Neck pain is categorized as one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders globally. 27 out of 1000 individuals are suffering from neck pain around the world. This means that you are not alone in the struggle of defeating your neck pain.
Neck pain can be caused by different factors. Sedentary work in front of a screen, a serious neck condition, but also a poor sleeping position or wrong choice of pillow. No matter the reason, neck pain can reduce your sleep quality and lead to a plethora of other issues like stress, irritability, and high blood pressure. Though a right pillow will help you alleviate neck pain!
In this article created in collaboration with Dr.Wei Cui, we have created a selection of 11 pillows for neck pain available on Amazon. At the end of this article, you will also find tips on how to choose a right pillow for neck pain.
What are the main causes of neck and shoulder pain
Neck pain may be either due to a stiff neck or neck strain. With a stiff neck, a person feels difficulty in moving the neck. On the other hand, neck strain is characterized by neck pain, muscle spasms, and limited head movement. Here are some main causes of neck pain:
- Poor body posture (especially sitting)
- Poor sleeping position
- Lifting bulky items
- Sudden impact
- Repetitive movements
- Certain activities such as swimming
- Cervical conditions such as degenerative disc disease, herniated disc or cervical osteoarthritis (rare)
11 Best Pillows For Neck Pain
Our Top Pick: Avocado 100% Certified Organic Bed Pillow
The Avocado Organic Bed Pillow stands out as our top pick due to its exceptional ratings across softness, comfort, and support. Made from organic latex and kapok, this pillow offers plush comfort while providing excellent neck support (so crucial for relieving neck pain!!). The pillow is made of organic materials that makes it a sustainable choice.
Comfortable, eco-friendly and allergy-friendly – this is Avocado Pillow.
- Material: Organic Latex & Kapok
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 4.9/5
- Comfort: 4.2/5
- Support: 4.8/5
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow
Known for its Tempur material, this memory foam pillow contours to the shape of your head and neck, offering personalized support and pressure relief. It’s designed to maintain its shape over time.
- Material: Memory Foam
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 4.1/5
- Comfort: 3.9/5
- Support: 3.7/5
Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
Featuring a blend of shredded memory foam and microfiber. The Coop Home pillow is adjustable, which allows you to customize the loft and firmness based your preference. It’s hypoallergenic and provides excellent support for neck pain.
- Material: Memory Foam, Microfiber
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 4.5/5
- Comfort: 3.3/5
- Support: 4.4/5
UTTU Cervical Pillow
Designed with a unique UTTU dynamic foam that adjusts to your body’s natural curvature. This model supports all sleep positions. It’s breathable, hypoallergenic, and comes with a bamboo cover for added comfort.
- Material: Organic Latex & Kapok
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 4.2/5
- Comfort: 4.3/5
- Support: 4.2/5
Purple Harmony Pillow
Constructed with Purple’s proprietary GelFlex Grid and Talalay latex, this pillow offers a cool, responsive feel that supports the neck while maintaining airflow for temperature regulation.
- Material: Gel Memory Foam
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 4.5/5
- Comfort: 4.1/5
- Support: 3.9/5
Saatva Cloud Memory Foam Pillow
Infused with cooling gel and crafted from CertiPUR-US certified memory foam. The Saatva Cloud pillow contours to your neck and head, providing pressure relief and a cool sleep surface.
- Material: Gel Memory Foam
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 3.4/5
- Comfort: 3.7/5
- Support: 4.3/5
Casper Sleep Foam Pillow
This responsive memory foam pillow provides comfort and support. It features a breathable cover and is designed to align the spine for optimal sleep posture.
- Material: Memory Foam
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 3.6/5
- Comfort: 3.9/5
- Support: 4/5
EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Ergonomically shaped to cradle the neck and head, the EPABO pillow helps alleviate neck pain by promoting proper spinal alignment. It’s hypoallergenic and breathable.
- Material: Memory Foam
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 3/5
- Comfort: 3.2/5
- Support: 3.6/5
Saatva Latex Pillow
Constructed from natural latex derived from sustainable sources. This pillow offers resilient support and breathability. It’s hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and provides consistent comfort throughout the night.
- Material: Latex
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 3.9/5
- Comfort: 3.2/5
- Support: 3.1/5
Layla Adjustable Fill Kapok Pillow
Combines shredded memory foam and natural kapok fibers for a soft yet supportive feel. The adjustable fill allows you to customize the loft and firmness to your liking.
Material: Shredded Memory Foam with Natural Kapok Fibers
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 3.5/5
- Comfort: 3.4/5
- Support: 3.3/5
Osteo Cervical Pillow
Designed with therapeutic memory foam to contour to the shape of your neck and shoulders. It provides targeted support and comfort + It’s the most affordable.
- Material: Memory Foam
Amazon customers rating:
- Softness: 3.9/5
- Comfort: 4.5/5
- Support: 4.4/5
How we selected the best pillows for neck pain?
We selected the best pillows for neck pain based on several key criteria:
- Material Quality: We focused on pillows made from high-quality materials like memory foam, latex, and natural fibers known for their supportive and durable properties.
- Customer Reviews: We considered customer ratings and reviews from reputable sources to gauge comfort, support, and overall satisfaction.
- Support Features: Pillows with ergonomic designs that promote proper spinal alignment and alleviate neck pressure were prioritized.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: We assessed pillows based on their affordability relative to the benefits they offer in terms of comfort and pain relief.
- Brand Reputation: We considered well-established brands known for producing pillows that specifically address neck pain issues effectively.
How you can choose the best pillow for neck pain guide
Pillows can play a vital role in reducing your neck pain. A 2016 research study has suggested that neck support pillows help reduce neck pain. Adjustable pillows, soft pillows, latex pillows or memory foam pillows… There are so many types of pillows for neck and shoulder pain, but how to choose a right one?
While shopping pillows for neck pain, there are few things to take into consideration such as material, pillow height, your sleeping position, pillow firmness, and eventual allergies you may have in regards to pillow’s material.
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1. Pillow materials
- Memory foam pillows are highly recommended as they conform to the shape of your neck and head, providing personalized support.
- Latex pillows offer firm support and maintain their shape well, ensuring good neck alignment.
- Buckwheat pillows are adjustable and supportive, conforming to your head and neck for customized comfort.
- Water pillows allow for adjustable firmness and contouring support, which can be customized by adding or removing water.
- Feather pillows are soft and moldable, however they may require frequent fluffing and can also provoke allergies.
2. Pillow types
- Cervical pillows are designed to support the natural curve of the neck and ensure proper spinal alignment.
- Contour pillows, with their curved design, support the head, neck, and shoulders, maintaining alignment throughout the night.
- Orthopedic pillows are specifically designed to relieve neck pain and support spinal alignment.
- Adjustable pillows allow for customization of height and firmness, adjusting to individual preferences.
- Roll pillows can be used under the neck for support when lying on your back or side. They provide targeted relief and comfort. However, it may be difficult to sleep on a roll pillow the whole night.
3. Pillow height
The perfect pillow height for neck pain varies depending on your sleeping position. Here are general guidelines:
- Side Sleepers: The pillow should be high enough to keep your neck aligned with your spine, typically around 4 to 6 inches.
- Back Sleepers: A medium-height pillow is ideal, usually around 3 to 5 inches, to support the natural curve of the neck.
- Stomach Sleepers: A low pillow, around 2 to 3 inches, or no pillow at all, is best to avoid straining the neck.
4. Sleeping Position
- Side Sleepers: A firm, high pillow that keeps the neck aligned with the spine is ideal. Cervical or contour pillows are great choices as they support the curve of the neck. Memory foam or latex pillows can also provide the necessary support and maintain their shape.
- Back Sleepers: A medium-height pillow that supports the natural curve of the neck is best. Look for cervical or orthopedic pillows that have a slight contour to cradle the neck and support the head. Memory foam and latex pillows are good options for maintaining proper alignment.
- Stomach Sleepers: A low, soft pillow or no pillow at all is recommended to prevent neck strain. A thin, flat pillow can help keep the neck in a neutral position. Feather pillows can be suitable since they are moldable and can be flattened to the desired thickness. However, you have to be cautious of potential allergies.
5. Pillow Firmness
A right pillow firmness depends on your sleeping position:
- Side Sleepers: A firm pillow is ideal as it provides the necessary support to keep the neck aligned with the spine. This firmness helps to fill the gap between the neck and the mattress. It also prevents the head from tilting downwards.
- Back Sleepers: A medium-firm pillow works best, as it supports the natural curve of the neck without pushing the head too far forward. It should be firm enough to maintain alignment but soft enough to be comfortable.
- Stomach Sleepers: A soft pillow is recommended, as it minimizes the strain on the neck by keeping it as flat as possible. A softer pillow will prevent the neck from being forced into an awkward angle.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has been helpful in finding the best pillow for your neck pain. When choosing a new pillow, ensure it offers proper neck support and solid memory foam. Adjustable pillows are beneficial as they adapt to your neck shape. Additionally, remember that neck pain is often influenced by sleep position, so finding the right pillow is just one part of ensuring a comfortable night’s rest.