Best Pillows For Neck Pain 2025

Fill: Tempur foam | Firmness: Firm | Loft: 3.5, 4 or 4.75 inches | Outer material: Polyester | Trial: None

What’s notable: Thanks to its dense Tempur foam material, this pillow maintains its shape well and its bolster shape provides excellent neck support.

What could be better: Tempur-Pedic doesn’t accept returns for this pillow. If you’ve never tried a foam pillow, we recommend sampling one at a Tempur-Pedic store before fully committing.

With a bolstered lower half, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow is designed to give targeted support to your neck, which can help alleviate tense muscles. Its ergonomic shape and firm-yet-moldable foam filling makes it the overall winner on this list; the contoured design encourages neutral alignment of the head, neck and spine. The hypoallergenic polyester knit cover is easy to remove and wash for regular maintenance. The Tempur-Neck comes in small, medium and large sizes to suit a variety of body types and sleep styles: The brand’s website is equipped with a chart to help you determine the right size for you. However, it is not recommended for stomach sleepers. While Tempur-Pedic doesn’t offer a trial period for pillows, this product does come with a five-year limited warranty. You can also add cooling technology to the Tempur-Neck for $20 if you sleep hot. 

Fill: Latex, polyester | Firmness: Adjustable | Loft: Adjustable | Outer material: Cotton, polyester and spandex | Trial: 45 nights

What’s notable: You can add or remove fill to find the right firmness and height, and its U-shaped design is specifically made for side sleepers.

What could be better: This pillow is only offered in a queen size.

The Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow has an innovative crescent shape that accommodates your shoulder while you’re lying on your side, so your neck stays on a neutral plane in line with your spine. Along with the curved design, the springy latex-polyester filling is great for side sleepers, as it offers ample support and just the right amount of give. If the pillow is too firm right out of the box, you can remove the filling to adjust it to your liking. On the contrary, you can buy additional fill if you want it to be firmer. The main downside of this pillow’s shape, however, is that it doesn’t have the same spine-aligning effect for back sleepers; combination sleepers who shift between their side and back throughout the night may not have the best results.

Fill: Down | Firmness: Soft, medium or firm | Loft: Low to high depending on firmness | Outer material: Cotton sateen | Trial: 60 nights

What’s notable: Its breathable cotton shell and availability in three firmness options make it appealing to a wide range of sleepers.

What could be better: Some reviews complain of initial animal-like smell.

Made using delicate feathers found in the undercoating of ducks and geese, down filling is plush, soft and luxurious. A high-quality down pillow gently molds to your neck’s shape, which can help relieve tense muscles. This option from Parachute is crafted with a 100% cotton cover and Responsible Down Standard-certified filling, so you can rest assured you’re getting the highest level of quality. There are three firmness options to choose from (soft, medium, firm), which cater mainly to back and stomach sleepers. (If you strictly lie on your side, you may want to check out the brand’s Down Side Sleeper Pillow for better support.) Just keep in mind that down filling has the tendency to shift and clump during the night, so you should plan on regularly fluffing your pillow to keep it evenly distributed.

Fill: Organic kapok, organic latex | Firmness: Medium | Loft: Adjustable | Outer material: Organic cotton | Trial: 100 nights

What’s notable: It’s made with organic and vegan materials featuring third-party certifications, plus it comes with a one-year warranty—rare as far as pillows go.

What could be better: Some customers say they wish the filling was fluffier.

For those who prioritize a pillow for neck pain made with organic, sustainably sourced materials, the Avocado Green Pillow is the clear winner. Its filling consists of GOLS-certified organic latex rubber and GOTS-certified organic kapok plant fiber, which comes from the seeds of the kapok tree. Kapok has a similar feel to down or cotton, but is lighter in weight. Combined with the latex, it results in a bouncy, supportive and supremely soft filling that supports your head and neck. The cover is made of breathable, skin-friendly and GOTS-certified organic cotton. Since the amount of filling inside the pillow is adjustable, it’s suitable for back, stomach and side sleepers. 

Fill: Polyester | Firmness: Medium | Loft: 4 inches (center); 5.5 inches (sides) | Outer material: Cotton and polyester | Trial: 30 nights

What’s notable: The segmented design offers targeted support and contours to the neck’s natural curve, which allows sleepers to switch comfortably between their back and side.

What could be better: It only comes in one size (queen) and the removable cover is sold separately.

Back sleepers typically benefit from medium to medium-firm pillows with a medium loft, and The Company Store Duo Sleep Neck Posture Pillow fits the bill. Its segmented design creates different heights with fluffy polyester filling—the center is four inches tall, while the raised sides are 5.5 inches—to keep your head cradled in one spot while you sleep. And while it caters to back sleepers, reviews say it’s equally comfortable for side sleepers, making it a great choice for combination sleepers who shift positions often throughout the night. However, some shoppers say it’s too big to fit in a standard pillowcase, so you may want to invest in the accompanying cotton pillowcase, which is sold separately. 

Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow

Fill: Memory foam, microfiber | Firmness: Medium-firm | Loft: Adjustable | Outer material: Polyester, bamboo-derived rayon | Trial: 100 nights

What’s notable: The bamboo-derived pillowcase promotes ample breathability, plus it comes with additional filling if you’re looking for a firmer feel.

What could be better: Some reviews complain of an off-gassing smell.

Whether you sleep on your side, back, stomach or a combination of the three, you can customize the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow to suit your individual needs. It comes with an extra half-pound of filling, which is a blend of medium-firm memory foam and microfiber. Simply add or remove filling to the pillow until your neck is aligned with your spine when you lie down on it (and store away any extra filling for future fluff-ups). The Coop Original has a breathable cover made with bamboo-derived rayon, which is thermoregulating for a comfortable night’s sleep. Note that this pillow is also available in a Cut-Out style specifically for side sleepers and a Crescent style for side sleepers who shift to their backs. 

What our editors say: Special projects editor Jennifer Ferrise says, “I’m a combo sleeper, so being able to adjust [the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow] has been great, and I also like that if it starts to flatten over time you can easily add to the fill to plump it up again.” Senior home and kitchen editor Amanda Arnold has the cooling version of the Coop pillow and says, “I’m not lying when I say that, in the days right after I got the pillow, I looked forward to going to sleep just so I could rest my head and sink into it.”

Fill: Memory foam with graphite and cooling gel | Firmness: N/A | Loft: 5 inches | Outer material: Micro polyamide, polyester | Trial: 100 nights

What’s notable: We like its balanced, medium feel for back and side sleeping, and its durable foam structure offers plenty of support.

What could be better: Some side sleepers say it lacks support.

Thanks to their supportive, conforming properties, memory foam pillows are a popular choice for those who live with chronic neck pain. This pillow from Tuft & Needle is filled with the brand’s signature T&N Adaptive open-cell foam, which keeps its shape all night long—no constant fluffing or readjusting required. The brand doesn’t give it a specific firmness rating, but rather describes it as “soft and squishy while remaining supportive.” Thousands of 5-star reviewers agree, with many describing it as not too soft or too firm. Some memory foam pillows have a reputation of trapping heat and getting too warm, but this one is designed to be breathable and temperature-regulating. It’s made to accommodate all sleeping positions, but reviews say it’s particularly well-suited for back and stomach sleepers; side sleepers may crave a loftier pillow.

Purple Harmony Pillow (Now 10% Off)

Fill: Latex, polymer | Firmness: Medium | Loft: 5.5, 6.5 or 7.5 inches | Outer material: Nylon, spandex | Trial: 100 nights

What’s notable: The Honeycomb GelFlex grid and moisture-wicking cover helps disperse heat, plus it comes in three height options available for different sleep styles.

What could be better: Since it’s heavier than your average pillow, it’s not great for travel.

For those who run warm at night, a pillow designed with a cooling layer can help regulate the temperature of its surface, resulting in a more comfortable night’s sleep. The Purple Harmony Pillow has a patented Honeycomb GelFlex Grid layer that helps disperse heat over the latex filling, which is also naturally cooling. This, combined with a moisture-wicking mesh cover, makes the Purple Harmony a fantastic choice for hot sleepers with neck pain. It’s available in three heights, ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 inches: Stomach and back sleepers should opt for the lower loft, while side sleepers should find more support from the medium and high lofts. While this pillow is pricey, it does have a 100-night trial period, so you can make sure it’s the right fit for you. 

What our editors say: “The Purple Harmony Pillow totally shocked me,” says senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. “I really thought it wouldn’t live up to the hype, but it has a nontraditional feel that, to my own surprise, I quickly came to adore. It’s supportive, cooling and requires no fluffing even after months of sleeping on it. Just keep in mind it’s a bit heavy and floppy to move around.”

Fill: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Loft: 3.9, 4.6, 4.8 or 5 inches | Outer material: Polyester and rayon | Trial: 30 nights

What’s notable: The curved surface cradles the neck well, and its adjustable height and five size options appeal to a variety of sleepers.

What could be better: There is a longer adjustment period for this pillow than other options, likely due to its unique shape.

A high-quality, supportive pillow doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. This under-$50 pick from Epabo has thousands of 5-star reviews from Amazon customers, with many praising its design and ability to relieve a stiff neck. Similar to the Tempur-Pedic pillow above, it has a raised bottom half that provides ample neck support, but unlike the Tempur-Pedic, the center of this pillow features a dip that gently cradles your neck for optimal alignment. There’s also a piece of memory foam at the bottom you can remove if the pillow feels too high. Some reviewers note that it requires an adjustment period of a few weeks—but once they acclimated to the pillow’s shape, they noticed a decrease in neck pain. Keep in mind that this pillow is on the firmer side, so it may not be the right choice if you prefer a plusher style.

Fill: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Loft: 4.1 or 5.2 inches | Outer material: 3D mesh fiber | Trial: 100 nights

What’s notable: The butterfly shape cradles the neck and it comes with a removable memory foam insert.

What could be better: The cervical shape isn’t ideal for sleepers who switch positions frequently at night.

A cervical pillow, also referred to as an orthopedic pillow, is designed to correct your body’s positioning to help eliminate potential sources of tension while you sleep. Made with supportive memory foam, the Osteo Cervical Pillow has a butterfly shape that gently holds your neck in place. It’s most suitable for side and back sleepers, and it comes with a removable memory foam insert that allows you to adjust the height. However, some customers note that the pillow was difficult to readjust when they shifted from their sides to their backs, so it may not be the best option for combination sleepers.