The Finest Pillows for Neck Ache in 2025, Per Specialists

Once I get up with even a slight twinge in my neck, my temper nose-dives—so I’ve been on the hunt for the most effective pillows for neck ache for many of my grownup life. For those who are likely to really feel sore, achy, or tight by means of your neck, shoulders, and higher again within the morning, it’s best to in all probability be part of me in my search.

Everybody’s pillow preferences are totally different, however there are some common standards it’s best to observe to seek out bedding that helps you get higher sleep. “The aim is to make sure that your neck and head are aligned straight over your shoulders when sleeping,” Srikant Kondapaneni, MD, a pulmonologist and sleep medication specialist in New Jersey, tells SELF. Your entire physique (together with your neck) ought to really feel absolutely relaxed as you drift off, he says. To make that occur, you’ll have to discover a pillow with a peak and firmness that fits your most popular sleeping place.

Under, we used specialists’ steerage and SELF staffer suggestions to seek out the appropriate pillows for all sorts of sleepers searching for neck ache reduction.

(However first, a mild reminder: For those who strive switching up your pillow and also you’re nonetheless waking up at evening, combating a stiff neck within the morning, or noticing that your ache is radiating out of your neck to your arm, verify in with a physician to see if there are different elements that may very well be inflicting your power neck ache.)

Our prime picks

Store the most effective pillows for neck ache

Whether or not you sleep like a tablet bug or a starfish, you don’t should spend your mornings feeling stiff as a board. Learn on to seek out the supportive pillow of your (literal) desires.

Finest Total: Coop Dwelling Items Eden Adjustable Pillow

SELF’s director of health and meals admits that Coop’s bestselling Eden pillow is somewhat splurge-y, however says it’s so high-quality that it’s properly well worth the funding. “It made such a distinction” for her and her associate, who bought their Edens 4 or 5 years in the past, she says.

That is significantly spectacular as a result of, whereas she sleeps on her again, her associate is a aspect sleeper. Aspect sleepers usually want a taller pillow than again sleepers in an effort to align their head, neck, and shoulders, which normally means bedmates ought to go for two totally different pillows. However the Eden is adjustable—you possibly can add or take away as a lot of the filling as you want, so yow will discover the precise peak that works for you. Plus, the fill is product of cooling, gel-infused foam that gained’t allow you to sink down an excessive amount of or overheat in the midst of the evening.

Finest Funds Choose: Clara Clark Reminiscence Foam Pillow

This was the primary pillow I ever tried that acquired me near that absolutely relaxed, impartial place that Dr. Kondapaneni describes. With all of its shredded reminiscence foam filling inside, it stands fairly tall, which is nice for a aspect sleeper like me who wants numerous area between the mattress and her head—the place else would my backside shoulder go?

Again and abdomen sleepers can take away a number of the fill to decrease the pillow’s peak. Both manner, it’ll really feel agency and supportive. Contemplating its value level, its filling is impressively dense and heavy-duty—I’ve undoubtedly handled some sinkage sometimes, nevertheless it at all times bounces again the following day.

Finest for Aspect Sleepers: Pillow Dice Aspect Dice

Except I some day have a pillow custom-made to suit the precise nook between my shoulder and head, I don’t suppose I’ll discover a extra excellent pillow than Pillow Dice’s comfortable, supportive aspect sleeper pillow. It’s product of plush foam, however due to its rectangular construction, it doesn’t collapse below the burden of my head. As an alternative, it cradles me whereas offering sufficient room for my backside shoulder to relaxation comfortably (slightly than scrunch up below the remainder of my physique).