Best Pillows for Neck Pain: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Many people don’t put much thought into their pillows, but considering we spend one-third of our lives sleeping, a good pillow plays an important role in both our comfort and health. And if you’re struggling with chronic neck pain—an increasingly common issue—the right pillow can align your spine and help you start living pain-free. “Neck pain is the #3 cause of chronic pain and finding the right pillow to help alleviate neck pain and tension is crucial for acute and long-term relief.” says Dr. Jordan Burns owner of ProWellness Chiropractic in Indianapolis. 

While a new pillow won’t always be the cure for your pain, it can help reduce your symptoms enough to help you get a good night’s sleep. We break down some of the best pillows for neck pain, as well as some reasons you may be experiencing pain in the first place.

Best Pillows for Neck Pain

Brand	Model	Highlight	price
	Amerisleep Flex Pillow	MicroFlex cushions allow you adjust the pillow to suit any sleep style	$75
	Zoma Pillow	Customizable MicroCushion™ foam to work with the majority of sleepers	$75
	Vaya Pillow	Bargain-priced pillow with soft, adjustable foam fill.	$60
	Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow	Unique U-shaped design supports side sleeping	$130
	Muse Pillow	Dual-layered memory foam balances support and cushioning	$120
	EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow	Block memory foam pillow with a removable layer	$42
	K Ka Ua Cervical Bolster Pillow	Cylindrical pillow suitable for travel	$30
	Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow	A soft, but supportive alternative to memory foam	$39

With hundreds of MicroFlex cushions in the pillow, you can mold it into any shape and loft you prefer for maximized comfort. Not only is the Flex Pillow wrapped in a soft, breathable cover, but air can escape between the MicroFlex cushions, making sure you stay cool and don’t wake up feeling sweaty.

The Amerisleep Flex Pillow comes in sizes king and queen. The pillow is made in the USA and comes with a 10-year warranty. Amerisleep also offers free shipping for their products.

Dr. Jordan Burns adds “with 1 in 10 adults suffering from neck pain at any given time, finding the right pillow plays an important role in getting the pain relief that you’re looking for. The Amerisleep Flex Pillow is a great option for anyone looking to relieve tension and stress on their neck muscles.”

The pillow’s mesh cover is highly breathable, ensuring your neck doesn’t get hot and uncomfortable while you sleep. Since MicroCushions™ is a type of shredded foam, air can also flow between each piece and keep you cool. The fill is certified safe by CertiPUR-US®.

“Adjustable memory foam pillows like the Zoma Pillow are a perfect fit for all sleeping styles to help alleviate pain and tension in the neck and spine.” adds Dr. Jordan Burns.

Zoma provides shoppers with free shipping and a 10-year warranty so you can sleep soundly.

An ultra-breathable fabric cover surrounds the fill, ensuring heat doesn’t accumulate and disturb your rest. The cover is not removable, but both the fabric and fill are machine-washable, making it easy to keep the pillow clean and in good condition.

A Vaya Pillow is $60 for a queen size and $85 for a king size pillow. Every Vaya Pillow is made in the USA and backed by a 10-year warranty to ensure sleepers get their money’s worth. Vaya also offers an extra 15 percent off for anyone who purchases two pillows. “I like the Vaya Pillow as a more affordable option for combination sleepers and people looking for head and neck pain relief.” adds Dr. Jordan Burns.

4. Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow

As the name suggests, the Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow is designed for side sleepers. The pillow’s unique curve accommodates your shoulders while still supporting your neck and promoting a neutral spine.

The Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow is filled with latex and polyester and has a medium-firm feel, but you can add or remove filling as you please to alter the pillow’s firmness and loft.

The Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow is antimicrobial, mildew-proof, and dust mite-resistant, minimizing your chance of experiencing allergy symptoms at night. The pillow only comes in one size, but it works well for queen and king mattresses.

4. Muse Pillow

The Muse Pillow has a unique dual-layer design for optimal support and contouring. The top layer is made from malleable shredded memory foam while the bottom layer is made from a solid memory foam block.

Although memory foam is notorious for getting hot, the shredded foam in the Muse Pillow allows for more airflow. Also, the pillow’s phase-changing yarn cover is breathable and moisture-wicking, so you stay cool and dry at night.

Most pillows only come in one loft (thickness), but the Muse Pillow is available in 3 different lofts to make sure it’s the right height for you: low (5 inches), medium (6 inches), and high (7 inches).

The Muse Pillow comes with a 3-year warranty and ships for free within the contiguous USA.

5. EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow

The EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow features a curved, ergonomic design to cradle your neck and head and reduce pain. Despite being so economical, this high-quality contour pillow is hypoallergenic and contains high-quality materials.

The pillow’s cover is a bamboo rayon and polyester blend and is removable for easy cleaning.

The pillow is made from a solid memory foam block, but unlike other block foam pillows, the EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow has an extra 1-inch layer you can remove to lower the pillow’s thickness if you choose. This is a great feature for back and stomach sleepers, who need thinner pillow lofts.

EPABO offers a 30-night trial for their pillows to ensure you’re happy with your purchase.

6. K Ka Ua Cervical Bolster Pillow

The K Ka Ua (Hawaiian Rain) Cervical Bolster Pillow has a cylindrical design to fit right beneath your neck. The pillow molds to your neck and head when you lay on it and won’t roll out from under you, ensuring you stay supported throughout the night.

Not only can you use this pillow to reduce your neck pain, but you can also use it under your lower back, knees, and other joints to support them.

This firm memory foam block pillow has a zippable, bamboo-polyester cover for easy maintenance. Both the memory foam and cover are machine-washable, so individuals with allergies can sleep without disruptions.

The pillow is 17 inches long and comes in two thicknesses (3 or 4 inches). Since the pillow is so compact, you can take it with you when traveling on planes, trains, and cars.

7. Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow

If you find memory foam pillows a bit too stiff, consider the Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow, which contains a soft polyester fiber.

This pillow features a crater for the head to promote healthy spinal alignment for both back and stomach sleepers. It also has two cervical neck rolls on both the top and bottom of the pillow for different levels of support.

The Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow comes in three pillow sizes: petite, midsize, and standard. The petite size is geared towards stomach sleepers, the midsize is best for back and combo sleepers, and the standard size works well for side sleepers.

When first adjusting to a pillow with such a unique shape, Core Products recommends initially switching back and forth between a standard pillow and the cervical pillow each night.

The Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow is available for free shipping within the contiguous US and has a 1-year warranty.

What is Neck Pain?

Your neck is a very delicate body part and susceptible to strain. According to a study conducted by the US Burden of Disease, neck pain is increasing among Americans, with roughly 25 to 30 percent of adults experiencing some degree of neck pain annually.

Some side effects of neck pain include:

• Stiffness or discomfort
• Reduced range of motion
• Headaches or migraines
• Poor sleep quality

What Causes Neck Pain?

Neck pain can be the result of many different issues, including:

• An awkward sleeping position or bad pillow
• Poor posture when sitting or standing
• Muscle injuries or strains
• Arthritis
• Meningitis
• Osteoporosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart attack

It’s rare for neck pain to be a serious issue, and sometimes rest is all you need for it to go away.  However, if your neck pain is worsening or won’t go away, we recommend consulting your doctor for treatment.

How to Choose a Pillow for Your Neck Pain

An unsupportive pillow can worsen your neck pain at night, making it harder to sleep, thus making it harder to recover. Look for specific qualities in your pillow to better support your head and neck, such as its shape, fill, and thickness.

Pillow Shape

There are countless pillow shapes specially designed to relieve neck pain. With this in mind, most pillow shapes beyond the standard rectangle are best suited for back or side sleepers, not stomach sleepers. Let’s take a look at some neck pillows.

• Cervical: Cervical pillows describe a variety of pillow shapes designed to support the natural curve of your cervical spine (neck) and are some of the best pillow types for soothing neck pain. While the exact shapes differ, they commonly feature a crater for your head and a bolster for your neck.

• Bolster: Bolster pillows, also known as cylindrical or roll pillows, are round pillows to promote joint support and healthy spinal alignment. Some bolster pillows come in a half-moon shape as well. Not only can you use them under your neck, but they also work under your lower back, and between or under your knees.

• Wedge: Wedge pillows are a triangular pillow designed to tuck under your back or beneath your knees so you sleep at an angle. These pillows help reduce pressure on your neck and lower spine. Using a wedge pillow can also minimize symptoms of sleep apnea, joint pain, and support a pregnant woman’s belly.

Pillow Fill

Although the fill of your pillow can come down to personal preference, a 2011 study found feather pillows to rate lowest in terms of satisfaction, comfort, and sleep quality. On the other hand, latex, memory foam, and polyester fills rate the highest. Different pillow materials affect the pillow’s breathability, pressure relief, and adjustability.

Memory Foam

Memory foam pillows are well-known for their contouring and pressure-relieving effects. Two forms of memory foam pillows are block and shredded.

A shredded memory foam pillow is ripped up pieces of foam. It’s popular for being breathable, conforming, and adjustable to suit different positions.

Block memory foam is firm and sturdy, making it a great pillow choice. However, it can be a bit less breathable since there are no pockets for air to flow through like with shredded foam.

Latex

Pillows with a latex core are breathable and conforming, similar to memory foam, only they’re more durable, bouncy, and breathable. We recommend choosing 100-percent natural latex pillows over synthetic or blended as they’re non-toxic, long-lasting, and provide the best pressure relief and bounce.

Polyester

Polyester is a soft, lightweight, and affordable material commonly used in pillows. While polyester is common, it wears down sooner than other materials and traps heat, so we don’t recommend it

Water

Water pillows might seem unusual, but they’re a good option for relieving neck pain when used properly. The water is malleable and conforming so as not to cause pressure.

The amount of water in the pillow affects the firmness and loft of your pillow, so you can adjust it as needed. Another nice feature of water pillows is that they don’t wear down or get lumpy like other pillow fills will since they’re full of water.

However, the major risk with water pillows is that the bag can leak—potentially soaking you and your bed—or rip entirely, making the pillows useless. They can also get quite heavy, making it difficult to adjust your pillow during the night.

Pillow Thickness

Your pillow’s thickness, also called pillow loft, determines the head and neck support and ensures proper alignment with your spine. Too high or low of a pillow can curve your neck unnaturally, worsening your pain.

Choose a pillow loft based on your sleeping position to best support your neck:

• Stomach sleepers should use a low loft pillow (3 inches or less).
• Back sleepers should use a medium loft pillow (4 to 5 inches).
• Side sleepers should use a high loft pillow (5 to 7 inches)

FAQs

How many pillows do I need to help with neck pain?

You should only use one pillow under your head at a time. You can use a second pillow under or between your knees or to support your lower back. Regardless, if you’re using more than one pillow under your head, it’s likely the pillows are either too thin and you need a new pillow, or you’re unintentionally straining your neck muscles.

Can a soft pillow cause neck pain?

Having a soft pillow won’t cause neck pain. However, if a pillow is too soft or too firm for your sleeping position, it can cause neck pain and discomfort. Also, an old and worn-down pillow may be soft, lumpy, and unsupportive, leading to neck pain.

Should I sleep without a pillow if my neck hurts?

No, generally you should always use a pillow. The only time you can skip a pillow is if you sleep on your stomach; however, stomach sleeping can worsen and even cause neck pain.

Your neck may be hurting because your pillow is old, the wrong shape, or the wrong loft for you. So, if your pillow is seemingly the cause of your neck pain, it’s time to replace it.

How often should I replace my pillow?

You should replace your pillow roughly every 1 to 2 years, though this timeline can slightly differ depending on the exact fill of your pillow. If you’re unsure exactly how old your pillow is, keep an eye out for these signs:

• Discoloration or yellowing
• Lumpiness
• Easily folds in half and stays in that position
• You wake up with neck pain or with a headache

How should I sleep to relieve neck pain?

The best sleeping positions when you have neck pain are on your back or side, just make sure your pillow is suitable for either position. Avoid stomach sleeping if you’re struggling with neck pain. When you sleep on your stomach, your head is twisted to the side and can strain your neck.

Conclusion

Understanding the cause of your neck pain is vital to improving it, but a supportive pillow can help soothe your discomfort in the meantime. Ultimately, the best pillow for you should keep your neck aligned with your spine to prevent pain, Unique pillow shapes, such as cervical, bolster, or wedge pillows, can also offer enhanced support to ease neck pain.