The Best Orthopedic Pillows For Reliable Support In Any Sleeping Position
A pillow is almost as important as your mattress when it comes to keeping you comfortable and in a healthy position while you sleep. The best orthopedic pillows are designed to keep your spine properly aligned while you sleep, which is especially important if you experience neck, shoulder or back pain. Our top pick, the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow, features a customizable fill that lets you find the perfect balance between softness and support, regardless of your sleep position. It’s an adaptable option that prioritizes both comfort and alignment, making it a great fit for different sleeping styles.
“It is highly important to use the appropriate pillow type based on one’s sleeping position,” explains Dr. George Cyril, a physiatrist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. “If the spine is held in misalignment for long periods of time, this can cause neck pain that can later cause a chronic condition if perpetuated over several months or years.” Backed by expert recommendations and thorough research, we’ve rounded up orthopedic pillows that cater to a range of needs—from firm support for side sleepers to cooling options for hot sleepers.
For more comprehensive relief, check out our guides on the best orthopedic mattresses and the best mattress toppers for back pain.
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Best Orthopedic Pillow Overall: Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow (Queen)
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Best Orthopedic Pillow For Neck Pain: Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow (Medium)
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Best Orthopedic Pillow For Side Sleepers: Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow (Standard/Queen)
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Best Orthopedic Pillow For Back Sleepers: Lagoon Fox Pillow (Queen)
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Best Orthopedic Knee Pillow: Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Knee Pillow
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Best Orthopedic Body Pillow: Tempur-Pedic Body Pillow
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Best Orthopedic Cooling Pillow: Sleep Number True Temp Contour Pillow (Standard)
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Best Organic Orthopedic Pillow: Avocado Molded Latex Pillow (Standard)
Best Orthopedic Pillow Overall
Adjustable, Supportive And Fits Almost Any Sleep Position
Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow (Queen)
Fill: Memory foam and microfiber | Firmness: Medium-firm | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 5 years
Pros:
- Adjustable fill for customizable loft
- Hypoallergenic materials
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Slight odor upon unpacking (dissipates over time)
If you’re looking for a pillow that adapts to your sleep style, the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow might be exactly what you need. Its memory foam and microfiber blend allows you to easily adjust the fill until it feels just right for you—whether you need more height as a side sleeper or prefer a lower profile for back or stomach sleeping.
What’s more, this pillow is hypoallergenic and comes with a machine-washable cover, so keeping it fresh and clean is effortless. The pillow’s high-quality construction ensures that the fill remains evenly distributed, preventing the uncomfortable lumps that can develop over time with fewer pillows. With a 100-night trial to ensure it’s the right fit, this pillow is a solid choice for anyone wanting comfort and support tailored to their needs, without being locked into one firmness level.
What the reviews say: One happy customer says, “I have searched long and far for a pillow that would adequately support my neck as a side sleeper. After buying numerous different pillows, 4 in total, I finally landed on this one.” Another claims, ”The pillow has by far diminished any previous neck pain that I was suffering from. Likewise, I love that the adjustable filling allows me to customize the loft to my preference, ensuring a perfect night’s sleep.”
Best Orthopedic Pillow For Neck Pain
A Classic Choice Known For Its Targeted Neck Support
Fill: Tempur foam | Firmness: Firm | Trial: None | Warranty: 5 years
Pros:
- Firm support tailored for neck alignment
- Available in three sizes for a more personalized fit
- Ergonomically shaped to promote alignment
Cons:
- Might feel too firm for some sleepers
- Ergonomic contouring isn’t for stomach sleepers
The Tempur-Pedic brand is nearly synonymous with pressure relief—and for good reason. The Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow is specifically designed with the brand’s contouring memory foam to keep your head and neck aligned, making it a popular choice for those dealing with chronic pain. (It was also named our top pick in another Forbes Vetted article on the best pillows for neck pain.)
Crafted with a signature foam that will never lose its shape, this pillow provides consistent, firm support where you need it most. The ergonomic design follows the natural curve of your spine, helping to relieve pressure and prevent discomfort while you sleep. You can choose from three sizes—small, medium and large—to find the fit that works for your body and delivers the right level of support.
What the reviews say: “This pillow is extremely well made. We love the comfort of it, and the shape of it really helps with neck problems when sleeping,” says one reviewer. “It is super easy to pack up for a road trip, and holds its shape extremely well. Great gift for someone with neck or back problems.”
Best Orthopedic Pillow For Side Sleepers
High-Loft Support That Keeps Side Sleepers Comfy And Supported
Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow (Standard/Queen)
Fill: Graphite-infused memory foam, shredded memory foam, and latex | Firmness: Medium | Trial: 45 days | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Thick profile ideal for side sleepers
- Cooling technology helps regulate temperature
- Machine-washable organic cotton cover
Cons:
- Higher price point
- May feel too tall for stomach sleepers
Side sleepers tend to need a pillow with extra height and firmness to maintain proper neck alignment, and our pick from Saatva delivers exactly that. With its 6.5-inch loft and responsive memory foam, this pillow is designed to cradle your head without letting it drop, reducing the risk of waking up with shoulder or neck pain. The core combines shredded memory foam and latex, offering both support and a bit of give, so it stays comfortable throughout the night and doesn’t require fluffing.
For side sleepers, finding the right balance between support and softness is key, and this pillow does it well. As a bonus, the graphite-infused foam helps draw heat away and keep you more comfortable through the night. Plus, the machine-washable organic cotton cover makes it easy to keep everything clean.
What the reviews say: One customer compared this purchase to “buying your first good pair of sneakers,” saying it finally offers “real padding and support.” After years of tossing and turning on less expensive pillows, the customer reports getting a peaceful rest on the first night.
Best Orthopedic Pillow For Back Sleepers
Enjoy Adjustable Firmness And Breathable Comfort
Fill: Shredded memory foam and polyester microfibers | Firmness: Adjustable | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 5 years
Pros:
- Fully adjustable to match personal loft preferences
- Soft yet supportive feel that works for various sleep positions
- Breathable bamboo-blend cover is breathable and moisture-wicking
Cons:
- May feel too soft for those needing firmer support
For back sleepers, the right pillow should have a supportive feel that doesn’t push your head too far forward while still offering enough cushioning to stay comfortable. The Lagoon Fox Pillow hits that sweet spot by letting you adjust the fill to achieve just the right height for your sleep style. Whether you prefer a slightly more plush loft or want to keep things on the flatter side, this pillow is designed to work with you.
The breathable bamboo-blend cover keeps you cool and comfortable, while the shredded memory foam blend supports your neck and spine throughout the night. The pillow’s construction also ensures that it stays consistently supportive, avoiding the flattening that can occur with other materials over time. If your goal is waking up without stiffness or discomfort, this pillow provides customizable support to help you get there.
What the reviews say: “I have outfitted every bedroom of our new home with Lagoon pillows. They are amazing and have made sleeping almost ethereal,” says one reviewer. “The pillows are extremely comfortable, hold their shape and have eliminated a lot of the tossing and turning during the night trying to readjust the loft with other brand pillows.”
Best Orthopedic Knee Pillow
Eases Pressure And Supports Spinal Alignment
Fill: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 5 years
Pros:
- Removable inserts for adjustable height
- Ergonomic shape for pressure relief
- Machine-washable cover
Cons:
- May feel too firm for those preferring a softer cushion
- Only available in one size
Keeping your spine aligned while you sleep isn’t just about your head and neck—the way your lower body is supported plays a big role too. The Coop Sleep Goods Orthopedic Knee Pillow is designed to help reduce pressure on your hips and lower back by providing a supportive cushion between your legs. Its firm memory foam construction keeps your hips and spine neutral, which is especially useful if you deal with back or hip pain.
The best part about this knee pillow is its adjustable design. Removable inserts let you tailor the height to your exact comfort level, while the ergonomic shape cradles your knees in a way that feels secure (without being too bulky). And the breathable bamboo-blend cover is easy to clean, so maintenance is simple.
What the reviews say: “This knee pillow is excellent. I adjusted the pillow to ensure my hips were properly aligned, although it was comfortable without any tweaking,” says one customer, who had been using a regular pillow as a makeshift solution. “It is much easier to use than my regular pillow. Easy to change positions, too.”
Best Orthopedic Body Pillow
A Supportive Pick For Full-Body Comfort
Tempur-Pedic Body Pillow
Fill: Tempur-Material and micro-cushions | Firmness: Medium-firm | Trial: None | Warranty: 5 years
Pros:
- Contours to your whole body for surrounded support
- Ideal for side sleepers and expectant mothers
- Removable, washable cover
Cons:
- Higher price point
- No trial period
For those who need extra support beyond a standard pillow, the Tempur-Pedic Body Pillow offers full-body relief. It’s filled with responsive micro-cushions that adjust to your body’s shape, so it’s consistently supportive, helps keep your spine aligned and reduces pressure points throughout the night. Its medium-firm feel strikes the right balance between cushioning and stability, making it easy to stay comfortable whether you’re tucking it between your legs or hugging it to your chest. The cover, made from soft polyester knit, is soft, removable and washable. If you’re looking for more than just head and neck support—particularly if you’re a side sleeper or expectant mother—this body pillow can help change the way you sleep.
What the reviews say: “I have back and shoulder issues and this pillow really helped,” one customer raves. “The size and firmness is perfect.” The only complaint some reviewers have is that the pillow tends to get warm, which can be typical of memory foam materials.
Best Orthopedic Cooling Pillow
Offers Adaptive Cooling And Support
Fill: Supportive foam with soft fiberfill | Firmness: Medium-firm | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 1-year
Pros:
- Smart cooling tech adjusts to your body’s temperature
- Contoured shape supports side and back sleepers
- Hypoallergenic and easy to care for
Cons:
- Higher price tag
- Doesn’t accommodate stomach sleepers
Some pillows
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