Bamboo is having a moment in the sun. The fast-growing and self-regenerating grass is a crop which doesn’t require fertilizers and pesticides. This versatile fiber has slid into our bedrooms, too, with mattresses, sheets, and even pillows made from material derived from bamboo.
Bamboo pillows are soft, breathable, and great for people who want to avoid animal products. Highly malleable and absorbent, many people find them to be cooling, which is great for hot sleepers. Plus, they’re easy to clean. But a bamboo pillow is not made entirely from the grass. The pillowcase is typically made of a blend of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and other materials, while the filling is usually a mix of microfibers and memory foam.
However, it’s important to note that not all bamboo pillows tick the right boxes to be sustainable. Bamboo-derived viscose rayon often is created by an intensive chemical process which yields toxic waste, though alternative environmentally gentle methods are being explored. Frequently, the synthetic foam stuffing in the pillows emits VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), a mixture of malodorous gases.
If you want to shop for more sustainable options, check out our list of the best bamboo pillows below.
A clear winner in the bamboo pillow competition, this pillow is our top pick. The cover is made from Lulltra fabric, a blend of polyester and sustainable bamboo-derived viscose rayon. The filling is a mix of microfiber and memory foam, certified by CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold.
Best Overall
Coop Home Goods The Original Pillow
It has a 100-night sleep trial and a five-year warranty, so you have ample time to find out for yourself if this is the most comfortable pillow for you. Available in queen and king sizes, this customizable pillow comes with half a pound of extra stuffing, so you can plump it up if you like a firmer feel.
Price at time of publish: $72
Great for side and stomach sleepers or people who have back pain, this shape-conforming body pillow is ideal for anyone who needs a little extra support. Rest your stomach, back and knees on its heft without the fear of squashing it out of shape with your body weight. A long 54 inches in length, you can drape yourself around it.
Best Body Pillow
Snuggle-Pedic Full Body Pillow
There’s no need to flip it over at night, as it takes on the temperature of the room and doesn’t overheat, thanks to vented bamboo covering that keeps air circulating through. Filled with CertiPUR-US certified foam, it comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a 20-year limited warranty. Despite its size, it can be easily cleaned too. Just pop it in to the washing machine and run it in the dryer if it gets out of shape.
Price at time of publish: $108
A slim, shredded memory foam pillow that can be molded to fit your contours is a great choice for those who want a thinner head rest. It’s a versatile bed companion for all styles of sleepers. It’s machine washable, and you can also pop it in the dryer for a few minutes to give it extra fluff.
Best Memory Foam
Xtreme Comforts SlimSleeper Shredded Memory Foam Pillow With Bamboo Cover
We like that this pillow uses CertiPUR-US shredded memory foam, and that it’s neither too lumpy nor too flat, staying uniform in density. With a height of just 5 inches, it’s ideal for stomach sleepers who struggle with higher pillows.
Price at time of publish: $43
Comfortably sized for children, the versatile Snuggle-Pedic pillow can double up as a handy travel companion for adults too. At 18 x 13 inches, its recommended for use from three-year-old to 10-year-old children. It’s popular with adults too, because it’s small size makes it easy to pack on camping trips and airplane journeys.
Best for Kids
Snuggle-Pedic Toddler Pillow
Made from Eco-Friendly Biogreen and CertiPUR-US certified foam, the micro-vented cover gives children a cooler night of sleep. A bonus is that it comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a 20-year limited warranty, so if your toddler doesn’t like it, you can send it right back.
Price at time of publish: $14
Cariloha is committed to sustainability from the source, farm-to-fabric, throughout its supply chain. It’s quite firm and supportive, though that’s not ideal if you love soft and squashy pillows. The innovative Gel Pillow comes with a cooling gel-top layer, a bamboo charcoal memory foam that improves breathability and a soft removable, washable bamboo cover.
Best Cooling
Cariloha Gel Pillow
The company sources bamboo from its sustainable bamboo farms in the hills of Sichuan Province of China. The pillow is Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Fair Trade, and CertiPUR-US certified. It’s also a Carbon Neutral product.
Price at time of publish: $109
Like a luxurious, fluffy cloud, the filling in this pillow is premium grade 100% long-strand mulberry silk. The filling stays in place, and doesn’t spill over to one side. The cover is made from viscose from bamboo fabric that’s USDA Certified Organic.
Best Luxury
Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
Supple and luxurious, the pillow is free of concerning dyes. It comes with a 10-year warranty and a 100-day trial period, if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Price at time of publish: $279
We like that this pillow is filled with the highest-graded GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) organic certified latex. This option is great for those want or need to avoid synthetic latex, memory foam, and down feathers. Available in three sizes, the cover is a moisture-wicking, silken bamboo.
Best for Organic Latex
Organic Textiles Bamboo Pillow with Organic Shredded Latex
It comes in standard, queen and king sizing. It comes in both zippered and non-zippered options in case you need to remove some of the stuffing if it’s too fluffy. It’s also machine washable.
Price at time of publish: $112
What to Look for in a Bamboo Pillow
Third-party Certification
Many pillows on our list have been certified eco-friendly by a third party, such as OEKO-TEX, which classifies products are free from harmful substances and safe for human use; CertiPUR-US, which sets standards for content, emissions, and durability; or GREENGUARD Gold, which sets standards for chemical emissions.
Our overall top pick for bamboo pillows is Coop Home Goods The Original. If you’re willing to spend more for a good night’s sleep, Cozy Earth’s Silk Pillow is luxurious and certified organic.
Trial Period
It’s almost impossible to learn from reviews if you’re really going to love your new pillow. Because most of these pillows are expensive, compared to those you’ll find at the discount store, look for one that allows you to sleep on them and return them if you’re not happy within a certain time frame. Many companies give you 90 days or longer to trial them.
Machine Washable
Just like sheets and other bed linens, you’ll want to wash your pillow regularly. Choose a pillow that says machine washable, then follow the care instructions (such as washing only on cold or on the gentle cycle) for longest life.
Warranty
Although not all pillows offer a warranty, some come with a generous guarantee that they won’t go flat or come apart with normal use. These range from 10 to 20 years, which is an indication of how long the manufacturer expects a pillow to last.
Adjustable Filling
Some pillows have a zipper so you can remove filling if the pillow is too tall or bouncy for your liking, Others offer extra filling so you can plump it up. If you have trouble getting comfy, an adjustable filling pillow may be a good choice.
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Treehugger is dedicated to helping our readers find the greenest products on the market. Author Neeti Mehra is a slow-living expert, and also has years of experience covering the luxury goods industry.