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Few things in life are more important than a good night’s sleep, so when you’re searching for ways to upgrade your nightly routine, finding a great pillow should be a top priority. But with so many different types of pillows on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start.
“People ask me all the time what to look for in a pillow,” shares Dr. Sarah Doyle, physical therapist at HealWell Carillon Hotel. “When I visit my friends, it seems like everyone has a closet of rejected pillows. It’s really hard to find a pillow that works for you.”
If you’ve been spending countless sleepless nights on pillows that are too soft, too pliable, or flatten too easily, a latex pillow could offer everything you’re seeking. Latex pillows are popular with many different types of sleepers, and they have some notable advantages over memory foam or feather pillows. Derived from rubber trees, latex tends to be bouncy and buoyant while remaining soft and plush, also providing more resistance and elasticity than memory foam. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best latex pillows out there.
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As mentioned, the most popular way to sleep is on your side—it’s the pose favored by nearly 75% of all adults in the US. Side-sleeping also greatly increases the pressure on your neck and shoulders, making it not only the most popular sleep position but also potentially one of the most painful. For one of the best pillows for side sleepers, try this latex pillow option specifically designed for side sleepers from Eli & Elm. The Cooling Side-Sleeper pillow is contoured, creating a unique U-shaped crevice that cradles the shoulder and provides the head and neck with a gentle resting place. The cooling pillow is also filled with shredded latex, which offers another benefit: It’s naturally breathable and cooling.
If you’ve been suffering with neck pain, this pillow offers uniquely designed support.
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Talalay Latex is known for its superior elasticity and bounce. It also tends to be softer and more plush in general than Dunlop latex, although both varieties can be found in a range of firmness levels. If you’re confident that Talalay latex is what you’re looking for in a pillow, Brooklyn Bedding’s Talalay Latex pillow is a fantastic option that includes many bonus features and customization options, and is offered in two different heights, low or high. The Talalay material is also naturally hypoallergenic and created through an eco-friendly process, giving you a high-end sleep experience at a reasonable price.
Talalay latex at its finest, all at a reasonable price.
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One of the most important factors in choosing a pillow is finding one with the correct loft. Each body is different, so even people who sleep in similar positions may gravitate toward pillows of different lofts—your perfect pillow height will depend on factors like body size, pain conditions, and personal preference. The Avocado Green makes an adjustable latex pillow so everyone can achieve the perfect night’s sleep. The pillow arrives with an extra fill bag, meaning you simply unzip it and add or remove the fill as needed. On top of that, Avocado pillows are also Greenguard Gold Certified, vegan, and made with GOLs certified organic latex.
The Avocado Green Pillow offers high quality, luxurious, customizable comfort.
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In the debate over Dunlop latex versus Talalay latex, many favor Dunlop, since it tends to be denser and firmer, offering additional neck support and making it ideal for side sleepers. The Dunlop production process is less involved than Talalay, making it more eco-friendly as it takes less energy to produce. If you’ve settled on finding your perfect Dunlop latex pillow, look no further than the Turmerry Molded Solid Latex Pillow. They’re offered in a wide range of loft heights and firmness options, allowing you to customize the perfect pillow for your particular sleep needs. The pillows are also made with Oeko-Tex certified organic latex, and arrive inside a certified organic cotton casing for easy cleanup and maximum comfort.
When it comes to natural latex pillows, this is a high quality, reasonably-priced option.
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If you’re dreaming about an all-organic pillow that’s good for your body and for the planet, the Naturepedic Organic Solid Latex Pillow is an exciting option. Not only is it made from solid organic latex, it’s also GOTS-certified, Made Safe certified, Greenguard certified, and UL Validated, meaning it’s formaldehyde free. Plus, it arrives in an organic cotton casing, getting you one step closer to an all-organic sleep experience.
The Naturepedic Organic Solid Latex Pillow is not just all-organic, it’s also highly rated for comfort.
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We spend a third of our lives asleep, so when you think about it, even an expensive pillow is a cheap investment in your long term health and wellbeing. With an average of 4.4 stars from over 4,000 ratings, the Purple Harmony Pillow is a crowd pleaser. It’s hypoallergenic, CleanAir GOLD and CertiPUR-US certified, and features a Talalay core surrounded by an elastic polymer hex grid for medium firm support, perfect for back and side sleepers. The grid not only cradles the neck and adds support, but it also circulates airflow, helping you sleep cool.
If you’re looking to treat yourself, the Purple Harmony pillow is an excellent option.
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Most latex pillows are somewhat cooling by design, since latex is naturally breathable. Sijo turns the temperature down a few more notches with its cloud support pillow, which stays cool not just because it’s stuffed with an adaptive Talalay latex fill, but also because the cover is constructed with its patented Clima fabric, designed to absorb and distribute body heat, and wick away sweat. It’s impossible to get quality rest when you’re overheating, and with the Sijo cloud support pillow, you can stay blissfully cool.
A top quality option that allows you to sleep cool.
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There’s nothing worse than being on a tight budget and waking up with a sore neck. Luckily, Rejuvenite addresses both issues simultaneously with its American Latex Talalay pillow. For under $50 for the standard size, you get a lot of value: The pillow is stuffed with premium, OEKO-TEX certified Talalay latex harvested from Hevia trees. It also comes with a 400-thread count cotton sateen cover. It provides consistent, medium-firm support, and with a 4.1-star average customer rating, it’s a fan-favorite for comfort and price.
A budget option that includes some premium-quality features.
You’ve decided you want to try out a latex pillow, but with so many styles, brands, and details to parse, where do you start? To find the pillow that suits you best, consider the top three most important factors:
The most popular sleep position in America is side-sleeping, with back sleepers coming in second, and stomach sleepers making up the smallest group. Most people toss and turn a bit in the night, and these combination sleepers are often the most difficult category to shop for, because their pillow needs may change as their sleep position changes.
According to Dr. Kellen Scantlebury, founder of FitClub NY, “Combination sleepers might really benefit from a latex pillow–something that’s giving them some squishiness but also some support, so they can find a comfortable position based on their specific needs.”
Scantlebury also recommends latex pillows as an option for dedicated side sleepers and back sleepers, as long as they choose the right density and height. “For a side sleeper, choose a latex pillow with more firmness and a higher loft, to support and cushion the head and neck,” he says. “For a back sleeper, choose a firmer pillow with a lower loft.”
In the world of latex, there’s one great divide: Dunlop versus Talalay. These names refer to two different production methods, with the Dunlop method creating a denser latex, and the Talalay method typically resulting in a bouncier, more plush material. The Talalay method is also typically more involved, which means the price tag will often—though not always—be higher for Talalay.
It’s important to consider any physical pain issues you might be dealing with as part of your hunt for the perfect latex pillow. Says Kristen Smith, certified personal trainer and founder of Miami Beach Bootcamp, “Low-back pain is common, especially as people age, and it comes down to hip impingement and hip mobility. One thing that can help with that is placing a pillow between the legs, to maintain spinal alignment.” (For an even bigger improvement, consider one of the best mattresses for back pain as well.)
So whether you’re dealing with lower back pain, hip pain, or any other problems, it’s important to choose a pillow that supports recovery for your particular needs. Scantlebury adds that, “If you’ve been experiencing physical pain for longer than three months, it may be time to seek the advice of an expert.”
No matter what you’re looking for in a latex pillow, though, with so many options available, there’s sure to be one that works for you.
To select the best latex pillows for a restful night’s sleep, we pored through listings and reviews for dozens of different brands, comparing and contrasting features and user experience. We also consulted top experts for their advice regarding what to look for in a pillow, then narrowed our selection to highly rated latex pillows that were also in step with the experts’ recommendations.
Latex pillows can be a great choice for people with different types of pain conditions who want the support and resistance that a latex pillow typically offers. Dedicated side and back sleepers may also be drawn to the firm-yet-plush support that latex pillows are known for.
A latex pillow can add major comfort to your sleep routine, and they’re a top choice for people of all ages and sleep styles. However, anyone with a latex allergy should consult their doctor before purchasing a latex pillow.
While latex and memory foam pillows can appear similar at first, they do have some key differences. Memory foam tends to sink down under your body weight, molding to your form. Latex, on the other hand, tends to have more resistance. It’s typically more bouncy and buoyant than memory foam, which many people find to be more comfortable.
In terms of how often you should replace pillows, latex is known for having more longevity than many other types of pillows, but in general, expect to replace your latex pillow about every three years.
Yes! Many latex pillows are built to be adjustable, so you can achieve the ideal loft for your particular sleep style. Typically, an adjustable latex pillow will be stuffed with a shredded latex fill, and designed with a zipper opening, so you can easily add or remove the stuffing to adjust the pillow to your ideal height.
If you’re looking for the best places to buy pillows, online shopping offers the most variety, while shopping in-store will give you the chance to test out your pillow before you purchase. If you’re shopping in person, you may want to call ahead or visit the retailer’s website to make sure they have a range of different types of latex pillows to choose from.
Along with quality bed sheets and a comfortable latex mattress topper, investing in the best pillows you can is key to a good night’s rest. If you’re intrigued by the superior plushness, resistance, and bounciness of latex, it might be time to test one out!
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