Dr. Barry Jarvis
Sleeping with a knee pillow correctly positioned can make a big difference in spinal alignment and pain relief. This guide reviews the 10 highest rated knee pillows along with tips for choosing the right design for your needs.
Benefits of Using a Knee Pillow
Tucking a supportive knee pillow between your legs as you sleep offers many advantages:
- Keeps the spine neutrally aligned and prevents twisting
- Reduces pressure and strain on the hips and lower back
- Minimizes pain and stiffness in arthritic knees
- Improves circulation in the legs and hips
- Allows side sleeping alignment for stomach sleepers
- Speeds post-surgery recovery and healing
Choosing the right pillow firmness and thickness keeps your body supported overnight.
What to Look for in a Knee Pillow
Key factors to evaluate when choosing a knee pillow:
1. Shape and Design
Contoured knee pillows provide optimal filling between the knees.
2. Thickness
Match the loft to your body size and natural leg positioning.
3. Firmness
Select softer or firmer fills to find your ideal comfort level.
4. Quality Materials
Look for breathable, hypoallergenic materials that hold their shape.
5. Adjustability
Some designs allow you to remove filling to customize thickness.
Using this criteria, below are the top-rated knee pillows for spinal alignment and pain issues.
The 10 Highest Rated Knee Pillows
1. Cushy Form Knee Pillow
Highlights:
- Ergonomic contour design
- Premium memory foam core
- Bamboo cover stays cool
- Ideal for side, back and stomach sleepers
- Helps adjust for hip misalignment
- 10 year warranty
This supportive contoured knee pillow from Cushy Form allows excellent spinal alignment.
Price Range: $$
Buy the Cushy Form Knee Pillow on Amazon
2. Everlasting Comfort Knee Pillow
Highlights:
- Orthopedic design with contours
- Premium memory foam filling
- Improves sciatica and leg pain
- Washable bamboo cover
- Ideal for side sleeping and pregnancy
- Lifetime replacement guarantee
Shaped to fit between the knees, this Everlasting Comfort pillow keeps your hips aligned and comfortable.
Price Range: $
Buy the Everlasting Comfort Knee Pillow on Amazon
3. Cushy Form Leg Elevation Pillow
Highlights:
- Supportive memory foam core
- Ergonomic leg wedge design
- Relieves knee, hip and back pain
- Improves circulation and swelling
- Removable and washable cover
- 10 year warranty
This dual-purpose pillow from Cushy Form elevates legs or fits between your knees.
Price Range: $
Buy the Cushy Form Leg Elevation Pillow on Amazon
4. Back Pain Relief Memory Foam
Highlights:
- Contoured U-shaped design
- High-density memory foam
- Improves spinal alignment
- Relief for knee, leg and back pain
- Machine washable bamboo cover
- 1 year money back guarantee
The ergonomic U-shape of this Back Pain Relief Memory Foam pillow tucks between the knees.
Price Range: $
Buy the Back Pain Relief Memory Foam Knee Pillow on Amazon
5. ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow
Highlights:
- Ergonomic design mimics natural contours
- High density memory foam
- Improves spinal alignment
- Machine washable zippered cover
- Helps relieve back, hip and joint pain
- Manufacturer lifetime replacement warranty
Shaped to fit comfortably between your legs, this orthopedic pillow from ComfiLife relieves pressure.
Price Range: $
Buy the ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow on Amazon
6. Hermell Products Knee Pillow
Highlights:
- Firm, but compressible polyurethane foam fill
- Helps maintain proper leg positioning
- Resilient foam springs back into shape
- Coated nylon exterior with zippered cover
- Made in the USA
- 1 year warranty
This supportive urethane foam knee pillow by Hermell fits comfortably between the knees.
Price Range: $
Buy the Hermell Products Knee Pillow on Amazon
7. Plixio Contour Knee Pillow
Highlights:
- Ergonomic design with indented contour
- Premium shredded memory foam adapts to knees
- Adjustable filling levels
- Soft, breathable cotton cover
- Prevents twisting and misalignment
- Lifetime money back guarantee
The tailored contour design of this Plixio pillow provides ideal knee and hip alignment.
Price Range: $
Buy the Plixio Contour Knee Pillow on Amazon
8. Cabeau Evolution Cool Knee Pillow
Highlights:
- Advanced cooling gel memory foam
- Aerated, ventilated design
- Ergonomic contours support knees
- Improves spinal alignment
- Porous bamboo cover
- Doctor recommended #1 knee pillow
This Cabeau Evolution pillow helps you sleep cool while providing optimal knee support and spinal alignment.
Price Range: $
Buy the Cabeau Evolution Cool Knee Pillow on Amazon
9. MARNUR Contour Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Highlights:
- Ergonomic, indented contour
- High-resilience memory foam
- Improves spinal alignment
- Cooling vented bamboo cover
- Ideal for side sleeping and pregnancy
- 30 day money back guarantee
Marnur’s comfortable contoured design allows this knee pillow to properly fill and align the space between your legs.
Price Range: $
Buy the MARNUR Contour Memory Foam Knee Pillow on Amazon
10. Nightingale Contour Side Sleeper Knee Pillow
Highlights:
- Orthopedic contoured design
- Snug memory foam fill
- Improves hip and spine alignment
- Embedded airflow gussets
- Machine washable bamboo cover
- 30 day money back guarantee
This Nightingale knee pillow slips comfortably between your legs to help side sleepers stay aligned overnight.
Price Range: $
Buy the Nightingale Contour Side Sleeper Knee Pillow on Amazon
Choosing the Right Loft Thickness
Selecting the proper pillow height helps keep your knees, hips and spine aligned.
For Side Sleepers
Medium to high loft around 5-6 inches helps fill the leg gap.
For Back Sleepers
Lower loft around 3-4 inches keeps knees comfortably supported but close together.
For Stomach Sleepers
Thinner loft less than 3 inches helps prevent arcing the lower back.
Test different thicknesses to find the ideal loft suited to your body and sleep positions.
Best Knee Pillow Materials
Memory Foam
Molds closely to knees. Check density to prevent flattening.
Latex Foam
Naturally responsive support. Resistant to impressions.
Polyester Fiber Fill
Light, airy. Allows some shaping and compression.
Buckwheat Hulls
Molds to body contours. Adjustable fill levels. Noisy.
Polyurethane Foam
Low-cost basic cushioning. Avoid deep impressions.
Tips for Picking the Right Knee Pillow
- Consider your main sleeping positions
- Evaluate your ideal loft and thickness
- Look for breathable, organic materials if possible
- Check options with long sleep trials
- Read return policies before purchasing
- Verify correct sizing to suit your needs
Taking time to find the right match leads to improved comfort and spinal alignment.
When to See a Doctor About Knee or Hip Pain
See your physician promptly if pain is accompanied by:
- Joint noise like cracking or popping
- Noticeable swelling or fluid retention
- Difficulty bearing weight or loss of range of motion
- Unexpected trauma or injury
- Fatigue, fever or unexplained weight loss
While knee pillows can help general aches and pains, worsening discomfort may indicate a more serious health condition needing medical expertise.
Replacing a Worn Out Knee Pillow
Plan to replace your knee pillow every 1-2 years if:
- The pillow flattens, loses loft or feels uneven
- You experience discomfort or pain when using it
- It develops an odor or stains that cannot be removed
- The pillow shifts and lacks stability during the night
- It no longer feels supportive or cushioned between your knees
- You see damage, thinning or deterioration
Best Sleep Positions for Knee and Hip Pain
Side Sleeping
Places less pressure on the hips and knees. Use a thick knee pillow for alignment.
Back Sleeping
Helps align the spine. Use a slimmer height pillow between the knees.
Stomach Sleeping
Can take pressure off the back for some people. Use no or very thin pillow.
Adjust your knee pillow by the position that gives your body the most comfort and support.
Troubleshooting Discomfort When Using a Knee Pillow
Stiffness or Pain in Hips and Lower Back
Try a lower loft knee pillow or remove it completely.
Knee, Leg or Ankle Discomfort
Switch to a thinner, more compressible pillow. Adjust sleeping positions.
Still Feeling Misaligned or Twisted
Try a different style or shape that fits your body better. Check mattress firmness.
Discomfort on Side Without Pillow
Aim for a higher loft pillow offering more support and filling the gap.
Waking Up Frequently:
Check pillow positioning to keep it in place. Increase cushioning. Evaluate off-gassing smells.
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pillows
How does a knee pillow help with alignment?
Knee pillows keep the hips stacked, prevents twisting, and fills in the gap created between the legs in side sleeping. This keeps the spine aligned.
When should you use a knee pillow?
Knee pillows help with side sleeping, spinal alignment, knee stiffness, hip bursitis, sciatica, pregnancy, and post knee surgery recovery.
Where do you place a knee pillow for side sleepers?
Position the knee pillow between your legs just below your knees. Make sure it fits snugly and keeps your upper leg tilted forward with hips stacked.
Can you use a knee pillow every night?
Yes, knee pillows are designed for nightly use to provide ongoing benefits like spinal alignment, knee cushioning, and hip separation.
How long does it take to adjust to a knee pillow?
It typically takes 2-4 weeks to fully adjust to sleeping with a new knee pillow in the proper position. Give your body time to adapt.
Closing Summary
A quality knee pillow fitted to your body helps improve spinal alignment and reduce pressure points for greater comfort. Paying attention to proper positioning allows you to wake up each morning feeling rested and ready to take on the day.
Originally posted on September 19, 2023 @ 12:57 am
Author
Dr. Barry Jarvis
Dr. Barry Jarvis is a renowned sleep specialist, dedicating their illustrious career to the intricate world of sleep medicine. Holding a medical degree from a prestigious institution, Dr. Jarvis has cultivated a deep understanding of the complex mechanisms that govern sleep and its pivotal role in overall health and well-being. With a compassionate approach and a meticulous eye for detail, Dr. Jarvis has helped countless individuals reclaim restful nights and vibrant days. Beyond their clinical expertise, they have contributed to groundbreaking research in sleep medicine, unraveling the mysteries of sleep disorders and pioneering innovative treatments that stand at the forefront of the field.
