11 best pillows for neck pain 2025, tried & tested

Specifications:

• Fill material: Gel memory foam.
• Outer cover material: 98% polyester and 2% elastane.
• Firmness level: Medium/soft support.
• Hypoallergenic? Yes.
• Sizes available: One.
• Tested by: Sophie Cockett, Senior European Commerce Editor.

If you’re after a pillow that works with you, not against you, the Emma Original Foam Pillow is a seriously versatile option. What makes it stand out? It’s all about the layers — three of them, to be exact — which you can mix and match to get the height and firmness just right. Whether you sleep on your side, back, or front, this pillow has you covered. No more flipping it over a hundred times to find that perfect spot.

Each layer brings something to the table. The top layer is made of gel memory foam, offering that dreamy, sink-in feeling without swallowing you whole. The middle layer is viscoelastic foam, designed to ease pressure points (goodbye, neck tension), while the base layer uses HRX foam to keep your head and spine aligned. Translation? You'll wake up feeling refreshed, not achy.

The breathable cover keeps things cool, and yes — it’s removable and washable (because clean bedding is non-negotiable). Customisable, comfy, and designed for maximum support — this pillow’s got serious main character energy in the world of neck pain relief.

Specifications:

• Fill material: 100% polyester fibres (Simba Renew Bio™)
• Outer cover material: 100% Better Cotton, with Stratos® finish
• Firmness level: Soft to medium. The brand describes it as having, “an adjustable, supportive inner core.”
• Hypoallergenic? Yes
• Sizes available: One size.
• Tested by - Denise Primbet, Freelancer.

The Simba Hybrid Pillow has in-built airflow channels to keep it breathable during sticky nights, making it ideal for hot sleepers. The adjustable core is designed to support the neck and head — and the height and firmness can be easily adjusted by simply adding or removing a handful of the little Nanocubes. What you do with them after that is entirely up to you, but we'd advise storing safely in case your neck pain needs change in the future.

At over £100, it's definitely a pillow on the pricier side, and that can be difficult to justify, but if you're a regular sufferer of neck aches and stiffness, we think it's a solid investment.

"I’d already switched to a firmer mattress to help with my back pain, but I was still struggling with my neck," says Denise. "Since switching to this firm pillow, my neck pain – which I’ve had for years – has eased. I honestly don’t know how I went so long without it."

Save money on our top picks for the type of pillows suitable for side sleepers with neck pain with these Simba Sleep discount codes.

Specifications:

• Fill material: 100% shredded memory foam
• Outer cover material: 100% polyester, infused with copper anti-bacterial fibres.
• Firmness level: Medium-firm — but you can adjust its loft and support thanks to the brand's signature IQillow™ pillow design.
• Hypoallergenic? Yes
• Sizes available: One.
• Tested by - Mayola Fernandes, Commerce Writer.

In this brilliant bundle, you'll get two plush Brightr® Luna pillows — so you and your significant other can look forward to a pain-free sleep night after night.

A great option if you suffer with headaches and shoulder discomfort, this one helps correct your sleeping posture and provides proper spinal support — all you need to do is adjust its height and level of firmness to suit your sleeping style. So long, upper back, shoulder, and neck pain.

The Luna pillow features a unique two-layer adjustable design, allowing you to customise its height and firmness to suit your sleeping style. Whether you're a side sleeping type who prefers a higher loft, or a back sleeper needing medium support, this pillow adapts to your needs.

Its cooling graphene memory foam filling cradles your neck, providing optimal support while keeping you cool throughout the night. The antibacterial copper-infused cover helps prevent the buildup of dust mites and allergens, promoting a cleaner sleep environment. Plus, the pillow is fully machine washable, making maintenance a breeze.

Boasting a 4.7 out of 5 rating from over 3,500+ customers, the Luna pillow is widely praised for its comfort and neck pain relief. “I’ve tried so many pillows for neck pain – this is the best I’ve ever bought,” says Mayola. “It’s well worth the money.”

Specifications:

• Fill material: Microfibre fill.
• Outer cover material: 100% Cotton.
• Firmness level: Medium/soft support.
• Hypoallergenic? Yes.
• Sizes available: One.
• Tested by - Neamh Randall, Commerce Photo Editor.

Boasting a unique 2-in-1 design, The Dual Pillow from Aeyla features a soft and super comfortable pillow on top of a thicker and more supportive one. Designed to stay plump all night with just the right level of bounce, it adapts to suit all sleep positions — so even if you toss and turn in the night, you should still be able to enjoy an uninterrupted and pain-free night’s sleep.

With its innovative design offering targeted support to alleviate neck, shoulder, and back pain, it’s not surprising that this best-selling Aeyla pillow has been endorsed by award-winning osteopaths all across the UK. The layered structure works to keep your head and spine aligned, helping to reduce morning stiffness and tension — especially if you often wake up feeling achy.

Made with a high-quality microfibre fill, it’s the perfect long-lasting down alternative pillow — and it delivers the ideal balance of comfort and support. The breathable cover also helps regulate temperature, making it a great choice if you tend to overheat at night. Plus, it’s machine washable, so keeping things fresh is hassle-free.

“I’ve been using this pillow since last summer, and even now a year on, it’s still in excellent condition and works just as well as when I first got it,” says Neamh. “I love how customisable it is – I adjusted the filling to get the perfect fit, and it’s made such a difference to my sore neck.”

Specifications:

• Fill material: Microfibre fill.
• Outer cover material: 100% Cotton.
• Firmness level: Medium/soft support.
• Hypoallergenic? Yes.
• Sizes available: One.
• Tested by: Lian Brooks, Senior Audience Development Manager.

This award-winning REM-Fit 500 Cool Gel Pillow is designed to provide exceptional support and comfort. Its cool gel-infused memory foam helps maintain correct spinal alignment, reducing pressure points and alleviating neck and back pain. This pillow adapts to your body, ensuring excellent pressure relief regardless of your sleep position.

The innovative Re-Ax® Technology pillowcase cover wicks away moisture, promoting a cooler and more comfortable night's sleep. Additionally, the removable, machine-washable cover ensures easy maintenance, keeping your sleep environment fresh and hygienic. With its combination of support, cooling technology, and ease of care, the REM-Fit 500 Cool Gel Pillow is a standout choice for those seeking a restful and restorative sleep experience.

“As a side sleeper, I like a pillow that's firm yet soft and plush. After trying this pillow for 30 days, it definitely met my expectations. One pillow gave the ideal amount of head support, with the memory foam offering the perfect give without feeling like I was drowning in it. I also found myself consciously noticing the cooling effect and found it easier to sleep, even on warmer nights," says Lian.

Specifications:

• Fill material: 100% Levitex foam.
• Outer cover material: 100% Nylon cooling cover.
• Firmness level: This is a firm pillow, but with the softest, most supple cover.
• Hypoallergenic? Yes.
• Sizes available: Small, medium, large, extra large.
• Tested by: Ali Howard, Freelance Writer.

If you’re looking for a bespoke pillow-buying experience, Levitex has your back — and more specifically, your neck. Crafted from innovative Levitex foam, this mini marvel promises to perfect your sleep posture, soothe pressure points, and tune into your body’s proprioceptive needs. (AKA your body's ability to sense its position, movement, and alignment, helping maintain balance and proper posture — even while you sleep).

The foam is designed to support your head and neck without that sinking feeling you get with some memory foam options, helping to maintain proper alignment and reduce tension.

A truly practical pillow, we love that it’s one of the few options that comes in multiple sizes — four to be exact — allowing you to find the perfect fit for your body and sleeping style. Its antimicrobial and hypoallergenic properties also make it a great pick for people with allergies, keeping things fresh and clean with minimal effort.

A note on the pillow cover: it's deceptively soft and slinky, even with all that vital support underneath, and, given that this is a heavily structured pillow, the softness really has to be felt to be believed. The only downside of this, of course, is any pillowcase you try to pair it with will immediately slink off.

Specifications:

• Fill material: Bamboo charcoal memory foam.
• Outer cover material: A washable Scuba pillow protector.
• Firmness level: Firm.
• Hypoallergenic? Yes.
• Sizes available: One.
• Tested by: Georgia Lockstone, Freelancer.

This cervical style pillow has garnered a lot of fans, and it's easy to see why. Thanks to the way it expertly cradles your head as you slumber, the pillow not only lays claim to banishing neck pain, but headaches, shoulder pain, and upper back pain, too. In fact it boasts a wealth of orthopaedic benefits, so you can guarantee that you'll wake up feeling far more refreshed.

While you're blissfully in the land of nod, the Groove, with its centred pit and winged shaping, applies gentle pressure to all your aches and stiff points, keeping your spine in the neutral position. This one's most effective for back or side sleepers.

By relaxing your muscles and promoting proper head and neck alignment, obstruction to the airway is also reduced — which allows you to breathe more easily, and can really help alleviate snoring.

Specifications:

• Fill material: Memory foam.
• Outer cover material: Polyesterelastane.
• Firmness level: Medium/firm.
• Hypoallergenic? Yes.
• Sizes available: Three.
• Tested by: Georgia Lockstone, Freelancer.

This smart pillow uses NASA-approved materials — so if it’s good enough for astronauts, then it’s definitely good enough for us. Plus, we love that it comes in three different sizes, and helpfully also boasts a machine washable cover.

With its ergonomic design and innovative TEMPUR® Technology, it’s been designed to conform to your unique natural contours and curvature. So, you should be able to fully relax into it, safe in the knowledge that your head, neck, shoulders, and spine will be kept perfectly aligned as you kip. The pressure-relieving material also absorbs motion, making it a great pick if you share a bed and don’t want to be disturbed by your partner’s movements.

You’ll find rave reviews from former neck pain sufferers — so it’s little wonder it’s a perennial best seller. Plus, the supportive yet cushioned feel strikes that ideal balance between comfort and proper alignment, helping you wake up feeling refreshed rather than stiff.

Specifications:

• Fill material: Bamboo memory foam.
• Outer cover material: Soft bamboo mesh cover.
• Firmness level: Soft.
• Hypoallergenic? Yes.
• Sizes available: One.
• Tested by: Neamh Randall, Commerce Picture Editor.

This brilliant bamboo pillow has been designed to provide healthy neck support, and optimise spinal alignment thanks to its uniquely supportive 3rd generation memory foam. It's a great pick for front, back, and side sleepers alike, and has many great reviews from people who previously suffered with neck pain.

Infused with naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial bamboo, it's also a great pillow for those with sensitive skin and allergies. Plus, it's also highly breathable and moisture-wicking — making it ideal for those who run hot.

“This pillow is protected by a soft, breathable and ethically-sourced bamboo case that is naturally antibacterial – protecting it against dust and dirt so it lasts. I used to hate memory foam as I never thought it was comfortable but this pillow has been game changing and has completed elevated my sleep. At under £50, I think it's great value for a high-quality memory foam pillow," says Neamh.

Specifications:

• Fill material: Slow rebound memory foam.
• Outer cover material: Quilted cotton fabric.
• Firmness level: Firm.
• Hypoallergenic? Yes.
• Sizes available: One.
• Tested by: Neamh Randall, Commerce Picture Editor.

Struggling with the kind of neck pain that just won’t quit? This firm pillow from Marks & Spencer is designed with targeted support in mind — and honestly, it shows. Made with slow-rebound memory foam, it gently moulds to the contours of your head and neck as you sleep, helping to maintain proper alignment throughout the night.

The result? Less tossing, turning, and waking up with that dreaded crick in your neck. If you’re a fan of a firmer feel that doesn’t skimp on comfort, this one definitely hits the mark.

The outer cover is a quilted cotton, which feels soft against the skin whilst offering a breathable surface that keeps things fresh. It's removable and washable, so keeping your sleep setup clean is blissfully easy. Plus, the pillow’s ergonomic design isn’t just for show — it provides that extra lift and support where you need it most.

Ideal for back and side sleepers, this pillow works to relieve pressure points while ensuring your spine stays perfectly aligned. This is a practical choice for anyone who spends long hours at a desk or wakes up feeling more achey than rested. And let’s be honest — investing in the right pillow can be just as important as finding the perfect mattress.

Specifications:

• Fill material: TEMPUR's own pressure-relieving memory foam.
• Outer cover material: 75% cotton, 25% polyester.
• Firmness level: Medium/firm.
• Hypoallergenic? Not specified.
• Sizes available: One.
• Tested by: Georgia Lockstone, Freelancer.

Unfortunately, neck pain doesn’t take a holiday when you do — but with the TEMPUR® Original Travel Pillow, you can at least travel in comfort. Designed to mimic the shape and feel of the full-sized version, this compact pillow uses the same signature TEMPUR® material, which is known for its pressure-relieving properties. It gently supports your head and neck, adapting to your contours to reduce stiffness — a total game-changer on long flights or road trips.

Measuring a diminutive 31 x 25cm, it’s small enough to slip into your hand luggage. Plus, it comes with a travel bag that compresses the pillow by up to 70%, making it easy to pack without sacrificing precious suitcase space. Impressive stuff.

The outer cover is a soft blend of cotton and polyester, which is removable and washable — a small detail that makes a big difference when you’re on the go.

And while it’s designed for travel, this compact and carry-anywhere pillow isn’t just for planes and trains. It’s equally useful if you need extra support while lounging on the sofa or working from home. With a medium-firm feel, it offers that perfect balance between softness and stability, keeping your neck aligned and preventing any pesky aches from creeping in.