We compiled insights from Muenchinger, then researched today’s most comfortable, eco-friendly options with the certifications to prove it. Our number one pick is the Easy Breather Pillow from Nest Bedding, which is filled with a plush shredded latex blend and covered in organic cotton. Below, the best latex pillows currently on the market based on our research. A cotton pouch holds the fill, and the whole thing is housed in a soft, stretchy organic cotton shell. The latex component is certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), ensuring it’s naturally sourced from organically grown rubber trees. The machine-washable case holds a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification, and the entire pillow is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it’s made without a long list of potentially harmful chemicals. As the name suggests, the Easy Breather is breathable, allowing air to pass through and preventing heat from getting trapped. It’s available in three sizes (standard, queen, and king), plus a side-sleeper option with a contoured cutout for your neck. Price at time of publish: $107
You can count on gentle head and neck support with a buoyant structure that resists flattening and lasts several years. It’s got a soft and breathable 100 percent cotton cover, which you can remove and wash as needed, and the whole thing is OEKO-TEX certified. Just a heads up, it weighs about 5 pounds, so it’s substantially heavier than most bed pillows. Price at time of publish: $76
While the latex in this particular pillow doesn’t hold any certifications, the outer grid is CleanAir GOLD and CertiPUR-US certified. It comes in two sizes (standard and king) and three height options to accommodate different sleeping styles. One thing to note is that depending on the size, it can be heavy. The tallest version of the Harmony weighs as much as 7 pounds, which is a lot to shift around if you like to switch your pillow’s placement as you move at night. Price at time of publish: $179 There’s also a machine-washable quilted cotton cover. Unfortunately, the zipper on the case can be finicky, sometimes getting stuck or taking lots of elbow grease to secure, so it’s best to use a pillowcase to reduce the number of times you need to wash it. In addition to GOLS and GOTS, this pillow boasts OEKO-TEX and Greenguard Gold certifications to give you peace of mind that the materials are safe for you and the planet. Price at time of publish: $109 The lyocell is sustainably sourced from PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified eucalyptus wood. Designed to draw excess heat away from your body, you can count on this pillow to provide a comfortably cool sleeping experience. Price at time of publish: $110 This adaptable pillow has a zippered inner liner, allowing you to adjust the fill to your preferred height and loftiness. You can also remove the cotton cover and machine-wash it as needed. Besides the steep price, the one downside is that it only comes in a standard size. Price at time of publish: $130 This bed pillow is supportive and resilient, resisting flattening while keeping your head and neck in a neutral position. The removable, machine-washable cover is GOTS-certified organic cotton with a silky-smooth sateen weave. Aside from the expensive price tag, our only complaint is that it doesn’t come in king size. Price at time of publish: $150 Made of hyper-responsive Talalay latex foam, the aerated core conforms to the shape of your head and neck while you sleep. The material is also naturally antimicrobial (meaning it won’t harbor bacteria) with natural cooling properties. Though this pillow doesn’t list any certifications, the washable cover is woven from breathable, organic cotton. Price at time of publish: $89 The entire thing is OEKO-TEX certified, and the cover is GOTS organic cotton with a smooth sateen weave and a lustrous finish. While you can’t wash the inner layers, you can remove the case and toss it in your washing machine as needed. There’s a lot to love about this plush, naturally breathable pillow. We only wish the price was more accessible. Price at time of publish: $165 The foam blend is dense and resilient yet plush and bouncy, cradling your head and neck in a continually comfortable position. It leans on the inherent breathability of latex, plus perforated holes, to ensure air can pass through. And the eucalyptus-derived Tencel lyocell cover helps keep you cool and wicks away sweat while you catch your Zs. Price at time of publish: $99 With a commitment to sustainability, Naturepedic products also hold Greenguard Gold, Made Safe, and 1% for the Planet certifications. While the GOTS-certified, zippered cover is removable, the care instructions recommend spot-cleaning only. Price at time of publish: $99 All natural latex is sourced from rubber trees, but there are a few different types. Some pillow brands use Talalay latex, which is poured in liquid form into molds, then vacuumed to expand it into a lighter-weight material. Then there’s Dunlop latex. A denser form of the material, it’s made by whipping rubber tree sap into a froth, then baking it into blocks. You’ll also want to pay attention to the cover. Ideally, it should be a breathable material, such as cotton, bamboo, or lyocell. However, synthetic fabrics like polyester can be made to optimize airflow and moisture-resistance.

Thickness

When buying a latex pillow, check the dimensions to see how thick it is. Thicker (or taller) options with solid foam cores or gusseted sides tend to be best for back and stomach sleepers, as the added height supports the head and neck. Stomach sleepers will want to look for a thinner pillow to minimize neck strain and maintain a neutral spine.

Firmness

Firmness is another key consideration, but depends much more on your own sleeping preferences. Known for its durability and resilience, latex is a relatively dense material. It’s firmer than many other fill materials but still somewhat bouncy. Pillows with Dunlop latex or otherwise solid foam cores will typically have firmer support, which is ideal for back and side sleepers. Softer options (such as those filled with shredded latex) are generally better for stomach sleepers since they minimize pressure on the neck. Some shredded options come with the ability to add or remove filling to make them more or less firm. Pillows with this feature are ideal for anyone who is still figuring out what their preferred firmness is.

Certifications

Certifications from third-party organizations can provide insight into the quality, sustainability, and safety of the materials that make up a bed pillow. “Natural latex can be certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and/or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),” says Muenchinger. Additionally, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) can certify that a pillow’s fabric exterior is organic. Many pillows also carry an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label, which tells you they’re made without upwards of 100 substances that could be harmful to you or the environment. Some of the most eco-conscious companies have various other certifications to ensure ethical production and a minimized carbon footprint. This includes Greenguard Gold, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), Made Safe, 1% for the Planet, Climate Neutral, Fair Trade, and Rainforest Alliance.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Theresa Holland is a commerce writer, copy editor, and product tester. For this article, she interviewed Kiersten Muenchinger, associate professor and Head of the Department of Product Design at University of Oregon, whose work focuses on the sustainability of consumer materials. After considering a wide range of options from various brands and retailers, she chose comfortable, supportive pillows of varying thicknesses and firmness levels with certifications confirming the quality and sustainability of the design. Additionally, inherently dense yet buoyant latex provides substantial support without being too firm. While pillows made of the material are often on the pricier side, they tend to last longer than other types of bed pillows. Some latex pillows can work for stomach sleepers. If you sleep face-down, a thinner option with shredded fill can reduce strain on your neck while helping you maintain a neutral spine. Latex is naturally breathable, too, so it can be a good option for people folks who run hot at night.

Theresa has personally tried the Nest Easy Breather, Avocado Green, and Purple Harmony pillows. She covers textiles, sleep gadgets, and home decor at The Spruce. You can read more of her work on Travel + Leisure and MyDomaine.