The Best Nontoxic Pillows For Side Sleepers In 2026
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We’ve reviewed dozens of nontoxic and organic pillows of various materials, sizes, shapes, and firmnesses over the years. These are seven standout options for side sleepers.
Do you find yourself frequently waking up with neck pain in the morning? Maybe the sleeping positions that used to present no problem are now making you sore as you age? We’ve been there.
That’s why we’re passionate about testing the best sleep products — mattresses, mattress toppers, pillows, sheets, bedding, luxury mattresses, and more — to help you get your best night’s rest ever. No one should have to just deal with neck pain, back pain, or any other discomforts ruining a good night’s sleep.
It turns out a new, high-quality pillow might be the only thing standing between you and totally relieved nighttime neck pain. Read on to learn more about side sleeper pillows, and how to choose one that’s nontoxic or organic.
Why consider nontoxic or organic pillows?
Most of the nontoxic and organic pillows we test get their buoyancy from latex — either shredded latex or a solid molded latex fill. Latex is completely natural and nontoxic, made from the sap of rubber trees, and it’s extremely durable — this means it won’t lose its shape over time the way synthetic foam will, so pillows made of latex last much longer than traditional pillows.
We also like to look for synthetic fill pillows that have been CertiPUR-US certified. This ensures that the foam isn’t offgassing dangerous levels of VOCs, and that it’s free from potentially harmful flame retardants and phthalates.
We look for pillows with organic covers, too — this natural material reduces your risk of exposure to potentially harmful chemicals found in synthetic fabric, and an organic certification ensures the cotton was grown safely and sustainably.
What should side sleepers look for in a pillow?
Side sleepers should look for pillows that are medium to firm to provide proper support, and a higher loft to support your neck and ensure proper spinal alignment. We also like pillows with a crescent or cutout shape for side sleepers, for a closer fit and more versatility. Latex is great for side sleepers since it provides a firmer yet bouncy support, as are adjustable pillows where you can customize the amount of fill to your liking.
How often do you need to replace your pillows?
You should replace your conventional pillows around every two years, especially if you’re someone who experiences allergies or if your pillows have been noticeably less supportive or are causing you neck pain. Latex pillows, however, can last up to five years or more, especially if you follow the care instructions. Latex is more dust- and allergen-resistant than synthetic fills, and it retains its shape better over time.
Our criteria:
We’ve slept on and researched nontoxic and organic pillows for years. For this guide, we selected the best options for side sleepers, considering the construction and materials used. We’ve also noted how the pillow will hold up over time, the environmental impact of the brand, and chosen options for various budgets. Our top picks are based on the below criteria, and we’ll continue to update this piece with emerging favorites.
- NONTOXIC/ORGANIC | These brands use natural and organic materials so there’s no need to worry about off-gassing. None contain harsh flame retardants, and all are free from toxic chemical treatments. We also look for brands that are committed to not using PFAS in any of their production.
- COMFORT | We’ve chosen the best options with materials, filling, and construction to meet the needs of side sleepers.
- PRICE | Each of the brands we’ve included offers a fair value for the cost of the pillow. We considered durability, longevity, and ease of cleaning, too.
- SUSTAINABILITY | The brands below have a variety of social-good and environmental initiatives, with traceable supply chains, so you can rest easy.
Looking for more latex bedding? Check out our guide to the best nontoxic mattresses. And for more side-sleeper content, discover our editor review of Plushbeds’ Signature Bliss mattress.
1. Avocado
Best For | Cooling with charcoal
Organic Materials | FSC latex, organic cotton, charcoal
Firmness Available | Firm
Price starting at | $139
Avocado creates some of our favorite bedding and furniture products, pillows included. Our editor tested several of their pillows if you want to read more in depth about their different models, but her favorite was the Molded Latex Pillow. While at first it felt a bit too firm, she realized it gave her a deeper sleep because it provided the extra support she needed as a side sleeper. The pillow is made of an FSC-certified latex for a firmly buoyant feel, and the latex is baked with charcoal that gives it better temperature regulation along with moisture- and odor-control properties. It’s covered by certified organic cotton fabric, and the pillow is also GREENGUARD Gold and OEKO-TEX certified to ensure a safe final product that’s free of any toxic chemicals.
Our Editor’s Review | “After many nights of sound sleep thanks to Avocado, I’m excited to be going steady with their Molded Latex option. It gives my neck and shoulders the most overall balance and support I need while sleeping — especially while pregnant and only sleeping on my side. I experienced a profound difference in sleep quality with this pillow — a deeper, more supported sleep.” – Courtney Jay Higgins, Contributing Editor
2. Coyuchi
Best For | Firmer solid latex
Organic Materials | GOLS-certified latex, GOTS-certified cotton
Firmness Available | Medium-firm
Price starting at | $138
Coyuchi’s Molded Organic Latex Pillow is made of nothing but GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex covered in a removable organic sateen cotton protector. The latex has small holes for airflow, and it gives you a medium-firm support that feels even and resilient—the pillow is designed to retain its shape for years, and latex is naturally resistant to mold and dust mites. Coyuchi makes a few other organic latex pillows, too, including one made with shredded latex for a softer, more malleable fill, and one with indentations to relieve spinal pressure for back and side sleepers. We love Coyuchi for the way they balance total commitment to sustainability without sky-high price tags. All of their products are made with natural fibers and materials, and 99% are certified organic. They source from regenerative farms, and they even have a recycle program by which they repurpose or recycle any textiles you send back to them.
Customer Review | “This has been a game changer pillow for both of us, both side sleepers. I was suspicious but I’m glad I gave it a shot. No more flipping the pillow and squishing it when it gets deflated. Somehow it doesn’t get too hot. It’s just perfect all the time.” – Sleepy in Seattle (Read more reviews.)
3. Naturepedic
Best For | Crescent shaped pillow
Organic Materials | GOLS or FSC latex, GOTS-certified cotton
Firmness Available | Soft to firm
Price starting at | $159
For side sleepers who suffer from tense shoulders, we recommend checking out Naturepedic’s Organic Side Sleeper Pillow. Its curved shape contours to your body and makes it easy to add extra pressure point relief wherever a side sleeper needs it — whether it’s your chest, shoulder, or back. Made of an organic cotton cover filled with shredded latex, the pillow is also adjustable, letting you add or remove filling to get to your ideal firmness and providing good loft and airflow. All the latex is either GOLS or FSC certified. The brand also makes a couple of more traditional latex pillow — one made of solid latex and with adjustable shredded latex fill. And, like all Naturepedic products, the pillows are made in the US with certified organic materials and packed in paper packaging.
Customer Review | “Absolutely love this pillow. I have suffered from neck pain for many many years and after just one night I noticed considerable relief. I have already recommended it to family and friends and bought my husband one as well. You will need a special pillow case to accommodate the shape but it’s well worth it!” – Porscha (Read more reviews.)
4. Nest Bedding
Best For | Side sleepers who sleep hot
Organic Materials | CertiPUR-US fill, cotton inner pouch
Firmness Available | Soft to firm
Price starting at | $124
Here’s another side sleeper option — this Easy Breather Pillow from Nest also has adjustable fill, but instead of being filled with latex, it has a CertiPUR-US fill. The CertiPUR-US certification indicates polyurethane foam that meets strict health and safety standards, meaning it doesn’t offgas VOCs and it’s free from potentially harmful flame retardants and phthalates. The cooling pillow has an outer made of a cooling synthetic blend called Icecore — this, combined with the foam fill, gives you a cool-side-of-the-pillow feel all the time. It has a 100% cotton inner shell that’s overfilled with the CertiPUR-US fill, so you can adjust the pillow’s firmness. Its crescent shape makes it versatile for all sleepers, not just side sleepers. And, like all Nest products, it combines high-quality products and more sustainable materials, for bedding accessories that’ll last indefinitely.
Customer Review | “I was reluctant to spend so much for my side sleeper, but it has been one of my best decisions ever. I no longer shift my head around on a pillow to get comfortable. I no longer wake up during the night to do the same. My side sleep is comfortable from my head drop to my morning alarm.” – Jack D. (Read more reviews.)
5. Earthfoam
Best For | Bouncier solid latex
Organic Materials | Fair trade latex, organic cotton
Firmness Available | Medium
Price starting at | $99
This Earthfoam pillow is the only one that the brand makes — but, according to them, it’s really the only one that you need. The natural latex foam pillow retains its shape no matter how much it’s used, and has a medium to firm feel that’s great for back or side sleepers, or anyone who wants a little more loft to their pillow. They use Talalay latex, which is sourced from their fair trade network and results in a softer, springier product (as opposed to Dunlop latex, which is firmer and usually used more for mattresses). This natural latex core is perforated with holes for breathability and covered in nothing but organic cotton — the inner liner is a stretchy cotton, and the outer liner is removable and washable. The pillow even comes with free shipping, free returns, and a 5-year warranty.
Customer Review | “I’m a side and back sleeper and I love a medium firm pillow. This pillow is pretty awesome and fits a lot of needs. It is bouncy and soft…The height is not as scary as you think. Sleeping on this is just so reliable since it is bouncy, it doesn’t give you the sinking feeling. You don’t have to constantly re-fluff or re-adjust.” – Claire G. (Read more reviews.)
6. Coop
Best For | A cutout pillow for neck support
Organic Materials | CertiPUR-US certified foam
Firmness Available | Medium-soft to medium-firm
Price starting at | $89
Coop also makes an adjustable pillow that comes in a crescent-shaped option, designed for side sleepers. But we’re actually recommending this pillow for its other shapes — the original, in a classic pillow shape, and the cut-out, which has a more dramatic half-circle shaped cut out than the crescent does, designed to reduce the gap between your neck and the pillow and help relieve back and neck pain. The pillow has a supportive nontoxic, CertiPUR-US certified, virgin memory foam fill that you can remove or add to adjust the pillow’s firmness. It’s covered in a case of super breathable Lulltra™ fabric, made of 60% polyester and 40% bamboo viscose, and the whole pillow is machine washable.
Customer Review | “I got the cut out original pillow and fell in love with it. My sleep has been better than ever and I wake up without the back and neck pain that I once had. I let my sister try it out one night and she hasn’t given it back, so I will be buying another one. My dog loves the cut out because she fits perfectly in it and lays her head on the pillow.” – Erin B. (Read more reviews.)
7. Saatva
Best For | High loft
Organic Materials | Shredded latex, organic cotton
Firmness Available | Medium
Price starting at | $165
Saatva is one of our favorite brands for bedding — their products are luxury, made in the US, and always prioritize natural and sustainable materials. Their Latex Pillow comes in two loft options: standard and high. The standard loft option measures four to five inches tall and is best for back and stomach sleepers, so for side sleepers, we recommend the high loft option that’s six to seven inches tall. Both pillows have a shredded latex core for buoyant, breathable, hypoallergenic support that won’t sink over time. The latex core is insulated in a layer of plush, down-like microfiber fill, and it’s all encased in an organic cotton cover. The result is a pillow made of super high quality, nontoxic materials that’s been engineered for perfect comfort and support — and to last for a long time to come.
Customer Review | “I just ordered our 3rd pair of this pillow. There is a perfect balance between softness and comfort. They hold up pretty well and offer the support we need for back and neck pain. My 4 year old requested to have one after sleeping on our pillows!” – Fera G. (Read more reviews.)
Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. Since 2022, she has been reviewing the top sustainable home, wellness, fashion, and beauty products, sharing her honest opinion on the best finds. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!
