6 Best Pillows for Neck Pain & Neck Problems (2021 Reviews & Guide)

Key Takeaway: This can however be helpfully remedied by the purchase of a specialized pillow designed for combating neck pain and neck problems.

Finding a durable and comfortable pillow for neck pain can be somewhat confusing at first, particularly if you have never search before and are not sure what you are looking for, however our expert guide and neck pain pillow recommendations should help to clear up some confusion.

Your Ultimate Guide for the Top-Rated Pillows for Neck Pain & Neck Problems While Sleeping

Essential Reviews of the Top Neck Pain Pillows

Core 200 Tri-Core Pillow Standard Support 

This pillow has an odd shape; it has a trapezoid center that is between four raised corners, intended and designed for people with neck pains. The middle part cradles the head and slightly elevates the neck so that it is in a straight position with the spine. This is good for both side and back sleepers as it gives support onto the neck no matter what position.

Features: The pillow is filled with for fortrel fiber housed in a 100% cotton cover. It measures 24” x 16”, which fits standard-sized pillowcases. What sets the Tri-Core pillow apart is the fact that it is made especially for people who experiences neck and shoulder pains during sleeping. Medical professionals recommend it.

PROS: This pillow is firm enough to support the neck and the head. Many customers who experience head and neck pains who use this pillow felt great comfort as the pains stopped bothering them. The cradle and the neck support are effective and the pillow doesn’t lose its shape even after several months or years of use.

CONS: Get this pillow only if you absolutely have to (such as when you experience pain and tightness in the neck area during sleep). If you’re a casual shopper looking for a comfortable pillow, this may not work for you because the pillow is very firm, as it is made to support.

Mediflow Original Waterbase Pillow

This pillow contains 100% cotton to give you just that extra bit of comfort and support. The firmness of the pillow is also adjustable, so you can get support soft, medium or firm. Additionally the water base helps to mold around your head, letting you sleep more comfortably without accidentally waking yourself up in the middle of the night.

Features: The pillow is also advertised as having a soft hypoallergenic polyester filling on the top layer to help assist with issues regarding allergies and the collection of dirt, dust and other allergenic in the pillow cover. It also comes in 20” x 28” jumbo size for those who want a much bigger pillow, or you can get a standard or queen size if you wish.

PROS: Positive reviews state that the pillow is extremely helpful for people with issues getting to sleep or with pain in and around the head or neck. One of the more preferred features are that the pillow adjusts around the head so that you do not have to readjust your pillow in the middle of the night; an issue many sleepers have to deal with.

CONS: On the downside are a few who claim that the pillow has causes some issues with allergies but it is not stated whether ta has something to do with material or other factors involving the pillow. Some also feel as though the lack of specialized design does not offer the most support for sore necks and that they have considered other options.

Sleep Better Iso-Cool Memory Foam Pillow, Gusseted Side Sleeper, Standard

This pillow is especially designed for side sleepers, as it is firm enough to support the head and neck while still being comfortable. The pillow features an Iso-Cool technology that is registered in the US patent and trademark office. The pillow comes in several sizes – Small, Standard, and Medium.

Features: The pillow is filled with visco-elastic memory foam that is capable of molding into the natural shape of the neck and shoulders to lessen the pressure. The foam is housed in a 300-thread count cotton cover that is hypoallergenic and comes with a zippered closure for easy removing and washing. The pillow is in a plush, gusseted design to maximize comfort for side sleepers.

PROS: One of the best things about the pillow is not only on the design, comfort, or build but also on its thermal ability. The pillow’s Outlast Adaptive Comfort material has microscopic PCM beads that absorb heat and release coolness or absorb coolness and release heat. This feature can absorb the body’s temperature to counter it, making the sleeper feel more comfortable.

CONS: Some people who are used to soft and plush pillows may feel surprised during the first few uses of this one because it is a bit on the heavy and firm side. At first look and touch, this pillow feels almost like a slab of concrete, making it difficult to actually have the will to sleep on it. But once you do, you’ll experience wonders. Don’t judge it by the looks.

Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Bamboo Cover By Coop Home Goods

This pillow is very versatile as you can easily fluff and mold it to the height and firmness you want. It’s perfect for stomach, back, and side sleepers as it can easily contour to the shape of the sleeper’s neck and shoulders. Those who frequently change positions through the night can also benefit from this pillow.

Features: This pillow is hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant so those who are allergic won’t have trouble using this pillow. The pillow is filled with shredded memory foam that won’t go flat even after years of use. It is housed in a cover made of 60% polyester and 40% bamboo that allow the cover to keep cool.

PROS: The pillow is like a cross between a down and foam, which makes it both comfortable and firm. The shredded foam also makes it easier to shape and scrunch it depending on your choice of firmness. This pillow also comes with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.

CONS: Many customers received pillows that are not of the same brand as the one advertised, which made them questions the seller’s authenticity. The customers who received the different type as advertised claimed that the pillows are rather lumpy and uncomfortable.

Exceptional Sheets Down Alternative Hypoallergenic Pillow

Made in the USA (which is a definite selling point depending on where you live), this pillow is hypoallergenic so it should not interfere with any allergies you may have. Additionally it is 100% cotton, machine washable and contains a hollow, siliconized cluster puff fiber filling, which it says gives the best softness and durability available.

Features: It is also created with a 200 thread count to provide smoothness and softness for your head and face, whilst also available in multiple sizes including Queen, King, Jumbo, Standard, Toddler and Body, to ensure that your head, neck and body all can experience the same level of comfort and support as each other when you’re laying down.

PROS: Reviewers have praised the materials used to create the pillow saying that it is excellent for any allergy suffers and additionally it offers lots of support for the head, neck and shoulders to ensure that your sleep is an easy and comfortable one. They also praise the customer support from the manufacturer for addressing lots of issues concerned.

CONS: There have been some people who have not had a similar experience, with some stating that they have found more comfort in cheaper pillows, however this may be down to personal preference or what they are already used to. Others have stated that their pillows have become lumpy but it seems to be only in very minimal cases.

Pacific Coast Double Down Around Pillow

With a 300 thread count, this pillow is touted as containing a unique pillow-in-pillow construction. It is made from Hyperclean 95% natural duck feather, 5% natural duck down fill. It also contains AllerRest Fabric which is meat to prevent dust, dirt, and allergen exposure from affecting the pillow and from affecting your sleep.

Features: This pillow also comes with a variety of sizes including Queen, Kind and Standard, all of which maintain similar features as previously mentioned. The 300 thread count is also meant to provide a much smoother and fabric to ensure that our rest is comfortable, relaxing and elegantly smooth against your face when you’re laying down.

PROS: Some have stated that the pillow offers an excellent amount of support to their problem areas of head, neck and shoulders and has effectively stopped them from getting sore necks or headaches when they sleep. Others have claimed that it is one of the few pillows that allow them a full night’s sleep without any kind of interruption.

CONS: It has been noted that some have not had much luck with the pillow and have had some issues when dealing with the manufacturer of the pillow. Other reviewers have suggested that the pillow is more suitable for back sleepers, as side sleeping has been an issue when using the pillow in an attempt to minimize head and neck pain.

Key Features To Look For In The Search For A Quality Pillow For Neck Pain Relief

So you’ve decided that your regular old pillow is not doing it for you and you need something that is much more comfortable. Additionally you have a sore neck as a result or want to prevent yourself from getting a very sore neck and want to find the best pillow for neck pain. Here are a few factors to look into when making your selection:

• Neck Support
• Specialized Pillows
• Comfort
• Cost

Neck Support

First and foremost you will want to look into the amount of support your pillow provides you in order to determine if it is accurately giving you enough so that you are not causing any pain or discomfort on your neck or spine. Avoiding pillows which do not provide support for these areas is the first step in selecting the best pillow.

A pillow that provides a contoured design and fills in the spaces underneath the head and the neck are one of the most useful designs available that offer the appropriate amount of support for the essential areas of the body. Supporting these areas are the main functions that make these pillows so useful at their intended purpose.

Key Takeaway: Having support for these areas can be helpful for people who suffer from cervical spine problems and not just regular neck pain. There are regular pillows that offer this type of support as well as ones that are more specialized to pinpoint specific problems and address them separately.

Specialized Pillow

Having a specialized pillow can help to address specific problems associated with neck pain that have already been diagnosed properly. One such method of addressing these issues is with special pillows also known as cervical pillows or orthopedic pillows. These pillows offer a slightly different approach to a pillow for neck pain.

Whilst hey have some of the same features, these specialized pillows help people with cervical pain as they are designed to provide more support underneath the hollow space that is created underneath the neck when laying down and helps to keep the neck in alignment with the spine during resting or sleeping.

Key Takeaway: It is however important to note that some of these pillows do tend to wear out after a year or two and because of their special purpose and the special materials used to ensure they keep your spine aligned, you will need to replace them and keep them in good condition throughout the time you use it.

Comfort

It is also important not to forget the comfort that the pillow offers to you when you use it for sleeping, resting or just laying down. Having a pillow that is designed to help with beck pain but is not comfortable is just not the right solution and can often cause additional problems to arise in other non-neck related areas.

You want to ensure that you feel comfortable in all possible positions in which you use the pillow to assist against your neck pain. You should determine how exactly you will use it. Will it mainly be used for sleeping? Will you be resting or sitting up lots? Will you be watching TV or reading a book when using the pillow?

All are fair questions to ask yourself and each requires you to sit or lay down in certain positions, which the pillow should be comfortable in. The best pillow for neck pain should be able to address all these postures, and whilst most pillows designed for neck pain do this it is still possible to accidentally purchase one that does not.

Cost

Finally there is the issue of cost. When it comes to the reasoning behind this pillow you shouldn’t be too hung up on the cost of the item. For the most part, it will be slightly more expensive than a regular pillow but for a good reason. The alignment of your spine requires a specific design that is not as generic as a regular pillow.

Typically you should find higher quality pillows that are designed for neck pain to average around $50 but should also expect to see their prices rise above that to even $80. You should remember however that in some cases where you need to find a very specific pillow, the price might be even higher.

How To Determine If You Need A Neck Support Pillow or A Pillow Designed For Neck Problems

There are a number of different methods that you can employ to ensure you know what is the correct pillow for you and if you really need one. It is however important to ensure that you acknowledge the symptoms first before determining if you should follow it up and make the steps towards getting the best pillow for neck pain.

As previously mentioned, you will want to determine if the pain is originating from the use of your current pillow or your sleeping habits. Neck pain is not always specific to the way in which we sleep however it is a very strong contributing factor. There are certain ways in which you can determine if this might be the cause.

Do you wake up with a sore neck or slight pain in your neck after a short or long sleep? Perhaps you should test sleeping with a different type of pillow and see if there are any differences. If there is still some sort of pain then that is an indicator that your pillow and its support for your head and neck may be the culprit of the pain.

Setting up an appointment with your local doctor or general practitioner can be the first positive step towards selecting the best pillow for neck pain as they can give you a medical assessment the situation and provide you with advice on your health and wellbeing as well as additional consultation advice for anything further.

The second task is setting up an appointment with a chiropractor. Chiropractors work specifically with the spine and should have a much more attuned understanding of it as well as the effects of different objects on the spine as well as the neck. They should be able to give you an accurate assessment and help you with selecting the best pillow.

Key Takeaway: With all of this information in mind you should be a step closer to selecting the best pillow for neck pain. It is important to always keep yourself safe and ensure that your health and well being is kept under control so that you can live longer, more comfortably as well as safer.

Conclusion On Neck Pain Relief Pillow Reviews

It is important to remember that your health, comfort and safety are all important.

If you ever feel as though the original neck and back pains are not being fixed or have returned after using a pillow for neck pain, there may be additional problems or underlying problems that were not initially fixed by the pillow for neck problems.

If this is the case then it is best to contact our general practitioner or your chiropractor to set up a consultation to dicuss your neck pain and possible solutions to it.

Getting the advice of medical professionals is a much more advisable option than relying on other sources and can help to resource the issue faster and hassle free.