The Best Pillows For Neck Pain In 2022 For Waking Up Ache-Free Show
Author: Medical reviewer: August 16, 2022 mbg Sustainability + Health Director By Emma Loewe mbg Sustainability + Health Director Emma Loewe is the Senior Sustainability Editor at mindbodygreen and the author of "Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us." Medical review by Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS Board-certified Family Physician Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS is a family physician and HIV specialist in California. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating principles of functional medicine and using food as medicine when working with patients. August 16, 2022 Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission. Never underestimate the power of the right pillow—especially if you're experiencing neck pain from a muscle strain, spinal injury, or just looking at screens all day. Switching to a pillow that supports your spine's natural curvature can make a noticeable difference in stiffness and soreness levels, and it's a whole lot more affordable than buying a brand-new mattress. And since sleep is foundational to immunity, blood sugar balance, mental functioning, and more, investing in comfort at night will seriously pay off for your overall health. Let's run through what to consider when shopping for a supportive pillow, plus eight highly vetted options that won't be a pain in your neck. Quick List:How we picked.First and foremost, in order to be comfortable to the neck, a pillow needs to be thick enough to support the head and keep the spine neutral. Your ideal thickness will depend on the position you spend the most time sleeping in, so we provided options for back, stomach, and side sleepers. Those with neck pain will need a pillow that stays supportive and holds its shape over time. We scoured customer reviews to find the ones that can hold up to years of nightly use and still look and feel good as new. We looked for brands that use certified organic, natural, and/or recycled materials in their pillows. We also gave high marks to companies that are offsetting their shipping, utilizing plastic-free packaging, or going above and beyond to practice sustainability in another way. We prioritized companies that offer trial periods because you really never know if a pillow is going to work for you until you sleep with it for a few weeks. mbg's picks for the best pillows for neck pain of 2022:Best memory foam: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud® Breeze Dual Cooling™ PillowPros:
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Materials: Foam Sizes available: QueenKing Trial: N/A Warranty: 5-Year This pillow offers all the plush-yet-responsive comfort you'd expect from memory foam, with an extra layer of cooling gel built in to minimize night sweats. (Traditional memory foams tend to trap heat and run warm.) Its medium-firm feel is comfortable for most sleep positions, offering just the right amount of neck support to minimize pain. While it's on the pricey side, most customers found the pillow to be well worth the investment, and it's racked up an average of 4.3 stars from more than 3,000 reviewers on Amazon. One thing to note about Tempur-Pedic pillows is that they do tend to be quite heavy and aren't as easy to travel with. And for those looking for a cushier feel, they will be too firm. While Tempur-Pedic offers a five-year limited warranty, they don't accept returns, so you might want to try this one out in person before placing your order. Best for side sleepers: Zamat Adjustable Cervical Memory Foam PillowPros:
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Materials: Foam Sizes available: QueenRegular Trial: 100 nights Warranty: 5-Year This memory foam pillow comes in two firmness levels (firm and soft), so you can customize it based on your feel preferences and sleep position. Side sleepers with neck pain will likely want to opt for the firmer option, which supports proper alignment but still has some cushion for comfort. Hundreds of happy customers rave that the ergonomic shape of this pillow—thicker on the sides with a place to put your arms—allows them to snuggle comfortably on their sides without straining their necks. Plus, the pillow's cooling cover contains moisture-wicking bamboo that will satisfy hot sleepers, too. The only downside to this pillow is the synthetic materials: You'll find memory foam in its inner shell and some polyester in its cover. However, for those who aren't determined to go organic, it's an affordable option worth checking out. Best organic: Avocado Green PillowPros:
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Materials: Latex Sizes available: QueenKingRegular Trial: 100 nights Warranty: 1-Year Avocado's pillow is 100% organic through and through—from the latex interior to the cotton liner and cover. The latex layer holds its shape against many sleeping positions and doesn't bottom out like softer down or memory foam options (though it may feel too firm for some sleepers). This long-lasting investment in easing neck pain and stiffness also comes with extra filling for side sleepers looking to add some height to their pillow. Beyond using organic materials, Avocado also supports the environment with carbon-negative production and shipping. Best cooling pillow: Saatva Memory Foam PillowPros:
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Materials: Latex Sizes available: QueenKing Trial: 45 nights Warranty: 1-Year Sweaty sleeps are no fun, so this memory foam pillow from Saatva is outfitted with graphite to draw heat away from your head as you snooze. It's complete with a naturally breathable organic cotton cover. Measuring in at 6.5 inches thick, it might be too high for back and stomach sleepers; it's best for side sleepers suffering from neck pain and looking for some cooling relief. Best for combo sleepers: Coop The OriginalPros:
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Materials: Foam Sizes available: QueenKing Trial: 100 nights Warranty: 5-Year Coop allows you to essentially design your own pillow by making it easy to add and remove foam filling to your liking. (An extra half-pound of foam gets shipped with each order.) This is a great option for combination sleepers who tend to switch positions and need to find a thickness that supports their neck alignment throughout the whole night. If you struggle to find a feel that works for you, Coop also has "pillow coaches" on hand to guide you. While the filling in this pillow is synthetic, the foam is at least certified by GREENGUARD and CertiPUR-US to be low in VOC emissions and less harmful to health. Best orthopedic pillow: Coyuchi Turiya™ Organic Latex Pillow
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Materials: Latex Sizes available: Regular Trial: 30 nights Warranty: 1-Year This reversible pillow has two sides that are ergonomically designed to take pressure off the neck and ears as you sleep. While reviewers note that the head cradle takes some getting used to, it's super comfortable once you find the right position. Made from certified organic latex from rubber sap trees and a washable organic cotton cover, it's an earth-friendly pillow that gets shipped in a reusable, organic cloth bag to minimize plastic waste. Beyond being sustainable, latex is a naturally breathable and supportive material that holds shape over time. This pillow gets super-high marks; out of hundreds of reviews, you won't find anyone who rated it with a single star. The main complaint is that it only comes in one size. Best for back sleepers: Parachute Down PillowPros:
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Materials: Down Sizes available: KingRegular Trial: 60 nights Warranty: 3-Year Most light-and-fluffy down pillows lack the support that those with neck pain require, but this option from Parachute comes in multiple firmness levels. Back sleepers will want to go with the firmest option, which will keep your neck in line while still retaining down's signature comfort. (Think the cloudlike feel of a hotel pillow.) While this pillow is firmer than most down pillows, reviewers note that it is still definitely on the softer side, so those who need extra support will want to look elsewhere. Down, while a natural material, also tends to lose its shape faster than memory foam or latex. Best for stomach sleepers: Elite Rest Ultra Slim SleeperPros:
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Materials: Foam Sizes available: 2.5 inches3 inches Trial: 30 nights Warranty: N/A A flatter pillow that doesn't lift the head up too much will be most comfortable for those who sleep on their stomach—and this ultra-thin option from Elite Rest fits the bill. At 2.5 to 3 inches thick, it provides a slim layer of memory foam for neck kink-free wakeups. While it might be too thin for some sleepers, it's perfect for those who often throw their pillows off the bed in the middle of the night. It's also a nice option for those who tend to sleep with an arm underneath their pillow. Despite being so thin, reviewers note that the pillow keeps its shape—and comfortable firm yet plush feel—for years. (Not bad for an option that will set you back less than $50.) The Elite Rest is encased in a machine-washable cotton cover, but the pillow itself is made from synthetic memory foam. What to consider when looking for a pillow.We asked a physical therapist and a sleep posture researcher all about the most important qualities in a pillow that will relieve neck pain. Overall, research shows1 (and experts agree) that the ideal pillow for neck pain should be soft but not too high, provide neck support, and be allergy-tested and washable. Here's a more detailed breakdown of what to look for:
FAQCan pillows cause neck pain?Yes, pillows can both aggravate existing neck issues and cause new aches and pains. Sleeping on the wrong pillow will activate your neck muscles and potentially lead to headaches, jaw pain, and neck pain upon waking. Should my pillow be firm or soft to alleviate neck pain?Your ideal firmness will depend on your preferences and sleeping style, but firmer pillows tend to be more supportive and comfortable for those with neck pain. Should I sleep without a pillow if my neck hurts?Weber notes that after a long day of extending the neck, sleeping without a pillow can actually feel really good. If you do, you might just want to pop a small towel behind your neck to support its natural curvature. The takeaway.A comfortable pillow can reduce neck strain as you sleep and help you wake up pain-free. Look for one that is the right thickness and firmness to keep your upper spine in a neutral position all night. And if your neck isn't the only thing that's aching, check out these mattresses for low-back pain and toppers for hip pain next. Can bad pillows cause neck and back pain?The Wrong Pillow Can Cause Discomfort
The wrong pillow can intensify headaches, neck and back pain, shoulder and arm numbness, discomfort, sneezing, and wheezing. Therefore it is important to know how your pillow can affect these things.
What is the best pillow to use for neck and back pain?Pillows can be made from a range of materials, including latex, polyester, cotton, and more. A 2020 study discovered that latex and memory foam are the best pillow materials for neck pain. This is because these materials provide neck support, which can improve sleep quality.
Is a firmer pillow better for neck pain?For the 70 percent of us who sleep on our sides, firm pillows work best to ensure proper neck and head alignment. The pillow should be no more than 4 inches from the mattress and have foam or latex filling to keep its shape. You don't want a down pillow, because it will sink too far down.
Is a thin or thick pillow better for neck pain?If your head keeps rolling all through the night, some chances are that you'll wake up with a strained neck. A thick pillow will keep your head from moving multiple times when you're asleep, preventing the straining of your neck at the same time.
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