The Best Pillows for Neck Pain, According to Customer Reviews

Most Comfortable

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Ergo Neck Pillow

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Fan-favorite bedding brand Tempur-pedic is known for its super comfortable mattresses, so it should come as no surprise that this contoured pillow is just as comfy. Designed to relieve pressure and support your head, neck, and shoulders, this customer-loved option conforms to your body but still retains its shape over time. Shoppers say the memory foam material feels plush but offers ample support. One person called it "a must for those with neck and shoulder issues" while another said: "The small-sized pillow is almost perfect for me. The foam's not hard enough to hurt my ear or give me a headache, but also not so soft that my head sinks straight down to the mattress. It's very supportive and keeps my neck properly aligned. I wake up with no neck pain or stiffness."

Best for Back Sleepers

Core Products Tri-Core Cervical Pillow

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The best option for back sleepers, this cervical pillow has a concave center that cradles the head, while a cervical roll at the bottom supports the neck. Its cotton material feels soft and breathable, and it comes in a few different firmness levels so you can easily customize it to your liking. More than 1,400 customers recommend this supportive pillow specifically for neck pain. One reviewer said: "I've had chronic neck and back issues for years and know all too well just how important the proper pillow and sleep positions can be for keeping your spine and body healthy. I was introduced to this pillow by my physical therapist and it was just what my neck needed."

Best for Side Sleepers

Sleep Artisan Side Sleeper Pillow

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Created for people who sleep on their sides, this pillow features a curved design that supports the neck and shoulders. The latex neck pillow comes with an organic cotton cover for added comfort and breathability. What's more, it's super easy to customize—if the pillow feels too firm, you can simply unzip the cover and take some of the latex fill out until you reach your desired firmness. "This is seriously the best pillow I've ever had (especially for side sleeping)! It's the definition of soft yet supportive and fully adjustable to your needs," one shopper raved. "I recently had cervical spinal fusion surgery and I have tried every type of pillow out there. I had almost given up when I found this." Another called it the "perfect side sleeper pillow."

Best for Stomach Sleepers

Belly Sleep Gel-Infused Memory Foam Pillow

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More of a belly snoozer? Try this flat, thin pillow from Belly Sleep, a brand that specially designs comfy bedding options for stomach sleepers. The thinner shape of the pillow helps keep the head in a neutral alignment as you sleep on your stomach, while the memory foam material conforms to your body so you wake up pain-free. What's more, it's made with cooling gel memory foam—making it a great option for hot sleepers—and comes with a moisture-wicking bamboo and polyester cover that's machine-washable for easy cleaning. Hundreds of reviewers rave over how great the pillow is for stomach sleepers, with multiple people calling it a "game-changer." "Due to a physically demanding job that also involves considerable travel, I tend to have a lot of neck and shoulder pain," wrote a shopper. "And belly sleeping is actually not good for your neck, but I can't sleep any other way. This pillow has absolutely eliminated my neck pain which neither chiropractic adjustments nor massages could do for me. I am beyond thrilled."

Best Wedge Pillow

Coop Home Goods Knee Pillow for Side Sleeper

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Whether you're pregnant or just find that you can never get fully comfortable on your current pillow, this half-moon wedge pillow may be just what you need. These uniquely shaped pillows are comfortable yet supportive and can be used in four different positions to help with alignment. What's more, you can adjust the height of the pillow and remove the foam inserts for the perfect fit. One shopper called it a "great support pillow" and said: "Love it! I had disc surgery about one year ago and this pillow is perfect to relieve the pressure on my lower back when sleeping on my back. It's also super comfortable for side sleeping."

Most Supportive

Cradle Me Cervical Pillow

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If you're looking for serious support for your neck and spine, this unique butterfly-shaped orthopedic pillow is your best bet. It's made with plush yet supportive memory foam that contours your head and neck, resulting in proper spine alignment as you snooze. Perfect for any sleeping position, it's also odorless and hypoallergenic. One shopper, who titled their review "The most comfortable night's sleep I've had since I was a child!" said: "I have neck stiffness and pain from TMJ and an accident when I was a teenager. I'm 49 now and was waking up unable to turn my head from side to side every morning with my old pillows. I did a little research and found this butterfly pillow and figured I'd have to go through a few different kinds to find what I needed. But the very first night I slept on this thing, my neck improved drastically. I woke up able to move my neck! No stiffness and no pain!"

Best Cooling

Layla Kapok Memory Foam Pillow

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Made from copper fibers and breathable kapok fabric, which is renowned for its soft and airy cloud-like feel, this top-rated pillow from Layla, an editor-favorite sleep brand, prevents heat from being trapped while cradling your neck—so every side is the cool side. Inside, reactive memory foam provides optimal cushioning and moldability so it can conform to your head and neck, ensuring proper alignment and support. Additionally, it can be adjusted to match your loft preference for even more comfort. It's earned a seal of approval from back, side, and stomach sleepers alike. "Super soft, just the right amount of support, loft, and versatility when adjusting and moving around," one reviewer wrote. " It feels luxurious and like heaven when laying down. It keeps a neutral temperature… No more neck or shoulder pain!"

Best for Headache Relief

Nature's Guest Standard Size Cervical Pillow

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When a headache or migraine strikes, you'll want a contouring pillow to stabilize your head and back in addition to supporting your neck. With the Cervical Orthopedic Pillow from Nature's Guest, sleepers receive advanced cervical support by aligning the head, neck, and back. It's also designed to offer customized neck support; position your head higher on the pillow for greater support, or lower for a more moderate level. Plus, you can adjust the memory foam inside to better accommodate your pain. "This pillow has changed my life," shared one Amazon shopper. "No more headaches first thing in the morning. I feel like I tried everything to help with my neck, and this was the only product that helped."

Best Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

Coop Home Goods Eden Memory Foam Pillow

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Shredded memory foam offers more breathability than its solid core memory foam counterpart. And since it's shredded, they are ideal for sleepers that love to scrunch, smush, and really smoosh into their pillow. Earning an impressive 4.5-star rating from Amazon shoppers in addition to more than 2,800 perfect reviews, the Coop Home Goods Eden Pillow combines gel-infused and microfiber memory foam to deliver an all-around comfortable feel that is also incredibly cooling. Suitable for every sleep style, it's built with a supportive gusset to give it structure and promote alignment. "I usually have to use more than one pillow, but last night using the Eden pillow, I only needed that pillow," explained one reviewer, who noted that they were suffering from "extreme neck and back pain" due to a car accident. It's even won over "picky pillow" people. "I will tell you that we do not take pillow purchasing lightly," another wrote, adding that they'd been experiencing "some slight neck stiffness" upon waking. "This pillow eliminated all issues!"

Best Adjustable Pillow

Pancake Pillow The Adjustable Layer Pillow

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If you're very particular about how lofty and cushioned your pillow is, investing in a quality adjustable one like this one from Pancake Pillow will enhance your sleep. Unlike traditional adjustable pillows, this one is stacked with six microfiber-filled pillows that can be removed and added as desired. This customized height will help support and align your neck, eliminating pain and discomfort while you catch some Zs. "What is amazing about these is that they are totally moldable for someone who has true neck problems," raved one reviewer. "Until these, I couldn't sleep through the night. Since my cervical spine is basically attached to my rib cage with rods, I needed something that would conform to ME rather than me conforming to the pillow."

Best Water Pillow

Mediflow The Water Pillow

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Not getting enough support from your traditional memory foam pillow? Then it may be time to switch to a water pillow, which provides excellent support to the neck as well as the head, back, and shoulders with their adjustable designs. The thickness level can be easily controlled by filling the pillow with more water, and stays stabilized throughout the night for continuous support. This pick from MediFlow utilizes the benefits of a chiropractic water pillow and adds comfort with its cushioned fiber layer. Its insulated water pouch is secure, so you can rest easy without worrying about leaks. According to reviewers, once you make the switch, you'll have a hard time going back to regular pillows. "It is the only pillow that I've had that allows me a good night's sleep without waking up in the morning with neck or shoulder pain," one shopper who's been using these pillows for over a decade shared.