The Best Cervical Pillows for Neck Pain

If you suffer from sleepless nights due to constant neck pain, you are not alone, and the solution to your problem might be a treatment known as cervical traction.

This is the process of lightly stretching the neck by pulling it away from your head to relax the muscles and reduce pressure on your spine, thus eliminating neck pain. [1]

It is popularly used in physical therapy to treat neck strains and tension, pinched nerves, arthritis in the neck, cervical muscle spasms, shoulder pain, herniated discs, neck spasms and related conditions.

One way you can employ this technique is with a cervical pillow. These are pillows for neck pain which you use while sleeping at night.

In this article I’ll review 10 of the best cervical pillows for neck pain currently available, then I’ll highlight my top pick from the list.

What is a Cervical Neck Pillow?

A cervical pillow supports your neck, head and spine while you sleep.

They offer different levels of firmness to suit your condition and are made with materials designed specifically to reduce compression to your cervical spine such as foam or polyester fibre.

Cervical traction can be employed via a physical therapist, chiropractor, massage therapist or by using a cervical pillow.

Cervical pillows can help to alleviate bulging discs in the neck, manage neck spasms, and help with neck pain and muscle stiffness by gently stretching the muscles.

It is also used to treat pinched nerves, and herniated discs and helps to release pressure on your blood vessels and nerve roots and intervertebral discs. [2]

Since cervical pillows can reduce neck pain while you sleep, you’ll also likely benefit from improved sleep and comfort during the night.

What to Look for When Buying a Cervical Pillow

There are a few things you’ll want to keep an eye out for when buying a pillow for neck pain.

If you’ve never purchased one before, here are some helpful factors to consider:

Sleeping Position Preferences 

Be sure to make note of your own preferred sleeping position when choosing the right pillow.

Ensure that the product states whether the pillow is for side-sleepers, stomach- sleepers or back-sleepers.

Some cervical pillows are designed to accommodate all types of sleep positions and some are not!

Fabric and filling

If you have skin sensitivity then the material on the outside and inside of the pillow will be important.

Some cervical pillows are made from chemical-free and/or hypoallergenic material so read the product information before purchase.

Size variations

Sizing is very important when buying a cervical pillow.

Sleeping on an incorrectly sized pillow can further aggravate your neck pain so you must ensure that you find the right, size, height and firmness. [3]

Shapes and forms

Some cervical pillows might imitate the shape of a traditional pillow, while some boast unique shapes.

Some cervical pillows also come in the form of a roll and are used in conjunction with your regular pillow.

Customizable

Some companies offer the option to customize the pillow to your liking by adding or removing the filling.

These come with a zipper option so you can easily access the inner filling.

10 Best Cervical Pillows for Neck Pain in 2023

Now that I’ve explained what to look for when choosing a pillow for neck pain, along with the benefits of having one, let’s compare some of the best cervical pillows on the market.

This soft but firm contour memory foam pillow works whether you sleep on your stomach, back or side and is available in 3 sizes and 1 colour, white.

It also comes with a removable piece of foam for proper height adjustment.

It is made from breathable, premium memory foam to keep you dry and cool by providing enhanced air circulation, and is enclosed in a net jacket.

The Epabo pillow is made from chemical-free material and comes with a hypoallergenic pillowcase, made from polyester/rayon blend.

Furthermore, the ergonomic design is contoured to align and offer support for your back, shoulder, head and neck.

Some users found the pillow too firm while others noted that it was not effective for side sleepers, despite being advertised as such.

However, if you suffer from pinched nerves and have sensitive skin this might be a good pick since it is chemical-free and comes with a hypoallergenic pillowcase.

The Arc4life pillow has 2 components; a neck roll side for proper neck support while you sleep, and a traction v-side that can be used for 10-25 minutes per day to gently stretch your neck.

It also offers 2 support levels with one side being much softer than the other, and is available in small, medium and large in the colour white.

This pillow for neck pain is filled with polyester fibre and is designed to provide ergonomic support for back sleepers.

Some popular complaints were that the pillow quality was poor especially for the price.

Furthermore, the company does not offer returns or a money-back guarantee.

Despite these complaints, this pillow was specially created for sufferers of cervical radiculopathy, arthritis, numbness and tingling in the neck, and degeneration, so if these are your issues, this is a suitable choice.

With 5 size options ranging from child (6-10 years old) petite, average, large and XL, Therapeutica offers something for everyone.  

This orthopaedic sleeping pillow features a wedge extension to support your upper back.

A head cradle for back sleepers and is even designed for jaw pressure relief.

Additionally, the side panels are raised to accommodate the height of your shoulders when sleeping on your side.

This pillow is fabricated from firm, moulded foam and is ideal for back sleepers to help recondition the natural curve of your neck. It will not lose its form or pliability over time.

Some users felt that this pillow didn’t offer enough of a curve for proper head and neck positioning while others (mostly-side sleepers) simply found it uncomfortable.

Nonetheless, if you have a child whose sleep is being affected by neck pain this is a great pillow to suit their needs.

Also, if you suffer from allergies or have sensitive skin this non-toxic and non-allergenic solution might be just what you need.

This Perform neck pillow was designed by a chiropractor and is made with special high-density memory foam.

It also boasts an orthopaedic design and is contoured to properly align your spine during sleep.

The eco-friendly foam is free from toxic heavy metals such as Lead and Mercury, and the cover is made with 43% bamboo and 56% polyester.

It is also bacteria resistant and offers natural deodorisation.

Ideal for both back and side sleepers, the memory foam pillow and cover are also hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant.

It is available in 3 sizes: thin, for children or adults with smaller necks; medium for those who require average thickness and thick, for those who need extra thickness.

On the downside, this pillow is pricey and users complained that it did not contain enough memory foam for their liking.

On the other hand, it is designed by a chiropractor to align your spine, so if you suffer from a stiff neck, cervical radiculopathy or related issues this is a good choice.

The covering of this pillow is made from 40% rayon (derived from bamboo) and 60% polyester, guaranteeing you a luxurious experience.

The case also provides comfort and breathability thanks to its blend of polyester and viscose rayon. 

It is designed with a medium-firm combination of microfiber and memory foam, and is fully adjustable.

The memory foam fill is also adjustable allowing you to add more fill, or remove extras to accommodate your size or sleep position. Your pillow will arrive with an extra bag of fill for pillow adjustment.

The Coop Home Goods memory foam pillow is available in queen and king size and is dust mite resistant and hypoallergenic, plus it is vegan and cruelty-free.

The product’s fill and cover are both machine washable and it is certified by Greengard Gold and certiPUR-US.

Some customers noted a chemical smell coming from their pillow while others complained that theirs flattened over time.

Despite the cons, this pillow is highly rated and sells at a good price, plus there is a 100-night sleep trial or your money back.

So, if you suffer from stiff neck, neck pain, shoulder pains or pinched nerves, this one comes highly recommended.

Innovated by NASA, this advanced neck relief pillow boasts a unique shape, and has ergonomically designed twofold zones.

One side is firmer than the other offering proper neck, and shoulder support along with a softer centre to cradle your head.

The other side also has a uniquely curved shape.

It is engineered to not only relieve pressure while you sleep, but also provide personalized neck support without losing its shape.  

Available in small, medium and large, the Tempur-Ergo comes with a removable, washable cover and your purchase is protected by a 5-year limited warranty.

Popular complaints were that the height of the pillow was too tall and others found it too hard for comfort.

Nonetheless, it is moderately priced and has a 5-year limited warranty so if you require a firm neck pillow for your neck pain give this one a try.

This pillow from Zamat is made from a high-quality odourless memory foam that is CertiPUR-US certified, offering medium firmness.

It features an armrest to reduce pressure in your arm and wrist, a wedge extension to properly support your neck, and a cutout area —ideally for side sleeping positions since it takes the pressure off your shoulders while you lay on your side.

The main standout feature of this pillow is that it can accommodate all kinds of sleepers – including stomach, side and back sleepers.

You can also spin around the pillow and use it upside down to change the height and fit of the pillow on your neck.

The lower side is roughly 3.7 inches and the higher side is around 4.5 inches.

Overall, this is a good option for people who like to move around and change positions continually throughout the night.

This pillow is the only one on our list that comes in the form of a neck roll, and works in conjunction with any size pillow.

It works by sliding the roll into your pillowcase to eliminate neck and back pain resulting from pressure placed on your discs, and poor sleeping posture.

Its distinctive shape and size are designed to ensure proper alignment and curve while sleeping.

This OPTP McKenzie cervical roll pillow —developed by physical therapist Robin McKenzie— is made with soft foam for padded neck support throughout the night.

Ideal for back and side-sleepers, it also comes with a removable, washable cover.

Certain buyers noticed that their neck roll flattened over time and they later found out that the item was non-returnable.

However, if you need a product to support your neck while you sleep, give this budget-friendly option a try.  

The Elviros Cervical Memory Foam Pillow is like the Zamat and offers 3 methods of usage, and is designed for back, side and stomach sleepers.

Made from Ice Silk Viscose and Polyester, this pillow is ideal for neck and shoulder pain as its humanized design is said to relieve and support your neck and shoulder muscles.

Both ends of the pillow are of different heights depending on your preference and the curved design is meant to support your spine, relieve fatigue and even prevent you from snoring.

This advanced memory foam returns to its original shape after use, and is available in two sizes, Standard and Queen.

It provides excellent breathability designed to keep the pillow cool while you sleep on it.

Some users found the Elviros pillow too firm, while others felt that the pillow didn’t fit their head and neck comfortably.

However, this low-cost pillow doesn’t just help with neck pain, if you are a snorer and need a fix, this might do the trick.

This fully adjustable support pillow from Nature’s Guest, boasts top-quality craftsmanship with its 233 thread count cover, complete with silk trim.

Ideal for back and side sleepers, it is made from hypoallergenic materials and its patent-pending, contoured design is orthopaedic and chiropractor recommended.

It is fully adjustable allowing you to adjust the firmness from medium to soft by adding or removing filling from both the side sleeping section and the built-in neck roll cushion- via the side zippers.

The pillow has micro-fibre filling sheathed by superior, cotton fabric.

On another note, some buyers said that their zipper broke off easily while others complained that the filling was too hard.

Nonetheless, this allows you to adjust it to your liking and it is doctor recommended, so this option is good for a variety of neck related issues.   

The Best Cervical Pillow: Recommendation

In the end, I decided to go with the Zamat cervical neck pillow as my choice as the best pillow.

What I like most about this pillow is the option of having two heights for my neck that I can change throughout the night.

Often times during my sleep, for whatever reason, my neck feels a bit achy and I need differing levels of support on it. With this pillow, all I have to do is simply rotate the pillow to the other side.

It’s helped me improve my sleep a lot since using this pillow.

I don’t think this pillow is for everyone, however.

It may be too high for some people even on the lower side. Sometimes, my neck finds even the lower side too high, which is why I complement this pillow with an ordinary flat pillow.

It’s also slightly on the large side because of the added armrests. I don’t particularly need the armrests so this feature just takes up unnecessary space.

The bigger size also makes your bed setup look slightly out of order because you’ve got this one big pillow and then smaller pillows around it.

If you want a more regular-looking pillow the Coop Memory Foam Pillow could be a good choice for you.

This vegan and cruelty-free pillow from Coop Home Goods is moderately priced and comes with a 100-night sleep trial or your money back.

It is made from rayon (derived from bamboo) and polyester, guaranteeing a luxurious experience for a great night’s sleep.

This medium-firm pillow is sheathed in a breathable, comfortable case made from a blend of polyester and viscose rayon.

It comes with an extra bag of fill, allowing you to adjust your pillow with an amount that is ideal for your size, shape and sleep position.

It is available in 2 sizes and is dust mite resistant and hypoallergenic, plus both the cover and fill are machine washable.

Other Types of Cervical Traction Devices

There are varied sorts of cervical traction devices to help with neck pain on the market.

Here are some of the popular options:

Cervical Pillows

Cervical pillows look similar to traditional pillows (which this article covered) and are often used as a replacement.

They are available in assorted shapes, sizes and levels of firmness and are made with soft foam or a similar material.

Rolls

These are long, slim, rolls stuffed with similar fillings as the cervical pillows, but are placed specifically behind your neck during use.

Inflatable

These inflatable neck traction devices are positioned around the neck, then a hand pump is used to inflate the device to your desired level of pressure.

Related: The Best Cervical Neck Traction Device

Neck hammock

This tiny hammock must be anchored to a door or wall; you lay on your back with the hammock cradling your head for a specified amount of time.

Tips & Warnings

Before I end this article, we must remind you to first consult a doctor to ensure that pillows for neck pain are the best mode of treatment for your condition.

If you decide to purchase this product, exercise a bit of patience as there is usually an adjustment period.

You might feel uncomfortable for the first 2 weeks, but the timeline varies so read the product information carefully.

Once you’ve given your body adequate time to adjust to your neck pillow, you will be well on your way to many restful and pain-free nights.