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Best Non-Toxic Pillows

By Dr. Meg Christensen | Updated December 2025

Your pillow is the object you're in closest contact with—pressed against your face for one-third of your life. I analyze every material layer (fill, casing, processing) and verify certifications to rate pillows from healthiest to least healthy for side, back, and stomach sleepers. Scroll down to learn how to evaluate pillow safety, what GOLS and GOTS certifications actually guarantee, and why pillow materials matter more than you might realize.

Naturepedic Adjustable Organic Wool Pillow: Best for Hot Side Sleepers

Naturepedic's 100% organic wool pillow is densely packed with adjustable wool fill that side sleepers can customize for their ideal loft. Wool is a fantastic pillow material because it stays naturally cool—the thermoregulating, breathable fibers draw heat away from you throughout the night. This pillow holds its shape well because Naturepedic uses small woolen puff balls instead of standard wool batting, so it gives you firm support for side sleeping neck and spinal alignment. Encased in super-soft GOTS-certified organic cotton. Great for a non-toxic, chemical-free sleep surface.

Coyuchi Organic Latex Side Sleeper Pillow: Best for Side-Back Combination Sleepers

Coyuchi’s Turiya pillow is super unique—made of 100% GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex with built-in ear cups and a central head cradle for switching between side and back sleeping. Woah! Dunlop latex is firmer than Talalay, providing excellent neck support in any position. The ear cup design is perfect for side sleepers with piercings or ear sensitivity. Encased in GOTS certified organic cotton (not obvious on their product page— I emailed to ask), this is an ideal choice for combination sleepers who need organic materials and ergonomic support.

Best Non-Toxic Pillows for Side Sleepers

Earthfoam Natural Talalay Pillow: Best Soft Formed Latex for Side Sleepers

Earthfoam's Talalay latex pillow is SO comfortable for side sleepers— it gives soft, springy neck support. (I’m a side sleeper and this is the pillow I stole from the guest room to use every night. It’s heavenly.) The molded latex contours perfectly to your neck and shoulders for ideal side sleeping alignment. It's not adjustable—instead, it's made of formed Talalay latex, which is softer than Dunlop latex. While Talalay latex isn't organic (only Dunlop can be), Earthfoam's is 100% natural and OEKO-TEX certified. The pillow comes encased in GOTS-certified organic cotton, so it’s a great non-toxic choice for side sleepers.

Avocado Organic Latex Side Sleeper Pillow: Best Adjustable &100% Organic

One of the few 100% organic pillows available, Avocado's side sleeper pillow contains GOLS certified organic latex, and GOTS certified cotton and fluffy kapok fiber in an adjustable, zippered design. Choose between a traditional rectangular shape or an ergonomically curved option for enhanced neck support. The customizable fill lets you easily adjust loft and firmness for optimal spinal alignment—ideal if you struggle to find the perfect pillow height. Avocado's complete transparency with certifications and ingredients makes them my top choice for organic pillows overall! I used theirs for years.

Best Non-Toxic Pillows for Back Sleepers

Best Non-Toxic Pillows for Stomach Sleepers

Piglet in Bed Merino Wool Pillow: Best Natural Cooling Pillow for Back Sleepers

This OEKO-TEX certified pillow features natural Merino wool fill in an organic cotton cover, with three density options perfect for back sleepers. The medium loft provides ideal height for neutral neck alignment—not too thick, not too flat. Merino wool is highly breathable and thermoregulating, keeping your pillow cool by drawing away excess moisture and heat throughout the night. Naturally dust mite resistant, making it excellent for allergy sufferers seeking non-toxic materials. Bonus: Piglet in Bed offers some of the softest, most beautiful linen pillowcases to complete your chemical-free sleep setup (I have several of their gingham ones and love them!)

My Green Mattress Organic Dunlop Latex Pillow: Best Affordable 100% Organic for Back Sleepers

Also on my Most Affordable list, this pillow is ideal if you’re a back sleeper that needs firm, consistent support. Dunlop latex is perfect for back sleeping because it provides soft, stable support without excessive spring, keeping your neck in proper alignment. The molded design offers a non-toxic alternative to memory foam with a supportive yet responsive feel. Wrapped in GOTS-certified organic cotton, I love that they also have an accessible price point. Perfect for back sleepers looking for organic materials.

Parachute Down Pillow: Best Ethical and Non-Toxic Down Pillow for Stomach Sleepers

Parachute's soft down pillow contains 85% down clusters and 15% feathers—ideal if you’re a stomach sleeper who needs a compressible, low-loft pillow. The 100% cotton cover and fill are Class 1 OEKO-TEX certified for healthier, chemical-free processing, while the down is certified humane for ethical sourcing. Down is naturally perfect for stomach sleeping because it's easily moldable and scrunchable to achieve the flat profile that prevents neck strain. Choose the soft firmness option for the best stomach sleeping experience with luxurious, responsibly sourced down.

Savvy Rest Organic Kapok Pillow: Best Soft Adjustable Pillow for Stomach Sleepers

Savvy Rest's most popular pillow is stuffed entirely with fluffy kapok fiber from kapok tree pods—a soft, compressible organic alternative to down that means it’s also a great organic vegan pillow. Kapok is naturally moisture-wicking and quick-drying, keeping you cool and comfortable throughout the night. The adjustable design lets you remove kapok to achieve the low loft you need if you’re a stomach sleeper for proper neck alignment. This fluffable pillow earns consistently great reviews for being cloud-like and compresses easily without being too flat.

More Healthy Design For You

The Complete Guide to Organic Pillows: Certifications, Materials & How to Choose

Are organic pillows worth it?

An emphatic yes.

Your pillow is the object you're in the closest contact with in your entire house—even your toothbrush you only spend a few minutes with every day. Meanwhile, your pillow is snuggled right up against your face for one third of your life, including your nose and mouth, which lead directly to your airway and gut. With constant skin contact as well, the materials it's made of have a huge impact on your health.

Conventional polyurethane foam pillows off-gas VOCs and contain chemical flame retardants that can be inhaled, ingested through dust particles, or absorbed through your skin. Since many of these chemicals (like flame retardants) are bioaccumulative or affect you at even low levels (like BPA, an endocrine disruptor), reducing exposure where you spend 7-9 hours per night makes practical sense. Plus, foam exposure adds up throughout your day—your car seats, office chair, couch, and gym equipment all contain foam with chemical additives.

Organic pillows also typically last longer than conventional polyurethane foam pillows because natural materials like latex are more durable. For these reasons, I even recommend buying organic pillows before investing in an organic mattress when budgeting is a concern—you get more health benefit per dollar spent with a pillow given the ultra-close contact.

How to Choose the Best Organic Pillow

What do I choose an organic pillow for my sleep position?

The best organic pillow depends on your sleeping position and personal preferences. Here's how to find yours:

Step 1: Check for certifications. Look for GOTS and GOLS certifications to ensure it's truly organic, not just "natural" or healthwashed. OEKO-TEX is also a useful certification ensuring lower chemical processing. Take a deep dive into certifications for pillow materials in my Foam Guide and Fabric Guide.

Step 2: Match material to your sleeping position

  • Side sleepers: Need high loft and firm support. Choose adjustable organic latex or wool pillows that can be customized for proper spinal alignment. If you know you like a higher amount of springy support, choose a formed Talalay latex pillow.

  • Back sleepers: Need medium loft and medium firmness. Opt for Dunlop latex or Merino wool that supports your neck without excessive height.

  • Stomach sleepers: Need low loft and soft, compressible materials. Choose organic kapok or down that can flatten without straining your neck.

Step 3: Consider your other preferences. Beyond position, think about whether you sleep hot (choose wool or latex), have allergies (latex and wool are naturally resistant), or want adjustability (shredded latex or kapok).

Are organic pillows good for allergies?

Yes, organic pillows are good for allergies and asthma for three reasons:

  1. Less susceptible to dust mites: Latex, wool, and cotton are more breathable and moisture-resistant than polyurethane foam and synthetic fabrics. You'll sweat less, and moisture evaporates more quickly. Since dust mites thrive on moisture, this reduces their numbers.

  2. Dense structure: Latex is breathable but dense, creating fewer spaces for your skin cells (dust mites' food source) and allergens to accumulate.

  3. No off-gassing: Allergies and asthma can be exacerbated by VOCs and off-gassing from standard polyurethane foam pillows.

Note: Organic pillows aren't dust mite proof, but they're significantly better than conventional foam pillows. If you have severe allergies, pair your organic pillow with an OEKO-TEX certified dust mite pillow encasement— the ones I use are woven to 1 micron, meaning not even dust mite particles or mold spores can pass through.

Do organic pillows sleep hot?

No, most organic pillow materials sleep cooler than conventional memory foam. Here's why:

  • Wool: Naturally thermoregulating and moisture-wicking, drawing heat and sweat away from you

  • Latex: More breathable than memory foam and doesn't retain as much body heat

  • Kapok: Moisture-wicking and quick-drying

  • Organic cotton covers: More breathable than polyester covers

Memory foam is notorious for sleeping hot because it traps body heat. Organic materials like wool and latex actively regulate temperature, making them excellent choices for hot sleepers seeking non-toxic options.

Do organic pillows smell?

Yes, but not in a bad way, and the smell is not harmful. Not all VOCs or smells are toxic—for example, trees, flowers, and essential oils produce healthy VOCs.

Latex (which comes from the Hevea brasiliensis tree sap) has a mild smell that dissipates over time. It's not off-gassing synthetic chemicals like polyurethane foam pillows do. I personally think it smells faintly fruity or like vanilla. I noticed it more with larger latex items and less with pillows, which are smaller.

Wool and kapok may also have mild natural odors when new, but these fade quickly and aren't bothersome or harmful. Unlike conventional foam pillows that off-gas synthetic VOCs for at least a year, organic pillow odors are natural and temporary.

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