Sleeping on a pillow that properly supports your head and neck is vital to both prevent and manage neck pain, and therefore get a good night’s sleep. But considering we’re all built differently, how do you know which pillow is right?

Posture is top of the list when it comes to choosing a pillow for neck pain, as ergonomic expert Lucinda Newbound, owner of ergonomic furniture shop Back in Action, explains: “The right pillow should encourage and maintain the correct spine alignment. Look for something that supports the natural curve of your spine and neck, without holding it at an awkward angle.”

Your size, weight and sleeping position will all dictate which pillow suits you best, and sleep posture expert and founder of Levitex, James Leinhardt, has a good analogy for this: “If you saw my trainers and thought they were awesome, you wouldn’t wear them, because you’re not a size 11. The principle is exactly the same for pillows – one pillow definitely doesn’t fit all.”

With all that in mind, it pays to shop around when choosing a pillow. To make the search a little easier, I’ve put a whole range of options to the test. As a fellow sufferer from neck pain, I’ve found some great options for pain relief. Whether you need an adjustable, ergonomic pillow for chronic issues or a cosy V-pillow to stop a cricked neck when reading in bed, I’ve tested lots of pillows to help you find the very best.

How I tested