There are many reasons you might choose to buy a knee pillow. If you struggle with sciatica, leg pain, back pain, hip pain, or other joint pain caused by injuries, pregnancy, health conditions, or other causes, the best knee pillow models can help out in lots of these ways. These pillows are able to offer soothing pain relief and much-needed comfort, and they can work for side sleepers and back sleepers, as well as being useful for added support simply while sitting down, reading, or relaxing around the home.
We’ve put together a list of the best knee pillows, choosing models that offer the best standards of comfort, support, and durability, such as the Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers, which we believe to be the best knee pillow out there. We’ve included both half-moon and contoured pillows in our list to suit people of all preferences, and we looked at a lot of different factors like the pillow’s size, cover material, filling material, and more.
Top 7 Knee Pillows Review 2021
Below, you’ll see a comparison table listing all of the best knee pillows we found, starting with the top-rated pillow. After that, you can read through detailed reviews of each pillow, with pros and cons lists and specification details too, letting you know everything you need to know about every model. Finally, you’ll find a knee pillow buying guide to help you learn what to look for when shopping for knee pillows and how to find the very best options to suit your body and sleeping style.
Contoured wedge pillow made from soft, yet supportive memory foam, with a breathanle machine-washable cover Comfy pillow with a contoured shape, features cooling gel layers and a soft cotton cover Knee pillow with a strap, designed with side sleepers in mind and made from Certi-PUR certified foam Hypoallergenic bolster-shaped memory foam pillow with a removable organic cotton cover Affordable knee pillow with a double-layered foam and memory foam construction for the right balance of softness and support Wedge-shaped CertiPUR-US certified memory foam pillow with a hypoallergenic cover
Extra features: comes with a travel case; machine-washable cover Arguably the best knee pillow for sleeping you can buy today, the Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers stands out for its quality construction and amazing performance. Recommended by experts, including physical therapists and sports trainers, this knee pillow is formed in a wedge shape, making it a great option for side sleepers. It’s made from top quality memory foam that contours around the shape of the body nicely. Available at a decent price, this contour knee pillow can work wonders for sciatica, pregnancy, hip pain, back pain, and spinal alignment too. User reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with many people saying that the Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers completely changed their lives and helped them enjoy much better quality sleep each night. It comes with its own travel case, adding to the overall value of this product, and it features a soft and comfortable cover which can be removed and washed at your convenience. The only real downsides we could find with the Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers are the fact that it has no strap, so you do risk losing track of it in the night if you tend to move around a lot while you sleep, and the fact that it’s not quite as useful for back sleepers due to its shape. Apart from these minor flaws, the Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers has nothing but plus points.
Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers – Editor’s Choice
Extra features: machine-washable mesh cover; also available in a charcoal-infused memory foam One common problem many people face when sleeping with knee pillows is that they can get hot and sweaty in the night. You won’t have to worry about those problems with the Calming Comfort Cooling Knee Pillow, which features cooling gel layers on the exterior to provide full breathability and exceptionally cooling effects all through the night, keeping you comfortable even in warm conditions. The smartly designed wedge shape of this contoured knee pillow allows it to provide superior pain relief and comfort when compared to many other models, especially for side sleepers, and it’s available at an affordable price too. It comes with a highly breathable mesh cover which can be removed and washed in the washing machine, although some users have said that getting the cover back on can be a little difficult, but this is only a minor flaw. All in all, the Calming Comfort Cooling Knee Pillow is a great size and shape for many sleeping positions and can even work well for back sleepers, being placed under one of your legs to provide knee support where you need it most. User reviews for this product are very positive, with many owners calling it one of the most effective and pleasant pillows they’ve ever used and a lot of people recommending it to friends and family too.
Calming Comfort Cooling Knee Pillow – Best Cooling Knee Pillow
Extra features: patented design; 10-year warranty; made from medical-quality CertiPUR-US certified foam; comes in a range of sizes machine-washable cover Next, we have the Knee-T Medical Grade Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers. Definitely standing out as the best knee pillow for lower back pain, this pillow is perfect for side sleepers and comes with some useful features, like a strap that hooks around your ankle in order to keep the pillow in place. It’s very comfortable and cozy, with a soft and smooth bamboo cover that feels pleasant on the skin. As the name implies, the Knee-T Medical Grade Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers really lives up to medical standards, being designed by doctors and made with medical care in mind. It can provide extraordinary relief for all kinds of knee, leg, and back pains and aches, and it’s made in an eco-friendly and positive way too from CertiPUR-US foam. The inner foam holds it shape nicely over time, staying strong and firm even after repeated use, so this is a pillow you can use again and again. The Knee-T Medical Grade Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers does come with a high price tag, which is arguably the only real problem we could find with this model. It’s not the cheapest pillow out there, but it offers a lot of impressive value with its multiple size options, versatility, and comfort. Made to a very high standard, this pillow gives you all you need for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Knee-T Medical Grade Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers – Best for Side Sleepers
Extra features: hypoallergenic; made in the USA; removable, washable cover Made in the USA and offering great comfort and pain relief potential, the Cushy Form Knee Pillow comes with a lot of plus points and only a few minor drawbacks. Many users call it the best knee pillow for back pain, and it’s definitely one of the best knee pillows for back sleepers, with its half-moon, bolster shape fitting snugly under the legs while you sleep. It’s quite a large and wide pillow, so you don’t have to worry about losing track of it while you sleep, and the Cushy Form Knee Pillow comes with a soft and comfortable cover too. The cover is fully removable and machine-washable, but it does lack any kind of cooling gel layer or other cooling feature, so it might get a little warm in the night. Many users, however, have stated that this knee pillow is thoroughly comfortable to use and there have been few reports of any problems. The cover of the Cushy Form Knee Pillow may not have any cooling properties, but it is hypoallergenic and easy to clean, as well as being simple to remove and put back on. Recommended by leading doctors and therapists, this pillow comes with a 100% money back guarantee too and works well to relieve common aches, pains, and discomfort from issues like sciatica or back injuries.
Cushy Form Knee Pillow – Best for Lower Back Pain
Extra features: machine-washable cover; durable elastic strap If you’re looking to buy the best under knee pillow for back sleepers and don’t want to spend too much money, the Lenora Half Moon Bolster Pillow might be the answer for you. This is a large, half-moon bolster pillow that slips under the knees for back sleepers or between them for side sleepers. It doesn’t have any cooling gel, which is a slight flaw for those who tend to sleep hot, but it offers a lot of positive performance aspects to outweigh this issue. The Lenora Half Moon Bolster Pillow is filled with high quality memory foam and built to last a long time. The foam is very strong and resistant, able to hold its shape firmly and efficiently for years. It provides strong and reliable therapeutic support for the body, promoting good circulation and assisting with many common complaints like back and hip pain. The cover is fully removable and you get a 30-day guarantee with your purchase of the Lenora Half Moon Bolster Pillow from the manufacturer, letting you test it out and see how much satisfaction it can provide before committing to your purchase. Some users have said that the Lenora Half Moon Bolster Pillow is perhaps a little on the large side and takes up a lot of space in their beds, but others appreciate the size as it means that they don’t run the risk of losing their pillow in the night as they move around.
Lenora Half Moon Bolster Pillow – Budget Pick
Extra features: hypoallergenic machine-washable cover; CertiPUR-US certified Next, we have the Cushion Lab Extra Dense Orthopedic Knee Pillow. If you want the best pillow for knee pain, this is another good option at a respectable price. Due to its contoured, wedge shape, it works nicely for side sleepers and comes with a hypoallergenic cover that feels soft to the touch, but can get a little hot on warm nights. The Cushion Lab Extra Dense Orthopedic Knee Pillow is a good option for people with issues like joint or back pain, and it’s made from memory foam that hugs the body nicely and contours around your shape. Some users have said that this knee pillow isn’t quite as durable as others and may flatten a little too easily after repeated use, but it’s still strong enough to survive for a relatively long time with no issues. The cover of the Cushion Lab Extra Dense Orthopedic Knee Pillow is another positive point. As well as being hypoallergenic, it’s also very breathable and easy to clean, nicely stylized with a two-tone white and gray color scheme and very resistant to dirt and grime as well. Plus, all purchases of the Cushion Lab Extra Dense Orthopedic Knee Pillow come with a full guarantee, protecting your purchase and giving you total peace of mind and all your money back if you aren’t totally satisfied.
Cushion Lab Extra Dense Orthopedic Knee Pillow – Best for Joint Pain
Extra features: ventilated, cooling design; removable machine-washable cover Last but not least, we come to the Contour Legacy Deluxe Cool Leg Pillow. A versatile pillow with a unique shape, this one takes a little getting used to at first, but can offer a lot of comfort and relief to those who need it. For starters, the Contour Legacy Deluxe Cool Leg Pillow comes with a cooling outer layer and breathable cover, so it won’t get too hot in the night. This highly rated knee pillow also is able to provide support to both the knees and the legs due to its unique shape, cushioning all of the lower body and offering plenty of support for those with sciatica or similar issues. The ventilated memory foam design provides strong circulation of air to keep the pillow clean and fresh, and it’s available at a good price too. Plus, the shape of this pillow lets you move your legs around more freely than with some wedge shaped alternatives. The cover of the Contour Legacy Deluxe Cool Leg Pillow is fully removable and machine washable, for your convenience, but the shape won’t be to everyone’s tastes. In addition, this knee pillow does lack some features like a strap, so you may lose track of it in the night if you tend to move around a lot while you sleep.
Contour Legacy Deluxe Cool Leg Pillow – Best Value
Buying Guide
You’ve seen our knee pillow reviews, so now let’s look at how to choose the right option for you. This knee pillow buying guide will take a look at why you might want to get a knee pillow to improve your sleep, as well as analyzing and highlighting the various factors and features to consider in order to choose the best pillow.
How a knee pillow can improve your sleep
A knee pillow can provide a lot of great benefits, including:
- Pain Relief - The main reason people choose to sleep with a knee pillow is for pain relief. These pillows can help with everything from pregnancy pains to sciatica, injuries, and other back or leg pains.
- Alignment - Knee pillows assist with providing proper spinal alignment, which can help those who have spinal problems or other related issues.
- Comfort and Support - A strong knee pillow like the Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers provides added comfort through the night, and many people, even without any kind of bodily pains, can appreciate the support these pillows provide.
- Better Circulation - Good quality knee pillows are able to improve circulation around the legs and body, improving your overall health and reducing aches and discomforts in muscles and sore spots.
- Multiple Uses - You don’t even necessarily have to use your knee pillow while sleeping. It can be of great use simply while sitting or lying down to rest, relax, meditate, watch TV, read a book, and more.
Features to consider when choosing a knee pillow
When shopping for a good quality knee pillow like the Cushy Form Knee Pillow, you need to think about a lot of different factors and features. It’s important to consider each factor and decide how highly you value it. Some people will care greatly about the shape of the knee pillow, for example, while others will put more emphasis on its durability or the materials that have been used to fill it. Read on to learn more about all of the main features of knee pillows.
Shape and comfort
Knee pillows come in two main shapes: the bolster, half-moon shapes and the contoured, wedge-like shapes. Neither of these options is necessarily better than the other, but they are better suited to certain situations. The bolster shape, for example, is better for back sleepers as it slides under the knees and has a flat base to be placed on your mattress, while the contoured shape is a good option for side sleepers as it fits snugly between the legs. Both options can work for you, but the important thing is to find a knee pillow with a good ergonomic design and a lot of comfort, like the Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers.
Construction, materials, and density
Typically, knee pillows are made from either memory foam or regular foam. Memory foam contours and shapes around your body, keeping its shape and adapting to you over time, whereas regular foam is designed to reform in its original shape each time. Good quality knee pillows like the Knee-T Medical Grade Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers will contain long-lasting, durable foam that can be used for years without losing its shape. You also need to consider whether or not your pillow has any cooling properties and will be breathable and cool in the night, or whether it might get hot and be uncomfortable for you.
Cover fabric
Since you’re going to be sleeping with the knee pillow each night, the cover fabric can be a very significant factor as it may be in contact with your skin quite a lot and will therefore need to be soft, comfortable to the touch, and breathable too. Ideally, you’ll want a cover that can be easily removed and washed in a washing machine, purely for your own convenience and for the cleanliness of the pillow. It’s also wise to try and find a breathable, hygienic cover that stays cool through the night, as seen on the Calming Comfort Cooling Knee Pillow.
Sleeping position
Your own sleeping position is another important thing to think about when buying a knee pillow, as some pillow styles and shapes are better suited to certain sleeping positions. For example, the bolster style pillows are better for back sleepers, while the contoured pillows like the Cushion Lab Extra Dense Orthopedic Knee Pillow, are good for side sleepers. If you’re a combo sleeper and tend to switch positions in the night, the bolster pillow is probably the better option as it offers a little more versatility. You should also consider getting a knee pillow with a strap, as this helps it to stay in place as you move around in the night.
Dimensions
The size of your knee pillow is another interesting feature to think about. Some people prefer larger pillows as they can offer more flexibility and allow the sleeper to move around a little more in the night without losing the pillow. Others favor a smaller knee pillow like the Contour Legacy Deluxe Cool Leg Pillow, due to its more compact, portable, and convenient nature, taking up less space in the bed.
Extra features
Knee pillows may also come with a range of useful extra features for you to consider. Some of them will come with a pillow strap, like the Lenora Half Moon Bolster Pillow, for example, letting you essentially wrap the pillow around your legs and keep it held in place all night long, so you never have to worry about it falling out of position and waking up feeling pain or discomfort. Some knee pillows may also ship with extra covers for you to switch out, and some feature cooling gel layers, travel cases, hypoallergenic covers, and more.
FAQ
The answer to this question really depends on your own personal preferences. Some people tend to favor a firmer knee pillow, while others prefer their pillows to be softer. If you want to get the best results in terms of pain relief and alignment from your knee pillow, you’ll need it to be sufficiently firm. A soft pillow will simply flatten under your knees and fail to provide the level of support you require. So, if you’re faced with a decision between two pillows, the firmer one is usually the best option.
In general, the actual pillow probably won’t be washable. Many of the best knee pillows are made from foams and memory foams that aren’t suitable for machine washing and can be damaged or negatively affected by a wash. Fortunately, most good quality knee pillows will come with removable covers which can then usually be washed in a washing machine. Pillows can get dirty over time, with experts recommending that they be washed on a monthly basis or more frequently, depending on your own habits and preferences.
The great thing about a good quality knee pillow is that it can be used in various ways. These pillows can be placed both beneath the knees and between the legs and provide the same great benefits, so you don’t have to worry that one is better than the other. Try both options and see what suits you. You may also find that your sleeping position affects the usefulness of each position. For example, side sleepers will get better benefits from placing the knee pillow between their knees.
Our Verdict
Overall, our favorite knee pillow is the Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers. With its strong, memory foam design, this knee pillow holds its shape well and offers just the right amounts of firmness, comfort, and support to provide dramatic relief from various bodily pains around the back and hips.
The second best knee pillow we found is the Calming Comfort Cooling Knee Pillow. This pillow stands out for the cooling gel layer on its exterior and the breathable mesh cover which really helps it to stay cool, clean, and cozy all through the night.
Finally, the third top rated knee pillow on our list is the Knee-T Medical Grade Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers. Designed by medical professionals, this knee pillow is the best option for side sleepers. It slips seamlessly between the knees and stays there all night long, thanks to the fitted strap, and it also features a highly breathable bamboo cover.
