Final Winner: 1 out of 10 (See Below for In-Depth Review and Process)
In-Depth Review And Process
When I was younger, I never paid much attention to pillows.
As a kid, you generally just use the pillows your parents give you and don’t put much more thought into it.
When I got older and moved out and needed to buy pillows for the first time, I quickly realized how different pillows could be in terms of quality. I’ll be honest – the first one I bought was way too high and firm and ended up killing my neck. That’s when I knew I needed a change.
So, to help find the best pillow for my needs (and provide you with a quality review!), I decided to test the most popular pillow brands on the Canadian market.
I ranked these pillows based on the 5 following criteria:
- Effectiveness at reducing neck pain
- Comfort
- Support
- Return policy/warranty
- Price/value
Out of all the pillows tested, the Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow is definitely the best in terms of quality and reducing neck pain. Its unique design keeps you in an ergonomic sleeping position without compromising comfort. As you’ll see with many of the pillows on this list, there seems to be an inverse relationship between comfort and support when it comes to orthopedic pillows. However, the Dosaze is one of the few pillows that provides both – and at a reasonable price!
The Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow is also very comfortable and supportive for combination sleepers whereas many of the other pillows tested seemed to be designed with a specific sleeping position in mind. So, if you move a lot in your sleep, then Dosaze is definitely the pillow for you.
Are pricier pillows worth the money?
When it comes to pillows, I personally don’t think it’s worth it to invest in anything less than $50.
Generally, a reduced price comes with a reduction of quality – and if you’re constantly having to replace pillows because they don’t last, then you’re not really saving money in the end.
Take cheap memory foam pillows, for example. These pillows often have a lower-quality memory foam insert which is less supportive and durable than some of the more expensive brands.
As you get older, a good pillow is an important investment that affects your quality of sleep – and, subsequently, your quality of life.
At the end of the day, I don’t think any cheap pillow is worth neck pain and sleepless nights.
For these reasons, I believe you’re much better off investing in a high-quality pillow with a solid warranty.
That way, you know your pillow is going to last for many years to come.
The Dosaze pillow arrived in a light blue box with white lettering. Inside the box was a little “thank you” flyer which encouraged buyers to post about their experience online. The Dosaze marketing team seems to be leveraging the power of social media which gives a “youthful” and “fresh” vibe to the brand.
The Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow is a rectangular-shaped pillow that is designed to cradle the natural curvature of the neck. The company provides free shipping to the US and Canada and offers a 60-night sleep trial and a 3-year warranty with purchase.
The pillow is designed with CERTI-PUR US memory foam and features a cooling, antimicrobial, bamboo-rayon cover. One pillow costs $119, but you can buy 2 or 3-packs which makes the price per unit a bit cheaper. One interesting thing I noted on the website is that the company also offers a 10% discount for active-duty military members, veterans, teachers, and health care workers. I didn’t see any other companies offering this type of discount.
Upon reading reviews for the Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow, I noticed that the main complaint didn’t seem to be about the pillow itself but mainly with the company’s customer service. It seems that customers who have been displeased with the product have had difficulties organizing a return with the company. There is no direct telephone line where you can contact customer service, thus everything is done by email which can take a bit longer than some people would like.
Usually, shredded memory foam pillows tend to be my favorites, so I was surprised by how comfortable I found the Dosaze pillow to be. The pillow’s cover was soft and breathable and, unlike the shredded memory foam pillows, it maintained its shape without sinking or requiring refluffing. Overall, it’s a really great pillow and is definitely of equal quality to the more expensive brands.
Interestingly, upon doing my research, I noticed that I am not the only person who has picked the Dosaze pillow as their favorite. At least two other review sites (here and here) have made the same choice. There are also hundreds of 5-star reviews posted on the Dosaze website by customers who have been super satisfied with their purhcase.
For the most part, this pillow seems to distinguishe itself from others on the market in 3 important ways:
- High-quality materials: the foam used in this pillow is CertiPUR-US Certified (unlike many of the others tested) – but the company also puts extra care into their covers as well. Whereas other companies use cotton or polyester, Dosaze opts for soft, natural, and cooling bamboo.
- Unique shape: the unique shape of this pillow is amazing for reducing various types of neck pain. It keeps you in a proper sleeping position without feeling overly firm or uncomfortable. Since being developed, other companies (like Endy) have attempted to create similar pillows, but the Dosaze pillow remains the best out thus far.
- Works for all sleepers: Unlike other orthopedic pillows which seem to cater to a specific sleeping position, the Dosaze is great for side, back, and stomach sleepers. Additionally, its cooling, antimicrobial cover also makes it a great choice for hot sleepers and those with sensitive skin.
As you can see in the photos, the Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow is great for both back sleepers and side-sleepers.
When you lie on your side, your head rests comfortably along the edge of the pillow and it’s the perfect height to comfortably support both your shoulders and neck.
When you lie on your back, your head fits comfortably into the depressed/contoured middle, while your neck fits comfortably into the built-in neck support groove.
UPDATE: I’ve now been using this pillow for a little over 3 months, and I’m super happy with my selection. After testing all of these pillows, the Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow has definitely proven itself as the best in terms of comfort, value, and reducing neck pain. Since using it consistently, my quality of sleep has skyrocketed and I couldn’t imagine sleeping without it now.
Firstly, I’d like to just say that I love this brand’s marketing. I really enjoy ghost stories and the paranormal, so the company’s little ghost logo and their slogan (“Supernatural Comfort”) really appealed to me.
This is, of course, a superficial aspect, so let’s get down to the pillow itself.
The Ghost Shredded Memory Foam Pillows come in a two-pack priced at $269.99, making the value of each pillow approximately $135 CAD. This is a bit on the pricier side, but if you decide you do want to purchase this pillow, you might want to keep an eye out for sales on the company’s actual website.
The company also offers payment options including a 12-month option with 0% APR. Upon purchasing, you have a 101-night sleep trial and a 5-year warranty. If you are not satisfied with the pillow, you can return it (at your own expense) for a full refund.
Like the NTCOCO, the Ghost Shredded Memory Foam Pillow is advertised as being customizable, meaning you can add/remove the shredded memory foam filling to achieve your preferred pillow height and firmness. The pillow’s filling is a blend of shredded CertiPUR-US memory foam and microfiber.
According to the company’s website, the founder of GhostBed actually designed this pillow after suffering from neck and back problems that he couldn’t cure by using other pillows on the market.
When reading reviews, most complaints stem from the fact that these pillows are slightly smaller than standard King/Queen measurements. Others have stated that the pillow is not very supportive and can require fluffing after some use.
Upon testing the pillow, I did not notice any of these issues. Like the NTCOCO, the shredded memory foam provides both support and comfort. When lying down, my head felt enclosed by the pillow, but I was surprised by how high it was still lifted. The way the pillow morphs to your body makes it extremely comfy.
A good pillow show provides support for the neck while allowing the head to fall back naturally. As you can see, the GhostBed Shredded Memory Foam pillow definitely seemed to accomplish that while lying on my back – but on my side? Not so much.
While lying on my back the pillow is firm enough to elevate my neck while being soft enough to allow my head to rest comfortably. On the side, however, it’s a bit too high to be comfortable – and as a side-sleeper, this is a must! This pillow is customizable though, meaning it may fit me better once I remove some of the shredded memory foam.
The Mkicesky Cervical Contour Pillow is a butterfly-shaped pillow designed to support your head and neck during sleep.
As mentioned, a good cervical pillow should rise where the neck lies and compress where the head will lay. So, this pillow is designed with a pulled-in middle that creates a bowl-like shape for the head to rest in while ensuring the neck receives proper support along the edges.
HOWEVER, because of this pillow’s unique shape, it is imperative to properly measure yourself using the instructions on the company website. I, unfortunately, did not do this and I found that my neck was a bit too short for the pillow which meant that I had trouble getting my head to fit comfortably in the depressed middle.
When you read reviews about this pillow online, many people have complained that the Mkicesky pillow actually worsened their neck and shoulder pain – even after two weeks of adjusting to sleeping on it. Others have noted that it may not be the best choice for people who move a lot in bed as it kinda feels like your head is in a giant box.
As mentioned, when I tested this pillow, I noticed that it was difficult to get my head to fit comfortably in the depressed middle – however, that may have been a pillow sizing issue on my part. So, if you do buy this pillow, please properly measure your neck to ensure that you’re getting the size that is best for you.
The two edges of the pillow are also designed to be different heights, which means you can choose which side is most comfortable for you.
I will say that I could feel a definite difference in terms of shoulder and neck support with this pillow. However, as a side-sleeper, I found myself constantly waking up. It is difficult to get in a comfortable position on your side and still have your head in the depressed middle – and if it slips out? Well, you’re in neck pain city.
The pillow seems to be designed with back-sleepers in mind. However, if your shoulder and neck pain is due to habitual sleeping patterns, this pillow does seem to “force” you into proper adjustment – for better or for worse.
The Blu Sleep Air Memory Foam Pillow is a memory foam pillow composed of 100% water-expanded, polyurethane foam. The pillow comes in two options: a standard shape and a special “surround” shape for side sleepers. The cover is breathable and cooling, featuring a silver clear antimicrobial cover.
This pillow is the only one on this list advertised as a vegan and cruelty-free product. So, if a company’s ethics are something you consider when making purchasing, then Blu Sleep may be a good choice for you.
Upon unboxing the pillow, I immediately noticed that this pillow did not have the same factory scent as other pillows. In fact, it actually smelled quite good – a little bit like aloe vera. This is likely due to the antimicrobial cover. The pillow seems to be a nice size, and I didn’t notice any sweating/heat concerns while using it. When you lay on it, it feels noticeably cool.
My main complaint was with the silky-feeling cover. However, that could be a personal thing as I absolutely cannot stand the feeling of silk. It makes me feel itchy. If you’re using this pillow with a pillowcase (as I imagine most people would), this issue would likely be negligible.
The pillow sells for roughly $100 on SecondSlumber.com, which is a bit on the pricier side. While the company does offer a 30-night sleep trial, they charge an extra $99 for it. This seems a bit extreme.
At the time of this writing, the website lists only one review of this pillow, which states that the pillow began to sink after 2 weeks. I personally did not use this pillow for that long, so I cannot attest to whether this is true or not – but based on the fact that the Blue Sleep Air Memory Foam Pillow seemed more comfortable than supportive, I find it reasonable that it would flatten or sink with prolonged use.
Overall, I really liked this pillow. It definitely gives you that nice “sinking into a cloud” feeling with low-level support.
While this pillow does not provide as much support as a cervical pillow, it still left my neck feeling supported. I wish it was a bit firmer so my head didn’t sink as much though.
Upon first opening the Misiki Memory Foam Cervical Pillow, my first thought was that it resembled the Mkicesky in more than just its name.
Like Mkicesky, the Misiki Memory Foam Cervical Pillow is a butterfly-shaped, memory foam pillow. It comes in a soft white and grey cover, with the grey parts being advertised as “arm holders.”
The Misiki website notes that their pillows are made with a special, temperature-sensitive foam developed by NASA. As a result, the pillow contours the body according to temperature and pressure, which apparently allows for complete muscle relaxation.
What throws me off about the Misiki Memory Foam Cervical Pillow is that a proper cervical pillow should elevate the neck while allowing for the head to fall back comfortably. However, the Misiki Memory Foam Cervical Pillow claims to “elevate” the head into the proper position.
When reading reviews about the Misiki Memory Foam Cervical Pillow, many buyers noted that this pillow is not comfortable for side sleepers. People who are taller also seem to experience discomfort while sleeping on this pillow, likely due to the pillow not being compatible with their body measurements.
Upon testing this pillow, I noticed that the Misiki is much less firm than the Mkicesky – which ultimately translates into less support. To be honest, I had even more difficulty getting my head into the appropriate “head spot” than I had with the Mkicesky.
It seemed like no matter how I turned the pillow throughout the night, it felt like I wasn’t using it properly.
Some features of this pillow, like the arm holders, for instance, seem to also be a bit of a marketing gimmick. Unless you habitually sleep with both arms over your head, this feature is completely useless.
The Misiki Foam Cervical Pillow claims to elevate the neck – which seems counterintuitive to what a good cervical pillow should do. As a result, I actually experienced increased neck pain while using this pillow.
When I got the NTCOCO Shredded Memory Foam Pillow, my immediate reaction was that the packaging seemed much nicer than the other pillows – but again, we can’t judge a pillow by its box.
I purchased a 2-pack of these NTCOCO Shredded Memory Foam pillows on Amazon for $89.99, which puts each pillow in the $45 range, which is pretty reasonable in terms of value.
As soon as I unwrapped the pillow, I could immediately tell that this one was HUGE – I’m talking a bit over 3-feet long. Upon reading the box, I noticed that this pillow is also advertised as being “customizable,” meaning you can remove shredded memory foam if you’re displeased with the firmness or height of the full pillow. This makes it very similar to the GhostBed pillow discussed above.
There does seem to be a strong scent to this pillow upon removing it from the box, but most memory foam pillow companies do say that you need to let the pillows air out before use, so this isn’t unique to the NTCOCO pillow.
This pillow is advertised as having a breathable fabric and built-in cervical, shoulder, and neck support.
Upon reading the reviews, most people seem pretty pleased with it. The most common complaint seems to be the factory scent – but again, this is something that should go away with time.
When I tested this pillow, I was absolutely blown away by how much it expanded. I would guess it grew probably around four times its original size. While the pillow does seem high at first, your head sinks quite comfortably into the shredded memory foam. The fact that the foam is shredded also gives the pillow a bit of added comfort (as opposed to having just one large piece of filling).
While this pillow is huge and comfy, it almost seems a bit too high to be sleeping on regularly. The pillow provides a great angle for the neck but it keeps the head too elevated. This could probably be adjusted by removing some of the shredded filling, but it still doesn’t quite live up to the Dosaze or GhostBed pillows above.
Regardless, the NTCOCO Shredded Memory Foam Pillow remains a high-quality pillow, and its low price point additionally makes it a great option for people on a tighter budget.
Tempur Pedic has been around forever, so I had high hopes when I purchased this neck pillow. When the pillow arrived, it came in a plain brown box with the Tempur Pedic logo. Upon unwrapping the box, the first thing I noticed was that the cover had a nice shiny sheen. The pillow is rectangular shaped, featuring two different heights on both sides, meaning you choose which height is most comfortable for you.
The Tempur Pedic Neck Pillow is advertised as providing proper alignment, support, and comfort by following the natural curve of the body. It’s available in three sizes with prices ranging from $109 to $149, which is on the pricier end when compared to other pillows on the market. It should also be noted that while Tempur Pedic offers a 5-year warranty on their pillows, they do not accept returns at all. This can be risky for such a pricey investment.
The Tempur Pedic Neck Pillow is advertised as being “extra firm” and is supposed to be supportive while still providing comfort. It’s filled with Tempur Material, the original memory foam from the 90s which has now been patented by the company.
Upon reading the reviews, the main complaints about the Tempur Pedic Neck Pillow are regarding its small size and extreme firmness. Many reviewers also noted that the current neck pillow is not the same as the prior neck pillow that Tempur Pedic sold in the past. This means that if you used to have Tempur Pedic Neck Pillow, it’s probably not the same pillow that you’d be purchasing today.
Now, when it came to testing this pillow, I have to tell you the truth – it felt like a brick.
When I lay my head down, there is absolutely no give. The foam does not compress at all. It literally just feels like a solid, firm, cloth-covered brick.
Now, if support is your main concern, this pillow may be helpful for you – but I personally believe that comfort is also important. I don’t want to say that I hate this pillow, but it’s just so different from all the other ones tested. I think there are better options on the market that provide support and comfort. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
Upon receiving the PureDown Premium White Goose Down Feather Pillows, my immediate observation was that the packaging looked a little cheap.
These pillows come in a 2-pack for $85, making the average price for one pillow roughly $42. This is a great price for someone on a budget looking to get their money’s worth.
The PureDown pillow is made in China and contains a grey down (15%) and feather (85%) mix. It features a pillow-in-pillow design and advertises a 300-thread count, breathable, moisture-wicking, cotton cover. The website also advertises the pillow as providing “strong neck support”, but the reviews seem mixed. A lot of people have stated that their heads displace the filling, making the pillow feel very flat. They say they need to constantly fluff the filling to keep the PureDown pillow firm.
During my testing, I noticed that this was a definite issue. While the pillow is very comfy, it did not seem to provide much support. In the picture, you can see that when I lay on this pillow, my head sinks right into it. The pillow is advertised as being medium-firm, but I do not think it would be supportive enough for someone suffering from neck pain. So, if you’re struggling with that particular issue, the PureDown pillow may not be the best choice for you.
I also noticed that the “inner pillow” that holds the down/feather mix seems to be made of some type of plastic, which is not very comfortable and crinkles a lot when you sleep on it. I wasn’t a big fan of this, but it may be less noticeable with a high-quality pillowcase.
Overall, this pillow is a great buy if you’re looking for something comfortable that won’t break the bank, but if you’re struggling with shoulder and/or neck pain, this pillow likely won’t meet your needs.
Upon receiving the Endy Luxe Foam Pillow, I noticed that the pillow’s marketing and packaging felt distinctly Canadian, featuring a white box with maple leaves on the sides.
When I opened the box, I noticed that the Endy Luxe Foam Pillow was the first that did not come in a vacuum-packed bag. The foam seemed very compressed when it came out of the box – even more so than the others. Of course, it would need time to expand but this was immediately worrisome to me. Secondly, the cover was all wrinkled from being in the box, so the pillow just didn’t look very nice in general.
While all memory foam pillows absorb factory scents and tend to require some airing out, the Endy Luxe Foam Pillow’s scent was also more prominent than the others I had tested thus far. In terms of price, it is also much more expensive than the previous pillows tested.
The pillow is advertised as a charcoal-infused, quick-response memory foam pillow that is appropriate for side, stomach, and back sleepers.
The company also offers a 60-night sleep trial and a 3-year warranty on their Luxe Foam pillows, meaning that if you buy one and don’t like it, you can easily return it to get your money back.
While researching this pillow, I did notice that there didn’t seem to be any real reviews of this pillow anywhere, which, as a consumer, can be a little unsettling when deciding to make a big purchase.
After the pillow had been out of the packaging a few days, the cover and everything finally smoothed out – and I will say that (aesthetically at least) it looked a lot better. However, even once the foam had expanded the Endy still seemed very thin – roughly 2-3” in height.
The previous cervical pillows tested were generally around 4” in height, making the Endy Luxe Foam pillow seem much smaller in comparison. I almost felt like I had to fold it in half for it to feel high enough.
Because of its low height, the pillow does not seem to do much in terms of shoulder and neck support. In fact, it reminds me a bit of the PureDown without the feeling of sinking into a cloud. It just seems odd that the most expensive pillow tested thus far is also one of the thinnest.
Conclusions
For most sleepers (side, back, and combination) with neck pain, I think the Dosaze Contoured Orthopedic Pillow provides the most bang for your buck for the following reasons:
- It is supportive and comfortable.
- It helped to reduce my neck pain, and it is comfortable for every sleep position.
- The pillow is designed with high-quality materials
- The price is reasonable (and includes a 3-year warranty and 60-day sleep trial).
Of course, at the end of the day, I encourage you to try whichever pillow you like best to see for yourself!
Hopefully, the information provided has helped answer some of your questions and made you feel more confident in your decision and this investment.
Disclosure: HomeHacks has relationships with some of the products listed in this article. We may earn a varying commission if you purchase any of the products on this list.
