8 best orthopaedic pillows to combat neck pain

Who says memory foam has to be soft? This medium/firm orthopaedic pillow is a best seller for those who sleep on their back or side. If memory foam has always been your go-to option while choosing pillows, then this memory foam dual-contoured pillow with a pressure-relieving core comes with a larger contour to support the spine alignment of side sleepers and a shallow one ideal for back sleepers. Reviewers who have had severe neck pain for months have shared their thoughts on this product. Even after losing their full range of motion and not being able to align their chin to either shoulder, it was observed that their neck pain subsided drastically after using this pillow. 

As a product that is also popular among side sleepers who are start off sleeping on their backs or switch positions while sleeping, most users have found that the comfort this pillow offers helps to reduce moving around so much in the night. The quality of the bag that it came with was also appreciated by many as it made storage and transport, if needed quite easy. As a good investment for a peaceful night's sleep, this pillow also comes with a five-year guarantee.

Contour pillows may not always seem the most comfortable or soft, but this supportive neck pillow provides the best pressure distribution for a perfect night's sleep. The ergonomic shape and curves of the contour memory foam pillow help to support your head, neck and shoulders while also relaxing your cervical spine whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach. The build makes it comfortable as it moulds to suit the head size, body weight and shoulder width of the user.  

One reviewer has mentioned that it takes a couple of nights to adjust and that rotating it a couple of times helps to get the right height and comfort. It also helps that the pillow comes with two heights that offers varying firmness between the two which is suitable for people who move around and switch positions while sleeping and a pillow that accommodates and supports various positions and pressures would be handy. Maintenance is also easy as it comes with a breathable and washable cover that can be removed. Since this pillow offers different firmness levels, some users have not found it firm enough for their liking. So this is something to consider while weighing your options.

This pillow is cool in summer and warm in winter. As a breathable option that is also firm this pillow allows heat and moisture to escape for a more comfortable sleep. If you are suffering from neck pain and looking to relieve strain with a good night's sleep, this pillow can do the job. It is a great option for front sleepers and several reviewers voice their agreement. People who have found memory foam pillows too large for front sleeping likes the fact that this option is half as thick as the other "standard" memory foam pillows and it takes a lot of pressure off your neck and shoulders.

However, if you are looking for a thicker and firmer pillow, then this is not the best option as it is thin. This was reflected in opinion of another reviewer who suffer from arthritis in a number of joints. This pillow alone was a little low once the head had settled into it, but this issue can be quickly resolved by placing a shallower, standard non-memory foam pillow underneath it. The pillowcase is also removable and washable which makes cleaning and maintaining easy.

The SIMBA hybrid pillow carries a hefty price tag, but it may be worth it to sleep like a baby. The Simba Hybrid® Pillow is a game-changing product that comes with temperature regulation and adjustable height and firmness. The Stratos temperature control technology keeps one side of the pillow cool by drawing away excess heat and the memory foam in this pillow is made up of an inner bag with tiny foam cubes which helps in adjustability to provide the right height and firmness that comes with individual use.  

One reviewer recommend this pillow to people who struggle to sleep at night and what most people love about this option is that you can buy more filling for the pillow if you want it more firm or take some out. It helps with stiff neck and pain by providing more support that you can adjust according to your needs. As a breathable option that also allows airflow through the pillow, you will be comfortable through the night. It also comes with the GenM Menopause Friendly symbol which indicates that it eases several difficulties that come with menopause. This pillow comes highly recommended by chiropractors and, while it's an investment, could save you neck and back pain in the long run.

This award-winning high-quality memory foam pillow is revolutionary in its design and is perfect for side, back and stomach sleepers. Comfortable and supportive, its patented technology cradles your head, offering support to the neck, cervical area, back and shoulder. Several reviewers who has been experiencing difficulties have found this pillow very helpful including a customer who had a couple of discs removed from their neck a few years ago. The brand uses their patented 'SILVER-BAC micro thread', made from real silver which is really effective against germs as well making it a perfect option if you are on the lookout for an anti-bacterial pillow. 

The high-density foam was appreciated by a lot of users as low-density foam remains compressed even after changing positions while sleeping. While some reviewers found the pillow to be a little smaller than the standard, it is soft to the touch and has just the right amount of give in it to support the neck and shoulders. You also do not have to break into the pillow to make it comfortable as it seems to get accustomed to your sleeping positions and patterns quite quickly. The material is breathable and takes heat away from your body which also contributes to a comfortable night.

Certified CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX for durability and performance, these pillows will provide your neck, shoulders, and back with efficient support whilst still being breathable for a cool and comfy night's sleep. This pillow is recommended for all sleep positions, thanks to the responsiveness of the contouring gel memory foam. A customer who had cervical spinal stenosis and needed a pillow soft enough to mould into the neck when laying on the back without pushing their chin into the chest found this pillow firm enough to fill the space between the ear and shoulder when sleeping on the side as well. The height of the pillow is right enough to allow your neck to sit at a neutral angle.

Many reviewers have praised this pillow for putting an end to neck stiffness, sore shoulders, and serving some serious comfort. It is also good for people who toss and turn throughout the night due to pain in the ears or headaches. The ventilated design with an air layer on the surface makes it very gentle and cooling on the skin, thereby avoid any discomfort to the head. They have also ensured that there is no formaldehyde, mercury, lead or heavy metals that go into the manufacturing process which leaves no chemical smell, thus providing a healthy sleep.

The Tempur Original SmartCool Pillow is another slightly pricier option, but guaranteed to provide the support you need. Made with NASA technology, the pillow is padded with ultra-sensitive cells which adapt to the shape of your head, neck and shoulders to provide the right amount of pressure. Users who have been suffering from neck pain for over two years have stated that this pillow has drastically reduced this. It is firm and provides neck support by moulding to your neck and adjusting as you move which makes it suitable for a range of sleeping positions. 

The brand is also willing to give a pillow for a 30-day trial to test it out and return it if you are not a fan. The heat absorbing technology also keeps the surface cool to the touch keeping your head comfortable and fresh throughout the night. Ideal for back and side sleepers, this pillow provides and support for several sleeping positions. It also comes in 3 sizes for you to choose the one that is most ideal for your needs.

For sciatica relief, back pain, hip pain and joint pain, you may find that using an orthopaedic leg pillow is very helpful. This ergonomically designed knee pillow fits between your knees to provide maximum comfort and support to ease pain and pressure on the lower back. The memory foam is designed to provide long-lasting comfort for hours and the contoured build helps you position your legs, hip and spine ideally while sleeping and improve circulation as well. 

Customers who suffer from bad sciatica have shared that they have been able to sleep through the entire night for the first time in a long while after using this pillow. While the pain is still present, there was a drastic decrease in the persistent pain that continues all day after using this pillow as was observed by many similar customers. The breathable cover ensures that it does not get too warm and it also removable and suitable for machine washing. This is also a good pillow that offers adequate support during pregnancy according to reviews.