The 8 Best Pillows For Migraines That Help Minimize Tension Triggers

Fill material: Gel-infused memory foam, microfiber | Washable: Yes, cover only | Height: Adjustable 

What you’ll love:

• Ships with extra bag of fill
• Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified

Keep in mind:

• May take time to find the perfect loft
• Needs to be fluffed regularly

Staying cool and comfortable at night is crucial when you have migraines, and the EdenCool Pillow from Coop Sleep Goods delivers on both fronts. The adjustable fill—made with gel-infused, shredded memory foam to help combat heat retention—is adjustable, so you can create the loft that feels right by unzipping the inner pillow to add or remove fill as necessary. Each pillow comes with an extra half-pound of fill, in case your sleep style and body type benefit from an overstuffed feel. The pillow’s outer cover is made with Lulltra fabric, which is both breathable and machine washable for easy care. We also like that the pillow is certified by Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US to lower your risk of exposure to harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

What the reviews say: This pillow gets high marks for its adjustability and comfort. “I have been suffering with neck pain and migraines for months—this pillow came and changed it all,” says one customer. “It took a couple days of figuring out the correct amount of filling, but now it’s like heaven.” A fellow self-described migraine sufferer calls this pillow “a life saver.”

Fill material: Memory foam | Washable: Yes, cover only | Height: 3.5, 4 or 4.8 inches

What you’ll love:

• Ergonomic shape to support the neck
• Three size options
• Designed for back and side sleepers

Keep in mind:

• May be too firm for some
• Doesn’t work for stomach sleepers

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Ergo Neck Pillow is a contoured pillow with a firmer feel to help cradle your head and neck as you sleep, which can help relieve tension and nix neck pain. The pillow features a wavy shape that’s designed to follow the natural curve of your head and neck, keeping it in alignment overnight, so it’s best suited to back and side sleepers. It’s made with Tempur foam and designed to maintain its shape indefinitely. The pillow comes in your choice of three sizes—small, medium and large. While the pillow itself isn’t machine washable, the removable cover is.

What the reviews say: Several self-described migraine sufferers say this pillow has helped ease their pain. “I suffer from severe migraines, and 10 out of 10 recommend this pillow to anyone,” says one owner. “I sleep on my side and this pillow supports your neck and is so amazing.” Another calls the pillow “life changing,” and says, “I ordered this in a desperate attempt to quell migraines…. My sleep quality and daily neck strain improved significantly. I have not had a headache at all in [the] past few weeks I have used it. [I] can’t say it cures all, but it seems to greatly improve my quality of life so far.”

Fill material: Gel memory foam | Washable: Yes, outer cover | Height: 6 inches

What you’ll love:

• Cool-to-the-touch cover
• Firm feel
• Aerated for breathability

Keep in mind:

• No king size available
• No firmness choices

Memory foam is a helpful material for migraine sufferers due to its ability to provide support with just enough give. But a drawback to memory foam is that it tends to sleep hot. The GhostPillow is designed to combat heat retention while still delivering firm, even support, thanks to an aerated gel-memory foam core that encourages airflow and a cooling cover made with the brand’s proprietary Ghost Ice Fabric. It also features specialized phase change material that adjusts to your body heat as you sleep to keep you cool all night. We like that the cover unzips and can be tossed in the wash as needed. Choose from standard and queen sizes.

What the reviews say: The cooling properties of the GhostPillow are a big hit with owners. “I suffer from neck pain and migraines and both have significantly lessened since I got my GhostPillow,” shares one owner. “Falling asleep is faster, complete comfort on any side has been delightful.” Another says that the pillow “cools well” and “helped reduce my migraines.”

Fill material: Polyester microfiber | Washable: Yes | Height: Not specified

What you’ll love:

• Light and airy with a choice of firmness
• Easy to wash and dry

Keep in mind:

• No firm option offered
• Takes up to 24 hours to fluff up out of packaging

Getting a quality pillow doesn’t need to cost a ton. These down alternative pillows from Amazon Basics are sold as a set and cost just under $12 a piece, making them a bargain buy. They’re available in a choice of medium and soft firmness levels, which makes them a good fit for many back and stomach sleepers (though side sleepers in search of a little more loft and support may need to look elsewhere). The pillows also feature a 100% polyester microfiber shell. While the cover isn’t removable, the entire pillow can be tossed in the wash as needed. Choose from standard and king sizes.

What the reviews say: Many owners rave about this pillow’s comfort. “I suffer from migraines and constant tense neck issues, and this pillow allowed me to sleep all the way through the night, waking to no neck pain,” says one. Another shares, “I don’t have migraine or cervical pain anymore. They are fluffy but not too mushy.”

Fill: Memory foam | Washable: Yes, cover only | Height: 3.5 and 4.4 inches or 4.1 and 5.2 inches, but can be adjusted

What you’ll love:

• Ergonomic, adjustable design
• Options for height
• Several color choices

Keep in mind:

• Lacks traditional pillow look and feel
• May need to air out before first use

A cervical pillow has a unique shape and firm feel that isn’t for everyone, but it can help add extra support for those who need it. The Osteo Cervical Pillow is an Amazon bestseller, and it has an army of fans—self-described back, side and stomach sleepers—who swear by its comfort and stability. The pillow features a butterfly shape with a divot in the center for your head. Angles on the sides provide designated spots for your arms. Another nice perk: The height is adjustable, thanks to memory foam inserts that can be added or removed, which is a rarity with cervical pillows. It also features varying heights on the top and bottom, so you can decide what works best for you. The entire pillow is covered in mesh fiber to create a breathable feel. Choose from standard and queen sizes, as well as your pick of six colors.

What the reviews say: One self-described migraine sufferer says, “My neck feels supported and it’s perfect for my tossing and turning.” Another says it helped put an end to their headaches. “My neck and shoulder pain gradually subsided within the first week of sleeping on this pillow and my migraines were gone,” they write. “It’s been a few months now since I bought the pillow, and I’m still happy with it.”

Fill material: GelFlex Grid, memory foam | Washable: Spot clean only | Height: Adjustable 

What you’ll love:

• Cooling cover
• Adjustable internal neck chambers for personalized support
• Comes with throw pillowcase to store extra fill

Keep in mind:

• Can take time to find the right loft

Adjustability is a nice feature if you struggle with migraines, since it gives you the freedom to find that just-right loft for the ideal level of support. Purple’s Freeform Pillow is filled with the brand’s MicroFlex Moon Foam, a proprietary type of memory foam, which you can add and subtract as needed. Each pillow comes with a complimentary 12 x 20-inch throw pillowcase to house extra foam. The pillow is wrapped in the company’s honeycomb GelFlex Grid for a supportive, cooling feel. Plus, it’s made with internal neck chambers that you can fill to create targeted neck support, if that’s your preference. The pillow is offered in standard and king sizes.

What the reviews say: “I’ve tried so many pillows and this is the only one that makes me wake up with no pain,” says one. Another writes, “I went on a weekend road trip and took the pillow. No matter what was going on, I could sleep literally anywhere with this pillow, because it’s so moldable yet sturdy.”