Best Pillows for Shoulder Pain

Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology

At Sleep Advisor, our product reviews are based on findings from in-person tests that allow us to have a genuine understanding of how the mattress feels and performs.

Our team of testers evaluates the firmness, materials, and construction of pillows to see how they help alleviate shoulder pain. We also test how these pillows perform in different sleep positions. However, given that side sleepers typically experience the most shoulder pain, we paid close attention to how these pillows performed when we were sleeping on our sides.

Editor’s Pick

Saatva Latex Pillow

A pressure-relieving pillow made with natural latex.

Sleep Advisor Score

4.80 / 5

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Why the Saatva Latex Pillow Earned Editor’s Pick

I tend to do some of my best sleeping in hotel rooms. A big reason for this is that hotels often supply fluffy, but supportive pillows. We love that the Saatva Latex pillow allows you to bring that same kind of luxurious feel to your own bedroom.

The Sleep Advisor team found that this is especially true if you are a side or back sleeper. Furthermore, the manufacturer implemented several cooling elements such as a breathable cover and shredded filling. Considering that side sleepers can put a lot of pressure on their shoulders, we like how the fairly high loft of this pillow can keep sleepers’ spines aligned, which can take pressure off the small joints of your shoulders.

What’s the Saatva Latex Pillow Made Of?

This pillow has a soft cover made from organic cotton and side gussets that not only add an elegant touch but provide support to help this pillow maintain its shape without constant fluffing. This is beneficial to those with shoulder pain because the shredded Talalay latex that makes up the core shouldn’t compress too much throughout the night.

What We Liked

• Cooling elements – To provide additional comfort, Saatva implemented several cooling elements into the design of this pillow. The soft cover is made from breathable organic cotton that will help dissipate body heat. Also, the shredded latex filling allows for easier air circulation.
• Hypoallergenic – Latex is naturally hypoallergenic. This material does a great job of preventing the accumulation of mildew, dust mites, mold, and other allergens. However, those with latex allergies may want to find an alternative to pillows made from this material or at least verify that the latex has been treated so that it won’t trigger an allergic reaction.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Not ideal for stomach sleepers – Those who prefer to sleep on their stomachs typically do best with a pillow with a low loft. Considering that this pillow doesn’t compress much, the height is likely to put too much strain on a stomach sleeper’s neck.
• Not a great option for budget shoppers – Saatva uses premium materials in their latex pillow. Additionally, it is made with top-of-the-line craftsmanship and attention to detail. Although these are admirable qualities, the price may make this pillow too expensive for some budgets.

For more details on this pillow, visit our full-length Saatva Latex Pillow review or check out our Best Pillow options here. 

Best Memory Foam Pillow for Shoulder Pain

TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow

Featuring the brand’s famous TEMPUR® Material, this pillow adapts to the pressure from your head and neck to deliver soothing comfort.

Sleep Advisor Score

4.50 / 5

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Why the TEMPUR-Cloud® Pillow Earned Best Memory Foam Pillow for Shoulder Pain

When it comes to memory foam pillows, one of the characteristics that we like best is how the foam conforms around the head throughout the night, and the TEMPUR-Cloud® was a Sleep Advisor crowd-pleaser in this category.

This pillow earned high marks from our testing crew thanks to its firmness since this pillow should keep your neck and head elevated and spine aligned, especially if you sleep on your side or back. The crew at Sleep Advisor also liked that the TEMPUR® foam used in this pillow is slow-moving and should relieve pressure around your shoulders. While Tempur-Pedic’s website states that its good for stomach sleepers, we didn’t really find this to be the case because of the medium loft.

What’s the TEMPUR-Cloud® Pillow Made Of?

The core of the TEMPUR-Cloud® is made from a single block of firm proprietary TEMPUR® material. We liked the soft and cozy cover that provided comfort from the first touch. The cover is made from polyester knit. Additionally, this cover is hypoallergenic, and you can remove it to clean it in the washing machine.

What We Liked

• Machine-washable cover – The soft, polyester knit cover is removable. Once it is removed, you can throw it in the washing machine, making this pillow easy to clean.
• Slow-moving and moldable foam – Tempur-Pedic uses a single block of TEMPUR® material, their proprietary memory foam. This product is slow-moving, contouring, and supportive. This combination should provide pressure relief around the neck and shoulders.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Doesn’t regulate temperature well – Hot sleepers can have a rough time getting good sleep if they don’t have a good cooling pillow. Unfortunately, the single block of proprietary foam traps heat more than other pillows. However, if you’re not someone who sleeps hot, this shouldn’t be an issue for you.
• Only comes in one size – Many consumers like to have pillows that match the size of their beds. Unfortunately, this is only offered in a Standard size. Therefore, if you have a Queen or King-size bed, these may not be the best fit.

Find out more in our in-depth TEMPUR-Cloud® Pillow review or check out more Memory Foam Pillows here. 

Best Adjustable Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Luxome LAYR Pillow

A pillow with adjustable firmness levels for all types of sleepers

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Why the Luxome LAYR Pillow Earned Best Adjustable Pillow for Shoulder Pain

When a company known for their high-end bedroom accessories has an adjustable pillow, it doesn’t take much convincing to get someone to try it out. With three levels of adjustability, this pillow’s versatility is off the charts. In addition to providing shoulder pain relief, we appreciated that this plush, cooling pillow made us feel that we were sleeping in the lap of luxury.

What’s the Luxome LAYR Pillow Made of?

When your Luxome LAYR pillow arrives, it will be pre-configured with the pillow’s most popular combination, which means that you basically have two pillows in one. There is one side that is made of fluffy down alternative while the other has a cooling gel-infused memory foam that provides additional support.
You’ll also receive a soft, medium, and firm insert. With these three firmness inserts, you can create a multitude of loft and firmness configurations that best fit your preferred sleep position and help alleviate pain.

What We Liked

• Comes with three additional inserts – Luxome provides additional inserts that are slated as soft, medium, and firm. These inserts allow the users to create several combinations of firmness and loft, which makes this pillow incredibly versatile.
• The two-in-one pillow design – One side of this pillow should feel soft and fluffy, and the other side is made up of supportive memory foam, giving you two pillows in one.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Expensive – Given that this pillow has two distinctive feels and comes with three additional inserts, it is understandable that it might not be the cheapest pillow on the market. Therefore, it may not fit in everyone’s budget. However, if it does, we think it could be worth it if you’re looking for a great adjustable option.
• The customizations can be confusing – The inserts are a valuable add-on. However, figuring out the combination that works best for you may be confusing. Luxome does provide a video on their website to help with this process, though.

Best Budget Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Silk & Snow Pillow

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Why the Silk & Snow Pillow Earned Best Budget Pillow for Shoulder Pain

For the vast majority of consumers, budget is always a consideration when shopping for most products, and pillows aren’t an exception. Pillows made with high-quality materials and a thoughtful design can be seen as expensive, especially when compared to standard pillows found in retail stores. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a solid pillow that will help with your shoulder pain without breaking the bank.

When looking for a budget pillow for shoulder pain, the Sleep Advisor team recommends the soft and cozy Silk & Snow pillow.

What’s the Silk & Snow Pillow Made of?

The Silk & Snow’s 100 percent cotton cover holds the soft outward layer of down-like microfiber and an adjustable inner core made of recycled scrap memory foam securely in place. The manufacturer air blows the microfibers, which gives the material the fluffy softness of down while also leaving it resistant to clumping. We particularly appreciate that the core can be adjusted so that sleepers are able to find an ideal height for their body weight and preferred sleep position.

What We Liked

• Two distinct layers – This pillow combines the softness of microfibers with the supportiveness of memory foam, providing sleepers with both coziness and security. The outer layer can be fluffed to achieve optimal fluffiness.
• Adjustable fill – By being able to add or take out the shredded memory foam filling in the core, sleepers can adjust this pillow to an ideal height for their body type and sleep position. This allows side sleepers, in particular, to achieve a loft that will help alleviate pressure from their shoulders.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Clumping – Although Silk & Snow blows out their microfiber to keep it from clumping, there were still quite a few complaints about this occurring. Clumping can make a pillow uneven. It can also make it uncomfortable for those looking for a supportive pillow to alleviate shoulder pain.
• Can sleep hot – Some sleepers may find that the combination of memory foam and microfiber may lead to this pillow sleeping hot. These materials don’t necessarily lend themselves to dissipating heat. However, you will get a lengthy sleep trial so that you can decide if this pillow sleeps too hot or not.

Find more pillow options on our Best Cheap Pillows page.

Best Cooling Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Pillow

A pillow with dual-action cooling for hot sleepers.

Sleep Advisor Score

4.60 / 5

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Why the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow Earned Best Cooling Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Pressure-relieving memory foam pillows are certainly popular. However, many people have shied away from them because they tend to sleep hot. This pillow from Brooklyn Bedding is firm but responsive, and it is also very cool thanks to Brooklyn Bedding ventilating the foam and a soft and cool-to-the-touch cover. Furthermore, the Sleep Advisor team appreciated how this pillow comes in both a high profile, which is ideal for side sleepers, and a low one, which is better for those who sleep on their stomachs.

What’s the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow Made of?

Brooklyn Bedding infused the memory foam with gel and copper, both of which help keep you cool. In addition to drawing heat away from you, the copper also provides antimicrobial benefits. Back sleepers with shoulder pain are likely to benefit the most from this pillow’s materials and design, but it should also provide great spinal alignment and head and neck support for side sleepers who have issues around their shoulder.

What We Liked

• Cooling properties – To ensure that this pillow sleeps exceptionally cool, Brooklyn Bedding uses gel and copper in the foam. The gel provides a cool-to-the-touch feel while both materials work to draw heat away from the pillow. This should allow people to be both cozy and cool when sleeping with this pillow.
• Offered in two profiles – A pillow’s loft helps determine if it is a good fit for different preferred sleep positions. Offering this pillow in two different heights makes it an excellent pick for all back, side, and stomach sleepers.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Fans of classic memory foam pillows – Although this pillow is made with memory foam, it does not have the classic, slow-moving feel of most memory foam. Rather, this pillow responds quickly to movement, which means you should feel as if you are sleeping on top of the pillow and not down in it.
• Can only spot clean the interior foam – If you are someone who likes a pillow that you can toss in the washing machine, this is not the pillow for you. You can remove and machine-wash the cover. However, the interior can only be spot-cleaned.

Find more pillow options on our Best Cooling Pillows page.

Best Hypoallergenic Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Coop Eden Pillow

A gel-infused memory foam pillow with a hypoallergenic design

Sleep Advisor Score

4.60 / 5

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Why the Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow Earned Best Hypoallergenic Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Have you ever experienced a series of sneezes when your shoulder is sore? Did you say some non-printable words? Therefore, if you are someone who is trying to combat both shoulder pain and allergies at the same time, you will want to try out the hypoallergenic Coop Sleep Goods Eden.

This pillow has the soft, fluffy feeling of down, but without those pesky feathers that can cause many of us to have allergic reactions. Instead, this pillow is made with shredded, gel-infused memory foam and microfiber.

What’s the Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow Made of?

This pillow has an adjustable loft, which means that you will be able to add or take away the memory foam filling to give it a personalized height. The memory foam in this pillow is infused with gel to help keep the material from becoming too warm. Microfiber is also blended into the fill.

The Lulltra™ cover surrounds the Eden, and a mesh tape gusset is included to help promote a more even distribution of the fill.

What we liked

• Hypoallergenic – Although this pillow has a soft, fluffy feel that is similar to down pillows, unlike those, it uses hypoallergenic memory foam and microfiber. This will allow those who experience allergy symptoms to enjoy the plush softness of down but without the worries of it activating their allergic reactions.
• Cooling properties – To help keep you cool as you sleep, the Coop Sleep Goods Eden Pillow has infused the memory foam with gel. This will help draw heat away from the sleepers and provide a comfortable night’s rest.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Not great for stomach sleepers – This pillow has a fairly high loft. This will mean that stomach sleepers may find that their neck is in a compromised position. It could also mean that this pillow pushes too close to the nose of those who sleep on their stomach.
• Can only spot clean the interior foam – The cover of this pillow can be washed, but the interior should not be. This means those who like to wash their entire pillow may not be satisfied with this as they can only spot-clean the interior.

Best Eco-Friendly Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow

A plant-based down fill pillow with pressure relief and support for side sleepers.

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Why the Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow Earned our Pick for Best Eco-Friendly Pillow for Shoulder Pain

If you experience shoulder pain and want to look for a pillow that is eco-friendly, we recommend the Sweet Zzz pillow. It uses a plant-based fill along with a design that offers contouring pressure relief and support, which is particularly important for side sleepers.

We like that there are two layers and that the inner layer, the firmer of the two, keeps the head and neck aligned with the spine while the softer outer layer provides soft, gentle contouring.

What’s the Sweet Zzz Plant-Based Pillow Made of?

The first material that you will come into contact with on the Sweet Zzz Plant-Based pillow is natural cotton. Its cooling and breathing properties will welcome you as you settle into a layer of plush natural plant based down, before finally coming to a rest on the final layer of denser, firmer plant-based down. The breathable and cooling cotton cover is soft on the skin and allows for plenty of air circulation. It is also safe for those with sensitive skin.

What We Liked

• Vegan and eco-friendly – The pillow is completely vegan-friendly. It uses plant-based down to create a pillow that is comfortable and contouring. By using two different density levels, this creates a feel that is both soft and supportive.
• Naturally cooling elements – By using natural materials such as cotton and plant-based down, this pillow provides excellent breathability and air circulation. It also wicks moisture away so that you don’t have to worry about waking on a sweaty pillow.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Needs fluffing – The Sweet Zzz pillow does require a good bit of fluffing. Therefore, if you don’t like to have to mold your pillow through the night or even after each use, you may want to check out some other options.
• Not for those who like firmer pillows – If you prefer firmer pillows, such as those made from memory foam or latex, the Sweet Zzz will probably not check all of your boxes.

Looking for more? Check out more pillow options on our Best Organic Pillows page.

Best Down Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Boll & Branch Down Pillow

Sleep Advisor Score

4.60 / 5

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Why the Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow Earned Best Down Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Down pillows are typically softer and fluffier than those made with memory foam or latex, and this sometimes means that they may not offer the kind of support or pressure relief needed to relieve shoulder pain. However, the eco-friendly Boll & Branch Down Chamber is offered in three different firmness levels. The soft level makes it a great fit for stomach sleepers who need pillows that are lower to the ground, and the medium and firm make excellent choices for those who sleep on their back and sides.

What is the Boll & Branch Down Chamber Made of?

The softest Boll & Down Chamber pillow is made from adjustable down, whereas the medium and firm options consist of a supportive inner pillow that is made of feathers and down, and an outer chamber that is made up of U.S.A. down. The down and feathers are covered by an organic cotton shell. These materials are machine washable and can be tumbled dried on low heat.

What We Liked

• Three firmness levels – This pillow is offered in three different firmness levels. The varying firmness options allow sleepers to choose which one best suits their preferred sleeping position for more tailored comfort.
• Eco-friendly – Boll & Down is dedicated to bringing eco-friendly products to consumers. As such, their down and feathers are ethically sourced. They also use organic cotton in the cover.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Expensive – This pillow is made with high-quality, ethically-sourced materials. It is also made with fine craftsmanship, and as such, the price is fairly steep. This may mean it’s out of range for some people’s budgets.
• Lengthy dry time – This pillow is machine washable, and it can be tumble-dried. However, this may take several drying cycles. You will need to make time for this.

Looking for more pillow options? Check out our Best Down Pillow picks here.

Best Pillow for Side Sleepers and Shoulder Pain

Eli & Elm Side-Sleeper Pillow

A contoured designed pillow for side and back sleepers.

Sleep Advisor Score

4.30 / 5

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Why the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow Earned Best Pillow for Side Sleepers and Shoulder Pain

Side sleepers can put a lot of weight on the relatively small shoulder joint, which can lead to pressure and pain. The uniquely-shaped Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow, though, should support and contour your neck and head, while also keeping your spine aligned. However, what we really like about this pillow when it comes to side sleepers with shoulder pain is that the U-shape design provides enough space to help prevent pressure buildup.

What is the Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow Made Of?

The hypoallergenic Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow has an adjustable loft that allows you to find the perfect height for your body type. We liked how soft and smooth the cotton, polyester, and spandex blend cover was against our hand and face.

The interior liner that sits directly below the cover consists of a polyester blend. It has a zipper that stretches about a third away and this is where you can add or take out the pillow’s natural latex noodles and polyester fiber.

What We Liked

• Unique U-shape design – The Eli & Elm’s U-shaped design makes it a great fit for side sleepers with shoulder pain. Not only does this shape help with proper spinal alignment, but it also provides additional space that helps relieve pressure.
• Adjustable loft – The ability to adjust the height of this pillow by adding or removing some of the filling provides a customizable experience. This will help side sleepers of varying body types to get their ideal height.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Non-traditional shape – Although the unique shape of this pillow can be beneficial for side sleepers, those who prefer a more traditionally-shaped pillow may not like this design. Additionally, if you plan to put a pillowcase on these, standard ones may be hard to get on and may not look that appealing once you do.
• The inner pillow can only be spot cleaned – For those looking for a fully machine-washable pillow, you may not be satisfied with the Eli & Elm. The cover can be removed and put in the washing machine, but the rest of the pillow should not be. If you get the interior dirty or stained, you will have to spot-clean it with a mild detergent.

Looking for more pillow options? Check out our Best Side Sleeper Pillows.

Best Latex Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Purple Harmony Pillow

Sleep Advisor Score

4.40 / 5

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Why the Purple Harmony™ Pillow Earned Best Latex Pillow for Shoulder Pain

Purple first implemented their unique, proprietary grid design in mattresses. However, it didn’t take long for them to realize that their technology could also work well in pillows.

We were fans of how the combination of latex and the Purple Grid Hex combined to give it a squishy, supportive, albeit non-traditional, feel. Additionally, we loved that this pillow is offered in three heights: low, medium, and tall. These varying heights allow those with shoulder pain to find a loft that works best for their preferred sleep positions.

What’s the Purple Harmony™ Pillow Made of?

The removable and machine-washable cover is made from a blend of moisture-wicking nylon and spandex. Purple also perforated the cover to provide additional breathability. The hexagonal, honey-comb patterned gel pad that is made from Purple’s hyper-elastic polymer is sewn into the cover.

Underneath the cover is a core of Talalay latex that is also perforated to allow for additional airflow. This material is cooling and responsive as well.

What We Liked

• Sleeps cool – If sleeping hot prevents you from getting a good night’s rest, the Purple Harmony™ could be a great solution to this problem. The cover and the Talalay latex core are perforated to promote airflow, and the Purple Grid has more than 1,500 open-air channels to further assist in dissipating body heat. If you happen to get sweaty through the night, the cover is moisture-wicking.
• Responsive – Those who change positions when they sleep can sometimes deal with pillows that don’t bounce back to their original shape quickly. This should not be an issue with the Purple Harmony™ as the latex and grid work in tandem so that this pillow quickly regains its shape and you don’t have to worry about fluffing it or sleeping on an unsupportive pillow.

Flaws But Not Dealbreakers

• Expensive – The Purple Harmony™ is made with quality materials, and it has a thoughtful design, which means that this pillow comes at a high price point. However, given the durability and quality of the materials, this pillow should last you a long time.
• Not moldable – If you are someone who likes the traditional feel and moldability of down or down alternative pillows, this is probably not for you. The Purple Harmony™ is responsive and quickly snaps back to its original shape. You won’t be able to fluff it up or make it change shape.

For more on this pillow, visit our Purple Harmony™ Pillow review or check out more pillows on our Best Latex Pillow page.