Harvard Medical School reports that neck complaints can be minimised by matching the right pillow to a person’s sleeping position. We’re going to look at 7 of the best when it comes to neck care. You’ll also find out which pillow is best for your sleeping position and which position you should definitely avoid. Always consult your GP or physiotherapist for sudden or longer-term neck pain.
Our top 10 pillows have been painstakingly selected using feedback from over 12,341 customers along with our 11 years of luxury bedding experience.
The 7 best pillow for neck pain
- Beste allrounder – Down & natural latex pillow Prestige medium
- Best value for money – 10% duck down box edge pillow
- Best pillow for side sleepers with neck pain – Ducky Dons Quattro boxed pillow
- Best pillow for back sleepers with neck pain – Vandyck pure nature support pillow
- Best pillow for stomach sleepers with neck pain – Kauffmann Deluxe 100
- Best down alternative pillow (natural) – Vandyck kapok pillow
- Best ethical pillow for neck pain sufferers – 3-chamber pillow with GOTS-certified ticking
1. Best allrounder
Anyone suffering from neck problems needs plenty of head and neck support while they sleep. You do this by filling the space between your neck and head and the mattress. Down and natural latex pillows have medium firmness and are a good, neck-pampering choice for most.
This all-rounder pillow has a core of natural latex. Natural latex has a high level of point elasticity – a measure of how much compression is spread over a surface. The higher the point elasticity, the better a pillow moulds to the shape of your head, neck and shoulders. High point elasticity relieves pressure points, keeps the upper spine in line and reduces the risk of sleep-related neck injuries or soothes existing neck problems.
The natural latex core is surrounded by a 90% duck down and 10% small feather filling. Not only are your head and neck supported, they are resting on soft, comfortable down. A natural latex pillow is also durable – it lasts much longer than synthetic fillings.
- Suits side and back sleepers.
- Natural latex core for excellent support.
- Downpass-certified ethically-sourced down and feathers.
2. Best value for money
Generally, a good pillow doesn’t have to be an expensive pillow. However, this isn’t the case when it comes to support pillows. High support fillings like natural latex are expensive. If your budget is limited, your next best choice is a cheaper but firm filling which sufficiently fills the space between your head and mattress. As the majority of people are side sleepers, we think this 10% duck down box edge pillow is a good choice.
Containing 10% duck down and 90% feathers, this box edge pillow provides good support. Feathers create a firmer, more supportive pillow than down. They also keep the pillow cool and absorb moisture. You’ll dream easy and in total comfort.
Box pillows have an extra strip of ticking running around the edges. This option’s edge measures approximately 8 cm in height, the right height to align the spine of most bodies. Many customers praise this pillow’s good support qualities.
- Suits side sleepers with average to large frames.
- High feather content means good air circulation.
- Low-priced support pillow.
3. Best pillow for side sleepers with neck problems
The gap between head and mattress is greatest when you sleep on your side. As a side sleeper, you need a dense, firm pillow. Petit build? Your pillow needs to be softer. Mid to large frame? Pick a firm pillow with a high fill weight, such as the Ducky Dons Quattro box edge pillow.
This pillow has three parts with the largest, feather and down section at the bottom. The 85% feather and 15% down filling provides a firm, dense base. The next layer is composed of a neck roll which contains feathers and natural latex. Both are high-support materials that fill the gap between neck and pillow. The third and final layer is filled with a soft and very comfortable mix of 65% down and 35% feathers. This pillow may be dense and firm, but it feels soft as a cloud thanks to that upper layer.
You can remove the neck roll if you prefer, or flip the pillow for a different feel. In other words, four different head- and neck-supporting possibilities in a single pillow. Customer reviews tell us this pillow does its job extremely well.
- Four configurations in one pillow
- Extra support with the removable neck roll.
- Downpass certified – ducks are humanely treated
- Down means excellent moisture absorbency and comfort.
4. Best pillow for back sleepers with neck problems
Scientists tell us sleeping on the back is the best position for the spine. When you sleep on your back, your head, neck and spine are in a neutral position. But for every back sleeper, the height of the pillow is crucial. You shouldn’t be able to see your feet or the wall behind you. For most, a soft to medium soft pillow is the right choice, like the Vandyck Support.
This pillow has a natural latex core weighing 700 grams which provides ample support for the head, neck and shoulders. The core is surrounded by a zipped cover filled with 350 grams of down and feather filling. The ideal combination of firm support and cloud-like comfort.
As part of the Vandyck Premium Collection, you get the buttery softness of a unique ticking mix – 94% cotton and 6% cashmere. Wool from the winter undercoat of the Cashmere goat is famous for fine, soft, down-like, flexible fibres. A true touch of luxury to a top-quality pillow.
- Suits back sleepers with average to large frames.
- Top support thanks to the natural latex core.
- Finished with luxury ticking
5. The best pillow for belly sleepers with neck pain
If you suffer from neck pain, sleeping on the stomach is a bad idea. Try to change your sleeping position by sewing a pocket at the front of your pyjamas and putting a tennis ball inside. If you happen to roll onto your tummy, you’ll soon want to roll the other way. You can also buy body pillows that keep you on your side.
When you sleep on your stomach, any firm pillow will create lots of neck pressure. If you can’t change your sleeping position, you’ll need a very soft, very thin pillow. One like the Kauffmann Deluxe 100.
Filled with 100% goose down and with a deliciously light fill weight of 360 grams per pillow, then covered with a luxurious Egyptian cotton tick, you’ll sink your head into a cloud every night. Manufactured from A to Z in Germany, this duvet complies with every stringent European and national quality requirement.
- Suits anyone who sleeps on the stomach.
- High-quality, luxury pillow .
- Manufactured in Germany.
6. Best down alternative (natural) for neck pain sufferers
The combination of down and natural latex is one of the best options for neck pain sufferers. Don’t like down? Try a Vandyck kapok pillow.
This option has a zip opening so you can adjust the quantity of kapok for personalised support. Add or remove kapok volume to fit the line of your upper spine.
Kapok is both cool to the touch and environmentally friendly. We hear customers rave about the firm and adjustable support this pillow has to offer, as well as its cool, silky texture.
- Adjust the filling volume according to your needs.
- Feels wonderfully cool on the skin.
- Eco-friendly, natural product.
7. Best ethical pillow for neck pain sufferers
This three-chambered duck down Premium pillow with GOTS-certified ticking means every planet and animal lover can dream easy. Exactly the same as its non GOTS-certified namesake, but with luxury feel, organic ticking. The production process saves up to 100 litres of water compared to a regular down pillow, with no pesticides used on the cotton plants that help produce it. Good for your skin and the environment.
- Made with respect for your body and the environment.
- Down means excellent moisture absorbency and comfort.
3 sleep-related causes of neck pain
- The wrong position
Just like sitting and standing, the way you sleep has a major impact on your body. But when you’re awake, you’re more aware of your posture. Once asleep, we’re no longer conscious of our position until it starts to hurt. Finding the right support pillow is therefore extremely important. - Old pillows
After a period of time, pillows lose their firmness. They no longer provide sufficient support to your head, neck and shoulders. Push hard into the centre of your pillow with both hands. Does it only spring back to half its original height or less? If so, it’s high time for a replacement. - Too firm or too high
Have you been sleeping on a firm pillow for a while and waking up with a stiff or painful neck? That could be your pillow’s fault. If your neck can’t relax when you sleep, a too firm or too high pillow might be pushing your neck upwards, straining the muscles and causing stiffness or pain.
An American professor’s view: the correct sleeping position
The correct sleeping position can make a world of difference, and the best two positions are side and back. That’s what a renowned Neuropathic Medical Doctor told Forbes magazine. Sleeping on the stomach is an absolute no-go because it strains the neck and causes sleep-related neck injuries.
“The best sleeping position to avoid neck pain is on your side or on your back.” NMD physician Alissia Zenhausern
Rounded pillows allow the spine to curve naturally. According to Dr. Zenhausern, feather pillows offer excellent support as they mould to the head and neck. She also recommends memory foam pillows as these also make space for the body’s natural contours.
5 extra tips to alleviate neck problems
- Keep the neck warm – take a warm shower or use heated cherry-pit cushions.
- Take time each day to do neck exercises.
- Enjoy a gentle neck massage.
- Adjust the position of your computer, TV or laptop as this can be a major cause of neck pain. The top part of the screen should be level with your eyes.
- Good neck support is only one side of the story – you also need a solid night’s sleep. This gives you more daytime energy and less stress. Stress makes your muscles tight and stiff.
- Stick to regular bedtimes, avoid screen time at least 30 minutes before going to bed, and enjoy a healthy diet.
- Already suffer from neck pain? Let us and others know about your experiences by leaving a comment.
