9 best orthopaedic pillows to combat neck pain

Who says memory foam has to be soft? This medium/firm orthopaedic pillow is a best seller for those who sleep on their back or side. The Silentnight Sleep Therapy Contour Support Pillow is designed with a unique contour to relieve neck and back pain, align the spine, and reduce pressure on joints. If memory foam has always been your go-to option while choosing pillows, then this memory foam dual-contoured pillow with a pressure-relieving core comes with a larger contour to support the spine alignment of side sleepers and a shallow one ideal for back sleepers.

As a product that is also popular among side sleepers who start off sleeping on their backs or switch positions while sleeping, most users have found that the comfort this pillow offers helps to reduce moving around so much in the night. Its high-quality memory foam offers firm support that keeps its shape, while the ergonomic design helps improve breathing and reduce snoring. It is suitable for all sleep positions and has a removable, machine-washable cover for easy care.

The SIMBA hybrid firm pillow carries a hefty price tag, but it may be worth it to sleep like a baby. It is a game-changing product that comes with temperature regulation and adjustable height and firmness. The Stratos temperature control technology keeps one side of the pillow cool by drawing away excess heat. This pillow is padded with three inner pillows, two made with down-like Simba Renew™, plus a more supportive one made with Aerocoil® micro springs encased in a cushioned sleeve, This allows you to layer them up to suit your sleeping style and your preferred level of firmness. 

The Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow was tested and reviewed by June Forrester, aged 64 and she said, “This is the second pillow I have used from Simba.  This pillow is so much firmer than the first one which had the nano cubes. Although it takes a lot of getting used to, it was really comfortable and firm. As someone with a long neck and being a side sleeper, my previous pillow with the nano cubes was easier to adjust to than this one.

"I also really appreciated the cooling technology as I often get hot in bed. In the summer months this is an absolute godsend!”

"This option might not be suitable for those who need a softer support. However, if you are on the lookout for a really firm orthopaedic pillow that can support your neck while sleeping, then this pillow might be the perfect fit for you."

The Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow is made out of 100% Levitex foam and is designed to promote proper spinal alignment, alleviate pressure and allow you sleep better and wake up feeling rested and free of aches. 

This pillow was tested and reviewed by Akhila Thomas, digital writer at Yours.co.uk and she said: “This pillow was recommended for me by the brand after a 20-minute sleep consultation where they got know my height, sleeping patterns and behaviour. As a side-sleeper who is also on the shorter side, they suggested that I use their small pillow.

"It does take some time to get used to the thickness and firmness of the pillow if you’re used to sleeping on fluffy, soft pillows. But the thickness and firmness works well to support your entire neck region while also keeping your head straight and aligned well with your spine. I could notice that my neck feels very rested and relaxed right after the first night of using the pillow. However, the pillow is a bit firm to be used if you’re sleeping on your back as it can position your neck quite high.”

The Tempur Original SmartCool Pillow is another slightly pricier option but guaranteed to provide the support you need. Made with NASA technology, the pillow is padded with ultra-sensitive cells which adapt to the shape of your head, neck and shoulders to provide the right amount of pressure.

The Tempur pillow was tested and reviewed by Ella Croft, SEO Content Strategist at Bauer and she said, “This pillow took a few nights sleep to get used to, as the firmness and feeling on my neck felt strange, but now I don't notice it and it's very comfortable. I had been suffering from neck ache for months, but after switching to this pillow, it's completely resolved! The shape of the pillow is perfect for supporting my neck and I no longer wake up with my neck and shoulders feeling stiff and achey.”

The heat-absorbing technology also keeps the surface cool to the touch, keeping your head comfortable and fresh throughout the night. The brand is also willing to give a pillow for a 30-day trial to test it out and return it if you are not a fan.  It comes in three sizes for you to choose the one that is most ideal for your needs.

Contour pillows may not always seem the most comfortable or soft, but this supportive neck pillow provides the best pressure distribution for a perfect night's sleep. The ergonomic shape and curves of the contour memory foam pillow help to support your head, neck and shoulders while also relaxing your cervical spine whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach. The build makes it comfortable as it moulds to suit the head size, body weight and shoulder width of the user.  

One reviewer has mentioned that it takes a couple of nights to adjust and that rotating it a couple of times helps to get the right height and comfort. It also helps that the pillow comes with two heights that offers varying firmness between the two which is suitable for people who move around and switch positions while sleeping and a pillow that accommodates and supports various positions and pressures would be handy. Maintenance is also easy as it comes with a breathable and washable cover that can be removed. Since this pillow offers different firmness levels, some users have not found it firm enough for their liking. So this is something to consider while weighing your options.

The Kally Neck Pain Pillow is designed to improve body alignment. It focuses on the head, neck, and shoulders to ease pain and stiffness. As a breathable option that is also firm, this pillow allows heat and moisture to escape for a more comfortable sleep. If you are suffering from neck pain and looking to relieve strain with a good night's sleep, this pillow can do the job. It provides medium-firm support with memory foam that adjusts to your head and neck's shape, promoting comfort and proper alignment during sleep. The pillow’s memory foam filling is soft, slow-rebounding, and retains its shape over time. Its quilted, breathable cover is soft, hypoallergenic and resists bacteria. With an orthopaedic butterfly shape, this pillow is suitable for back, side, and stomach sleepers, helping you find the perfect position for restful sleep.

However, if you are looking for a thicker and firmer pillow, then this is not the best option as it is thin. This pillow alone was a little low once the head had settled into it, but this issue can be quickly resolved by placing a shallower, standard non-memory foam pillow underneath it. The pillowcase is also removable and washable which makes cleaning and maintaining easy.

This award-winning high-quality memory foam pillow is revolutionary in its design and is perfect for side, back and stomach sleepers. Comfortable and supportive, its patented technology cradles your head, offering support to the neck, cervical area, back and shoulder. Several reviewers who has been experiencing difficulties have found this pillow very helpful, including a customer who had a couple of discs removed from their neck a few years ago. The brand uses their patented 'SILVER-BAC micro thread', made from real silver, which is really effective against germs as well, making it a perfect option if you are on the lookout for an antibacterial pillow. 

The high-density foam was appreciated by a lot of users as low-density foam remains compressed even after changing positions while sleeping. While some reviewers found the pillow to be a little smaller than the standard, it is soft to the touch and has just the right amount of give in it to support the neck and shoulders. You also do not have to break into the pillow to make it comfortable as it seems to get accustomed to your sleeping positions and patterns quite quickly. The material is breathable and takes heat away from your body which also contributes to a comfortable night.

Certified CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX for durability and performance, these pillows will provide your neck, shoulders, and back with efficient support whilst still being breathable for a cool and comfy night's sleep. This pillow is recommended for all sleep positions, thanks to the responsiveness of the contouring gel memory foam. A customer who had cervical spinal stenosis and needed a pillow soft enough to mould into the neck when laying on the back without pushing their chin into the chest found this pillow firm enough to fill the space between the ear and shoulder when sleeping on the side as well. The height of the pillow is right enough to allow your neck to sit at a neutral angle.

Many reviewers have praised this pillow for putting an end to neck stiffness, sore shoulders, and serving some serious comfort. It is also good for people who toss and turn throughout the night due to pain in the ears or headaches. The ventilated design with an air layer on the surface makes it very gentle and cooling on the skin, thereby avoiding any discomfort to the head. They have also ensured that there is no formaldehyde, mercury, lead or heavy metals that go into the manufacturing process which leaves no chemical smell, thus providing a healthy sleep.

For sciatica relief, back pain, hip pain and joint pain, you may find that using an orthopaedic leg pillow is very helpful. This ergonomically designed knee pillow fits between your knees to provide maximum comfort and support to ease pain and pressure on the lower back. The memory foam is designed to provide long-lasting comfort for hours, and the contoured build helps you position your legs, hip and spine ideally while sleeping and improve circulation as well. 

Customers who suffer from bad sciatica have shared that they have been able to sleep through the entire night for the first time in a long while after using this pillow. While the pain is still present, there was a drastic decrease in the persistent pain that continues all day after using this pillow, as was observed by many similar customers. The breathable cover ensures that it does not get too warm, and it is also removable and suitable for machine washing. This is also a good pillow that offers adequate support during pregnancy, according to reviews.