Our Top Pick

Saatva Latex Pillow: Best Overall

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• Shredded latex contours for neck support
• Allergy-friendly materials

• Choose from standard or high loft

Brooklinen Marlow Pillow: Best Cooling

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• Earned our highest cooling score
• Easily adjustable

• Suits all sleeping positions

TEMPUR-Symphony: Best for Combo Sleepers

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• Keeps neck and shoulders aligned
• High-quality materials

• Adjusts quickly to changing sleep positions

Several Chinese dynasties ago, the best pillows for neck pain weren’t soft. They weren’t even fabric. They were made out of wood, jade, bronze, or porcelain because it was believed that soft materials robbed the body of vitality and were unhealthy.¹ Luckily, today’s options are a little more comfortable. But choosing the wrong pillow—including one that’s too soft—may contribute to neck, back, and other pain. Just like choosing the best mattress for neck pain can play a role in helping deal with chronic back pain or the pain and soreness of sciatica, finding the best pillow for neck pain may help. 

“Neck pain is incredibly common,” said Pamela Mehta, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of Resilience Orthopedics in San Jose, California. Around half of all adults will experience significant neck pain at some point in their lives.² And research shows that neck pain and poor sleep quality are linked.³ “If your neck isn’t properly supported at night, you may wake up with more stiffness. Over time, lack of restful sleep can make your pain worse, not better. It’s a vicious cycle, but the right pillow and sleeping position can make a big difference.” In our review, we highlight the best pillows for neck pain and explain how they made our list. We also provide guidance on how to find the best pillow for your unique needs.

Best pillows for neck pain in 2025

• Saatva Latex Pillow: Best Overall Pillow for Neck Pain
• Brooklinen Marlow Pillow: Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain
• TEMPUR-Symphony Pillow: Best Neck Pain Pillow for Combination Sleepers
• Silk & Snow Pillow: Best for Neck and Shoulder Pain
• Luxome LAYR pillow: Best Adjustable Pillow for Neck Pain

Comparing the best pillows for neck pain

*Ratings reflect a brand's overall offering; the best overall pick doesn't necessarily have the highest score

What we look for in a pillow for neck pain

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

Spinal alignment 

The best pillows for neck pain should help maintain the curve of the spine, especially at the neck and upper back. The natural curve in our neck helps support the head and distribute the weight our shoulders and upper back carry. Maintaining this curve in any sleep position is key to reducing neck pain.

Loft or height

Loft, or how thick a pillow is, impacts whether your head and neck are aligned with your spine. If your pillow is too thick or high (has too much loft), it can push your neck too far forward or too far back, depending on your preferred sleeping position. 

Adjustability

Because there is no one optimal height for pillows, the ability to adjust a pillow to your specific comfort level can be helpful.⁴ People with neck pain often benefit from fine-tuning their pillow height and firmness based on their pain level and sleep habits.

Fill material

What’s inside your pillow makes a difference in how comfortable and supportive it feels.

Some research has found that pillows made of either latex or memory foam were superior to feather pillows in easing symptoms for people with chronic neck pain.⁵ 

Shape

The most comfortable pillow shape depends a lot on your preferred sleeping position. For people who sleep on their backs, a traditional rectangle-shaped memory foam pillow was found to be best.⁴ Other research indicates a contoured pillow with higher sides best suits side sleepers. And back sleepers can use a pillow with a lower, flattened middle to potentially improve sleep quality and spinal alignment.⁷

Saatva Latex Pillow: Best Overall Pillow for Neck Pain

We chose the Saatva Latex as our Best Overall Pillow for Neck Pain because it has great neck support and is made of high-quality materials. Plus, this brand is known for quality and customer service, which is one reason it topped our list of best mattresses.

Saatva Latex

Best Luxury Pillow

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• Shredded latex interior may help ease neck pain (and is allergy-friendly)
• High-quality materials and luxe feel

• Available in both standard and high-loft options

Saatva Latex features

• Fill material: 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 Overall Pillow for Neck Pain

We chose the Saatva Latex as the Best Overall Pillow for Neck Pain because it had all-around great scores in our tests, and its shape and fill material may both help support the neck and keep the spine aligned. This pillow is pricier than others we tested. But it comes with Saatva’s reputation for quality and great customer service, including a 45-night free trial. Testers said this pillow had the comfort and feel of a hotel-quality pillow and gave it some of the highest scores for comfort and material quality. 

We also like that even though it is made with latex, the material is treated so that people with a latex allergy can still use this pillow without a reaction. The Saatva pillow isn’t adjustable, but you can choose between standard or high loft depending on your preference. It wasn’t the coolest pillow we tested, but it could be a great choice for someone who wants neck support and a luxury feel.

Saatva Latex pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Saatva Latex

Our testers rated the Saatva Latex pillow above average in pretty much every category. It received especially high marks for customer service and quality of materials. They noted that the fabric has a plush, high-end feel and that the pillow has two covers surrounding the latex filling. “There are three layers of protection before reaching the core of the pillow,” said one tester.

In terms of comfort and support, the Saatva Latex pillow strikes the right balance. “This pillow has a decent amount of pressure relief for being a soft, latex pillow,” said a tester. “The second layer is very plush, which gives support and comfort around my neck. 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.”

The Saatva Latex pillow has a loft height of 6.5”, but sank about 3” in our tests. In some studies, a pillow of around 3” is the right amount for keeping the spine aligned.⁴ A tester commented, “It feels like the right amount of sinkage to be comfortable.” We think this pillow could be a good choice for back or combination sleepers with neck pain. “It has a medium loft, which helps keep my head and neck in line, but has enough responsiveness that switching positions is still comfortable,” said one tester.

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: Call 860-362-2641, available 24/7
• Email: info@saatvamattress.com
• Live chat: Available 24/7
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options

Payment options include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Google Pay, and PayPal. Saatva offers financing options through Affirm.

Note that Saatva offers $225 off a purchase of $1,000 or more to adults 65 and older, military members and their families, health care professionals, government employees, and more. This cannot be combined with other offers.

Brooklinen Marlow: Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain

We chose the Brooklinen Marlow as the Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain because it limited heat buildup better than any other pillow we tested. It received the only perfect 5/5 score for cooling. Our testers also said the Brooklinen Marlow provided excellent support for their necks.

Brooklinen Marlow

Best for Cooling

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• Had the lowest temperature increase (8 degrees) of any pillow
• Firmness can be easily adjusted

• Soft but still supportive of the neck

Brooklinen Marlow features

• Fill material: Memory foam
• Adjustability and loft: Adjustable; 5''
• Firmness level: Adjustable firmness
• Free trial period: 365 nights
• Cooling: Cooling memory foam
• Shape: Traditional rectangle

Why we chose the Brooklinen Marlow as the Best for Cooling

We chose the Brooklinen Marlow Pillow as the Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain because it has great neck support and cooling properties. In our survey on sleep accessories, respondents listed cooling as the second most important feature, and adjustability as the third. The Brooklinen Marlow has both these features. 

It was the only pillow to earn a perfect 5/5 score for cooling due to its low heat retention. Compared to the Saatva Latex pillow’s 14-degree temperature increase, the Brooklinen Marlowe only rose 8 degrees after use. This pillow can also be adjusted to make it firmer or softer using two zippers. We found this system a lot easier than pillows where you have to remove and store some of the filling to adjust it. Testers reported that, with the ability to adjust the firmness, this pillow felt comfortable and supported their neck and spine in all three sleeping positions.

Brooklinen Marlow pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Brooklinen Marlow

Our testers found a lot to like about the Brooklinen Marlow pillow. They really appreciated how easily they could adjust the firmness of this pillow using two zippers. Opening each zipper reveals a mesh gusset and decreases the firmness. For the firmest mode, keep both zippers closed; for the softest setting, keep both zippers open. This can be useful for people who don’t want to remove the filling, add it back, or store it in a separate place. “It's super easy to modify this pillow,” one tester said.

The adjustability of the Brooklinen Marlow pillow made it equally supportive for the neck and spine in any sleeping position. When lying on your side, our tester said, “I'd recommend having both zippers closed for this position to provide the firmest, loftiest support. The pillow still feels fluffy and plush, but it fills in the gap between the neck and shoulders and prevents neck strain.” When lying on your back, our tester recommends having only one zipper open. “This places the neck in a neutral position and allows the spine to remain in a straight, neutral line (granted, only if you're using the right mattress).” And for stomach sleepers, opening both zippers allows the pillow to compress as much as possible. “This prevents the neck from craning upwards, which could lead to pain over time,” our tester said.

Testers also appreciated how cool this pillow stayed, as well as its hypoallergenic and antimicrobial properties. “This pillow is more supportive than a lot of other ‘fluffy’ pillows I've tried,” one tester said. “I think the combination of memory foam and polyester fiber gives it a unique fill that balances support and pressure relief. 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.”

Brooklinen doesn’t have a free trial period for pillows, but it does offer a 365-day return policy. The Brooklinen Marlow Pillow is also the least expensive pillow on this list by $44.

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.

TEMPUR-Symphony: Best Neck Pain Pillow for Combination Sleepers

The TEMPUR-Symphony is our Best Neck Pain Pillow for Combination Sleepers because its design supports the neck and shoulders in all sleeping positions. You can simply flip the pillow over and have the support you need for a new position (one side is for back sleepers, the other for side and stomach sleepers). We think this makes the Tempur-Symphony a great option for people who switch positions but still need neck and spine support. 

TEMPUR-Symphony

Best for Combination Sleepers

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• Memory foam has contouring support
• Great neck alignment for back sleepers

• Has the longest warranty (five years)

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 Neck Pillow for Combination Sleepers

We chose the TEMPUR-Symphony as the Best Neck Pillow for Combination Sleepers because it has a different design on each side. It’s intended to support back sleepers on one side and stomach and side sleepers on the other. This means you can change the support by flipping over the pillow. It is one of the easiest ways to adjust a pillow for people who switch positions often. 

The arched side of the TEMPUR-Symphony pillow has excellent neck and shoulder support. The flat side has a lower loft to avoid neck strain for stomach sleepers. Contouring memory foam ensures support where and when you need it. These features make this pillow a great option for people who switch positions but still need neck and spine support. 

TEMPUR-Symphony pros and cons

Our testing experience with the TEMPUR-Symphony

Our testers liked this pillow before they even lay their heads on it. “The materials are comfortable, sturdy, and durable,” said one tester. “The first cover is 100% polyester that feels very soft and almost silky to the touch. The netting that covers the memory foam inside is also polyester and soft. It doesn't look like it would get bunched over time. The memory foam inside the pillow also feels very durable.” 

The contoured side of the TEMPUR-Symphony is designed for back sleepers. It helps keep your neck, shoulders, and spine aligned in that position. The flat side is for side and stomach sleepers, to keep their neck at a lower angle and avoid upper back strain. The memory foam in the pillow contours to add support. Our testers could tell the difference and reported feeling supported in all positions. “I don't typically enjoy memory foam pillows, but this one felt really good as soon as I laid down,” said one tester. “On my back, I felt very supported in the neck area. On my side, which is my primary sleeping position, the pressure relief was great. My neck doesn't hurt and my head sank down into the pillow enough to be comfortable.” 

Because of its versatility and ability to support the neck in different positions, we feel this pillow would be a good choice for combination sleepers. “The pillow is very responsive, so it will mold back to its original shape as you change positions throughout the night,” said one tester. “I felt comfortably supported on both my back and my side.”

The TEMPUR-Symphony is one of the only pillows we tested that doesn’t come with a free trial, and it is not returnable. If that’s important to you, we suggest the Brooklinen Marlow pillow, which has the longest free trial period on this list (365 nights).

TEMPUR-Symphony customer experience

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

Customer service

You can contact TEMPUR-Pedic customer service by:

• Phone: Call 888-811-5053, available Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
• Email: customer.service@tempurpedic.com 
• Chat: Automated chat via the bottom right corner of the website, available 24/7. Live chat agents are available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. 
• In-store: Multiple locations across the United States

Payment options 

Tempur-Pedic accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards. It has a financing option called Tempur-Pedic Financing, which you have to apply for.

Silk & Snow Pillow: Best Pillow for Neck and Shoulder Pain 

We chose the Silk & Snow as our Best Pillow for Neck and Shoulder Pain because it received top scores for support from testers who have neck pain and a history of shoulder injuries. It is also adjustable and did well in our cooling tests, both features that may help with a comfortable night’s sleep.

Silk & Snow

Best Pillow for Neck and Shoulder Pain

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• Uses shredded memory foam and microfiber to cradle the neck and head
• Easily customizable

• Works well for all sleeping positions

Silk & Snow features

• Fill material: Memory foam and microfiber
• Adjustability and loft: Removable fill, 9”
• Firmness level: Adjustable
• Free trial period: 100 nights
• Cooling: Breathable cotton cover
• Shape: Traditional rectangle

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

The Silk & Snow is our Best Pillow for Neck and Shoulder Pain because it was highly rated for support by our tester with neck and shoulder pain. The memory foam and microfiber filling are adjustable, allowing you to customize the loft and firmness of the pillow to suit your sleeping position and preferences. Our testers found the Silk & Snow pillow helped ease tension on their neck, shoulders, and upper back, and kept their spine aligned. 

This pillow is also made using durable and responsive materials that are certified to be free from harmful chemicals. Its breathable cotton cover and memory foam and microfiber pieces permit airflow so heat doesn’t get trapped. It earned a 4/5 in our cooling tests, which makes this a decent pillow for hot sleepers. The Silk & Snow is one of the less-expensive pillows we tried, so it presents a great value for the cost. And it has excellent customer service, with the second-longest warranty on this list and a 100-night trial period. 

Silk & Snow pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Silk & Snow

Our testers were impressed with the high-quality look and feel of the Silk & Snow pillow. “This feels like a luxury pillow,” said one. “The case is soft, but the fabric feels durable. When I unzipped the cover, I realized the cover was a plush top as well. It had the feeling of a down comforter covering the pillow insert. Overall, this is a very well-made pillow with great intention behind the material and design choices.” 

In terms of support, our testers found the Silk & Snow pillow great for relieving neck pain, especially in the back and side sleeping positions. One tester, who has neck pain caused by previous shoulder injuries, said, “I love this pillow. This is a pillow I would use personally every night. It is the perfect amount of cushioning and support for my head and neck. When I slept on it throughout the night, I woke up feeling very refreshed. I had no neck pain or shoulder tension.”

Even testers who typically dislike memory foam commented on how plush this pillow felt. “Sleeping throughout the night on this pillow was super comfortable for my shoulders and neck on both my side and back,” said one tester. “I love a softer pillow, but this had enough support between the plush cover and memory foam inside that my head was aligned with my spine.” Testers also noted that the memory foam bounced back to its original shape. That responsiveness can be useful for anyone who changes positions at night. “I would recommend this to someone who has neck and shoulder pain but still wants a soft feeling pillow,” said one tester. “The support is great.”

The Silk & Snow customer experience

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

Customer service

You can contact Silk & Snow customer service by:

• Phone: 1-877-672-2882
• 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 and Affirm.

Luxome LAYR: Best Adjustable Pillow for Neck Pain

We chose the Luxome LAYR as our Best Adjustable Pillow for Neck Pain. It allows you to easily alternate among three different levels of firmness to find the most supportive one for your neck and spine. 

Luxome LAYR

Best Adjustable Pillow

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• Can be adjusted to three firmness levels
• Mix and match for the best sleep experience

• Great for all kinds of sleepers

Luxome LAYR features

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

Why we chose the Luxome LAYR as the Best Adjustable Pillow

We chose the Luxome LAYR as the Best Adjustable Pillow for Neck Pain because it has three different inserts. So you can choose whichever best supports you in your preferred sleeping position. This can help keep your spine in line and ease strain on the neck. No other pillow we tested had as many options for adjustability. 

Testers also rated the Luxome LAYR highly for its quality materials, clear care instructions, superior comfort, and great customer support. They did note that it was not good for cooling, so hot sleepers may not prefer this pillow. Also, it is on the higher end for price.

Luxome LAYR pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Luxome LAYR

No other pillow we tested had as many ways to adjust the firmness as the Luxome LAYR pillow. This pillow has three optional inserts:

• A soft down-alternative insert
• A medium insert made of down-alternative and shredded memory foam
• Two firm memory foam inserts of varying thicknesses (one- and two-inch blocks)

You can mix and match the different inserts to find the combination that feels most supportive and comfortable for you. Our testers liked how simple it was to change the LAYR pillow's firmness. “This is the easiest and most customizable pillow I have tested,” one tester said. “There are three different layers within the pillow, so you can keep it just plush, only memory foam, or shredded memory foam.” 

One of our testers discovered that removing the memory foam piece lowered the loft of the pillow for her neck and shoulders. Experimenting with the different inserts can be a good way to find the most supportive combination. “I thought this pillow was super neat and a comfortable choice for people who may not know what they like in a pillow,” said one tester. “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.” 

One tester noted that this may not be the best pillow for combination sleepers due to its custom nature. “I wouldn't recommend this for combination sleepers just because you may enjoy the pillow you customize on your back, but not your side,” they said. Some people might not like having to unzip and repack their pillow or store unused inserts. If that’s the case, you might enjoy the Layla Kapok more, which molds to support you without requiring customization.

Testers commented on the quality of the materials used in the Luxome LAYR pillow. “It has a super comfortable outer layer, to the point where I could sleep on this without a pillowcase,” said one. One area where the Luxome LAYR doesn’t perform as well is cooling, where it scored only a 2/5. This is the lowest cooling score among all the pillows we tested. 

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.

Our process testing the best pillows for neck pain 

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 know what 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 put through rigorous testing by older adults with pain to ensure we have real-world data about how they perform.

We considered these important factors when testing the best pillows for neck pain:

Spinal alignment support 

Our testers lay down with the pillow on their backs, sides, and stomachs, which are the three main ways that people tend to sleep. We measured how aligned our necks, shoulders, and spines were in the different positions. We noted any pressure points or sinking sensations.

Pressure relief 

We measured for any pressure buildup in our necks, shoulders, and spines. Pressure points typically mean that a part of the body is unaligned. We made sure that the pillows all helped support the neck and upper spine equally.

Loft retention and height adjustments

We measured how well the pillow retained its loft over several nights. If a pillow becomes squished down and doesn’t bounce back, it may not keep your neck in the proper position.

Firmness and responsiveness

We tested the responsiveness of the pillow by evaluating how quickly it bounces back. This is particularly helpful for people who change sleep positions during the night. 

What to look for in a pillow for neck pain

Pillows are key to supporting neck muscles and the natural curve in the neck during sleep, said Sherry McAllister, DC, president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, based in San Jose, California. “Certain pillow designs, including its shape and height, can reduce neck pain and improve overall neck function.” Here are a few things to look for when shopping for the best pillows for neck pain:

• Cervical support: “The upper part of the spine below the neck is known as the cervical lordotic curve,” said McAllister. It helps support the head and absorb shock. Maintaining that natural curve while you sleep is key to avoiding neck pain. You want a pillow that contours to support that curve.
• Contouring or ergonomic shape: A great pillow option, especially for side sleepers, is memory foam. Memory foam is a special material with the unique capability to alter its shape and become more form-fitting to the sleeper. This allows support to be evenly distributed and provides more support for the neck. The right pillow shape will depend on your typical sleeping position and the type of pain you experience.
• Loft: Look for a pillow that is adjustable or an appropriate height for your preferred sleep position. “Your sleeping position plays a big role in neck alignment, so it should guide your pillow choice,” said McAllister. “If you are a back sleeper, the ideal pillow has a medium loft with medium firmness as opposed to side sleepers who will find more comfort and support with a higher loft pillow that meets the shoulder-head gap nicely to ensure alignment of the neck.” And stomach sleepers should go for the lowest loft they can, if they use a pillow at all. 
• Materials: A variety of pillow fill materials are available, including both natural and synthetic options. You can choose down, feathers, wool, cotton, polyester fiberfill, memory foam, and more. If you have allergies or sensitivities, you may want to look for hypoallergenic options.

“A health care professional, such as a doctor of chiropractic, can assess your alignment and help you choose the best pillow based on your previous injuries, anomalies, and muscle structure,” McAllister said.

Tips for managing neck pain

“Managing neck pain starts with daily habits,” said Pamela Mehta, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of Resilience Orthopedics in San Jose, California. You can also look for a mattress that best supports your neck and a supportive pillow that helps keep your upper spine aligned. You can try the following:

• Stretching: Gentle neck stretches in the morning and before bed can reduce stiffness.
• Exercise: Focus on posture, core strength, and proper alignment.
• Pain relief: Heat packs or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may help (though keep your doctor in the loop if using regularly!).

If your pain lingers more than a week or two, it’s worth having it checked out by a health care professional.

How much do the best pillows for neck pain cost?

The pillows in this article range from $65–$165. That price does not include shipping or other fees. You have to spend $100 or more to receive free shipping from Brooklinen, for instance, and TEMPUR-Pedic doesn’t offer returns. 

How to save money on pillows

The easiest way to save money on pillows is to buy them when they are on sale. Look for promotions around Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, or Black Friday. You can also save money by choosing a pillow with a free trial period and free returns, as this allows you to return the pillow if you don’t like it and get your money back.

Some companies, like Lagoon, allow you to use your HSA/FSA funds to pay for a pillow, which can save you some money.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best pillow shape for neck pain?

The best pillow shape for neck pain often depends on your preferred sleeping position. For people who sleep on their backs, a traditional rectangular-shaped memory foam pillow was found to be best. Other research indicates that a contoured pillow with higher sides is more suitable for side sleepers. And a lower, flattened middle for back sleepers could improve sleep quality and spinal alignment.

Can memory foam help with neck pain?

Memory foam has been shown to potentially help ease neck pain, especially compared to feather pillows. Because of its ability to contour to fill empty spaces, memory foam pillows support the neck as it curves naturally. 

How do I know if my pillow is too high or too low?

Your pillow may be too high (thick) or low (thin) if your head and spine are not in alignment. If you sleep on your back and your chin is tucked toward your chest, your pillow may be too high. If your head falls back in that position, your pillow could be too low. If you sleep on your side, make sure the pillow fills the space between the head and the mattress, without angling your head up or down.

Is a firmer pillow better for neck pain?

A firmer pillow is not always better for neck pain. A pillow that is too firm may not support the natural curve of the spine and leave gaps. A medium-firm pillow tends to be the “sweet spot”  that supports the neck without forcing it into a rigid position for most people.

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.