We all know that sleep is important – and not always that easy to get – which is why it’s super frustrating to wake up with neck pain each morning and not understand why.
While there could be a number of reasons for nagging neck pain, one common culprit is a bad sleep position brought on by poor alignment between a person’s body and their pillow.
There are ways to minimize the chances of experiencing neck pain – namely sleeping in a few recommended positions with a pillow that supports the neck and allows it to lay in a neutral alignment with one’s spine.
I’ve put together my top picks for the 6 best pillows for neck pain and shared why they’re so helpful and supportive; these choices are designed to cover different types of sleepers and preferred filling ranges. Many of the pillows are adjustable in some way, which will get sleepers a step closer to finding the perfect alignment for their head and neck.
Our Top Picks for the Best Pillows for Neck Pain
- Saatva – Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Neck Pain
- Lagoon Fox – Best Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain
- TEMPUR-Neck – Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers with Neck Pain
- Purple – Best Firm Pillow For Neck Pain
- Coop Sleep Goods Original – Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain
- Luxome LAYR Pillow – Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain
Video Review: Best Pillows for Neck Pain
Best for Back Sleepers – Saatva Natural Latex
Saatva Latex Pillow
The Saatva Pillow has an organic cotton cover that is removable. Underneath is an outer pillow made up of hypoallergenic microfibers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full Review
Who is it for?
Surrounded by an organic cotton cover and filled with shredded Talalay latex, this pillow contains some high-quality and eco-friendly materials.
But its most notable feature is its pillow-within-a-pillow design. On the outside, you’ll find fluffy pieces of microdenier fiber. Inside sits pieces of shredded latex foam. The result? A well balanced pillow that creates pressure relief and support.
We recommend the Saatva Latex Pillow for back sleepers, especially if they tend to sleep hot at night. The breathable materials allow plenty of room for airflow, so it shouldn’t trap heat easily.
What Makes the Saatva Pillow Stand Out?
- The Saatva Latex contains durable and eco-friendly materials.
- It works especially well for back sleepers who sleep hot at night.
- It’s one of the best orthopedic pillows.
Learn more in our Saatva pillow review.
Best Memory Foam – Lagoon Fox
Lagoon Fox Pillow
The Lagoon Fox Pillow is a CertiPUR-US certified product that incorporates soft memory foam. It's also adjustable, allowing sleepers to fit the loft to their own needs.
The best memory foam pillows afford you that sinking feeling, but still provide plenty of support so your spine stays in alignment. The Lagoon Fox delivers on that medium feel, and this balance should be great for those suffering from neck pain.
Inside the fill is shredded memory foam and polyester microfiber, and the cover is made from bamboo and polyester. Eco-conscious shoppers should be pleased with how the foam is CertiPUR-US certified.
Plus, 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.
What Makes the Lagoon Fox Pillow Stand Out?
- The Lagoon Fox is adjustable, making it easier for those with neck pain to find a comfortable loft.
- It shouldn’t sag as the night goes on, so it provides plenty of neck support.
- Lagoon offers a 100-night trial and a five-year warranty, so this should be a long-lasting pillow.
Read our Lagoon Pillows review.
Best for Combination Sleepers – TEMPUR-Neck
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 Review
Who is it for?
If you’re a combination sleeper looking for one of the best pillows for neck pain, then the TEMPUR-Neck pillow is where you should start. The TEMPUR-Neck was designed specifically for head and neck support.
It features a unique, contoured shape that will fit into your head and neck like a glove. This pillow will keep your neck supported and elevated with a thick, dense piece of TEMPUR material, and will alleviate pain over time.
Because it has a firmer feel, pillow works for combination sleepers. They should be able to move around easily on this pillow. We recommend it to back and side sleepers primarily. TEMPUR makes this pillow in three different sizes–small, medium, or large–based on how broad or narrow your shoulders are.
What Makes the TEMPUR-Neck Pillow Stand Out?
- Thanks to its unique shape, this pillow works best for back and side sleepers dealing with neck pain.
- The thick, firm piece of TEMPUR material is very supportive, but also has a bit of give.
- TEMPUR-Pedic has a version of this pillow that’s been infused with gel for hot sleepers.
Read our full TEMPUR-Neck pillow review!
Best Firm – Purple Original
Purple Pillow
Purple's original pillow is made with their signature Smart Comfort Grid polymer material that gives the pillow a plusher feel but without losing the support.
Mattress Clarity Score
3.80 / 5
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Who is it for?
The Original Purple pillow is unlike any other on the market. First of all, it’s made with a thick piece of their proprietary gel grid. Not only does this hyperelastic polymer create plenty of airflow, it has a unique feel! Squishy at first, this grid feels firm once you apply pressure.
To make things even better, this versatile pillow is customizable. Because it comes with two cloth boosters, you can easily adjust its loft.
We especially recommend this pillow for larger people, but it’s tall enough to keep the neck in line with the spine. Folks with neck pain especially need to pay attention to their alignment. Otherwise, the muscle tension may continue.
What Makes the Purple Pillow Stand Out?
- It’s especially firm, thanks to its gel grid.
- The pillow comes with cloth boosters so you can adjust the loft.
- The Original Purple pillow works especially well for larger people.
Read the complete Purple pillow review.
Best for Side Sleepers – Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow
Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow
The Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow from Coop Sleep Goods is distinct in more than one way. The memory foam shredded filling is responsive and guarantees the pillow will never go flat, plus sleepers can remove as much filling as they like which makes it great for people who sleep in several positions.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.70 / 5
Read Full Review
Who is it for?
If you’re a side sleeper dealing with neck pain, chances are you’re sleeping with a pillow that makes your head crane too low or too high. The Coop Sleep Goods original adjustable pillow is a perfect option for side sleepers because you can find a loft that works for you.
This pillow is full of shredded memory foam and plush microfibers, which gives it that slow-moving memory foam feel, while still being very soft, too. And like the name suggests, this is an adjustable pillow, meaning you have the option to take out or add in fill to achieve a loft that works for you.
Side sleepers will want to keep the pillow relatively full, or might need to add in additional fill that Coop provides to achieve a high loft. But once you find the sweet spot, you can keep your head and neck in a neutral position and sleep pain free!
What Makes the Coop Sleep Goods Pillow Stand Out?
- The ability to adjust the loft of this pillow means you can find a position that works best for you to alleviate pain.
- It’s full of memory foam, which will contour to your head and neck while still being very supportive.
- The outer, removable cover is hypoallergenic and machine-washable.
Read our full Coop Sleep Goods adjustable pillow review.
Best Cooling – Luxome LAYR Pillow
Luxome LAYR Pillow
The LUXOME LAYR Pillow is a high-quality adjustable option that allows you to create your own comfort.
Who is it for?
The Luxome LAYR Pillow is an excellent choice for those with neck pain, but also for those facing the additional discomfort of sleeping hot. An overheated sleep environment can prevent folks from sleeping through the night, and lack of sleep can exacerbate neck pain.
As a luxury pillow with numerous cooling properties, the Luxome LAYR Pillow works to prevent this. As soon as sleepers lay down, they’ll notice a cooling bamboo pillow cover. There’s also gel-infused memory foam and a construction designed for the promotion of airflow.
When it comes to neck pain, the Luxome LAYR Pillow has folks covered. Its adjustable quality lets sleepers select not only the ideal loft for their spinal alignment, but also the ideal firmness. This level of customizability is rare and certainly helpful for alleviating neck pain.
What Makes the Luxome LAYR Pillow Stand Out?
- This pillow has quality materials. It earned a STANDARD 100 OEKO-TEX certification and it boasts CertiPUR-US certified memory foam.
- Luxome offers free shipping within the contiguous United States.
- Shoppers can choose between a standard and king size, as well as a one-pack or two-pack.
Read our full Luxome LAYR pillow review.
How to Choose the Best Pillow for Neck Pain
We’ve detailed our top picks. Now we’ll get into the other factors you should consider when looking for your next pillow.
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 will not 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 using this information you should be able to use your judgement as to whether or not a pillow has the right amount of loft for you.
Firmness
Similar to loft, the ideal firmness is also a factor that varies by person. Generally, if you have neck pain you won’t want a pillow that’s extremely soft or extremely firm. Instead, you’ll want something medium-soft that contours to your head shape.
Pressure Relief
It’s also good to look out for a pillow with pressure-relieving qualities. Materials like memory foam do a nice job of offering pressure relief because it’s good at evenly distributing weight across the surface. Latex also does a nice job of offering pressure relief. Options like down and feather pillows won’t offer much pressure relief.
Durability
Finding a durable pillow is a good sign that it will 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. The most durable pillows for neck pain are memory foam, latex, and buckwheat pillows. Feather and down pillows won’t be as durable.
Price
Price also comes into play for durability. A cheap pillow likely won’t last you as long as a more expensive one that was crafted with high-quality materials. You may want to consider spending more than you expected when it comes to purchasing a pillow specifically for pain relief.
Best Pillow Types for Neck Pain Relief
As with all products you purchase for your sleep, there are many nuances to finding that pillow that will be just right for you. But when it comes to the materials and the type of pillow to look out for to help alleviate neck pain, the answer is a little more straightforward.
We’ll go over the best types of pillows for neck pain and which types to avoid.
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 feel 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.
Buckwheat Pillows
Buckwheat pillows are more unique, but they are a good choice for people who have neck pain. These pillows are made with buckwheat hulls that can shift around and then lock into place. This material is naturally very breathable and makes for a supportive pillow.
Types of Pillows to Avoid when Suffering from Neck Pain
- Neck Pillows: These work well in a pinch, like when you’re napping on public transportation. Generally, though, we don’t recommend them for everyday use. Despite their name, these portable U-shape pillows don’t help alleviate neck pain. You might be wondering, “Can your pillow cause neck pain?” And the answer is: yes, sometimes they can.
- Feather: Feather pillows do not have great loft and need frequent fluffing. They are not very supportive for sleepers with neck pain.
- Down: Down pillows are very soft and have similar problems to feather pillows. They are not a great fit for people with neck pain.
- Down alternative: Down alternative pillows are very similar to down pillows, except they use a polyester microfiber material instead of all-natural duck and geese feathers. These pillows are also very soft and do not hold their shape well, so they are not a good fit for people with neck pain.
Sleepers with neck pain don’t necessarily have to avoid feather, down, and down alternative pillows all together. 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.
Although, we would probably recommend just choosing one of the many other types of pillows that are designed to help alleviate pain in the neck instead.
What Causes Neck Pain While Sleeping?
You might be wondering how this pain all got started. Here are few of the most common reasons for neck pain.
Poor Mattress
If your mattress doesn’t help you maintain the correct spinal alignment, you could wake up with aches and pains. After all, you spend 7-9 hours on your mattress each night, so you want to make sure you have one of the best mattresses for neck pain relief.
The Wrong Loft Pillow
Flat pillows often cause necks to crane out of alignment, creating knots and muscle tension. Remember, always make sure your pillow promotes a neutral alignment. When resting on your side, your ears should line up with your shoulders and your chin should align with your sternum. Back and stomach sleepers, you’ll want to ensure your necks line up with your sternums as well.
Sleeping Position
We’ve explained how important your sleeping position and spine alignment is for reducing neck pain. Avoid stomach sleeping, and make sure your head is in straight alignment with your spine.
Stress
When anxiety levels rise, people often tense their muscles and grind their teeth at night. If your neck pain becomes chronic, try some gentle neck stretches to release the tension. It may even help to meditate and soothe the mind before bed.
Summary
As a reminder, here’s a list of our recommendations for the best pillows for neck pain:
| Pillow | Best For |
| Saatva Latex | Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Neck Pain |
| Lagoon Fox | Best Memory Foam Pillow for Neck Pain |
| TEMPUR-Neck | Best Pillow for Combination Sleepers with Neck Pain |
| Purple | Best Firm Pillow for Neck Pain |
| Coop Sleep Goods Original | Best Pillow for Side Sleepers with Neck Pain |
| Luxome LAYR | Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain |
FAQs
How do I choose a pillow for neck pain?
Those experiencing chronic neck pain should always seek the advice of a medical professional to rule out anything serious. If it's determined that the culprit is the pillow - it's an easy fix! First, pick a pillow that suits the primary sleep position (the position one typically wakes up in). Generally speaking, stomach sleepers need the softest/flattest pillows while side sleepers need the most loft and support. Aim to get the body into neutral head, neck and spine alignment, allowing the natural curves of the body to lay as they should with support but no additional strain. This may take a few tries with different pillows and even some conversations about the right mattress but, over time, finding the best sleeping position and the best pillow to match will be worth it.
Are contour pillows good for neck pain?
Contour pillows can be a wonderful choice for those trying to alleviate neck pain. These pillows specialize in supporting a key area prone to strain and resulting pain - the natural curvature (often referred to as the cervical curvature) of one's neck. Placing the right amount of support in this area takes pressure off the many muscles and nerves in the neck and may help the pain subside.
What is the best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain?
Side sleepers make up more than half of the American population, so we're not surprised to see this question so frequently! Side sleepers with neck pain really need to focus on finding a pillow that has enough loft and height to support the 4" to 6" gap that resides between the top of the shoulder and the side of one's head and neck. When the head and neck are properly supported and the shoulder does not have increased pressure on it, the neck can stay free from tensions and stress and neck pain should go away. The goal is to look at oneself in a side sleeping position and see a straight line from the forehead, nose, chin down to the neck and sternum - this means neutral alignment is achieved.