Travel & Lifestyle: This Contoured Pillow Minimizes My Back Pain

Side sleepers, unite! It’s not every day you come across a pillow that earns a coveted bestseller badge on Amazon and keeps a 4.3-star rating backed by more than 2,500 5-star reviews. But after a few nights of solid slumber with this ergonomic memory foam pillow, it was easy to see why so many people are calling it their new bedtime essential.

According to Dr. David Greenwald, a neurosurgeon and co-founder of Comprehensive MD, in our guide on sleep positions, “side sleeping is ideal for back or neck problems, GERD and sleep apnea.” Now, not to overshare, but I’ve got spinal stenosis and the occasional slipped disc – in other words, I’ve got 99 problems, and back pain is one. So when a pillow promises better alignment and genuine relief, I pay attention. Plus, as a lifelong side sleeper, I can confirm: a standard pillow just doesn’t cut it.

One of the major benefits to side sleeping is that it alleviates pressure on the back, making it a go-to for people who have back pain. That’s exactly why a well-designed ergonomic pillow like this one is worth exploring, especially for minimizing back pain like it did for me.

Available in three colors — gray, dark gray, and my personal favorite, white, this pillow combines comfort with smart design. It’s made from breathable memory foam encased in a silky smooth 3D mesh fabric that helps cradle your head and neck. Plus, good news for all you hot sleepers out there: It features a cooling layer that can reduce surface temperature by up to 5 degrees, so you can finally say goodbye to the endless struggle of having to flip to the cool side of the pillow.

One feature that really sets this pillow apart is its adjustable height. If it feels a bit too high, you can simply remove the included 0.8-inch foam insert for a lower profile. The dimensions (about 23 by 13 by 5 inches) make it compact enough to stay neatly on your side of the bed — no encroaching on your partner’s space.

What really makes this ergonomic side sleeper pillow stand out, though, is its 15-degree hollow contour. That gentle dip allows your head to rest naturally while aligning your neck and spine — creating that perfect “sweet spot” between plush comfort and posture support.

The brand claims the pillow is odorless. Personally, I did notice a faint “new foam” scent when I first unboxed it, but it dissipated after a couple of days — nothing too strong or off-putting.

Let’s just say getting out of bed in the morning has gotten a whole lot harder… but in the best way possible. I’m not the only one whose life has been changed by this pillow – you can see what a few other reviewers had to say below. (You can also keep scrolling for a handful of other highly-rated pillows designed for side sleepers.)

“I thought I left a reviews for this but this is a great purchase. It made my stiff neck and shoulders feel soooo much better! It’s a cool pillow. I’m flipping it all night for all of the different ways I like to sleep but it’s cool! A standard pillow case will fit also, it may be a tad bit baggy but it works! Firm and comfy! You should purchase the pillow and improve your neck.” — taryn

“When I tell you this pillow is doing GODS work. I have had bad neck and hip pain because I’m a side sleeper and crook my neck when I sleep. I got this pillow just yesterday in the mail and I thought I would be more resistant to it because it’s a little weird and I assumed I would have to get used to it right? WRONG best sleep ever. I slept on my BACK I never do that. I was so comfy and my neck was supported. My neck feels great this morning. So soft and comfy and it’s a bit cooling too. 10/10” — Alysa Torres

“I’m a side sleeper and always used to wake up with shoulder and neck pain. I’ve tried different pillows, but nothing really worked. After switching to this pillow, I wake up feeling much more comfortable and without the usual stiffness. Highly recommend it for side sleepers!” — min w kim

“This pillow is great! I injured my neck at the gym and even just laying in bed hurt my neck. This immediately aligned my body and positioning of my head and it felt like the pain went away immediately while lying on my back with it. Really helped with temporary pain relief and just getting through the night.” — Taylor

“This pillow absolutely a game changer in my night sleep, it’s cool, comfortable and very supportive. Washable, perfect fit for me and support like no other. Firmness just right I would say and white color as expected. I definitely would say it helps me to get a better deep good night sleep.” — ClintCO