Best Organic Pillows for a Better, Safer Night’s Sleep

Boll & Branch has long been one of the Internet’s favorite DTC bedding brands, and it particularly excels when it comes to making comfortable organic sheets and pillows that work for a variety of sleepers. This one uses a three-chamber construction system to make its soft version extra-soft and its firm version more supportive. The down stuffing is ethically sourced, as is the cotton used to make the shell, and with three different sizes available, it’s as close to a custom pillow as you’ll find.

If you’re savvy about searching on Amazon, it has a wealth of great organic bedding options at even better price points, and these organic pillows are no exception. They’re sold as packs of two, which makes them a strong contender for best guest room pillows, and I like that the brand offers a body pillow option for side-sleepers who like a little more support for knees, arms, and necks. The organic fill is hypoallergenic, so anyone with a down allergy or sensitivity should put these on their list!

Anyone who’s woken up with a stiff neck knows it can be a day-ruiner, and while I can’t help you find a more comfortable sleeping position—I’m still working on my own best practices here!—I can recommend an organic pillow from Coyuchi made from plush latex. Designed specifically for healthy neck and spine alignment, this one has special indentations for your ears and head, making it easy to position yourself, and while it can take some time to get used to (that’s why the brand offers a 30-night trial period), I love that it attempts to tackle neck pain head on. Shopping tip: Coyuchi also made our lists for the best organic sheets and best duvet covers, in case you’d like to completely outfit your bed in one stop.

Speaking from experience, finding comfortable pillows for side sleepers can be a challenge—some are too firm, some are too soft, and some are too high, causing my neck to strain. Instead of looking solely at materials or firmness, focus on support and adjustability. This one from Naturepedic caught my attention because of its ingenious curved design and adjustable loft, making it easy for side sleepers to find a height that works for them. The filling, made of shredded latex, is easily accessible, meaning you can add and subtract until you’ve got the perfect fit every night. A 100-night trial period means you’ll have plenty of time to figure it out.

The best pillows for stomach sleepers are soft (not too firm) and on the thinner side—since a lofty pillow can put pressure on the neck. Undue pressure on the neck and spine equals neck and back pain, which can mean less restful sleep—if you’ve ever tried to doze off with a stiff neck, you know the struggle! This soft down version from SOL Organics is thin without being pancake thin, and the hypoallergenic down fill is plush and bouncy. (Stomach sleepers: For even more advice, see our guide for further suggestions for the best pillows for neck pain.)

Back sleepers are the Goldilocks of the pillow shopping world, as they’re best supported by a pillow that is somewhere between soft and firm. It’s key to find a pillow that occupies that just-right sleep spot. This Saatva pillow comes in two heights, and the shredded latex core is adjustable, so you can add and subtract as needed. It’s like a custom-made pillow, only with a 45-night trial period and generous shipping! Saatva’s customer-friendly shopping experience is why they made our lists of the best places to buy bedding and the best places to buy mattresses.

As a hot sleeper, I’m used to doing the middle-of-the-night switch—waking up warm and flipping my pillow over, hoping for a bit of relief from the cooler side. This pillow from Birch might be the solution to my problem: The Talalay latex core is wrapped in wool that wicks away moisture and lets the pillow breathe, meaning it stays cool from the inside out. The latex and wool are then covered in GOTS- and Fair Trade-certified organic cotton, making for a pillow that promotes easy sleep on even the hottest nights of summer.

This pillow is award-winning—that’s how much people love it! Both the cotton cover and the latex fill are organic, and the zippered case (ingenious!) makes adjusting the fill level and doing laundry a cinch. I love that the brand includes an extra bag of fill, and I really love that they offer a soft version for sleepers who want more gentle support.

For people with necks prone to feeling stiff and shoulders prone to feeling tight, a firm pillow can be just the ticket, since it helps support healthy sleep positions and won’t deflate throughout the night. The exterior of Buffy’s Cloud is made from woven eucalyptus fabric, and the fill is made from recycled materials. A huge bonus here is the price—at $50, this is one of the most affordable pillows on our list.

Avocado uses luxe materials to make this pillow—think natural Talalay latex, followed by layers of wool, silk, and mohair. The goal was to create a pillow that supports heads, necks, and shoulders equally, and to feel incredibly bouncy and plush while doing it. Based on the reviews, it seems they nailed it. Avocado’s sustainability bona fides are impressive, too—as a company, they’re carbon-negative and zero-waste, with every part of this pillow coming with extensive organic certifications.

There’s a reason down has been one of the most popular pillow fill materials since the invention of pillows—it’s soft, it’s cozy, and it feels like sleeping on a cloud. While down pillows are usually thought of as soft, this one comes in four different styles, ranging from soft to extra firm, making it an ideal pick for sleepers who love the idea of down, but need a little extra support. Since The Company Store runs frequent sales, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to snag it at a discount, too.

5 Little Monkeys was founded by parents who, when their little ones were ready to transition out of the crib and into their own beds, noticed a lack of bedding designed with kids in mind. This pillow was made specially for kids, with a fill level meant to keep growing spines aligned correctly. Parents will love that it’s made of entirely organic materials, and they’ll really love that when laundry day rolls around, you can toss the whole pillow directly into the washing machine.