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Your sleep health is fundamental. It impacts your overall physical and mental well-being, and everything you do to protect it is crucial. A few different ways to go about this? Use non-toxic mattresses and organic pillows. Since we previously dived into the mattress category, we're now touching on the latter: pillows. With all the greenwashing and confusing language surrounding this product, it can be hard to decide if you're picking the right thing for your body or the environment. Our editors felt the same way, so we decided to take matters into our own hands and test organic pillows in our bedrooms.
How did we determine which pillows were truly organic? As Mark Abrials, co-founder and CMO for Avocado Green Brands put it, the certifications on that tag are not to be overlooked. “The term 'eco-friendly' is just that—a term,” Abrials says. “There is no definition or standards around what 'eco-friendly' really means. That’s why customers must look for certifications and standards when looking for an organic [pillow].” There are no federally regulated standards for organic textiles, so rigorous, independent certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) are the best way to identify which pillows avoid harmful chemicals.
With this in mind, we found eight organic pillows you'll be proud to bring into your bedroom and sleep on every night. There are options for every kind of sleeper, so read on to find the right pillow and get advice on shopping for one. Enjoy the good night's rest, and thank us later.
Is it any wonder we gave this pillow a Live Better Award in 2023? The bouncy material is some of the most resilient foam we’ve tested. “This pillow provides the same bounce back you’d come to expect from an innerspring mattress, but there’s none of the uncomfortable metal,” Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie says. “It’s all Talalay foam. The pillow has that structured 'block of foam' feel instead of an adjustable fluff, which I prefer. It’s firm, supportive, and allows your head to float on top rather than sink in. There’s no sagging in the middle, it’s also easy to disguise behind my more decorative pillows, which I can’t say of all the ergonomic ones I’ve tested.”
Material: Talalay rubber foam core, organic cotton shell | Sizes Available: Standard | Firmness: Firm | Certifications: GOTS-certified cotton, GOLS-certified foam, Fair For Life – Fair Trade, Oeko-Tex Standard 100
The included extra fill for the Avocado Green Pillow adds a customizable firmness, creating the best night’s sleep, no matter your preference. “I was pretty impressed with how supportive this pillow was because it doesn’t look particularly dense or firm at first glance,” McKenzie says. “Though the brand offers an option designed for side sleepers, I found the standard was also comfortable for side sleeping because it holds me in place. Its filling forms a little crater for my head, which is a relief for my consistent tossing and turning. Creatures of habit like myself will probably mold the pillow into their favorite position over time. Plus, the lightly textured casing is so comfortable on my skin, I slept on it without a pillowcase.”
Material: Latex and kapok fiber fill, organic cotton cover | Sizes Available: Standard, Queen, King | Firmness: Standard, Side Sleeper | Certifications: GOTS-certified organic cotton and kapok fiber, GOLS-certified organic latex
Deputy Digital Editor Katelyn Lunders already swears by the Saatva Rx mattress for ultra-supportive sleep, so it’s no surprise that the brand’s latex pillow, encased in an organic cotton cover, also provided a comfortable resting position. "Like the brand’s mattresses, the latex pillow is designed to keep your neck and head in alignment for quality sleep," Lunders says.
"I sleep on my back and side, so I tested the high loft pillow, which is designed for side and combination sleepers. It’s six inches in height, so taller than the pillow I am used to and I actually think I might’ve preferred the five-inch standard loft version for back sleepers. That being said, I loved how luxurious and cool to the touch the pillow felt. I’d recommend this for anyone who prefers a firmer pillow that is comfortable, durable, hypoallergenic, and machine washable."
Material: Shredded natural latex core, organic cotton fill layer, cotton pillow cover | Sizes Available: Standard/Queen, King | Firmness: Standard loft, High loft | Certifications: Fair Trade Certified cotton
Though Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner typically gravitates towards a more fluffy, down pillow, this dense pillow with built-in divots for combination sleepers pleasantly surprised her. "I fall asleep on my side and eventually roll over onto my back, so this pillow definitely worked for me,” Cherner says. “I don't wake up with any cricks in my neck or soreness in my back because it's actually quite difficult to sleep with your neck in an odd position on this pillow, courtesy of the divots.”
Material: Dunlop latex, organic cotton shell | Sizes Available: Standard | Firmness: Firm | Certifications: GOLS-certified latex
For those who truly need a soft pillow, but don’t want questionable fillings and materials, McKenzie suggests this pillow from Birch Living. “This hefty pillow has a delightfully fluffy feel, and it holds most of its weight in the middle,” McKenzie says. “It’s almost slouchy and tricky to make it stand up straight, but if part of your bedtime routine is bunching your pillow into one fluffy ball, this is perfect. The case feels plush against my face, it retains a cool temperature, and there’s no dragging on my skin when I toss and turn on it.
“I actually love this for use on the couch, too. That slightly floppy quality means it covers the hard edge of the armrest, preventing it from digging into my back when I rest against it. I want to find a cute throw cover and leave it there for lounging. It’s the ultimate ‘sick day’ pillow for never getting out of bed (or off the sofa).”
Material: Talalay latex and wool fill, organic cotton cover | Sizes Available: Standard, King | Firmness: Plush | Certifications: GOTS, eco-INSTITUT, Fair Trade cotton, Greenguard Gold
Senior Commerce Editor Heath Owens tested Naturepedic’s adjustable pillow to explore memory foam alternatives, and he appreciates the flexibility that comes with the extra fill. "It's a good balance of soft and supportive that's just right for me—it feels incredibly soft to the touch when you first put your head down, but you don't sink in too much,” Owens says.
"As a side/stomach sleeper, I feel like my neck stays supported on top of the pillow and it's easy to breathe. The best part, though, is that the filling is adjustable! So you can experiment with the fill to get it exactly to your liking. Inside of the cotton outer shell, there's an inner zipper that houses the latex (which is just small rectangular shreds). It's super easy to unzip it and take some shreds out to make your pillow softer."
Material: Natural latex, organic cotton case | Sizes Available: Standard, Queen, King | Firmness: Soft, Medium, Hybrid | Certifications: GOTS-certified cotton, GOLS- or FSC-certified latex
Deputy Managing Editor Sarah Esgro said her neck and back felt great after sleeping on the Avocado-molded latex pillow. "Right out of the box, it had a distinct odor, reminiscent of hay or hamster bedding," Esgro mentions. "That smell never totally went away, but did lessen over time. It was the heaviest pillow I've slept on by far, a good weight though, and sufficiently smushy. It was cozy—the pillow casing was quilted, which made it warmer than I wanted it to be, especially as someone who sleeps hot, but at the same time, this felt like a warm hug for my head."
Material: Charcoal-infused latex, organic cotton shell | Sizes Available: Standard, Queen, King | Firmness: Medium firm | Certifications: GOTS-certified cotton, Greenguard Gold certified, Oeko-Tex Standard 100
When you want to prioritize support, go for this small-but-mighty Bearaby bolster pillow. “This pillow is perfectly comfortable on its own, but propped against a firm back cushion on the sofa or a multi-pillow setup on your bed is where it shines,” McKenzie says. “This is the pillow for the breakfast-in-bed, ‘stay up all night reading’ people. It’s made from GOLS-certified natural latex foam, and it’s delightfully spongy and resilient. You could squish it like an accordion, and it would spring back in no time. It has a weighty quality that Bearaby is known for, but it’s not so heavy that bringing it from room to room is a pain. I love using it to help ease the tension between my shoulder blades when reading in bed or provide extra lumbar support on the couch.
Material: Natural latex foam fill, organic cotton cover | Sizes Available: Standard | Firmness: Medium firm | Certifications: GOLS-certified latex foam, GOTS-certified cotton
Whenever possible, we road test sleep products to make sure they live up to all of the hype. In selecting the best organic pillows, we first surveyed House Beautiful editors to see what organic pillows we already love and have in our own homes. Picks from Saatva, Coyuchi, and Avocado were already editor-trusted. Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie then tested even more organic pillows in her home, sleeping on each one for at least three nights. McKenzie tried different fillings on the adjustable pillows, tested different sleep positions, and evaluated whether the pillows were supportive enough to be comfortable and avoid aches and pains. She also checked each pillow for rigorous certifications to determine how organic the pillows themselves were.
If your main shopping question is, "How do you pick a non-toxic pillow?" keep the following features in mind:
Fill Material: The materials filling an organic pillow have a wide range, from wool to cotton and latex. Wool fibers are great for those who prefer a warmer sleep environment, as it's naturally insulating. Latex foam is resilient and can range from soft and cushioning to firm and supportive. There's even fluffier cotton fills for those who prefer a down alternative. Let your comfort guide your decision.
Sizing: Keep your pillow size proportional to your body and the size of your bed. A standard-size pillow on a King-size bed will easily feel way too small for your space. If you know you tend to toss and turn, opt for a larger pillow that gives you more surface area to work with.
Certifications: Abrials recommends watching for certifications like Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Greenguard Gold, as these indicate the materials "[have been] screened and tested for levels of harmful chemicals.” Below, find explanations of a few of the common certifications on organic pillows.
The short answer is yes, especially if protecting your sleep health is important to you. Off-gassing from home furnishings and bedding treated with harmful chemicals can easily pollute your indoor air. “While these emissions can affect indoor air quality, it’s important to note that the impact on health can vary,” Abrials says. “Choosing products with certifications that limit the use of harmful chemicals may help improve indoor air quality and potentially reduce exposure to these substances.”
The peace of mind of knowing the safety of the materials you sleep on every night is enormous. Plus, there are so many fillings that you can find something comfortable for you no matter what. Combination sleepers might enjoy the adjustable fill options of the Naturepedic pillow, whereas sleepers who need firm support might prefer Earthfoam’s line, for example.
Abrials says that non-toxic materials are not only better for your health but for the environment as well. A pillow made from organic materials “minimizes the presence of harmful chemicals, which improves indoor air quality and promotes healthier sleep environments.” It’s crucial to look for certifications in these organic and natural materials, like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). “They avoid polyurethane foam, memory foam, flame retardants, or fire socks, all of which can release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that may impact indoor air quality,” Abrials says.
If the 11,000 hours we spent testing sleep products haven't clued you in yet, we're bedding-obsessed at House Beautiful. From luxury sheets to budget memory foam mattresses, we especially love to test out the best of the best in all the things you need for a good night's sleep. Of course, this includes supportive, cushy pillows, because where you lay your head at night makes all the difference. Every pillow on this list was in an editor's home for at least three nights, evaluated for comfort, support, hand feel, and loftiness. Plus, to give you the best guidance possible while you shop for organic pillows, we consulted Mark Abrials, co-founder and CMO for Avocado Green Brands, who has over eight years of experience in bedding sustainability.
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