The best pillows for neck pain that will help you wake up without aches and stiffness

If you experience neck pain, look no further than the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow. Designed with five layers of comfortable support, this pillow not only provides firm yet adaptable comfort but also allows you to personalise the height and firmness by adding or removing layers to suit your sleeping style.

One of our testers, who suffers from neck and back pain, found that a firm pillow was surprisingly the key to a better night's sleep. The even weight distribution helps relieve pressure on those areas, and the ability to customise the layers meant finding the perfect balance between softness and support, which is ideal for those who switch between sleeping on their side and back from night to night.

While our tester found that fitting a pillowcase over all the layers required a little effort, they reported that it was well worth it. The Stratos technology, which adapts to body temperature, kept them cool even during the hottest summer nights, making this pillow a must-have for hot sleepers, too. With its tailored support and innovative cooling technology, the Simba Hybrid Firm Pillow gets a definite thumbs-up from us.

If you’re a bit of a fidgeter when it comes to sleeping and being on your back one minute and on your side the next is a familiar story, then the Emma Original Foam Pillow could be just what you need. Designed to support you in any position, this clever pillow features three foam layers: two firm, sloped ones and a more squishy foam core. The best part is that you can mix and match these layers to get your perfect height and firmness, so you can play around to get the perfect combination that reduces the neck pain you wake up with in the morning.

Customers online love how adaptable this pillow is, with some finding it offered almost instant relief from stiffness and tension in their neck from the moment they laid on it. Others appreciated that the pillow moulds perfectly to their head and neck without feeling too soft or unsupportive. A few sleepers found the foam a little too firm at first, so if ultra-plus, sink-in pillows are usually your go-to, this Emma Original Foam Pillow may take a little getting used to. That being said, as the thickness is customisable to your preference, it’ll make all the difference to your comfort and the neck pain you’re experiencing.

Designed to keep your spine and neck in check while you sleep, this TEMPUR Original SmartCool Pillow might just be your new best friend if you wake up in pain. The firm yet contouring design cradles your head and keeps your posture in the correct position, helping to reduce neck stiffness and those dreaded morning aches. It’s even been made with NASA technology to give you a sleep that’s out of the world in comfort.

This pillow has dramatically improved sleep quality, say reviewers online. It also wins points with customers for having a SmartCool cover that will help you stay nice and fresh all night as it’s made with breathable materials. Some sleepers find that it is a little too firm, especially those who tend to toss and turn a lot, which may mean you’ll need to allow some time to adjust to this pillow’s more structured shape. Whether you sleep on your side, back or front, this pillow will offer the neck support you need, plus it has a machine-washable cover to make washing it a breeze. We also like that it's available in three different sizes to suit you and your bed.

Maybe you’ve heard of a waterbed, but have you ever considered a water pillow? It may seem like a bit of a gimmick, but Mediflow’s Water Pillow is backed by a Johns Hopkins study and designed to provide exceptional support for all types of sleepers. Whether you’re a back, side, or stomach sleeper, this pillow adapts to your needs, thanks to its adjustable water-filled core. You simply add or remove water to get the perfect height and firmness for you, so there’ll be no need to stack pillows to get the perfect position, and you’re less likely to wake up with a stiff neck.

Customers rave about the way the Mediflow pillow cradles their neck, reducing pain and stiffness. Many love how the water pouch moves with them during the night, keeping support consistent instead of flattening out like traditional pillows. It’s also hypoallergenic, making it a great pick for allergy sufferers. Of course, as you’re filling the pouch inside the pillow up with water yourself, some users reported it took a little trial and error to get the water level just right and because it’s filled with water, others mention it can be a little bit heavy. It may take you a while to get used to the water sloshing around while you get comfy, but many reviewers say you stop noticing it after the first few nights, and it’s worth it for the beautiful night’s sleep they get in return.

We’ve already featured the firm version of the Simba Hybrid Pillow further up our list, but if you prefer a pillow that’s a little softer but still offers the support your neck needs, the Simba Hybrid Pillow is a great option. Offering the perfect combination of support and cooling, the Simba Hybrid Pillow uses nanocube technology for the filling that you can remove and add to make it the right level of comfort for you. These nanocubes are also breathable, maximising airflow around you while you sleep so that heat escapes to keep you cool throughout the night. This cooling effect is achieved through three key elements: astronaut-inspired temperature-regulating fabric, a special layer of mineral-enriched fibres that disperses heat, and a breathable mesh fabric that enhances ventilation.

Beyond its impressive cooling properties, this pillow adapts seamlessly to different sleeping positions, offering personalised comfort. One of our testers, who suffers from arthritis, found that the memory foam provided exceptional support, moulding to the head and neck for a pain-free, refreshing night’s sleep. Our tester also liked the adjustable nanocubes inside this pillow as they made it super easy to tailor the height and firmness to her preference. That being said, though, even with the nanocubes removed, it is a bit bulkier than standard pillows, so it’s not as convenient to move around or adjust during the night. However, with a design that maintains its shape and firmness over time, the Simba Hybrid Pillow is a true investment in quality sleep, offering both comfort and durability for a restful night.

Posture-fixing and pain-busting, the Original Groove Pain Relief Pillow will do more than provide a comfortable place to rest your head. Made from ultra-soft memory foam, it cradles your head, helping to banish neck and upper back pain. It’s also designed with an ergonomic groove that keeps your spine in alignment when sleeping on your back, so it encourages better posture overnight if you tend to slouch into awkward positions.

Many users of this pillow report waking up pain-free for the first time in years after switching to this pillow, appreciating the plush-yet-supportive feel that moulds perfectly to their head and neck shape. A handful of stomach sleepers struggled to get comfortable using this pillow, which makes sense since this one’s designed with back and side sleepers in mind. As well as being comfortable for those who sleep on their side or back, it also has antibacterial properties to keep it completely germ-free and bad smells at bay.

If you’re on the hunt for an affordable pillow that offers the firm support your neck needs without compromising on the softness, the M&S Soft As Down Firm Pillow might just be what you’re looking for. Even better, it comes as part of a two-pack. Designed to mimic the luxurious feel of natural down, these pillows are cosy to rest on while still providing the support needed to alleviate neck pain, making them a top pick for budget-conscious pillow shoppers.

Crafted with specifically blended fibres, these pillows aim to deliver that coveted down-like softness while maintaining a firm structure. Some users have noted that the pillows can be a little too firm for their preferences, but there are two different types available, firm and medium, so you can pick which one will suit your comfort needs. Even though the firmness may take some getting used to, in general, customers appreciate the durable construction and the balance of softness and support these pillows provide.

Supportive? Tick. Comfortable? Tick. Sustainable? Tick. The Panda Luxury Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow is great for anyone seeking relief from neck pain, but a pillow's eco-friendly credentials are an important factor on your checklist. Containing third-generation memory foam, this Panda Pillow strikes the perfect balance between firm support and cloud-like softness, cradling your head, neck, and spine so you wake up feeling refreshed rather than stiff and sore.

One of its biggest perks is the silky-soft bamboo pillow case, which feels nice and luxurious while also working wonders to keep your temperature regulated while you sleep. For this reason, you can say goodbye to overheating in summer and shivering in winter, as this pillow adapts to keep you comfortable all year round. Plus, it's naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial, so it's a fab option for allergy sufferers. Customers say this pillow holds its shape beautifully without the need for refluffing, although the contoured effect of it does take a little while to get used to, especially those switching from a more traditional pillow. A few mentioned that the bamboo cover can wrinkle easily, but that's a small annoyance for how supportive yet comfortable this pillow is, helping to alleviate neck pain without feeling too rigid.