Are Organic Pillows Worth the Hype? Our Editors Tested Them to Find Out

Deputy Digital Editor Katelyn Lunders already swears by the Saatva Rx mattress for ultra-supportive sleep, so it’s no surprise that the brand’s latex pillow, encased in an organic cotton cover, also provided a comfortable resting position. "Like the brand’s mattresses, the latex pillow is designed to keep your neck and head in alignment for quality sleep," Lunders says.

"I sleep on my back and side, so I tested the high loft pillow, which is designed for side and combination sleepers. It’s six inches in height, so taller than the pillow I am used to and I actually think I might’ve preferred the five-inch standard loft version for back sleepers. That being said, I loved how luxurious and cool to the touch the pillow felt. I’d recommend this for anyone who prefers a firmer pillow that is comfortable, durable, hypoallergenic, and machine washable."

Material: Shredded natural latex core, organic cotton fill layer, cotton pillow cover | Sizes Available: Standard/Queen, King | Firmness: Standard loft, High loft | Certifications: Fair Trade Certified cotton

Though Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner typically gravitates towards a more fluffy, down pillow, this dense pillow with built-in divots for combination sleepers pleasantly surprised her. "I fall asleep on my side and eventually roll over onto my back, so this pillow definitely worked for me,” Cherner says. “I don't wake up with any cricks in my neck or soreness in my back because it's actually quite difficult to sleep with your neck in an odd position on this pillow, courtesy of the divots.”

Material: Dunlop latex, organic cotton shell | Sizes Available: Standard | Firmness: Firm | Certifications: GOLS-certified latex

For those who truly need a soft pillow, but don’t want questionable fillings and materials, McKenzie suggests this pillow from Birch Living. “This hefty pillow has a delightfully fluffy feel, and it holds most of its weight in the middle,” McKenzie says. “It’s almost slouchy and tricky to make it stand up straight, but if part of your bedtime routine is bunching your pillow into one fluffy ball, this is perfect. The case feels plush against my face, it retains a cool temperature, and there’s no dragging on my skin when I toss and turn on it.

“I actually love this for use on the couch, too. That slightly floppy quality means it covers the hard edge of the armrest, preventing it from digging into my back when I rest against it. I want to find a cute throw cover and leave it there for lounging. It’s the ultimate ‘sick day’ pillow for never getting out of bed (or off the sofa).”

Material: Talalay latex and wool fill, organic cotton cover | Sizes Available: Standard, King | Firmness: Plush | Certifications: GOTS, eco-INSTITUT, Fair Trade cotton, Greenguard Gold

Senior Commerce Editor Heath Owens tested Naturepedic’s adjustable pillow to explore memory foam alternatives, and he appreciates the flexibility that comes with the extra fill. "It's a good balance of soft and supportive that's just right for me—it feels incredibly soft to the touch when you first put your head down, but you don't sink in too much,” Owens says.

"As a side/stomach sleeper, I feel like my neck stays supported on top of the pillow and it's easy to breathe. The best part, though, is that the filling is adjustable! So you can experiment with the fill to get it exactly to your liking. Inside of the cotton outer shell, there's an inner zipper that houses the latex (which is just small rectangular shreds). It's super easy to unzip it and take some shreds out to make your pillow softer."

Material: Natural latex, organic cotton case | Sizes Available: Standard, Queen, King | Firmness: Soft, Medium, Hybrid | Certifications: GOTS-certified cotton, GOLS- or FSC-certified latex

Deputy Managing Editor Sarah Esgro said her neck and back felt great after sleeping on the Avocado-molded latex pillow. "Right out of the box, it had a distinct odor, reminiscent of hay or hamster bedding," Esgro mentions. "That smell never totally went away, but did lessen over time. It was the heaviest pillow I've slept on by far, a good weight though, and sufficiently smushy. It was cozy—the pillow casing was quilted, which made it warmer than I wanted it to be, especially as someone who sleeps hot, but at the same time, this felt like a warm hug for my head."

Material: Charcoal-infused latex, organic cotton shell | Sizes Available: Standard, Queen, King | Firmness: Medium firm | Certifications: GOTS-certified cotton, Greenguard Gold certified, Oeko-Tex Standard 100

When you want to prioritize support, go for this small-but-mighty Bearaby bolster pillow. “This pillow is perfectly comfortable on its own, but propped against a firm back cushion on the sofa or a multi-pillow setup on your bed is where it shines,” McKenzie says. “This is the pillow for the breakfast-in-bed, ‘stay up all night reading’ people. It’s made from GOLS-certified natural latex foam, and it’s delightfully spongy and resilient. You could squish it like an accordion, and it would spring back in no time. It has a weighty quality that Bearaby is known for, but it’s not so heavy that bringing it from room to room is a pain. I love using it to help ease the tension between my shoulder blades when reading in bed or provide extra lumbar support on the couch.

Material: Natural latex foam fill, organic cotton cover | Sizes Available: Standard | Firmness: Medium firm | Certifications: GOLS-certified latex foam, GOTS-certified cotton