The 10 Best Organic Pillows for Better (& Healthier) Sleep in 2022
We spend (hopefully) eight hours a day sleeping. That means we’re in contact with our bedding a lot more than we probably realize. Hence, why it might be worth considering the switch to organic bedding. The organic label means the product is manufactured without harmful chemicals—such as pesticides, chemical cleaners or harsh fabric treatments—and we don’t know about you, but we’d prefer to keep toxins as far away from our face as humanly possible. So read on for ten of the best organic pillows that’ll boost your sleep and beauty regimen (and reduce your carbon footprint).
WHAT IS THE HEALTHIEST MATERIAL FOR PILLOWS?
First thing’s first, let’s discuss which materials you don’t want in an organic pillow. “There are two divisions of fabrics: naturally derived and synthetic,” writes Dr. Theresa Warner, pediatric and prenatal illness expert. “Poly blends and cellulose-based synthetic fabrics (rayon, acetate, and triacetate) require heavy chemical finishes. These toxic chemicals can cause allergies, chemical sensitivities and serious health problems,” she explains. “In general, the less chemical processing and fewer dies and finishes added to the fabric, the less likely the material is to cause an adverse/allergic reaction.”
So, which fabrics should you look for in an organic pillow? As a general rule, it’s best to stick to natural fibers such as cotton, latex, wool, buckwheat and kapok (a silky all-natural fiber that has the feel of a feathered pillow). It’s also worth ensuring that your pillow is certified with eco-friendly construction before you add to cart. There are several ‘stamps of approval’ that can ensure a product is truly organic, but some of the top ones to look out for are the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification for cotton.
OUR PICKS AT A GLANCE:
Scroll down for in-depth reviews of each.
Best Overall: Avocado Green Pillow
Best Down: SOL Organics Down Pillow
Best Kapok: Savvy Rest Organic Kapok Pillow
Best Latex: Coyuchi Organic Shredded Latex Pillow
Best Cotton: Magnolia Organics Organic Cotton Pillow
Best Value: Rejuvenite Latex Pillow
Best for Side Sleepers: Saatva Latex Pillow
Best for Back Sleepers: Birch Living Organic Pillow
Best for Stomach Sleepers: Boll & Branch Down Pillow
Best for Travel: Latex Travel Pillow with Organic Cotton Cover
RELATED: What Is Organic Bedding? The Details (& Our Top Picks)
1. Avocado Green Pillow
Best Overall
Why We Love It:
GOLS certified organic latex, kapok and cotton
Includes extra filling
As far as toxicity goes, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something safer—not to mention comfortable—than this pillow by Avocado. Awarded the Greenguard Gold seal of acceptance by UL Environment (which few products qualify for), this pillow is rigorously tested for chemical exposure and pollutants (such as VOCs), formaldehyde and phthalates. It’s filled with GOLS-certified organic latex and kapok and sealed with an OEKO-TEX certified jersey cotton liner (which is also machine-washable). While the pillow is described as having a medium-plush feel, its included cotton liner features a zipper—so you can remove the filling and adjust the level of support to your liking. Even better? Each pillow comes with a “refill package” with an extra filling that you can use for additional loft and plushness.
2. SOL Organics Down Pillow
Best Down
Why We Love It:
Canadian white down and GOTS-certified cotton
Three firmness options
This 100-percent down-filled pillow is lightweight, machine-washable and GOTS-certified for its organic cotton (which is free of organic dyes). Still, you’re probably wondering what makes a pillow worth over $100? Short answer: durability. Each pillow goes through an exhaustive refinery process that ensures its materials are long-lasting, breathable, lofty and soft to the touch. And there are three firmness levels—soft for stomach sleepers, firm for side sleepers and medium for back sleepers—so you won’t have to worry about your $139 pillow investment going to waste.
3. Savvy Rest Organic Kapok Pillow
Best Kapok
Why We Love It:
GOTS-certified kapok and cotton
Ultra-plush feel
As we mentioned above, kapok is the closest organic material you can find to replicate the feel of a plush, lofty pillow. This pillow by Savvy Rest imitates the light, feathery feel of a down pillow with pure organic kapok filling that’s encased in OEKO-TEX certified cotton lining. The pillows are intentionally overstuffed (according to the manufacturer), but the inner case features a zipper that allows you to remove its filling and adjust its volume accordingly. And while its $164 price tag is definitely a splurge, the pillows are constructed with durability and longevity in mind. “The Kapok [fill of this pillow] was perfectly fluffy and soft after I removed some of the ‘overstuffing’ it came with… Its [filling] has stayed [in tact] for more than a year—unlike my old feather pillow [which started out] nice and fluffy but got flat and lumpy after a few months,” writes one reviewer.
4. Coyuchi Organic Shredded Latex Pillow
Best Latex
Why We Love It:
GOLS and GOTS certified shredded latex and cotton sateen
Retains shape over time
This pillow’s GOLS- and GOTS-certified construction is malleable and adjustable, so it's ideal for stomach, side and back sleepers alike. It’s filled with shredded latex—which allows you to scrunch and mold the pillow into an ideal shape—and includes a removable, 400 thread count cotton sateen pillow protector. One reviewer writes, “I am a side sleeper and [this pillow] supplies the support I need for my neck while my head is cradled in like a cloud in softness. The best way I can describe it is that it has the softness of an overstuffed down pillow, but unlike down, it does not collapse during the night.”
5. Magnolia Organics Organic Cotton Pillow
Best Cotton
Why We Love It:
GOTS-certified organic cotton
Allergy-relieving
This one is made from—you guessed it—100-percent GOTS-certified organic cotton. Why we love this option? It combines the lightweight breathability of crisp cotton with a medium-firm feel that replicates a more traditional filling. But what makes this one truly stand out is its allergy-relieving abilities. “I am very allergic to dust mites, so finding this pillow has been very helpful for me. [While] there are many pillows that have cotton on the outside shell, the inside is usually not cotton... I feel much less congested when I wake up—give this pillow a try if you have allergies,” explains one reviewer. It’s also worth mentioning that you can adjust the loft of this one with its zippered outer shell.
6. Rejuvenite Latex Pillow
Best Value
Why We Love It:
Latex and OEKO-TEX certified cotton
Temperature regulating
By now, you’ve probably noticed how expensive organic pillows can be. Still, we’ve made it our mission to find something that’ll get you the best bang for your buck. This pillow is under $100 and filled with natural latex and OEKO-TEX certified cotton (which ensures it’s free from petroleum, VOCs and off-gassing). It has an average 4.3 out of 5-star rating on Amazon, and one reviewer writes, “This pillow [is] the ONE. It is springy, not like other foam pillows I’ve tried, and much [more lightweight] than other foam pillows. It’s also much more supportive than down alternatives and doesn’t require constant fluffing like [other] pillows.” Oh, and did we mention that it has an ‘open-cell structure that allows for a cooler, more temperature-regulated sleep?
7. Saatva Latex Pillow
Best for Side Sleepers
Why We Love It:
Latex and OKEO-TEX certified cotton sateen
Moldable support
If you’re looking for something lofty and latex that can support your head and neck, you’ve just hit the jackpot. This pillow by Saatva features a shredded latex core for moldable support with a plush, down alternative top layer for added comfort. “I would wake up every morning with shoulder and neck pain from not being able to sleep comfortably on my pillows—they were either too soft or too firm and would go flat very quickly. I must say, since having my Saatva pillow, I am having the best night's sleep [of my life]... It provides the perfect balance of support and cushion for your neck. The pillow is not cheap, but [the] price is well worth it,” raves one reviewer. It’s also worth mentioning that this one is eco-INSTITUT certified and free of hazardous chemicals, heavy metals, pollutants or greenhouse gasses.
8. Birch Living Organic Pillow
Best for Back Sleepers
Why We Love It:
GOTS certified latex and cotton
Wicks away moisture
As if this pillow’s GreenGuard Gold certification wasn’t enough, it’s also designed to be highly breathable, subtly stretchy and soft yet supportive (aka a back sleeper’s paradise). Its crushed natural latex core provides malleable firmness, while the organic wool wrapping on each side enhances breathability and wicks away moisture. It also includes a lightweight cotton cover for added plushness and ‘sink-into-me’ comfort.
9. Boll & Branch Down Pillow
Best for Stomach Sleepers
Why We Love It:
100-percent down and OEKO-TEX certified cotton
Fill stays in place over time
This pillow’s three-chamber construction is ideal for stomach sleepers where it’s designed to keep the fill evenly distributed over time. It’s available in three densities (soft, medium and firm), and the soft option is best for stomach sleepers who need optimal plushness. One reviewer writes: “When I first got [this pillow], I thought it was really flat and it didn't fluff out much. But over a day, it got the perfect fluffiness and firmness…[There are] no lumps [and it’s] totally soft yet supportive!” However, while it’s washed with Bluesign-certified detergent—which is said to be two times cleaner than the government standard— it’s worth mentioning that this one is filled with down (which has been known to cause irritation for those with allergies).
10. Latex Travel Pillow with Organic Cotton Cover
Best for Travel
Why We Love It:
GOTS-certified latex
Organic cotton pillowcase included
And finally, something you can take with you on the plane (because we’re done settling for scratchy microfiber). This one features a GOTS-certified latex fill and an included organic cotton cover that’s soft, lightweight and irritant-free. It has a medium-firm feel that can prop your head, neck and shoulders and its 12-inch by 16-inch size is perfect for storing in your carry-on. “I frequently wake up in the morning with a migraine caused by pressure points from pillows that are too firm. I've had latex foam pillows before, but this one is number one. It is thicker than previous ones that I've had but soft enough to compress [and] keep my head at just the right height,” writes one reviewer.
RELATED: What Is Organic Bedding? The Details (& Our Top Picks)
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