Selecting the best pillow to avoid neck pain depends heavily on your primary sleeping position, as the goal is to maintain "neutral spinal alignment" where your neck is not tilted too far forward, backward, or to the side. For side sleepers, a firm, high-loft pillow is typically best; it needs to fill the gap between the ear and the outer shoulder to keep the head level. Back sleepers generally benefit from a medium-thickness pillow with a "contour" or "cervical" design that supports the natural curve of the neck while allowing the head to sink slightly deeper. Stomach sleepers should use a very thin, soft pillow or no pillow at all to prevent the neck from being forced into an unnatural upward angle. In terms of materials, memory foam and latex are often highly recommended because they offer consistent structural support and do not "bottom out" during the night like traditional down or polyester fiberfill. Many physical therapists suggest using a "medically contoured" pillow made of high-density foam which features a divot for the head and a raised bolster for the neck, ensuring the cervical spine remains supported throughout various sleep cycles.