Last updated on October 30th, 2021
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In a Hurry? Check out the editor’s choice for the best pillow for neck pain: Xtreme Comforts Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
Getting the right amount of sleep is essential to your overall health and well-being. But, for many people, neck pain is a serious obstacle to getting a good night’s sleep. So what’s the solution? Finding your best option from among pillows for neck pain.
Yes, there are pillows that have been specially designed and manufactured to fight back against neck pain. That said, no two people sleep exactly the same way, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when you’re browsing pillows for neck pain.
To help you get started in your search for the perfect pillow, here’s a look at the best pillows for neck pain, as well as key considerations and important information to assist you during your search.
Best Pillows for Neck Pain
Xtreme Comforts — Editor’s Choice
Many choose this pillow because it works for all sleeping positions, including back sleepers, side sleepers and stomach sleepers.
This pillow is also customizable, to a certain extent. An inner zipper allows you to increase or decrease its thickness, which is helpful given the many different body types and sizes. Patented memory foam means that the pillow keeps its shape night after night without ever going flat or getting lumpy.
And, as an added bonus, Kool-Flow technology keeps you from overheating during the night, which is a known way to promote continuous sleep. Also, hypoallergenic materials prevent allergy-related fits of coughing and sneezing, which also helps promote better sleep.
One final thought: Memory foam isn’t the best option for everyone. For example, if you toss and turn, it may be difficult to use a memory foam pillow, which can make your tossing and turning even more pronounced.
Pros
- Versatile, delivering support for all types of sleeping positions
- Inner zipper allows for adjustment of the pillow’s thickness
- Shredded memory foam prevents the pillow from going flat or getting lumpy over time
- Kool-Flow technology prevents you from getting hot, and hypoallergenic materials prevent allergy-related fits of sneezing and coughing
Cons
- A chemical-like odor when the pillow is brand new may be uncomfortable for some
- Memory foam is best for static sleepers rather than those who toss and turn
- The pillow starts to lose its stability after about a year of heavy
Perform Pillow Medium Profile — Firm Support
The Perform Pillow Medium Profile Memory Foam is among costs a bit more than other options on this list, it gets the job done.
A bamboo cover helps keep the sleeper cool throughout the night, and the specially designed memory foam is approved by chiropractors nationwide. As an added benefit, this pillow’s eco-friendly construction keeps it free from lead, mercury and other heavy metals.
The Perform Pillow comes in 3 different profiles, too: medium, thick and thin. While this looks like an added benefit at first glance, it can be difficult to identify the perfect thickness for your neck. In fact, many who choose this Perform Pillow find that they have to make a return or 2 before landing on the perfect profile.
The Perform Pillow is also a little bit smaller than some of the other options on this list. While the small footprint might be good when traveling, many prefer a larger pillow for everyday use.
Pros
- Eco-friendly construction that contains no lead, mercury or other heavy metals
- Bamboo cover helps keep the sleeper cool all through the night
- Specially designed foam is approved by chiropractors
Cons
- Higher price point may be more than some sleepers want to invest
- Smaller footprint than other pillows makes it harder to manage
- Comes in 3 sizes, but it can be difficult to identify the right size without trial and error and a return or 2
Nature’s Guest Cervical Support Pillow — Headache Relief
The Nature’s Guest Cervical Support Pillow is another chiropractor-approved option that many who suffer from headaches caused by neck pain. That said, this pillow option is best-suited to back sleepers, so look elsewhere if you prefer sleeping on your side or stomach.
This pillow is adjustable, though, which is nice when you want just a little bit less thickness. Use the dual-zipper design to remove the fill that you don’t want, but beware: Using the zippers and handling the fill can be a little bit messy and challenging. Set aside some time to get it just right.
Like other pillow options on this list, the Nature’s Guest Cervical Support Pillow is designed to keep you cool at night and to prevent allergic fits that can hamper continuous sleep.
Perhaps the greatest drawback to choosing the Nature’s Guest Cervical Support Pillow is how well (or how poorly) it keeps its shape over time. Many users have reported that this pillow simply goes flat in too short a period of time to be useful.
Pros
- The perfect solution for back sleepers with neck pain
- Dual zippers allow for adjustment of the fill and thickness
- Hypoallergenic design that boosts coolness and fights against allergies
Cons
- Not a great solution for side and stomach sleepers
- Flattens more quickly than other options on this list
- Using zippers and adjusting fill can be a challenging endeavor
Chiroflow Waterbase Pillow — Most Customizable
There’s one thing that stands out when evaluating the Chiroflow Waterbase Pillow — customization.
This pillow uses a unique waterbase design that delivers a great alternative to tossers and turners who can’t really use a memory foam pillow. And it works! Many who have ordered the Chiroflow Waterbase Pillow report that their neck pain symptoms quickly dissipated when using this product.
This pillow is known for durability issues. First, some users report that the pillow itself began to tear over time, rendering it useless. And, other users reported leaks in the waterbase portion of the pillow, which led to mold issues in some cases.
This is an interesting and effective product to try if you’re experiencing neck pain and memory foam just isn’t doing the trick. But be aware of the Chiroflow Waterbase Pillow’s shortcomings, even before you make the relatively small investment into purchasing it.
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Pros
- A price that’s hard to beat
- Waterbase provides an alternative for tossers and turners who can’t use memory foam
- Designed to rejuvenate skin and reduce the effects of fatigue
Cons
- Durability issues limit this pillow’s usable lifespan
- Water can leak if pillow is used improperly, leading to mold
- Water can make sleeping a little noisy when you toss and turn
Tri-Core Cervical Pillow – Best Value
If you’re looking for an affordable, tough pillow that is going to deliver the performance you need over the long-term, choose the Tri-Core Cervical Pillow. This pillow offers a unique design that actually gives you options depending on your neck and how you like to sleep — or how you need to sleep to fight neck pain.
But, while the unique design is helpful to some, it does cause problems for others. This pillow is in a trapezoid shape that allows you to choose different sides and different options. But this unique design makes the pillow a bad fit for side sleepers, and it’s also incredibly difficult to find your preferred side in the middle of the night when it’s dark.
Still, this pillow is known to alleviate neck pain by placing the spine in its natural position. Also, given how durable the pillow is, there’s added value in buying it — you’re going to get a lot more use than with other options.
Pros
- Unique design gives the sleeper options
- Durability unlocks added value
- Alleviates neck pain by placing spine in natural position
Cons
- Difficult to adjust pillow in the middle of the night
- Best for back sleepers — not for side sleepers
- Tough to find the right side of the pillow in the dark
Downlite Extra Soft Down Pillow – Soft Support
The Downlite Extra Soft Down Pillow is perfect for people looking for soft support. The filling is made from down and you can machine wash and dry this hypoallergenic pillow.
This down pillow is great for stomach sleepers or those with neck issues who have tried to buy ‘soft pillows’ in a store but they still feel too firm. The pillow scrunches up and forms well to head and neck. It also requires NO break-in to be squeezable and able to be bunched up into a ball for side sleeping.
Pros
- Great for stomach sleepers
- Craddles the neck
- Stays cool throughout the night
Cons
- Too flat at times
- Not for back sleepers
What Causes Neck Pain While Sleeping?
While buying the best pillow for neck pain is a great way to start addressing the issue, it’s also equally important to learn about what neck pain while sleeping. Among them are:
- Position: Your sleeping position is often the culprit when you experience neck pain in bed. If you sleep at an awkward angle for your neck night after night, it’s only natural for neck pain to start showing up – and get progressively worse.
- Injury or Weakness: If you already have an injury or weakness in a certain muscle, that injury or weakness can lead to neck pain. And the weak spot need not be in your neck to cause neck problems. For example, if you have an arm injury, that injury may force you to sleep at a strange angle – which can cause neck pain.
- Insomnia and Other Sleeping Issues: When you have trouble sleeping, the last thing you want is neck pain. But the tossing and turning that’s often associated with insomnia and other sleeping disorders can increase the likelihood that you experience neck pain, too.
- Pillows: Ah, yes, pillows can certainly lead to neck pain. As noted, no two people sleep exactly the same way, and no two pillows are exactly alike either. That’s why a mismatch between a pillow and a person can lead to neck pain.
This is not a comprehensive list of the things that can lead to neck pain while sleeping – it’s simply a list of the most common reasons why neck pain emerges. If you’re quite sure that none of the things listed above is causing your neck pain, do not stop at buying a supporting pillow for neck pain, consult with a physician to see if he or she can help you identify what is causing the pain.
Pillows & Neck Pain: All There is To Know
People who experience neck pain when sleeping often turn to cervical pillows. But what are cervical pillows? They are pillows specially designed for people who suffer from cervical hypolordosis, which sounds a lot scarier than it actually is.
Hypolordosis is simply when your spine curves less than normal. People who suffer from hypolordosis may find that traditional pillows don’t provide the type of support they need. Pillows for neck pain or cervical pillows can help prevent common types of neck pain, including joint strains and sprains, tension headaches, cervical spasms and more.
What matters when looking for the best pillow for neck pain? The keyword is “neutrality”. You want a pillow that keeps your neck in a neutral position where it’s perfectly aligned with your spine and the rest of your body.
But, if you’re pillow is too firm or too fat, you risk elevating your neck above where it would be aligned with the rest of your body. Of course, this leads to neck pain over time. Conversely, a pillow that is too soft or too flat will lower your neck below the point where it would be aligned with the rest of your body. Again, this can lead to neck pain.
This can be an even greater challenge and bigger problem when you’re sleeping outside of your bed. For example, have you ever used a neck pillow while sleeping on a red-eye flight? Neck pillows are a nice try at solving the difficult problem of sleeping on a plane. But, they don’t provide near the neutrality or alignment that a traditional pillow can when used in a traditional bed.
So, even if you have the right pillow, a night or two of sleeping with the wrong pillow on a flight or at a friend’s house can lead to neck pain that’s difficult to shake in the long-term. When you find the right pillow, do your best to use it every night – even when you’re away from the house.
Pillows for Neck Pain FAQs
People searching for the best pillows for neck pain often ask a similar series of questions. As you search, you may have some of the same questions that others with neck pain are asking. To help preemptively answer those questions, here’s a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about pillows for neck pain.
How Do You Position Pillows for Neck Pain?
Outside of getting a cervical pillow that’s specially designed for neck pain, you can try some different things with more traditional pillows. First, you can take out some fill if your pillow is too firm and thick, which may help lower your neck back into alignment. And, second, you can try stacking pillows if your main pillow is too thin and soft — which can raise your neck back into alignment.
What Pillow Should I Use for Neck Pain?
As you can see from the list above, you have a great number of options when you need a pillow for alleviating neck pain. Read each description and find one that offers a good fit with your unique body and sleeping needs.
For example, if you’re a back sleeper who remains static most of the night, there are memory foam options that would be perfect for you. But, if you toss and turn and often sleep on your side, there are also alternatives that would make good replacements for memory foam.
Don’t get frustrated if the first pillow you try isn’t quite “the best pillow for neck pain”. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find the perfect fit. But, once you do, you’ll enjoy better sleep.
Is it Better for Your Neck to Sleep Without a Pillow?
But, for comparison’s sake, think of pillows like shoes. Can you go barefoot? Of course. Going barefoot is natural. But wearing shoes is comfortable — when you find the right pair of shoes. Choose the wrong pair, a pair that makes your feet hurt, and you’d be better off going shoeless. But, choose the right pair, a pair that is perfectly comfortable, and you’ll enjoy an experience that’s far better than going barefoot.
So, in short, going without a pillow is better than using a pillow that gives you neck pain. But, finding the right pillow is superior to going without one.
What is the Best Cervical Pillow?
Only you can answer this question. Again, we’ve outlined several attractive options above. Read through the different descriptions, and think through which one matches your needs. And, to repeat, don’t get frustrated if the first pillow you try doesn’t work. There’s a fair amount of trial and error in finding the right neck pain pillow. But, once you find the right one, you’ll be glad that you persevered through the search to find your perfect option from among the best pillows for neck pain.
What Kind Of Pillow Should I Use for Neck Pain?
Neck Pain Pillow Buyers’ Guide
What exactly should you be looking for in a cervical pillow? There are any number of key decision factors, and you’ll have to think through what’s most important to you. But, that said, here’s a look at 6 key things to consider before making a final decision:
1. Sleeping Position: Find a cervical pillow that is designed for how you sleep. You can find pillows that are best for back sleepers, side sleepers, as well as pillows that are versatile enough for any position.
2. Size/Thickness: Some cervical pillows are made available with different thickness options. You’ll want to find a pillow that offers the ideal thickness for your neck and body.
3. Sleeping Behavior: If you stay in one place all night, there are cervical pillows that are perfect for you. Also, if you toss and turn all night, there are other pillows that are designed to meet your needs. Just make sure you get the right cervical pillow for your sleep behavior.
4. Allergies: Suffer from allergies? Get a hypoallergenic pillow that will limit fits of coughing and sneezing. Many hypoallergenic pillows also use technology that keeps you cool at night.
5. Durability: Durability means value. Get more value by choosing a cervical pillow that will last for years rather than just months.
6. Pricing: Price always matters. Consider your budget, and then choose a cervical pillow that fits into that budget.
Again, you may have other important decision factors that are unique and specific to you — but these 6 should provide a good place to start as you seek out your most favorable option from among the best pillows for neck pain.
Final Thoughts on Pillows for Neck Pain
Always remember that there is no perfect solution that’s going to be ideal for everyone. Your neck and your body are unique, and they demand a unique solution. So think carefully about what you need from a pillow for neck pain, and then seek out a product that perfectly matches your requirements.
The good news is that manufacturers are addressing the need for pillows for neck pain in the 21st century. Therefore, you enjoy more options now than at any other time in history — so make the most of your many options by choosing your best fit from among pillows for neck pain.
More Pillow Resources
If you are interested in learning more about different pillow materials and pillow options for different sleepers, feel free to read these resources:
- Best Reading Pillows – Read Article
- Best Bamboo Pillows – Read Article
- Best Body Pillows – Read Article
- Best Pillows For Side Sleepers – Read Article
- Best Knee Pillows – Read Article
Efrain is a culture and lifestyle writer from Atlanta. He loves indie music, minimalism, and helping people get a better night’s rest.