neck pain to consider when looking for a pillow. The loft of a pillow is simply how high or thick it is.
A pillow with a loft that is too low will make your head sink down too far to the bed, and a pillow with a loft that is too high will force your head to incline higher than it should. All of this matters because of the importance of your spine alignment. If your head isn’t resting right in line with your shoulders, this will put undue strain on your neck.
The best loft for sleepers with neck pain will vary by sleeping position and body weight. For instance, stomach and back sleepers will be most comfortable on a pillow with a lower loft, whereas side sleepers will need a pillow with a higher loft to fill the space between the shoulders and the head.
Body weight also comes into play. Heavier weight sleepers will naturally sink further into their mattress and won’t need a pillow with as high of a loft, whereas lightweight sleepers will have the opposite situation and need a pillow with a lower loft.
Because of all these factors, there is no perfect number of inches of loft that everyone needs in a pillow, but this information should help you use your judgement as to whether or not a pillow has the right amount of loft for you.
Shape
Like loft, the shape of your pillow also matters. Some brands offer pillows in multiple shapes, like with a cut-out for your shoulder if you sleep on your side, or a rounded edge for back sleepers to accommodate their neck. You may have even seen some shaped like three-dimensional cubes to fill in the square-shaped gap between your neck and shoulder. These pillows are great for sleepers who know what they want, but they can take some getting used to.
With neck pain, you can get more specialized with a cervical neck pillow. Cervical pillows are designed with peaks and valleys to contour to your neck and shoulders in certain sleeping positions, helping to promote a healthy sleep posture. However, studies show mixed results on whether these pillows are effective, especially since it can be difficult to find the right height and shape for your unique body to be truly “ergonomic.” We recommend checking with a health professional if you’re looking into cervical or orthopedic pillows to find the right kind for you.
Of course, you can always stick to the classic, vaguely rectangular shape if you’re not very adventurous.
Pillow Type
The material inside a pillow can determine the overall firmness, feel, and support type. Let’s go over some of the most common pillow types so you can figure out which is best for you.
Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam pillows are excellent for neck pain relief. These pillows are designed to cushion and contour your head, so they do a great job of supporting neutral spine alignment. Memory foam contour pillows are also durable and last for a long time. Unlike feather or down pillows, they won’t require frequent fluffing to maintain their shape.
Memory foam pillows come in many forms; some may even come with shredded foam, allowing you to adjust the pillow to your preferences. Shredded memory foam pillows are great for sleepers with neck pain because you can adjust the pillow over time to find the right loft for you.
Latex Pillows
Latex pillows offer similar benefits to memory foam pillows – they are pressure-relieving and can be good for sleepers with neck pain. The one major difference between latex and memory foam pillows is the responsiveness.
Latex has a buoyant feel, so these pillows will quickly adapt to your movements. You also won’t feel that sinking and contouring feeling that you get with memory foam, but these pillows are still good for keeping your spine aligned and reducing neck pain. If you’re interested in latex pillows, be sure to check out our list of the best latex pillows we’ve tested.
Feather, Down, and Down Alternative Pillows
Feather pillows do not have great loft and need frequent fluffing. The softer they are, the less likely they are to work for sleepers with neck pain. Down pillows are made specifically with a super-soft undercoating of duck or goose feathers; they are also very plush and have similar problems to feather pillows. Down alternative pillows are very similar to down pillows, except they’ll use a microfiber material instead of all-natural duck and geese feathers.
Sleepers with neck pain don’t necessarily have to avoid feather, down, and down alternative pillows altogether. You may just need to double up with two pillows under your head for the loft and support you need since these pillows are more thin and soft.
Cooling
Hot sleepers, you may be worried about a pillow trapping heat. As Dr. Raj Dasgupta put it: “Overheating during the night can negatively impact sleep, so having a pillow that promotes airflow can be helpful for those who experience night sweats, hot flashes, or frequent sleep disruptions due to temperature changes.”
That’s why we recommend looking for pillows with advertised cooling covers and breathable fills. Generally, for the latter, shredded latex or memory foam will allow for air to pass through the pillow better than dense blocks. Down and feather pillows tend to hold onto heat, while some down alternatives might be made of synthetic fibers less likely to do so. If your chosen pillow isn’t delivering the cooling you need, you can always outfit your bed and pillow with some of our favorite cooling sheets.
Durability
If you’re investing in a new pillow, chances are you’ll want one that can offer you long-lasting comfort. You don’t want to purchase a pillow that will flatten out after a couple months and no longer offer support. We recommend memory foam and latex for more durable pillows, as these materials are more dense and supportive, and less likely to sag or lose their shape. Feather and down pillows may not be as durable and will require regular fluffing, and some have a tendency to leak feathers as time goes on.
If you’re worried about whether or not a pillow will last, take a look at any policies offered by the company. Most brands offer sleep trials or return windows, so if you end up dissatisfied with your product, you can return it for a full refund. Some are even more generous with warranties. If a pillow is backed by a warranty, chances are that the company behind it believes its product will last. It’s an easy sneak peek into the expected longevity of your pillow.
FAQs
What type of pillow is best for neck pain?
The best type of pillow for neck pain will depend on how you sleep, but generally, look for a pillow that has proper support. Side sleepers, go for a lofty pillow that will fill in the space between your neck and shoulder. Stomach sleepers should look for something low and easy to sink into. Back sleepers can get away with a high or loft loft depending on their preferences.
Are feather pillows good for neck pain?
Feather pillows can work for some with neck pain. Generally we recommend memory foam or latex pillows over down pillows for their support, but the latter can work for side sleepers wanting that pillowy feel.
Is a memory foam pillow good for neck pain?
Memory foam is great for neck pain as it provides a blend of support and contouring pressure relief that can benefit side and back sleepers. Some stomach sleepers may find it too dense, but if they go for a low loft, they might also like it.
References
- Cary, D., Jacques, A., & Briffa, K. (2021). Examining relationships between sleep posture, waking spinal symptoms and quality of sleep: A cross sectional study. PLOS ONE, 16(11), e0260582. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260582
- Solorio-Ferrales, K., et al. (2017). Comparison of regenerated bamboo and cotton performance in warm environment. Journal of Applied Research and Technology, 15(3), 205–210. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1665642317300391#sec0030
- Ren, S., Wong, D. W., Yang, H., Zhou, Y., Lin, J., & Zhang, M. (2016). Effect of pillow height on the biomechanics of the head-neck complex: investigation of the cranio-cervical pressure and cervical spine alignment. PeerJ, 4, e2397. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2397
