Tom's Guide Verdict
The Tempur-Neck is essentially a single block of the brand's signature Tempur-Material and is one of the brand’s top-selling pillows. Its ergonomic shape has been created to deliver cushioning comfort and support for back and side sleepers. During the testing period, we found that the pillow lived up to its claims of providing instant pressure relief to our neck and shoulders, leading to restful sleep all night long.
Pros
- +
Instant pressure relief for neck and shoulders
- +
Ergonomic design follows the curve of the neck
- +
Perfect for side and back sleepers
- +
Firm yet cushioning support
Cons
- -
May be too firm for some sleepers
- -
Spot clean only
- -
No sleep trial included
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The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow: Review in brief
The Tempur-Neck stands out from most other bed pillows on the market thanks to its unique design, which follows the natural curve of the neck and head. It’s designed for back and side sleepers in particular, and comes in three sizes (small, medium and large) so you can pick the one best suited to your sleep position and body shape.
Type: Tempur material (foam)
Best for: Side and back sleepers
Sizes: Small (20" x 12.5" x 3.5"), medium (20" x 12.5" x 4") and large (20" x 12.5" x 4.75")
Trial: N/A
Warranty: 5-year limited
Price: From $119 MSRP at Tempur-Pedic
Tempur-Pedic mattresses are hugely popular, and the brand has used its signature pressure-relieving Tempur-Material (essentially high-end memory foam), which is both firm yet comfortable, in this best-selling pillow. We felt it strikes the right balance between sturdy support and cushioning comfort — which can help minimize the risk of exacerbating any existing conditions.
As a combination sleeper, our tester found the Tempur-Neck to be the most comfortable when lying on her back. This way, her neck felt instant pressure relief that she described as being akin what she'd feel after a neck massage at a spa.
She slept on the pillow for over two weeks and was comfortable all night long, never waking up with aches or pains. She even felt that it reduced any muscle tension she experienced.
In addition to sleeping on it during the testing period, we also put the Tempur-Neck pillow through other performance tests (more on that below) in which it scored well. Overall, we rate the Tempur-Neck a 4 out of 5 stars considering the various parameters like comfort, support, temperature regulation and durability. Keep reading to find out more…
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow: Price & deals
In terms of the cost, Tempur-Pedic pillows are not exactly budget purchases in comparison to some of the other best pillows out there.
At MSRP, the Tempur-Neck retails at $119 for a small size, $129 for a medium and $159 for a large, and is in the mid-range bracket for the brand (their most expensive pillow, the Tempur-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow, starts from $199 for queen when at full price).
However, you can snag excellent deals on the pillow during Tempur-Pedic sales. These don't come around as regularly as you'll find at other sleep brands, but when they do, particularly around events like Black Friday and Memorial Day, you'll find that you could save up to 50% or more. The brand also occasionally runs ‘buy one get one free’ sales, which is the perfect time to stock up on two of your favorite Tempur-Pedic pillows, letting you sleep better for less.
Two pillows that are similar to the Tempur-Neck in terms of design and functionality are the Nest Bedding Easy Breather (from $119) and the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate (from $169 to $199) — the first at a similar set of price points and the second coming in a little more expensive.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow: Design & materials
The Tempur-Neck is comprised of a single block of the brand's signature Tempur-Material. Described as having an 'extra firm feel' it is designed specifically for back and side sleepers, delivering pressure relief and relaxing your muscles while still keeping them supported.
Unlike regular bed pillows, you don't have to spend your time and effort adjusting the Tempur-Neck to contour your neck and shoulders, since its design follows the natural curvature of your neck and head. As such, it's designed to always give solid support to your neck, without ever compromising on neutral spinal alignment, whether you're sleeping on your side or your back. You can choose between the three sizes, and Tempur-Pedic even provide a handy chart and instructions on the pillow's product page so you can find the ideal Tempur-Neck for your body type.
The Tempur-Material is encased in a hypoallergenic knit cover made from 100% polyester, and handily it's both removable and machine washable.
Hot sleeper? You have the option of upgrading your Tempur-Neck to include cooling technology, in the form of heat-wicking cooling yarns woven into the breathable cover. This costs $20, but if sleeping hot is a big problem for you we'd recommend a dedicated cooling pillow such as the Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow: Performance
That's the basics covered, so now let's take a closer look at how the Tempur-Neck fared across a range of specific performance parameters. This will help you make an informed decision on whether the Tempur-Neck will work for your sleeping style and needs.
Set-up
The Tempur-Neck is one of the few pillows we've found that does not require any additional steps to be set up fully. It arrives in a fuss-free cardboard box, wrapped in plastic film. You don't have to wait for it expand or adjust the loft or firmness by adding or removing fill. Simply tear the plastic off and it's all ready to be slept on.
Score: 5 out of 5
Comfort and support
I found the Tempur-Neck largely delivered on what it claims. I'm a combination sleeper (side and back) and I specifically loved the instant pressure relief of the foam, which mimics the soothing relaxation of a neck massage or spa. It is on the firmer side and hence is suitable for anyone who needs that extra sturdy support to keep their neck aligned or to reduce the risk of worsening their aches or pains.
To test its comfort and support, we put it through a sink-in test by placing a kettlebell weighing 10lb (roughly the average weight of an adult head) on the pillow and leaving it for 5 minutes. As soon as we removed the kettlebell, the foam sprung right back up without even a dent to show that a weight had been placed on it.
I also found the Tempur-Neck to be most comfortable for back sleeping since this truly gave my neck and shoulders the feeling that tension was melting away.
Since I tend to prefer a pillow with a softer feel and do not particularly suffer from neck aches or shoulder pains, I found the curved design to be slightly distracting after a week. Similarly, if you're someone who wants a pillow that conforms to your neck and head, giving you a cradling effect (like you're sleeping on a cloud), the Tempur-Neck might not work as an everyday pillow.
Score: 4 out of 5
Temperature control
Apart from the optional cooling upgrade, the Tempur-Neck doesn't include any cooling features. Since it is made from a type of memory foam (which is known to trap heat), we expected it to cause overheating, but this never happened while testing the Tempur-Neck, although it should be noted that the reviewer is not a hot-sleeper.
I was sleeping on the Emma Hybrid Airgrid mattress and used an ordinary department store microfiber duvet during the Tempur-Neck testing period.
The knit cover which wraps the Tempur-Neck, however, is not a light breathable material of the type you might find on other pillows. If you're a hot sleeper, you'd be advised to opt for the cooling upgrade or to go for the Tempur-Cloud Dual Cooling pillow, which comes in a breathable cotton cover with cooling gel on either side.
Score: 4 out of 5
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow review: Durability and care
A pillow may be comfy enough to sleep on but is it easy to clean? This is why we consider maintenance and durability to be key factors when judging the performance of a pillow.
Build quality
Tempur-Pedic is a popular mattress and bedding brand in the US and one of the reasons why it's so well-regarded is its consistent quality. Compared with other memory foam pillows, the Tempur-Neck does not sag or require any fluffing to maintain its shape, comfort and support.
Score: 5 out of 5
Care and maintenance
As per Tempur-Pedic's care guidelines, only the outer cover is removable and can be washed and dried on a cold setting. Air-drying is recommended. Tempur-Pedic also suggests that you should avoid over-drying it or using chlorine or harsh products for cleaning.
Score: 4 out of 5
Tempur-Pedic Tempur Neck review: Should you buy it?
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck definitely lives up to the expectations. Finding a pillow that strikes the perfect balance of comfort and support is a tricky task for those struggling with neck pains or shoulder aches, and the last thing you need is a pillow that's either too soft or too firm and increases the risk of worsening the pain.
If this sounds familiar to you, we believe that Tempur-Neck would be a good choice thanks to its ergonomic curved design and it's firm but instantly pressure relieving Tempur-material. While it's not one of Tempur's most affordable pillows, it sits around the middle of the Tempur-Pedic price range.
Temperature control clearly isn't the Tempur-Neck's priority, and this is surely where it falls down compared with similarly-designed pillows such as the Nest Bedding Easy Breather and the Sleep Number NaturaFit Ultimate. The curved shape and the extra firmness also makes it an unsuitable option for stomach sleepers who require a low-loft model or one with a customizable fill like the Coop Home Goods Original pillow.
Buy the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow if...
✅You suffer from neck pains or aches: The Tempur-Neck provides the right combination of cushioning and firm support to soothe any aches or pains.
✅You're a back or side sleeper: The ergonomic design follows the natural curve of the neck and is therefore perfect for side and back sleepers.
✅You need instant pressure relief for your neck: The Tempur-Material used in the pillow gives you instant relaxation which melts away the built-up tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.
Do not buy the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck if...
❌You prefer a softer pillow: Tempur-Neck is the firmest Tempur-Pedic pillow and its cushioning won't appeal to sleepers who need a fluffy or plush model.
❌You need a more affordable pillow: Tempur-Pedic pillows are not exactly cheap compared to more budget-friendly options in the market.
❌No sleep trial included: Unlike most brands, Tempur-Pedic does not provide a sleep trial or returns for its pillows. Extra benefits are limited to a 5-year warranty and free shipping.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck pillow: Alternatives to consider
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