A knee pillow sits between your legs when you sleep on your side. It keeps your knees apart and stops the top leg from dropping forward, which is why side sleepers with back, hip or pelvic pain try one.
This guide covers when doctors and midwives suggest a pillow between the legs, what to look for in a knee pillow, and thirteen knee pillows to compare.
General information, not medical advice; talk to a doctor if you have ongoing pain, or follow your surgeon’s instructions after surgery.
Knee pillow basics
- The NHS suggests putting a pillow between your legs for extra support in bed if you have pelvic and lower back pain in pregnancy.[2]
- After a hip replacement, AAOS says your doctor may ask you to sleep with a pillow between your legs for a period of time. Ask your surgeon which sleeping positions are safest.[3]
- The NHS says to see a GP if hip pain is stopping you doing normal activities or affecting your sleep, or has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks.[1]
- The NHS says back pain usually improves within a few weeks, and suggests staying active and avoiding long periods in bed.[5]
- Side sleepers need a pillow tall enough to fill the gap between the knees, so check the stated size and shape.
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back Support Systems Leg Classic | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | 25 x 10 x 3 in | – |
| 2 | Anzhixiu Long Classic | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | 14 x 10 in | – |
| 3 | KingPavonini Leg Elevation | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | 28.7 x 13 x 11.4 in | – |
| 4 | Abco Tech Leg Elevation | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | 12.8 x 11 x 7.5 in | – |
| 5 | Shinnwa Wedge Pillow | Shredded memory foam wedge pillow | Shredded memory foam | 23.6 x 18.9 x 7.9 in | – |
| 6 | ComfiLife Leg Classic | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | 9.8 x 7.9 x 6.3 in | Machine washable |
| 7 | Everlasting Comfort Knee Pillow | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | 10 x 8 x 6 in | Removable cover, machine washable |
| 8 | Zoan Life Knee Pillow | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | – | – |
| 9 | 5 Stars United Knee Pillow | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | – | – |
| 10 | Everlasting Comfort Half Moon | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | 21 x 7.9 in | Machine washable |
| 11 | Tularis Knee Pillow | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | – | Machine washable |
| 12 | Natumax Knee Pillow | Memory foam pillow | Memory foam | 8.3 x 5.5 in | Machine washable |
| 13 | BlissTrends Knee Pillow | Memory foam knee pillow | Memory foam | – | Removable cover |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Why Side Sleepers Use a Knee Pillow
Many people struggle to sleep at night because of back, hip or pelvic pain. When you lie on your side, the top leg drops forward and the knees press together. A knee pillow fills the gap between the knees and thighs and keeps the legs apart.
The NHS suggests putting a pillow between your legs for extra support in bed if you have pelvic and lower back pain in pregnancy.[2] For hip pain, the NHS says to see a GP if the pain stops you doing normal activities or affects your sleep, or has not improved after 2 weeks of treating it at home.[1]
For back pain, the NHS says it usually improves within a few weeks and suggests staying active and not staying in bed for long periods.[5] A knee pillow is a comfort aid and does not treat the cause.
Knee Pillows After Surgery and for Swollen Legs
After a hip replacement, AAOS says your doctor may ask you to avoid certain sleeping positions or to sleep with a pillow between your legs for a period of time.[3] Ask your surgeon before you buy one, because the recommended size and period depend on the surgery.
Other types of cushions go under the legs instead of between the knees. The NHS suggests raising swollen ankles, feet or legs on a chair or pillows when you can.[4] A wedge such as the Shinnwa is for raising the legs, not for between the knees.
Characteristics of a Good Knee Pillow
- Spacing – The pillow should fill the gap between your knees, so your knees do not press together or knock against each other. A pillow that is too thin lets the top knee drop, and one that is too thick pushes the hip up.
- Memory Foam – Memory foam holds your shape while it is warm from your body heat and loses the impression when it cools. High-density foam keeps its shape longer.
- Other Materials – Knee pillows also come in latex, polyester, water, feathers and buckwheat hulls. Latex and polyester can cause allergic reactions in some people.
- Strap – A strap keeps the pillow in place when you turn.
- Cover – A removable, machine-washable cover is easy to clean, and a breathable cover is cooler.
How We Chose These Pillows
These picks come from desk research. We compared the makers’ public product information, the The web product pages and buyer feedback. We did not test the pillows ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Shape – Contoured, half-moon, wedge or strapped pillow.
- Size – Stated dimensions and height.
- Foam and Cover – Memory foam type, breathability and washable cover.
- Extras – Strap, certifications and pregnancy use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Knee Pillows
- Where do you put a knee pillow?
Between your knees and thighs when you lie on your side. Some people use a long pillow that supports the thighs too. - Can I use a knee pillow in pregnancy?
The NHS suggests putting a pillow between your legs for extra support in bed if you have pelvic and lower back pain in pregnancy.[2] Several pillows here are sold for pregnancy. - Should I use a knee pillow after hip replacement?
AAOS says your doctor may ask you to sleep with a pillow between your legs for a period of time. Ask your surgeon which pillow and for how long.[3] - How big should a knee pillow be?
It should fill the gap between your knees when you lie on your side, so measure that gap and compare it with the stated height. - Does a knee pillow help swollen legs?
A pillow between the knees does not. The NHS suggests raising swollen legs on a chair or pillows, which is what a wedge is for.[4] - When should I see a doctor about hip or back pain?
The NHS says to see a GP if hip pain stops you doing normal activities, affects your sleep or has not improved after 2 weeks of home treatment.[1] For back pain, see a GP if it does not improve after a few weeks or stops you doing your day-to-day activities.[5]
Our Picks: Knee Pillows
Here are thirteen memory foam knee pillows and leg pillows to compare. We hope you love the products we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Back Support Systems® Leg Classic Ergonomic Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Back Support Systems Leg Classic is an ergonomic, contoured memory foam knee pillow for side sleepers that measures 25 x 10 x 3 inches.
- The contoured shape is made to sit between the knees and thighs when you lie on your side.
- The memory foam molds slowly to your body.
2
Anzhixiu® Long Classic Contoured Thick Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Anzhixiu Long Classic is a contoured, thick memory foam knee pillow for side sleepers that measures 14 x 10 inches.
- The thick profile fills a wide gap between the knees.
- The memory foam molds slowly to your body.
3
KingPavonini® Leg Elevation Adjustable Cooling Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The KingPavonini Leg Elevation is an adjustable, cooling memory foam pillow that measures 28.7 x 13 x 11.4 inches, which is much larger than a typical knee pillow.
- The loft is adjustable, because fill or inserts can be added or taken out.
- Gel in the foam is meant to keep the surface cooler than plain foam.
- Check the product page for how it is meant to be used, because the size is closer to a leg rest than a pillow for between the knees.
4
Abco Tech® Leg Elevation Contoured Breathable Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Abco Tech Leg Elevation is a contoured, breathable memory foam knee pillow that measures 12.8 x 11 x 7.5 inches.
- The contoured shape fits between the knees.
- The breathable materials keep it cooler than plain foam.
5
Shinnwa® Wedge Pillow Plush Shredded Memory Foam Wedge Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Shinnwa is a plush shredded memory foam wedge pillow for back sleepers that measures 23.6 x 18.9 x 7.9 inches.
- It is a wedge, not a pillow for between the knees, so it suits resting with your legs raised.
- The shredded foam can be fluffed and moved around, and it ships compressed, so give it some hours to expand before you judge the loft.
6
ComfiLife® Leg Classic Contoured Washable Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The ComfiLife Leg Classic is a contoured memory foam knee pillow that measures 9.8 x 7.9 x 6.3 inches.
- The high-density memory foam keeps its shape over time.
- The cover is breathable and machine washable.
7
Everlasting Comfort® Knee Pillow Contoured Pregnancy Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Everlasting Comfort Knee Pillow is a contoured memory foam pillow sold for pregnancy that measures 10 x 8 x 6 inches.
- An adjustable hook and loop strap holds it between your knees.
- The cover is removable and machine washable, and the pillow comes with memory foam earplugs.
8
Zoan Life® Knee Pillow Contoured Pregnancy Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Zoan Life Knee Pillow is a contoured memory foam knee pillow sold for pregnancy, made for side and back sleepers.
- The memory foam molds slowly to your body.
- The materials are breathable, so it sleeps cooler than plain foam.
9
5 Stars United® Knee Pillow Contoured Cooling Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The 5 Stars United Knee Pillow is a contoured, cooling memory foam knee pillow made for side and back sleepers.
- The foam is CertiPUR-US certified and the fabric is OEKO-TEX certified.
- The materials are breathable, so it sleeps cooler than plain foam.
10
Everlasting Comfort® Half Moon Contoured Washable Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Everlasting Comfort Half Moon is a contoured, washable memory foam pillow that measures 21 x 7.9 inches.
- It is filled with 100% memory foam for a firm loft, and the curved shape fits between or under your legs.
- The breathable cover is machine washable, and the pillow also works as a lumbar pillow.
11
Tularis® Knee Pillow Adjustable Contoured Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Tularis Knee Pillow is an adjustable, contoured memory foam knee pillow that is machine washable.
- It is made for orthopedic knee support and can be used during pregnancy.
- The memory foam molds to your body and is meant not to flatten out.
12
Natumax® Knee Pillow Pregnancy Washable Breathable Memory Foam Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Natumax Knee Pillow is a washable, breathable memory foam pillow sold for pregnancy that measures 8.3 x 5.5 inches.
- It fits between the hips and knees.
- A leg strap holds it in place.
13
BlissTrends® Knee Pillow Pregnancy Firm Memory Foam Knee Pillow
Currently unavailable
The BlissTrends Knee Pillow is a firm, contoured memory foam knee pillow for side sleepers, sold for pregnancy.
- The cover is removable.
- The memory foam molds slowly to your body.
Index Table: Knee Pillows
Sources
- National Health Service (NHS). Hip pain in adults. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Pelvic pain in pregnancy. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Activities After Total Hip Replacement. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Swollen ankles, feet and legs (oedema). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Back pain. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around NHS advice on hip pain, pelvic pain in pregnancy, swollen legs and back pain and AAOS guidance after hip replacement, removed the unsourced alignment, blood flow, terminal condition and ‘medical experts recommend’ claims, rewrote all thirteen product notes and corrected their Key Specs, and added a disclaimer line, a takeaways box, How We Chose and an FAQ
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: Back Support Systems Memory Foam Pillow with Back Support Systems Leg Classic Pillow; Modvel Pull-On Cushion Pillow with Anzhixiu Long Classic Pillow; Essential Medical Elevating Leg Pillow with KingPavonini Leg Elevation Pillow; Abco Tech Sciatica Relief Pillow with Abco Tech Leg Elevation Pillow; Cushion Lab Memory Foam Wedge Pillow with Shinnwa Elevation Classic Pillow; Beautiful Life Pain Relief Pillow with Zoan Life Elevation Classic Pillow; Luna Orthopedic Pillow with 5 Stars United Classic Everyday Pillow; Flippin’ Happy Innovative Pillow with BlissTrends Classic Everyday Pillow
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Sep 2021: Added Back Support Systems Leg Classic Pillow
- Apr 2020: Added Abco Tech Leg Elevation Pillow, Tularis Classic Everyday Pillow, Back Support Systems Memory Foam Pillow, Modvel Pull-On Cushion Pillow, Abco Tech Sciatica Relief Pillow and Flippin’ Happy Innovative Pillow
- Mar 2020: Added Luna Orthopedic Pillow
- Feb 2020: Added Natumax Classic Everyday Pillow
- Oct 2019: Added Everlasting Comfort Half Moon Pillow
- Aug 2019: Added Cushion Lab Memory Foam Wedge Pillow
- Jan 2019: Added ComfiLife Leg Classic Pillow, Everlasting Comfort Classic Everyday Pillow and Beautiful Life Pain Relief Pillow
- Oct 2016: Published
