If you wake up stiff, there is a good chance your bed might not have the best pillow for neck pain. While poor posture and excessive stress can be root causes of the problem, so is cranking your neck as you sleep at a funny angle. Waking up to neck pain on a daily basis is not only annoying but can actually impact the quality of sleep, chiropractors say. Sounds like it’s time to take a second look where you rest your head, right? Pillows specifically designed to prevent neck pain can work wonders as the ergonomic design tackles stiffness, sore muscles, and general discomfort. We spoke with a chiropractor to learn what to look for, then found 10 expert-selected pillows for neck pain—from memory foam, to cooling, to best for back and side sleepers.
In This Article
The best pillows for neck pain, at a glance:
- Best overall: Purple, Harmony Pillow, $199
- Best budget: EPABO, Contour Memory Foam Orthopedic Pillow, $40
- Best memory foam: Casper, Foam Pillow, $89
- Best latex: Saatva, Latex Pillow, $165
- Best cooling: Temur-Pedic, Tempur-Cloud Cooling Pro Pillow, $199
- Best for back sleepers: Tempur-Pedic, Tempur-Cloud Pro, $159
- Best for side sleepers: Coyuchi, Turiya Organic Latex Pillow, $148
- Best for stomach sleepers: Casper, Down Pillow, $139
- Best for severe pain: Luxome, Layr Adjustable Pillow, $140
- Best adjustable: Woolroom, Deluxe Washable Wool Pillow, $120
What to look for
Chiropractors and sleep experts agree that the first characteristic to look for is support. That’s because “if the neck isn’t supported well, the muscles can tense up,” resulting in a stiff neck or soreness, and “impact the ability to fall asleep or the quality of sleep,” says Rita Roy, MD, MS, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation. An unsupported neck can also lead to jaw pain—in fact, you’ll notice that all of the picks on our list of the best TMJ pillows also feature cervical support.
- Matthew Cavanaugh, DC, Louisiana-based chiropractor
- Rita Roy, MD, MS, CEO of National Spine Health Foundation
While it can be tempting to stack your pillows for more oomph or use a thinner pillow, chiropractors say this isn’t the greatest idea. “A pillow that is too high, low, or stiff can cause strain on the neck muscles and aggravate existing neck pain or neck conditions,” Matthew Cavanaugh, DC, a chiropractor based in Lafayette, Louisiana, tells Well+Good. “It’s best to use a soft pillow that supports the natural curve of the cervical spine, such as a cervical pillow or memory foam.”
Finding the perfect pillow may take a few tries, so it may be helpful to test a few before you commit. Most brands offer free trials and returns, which is something you’ll want to take note of, especially if you’re investing in a pricier pillow.
Shopping for pillows can be overwhelming—there are just so many options. They come in so many different materials, fills, firmness, shapes, and sizes, but it shouldn’t be a difficult process to choose one. With this in mind, we tapped sleep experts and a chiropractor for guidance on the best pillows for neck pain. Read on to learn their recommendations.
Shop the experts’ recommendations
As the best overall pick, Purple’s Harmony Pillow ticks a ton of boxes. Engineered with a blend of latex and polymer, this pillow is extremely durable and never caves downward. “The honeycomb design cradles your neck while also providing the perfect amount of support,” says Cavanaugh. The honeycomb structure is also great for hot sleepers, venting hot air and keeping sleepers cool for the duration of the night (no more sweat puddles). Available in low, medium, and tall, this pillow really cradles to every type of sleeper, no matter if you like to snooze on your stomach, back, or side.
Sizes: Standard or king
Loft: 5.5 inches (low), 6.5 inches (medium), or 7.5 inches (high)
Material: Latex and polymer
Pros:
- Latex and polymer blend
- Durable
- Doesn’t lose shape
- Cooling
- Available in three heights
Cons:
- Expensive
Pillows for neck pain aren’t cheap, so if you’re on a budget, this cervical memory foam pillow rivals more expensive options. Those who tend to change sleeping positions will love the EPABO Contour Memory Foam pillow. “I love memory foam pillows with an ergonomic design and it checks many of the boxes I look for in a pillow,” Cavanaugh says. We tested it ourselves (over the course of two years!) and saw a significant improvement in neck pain relief–likely because the contoured opening keeps the neck aligned all through the night. It’s so good, we bring it to hotels when traveling.
Sizes: Standard, queen, or king
Loft: 3.9 inches
Material: Memory foam
Pros:
- Durable
- Affordable
- Won’t lose shape
- Good for all sleeping positions
Cons:
- May be too firm
Memory foam is touted as a supportive material, which is why chiropractors rave all about it, and Casper’s pillow is chiropractor-approved. “It is made from a combination of airy and supportive foam that contours to your body for superior comfort and support,” explains Cavanaugh. It’s not only supportive, but it’s also extremely soft. Just let your head sink in.
What sets this memory foam apart is that the foam used is perforated, pushing heat away to keep you nice and cool at night. Just like all of Casper’s products, you’ll get a 30-night trial to test the waters. So, what are you waiting for? Sweet dreams await!
Sizes: Standard or king
Loft: Low (exact dimensions not available)
Material: Memory foam
Pros:
- Memory foam
- Cooling
- 30-night trial
Cons:
- May be too squishy for some
If you want a pillow that doesn’t skimp on quality, look no further than Saatva’s Latex Pillow. “It’s made from 100% natural Talalay latex, which is designed to be both plush and supportive,” says Cavanaugh. Additionally, “it provides optimal head, neck, and shoulder support that helps keep your spine in a neutral alignment while you sleep.” The inner pillow is lined with microfibers for added plushness, and it’s encased in a cotton pillow cover that’s easy to clean via a washing machine. Supportive, comfortable, and luxe—it’s like you’re sleeping in a five-star hotel.
Sizes: Standard or king
Loft: 4-5 inches (standard), or 6-7 inches (high)
Material: Latex
Pros:
- 100 percent latex
- Supportive
- Machine washable cover
Cons:
- Expensive
It’s no fun to find yourself waking up in a pool of your own sweat. That’s why Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-Cloud Cooling Pillow is here to save you from overheating at night. Cavanaugh says it’s a great cooling pillow and for good reason: The pillow is infused with gel that immediately absorbs heat and keeps the pillow cool, so you can rest easy. While the cooling elements do their thing, the memory foam aligns your spine and head to be in proportion, so no more waking up with a stiff neck. It really offers the best of both worlds. Available in two heights, low and high, there won’t be any pain in sight.
Sizes: Queen or king
Loft: 5 inches (low) or 6.6 inches (high)
Material: Memory foam
Pros:
- Infused with cooling gel
- Supportive
- Available in two heights
Cons:
- Expensive
Cloud status is immediately granted with Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-Cloud Pro Pillow. This fluffy pillow is ideal for all sleepers, but especially back sleepers. The pillow is infused with three layers of memory foam, offering support and comfort through every stage of sleep. “It features Tempur-Pedic material that relieves pressure points and keeps your spine properly aligned while also allowing you to select the height of the pillow, which helps with proper sleep postures,” says Cavanaugh.
Tossing and turning is also not a problem, thanks to its responsive foam material. Also nice, the pro features a removable and machine washable cover, making cleaning easy. However, when it comes to drying, air dry is best to preserve the material. As the name implies, it’s like you’re sleeping in the clouds.
Sizes: Queen or king
Loft: 5.75 inches (low), 6.5 inches (medium and high—high option has less give)
Material: Memory foam
Pros:
- Three layers of memory foam
- Supportive
- Machine washable cover
- Available in three heights
Cons:
- Expensive
- Air dry only
Cavanaugh likes the Turiya organic latex pillow because it features sculpted indentations for your head and ears to provide premium comfort for back and side sleepers. Since the pillow is made of aerated material and the inner pillow cover is made of organic cotton, it doesn’t get hot. Given the unique nature of this pillow, Coyuchi recommend trying to the pillow out for a full 30 days before making a judgement on whether this pillow is right for you.
Size: Standard only
Loft: 5 inches
Material: GOLS-certified organic dunlop latex
Pros:
- Organic latex
- Works for both back and side sleepers
- Breathable cover
Cons:
- Only available in one size
- Expensive
While sleeping on your stomach isn’t usually recommended, if you must, you should find a good pillow. Soft pillows can offer support at night, and this one is Casper’s poofiest pillow yet (it’s so fluffy). Recommended by Cavanaugh, this one is made from ethically-sourced down—which gives the pillow its marshmallow look and feel. Not only that, the down is supportive, cradling your head and neck and leveling both out to not put a strain on your neck. To clean, simply throw it in your washer. Still unsure? Casper offers a 30-night trial, so you can put it to the test risk-free. Let the Zzz’s begin!
Sizes: Standard or king
Loft: Exact dimensions not available
Material: Down feather
Pros:
- Down-fill
- Fluffy
- 30-night trial
Cons:
- Expensive
For people battling severe neck pain, Cavanaugh says you can’t go wrong with Luxome’s Layr Customizable Pillow. “This pillow is completely customizable and is an excellent choice if you have neck pain because you can use the inserts to create the perfect height and firmness to perfectly support your neck and head,” says Cavanaugh. In total, the pillow has two inserts: a 1-inch and 2-inch memory foam pieces infused with cooling gel, so you can customize the height to your head and neck. As if the features couldn’t get any better: The pillow has a built-in cooling layer that’s made from bamboo (this is great for sweaty sleepers). While on the pricier side, all of these features make it worth the money.
Editor’s note: If you’re experiencing severe, or debilitating neck or back pain (or stiffness), we recommend seeing your doctor, chiropractor, or health care specialist to rule out any other serious health conditions.
Sizes: Standard or king
Loft: Customizable
Material: Down and memory foam
Pros:
- Cooling
- Adjustable
- Machine-washable
Cons:
- Expensive
The Woolroom pillow unzips so you can adjust the wool fill to suit your needs. The pillow is ideal for stomach, side, and back sleepers—or anyone who tosses and turns all night long. “It’s a great alternative to down and it’s more breathable,” Cavanaugh says. “This means that air will flow more freely through it which will help keep you cool while you sleep. It’s a great option for someone who wants something softer than foam or latex but also sleeps hot.”
Sizes: Standard, queen, or king
Loft: Customizable
Material: Wool fill
Pros:
- Adjustable
- Hypoallergenic
- Works for stomach, back, and side sleepers
Cons:
- Expensive
Do chiropractors recommend special pillows for neck pain?
Chiropractors do recommend special pillows for neck pain, but before you inquire, consider why you want a pillow recommendation. Is it to alleviate neck and back pain or to improve sleep quality?
When asked for help, Cavanaugh does an initial assessment before recommending a specific pillow to a patient. His first question is: “Does your pain or condition interfere with your sleep?” Depending upon the patient’s answer, he will ask follow up questions such as sleeping position and the use of their pillow. “Sleeping position plays a huge role in deciding which pillow one should use,” he says.
Talking through your sleeping habits can help the chiropractor point you in the right direction, helping you avoid choosing a wrong-for-you pillow—even if it has good reviews.
Is it better to have a firm or soft pillow for neck pain?
As we mentioned before, Cavanaugh says that it’s generally better to stick to the softer side of things when it comes to choosing a pillow. Not only are soft pillows more flexible, they are less likely to cause strain on the neck and shoulder muscles. “They also provide more cushioning around sensitive areas in the neck and upper back,” he adds. Softer pillows—which can allow your head to rest in a comfortable position—can also be ideal if you suffer with chronic or frequent neck pain.
Things to consider while shopping
On top of our experts’ recommendations on what to look for, keep the following in mind while shopping for your next pillow:
- Materials: The type of materials you want in your pillow are a matter of personal preference. Some people love the feel of down, while others like cushy memory foam or the feel of natural latex. As you’ll see in our list, you can find a great pillow for neck pain in a variety of different materials, so take stock of what’s important to you.
- Returns: Even if you’ve done your due diligence, the pillow you researched still might not feel comfortable once you’re actually sleeping on it. Don’t forget to check out the return policy for each brand so you know how long you’ll have to test the pillow out.
- Size options: Be sure to take stock of the size and loft options of each pillow. The loft of a pillow will determine how elevated your head is from the bed, so the right fit for you will depend on your body size. Noting the length and width of a pillow will also help you determine how much space it’ll take up—for example, if you have a king-sized bed, you might want king-sized pillows, but if you have a smaller bed they might be overwhelming.
Need relief from neck pain now? As you wait for your new pillow to arrive, try these neck massage techniques and face yoga moves.