10 Best

Hypoallergenic Pillows

of December 2023

Dust mites in our bedding can be a major cause of allergies. Although the mites themselves are so small that we’d hardly ever notice them, people can suffer from allergies to the fecal matter from dust mites. Dust mites can live off dead skin cells that you shed onto your pillow, and they can be a big problem if you live in a humid climate, especially if you suffer from asthma and allergies in general. However, getting a hypoallergenic pillow made from synthetic materials can help you, if you happen to suffer from allergies.

There are a few different types of hypoallergenic pillows. Some are made with down alternative fillings, while others are made with materials like latex or memory foam that are less likely to cause allergic reactions. At the same time, you’d like your pillow to be comfortable as well. It shouldn’t make you perspire and ideally should conform to your sleeping posture.

We’ll look at the items in the Best Reviews Guide list of the best hypoallergenic pillows. You’ll see plenty of options that can juggle all three features: provide relief for allergy sufferers, are made from a breathable material, and give you comfort and support!

What kinds of hypoallergenic pillows are there?

There are a few different types of hypoallergenic pillows. Some are made with down alternative fillings, while others are made with materials like latex or memory foam that are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

What is memory foam?

Memory foam is a type of polyurethane foam that is known for its ability to conform to the shape of the person sleeping on it. This helps to support the head and neck and can help to reduce pressure points.

What are the advantages of a memory foam pillow?

The main advantage of a memory foam pillow is that it can help to improve sleep quality. The foam conforms to the shape of the head and neck, which can help reduce pressure points and improve circulation. This can lead to more restful sleep and reduced pain in the neck and shoulders.

What is synthetic down?

Synthetic down is a man-made alternative to natural down. It is made of polyester fibers and is designed to mimic the warmth and softness of natural down.

What is latex?

Latex is a natural substance that is extracted from the sap of the rubber tree. It is a type of rubber that is used to make a variety of products, including condoms, balloons, rubber gloves, as well as in synthetic pillows.

Looking at the products in the Best Reviews Guide list, we see that there are pillows from a solid piece of synthetic material, and adjustable pillows:

• Solid piece pillows: There are pillows from a single piece of synthetic material, which doesn’t bunch up or get distorted over time. An example is the Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow. It’s made from a gel down alternative fill and cotton cover.

Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow

• Adjustable pillows: There are also adjustable pillows, where you can remove the filling according to your preferred sleeping position. An example is the Coop Home Goods Original Loft Pillow. It is filled with shredded memory foam (consisting of 60% polyester and 40% rayon) and comes with a separate bag of shredded memory foam. You can unzip the pillowcase, and add or remove memory foam, according to your liking. It’s recommended that people who sleep on their back remove around ¼ of the fill, while stomach sleepers remove ⅓ of the fill. You can also make one side of the pillow thicker than the other if you expect to flip around from side to side during the night.

Coop Home Goods Original Loft Pillow

We can also discuss the difference in the types of fill that hypoallergenic pillows have:

• Synthetic down: Natural down are delicate feathers extracted from geese. But despite being extremely warm and fluffy, it also can develop molds and dust mites. There is now synthetic down made from polyester strands that mimic the fluffiness of natural down feathers. But, synthetic down, or “alternative down”, is usually machine-washable, which also prevents the buildup of dust mites. An example is the viewstar Bed Pillow.

viewstar Bed Pillow

• Memory foam: Memory foam is also employed in a lot of hypoallergenic pillows. They provide support and firmness for your neck and upper back, for greater comfort. They’re also machine-washable and don’t provide a substrate for the spawning of dust mites or fungi. An example is the WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow. The cover is also specially designed to consist of breathable layers to give a cooling feeling.

WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow

• Gel pillows: There are memory foam pillows that also employ a gel, which is known to be “cooler” than just memory foam. It dissipates heat by distributing it across the layers of gel. This is employed in the Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow (pictured above).

Here are some impressions of customers about the hypoallergenic pillow that they bought:

• Great for someone with spine surgery: A person who underwent spine surgery was very pleased with the WonderSleep Dream Rite Shredded Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Pillow. It helped them keep their upper spine aligned with the lower spine. Also, its support helped them sleep without any nerve pain.

• Helps relieve migraines: A good adjustable pillow can also help provide relief for people suffering from migraines. By ensuring that their neck is in the right position by adjusting the pillow properly, customers noticed that they didn’t suffer from migraines as much.

Here are some features common to many hypoallergenic pillows:

• Letting it expand: Typically, hypoallergenic pillows are delivered vacuum-packed. When you first open it, you have to allow 24-48 hours for the pillow to assume its full volume. Also, you should “fluff” the pillow weekly, so that it maintains its shape.

• Laundry instructions: We said that pillows from synthetic materials are less prone to molds and dust mites. Nonetheless, it’s recommended to place the pillow in a dryer on low heat with a dryer sheet for 10-15 minutes around once a month, to eliminate moisture, mites, or molds that may have accumulated. Also, if your pillowcase is removable, it should be laundered once a week.

• Proper spinal alignment: If you get an adjustable pillow, you’ll want your pillow to properly support your neck and head. It’s recommended that you maintain a straight line from your neck to your spine. Therefore, the amount of fill should be adjusted accordingly:

  • If you sleep on your back: You want a low to medium loft. It’s recommended to add or remove ¼ of the fill until you get the right configuration;

  • If you sleep on your stomach: You’ll want to have a low loft. You can either remove the filling or leave the pillow as is.

  • If you sleep on your side: Pack some extra filling, so that you’ll have a higher loft. This will provide extra support.

Final Verdict

We studied a few of the properties of the best hypoallergenic pillows in the Best Reviews Guide list. Whether you’re looking for a pillow that will adjust to your body’s contours automatically or something that you can adjust by yourself, you’re sure to find a pillow made from a hypoallergenic material that will do the trick!