Every now and then, it’s not uncommon to wake up to a stiff or painful neck. While poor posture and excessive stress can be root causes of the problem, so is sleeping in a funny angle. If you’re constantly waking up to neck pain on a daily basis (annoying, we know) and that pain is impacting your sleep, chiropractors say it may be time to take a second look at the likely culprit: your pillow. Pillows specifically designed for neck comfort can really work wonders on your neck, head, and spine, and are just what you need to kick stiffness, sore muscles, and pain out the door. While you’re waiting for your new pillow to be delivered, we recommend these neck massage techniques for some instant relief.
The best pillows for neck pain, at a glance:
- Best overall: Purple Harmony Pillow, $161
- Best budget: Cushioncare Cervical Memory Foam Pillow, $46
- Best memory foam: Casper Foam Pillow, $71
- Best latex: Saatva Latex Pillow, $165
- Best cooling: Temur Pedic Tempur-Cloud Cooling Pro, $199
- Best for back sleepers: Tempur Pedic Tempur Cloud Pro, $159
- Best for side sleepers: Bed Boss, Dreamer Plus Pillow, $89
- Best for stomach sleepers: Casper Down Pillow, $111
- Best for severe pain: Luxome Layr Adjustable Pillow, $130
What to look for in a pillow for neck pain
Chiropractors and sleep experts agree that the first quality to look for in a pillow for neck pain 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. You can find support in materials like memory foam and down feathers, but it all comes down to personal preference and whether your cervical spine is supported.
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 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.
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.
Shopping for pillows can be overwhelming—there are just so many options. Pillows 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.
Best overall
Purple, Harmony Pillow — $179.00
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: 2
Height: 3
Material: latex and polymer
- Latex and polymer blend
- Durable
- Doesn’t lose shape
- Cooling
- Available in three heights
Best budget
Cushioncare, Cervical Memory Foam Pillow — $46.00
Pillows for neck pain aren’t cheap, so if you’re on a budget, Cavanaugh suggests going with Cushioncare. For the price, this cervical memory foam pillow rivals more expensive options. It’s made of dense memory foam, has a contoured neck dip for added support, and features a temperature-reactive foam that responds to body heat, keeping you cool all night long. “If you’re looking for an affordable pillow, the Cushioncare Memory Foam Pillow is a great option,” Cavanaugh says. For under $50, you can’t beat it!
Sizes: one size
Material: memory foam
- Affordable
- Features a neck notch feature for extra neck-cradling
- Memory foam
- May not be as cooling for some
Best memory foam
Casper, Foam Pillow — $74.00
Originally $89, now $71
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: 2
Material: memory foam
- Memory foam
- Cooling
- 30-night trial
- May be too squishy for some
Best latex
Saatva, Latex Pillow — $165.00
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: 2
Material: latex
- 100 percent latex
- Supportive
- Machine washable cover
Best cooling
Tempur Pedic, Tempur Cloud Cooling Pro Pillow — $199.00
It’s no fun to find yourself waking up in a pool of your own sweat. That’s why Tempur Pedic’s 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: 2
Height: 2
Material: memory foam
- Infused with cooling gel
- Supportive
- Available in two heights
Best for back sleepers
Tempur Pedic, Tempur Cloud Pro Pillow — $159.00
Cloud status is immediately granted with Tempur Pedic’s 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 Tempurpedic 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: 2
Height: 3
Material: memory foam
- Three layers of memory foam
- Supportive
- Machine washable cover
- Available in three heights
Best pillow for side sleepers
Bedboss, Dreamer Plus Pillow — $89.00
A pillow that Cavanaugh swears by is the Bedboss Dreamer Plus Pillow. “This is the pillow I use,” he says. “It has an ultra soft unique shoulder notch for side sleepers.” The high-density memory foam is supportive and comfortable to sleep on. What’s more, the pillow is perforated, and the cover is made of bamboo—which is a natural heat repellent, rendering the pillow breathable (hooray for hot sleepers). One thing to note: the pillow is available in different levels of firmness for those who want something more solid. Once you lay your head, it’s sweet dreams.
Sizes: queen
Material: memory foam
- Memory foam
- Shoulder notch for side sleepers
- Breathable cover
- Only available in one size
Best for stomach sleepers
Casper, Down Pillow — $111.00
Originally $139, now $111
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 begin!
Sizes: 2
Material: down feather
- Down-fill
- Fluffy
- 30-night trial
Best for severe pain
Luxome, Layr Customizable Pillow — $130.00
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: 2
Material: down and memory foam
- Cooling
- Adjustable
- Machine-washable
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