These Are the Best Pillows to Help Relieve Neck Pain, According to Experts and Editor Testing
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If you're always waking up with a crick in your neck , your pillow could be to blame. After all, the right pillow can help you snooze much more comfortably, while a pillow that's not supportive enough—or ideal for your sleeping position —can cause neck pain that keeps you tossing and turning. But what exactly should you look for in the best pillows for neck pain?
According to Viral R. Patel, M.D. , acting instructor in orthopedics and sports medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, pillows that are made to ease neck pain (sometimes called cervical pillows) should promote proper spinal alignment, or guide your spine into a straight line from your head to your pelvis.
Meet the Experts: Viral R. Patel, M.D. , acting instructor in orthopedics and sports medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine; Michael Breus, Ph.D. , author and clinical psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders.
Additionally, the right pillow for preventing your neck pain will depend on your preferred sleeping position. For instance, the best pillows for side sleepers should generally be a higher loft to support the neck, while back and stomach sleepers may benefit from a lower loft pillow. Luckily, many popular pillows (including several that we recommend below) let you customize the height and loft to your liking with adjustable fill that you can add or remove.
Ahead, we corralled the best, most supportive pillows for relieving neck pain, as recommended by experts and tested by our own editors—including top picks for soft memory foam pillows , hypoallergenic pillows , cooling pillows for hot sleepers, and more.
The Best Pillows for Neck Pain Relief
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Best Overall: Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
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Best Value: Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows
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Best for Side Sleepers: Honeydew Scrumptious Side Pillow
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Best Memory Foam: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow
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Best Down Alternative: Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
How we chose the best pillows for neck pain
We consulted Patel and Michael Breus, Ph.D. , author and clinical psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders, to determine what to look for in the best pillows for neck pain. Additionally, we tapped Prevention editors for their own favorite tested pillows, and combed through thousands of user reviews of pillows from trusted, popular brands to find the best pillows for neck pain relief.
Additional reporting by Micaela Bahn.
1) Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
Coop's Original Pillow is a bestseller—and an editor-favorite—for a reason. It's fully adjustable to your ideal height and firmness, simply by removing or adding the memory foam fill—meaning you can build your perfect alignment based on your sleep position to help reduce neck and back pain. The cross-cut memory foam and microfiber blend fill is breathable and hypoallergenic, while its removable cover is ultra-soft and machine-washable.
Plus, you can also get this pillow in a Cut-Out shape (designed specifically for side sleepers) or a Crescent shape —not to mention, it comes in a cooling version , too.
What an editor says: Prevention 's Associate Commerce Editor, Hannah Jeon, first tested this pillow two years ago and remains "obsessed" with the soft, supportive feel. "After more than two whole years of testing out the Coop Original pillow, I can confidently say it's worth the hype—it's remained my favorite pillow since very first time I tried it!" she wrote in her review . "I'm a side and back sleeper, and this pillow has truly been a game changer for a restful night's sleep, providing me with the ideal level of softness and support to prevent neck pain—and ultimately have me snoozing comfortably all throughout the night."
- Adjustable loft
- Soft yet supportive feel
- Hypoallergenic memory foam and microfiber fill
- Soft, breathable, machine-washable cover
- May have a chemical smell on first opening
2) Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows (Set of 2)
These popular pillows are designed to feel just like luxurious hotel pillows—and for just $60 for two, they also come at an affordable price. They feature a down alternative fill with a medium-firm, 8-inch loft for great neck support,as well as a cover made of 100 percent cotton that's naturally breathable and gentle on skin. Plus, the entire pillow is machine washable for easy cleaning. Just keep in mind that some reviewers found them too soft for their liking.
- Supportive, medium-firm loft
- Breathable, 100% cotton cover
- Great value
- Entire pillow is machine washable
- Some reviewers say they are a bit too soft
3) Honeydew Scrumptious Side Pillow
This pillow from Honeydew is designed specifically to help reduce neck pain for side sleepers with its curved shape that cradles your neck and shoulders to promote better alignment.The fill contains copper-infused foam, which provides soft support as well as cooling relief—plus, you can also add or remove the fill to adjust the height to your liking.
What an editor says:Shopping Editor Jessica Dukes swears by this pillow for "zero" neck pain. "This pillow is so worth the purchase," she wrote in her review . "It has entirely erased my neck pain...The curved pillow is specifically structured to support my head and neck while I am on my side. The unique shape also supports my top shoulder and arm, which means it's not pulling on my neck or back muscles all night (and yes, it has helped with my upper back pain, too!)."
- Curved shape to cradle neck and shoulders
- Cooling copper-infused foam fill
- Adjustable loft
- 60-day return policy
- Not ideal if you occasionally flip to your stomach
4) Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow
The contoured shape of Tempur-Pedic's pillow follows the natural curve of your body—meaning it promotes proper alignment and provides support for the head and neck for both back and side sleepers. And its firm, supportive memory foam ensures that your neck won't bend and twist during the night, says Breus. (Some reviewers, however, noted that it felt too firm for their liking.) This pillow also comes with a removable, machine-washable, and hypoallergenic cover.
- Contoured shape supports head and neck
- Firm, supportive memory foam
- Removable, hypoallergenic cover
- Some reviewers say it feels too firm
5) Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
This editor-favorite pillow from Saatva has a light and airy feel, thanks to its plush, supportive down alternative fiber fill that adapts to your head and neck.Available in two loft options (standard or high), this pillow is great for all sleep positions, according to the brand—plus, it's also hypoallergenic and comes with a soft, breathable cotton cover. However, some reviewers noted that it starts to flatten after a few months.
What an editor says:"I've had a years-long Princess and the Pea (or Goldilocks) frustration with pillows and have never found one that was both super comfy and solved my sinus headache/neck pain issue," Senior Editor Gina Way shared in her review of this pillow . "In fact, over the years, I've accumulated nine pillows, and not one has been the perfect fit…until now. The filling of this pillow (mine is high loft) doesn't flatten in the night, and I found that it supports my head and neck regardless of whether I sleep on my back or side."
- Lightweight, airy feel
- Available in two loft options
- Hypoallergenic
- Though Saatva positions this against down pillows, it's not as fluffy as that material
6) Purple Harmony Pillow
Purple's Harmony pillow features the brand's signature Honeycomb GelFlex Grid, which not only draws away heat for cooling relief but also contours to your head and neck to alleviate pressure. The latex core is also bouncy, while the moisture-wicking mesh cover keeps things cool, dry, and airy. Not to mention, this pillow also comes in three different heights (low, medium, tall) to accommodate different sleep positions.
What an editor says: Prevention 's former Digital Director, Allie Early, shared that this pillow gave her cooling relief as a hot sleeper. "I consistently wake up without any neck pain, and I feel that the pillow is high quality and will last a long time," she noted in her review . "Most importantly, I feel that it had great airflow, which allowed me to sleep more comfortably. I found the pillow really did help keep me from getting overheated, even on days when the temperature outside gave our air conditioning a run for its money."
- Provides cooling relief with a moisture-wicking cover
- Medium-firm, responsive feel
- Available in three height options
- Not ideal for stomach sleepers
7) Avocado Green Pillow
Like all of the brand's other popular bedding products (including the editor-favorite Green Mattress !), Avocado's Green Pillow is made of eco-friendly, certified organic materials.Specifically, it has a breathable fill of organic latex and organic plant fiber from the kapok tree (which you can add or remove to your preferred loft), and a quilted cover that's made of soft, breathable, organic cotton. Some reviewers, however, note that the fill material can feel a bit lumpy. Designed to promote optimal spinal alignment, this pillow also comes in a curved shape option for side sleepers .
What an editor says:Mary Honkus, freelance writer, shared that this pillow helped relieve her neck and upper back pain in her review . "I like how it molded around my head when I went to sleep, and I was able to drift off to dreamland faster than I had in months," she said. "Plus, no aches or pains come morning! It feels like it was made specially for me. My annoying aches have disappeared, and I feel much more energized in the morning when I sleep on it. I noticed a difference in my sleep from the very first night."
- Made of eco-friendly, certified organic materials
- Adjustable loft
- Also available in a curved shape option for side sleepers
- Can feel a bit lumpy, depending on how much fill you put inside
8) Core Products Tri-Core Ergonomic Cervical Pillow
The trapezoidal divot in this cervical pillow is designed to cradle the head when you're sleeping on your back, making it especially great for back sleepers looking for neck pain relief. It also works well for side sleepers, thanks to the raised side panels that support and keep your head level while you're sleeping on your side. It also features two firm neck rolls to provide support for your neck. Just keep in mind that this pillow has a thick and firm feel, according to reviewers.
- Cradles head when sleeping on your back
- Raised side panels provide support when sleeping on side
- Firm neck rolls for neck support
- Some reviewers say it’s too thick and firm
9) Elviros Cervical Neck Pillow
This cervical pillow's unusual shape may take a while to get used to—but it's specifically designed to reduce both neck and shoulder pain, helping to naturally conform to the spine's curve and center the positioning of the headto reduce pressure while you sleep. Made of memory foam, it alsohas a soft, breathable pillowcase that's moisture-wicking and machine washable for easy cleaning.
- Ergonomic design naturally conforms to the spine’s curve
- Soft memory foam
- Breathable, machine-washable case
- Very wide
10) Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow
If you tend to sleep on your stomach, it can be tricky to find the right pillow that doesn't have you waking up with a sore neck. Luckily, reviewers say this pillow from Bluewave Bedding provides great neck support for stomach sleepers. Made of breathable, gel-infused memory foam, it comes in an ultra-slim height to keep your head, neck, and spine aligned if you're sleeping on your stomach. In fact, you can choose from four different heights (ranging from 1.75 to 3.25 inches) that best fit your needs. Just note that it may feel too thin for some people, especially for non-stomach sleepers.
- Breathable gel-infused memory foam
- Slim height is ideal for stomach sleepers
- May feel too thin for some
11) Ostrich Pillow Luxury Travel Pillow with Memory Foam
Neck pain often strikes when you're traveling—especially if you're trying to sleep upright in a seat for extended hours. This luxury travel pillow provides 360-degree natural ergonomic neck supportand is made of memory foam, making it your ideal travel pillow for neck pain. Plus, the soft cover is easily removable for machine-washing.
- 360-degree ergonomic neck support
- Soft, machine-washable cover
- Compact design for travel
- Doesn’t work for lying down in bed
How to choose the best pillow for neck pain
Whether you sleep on your back or your side, there's a pillow out there that'll help alleviate your neck pain (although it might take a little while to adjust to a more ergonomic design). Here's how to choose the right one:
✔️ Consider your preferred sleeping position.Your cervical pillow should be tailored to how you sleep. Side sleepers should choose pillows that are on the taller end, which will keep your neck straight in line with your spine. Back and stomach sleepers , meanwhile, may want shorter pillows, which can keep your neck from angling too far. Dr. Patel explains that height is also important because too much or too little elevation can lead to breathing difficulties and sleep interruptions , as confirmed by a 2015 study .
✔️ Don't worry too much about the material.When it comes to neck pain, you can choose almost any material with confidence, Dr. Patel notes, including foam, microfiber, latex, and polyester. Most pillows are designed with memory foam, a firmer material that provides comfortable neck support and instantly snaps back into shape, says Breus.
One material that our experts recommend avoiding, however, is down. "I don't recommend feather pillows because I've seen patients who have had pretty bad experiences with them," Dr. Patel warns. Most true down pillows, he says, just don't provide enough support to keep your spine in alignment through the night. Plus, the fill might trigger allergies.
✔️ See a doctor if your neck doesn't feel better.Finding a corrective pillow is a great first step in treating neck pain, but if you're still struggling with chronic pain in your neck, shoulders, and arms, it's best to see a doctor. "A pillow is not treatment," Dr. Patel says. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider, who may refer you to an orthopedist for a full evaluation.
What causes neck pain?
There are a number of different things that can lead to neck pain, including stress, misalignment, and natural degenerative changes in your body. "Stress and overworking can lead your neck muscles to tighten or spasm and can also lead to the shoulder muscles tightening," Medhat Mikhael, M.D. , medical director of the MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center's Spine Health Center, previously told Prevention .
Another cause of neck pain could very well be the way you're sleeping, including the pillows you're using—but still, chronic neck pain is more likely to be exacerbated, rather than caused, by sleep habits, says Dr. Patel. Beyond spending your day at a desk, activities that keep your head in a strained, fixed position like painting, riding a racing bike, or doing the breaststroke can also overuse your neck muscles.
Which types of pillows are best for neck pain?
Any pillow that guides your spine into a straight line from your head to your pelvis is ideal for neck pain, according to Dr. Patel. These are often made of memory foam, which is firm enough to support the neck and keep its shape. Some look like traditional pillows while others have unique shapes to cradle the head and neck. To figure out which type is best for you, consider your usual sleeping positions and consult your doctor.
Why trust us
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
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