The 8 Best Pillows for Neck Pain, Picked by Certified Sleep Science Coaches

When my spouse (who is usually a sweet, thoughtful partner) goes to sleep, he becomes a flipping, flopping, cover-snatching, overheated mattress goblin. One of the main reasons for his restlessness is pain from a nagging neck injury. We’ve tried several pillows to alleviate his nocturnal neck discomfort, but none have provided consistent relief — until the Nectar Tri-Comfort Cooling Pillow. He liked it so much that I thought I was going to have to challenge him to a duel so that I could officially test it out. 

After sleeping with the Nectar for several nights, I agreed with him on how awesome it is. I gave it 5 stars in experience and a 4.5 out of 5 in materials and features. The lowest score it received was a 4 in price, mainly because this pillow may be considered a budget buster at full cost. But you can often grab it on sale when the price is much more reasonable. 

The Tri-Comfort is named because it offers three levels of support — soft, medium, and firm — that can be adjusted with the zipper. The cooling polyethylene cover wicks away heat and moisture. My husband said that this pillow best managed his neck pain when he had it in the firm setting, which is achieved by zipping the entire pillow. I enjoyed it fully unzipped, which is the softest level of support.

Although I typically find memory foam pillows too heavy and bulky to move with me when I switch from one side to the other during the night, , the Tri-Comfort’s unique fill of memory foam clusters and microfiber down alternative makes it a near-perfect marriage of the fluffiness I crave and the spinal-aligning support I need. Also, if you like your neck pain relief on the rocks, you should appreciate the cooling prowess of this pillow. It is cool to the touch and keeps our temperature regulated even when covered in a pillowcase.

As much as I liked this pillow, I do wish that it at least had a machine-washable removable cover, but you can only spot clean it. Also, I am a little iffy on the zipper’s quality. It’s plastic and seems a little flimsy given the cost. However, if you need a pillow that adjusts for different preferred sleeping positions, helps alleviate neck pain, and keeps even the hottest sleepers, like my husband, cool throughout the night, add the Nectar Tri-Comfort to your cart now. 

Tempur-Pedic is a trailblazing stalwart in the sleep industry. When you hear the name, you probably immediately think of mattresses. But the company also sells many sleep accessories, including its TEMPUR-Neck Pillow, my pick for the best memory foam pillow for neck pain. This pillow is made with the same proprietary foam as Tempur-Pedic’s beds — and our tester Matt Schickling had an excellent experience with the pillow and how it could potentially dampen neck pain, even if he found its ergonomic design visually off-putting. “When you put this pillow in a queen-size case, it looks like a little kid wearing his dad’s work boots,” he said. 

Although Matt wishes this pillow fit into a standard case or came with one specifically designed for its unique shape, he still gave his experience with it a 4 out of 5. If you don’t mind the pillowcase fit issue, this memory foam pillow experience earns a near-perfect score. He also rated the materials and the care a 4.5 out of 5.

However, Matt was most taken with the “bump” in the design when it came to helping with neck pain. He enjoyed this pillow most when sleeping on his side, stating that it made his neck feel comfortable and offered fantastic spinal alignment. Although Tempur-Pedic recommends this pillow for back sleepers, this was Matt’s least favorite position. He said, “This pillow doesn’t distract from back sleeping, but it doesn’t add that much.” Unexpectedly, he found it comfortable for stomach sleeping, though these sleepers usually do best with a low loft pillow that keeps their spine aligned.

A pillow with a machine-washable cover always gets a nod from me, and Matt agreed. “The care instructions are simple and well laid out,” he said.”This isn’t rocket science. Take the cover off and throw it in the washing machine.” Just note that this pillow is not returnable. Tempur-Pedic cites the “personal nature” of the pillow for the reason that you can only return it if it’s damaged upon delivery — not after you use it. While this is somewhat understandable, many other pillow manufacturers provide a sleep trial that allows you to return your pillow if you are unsatisfied. Given the price of this pillow, we wish that Tempur-Pedic offered the same.

Memory foam pillows are known for contouring around your head and neck, making them great for neck pain. To enjoy the hug-like feel of these pillows, you typically trade off cooling capabilities. However, the Helix GlacioTex Cooling Memory Foam pillow shows you can have the best of both worlds. 

Admittedly, I prefer shredded memory foam pillows over those made from a solid block, but I set aside my preconceptions and evaluated this pillow based on its merits. I also asked my husband to sleep with it for a few nights because he likes memory foam pillows more than I do, and I wanted to make sure I provided balanced insight into the GlacioTex. When all was said and done, I awarded it 4 stars or higher in price, materials, and experience.

This pillow has a contour design and is offered in two lofts, low and high. I selected the higher option, which is recommended for side sleepers. I immediately appreciated the comforting support my head and neck received from this pillow, but I did find that it was a little too tall for me. However, my husband liked it when he was sleeping on both his side and back. He has nagging neck pain from an injury and said that he thought this pillow did a solid job of alleviating the pressure in this area. When I tested the pillow, I felt like it effectively pulled tension away from my trapezoids and neck, though the lower height would have fit my body size better.

We were most impressed with this pillow’s cooling capabilities. I heat up at night, but my husband becomes molten lava when he tucks himself into bed. The GlacioTex has a cool-to-the-touch cover that could still be felt through a cotton pillowcase. It also has a cooling grid that absorbs heat, keeping you crisp throughout the night.  

By the end of testing, the GlacioTex had converted me to a memory foam pillow believer, but I’d still like to see it improve in a couple of areas. My biggest con for this pillow is its density. It just feels bulky, and it isn’t easy to move around if you want to reposition during the night. While I think the pillow’s quality makes it a good investment, the $149 price per standard pillow (without discounts) is still hefty. 

Fortunately, Helix offers a 30-night sleep trial. This allows you to try this pillow out for a month to make sure it’s right for you. You can return it for a full refund if you’re still not a fan. Also, when I noticed that the pillow I received didn’t match the one that was on the website, I contacted customer service. I was first connected to a bot, but after requesting a live agent, it took less than 2 minutes to get one. Customer service rep Felix (yes, Felix with Helix) said that slight changes had been made to the pillow cover since mine had shipped out, but the feel and support should remain the same. 

I am going to get straight to the point about the Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow: I LOVE it! 

I received two king-size medium firmness pillows to test. These new pillows are now the only two I sleep with. As a side sleeper who often experiences neck tension from typing and weightlifting, I’ve struggled to find a pillow that is soft enough for my personal preference and supportive enough to keep my neck and spine aligned (Dr. Dasgupta has even said that side sleepers might need more support than down or down alternative can provide). However, that all changed with Peacock Alley. I gave this pillow 5 stars in experience, materials, and price.

From the moment I took these pillows out of the packaging, I had a feeling that I was going to become a devotee. I was immediately taken with the bright white cotton cover, which is crisp yet comforting. I put a pillowcase on it because, although it is machine washable, the manufacturer advises that you use a large capacity or commercial washer to do so, and I have neither. However, I often slip my hand inside the cover just to feel the smooth cover. Also, Peacock Alley’s website has a full page dedicated to the care and laundering of these pillows. This appeals to the “clean freak” in me.

I also appreciate that the down alternative filling is malleable, and I didn’t have to deal with down feathers coming loose or poking me when I was fluffing it up. Of course, those who want the comfort of down without the risk of being kept awake by a sneezing fit will also appreciate that these pillows are hypoallergenic and OEKO-TEX Standard certified, meaning that their materials have passed laboratory tests for harmful substances. 

Although I can’t imagine returning these pillows, I understand that not everyone will want to become the president of Peacock Alley’s fan club like me. If you don’t feel that your neck pain has been relieved or you aren’t satisfied with them for any other reason, Peacock Alley accepts returns for 30 days from the date of purchase. Just note that products that have been monogrammed are marked “final sale” and anything that’s been damaged by improper or unreasonable use isn’t eligible for return. 

The pillows cost $90 per standard/queen pillow, but I gave them a 5 in price because I think it is worth it. However, I know that may not be in everyone’s budget. Also, free shipping doesn’t kick in until you’ve spent $250, which I find a little frustrating. The Peacock Alley Down Alternative pillow doesn’t have any extra features like adjustable fill, so if you want a more versatile pillow, you may want to look elsewhere.

Saatva is a luxury sleep goods company, and the hotel-like quality of their mattresses extends to their pillows as well. Certified sleep science coach Cait Giddings tested the Saatva Latex pillow to see if it offered the pressure relief and support needed to relieve neck pain. Although the pillow didn’t have the springy latex feel that Cait prefers, she was still a big fan. She gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 score in experience, materials, care, and customer service, and we awarded it our best latex pillow for neck pain.

This lines up with what Sleepopolis Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Dasgupta has to say about latex. “Latex pillows have excellent support, durability, and breathability,” he explains. They are a good choice for people looking for a pillow that contours to their head and neck while still providing enough support to keep their spine aligned while sleeping.” 

The Saatva Latex pillow is offered in two lofts — standard and high — allowing sleepers to pick a height that best suits their preferred sleep positions. Cait is a side sleeper and loved how the higher loft kept her head and cervical spine in a neutral position, pulling pressure and tension away from her neck. Sleepers can also adjust the height even further by removing some of the inner layers. “It’s like a pillow turducken with pillow zipped inside pillow zipped inside pillow,” Cait said.

Although the standard loft may work better for back sleepers, Cait appreciated how the breathable shredded latex flattened down enough that it felt good while she was on her back. This makes it a good choice for combination sleepers who switch between their side and back. Cait said, “I think this pillow delivers the ideal amount of lofted support and pressure relief for side sleeping, and a good amount for back sleeping.”

Latex’s responsiveness makes it an excellent choice for those with neck pain. It is also a solid pick for hot sleepers and those with allergies. Latex is more breathable than synthetic foams, and Saatva washes its latex to remove all allergy-causing proteins. Plus, its cover is made from soft organic cotton that wicks away moisture, keeping body temperatures more regulated. 

As is typical with Saatva, Cait found its brand policies to be top-notch. The Latex Pillow comes with a 1-year warranty and a 45-night sleep trial. “I think a month and a half is a good amount of time to decide if you like the pillow,” Cait said. These policies also lessen the blow of the price tag — if you want to snuggle up with this product at night, be prepared to pay more than for those found at big-box retailers. Also, although most of the reviews on Amazon are positive, some consumers complain that this pillow gets lumpy over time.

If you’re a side sleeper with chronic neck pain, like my colleague, certified sleep science coach Nicole Davis, consider adding the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow to your cart immediately. “The beauty of this pillow is that I think it could work for anyone, you’ll just have to take fill out or add it in based on preference,” she said. “I’m a side sleeper with chronic neck pain, and this pillow works great for me.”

Nicole gave this pillow a 4 out of 5 or higher, including perfect scores in price and extra features. It costs around $85 before any sales or discounts, but that’s a solid price compared to other pillows on this list, especially considering that it comes with extra filling, a 5-year warranty, and free returns within 100 days of purchase.   

Although Nicole didn’t have an issue with adding and taking out the fill, she did find it a little annoying to adjust the pillow every night. Still, when she nestled into the “sweet spot,” it was worth the extra time spent fluffing and shifting the cross-cut memory foam and microfiber blend that makes up the pillow’s guts. 

Also, I love that this pillow is offered in three shapes, allowing shoppers to further dial in a setup that gives them the most support. In addition to the versatile classic shape that Nicole tested, this pillow is also available in “crescent,” ideal for side/back combination sleepers, and “cut-out,” which reduces the gap between the neck and pillow for additional support. 

When caring for your pillow, Nicole appreciated that you could machine wash and tumble dry the pillow and outer cover. The manufacturer also recommends popping it in the dryer to fluff it up if it starts to flatten out. However, Nicole deducted half a point from the care score because it didn’t specify how often you should replace the fill. 

After concluding her testing, Nicole said, “So far, I’ve been loving this pillow. It’s very well-made, and what drew me to it is its adjustability factor — you can unzip and add more fill or take some out depending on the support you need. The cover feels nice and luxurious, and the zipper is heavy-duty. That said, we’ll see how it stands up to time.” 

The Bear Contour Pillow is one of the most supportive pillows we tested. Dan Caffrey, a certified sleep coach and product expert, liked the curved design for back sleepers because it fits the natural curves of his neck and shoulders. He also found that while this pillow was firm, it was still contouring, allowing back sleepers to get the necessary support and sinkage they need for good spinal alignment to alleviate neck pain. After spending a week with this pillow, he gave it a 4 out of 5 or above in price, materials, experience, and customer service.  

Although Dan prefers a softer pillow, he found it was still very comfortable when he was back sleeping. “I know a lot of back sleepers prefer firmer pillows, and I see those people really digging the Bear Contour.” He also stated that his spine felt neutrally aligned with just enough sinkage to keep his neck from dipping too much. This alignment and support will help back sleepers with neck pain relieve pressure around this area. 

If you’re a back sleeper who overheats or has allergies, this is also a solid choice. Its cover has a dual-sided design: one side is made with “ICE fabric” that is cool to the touch, while the other is smooth and silky. Dan thought that Bear nailed the two sides of the pillow. The cooling side, which has an embroidered design, felt cool on his hand, and he could feel its temperature-regulating effects through the pillow case, while the other side was smooth and soft.

As someone who struggles with allergies, he also appreciated that the materials are hypoallergenic. “My sinuses didn’t act up at all when I slept on it,” Dan said.

Although this pillow had many positive aspects, Dan was disappointed that it was spot-clean only. He also pointed out that the unconventional shape means that it’s going to be harder to find a pillowcase for it. “If you don’t put an additional cover on this, it’s more likely to stain from sweat and casual wear and tear.”

Also, I wish the Bear website offered more detailed information on this pillow. It states that it’s hypoallergenic, but the only materials it lists are ICE fabric and siliconized fiber fill. I also couldn’t find warranty information, which likely means there isn’t one. However, Bear does give you 30 nights to try out the pillow. The sleep trial is based on the delivery confirmation date.

The Luxome LAYR Pillow is a luxurious and innovative option that should suit all sorts of people struggling with neck pain. Although there are several adjustable pillows available, we liked this one the best because it comes with three firmness inserts — soft, medium, and firm. With these inserts, back, side, and stomach sleepers of all body types should find a loft that supports a healthy alignment and helps alleviate or prevent neck pain.

Product expert Matt Shickling tested this pillow for several weeks so that he could try different configurations. As a combination sleeper with neck pain, Matt’s ultimate goal was to find the one that gave him a high loft and supportive plushness. 

After tinkering around, here’s where he said he landed: “I used the 2-inch foam insert as the base for support, and then the medium and soft inserts, fully stuffed, on top. I feel like I have won something I did not earn by using this configuration. I didn’t know this customization level was possible with a pillow. I absolutely love this pillow, and will probably buy another one very soon.” When all was said and done, Matt gave his experience a perfect 5 stars. 

Matt also praised the LAYR pillow care instructions. The pillow cover and the insert covers are machine washable, but the inserts are not. Luxome makes these instructions clear on the website and the packaging. He also thought it was a nice touch that LAYR sent an extra case for storing the inserts and stuffing. However, since you have to find space to stow these inserts, Matt deducted half a point from its care rating for a 4.5 out of 5 in this category. 

Given the high quality and versatility of this luxury pillow, Matt thought the $150 price tag for a standard was a good value. However, that’s still a hefty price tag that might mean this pillow isn’t  an option for all shoppers.