Best Hypoallergenic Pillows in 2021

Find the best anti-allergy pillows to protect you from dust mites and other common allergens while you sleep.

By Loren Bullock

Jun 6th, 2022

By clicking on the product links in this article, Mattress Advisor may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read full disclosure statement.

You may not be able to see them, but dust mites are bound to make their stay in your bedding at some point. After all, they are the most common household allergen. Yuck, we know. 

One way to promote clean sleep is by resting your head on a cool and cozy, hypoallergenic pillow. With cooling properties and an allergy-free construction, you’re going to be glad you made the transition. 

Here are our top picks for the best hypoallergenic pillows, what to look for when buying your own, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Best Hypoallergenic Pillows for Allergy Sufferers

coop homegoods original pillow

Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow

Best Overall

Designed by Coop Home Goods, the Adjustable Loft Pillow is perfect for any type of sleeper. This pillow has the properties and functionality to align your sleep all while remaining comfortable. It’s fully adjustable, which means you have control of how much memory foam fill is left inside your pillow.

If it feels too firm or too soft, you can simply unzip the liner and remove the amount necessary to provide the perfect cushion. The pillow case is made of Lulltra fabric which is a blend of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester. It’s soft to the touch! Every purchase includes extra fill, just in case you need a higher loft.

Pros:

  • Sleeps cool
  • CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified
  • Comes with additional fill so you can adjust the pillow to your needs

Cons:

  • Most expensive option on this list
wondersleep pillow

WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft (2-Pack)

Best Adjustable Hypoallergenic Pillow

The WonderSleep Premium Pillow is another excellent option for all sleepers. With shredded, hypoallergenic memory foam fill that can be added or removed as needed, you’ll be able to match your sleeping style in no time.

The pillow comes with dual-layered covers; a micro-fiber inner layer that keeps the foam sealed, and a soft polyester-bamboo outer liner that’s super soft. The outer layer is machine-washable and also helps prevent allergens from creeping into the construction of your pillow. Every purchase includes two pillows. 

Pros:

  • Extra soft bamboo and polyester pillow cover
  • Breathable fabric and design
  • Machine washable pillow cover

Cons:

  • Memory foam fill has a chemical scent
beckham hotel

Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow (2-Pack)

Best Luxury Hypoallergenic Pillow

These aren’t the highest priced pillows, but they still scream luxury with their hotel-like feel. This hypoallergenic pillow is made with 100 percent cotton filling and 100 percent poly-gel filled fiber.

The Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillows are built with a no-shift construction that guarantees a restful sleep every single night. The outside linen that encloses your Beckham pillow is fade and stain-resistant. It resembles the classic, white pillows you see each time you step foot into a hotel room. This pillow sleeps cool and contains zero allergens or chemicals. 

Pros:

  • Gel stays in place, preventing an uncomfortable dip or divet where you typically rest your head
  • Poly-gel fiber fill provides excellent neck support
  • Breathable

Cons:

  • No memory foam
dreamnorth pillow

DreamNorth Premium Gel Pillow Loft (2-Pack)

Best cooling hypoallergenic pillow 

You’ll have no problem dreaming once you lay your head on one of the DreamNorth Premium Gel Pillows. These pillows are designed with soft and breathable properties. Filled with a poly-gel fiber and 100-percent cotton cover, this pillow sleeps very cool and comfortable.

It’s said to have the perfect balance between fluffy and firm, which makes it a great option for combination sleepers or back sleepers. With optimal neck support and dust mite-resistant properties, you can rest assured you’ll wake up feeling your best. Each pillow cover is machine-washable.

Pros:

  • Most cost-effective option on this list
  • Machine washable
  • Specifically designed for back and side sleepers

Cons:

  • Not the best option for stomach sleepers

What is a Hypoallergenic Pillow?

If you suffer from allergies, then a hypoallergenic pillow is an absolute must-have. Basically, a hypoallergenic pillow is a pillow made with natural or man-made fibers that do not trigger allergies. Many times, hypoallergenic pillows are also made of materials that deter common allergens, like dust mites, pet dander, or pollen, from settling into your pillow to cause an allergic reaction overnight.

A hypoallergenic pillow is not necessarily organic or all-natural, it is simply the best pillow to help allergy-sufferers sleep soundly through the night.

Pros and Cons of Hypoallergenic Pillows

Before buying a hypoallergenic pillow, however, it’s a good idea to understand the advantages they can provide and the potential drawbacks. One of the best parts of a hypoallergenic pillow is that it can help prevent allergic reactions overnight. This makes it less likely that you’ll wake up with a sore throat and the sniffles, an experience that is all too familiar for many people with allergies.

Hypoallergenic pillows also tend to last a little bit longer, because they are better at keeping allergens like dust mites out. A non-hypoallergenic pillow collects dust mites over time and may need replaced more often as it starts to cause an allergic reaction.

Still, hypoallergenic pillows aren’t magic. They can’t keep allergens out forever, and still need replaced fairly regularly. Additionally, the research on how well hypoallergenic pillows work is inconclusive. Some sources suggest that hypoallergenic pillows can make a significant difference in your allergies, while others say that hypoallergenic pillows may actually absorb more allergens, not less

How to Choose a Hypoallergenic Pillow

There are a few things to consider when deciding the right hypoallergenic pillow for you. 

Sleep Position: Everyone sleeps differently, so it’s important to take into account how you sleep to determine which hypoallergenic pillow will serve you best. 

  • Back Sleepers: If you sleep on your back, you will need a pillow that keeps your neck aligned with your spine to prevent neck strain. Back sleepers sleep best with a medium-to-firm pillow.
  • Stomach Sleepers: Stomach sleepers have to be careful about the loft and firmness of their pillow to prevent misalignment in the neck and back. The thinner the pillow, the better.
  • Side Sleepers: Side sleepers need the most firmness in pillows. Since one side of your body is being laid on for a longer period of time, it’s important to find a pillow that supports and relieves your muscles while asleep.
  • Combination Sleepers: What do you do if you tend to sleep on your back and side? Or stomach and back? The best pillow for combination sleepers is one that conforms to your body. If you get a pillow with an adjustable build or contour-feel, you’re sure to rest easy.

Material Makeup: Although all hypoallergenic pillows are allergen-resistant, you should still pay attention to all the materials that make up your new pillow. You’ll find pillows that are constructed of natural fibers, processed materials, and man-made materials. Natural fibers are typically light, breathable, and safe. Processed materials are more environmentally-friendly than natural fibers, but they are chemically processed. Man-made materials involve constructions like polyester and memory foam. They’re durable, light weight, and less cool than the other types, unless infused with a gel-infused technology.

 

FAQs

Why should I get a hypoallergenic pillow? 

One of the best ways to avoid allergens and bacteria during sleep is with a hypoallergenic pillow. The materials that make up a hypoallergenic pillow are built to block and prevent dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and much more from hanging around your pillow. Hypoallergenic pillows also sleep cool, rather than hot like other standard pillows. 

How often should I change my pillow? 

When you aren’t getting a good night’s sleep, you should start to consider changing your sleeping accessories. Signs of needing a new pillow include your pillow no longer being supportive, you have allergies or wake up sneezing, you’re getting facial acne, or your pillow has a stench.

Can you be allergic to hypoallergenic pillows? 

Although it is rare, it is possible to be allergic to polyester, memory foam, and other fillings used in hypoallergenic pillows. If you know you have an allergy to one of these fibers, be careful to buy a hypoallergenic pillow that uses different materials.

Can you be allergic to your pillow?

In most cases, if you find that you are having an allergic reaction to your pillow, hypoallergenic or not, it’s not actually the pillow you’re allergic to. It’s the dust mites that have collected over time. However, as we mentioned above, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to all kinds of materials.

What common allergens are in pillows?

The most common allergen in your pillow is dust and dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed off of dust and make themselves at home all over our houses, including in our pillows. Other allergens that might make their way into your pillow are pollen, pet dander, or even mold, if your pillow is left in a damp environment.

Summary

Compare the best hypoallergenic pillows below:

Product Material Best for  Customer Rating
Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow Bamboo and polyester cover with shredded gel-infused memory foam fill Best Overall 4.5/5
WonderSleep Premium Adjustable Loft (2-Pack) Bamboo and polyester cover with shredded memory foam fill Best Adjustable 4.5/5
Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow (2-Pack) Cotton cover with poly-gel fiber filling Best Luxury 4.5/5
DreamNorth Premium Gel Pillow Loft (2-Pack) Cotton cover with poly-gel fiber filling Best Cooling 4.3/5

A hypoallergenic pillow is a comfortable, breathable and supportive option to lay your head on while resting. By making sure your pillow is made of safe properties and purchasing based on your sleeping position, you’ll experience relaxation each and every night!

If you’re interested in more hypoallergenic recommendations, check out our article on how to sleep with allergies and these related guides: