What are the Top‑Rated Ergonomic Pillows for Neck Pain?

We spent hours comparing top sleep brands and pulled insights from our editors’ personal testing to find the best ones. After lots of research, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow stood out as our top pick. Thanks to its ergonomic shape and special pressure-relieving foam, it’s great for keeping your neck in the right position.
If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll love the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow. Its crescent shape fits around your shoulder perfectly, giving you awesome pressure relief and keeping your spine nicely aligned.

We also got advice from Dr. Nicholas Anastasio, a board-certified doctor at Mercy Medical Center. He says, “The key is finding a pillow that keeps your neck in a neutral position — meaning straight, not bent in any weird direction.” Keeping that in mind, we picked options for both side and back sleepers.
Below, you’ll find the 10 best pillows for neck pain plus a helpful buying guide to make your decision easier!

Best Adjustable Pillow for Neck Pain

Customizable Loft for Just-Right Comfort

• Fill: Memory foam, microfiber
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Loft: Adjustable
• Cover Material: Polyester, bamboo-derived rayon
• Trial Period: 100 nights

Pros:
✔ Comes with extra filling for a firmer feel
✔ Breathable bamboo pillowcase
✔ Machine-washable cover and inner pillow

Cons:
✖ Some users noticed a slight smell at first

If you like options, the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow might be your dream match. No matter if you sleep on your side, back, stomach, or a mix of all three, you can add or remove stuffing until the pillow feels just right. It even comes with an extra half-pound of medium-firm memory foam and microfiber blend for those who want extra loft.
The cover is made from bamboo-derived rayon, which helps regulate temperature and keep you cool at night. Plus, they offer special styles: a Cut-Out version for side sleepers and a Crescent version for combo sleepers.

What our editors say:
Jennifer Ferrise, Special Projects Editor, shares, “I’m a combo sleeper, so being able to adjust the Coop Pillow has been amazing. And if it flattens out a bit over time, you can just add more fill to plump it back up!”
Amanda Arnold, Senior Home & Kitchen Editor, adds, “I got the cooling version and I’m not exaggerating — I actually looked forward to going to bed just so I could sink into it!”

Also Read: What are the Pros and Cons of Heat Versus Cold Therapy Products?

Best Cooling Pillow for Neck Pain

Honeycomb Gel Layer That Keeps You Cool

• Fill: Latex, polymer
• Firmness: Medium
• Loft: 5.5, 6.5, or 7.5 inches
• Cover Material: Nylon, spandex
• Trial Period: 100 nights

Pros:
✔ GelFlex grid disperses heat
✔ Moisture-wicking cover
✔ Three height options for different sleep styles

Cons:
✖ Heavier than a regular pillow

If you get hot while you sleep, the Purple Harmony Pillow could be a lifesaver. It has a special Honeycomb GelFlex Grid that helps pull heat away from your body. The latex inside is naturally cooling too, and the mesh cover wicks away moisture to keep you comfy all night.
You can pick from three heights depending on how you sleep: lower for stomach/back sleepers, and higher for side sleepers.
Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but you get a 100-night trial to see if it’s worth it!

What our editors say:
Bridget Chapman, Senior Mattress and Sleep Editor, admits, “The Purple Harmony Pillow totally shocked me. I didn’t think it would live up to the hype, but I ended up loving it! It’s supportive, cooling, and still feels great after months of use. Just a heads-up — it’s a little heavy and floppy to move around.”

Also Read: How does a TENS Unit Work and Which Model is Best for Home Use?

Best Affordable Pillow for Neck Pain

Supportive and Budget-Friendly

• Fill: Memory foam
• Firmness: Firm
• Loft: 3.9, 4.6, 4.8, or 5 inches
• Cover Material: Polyester and rayon
• Trial Period: 30 nights

Pros:
✔ Contoured shape supports the neck
✔ Excellent value
✔ Adjustable height with five size options

Cons:
✖ May be too firm for some people

Good news: You don’t have to spend a fortune for a great pillow!
The Epabo Contour Memory Foam Pillow costs under $50 and has thousands of glowing reviews on Amazon. It’s designed to cradle your neck perfectly, with a raised bottom half for extra support and a dip in the center to keep your neck in a neutral position.
If it feels too high, you can remove a piece of memory foam to lower it. Some people said it took a few weeks to get used to the shape, but once they did, their neck pain went away.
Just know — it’s on the firmer side, so if you prefer a super-soft pillow, this might not be for you.

Also Read: Best Massage Device for Muscle Soreness

How We Picked the Best Pillows for Neck Pain

First, we went through our huge collection of pillow reviews and chose trusted brands that we’ve recommended (and tested) before.
We looked closely at important features like loft (height), firmness, shape, and filling — all the stuff that really matters when you have neck pain.
Then we took Dr. Anastasio’s expert advice and made sure every pillow we picked keeps your neck in a neutral, healthy position.
Finally, we double-checked real customer reviews and leaned on our editors’ personal experiences to see how these pillows hold up over time.
Every pillow that made our list has at least a 4 out of 5-star rating!