With the overload of information on the internet nowadays, its hard to find the best pillow to cure your TMJ pain. We’ve used our proprietary scoring system to rank and score the best pillow for TMJ.
Unlike other sites out there, we don’t want to waste your time with a ton of introductory BS. Please use the below Table of Contents to jump to the top recommendation(s).
Which is Better: a Cheap or Expensive TMJ pillow?
If you are financially challenged (like me), you tend to go for the cheaper option for almost anything. However, with anything health-related, I tend to look for more of the higher quality items without emptying my bank account (mid-tier).
With pillows, what you pay for is what you get. A more expensive pillow will naturally be higher quality than the cheap ones. They also tend to last longer – at the end of the day, you might end up paying the same amount the $10 pillow from Walmart ends up flattening out on you in a matter of weeks.
A personal favorite saying of mine from Reddit, or Abraham Lincoln, whichever you prefer:
“Never skimp on things that touch the ground. Your shoes, your tires, your bed (mattress).”
Without further adieu, here is the best pillow for TMJ:
1st Place
1. PureComfort: Side Sleeping Pillow
Summary
Does it sufficiently solve your problem at hand?
- Yes. Top rated pillow that works especially well for Side sleepers with TMJ. For most folks, you should get the Regular version, not the Soft version. No paid advertising involved.
Top 3 Pros
- Reduces TMD/TMJ symptoms
- Reduces Ear pain if you have CNH (Chondrodermatitis Nodularis Helicis)
- Very comfortable
Top 3 Cons
- Not the most durable. Pillow only lasts roughly 1-2 years and pillowcases only last a couple months.
- Not for people with long necks if you want to use the ear holes
- Smaller in terms of length vs. a standard hotel pillow
Who is the product for? (Main customer segment)
- People that suffer from TMJ/TMD
- People that suffer from neck pain or ear pain
- Side sleepers
- People with a heavy head
- People that have short necks
Who isn’t the product for?
- People with long necks
- Stomach sleepers
What is included inside?
- The pillow, obviously
- 3 optional levels of thickness
- Complementary zippered pillow case
- Larger ear holes if needed
Additional Details (in alphabetical order)
Adjustability: Yes the pillow is adjustable. You can remove the foam layers depending on what height you want it.
Firmness: 2 options: 1) Standard, which is firmer. 2) Soft, which is obviously softer. Entirely depends on your preference.
Flexibility: There are inserts that allow you to adjust the firmness.
Moldability: Yes the pillow retains its shape. The memory foam doesn’t flatten under weight. It doesn’t randomly shapeshift into an entirely different pillow overnight.
Odor: Confirmed that there is no odor.
Quality:
Even though the pillow itself is high quality/ targeting maximum comfort, it does not last as long as people would like it to. The consensus seems to be that the pillow starts falling apart after wear and tear after 1-2 years.
The pillowcase is extremely delicate and lasts around 1-2 months. Just contact them for a replacement pillowcase and they should be happy to give you one. Please let us know if this is not the case and we will update our review. In addition, you might consider just using another pillowcase to begin with. Make sure it fits the dimensions first (20 x 14 x 5 inches for length x width x height).
Size:
Might be too small for some. 20 x 14 x 5 inches for length x width x height, so it is a little smaller than a standard pillow. The 5 inches of height is adjustable by 3 foam inserts. For comparison, a random pillow at Costco is 28 x 20 inches for length x width. However, on the upside, it’s easy to bring with you on vacation when you travel.
Sustainable Materials:
From their description: “All of our pillows for sleeping meet the CertiPUR-US standards for content, emissions, and durability, and are analyzed by independent, accredited testing labs. Our memory foam pillows are made without PBDEs, TDCPP, TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead or other heavy metals, formaldehyde, or phthalates.”
Temperature: A big plus here, the pillow does not run hot. Temperature stays the same throughout the night.
Thickness: There are 3 options (3 different inserts) that you can add or remove to add/subtract height/thickness.
Washable:
- Pillow Case: Washable but definitely put it on delicate mode. If it falls apart, contact the seller for another one and they will happily give you one in most cases.
- Pillow: Don’t wash the pillow for obvious reasons – the memory foam will fall apart. Do not use it without a pillowcase, and just wash the pillowcase periodically to keep it clean.
Weight:
The pillow listed weight is 2.8-2.9 lbs, vs. the random pillow at Costco which weighs roughly 2.0 lbs. So its a bit heavier than a standard pillow. However, thinking of traditionally heavy pillows that come to mind, its a bit lighter than a standard Tempurpedic pillow (3.3 lbs).
Weight limit for use?:
Mixed reviews on this since there aren’t enough samples. It’s definitely worth a try. An Amazon reviewer that was 220 lbs said it worked perfectly, and another Amazon reviewer that was 200 lbs said it did not support his weight.
Warranty:
Looks like there’s only a 1 year warranty as of 2020. Which is okay, not overwhelmingly awesome. However, it used to have a 5, 10, 20 year warranty. 🙁 We have emailed them to ask what the most up to date warranty policy is, but they have not responded yet (their email is info@mypurecomfort.com).
Competitors
The “Tatalay Processed Natural Organic GOLS Latex Pillow with Ear Holes” may be a potential competitor for this PureComfort Pillow. However, we are unable to find that competitor anywhere on Google! We see there is a Tatalay Latex Pillow on Amazon, but that one doesn’t have ear holes so it’s not really an apples to apples, head-to-head comparison. If you see the Tatalay Latex Pillow with Ear Holes in the wild somewhere, please leave a comment or email us, and we will definitely review it!
Company
Incredible customer service all around. They are very responsive. Called their phone number (347 537 3433) which reached its parent company, Elevate Brands. A human picked up the phone immediately. However, seems like the main customer support channel is through email (info@mypurecomfort.com) and not via the phone.
PureComfort is one of the many brands in Torquay Etrading LLC, which has got to be one of the strangest names I’ve seen by far. Their headquarters seems to be in NY per Amazon.
2nd to 5th Place
2. ZAMAT: Contour Memory Foam Pillow
Summary
- The takeaway is that this pillow, while very solid, allegedly compensates customers for reviews. While this pillow scored really well and may be the best pillow you’ve ever owned, we can’t put it in first place due to the overhanging question of “why compensate your customers for reviews if your product is that good”? Nevertheless, try it out, it has the regular Amazon return policy and an amazing 10 Year Warranty (wow!) that the pillows above don’t have.
Does it sufficiently solve your problem at hand?
- Yes. The pillow is firm and has good support for TMJ jaw pain as well as neck pain. Works especially well for Side sleepers.
Top 3 Pros
- Customizable/Flexible: Provided from both the removable insert and general support for side or back sleeping.
- Supports neck and spine: The pillow has an ergonomic design that helps to support the neck and spine, which can reduce neck pain and improve sleep quality.
- Good value: Compared to other orthopedic pillows on the market, ZAMAT pillow is a good value for the price.
Top 3 Cons
- The Standard version might be too firm for some. For most it should be just the right amount of firmness. There’s also a Soft version if you know you like softer pillows.
Who is the product for? (Main customer segment)
- People that suffer from TMJ/TMD
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- People that want to stop being stomach sleepers
- People with shoulder pain or neck pain
Who isn’t the product for?
- Stomach sleepers
Additional Details (in alphabetical order)
Adjustable: Adjustable loft by using the different foam pieces you can add into or remove from your pillow.
Firmness: 2 options, a Firm and a Soft version. For most people, it should be the right amount of firmness.
Odor: No odor for most people, and a slight “new pillow” odor for those extremely sensitive that fades within 1 week.
Quality: High quality. Great craftsmanship in making the pillow, and the inner memory foam is high quality. This pillow gets the full point because unlike the previous two pillows, the pillow case is also high quality.
Sizes: 2 sizes, a Standard and a Queen size
Thickness: May not be thick enough for some and require stuffing.
Washable: Easy to wash, just remove the pillow cover.
Competitors
Coop pillow (adjustable memory foam) – more about this later.
Company
So the company makes no sense.
If you look at the Amazon seller, it is Rongxuanhang, a Chinese company. However, if you look at their About Us on their website, it says the headquarters are located in Oregon. The address of the Oregon headquarters just goes to someone’s house, so they’re obviously manufacturing it in China and just working from home/do not have an office.
And then, if you call their phone number, their answering machine says they work East Coast hours. So 3 different places.
Outstanding Warranty and Return policy:
They even have a LinkedIn, which makes them more “official” in my eyes since they do have a marketing effort.
If Amazon is out of stock, you can buy this pillow directly on their website. It seems like the pillows on there are definitely more expensive than the ones you see on Amazon. However, they’re currently doing a 50% off all pillows promotion because of “Sleep Awareness”. I don’t know how much longer they will have that sale – please let me know in the comments if that sale is over or the sale figures have changed.
In addition, Zamat also has a 20% student discount program if you buy it on their website, and if your total order is over $35, they offer free shipping, which might be worth it if you’re trying to stack multiple discounts and bulk order pillows for yourself and your family. Or it might just be easier to Amazon. Your call.
3. YourFacePillow: Memory Foam Beauty Pillow
Summary
Does it sufficiently solve your problem at hand?
- Yes. Works especially well for Back sleepers that have TMJ pain. The pillow positions your neck in such a way that it’s difficult to clench your jaw at night. In you require extra padding (inserts), contact customer service (info@yourfacepillow.com).
Top 3 Pros
- Reduces TMJ pain
- Converts people that have trouble sleeping on their back to (finally) sleeping on their back, especially since you don’t want to be sleeping on your side if you have jaw pain.
- Excellent customer service
Top 3 Cons
- Not the most durable. Pillow only lasts roughly 1 year and pillowcases only last a couple months.
- Not enough neck support if you require a lot of neck support.
- If you have a smaller head, the raised supports/“bumpers” may be too far apart for you. Definitely order the Standard and not the Large size if this is the case.
Who is the product for? (Main customer segment)
- People that suffer from TMJ/TMD
- Back sleepers
- Stomach or Side sleepers that want to transition onto sleeping on their Back
- People that use a CPAP machine
- People that have neck pain
- People who don’t want wrinkles on their face in the morning. To clarify, the “wrinkles” mean the imprints of a pillow’s lines onto someone’s face in the morning. This pillow (or any pillow that I’m aware of) cannot get rid of the wrinkles on your face from aging.
Who isn’t the product for?
- Stomach sleepers that want to continue sleeping on their stomach
- Side sleepers that want to continue sleeping on their side
What is included inside?
- Pillow of course
- Complementary silk/satin pillowcase
- Complementary neck support padding insert
Additional Details (in alphabetical order)
Breathability: The pillow allows you to breathe well. However, if you are not used to sleeping on your back, breathability may be an issue at first.
Firmness: Firm with the right amount of softness seems to be the consensus.
Odor: No odor – no rubber or foam odor.
Quality: Same as PureComfort. High quality pillow, but not durable. The pillow may start falling apart after wear and tear around the 1 year mark. The pillowcase is extremely delicate and lasts only a couple of months; however, the company has excellent customer service. Just contact them for a replacement and they should be happy to give you one. Please let us know if this is not the case and we will update our review.
Shape Retention: Retains its shape depending on how often it is used.
Size: Unlike PureComfort, there are 2 sizes, Standard and Large:
Sustainable materials:
The seller states that they “use CertiPUR Certified foam, and do not use any flame retardants on the pillow. Rest assured. Our pillows are made without PBDEs, TDCPP, TCEP flame retardants, mercury, lead and heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates.”
There were some concerns about polyurethane toxicity in pillows, but per Google, it is not toxic, but it is flammable. So don’t light your pillow on fire!
Washable: The pillow cover is washable. The pillow itself is not washable, for obvious reasons (memory foam will fall apart).
Width: The bumpers that keep your head in place may be too wide for some folks.
Competitors
4 main competitors here: The PureComfort side sleeping pillow (detailed above), the Purple Pillow, the Cushion Lab pillow, and the Wedge pillow with neck and lumbar support (more about these later)
Company
Max seems to be the CEO of the company as of Jan 2020 (Source).
Since the parent company is the same as PureComfort’s, they have excellent customer service. The representative picked up the phone, and as you can see from the email below, gave me a great summary of their current warranty & return policy – which is 60 days, not the most ideal compared to PureComfort’s 1 year warranty policy.
4. Osteo: Cervical Pillow
Summary
Does it sufficiently solve your problem at hand?
- Yes. Stomach sleepers with TMJ, this one’s for you. All the pillows above aren’t for stomach sleepers.
Top 3 Cons
- May have an odor for some people
- May be too firm for some people
Product Descriptors
Who is the product for? (Main customer segment)
- People with TMJ pain
- People with neck pain, shoulder pain, or back pain
- Side sleepers
- Back sleepers
- Stomach sleepers
- People that want to transition to become back sleepers
What is included inside?
- Comes with a free pillowcase
- Center piece is removable
Additional Details (in alphabetical order)
Firmness: Right combination of firm and supportive. Supports back and neck well
Temperature: Does not run hot, stays cool as you sleep.
Warranty: 100 days as of June 2022.
Washable: Like the others, the pillowcase is machine washable. The pillow itself is not.
Company
This is a very clear cut Chinese company, shipping them over straight from China. However, I could find nothing about the company at all. So it is kind of sketch. However, the superb return and warranty policy seems to be great. I’m not sure how you would contact them though, because I couldn’t find a support phone number or email for them… Please let me know if we missed it somewhere.
5. Therapeutica: Orthopedic Pillow
Summary
Does it sufficiently solve your problem at hand?
- Yes. Side and back sleepers with TMJ should feel relief. This pillow is not as comfortable as the prior pillows mentioned, however, it is effective in getting the main job done – which in this case is provide TMJ relief.
- Unlike the pillows above, it may take several weeks to get used to it. Use it for a couple of hours a night at first, and then work your way up to a full night.
Top 3 Cons
- Too firm for some sleepers
- Too thick for some sleepers
Product Descriptors
Who is the product for? (Main customer segment)
- People with TMJ pain
- People with neck pain or shoulder pain
- Back sleepers
Who isn’t the product for?
- Stomach sleepers
- Side sleepers
- People that toss and turn often in their sleep
What is included inside?
- Comes with a washable, form fitted pillowcase that zips off.
Additional Details (in alphabetical order)
Odor: No chemical or odor smells
Portability: The regular size is pretty bulky, so is not great for traveling. However , they do have a smaller “travel- size” version that you can grab if you really like the original version. Definitely recommend that you try out the regular version, and only buying the travel sized version if you really like it.
Company
Active Recovery Essentials is the official distributor of this “Core Products”-branded pillow on Amazon. Both are real companies, with Active Recovery located in Ohio and Core Products located in Wisconsin. The return policy is the standard Amazon 30-day return policy.
The pillow is also listed on the Active Recovery website, for a higher price, and a worse return policy – only 14 days vs. the 30 days that Amazon gives you. So definitely buy on Amazon.
Regarding the warranty, Core Products, the manufacturer, handles those requests. They have a great warranty policy of 3 years.
On the Core Products website, it is actually cheaper by around 10%, but likely more inconvenient than just grabbing it from Amazon. However, there is a 90 day return policy if you buy it on there.
Accessories & Supplements
Accutrig: TMJ Relief Traction Device
In the fullness of disclosure:
This “pillow” is more of a “floor exercise” device than a pillow. That is why this “pillow” is in this section vs. the section above, where the products are actual pillows. However, many people have seen great results with this.
For those who are on a budget and looking for a cheaper alternative:
This might be the device for you.
If you’re like me, you are skeptical of these types of inexpensive/cheap products that are just a money grab and never work.
This one might be different.
For those who have experienced physical therapy before: this is very similar to one of those devices that you use at home by just lying on the floor with your head in the device, to ease tension and/or stretch. I guess you can use this as a pillow on your bed if it is comfortable for you.
How to Use:
- Lie down (assuming a resting yoga position – palms up and legs and arms apart resting comfortably).
- Put your head in.
- Stay there for 15 minutes.
- Do this 2x a day, in the morning before work and at night before bed.
- That’s it!
After using this pillow, many have stopped using their mouth guard altogether as the pain subsided.
Many people don’t realize how much of the TMJ strain is actually reallocated to your neck muscles. Some have reported that it feels similar to after receiving a professional massage.
It’s helped many sleep at night, since people have not woken up with headaches, and there has not been any tightness in the morning. Reduced neck and shoulder tension, especially after sitting at a desk job all day in front of a computer screen.
As with all of these, there is unfortunately no one single perfect item. Anyone that promises otherwise (or something that sounds too good to be true) should be viewed with a skeptic eye.
Negatives
If you have carpet (as opposed to a hardwood floor), the small foot pad that’s attached to the support for the neck is a little wobbly if used on medium pile carpeting. Use a yoga/similar mat instead of directly on the carpet if needed.
Also, with all these products, we can’t guarantee that it cures your TMJ, but for the price it is definitely worth the amount of pain reduction it provides.
Now:
We know this page is supposed to be about the best pillows to relieve your TMJ symptoms. However, pillows are definitely not the only thing that helps.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps relax your jaw muscles, and is very helpful for unwinding the TMJ clenching/clicking that you may experience. (Source)
Magnesium serate is the safe, health beneficial choice. We recommend that you stay away from oral supplements that contain cheaper forms of magnesium (such as magnesium oxide), as they are predominantly used for laxative purposes.
Conclusion
Let us know if our picks were spot on, or not!
We are always on the lookout for new and improved TMJ pillows to update to this list. If you know of one that you have tried or are using, and do not see it on this list, please let us know either in the comments section below, or by emailing us!
Appendix and Definitions
Orthopedic Pillows: These pillows are designed to promote proper spinal alignment and reduce pressure on the neck and jaw. They often have a contoured shape that helps keep the head, neck, and spine in a neutral position.
Memory Foam Pillows: Memory foam pillows conform to the shape of the head and neck, providing customized support and pressure relief. They are also known for their ability to retain their shape, making them ideal for people who move around a lot during sleep.
Cervical Pillows: Cervical pillows are designed to provide support to the neck and promote proper spinal alignment. They often have a curved shape that helps cradle the head and neck and reduce pressure on the jaw.
Wedge Pillows: Wedge pillows can be helpful for people who experience TMJ pain when sleeping on their back. These pillows have a triangular shape that elevates the head and upper body, reducing pressure on the jaw and promoting proper alignment of the head and neck.
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