Top 19 Best Pillow for Neck Pain Reviews 2021

The EPABO was one of the first neck support pillows I tested for this buying guide, so I figured I should start this round-up of the best pillows for neck pain with this particular model, too.

One of the main features that grabbed my attention was the contoured design – the pillow is shaped in a way that provides neck support, keeps your spine aligned, and most importantly, provides therapeutic relief for neck pain, whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper. Oh, and it stays cool, too!

You can adjust the pillow’s height, as well, by removing the memory foam insert located on the bottom. Know that this only affects the center of the pillow, while the sides stay the same.

Plus, it’s covered by a 30-day refund guarantee, which means you can give it a try without worrying about it. On that note, the pillow is a bit firm, so give your body some time to adjust to it before you decide to return the pillow.

If there’s one thing I didn’t like, it’s the initial smell, but that’s relatively common with memory foam core pillows. Other than that, I’m not sure that there’s anything else to complain about here.

I’ll take a wild guess here; you probably haven’t seen a pillow like this before, but the unusual shape isn’t there to confuse or intimidate you – it’s there to give you the absolute best sleep of your life.

Every single inch of this pillow is dedicated to keeping back, as well as back-to-side sleepers comfortable and supported, and once you take a closer look at its design, you’ll realize how well-thought-out it is.

For example, the hole in the center of the pillow serves as a “pressure outlet” for the back of your skull, and at the same time, cradles your head when you’re sleeping on your back. Moreover, the wedge extensions on both ends with their respective contour heights support the neck and keep the spine aligned.

And if, or when you do turn to your side, the cut-outs on the sides will fit around your shoulders, so that they end up underneath the pillow, without it affecting neck support and spinal alignment in any way.

Brilliant, isn’t it?

With a pillow like this, you’re bound to go through a week-long adjustment period, but you’ll learn to love it, I can promise you that much!

Another ergonomic cervical pillow I’d like to mention is the MARNUR memory foam pillow – it looks nothing like a traditional pillow, but that’s what makes it stand out.

The pillow is designed with unique curves, along with low-curve and high-curve ends, so that you can rotate it depending on your preferred sleeping position and the level of support you need, as well as a central cavity that cradles your head.

It boasts the fact that it’s suitable for all three positions – side, back, as well as stomach sleepers – but that might not be entirely true. More on that later, though.

The cover itself feels nice, too. It’s a combination of bamboo rayon and polyester that feels soft to the touch. Also, it’s machine-washable – the cover, not the actual pillow – which makes maintenance reasonably simple.

One thing I noticed is that the pillow feels a bit too soft, and offers somewhat limited support, which can be an issue for side sleepers. Plus, the overall design can be a bit uncomfortable – or at least tricky to get used to – if you tend to change your position throughout the night.

I’ll be honest with you – this was my first experience with Wonwo as a brand. The pillow’s overall construction quality, the performance, and the support they offer were all new to me, and I entered this, not knowing what to expect.

The first thing to grab my attention was the so-called butterfly wing wave design of the pillow, with two sides of different heights – it was clear that the pillow was made with ergonomics in mind. The subtle contours of this CertiPUR-US certified Dynamic foam pillow conform to the curves of your body, supporting your head and neck, and relieving pressure from these areas.

Moreover, it comes with a dust-proof, hypoallergenic inner cover, as well as a removable, machine-washable pillowcase, which is a nice touch.

Plus, I was surprised by the fact that the manufacturer offers a lifetime no-questions-asked warranty, paired with a relatively reasonable price.

And while it’s advertised as a pillow that’s suitable for all three sleeping positions, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to stomach sleepers. While it does offer two different height levels, the lower contour falls in the mid-range loft, and combined with the pillow’s firmness, might not be the most comfortable option for those who sleep on their stomach.

If you mostly sleep on your back or switch between sleeping on your back and your side, then this Nature’s Guest pillow might be one of the best pillows for neck pain for you. Why?

It’s made specifically with your sleeping position in mind!

You see, the pillow’s polyester microfiber fill is divided into several zones, including the neck rolls of different heights that cradle the neck, and sides that have a bit more filling in them to accommodate side sleepers. The contoured pillow design, combined with gusseted edges that help it maintain its shape, will reduce neck pain and keep your spine aligned throughout the night.

Moreover, the loft is adjustable – you can add or remove some of the fill from each of the three areas of the pillow if the “default” height doesn’t quite cut it for you.

The hypoallergenic cotton fiber cover is a nice touch, as it makes this pillow suitable for people with allergies, too – and the fact that it feels soft to the touch is always a plus.

The pillow is somewhat cumbersome, although I’m not sure if that counts as a downside since you won’t be carrying it around daily. Anyway, I figured it’s something worth mentioning, nonetheless.

Let’s get back to Wonwo for a moment here, because I’d like to introduce you to another one of their models. We’re still talking about orthopedic memory foam pillow here, but the concept and overall design are a bit different, giving this model a “new and improved” feel.

It’s firm and supportive, but with a perfect amount of give to make it comfortable. Plus, the ergonomic nature of the pillow feels a bit more pronounced here, including the handy addition of the shoulder cut-outs.

Moreover, this one is indeed suitable for all three sleeping positions, as it features both mid and low-loft contours, along with dedicated side sleeping areas. So, if you’re a stomach sleeper interested in giving Wonwo a try, by all means, go for it – that’s one of the main reasons why I included this model in my round-up, after all.

Another reason is the compact nature of the pillow, and I’m not talking about the actual dimensions here – the pillow can be rolled up quickly, which makes it not only storage-friendly but portable, as well. If you ever need to bring your pillow along with you, roll it up, pop it in its bag and you’ll be ready to go!

Next on my list is the Tri-Core cervical support pillow from Core Products – and while it’s not as unusually shaped as some other models we’ve seen so far, it’s still quite different from the “traditional” pillows that you probably have right now.

The secret is in the combination of a trapezoid-shaped concave center that cradles the head, providing exceptional orthopedic benefits for back sleepers, higher side lobes suitable for side sleepers, and built-in neck rolls of two different heights. These will not only support the neck but help restore proper sleep posture, too.

In short, it’s designed with orthopedic correction in mind.

The Tri-Core is a perfect choice for back sleepers – and after the initial adaptation period, side sleepers will find it supportive, as well. More importantly, anyone struggling with neck or shoulder pain should consider giving it a try.

If you’re a stomach sleeper, though, move on – this isn’t a pillow for you.

Also, remember that it takes a bit longer to get used to the way this pillow “works.” It won’t be as cozy and comfortable as your old pillow, but it’s not supposed to be, anyway – it’s there to correct your sleeping posture.

I never thought I’d be talking about sandwiches in an article dedicated to finding the best pillow for neck pain, but guess what? We’re going to talk about a very particular sandwich today – the UTTU Sandwich, to be precise.

At first glance, it pretty much seems like a standard contoured pillow – but looks can be deceiving. Sure, the pillow’s ergonomic design and the Dynamic foam core that supports the body’s natural curve, support the head and neck, and offer superior comfort are enough, to begin with, but UTTU took things to a totally new level by allowing you to adjust the height of the pillow according to your needs.

Simply remove the middle layer of memory foam, and you’ll instantly get a pillow with a lower profile on both the high contour and low contour ends. Thanks to this handy little trick, the pillow is perfect for all three sleeping positions.

I would’ve gladly paid more if it were needed, the Sandwich is that good!

The only “issue” I’ve had with this pillow – and it’s more of an annoyance than an actual flaw – is that it takes around 24 hours to expand fully. It’s worth the wait, though.

The innovative butterfly-shaped design and ergonomic nature of the pillow make it an all-around fantastic choice – whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, you’ll experience the same, outstanding level of the neck, head, and shoulder support.

The central cavity will adapt to the curve of your neck, cradle the head, and keep your spine in a neutral alignment, and at the same time, the lower recesses on the sides will prevent your head from slipping off the pillow. It might help you sleep more soundly, too, without all the tossing and turning.

BAlso, it has these handy cut-outs on the sides of the actual pillow that serve as armrests for side sleepers!

Your “new and improved” sleeping posture may help deal with other sleep-related problems, such as snoring, which is yet another addition to a long list of benefits this pillow for neck pain brings to the table. You’ll start to notice some drastic improvements not only regarding neck pain but overall sleep quality, as well.

The pillow may have a slight chemical-like odor when it first arrives. Remember that it’s made from CertiPUR-US certified memory foam, though – there’s no reason to worry about chemicals.

By now, you’re probably becoming increasingly tired of all those unusually-shaped pillows, which is why taking a quick break from it all and going back to basics seemed like a good idea. And when I say “basics,” I mean that in the best way possible – sometimes a more traditional-looking pillow, like the one from Coop Home Goods, is all you need.

The Eden pillow combines shredded memory foam with a polyester inner cover, and a gusseted, bamboo-derived rayon outer cover that is hypoallergenic, breathable, and provides some much needed edge-to-edge support.

And as basic as it might seem, the Eden still has a trick up its sleeve – the adjustable pillow loft. So, depending on your sleeping position and personal preference, you can access the pillow’s fill – gel-infused memory foam blended with poly fibers – and add or remove as much as you’d like.

Keep in mind that this pillow is a bit expensive, especially when compared to the models you’ve seen so far. If you’re considering giving this one a try, though, rest assured that your money won’t go to waste – the pillow comes with a 100-night trial, so you have plenty of time to decide if it’s worth it or not.

As you can probably tell, the one thing these “traditional” models have going for them is their adjustable loft. The WonderSleep Premium pillows have one more thing to offer to you – a rather affordable price.

If you and your sleeping partner are both looking for new pillows for neck pain, this might be one of the best deals you’ll find on the market!

The pillows are filled with shredded memory foam, which means that you can easily add or remove some to customize the pillow’s overall feel and firmness. That’s essential with these two-piece sets, as it allows for both sleepers to have a personalized sleep experience, even when they’re using the same pillows.

Another thing I liked about these is that they’re entirely machine-washable – both the covers and the actual pillows – which will make maintenance a breeze. I don’t know who’s doing the laundry in your household, but I’m pretty sure they’ll be happy about the straightforward maintenance.

I did have an issue with off-gassing, though – the chemical odor filled the entire room as soon as I opened the box. The smell goes away after you air them out, but I figured you might want to know about it, anyway.

Although I don’t think that the pillow’s breathability is a factor that could make or break a pillow for neck pain, it sure does help in keeping you cool and takes comfort to a whole new level. That’s why the next shredded memory foam pillow on my round-up is one of the most popular models by Snuggle-Pedic.

Their Ultra-Luxury pillow features Kool-Flow technology, which, utilized in the bamboo cover, lends them exceptional breathability and moisture-wicking properties – and the micro-vented design helps a lot in that department, too.

The pillow’s comfortable enough as is, but it does give you the option of adjusting the amount of shredded memory foam filling according to your needs, making it suitable for all three sleeping positions.

However, the pillow requires frequent fluffing – at least once a week, to be precise – as it doesn’t maintain its shape for long. Moreover, it’s not a pillow that will correct your sleeping posture so that it won’t be a ground-breaking solution for severe neck pain – but it will make you more comfortable.

If you’re considering giving it a try, you’re looking at a risk-free purchase here – it has a 120-night sleep trial so that you can get your money back at any time, no questions asked.

Sure, a water-based pillow is a bit unconventional, but after all these extraordinary-shaped cervical pillows you’ve seen so far, one that’s filled with water shouldn’t come as that big of a surprise.

And if you’re suffering from neck pain, maybe a “traditional” pillow doesn’t cut it for you, anyway.

You’ll have to go through an initial adjustment period, but the pay-off is worth it – the water follows the movement of your head, adjusting to your body, rather than working against it. Moreover, the firmness can be easily adjusted by changing the water level in the pillow.

That’s why the Mediflow pillow works with all three sleeping positions.

Before you even think about asking, yes, the pillow is fully sealed, and insulated with a top layer of Dacron Hollofil fibers, to eliminate any chance of leaking. On top of that, it’s encased in a hypoallergenic cotton cover, too.

Keep in mind that this is a water-filled pillow, which means it’s bound to make noise as you move around at night. It’s not loud or annoying, but it does take some time to get used to it. Chances are you’ll learn to enjoy the sound of water traveling through the pillow!

Now, let me introduce you to another possible solution for your neck pain problems – buckwheat pillows. The Sachi Organics model we have here is a cylinder-shaped neck pillow with an adjustable fill.

They’re made from organic buckwheat hulls encased in a 100-percent organic cotton cover, which makes them not only very moldable and supportive but durable, as well. And by conforming to the shape of your head, it works to relieve some of the strain on your neck.

The fact that it’s hand-made in the USA is a huge plus, as well.

Due to its compact size, the pillow is perfect for those who travel often, and want to have some comfort on the go. Plus, they can be utilized not only for neck support but under the knees and other areas of the body, as well.

The pillow does feel very firm right out of the box, so you’ll probably have to make some initial adjustments to make it more comfortable. That’s relatively easy to do by removing some of the fill – but it can be a bit messy.

Also, it can be noisy when you’re moving around during the night, but it’s far from being loud or distracting.

If you want a budget-friendly buckwheat pillow for neck pain, this JOERRES pillow is it.

Right off the bat, I can tell you that the pillow feels exceptionally sturdy, and the coarse hand-woven cotton fabric cover is a big part of that. It’s not only well-made but comfortable and breathable, as well, which means overheating won’t be an issue.

And thanks to the built-in zipper on the inner cover, you can easily access the filling and remove or add some to customize the feel of the pillow according to your desired firmness and support.

Also, here’s a neat trick you can try for additional therapeutic benefits:

If you’re dealing with severe neck pain, applying heat can be quite relaxing – so, pop the pillow in the microwave to heat the buckwheat filling a bit. If you’ve never tried this before, you’ll be amazed at how therapeutic and pain-relieving it can be!

The noise that buckwheat pillows typically make can be a bit annoying – but it’s not something that keeps you up at night.

Also, be ready to go through some trial and error before you find the perfect fill and firmness level for your needs.

Okay, it’s time to go back to solid memory foam cores for a moment here, because I’d like to show you this pillow from Milemont – a perfect balance of soft and firm with a perfect amount of support to stay comfortable no matter what your preferred sleeping position is.

The pillow features two neck-supporting contours of different heights so that you can rotate the pillow and use the top or the bottom one, depending on your sleeping preferences.

Another thing I liked about it was its breathability. The open-cell memory foam and the cotton cover do an excellent job at keeping you cool, which is often something solid memory foam pillows struggle with doing.

I’d say that this is a reasonably priced option, but if you’re unfamiliar with the brand or worried about wasting money, know that it comes with a 30-day refund window.

If there’s one thing to complain about when it comes to this Milemont pillow, it’s the initial chemical odor that prevents you from using the pillow straight out of the box. It dissipates in a matter of days, and it’s relatively mild, to begin with, but it’s still something worth noting.

Another model worth mentioning, while we’re on the subject of memory foam core pillows, is the Sleep Innovations Contour Pillow, designed to keep your neck, shoulders, and head aligned properly, whether you’re a back or a side sleeper – with no room left for discomfort or pain.

Does it deliver on that promise, though?

Well, I noticed that it lacks some much-needed firmness, which wouldn’t be such a big deal if we weren’t talking about the best neck pain pillows here. If I get a neck support pillow, the least I expect it to do is, well, provide that neck support. And unfortunately, no matter how comfortable it is, I wouldn’t call this one supportive enough for side sleepers – at least not according to my experience.

I’m not saying you should skip this one entirely, though. It can still make an impact on your overall comfort level:

The therapeutic design with higher and lower contours will conform to your body, providing gentle support and alignment. If anything, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed – especially if you’re a back sleeper who typically prefers softer pillows.

Oh, and one more thing – the chemical odor is so bad that you’ll probably have to air it out for a few days before you can use it.

At a glance, the NURSAL pillow looks somewhat similar to other models with a solid memory foam core, but then you start to notice these slight, yet important features that make it stand out of the bunch.

One such feature is the subtle, but effective crescent (half-moon) shape of the pillow designed to fit the cervical spine perfectly, and uphold the neck and head, so that your cervical spine doesn’t get that “floating” feeling that so often leads to pain and stiffness in the neck.

It doesn’t end there, though. It seems like the intense focus on ergonomics that is present in this pillow does more than relieve neck pain – the manufacturer boasts its ability to treat sleep-related problems, such as snoring and insomnia, as well.

Plus, I like that the cover is not only machine-washable, which is a considerable advantage maintenance-wise, but hypoallergenic, as well.

Granted, this is, by no means, a soft pillow. Although I don’t think that’s necessarily a drawback – sometimes a firm pillow is what you need – keep in mind that it doesn’t give you that sleeping-on-a-cloud feel.

Oh, and do I even need to mention the initial odor?

It’s weird, it’s attention-grabbing, and you’ll probably feel a little silly using it – but as crazy as it looks, the J-Pillow might be the best travel pillow for neck pain currently on the market!

If one of the leading neck pain causes in your case can’t be traced back to your bedroom, but to the slightly uncomfortable experience of sleeping in an upright position – something road trippers and frequent fliers are very familiar with – this might be the solution to your problems.

The unique shape of the pillow provides support to your head, chin, and most importantly, your neck, keeping your head elevated while you sleep. Moreover, you can use it in different positions – conforming and twisting it to find a perfectly customized fit.

The not-so-compact nature of the pillow can be a downside for some. While it does come with a carrying case and can be attached to your luggage with a snap-loop fastener, it’s still rather bulky, and can be somewhat awkward to carry around with you.

Also, I noticed that it slides around a bit, which doesn’t necessarily affect your comfort, but the fact that you’ll have to readjust it quite often can be slightly annoying.