My Favorite Organic Pillows for a Non-Toxic Slumber 😴

This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

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Hunting for the best organic pillows that won’t gas off chemicals while you sleep? Good call.

Switching to non-toxic pillows is one of the easiest upgrades you can make for a healthier bedroom (even if you’re not ready to drop serious cash on a new mattress yet!).

As we get older, crappy sleep posture catches up with us. Neck pain, heartburn, sleep apnea… your pillow could play a bigger role in either making those issues better or worse.

There’s certainly no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to pillows. Finding the right one takes some trial and error, but when you find the right one… You’ll know.

To save you time, energy, and frustration, I’ve rounded up the best natural pillows. I looked for third-party certifications and clean materials, but also practical stuff like pressure relief, cooling properties, and adjustable firmness.

The brands below are ones I’ve been recommending and shopping from for years. It’s not just pillows—I’ve bought mattresses, bed sheets, bed frames, and more from these companies.

These are my favorite organic pillows (for every type of sleeper!)

Alright, here are my top picks for the best non-toxic pillows. Want to know what to look for (and avoid) when shopping? Just scroll to the bottom.

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)

Abbie’s Review:

I have been sleeping on Obasan’s Organic Latex Rubber Pillows for a couple of years 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!

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:

• They offer custom embroidery, so you can add your name to your certified organic cotton cover if you want to.

• All of their pillows are two-sided. One side is made from a thinner layer of breathable, organic cotton for warm nights, and the other is made with soft, thick cotton knit for colder temperatures. (Although, if I’m being totally honest: I don’t really notice a huge difference. I don’t pay attention to what side of the pillow I’m using.)

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 the one I have!) 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 Level: Pretty 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 a cool and firm 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.

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Savvy Rest

Best for: Best variety of options
Materials: Organic cotton, kapok, wool, & latex (your choice of formed or shredded)
Price Range: $29-279
Firmness: Varies (some are customizable)
Loft Height: Varies (some are adjustable)

Savvy Rest is definitely one of my favorite non-toxic bedroom brands. I have their Serenity mattress and Afton bed frame and love them both.

In addition to Savvy Rest’s custom organic mattress options, you can also find a range of twelve different organic pillows.

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.

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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: $99-199
Firmness: Varies (some are customizable)
Loft Height: Varies (and some are adjustable)

Naturepedic is one of my favorite 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! Here’s what they offer:

• 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. (I have this one—see below for my review!)

• 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.

Naturepedic also offers an organic waterproof pillow protector too (for both adult and kid-sized pillows), if that’s something you need. My guide on waterproof mattress protectors will give you more info on what to look for in safe waterproof bedding.

I also love that Naturepedic’s organic cotton 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.

My Review:

I was really interested in trying the side sleeper pillow for a couple of reasons:

a) I’m a side-sleeper and I thought this pillow might work well with how I sleep. (I tend to hold the pillow parallel to my body and snuggle it like it’s a person.)

b) my husband deals with neck pain and I wondered if the shape of this pillow would help with that.

This pillow is now one of my favorites. I love the way it fits into my body/neck and gives my head really great support. It’s so comfortable.

The fill is completely customizable, too. It comes with a bag of extra shredded latex and there is a zipper on the side of the pillow that allows you to easily add or remove latex so that you can give it the exact amount of firmness that works for you.

I was a little surprised that there isn’t a special pillow case for this pillow, given that it’s a unique shape. I asked Naturepedic about this and they recommended using a king-sized pillow case. So that’s what I’ve done and it works perfectly fine!

I was going to give it to my husband after I tried it to see if it would help with his neck pain, but at this point I might just have to buy another one. 😅

Btw, this pillow could also double as a nursing pillow if you wanted it to.

Use the code thefiltery15 for 15% off your order.

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Birch

Materials: Organic cotton, wool, and latex
Price Range: $159
Firmness: Medium
Loft Height: Medium

Birch only has one option for an organic pillow. It’s made of organic cotton on the outside, then a layer of wool (which helps with temperature regulation as well as flame resistance), and shredded GOLS certified organic latex on the inside.

Abbie’s Review:

I actually really like this pillow—it’s got medium feel, which gives it a good amount of ‘squishiness’ while still being supportive.

This pillow does have one downside compared to lot of other options listed here: you can’t add or remove any of the fill to adjust the firmness. That means that if you don’t like the amount of fill it comes with, there’s nothing you can (easily) do about it. I personally really like the amount of fill, but it might not be the best for everyone, obviously.

(They do have a 30-night sleep trial though, in case you decide it’s not for you.)

You can use the code THEFILTERY20 for 20% off your order.

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Circadian

Best for: Someone who likes a firm pillow with a lot of support
Materials: GOTS-certified organic cotton (casing) and pre-polished organic buckwheat hulls (for the filling), wool, kapok, latex
Price Range: $99
Firmness: Firm
Loft Height: Adjustable (you can easily add or remove hulls)

Circadian offers pretty much ever type of pillow you could want:

• Buckwheat
• Buckwheat/wool hybrid (I love this idea—best of both worlds!)
• Kapok
• Organic cotton
• Wool
• Latex

I’m going to focus on the buckwheat one for a minute because that one sets Circadian apart from the other brands listed here.

Think of this buckwheat pillow as more of a bean bag in terms of how it feels. It’s very different from your typical squishy, cotton-filled pillow.

Some people will love it and some people will hate it.

If you need support that is very firm but also adaptive, then you might want to give a buckwheat pillow a try. It’s a great option for people with neck pain because it helps keep your spine aligned throughout the night.

The difference between Circadian and other buckwheat pillows is their patented Pre-Polished Hull Technology, which “transforms traditional pyramid-shaped hulls into smooth, single-sided pieces: 68% quieter while maintaining buckwheat’s legendary support.”

The hulls are completely processed using mechanical and UV methods, so there are no chemicals used at any point in the process. Plus, they are very good at regulating temperature—usually even better than memory foam or latex!

These pillows are handmade in the USA with a completely transparent supply chain (Texas cotton → NJ mill → USA assembly). They also offer free shipping and a 60-night trial (with a 2% return rate), so there is very little risk if you want to give it a try.

Abbie’s review of the buckwheat pillow:

The firmness of this pillow was not for me personally. I like something that’s more plush. That being said, I really do think that if you have neck pain and have had a difficult time finding a pillow that works for you, then you should give this one a try. I’ve read reviews from folks on Reddit that have said buckwheat pillows have changed their life.

Abbie’s review of the wool pillow:

After trying the buckwheat pillow, I tried their all-wool option. This whole pillow is GOTS certified—organic cotton on the outside and organic wool on this inside. The wool gives it a really good amount of support (which you can also open to ad or remove according to your preferences), and also helps with temperature regulation.

I like I tend to like the feel of shredded latex pillows more than anything else, but I wanted to try the all-wool one, and I do like it. I would say it’s on the firmer side compared to shredded latex—it’s not as “squishy” or “bouncy.” I think it gives a good amount of neck support in the same way the buckwheat one does, without being nearly as heavy or firm.

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My Green Mattress

Best for: Organic cooling pillow
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 actually only 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.

It’s close to the feel of a memory foam pillow.

This pillow also comes with several third-party certifications, including Eco-Institute, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

(If you decide to buy a mattress, you can use the code THEFILTERYMGM to get the most current best price.)

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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

I love Coyuchi for its gorgeous collection of bed & bath essentials, from sheets and baby blankets to duvets, shower curtains, bath mats, and (a lot) more.

Their pillows are 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 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.

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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. | Amazon

• Earthfoam: This one is also made of natural foam rubber and two outer layers of soft organic cotton. It comes with GOTS and OEKO-TEX certifications, free shipping & returns (to the lower 48), a 30-night sleep trial, and a 5-year warranty.

• Brentwood: Most of these pillows are NOT all-natural, but if you MUST have a true 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.

• 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. Code: THEFILTERY15 for 15% off your order.

An important note about non-toxic memory foam pillows

True memory foam pillows are usually made out of polyurethane (PU) foam. This foam is plastic and can contain a variety of known toxicants, including flame retardants, formaldehyde, benzene, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

These chemicals continue to “off-gas” over time, meaning you’re breathing them in while you sleep. (There’s a common misconception that products “finish” off-gassing, but this is not actually the case with PU foam pillows and mattresses. In fact, they actually off-gas even more over time, as the material starts to break down.)

If you want the contouring feel of memory foam without the chemical exposure, look for molded/formed natural latex instead (not shredded latex—that’s a different feel).

Molded latex offers similar pressure relief and support but is made from rubber tree sap rather than synthetic materials. It is not the exact feel of memory foam, but it’s close!

Here are the brands that offer non-toxic ‘memory foam’ pillows:

• Naturepedic’s Solid Latex Pillow
• Coyuchi’s Organic Latex Molded Pillow
• My Green Mattress’s Molded Latex Pillow
• Savvy Rest’s Formed Latex Pillow, Organic Contour Pillow, or Soap-Shaped Pillow
• Avocado’s Molded Latex Pillow

If you absolutely must get a conventional memory foam pillow, then Brentwood is my rec.

Where to get non-toxic pillow covers

Bed sheets can not only be made out of plastic fabric like polyester, but they can also be treated with toxic chemicals like formaldehyde. (That’s what makes them “wrinkle-free.”)

So if you’re in the market for new organic pillow cases and/or full non-toxic bedding sets, here are my favorite brands.

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Toxic chemicals you might find in your current pillow

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.

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/wrinkle 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.

Look for these materials instead

Instead of a conventional polyester or memory foam pillow, look for these organic materials instead:

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.

Almost all of our recommended pillows above come with organic cotton removable covers.

Organic latex

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. The texture is similar to cotton, but it can actually be even more silky and fluffy.

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.

Here’s how to choose a truly 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.