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Best Neck Support Pillow

Corey Majeau

Everyone experiences neck pains from time to time, and for some, the issue becomes chronic. As a result, the pain and discomfort can nudge us toward investing in a new mattress, bed, or a new ergonomic pillow to ease our problems. Neck support pillows are one of the best solutions in such cases and can solve a whole host of issues related to tension, pain, and stiffness in the neck and shoulder area without breaking the bank. Thanks to their design, they can relieve pain and discomfort and improve your quality of sleep.

These pillows rely on a special orthopedic design with uneven contours – sleepers are given the choice between a low and high contour, which can help them adapt the neck support pillow to their specific sleeping style and body type. As such, neck support pillows are great at cradling your head and removing the pressure on your neck, giving you a good night’s sleep with no soreness or pain when you wake up.

Neck support pillows come in different designs, however, and not every type will suit your individual needs. To help you make sure you’ll get the comfiest, most supportive pillow for yourself, we’ve rounded up the best neck support pillow designs on the market – and put together a comprehensive list of main features to look for so you’d know which of our picks suits you best.

1. EPABO Ergonomic Cervical Pillow – Editor's Choice

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  • Dimensions: 21” x 13” x 3.9” (Standard size), 24” x 15” x 4.6” (Queen size), 24” x 15” x 4.8” (Queen size)
  • Material: Memory foam
  • Weight: 1.95 lbs

2. UTTU Sandwich Orthopedic Pillow

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  • Dimensions: 15.2” x 9” x 6.1”
  • Material: High-density UTTU dynamic foam
  • Weight: 1.95 lbs

3. Bedsure Contour Neck Support Pillow

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  • Dimensions: 22″ x 16″ x 5″/4″
  • Material: Gel-infused memory foam
  • Weight: 3.89 lbs

4. Misiki Orthopedic Pillow

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  • Dimensions: 25.2” x 15.4” x 5”
  • Material: Memory Foam
  • Weight: 3.75 lbs

5. Snuggle-Pedic Original Memory Foam Pillow

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  • Dimensions: 10.23” x 7.87″ x 5.5″
  • Material: Memory foam
  • Weight: 2.84 lbs

Best Neck Support Pillow

1. EPABO Ergonomic Cervical Pillow – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 21” x 13” x 3.9” (Standard size), 24” x 15” x 4.6” (Queen size), 24” x 15” x 4.8” (Queen size)
  • Material: Memory foam
  • Weight: 1.95 lbs

Pros

  • Efficient hybrid design
  • Quality materials
  • Machine washable and dryable pillow cover
  • Great support for the head and neck
  • Good choice of sizes
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Can be too soft and lightweight for some users
  • Would benefit from additional padding

How to combine a high-low contour design with the superior elements of a butterfly cervical pillow? It sure ain’t an easy task, but EPABO stepped up and delivered. This unique design is one of the best choices for neck pain and stiffness, with its balanced combination of features from both of the best designs. By utilizing the ergonomic design with a low and a high contour, and adding a special neck cradle into its middle, they’ve created a pillow that is versatile and adaptable, yet highly efficient to boot. This combination offers absolute relief from soreness and neck pain and caters to all types of sleepers with ease.

The pillow is made from quality breathable memory foam and has a super soft hypoallergenic rayon and polyester blend pillow that is fully removable, machine washable, and dryable for ease of care. This premium design also relies on bamboo fiber that is perfect for reducing perspiration and eliminating any possibility of mildew. A luxury design that is sure to bring great pain relief into your life, this neck support pillow will suit you whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach.

Who Should Buy This Product?

Say farewell to neck pains and uncomfortable sleep – EPABO offers the ideal solution with this hybrid design that offers the perfect support for your head and neck. Cradling and comfy, it will suit all sleeping positions and make sure you wake up well-rested and pain-free.

2. Runner Up: UTTU Sandwich Orthopedic Pillow

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 15.2” x 9” x 6.1”
  • Material: High-density UTTU dynamic foam
  • Weight: 1.95 lbs

Pros

  • Adjustable loft
  • Double contour design
  • Removable pillowcase
  • Bamboo and polyester cover
  • High-density foam for optimal support and firmness

Cons

  • Can have a strong chemical smell

Finding a pillow that offers that perfect balance between softness and support is definitely a challenge, especially with all the varied designs (which can overwhelm you). UTTU offers a balanced and affordable option that takes the very best features from several designs and gives us this excellent orthopedic neck support pillow. Great for both stomach and side sleepers, the UTTU Sandwich pillow is made from quality dynamic memory foam which boasts all the needed CertiPUR-US certificates of quality. The foam itself is encased in luxury polyester and bamboo fiber fabric which is perfect for regulating temperatures and keeping you cool. It is also easy to remove and is fully machine washable, giving you the chance to keep your pillow always fresh and clean.

Another great feature of this neck support pillow is the adjustable loft. The design provides a low and a high contour, but also the ability to remove the central layer of foam and thus adjust the thickness to your liking. And that alone makes this pillow one of the most versatile choices out there. Quality, support, and adjustment – all at an affordable price. What more can anyone ask?

Who Should Buy This Product?

Side and stomach sleepers who suffer from neck pain will surely benefit from this ergonomic design. And when you consider the adjustment options, you can be certain that this is a design made to benefit you in every aspect regardless of your sleep preferences or body shape.

3. Best for Side Sleepers: Bedsure Contour Neck Support Pillow

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 22″ x 16″ x 5″/4″
  • Material: Gel-infused memory foam
  • Weight: 3.89 lbs

Pros

  • Gel-infused memory foam for temperature regulation
  • Side mesh fabric for improved air circulation
  • Breathable
  • Microfiber outer cover that can be machine washed
  • Two heights
  • Ideal for side sleepers

Cons

  • Can be too firm for some

One look at the side profile of this Bedsure Neck support pillow will tell you all you need to know – the smooth transition from the low and high contours is the ideal ergonomic solution for all your neck issues, especially if you happen to sleep on your side. The difference in contour heights is a perfect way for sleepers to adapt: the high one is great for side sleepers, while the low one is great for back sleepers. Bedsure relied on high-quality gel memory foam for this pillow, combining the softness of this material and the support of the design to find the ultimate orthopedic solution. The foam is encased in a protective inner cover, and then in a breathable air mesh fabric outer cover which is fully machine washable. On both sides there is a mesh for increased air circulation which protects the pillow from the buildup of moisture and possible mildew, keeping it fresh for a longer time.

The manufacturer opts for a higher quality memory foam infused with gel – this important feature contributes to temperature control and minimizes heat buildup, ensuring your comfort and improving your sleep, with equal coziness throughout the year, even if you happen to be a hot sleeper.

Who Should Buy This Product?

Bedsure really nails the ergonomic design with this one – this quality neck support pillow will perfectly adapt to your neck shape and provide that crucial supportive contour that you are looking for. Also, the way it curves and contours make this neck support pillow particularly comfortable for side sleepers- and that’s not something that happens very often.

4. Best Neck Pillow: Misiki Orthopedic Pillow

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 25.2” x 15.4” x 5”
  • Material: Memory Foam
  • Weight: 3.75 lbs

Pros

  • Butterfly ergonomic design
  • Breathable machine-washable pillowcase
  • Armrests
  • Suited for all sleeping positions
  • Moderate firmness
  • Good support

Cons

  • Can take some time to get used to

Here is a design that really takes the ergonomic features one whole step ahead. Misiki offers a cervical orthopedic design that can be a huge improvement in the quality of sleep for anyone – neck issues or not. The pillow is made from 100 percent polyurethane memory foam and is defined by its odd shape. But don’t let the uncomfortable-looking shape fool you: each bump and angle are specifically designed to help relieve pressure on your neck and head. The special lowered base is designed for vertebrae extension, while the middle portion will support your neck. A hollow center cradles your head perfectly while the side extensions allow for perfect arm placement.

The pillow is protected by a quality pillowcase made from staple rayon and polyester with superb breathability. The overall butterfly design is one of the best achievements when support and ergonomics are regarded, and Misiki does it by the book. This is a fantastic solution to all your sleep-related issues and can be a perfect choice for chronic and acute neck pain sufferers both.

Who Should Buy This Product?

This ultimate ergonomic design is great for all sleepers and is a sure way to solve your stiff neck problems for good. Suited for all sleeping positions, this neck support pillow will make sure you get some quality shut-eye and wake up feeling good as new.

5. Customer’s Choice: Snuggle-Pedic Original Memory Foam Pillow

Highlights

  • Dimensions: 10.23” x 7.87″ x 5.5″
  • Material: Memory foam
  • Weight: 2.84 lbs

Pros

  • Cradles your head perfectly
  • Suited for all sleeping positions
  • Breathable, cooling material

Cons

  • Some initial offgassing

There is no need to reinvent the wheel in order to find a successful and helpful design. This Snuggle-Pedic memory foam pillow is perfect for all sleepers who want the benefits of neck support, but especially those that prefer sleeping on their back. Although the loft is slightly higher than other pillows at 5.5 inches, it’s an extremely plush surface that is sure to cradle your head and neck comfortably. This pillow ensures proper stability and supports your head in a balanced, comfortable manner.

The pillow is made from high-quality memory foam that can be machine washed and fluffed again when it’s completely dry. This pillow is also highly breathable, which prevents the build up of sweat on the pillow itself. While back sleepers will particularly enjoy the shape and density of this pillow, its design perfectly adapts to side and stomach sleepers as well. It will support your neck in every position, which makes it a fantastic solution to all your neck pain issues.

Who Should Buy This Product?

No matter which position you prefer when sleeping, this memory foam pillow will adapt to your needs. A tried & tested design with which you really can’t go wrong – this is a great choice for everyone, but particularly those people that sleep on their back and struggle to find a comfy yet supportive pillow.

Original photography by Melanie Pellis

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What are the Most Important Features of a Neck Support Pillow?

When you start waking up with a stiff and sore neck, using any old pillow just won’t do the trick. Even if you pile them up or opt for a thinner pillow – it’s not an issue of thickness, but rather the matter of proper head and neck support. This is why the design of orthopedic neck support pillows is so clever!

Our quality of sleep can be directly related to the quality of the pillow we use: a pillow that is too soft, too hard, or simply too worn out can be the root of upper back pain and neck pain both. But a properly designed neck support pillow will put a stop to all these issues. Still, to adequately do that, it needs to have some of those crucial design features that make it so efficient.

  • Shape

Contour is perhaps the chief element of an ergonomic, orthopedic pillow, as it defines its efficiency, and it’s what helps you get a good night’s sleep. The secret is in the height: a low contour is great for side sleepers, while back and stomach sleepers can benefit more from a high contour. The raised edge supports your neck, while the central portion cradles your head. This configuration helps to remove any pressure you felt before. It also gives you some adjustment options – find the position best suited for your sleeping style, and your worries will be gone. Be warned though – it does take some getting used to. At first, you might find a neck support pillow awkward to sleep on or even uncomfortable, but after a few days of adjustment, you’ll experience all of the benefits of this innovative design.

  • Material

Memory foam is the usual choice for most neck support pillows, and it’s only logical because a pillow like that needs to hold its shape – and polyfill or down can’t really do that. Additionally, this orthopedic material adapts to your personal body and head shape and sleep position, and further emphasizes the ergonomic features of the pillow. And once this is combined with the stability and the support that this pillow provides, you get a perfect and balanced mix. Also, some brands take the design a step further – with the use of gel-infused foam, the quality and the benefits of the pillow are increased even more. This addition helps regulate the temperature and makes your sleep even better than before. Gel-infused neck support pillows are particularly suited to hot sleepers, as they help disperse heat away from the body.

  • Ease of care

A washable pillowcase might not sound like such a special feature, but once you consider the following, it will be quite obvious how important it can be. The secret here is in keeping your pillow clean, smelling fresh, and also giving it a breathable protective cover. Without a breathable cover, a pillow quickly accumulates perspiration, leading to bad smells and mildew. And due to their unusual shape, neck support pillows don’t always fit standard pillowcases, so without a removable cover, it can be difficult to maintain proper hygiene.

Are Neck Support Pillows Efficient?

Sometimes your ordinary memory foam pillow simply doesn’t cut it. You wake up stiff and sore, and the support that was initially there isn’t anymore. When it’s time to step up the game and find something more tailored to your specific needs, the first thing you might come across is a neck support pillow. Before you dismiss it for just another type of a memory foam pillow, stop and consider its efficiency and unique design. Unlike a regular pillow, these orthopedic pillows offer you much more than a basic memory foam pillow design. They are optimized for neck support and ensure proper spinal position as a result, especially if you sleep on your side. By helping to cradle your head, a neck support pillow efficiently removes all the pressure from your neck, allowing you to experience pain-free sleep.

If you are one of those people who really enjoy sleeping in odd positions, you will certainly find a neck support pillow efficient, but it’s not limited to that – these orthopedic designs are super useful if you have been a lifelong side or stomach sleeper. With special features to help you find comfort in any sleeping position, you won’t have to worry about putting too much strain on your neck, allowing you to sprawl out however you desire!

Conclusion

The way in which we sleep and the quality of the pillow we use are responsible for pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and the back. If you too suffer from aching joints, stiff neck, and general back issues, maybe it is nigh time to consider getting a better pillow. Neck support pillows are the perfect ergonomic design, specifically made to alleviate all your issues. It doesn’t matter if you are a back, stomach, or side sleeper – a good quality support pillow will do just fine for you by providing optimal support and ensuring proper posture to prevent pain and soreness.

Photo credit: ESB Professional/Shutterstock

Recent Updates

August 22, 2022: The Snuggle-Pedic Original Memory Foam pillow has been included in this roundup due to popularity, along with original photography and links to our hands-on review.