I bought the Neckhaven Pillow after weeks of waking up with neck pain and stiff shoulders. I’d tried a few memory foam pillows before, but none really solved the problem. Ads for Neckhaven kept showing up on Instagram, claiming it’s an orthopedic pillow designed to align the spine and reduce tension, so I figured I’d give it a shot. After using it nightly for about a month, here’s my honest experience.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The pillow came rolled up in a box, which worried me at first because it looked small and flat. After a few hours it expanded into its actual shape, a contoured design with a dip in the middle and raised sides. The cover felt soft, not luxury-quality, but smooth enough. There was a faint chemical smell from the memory foam, but it faded after a day of airing out.
Sleeping Experience with the Neckhaven Pillow
The first couple of nights were honestly awkward. The contour shape pushed my head into a position I wasn’t used to. As a side sleeper who sometimes flips onto my back, it took some adjusting. By the third night, I noticed I wasn’t waking up with as much stiffness in my neck.
On my back, the pillow feels supportive. It cradles the head while keeping the neck from bending in weird angles. As a side sleeper, it’s hit or miss. The edges are a little high, so I had to shift around until I found a comfortable spot. Once I did, it felt supportive and I noticed fewer headaches in the mornings.
Quality and Durability
The memory foam is firmer than I expected but hasn’t gone flat at all, even after weeks of use. The cover is removable and machine washable, which is convenient. My only gripe is that the zipper feels a little flimsy, and the stitching doesn’t scream premium quality. Still, the pillow itself seems like it will last a while.
Pros and Cons of the Neckhaven Pillow
What I liked:
- Reduced morning neck pain after about a week
- Good support for back sleeping
- Keeps its shape and doesn’t flatten easily
- Washable cover
What I didn’t like:
- Cover quality feels a bit cheap
- Not ideal for strict side sleepers
- Took a few nights to get used to the contour design
- Slight chemical smell out of the box
Is the Neckhaven Pillow Worth It?
So, is the Neckhaven Pillow for neck pain and better sleep worth buying? For me, it wasn’t an instant miracle, but after a week or so of adjusting, I definitely noticed less stiffness and tension when waking up. It’s best suited for back sleepers or people who switch between back and side positions. If you’re only a side sleeper, it might not feel as comfortable.
Conclusion
I wouldn’t call it perfect, but it did improve my sleep quality enough that I’m still using it. If you’re tired of regular pillows that collapse and don’t support your neck, the Neckhaven is worth trying, just know it might take a few nights to adjust.
Check out the Frownies Patch I reviewed earlier.