Best Pillows for Neck Pain (Side Sleeper Edition)

Side sleepers who suffer from neck pain have to be especially picky when it comes to pillows. The wrong pillow can leave your neck bent at an awkward angle for hours, leading to morning pain.

The best pillows for neck pain for a side sleeper will provide enough height and firm support to keep the neck aligned with the spine. 

Adequate Loft (Height)

Side sleepers generally need a taller pillow than back sleepers. Your pillow should be high enough to fill the space between your mattress and your neck/shoulder. If it’s too thin, your head will tilt downward, straining the neck. Too thick, and your head will be pushed up, also causing misalignment. The ideal pillow height will keep your neck straight (horizontal) when you lie on your side. Often a medium-high loft is needed, but this depends on your shoulder width.

Firm, Stable Support

For neck pain relief, a pillow that holds its shape through the night is crucial. A medium-firm to firm pillow ensures your head doesn’t slowly sink down as you sleep. Materials like memory foam, latex, or buckwheat hulls are excellent because they don’t collapse under weight. In contrast, very soft down pillows tend to compress flat by morning, leaving your neck unsupported. A firmer pillow keeps the neck in a consistent, neutral position, which can prevent pain.

Ergonomic Shape or Adjustability

Many side sleepers with neck pain find great benefit in contoured pillows or adjustable-fill pillows. An ergonomic contour pillow has a curved design that supports the neck’s curve and cradles the head (common in memory foam cervical pillows). This can target pressure points and maintain alignment. Adjustable pillows – for example, those where you can add/remove shredded foam or have removable layers – are also fantastic. They let you fine-tune the height and firmness to your exact needs. This is a big plus if standard pillows never seem “just right” for your neck.

Beyond the pillow itself, ultimately, having the right pillow for your head and neck is the cornerstone to waking up without that nagging pain.

A top pick is the DonaHona “Sandwich” Pillow, an adjustable multi-layer pillow ideal for side sleepers with neck pain. Its innovative design consists of three stackable internal layers, so you can modify the pillow’s height and firmness by rearranging or removing layers. This means you can create the perfect loft to match your shoulder width – no more neck craning. The Sandwich Pillow is firm enough to hold its shape, with a supportive core that keeps your neck aligned, yet it has a soft, breathable bamboo-fiber outer cover for comfort. If you’ve struggled to find a pillow that alleviates your neck pain as a side sleeper, this customizable pillow could be the game-changer that finally lets you sleep pain-free.