Getting a good night’s sleep is important to wake up well-rested and ready for a productive day. It is crucial to maintain the proper posture that keeps your spine aligned to achieve this. However, even without our knowledge, we sleep at odd angles and positions, exerting pressure on our lower back, neck, or joints that leaves us more unhealthy than is recommended.
This is where the knee pillows come in. The best knee pillows help to alleviate spine, hip, knee, and leg discomfort. These pains may be due to injury or surgery or from a deficiency. It will provide the proper spacing between the knees and relief from pain while at the same time adding serenity and coziness to our sleep.
Today, the market is flooded with brands in different shapes and sizes, which promise varying comfort levels. Numerous considerations ought to go into your choice of knee pillow: the firmness, material composition, budget, to name a few. With all of these in mind, finding the best pillow may prove to be a pickle.
We have compiled a list of our top 8 picks for awesome knee pillows to help you on your way.
Our Top 8 Picks for Awesome Knee Pillows
1. Editor’s Pick- ComfiLife Knee Pillow
This orthopedic pillow is designed to keep your spine supported and aligned with your hips and legs. It is a life-saver for the knees and back, hip, joint, and sciatica pain. The hourglass design will keep it securely in place throughout the night.
It is made of high-density memory foam that is contouring and retains its shape even with extended use.
The cover is made of polyester and is removable and machine-washable. Cleaning it will be an easy task. To make cleaning even easier, you can use an additional cover/ pillowcase that will be easy to pull on and off.
It is small and light and will fit into your luggage easily when you travel.
Key features:
- Great for back, hip, joint, and sciatica pain
- The hourglass design keeps it in place
- Made from high-density memory foam
- Removable and machine-washable polyester cover
- Small, light, and portable
2. Runner’s Up- Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers
This contour pillow is great for side sleepers, pregnant women, or those recovering from surgery. It helps with restless leg syndrome, a welcome relief for sleepers and their partners as well. Moreover, it will offer relief for ailments such as scoliosis.
It is made from high-quality memory foam, which retains its shape and firmness even with extended use. The foam is breathable and adjusts with temperature changes, feeling softer in warmer temperatures and firmer in cool temperatures.
The cover is removable and washable, making cleaning an easy task. The pillow materials are hypoallergenic: It will be well suited even for a user with sensitive skin.
The pillow comes with free storage and a travel bag that will come in handy for those business trips or vacations that would otherwise have been uncomfortable without your trusty knee sidekick.
The Cushy Form pillow is so comfortable and helpful in easing the discomfort that doctors and trainers recommend it. As an assurance, it comes with a money-back guarantee in case you are dissatisfied with the pillow.
Key features:
- Recommended for side sleepers, pregnant women, those recovering from surgery, and ailments such as scoliosis
- Made from hypoallergenic material
- Washable cover
- Free storage and travel bag
- Recommended by trainers and physicians
- Money-back guarantee
3. Also Great- Everlasting Comfort 100% Pure Memory Foam Knee Pillow
This amazing pillow is made from pure memory foam and no additives. It is ergonomically designed to offer relief from ailments such as lower back pain, joint pain, sciatic pain, pelvic and hip pain, and arthritis. The shape helps to retain healthy spacing between the knees.
It will also be comfortable for pregnant women and help them to get the rest that is especially elusive in later trimesters
The pillow is so soft and light that it will hardly feel like an exhausting block between your legs as you sleep.
To make it more secure, it comes with a strap that will fasten your leg and keep it securely in place throughout the night, even when you roll over. The strap is removable in case you would rather sleep without it.
As a thoughtful bonus, the pillow comes with memory foam earplugs to keep noises at bay and help you sleep better. The Everlasting Comfort pillow is a sure winner.
Key features:
- Made from pure memory foam
- Curved, ergonomic design
- Offers relief to numerous back, joint, and spine ailments
- Comfortable even for pregnant women
- The strap holds it in place
- Memory foam earplugs
4. Best Half-Moon Pillow- Back Pain Relief Half-Moon Bolster/ Memory Foam Semi-Roll Leg/ Knee Pillow- Cushy Form
Cushy Form’s half-moon pillow gives great leg elevation. It is ideal for lower back pain and post-surgery recovery, among a myriad of joint challenges.
The soft memory foam is covered with an organic cotton cover that makes it even softer and more comfortable. The cover is breathable and washable, easing your cleaning needs.
A winning quality for this half-moon pillow is how versatile it is. It can be put under the ankles to help with blood circulation. Also, it offers lumbar support and can be used as you sit at your desk or in your car. It is suitable for back and side sleepers and pregnant women.
Key features:
- Made from memory foam with an organic cotton cover
- Breathable and washable cover
- Ideal for lower back pain, joint aches, and post-surgery recovery
- Versatile
- Suitable for side and back sleepers and pregnant women
- Can be used for lumbar support
5. Best Hypoallergenic Pillow- MODVEL Orthopedic Knee Pillow
The MODVEL pillow is a keeper if you are looking for a good night’s rest. It is wonderful for lower back and hip pain relief.
The pillow is made from high-quality memory foam that contours with your body and remains firmly in shape over a long period. The cover is breathable and washable to retain cleanliness and freshness all through its use. Both materials are hypoallergenic and designed to suit even sensitive skin.
MODVEL offers a money-back guarantee in case you are not satisfied with the pillow. Nevertheless, they promise comfort and good rest throughout the night.
Key features:
- Ideal for lower back and hip pain relief.
- Made from high-quality memory foam
- Breathable and washable cover
- Made from hypoallergenic material
- Money-back guarantee
6. Best for Pregnant Women- Abco Tech Memory Foam Knee Pillow
This baby is great for a relaxing, supported night, even for heavier sleepers such as pregnant women. It gives proper spine alignment and relief for back and hip pain. Also, it helps with blood circulation and will ease sciatica pain and muscle cramps. It will also be major assistance after hip or knee surgery.
The pillow is made from high-density memory foam that contours to your body and retains its firm shape with use and over time. The cover has a zipper and is removable and washable. The material used to make this pillow is hypoallergenic and will be gentle even for sensitive skin.
Abco graciously accompanies every pillow purchase with a carry-on case for portability. This little pillow would make for an amazing baby shower gift.
Key features:
- Awesome for pregnant women
- Gives proper spine alignment and relief for back and hip pain
- Made from high-density memory foam
- Removable and machine-washable cover
- Made from hypoallergenic material
- Has a carry-on case for portability
7. Best for Post-Surgery Relief- Milliard Foam Leg Elevator Cushion and Elevator Pillow
Milliard goes the extra mile with this pillow. It is designed with a recovering patient in mind to offer comfort after surgery. This isn’t to mean that it will not be suitable for less serious cases. We have all suffered a sprained or broken ankle or a swollen knee and wished we’d have a prop to keep the leg better supported.
This pillow is made to elevate the leg at the recommended 45-degree angle to facilitate better and faster healing. It works to reduce the pain and swelling by reducing the blood flow to the injured part.
Milliard foam leg elevator pillow is made from polyurethane that is firm yet comfortable. The pillow has a sculpted channel running along its middle to keep your leg in position,. The soft, velour cover is removable and machine-washable. It is breathable, allowing air circulation and regulation of temperature.
Key features:
- Medically recommended to give post-surgery relief
- Made from firm polyurethane
- Sculpted channel to keep the leg in position
- Breathable, removable, and washable velour cover
8. Best Scented Pillow- 5 Stars United Knee Pillow
This pillow takes comfort a notch higher by introducing a lemon scent that keeps it fresh even with continued use. It is an advantage over normal, high-density foam that can be too firm and develop a musty smell. Isn’t it great that you don’t have to worry about a dank smell months into using it?
The pillow offers much-needed relief from hip and back pain and helps with post-surgery recovery. It can serve multiple purposes as a neck pillow or offer chest support, such as when using your computer.
It keeps the knees well separated for the correct spacing and proper spine alignment. This reduces the pressure during sleep for a more refreshed morning.
The 5 Stars United Knee Pillow is made from a hypoallergenic material that is soft and light enough to keep you comfortable throughout the night. It softens with increased heat to contour with your body and keep it aligned while you sleep. The cover is removable and machine-washable for easy cleaning.
The brand offers a money-back guarantee as an assurance that you need not worry about making the wrong choice.
Key features:
- Lemon-scent for long-term freshness
- Relief from hip and back pain
- Helps with post-surgery recovery
- Made from hypoallergenic material
- Removable and machine-washable cover
- Money-back guarantee
Who should use a knee pillow?
a) Side-sleepers
Resting one knee on the other during sleep may cause rubbing and inflammation at the point of contact. A knee pillow will keep the knees apart and allow you to retain this spacing throughout the night for comfort.
b) Back sleepers
A knee pillow will keep the lower back and legs elevated during sleep. It will improve blood circulation in the legs, relieve tension in the knees and lessen the pressure.
c) Pregnant women
As divine as bringing a new life into this world is, it is also an exhausting, back-breaking, leg-swelling journey. These new mums-to-be need all the comfort they can get.
A knee pillow will go a long way in helping them achieve a pleasant rest. It will reduce the pressure on the hips and pelvis and give wider room for their wider tummies.
d) Back or knee pain
Back or knee pain can be very uncomfortable when the knees and legs are kept together. A knee pillow will provide the much-needed spacing for good posture and pain relief. It will help with the recovery process from surgery or injury, or with arthritis.
e) Restless leg syndrome
A person suffering from restless leg syndrome will move their leg a lot at night, and it can be mighty inconvenient. A knee pillow will help them move their leg easier and keep it in place while they sleep.
Key considerations for good knee pillows
i) Price
Your budget is crucial in the selection of the best pillow. As you shop for it, keep in mind that you must not compromise on the quality to save a few bucks. Cheap may be expensive in the long run. Nevertheless, it is possible to find a high-quality pillow at a reasonable budget with good research.
ii) Quality of material
A pillow’s quality will depend on the materials used for the pillow and the cover. Various options are ranging from memory foam and cotton to polyurethane. If you have sensitive skin, check that the knee pillow is made from hypoallergenic material.
iii) The pillow’s density and thickness
The pillow’s density will go a long way in determining how firm, contouring, and comfortable a knee pillow will be. The best knee pillow will have a density of 3-4 pounds and above. Anything less dense will probably do more harm than good for your overall rest.
iv) Multi-functionality
The best deal is one that serves multiple purposes. A good knee pillow will be useful on the knees and helpful at the ankles or for the back. It will be useful when you are sleeping and when you are sitting up or relaxing. A good knee pillow will help different sleepers, including side and back sleepers and pregnant women.
v) The size and weight of the user
The intended user of the pillow matters a lot in the best choice for a knee pillow. A bigger person or one with thicker thighs will need a thicker and firmer pillow to support the weight. A smaller person will not necessarily need an equally thick pillow and will be well-suited even with a smaller knee pillow.
Types of knee pillows
- Hourglass knee pillow
The hourglass pillow is the most common and reasonably-budgeted. As the name suggests, it resembles an hourglass. This shape is handy as it will keep the pillow in place while you sleep. Alternatively, it can be used at your lower legs or lower thighs.
- Strap-on knee pillow
This is a thoughtful addition to a knee pillow. The adjustable strap will help keep the pillow in place throughout the night. It is especially useful for sleepers that turn in their sleep. The strap is not mandatory: rather, it is only a helpful accessory that will make a pillow work for people with different physical attributes.
- Long-knee pillow
Sometimes we want something that is not just fitted to one part of our body. We may be more comfortable with not just a knee pillow but one that fits across our body. A long knee pillow will cushion the whole body along with the knees and offer sturdy support to our lower body.
- Wedge knee pillow
This pillow is shaped like a triangular prism and brings the upper and lower parts of the body together for healthy spine alignment. This pillow comes most recommended for medical challenges such as back pain.
- Half-moon pillow
This pillow is designed as half a cylinder with a flat edge. Back sleepers often use it propped beneath the knees or between the legs for side sleepers.
- Cylinder pillow
This pillow is fully cylindrical in shape and design. Back sleepers often use it beneath the knees to offer better spine alignment and comfort.
Can a regular pillow be used in place of a knee pillow?
A regular pillow is not entirely useless in its capacity to help ease a sleeper’s discomfort. However, it may not be the best quality to offer proper support and alignment.
Regular pillows may not have the best firmness, height, or shape to support the body or soothe back, hip, or joint pain. They will not contour with your body and will probably be flat before you have fully drifted off.
On the other hand, knee pillows are designed to give proper spacing between the knees and hence good spine alignment. It will be made of a firm material such as memory foam that will contour with your body and keep your legs in place.
Final Say
We could all use as much comfort as we can get while we get our beauty rest. Unfortunately, seeing as we are largely unconscious while asleep, we are not in complete control of our posture and sleeping habits.
A good reading pillow will go a long way in keeping the body properly aligned. It will be fantastic for different users, including back and side sleepers, pregnant women, and those suffering from medical conditions such as arthritis.
While there are many things to think about before settling on the best pillow for you, the key consideration should be what offers the best comfort for your needs. Be mindful of the material, the durability, firmness, budget, and anything else important to you.
With good research, you will be on your way to the best nights of your life with a little boost from a trusty knee pillow.
FAQ Section
- Is it easy to clean a knee pillow?
Most knee pillows come with a removable cover that is washable either by hand or machine. This makes cleaning that much easier and faster. While removing the cover, be careful not to ruin the zipper as it can be delicate.
An important tip will be to read the manual instructions for treating the cover before washing it lest you ruin it.
2. Are knee pillows affordable?
Different brands come at different pricing, depending on their differentiating qualities. It is possible to get a knee pillow based on your budget. At the end of the day, though, quality and comfort should come first before anything else.
3. How long do knee pillows last?
The pillow’s durability will largely depend on the material making the pillow and how well you take care of it. A pillow made of high-quality memory foam will be long-lasting for as long as you care for it well.
Read the instructions for how to clean the pillow and be delicate with parts such as the zipper. Check out what other customers have to say about the pillow you have in mind to see how long and well it has served them. A happy customer will always be happy to make a recommendation. A dissatisfied customer will be even louder.
4. Are knee pillows really helpful?
Relief from your discomfort may not come a day after starting to use a knee pillow. However, with continued use, the pillow will offer continued alignment and improve your posture leading to healthier sleep.
If you need the pillow for a medical challenge, see a physician to determine what ought to be paired with the pillow for overall improvement.
