THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
Oct 10, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic


Like a mattress, your pillow plays a significant role in keeping your spine in a neutral, straight alignment, which is key to preventing aches and pains come morning. As comfortable and classic as a down pillow may sound, the best orthopedic pillows offer sturdier support to help reinforce your back and spine’s natural curvature, and they don’t require constant fluffing. Our top choice is the versatile and accommodating Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Pillow, which lets you remove and add stuffing to suit your body type and preferred sleep posture.

A man lying on his side on the Coop Sleep Adjustable Pillow with a black border
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER

“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 eight 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.

Our Top Recommendations

Best Orthopedic Pillow Overall

Adjustable To Accommodate Your Curves And Pressure Points

Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow (Queen)

Fill: Memory foam and microfiber | Firmness: Adjustable | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 5 years

Best for:

  • Adjusting fill for a customizable loft (height)
  • Sensitive skin and allergies
  • Value shoppers

Skip if:

  • You’re sensitive to smells released from packaging 

If you’re looking for a pillow that adapts to your sleep style, the Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow is one of our favorites. It comes fully stuffed with a blend of memory foam and microfiber fill—and includes an extra bag for customization. You can 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. Managing editor Emmy Favilla tested the pillow and says, "It has quickly become my new go-to, comfortable no matter what position I’m sleeping in,” after choosing not to remove any fill. 

The Coop Sleep Goods pillow is also hypoallergenic and comes with a machine-washable cover for easier cleaning. Its high-quality construction ensures that the fill remains evenly distributed, preventing the uncomfortable lumps that can develop over time with other pillows. The classic shape comes standard, but you can upgrade to the Crescent or Cut-Out options, which cater to more specialized needs. While customers receive a risk-free trial after purchase, Amazon offers 30 days and Coop’s policy is 100 nights.

Best Orthopedic Pillow For Neck Pain

A Contoured Choice That Supports The Cervical Spine

Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow (Small)

Fill: Tempur-Material (memory foam) | Firmness: Firm | Trial: None | Warranty: 5 years

Best for:

  • Firm support tailored for neck alignment
  • A more personalized fit (three sizes to choose from)
  • Neck pain and ergonomic support

Skip if:

  • You primarily sleep on your stomach

The Tempur-Pedic brand is nearly synonymous with pressure relief—and for good reason. The Tempur-Pedic Neck Pillow features the brand’s signature memory foam to keep your head and neck aligned, making it a popular choice for those dealing with chronic pain or sleepers seeking the best contour pillow. (It’s also named our top pick in our roundup on the best pillows for neck pain.) 

Crafted with a conforming foam that’s designed to 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. 

Best Orthopedic Pillow For Side Sleepers

Enjoy A Balanced Feel And Support That Doesn't Fall Flat

MOST POPULAR

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow (Standard/Queen)

Fill: Graphite-infused memory foam, shredded memory foam and latex | Firmness: Not listed | Trial: 45 days | Warranty: 1 year

Best for:

  • Side sleepers who need a loftier, taller profile
  • Hot sleepers (features cooling technology)
  • Easy maintenance
  • Those who’d like the choice between lofts

Skip if:

  • You favor stomach sleeping

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 two heights to choose from, the high loft option (six to seven inches tall) is an ideal choice for sleeping on your side, as it’s 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. 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. 

Best Orthopedic Pillow For Back Sleepers

Customizable Loft To Suit Your Needs And Preferences

Lagoon Fox Pillow (Queen)

Fill: Shredded memory foam and polyester microfibers | Firmness: Adjustable | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 5 years

Best for:

  • Most sleeping positions due to its interchangeable loft
  • A soft and supportive feel that blends foam with fluff
  • Those who want easy care (removable and machine-washable cover)

Skip if:

  • 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 plusher loft or want to keep things on the flatter side, this pillow is designed to work with your needs.

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 to wake up without stiffness or discomfort, this pillow provides customizable support to help you get there.

Best Orthopedic Knee Pillow

Helps To Ease Pressure Along Your Hips And Spine

Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Knee Pillow

Fill: Memory foam | Firmness: Firm | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 5 years

Best for:

  • Varying body shapes and sizes
  • Ergonomic pressure relief
  • Placing between your knees
  • Easy maintenance

Skip if:

  • You prefer a softer cushion

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. Note that the pillow is a non-returnable product if you purchase through Amazon, but Coop offers a 100-night trial when you buy directly through its site.

Best Orthopedic Body Pillow

Head-To-Toe Pressure Relief For Most Shapes And Sizes

Tempur-Pedic Body Pillow

Fill: Tempur-Material and micro-cushions | Firmness: Medium-firm | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 5 years

Best for:

  • Different sleep postures and body types
  • Expectant mothers
  • Those living with back or joint pain
  • Convenient cleaning

Skip if:

  • You’re a lightweight stomach sleeper

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. Keep in mind that Tempur-Pedic doesn’t accept pillow returns, but Amazon offers a 30-day trial on this product.

Best Cooling Orthopedic Pillow

A One-Of-A-Kind Feel With Unmatched Breathability

Purple Harmony (Standard)

Fill: Talalay latex core and hyper-elastic polymer | Firmness: Medium | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 1-year

Best for:

  • Side and back sleepers
  • Those prone to sleeping warm
  • Allergies and eco-conscious individuals

Skip if:

  • You primarily sleep on your stomach

Purple incorporated its signature hyper-elastic polymer (a squishy, gel-like material that makes up the GelFlex Grid) into a supportive, soft and breathable pillow ideal for night sweats, aches and pains and more comfortable nights. Its core is made from naturally sourced Talalay latex, an antimicrobial, hypoallergenic and supportive foam type that helps the pillow maintain its structure, while Purple’s honeycomb-shaped grid sits in the comfort layer. The feel is comparable to a Dr. Scholl’s insole—soft, cushy and supportive—and it’s covered in air pockets, which promotes greater airflow. It’s also unlike memory foam in that it doesn’t retain heat, and it’s finished with a mesh, jersey-like cover that’s ultra-breathable. 

“The brand describes the Harmony as airy and supportive, which seems contradictory, but it really is accurate,” says senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman. "As mostly a side sleeper who sometimes switches to my back, the medium height offers the perfect level of contouring comfort and support.” Sleepers have the choice between low, medium and tall loft profiles, letting you cater to your specific sleep posture and body type. 

Best Organic Orthopedic Pillow

Breathable, Bouncy And Hypoallergenic For A Cleaner Sleep

Avocado Molded Latex Pillow (Standard)

Fill: Charcoal-infused molded latex | Firmness: Firm | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 1-year

Best for:

  • Eco-conscious individuals and those with allergies
  • Hot sleepers
  • Back and side sleepers
  • Effortless cover cleaning

Skip if:

  • A heavier pillow sounds unappealing

The Avocado Molded Latex Pillow proves that sustainable choices don’t have to compromise on support. The molded charcoal-infused latex core offers the stability needed for proper neck and spine alignment while keeping you cool with its breathable, perforated design. Meanwhile, the GOTS-certified organic cotton cover feels soft against your skin and is easy to care for. The charcoal infusion in the latex does double duty, helping manage moisture and odors so you can have a fresher sleeping experience. If you’re looking for a pillow that supports both your body and your values, this pick brings it all together without cutting corners on comfort.

RECOMMENDED BY FORBES VETTED

The Forbes Vetted team has built an extensive library of sleep-related content. We’ve researched, tested and reviewed dozens of pillows to create in-depth guides covering everything from the best cooling pillows to the best pillows for neck pain. Our recommendations are based on a combination of expert advice and careful research to give our readers the information they need to get a great night’s sleep.

To find the best orthopedic pillows for various needs and sleep styles, we considered expert advice, key features and real customer experiences. We focused on selecting pillows that promote proper alignment and help with common pain points, while taking into account material, firmness and special features like cooling.

Your sleep position is key when choosing an orthopedic pillow. Cyril explains that back sleepers usually need thinner, softer pillows to avoid pushing the head too far forward, while side sleepers do best with firmer, higher pillows that keep the neck aligned with the spine. Stomach sleeping is generally not recommended because it can strain the neck—but if you must, opt for the flattest pillow possible. Matching your pillow to your sleep position is one of the simplest ways to reduce pain and support proper alignment.

Your body type affects how much support and elevation you need from a pillow. For example, broader shoulders or heavier builds often call for higher-loft pillows to fill the gap between the neck and mattress, especially for side sleepers. On the other hand, those with smaller frames might feel more comfortable with a medium or low-loft pillow. Cyril advises focusing on how well your pillow supports both your head and neck. The goal is to keep your spine straight, whether you’re on your back, stomach or side, to avoid unnecessary tension and discomfort.

Different pillow materials offer varying levels of support, breathability and durability. According to Cyril, memory foam and latex are often recommended for their pressure-relieving properties. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common materials:

How an orthopedic pillow is built has a big impact on its comfort and longevity. Some of the best contour pillows follow the natural curves of your neck, while others let you adjust layers to find the right loft. Cyril recommends choosing pillows that maintain consistent support without flattening out too quickly. Look for options with removable inserts if you want the flexibility to adjust height and firmness. Whether it’s a single-piece pillow or a multi-layered option, the key is finding one that keeps you properly aligned night after night.

Trial periods and warranties are worth considering when investing in an orthopedic pillow. Cyril says that finding the right fit can take some trial and error, especially when you’re exploring different materials or shapes. Brands usually offer (at minimum) a 30-day trial to give you time to see if a pillow really meets your needs. Warranties matter too—they help ensure your pillow keeps its shape and support over time. A good orthopedic pillow should last for years, so look for one with a warranty that reflects that quality.

Knowing where your pain comes from can guide you toward the right orthopedic pillow. Whether it’s neck, shoulder or back pain, it’s important to choose a pillow made for your specific issue. Cyril explains that neck pain often calls for pillows with contouring support, while back pain may benefit from models that distribute pressure evenly, like our choice for the best contour pillow. If you have shoulder pain, especially as a side sleeper, you might need a thicker pillow or one with a special shoulder cutout. Identifying what’s causing your discomfort makes it easier to find a pillow that offers real relief.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)