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The best pillows for neck pain, tried and tested by the GHI
A good pillow has your back...and neck
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
Whether you’re navigating an injury, experiencing stiffness after spending the day hunched over a laptop, or regularly spend hours tackling niggles with your massage gun there’s one thing we can all agree on: neck pain is, well, a pain in the neck.
So, finding the right position at night is crucial. Waking up with a crick in your neck from sleeping on a bad pillow or mattress only sets you up for a day of discomfort and frustration. But it’s simple to eliminate these niggles with a pillow that lifts your head and helps align your spine.
The best pillows for neck support are typically firmer or come with an adjustable filling that can be changed to suit your sleeping position, body type and personal preference.
To help you sleep easy, we’ve rounded up a selection that fulfil this brief and performed highly in our GHI tests. Check out our recommendations below and read on for our full reviews, along with expert advice from Philippa Oakley, chiropractor and member of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA).
Best pillow for neck pain for front sleepers
Snuggledown Sumptuous Hungarian Goose Down Soft Support Front Sleeper Pillow
Read review
What is the best pillow for neck pain?
Simply put, a good pillow should help you find a comfortable sleeping position without extra effort. If you find yourself constantly adjusting or bunching up your pillow to get comfortable, it’s probably not the right one for you, explains Oakley.
The best design for you will usually depend on your preferred sleeping position, as this affects the type of support needed to achieve the correct alignment and a neutral spine throughout the night.
If you tend to sleep on your back, Oakley explains that the best pillow is one that only offers “a small amount of support to the head and neck”, as the spine is already in a neutral position. “The pillow shouldn’t be too thick, or it will push your neck forwards,” she says.
If you sleep on your side, it’s a different story. According to Oakley, the best pillow for side sleepers is one that “supports the space between your neck and shoulder and doesn’t tip the head up or down.”
A good way to check the pillow is the right height and will provide an adequate level of support is to make sure your head is parallel to the mattress.
Finally for front sleepers, Oakley has a surprising recommendation. “Typically, front sleepers are advised to sleep without a pillow,” she says. “However, most adults will find that using a pillow is necessary to prevent neck or upper back pain.”
In this case, she suggests placing a pillow under the chest to reduce the amount of extension through the neck.
How often should you replace a pillow and what are the signs it isn't right for you?
In a dream world, we'd find the perfect pillow and keep it forever, but unfortunately, they lose support over time and generally collect dirt, dust and pollen.
“Pillows should be replaced every one to two years,” says Oakley. “Using an old or unsupportive pillow can cause neck, shoulder, upper back, and jaw pain, and may even lead to migraines and headaches.” Not ideal.
If you aren't sleeping easily, buying a new pillow is a good first step to eliminating neck pain and discomfort.
How to choose the best type of pillow for neck pain
While the best pillow for neck pain is mainly down to your sleep style, there are a few specific types to look for. “Adjustable pillows are recommended by chiropractors as you can alter them to suit your needs, body type and sleeping style,” explains Oakley.
Generally consisting of removable layers or fibre fillings, they allow you to find the right combination and height for your neck. It may take a few nights to find the sweet spot but once you do, you’ll be set for a sound sleep. Some, like the Kudd.ly Dream Pillow, also come with a handy bag to store the excess filling.
Oakley also suggests looking for orthopaedic pillows. They come with a contoured or raised area, and typically offer better support than regular pillows as they work to correct your posture as you sleep. In our list below, you’ll find The Original Groove Pillow, which was a huge hit with testers for this exact reason.
How we test pillows
Finding the best pillows requires a lot of very important snoozing. To get accurate, real-world results, we asked a panel of testers to trial a range pillows at home over a two-week period.
They rated each one on comfort, support, breathability, washability and overall design, and told us whether they'd continue to use it after the trial or not.
Back at the GHI, our experts conduct a further wash test and check for any damage to the pillow's filling or performance.
To find the best pillows for neck pain, we then combined the panel’s feedback, the results of our in-house tests and the advice of experts, to bring you recommendations you can rely on, night after night.
Snuggledown Sumptuous Hungarian Goose Down Soft Support Front Sleeper Pillow
Pros
- Testers found it breathable
- All panellists agreed that the pillow helped them get a good night’s sleep
Cons
- May have a slight smell due to the down filling
Score: 95/100
This is a top pick for front sleepers. Panellists appreciated its thin padding, which meant it slipped easily under their chests and added comfort below their neck without extending and lifting it.
The combination of down and feather added a touch of luxury too, and testers were impressed with how well it maintained its shape and quality after washing. Drying took a little longer than expected but it was hard to fault for comfort.
Key specifications
| Support | Soft |
|---|---|
| Filling | 80% goose down, 20% feather |
| Cover | 100% cotton |
| Adjustable | No |
| Anti-allergy claims | None stated |
| Machine washable | 40-degree machine wash |
| Trial offering | None stated |
| Guarantee | None stated |
Pros
- The cover retained its shape after washing
- Luxurious feel
Cons
- You can't adjust the padding
Score: 94/100
Latex foam is an unusual filling for a pillow but one that shouldn’t be overlooked – especially if you’re looking for a good level of support. There’s no plasticky smell and our panellists loved its bouncy, mouldable sleep surface.
While not specifically adjustable, it does boast a thick quilted cover that can be removed if you prefer a slightly thinner design. Plus, every single panellist said it regulated their temperature well and said they would continue to use the pillow after the trial.
Key specifications
| Support | Medium |
|---|---|
| Filling | Latex |
| Cover | 100% BCI Cotton with GRS polyester quilting |
| Adjustable | No |
| Anti-allergy claims | Hypoallergenic with protection against mildew, mould, and dust mites |
| Machine washable | Machine wash/tumble dry, professional laundering is recommended for best results |
| Trial offering | No |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
Pros
- One tester’s sleep tracker reported more deep sleep throughout the trial period
- Simba is a registered B Corp
Cons
- Expensive
Score: 93/100
A firm pillow often provides better support, and this one was a hit with our panellists, particularly for those who slept on their side.
There’s an inner layer of foam-enclosed springs and two softer cotton layers, which create an effect that’s both supportive and yielding. You can also switch up or remove the layers to achieve the perfect combination for your sleep style.
Opting for all the layers made it trickier to fit inside a standard pillowcase, so you may need to invest in some new bedding, but that aside, this handy design is a winner in our eyes.
Key specifications
| Support | Firm |
|---|---|
| Filling | Foam and springs |
| Cover | 100% cotton |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Anti-allergy claims | Anti-allergy fibres in outer cover of Simba Renew layers |
| Machine washable | At 40 degrees (cover and filled pads only), spring pad is sponge clean only |
| Trial offering | Not stated |
| Guarantee | Not stated |
Pros
- 30-day money back guarantee
- The outer cover washed well
Cons
- Some found the cover difficult to refit after washing
Score: 93/100
This is another adjustable pillow that should give you a great night's sleep. Just like the Simba above, its foam filling moulds to your head and is encased in a cotton cover that’s soft to the touch.
Panellists loved the handy bag for storing any removed foam but found the full pillow too large for standard pillowcases. Other than that, it was a dream to sleep on and left our sleepers feeling refreshed come morning.
Key specifications
| Support | Adjustable |
|---|---|
| Filling | 20% microfibre, 80% foam |
| Cover | 100% cotton |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Anti-allergy claims | Hypoallergenic |
| Machine washable | Cover only |
| Trial offering | 30 days |
| Guarantee | Not stated |
Pros
- Cover washed well with no signs of shrinkage
- Breathable
Cons
- Can’t be tumble dried
Score: 89/100
If you’re a fan of firmer pillows, this one may be for you. It’s made of three layers of memory foam and can be easily adjusted to cradle your head at the perfect height.
While many like memory foam for its buoyancy, others may not find it soft enough. However, there is a 30-night free trial so you can return it if it doesn’t ease your aches and pains.
Key specifications
| Support | Firm |
|---|---|
| Filling | Memory foam |
| Cover | 90% polyester, 2% elastane |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Anti-allergy claims | None stated |
| Machine washable | Outer cover only |
| Trial offering | 30 nights |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
The Original Groove® Pillow
Pros
- Breathable as air can pass easily under the neck
- Care advice was detailed and easy to follow
Cons
- Less aesthetically-pleasing than traditional pillows
Score: 87/100
Designed specifically to alleviate neck pain, the Original Groove Pillow features a unique ergonomic dip that’s perfect for back sleepers. If that’s you, the groove should keep your spine in a neutral position and cradle your neck, while side sleepers are treated to additional support on the edges of the pillow.
Our panel praised the mouldable foam design for its comfort and pain-relieving abilities, but some found the unique shape and firmness took a bit of getting used to.
Key specifications
| Support | Firm |
|---|---|
| Filling | Bamboo charcoal infused memory foam |
| Cover | Scuba |
| Adjustable | No |
| Anti-allergy claims | None specified |
| Machine washable | Outer cover only |
| Trial offering | 100 day return policy |
| Guarantee | No |
Pros
- Washable, which is unique for wool
- Wool smell vanished quickly
Cons
- Took longer to dry on average
Score: 87/100
Memory foam isn’t for everyone and that’s why our testers loved this natural fibre pillow from Woolroom. It contains Allergy UK-approved British wool, which can be removed or added to create the height needed for your head and neck.
Wool can be noisier to sleep on but it’s good at naturally regulating body temperature and our panel said the filling remained light and fluffy, even after washing. The pillow also comes with a 30-night trial offering, so you can decide if it's right for you.
Key specifications
| Support | Adjustable |
|---|---|
| Filling | 100% traceable and washable British wool balls |
| Cover | Organic cotton |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Anti-allergy claims | Naturally hypoallergenic and approved by Allergy UK |
| Machine washable | Yes |
| Trial offering | 30 nights |
| Guarantee | No |
Pros
- No dips formed after sleeping on it
- Comes with a handy storage bag for any removed foam
Cons
- Gave off a funny smell at first (but this did dissipate)
Score: 86/100
No matter what type of sleeper you are, our panel found this adjustable memory foam pillow comfortable and plump, providing a good amount of support without flattening overnight.
The filling is made of microfibre and Simba’s Nanocube technology – otherwise known as a zipped inner bag of tiny foam cubes that optimise airflow and can be removed to customise the height and firmness of the pillow. Just note, it wasn’t the most breathable on test.
Key specifications
| Support | Adjustable |
|---|---|
| Filling | Memory foam nanocubes; microfibre layer |
| Cover | Cotton |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Anti-allergy claims | Anti-allergenic fibres in Simba Renew sleeves |
| Machine washable | Cover only |
| Trial offering | No |
| Guarantee | No |
Pros
- The outer cover washed well
- Helped regulate panellists’ body temperatures
Cons
- If you remove lots of the filling, the remaining foam sometimes moves inside the pillow during sleep
Score: 84/100
Panellists said that the premium quality of this memory foam pillow made it a good alternative to feather and down options. The foam filling is thick and boasts anti-clumping technology that helps keep its shape and provide maximum support.
It’s another adjustable design, but panellists found that it was quite cumbersome with all the filling, so you’ll likely need to fine-tune it to suit your needs. There’s no storage bag to hold any excess but if you can find a spot for it, this is a worthwhile buy.
Key specifications
| Support | Adjustable |
|---|---|
| Filling | Memory foam |
| Cover | 100% cotton |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Anti-allergy claims | Naturally hypoallergenic fibres |
| Machine washable | Outer cover only |
| Trial offering | 30 nights |
| Guarantee | 30 nights |
Pros
- Washed well
- Panellists liked its large, luxurious design
Cons
- The sink-in sensation might not be for everyone
Score: 84/100
If you like to sink into your pillow, but still want a decent level of support, this two-in-one design is a good choice. It combines a supportive and adaptive inner layer with a soft outer pillow to create a set-up that one panellist compared to “sleeping on a cloud”.
Some found that their head sunk into the pillow quite a lot; however, most agreed that it provided an enjoyable night’s sleep.
Key specifications
| Support | Medium-soft |
|---|---|
| Filling | Oeko-Tex Certified microfibre |
| Cover | 100% cotton |
| Adjustable | No |
| Anti-allergy claims | Hypoallergenic |
| Machine washable | Yes |
| Trial offering | 30 nights |
| Guarantee | 30 nights |
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market. When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her cooking, running and exploring London’s foodie hotspots – or trying to make friends with every dog she passes. Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall and on X @megan_geall
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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