Best pillow for neck and shoulder pain

Having neck or shoulder pain can badly affect your daily life. After all, you cannot be productive with this constant pain. However, there are some factors due to which you may wake up with a sore neck and stiff shoulder. It might be the sleeping position, either due to the pillow you are using or your sleeping position. Neck and shoulder pain is widespread and, most of the time, an exhausting issue. An unbalanced pillow can cause pressure on the neck due to a lack of support.

We have reviewed some of the best pillows, have a look and pick the best one according to your preference (also check 10 amazing mattresses).

What Pillow is Best for Neck and Shoulder Pain?

Reviews of the Most Effective Pillows for Neck, Shoulder and Back Pain

Sleep cool and comfy

This memory foam pillow is a great choice for people suffering from neck and shoulder pain. Its memory foam fill is blended with traditional foam, which provides the ideal balance and conformity.

The pillow is available in king and standard sizes. The material comprises 20% polyethylene, 30% cooling nylon, 44% poly, 6% copper-infused poly+antimicrobial treatment, and 100% polyurethane foam. It comes with a one-year limited warranty.

It is perfect for hot sleepers since it has cool-to-the-touch technology interlaced into the pillow cover, making you cool and comfortable at night.

An utterly adjustable pillow, since everyone has a different sleeping style, this pillow adjusts accordingly. You will never complain about pain since its comfy foam provides the best sleeping experience (also check the top-rated mattresses for back pain).

It also prevents microbial growth and provides antimicrobial treatment to fight against bacteria, odors, mold, and fungus.

The care instructions are straightforward to follow. You have to machine wash in cool water only with a gentle cycle. Don’t put the pillow in the dryer or washer; don’t use chlorine and bleach. Just clean with mild soap.

You can take out the inner foam and adjust the pillow as per your requirement, so you can easily customize it.

These pillows can be paired up with molecule mattresses for more good results. Molecule store has the best mattresses as per your requirement. You can check their website for more upright options.

Get a dreamy experience

Melody down pillow by Sweet Night is an ideal choice for allergy issues since the cover is made from organic cotton, certified by Oeko-Tex, with breathable microfibre stuffing. Dust mite resistance may have a healthy and comfortable night’s sleep. The cotton cover allows airflow to regulate the temperature and keep it neutral.

This pillow is perfect for back, stomach (also check the top-rated mattresses for stomach sleepers), and side sleepers. It provides the balance between comfort and soft and steady support, preventing neck and shoulder pain.

It has cooling technology, which regulates the temperature and gives you cooler nights. The pillow comes in king, queen, and standard sizes. It is easily adjustable to your requirement (also check 10 best selling mattresses for adjustable bed).

Sweet Night store offers a variety of products other than pillows. You can also use their mattress topper for a comfier experience. Melody down alternative pillow is best for people seeking pressure relief for the shoulder and neck pain. It offers great support to the neck and shoulders without compromising the plushness.

This eco-friendly pillow comes in king, queen, and standard sizes. Very easy to clean. Do not machine wash, and do not use chlorine or bleach. Instead, sweet night recommends hand washing to maintain the fabric material for a good lifespan.

The brand provides a 3- day trial with a full refund policy. If you don’t like the quality and material, contact them, and they will guide you with the return and refund procedure.

Supports healthy sleep

Plushbeds pillows are very supportive regarding spine alignment. It has a breathable and pure organic cotton cover that provides natural comfort.  This natural latex pillow supports the head and neck and reliefs pressure from the area (check also 10 great mattresses for heavy people).

Its open-cell structure provides ventilation and keeps you cool with airflow. It is bouncy and feathery. Maintains its shape very well. You don’t need to keep setting it as it will bounce back to its shape every time and keep you from sinking into the bed.

The natural latex organic is 100% GOLS certified, and the organic cotton cover is GOTS certified. This pillow will never overheat as it has a neutral temperature and will keep you cool throughout the night. It is also hypoallergenic to keep it resistant to dust and dirt. This Plushbed pillow has medium density and firmness, which helps support the head and neck and keeps your body away from pain. It contours the body. You will wake up with perfect body alignment.

It is easy to clean. Plushbed recommends covering the pillow with a pillow protector and washing the cover frequently to keep it clean and spotless. Just machine wash it with a gentle cycle. Plushbed provides a 3-year warranty.

You can also pair this pillow with an organic latex mattress by Plushbed, as their organic mattress is very good with firmness and comfort.

High-quality foam pillow

Premium foam pillow by Leesa is a high-quality pillow that is best for all types of sleeping positions since it supports your neck whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach. It comes in a king and standard size.

The material consists of contour-cut performance foam, which has holes that allow airflow and keeps the temperature cool. It features ventilation channels that give cooling comfort to your body and prevents overheating.

The premium pillow is made up of a variety of materials, including polyester, cotton, and down. It is designed to uphold a structure supporting the head and neck, regardless of your sleeping position. The pillow cover comprises a polyester-lycra blend and a breathable and light fabric.

The cleaning of the Leesa premium foam pillow is effortless. You must remove the foam from the cover and wash it in cool water. Air-dry the foam at room temperature only.

There are many good reviews regarding Leesa mattresses, so you can also use their mattresses with this premium foam pillow so that your sleeping experience will become a combination of luxury and comfort.

Leesa provides one year warranty on their premium foam pillow. And they have 30 nights return policy. So, if you are unsatisfied with their product, contact them, and they will make sure to refund you.

A luxury sleep with a non-toxic pillow

This is a luxurious fiber-based pillow whose outer fabric is made of 100% organic cotton, and its inner is pure PLA batting.

PLA is a non-toxic and supportable fiber derived from 100% renewable resources. It is harmless, chemical-free, and has no petroleum smell. Their PLA is obtained from sugarcane. It is strong and bears great moisture-wicking properties.

The pure cotton fabric will make you feel silky and smooth and is so soft that it will fit your every curve. It is a healthier alternative to synthetic fabric.

This organic pillow comes in four sizes: standard low fill, king, queen, and standard size. Naturepedic is GOTS certified manufacturer and is a market leader. They offer organic mattresses too. People who prefer organic and natural bedding must get their organic mattresses and pillows from Naturepedic to make their sleeping experience a deluxe one.

Naturepedic organic pillow never drops its shape and provides constant comfort and relief to the neck. Once you get used to this pillow, you will never opt for any other pillow.

Soft and durable

This pillow by continental bedding has a breathable fabric that allows air to circulate and keeps you comfortable. The cover of this premium down pillow is made of a thick thread of 100% cotton sateen which is very soft, fluffy, and durable.

This pillow is available in three sizes: standard, king, and queen. If you suffer from any allergies or have sensitive skin, this pillow is an ideal choice since it keeps dust mites and allergens away and comfy throughout the night. Doesn’t matter if you feel hot or cold. This down pillow will keep you at a neutral temperature all night.

The pillow has the highest standard quality with 800 fill power and is filled with the white goose down. This goose-down pillow is best for all sleeping positions, including sides, back, and stomach sleepers, as it will support your head and won’t allow it to sink into the bed. Best for people suffering from neck and shoulder pain.

Just machine wash it without using chlorine or bleach to prevent the material from damaging.

The continental bedding store also offers a variety of luxurious comforters that will go best with these pillows. If you want, you can opt for these comforters too. This luxury combo will provide a very comfortable and deluxe sleeping experience to night sleepers.

Perfect pillow for sleepers of all kinds

If your eyes yearn for the perfect night’s sleep but have an aching neck and shoulders, get a pillow that provides superb sinking and firmness. The Ghost Beds Faux down ghost pillow is the best buy ever.

Ghost pillow has the exemplary twinning of comfort and firmness that gives a soothing midnight sleep. Their breathable, super soft cotton cover provides an airy feel to the skin that is relaxing and super sleep-promoting. Their microfiber gel fill makes the ghost pillow super cuddling and soft.

The most pleasing thing about these pillows worth praising is that they don’t encourage any allergies. They do not provoke fine lines on the neck or face so you can sleep soundly. Its dust and mite protection, plus the soothing breathable cover that helps you get the beauty sleep.

Being cozy and super adaptable, they are the perfect dream partner for any sleeper. Whether you are back, side, or a stomach sleeper, ghost pillows have everyone covered.

Ghost pillows provide the ideal sizing that allows you to toss and turn during sleep without fearing running out of any pillow.

This pillow is super easy to clean and dry. You can put the entire thing in the washer, and there you have it, your squeaky clean, good-as-new ghost pillow.

Your flawless sleep with your ghost pillow could be more promising if you have the perfect combo of a super soft and luxurious mattress coupled with plush cotton bedding.

Ideal pillows that are budget-friendly

The good night’s sleep you want every day could only be possible if you have the perfect sleeping accessory. Viewstar brings you their most exclusive and luxurious pillows. The right partner for your deep, soothing sleep.

These pillows are the most amazing addition to your bed because they are the most stuffed, cozy, huggable, and breathable. Their cooling, airy top made of cotton fibers lets you have that cool summer sleep. It drains all that drenching tiredness.

Viewstar’s perfect pillows give you the ideal comfort. It provides the perfect balance of firmness and sinking. It helps you release all that tension built up in your joints. Their unique plush fiber makes them soft and sturdy. No more stacking pillows for the right level of support.

Their squish-down fiber filling aids in contouring the neck and spine and provides you with that extra level of comfort.

The spotlight of these pillows is their ability to hold their shape and design. The gusset used in their stitching keeps them sturdy. Your pillow will not be a mass of a ball anymore. These pillows remain highly presentable and feel good.

You can choose between standard, queen, and king sizes. Extra added comfort can be gained by using Viewstar’s mattress pad.

A luxury option for daily comfort

BECKHAM Luxury Linen pillows provide the needed comfort that doesn’t let you leave your cozy bed or dreamy sleep.

Their alternative down pillows come with the most amazing levels of firmness and softness that to the touch is velvety and cool. The ideal thickness and microfiber filling let you enjoy the support that makes your sleep sore-free with no aching morning.

The Beckham luxury pillows tend to be cooler, especially suitable for sleepers who are often disturbed by hot, sweaty nights. Cotton fibers combined with the cooling gel fibers in the fill could be the dynamic solution for heated sleepers.

Their high-quality plush filling with their unique double-edged stitching helps keep the bounce-back quality of the pillows. Suppose you are a troubled sleeper and tend to toss around the bed. Beckham pillows have that soft, sturdy design that resists slipping and sliding. No matter what shape or posture you sleep in, the pillow can accommodate any sleeper due to its ultra-softness.

The pillow uses materials for both the cover and filling that are hypo allergic and environment-friendly. So, these pillows are a reliable option if you have any allergies or respiratory issues. The cover encasement instills the cotton fiber technology, which makes it stain-resistant.

Beckham’s luxury collection also includes their alternative down comforter having a sleek design. They make the perfect combo with the pillows aiming to rescue the good night’s sleep that you longed for.

These pillows come in variable sizes. Therefore, you have varied options in choosing the ideal size your head needs to rest on.

The softer comfort for your sleep

The pillow provides you with a flexible option of firmness and thickness. You can venture with your sleep and find the perfect level of comfort for yourself. This highly dynamic pillow comes as a bundle of 2 inner pillows encased in a soft polyester-filled pillow casing.

You can use each of the insert pillows separately. Just cover them up individually, and you can use them comfortably if you are a multiple pillow sleeper. You can also assemble them as a single plush pillow or separate them according to the level of firmness and height that suits your calming sleep. The inner insert pillows come in two thicknesses, one thin and thick.

They are made soft and cuddly and capable of embracing the head. The special goose feather filling used here does all the magic. Its soft and airy texture lets the head sink to optimal, thus ensuring the relaxing sleep you long needed.

The outer zipped pillow casing uses smooth, high-quality polyester fiber that does the cushioning trick. Its cotton covering used as a top makes it durable and breathable. The fabric is hypoallergenic and skin-friendly, making it cool and light on the skin.

Their easy washing and drying keep them squeaky clean and lengthen their durability and texture. You spend once but enjoy the fresh and scoreless daily mornings for long periods.

Is My Pillow Causing Neck and Shoulder Pain?

A pillow that does not provide support to your head and neck in a proper way will create pain in your muscles and will cause neck pain. A very high or too low pillow can put pressure on your neck to bend at an unusual angle that will cause discomfort around your neck area.

Sleeping on a wrong and uncomfortable pillow can leave you with shoulder and neck pain for many weeks. So, choosing the right pillow that allows your neck to align with the spine and prevents unnecessary pain is necessary.

How Can I Sleep Comfortably with Neck and Shoulder Pain?

Avoid sleeping on your stomach. Try to lie down on your side position or back position. Change your head pillow. Also, you can tuck a pillow under your arm and keep one pillow at the top of your head.

In this way, you will feel relief but consider changing your head pillow or mattress because using the incorrect pillow for so long can cause these types of pain. Choose the right one according to your firmness requirement and sleeping position.

Which Neck Pillow Is Best for Neck Pain?

There are many options for pillows that provide neck pain relief. We have also discussed some options above by different brands that describe the features and characteristics of such pillows.

Choose the right pillow that perfectly goes with your sleeping position, and opt for the best material that supports your neck and shoulder posture. Remember, the pillow should be thick enough that your neck and head should be aligned with your spine, and your shoulders should not be over your pillow.

Is It Better for Your Neck to Sleep Without a Pillow?

For some sleepers, sleeping without a pillow can reduce neck pain. Sleeping without a pillow relieves neck and back pain stress if you are a stomach sleeper.

But for other sleeping positions, pillows are essential as they keep the head aligned with the neck and spine during the sleep, given that the pillow provides the right support to the sleeper. That is why it is recommended to use a pillow to keep your spine alignment in place.

Why Do I Wake Up with Neck and Shoulder Pain?

Sleeping in the wrong position or on a pillow that is too high or too low will cause you to wake up with neck and shoulder pain. If your pillow is too flat, it means your neck is not supported and can cause stiffness with neck pain. Always use a firm contour pillow because it provides extra support to your neck when you sleep.

How Do I Know What Kind of Pillow I Need?

Always choose a pillow that keeps your posture healthy and satisfies your sleeping needs. You know you have the right pillow if it keeps your head, neck, and spine in parallel alignment and supports the curvature of the spine.

It is best to go for firm pillows because they deliver good support to the head and neck, whereas too soft pillows can get flattened with time due to the pressure of the head on the pillow.

Our Recommendation

The most important job of your pillow for neck pain is to support your sleeping position and keep your neck and head neutral with your spine. Everyone is different and hence prefers different sleeping positions. So, if you are a side sleeper, go for a medium to the firm supportive pillow and avoid overly soft pillows. On the other hand, if you are a back sleeper and have neck pain, go for medium support and avoid very soft or firm pillows and if you are mainly a back sleeper, have a pillow that keeps your head straight aligned with your neck and spine.

What kind of pillow is best for shoulder and neck pain?

A contoured memory foam pillow often works well for shoulder and neck pain, as it provides firmer support to cradle the neck and keep it aligned with the spine. Look for one that allows you to adjust the loft and firmness to find your ideal comfort level.

How do I choose the right pillow firmness for neck pain?

Test pillows with different firmness levels to see what feels best. Side sleepers usually need a firmer pillow to fill the space between their neck and mattress. Back sleepers often prefer a softer pillow to allow their neck to relax. Stomach sleepers may do best with a fairly flat, soft pillow.

When should I replace my pillow for neck pain relief?

Replace your pillow every 1-2 years if it’s no longer providing proper support and alignment for your neck. Signs it’s time for a new pillow include neck pain, flat spots, lumps, and inability to fluff it back to a comfortable loft.