On the hunt for the best organic pillows? While some conventional pillows contain a cocktail of synthetic and potentially damaging chemicals, natural and non-toxic pillows can provide you with a healthier and safer sleep environment.
Plus, switching to an organic pillow is a relatively simple and affordable step you can take in creating a healthier bedroom, even if you’re not yet ready to make the switch to a non-toxic mattress.
Read on to find the best options for every type of sleeper based on the reviews of hundreds of peaceful sleepers around the world—including us!
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Featured Image Credit: Naturepedic
This article was co-written by Konstantina Antoniadou and Abbie Davidson.
Best Non-Toxic & Organic Pillows for 2024
While one-size-fits-all sleep products may have been enough to please our younger selves, as we grow older, the side effects of bad sleeping posture may begin to take their toll.
From sleep apnea and impaired circulation, to heartburn and neck pain, many conditions can either be caused or exacerbated by your sleep setup. That may include your mattress, of course, but also your choice of sheets, comforters, and pillows.
It can definitely take some time (and trial and error) to find the pillow that works best for your needs and preferences. But once you land on that sweet spot where your neck, head, and spine are all in alignment and you’ve got just the right amount of firmness, you can usually tell the difference!
That’s why we’ve not only picked out the best organic pillows in terms of the materials (third-party certifications, sustainable sourcing, etc.), but we’ve also looked for a variety of pillows that offer things like pressure-point reduction, spinal alignment, customizable filling & firmness, cooling capabilities, and more.
Our picks for the best non-toxic pillows are directly below. But to read more about what exactly to look for in organic pillows (as well as what to avoid), scroll down to the bottom of this article.
These Are Our Favorite Non-Toxic & Organic Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
Naturepedic
Best for: Natural pillows that FEEL like conventional poly-fill pillows
Materials: Organic cotton, certified organic latex (formed or shredded), PLA (made from non-GMO sugarcane)
Price Range: $79-179
Firmness: Varies (some are customizable)
Loft Height: Varies (and some are adjustable)
Naturepedic is one of the best brands for safe, healthy, organic bedding. In addition to their customizable mattresses, they have a wide range of pillows for pretty much any and every sleeping style.
Most of their pillows come with a handful of third-party certifications, including GOTS, GOLS, FSC, MADE SAFE, Vegan, and GREENGUARD Gold. Most of them sleep cool as well!
- PLA Pillow with Organic Fabric: The outer part of this pillow is made out of GOTS certified organic cotton (which is removable and machine-washable), and the filling is made with PLA fiber that comes from non-GMO sugarcane. This gives it the feel of a more ‘conventional’ polyester-filled pillow, but without the petroleum products!
- Organic Adjustable Latex Pillow: This one is completely natural, made with organic materials like GOTS certified organic cotton and GOLS or FSC certified latex. It’s made with shredded latex pieces, which gives it a feel that’s supportive but still plush. The best part is that it’s customizable, which means you can add or remove some of the shredded latex as you need. This allows you to adjust the loft and optimize your pillow for perfect spinal alignment.
- Organic Solid Latex Pillow: This molded latex pillow is also made out of organic cotton on the outside and GOLS certified organic latex on the inside, but it has a molded latex core instead of shredded. This means it’s not adjustable like the one above, but it does have strong structural integrity, which allows it to maintain its shape throughout the night without any shifting or settling.
- Organic Side Sleeper Pillow: As the name indicates, this one is best for side sleepers! It has an adjustable latex fill, combined with a curved cut-out shape where your shoulder can go, allowing you to sleep comfortably on your side.
- Body Pillow: Here’s a larger pillow that can help relieve pressure from your arms, hips, knees, and spine by providing support across your entire body as you sleep. Like the others, it comes with an organic cotton outer cover and then it has a PLA filling to give it a similar feel you might be used to with conventional polyester pillows.
- Toddler Pillow and Kids Pillow: These two pillows are also made with organic cotton and PLA (for the filling), but they’re just smaller! The Toddler Pillow is 14″ x 20″ and the Kids Pillow is 20″ x 26″. (The Kids option is also available in Standard or Low Fill, which doesn’t have quite as much stuffing.)
Because they have so many options, Naturepedic is a great option for those seeking relief from neck pain.
I also love that Naturepedic’s organic pillows come with a Sleep Trial, giving you ample time to cozy up and decide if it’s a match made in sleep heaven. (Some come with a 100-night trial and some come with a 30-night trial.) Most of them also come with a 1-year warranty and free returns.
Even better: Naturepedic also offers an organic waterproof pillow protector too (for both adult and kid-sized pillows), if that’s something you need. Our guide on waterproof mattress protectors will give you more info on what to look for in safe waterproof bedding.
Use the code thefiltery15 for 15% off your order.
My Green Mattress
Best for: Organic cooling pillows
Materials: Dunlop latex filling with organic cotton cover
Price Range: $99 (standard) – $109 (king)
Firmness: Medium
Loft Height: Low
My Green Mattress is a great place to find affordable organic bedding basics. They offer one type of pillow, which comes in three sizes (standard, queen, and king).
Crafted from a solid core of Dunlop latex and infused with activated charcoal (which is a natural mineral known for its odor-reducing and moisture-wicking properties), My Green Mattress’ natural pillow offers moderate cooling properties to help support a good night’s sleep.
This molded pillow has a firm but contouring feel that is designed specifically for back and side sleepers. (Many of their mattresses are also really good for people with back and body pain!) Their beds and pillows help to properly align your spine and give proper head and neck support during the night.
This pillow also comes with several third-party certifications, including Eco-Institute, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Savvy Rest
Best for: Best variety of options!
Materials: Organic cotton, kapok, wool, & latex (your choice of formed or shredded)
Price Range: $29-269
Firmness: Varies (some are customizable)
Loft Height: Varies (some are adjustable)
In addition to Savvy Rest’s amazing Custom Organic Mattress options, you can also find a fantastic range of eleven organic pillows to complete your natural bed setup.
For the most part, these non-toxic pillows come in two main categories: formed natural latex and customizable loose fill. So you’re almost guaranteed to find something that works for you and your needs.
All of their pillow are free from synthetic materials and are instead made with third-party certified organic fibers like cotton, latex, and more. Most of them come in several different sizes, including Mini, Standard, Queen, and King.
Here are some details on Savvy Rest’s organic pillow options:
- Shredded Latex Pillow: This customizable organic pillow comes intentionally overstuffed so that you can remove as much of the shredded latex as you need to get the height and overall feel that works best for you. It’s made with an organic cotton outer casing (which can be removed and hand-washed) and filled with a blend of certified organic Dunlop latex and Cradle-to-Cradle Gold/FSC-certified Talalay latex. Firmness: Dense & Supportive.
- Wool Pillow: This is a good option for hot sleepers since wool naturally promotes airflow, moisture evaporation, and temperature stabilization. Like the option above, this one is customizable, allowing you to add or remove some of the fill until you get your desired loft height and firmness. Firmness: Medium-Firm.
- Wool-Latex Pillow (Your Way): Why choose between wool and latex when you can have both? This pillow gives you the best of both worlds: the certified organic wool helps keep you comfortable and cool, while the certified organic latex gives the pillow responsive support. Firmness: Medium-Firm.
- Natural Talalay Pillow: Side sleepers, this one’s for you. The natural Talalay-formed latex pillow is designed to provide soft, ultra-responsive support. Plus, like the others, it’s got a plush knit organic cotton cover. Firmness: Dense & Supportive.
- Organic Contour Pillow: A great option for those with neck pain, this Dunlop formed latex pillow aims to embrace the curvature of your neck. The high, rounded edge along its length is like a personalized cradle, ensuring that your sleep posture remains supported throughout the night. Firmness: Firm
- Organic Latex Soap-Shaped Pillow: For those who prefer a lower-profile pillow, this Dunlop-formed latex design is just the thing. It’s got an overall firmer feel “with just a touch of give,” and is a good option for side sleepers. Firmness: Firm.
- Wedge Pillow: Need a little elevation for added comfort? The natural Talalay latex wedge pillow has your back (literally!). Designed to provide that extra lift, it can help with things like snoring, acid reflux, and post-nasal drip. It’s versatile, too: you can use it between your knees while sleeping on your side, or under your knees while sleeping on your back to help relieve back pain. Firmness: Medium-Firm.
- Organic Body Pillows: Savvy Rest also has four different organic body pillows to choose from! You can get a filling made with Kapok, wool, a wool-latex blend, or shredded latex. Most of them are customizable, so you can add or remove filling based on your needs and preferences. Firmness: Customizable.
Savvy Rest also offers organic cotton pillow cases and a waterproof cover option for the body pillows.
Use code THEFILTERY20 for 20% off your order.
Obasan
Best for: Personalization! You can get your name embroidered on the pillowcase.
Materials: Organic latex, wool, and cotton.
Price Range: $89-249 (USD)
Firmness: Varies (some are customizable)
Loft Height: Varies (some are customizable)
Everyone has their own preferences, which is why Obasan allows you to adjust the firmness and filling to your liking.
There are two other things that really make this Canada-based brand different from others:
One: They offer custom embroidery, so you can add your name to your certified organic cotton cover if you want to!
And two: All of their pillows are two-sided! One side is made from breathable, organic cotton for warm nights, and the other is made with soft, thick cotton knit for colder temperatures.
They’ve got a variety of options for pretty much every type of sleeper:
- Organic Latex Rubber Pillow: This non-toxic pillow is Obasan’s shining star and a favorite among customers. It’s a versatile option that suits both side and back sleepers. The 100% organic latex filling is customizable to meet your needs—you can add or remove as much as you want until you get your desired feel. Firmness: Soft.
- Deluxe Organic Latex and Wool Pillow: This one is also a good option for back and side sleepers, but it’s got a firmer feel. It’s got a shredded organic latex core, but then it’s wrapped in a layer of wool to help with temperature regulation. Firmness: Firm.
- Organic Wool Pillow: Hot sleepers, rejoice! With organic wool’s temperature regulation, this is one of the coolest and firmest options you can get in an organic pillow. It’s recommended for side and stomach sleepers. Firmness: Very Firm.
- Contour Organic Shredded Rubber Pillow: This is a good non-toxic pillow for people with neck pain or who just need some extra head/neck support. It’s made with a dip in the center, which eases neck strain and supports your head throughout the night. And just like all Obasan’s pillows, the filling is adjustable to match your personal preference. It’s recommended for back and side sleepers. Firmness: Medium.
- Pregnancy Pillow: This organic pregnancy pillow is seriously unique. It’s made using a detachable two-pillow system that adapts to your changing body from the first trimester well into motherhood. Firmness: Firm.
- Organic Rubber Toddler Pillow: For the littlest family members, this GOTS certified organic pillow for toddlers is filled with 100% organic shredded rubber and has an organic cotton cover. Firmness: Medium-Firm.
Abbie’s Review: I have been sleeping on Obasan’s Organic Latex Rubber Pillows for around six months now, and I really like them! The overall feel is very luxurious—they’ve got thick fabric covers and a plush feel. It’s definitely on the softer side, but you can add more filling if you want to make it firmer. They have honestly become some of my favorite pillows in recent months!
Coyuchi
Best for: Natural down pillows that are made in the USA
Materials: Dunlop latex, feather down, organic cotton
Price Range: $70 (on sale) – $248
Firmness: Medium-Firm (some are adjustable)
Loft Height: Varies
Gorgeous organic bed sheets? Check. Organic baby blankets? Check! Natural duvets? Check! The beloved sustainable brand has just about everything we need to turn our homes and bedrooms into a healthy oasis.
This, of course, includes an amazing range of organic pillows for every preference. They’re all made from natural and organic materials like GOTS/GOLS certified cotton, latex, and down. Here are their main offerings:
- Organic Latex Molded Pillow: Recommended for back and side sleepers, this molded pillow is a good alternative to synthetic memory foam pillows. It’s got some “give,” but less-so than a shredded latex, down, or polyester-filled pillow. Firmness: Medium-Firm.
- Turiya™ Organic Latex Pillow: This amazing non-toxic pillow is designed for proper spinal alignment, relieving pressure on your head and neck. As you can see from the picture above, the ‘front’ side of the pillow contains holes that help relieve pressure when sleeping on your side, and the ‘back’ side of the pillow is formed with an indent for your head to help with proper alignment while sleeping on your back. Firmness: Medium-Firm.
- Shredded Latex Pillow: For this one, they encased these fluffy shreds of naturally hypoallergenic Dunlop latex in an interior layer of jersey knit cotton. Like most other shredded-fill pillows recommended here, this one is customizable, allowing you to add or remove some of the fill based on your preferences. Firmness: Medium-Firm.
- Down Feather Pillow: Encased in down-proof organic cotton, this down pillow offers an 80% feather/20% down mix that provides a structure from the center, with pure down for softness on both sides. The double-washed fill is sourced from an Indiana duck farm where the birds are humanely raised, and all Coyuchi down and feather pillows are made in the USA. They also offer a Down Feather Lumbar Pillow, which is a larger version of the down pillow that can be used as a body pillow. Firmness: Medium-Firm.
- Organic Latex Body Pillow: A great option for side sleepers and pregnant women, this certified organic, molded latex insert provides buoyant, breathable support in the areas you need it. It has a cylinder shape that can easily be bent and formed based on your body position. The organic cotton cover is removable for easy washing. Firmness: Medium-Firm.
Even More Organic Pillow Brands
If you didn’t find quite what you needed from the brands above, here are some more great options for non-toxic pillows:
- Avocado: They offer molded, shredded, and customizable pillows for adults and toddlers. They’re third-party certified by GOTS, GREENGUARD Gold, MADE SAFE, Vegan, FSC, and more.
- Birch: Birch’s organic cotton pillows are made with natural and organic materials that come with a handful of certifications. What makes it unique is that it’s layered: it’s got a shredded natural latex core surrounded by a layer of wool to help with temperature regulation. You can use the code THEFILTERY20 for 20% off your order.
- Brentwood: Most of these pillows are NOT all-natural, but if you must have a memory foam pillow, Brentwood is one of the best options. They have a variety of both wedges and pillows, most of which come with third-party certifications like GREENGUARD Gold, CertiPUR, and Vegan.
- EcoSleep: Although not all of EcoSleep’s pillows are made from all-natural materials, they do have a Talalay Latex Pillow. However, it unfortunately is not organic and does not come with any third-party certifications. If you choose this one anyway, you can use the code THEFILTERY25 for 25% off your order.
- Happsy: Happsy is actually the more affordable sister brand of Naturepedic. They offer just one simple organic latex pillow that’s wrapped in an organic cotton cover.
Do Pillows Have Harmful Chemicals?
Unfortunately, many conventional pillows can indeed contain harmful chemicals, such as:
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Petroleum-based synthetic pillows (which is what most polyester-filled and memory foam pillows are made out of) can slowly release VOCs into the air over time. These gases can have negative effects on indoor air quality, potentially causing irritation, headaches, or more severe health issues over time.
Formaldehyde: Just like with bedding, clothing, and other textiles, some pillows and their covers can contain formaldehyde. It can be added for a variety of reasons, like static resistance, as an antimicrobial during shipping, and more. Moderate to high amounts can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and long-term exposure can have more serious health implications such as cancer.
Flame Retardants: Pillows are not required to meet the same flame retardant standards that mattresses are, but manufacturers may add them anyway, considering that conventional synthetic pillows are pretty flammable (since they’re made from petroleum). The problem is that many chemical flame retardants are linked to health concerns such as endocrine disruption.
The good news, however, is that due to changing laws, synthetic flame retardants are not added to bedding in the US nearly as much as they were even five or ten years ago.
Plus, natural materials like organic wool and cotton are naturally resistant to flames, especially compared to their synthetic counterparts.
What is the Healthiest Pillow Material?
Instead of a conventional polyester or memory foam pillow, look for these organic materials instead:
GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, which means they’re overall better for the environment and all of us who are dependent on it. Non-toxic pillows made from organic cotton are more breathable and hypoallergenic than conventional ones.
Almost all of our recommended pillows above come with organic cotton removable covers.
Organic Latex Pillow
Natural latex, derived from the sap of rubber trees, can be used to simultaneously create support and “give.” It’s a great option for pillows because it can be either shredded or molded to make different levels of firmness and feel. Look for the GOLS certification on your latex pillows, if possible.
Organic Wool
GOTS certified wool pillows are a great option for folks who tend to sleep hot because wool has a natural ability to regulate temperature and wick away moisture.
Kapok
Organic kapok fibers come from the seed pods of kapok trees. Kapok pillows are naturally hypoallergenic, lightweight, and breathable. They are often used as an eco-friendly and vegan alternative to down or wool pillows.
Buckwheat Hulls
Buckwheat hulls are a natural and supportive filling option for pillows. They conform to the shape of your head and neck, providing customized support. Buckwheat pillows are usually used more for meditation and bean bag chairs rather than bed pillows.
How Do I Choose A Non-Toxic Pillow?
Here are some things you may want to keep in mind as you shop for the pillow that’s best for you:
Start by learning about different non-toxic and organic materials (listed above). Understand the benefits and characteristics of each material to determine which one aligns with your preferences. For example, even though wool can be a natural and healthy option, vegans may prefer to avoid it.
Look for organic certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), along with low-tox labels such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GREENGUARD Gold. Even though these certifications are not perfect, they do indicate that the brand has met a certain set of standards in terms of safety and sustainability.
Look for brands that refuse to use extra chemical treatments like flame retardants and formaldehyde.
Take your sleep style into account. Different pillow materials and designs cater to different sleep positions (back, side, & stomach sleepers), so choose one that offers the right support and comfort for how you sleep.
On a similar note, you may want to consider the loft height, which is the height of the pillow from the surface of the bed to the top of the pillow where your head rests. This can make a big difference in your overall comfort level as well as preventing future neck pain.
If you have allergies or sensitivities, pay attention to testimonials from individuals with similar concerns. Their experiences can provide valuable information about whether the pillow triggered any adverse reactions.
Wrapping Up: Best Non-Toxic Pillows In 2024
In the quest for a rejuvenating and health-conscious slumber, your choice of pillow plays an essential role. From non-toxic pillows made of organic cotton that cradle you in comfort to natural latex options that adapt to your unique sleep style, the possibilities are as diverse as your preferences. Plus, with third-party certifications, you can rest easy knowing your organic pillow is free from harmful chemicals and additives.
