"I don't want to sleep on anything else" - Back In Action Memory Foam Pillow review

While there's no solution like expert help for neck pain, having a pillow that can support you through the night is the next best thing. Here, tech and health writer Caramel Quin reviews the Back in Action Memory Foam Pillow to see if it passes the test.

Finding the best pillows for neck pain is no easy task - and I've been looking out for one for a while. Reportedly, eight in 10 people experience neck pain at some point in life (according to a report published in The BMJ), so I know I'm not alone in this.

The Back in Action Memory Foam pillow has an indent for your head and the memory foam moulds around the neck for a high level of support. It's just one of two pillow types sold by ergonomic specialists Back in Action - each comes in three sizes and they’ll advise you on which size to try in person or over the phone. So if you're looking for an easy pillow to buy on Amazon, look away now - but if you're looking for a pillow that may ease neck discomfort, read on.

There's neck pain from sleeping in a funny position once and then there's neck pain, often caused by the wrong kind of pillow keeping you in a position that makes you feel stiff and awkward for the rest of the day, week, and month. If that's ringing any bells, it might be time to rethink what you're resting your head on.

Finding the best pillows for neck pain is no easy task - and I've been looking out for one for a while. I know I'm not alone in this either. Reportedly, eight in 10 people experience neck pain at some point in life (according to a report published in The BMJ). That's where the Back In Action Memory Foam Pillow caught my attention. Designed with a head-shaped indent and supportive memory foam that moulds gently to the curve of your neck, it promises a tailored fit rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Sold by ergonomic specialists Back In Action, it’s one of just two pillow types they offer, each available in three sizes. They’ll even help you choose the right one in person or over the phone. So no, it’s not a quick Amazon buy, but if you’re serious about finding a pillow that could help ease neck discomfort, it might be worth the extra effort.

Back in Action Memory Foam Pillow review

• RRP: £89 to £99
• Size: S 31x52x8-11cm - M 31x60x9-12cm - L 33x58x12-15cm
• Sleep position: Side, back
• Filling: Memory foam
• Firmness: Firm
• Trial: None
• Guarantee: 2 years

First impressions of the Back in Action Memory Foam Pillow

On opening the packaging, I was intrigued to see that where many pillows develop a dent where your head has rested over time, this one has one already. It's a funny shape with a hollow for your head, a groove for your neck, cutouts for your shoulders, and grooves for airflow.

The first thing I did when I unwrapped the pillow was look up the picture on the website to check which way round it needed to go.

Lovers of soft pillows look elsewhere - to the Dreams Tempur Cloud Air SmartCool Medium Pillow as one of the best pillows instead, for example. This memory foam (also known as visco) pillow is unashamedly firm, but rather than being a solid block, it's at least sculpted to support you in all the right places, to support your head and spine.

I also like that it comes in three sizes. Each has a different depth to suit different bodies. There’s no size guide but Back in Action encourages customers to consult in store or on the phone to pick the right size. This might be a deterrent for some but it's worth doing to truly get your money's worth.

What is the Back in Action Memory Foam Pillow like to use?

Neck pain is such a personal issue so finding the right pillow is subjective. I recruited three testers, each with different reasons for their neck pain, as well as testing the pillows myself.

Lucy and Saira found it too solid and hard to get used to. As a particularly unique design, this didn't exactly surprise me. However, this is why it's best to get 'fitted' for this pillow in person so you can test out what it's like before you buy. Unlike some other pillows, there's no 'free trial' period where you can use the pillow and send it back if it's not for you. At £89 per pillow, that's quite a risk to take.

However, some people do have success with it - like my tester Laura, who is tall and has nerve pain from herniated discs. On sleeping with the pillow for one night, she declared that it was the first time she’d had no neck pain in ages. “It feels really firm, but you sink into it gradually, and it takes the shape of you. The unusual shape and firmness weren't an issue. I was able to spin over on my side and shift about without noticing any difference," she says.

"The design seems to keep my head up slightly higher and feels unnatural at first because of firmness, and then you realise that the spaces between your vertebrae seem bigger and it’s really good for you - like the feeling of a yoga stretch when you get it right.”

I don't suffer with neck pain very often and prefer one of the best pillows for side sleepers myself, but I also found this pillow to be comfortable and supportive enough for daily use, cradling my head and neck well. It is a little odd in shape and I question the washing methods, but it did the job well. I liked the ridges in the pillow that relieve pressure and aid airflow as memory foam pillows can feel a little warm sometimes.

So, for some, the Back in Action Memory Foam Pillow can be a relief from neck pain - finally. But for others, it will be an immediate no-go. If you can, check out this pillow in person before you buy to see what category you fall into. They have shops in London, Bristol, Amersham, and Marlow.

Cleaning the Back In Action Memory Foam Pillow

When it comes to cleaning the pillow, I immediately noted that this pillow can only be wiped, rather than washed. Having recently tested the Snuggledown Hotel Luxurious Side Sleeper Pillow and the Dreams Side Sleeper Pillow - both of which are machine washable at 40 degrees, although not specifically designed for those with neck pain - it was a surprise to see. The pillow does come with a free CoolMax Summer Cover though, which you can machine wash. Still, it's something to bear in mind.

How does the Back in Action Memory Foam Pillow compare?

This is one of my favourite pillows for neck pain but like Marmite, you'll either love it or hate it so it's worth considering the other options too. I'd suggest looking at the Dreams Tempur Cloud Air SmartCool Medium Pillow - although pricier, it has a softer feel.

If you suffer from neck pain, you need a pillow that’s supportive and will help align everything. You don’t want something soft and insubstantial. A good mid-priced option that impressed our testers is the Levitex Sleep Posture Pillow. This one comes in four sizes and uses a unique type of foam that manages to be both soft and supportive.

But if you want something with a soft upper, that won’t break the bank, consider the unusual Mediflow Water Pillow.

Is the Back in Action Memory Foam pillow worth buying?

I'm hesitant to say that this pillow is a good choice for everyone. Lucy and Saira's experience speaks to that. However, it was very hard to get the Back in Action Memory Foam review sample back from Laura. "I've fallen in love with it. At first it looked to me reminiscent of a chopping block used to behead Anne Boleyn and now I don't want to sleep with anything else," she says.

It’s a shame there’s no free trial and because of this, I'd recommend buying the pillow in person if you can - but if you’re up for the firm support of memory foam then the Back in Action won’t disappoint.

How we test pillows

At woman&home, we have a standardised way of testing pillows. Before we even start to get any shuteye, we do our research. Our experts look for the latest and greatest as well as trusted and reliable pillows for neck pain and we deep dive into the details on what they're like. Once we decide it could be for you, we take them to our homes and give them a proper in-person test.

The tests start with packaging and unboxing the pillow, because the way that it arrives at yours will tell you a lot about the thought that a company has put into it. We'll comment on sustainability and how easy it is to get ready on the bed, as well as any off-gassing or smells that you might spot.

Then, all of our testers have at least two weeks sleeping on the pillow. This is how long physiotherapists say that it takes to notice a physical change in your body. Often, our testers will use a pillow for a month, if not longer, so we keep you updated here with anything that we find.

After that, we'll talk about what the pillow is like to clean and how it compares to other models in terms of value-for-money. By the end of the review, you should have a really good idea of what the pillow is like and whether it's for you. However, if you want to find out more, you can visit our dedicated page for how we test pillows.