7 Best Latex Pillows of 2024, Tested by Experts
Latex vs. memory foam: which is best for you?
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You've likely heard of down, down-alternative or memory foam pillows. Yet, there's been even more innovation in the pillow market in recent years, including the introduction of ultra-supportive latex. Latex foam pillows have grown in popularity over the years, standing out for their resilient, bouncy feel. Latex is known for its ability to conform to your head and neck, helping to reduce neck pain. Plus, it can provide excellent support and maintain its shape night after night, making it an especially good option if you feel like your pillows always feel flatter than you'd like after just a few months of use.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has tested over 160 pillows (including 19 latex pillows) to find the most comfortable pillows to sleep on. Our analysts evaluate everything from washability to how well the pillows hold up to pressure in the Lab. We also work with hundreds of consumer testers across the country to evaluate comfort, support and more in real-world use.
Pros
- Cooling cover
- Innovative polymer grid
- Open air channels throughout latex core
Cons
- Pricey
After testing over 100 pillows, I can confirm: there's no pillow quite like this one from Purple. It features a Talalay latex core that's surrounded by the brand's signature elastic grid material for a not-too-firm and not-too-plush feel. The cover is also moisture-wicking and the latex core features ventilation throughout, making it a good pick for hot sleepers. It's sold in three heights to suit different sleeping positions and body shapes.
In our Lab, the cover washed beautifully, and the latex core maintained its shape during our weighted pressure tests. On top of that, it was a hit with our consumer testers who praised the supportive feel and breathability. One tester shared, "I stayed cool all night and the texture of the pillow was very soft and supportive." Multiple testers who suffer from chronic neck pain reported that this pillow helped support their neck to minimize soreness in the morning.
| Sleeping position | Side and back |
| Sizes | Standard and King |
| Care instructions | Machine washable (cover only); lay flat to dry |
Brooklyn Bedding Latex Pillow
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Excellent Lab performance
- High marks for no soreness and maintaining a stable body temperature
Cons
- Odor upon unboxing that took a little while to air out
Latex pillows tend to be on the pricier side, but this one comes at a fraction of the price of some of our picks. The outer cover is made with Tencel lyocell, which has a cool feel and wicks away moisture. It comes in two heights, so you can choose between a low and high loft for your best alignment. When we unboxed this pillow, it had a slight smell that took a bit of time to air out.
With high marks across the board in every Lab evaluation, this pillow's machine washable cover had minimal changes in appearance after laundering and the pillow fit nicely in a standard-size pillowcase. Testers raved about this pillow, giving especially high scores for waking up with no soreness and maintaining a stable body temperature through the night. "This pillow is a supportive cloud," said one tester. "The texture is unlike anything I've ever used before. And most of all, it doesn't make me HOT!"
| Sleeping position | All |
| Sizes | Queen and King |
| Care instructions | Machine washable (cover only) |
Naturepedic Organic Adjustable Latex Pillow
Pros
- Adjustable fill and two different side options
- Organic latex fill and organic cotton cover
- Testers loved its supportive, plush feel
Cons
- Messy when adjusting the fill
This latex pillow beat out dozens in our tests, earning top scores across the board for its versatile design and overall comfort. It has both an organic cotton cover certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and an organic latex fill certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). One side features plush quilted PLA batting (a plant-based fiber made from sugarcane) while the other is filled with shredded latex, which can be adjusted to create your perfect height.
It impressed in both Lab and consumer evaluations, proving that you don't have to compromise on quality when opting for a sustainable product. Testers also gave this pick high marks for its comfort and support and were impressed by the two-sided design. One even raved, "This is literally the greatest pillow I have ever slept on." Just note, some testers found it a bit messy when removing some of the shredded latex fill.
| Sleeping position | All |
| Sizes | Standard, Queen and King |
| Care instructions | Machine washable (cover only) |
Pros
- Smooth organic cotton cover
- Maintained its shape
- Plush and soft feel
Cons
- Fill is not adjustable
Side sleepers need a taller pillow to provide proper neck support and spinal alignment, so pillows can be a hit or miss solely based on their height. This shredded latex option from Saatva was one of the most popular among our side sleeper testers, standing at around 6 to 7 inches thick for the Tall height.
Besides the shredded latex core, it's got an organic cotton sateen cover with a thin layer of down-alternative fill for a feel one tester described as "very plush and soft." The pillow maintained its shape well in our tests and fit perfectly in a standard-size pillowcase. Just note that while the cotton cover is organic, the latex fill is not, and you can't adjust the shredded latex to your liking.
| Sleeping position | Back and side |
| Sizes | Queen and King |
| Care instructions | Cover only machine washable |
Pros
- Fill is mix of shredded latex and kapok
- Organic cotton cover
- High marks for keeping its proper shape
Cons
- Very heavy
With a thinner loft but plenty of support, this Avocado Mattress pillow is perfect for back sleepers. The fill is a mix of GOLS organic-certified shredded latex and GOTS organic-certified kapok (a natural fluffy fiber) — plus, it has an organic cotton cover.
It fared well in our Lab tests, maintaining its shape even after we left weights on it for eight hours. While it's a bit heavier than other latex pillows we've tested, testers praised how comfortable and supportive it felt. One even said, "This is hands down the best pillow I've ever slept on!" We also appreciate the brand's design updates; when we initially tested this pillow, it wasn't machine-washable, but now it comes with a machine-washable cover.
| Sleeping position | All |
| Sizes | Standard, Queen and King |
| Care instructions | Machine washable (cover only); hang dry |
Pros
- Wool layer for added softness
- Great for combination sleepers
- GREENGUARD Gold certified
Cons
- Fill is not certified organic
This hybrid pillow from Birch combines a shredded latex core with a wool exterior for a plush feel that's ideal for combination sleepers. If you change sleeping position throughout the night, switching from your side to back to stomach, you need a moldable pillow. We haven't yet tested this pillow in the Lab, but one analyst tried this pillow out and was especially impressed with its plush feel compared to other latex pillows. This pillow is labeled as organic, but only the cover is certified organic — not the fill.
| Sleeping position | All |
| Sizes | Standard and King |
| Care instructions | Spot clean only |
Pros
- Great neck support, according to testers
- Wool and latex blend
- Adjustable design
Cons
- Doesn't fit in a standard pillowcase
Designed to alleviate neck pain, this luxurious pillow from Noble comes in four different fills: wool, latex, wool/latex blend and wool top/latex base. It's larger than a standard-size pillow, meaning it might not fit in your pillowcase, but the brand includes a separate cover, which washed well in our evaluations.
When we tested the wool top/latex base style, testers were impressed with how well it conformed to and supported their neck and shoulders. One noted, "The pillow keeps its shape and height well, better than any other pillow I've had. It also supported my neck well and helped me sleep a lot better." Other testers agreed unanimously that it helped improve their sleep quality, praising the adjustability.
| Sleeping position | All |
| Sizes | Standard, Queen, King and Scandi-King |
| Care instructions | Machine washable (cover only) |
How we test latex pillows
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has evaluated all kinds of bedding, including pillows, for over a century through a combination of rigorous in-Lab and consumer testing. To find the best pillows available, we've tested over 160 different pillows in the Lab with more than 600 unique consumer testers in recent years.
Here are some of the factors we consider when testing pillows:
✔️ Ease of use: We put each pillow in a standard pillowcase to gauge overall fit.
✔️ Durability/Washability: Each pillow is scored on its care label instructions for how easy it is to clean. Our analysts then wash the pillows and closely observe any changes, first after an initial wash and again after several washes.
✔️ Performance: Depending on the type of fill, we place weights on each pillow for a set amount of time and record the amount of time needed for the material to fully recover (or bounce back).
✔️ Consumer testing: To ensure each pillow gets a fair test, we match consumer testers with a pillow based on their personal preferences and sleeping style. Users then try out the pillow over a series of weeks prior to rating it on overall comfort, support, temperature regulation and more. They then provide in-depth feedback on their experience.
✔️ Claim validation: Our analysts vet the brand and product listing before verifying any organic certifications or other claims made.
What to look for when shopping for a latex pillow:
Looking for the perfect latex pillow can be daunting, especially if you haven't tried one before, so here are some things to help guide you when browsing through different options:
✔️ Fill: Latex pillows are typically available with either solid latex or shredded latex pieces.
- Solid: These pillows are a single large piece of latex. They're best for people who prefer a firmer pillow and aren't concerned that their pillow weighs more. The solid foam typically has perforations, offering extra airflow for a cooler sleep.
- Shredded: In these styles, the latex is shredded into small pieces for a plusher pillow. You can often adjust this type by adding or removing some of these shreds to get a customizable height.
✔️ Sleep position: Your sleep position is key when it comes to pillow shopping. A good pillow will help align your spine and reduce neck pain. Side sleepers typically need a thicker, firmer pillow compared to stomach sleepers who benefit from a thin, soft one. Back sleepers are best off with something in the middle. If you tend to move around at night, a pillow with adjustable fill (like a shredded latex pillow) may be ideal. Also, make sure to consider your overall frame, especially your shoulders, as different side sleepers may find the same pillow too thick or too thin.
✔️ Certifications: Not all latex is created equal. There are a variety of certifications common with latex pillows to better understand the materials used:
- Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certifies that the material is at least 95% organic latex and that production meets strict environmental and social standards.
- GREENGUARD Gold ensures that products adhere to strict limits of certain chemicals and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can emit from products.
- MADE SAFE certifications require that brands avoid or limit a long list of banned and restricted substances to ensure that certified products are made with safer ingredients.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 requires products to adhere to strict limits of harmful substances to ensure they don't have dangerous amounts.
✔️ Care label: While most latex pillows won't be washable based on the material, some come with a removable, washable cover.
FAQs about latex pillows
Who are latex pillows best for?
- Side and back sleepers: Side sleepers need the highest loft pillows and back sleepers need a medium-height pillow. Latex pillows tend to be the right height for these sleep positions, as they contour and support your neck to prevent any soreness in the morning.
- Hot sleepers: While memory foam is known to hold onto heat, latex is a bit more breathable and won't feel as hot at night.
On the other hand, here's who shouldn't buy a latex pillow: - Stomach sleepers: Latex pillows tend to be too high for stomach sleepers. If you want to try out a latex pillow and sometimes sleep on your stomach, look for shredded adjustable styles to create a lower height.
- Latex allergies: If you have an allergy to latex and have never tried latex pillows before, we recommend avoiding any latex pillow no matter the cover material, as it's not worth risking an allergic reaction. Some people with latex allergies may not have an allergic reaction when using a latex pillow, but we recommend discussing it with your allergist before testing a latex pillow out.
Are latex pillows better than memory foam?
Not necessarily. It all comes down to personal preference. Memory foam pillows feel firmer at first and then will conform to your head and neck, so it feels like you're sinking into your pillow. Memory foam provides excellent cushioning, but it will take longer to bounce back to its original shape compared to latex. Latex pillows tend to not run as hot as memory foam pillows do, while quickly bouncing back to their original shape after use. Like memory foam, latex conforms to your head shape too, providing great neck support.
Is latex a natural material?
It depends! Latex is a rubber product, and there is variation in its production across the industry. Natural latex is harvested from mature rubber trees and then processed to form the plush latex found in pillows. There is also synthetic latex which is derived from petroleum-based chemicals. All of our recommended picks are made from natural latex: either organic, Dunlop or Talalay options. If you prefer organic bedding, we recommend looking for organic latex that's certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) to avoid synthetic latex dupes.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Emma Seymour is the associate Textiles Lab director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has rigorously tested more than 100 pillows in the Textiles Lab in recent years, and she has coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. Emma has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for over five years at Good Housekeeping. She most recently updated this story.
Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and oversaw recent in-Lab pillow testing of 40 pillows. Grace has written several stories about latex bedding, from latex mattresses to latex mattress toppers. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
