Written by Logan Block, Former Content Director
If you’re looking for the best orthopedic pillow, know that they come in all shapes and sizes. From pillows that sit snugly between your knees to neck support pillows designed to align your spine, these sleep accessories are often purchased as a way to address pain that’s exacerbated by your current sleep setup. Before buying, however, be sure to speak with a doctor if you’re experiencing chronic pain. With that said, let’s get into some of our favorite orthopedic pillows.
Our Top Pick For Orthopedic Pillows
The Luxome LAYR Pillow ranks highest on this roundup because it combines the soft feeling of down with denser memory foam to create a balanced feel. This pillow is adjustable, allowing the sleeper to choose the feel that’s right for them.
Best Orthopedic Pillows
- Best Overall Pillow – Luxome LAYR Pillow
- Best for Orthopedic Pillow for Side Sleepers – Brooklyn Bedding Pillow
- Best Orthopedic Neck Pillow – TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
- Best Hypoallergenic Orthopedic Pillow – Saatva Natural Latex Pillow
- Best Leg Pillow – Coop Four Position Adjustable Support Pillow
- Best Memory Foam Orthopedic Pillow – Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
What I Look For In The Best Orthopedic Pillows
Materials
I looked for pillows that are made from high quality materials that promote both support and pressure relief. I specifically like memory foam that doesn’t trap heat and pillow covers that are soft and breathable. I looked into the materials of the each of the pillows on this list to test for breathability and material quality.
Loft
Pillow loft refers to how tall a pillow is. For this roundup, I tried to pick orthopedic pillows with adjustable lofts, so you can choose the loft that’s most compatible with your sleeping position. As a reminder, stomach sleepers should look for low loft pillows, back sleepers should look for medium loft pillows, and side sleepers should look for higher loft pillows. Choosing a loft that is too low or too high for your sleeping position can lead to neck pain.
Firmness
Much like pillow loft, pillow firmness is subjective to each individual sleeper and their needs. Orthopedic pillows tend to be a bit denser and supportive to promote proper spinal alignment and prevent neck pain. Although these pillows may be denser, I think they’re still soft enough to be comfortable and relieve pressure.
Best Overall Pillow – Luxome LAYR Pillow
Luxome LAYR Pillow
The LUXOME LAYR Pillow is a customizable option with CertiPUR-US certified memory foam and naturally cooling bamboo.
We chose the Luxome LAYR Pillow as our best overall pick because of its adjustability. On one side, there’s an insert made of fluffy down alternative. This should give you a softer feel. On the other side, there’s an insert made of gel-infused memory foam that gives you more contouring and has a medium feel. You can switch around these inserts, or swap one of them out for an additional insert made of solid memory foam. This is the sturdiest of the inserts and gives you a firmer feel.
The customizability of the Luxome LAYR allows you to find the loft and fill that’s most comfortable for you. All sleepers require different things from an orthopedic pillow, and landing on that sweet spot is key to helping prevent orthopedic pain.
Pros:
- The adjustability of this pillow makes it ideal for all sleeping positions and preferences.
- The cover is made of bamboo viscose, which should help the pillow stay nice and cool.
- The cover of the pillow and the covers of the inserts are all machine washable, making for easy cleaning.
Cons:
- As a luxury pillow, the Luxome LAYR is a pricier sleep accessory that might not be within everyone’s budget. You may want to look into our picks for the best affordable pillows if you are trying to stay within a budget.
Our full Luxome LAYR Pillow review is coming soon. In the meantime, check out some other options on our best pillows page.
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers – Brooklyn Bedding Shredded Foam Pillow
Brooklyn Bedding Shredded Foam Pillow
The Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam Pillow with Cooling Cover combines cloud-like comfort with personal customization for every type of sleeper.
Sleepopolis Score
4.60 / 5
This pillow comes with a zippered cover that allows you to adjust the filling — a blend of deconstructed latex and memory foam — to your individual comfort. Side sleepers should appreciate the pillow as is, but sleepers of all preferences and positions should also be able to find their ideal loft and firmness.
Pros:
- Overall, this pillow has a plush feel — another reason why it’s so immediately appealing to side sleepers.
- It has cooling gel infused into the memory foam, allowing it to be more breathable than other memory foam pillows on the market.
- The Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam Pillow is a more affordable option. It also comes with a 30-day trial and a three-year warranty.
Cons:
- If you’re looking for a dense, firmer pillow option, then this may not be the best pick for you.
Full review coming soon. In the meantime, check out some other options on our page of the best pillows for side sleepers.
Best Neck Pillow – TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow
The TEMPUR-Neck is a molded memory foam pillow with an ergonomic shape designed to follow the natural curvature of the body.
Sleepopolis Score
3.90 / 5
Read Full Review
Tempur-Pedic has been a major player in the sleep industry for decades due to its TEMPUR material — a proprietary memory foam that has its roots in NASA technology. Denser and more moldable than standard memory foam, the material can be found in the brand’s u-shaped neck pillow.
Pros:
- The unique “U” shape adapts to the natural curves of your head, neck, and shoulders.
- The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Neck pillow is designed for back and side sleepers who need extra help maintaining healthy posture.
- Overall, this is a firm, contouring pillow.
Cons:
- Tempur-Pedic pillows can be expensive, but they come with a five-year warranty that’s worth the investment. If you are looking for something that is a bit more budget-friendly, you can check out our picks for the best affordable pillows.
If you’re curious to learn more about this accessory, be sure to check our full Tempur-Pedic pillows review. You might also want to look into our recommendations for the best pillows for neck pain.
Best Hypoallergenic Orthopedic Pillow – Saatva Natural Latex Pillow
Saatva Latex Pillow
A fluffable mix of down-alternative and Talalay latex makes this pillow cozy, cool, and great for combo sleepers.
Sleepopolis Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full Review
The Saatva Latex pillow has a fluffy, hotel pillow feel while remaining natural and hypoallergenic. Even as the down alternative filling provides an initial plush and soft feeling, the shredded natural latex adds structure and support. This pillow has an overall balanced, medium-firm feel that’s cozy and cooling.
Pros:
- Side and back sleepers should find proper neck support from the Saatva Latex pillow.
- People looking for a super-fluffy and luxurious pillow could enjoy this option.
- The shredded natural latex is cooling and breathable, which should be comfortable for hot sleepers.
Cons:
- This pillow may be lofted a bit too high for stomach sleepers, who may experience pain from craning their neck. We recommend one of our best pillows for stomach sleepers.
Want to learn more about this hypoallergenic pillow? Read our full Saatva Latex pillow review or check out our best latex pillow roundup.
Best Leg Pillow – Coop Four Position Adjustable Support Pillow
Coop Four-Position Adjustable Support Pillow
This sturdy sleep accessory can be used in a variety of ways, from a leg pillow to upright lumbar support.
If you experience back pain, keeping your legs elevated while you sleep can take pressure off of your spine and provide some relief. The Coop Four Position Adjustable Support Pillow is a great way to do this. Simply place its solid memory foam structure under your knees to keep your legs comfortably lifted.
Pros:
- Per its name, you can use this pillow in several other positions, including placing it behind your lower back for lumbar support while you sit.
- It comes with a removable one-inch insert so you can change the pillow’s height.
- Its Lulltra cover is machine-washable.
Cons:
- You probably won’t be able to use it as a regular pillow when sleeping. Then again, it wasn’t designed for that.
Our full review is coming soon, but while you wait you can check out some of our other picks for the best leg positioner pillows.
Best Memory Foam Pillow – Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
Brooklinen Marlow Pillow
The Marlow pillow from Brooklinen is filled with shredded foam and polyester fiber fill and uses a zippered design to offer an adjustable feel.
Sleepopolis Score
4.20 / 5
Read Full Review
If you’re looking for a foam orthopedic pillow, the Marlow pillow from Brooklinen is filled with memory foam and polyester fibers. It’s a medium-firm pillow, but there are zippers on each side and when the zippers are undone, the pillow becomes more plush.
Pros:
- The pillow has a breathable cover made of 100 percent cotton with a sateen weave. When you unzip the pillow, you’ll find a lining of 100 percent polyester mesh.
- You can opt for a standard or king-size pillow when ordering.
- Though you can’t add or remove the foam, the zipper option may allow this pillow to work for a variety of sleepers.
Cons:
- If you’re looking for more options for adjustability, you may want to consider checking out our reviews of the best adjustable pillows.
Discover more in our full Brooklinen Marlow Pillow review. You can also look at more options on our page of the best memory foam pillows.
How We Selected the Best Orthopedic Pillows
Finding the right orthopedic pillow for your needs will largely depend on what you’re trying to treat. Some pillows are designed to specifically address sciatic nerve pain, while others are made to promote spinal alignment in your neck. And others might just have an adjustable or flexible design that offers orthopedic comfort. Speaking to a doctor will help pinpoint what type of pillow you should be looking for, but as a general overview, here are some of the things we considered in our selection process.
- Multiple Height and Size Options: The thickness and size of a pillow is of the utmost importance to promoting proper spinal alignment. We tended to favor pillows that allow you to customize size. Pillows with removable foam inserts, varying contour sizes, or different pillow size options are all perfect for picking the right thickness. We tested the thickness of each of these pillows by both measuring and looking at them.
- Breathability and Sensitivity: This is a pillow, so as well as providing adequate support, it’s important that it’s soft and pressure-relieving. We favored memory foam that doesn’t overheat and features a cover made of comfortable material that can be removed and washed. We looked into the materials of the each of the pillows on this list to test for breathability and material quality.
- Firmness: Generally speaking, the firmness of a pillow is variable based on individual needs. For orthopedic pillows, however, there’s a baseline level of firmness and support that should be present to encourage proper alignment. In this list, we tended to favor pillows that were soft yet supportive. We tested this by both laying on and putting pressure on each of the pillows to see how firm they feel.
Take a look at how we test each of these pillows below.
Tips on Choosing the Right Orthopedic Pillow
Finding the right orthopedic pillow for your needs can change your life. That seems like an overstatement, but reducing pain in your neck, back, hip, knee, or any other part of your body that’s aching can impact your entire outlook. We recommend consulting a doctor to truly identify the source of any pain, but if you’re in the market for an orthopedic pillow, here are some things to consider.
- What the Pillow is Designed For: Choosing the right orthopedic pillow mainly depends on what part of your body is hurting. If you’re a side sleeper who’s experiencing lower back pain, maybe look into a knee pillow. Similarly, look to specific neck pillows if your neck is the pain point. There are a lot of specific products on the market built to address specific pain, so don’t settle on a general pillow and expect it to fix all that ails you.
- Pillow Material and Skin Sensitivity: Orthopedic pillows can be made from a number of materials, and can have pillowcases made of even more. Take note of the type of foam; if a pillow’s not made of a breathable material, it may get hot throughout the night. And, if the pillowcase is made of an artificial fabric it may be an irritant to sensitive skin.
How to Sleep Comfortably With Pain
If you’re looking for an orthopedic pillow, you might be someone who struggles with pain when they sleep. We have some expert-recommended tips that may lead to better sleep and even help you experience less pain during the day.
Find a Comfortable Sleeping Position
The right sleeping position can help you address the pain you’re experiencing both at night and during the day. Back sleeping can help keep the spine in neutral alignment and is generally recommended for people experiencing back, hip, neck, or shoulder pain. Side sleeping can also help keep the spine aligned correctly and may be a good option for sleepers with back pain. However, this position can put pressure on joints like the shoulders and hips. We generally recommend avoiding stomach sleeping if possible, as it is thought to be the least healthy sleeping position, and may cause pain in several joint areas. Take a look at our guide to the best sleeping positions for better sleep health.
You can look into the best pillows for back sleepers and the best pillows for side sleepers to find accessories that may help you alleviate pain in those sleeping positions. Also, we tested all of the pillows on this list with each sleeping position in mind to help you find the right pillow for you and your needs. You can see these tests below, as we lay on each pillow in various sleeping positions to see how they would each kind of sleeper.
Find the Right Accessories for Your Pain
Sleeping with pain can be challenging, and you may have a harder time falling or staying asleep. Finding the right accessories for your specific area of pain may help to alleviate that pain and help you sleep better. Orthopedic pillows may be a good start for finding accessories that can help alleviate any pain you may be having.
- Back Pain: If you experience back pain, the right pillow may help keep your spine aligned and alleviate some of the pain you are experiencing. You can look at our top picks for the best pillow for back pain to find out more. You may also want to place a pillow under your lower back when back sleeping to keep the lumbar region supported. A pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side may also promote a healthy spine alignment.
- Neck Pain: The right pillow can help you address your neck pain by alleviating some of the strain put on your neck when you sleep. We recommend checking out our top picks for the best pillow for neck pain to look more into your options.
- Shoulder Pain: Shoulder pain may be harder to address with just a pillow. We recommend sleeping on your back if you’re experiencing shoulder pain to help alleviate some of your aches.
- Hip Pain: Hip pain may also be harder to address with just a pillow. You may want to work on neutral spine alignment by sleeping on your back, or placing a pillow beneath your hips.
Recapping the Top Orthopedic Pillows
Turning to an orthopedic pillow is a great step towards a healthier and more therapeutic sleep regiment. They can help alleviate pain in multiple parts of the body, and promote improved spinal alignment and posture during sleep. Everyone’s orthopedic pillow solution will be different, but finding the right one for you can make all the difference.
Our Review Process
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 400 products in our lab, testing each one on different performance factors so we can make informed recommendations.
When choosing the best orthopedic pillows, we paid special attention to a balance of comfort and support, durability (so a pillow keeps it shape throughout the night), and a versatile set of lofts. That way, folks of all preferences should find an option that works for them.
FAQs
Can an orthopedic pillow help with specific conditions?
An orthopedic pillow is not a solution to medical conditions, and we recommend speaking with your doctor about any specific pain you’re experiencing. However, an orthopedic pillow can offer support and help you sleep more comfortably throughout the night.
How often should I replace my orthopedic pillow?
We generally recommend replacing your pillow every one to two years. Pillows do not last as long as other sleep-related items like mattresses, so they need to be replaced more frequently. Signs like a bad smell, loss of firmness, or physical deterioration can indicate that its time for a new pillow.
What is the difference between an orthopedic pillow and an ergonomic pillow?
Ergonomic pillows are often firmer and made with higher-quality materials like latex than orthopedic pillows. Orthopedic pillows are designed to help align the neck and spine, whereas ergonomic pillows are meant to address specific health issues.
What do doctors say about orthopedic pillows?
We recommend consulting your doctor about your specific needs and asking a medical professional about the right pillow for you. However, orthopedic doctors generally recommend orthopedic pillows to help align the spine and maintain a healthy alignment across the spine and hips.
Logan Block
Former Content Director
About Author
Logan is the former content director of Sleepopolis. As content director, he reviewed new mattresses every week and curated the comparisons, best of pages, and video guides on the site. Logan perfected his method by personally testing over 200 different mattresses, so he’s not only able to discern the overall vibe of a specific bed, but to contextualize its feel within the bed-in-a-box market as a whole.
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