Top-Notch Knee Pillows for Comfort During Side and Back Sleeping
Discover the best knee pillows to enhance your sleep quality and tackle common issues such as back pain, sciatica, and even pregnancy discomfort. Your ultimate guide to the top 2022 picks will help you find the perfect bedtime companion.
Are you tossing and turning due to discomfort that comes with your favorite sleeping position? Say hello to your new sleep partner – a knee pillow! A pillow strategically placed between or underneath your knees can alleviate pressure caused during sleeping on your back or side, as well as offer relief for those in pregnancy, experiencing sciatica, or struggling with back or hip pain.
Since shopping for a pillow can be a drag, we've gathered the cream of the crop for you, making it easy to find your next best friend on your slumber escapades. So, who needs another cozy blanket when you can have multiple pillows, right?!
Best knee pillows of 2022
- Most Raved: Contour Legacy Leg & Knee Foam Support Pillow
- Most Adjustable: Coop Home Goods Knee Pillow
- Best Organic Materials: Gateway Sleep Memory Foam Knee Pillow
- Best for Injuries: PureComfort Adjustable Elevation Pillow
- Best for Pregnancy: Meiz Full Body Pregnancy Pillow
- Best for Sciatica: ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow
- Best for Back Sleepers: 5 Stars United Half Moon Bolster Pillow
- Best for Combination Sleepers: Back Support Systems Knee-T Leg Pillow
How we selected the top knee pillows
Our list took into account a variety of options and factors:
- Materials: With memory foam offering the ultimate pressure relief and body contouring capabilities, we leaned toward foam-based knee pillows.
- Cleaning Ease: As foam can be difficult or impossible to wash, we made sure to pick pillows with removable, washable covers to make cleaning easier.
- Reviews: We selected products boasting rave reviews from customers, ensuring high quality and no duds.
- Product Vetting: We similarly put each brand through a thorough vetting process, filtering out brands making questionable health claims or engaging in shady business practices.
Pricing Guide
- $: Less than $20
- $$: $20-$40
- $$$: Over $40
Top-notch: The 8 best knee pillows
Most Raved Knee Pillow
Contour Legacy Leg & Knee Foam Support Pillow
- Price: $
- Firmness: firm
- Materials: Memory foam
- Pros: Washable cover, Breathable foam, 1-year warranty
- Cons: Too thick for some sleepers
This pillow sandwiched between the knees is made of ventilated memory foam for better breathability and reduced sweating. Its ergonomic shape supports both legs and knees. The pillow features a removable, washable cover for easy cleaning and has over 20k positive reviews on Amazon. Although a handful of people find it too thick, the vast majority of users - including those with chronic pain or those recovering from surgery - love it for improving their sleep.
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Most Adjustable Knee Pillow
Coop Home Goods Knee Pillow
- Price: $$
- Firmness: Medium firm
- Materials: Memory foam filling, bamboo-derived rayon, and polyester cover
- Pros: Adjustable, Washable cover, 100-night sleep trial
- Cons: Not supportive for larger bodies
Coop Home Goods' adjustable pillows are famous, and this knee pillow is no exception. If you desire a thicker pillow, this model can be made so by adding the removable foam insert. The pillow's adjustability was praised by reviewers, though there were a few complaints that it was not supportive enough for individuals in larger bodies. Coop offers a 100-night sleep trial, enabling you to test it risk-free.
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Best Knee Pillow with Organic Materials
Gateway Sleep Memory Foam Knee Pillow
- Price: $
- Firmness: firm
- Materials: Memory foam filling, Organic bamboo cover
- Pros: Organic cover, With storage bag
- Cons: Not supportive for larger bodies
With an organic bamboo cover and a memory foam filling, this hourglass-style knee pillow boasts a soft, breathable surface yet sturdy support. The firm shape caters to pain relief, as perp users. One downside, though, is that it may not be ideal for people in larger bodies.
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Best for Injuries (Leg & Knee Injuries)
PureComfort Adjustable Elevation Pillow
- Price: $$$
- Firmness: Firm
- Materials: Memory foam
- Pros: Supportive, Adjustable
- Cons: Not the most durable option
If you've suffered a leg or knee injury, this pillow is the one for you. Its behind-the-knee wedge design facilitates leg and knee elevation, which is considered a key component in treating certain injuries. The pillow includes a soft, hypoallergenic bamboo cover and is created with CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam. Suitable for use post-marathon or after surgery, you can modify the pillow's height by utilizing the included insert. Ideal for post-marathon recovery or after surgery, the pillow can be adjusted by using the included insert. Numerous users have found post-knee surgery relief when using this pillow.
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Best for Pregnancy
Meiz Full Body Pregnancy Pillow
- Price: $$$
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Materials: Polyester fiber filling, Brushed fabric cover
- Pros: Soft to the touch, Full body support
- Cons: Traps heat, Takes up space
When you're pregnant, it's not just knee pressure that aggravates stress on your body. Your expanding belly makes finding a comfortable sleeping position a challenge. A pillow like this one offers whole-body support.
Though, it's not only for pregnant individuals; others can also enjoy cozying up with this oversized pillow. The u-shaped pillow consists of a polyester fiber filling and a brushed fabric exterior. The removable, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic cover appeals to users. However, the downside is that the pillow traps heat and takes up significant space.
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Best for Sciatica
ComfiLife Orthopedic Knee Pillow
- Price: $$
- Firmness: Firm
- Materials: High-density memory foam
- Pros: Lifetime warranty, Washable cover, Ergonomic design
- Cons: Too firm for some sleepers
This ergonomic memory foam knee pillow is specifically designed to maintain spinal alignment, aiding in preventing sciatica pain. ComfiLife utilizes high-density foam, which is known for enduring longer than low-density foams. It also boasts a washable cover and a lifetime warranty. The majority of users appreciate its supportive effects and its ability to maintain its shape. A minority of users, though, feel it is too firm.
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Best for Back Sleepers
5 Stars United Half Moon Bolster Pillow
- Price: $$
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Materials: Memory foam
- Pros: Multi-purpose, Comfortable
- Cons: Some find it too soft
Back sleepers, rejoice! This half-moon pillow can be placed either under your knees or behind your back, depending on where aches and pains occur. Side and stomach sleepers and pregnant individuals can also make use of it by placing it between their legs for pressure relief. This pillow offers the unique flexibility of being placed in multiple positions depending on your needs.
The refreshing scent that the company claims is lemon-scented also impresses users, as well as the zippered, easy-to-clean cover. The comfort level of this pillow is favored by the majority. While some have judged the half-moon shape less comfortable for putting between the knees.
Shop now at Amazon
Best for Combination Sleepers
Back Support Systems Knee-T Leg Pillow
- Price: $$$
- Firmness: Firm
- Materials: Poly foam
- Pros: Hypoallergenic cover, 10-year warranty
- Cons: Less durable than other options
If you change positions throughout the night, a regular knee pillow may not work well. This option includes a strap that ensures the pillow stays in place between your knees. The pillow meets CertiPUR-US standards and comes with a washable, zippered cover. Users appreciate its pressure relief capabilities, though they have complained about its durability.
Shop now at Amazon
Choosing a knee pillow
Finding a knee pillow that suits your needs should be effortless. However, consider these factors when shopping:
Shape
- Hourglass shape: The classic shape offers a cozy nook for your knees, perfect for side sleepers.
- Wedge shape: Designed to be placed under the knees, this shape suits back sleepers.
- Body pillows: These are great for both side and stomach sleepers and can also support pregnant individuals.
Size
- Body Size: The larger your body, the thicker the pillow you'll need. Test different sizes to find one that works best for your body type.
Materials
- Memory foam: Known for providing superior pressure relief, memory foam is a common choice for knee pillows.
- Gel memory foam: Infused with gel, this variant is designed to cool down and reduce heat retention.
- Polyurethane foam: Similar to memory foam but of lower quality and lower durability.
- Latex foam: More expensive than memory foam and less prone to heat retention, latex foam is also more durable.
Support
- Support Level: A firmer pillow means stronger support, but overly firm pillows can increase pressure on your knees.
Comfort
- Comfort: A pillow designed to improve sleep quality should be comfortable. If it hinders your sleep, explore other options.
Extra features
- Strap: Some pillows include straps to prevent movement during sleep.
- Adjustability: Some pillows can be modified to better suit your preferences.
Care
- Washable covers: Removable, washable covers make cleaning hassle-free.
Return policy
- Return policy: Always verify a brand's return policy before making a purchase.
Who should use a knee pillow?
Side and back sleepers can reap the most benefits from knee pillows, particularly those seeking pressure relief. Also, those with back pain, sciatica issues, or pregnancy can find relief with the support offered by a knee pillow.
- If you're struggling with discomfort during sleep due to your preferred sleeping position, consider a knee pillow as a new sleep partner.
- The Contour Legacy Leg & Knee Foam Support Pillow, known as the Most Raved, offers pressure relief and body contouring capabilities, a removable, washable cover, and is suitable for those experiencing chronic pain or recent surgeries.
- For those wanting an adjustable pillow, the Coop Home Goods Knee Pillow allows for additional firmness, giving it versatility depending on your comfort levels.
