The Best Pillow for Neck Pain UK – 10 Picks Reviewed & Compared
Our top picks
After testing pillows made of all materials that can be found on the market, we also analysed all the things to consider that are important when you buy a pillow and you have a neck problem. That allowed us to narrow down our choice to the following 10 models and each one of them is a winner in a particular category. Let’s check the pillows for neck support that we found to be great choices!
Pillows
1
Best Overall
Pillows
2
Best Value
Pillows
3
Best for All Sleepers
Pillows
4
Best for Stomach Sleepers
Pillows
5
Best for Side Sleepers
Pillows
6
Best Down
Pillows
7
Best Memory Foam
Pillows
8
Best Latex
Pillows
9
Best Luxury
Pillows
10
Best Cooling
Best Overall: Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow
With Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow, you will get everything you need for comfortable sleep without neck pain.
Best Overall
Panda is a respectable company that uses bamboo the most in the production of its products, including this pillow that has a breathable bamboo cover.
This hypoallergenic cover will give you comfort and also will not trap heat like the memory foam from which the pillow is made. 3rd generation memory foam is used which is very durable and will provide you with comfort and support at the same time.
In addition to providing great neck support, it must be noted that you get a 10-year guarantee which is definitely a guarantee of quality.
Panda strives to make everything eco-friendly, which includes organic, vegan-friendly, pesticide-free, the use of recyclable boxes and that is truly admirable.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Memory foam
- Cover: Bamboo
- Trial period: 30 nights
- Free delivery: Yes
Advantages
Eco-friendly
Bamboo is breathable, sustainable & hypoallergenic.
Breathable
Highly breathable & cooling.
10-year warranty
You are protected for 10 years.
Disadvantages
Not good for stomach sleepers
Stomach sleepers found the loft to be too high.
Best Value: Classicpedic Orthopedic Memory Foam Pillow
Ideal balance of support and comfort plus price makes this pillow best value choice.
Best Value
If you have less money at your disposal or you just think that a pillow should not cost 100 pounds, then Classicpedic Orthopedic Memory Foam Pillow is the right choice for you.
This orthopaedic pillow is designed to help you take and maintain the correct position of the neck and spine during sleep. It is made of high-quality orthopaedic memory foam, for which the manufacturer guarantees will last for years. The cover is made of 100% cotton which is a favourite choice of many.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Reflex foam
- Cover: Cotton
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Free delivery: No
Advantages
Affordable
Considering the price you pay for the quality you get, it is more than affordable.
Hypoallergenic
People with allergies can forget them with this pillow.
Disadvantages
1 year warranty
The warranty is valid for 1 year only.
Best for All Sleepers: Emma Original Pillow
With Emma Original pillow you can choose the level of support and loft yourself, which makes it suitable for different types of sleepers.
Best for All Sleepers
This pillow consists of three different layers. All three layers are removable so that you can manipulate its characteristics as you wish. Pressure-relieving viscoelastic memory foam, supportive HRX hyper-soft cold foam and breathable Airgocell memory foam are three layers and each has its own function.
Emma made strides in making this pillow more cooling and managed to solve the problem of heat retention to some extent. You can remove one or two layers as you wish. Pressure relief and support are great, so it is recommended option for side and back sleepers, but also stomach sleepers may use it.
Polyester moisture-resistant top cover is hypoallergenic, durable and machine washable. On the sustainability scale, this pillow is low because it is 100% made of polyester. It comes with 2-year warranty. Check our review of this Emma Original pillow.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Memory foam
- Cover: Polyester (98%) & elastene (2%)
- Trial period: 30 nights
- Free delivery: Yes
Advantages
Cotton cover
The cover is made of high quality & cooling cotton material.
Hypoallergenic
Suitable for people who have issues with allergies.
Removable & washable cover
The cover is removable & fully machine-washable.
Disadvantages
Only one size
The pillow is available in one size only.
Best for Stomach Sleepers: Aeyla Dual Pillow
Sleeping on your stomach is the sleeping position most commonly associated with neck pain, and The Aeyla Pillow can help you reduce that problem.
Best for Stomach Sleepers
Aeyla claims that The Aeyla Pillow is suitable for all sleep positions and we believe that to be true, but we find this pillow most suitable for stomach sleepers.
This is because, while back and side sleepers enjoy a larger loft, stomach sleepers need a pillow that's a bit flatter and more leveled.
High quality polyester microfiber fill will give just enough support without placing the neck in the wrong angle.
No harmful chemicals were used in the production of the polyester microfiber fill, and the whole pillow is cruelty-free, hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial. So, besides just getting you a good night's sleep, this microfibre pillow is also good for your skin and the environment.
The cover is made of cotton and it is machine washable. The cover is breathable so you won’t be hot during the night. So, it's also a step up compared to most memory foam pillows.
Read our in-depth Aeyla pillow review to learn more.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Polyester microfibre
- Cover: Cotton
- Trial period: 30 nights
- Free delivery: Yes
Advantages
Cotton cover
The cover is made of high quality & cooling cotton material.
Hypoallergenic
100% hypoallergenic.
Removable & washable cover
The cover is removable & fully machine-washable.
Disadvantages
Only one size
The pillow is available in one size only.
Best for Side Sleepers: OTTY Deluxe Pillow
Coming in at a standard 60x40x10 cm, this pillow promises to be a solid fit for most side and back sleepers. Not so much for the ones resting on their stomachs.
Best for Side Sleepers
Featuring a polyester and spandex cover, the OTTY Deluxe delivers durability and longevity with their honeycomb-like knitted cover.
Plus, a level of breathability other memory foam pillows can only dream of!
This is because, instead of using gel foam, OTTY moved on to a different kind – AirTech. Airtech foam is specially designed to improve airflow with its open-cell structure, so you will notice some differences between this pillow and some other, regular foam models.
At 10 cm tall, this memory foam pillow will certainly provide an adequate level of support for your neck and head, resulting in a more restful sleep than some run-of-the-mill foam or feather and down pillow.
And back and side sleepers are sure to enjoy the slightly higher loft as this helps the pillow support your entire spine and alleviate neck and shoulder pain!
Since it’s medium-firm, we found this one to be cosy enough for pretty much anyone willing to try it out.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Memory foam
- Cover: Polyester (98%) & elastane (2%)
- Trial period: 30 nights
- Free delivery: Yes
Advantages
Hypoallergenic
Safe for people who fight allergies.
Breathable & cooling
You will stay cool due to the optimal airflow.
Adjustable firmness
Adjust the firmness per your needs.
Disadvantages
Only one size
It is available in one size only.
Best Down: Scooms Hungarian Goose Down Pillow
If you want a natural material, not polyester go with Hungarian Goose Down Pillow.
Best Down
Nothing can be as soft and fluffy as top quality down. And while all feather and down pillows are comfortable, this one is special!
This pillow is filled with a mixture of Hungarian goose down and feathers and has two chambers.
The cover is made of 300 thread cotton which ensures that the down and feathers will not fall out. Plus, while most feather and down pillows are breathable, having a cotton cover does away with any change of overheating!
The pillow is available in two sizes, so you can choose what suits you best.
Although very soft, it provides enough support and keeps the neck in proper angle. It is very breathable because these are naturally breathable materials.
It comes with anti-allergy reassurance which allows everyone with allergies to sleep on a perfectly comfortable down pillow which they weren’t able to do before.
Check our review on Scooms Hungarian Goose Down pillow to learn more about this fantastic pillow.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Goose feather & down
- Cover: Cotton
- Trial period: 30 nights
- Free delivery: Yes
Advantages
Anti-allergic
Down & feather are known to be anti-allergic & anti-dust mite.
High quality cotton cover
The cover is made of high quality 300 thread count cotton.
Sustainably-friendly
Comes in a sustainable & recyclable package.
Disadvantages
Not for vegans
Not a good pick for vegans as it contains down/feather mix.
Best Memory Foam: 4G Aircool Contour Memory Foam Pillow
The best memory foam pillow for pesky neck pain.
Best Memory Foam
As you may have noticed, memory foam is the most popular material for filling pillows, so it was not easy to choose the best, but this model stood out for several things.
High-density memory foam has orthopaedic features, which is the most important to deal with lingering neck aches.
This is because, unlike other memory foam pillows, this high-density foam orthopaedic pillow can properly support the spine and help with neck and shoulder pain directly!
It has a so-called open-cell foam structure, which guarantees that it will not be too warm, which is the main problem with most other memory foam pillows.
Hypoallergenic is also dust mite resistant so it is suitable for everyone. It comes with a removable zip cover that you can wash in the washing machine.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Memory foam
- Cover: Coolmax cover
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Free delivery: Yes
Advantages
Hypoallergenic
A perfect pick for people with allergies.
Breathable
Open-cell foam ensures optimal airflow and therefore high level of breathability.
Removable cover
Cover is removable & machine-washable.
Disadvantages
Too soft for stomach sleepers
The majority of stomach sleepers find out too soft.
Best Latex: Relyon Superior Comfort Deep Latex Pillow
Relyon Superior Comfort Deep Latex Pillow is great for instant pressure relief and support.
Best Latex
This pillow contains 100% breathable, natural latex that will relieve you of pressure the first night you use it.
And this is because, unlike most memory foam pillows, this latex pillow quickly acts and adapts to your head! This makes it so that you get a good night's sleep sooner as well as some pain relief for your neck, back and shoulders.
Although back sleepers can use it too, since it is thick, it is ideal for side sleepers. It is 17cm (7″) deep, which can be considered quite deep so we doubt it will be comfortable to stomach sleepers.
Relyon Superior Comfort Deep Latex Pillow is a high-quality pillow with bounce back technology, so you won’t have to worry about losing its shape quickly.
It is more durable than some other latex pillows. The removable cover can be machine-washed.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Latex
- Cover: Polyester blend
- Trial period: N/A
- Free delivery: Yes
Advantages
Removable, washable cover
Maintenance is easy as the cover is removable & machine washable.
Durable & high quality
Reylon is known for its premium quality products and this one is no exception.
Good pick for side sleepers
Side sleepers will love it because of the high loft.
Disadvantages
Not for stomach sleepers
The loft is too high for stomach sleepers.
Best Luxury: Simba Hybrid Pillow
For all the hot sleepers all year long and everyone else who want a luxury pillow!
Best Luxury
One of the most uncomfortable feelings is when we lie sweaty in bed and can’t sleep because it’s just too hot.
And what good is it to alleviate neck pain and keep our spine alligned if we still can't fall asleep comfortably?
If something like this happens to you often, you should add the Simba Hybrid Pillow to your shopping cart.
It consists of a total of 6 layers, and each layer in addition to its primary role has a role to improve breathability and airflow and thus cool you down.
Inside the pillow are nano-cubes that allow you to adjust the loft and firmness which is a very useful feature.
In a way we'd say it's also the best memory foam pillow. However, since the pillow is much more than just a bunch of memory foam nano-cubes, we've decided to give it this placement instead.
The entire production of this pillow, both in terms of materials and energy, logistics and everything else is eco-friendly.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Nano cubes
- Cover: Cotton
- Trial period: 200 nights
- Free delivery: Yes
Advantages
Cooling & breathable
Stratos technology ensures high level of breathability and therefore you stay cool.
Adjustable firmness
Thanks to Nano Cubes, you can adjust the firmness as you want.
Eco-friendly
TCPP-free, BCI & carbon neutral delivery.
Disadvantages
Only one size available
The pillow is available in 45 x 70 cm size only.
Best Cooling: Premium Nectar Pillow
This one purchase solves multiple issues: neck pain, night sweats, and even your budget! Does it get any better than that?
Best Cooling
First off, even though this is a pair of pillows, the price is relatively low. So, if you don't want to get a financial headache to solve your neck pain, this is the perfect solution. Even more so if your partner also needs a new pillow.
On top of that, this is a cooling pillow. With a Tencel cooling fabric and shredded memory foam, your bound to stay cool all night long! So, you don't have to worry about waking up covered in sweat.
Plus, the memory foam is rather high quality and can adapt to your head movements, supporting your neck the entire time.
If you want to know more, feel free to check our full Nectar Premium pillow review.
KEY FEATURES:
- Filling: Shredded memory foam
- Cover: Polyester
- Trial period: N/A
- Free delivery: Yes
Advantages
Ideal for side sleepers
The high loft is ideal for side sleepers.
Cooling
No worrying about night sweats.
Great value
The price is extremely low considering the quality.
Disadvantages
No trial
You don't get a free trial period.
Neck pain vs shoulder pain vs back pain
Before we get into the specifics and start talking about the best pillows for neck pain, let's have a brief overview. As you might have noticed, some of the pillows we've featured aside from solving neck pain, help with other forms of pain as well. But how do they do that?
Well, let's quickly go over these different types of aches and pain and see how the best pillow for neck pain can potentially help in other areas as well. However, spoiler alert, even the best pillow for neck pain can't solve all pain. And when it comes to things such as hip pain, they can't help at all! You need a proper mattress to deal with hip pain.
Shoulder pain
We've mentioned a few times that some of these pillows for neck pain can help with shoulder pain as well. And they can do this in a few ways. For one, if you have broad shoulders and sleep on your side, a bigger pillow can make it so that you don't have to push your shoulder forward to keep your neck straight.
By doing so, there's less tension on the shoulder muscle and therefore less shoulder pain. A similar principle applies for back and stomach sleepers. However, it's important to note that this form of pain relief isn't as potent as the one for neck pain.
In other words, a body pillow will likely help with shoulder pain a lot more than a regular pillow for neck pain. And even more so than any pillow, a proper mattress! After all, your shoulder is directly pressing into the mattress.
Back pain
Back and neck pain are closely related as our neck continues from the spine. So, it makes sense that a pillow for neck pain can also help with back pain. And it can, in some situations. For example, for back sleepers, having an appropriate pillow is quite important.
This is because if the loft is too high, your head ends up tilted forward and the upper part of your back is curved as well. So, for back sleepers, getting the appropriate pillow does help with some of the aches. However, like in the previous example, more serious pains are better handled by other bedding.
For example, unlike back sleepers, side sleepers can get more use out of a wedge pillow when it comes to dealing with back pain. And a proper mattress that can support the entire spine is even more essential! So, for front, side or back sleepers, it's not all about the neck pillow.
Types of pillows for neck pain
The market is flooded with pillows which support neck properly, made from various materials. So, maybe you're thinking, is a microfibre pillow good for solving neck pain or should I go with the popular Emma or Eve memory foam pillow?
Well, for neck issues, you should choose a pillow that at the same time provides support and keeps the neck in the correct position, and yet not too hard so as not to trigger pressure points. In other words, whether you get the Eve memory foam pillow or a cheaper microfibre pillow depends a lot on how you sleep as well as some other factors. But let's start off by talking about the materials.
People with neck discomfort and pain have the best experiences when they use memory foam, polyfoam, latex, buckwheat and feather / down pillows. We will break down each of these materials for you, to make it easier to decide on the right one.
Memory foam
Traditional memory foam has been a favourite choice of many for a long time. Memory foam reacts when pressure is applied to it, as well as the heat emitted by your head and then moulds accordingly.
That is why it is ideal both for support, and for comfort too. A memory foam pillow will keep your neck, and therefore your spine in the correct position. However, memory foam pillows aren't 100% guaranteed to solve your neck pain.
For one, it's not enough to just get the material right. Even memory foam can't do much if you get the wrong loft for your sleeping position. Also, it's important to note that memory foam pillows aren't perfect, as they can cause you to overheat during the summer. And if you've ever had a memory foam mattress or even just a memory foam cover, you've likely experienced this not-so-pleasant feeling.
Plus, while back and side sleepers might have an easy time finding a good memory foam pillow, stomach sleepers might struggle a bit more.
Feather and down
While memory foam pillows are the go-to for many when it comes to handling neck pain, feather and down pillows might be the better option for others! For one, if you like fluffy pillows, feather and down pillows won't just be the best pillows for neck pain but the best pillows in general.
And, unlike most memory foam pillows, you can adjust the loft of feather and down pillows as you wish. When it comes to dealing with neck pain, as you'll see later on, controling the loft if incredibly important and convenient. You can basically pick out any pillow, have as much pillow depth as you'd want or need, and then just take some filling out as needed to find that perfect balance.
Feather pillows can also be a great option for stomach sleepers, as they're typically a bit firmer. Plus, while they're not moulded support pillows, they do compress quite a bit, making them great for stomach and back sleepers.
Side sleepers might prefer memory foam pillows when it comes to neck pain but even they can find a feather and down pillow that properly supports their neck and spine.
Latex
While latex pillows aren't too common, they might just be the best pillows for neck pain (for some people)! And this is because latex is like memory foam, with a few key differences. For one, latex is typically more breathable. And while this doesn't directly impact neck pain, it does help you get better sleep.
Secondly, latex is a bit firmer than memory foam. This can easily make a latex pillow the best pillow in some situations as you still get the hugging sensation from memory foam while also getting more support. Therefore, even the best memory foam pillow can't help with neck pain as much as a latex pillow if you need added support along with pressure relief.
Microfibre
While moulded support pillows such as memory foam and latex make sense as the best pillows for neck pain, that isn't always the case. As we've seen with the Aeyla pillow, a microfibre pillow can also stand in the ring as the best pillow for neck pain!
This is because microfibre is typically a bit firmer and thus can effectively keep your spinal alignment healthy and your head straight. And while this does mean that you can't get as much pillow depth as you'd maybe want and then rely on compression, it does mean that picking out the ideal size is a lot easier. Microfibre pillows are also rather cheap, so, if you want the best pillow for neck pain that also doesn't cost too much, microfibre could be the way to go.
What to consider when buying the best pillow for neck pain
Getting the best pillow for neck pain requires more than just picking out the perfect material. After all, sleeping without neck pain isn't always guaranteed just because you got a memory foam cover or a firm latex pillow. You need to consider all of the other factors as well!
So, let's take a close look at the other factors that make a pillow the best pillow for neck pain!
Loft
If you want the best pillow for neck and shoulder pain, you need to understand pillow loft. Basically, the loft refers to how tall the pillow is. Loft is crucial for the position of your head. The angle between your head, neck and spine must be such that no strain is created on the muscles, ligaments, joints and so on.
And, more often than not, people who do have neck pain simply got a pillow that's too big or too small. After all, if the pillow isn't flush with your head, your neck has to be bent in one direction or the other for the entire night. And that kind of neck strain will almost always cause neck pain at some point.
Support
When looking for the best pillow for neck pain, support is bound to pop up quite a bit. And there are a few ways to look at what a supportive pillow is. On the one hand, it could just be a firm pillow that supports your head and doesn't allow it to dip into the pillow. By doing so, it keeps your head straight and prevents neck and shoulder pain from taking hold.
However, a supportive pillow can also be an ergonomic pillow! In other words, a pillow that has been specifically moulded to cradle your head and neck from all sides. By doing so, it lessens the chance that your neck will end up in a weird and uncomfortable position.
Firmness level
Like we've mentioned in the previous section, the firmness level of the pillow also plays a part in how supportive the pillow is. And therefore how it helps with neck pain. The reasoning is rather simple – a firm pillow won't let your head sink. Therefore, if your pillow is the perfect loft, it ensures that your neck and spine will stay in a straight line.
However, that doesn't mean you should get the firmest pillow to deal with neck pain. For example, a medium firm pillow can also keep your neck straight while also giving you a bit of leeway. Plus, a medium firm pillow will likely be more comfortable. So, the answer to neck pain isn't to just sleep on a rock!
Soft pillows are a bit more difficult to recommend. This is because it's hard to gauge how your neck is going to be positioned once the soft pillow compresses fully.
Pressure relief
Surely you know that uncomfortable feeling after waking up when your neck hurts and when you feel like you have had some burden on your neck all night. This is something that the best pillow for neck pain UK should solve by giving you pressure relief.
You should choose one that is designed to reduce pressure points. Of course, your sleeping position is playing big role in choosing the right one for pressure relief. If the pillow is intended for back and side sleepers, and you sleep on your stomach, it will not give you pressure relief even though the pillow is of very high quality.
But how does the best pillow for neck pain provide pressure relief? This is best observed with memory foam pillows as they hug your head and neck from all sides, increasing the surface area and better distributing the pressure caused by your head. It works for lying on a bed of needles and it definitely works when it comes to the best pillows for neck pain!
Tips for buying and using best pillow for neck pain UK
So far, we have explained to you what characteristics the different materials from which pillows are made have, as well as all the important factors to consider when buying the best one for neck pain. Still, we have a few more tips to give you on neck pillows. This primarily applies to your sleeping position.
Side sleepers should choose a thicker pillow to keep their neck in the correct position during sleep and offer proper neck support. Back sleepers should choose a medium-hard pillow, which provides support, but isn't too hard, otherwise, in the morning, you will have the feeling that you slept on a rock. While for stomach sleepers, the best pillow for neck pain should be a thin pillow. This is so that you change the angle of the neck as little as possible during sleep. If the pillow is thick, then the neck and spine will be in a very irregular position.
Certainly, the price is something you need to analyse before buying. Be detailed in that analysis because the price does not always justify the quality. Our tip is to look at the reviews because it is much more authoritative than the price.
- Choose the pillow according to your sleeping position
- Pay attention whether you are allergic or not
- Don’t think that the most expensive one is the best one. There are more important factors to consider than price.
The advantages of owning best pillow for neck pain UK
The first and biggest advantage of owning the best pillow for neck pain is that your neck no longer hurts or that the intensity of the pain decreases until you find the cause of the pain and solve it. It’s definitely the biggest advantage and something that’s why you even set out in search of a new pillow. In addition, you will definitely experience many other benefits such as breathability, which will make you no longer feel hot while you sleep.
It will be much more comfortable for you to sleep than before because if you choose the best model according to your sleeping position, you will notice that it is easier to fall asleep and avoid waking up during the night. This is because you will get the perfect balance of support and pressure relief which is crucial for sound sleep.
- Your neck won’t hurt any longer
- Breathability and uninterrupted air flow will cool you down
- The best pillow for neck issues will significantly improve the quality of your sleep.
Conclusion
And that's all you need to know to find the best pillow for neck pain! So, which pillow are you going to get? Make sure to let us know in the comments. And if you have any questions, either check out the FAQ section or get in touch with us directly.
FAQs about the best pillow for neck pain UK
Some of the most common questions related to neck pain are whether an improper pillow can cause or worsen the problem, then what types of pillows are the best for sleepers that suffer from neck pain as well as how firm the pillow should be. We will give you the answers to these questions in the FAQs section.
What types of pillows are the best for sleepers that suffer from neck pain?
The best types of pillows for sleepers that suffer from neck pain are those that are firm enough to provide support, and yet soft to alleviate neck pain and common pressure points.
How firm should my pillow be for neck pain?
Your pillow should be moderately firm if you experience neck pain, because if it is very firm the pain will be even stronger.
Can an improper pillow cause my neck pain?
Neck pain can absolutely be the result of an improper pillow, especially if you are a stomach sleeper.
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