8 Best Bamboo Pillows for Great Sleep

A quick look at the best bamboo pillows

• Best for spinal alignment: Royal Therapy Bamboo Pillow
• Best for people with allergies: Cozy Earth Silk Pillow
• Best memory foam fill: SnugglePedic Original Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow
• Best for cooling and thermal regulation: LAYR Customizable Pillow
• Best support for neck and shoulders: Puffy Pillow
• Best bamboo wedge pillow for elevation: InteVision Foam Bed Wedge Pillow
• Best for plushness and comfort: Cariloha Retreat Pillow
• Best adjustable bamboo pillow: Coop Home Goods The Original Pillow

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Bamboo pillows are popular among environmentally conscious sleepers, as they’re usually made with natural, hypoallergenic materials. They’re also soft, breathable, adjustable, and cooling.

But although they’re generally regarded as eco-friendly, it’s important to note that not all bamboo fibers are created equal.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert to businesses that sell bamboo, as the process of creating bamboo textiles is harmful to the environment in some cases. Additionally, only bamboo fiber listed as “mechanically processed bamboo” is actually made of bamboo. Sometimes, “bamboo” fibers are actually made of rayon.

Here’s what to know about bamboo pillows, plus our recommendations for the best on the market.

How to choose

Bamboo pillows are generally known for their sustainability, moldability, and durability. Though they tend to be more expensive than a typical pillow, bamboo pillows vary greatly depending on the company.

However, companies may misrepresent the sustainability of their bamboo products. It’s important to dig a little deeper to see how their bamboo fibers are sourced and produced, and to find out the pillow’s true fiber content breakdown.

When choosing a bamboo pillow, consider factors like the fill material and overall quality of the product. Depending on your individual needs, you may also want to consider the loft, firmness, and moldability.

Most bamboo pillows are filled with solid or shredded memory foam, and few are filled with bamboo fibers. Bamboo fibers offer maximum breathability and moldability, though shredded memory foam is also breathable and adjustable. Solid memory foam offers firmness and support, but they’re less moldable.

The loft of a pillow refers to its height. There are low, medium, and high loft bamboo pillows. This comes down to preference and is usually influenced by how you sleep. Side sleepers tend to prefer taller pillows, while stomach sleepers may use low loft pillows. Back sleepers can find comfort with a medium loft pillow.

How we chose

Many people considering bamboo pillows are drawn to their reputation for being eco-friendly options. Our recommendations include pillows made by companies that are transparent about their sustainability measures. We also prioritized pillows that are CertiPUR-US certified.

To make sure all the pillows on our list are high quality, long-lasting, and comfortable, we also read through customer reviews.

Pricing guide

Prices are based on single standard queen-size pillows.

• $ = under $50
• $$ = $50–$100
• $$$ = over $100

Healthline’s picks of the 8 best bamboo pillows

Best for spinal alignment

Royal Therapy Bamboo Pillow

• Price: $
• Fill type: shredded memory foam
• Firmness: firm
• Size: queen
• Pro: resistant to developing odors over time
• Con: flat, low loft isn’t ideal for some sleepers
• Who it’s best for: those with aches and pains from uncomfortable sleeping

Bamboo fiber fills offer the most moldability, but it’s not as common as memory foam fills. Royal Therapy’s bamboo pillow is filled with shredded memory foam that offers breathability, adjustability, and support. It’s especially supportive for the neck and spine.

Many people experience stiffness and soreness upon waking, which can be a sign of poor sleeping position. Shredded memory foam relieves pressure points by cradling the neck and head.

This bamboo pillow contours to your body, filling in the gaps between your head and neck and the pillow. When your spine is in proper alignment, you’re less likely to wake up with a stiff neck and shoulders.

This CertiPUR-US certified pillow is recommended for side and stomach sleepers, but some user reviews state it’s too flat. The low loft may not be comfortable for side sleepers who may prefer a bamboo pillow with a higher loft.

Best for people with allergies

Cozy Earth Silk Pillow

• Price: $$$
• Fill type: silk
• Firmness: medium
• Size: standard
• Pro: free of harmful chemicals and dyes
• Con: pricey
• Who it’s best for: people seeking the softest pillow

Like bamboo, silk is a popular material for premium bedding. This Cozy Earth pillow is suitable for those with allergies or sensitive skin. It’s free of harmful chemicals and dyes.

With 100 percent Mulberry silk filling, this pillow has a cloud-like and luxurious feel that those seeking comfort and softness will love. The handmade fill never shifts, so it’s not lumpy, but it’s easily moldable. However, anyone seeking a firm pillow may find that it lacks support.

Best memory foam fill

SnugglePedic Original Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow

• Price: $
• Fill type: shredded memory foam
• Firmness: firm
• Size: queen
• Pro: includes a fill bag to let you customize your firmness level
• Con: may lose shape quickly, according to user reviews
• Who it’s best for: those who want control over their firmness level

Memory foam is the most common fill for bamboo pillows, but not all memory foam is equally breathable, adjustable, and supportive. Solid memory foam is the most supportive, but shredded memory foam is ideal for conforming to your head, neck, and shoulders.

This SnugglePedic bamboo pillow comes with a shredded memory foam fill bag so sleepers can customize their preferred firmness level. Add more filling to increase the firmness, or remove filling for a softer pillow.

While memory foam is known for returning to its original shape, some user reviews state that this pillow loses its shape quickly. You’ll have to adjust the fill frequently to maintain the desired consistency.

The memory foam in this pillow is also CertiPUR certified and Greenguard Gold certified.

Best for cooling and thermal regulation

LAYR Customizable Pillow

• Price: $$$
• Fill type: shredded memory foam and down alternative
• Firmness: customizable
• Size: standard
• Pro: pillow and insert covers are machine washable
• Con: maximum firmness isn’t firm enough for some people, according to user reviews
• Who it’s best for: people who get hot at night

Pillows aren’t one-size-fits-all, but this LAYR pillow is fully customizable to satisfy a variety of sleeping styles. If you run hot at night, this may be the pillow for you. The thermal-regulating bamboo cover is cooling, and the gel-infused memory foam allows for heat cycling. It’s also breathable.

The memory foam is CertiPUR-US certified for maximum quality and free of harmful substances for people with allergies.

This pillow can achieve a soft, medium, or firm level of comfort, depending on the inserts you use. For the softest amount of support, use the insert with the down alternative fill. You can adjust the fill level to find your perfect fit. Combine the down alternative and memory foam fills for medium support.

For the most support, opt for two layers of the memory foam inserts on their own. Some users say that the memory foam inserts weren’t as firm as they were expecting, however.

Best support for neck and shoulders

Puffy Pillow

• Price: $$
• Fill type: memory foam
• Firmness: adjustable
• Size: standard
• Pro: aligns to the neck and shoulders to offer stability and relieve pain
• Con: only comes in two sizes
• Who it’s best for: those seeking neck and shoulder support

Neck and shoulder pain in the morning are common complaints, and your sleep setup could be the culprit. The Puffy Pillow is made with premium CertiPUR-US certified memory foam that helps align the height of your neck and shoulders. It’s a customizable option that can be adjusted to your level of comfort by adding or removing foam as needed.

Made with hypoallergenic materials, including polyester and bamboo, this pillow is suitable for people with allergies. It’s also dust mite resistant. The breathable bamboo cover helps keep you cool.

The Puffy Pillow is only available in two sizes: standard and king.

Best bamboo wedge pillow for elevation

InteVision Foam Bed Wedge Pillow

• Price: $$
• Fill type: memory foam
• Firmness: firm
• Size: 25.98 x 25 x 7.52 inches
• Pro: height adjustable
• Con: can be uncomfortable for side and stomach sleepers
• Who it’s best for: those looking to sleep in an elevated position

While rectangular pillows are most common, wedge pillows may be beneficial for those who need elevation at night, including people who have undergone surgery, snore, or experience acid reflux.

In addition, people with conditions that affect breathing in the supine position may experience some relief when sleeping with a wedge pillow.

This bamboo pillow is made with a memory foam filling. A 2-inch memory foam layer rests on top of a firm foam base for a balance of softness and support.

Sleeping upright can be comfortable for back sleepers, but side and stomach sleepers may experience difficulty.

Best for plushness and comfort

Cariloha Retreat Pillow

• Price: $$$
• Fill type: bamboo memory foam
• Firmness: medium
• Size: standard
• Pro: carbon neutral
• Con: pillow goes flat, according to some user reviews
• Who it’s best for: those seeking plushness and comfort

This medium-firm pillow has bamboo materials in the cover and filling. The fill also contains memory foam to help adapt to the curve of your head. For those who wake up with stiffness, this pillow can help alleviate pressure by conforming to your head.

If plushness and comfort help you sleep better, this bamboo pillow may help you get a better night’s sleep. It’s made with three plush layers for comfort and breathability. The CertiPur-US certified materials are free of harmful chemicals, so it’s safe for sensitive skin.

While memory foam usually helps bamboo pillows to retain their shapes, some user reviews state that the pillow goes flat and feels hard after some time.

Best adjustable bamboo pillow

Coop Home Goods The Original Pillow

• Price: $$
• Fill type: memory foam
• Firmness: adjustable
• Size: queen
• Pro: made with proprietary fabrics for breathability and softness
• Con: has a chemical smell upon arrival, according to some user reviews
• Who it’s best for: all types of sleepers

Like mattresses, pillows come in a variety of firmness levels: Soft, medium, and firm are the most common. Though pillows aren’t one-size-fits-all, some pillows are fully customizable, so sleepers have more control over their comfort and support levels.

This is fully adjustable, making it suitable for back, side, and stomach sleepers. A memory foam fill bag is included to increase the firmness and add extra support. This also increases the height of the pillow, making it a good option for side sleepers and those who prefer a higher loft.

Though it’s CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified, some user reviews find that the pillow had a chemical smell that lingered for several days.

Takeaway

Bamboo pillows have become more popular among environmentally conscious shoppers. The pillows are generally known for their sustainability, moldability, and durability.

Our recommendations include pillows made by companies that are transparent about their sustainability measures. We also prioritized pillows that are CertiPUR-US certified.

Lacey Muinos is a health, wellness, and beauty writer based in Southern California. She holds a BA in English. Her work has appeared in digital publications like Livestrong, Verywell, Business Insider, Eat This Not That, and others. When she’s not writing, Lacey is likely pursuing her other interests: skin care, plant-based cooking, pilates, and traveling. You can keep up with her by visiting herwebsite or herblog.