The best pillow for neck pain aims to keep your head, neck, and spine in alignment while you sleep. Also, this will help relieve pressure on the top of your body to relieve aches and pains. We’ve compiled a list of the best pillow for neck pain to ensure that you sleep comfortably and soundly every night.
Whenever it comes to choosing the right pillow for neck pain, you might want to check out our guide.
An extensive guide to the best pillows for a complete list of our recommendations. If you have neck pain at night or wake up stiff, it may be worth investing in a pillow designed to relieve strain on the neck.
Pillows for neck pain are meant to keep your body in a neutral position. They make sure your head, neck, and shoulders are properly supported and at the right height. This is to avoid putting undue strain on those areas of your body. If you have pain in another part of your body while sleeping, you might want to look at our expert guide to the best pillows for back pain instead.
Over the few sleep nights, we tested a variety of leading brands with pillows manufactured from various materials to help you identify the best pillow for neck pain. There’s something for everyone, regardless of sleeping position or money.
Tempur Original Large Pillow – Best Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain
- Filling: Memory foam
- Cover: 100% cotton cover (machine washable 60C)
- Sizes: Large is 61cm x 31cm (11.5cm max height) also available in Medium (10cm height) and X Large (13cm height)
For people suffering from neck pain, contoured memory foam is the pillow of choice. Tempur is the king of memory foam pillows. This traditional, sturdy pillow is pricey. However, it’s an excellent option if you want to sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed.
The Tempur Original pillow, which is made of the same space-age material as its mattresses, is specifically designed to cradle the neck and shoulders for pain-free sleep.
The firm memory foam filling softly molds to the contour of your head and neck throughout the night and then springs back to its original shape. This will guarantee that each sleep is as comfortable as the previous. It comes in three different heights, so you can choose the one that best suits your sleeping style. Tempur recommends the medium or big for women and the large or XL for men. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, there’s also a 30-day trial. The soft outer cover may be machine washed at 60 degrees, and spares are also available.
While you sleep, the raised part supports your neck and allows your head, neck, and shoulder muscles to fully rest in their natural posture. The Large size is 11.5cm at its highest point, which isn’t particularly tall. It’s ideal for back sleepers, side sleepers may require a little more height to support their shoulders. Furthermore, the Tempur Original is also available in an X Large size with 13cm of support, which is perfect for side sleepers. It’s worth mentioning, though, that the pillow will compress and firm up during the course of your first few nights of sleep.
Eve Memory Foam Pillow – Best Firm Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain
- Filling: Memory foam
- Cover: Polyester (machine washable)
- Sizes: 1 (42 x 66cm, 13cm height)
If you’re looking for a memory foam pillow, Eve Sleep’s cushion offers an excellent job of cradling your neck and head without being too stiff. The pillow is hypoallergenic, breathable, and stretchy, and the cover is machine washable. It offers better support than a squishy pillow and has cooling characteristics to keep you comfortable throughout the night. This helps with back and neck pain because if your spine is properly positioned. The product was created to provide you with a restful night’s sleep.
Although Eve’s pillow lacks the ergonomic shape of some of the other pillows in this roundup, it is one of the best memory foam pillows, especially if you want a firmer feel. It does, in fact, have a significantly greater firmness rating than some of the other memory foam pillows we’ve tried. Not only that, it quickly returns to its original shape whenever you lift your head up and has excellent bounce-back.
For this level of support, the Eve memory foam pillow is a good alternative for sleepers who suffer from neck pain or shoulder strain. If you don’t notice a difference in your sleep after 30 days, Eve offers a 30-day trial period during which you may return your pillow for a full refund if you’re not satisfied.
Simba Hybrid Pillow for Neck Pain – Best Adjustable Neck Pillow for Good Night Sleep
- Size: 50cm x 75cm
- Filling: Memory foam cubes, microfibre casing
- Cover: Cotton
- Guarantee: 1 year
Simba’s famous pillow, which is still our favorite alternative to regular memory foam, is stuffed with little, closed-cell foam “nanocubes” that you can insert and remove. This will help to customize its height and support to your sleep pattern. It’s one of the most technological pillows on the market, and it’s truly amazing at handling diverse temperatures. One side of the case is soft cotton, while the other is Simba’s unique “Stratos” fabric, which disperses or stores heat depending on your skin temperature.
We discovered that the cubes tended to cluster together after many nights. However, this is easily remedied by unzipping the case and moving them around. The Simba Hybrid pillow’s hundreds of foam Nanocubes gently cushion your head, neck, and spine while simultaneously providing a supporting base.
The loose cubes, which are contained in a zip pocket, can be taken out or added to, depending on your sleeping position and preferences. This is to provide a customized sleeping experience that may assist to alleviate neck pain caused by an ill-fitting pillow. It’s no surprise that we think this is one of the best neck pillows available.
If you’re a side sleeper, keep more filler in for a harder base with a greater loft. One thing is that you can remove a handful of the cubes if you’re a back sleeper to get the right lower, somewhat softer sleep. The cubes are sandwiched between a hypoallergenic fiber filled with minerals called Aerelle Cool Night that absorbs heat. Moreover, there’s a microfibre padding for comfort to help you stay cool at night, especially if you suffer from hot flushes.
Panda Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain – Best for side sleepers
- Firmness: Firm
- Height: 60cm x 40cm x 12cm
- Filling: Memory foam
- Cover: Bamboo and polyester
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Adjustable: No
Are you attempting to shop in a more environmentally friendly manner? Then this bamboo memory foam cushion might be for you. The brand employs organic bamboo and examines the product’s eco-friendliness at every level of the manufacturing process.
It’s hypoallergenic, doesn’t misshape overnight, and performed well in our wash testing when it comes to sleeping with it. However, it is not adjustable and is fairly hard. If you want to try it out first, there’s a 30-day trial available.
Bamboo bedding is one of our favorites since it looks and feels like silk but is also eco-friendly, easy to care for, and temperature-regulating. As a result, it’s the ideal antidote to memory foam, which provides excellent support but absorbs heat and is difficult to recycle. Panda’s ultra-supportive pillow is made of firm foam that isn’t too firm. This will make an ideal for side and front sleepers, and its thick bamboo case is soft, cool, and hypoallergenic.
You don’t need an extra case, but if the cute embroidered panda logo in the corner doesn’t mix with your décor, a large pillowcase will suffice.
InnovaGoods Neck Pillow Ergonomic Pillow White – Best Budget-friendly Pillow for Neck Pain
- Brand: InnovaGoods
- Color” White
- Material: Polyester, Cotton
- Shape: Semicircular
- Fabric Type: Cotton (40%) and Polyester (60%)
Enjoy the advantage of this new InnovaGoods Wellness Relax memory foam pillow for a restful and relaxed night’s sleep. It molds itself to your body, properly dispersing weight and encouraging proper sleeping posture. The ergonomic design of this soft and comfy neck cushion avoids head and neck aches. It is also particularly effective in the treatment of insomnia. Its innovative technology and high-quality materials provide the finest rest, relaxation, and comfort possible.
Since it offers the best and most up-to-date beauty, relaxation, and wellbeing items, InnovaGoods makes it simple to prioritize your personal care without any excuses. Discover a diverse selection of high-quality products that stand out for their utility, efficiency, and unique design.
A viscoelastic neck pillow with ergonomic features for optimal head, neck, and hand support. It assists you in sleeping in the proper posture, preserving the natural curvature of your neck. Also, it prevents and relieving neck pain. Its slow rebound viscoelastic foam conforms to the shape of the body precisely, relieving pressure on the neck and promoting relaxation and rest. It has a center cavity for the head, one extension for the neck, and two extensions for the arms and hands on the sides. Also, it promotes smooth and natural breathing, making it the ideal cushion for a nice and restful night’s sleep.
Dunlopillo Super Comfort Ergonomic Pillow – Best Pillow for Neck Pain and Comfort
- Made from 100% natural Dunlopillo Latex
- Cover material 100% Cotton
- Dimensions L68 x W40cm
Dunlopillo’s ultra-comfy latex is fantastic. It has a peculiar bounce to it that makes it completely different from memory foam, softer and more responsive than memory foam, and far more supportive than a hollow fiber or feather pillow.
It’s obviously on the pricier side, but once you feel it, you know it’ll last. It comes with a 5-year guarantee. However, we think it’ll last much longer. It doesn’t appear to be going flat anytime soon. Therefore, a standard pillow should last 1-3 years, we believe this pillow may last a decade and still be very comfy. Excellent value for money.
Latex is another entirely natural pillow; it’s manufactured from the sap of a rubber tree, which is then treated without chemicals to produce a firm, bouncy pillow. It’s also free of any allergens.
Excellent for side and back sleepers, but maybe too tall for front sleepers. The Dunlopillo Super Comfort latex pillow is a luxury full-block Dunlopillo Talalay latex pillow that provides immediate pressure relief and comfort to your head and neck.
This Dunlopillo cushion provides medium-firm support and is firmer than the other pillows. The elegant removable knitted cover of this Dunlopillo latex cushion makes the pillow easy to clean.
Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow – Best Pillow for Neck Pain
- Available in 3 sizes for different body types
- Fill material: Memory foam
- Firmness level: Firm
This is the pillow for you if you require strong support to relieve neck problems. It’s been on the market for years and has withstood the test of time because of its strong memory foam. This is ergonomically designed to provide optimum alignment for back and side sleepers. The design is curved, unlike most other pillows, to suit the curve around your head, neck, and shoulders.
It also has a thinner profile, which means it won’t seem overly high, however it does fit pillowcases uncomfortably. Despite this, it passed our pressure testing and is available in small, medium, and large sizes to accommodate a variety of body types. The outer cover is machine washable and detachable.
Those who prefer firm pillows stated this one was comfortable to lie on and felt supported. It was the ideal fit around my neck and shoulder. Another person mentioned how it takes a long time to mold to particular shapes. Just keep in mind that it’s considerably firmer than others, so it’s not for everyone.
How We Tested?
We put a selection of pillows to the test with individuals to discover how comfortable they are to sleep on. The comfort, support, breathability, washability, and design of each item were all reviewed. We also inquired as to whether they intended to continue using it.
We compared our reviewers’ sleep scores, as recorded on their wearables, for each pillow they tested, and we looked for reported comfort when settling down to sleep and when sipping coffee and skimming the internet in the morning.
Is it Common for Pillows to Cause Neck Pain?
When a pillow does not properly support your head and neck, it can cause neck and shoulder pain by causing stress in your neck muscles. It’s preferable to sleep on a feather or memory foam pillow since it cradles your neck and keeps your spine and neck aligned.
Neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress and the way we stand or sit. However, not sleeping with a suitable pillow, which is necessary for adequately supporting our necks, is one of the most common causes of neck pain. When sleeping, a good pillow should keep your head in the same position as if you were standing upright but lying down, and proper posture and an aligned spine. This can help prevent sore and stiff muscles in your neck, shoulder, and back. To adequately support your head, your pillow should be tucked well into the neck and shoulder.
The ideal cushion for neck pain is determined by your sleeping posture, body shape and size, and whether or not you overheat at night. We’ve mentioned the best pillow for neck pain above to assist you in finding the right one for you.
Can Replace Your Pillow Help Improve Neck Pain?
It’s likely that your pillow is to blame for your neck problems. It may not be as supportive as it once was, especially if it is old. However, simply changing your pillow won’t make your neck ache go. Pillow preferences are personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. As a result, some trial and error is to be expected. Furthermore, not all neck pain is caused by a lousy pillow. If a new pillow doesn’t seem to help, consult your physician.
Does Pillow for Neck Pain Really Work?
During sleep, the proper pillow is important for keeping the neck in a supported position with neutral alignment. The delicate structures in the neck would be pressured without the proper pillow support, worsening any underlying neck issue and leading to daily neck discomfort or stiffness.
Nothing beats putting your head on a soft, fluffy pillow. If you feel neck discomfort or stiffness in the morning, it could not be. A neck pillow may help you feel and sleep better. Since the upper region of your backbone is called the cervical spine, it’s also known as a cervical pillow. A pillow with strong cervical support, according to research, can help ease neck pain and improve sleep.
Down, memory foam, cotton, and synthetics that can wick away heat and sweat are among the materials used in neck pillows. The material you choose is important, but only if it helps you feel comfortable when using the pillow. According to experts, comfort takes precedence over anything else, yet materials that keep you cool may help you sleep deeper.
Types of Pillow for Neck Pain
There is no one-size-fits-all way to solve this issue. A lot of what works and what doesn’t depend on how you sleep and which pillow style you prefer. However, there are four different types of pillows on our list, and here’s what you should know about each of them:
Memory foam pillows
Memory foam pillows are a supportive option since they mold to the curve of your neck and shoulders. This makes them a good alternative if you suffer from neck pain. They tend to last a long time and are easy to maintain. However, they aren’t for everyone — hard pillows can get heated and are best suited to back or side sleepers if they aren’t adjustable.
Feather and down pillows
These premium pillows are the ones to choose if you want a pleasant spot to rest your head. Down pillows, which must contain at least 70% down feathers, are both pleasant and efficient in retaining heat. They’re pricey, but they’re airy and last a long time.
They won’t be exactly suitable if you’re a side sleeper who prefers a lot of height, as they can flatten and require fluffing from time to time. They’re also frequently unsuitable for allergy sufferers.
Microfibre pillows
These are the cheapest pillows you can buy, and they come in a variety of heights and firmness levels, so no matter what your sleeping pattern is, you’ll be able to find one that suits you. They’re frequently hypoallergenic as well, although they’re not always breathable, holding moisture and heat. It can also flatten out fast.
Latex pillows
These are the most unusual types of pillows on our list. It contains features comparable to memory foam and can be a good alternative for neck ache due to its firm and supportive shape. They’re also hypoallergenic, and they’re more breathable than foam mattresses. These are, however, costly and weighty, and their fresh smell is unmistakable.
How to Get Rid of Neck Pain While Sleeping?
The key to relieving neck discomfort is to locate a pillow that supports your sleeping pattern while keeping your head, neck, and spine in a straight line.
By immediately molding to your head and neck while you sleep, memory foam pillows provide the best support. Many side sleepers prefer them because they feel like a dense sponge, but front sleepers require flatter pillows to keep their bodies aligned, thus they may choose a down or microfiber pillow.
If you’re not sure, seek a memory foam mattress that can be adjusted in thickness and stiffness to fit your sleeping style. If you sleep on your front, remove the majority of the layers or cubes of filler. Or, if you sleep on your side, keep them all in. If you prefer to sleep on your back, choose a position in the middle.
Side sleepers can take it a step further by placing a pillow between their knees. This may seem strange, but it can help align your hips and prevent lower back problems, so give it a shot. If your neck discomfort is affecting your life, it’s very vital to discover the best pillow for neck pain. Some companies allow you to try out a pillow and then return or exchange it if it isn’t suited for you.
What Type of Pillow for Neck Pain Do Chiropractors suggest?
When it comes to pillow purchasing, we asked chiropractor Julian Keel for his recommendations. It’s critical to acquire the appropriate pillow since we spend up to a third of our lives in bed, which means we spend a lot of time passively influencing our posture.
Our natural C curve in the neck needs to be supported so that our neck joints aren’t overworked when we’re laying on our backs. We require adequate support on our sides to maintain the imaginary line that runs from the base of our skull to the tip of our tailbone. Pillows can both cause and alleviate neck problems, so finding the correct one for you is critical. If you sleep on your side, make sure you get a pillow that is strong and firm enough to keep its shape throughout the night. Moreover, if somehow the neck is too high, it will kink upwards, and if it is too low, it will kink downwards.
If you can only sleep on your back, you won’t require as much pillow depth as someone who sleeps on their side. A pillow with less firmness will allow you to cradle your head comfortably, preventing the natural curve of your neck spine from being lost. To avoid excessive neck rotation, they advise against sleeping on your front or front side.
The pillow you choose will be influenced by the quality and softness of your mattress, as well as your body shape and size. Try several out in the store before you buy if you can.” Instead, seek one that offers a trial period so you can be sure it’s right before you invest.
How to Choose the Best Pillow for Neck Pain?
The best pillow for neck pain isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. When looking for a new pillow, think about what kind of sleeper you are, whether you sleep on your back or side. Lastly, consider what type of mattress you sleep on. Consider the following:
Sleeping position – if you sleep on your side, you’ll need a firmer pillow that can hold its shape throughout the night. When you sleep on your back, choose a pillow with less depth and density so your spine isn’t forced out of alignment.
Mattress firmness – some mattresses are firmer than others, so choose a pillow that complements and provides adequate support. If you have a softer mattress, you might want to complement it with a firmer pillow. However, if you combine this cushion with an extremely firm mattress, you may end up with a loftier mix that is detrimental to your neck and spinal alignment.
Material – Pillows composed of latex or memory foam provide the finest neck and shoulder support. We also recommend noting the label on pillows you’ve enjoyed at family and friends’ homes, hotels, and vacation rentals to get ideas on what material and firmness to seek while buying.
Other things to think about before making a purchase
Before purchasing a pillow, there are a few more factors to consider, such as allergies and cooling capabilities. It’s worthwhile to invest in one that satisfies as many of your needs as possible:
Adjustability – Fillings or layers can be withdrawn or added to change the thickness of some pillows. The Kally Sleep Adjustable Pillow and the Simba Hybrid Pillow are two examples from our roundup.
Anti-allergy or hypoallergenic – Most synthetic pillows are hypoallergenic, which means they won’t trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to feathers or dust mites. When a pillow is labeled as anti-allergy, it has been treated with chemicals to help keep your sniffles at bay.
Eco-friendliness – Wool pillows are the most environmentally friendly, but if you don’t like them, there are plenty of alternative options. The Panda Luxury Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow, for example, has a bamboo cover and a memory foam filling, while the Hypoallergenic Pillow has a bamboo cover and a microfiber filling.
Cooling – Some pillows use a cooling gel or an ingenious breathable layer to adjust body temperature.
Anti-snore – These pillows are meant to assist expand your airways and promote breathing by providing better support for your head and neck. They may be able to lessen or even eliminate snoring.
Your other bedding – Making sure you have the correct pillow will surely help you sleep better at night, but if your back hurts or you can’t get comfortable, it’s also worth considering your mattress. If you don’t want to spend the money on a new mattress, a topper can help you acquire the proper level of comfort and support.
What are some effective neck stretches?
Stretching before bedtime is a good way to help ease an uncomfortable and tired neck. Here are three easy neck stretches to try. You should only stretch to the extent that it is comfortable for you, and you should stop if any stretches are painful or uncomfortable.
Spinal twist
Begin by lying on your stomach on the floor or on a mattress. At the hips, bend both knees slightly deeper than 90 degrees, keeping the knees bent at 90 degrees and the feet overlapping.
Next, maintain a straight line between the hips and shoulders, as well as the head and spine. Then, you extend the lower arm in front of the body to chest level, place it on the floor or mattress, and reach down to grab the rib cage with the upper arm.
To stabilize the spine, contract the abdominal muscles and bring the shoulders back and down without moving the body. Next, exhale slowly and rotate your torso by dragging your rib cage around with your upper arm. When twisting, avoid moving your hips since this causes the upper thigh to slide backward.
Then, continue to rotate the torso until you’re at ease. The lower back will not arch as a result of the deeper hip bend and engaged abdominal muscles.
Lastly, hold for 15–30 seconds before releasing and relax for 30 seconds. This should be repeated two to four times on each side. This stretch should be felt throughout the abs, chest, whole back, and shoulders.
Head rolls
To begin, sit with a straight back and softly lower your chin toward your chest. The ear should be above the right shoulder as you roll your head to the right. Hold for 5 seconds before gradually rolling your head back toward your chest.
The ear should be above the left shoulder as you roll your head to the left. Next, hold for 5 seconds, then slowly rotate your head back three times in a clockwise circle. Then, reverse the direction and roll the head three times in a counterclockwise circle. This should be repeated three times. The stretch should be felt in the muscles of the neck and upper back.
The bear hug
To begin, stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms out wide. Then, at the elbows, cross one arm over the other, reaching across opposing shoulders and grabbing the backs of the shoulders. Next, while breathing deeply, slowly draw the shoulders forward and hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Alternate the cross of the arms as you repeat the stretch. This stretch should be felt in the upper back.
Get Your Best Pillow for Neck Pain Now
Neck pain affects a lot of people, and the causes aren’t always obvious. If you frequently wake up with a hurting neck, it’s possible that your pillow is partly to blame. The purpose of your pillow is to keep your neck and head at the proper height to avoid excessive strain. As the neck tries to compensate for the absence of support, a pillow that is too high or too low might cause pressure to build up.
Numerous pillows have been reviewed by our team. During our testing, we look at how they hold up to wear and tear, assess who will find them comfortable, and see if they can help with neck pain. We make sure to utilize testers from various weight groups and sleeper types because weight and sleeping posture both affect how your pillow feels. Our top selection of the best pillow for neck pain has been picked based on their performance. Moreoever, it has received awards that illustrate its benefits. Like we’ve mentioned products above, all you have to do is to choose which may think will benefit you. What are you waiting for? Get one now!
