Many people sleep on their backs. But not all pillows are well-suited for back sleepers. A pillow’s shape, height, and firmness can all influence how well you sleep, depending on how you like to lie down. And the best pillows for back sleepers tend to be medium-firm, providing a good combination of plush comfort and solid support. Much like the best pillows for back pain, the right mix of comfort and support can help keep your neck cradled and your spine aligned. In turn, that can prevent aches and pains from ruining your sleep.

Back sleeping can help reduce back pain because it keeps the spine aligned and minimizes pressure points.¹ But getting the most out of this position requires a great mattress for back sleepers and the right pillow. In our review of the best pillow for back sleepers, we highlight what makes a pillow the best for this sleep position. We also identify what to look for in a pillow for back sleepers and which brands we recommend.

Our Top Pick

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow: Best Overall for Back Sleepers

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• Adjustable to promote spinal alignment
• Mix of sinkage and support keeps the neck straight

• Comfortable, fluffy, and plush

Saatva Latex Pillow: Best Luxury Pillow

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• Soft and supportive
• Helps ease pressure on the back and neck

• Extra comfortable and plush feel

Luxome LAYR Pillow: Best Adjustable Pillow

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• Most customizable pillow we’ve tested
• Three inserts let you customize height and firmness

• Responsive and supportive

Best pillows for back sleepers in 2025

• Brooklinen Marlow Pillow: Best Overall
• Saatva Latex Pillow: Best Luxury
• Luxome LAYR Pillow: Best Adjustable Pillow for Back Sleepers
• TEMPUR-Symphony Pillow: Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Back Pain
• Silk & Snow Pillow: Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Neck Pain

Comparing the best pillows for back sleepers

What we look for in a pillow for back sleepers 

We looked for the following features when choosing the best pillows for back sleepers:

Spinal alignment support

A good pillow for back sleepers should help maintain the natural curve of the spine, especially at the neck and upper back.

Adjustability

Back sleepers may benefit from fine-tuning their pillow height and firmness to suit their pain level and sleep habits. This is especially true for back sleepers who tend to switch positions during the night (also known as “combination sleepers”).

Loft or height

Loft refers to the height of the pillow. The right loft should keep your head and neck aligned with your spine.

Firmness level

The right firmness finds a balance between comfort and support for your head, neck, and upper back. Back sleepers should look for medium-soft to medium-firm to provide the right mix of plush comfort and solid support.

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow: Best Pillow Overall for Back Sleepers

We chose the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow as our Best Pillow Overall for Back Sleepers. Our testers loved how supported they felt in every sleeping position, especially when sleeping on their back. The Brooklinen Marlow Pillow’s construction helped keep testers’ spines straight. Our team also noted that it had a plush feel while filling the gap between their neck and shoulders to prevent neck strain.

Our Top Pick

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow

Best Pillow Overall for Back Sleepers

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• Comfortable and supportive
• Keeps spine aligned and neck supported

• Zippers make it easier to adjust firmness

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow features

• Fill material: Memory foam
• Adjustability and loft: Adjustable zippers, 5”
• Firmness level: Adjustable
• Free trial period: 365 nights
• Cooling: Cooling memory foam
• Shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow as the Best Overall Pillow for Back Sleepers

We chose the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow as the Best Overall Pillow for Back Sleepers because it provides excellent support for the neck, shoulders, and spine. Testers said the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow works well for any position, but especially for back sleepers. Its mix of plush comfort and strong support helped promote spinal alignment. But it also cradled testers’ necks to avoid neck strain. 

Marlow’s two-zipper system makes it easier to adjust the firmness to your preference. This design is more convenient than some other pillows, requiring you to remove and store filler. Testers said this was the most supportive, “fluffy” pillow they had ever tried.

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow

Unlike other adjustable pillows that require you to actually remove filling, the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow has two zippers you can use to customize the firmness and height:

• Zip up both sides for the firmest feel
• Zip up one side for a medium-firm feel
• Unzip both sides for the softest feel

When our testers lay down with the Brooklinen Marlow pillow for the first time, they were impressed. The pillow was soft beneath their heads, yet still provided enough structure to keep the neck, shoulders, and spine aligned correctly. “Back sleeping felt best with one zipper open and one closed, which provided a mix of sinkage and support that kept my neck and spine straight,” one tester said. “The 80-20 blend of memory foam and fiber did a great job providing support while still being soft and fluffy.”  

The combination of support and softness was a key theme for our testers. “I think this pillow would be great for anyone seeking a medium-plush feel that's not too hard but still offers neck and head support,” said one tester.

Testers also loved how well the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow limited heat buildup. In fact, this pillow stayed cooler than any other pillow we tested. It only warmed up by 8.7 degrees Fahrenheit after testers lay on it for five minutes (the average was 12.5 degrees). That makes the Marlow a great option for those who sleep hot. The memory foam filler is infused with cooling fibers and has breathable mesh.

Overall, the Marlow was a tester favorite. “I like this pillow a lot,” one tester said. “It feels like the type of pillow you'd get at a hotel—fluffy and plush. Actually, this pillow is more supportive than a lot of other ‘fluffy’ pillows I've tried.” Testers appreciated the filling’s combination of memory foam and polyester fiber, which helps balance support and pressure relief.

Our testers—especially those with allergies—also appreciated that the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. 

The Brooklinen Marlow Pillow excelled in most areas, except in its warranty coverage. It has the shortest warranty on this list (one year). It’s also spot-clean only, meaning you can’t throw the whole pillow in the washer. For those who can look past those two drawbacks, the Brooklinen Marlow was a top performer across the board.

The Brooklinen customer experience

• Trial period: 365-day return policy
• Shipping: Free over $100
• Warranty: 365-day warranty
• Financing: Yes

Customer service

You can contact Brooklinen customer service by:

• Phone: 646-798-7447
• Email: hello@brooklinen.com
• Live chat: Available on the website

Payment options
Brooklinen accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, ShopPay, and Venmo. They offer financing through Afterpay.

Saatva Latex Pillow: Best Luxury Pillow for Back Sleepers

We chose the Saatva Latex Pillow as our Best Luxury Pillow for Back Sleepers because it offers a luxurious, hotel-pillow-like experience with excellent spinal support. Testers said it has a medium loft (height), which helps keep their head and neck in line with their spines. The Saatva Latex is responsive and comfortable, making it easier to change positions. But it is the most expensive pillow on this list by $15.

Saatva Latex

Best Luxury Pillow for Back Sleepers

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• Helps keep the head and neck aligned with the spine
• High-quality fabrics and materials

• Shredded latex offers support for back sleepers
• Standard and high loft options

Saatva Latex features

• Fill material: Cotton and shredded latex
• Adjustability and loft: Not adjustable; standard (4–5'') or high loft (6–7'')
• Firmness level: Medium
• Free trial period: 45 nights
• Cooling: Breathable latex
• Shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose the Saatva Latex as the Best Luxury Pillow for Back Sleepers

We chose the Saatva Latex as the Best Luxury Pillow for Back Sleepers because it provided exceptional support for testers’ necks and spines while lying on their back. Testers loved the “luxe” feel of the Saatva Latex Pillow, and said it was clear the pillow’s materials were high quality. 

The pillow’s shredded latex filler is responsive and supportive, with enough sinkage to keep your body aligned. We especially loved the Saatva Latex Pillow’s luxe and fluffy feel—testers likened it to a fancy hotel pillow.

Saatva Latex pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Saatva Latex

The second our testers first touched the Saatva Latex pillow, they could tell it was high quality. “This pillow is made with very nice materials. It feels soft and cool to the touch,” said one tester. “I would consider this a luxury pillow.” 

Other testers agreed. They were impressed by the way the shredded latex provided support while still holding its structure. “I think that this pillow has a decent amount of pressure relief for being a soft, latex pillow,” one tester said. “The second layer is very plush, which gives support and comfort around my neck. It’s the right amount of sinkage to be comfortable. I feel lifted off the bed, but not so much that my neck would begin to hurt. I think it would give a comfortable night's sleep for someone who likes a softer pillow.”

You can’t remove the filling of a Saatva Latex pillow, and it isn’t adjustable. But we don’t consider this a drawback because of the material’s responsiveness. When our testers laid down, they thought the pillow had the right amount of sinkage and structure to keep the neck, spine, and shoulders aligned correctly. “This pillow would be better for someone who is a back sleeper or a combination sleeper,” one tester said. “It has a medium loft which will keep our head and neck flat with your spine but has enough responsiveness that switching positions is still comfortable.”

The Saatva Latex pillow excelled in most areas, except for cooling. It heated up by 14.4 degrees Fahrenheit after testers lay on it for five minutes. That’s one of the warmest pillows we tested. 

The Saava Latex pillow is also the most expensive pillow on this list by $15. Saatva is known for quality, but if you’re looking for something less expensive, we recommend the Brooklinen Marlow pillow, which is $100 less.

The Saatva customer experience

• Trial period: 45 nights
• Shipping: Free delivery
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Financing: Yes, through Affirm

Customer service

You can contact Saatva customer service by:

• Phone: 877-672-2882, available 24/7
• Email: info@saatvamattress.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options
Saatva accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Google Pay, and PayPal. Financing is available through Affirm.

Saatva offers a $225 discount on purchases of $1,000 or more to adults age 65 and older, military members and their families, first responders, health care professionals, government employees, teachers, and college students. This discount cannot be combined with other offers.

Luxome LAYR: Best Adjustable Pillow for Back Sleepers

We chose the Luxome LAYR as our Best Adjustable Pillow for Back Sleepers because of its three separate internal layers. Users can mix and match these layers to achieve their preferred loft and firmness. We appreciate the ability to customize to create a pillow that best supports your body when lying on your back. No other pillow we tested allows this much customization.

Luxome LAYR

Best Adjustable Pillow for Back Sleepers

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• Three internal layers you can mix and match
• Most customizable options

• Responsive and supportive

Luxome LAYR features

• Fill material: Down alternative and memory foam
• Adjustability and loft: Adjustable; 9.5''
• Firmness level: Adjustable
• Free trial period: 30 nights
• Cooling: Gel-infused foam, breathable fabric
• Shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose the Luxome LAYR as the Best Adjustable Pillow for Back Sleepers

We chose the Luxome LAYR as the Best Adjustable Pillow for Back Sleepers because of its three internal layers. This design allows you to mix and match both loft and firmness to create the best pillow for your preferred sleeping position. The LAYR offers excellent support. Its combination of customizable options makes it easier for you to find the most comfortable height and firmness. 

This pillow can work for any position, but especially for back sleepers. And its high-quality materials feel comfortable, plush, and cooling.

Luxome LAYR pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Luxome LAYR

The Luxome LAYR comes with three completely different inserts: 

• A soft insert (down-alternative)
• A medium insert (down-alternative and shredded memory foam)
• Two firm inserts (one- and two-inch block of solid memory foam)

You can mix and match the three layers to find your preferred loft and firmness.

When we tested the Luxome LAYR pillow, we were impressed by its high level of customization. With three separate layers—soft, medium, and firm inserts—you can tailor the LAYR to your exact needs. “I thought this pillow was super neat and a comfortable choice for people who may not know what they like in a pillow,” one tester said. “I've never seen a combination of material choices inside the case to provide the support it does. I loved the materials and the deliberate design choices this pillow has.”

After some quick experimenting, testers were able to find the right combination. “I liked taking out the larger memory foam piece to lower the loft of the pillow for my neck and shoulders. You could go one step further and have it only be plush, which made it more comfortable on my stomach.”

This ability to customize makes the Luxome a great choice for back sleepers, because you can tailor the pillow to your preferred loft and firmness to keep your neck and spine aligned. “This pillow can easily be for any kind of sleeper with the way it is customizable,” one tester said. “You will just have to find the right loft, support, and responsiveness with the different layers you have.”

Testers loved the customization but noted that some people might find it annoying that you need to actually remove the filling. Other pillows, like the Brooklinen Marlow pillow, require you to simply open or close a zipper to customize the height and firmness. But the Luxome LAYR offers significantly more customization options than the LAYR. Consider whether you prefer more options or a simpler way to customize. 

Testers also noted how hot the Luxome LAYR felt. It actually earned the worst cooling score of any pillow we tested. It heated up by 17 degrees (the average was 12 degrees). If you tend to heat up at night, we recommend the Brooklinen Marlow pillow.

Luxome LAYR customer experience

• Trial period: 30 days
• Shipping: Free standard
• Warranty: Limited
• Financing: Yes

Customer service

You can contact Luxome customer service by:

• Email: support@luxome.com

Payment options
Luxome accepts all major credit cards as well as Shop Pay, AmazonPay, PayPal, and Google Pay. The brand offers financing through Affirm.

TEMPUR-Symphony: Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Back Pain

We chose the TEMPUR-Symphony as the Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Back Pain because its responsiveness and supportive structure help keep your spine aligned. The TEMPUR-Symphony’s one side is gently arched to specifically give back sleepers more support for the head and neck. The cradling memory foam helps prevent pushing back sleepers’ heads upward at an awkward angle. The TEMPUR-Symphony can help promote spinal alignment, which in turn may ease your back pain.

TEMPUR-Symphony

Best for Back Sleepers with Back Pain

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• Supportive and responsive memory foam that cradles the neck, shoulders, and spine
• Two-sided design made specifically for back sleepers

• Minimizes pressure points to help relieve pain
• Cooling for hot sleepers (earned a 4/5)

TEMPUR-Symphony features:

• Fill material: Memory foam
• Adjustability and loft: Not adjustable; 6''
• Firmness level: Medium
• Free trial period: None
• Cooling: Breathable cover
• Shape: Traditional rectangle with one arched side

Why we chose the TEMPUR-Symphony as the Best for Back Sleepers with Back Pain

We chose the TEMPUR-Symphony as the Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Back Pain because one side is specifically designed for back sleepers (and side sleepers or stomach sleepers are meant to use the flip side). Its gently arched side provides extra support for back sleepers’ heads and necks. That, in turn, can help promote spinal alignment, which ultimately may help ease your back pain. 

This attention to detail, along with its 4/5 cooling rating and comfortable memory foam, makes the TEMPUR-Symphony a great option for people looking to reduce their nighttime pain.

TEMPUR-Symphony pros and cons

Our testing experience with the TEMPUR-Symphony

When we tested the TEMPUR-Symphony, the first thing we noticed was the side of the pillow designed specifically to support back sleepers. The slight arch to one side of the pillow helps keep your neck, spine, and shoulders aligned while sleeping on your back. That support is important when you’re dealing with back pain and seeking relief. For more information on sleeping with back pain, see our review of the best mattresses for back pain.

“I don't typically enjoy memory foam pillows, but this one felt really good as soon as I laid down,” one tester said. “On my back, I felt very supported in the neck area, but not that my head and neck were higher than my shoulders in a way that would be uncomfortable throughout the night.”

“Overall, I liked this pillow,” one tester said. “For a memory foam, I didn't feel like my neck or shoulder were up too high, where I would wake up with soreness or pain. I think it's a good quality pillow, with good materials and durable memory foam.”

And while some people find memory foam to be stiff and uncomfortable, our testers found the exclusive blend used by TEMPUR-Pedic to be soft and responsive. “The materials are comfortable, sturdy, and durable,” one tester said. 

Not surprisingly, since the TEMPUR-Symphony is memory foam, it tends to trap heat. Its temperature rose 14.4 degrees in our testing, while the average pillow’s temperature rose 12.5 degrees. Also, the TEMPUR-Symphony doesn’t come with a free trial, which might be inconvenient if you don’t have a showroom nearby to try one out. If you want to test a pillow in your own home, you might prefer the Brooklinen Marlow, which comes with a full year trial period.

TEMPUR-Symphony customer experience

• Trial period: None
• Shipping: Free
• Warranty: 5-year warranty
• Financing: Yes

Customer service

You can contact TEMPUR-Symphony customer service by:

• Phone: 888-811-5053
• Live chat: on the website

Payment options 

TEMPUR-Pedic accepts all major credit cards and offers financing through its website.

Silk & Snow Pillow: Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Neck Pain

We chose Silk & Snow as our Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Neck Pain. The pillow’s responsive microfiber fill and shredded memory foam core help cradle the neck. This unique design keeps the neck well-aligned with the shoulders and spine. The high-quality material, combined with its mix of softness and support, earned the Silk & Snow Adjustable Pillow a 4.5/5 rating for comfort.

Silk & Snow

Best Pillow for Back Sleepers with Neck Pain

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• Shredded memory foam helps support and cradle the head and neck
• Adjustable interior for preferred loft and firmness

• Luxurious feel

Silk & Snow features

• Pillow type and fill material: Microfiber and memory foam 
• Adjustability and loft customization: Removable fill
• Firmness level: Adjustable
• Free trial period: 100 nights
• Cooling: Breathable materials
• Pillow shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose the Silk & Snow as the Best Pillow for Neck Pain

We chose the Silk & Snow as the Best Pillow for Neck Pain due to its supportive and responsive microfiber fill and shredded memory foam. The design helps keep back sleepers’ necks, shoulders, and spines aligned. The Silk & Snow combines high-quality materials and a soft sleeping experience. We believe this pillow is a great choice for people looking to relieve neck pain at night.

Silk & Snow pros and cons

Our testing experience with Silk & Snow

When we first tested the Silk & Snow adjustable pillow, we were impressed by its high-quality feel. It reminded us of the Saatva Latex, but it costs $90 less. “This feels like a luxury pillow,” one tester said. “The case is soft, but the fabric feels durable. When I unzipped the cover, I realized the cover was a plush top as well. Overall, this is a very well-made pillow with great intention behind their material and design choices.”

Once our testers lay down, they liked how comfortable and supportive the pillow was. “This pillow is very comfortable, especially if you are someone who likes a softer feel throughout the night,” one tester said. “I was immediately comfortable on my side and back.”

Even testers with shoulder problems found this pillow comfortable and supportive. “I love this pillow!” one tester said. “I would use this pillow every night if I could. It’s the perfect amount of cushioning and support for my head and neck, especially because I have old shoulder injuries.” For more information on sleeping with shoulder pain, see our reviews of the best mattresses for side sleepers and the best mattresses for shoulder pain.

Testers said this pillow was great for combination sleepers, but particularly back sleepers. “I recommend this pillow to combination sleepers who like to toss and turn onto their side and back,” one tester said. “Sleeping throughout the night on this pillow was super comfortable for my shoulders and neck on my back. This had enough support between the plush cover and memory foam inside that my head was aligned with my spine, but it was not harsh like a typical memory foam pillow.”

The Silk & Snow pillow is adjustable, allowing you to remove the memory foam inside if desired. But some testers thought the pieces were too small, and could make a mess if you tried to unzip the pillow and remove some. “The small pieces of foam fall out quickly and are a pain to pick up if you want to store them to possibly put back in,” one tester said.

Silk & Snow customer experience

• Trial period: 100 nights
• Shipping: Free
• Warranty: 3 years
• Financing: Yes

Customer service

You can contact Silk & Snow customer service by:

• Phone: 1-855-777-0033
• Email: hello@silkandsnow.com
• Live chat: Available on the website

Payment options 

Silk & Snow accepts most major credit cards and PayPal. They offer financing through PayPal Pay Later.

Our process testing the best pillows for back sleepers

Our team has spent thousands of hours researching and testing mattresses, pillows, and other sleep accessories so you can feel confident in our reviews. We work with experts in sleep, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, so we understand which features are most important when searching for the best pillows for back pain.

For this review, we personally tested 15 pillows identified through our research to ease back pain. Each pillow was subjected to rigorous testing by older adults with pain to ensure we have real-world data on how they perform.

We considered these important factors when testing the best pillows for back sleepers:

Spinal alignment support 

Our testers lay down on their backs with each pillow and noted how well the pillow helped keep their spine, neck, and shoulders properly aligned. We recorded any potential misalignments or pressure points.

Pressure relief 

We tested each pillow for how well it relieved pressure on our testers’ heads, necks, shoulders, and spines. We noted any pressure buildup, which typically contributes to a restless night’s sleep, and how well the pillow supported the body.

Loft retention and height adjustments

We measured the pillows’ ability to retain their loft (height) over several nights. This process ensured they didn’t collapse or compress too much, which would cause your body to become misaligned.

Firmness and responsiveness

We tested the pillows’ ability to adjust and cradle a person’s head when they moved or shifted positions during the night.

Why pillow choice matters for back sleepers

Pillow choice matters for back sleepers because it’s important to keep the neck, spine, and shoulders aligned while sleeping to prevent pressure buildup or pain. If a pillow’s loft is too high, it could force your neck upward into an awkward angle. This positioning can cause neck and back pain upon waking, or aggravate conditions such as sleep apnea.

Lower-back and neck pain are common consequences of poor sleep posture. Choosing the right pillow and keeping your spine supported while lying on your back can help minimize these issues.⁴

What to look for in a pillow for back sleeping

When choosing a pillow for back sleeping, it’s important to remember that what works best for you may differ from what works for someone else. Everyone’s pain and sleep goals are unique to them. Consider these features when choosing a pillow for back sleeping:

Loft

A pillow’s loft is how high it is. For back sleepers, you’ll want a pillow that’s around 6 inches tall for the most neutral neck alignment. This gives enough support to cradle your head without sinking so much that your neck goes out of alignment.

Firmness

Medium-soft to medium-firm pillows offer the best combination of comfort and support for your head when you’re lying on your back. Too firm and you might sleep at an angle that makes you sore; too soft and your head will sink down, curving your spine.

Contouring support

A pillow’s ability to contour, or cradle, your head makes a big difference for back sleepers. You want a pillow that lets your head sink in just enough to stay aligned with your spine and neck.

Material

The interior of your pillow also influences how well it supports the back of your head as you lie down. Memory foam is very responsive but can trap heat. Down alternatives are fluffy and comfortable, but offer slightly less support. The best material is the one that you enjoy sleeping on.

Shape

For back sleepers, a traditional rectangular pillow offers comfort and support. Some, like the TEMPUR-Symphony, have two different sides, with one side arched specifically for back sleepers. Either option can be a good one as long as you feel comfortable and aligned.

How much do the best pillows for back sleepers cost?

The pillows in this article range from $65–$165. When choosing a pillow, consider the price along with other possible expenses, such as shipping or return fees.

How to save money on pillows

The simplest way to save money on pillows is to wait until they are on sale before making a purchase. Look for holiday sales, such as Memorial Day or Labor Day. Some companies will send you a discount if you sign up for their email and text lists, too.

You can also save money by taking advantage of the company’s promotions, such as a free trial period or free returns.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best pillow height for back sleepers?

The best pillow height for back sleepers is around 6 inches. This keeps the neck in a neutral position.

Should back sleepers use memory foam or latex?

Back sleepers can get a good night’s rest on both memory foam and latex, as these materials are responsive and supportive.

Can a pillow improve snoring or sleep apnea for back sleepers?

It’s unclear whether a pillow can improve snoring or sleep apnea for back sleepers. Some pillows can help open the airways, but it’s important to speak to your doctor or health care provider if you have severe snoring or a sleep apnea diagnosis.

How do I know if my pillow is causing neck pain?

You would know if your pillow is causing neck pain because you would wake up with sore or aching muscles. You might also feel like you’re sleeping on an uncomfortable angle.

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org