7 Best Organic Pillows, According to Sustainability and Bedding Experts
These are pillows that feel good and you can feel good about buying.
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Pillows are essential to a good night's rest, so you'll want one that not only feels comfortable (and puts you to sleep!), but one that you can feel good about purchasing. Organic bedding, like organic sheets or an organic mattress, has a lesser environmental impact than synthetic options. But since some companies resort to greenwashing, it can be difficult to guarantee the pillow you have your eye on is actually organic.
What's the best organic pillow for most people? Our top-tested pick is Naturepedic's Organic Adjustable Latex Pillow. Its reversible design with shredded latex and adjustable nature allow you to find your perfect height and support level. Testers of different sleep positions agreed and gave it high scores across the board.
Organic labeling is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture under the National Organic Program. The term "certified organic" is strictly regulated. For textile-based products, like sheets or pillows, it means that fibers are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides while using less water and producing less waste than traditional growing methods. A "certified organic" label doesn't necessarily attest to the production or manufacturing process of the final product. Labeling from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) means the whole production of the product follows strict organic guidelines.
Still, organic bedding can come at a high cost, especially if you don't want to compromise on comfort and want to feel confident it'll last. That's why at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we've tested dozens of organic pillows both in our Textiles Lab and with the help of at-home sleep testers to find the best pillows to buy.
Pros
- Good for all sleeping positions
- Adjustable height
- GOTS- and GOLS-certified
Cons
- A standard-size pillowcase fits a bit large
Fill: Shredded latex | Firmness: Adjustable | Certifications: GOLS
Who's it best for: People who prefer more bounce in their pillows and the ability to adjust the firmness and height will enjoy this versatile latex pillow.
Why we love it: A top performer in our pillow tests, this reversible pillow has both an organic stretch-knit cotton cover and organic GOLS-certified latex fill, which is customizable, thanks to a zippered opening that allows you to remove fill to adjust the height to your liking, making it a good fit for all sleeping positions. In Lab evaluations, we found the pillow to maintain a comfortable body temperature.
Keep in mind that this pillow is latex (which is dense and springy), so it can feel pretty firm (especially compared to down/fiberfill or foam options), meaning it’s not the best match for those who prefer a softer pillow. A standard-size pillowcase fits a bit large with it.
Consumer testers also noted that the pillow maintains an ideal temperature, was comfy, and conforms easily. One tester shared, "I fell asleep almost at once and slept through the night and was surprised to find in the morning that I had not moved about during the night attempting to find a comfortable position." Testers also shared that the pillow could be fluffed up easily, maintained a cool temperature throughout the night and was comfortable for sleeping on your side.
RELATED: The Best Latex Pillows
Pros
- Fluffs well
- GOTS- and GOLS-certified
- Removable, machine washable cover
Cons
- Very heavy
Fill: Shredded latex and kapok | Firmness: Adjustable | Certifications: GOLS
Who it's best for: Those on a budget will appreciate this organic pillow that goes for less than $100.
Why we love it: The adjustable fill is a mix of springy, GOLS-certified shredded latex and organic kapok, which feels silky and plush, and it's all encased in a cotton outer cover. The kapok makes this pillow more malleable and less bouncy or springy than other shredded latex pillows. While not the easiest to fit into a pillowcase, the pillow maintained its shape well during in-Lab pressure tests and fluffs well, though it is heavy. Plus, we love the removable, machine washable cover that makes cleaning and maintenance easy.
Because of its versatile design and adjustable fill, it's great for all kinds of sleepers. "This is hands down the best pillow I've ever slept on! This pillow kept its shape and coolness," said one consumer tester. "I sleep at every angle, and this pillow was comfortable no matter if I slept on my side, back or stomach."
Pros
- Comes in a taller option for side sleepers
- Firmer or softer support options
- Supportive latex fill
Cons
- Lower comfort scores from testers than some other picks
- Not fully certified organic
Fill: Shredded latex and microfiber | Firmness: Medium | Certifications: N/A
Who it's best for: Side sleepers will like this taller pillow that provides support to the neck and proper spinal alignment.
Why we love it: Though not fully certified organic, Saatva's latex pillow has an organic cotton cover with two different fill layers — a plush down-alternative top layer and a shredded latex core for more support. It has a gusset for extra structure and comes in two heights, including a tall 6–7-inch option for side sleepers. The latex core can also be removed for a plusher pillow with a shorter height.
In our evaluations, this pillow fit perfectly in a standard-size pillowcase and maintained its shape even after weights were applied. The cover is removable and machine washable for easy care, though we did notice some fraying on the cover after extensive laundering.
This latex pillow was one of the most popular options among our side sleepers. Testers found the pillow supportive but did not give as high marks for comfort as some of our other picks. One tester said, "I love the feel of it. It's very plush and soft."
Pros
- Multiple firmness levels
- Ethically sourced down is IDS-certified
- Evenly dispersed fill
Cons
- Initial down smell upon opening
Fill: Down or down alternative | Firmness: Soft, medium and firm options | Certifications: IDS (International Down Standard)
Who it's best for: This is ideal for those looking for a sustainable pillow who also prefer the feel of down.
Why we love it: While down cannot be certified organic, this down pillow features three-chamber construction, designed to keep the down fill evenly dispersed, and an organic cotton cover. We appreciate that this pillow uses down that is certified by the International Down Standard (IDS) which verifies that the down has been ethically sourced. This Boll & Branch pillow is available in three densities (soft, medium and firm) for a variety of sleeping styles.
In our Lab tests, we were impressed with how well this pillow washed, but it took a bit longer to bounce back to shape in pressure tests. Assistant Commerce Editor Isabella Cavallo says this pillow is a game changer: "Ever since I started using this pillow, I stopped needing to flip my pillow over for a colder side and I fall asleep quicker than ever."
One of our testers said this pillow "felt like it was cradling my head" and other users gave the pillow perfect scores for staying at a comfortable body temperature throughout the night. We noted that the pillow had a slight unpleasant scent upon opening, but the smell dissipated after airing out for a day or two.
Pros
- Adjustable fill
- GOTS- and GOLS-certified
Cons
- Initial latex smell, according to online reviewers
Fill: Shredded Dunlop latex | Firmness: Adjustable | Certifications: GOTS and GOLS
Who it's best for: With an organic shredded latex fill, this pillow is entirely adjustable, so it's ideal for side, back or stomach sleepers.
Why we love it: Made of 450-thread-count organic cotton sateen, the outer cover has a super soft, luxe feel, and it can be removed and washed in a machine (the inner latex fill is not washable). In the Lab, the pillow proved resilient and supportive, bouncing back instantly in our pressure tests after weights were placed on it for an extended period. It also fit well in a standard-size pillow case and wasn't too heavy compared to similar pillows.
Consumer testers also liked the firm feel, giving it high scores for support. One tester compared it to "a comfortable hug." Another tester said the pillow "felt cool and very supportive." Online reviewers noted an initial latex smell.
Pros
- GOTS- and GOLS-certified
- Supportive and soft
- Doubles as a travel pillow
Cons
- Spot-clean only
Fill: Shredded latex and kapok | Firmness: Thin | Certifications: GOTS and GOLS
Who it's best for: Toddlers and children over the age of 2 will sleep well with this kid-sized pillow.
Why we love it: A winner of a past Good Housekeeping's Parenting Awards, this small pillow is made with the same GOTS-certified organic cover and GOLS-certified organic shredded latex and kapok fill as the full-size Avocado Green pillow. Unlike many other toddler pillows on the market made with polyester-fiber fill this one is fully organic and feels substantial. It can also double as a travel pillow.
It also fits perfectly in toddler-size pillowcases and holds its shape well over time. Parents of testers from ages 2 to 3 also noted it provided proper alignment and their kids slept soundly using it. Because this pillow is spot-clean only, we recommend pairing it with a pillow protector.
Note: Infants should never have pillows or other loose articles in the crib. Most experts agree it’s okay for toddlers to begin using a pillow by the age of 2.
Pros
- Uses GOLS-certified latex and GOTS-certified wool and cotton
- Unique triangular shape
- Different sizes specific to your height
Cons
- Expensive
Fill: Wool, latex and memory foam options | Firmness: Soft, medium, firm and extra firm with petite, regular and tall options | Certifications: GOTS and GOLS
Who it's best for: Side sleepers or those who sleep on their back can benefit from this body pillow that promotes proper spinal alignment.
Why we love it: Body pillows are made with all types of materials, but only a few use organic content. Although expensive, this innovative pillow from Noble offers the option to choose between GOLS-certified latex or GOTS-certified wool, and our experts were impressed with this pick's high-quality materials, including the GOTS-certified cotton cover. Designed to go between your legs when sleeping on your side or underneath your legs when sleeping on your back, the triangular shape provides excellent lower-body support.
Although initially hesitant about the unique shape, many users, including pregnant ones, reported that they woke up without soreness. One shared, "I really liked that the pillow came with extra stuffing material. You can adjust the pillow to be bigger or smaller depending on what you need." Consumer testers also gave this pillow high scores for maintaining a comfortable body temperature through the night and its supportive design.
How we test pillows
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluates all types of bedding, including pillows. Pillows are first tested in the Lab for ease of use, durability and performance. We begin the process by checking care labels to gauge how easy each pillow is to clean. We then wash them five times each to observe how well they hold up to repeated laundering.
We perform support tests by placing weights on each pillow to mimic real use before measuring how quickly they recover their shape once the weights are removed. We also check how well each pillow fits into a pillowcase to evaluate sizing. Finally, we note and assess any additional features.
In addition to our Lab testing, we work with consumer testers who are matched with a pillow based on personal preferences and sleeping styles to ensure each pillow gets a fair test. Testers then try each pillow for weeks before providing scored responses and in-depth feedback on comfort, support, temperature regulation and more.
Lastly, we validate organic claims to ensure that the product actually uses organic materials and that the company isn't mislabeling or overpromising.
To find the best pillows, we have tested over 150 different pillows in the Lab with more than 750 unique consumer testers thus far. These choices were made by analyzing over 5,400 data points to determine the best organic pillows.
What to look for when shopping for the best organic pillows
Looking for the perfect pillow can be daunting, especially given all the different types of pillows available nowadays. And a great organic pillow might seem even harder to find. Here are some useful things to keep in mind when shopping:
✔️ Cover: Most organic covers will be made of cotton, but some can be made using wool or other fabrics. Covers made of polyester or viscose, including those made from "bamboo," “rayon from bamboo” or "eucalyptus lyocell” cannot be organic. For an organic pillow, make sure to look out for a GOTS certification to ensure your cover is fully organic according to strict regulations.
✔️ Fill: The most common pillow fills — down, down-alternative and memory foam — cannot be organic, based on the USDA's guidelines, so if you're set on these types of pillows, look for one with an organic cover. If you prefer organic fill, GOLS-certified shredded or solid natural latex is the most popular and is often blended with silky kapok fiber for a more plush feel. Additional fills include wool and buckwheat hulls, which are both unique, breathable choices but do not historically perform well in our Lab testing.
✔️ Sleep position: When choosing the best pillow to buy, think about what type of sleeper you are. A good pillow will help align your spine and reduce neck pain during a long night, so it's important to find one that works with your sleeping position. Side sleepers typically need a thick, firm pillow, while stomach sleepers are better off with a thin, soft pillow. Back sleepers should opt for something in the middle, and those who toss and turn should look for a pillow with movable or adjustable fill.
✔️ Firmness: Pillow firmness often varies based on the material of the fill. Down and down-alternative pillows are the plushest, followed by memory foam (known for contouring to the body), kapok (often combined with shredded latex or foam for a soft, cushiony feel) and wool. Latex is a bit firmer, having more resilience and a bouncy feel, followed by buckwheat hulls, the firmest organic fill. If you're not sure what level of firmness is best for you, consider opting for an adjustable pillow, which allows you to remove some of the fill to customize the height and firmness of the pillow.
✔️ Temperature regulation: Not all pillows regulate your temperature the same way. While down and foam pillows tend to easily trap air and body heat, latex, kapok, buckwheat and wool don't share this quality, making them preferable for hot sleepers.
✔️ Certifications: Look for GOTS certification for organic textiles and GOLS for organic latex. More information about certifications for pillows can be found below.
✔️ Care label: Whether you can wash your pillows in a machine depends on the fill. Most down and down-alternative pillows are machine washable, with some having specific requirements for the type of washer. Memory foam, latex and buckwheat pillows are typically spot-clean only. Check to see if these pillows have a removable cover that can be washed.
✔️ Price: Down and latex pillows are the most expensive types of pillows but are often top performers in our tests.
What types of organic pillows are available?
✔️ Cotton: Cotton is used as the fabric for many pillow covers. When searching for an organic pillow that uses cotton, make sure that both the cover and the fill are organic. Not all cotton is organic, so look out for Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certifications to find cotton grown and processed following organic regulations. Removable cotton covers will typically be machine washable.
✔️ Down: Down is made of the soft, fine clusters found under tougher protective feathers of birds like ducks or geese. Down feels extremely soft and fluffy because of its airy fibers. It provides excellent insulation but can also be expensive. Down and feathers are often blended together in pillows for a plush feel at a discounted price compared to fully down pillows. Down pillows are also machine washable, but some may require washing in a front-loading washing machine. While down material cannot be certified organic, down pillows can have organic covers. Plus, you can choose ethically harvested options by checking for the Responsible Down Standard certification, which ensures the safety of ducks and geese in down production.
✔️ Latex: Natural latex is made from rubber tree sap and has a firm, bouncy feel. It's available as either shredded or solid foam. Shredded foam pieces feel plusher and can often be added or removed to adjust the height of the pillow; solid foams tend to feel firmer. Latex is also preferable for hot sleepers because it doesn't trap much air or body heat. Organic latex is regulated by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and is often on the expensive side.
✔️ Kapok: Harvested from the kapok tree, the kapok used in pillows is a silky, cotton-like fiber known for being soft and luxurious. Kapok fill is often blended with shredded latex for a plush feel and is a great option for someone looking for a plant-based down-alternative pillow. Check for GOTS certifications to make sure the kapok used was grown and processed according to regulations.
✔️ Wool: Derived from the coats of sheep, goats and other animals, wool can be used as a cover or fill for pillows. Wool doesn't cradle your neck like memory foam, down or down-alternative pillows, and it isn't as supportive as latex, but it provides breathability and softness. While our testers have generally not preferred wool pillows because of their unique feel and distinct scent, some hot sleepers appreciate the material's temperature-regulating properties.
✔️ Buckwheat: These pillows are filled with dried buckwheat hulls to create a firm, adjustable pillow reminiscent of a bean bag. They offer great support and have superior breathability, but they can be noisy and heavy. Some testers have found that these pillows can irritate their skin and dislike how firm they can feel compared to other pillows.
What organic certifications are there?
To feel confident in your pillow purchase, you can ensure that the materials are truly organic by checking for these organic certifications:
✔️ Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS): This third-party certification verifies that the whole product meets strict organic, sustainability, ecological and social criteria throughout the whole process of creating the product. The product must contain at least 70% organic fiber.
✔️ Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): If a brand claims its latex is organic, look for a GOLS certification, which ensures that the product contains at least 95% organically grown natural rubber latex.
You may notice other certifications on the product, but they may not have to do with whether the materials are organic. Certain materials like down and memory foam cannot be certified organic. The following additional certifications are common with bedding products:
✔️OEKO-TEX ensures that the product contains no harmful levels of certain chemicals.
✔️GreenGuard certifications mean that the product has low chemical emissions to improve air quality.
✔️ Responsible Down Standard can only be given to products where 100% of the down and feathers used are certified to be from responsible farms that respect animal welfare. Another similar standard is called the International Down Standard (IDS).
✔️CertiPUR-US refers to f0am that was made without certain toxic materials like flame retardants and heavy metals.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
We extensively evaluate data from both Lab and consumer testing before making our pillow recommendations. During our review process, we consider a range of body types, material preferences, sleep positions and any potential issues, like overheating at night or experiencing neck pain. We also take a holistic approach and look beyond immediate comfort and support. We consider the shopping experience and durability, plus we review the brand’s marketing to check for misleading claims. When it comes to organic pillows, we validate any organic certifications.
Emma Seymour is the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab associate director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has rigorously tested more than 100 pillows in the Textiles Lab in the past two years and has coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. Seymour has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for more than four years at Good Housekeeping.
Grace Wu most recently updated this story. She's a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and oversaw recent in-Lab pillow testing of 40 pillows. Wu has written several stories on organic bedding, including the best organic sheets and the best organic mattress toppers. Prior to joining GH, she earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
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