Best Arthritis Pillows of 2025
Neck pain resulting from poor posture is made much more likely if you suffer from arthritis. Since arthritis can drastically increase your risk of joint damage and pain as a result of poor posture, making sure your head and neck are in the right position while you sleep becomes more important than ever. Luckily, with the right pillow you'll be able to ensure your head and neck stay in the right position while you sleep, letting you manage your arthritis throughout the night. Read on to find our best arthritis pillows for both side sleepers and back sleepers, selected by our product experts.
Neck pain resulting from poor posture is made much more likely if you suffer from arthritis
Our Best Arthritis Pillows
- Best Arthritis Pillow for Side Sleepers
- Best Memory Foam Arthritis Pillow for Side Sleepers
- Best Arthritis Pillow for Back and Side Sleepers (for those who turn at night)
- Best Arthritis Pillow for Back Sleepers
Best Arthritis Pillow for Side Sleepers
Our Winner: Harley Original Contour Neck Support Pillow for Neck Pain
Editor's Verdict: An ideal arthritis neck pillow will usually feature a contour at the bottom to fill the gap between your ear and the mattress. The Harley Original Contour Neck Support Pillow for Neck Pain is made with that contour, and is ergonomically contoured to cradle the user's neck. Manufactured using a soft liquid foam, this pillow is an ideal choice for those with upper back problems and neck arthritis, as it is specially designed to support the vertebrae, shoulders and neck. Contoured to accommodate the shoulder with a stress relief recess, this is an ideal choice for those with arthritis in the neck.
✔ Reduces neck pain and strain at night in those with arthritis
✔ Contoured to cradle the neck and accommodates the shoulders
✔ Shape of the pillow holds the spine in neutral alignment preventing spine related issues
✔ Used by clinicians and healthcare professionals for more than 15 years
Customer Verdict: "This pillow made an immediate difference after years of pain due to arthritis. As a side sleeper it means my neck & head is supported all night, wonderful product and arrived a couple of days after ordering." ★★★★★ Jacqueline
Best Memory Foam Arthritis Pillow for Side Sleepers
Our Winner: Harley Designer Memory Foam Orthopaedic Neck Support Pillow
Editor's Verdict: The Harley Designer Memory Foam Orthopaedic Neck Support Pillow is the memory foam version of the above Harley Original pillow. The Designer helps arthritis users whilst sleeping in the exact same way as the Original - by featuring a contour that cradles the user's neck to provide support and as a result reduce pain. The difference between this one and the Original is in its material. The Designer is made of a firmer foam - a visco elastic memory foam that moulds to the shape of your head and neck for a weightless feel, while the Original is made of a softer liquid foam.
✔ Reduces neck pain and strain at night in those with arthritis
✔ Contoured to cradle the neck and accommodates the shoulders
✔ Firm and weightless visco elastic memory foam moulds to the shape of the head and neck
✔ Shape of the pillow holds the spine in neutral alignment preventing spine related issues
Customer Verdict: "I have used these pillows for many years because I have arthritis in my neck. I would not be able to sleep without one of these pillows and I take mine every time I travel anywhere." ★★★★★ Lynn
Best Arthritis Pillow for Back and Side Sleepers
Our Winner: Putnams Cervical Neck Pillow
Editor's Verdict: While some people sleep exclusively on their side or back, many of us can switch between a combination of the two, making choosing the perfect pillow a little tricky. The Putnams Cervical Neck Pillow is designed with features for both side and back sleepers, featuring contours to fill the mattress-to-ear gap as well as rounded soft contours to accommodate back sleepers. It includes unique features to provide extra ventilation during the night, as well as an intelligently-designed ear recess to reduce pressure on the ears for side sleepers. If you suffer from arthritis and tend to toss and turn at night, this arthritis pillow is a perfect option.
✔ Contoured neck support reduces neck pain in those with arthritis
✔ Three thickness sizes to suit variety of users, and foam maintains its structure
✔ Aligns the spine during the sleep
✔ Recommended and sold by Osteopaths and Chiropractors
Customer Verdict: "I ordered the pillow to help with my arthritis, it gives my neck good support. Glad I brought the pillow and my order came quickly." ★★★★★ Gary
Best Arthritis Pillow for Back Sleepers
Our Winner: Mediflow Water Base Orthopaedic Pillow
Editor's Verdict: When it comes to sleeping on your back, as we mentioned above, the most important thing is to make sure your head isn't being pushed too far forward or back. The Mediflow Water Base Orthopaedic Pillow is the natural choice, as it is adjustable to ensure you can achieve the perfect alignment for you. By simply filling the secure water chamber to your desired level, you'll be able to adjust not only your neck position, but the level of support you receive as well. With a top 10cm hypoallergenic cushioning layer, a middle insulating layer and a water base, the pillow will gently cradle your head when on your back, ensuring you get the proper position and support to help keep your neck arthritis at bay.
Why We Love It...
✔ Adjustable water pillow reduces neck pain in those with arthritis
✔ Allows you to adjust firmness based on water level
✔ Responds to head motions - water moves as you move during the night
✔ Hypoallergenic to suit all users
Customer Verdict: "As someone who struggles to find a comfortable sleeping position due to arthritis in my neck, I’ve bought numerous pillows in the hope of finding a solution. My water pillow has been amazing, just wished I had bought one sooner. Money well spent; small price to pay for a good nights sleep." ★★★★★ Yvonne
Which Pillows are Best for Arthritis?
While a pillow can't cure you of your arthritis, it can help you manage your pain and stiffness. When it comes to choosing the right pillow for you, it all comes down to how you sleep. The best positioning will result in your head being perfectly aligned with your spine, so you should never be bending your neck unnaturally to the side, forwards or back. Here are a few golden rules to keep in mind.
- Sleeping on Your Back – When sleeping on your back, you need to make sure your head isn't being tilted too far up or down so that it can remain in line with your spine. A flat pillow, or one that flattens too easily, is a bad idea as it will most likely cause your head to fall below the level of your spine.
- Sleeping on Your Side – Sleeping on your side is generally seen as the most healthy option for a number of reasons, but it can introduce a few different risks that should be taken into account when choosing your pillow. The best pillow for side sleepers will fill the gap between the mattress and your ear to avoid collapse and keep your head in line with your spine. For this reason, pillows with a contour to support the neck are usually the most comfortable.
- Sleeping on Your Stomach – When it comes to stomach sleeping, the only rule worth mentioning is: Don't! Sleeping on your stomach forces you to turn your head and hold it in an unnatural position throughout the night. This can exacerbate neck pain, and is especially harmful for those with arthritis.
Neck Arthritis Pillows for Better Sleep
When you suffer from arthritis, it can seem impossible to get rid of your neck pain, but with the right pillow you should be well on your way. By ensuring your head stays aligned with your spine, these pillows will eliminate one of the main causes of arthritis-related neck pain, helping you wake up feeling fresh with less pain. If you're still curious about what the best pillows for arthritis really are, take a look at our full range of Neck Pillows and Orthopaedic Pillows, where we stock plenty of options for every type of sleeper!
Do you have any questions about our pillows for arthritis, or any of our other products to prevent neck pain while you sleep? Let us know in the comments, or find us on Facebook and Twitter!
Tags: Arthritis, Sleep Better, Pillows, Neck Pain, Aids for Daily Living
Harley Original Contour Neck Support Pillow for Neck Pain
- Orthopaedic pillow recommended for neck pain and support
- Supports the neck to reduce shoulder, upper back and neck pain
- Comfortable pillow for back, side and stomach sleepers
- Available in five different sizes to suit your precise requirements
Putnams Cervical Neck Pillow
- Contoured pillow with ergonomic shape for neck support
- Corrects spinal alignment for more comfortable sleeping
- Reduces pressure on neck, shoulders, and ears
- Ideal for both side sleepers and back sleepers
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Mediflow Water Base Orthopaedic Pillow
- Reduces neck and shoulder pain to improve sleep quality
- For neck and back pain, vertigo, poor sleep and migraines
- Outperformed all water-based pillows during a clinical test for sleep quality
- Helps to rejuvenate, freshen and soothe daily stresses