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Best Contour Pillows

Danielle Mcleod

Your choice of pillow can make a world of difference for both your comfort and quality of sleep. A good pillow should be supportive and comfortable, but a great one can help eliminate neck and back pain, improve your posture, and help to strengthen your overall quality of sleep. A contour pillow is one of the rare designs that can offer all of these things. Its secret lies in the special shape that contours your head and neck while also keeping your spine properly aligned.

Most often made out of adaptive memory foam, a contour pillow will uniquely match the shape of your head and neck, making sure you get tailored support that lasts throughout the night. It will help you retain your natural posture and help relieve pain, and these are just some of the many benefits of contour pillows. We’ve put together a list of our top picks for contour pillows, so you don’t have to stress about doing the research on your own. We’ll unpack everything you need to know about contour pillows below, so hopefully you’ll be able to find one that’s ideal for your body and unique sleeping position.

1. UTTU Sandwich Pillow – Editor's Choice

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  • Material: Dynamic memory foam
  • Firmness: Adjustable
  • Dimensions: 15.2″ x 9″ x 6.1″
sleep-innovations-contour-memory-foam-standard-size-pillow

2. Sleep Innovations Contour Memory Foam Standard Size Pillow

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  • Material: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Medium-firmness
  • Dimensions: 20″ x 15″ x 5″

3. EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow

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  • Material: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Firm
  • Dimensions: 21.6″ x 13″ x 3.9″ (Standard), 15.4″ x 6.8″ x 6.8″ (Queen)

4. OrganicTextiles Latex Contour Pillow

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  • Material: Organic natural latex
  • Firmness: Soft or medium-firm
  • Dimensions: 25″ x 16″ x 4″ inches

5. BODESY Contour Memory Foam Bed Pillow

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  • Material: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Medium-firmness
  • Dimensions: 20″ x 11″ x 3″

6. Power of Nature Memory Foam Contour Pillow

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  • Material: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Plush
  • Dimensions: 27.5″ X 15.7″ X 4.5″/3.5″

Best Contour Pillows

1. UTTU Sandwich Pillow – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Material: Dynamic memory foam
  • Firmness: Adjustable
  • Dimensions: 15.2″ x 9″ x 6.1″

Pros

  • Adjustable loft
  • Dynamic memory foam
  • Keeps its original shape for longer
  • Machine washable cooling cover
  • CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified

Cons

  • Takes a while to fully inflate

A tried and tested design perfected to deliver the best possible results, what more could anyone ask for? This UTTU contour pillow relies on proven design to make sure you get the spinal support you need for restful sleep. The special dynamic memory foam used to make this pillow is best described as consistently comfortable. It won’t lose its shape over time and will give you optimal support from first use. The contour is ideally tailored to follow the natural curve of your neck, with an adjustable loft so you can adjust the height of the pillow to suit your unique body shape.

Certified by CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX, this high-quality contour pillow meets all the quality and safety standards, and it’s easy to keep clean too. While also being hypoallergenic, it comes with a breathable polyester and bamboo pillowcase that can be removed and washed.

Who Should Purchase This?

Well-made and exceptionally supportive for all sleeping positions, this memory foam contour pillow is ideally suited for those that like to adjust the height of their pillow. With removable stuffing to control the height of the loft, it will give you perfectly customized comfort and feel.

2. Runner Up – Sleep Innovations Contour Memory Foam Standard Size Pillow

sleep-innovations-contour-memory-foam-standard-size-pillow

Highlights

  • Material: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Medium-firmness
  • Dimensions: 20″ x 15″ x 5″

Pros

  • Adjustable contour which is ideal for cervical support
  • Affordable
  • Removable cover makes it easy to wash

Cons

  • Some reports of off-gassing, as is expected with memory foam products

Another popular contour pillow currently on the market is the Contour Memory Foam Standard Size Pillow from Sleep Innovations. This pillow is ideal for those who require cervical support in a pillow, and its adjustable loft makes it versatile for all sleeping positions. This product incorporates open cell memory foam which has cooling properties, something that’s definitely needed for many memory foam pillows as they naturally trap heat. This is another great option for warm sleepers and for those who struggle to sleep through the night during the summer months.

Its medium firmness is impressive and should support sleepers of all sizes and body types. Users have been pleased with its large size in comparison to other memory foam pillows available, however issues with off-gassing smells have also come up among its reviews. As with the majority of memory foam products, this should certainly be expected and after 48 hours the new-product smell should subside.

Who Should Purchase This?

You should consider purchasing this contour pillow if cervical support is something you value, as you can choose whether you’d like a higher or lower contour depending on the neck support you typically need.

3. Best Pressure Points – EPABO Contour Memory Foam Pillow

Highlights

  • Material: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Firm
  • Dimensions: 21.6″ x 13″ x 3.9″ (Standard), 15.4″ x 6.8″ x 6.8″ (Queen)

Pros

  • Removable memory foam piece for adjustable height
  • Relieves pain and pressure
  • Machine washable cover
  • Suits all sleepers
  • Different sizes available

Cons

  • Takes a while to get used to

One of the main reasons people get a contour pillow is precisely to deal with neck pain, and some designs are simply better than others when it comes to targeting pain and pressure relief. This orthopedic contour pillow is slightly different from your classic design, with a central dent that will cradle your neck for whichever sleeping position you prefer. As a result, it will reduce pressure on all the key stress points and ensure proper spinal alignment whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach, resulting in relaxed muscles and pain-free sleep.

This pillow has a removable piece of foam (0.8 inches thick) that can be taken out if you feel that the pillow’s loft is too high, making its support even more versatile. The zippered bamboo-blend pillowcase that this pillow comes in is removable and machine-washable for your convenience.

Who Should Purchase This?

If chronic tension, strain and pain in your neck and shoulder region is something you wake up with every morning, this orthopedic contour pillow could be the answer you’re looking for. Cradling, supportive and specially designed to alleviate pressure from stress points and eliminate neck pain, it will help you get a good night’s sleep.

4. Best Organic – OrganicTextiles Latex Contour Pillow

Highlights

  • Material: Organic natural latex
  • Firmness: Soft or medium-firm
  • Dimensions: 25″ x 16″ x 4″

Pros

  • GOLS certified organic latex
  • GOTS certified organic cotton cover
  • Available in two different firmness levels
  • Natural and chemical-free
  • Ideal for hot sleepers
  • Helps relieve neck pain and pressure

Cons

  • Too firm for some people

Memory foam contour pillows are known for many orthopedic benefits but they have one significant downside – classic foam is not always cool and breathable. As a result of this, it can trap heat and become unbearable to sleep on if you’re a hot sleeper. Luckily, there are alternatives for those who find memory foam too hot and need a better alternative for warm weather, and one of them is latex. This high-end orthopedic pillow is made from 100% organic natural latex and it boasts optimal breathability and lasting coolness.

Since this contour pillow is made from eco-harvested rubber trees using the Dunlop production process, it’s both environmentally friendly and completely natural. Natural latex doesn’t trap warmth but rather lets air circulate and stays cool through the night. Latex also retains its shape for longer and is considered more durable.

Who Should Purchase This?

If you put a premium on comfort and can’t stand tossing and turning due to a warm pillow, then you can’t go wrong with a latex contour pillow. Supportive, durable and cool to the touch, it will ensure you sleep peacefully all year long.

5. Best Value – BODESY Contour Memory Foam Bed Pillow

Highlights

  • Material: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Medium-firmness
  • Dimensions: 20″ x 11″ x 3″

Pros

  • Best value on our list
  • Suited to side sleepers and back sleepers
  • Premium slow rebound memory foam
  • Pain and pressure relief
  • Removable machine washable cover
  • CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certified

Cons

  • Some off-gassing at first

Side sleepers find it difficult to find a pillow that’s both comfortable and supportive at the same time. If you’re a slide sleeper, you’ll need something that’s not too soft or too firm, ideally with an adjustable loft and just the right amount of support to ensure your spine is properly aligned. This contour pillow will do all of that for you, thanks to its clever design and high-quality materials. Made from premium slow rebound memory foam, it will perfectly adapt to your body shape but still offer resistance, resulting in lasting support rather than a pillow that sinks under your weight.

The higher side of the pillow with cervical indentation is the one designed to uniquely suit side sleepers, as it keeps your spine aligned and your head and neck elevated to a natural position, so you won’t feel stiff and sore when you wake up.

Who Should Purchase This?

This contour pillow is ideal for people that sleep on their side, as it offers the perfect balance between support and comfort and adapts to your unique body shape. The unique design will make this pillow feel soft and comfy but still make sure that you get the sturdiness and support you need.

6. Best for Snoring – Power of Nature Memory Foam Contour Pillow

Highlights

  • Material: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Plush
  • Dimensions: 27.5″ X 15.7″ X 4.5″/3.5″

Pros

  • Slow rebound memory foam
  • Helps prevent airway blockage
  • Reduces and prevents snoring
  • Pain relief
  • Suits all sleeping positions

Cons

  • Can be too soft for some people

Chronic snoring isn’t just an inconvenience to your sleeping partner, it can become a serious health issue. That’s why it’s important to act while it’s still manageable and not a severe case of sleep apnea. A supportive contour pillow is a great place to start. Following the natural curvature of your neck, this contour pillow helps elevate your head into its optimal position for unobstructed airflow, which is the basis for snore-free sleeping. It’s made from high-quality slow rebound memory foam that adapts to your unique body shape and is suitable for side, back and stomach sleepers, so you can expect the same support regardless of the position you sleep in.

In addition to helping with mild sleep apnea and making sure you can reduce or eliminate snoring, this supportive contour pillow will also reduce strain in your neck and shoulders. As an added bonus, this pillow also comes with a breathable, machine washable cover to make care effortless.

Who Should Purchase This?

You won’t have to worry about disrupting your spouse or dealing with serious side-effects of long-term snoring with the right contour pillow. Supportive and comfy, this pillow will elevate your head in the right position to prevent obstruction of airflow, and ultimately your snoring.

How to Sleep on a Contour Pillow

Depending on whether you’re a back, side or stomach sleeper, it’s important to consider what will be the most effective and comfortable way to position your head and neck on a contour pillow. The pillow will have one contoured and one flat side, so you should set the flat side on your mattress so that your head, neck and shoulders can be cradled by the memory foam. The built-in curve of the pillow should act as the perfect mould to comfortably rest your head on.

What Are the Benefits of a Contour Pillow?

Unfortunately, chronic neck pain is not an uncommon issue; many sleepers wake up tired, with a stiff neck, sore shoulders, and pain that persists throughout the day. While no one can deny that a good mattress is the foundation for healthy sleeping posture and pain-free sleep, the importance of a good pillow is often overlooked, and it’s almost as important as the mattress. A proper pillow should offer support and comfort that results in pain relief and less tension in the upper body area, including the neck and shoulders. The upper body is most often the stiffest area, particularly if you sleep in certain positions that put more stress on key pressure points. A contour pillow is designed to resolve all of these pesky issues and offer more benefits beyond support.

– Support

Proper support and spinal alignment are essential for pain-free sleep. A contour pillow gives your head and neck the support needed to get your body in a natural, ergonomic sleeping position and allows for optimal spinal alignment. This will allow your muscles to fully relax and release the tension buildup as you sleep. Better yet, since most contour pillows are made from memory foam, you can expect customized support. The responsive foam will adapt to your unique body shape and ensure your neck and head are comfortably cradled.

– Pain relief

The biggest advantage of contour pillows is that they’re ideally suited to the needs of people with chronic or acute neck pain. The reason is that the unusual contoured shape of these pillows cradles the neck and gives it tailored support, without putting you in an uncomfortable sleeping position. The properties of foam allow it to relieve pressure from key stress points by ensuring uniform pressure on your upper body area. This alone should rapidly transform your sleep experience and overall level of comfort in bed. Instead of waking up sore with a painful neck and stiff shoulders, you’ll finally get some much-deserved comfortable rest.

– Helps with snoring

One of the most irritating sleep issues (well, at least for the partner of the person experiencing it) is snoring. While loud snoring can definitely cause a rift between you and your spouse, that’s not the worst thing. Sleep apnea can lead to a number of serious health problems including high blood pressure, increased risk of cardiac disease and type 2 diabetes. In some cases, a contour pillow can help prevent this as it aligns your head and neck in a way that leaves your airways open. A regular pillow creates an incline that leads to obstruction, and in turn, snoring. Before you move out your spouse to sleep in the guest room, try out a memory foam support pillow. If you’re looking for the best pillows for snorers, check out our review here.

– Accommodates different sleeping positions

Your choice of pillow will largely depend on your sleeping position. What’s comfortable for those who sleep on their side won’t necessarily be enjoyable for someone used to sleeping on their stomach, and so on. This is why contour pillows are universally loved; they can offer support and comfort to the sleeper regardless of their preferred sleeping position, which is very unusual. The contoured shape will perfectly cradle your head if you’re a side sleeper, making sure there are no high-pressure points in your neck or shoulders. For stomach sleepers, there are special cervical and hollow-center designs that allow you to “sink” into the pillow without losing support. Finally, for those sleepers who find it most comfortable to sleep on their backs, a contour pillow will give you the right incline and make sure the curve of your neck is in its natural position.

– Hypoallergenic

Thanks to memory foam as the primary material of most contour pillows, they’re considered hypoallergenic. The density of the foam prevents the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew as well as stopping dust mites from making your pillow their home. As a result, a contour memory foam pillow is great if you have allergies to dust and dust mites, or are allergic to common pillow fills such as down and feathers.

Conclusion

A contour pillow has many benefits for all sleepers. It will cradle your head and neck whichever sleeping position you prefer, it ensures that your spine is properly aligned, and it helps relieve pain and stress from key pressure points in the body.

Made from memory foam, a contour pillow will adapt to each individual body shape and weight for tailored support. The added bonus of many memory foam contour pillows being hypoallergenic, this inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and dust mites in your pillow. Our pick for the best contour pillow on the market is the UTTU Sandwich Pillow. This pillow has been tried and tested to deliver the best possible results. It’s consistently comfortable, has dynamic memory foam to give you great spinal comfort as well as cradling the natural curves in your back, and has an adjustable loft to customize to your unique sleeping position. This is by far the standout of our top 6 recommendations, so check out this product if you’re looking for the most popular on the market.

Recent Updates

June 9, 2021: Our previous Editor’s Choice product, the Milemont Memory Foam Pillow, has been substituted with the second recommendation, the UTTU Sandwich Pillow due to product unavailability. A new product has been added to our list due to popularity: the Contour Memory Foam Standard Size Pillow by Sleep Innovations.

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