Planet Earth’s concerning environmental state is no secret. To really make a difference, we need to change the products we purchase, favoring eco-friendly and sustainable goods as much as possible. One small, yet very easy way you can contribute, is by switching to bamboo pillows. Even better, this won’t only benefit the environment, but yourself as well.
Bamboo has numerous advantages in terms of sustainability and fabric features that contribute to improved sleep. In this guide to the top bamboo pillows of 2023, we’ll discover why bamboo pillows aren’t just a great choice for you and your family, but planet Earth as a whole. We’ve also listed our favorite bamboo pillows and provided some tips to determine which one is for you. Let’s take a look!
Cotton, wool, and silk are all popular natural fabrics that have a variety of qualities, including heat retention, breathability, texture, and appearance. Bamboo is one of the latest additions to the natural fabrics family, especially for bedding, linen, and clothing. In terms of sustainable raw material production, the benefits of bamboo far outweigh any of the other options. Additionally, it can contribute to the improved comfort and health of you and your family.
Bamboo naturally resists the growth of bacteria, which helps it stay clean and hygienic. Additionally, bamboo plantations can grow fairly successfully without chemical interference and pesticides, meaning the fibers aren’t chemical-infused to start with.
The lightness of bamboo fabric makes it ideal for clothing and linen. Bamboo fibers are also naturally anti-cling and anti-static.
The wonderful thing about bamboo pillows is that the fabric is breathable. This means body heat can escape rather than build up during the night. The breathable fabric ensures you stay more comfortable and, therefore, sleep better. Since they are thermoregulating, bamboo pillows are also suitable for colder months.
Since the bamboo fabric is breathable, it also naturally wicks away moisture and dries quickly. As such, bamboo pillows are ideal for people who suffer from night sweats or even just those who tend to sleep hot and feel a little sticky.
Although cotton is also moisture-wicking, it doesn’t dry as quickly, leaving you sleeping on a damp pillow. Quick-drying bamboo pillows or pillowcases also make laundry much easier.
Since pillows come in direct contact with our skin it’s important to choose skin-friendly materials, especially if you have sensitive skin. Bamboo is grown without pesticides and bamboo linen is made without chemical processing, which alone makes it gentler on the skin than many other fabrics.
One reason rashes or skin irritation occurs is moisture and dampness. The moisture-wicking nature of bamboo fabric prevents this, further making it the ideal skin-friendly pillow.
Depending on how it is manufactured, bamboo fabric has a similar softness to silk. Natural bamboo pillow fibers without chemical treatments are smooth, round, and don’t have any rough edges.
Bamboo is more wrinkle-resistant and less likely to shrink in the wash than cotton. It is incredibly durable and can last many years; however, you need to ensure you follow the manufacturer’s care and cleaning instructions for your bamboo pillow. Since the material is so durable, this also means bamboo pillows don’t have to be replaced as often, resulting in less waste.
Bamboo is a remarkable plant since it thrives in soils that many other plants won’t survive in and grows back quickly without needing pesticides or much water. Bamboo also absorbs much more carbon dioxide than many other trees and produces more fresh oxygen. Growing bamboo can help combat deforestation and soil erosion.
Cotton, although it also has desirable properties as a fabric, requires large quantities of water, pesticides, and labor.
If you want to benefit from the low-chemical, natural properties of bamboo pillows, it’s important to check whether the material is mechanically or chemically processed. Different manufacturing methods have varying levels of environmental impact.
Bamboo linen is made by mechanical processing and is the most natural, environmentally friendly, and chemical-free form of the fabric. It is highly durable, but also pricey. High thread count bamboo linen is soft, while lower quality types may have a rougher texture.
Chemical processing, on the other hand, is used to make bamboo-based rayon or viscose. This process uses strong chemicals (which are harmful to the environment and the workers) to break down the stalks. What makes this semi-synthetic bamboo rayon material popular for pillows is that it is both affordable and soft.
Lyocell bamboo is made with a similar chemical process, but it uses less harmful chemicals. If natural bamboo pillows are not within your budget, lyocell is a good middle ground.
Bamboo pillow covers can also be made from bamboo woven together with other fabric types. This helps to maintain the desirable features of bamboo while improving its softness and making it more affordable.
Now that you know what to look for in bamboo fabric, there are a few other features you need to consider when choosing your bamboo pillow.
Most bamboo pillows come with memory foam fill, but some can also have a bamboo fiber fill or polyester fill. While natural bamboo fiber fill is the most eco-friendly, offers good temperature regulation, and is antimicrobial, it will also be the most expensive.
Memory foam fill can be either solid memory foam or shredded. Solid memory foam offers the best support, but is not as breathable as other fill fibers. Shredded foam, however, can also be blended with other fabrics.
Polyester fill is lightweight, easy to wash, and affordable, but it is a synthetic fiber. Although soft, it is a type of plastic that is generally derived from petroleum.
The most suitable pillow height for you will depend on your sleeping position. Side sleepers usually need higher pillows to fill the gap between their head and shoulders. Stomach sleepers require a much lower loft and possibly softer pillow. Meanwhile, back sleepers fall somewhere in the middle. Look for a pillow with an adjustable loft where you can add or remove filling to create the height most comfortable for you.
While a bamboo pillow cover is fantastic for temperature regulation, it might not be as effective when paired with a solid memory foam inner. Solid memory foam tends to trap heat and has poor heat regulation qualities.
Shredded memory foam is more breathable. You do, however, get memory foam pillows with gel inserts to improve heat dissipation and keep you cool while you rest.
Aside from memory foam options, polyester, latex, and down are good temperature-regulating fillings.
This pick from Golden Linens features a high-quality bamboo pillow case in natural color tones. The bamboo pillow has a shredded memory foam fill, which adapts to your shape to provide optimal support and pressure relief. Even more, shredded foam enhances heat dissipation since it is more breathable than solid memory foam.
In addition, the moisture-wicking bamboo cover is quick-drying, further enhancing its exceptional temperature regulation. And, to ensure it’ll suit nearly anyone’s preferences, this bamboo pillow is available in queen, king, and body pillow sizes. Overall, this product made our top pick since it balances support, comfort, and breathability all into one design.
Coming in a pack of two king or queen-size pillows, ComfySleep’s Bamboo Pillows are great for the whole family. If solid memory foam pillows feel just too hard for you, you will love the shredded memory foam fill in these.
While shredded memory foam still offers pressure relief and spinal alignment, it is not quite as dense as solid foam pillows. It also allows more airflow through the pillow which means body heat will dissipate more effectively. Best of all, this bamboo pillow has a side zipper that allows you to add or remove fill to customize the loft to your liking, sleeping position, and preferred level of comfort.
Niagara Sleep Solution offers a set of two bamboo pillows at a great price point. These pillows are made with a bamboo outer cover and polyester filling, giving them a soft plush feel while offering good cushioning. Polyester is a great choice for hot sleepers since it offers good airflow and is naturally a cooler fabric.
Unlike solid memory foam which cannot be bent or molded into different forms, this polyester bamboo pillow is easy to fold, squish, and shape just like you need it. Although the entire pillow is machine washable, we recommend always using a removable cover to keep it clean and make washing that much easier.
These supportive cooling pillows from Supa Modern are great for stomach, side, and back sleepers. The shredded memory foam filling is adjustable, so you can create a loft perfect for your sleeping style by adding or removing foam through the side zipper pocket.
Additionally, this gel-infused pillow has a double-sided cover for better versatility. One side features cool-touch technology that dissipates body heat for better temperature regulation; the opposite has a softer bamboo lining for those who don’t require the additional cooling, but benefit from the memory foam support. The shredded foam and bamboo fabric both allow for better airflow than other materials, which further contributes to the cooling nature of the pillow.
These bamboo pillows from Zen Bamboo are not only plush, soft, and moldable, but they contain a gel fiber fill for enhanced cool sleeping. The bamboo cover is moisture-wicking and breathable, ensuring you get the best of the gel-infused interior.
Simply put, these pillows offer the perfect support for people who like to fold and mold their pillows according to their position. The soft, plush feel is ideal for stomach, back, or side sleepers in particular. To clean these bamboo pillows, you can conveniently place them in a washing machine on a delicate cool cycle. Then, let them dry completely on a flat surface.
A: Choosing a pillow that is OEKO-Tex and CertiPUR-US certified will help ensure that products are non-toxic. When purchasing a new pillow, let it air out for 24 to 48 hours before using it. Keep in mind that certifications are only valid for a year, so they need to be current to be reliable.
A: Your pillow's lifespan will depend on the type and quality of the fabric, as well as the amount of pressure applied when sleeping. As a general guideline, if you look after your pillow as per the care instructions, it should last two to three years.
A: Bamboo pillows with shredded memory foam or fiberfill are often adjustable. If you want an adjustable pillow, make sure this is clearly stated in the product description and check whether any extra stuffing is included.
A: The ideal pillow thickness — or loft — will depend on your sleeping position and will vary between 3 to 6 inches. A mid-range loft of 4.5-inch is suitable for back sleepers, while side sleepers will need more elevated support.
A: Always follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions since the most suitable method will depend on the product components. Removable bamboo pillow covers are usually machine-washable on a cool cycle. If the pillow is filled with memory foam, don’t wash the memory foam as it will damage the supportive properties. Spot clean the foam inner if necessary.