The 15 Best Pillows For Neck Pain And Better Rest In 2024, According To Experts

Sometimes pillows can be infused with scents, such as chamomile, lavender, menthol, and eucalyptus, using aromatherapy. "These can create a sense of relaxation and lead to improved sleep quality, which is inversely correlated with chronic pain," explains Jacob Hascalovici, MD, PhD, a board-certified interventional pain specialist.

In addition to providing aromatherapy, this pillow can be heated in the microwave to create a calming heated sensation that can help soothe headaches, too.

Pillows like this contour memory foam one are favorites for experts, including Victor Romano, MD, the author of Finding The Source: Maximizing Your Results—With and Without Orthopedic Surgery.

Here's another bonus: Most contouring pillows have special ergonomic designs that treat your neck like a queen. This plush one has a shallow center cavity for cervical support that gently cradles your neck, so you can sleep soundly and pain-free.

Cervical contour pillows like this one are loved by experts because "your neck rests on a less elevated side when lying on your back, or on a more elevated side when sleeping on your side," says Neel Anand, MD, a professor of orthopedic surgery and the director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles.

Long gone are the days of water beds. But the trend of water pillows is alive and well—as it should be given its perks. Water pillows are actually effective at reducing sleep pain intensity, increasing pain relief, and improving quality of sleep, says Kathryn McElheny, MD, a sports medicine attending physician at the Hospital For Special Surgery.

All you have to do is fill the inner pouch (which is surrounded by comfy, typical pillow fabric) to your liking, lie down, and drift away.

Heading to the store to try pillows before buying is never a bad idea. "Spending the time upfront can save you money–and aches–in the long run," says Dr. Anand. If you can't, this pillow is a solid choice, given its five-year warranty. It's also contoured, making it adaptable to your head, neck, and shoulders. There's a higher side and a lower side, so you can choose the one that's most comfy for you.

Want to get comfy while kicking back with a book? This pillow by Sleep Number is perfect for those moments. It's made with two sections designed to support the neck, shoulders, and lower back. The lower section is specifically made with a blend of down alternative and memory foam to allow the pillow to contour to your upper body.

Women's Health editors have a thing for Saatva mattresses, but their pillows are great, too. This graphite memory foam pillow is firm and contouring, and is designed to draw heat away from the body. The cooling effect is perfect for those who tend to sleep hot.

Caring for your neck and caring for the environment can go hand in hand. This organic buckwheat hull pillow from Hullo is a good eco-friendly—and contoured—option.

This pillow's also customizable, which is important since finding the perfect one can be a game of trial and error. You can actually remove (or add) filling until you get it juuuuust right.

If you switch positions and swap sides while you snooze, you're going to want to steer clear of contoured pillows, which might actually cause more neck pain because you don't stay in the one position that it's made to support.

Instead, go for an adjustable pillow like this one from Coop Home Goods. It allows you to customize the amount of shredded memory foam fill to your liking.

Consider your daytime habits—specifically, texting. If you're a tech junkie, Dr. Anand recommends avoiding a pillow that causes your head to bend forward while lying on your back or one that causes your head to bend significantly to the side while lying on your side. This will only exacerbate the "tech neck" or neck pain you probably experience from bending your head forward to look at your gadgets all day.

The fix? This slim memory foam option, which will keep your neck and spine in a nice straight line.

If you have allergies, a good pillow that does wonders for your neck will only help so much. But you can sleep soundly knowing that both your neck and nose will be at peace with Pacific Coast's cushiony pillow-in-a-pillow. It's made specifically to block dust mites and allergens without using any chemicals. One is filled with feathers and focuses on support while the other made with down is for comfort.

Hatten uses the Purple Harmony himself. "[It's] the best pillow on the market," he says. It comes in three sizes, so you can pick the pillow that will work best for you.

The pillow feels like a version of the mattress. It's pretty springy, and doesn't go flat. It's a little pricey—but your neck will surely appreciate the splurge.

If you're a side sleeper, Hatten recommends trying out the pillow cube. The pillow is designed to fill in the gap between your neck and shoulder to help you avoid and alleviate any pain. It's also made with cooling technology, so that there's no need to turn to the other side of the pillow in the middle of the night.