Say Goodbye to Neck Pain With These Expert-Approved Pillows

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When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, the right pillow matters—especially if you’re dealing with the woes of neck pain, which can keep you tossing and turning all night. Thankfully, the best pillows for neck pain can provide the perfect level of support for your neck—so you can finally get to sleep without any discomfort (and wake up feeling refreshed).

There is, of course, a pillow to solve all of your sleeping woes these days. There are pillows for side sleepers, leg elevation pillows, lumbar support pillows, and cooling pillows for hot sleepers. But neck pain can strike no matter what type of sleeper you are—and if you’re always waking up with neck pain from sleeping wrong, a good pillow for neck pain can make all the difference. According to Viral R. Patel, M.D., acting instructor in orthopedics and sports medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, pillows specifically designed to ease neck pain (sometimes called cervical pillows) should guide your spine into a straight line from your head to your pelvis—compared to standard pillows, which are designed to keep neck muscles from relaxing.

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.

The best pillows for neck pain depend on your preferred sleeping position. For instance, side-sleepers should look for taller pillows while stomach-sleepers may benefit from a shorter pillow. As for the material, that’s also up to your personal preference. Just consider steering clear of down pillows, which may not be supportive enough to keep your spine in alignment and could trigger allergies.

Our top picks:

Ready to find the best pillow to alleviate your neck pain once and for all? Read on below for our top picks that will have you sleeping soundly without any discomfort.

The Original

Coop’s best-selling pillow has all the features you could want in a pillow: Its height and firmness are adjustable, its memory foam fill is breathable and hypoallergenic, and its removable cover is machine-washable. And with more than 18,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s one of the highest-rated pillows anywhere.

What the Reviews Say: “My neck stayed in correct alignment all night,” one reviewer wrote. “I have been using this pillow for about two weeks, and I wake up with no neck pain or headache. I would recommend this pillow for anyone that wants a good support pillow.”

Hotel Collection Gel Pillow

For people who aren’t quite ready to give up sleeping on a soft pillow, these gel fiber-filled pillows are among the most-loved on Amazon, with a whopping 156,000 perfect five-star reviews. Plus, they come in under $50 a piece but still provide a cooling gel fiber, a plush fill, and a silky cover for the ultimate comfort.

What the Reviews Say: “I had some doubts at first because I thought they’d be too soft,” one reviewer explains, but “I would now describe them as soft, yet firm enough to support my head and neck correctly.”

Tri-Core Cervical Pillow

The trapezoidal divot in this pillow is designed specifically to cradle the head when you’re sleeping on your back. The pillow has raised areas with more or less support and a center that aims to cradle your head when sleeping on your back. It’s one of the firmer pillows on this list, but for good reason: It actively straightens your spine.

What the Reviews Say: “I was introduced to this pillow by my physical therapist, and it was just what my neck needed,” said one reviewer who had spine surgery. “The concept of this pillow is genius.”

Kapok Pillow

This pillow is one of Layla’s top sellers, and after testing it out for ourselves, we understand why. It’s soft but supportive, as it contains a unique blend of Kapok (a natural fiber that’s light and airy) and memory foam, so it cradles your neck as you sleep. It has a convenient zipper on the edge, so you can adjust the stuffing to your liking, too. Best of all, it’s also cooling and breathable, so no worries about night sweats here.

What the Reviews Say: “As a side sleeper, support and cuddle comfort are key,and Layla offers both,” one shopper wrote. “Just waking up now totally rested and pain-free for the second night in a row, and I am so thankful.”

Cervical Memory Foam Contour Pillow

The Elviros may have an unusual-looking design, but this Amazon best-seller is designed to reduce both neck and shoulder pain, and it has over 23,000 five-star ratings. The pillow is designed with a soft, breathable pillowcase, cotton inner cover, and 100% memory foam interior. Plus, the cervical design helps to center the positioning of the head and reduce pressure while you sleep.

What the Reviews Say: “I’m usually a side sleeper, but with this pillow, I can actually sleep comfortably any way now!”

Side Sleeper Pillow

Zoey Sleep’s curved pillow is completely adjustable; you unzip it and choose the level of foam that best keeps your neck in place overnight. Plus, it frees your shoulders to help achieve your ideal spine alignment when sleeping on your side.

What the Reviews Say: “If you sleep on your side or sleep on your back, this is a game changer,” raves one Amazon reviewer, who also appreciates that the curved design allows room for your shoulders.

Ergo Neck Pillow

The distinctive shape of Tempur-Pedic’s pillow is ideal for supporting and straightening the necks of side-sleepers. And its firm, supportive memory foam ensures that your neck won’t bend and twist during the night, Breus says.

What the Reviews Say: “Amazing, spectacular, best sleep ever on this pillow. 10/10 would buy another.”

Orthopedic Pillow

The strangest-looking pillow on this list is also one of the most dense—but it’s just what you need if you’re really struggling with neck pain. Its distinctive shape cradles and aligns the head and neck, making it perfect for people who sleep on their backs but occasionally turn to the side.

What the Reviews Say: “It takes a bit of getting used to,” one user said, but “I haven’t had pain from sleeping in six months. Do yourself a favor and try it.”

The Purple Pillow

Purple’s pillow is made from the same technology that the brand uses in its mattresses: a plastic mesh with hundreds of cooling airways and the right amount of give for back-sleepers. Along with adjustable boosters for side-sleepers and a moisture-wicking cover for warm nights, it’s worth a shot if more traditional pillows don’t work well for you.

What the Reviews Say: “I didn’t think the thin layers to adjust the pillow’s height were going to do much for me, but they allowed me to make the pillow just right for my neck. It was well worth the price!”

Foam Pillow

Casper’s signature pillow is plush but not too soft, offering a happy medium between comfort and support. Constructed from three layers of cooling memory foam—all of which have tiny holes for maximum airflow—the pillow checks all the ergonomic boxes and feels like something you’d want to steal from a hotel room.

What the Reviews Say: “These pillows cradle your head while providing great support for your neck and shoulders. It doesn’t sleep hot and helps to make a great night’s sleep.”

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, this pillow from Bluewave Bedding is not only made of gel memory foam for medium firm support, but it also has an ultra-slim height that’s ideal for stomach sleepers—in fact, you can choose from three different heights that best fit your needs.

What the Reviews Say: “I sleep on my stomach with my arm under my pillow and this is the first pillow I’ve used that was comfortable right away,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “I usually wake up with a sore neck and/or a headache with new pillows but not with this one! If you’re a stomach sleeper you need this 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 support and is made of high memory foam, making it your ideal travel pillow for neck pain. Plus, the soft cover is easily removable for machine-washing.

What the Reviews Say: “This pillow is great for holding your neck straight and avoiding the pain of awkward positioning,” said one Amazon reviewer. “Great support, comfortable, and looks nice!”

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, should go for shorter pillows, which keep your head from jutting out too far. Height is also important, Dr. Patel explains, 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, polyester, air, and water. Most are designed with memory foam, a firmer material that provides comfortable neck support and instantly snaps back into shape, says Breus.

There is one caveat, though: Avoid down pillows. “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 through the night to be worthwhile to people with neck pain. Plus, the fill might trigger people with 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.

How we chose the best pillows for neck pain

We consulted Viral R. Patel, M.D., acting instructor in orthopedics and sports medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine 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 combed through thousands of user reviewers of pillows from trusted, popular brands to find the best options for side, back, and stomach sleepers.

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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