Australia’s Best Neck Pillows
Do you wake up with headaches or neck pain? You’re not alone. Around 20 per cent of Australians suffer from neck-related issues. A sore neck may be caused by lifestyle factors or other underlying causes, but the pillow is often the culprit.
The pillow’s primary purpose is to maintain the neck and shoulders in a neutral position, preventing pressure from building up while you sleep. The pillow can cause neck pain if the loft is too high, too low, or if it is not supportive enough.
Nevertheless, the position you sleep in is also important. Stomach sleepers are at a greater risk of developing neck pain, as the spine is arched in this position and remains constantly under pressure. Experts recommend sleeping on your side or back to relieve neck pain.
The best neck pillow is one that keeps the spine in the right curvature and does not cause the neck to form an unnatural angle. The right pillow depends on your sleeping habits and personal preferences. A back sleeper will need a thin pillow. On the other hand, side sleepers need a medium to high loft pillow that is medium firm. Most sleepers with neck pain benefit from Contour pillows filled with memory foam.
Medical Disclaimer: We are not doctors or experts in pain management. While we do our best to accurately represent the features and benefits of all pillows listed, we cannot guarantee that we have represented them all. Please seek medical advice if you suffer from severe back or neck pain.
Our Top Picks For Pillows
Find out which pillows are the best in Australia for sore neck
1. Ecosa Memory Foam Adjustable Pillow
Highlights
- Price: $150 (often $120 on sale)
- Material: Memory Foam
- Loft: Fully Adjustable
- Firmness: Medium-Firm
- Shape: Cervical/Contoured
- Returns: 100-Night Trial
The Ecosa cervical pillow offers neck pain relief for all types of sleepers. It has both a low and high side, so you can choose how to use it depending on whether you prefer sleeping on your back or side. The pillow comes with multiple heights to help you find the right elevation. This helps to maintain the head’s and neck’s natural alignment. It is essential for any neck pain relief pillow.
Ecosa is more than a loft. The unique design consists of three distinct layers. A machine-washable top cover, a 3D grid of memory foam to reduce heat and moisture, and a base made from memory foam infused with charcoal for anti-bacterial protection and odour elimination.
You’ll understand the frustration of having to leave your favourite pillow behind, and the worry of being stuck with a lumpy, flat hotel pillow. Ecosa’s compression bags will shrink your pillow to the size and shape of a loaf of bread. This is perfect for packing in a duffle or carry-on bag.
Ecosa is the only company to have maintained a 4.9-star rating in a total of 6000+ verified customer reviews. Owners are switching from any type of material you can think of.
Ecosa Pillows retail for $150, but are often on sale at $120. Additional savings can be made if you purchase two or more. You can return your order within 100 days if you are not satisfied.
Final Verdict: It’s hard for me to believe that Ecosa managed to pack so many features and quality into a pillow under $150. You have nothing to worry about with the 100-night trial.
Memory foam’s inherent firmness may cause stomach sleepers to look elsewhere. But back and side sleepers will enjoy a comfortable, cool sleep that is free of pain.
2. Emma Foam Pillow
Highlights
- Price: $150 (often $90 on sale)
- Material: Viscoelastic Foam
- Loft: Fully Adjustable
- Firmness: Medium Firm
- Shape: Traditional flat
- Returns: 100-Night Trial
If you are a side sleeper who suffers from neck pain and you want a pillow that is firmer, thicker and doesn’t lose its shape over time, then you should choose a pillow with a higher density. Many memory foam pillows tout their neck and head support. However, as the material softens and your body heat increases, it loses its shape.
The Emma Foam Pillow is different. The hybrid design of the pillow features an Airgocell(r), a layer that is designed to regulate your sleeping temperature. It also includes layers of viscoelastic and HRX foams to support both contour and weight. Emma, like Ecosa, offers removable layers at the bottom to allow you to customize your loft and support.
Emma has maintained a rating of just under 4 stars across over 1700+ Amazon and Google reviews. The majority of reviews found the tipping point in the firmness level of the pillow.
Emma’s regular price is $150 but we have seen it on sale regularly for $90. They offer a free contactless delivery service with 1-3-day shipping if you need to replace your old pillow quickly. You can try the product for 100 nights, which is a great option if you’re unsure about the firmness.
Final Verdict: We think side sleepers will find Emma foam pillows very supportive and comfy with all three layers used. It’s hard to imagine stomach sleepers getting the most out of this pillow since they’ll need to remove each of the three adjustable layers.
3. Koala Pillow
Highlights
- Price: $150
- Material: Memory Foam
- Loft: Medium
- Firmness: Soft and Firm Side
- Shape: Flat
- Warranty: 5 Years
- Returns: 120 Night Guarantee
You may have read other reviews that categorize people into front/back/side/back sleepers, and thought “but I’m all of them” (or none at all? Don’t worry, we also have the right pillow for you!
The Koala Pillow is a reversible, memory foam pillow that has both a soft side and a firm one. You can choose how you want to rest by simply flipping it.
This pillow is also designed to provide you with the neck support that you need for a better night’s sleep. The outer edges are firmer than the centre, creating a subtle cradling of your head. This pillow is also for you if you flip your pillow over to the colder side. Koala’s unique design combines cooling gel with memory foam to allow it to disperse the heat and keep you relaxed in any position.
Koala has succeeded in its mission of making “One pillow that rules them all”, which is demonstrated by the 4.6-star ratings from more than 3300 reviews.
You’ll have enough time to decide whether the Koala will work for you, and you can sleep well if you keep it.
Final Verdict: We believe $150 for this pillow with free shipping to be a great deal. You can find the perfect pillow for you if you are a sleeper who likes to switch up their sleeping positions, or if you just cannot decide which one is your favourite.
4. Ergoflex Memory foam Pillow
Highlights
- Price: $199 (often $179.99 on sale)
- Material: Memory Foam
- Loft: Medium
- Firmness: Medium firm
- Shape: Flat
- Warranty: Two Year Guarantee
- Returns: 14 days for items that have not been opened
Memory foam is often used in pillows to relieve neck and shoulder discomfort. Its supportive and conforming properties make it a popular material. Some people like the feeling of being stuck in quicksand, but others hate it.
The Ergoflex HD memory pillow is the best memory foam pillow available. Why spend A$179 for this pillow when there are so many memory foam pillows available?
In short, quality.
If you find memory foam under $50, it’s likely not pure memory foam and isn’t as durable or high-quality.
Ergoflex is the answer. Ergoflex is engineered using a proprietary visco-elastic foam, which uses advanced cellular polymer technologies. What does this mean? What does all this mean? This technology will not only last longer but also result in a firmer, more supportive foam, which keeps your neck aligned throughout the night. Don’t worry if it gets too hot. The TENCEL cover allows the pillow to breathe, which keeps it firm and comfortable.
The 5-star rating Ergoflex maintains across three review platforms and over 3000 verified reviews may change your mind.
Ergoflex has a 14-day policy for returns, but unfortunately, it only applies to products that have not been opened. We feel that their quality guarantee of two years and the pristine feedback from customers make this pillow a good bet.
Final Verdict: Not every memory foam pillow is created equal. Ergoflex stands out from the crowd. We know you may be a bit hesitant to pay the price, but in the end, we are confident that your investment will provide years of pain-free sleep.
5. MEWE Memory Foam Pillow
Highlights
- Price: $59.99
- Material: Memory Foam
- Loft: Medium
- Firmness: Medium-Soft
- Shape: Contour
- Warranty: Manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years
- Returns: Standard Amazon Return Policy 14 Days
Some people sleep hotter. This Contour Memory Foam pillow from MEWE is a great option if you want a cool pillow while also providing excellent neck and head support. This pillow has a thin layer of cooling gel that keeps it as cool as 1-2 degrees below room temperature.
MEWE’s Pillow is not a one-trick pony. The curved shape of the pillow provides excellent head-shoulder alignment. This helps you to avoid an irritating creak in your back that can last all day. The medium-softness and moderate loft make it a great choice for back sleepers. Some side sleepers might also enjoy it.
The cooling layer as well as the pressure relief are two of the reasons why this pillow has a 4.3 star rating.
The MEWE Contour Memory Foam pillow is available for Prime shipping and is an Amazon’s choice item. The manufacturer offers an additional 5-year guarantee on top of the Amazon standard returns policy. This is a rare offer in the memory foam market!
Final Verdict: It is impressive that a pillow can be kept at a temperature slightly below the room temperature throughout the night. This pillow is a winner when you combine generous support for sleep posture with a reasonable price. Some reviewers suggest keeping the shipping box nearby for the first couple of nights if you are a side sleeper who has broad shoulders. Otherwise, this is a great pillow!
6. Flexi Pillow Gel Contour with Bamboo
Highlights
- Price: $149 (often $129 on sale)
- Material: Memory Foam
- Loft: Fully Adjustable
- Firmness: Medium-Firm
- Shape: Contour
- Warranty: N/A
- Returns: 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
You know, if you’re an Aussie who suffers from chronic headaches or migraines your pillow plays a major role in your pain management. You may also be tired of trying out countless pillows which promise relief but fail to deliver. We recommend the Flexi Pillow by Mattress & Pillow Science if you haven’t yet found the right pillow for you.
The pillow is made from high-quality memory foam 80kg/m3 and can be adjusted to four different heights for a variety of sleepers.
Flexi Pillows are designed to correct sleeping posture issues that can lead to pressure in the neck and shoulders. This leads to headaches or migraines. The Flexi Pillow has two removable inserts and a curve that is different on each side. This allows you to adjust the height and angle of the pillow according to your needs.
This pillow isn’t just about the curve. It also helps with headaches and migraines. Memory foam and cooling layers are designed to keep you cool all night long, resulting in less tossing around and turning. The outer cover, made of bamboo fibre, is praised for both its softness and anti-bacterial properties.
Look at the average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on their website from verified customers.
Mattress & Pillow Science provides a 30-day refund guarantee if you are not satisfied with the pillow. You can return it at any time for any reason. The Flexi Pillow is listed at $149 but is currently available for $129 as of the date this article was written.
Final Verdict: When it comes to sleeping while suffering from chronic pain, there is no perfect pillow for everyone. But the Flexi Pillow’s four configurations give you more options in finding the relief you need. The Flexi Pillow has a flexible return policy, so we think anyone who is still not satisfied with their current pillow can give it a try.
7. Spinaleze Pillow
Highlights
- Price: $219
- Material: Memory Foam
- Loft: Low-High Options
- Firmness: Medium-Firm
- Shape: Cervical/Contoured
- Warranty: 12 Months
- Returns: 7 days if the product is unopened or damaged
Update: 25th February 2022 – Although Spinaleze pillows have a good reputation and many positive reviews, we do not recommend them. We don’t recommend them because of the price, which is too high when compared to other options on the market. Our detailed review can be found here.
The Spinaleze Pillow is priced at $219. It may seem like a big investment. And it is. But it also has many positive attributes.
Listen to us. The contoured design and lightweight viscoelastic filling conform to the neck and head evenly, relieving pressure points. It also supports the spine’s alignment. This not only relieves neck pain but also helps to improve breathing, resulting in a reduction of snoring.
The elevated surface channels provide a constant airflow, which eliminates the complaint that many memory foam pillows receive about sleeping too warm. It is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. Made in Australia.
Spinaleze is praised by all. The company has received multiple Best Product of The Year Awards for 2020, and it currently has a 4.8-star rating on 300+ verified orders.
Spinaleze is available in medium and high loft options. It offers the perfect support to all sleeper types and comes with a custom-fitted, oversized pillowcase. A low profile is best for back sleepers. The high profile is for side sleepers who are over 6ft tall. height.
Spinaleze only offers a seven-day return policy for unopened products due to COVID-19.
Final Verdict: If budget is not a concern and you are looking for the best pillow for neck pain relief, the Spinaleze Pillow may be worth a try. Spinaleze is also a favourite of the likes of cricketer Ian Chappell, and journalist Ben Fordham.
Buyer’s guide: What to look for when selecting a neck pillow
A good pillow can help those with neck pain. The RIGHT pillow will depend on an individual’s preferences and needs. We’ve listed the most important factors you should consider below: thickness (loft), material, shape and sleeping preferences.
1. Loft
The loft is the thickness or height of your pillow, which determines what angle your head rests in relation to your spine. Although there are exceptions to the rule, here is a guideline for determining what loft you need:
- For stomach sleepers, the low-loft pillow is best.
- For back sleepers, the medium-loft pillow is best.
- Side sleepers should choose a high-loft pillow.
Your pillow should support you in maintaining a general sleeping posture. Imagine a straight line from your head just above your shoulders.
2. Firmness
The loft of the pillow is important for good head and neck support, but also the level of firmness of the pillow will ensure that you are in good alignment all night.
- A firm pillow will relieve pressure on the neck of side sleepers.
- A soft pillow will help stomach sleepers avoid neck pressure by not forcing their head upwards.
- Back sleepers prefer a pillow that is moderately firm, but they have the greatest amount of choice in terms of overall pillow feel.
3. Material
In our pillow reviews, we discuss more about materials. Here’s a quick rundown of the eight most common types: In our pillow reviews we discuss more about the materials, but let’s take a look at eight of the most common types.
- Memory foam – The most popular and supportive option for neck pain sufferers. It doesn’t feel stiff. These foams are often hypoallergenic, and they can be purchased at almost any price. However, some people may not like the fact that they get hot and feel stuck in mud.
- Polyfoam– An affordable alternative to memory foam. It is hypoallergenic and lightweight. They tend to wear the fastest of all materials.
- Down — The traditional method of making a soft, luxurious pillow. They can be filled to almost any loft, but they may not provide the neck support that side sleepers need.
- Down Alternative: Functionally similar to real down pillows, but usually much cheaper and hypoallergenic. These pillows are made from polyester fibres, which tend to lose shape very quickly.
- Feather– These pillows are slightly firmer and conform better to the body. They use the outer, more voluminous feathers of ducks or geese. These pillows are usually more expensive and require frequent fluffing.
- Buckwheat — An environmentally friendly alternative that offers excellent neck and head support. This option is perfect for those who like firm pillows, but you may need to get used to the noises they make when you roll over.
- Polyester – This mimics the feel of a cotton fabric with both interlocking and shredded fibre options to achieve varying levels of softness. The polyester pillows are hypoallergenic and affordable, but they have a shorter life span.
- Latex — A safe choice for neck and back pain relief. They will keep you cool and won’t need to be fluffed, but their weight and high price may put some people off.
4. Shape
Standard pillows have a flat, even surface. Although a flat, even surface is sufficient for many sleepers in Australia, those with chronic neck or back pain should consider a pillow with curved or contoured surfaces. These pillows are often referred to as cervical or orthopedic pillows. They provide sleepers with an ergonomic cradle that supports their neck and head.
Wrapping up
This review includes some of the most reliable and well-reviewed neck pillows on the Australian market. It can be difficult to eliminate neck pain while sleeping, as different pillows work better for each individual.
We recommend that if you are unsure of what will be the best pillow for you, you take advantage of some brands’ multi-night guarantee. Sleeping on several pillows is the best way to discover a pillow that you love!
