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POOR SLEEP USUALLY isn't the reason behind neck pain, even chronic neck pain. But the right pillow can definitely keep the time you spend in bed from exacerbating those aches. Neck pain often comes from what happens during the day: Bad posture, sitting at your laptop all day, hunching over your phone for hours, and generally stressing the muscles that hold up your head. (If this sounds like you, learn how to improve your posture and embrace the best exercises for neck pain relief.) By the time you lay down for the night, you’ve likely already put a heavy burden on your neck.
Experts we spoke with say that neck pain can rob you of quality shut-eye. “Pillows provide optimal support from the shoulders up, and they play an important role in proper spinal alignment and comfort while you’re sleeping,” says Peter Polos, M.D., an associate professor of sleep medicine at Hackensack JFK Medical Center in New Jersey and sleep expert for Sleep Number. “They also help open your airways and reduce snoring at night. If you have neck discomfort and find yourself waking up because of it, you might want to consider trying a new pillow.
But, of course, shopping for bedding—and neck pain-relief pillows, in particular—can be confusing. That's why we reviewed some of the top-selling, best-reviewed models available. We’ve selected nine of the best pillows for neck pain to help you make your decision. (And just in case you need to complete your bedroom setup, we also pulled together the best sleep products in our 2023 Men's Health Sleep Awards—check those out as you shop for your next snooze.)
Pros
- Excellent pressure relief
- Contoured design supports the neck and spine
- Industry-leading cooling tech
- Three available sizes to match your overall body size
Cons
- A little pricey
With its contoured shape and supportive memory foam, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow promises to keep your neck aligned all night long. It comes in three sizes, customizable to your body shape and sleeping style, and it's completely hypoallergenic.
Like virtually every Tempur-Pedic product we've tested, the Tempur-Neck Pillow delivers on its promise of keeping your neck properly aligned and supported. The unique contoured design might seem weird at first, but trust us if you suffer from neck pain (or even if you don't), it's a game-changer in keeping your whole body aligned while you sleep. It's best for side and back sleepers who need a bit of extra support. Just grab the size that matches your neck-to-shoulder distance, and you'll be good to go. Bonus: It's great at keeping your head and neck cool, too.
It's a little pricey at around $120 (retail), but that's actually surprisingly affordable for a Tempur-Pedic branded product. Plus, we regularly see it on sale for less than $80. Tempur throws in free shipping (on this and all its accessories), and a five-year warranty, too.
Available Sizes | Small, Medium, Large |
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Removable Cover | Yes |
Shipping | Free |
Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Adjustable fill
- Natural, hypoallergenic design
- Cut-out shape is great for neck support and neck pain
- Over 1,000 mostly positive Amazon reviews
Cons
- Not available in King size
There’s a lot to like about the Sleep Artisan Luxury Side Sleeper Pillow. It’s filled with natural latex and microfiber, which keeps it cool and hypoallergenic, and it’s adjustable for any sleeper, whether back, stomach, or side. But we like it for side sleepers, in particular.
The unique cut-out shape leaves room for your shoulders to lay in a neutral position, so side sleepers can sleep more naturally with their head, neck, and spine properly aligned. With an adjustable fill, it's easy to dial in your preferred pillow height. Latex is a great down alternative and something of a natural miracle fiber, too. The airy design of this pillow ensures that it helps draw away heat, plus it's resistant to odors, dust, mildew, and common household allergens.
With more than 1,000 mostly positive reviews on Amazon, it's clear this is a favorite among verified buyers, too. Plus, we dig that it's priced at right under $100, making this neck pain pillow feel like a steal.
Available Sizes | Queen |
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Removable Cover | Yes |
Shipping | Free (with free returns) through Amazon |
Warranty | 3 years |
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Pros
- Customizable memory foam fill
- Naturally derived from hypoallergenic bamboo
- Available in standard, crescent, and cut-out shapes
- Great price
Cons
- Some buyers note an initial chemical smell
We've been fans of Coop Home Goods' bedding for years, and its OG Original Loft Bed Pillow is no exception. Filled with shredded memory foam, this pillow is adjustable to every sleep style—whether you're a back, side, or stomach sleeper—while still being supportive for those with neck pain.
This is one of the most versatile neck pain pillows on the market. The key is the shredded memory foam fill that allows you to add or remove as much as you want to customize the pillow to your personal perfect height. Every Coop pillow includes a bag of Extra Oomph Memory Blend Fill, allowing you to bring your pillow all the way down to the mattress (for stomach sleepers) or overstuff it (best for side sleepers who need extra head support). It’s also derived from natural bamboo, which is hypoallergenic and cooling to regulate your body temperature so you sleep more comfortably in any weather.
The best part about this pillow? The price. At $75 (for a queen-sized version) with free shipping and returns, it's arguably the best value neck pillow on the market. Plus, you can opt for crescent or cut-out-shaped models if that's your thing.
Available Sizes | Queen, King |
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Removable Cover | Yes |
Shipping | Free, plus free returns |
Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Great price
- Ergonomic contoured design
- Surprisingly breathable, cooling memory foam
- Silky soft case
- Available in three sizes
Cons
- Might be too soft for some side sleepers
- Initial chemical smell (dissipates after a few days)
While most contoured pillows simply offer a cut-out for your neck, this alternative from EPABO relies on a gentle, ergonomic slope to cradle your neck and head. It's perfect for keeping your head, neck, and back aligned to minimize neck pain (and other common aches).
The contour is designed to be "just right" for all types of sleepers, but we would most recommend it for anyone who likes to snooze on their side or, to a lesser degree, their back. Like many of the best memory foam pillows, this model is hypoallergenic and includes a free pillowcase that's removable and machine-washable. We like that it's available in three different sizes: Standard, Queen, and "Near King" (that's a new one on us).
With more than 27,000 Amazon reviews—including 16,000 five-star ratings—this is one of the best neck pain pillows on Amazon. Some reviews note the typical "memory foam chemical smell" immediately after opening the package. But, for less than $50, we think this model is worth a look for any neck pain sufferer.
Available Sizes | Standard, Queen, "Near King" |
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Removable Cover | Yes |
Shipping | Free with free returns (through Amazon) |
Warranty | Not specified |
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Pros
- Low-profile design is perfect for stomach and back sleepers
- Infused with cooling gel
- Cool, bamboo-derived cover
- Great price
- Available in a travel-friendly Mini size
Cons
- Weird chemical smell at first
As we’ve said before, stomach sleepers have unique needs—namely, thinner pillows that don’t strain the neck during the night. The Belly Sleep Gel Infused Memory Foam Pillow is thin but supportive, with a cooling gel that’ll keep you from overheating while facedown in it.
While it lacks the defined cutout or crescent shape of other neck-support pillows, this option instead offers a 2.5-inch, low-profile design. It's the perfect height for back and stomach sleepers who need a little less support in a way that doesn't force their head into an awkward position too far away from their mattress. This pillow is stuffed with a polyurethane foam infused with a cooling gel designed to draw heat away from the body and regulate your temperature throughout the night.
The thinner design is versatile for hybrid sleepers (those who like more than one sleep position), too. One Amazon reviewer recommends folding it up if you switch positions during the night, as many stomach sleepers do. Bonus: It's surprisingly well-priced at just under $50 with a free cover, and Belly Sleep even throws in a "forever" lifetime warranty to boot.
Available Sizes | Mini, Standard |
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Removable Cover | Yes |
Shipping | Free with free returns (through Amazon) |
Warranty | Lifetime |
Pros
- Unique "diveted" design
- Two neck roll sizes in one pillow
- Perfect height for back sleepers
- Great price
Cons
- "Feels" like a budget pillow
Like stomach sleepers, back sleepers need special consideration when it comes to neck pain. For back sleepers with neck pain, Core Products' D-Core Cervical Support Pillow offers a supportive cradle—almost like a medical neck pillow—that keeps the head stable and properly aligned overnight.
The unique, divot-like design is unlike any other in our roundup. But this is no ordinary neck pillow. It's designed for maximum support to alleviate neck pain. One side of the pillow features a larger neck roll, while the other is smaller, so dialing in your preferred comfort level is just a matter of rotating the bedding. It's a solid option for chronic neck pain sufferers or anyone who lives with neck spasms, tension headaches, and more. With two available sizes (Full and Midsize), it's easier to opt for the pillow that's just the right size and shape to fit your body type.
It may take time to adjust, but the shape can offer serious relief for back sleepers when traditional pillows aren’t cutting it. Plus, at around $40, it's more budget-friendly than almost any other neck pain pillow in our roundup. The only real downside? No warranty.
Available Sizes | Full, Mini |
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Removable Cover | Yes (cotton/polyester blend) |
Shipping | Free delivery (with free 90-day returns) |
Warranty | None |
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Pros
- Very comfortable design
- Adjustable fill
- Excellent temperature regulation
- Unique, hexagon stitching
- BOGO pricing available
Cons
- A little pricey
Yes, we said fill material doesn’t matter. And that’s generally true—for relieving neck pain, support is what matters most. But Layla’s pillow combines kapok (a light and airy natural fiber) with memory foam to provide adjustable support that’s also extremely breathable, as well as keeping your head cool.
Like most of the bedding in Layla's catalog, the Kapok Pillow looks and feels like a premium product. It's plush, airy, and lofty (trust us, that's a thing). The hybrid fill provides a "best of both worlds" construction with the pressure-relieving support of memory foam and the cooling, temperature-regulating bliss of kapok. It's arguably the best cooling neck pain relief pillow on our list, too. The polyester/viscose blend cover is super soft, and we especially love the unique hexagon pattern stitching that sets it apart from every other pillow.
At north of $100, this is a premium pillow option. But it's still more affordable than the most luxurious pillows we've seen this year, which can cost more than $250. Plus, Layla frequently offers BOGO (buy one, get one free) pricing, so you can score a set of two for closer to $50 each.
Available Sizes | Queen, King |
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Removable Cover | Yes (polyester/viscose blend) |
Shipping | Free |
Warranty | 5 years |
Pros
- Height-adjustable with included "booster" layers
- Mesh cover is breathable and washable
- Heavy like a weighted, therapy pillow (a Con for some)
- 100-night sleep trial
Cons
- Expensive
We do love us some Purple bedding. From its mattresses to its sheets to its pillows, it's all good. The OG Purple Pillow is still among our favorites for just about any sleep style, but it's especially good for neck support and neck pain sufferers, too.
The secret sauce with this pillow is in the GelFlex Grid, a gel foam that's designed to be infinitely adaptable to your body shape and sleep position, so it literally moves and flexes with you throughout the night. This makes it great for supporting your head and neck, and alleviating chronic neck pain too. It's firmer than traditional pillows, so it doesn't feel "fluffy" like a traditional pillow, either. But if you're looking for maximum neck support, that's a good thing. Plus, the included mesh cover is washable, breathable, and cooling to boot.
We love everything about this pillow. But there's no getting around the fact that it is pricey. At roughly $250 (retail), it's among the most expensive pillows—for neck pain or otherwise—that we tested this year. Still, if you're a chronic neck pain sufferer and only the best will do, this gets our stamp of approval.
Available Sizes | One size |
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Removable Cover | Yes |
Shipping | Free delivery |
Warranty | 1 year |
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Pros
- Molded foam is firmer than traditional memory foam
- Maximum head and neck support
- Available in four sizes
- Decent price
Cons
- Some might not like the unique shape
People with neck pain who like a firmer pillow should consider the many memory foam options. But if you want something even more firm and supportive, the Therapeutica pillow is worth considering. It might look weird, but the unique shape is designed to cradle your head whether you’re a side or back sleeper.
We get it: This pillow probably doesn't look super comfortable at first glance. But trust us, this one is purpose-built for serious neck support. The molded foam construction is much firmer than traditional memory foam, making this more like a hospital-worthy sleep aid than an "ordinary" neck support pillow. The central cavity gently cradles your head, providing neutral spinal alignment and preventing the "wobble" you might find in lesser pillows. Plus, the elevated sides accommodate your shoulders, too, ensuring they're properly supported to prevent arm numbness.
This neck pain pillow is available in four distinct sizes, from Petite to X-Large, so you can find the right one to fit your body (and neck/head) shape. All sizes include a removable cotton/poly cover, making washing and maintenance a breeze. Plus, it's priced right at just under $100, which seems like a bargain for a pillow that promises maximum neck support.
Available Sizes | Petite, Average, Large, X-Large |
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Removable Cover | Yes (polyester/cotton blend) |
Shipping | Free with free returns (through Amazon) |
Warranty | 5 years |
How to Find the Best Neck Pain Pillow for You
If you're a chronic neck pain sufferer, finding the right supportive pillow can be a game-changer for your sleep health. But, as with most bedding, there are tons of options on the market, so it's hard to know where to start.
Finding the right one for your neck pain depends on your sleep style. Don’t worry too much about the material; as long as it provides enough support, it doesn’t matter whether your pillow is memory foam, bamboo, or something else—though down tends to be too fluffy to help. “There is no one-size-fits-all pillow; it’s important to choose one that is supportive and comfortable for your sleep needs,” Polos says.
If you're looking for one pillow to help you finally find those elusive pain-free mornings, here are the most important considerations.
Sleep position
Your preferred sleep position is one of the most important factors in finding the right pillow (or mattress or mattress topper, for that matter). "Look for a pillow that aligns your neck and spine properly, as a pillow that’s too high or too low can cause neck discomfort,” advises Polos.
If you're a side sleeper, consider a neck pain pillow that's a bit thicker, firmer, or both to cradle your head and neck while keeping your spine aligned. Contoured pillows or those with a specific cut-out can also help provide extra support. Back sleepers will probably want a medium-loft pillow (not to thin and not too tall) that conforms to the natural curve of the neck without pushing the head too far up off the mattress. Finally, stomach sleepers should opt for a thinner pillow that won't hyperextend the neck.
Material and pillow fill
A memory foam pillow will be the right choice for many neck pain sufferers. It conforms well to the body and provides solid pressure relief for any sleep position. Likewise, latex offers many of the same benefits as memory foam, plus it tends to be cooler and more breathable. Buckwheat and down pillows are two other options. However, these are often softer and fluffier and may not be good choices for neck pain sufferers.
Other features
Neck pain pillows tend to offer more features than traditional pillows. Consider one with a cervical contour, for example, with a raised center that's designed to support the natural curve of the neck. Some models offer built-in cooling tech via gel inserts or extra-breathable fabrics designed to help regulate your temperature. If you're sensitive to allergens, consider a pillow that's hypoallergenic and/or designed to inhibit mold, mildew, and other common allergens. Finally, most neck pillows worth buying include a removable, washable cover. Double-check any models you're considering, though, as you'll want to make washing and caring for your new pillow as easy as possible.
Price
A new pillow is one of the most budget-friendly changes you can make to upgrade your sleep situation. Decent neck support pillows are available for less than $50, while midrange options are usually in the $100-$200 range. The very best neck pillows (from makers like Purple) can run more than $200 retail.
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How Does a Neck Pain Pillow Help with Neck Pain?
The right pillow, whether you’re a side, stomach, or back sleeper, keeps your neck in a neutral position, aligned with your spine in a way that doesn’t cause stress. It’s basic ergonomics, really—along with the right mattress, the right pillow supports your head, leaving your muscles relaxed and tension-free while you sleep.
Can a Neck Pillow Really Help with Neck Pain?
Absolutely! Investing in a good pillow is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to alleviate chronic neck pain. The best neck support pillows cradle your head and neck in a natural position to help better align your spine while you sleep. This can reduce tension and muscle strain which both contribute to neck pain.
Memory foam and hybrid memory foam neck pillows conform to your head, neck, and body. This helps distribute your weight more evenly, which reduces pressure points on the neck and shoulders. This can be doubly beneficial if you suffer from arthritis or other chronic pain conditions.
Some neck pain pillows—especially contoured models and those designed with bolsters—can also encourage you to sleep in a more natural position to minimize neck pain.
Just keep in mind that no pillow is going to be a cure-all. Even the best pillows for neck pain can help, but they may only be one piece of the puzzle. If you're suffering from chronic pain, you may need to consult your doctor or physical therapist to see what your options are.
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How We Selected the Best Pillows for Neck Pain
Our staff here at Men's Health are proud "sleep enthusiasts." For this roundup, we researched and evaluated neck pain pillows from bargain brands on Amazon, premium bedding makers like Purple and Tempur-Pedic, and everything in between. We compared the support, comfort, durability, buyer reviews, cooling capabilities, and price of every model. In the end, we agreed on the above nine as our picks for the best neck pain pillows worth buying in 2024.
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