Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Usually pillows with strong contouring have a tendency to trap heat. Our testers found the Saatva Latex Pillow to be exceptionally cool, considering how closely it cradles the head and neck.

The Saatva Latex Pillow checked boxes for many of our testers thanks to its adjustable design. This feature made it a hit for our team’s stomach sleepers and side sleepers.

How It Performed

You can choose between using the inner pillow and the core together or using just the inner pillow. Stomach sleepers on our team who prefer flatter models enjoyed using the inner pillow, which has a 2-inch loft and a softer feel. If you sleep on your side, we recommend using both pillows. This configuration has an 8-inch loft that helps keep a side sleeper’s head and neck aligned with other areas along the spine.

A thick gusset helps the pillow maintain a full shape, earning it high marks in our shape retention tests. Thanks to this feature, you shouldn’t need to fluff it very often. Latex and cotton are both naturally breathable materials, so the internal components didn’t retain too much body heat and the pillow slept fairly cool during our tests.

What It’s Made of

The core contains shredded Talalay latex that feels soft and responsive in equal measure. Down alternative microdenier fiber cushion the inner pillow to enhance the plushness without compromising support. The outer cover is made of breathable organic cotton. As a bonus for owners, both the cover and microdenier pillow can be laundered at home, allowing you to avoid inconvenient hand washing or dry cleaning bills. Queen and king sizes are available.

As part of your purchase, you may include two sateen pillowcases for an added charge. Saatva provides free shipping to all customers in the contiguous U.S. The pillow is backed by a 45-night sleep trial and 1-year warranty.

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Best Value

Original Groove Pillow

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Fill: Bamboo charcoal-infused memory foam

Who it's best for:
  • Side and back sleepers
  • People who frequently wake up with soreness in their neck or shoulders
  • Budget-conscious shoppers

Highlights:
  • Cervical design elevates the neck and cradles the head
  • Scuba-knit cover is soft, breathable, and machine-washable
  • Shoppers receive discounts when they buy multiple pillows

Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Groove pillows

Bottom Line

The Original Groove Pillow offers and ergonomic design and excellent neck pain relief at an affordable sticker price. The solid foam core nicely elevates the neck while cradling the head, making this pillow a good option for side and back sleepers.

Pillows that effectively reduce neck pain can be somewhat expensive, but the Original Groove Pillow manages to be affordable without skimping on quality or performance. The ergonomic design is particularly beneficial if you wake up with stiffness or soreness in your neck.

How It Performed

With a loft of 4.5 inches, the pillow earned its highest ratings from side and back sleepers. The solid foam core feels adaptive, but a firm feel and ergonomic design should prevent your head and neck from sinking too deeply. We were also impressed with the breathable scuba-knit cover, which offset the foam’s heat-absorbing properties to a noticeable degree.

What It’s Made of

The pillow’s core consists of solid memory foam infused with bamboo charcoal to offset heat retention. An ergonomic shape helps alleviate discomfort by elevating the neck and cradling the head, and a mid-range loft of 4.5 inches should be comfortable for side and back sleepers.

The cover is composed of breathable, scuba-knit polyester with a luxuriously soft hand-feel. You can remove and machine wash the cover to keep your pillow hygienic. Wash the cover with whites, then air dry or tumble dry. Weighing a little over 2 pounds, the pillow is very lightweight and easy to reposition during the night. One size is available.

In addition to the pillow’s below-average price-point, you’ll receive a discount of 10% to 20% if you include two, three or four pillows with your purchase. Shipping is free for most orders, but the rate is quite low in the event you pay for delivery. Groove’s sleep trial runs for 100 nights, during which you may return the pillow if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Best for Side Sleepers

Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Fill: 75% Latex and 25% Polyester Fiber

Firmness: Medium, adjustable

Who it's best for:
  • Side sleepers looking for an ergonomic shape
  • Hot sleepers
  • People who appreciate being able to adjust loft and firmness

Highlights:
  • Filling can be added or removed to adjust loft and firmness
  • Moderately high loft and medium firmness are well-suited to side sleeping
  • Unique design accommodates shoulders to reduce neck and shoulder pain

Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!

SleepFoundation readers get 20% off. Discount automatically applied to cart.

Bottom Line

The side sleepers on our team welcomed the recessed design of the Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow. The curved shape offered space for their shoulders and enabled stronger contouring to their necks.

The Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow has a unconventional shape with a recessed middle for the shoulder, designed to fit to your body while side sleeping. This accommodates your shoulders and provides the needed support to reduce neck pain.

How It Performed

The pillow has a relatively high loft that our side-sleeping testers thoroughly enjoyed. This thickness helps keep your head and neck aligned with the rest of your body while sleeping on your side. Although the pillow is specifically designed for side sleepers, our team’s back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds also enjoyed this model’s mid-range feel.

Latex has a more responsive feel, and this prevented the pillow from sinking beneath the weight of our testers’ heads. Thanks to the use of breathable materials like cotton and latex, the pillow excelled in our temperature neutrality tests. We recommend this model if you tend to run hot or sweat at night.

What It’s Made of

The filling is a blend of latex and polyester fiber that provides enough resistance to hold your head aloft. Latex is a naturally breathable material, and the filling features gel infusions for enhanced cooling. Filling can be added or removed to adjust the loft, which also had an impact on the firmness during our tests. You can also purchase additional fill if you prefer an even thicker profile. The pillow has a breathable cover made of an organic cotton and polyester blend, which you can machine wash for easy care.

The Eli & Elm Organic Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow is offered in just one size, suitable for a queen or a king mattress. Shipping is free to the contiguous U.S. The pillow comes with a 45-day return policy and a 5-year warranty.

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Best for Spinal Alignment

Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Price: $89 - Queen $99 - King

Who it's best for:
  • Side and back sleepers
  • People who overheat easily at night
  • Those who enjoy pillows that feel slightly bouncy

Highlights:
  • Talalay latex core conforms closely to the head and neck while ensuring support
  • 4-inch thickness caters to sleepers who prefer lower profile pillows
  • Latex and cotton construction promote breathability

Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Brooklyn Bedding pillows

Bottom Line

Many of the latex pillows we’ve tested are too thick for our team’s stomach and back sleepers. The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex model is offered in two profile options, so most of our testers found a comfortable option. It also felt nice and cool.

The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow comes in 2 profile options that back sleepers on our team thoroughly enjoyed. We recommend this pillow if you’re seeking a model that offers enough support to help you maintain healthy sleep posture.

How It Performed

The pillow is available in two loft options, low and high. Our team’s back sleepers found the 4-inch profile of the low-loft option more comfortable because it didn’t crank the neck too high. Meanwhile, our side sleepers found the 6-inch loft comfortable, as well as some back sleepers The latex core conformed closely to their heads and necks, which helped reduce pressure buildup. The medium firm feel ensured that their heads remained supported. You should find this pillow very comfortable if you sleep hot, since latex retains minimal heat. The cover is also very breathable, so the pillow surface stayed fairly cool during our temperature neutrality tests.

What It’s Made of

Talalay latex makes up the pillow core, offering gentle cradling for the head and neck to alleviate pressure points. Latex’s natural responsiveness ensures the pillow won’t sink too deeply beneath your head’s weight. The shell is made of organic cotton, a naturally breathable and moisture-wicking material. The pillow cover may be removed and machine washed on a gentle setting, then tumble dried on low heat. You should only spot clean the latex core. Queen and king sizes are available.

Brooklyn Bedding offers a 30-night sleep trial, during which you may return the pillow for a full refund and free return shipping. The pillow is also backed by a 3-year warranty. Shipping is free to addresses in the contiguous U.S.

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Most Comfortable

Silk & Snow Pillow

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Price: $75 - Standard $85 - King

Fill: Shredded memory foam core with down alternative microfiber outer chamber

Who it's best for:
  • Sleepers who need strong pressure relief
  • People whose loft changes vary night to night
  • Those who enjoy plush pillows

Highlights:
  • Adjustable loft
  • Memory foam and faux down construction
  • Fill contours deeply around the head and neck to alleviate pressure

Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Silk & Snow pillows

Bottom Line

We loved the plushness of the Silk & Snow’s down alternative combined with the contouring of the foam. This is a great pillow option if you’re looking to relieve neck pain.

If you experience neck pain at night, you can benefit greatly from a pillow that alleviates pressure. We found the Silk & Snow Pillow provides enough cushioning to cradle your neck, thus relieving pressure buildup, while still maintaining moderate support.

How It Performed

Given the adjustable design, the Silk & Snow was compatible with most of our testers’ sleep positions. Even stomach sleepers on our team, who typically have a harder time finding suitable pillows, found this pillow comfortable. If you sleep on your stomach, you often require low-loft pillows to keep your head aligned with your spine. This pillow allows you to remove large amounts of foam in order to achieve this low loft. The plush fill and memory foam together offer excellent contouring for your head and neck, which goes a long way toward relieving aches and pains. At the same time, we found the pillow retains a medium feel that prevented our testers’ heads from sinking deep into the pillow.

What It’s Made of

The pillow features a core made of shredded memory foam that helps lift the head while remaining quite moldable. The foam core is surrounded by a chamber of microfiber fill that mimics the plush feel of down, offering cushioning for the head and neck. A breathable cotton shell encases the pillow. This cover is also removable and machine-washable for easy care. Silk & Snow recommends you wash on a cold cycle and dry on a low setting.

Silk & Snow offers a 100-night sleep trial, during which you can test the mattress and return it after a mandatory 30-day break-in period. The pillow is also backed by a 3-year warranty. Shipping within the contiguous U.S. and all Canadian provinces is free.

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Best for Combination Sleepers

Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Price: $99 - Queen $119 - King

Fill: Plant-based down alternative fibers

Who it's best for:
  • Hot sleepers
  • People with sharp pressure points
  • Value seekers

Highlights:
  • Cotton cover allows airflow to regulate temperature
  • Plant-based down alternative fill cradles the head and neck to help alleviate pressure buildup
  • 50-night sleep trial

Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Sweet Zzz pillows

Bottom Line

The Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow offered excellent cushioning for our testers who experience pressure buildup in their necks. Compared to traditional down, it also slept much cooler.

The Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow features a core made from botanically derived down alternative fibers that deeply cushion the head and neck. This gesture and the medium feel made the pillow popular among our testers with sharp pressure points.

How It Performed

The medium feel offered a comfortable balance of cushioning and support that most of our team enjoyed. Our testing found back sleepers particularly appreciated the mid-range feel, which helped keep their bodies on an even plane while relieving pressure in the neck. You may also enjoy the pillow if you tend to sleep hot because the fibers retain less heat than traditional down. The cover is naturally moisture-wicking, making it a great option if you often sweat at night.

What It’s Made of

Natural cotton makes up the pillow shell, which is breathable and moisture-wicking. The pillow core features two layers of plant-based fibers. The outer layer contains plush fibers that add great cushioning for the head and neck, while the inner layer has firmer, denser fibers for extra support. The pillow is fully washable in household machines. Simply wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry it on low heat.

Two sizes are available: standard and king. Along with the competitive price-point, you’re eligible for free shipping if you live in the contiguous U.S, and Sweet Zzz offers a 50-night sleep trial. Plant-Based Pillow purchases are backed by 1-year warranties that cover structural defects.

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Best Luxury

Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Price: $150 - Standard $160 - King

Firmness Soft, Medium, Firm

Who it's best for:
  • Those who normally find down and feather pillows too soft
  • Sleepers seeking extra neck support
  • Animal-conscious shoppers

Highlights:
  • Chambered design creates a plush surface with sturdy support
  • Three density options to suit different sleep positions
  • Shell composed of soft, breathable organic cotton

Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Boll & Branch pillows

Bottom Line

Boll & Branch’s Down Chamber Pillow builds on a classic design with thoughtful construction and high-quality materials. Our testers were impressed by the pillow’s plush yet supportive feel.

Boll & Branch has earned a reputation for luxurious sleep products with approachable price-points. The Down Chamber Pillow epitomizes the brand’s commitment to quality and affordability. This pillow is available in three density levels, so most people can choose at least one comfortable option regardless of their primary sleep position.

How It Performed

Our team tested all three of the Down Chamber Pillow’s density levels. The soft design sinks somewhat deeply, resulting in a lower profile that was most comfortable for our stomach sleepers. If you sleep on your back, we recommend the medium density pillow — you should receive adequate support for your neck without excessive elevation. Side sleepers on our team preferred the firm pillow due to its extra loft and thick profile.

During our temperature control tests, we found that the down retains some heat, but the breathable shell promotes enough airflow to prevent uncomfortable warmth. The chambered design distributes the fill evenly, so you shouldn’t need to fluff the pillow too often, but the down and feathers make it feel moldable and snuggly. You may notice a slight odor at first, which is common with down pillows.

What It’s Made of

The pillow is constructed with three chambers. Soft pillows contain down in all three chambers. Down fills the outer chambers of medium and firm pillows, creating a plush surface for your head and neck, while feathers fill the core to provide support and prevent uncomfortable sinkage. The pillow has received certification from the International Down Standard, indicating all geese are humanely treated.

A breathable organic cotton shell encases the fill. The pillow is fully machine-washable. Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, then tumble dry on low heat. Boll & Branch recommends laundering the pillow no more than once every 3 months to preserve its structure. Standard and king sizes are available.

In addition to affordable pricing for the Down Chamber Pillow, Boll & Branch offers free ground shipping for all domestic U.S. orders. Returns are accepted within 30 days, provided the pillow is in pristine condition with its original tags intact.

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Best Adjustable

Marlow Pillow

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Price: $65 - Standard $85 - King

Fill: 80% memory foam, 20% polyester fiber

Who it's best for:
  • People who usually sleep hot with memory foam pillows
  • Those with persistent neck or shoulder pain
  • Shoppers looking for a pillow with a long sleep trial

Highlights:
  • Pillow can be adjusted for three firmness levels
  • Mesh gussets promote airflow to help you stay cool
  • Shoppers save up to 40% when they order multiple pillows

Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Marlow pillows

Bottom Line

The adjustable Marlow Pillow features an innovative design with three firmness levels. We enjoyed the plush combo of memory foam and fiber fill, and found the pillow easy to adjust.

There are a fair number of adjustable pillows on the market, but most require adding and removing the fill. This process can be somewhat time-consuming. With the innovative Marlow Pillow, you simply zip or unzip to change the loft and firmness level. Three settings are available, and most of our testers found at least one that felt comfortable and provided adequate neck support.

How It Performed

Our testers evaluated each of the Marlow Pillow’s firmness and loft levels. The loftiest, firmest setting with both sides zipped felt most comfortable to our side sleepers, filling the space between their neck and downward-facing shoulder. With one size unzipped and the other zipped, the pillow has a mid-level loft and medium feel. Our back sleepers preferred this setting, while our stomach sleepers felt most comfortable with a lower profile and softer feel.

The Marlow Pillow’s temperature control varies by setting, since zipping both sides creates a barrier between your head and the mesh vents. That said, the cotton shell is fairly breathable and the memory foam is infused with cooling gel, so overheating shouldn’t be an issue for most people. Plush fill also ensures decent moldability.

What It’s Made of

The Marlow Pillow contains a blend of shredded, gel-infused memory foam and down alternative fibers. You’ll notice some contouring around the head and neck, with added softness from the fiber fill. The cover is 100% cotton. If you want full loft and a firmer feel, close the zipper on both sides. Unzipping one side causes the pillow to slightly flatten and become softer, while unzipping both sides creates a low profile and soft feel.

You should only spot clean the pillow if stains occur. Frequent fluffing may be needed to redistribute the fill and maintain a full shape. Standard and king sizes are available.

The Marlow Pillow carries an approachable sticker price and shipping is free within the contiguous U.S. You’ll receive a 25% discount on your total purchase if you order two pillows, and a 40% discount if you order four. The pillow comes with a generous sleep trial, allowing you to test it up to 365 nights before deciding to return it or keep it. If you opt for the latter, you’ll also receive a 2-year warranty against structural defects.

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Best Neck Support

Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Price: $100 - Standard/Queen $115 - King

Fill: Down alternative, shredded gel-infused memory foam, solid gel-infused memory foam

Who it's best for:
  • Combination sleepers
  • Those who tend to sleep hot or sweat in bed
  • Value seekers

Highlights:
  • Each pillow comes with three inserts that allow you to customize the loft and firmness
  • Bamboo-derived viscose shell is exceptionally soft and breathable
  • Customers who buy two pillows receive a 50% discount on the second model

Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!

Shop Luxome's only sale of the year: 30% off sitewide

Bottom Line

The Luxome LAYR is one of the most customizable pillows we’ve tested. Each insert has a distinct feel, and all of our testers found at least one configuration that felt thick and supportive enough.

The Luxome LAYR Customizable Pillow’s adjustable design accommodated most of our testers regardless of their loft and firmness preferences. Each pillow comes with three inserts. Luxome encourages you to mix and match the inserts to find your ideal loft and firmness levels.

How It Performed

The softest insert is best if you enjoy exceptionally plush pillows. Stomach sleepers on our team enjoyed the soft feel that provided an even sleep surface. The second insert feels slightly firmer, but also provides deep cushioning for your head and neck. This option performed best among our back-sleeping testers, whose needs tend to be more flexible. Meanwhile the firmest insert delivers even support, which made it popular among our side sleepers. You can also remove inserts to customize the loft for your needs. Thanks to the breathable components, the pillow slept fairly cool during our tests despite the foam inserts’ heat-retaining tendencies.

What It’s Made of

A cover made of viscose derived from bamboo encases the inserts. The softest insert is made from down alternative fibers, the medium feel features shredded gel-infused memory foam, and the two firmest inserts contain solid gel-infused memory foam. Mesh panels on the side promote airflow throughout the interior and the fabric has moisture-wicking properties. The cover and insert shells are machine-washable, but you should avoid laundering the foam or down alternative fill. Standard/queen and king sizes are available.

The LAYR Customizable Pillow carries an approachable price-point. If you order two pillows, you’ll receive a 50% discount on the second model. All customers in the contiguous U.S. qualify for free ground shipping. Luxome allows returns and exchanges within 30 days of the delivery date as long as the pillow is clean and not damaged.

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Best Firm Down

Brooklinen Down Pillow - Firm

Best pillow for neck and back pain amazon

Price: $69 - Standard $89 - King

Fill: Canadian white down with feather core

Who it's best for:
  • Sleepers looking for a high loft pillow
  • People who prefer the plush, airy feel of a down/feather pillow
  • Hot sleepers

Highlights:
  • Lofty, authentic down fill
  • Down and feathers promote cooling
  • Dense feather core improves support while maintaining a plush feel for the head and neck

Sleep Foundation Exclusive Offer!

New Brooklinen Customers can use code HOLIDAY15 to get 15% off their orders

Bottom Line

The Brooklinen Down Pillow has a high loft perfectly suited for sleepers who need strong neck support. Unlike some high-loft pillows that elevate the head too high, the cushioning of the down prevents the pillow from uncomfortably cranking the neck.

Many down pillows we’ve tested sink deeply and do not offer enough support, but the Brooklinen Down Pillow is a notable exception. This pillow is available in three firmness levels, and the firm option provides excellent support to keep the neck elevated and comfortable.

How It Performed

The firm feel of the Brooklinen Down Pillow has a chambered design with softer down at the surface and denser feathers making up the core. This ensures you’ll receive more neck support without sacrificing the plush feel of natural down. The higher loft felt comfortable to many of the side sleepers on our team. The down and feathers compressed a bit during our lab tests, but the pillow provided enough cushioning for this group. Stomach and back sleepers may prefer one of the softer options.

What It’s Made of

Down – which refers to the soft inner plumage of geese and ducks – is a popular pillow material due to its naturally soft and airy texture. The down and feathers in this pillow slept exceptionally cool during our tests, and the cover is made from smooth cotton in a sateen weave. You won’t need to worry about this pillow absorbing and trapping body heat like those made of foam. The fill materials have certification from the Down Association of Canada (where the down is produced), ensuring the down is ethically sourced.

Down pillows can be very pricey, but the Brooklinen model is more affordable than other down pillows we’ve tried. Brooklinen offers an exceptionally long 365-night sleep trial and 1-year warranty for the pillow.

What pillows are best for neck and back pain?

The Best Pillows for Neck Pain.
Best Overall - Saatva Latex Pillow..
Best Value - Original Groove Pillow..
Best for Side Sleepers - Eli & Elm Cotton Side-Sleeper Pillow..
Best for Spinal Alignment - Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow..
Most Comfortable - Silk & Snow Pillow..

What is the most comfortable pillow for neck pain?

Our Best Pillows for Neck Pain Rating.
#1 Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow..
#3 Coop Home Goods Original Pillow..
#4 Saatva Latex Pillow..
#4 Purple Harmony Pillow..
#4 Weekender Gel Memory Foam Pillow..
#4 Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow..
#8 Layla Kapok Pillow..
#8 Tuft & Needle Original Foam Pillow. #10 Avocado Green Pillow..

What kind of pillow is best for neck and shoulder pain?

What Pillow Materials Are Best for Shoulder Pain? The best pillow materials include memory foam, buckwheat hulls, latex, and other fills that provide sufficient support to keep the head and neck upright and aligned with the spine.

Is a high or low pillow better for neck pain?

Avoid using too high or stiff a pillow, which keeps the neck flexed overnight and can result in morning pain and stiffness. If you sleep on your side, keep your spine straight by using a pillow that is higher under your neck than your head.