Testers Swear This Curved Pillow Is Amazing for Neck Pain (2024)

Contoured pillows are designed to fit the curves of your head, neck and shoulders for proper support. This one from Tempur-Pedic has been on the market for ages, standing the test of time, thanks to how well it supports your neck and keeps your ears in line with your shoulders. It's made of extra-firm memory foam and comes in three thicknesses tailored to back and side sleepers of different statures.

Tester notes: Beyond acing our pressure tests, the firm and resilient foam received praise from several testers. Users who prefer firm pillows told us it felt supportive to lie on and highlighted how the foam slowly molds to your head and neck. One commented, "It fit around my neck and shoulder perfectly." That being said, if you prefer plush pillows, this one runs very firm.

Waking up with a sore neck? Chances are, it's due to poor spinal alignment. This pillow offers a simple solution: Adjustable fill. You can easily adjust the firmness and density by adding or removing fill to find the perfect height to keep your neck aligned. Filled with a blend of shredded foam and polyester fibers, it feels both supportive and plush, molding to your head and neck.

It's available in a standard rectangular shape as well as a cut-out and crescent design. Plus, it has nearly 60,000 Amazon reviews with an average 4.5 rating and is more affordable than most pillows for neck pain.

Tester notes: After earning some of the highest scores in our Lab tests, this pillow also earned top marks from our at-home testers. They unanimously agreed that it was better than other pillows they've slept on, noting improved sleep quality without any soreness after waking. One highlighted the comfortable feel, saying, "It wraps around my head and I sink into it." The only snag? We noticed some wear on the cover after extended use.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Here's Why The Coop Home Goods Pillow Is Our Top-Tested Pillow

There's no pillow quite like this one from Purple. It's made of the brand's signature elastic grid material with a latex core and has a squishy, bouncy feel that falls between soft and firm. The grid has open channels for increased airflow, making it a great pick for hot sleepers.

The grid cradles your head and neck, while the latex offers excellent support. And while it's definitely a splurge, Purple offers a 100-night trial when you buy from its site, so you can sleep on it for a few months to make sure you love it.

Tester notes: It earned high scores in our Lab tests, washing beautifully and maintaining its shape during our weighted pressure tests. On top of that, it was a hit with our testers, especially those who sleep hot. One shared, "I loved that it did what it says it’s going to — maintain its shape, provide support and keep you cool." Testers also noted that it kept their necks in a neutral position and looked nice on their bed.

A cervical pillow may help reduce neck pain because it supports your neck without tilting your head. This one from Sleep Number is curved to fit nicely along your shoulders, and it's made with a polyester microfiber fill for a cloud-like feel that our consumer testers loved. If you're not a fan of the down-alternative polyester fill, Sleep Number offers a variety of cervical pillows with different fills, from memory foam to down — although this one performed the best in our tests.

Tester notes: The curved Plush Comfort pillow received excellent reviews from testers for being comfortable and supportive without overheating. Even those who weren't sold initially came to love it, including one tester who said it "became very comfortable over time." Others found that it mimicked the fluffy feel of down better than other down alternative pillows they tried, and they liked how they could easily re-fluff it when needed. Just keep in mind that, due to their unique shape, cervical pillows will not fit perfectly in a pillowcase.

Despite its odd appearance, this rectangular pillow is a game-changer for side sleepers. It perfectly fills the gap between your shoulder and neck, offering unparalleled support. As a result, the foam pillow promotes proper spinal alignment in a truly unique way. It's available in three heights.

Tester notes: Testers were shocked by just how much the Side Cube impacted their sleep. "I like that it has the same amount of support right to the very edge and doesn’t taper off, so my neck is totally supported," said one. "Before, I’d ball up an extra pillow under my neck or sleep with my hand there." Others agreed, emphasizing how switching to the Side Cube truly improved their sleep quality. One tester did comment that it had a slight "plastic-y" smell out of the box, but it dissipated quickly. Note that because of its shape, it's best intended for true side sleepers rather than those who change positions at night.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Pillow Cube Is the Answer for Side Sleepers

Designed to maintain the natural curve of your neck, this pillow from Dosaze has a curved shape to help cradle your head and help keep your spine aligned. It's made of solid memory foam for added support and is designed for all sleep positions, although our testers found it most comfortable when sleeping on their backs.

Tester notes: Testers liked how the orthopedic shape helped keep them still at night. One said it prevented them from "twisting [their head] into awkward positions," as they typically do. "I like that my neck feels supported when I sleep on my back. I haven't experienced any neck pain since I started using the pillow," said another tester. Beyond earning high praise from consumers, it also fared well in our Lab's weighted pressure test and laundering test.

For stomach sleepers, a too-firm feel can cause the neck to tilt, which can exacerbate neck pain. These pillows from Amazon Basics have a thinner profile that's ideal for stomach sleepers and anyone with a smaller frame. They're available in both plush and firm options, with plush best suited for stomach sleepers and firm for back sleepers. While this pillow maintained its shape after washing and drying with no shrinkage, it did show some signs of wear. It costs just $26 for two pillows and they've earned over 34,000 reviews on Amazon!

Tester notes: Popular for its plush feel, this pillow received top marks from testers for softness. One tester said, "I like how fluffy this pillow is and how well it maintains shape after continued use." Others applauded its "puffy appearance" and called it "very comfortable."

Constantly tossing and turning at night? A pillow with an adjustable, plush fill can help keep your neck properly aligned in every sleeping position. The Layla pillow has an adjustable fill made with a mix of shredded memory foam and kapok, a natural fiber with a fluffy feel. The blend offers a great balance of plush comfort and necessary support, making it great for side, stomach and back sleepers.

Tester notes: This pillow received the highest overall score from testers, with all testers giving it perfect scores for comfort and support. One called it "soft yet supportive," and highlighted how it "holds its shape all night long." And although it leans soft on the firmness spectrum, the fill impressed us in our Lab tests, bouncing back to shape quickly after our 8-hour pressure test. The grey pattern on the outer cover was visible under white pillowcases, though.

This pillow from Parachute is the best down pillow we've ever tested. It's easy to wash, fits perfectly in a pillowcase and keeps its shape after use. The fluffy down was a hit among our testers and excelled in our Lab evaluations. We tested the medium density, but the brand also offers soft and firm options plus a side sleeper down pillow.

Tester notes: Our testers gave this pillow one of the highest scores overall. Every tester reported that they liked this pillow and would continue to use it. They liked its soft feel, giving it perfect scores for comfort. One tester described it as "absolutely dreamy," and compared it to a marshmallow. Another said, "This pillow had a lot of 'give' to it, yet it returned to its original form quickly." Note that despite the high praise, one back-sleeper tester wished the medium-density version had a bit more support.

Tuft & Needle's Original Foam Pillow uses solid memory foam (rather than foam clusters) to cradle your head and neck for support and pressure relief. The foam is infused with graphite and cooling gel and has holes throughout for ventilation to prevent overheating. While some memory foam tends to slowly sink under pressure, this pillow has a squishy yet supportive texture that stands out compared to our other solid foam picks.

Tester notes: Overheating is a common complaint with memory foam pillows, but all of our testers said this pillow kept them cool. On top of that, it received top marks from side, back and stomach sleepers alike, although some side sleepers found it a bit too short. Despite that, our reviewers unanimously agreed that it felt like an upgrade from the pillow they normally use. One described it as "firm enough to keep its shape but overall soft." One tester did notice a slight chemical smell when unboxing that took a few days to fully dissipate.

✔️ Ease of use: We put each pillow in a standard pillowcase to gauge overall fit, noting any excess fabric or poor fit.

✔️ Durability/washability: Our analysts score each pillow on its care label instructions to see how easy it is to clean. We then wash the pillows and check for any changes, first after an initial wash and once again after several washes.

✔️ Performance: Depending on the type of fill (down or fiberfill vs. foam or latex), we place weights on each pillow for a set amount of time and record the amount of time needed for the material to fully recover (or bounce back). For down and fiberfill pillows, we first fold the pillows in half before placing weights on top.

✔️ Consumer testing: We match consumer testers with a pillow based on their personal preferences and sleeping style. Testers then use the pillow at home for several weeks before rating it on overall comfort, support, temperature regulation and more. They also provide in-depth feedback on their experience, including any change in sleep quality or soreness over time.

✔️ Claim validation: Our analysts always vet the brand and product listing to verify any organic certifications or other claims made.

✔️ Partner with physicians: We work alongside physicians to answer your most pressing questions about how to buy the best pillow for neck pain and other ways to help find relief when sleeping.

When it comes to pillows, the main factors to consider are the height and materials. To find what's best for you, consider your sleep position, body type and any personal preferences. Also make sure to check the care label, as not all pillows can be easily washed.

✔️ Loft and firmness: The right pillow loft (a.k.a. height) will keep your spine in proper alignment, so your head isn't bending in any direction. To figure out which loft is best, consider your sleeping position (more information below) and body shape. If you have a larger frame, you will need a thicker pillow, while those with a smaller frame will need something thinner.

Ultimately, you want your pillow to help keep your neck in a neutral position, but it still needs to feel comfortable. Therefore, make sure you choose a pillow firmness that you'll enjoy sleeping on each night.

✔️ Sleeping position: When shopping, it's helpful to look for pillows designed for your sleeping position. Here's what to look for:

• Side sleepers need a thicker pillow to “keep their ears in line with their shoulders” to prevent their neck from extending in either direction when sleeping on their side, according to Jaspal R. Singh, M.D., co-director of the Center for Comprehensive Spine Care at Weill Cornell Medicine.
• Back sleepers should opt for a medium-thick pillow that still provides support to keep their neck aligned and prevent the neck from arching forward.
• Stomach sleepers should choose a thinner pillow to keep the neck in a neutral position. Placing a pillow under your shoulders can help keep your spine aligned too.

✔️ Materials: Pillows of all fill types can help reduce neck pain. While firmer materials like memory foam and latex are the most popular to help alleviate neck pain, plush down and down-alternative pillows can still offer support as long as their loft is high enough to keep your head in a neutral position.

• Memory foam: Pillows made with memory foam are available in two different styles: solid or shredded. Solid memory foam pillows are designed to give you that super supportive feel as your head sinks into the pillow, but the fill cannot move. Shredded memory foam pillows still give you a supportive feel, but the fill can be moved around for a plusher experience.
• Latex: With a squishy feel similar to memory foam, latex, however, bounces back much quicker. Like memory foam, latex pillows can either feature solid or shredded fill.
• Down: For the ultimate fluffy pillow, all-down pillows are the way to go. For a lower price, look for pillows that are part down and part feathers.
• Down alternative: If you have a down allergy or want a more affordable option, down alternative pillows are typically filled with polyester fiber that has a similar feel to down at a fraction of the cost.

We spend around a third of each day sleeping, so your pillow can have a big impact on neck pain and spine health. Naimish Baxi, M.D., physiatrist at The Hospital of Special Surgery in New York, said that “no study has determined definitively the best type of pillow to use, [but] to avoid neck pain during sleep, it’s important that your neck stays ‘neutral.’”

An uncomfortable pillow can cause neck pain, poor sleep quality, stiffness and even headaches. To keep your neck and shoulders in a neutral position, you need a pillow that will keep your neck aligned without tilting in any one direction.

It depends on your sleeping position and preferences. Both firm and soft pillows can be effective in reducing neck pain. If you sleep on your side or back, opt for a firmer pillow such as the solid memory foam Tempur Neck Pillow. Ergonomic pillows with cut-outs or curved shapes are generally firmer since memory foam helps the pillow keep its shape. Softer pillows like the Amazon Basics Down Alternative Pillow and Parachute Down Pillow with plush fill are great for stomach sleepers.

Many of our testers reported that when trying a new pillow, they realized their old pillow was too soft and flat for proper neck support. Older pillows that have lost their shape can worsen neck pain.

• Upgrade your mattress: While you may think your pillow is the only part of the bed that can cause neck pain, your mattress plays a huge role in supporting your whole spine. Check out our mattress shopping guide and our round-up of the best mattresses for back pain to learn more about how to buy the most supportive and comfortable mattress for you. Consider adding a mattress pad or mattress topper to upgrade your bed's feel without buying a whole new mattress.
• Add a body pillow: Head pillows help support your head, but a body pillow can help encourage full body alignment. Body pillows can help encourage side sleeping too. Pregnant testers especially appreciated body pillows for belly support.
• Avoid slouching: While it can be tempting to slouch and lie down when reading or watching TV in bed, it can lead to more neck pain later. A wedge pillow can help you maintain proper posture when sitting up in bed.

Emma Seymour is the senior textiles analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has rigorously tested more than 130 pillows in the Textiles Lab in recent years, and she has coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. Seymour has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for over five years at Good Housekeeping.

Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and oversaw recent in-Lab pillow testing of 40 pillows. Wu has previously written about the best mattresses for back pain and interviewed medical experts for additional insight. Prior to joining GH, she earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.

We partnered with physicians to help learn more about how to shop for a pillow that'll help alleviate neck pain:

• Jaspal R. Singh, M.D., co-director of the Center for Comprehensive Spine Care at Weill Cornell Medicine.
• Naimish Baxi, M.D., physiatrist at The Hospital of Special Surgery in New York.
• Raj Dasgupta, M.D., FACP, FCCP, FAASM is an ABIM quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine.

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