**Best Pillows for Neck Pain: Top 11 Picks for 2024**
When it comes to finding the best pillow for neck pain, also known as cervical pillows, it’s essential to choose one that is contoured to support your head and shoulders. But with so many options on the market, which ones truly stand out in terms of comfort and support?
In our review of the best pillows for neck pain, two brands that stood out were Back in Action and Groove. These pillows are designed to provide the necessary support to alleviate neck pain and promote better sleep quality.
According to a Harvard study, eight out of ten individuals will experience neck pain at some point in their lives, with the likelihood increasing as we age. Women are slightly more prone to neck pain than men, according to The BMJ. Therefore, finding the right pillow to support your neck is crucial for overall well-being and quality of sleep.
Posture expert and founder of mattress and pillow brand Levitex, James Leinhart, emphasizes the importance of choosing a pillow that keeps your spine neutral to offer the best support. A good pillow not only reduces neck and back pain but can also decrease snoring, improve circulation, keep you cool, and lessen tension in the neck and shoulders.
In our search for the best neck pain pillows, we focused on contoured pillows and those specifically designed for posture correction. While many pillows for side sleepers also offer postural benefits, we wanted to highlight those that specifically target neck pain relief.
Below are our top five picks for the best pillows for neck pain in 2024:
**1. The Original Groove Pillow**
– **Price:** £29.95
– **Fill Type:** Memory foam
– **Firmness Level:** Firm
– **Sizes Available:** One
– **Free Delivery**
The Original Groove Pillow is designed to reduce headaches and shoulder pain by aligning your spine. It is suitable for back and side sleepers over the age of 13 and promotes a neutral spine to counteract the effects of slouching. The contoured shape of the pillow cradles your neck and applies gentle pressure to areas of stiffness and discomfort.
Our tester, Tina, found the pillow to be contoured and very comfortable, especially when sleeping on her side or back. While it took a night or two to get used to the firmness of the pillow, she noted that her spine felt properly aligned and she woke up feeling relaxed and well-rested. The detachable and washable cover added to the overall appeal of the pillow.
**2. Dunelm Comfortzone Contour Pillow**
– **Price:** £22
– **Fill Type:** Synthetic
– **Firmness Level:** Firm
– **Sizes Available:** One (38cm x 16cm)
– **Delivery Charge:** £3.95
The Dunelm Comfortzone Contour Pillow may not have the most high-tech design or filling, but it offers good value for side sleepers with neck pain. The pillow comes with a pure cotton cover with a 230 thread count, giving it a touch of luxury. While Tina found it to be quite firm and flatter than expected, it worked well for side sleeping. However, she mentioned that it might not be as suitable for back sleepers due to some movement and noise from the fabric.
**3. Back in Action Royal Rest Pillow**
– **Price:** From £59
– **Fill Type:** Foam or memory foam
– **Firmness Level:** Firm
– **Sizes Available:** Standard and Maxi
– **Free Delivery**
The Back in Action Royal Rest Pillow features a contoured shape with two firm cores for maximum comfort and support. Its varying height at different ends provides options for different head and neck shapes, with one side offering moderate lift and support, and the other side providing a more pronounced level of support. Our tester, Fran, found the pillow to be firm yet comfortable, especially for side sleeping. She noted that the pillow supported her neck well and significantly reduced her neck pain compared to other pillows she had used.
**4. Levitex Pillow**
– **Price:** £75
– **Fill Type:** Pure Levitex foam
– **Firmness Level:** Firm
– **Sizes Available:** 8cm, 10cm, 12cm, or 14cm thick
– **Free Delivery and Returns in the UK**
The Levitex Pillow is designed to optimize sleep posture by promoting proper spinal alignment and alleviating pressure. The pillow is available in various thickness options to suit different sleep preferences. Our testers, Fran and Tina, both found the pillow to be comfortable and supportive, although it took some time to get used to the unique shape. While Fran preferred pillows with more contours for neck support, she acknowledged the pillow’s overall comfort and lack of pain upon waking up. Tina appreciated the customizable sizing options and the pillow’s ability to keep her head supported and in place throughout the night.
**5. Back In Action Visco**
– **Price:** From £89 for small
– **Fill Type:** Memory foam
– **Firmness Level:** Firm
– **Sizes Available:** Small, Medium, Large
– **Free Delivery**
The Back In Action Visco Pillow is designed to provide excellent support for side sleepers, with a contoured shape that molds to the head and neck. The pillow comes with a Velour winter cover and a CoolMax summer cover for added comfort. Our tester, Tina, was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the pillow felt, despite its firmness. She noted that the pillow provided excellent support and allowed for ear space when sleeping on her side, preventing discomfort from earrings. The additional cover and luxurious feel of the pillow added to its overall appeal.
**6. Tempur Comfort Pillow Original**
– **Price:** £94
– **Fill Type:** Tempur material micro-cushions
– **Firmness Level:** Medium-firm
– **Sizes Available:** 74 x 50cm
– **Free Delivery**
The Tempur Comfort Pillow Original features Tempur material micro-cushions that mold to the shape of your head and offer pressure relief. While the pillow provides substantial support, it may feel high and dense for some users. Our tester found the pillow to be lofty and initially challenging to adjust to due to its height. However, after some experimentation, the pillow provided a comfortable and supportive sleep experience, especially for side sleeping. The memory foam material helped alleviate muscle tension and provide a restful night’s sleep.
**7. Brow Farm Buckwheat Pillow**
– **Price:** From £26.99
– **Fill Type:** Organic buckwheat hulls
– **Firmness Level:** Very firm
– **Sizes Available:** Small (51 x 46cm) or Standard (70 x 44cm)
– **Free Standard Delivery in Most of Mainland UK**
The Brow Farm Buckwheat Pillow is a traditional Japanese solution for neck pain, filled with organic buckwheat hulls. This unique pillow molds to the shape of your head, neck, and shoulders, providing exceptional support and alignment. While the pillow may be heavy due to the buckwheat filling, our testers found it to be effective in relieving neck pain and promoting a comfortable night’s sleep. The pillow’s ability to conform to the body’s contours and offer high support made it a popular choice among users seeking a natural and supportive pillow option.
**8. Marks & Spencer Medium V-Shaped Pillow with Pillowcase**
– **Price:** £22.50
– **Fill Type:** Non-allergenic polyester filling
– **Firmness Level:** Medium-firm
– **Sizes Available:** One (84cm x 33cm x 84cm)
– **Delivery From:** £3.50
The Marks & Spencer Medium V-Shaped Pillow is ideal for providing support for the back and side of the neck, especially when sitting or sleeping in an elevated position. The pillow comes with a pillowcase and offers medium-firm support with a pure polyester filling. Our tester, Tina, found the pillow to be comfortable and supportive when sitting up in bed, as it provided spinal and neck support. The pillow’s easy maintenance and washability made it a convenient option for users looking for added comfort and support.
**9. Slumberdown Memory Plus**
– **Price:** £19
– **Fill Type:** Hollowfibre filling with memory foam wrap
– **Firmness Level:** Firm
– **Sizes Available:** One
– **Free Delivery**
The Slumberdown Memory Plus Pillow features a soft knit cover with a memory foam wrap around a hollowfibre filling. While the pillow gently molds to support the head and neck, it may lack the contouring of traditional memory foam pillows. Our testers, Fran and Tina, found the pillow to be firm and supportive, although it may be too high for some users. The pillow’s combination of softness and firmness made it suitable for side sleepers seeking a high pillow option on a budget.
**10. Elviros Memory Foam Cervical Pillow**
– **Price:** £37
– **Fill Type:** Memory foam
– **Firmness Level:** Medium-soft
– **Sizes Available:** Standard, Queensize, Kingsize (Not Designed for Use With Pillowcases)
– **Free Next-Day Delivery with Amazon Prime**
The Elviros Memory Foam Cervical Pillow features an ergonomic design with a central cradle to hold the head in place and contoured edges to align the spine. The pillow gently stretches the neck and provides support for side and back sleepers. Our tester, Simon Lewis, found the pillow to be effective in relieving neck pain and promoting proper alignment. While the pillow may feel restrictive due to its design, it offers a unique and supportive sleep experience for users seeking targeted neck support.
**11. Fine Bedding Company Cooling Head & Neck Pillow**
– **Price:** £55
– **Fill Type:** Memory foam and PU fibre
– **Firmness Level:** Medium-soft
– **Sizes Available:** One (74cm x 48cm)
– **Standard Delivery:** 3-5 Days by DPD
The Fine Bedding Company Cooling Head & Neck Pillow features a combination of memory foam and PU fibre to provide gentle support and temperature control. The pillow’s HeiQ Cool technology wicks heat and moisture away from the skin, offering a cool and comfortable sleep experience. Our tester, Simon Lewis, found the pillow to be supportive without feeling overly corrective. However, he noted that the cooling technology may be slightly overhyped, as he experienced some dampness on the surface during use. Overall, the pillow provided a good night’s sleep with minimal discomfort and the ability to maintain a comfortable temperature.
**Frequently Asked Questions About Pillows for Neck Pain**
**Why does my pillow make my neck hurt?**
Neck pain, stiffness, and headaches can be attributed to poor pillow support, according to Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity. Choosing a pillow that properly aligns your head and neck is crucial to preventing discomfort and pain. An ideal pillow should support your head in alignment as if you were standing upright with correct posture.
**What is a cervical pillow?**
A cervical pillow, sometimes referred to as an orthopaedic pillow, is a type of pillow designed to support the neck and promote spinal alignment while sleeping. These pillows typically feature a higher area to support the neck and a dip for the head to alleviate pain and discomfort.
**What pillow materials are best for neck pain?**
Materials that retain their shape, such as foam or memory foam, are ideal for pillows aimed at reducing neck pain. When a pillow loses its loft, becomes lumpy, discolored, or misshapen, it’s time to replace it to maintain proper neck support and alignment.
**Could my mattress be causing my neck pain?**
A sagging mattress can impact your sleep quality and posture, leading to neck pain and discomfort. Ensuring that your mattress properly supports your spine and pelvis is essential for maintaining good sleep posture and reducing the risk of neck pain.
In conclusion, finding the best pillow for neck pain is a crucial aspect of promoting quality sleep and overall well-being. By selecting a pillow that provides proper support and alignment for the head and neck, individuals can experience relief from neck pain and enjoy more restful nights of sleep. Consider the unique features and benefits of each pillow mentioned in this review to find the perfect option for your specific needs and preferences.