Waking up with a sore neck or getting too hot in the middle of the night? Your old feather pillow may be to blame.

A good night’s sleep is crucial for physical and mental health, and many people have found that switching to a bamboo pillow offers the comfort, support, and temperature control that other pillows lack.

What Is a Bamboo Pillow?

Bamboo pillows aren’t made entirely from bamboo. They get their name from the bamboo fibers used to create the material of the pillow’s outer shell. Bamboo pillows are typically filled with shredded memory foam for comfort and support, allowing the pillow to contour your head and neck shape as you sleep.

Bamboo Pillow Benefits

Better Alignment

Spinal alignment is one of the most crucial elements of a good night’s sleep. Your spine affects much of your body’s overall function, so a healthy spine is vital for your overall wellbeing.

A bamboo memory foam pillow can help encourage a healthy sleeping position. It is created to support your head and neck in various sleeping positions. This gives your spine the support it needs to stay in a neutral, natural position throughout the night.

Prevents Mold and Bacteria Growth

Bamboo fibers have antimicrobial properties. This helps prevent the growth of fungus, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can live inside of pillows, making for a healthier sleeping experience.

Hypoallergenic

Is a bamboo pillow good for allergy sufferers? Naturally occurring fibers, like bamboo fibers, have hypoallergenic properties. This is because they are not exposed to as many chemicals as synthetic fibers, which can trigger allergic responses.

While there’s no guarantee that allergies won’t be triggered, pillows made with bamboo fibers are usually considered a more hypoallergenic option than pillows made with other materials.

Absorbs Moisture to Repel Odor

Bamboo fibers are moisture absorbent. This keeps bamboo pillows clean and fresh for more extended amounts of time than other pillow materials, as it absorbs and neutralizes any unpleasant odors that may accumulate over time.

Keeps Things Cool

If you find yourself continually flipping your pillow to the “cool side” throughout the night, a bamboo pillow may be right for you. Natural bamboo fibers allow air to “breathe” even though they feel softer and thicker than other pillow materials. Its moisture-absorbing properties also help keep the pillow’s temperature down, meaning bamboo pillows might be a good choice for you if you find yourself getting too hot during the night.

Environmentally Friendly

Bamboo is a sustainable crop because it can be grown in a wide variety of places and is adaptable to various water levels, unlike cotton or other materials that require frequent watering. It also doesn’t require pesticides or chemicals to grow, protecting the soil it grows in.

Potential Downsides of Bamboo Pillows

If you’re considering purchasing a bamboo pillow, there are a few downsides to keep in mind.

• Bamboo pillows tend to weigh more than regular pillows. This requires some adjusting as you get used to sleeping and traveling with a heavier pillow.
• Bamboo pillows are significantly more expensive than regular feather pillows. You should keep your price range in mind when finding the pillow that’s right for you.
  
• The memory foam portion of the pillow must be hand washed. When washed, bamboo pillows take longer to dry than regular feather pillows. You’ll need a backup pillow to use for a night or two while your bamboo pillow dries out.
  
• Some bamboo pillows have a strong smell when you first purchase them that users may find off-putting. This smell should decrease over time with use.

Types of Bamboo Pillows

There are several bamboo pillow options on the market at a variety of price points. If a bamboo pillow sounds like the right fit for you, here are a few different brands to consider.

Miracle Bamboo® Pillow

The Miracle Bamboo® Pillow is made with soft, high-quality viscose from bamboo fabric. Its multilayer design adds a bit of warmth to the otherwise cool, temperature regulating pillow. Its 3-in-1 comfort support technology combines softness, support, and adjustability. Its memory foam interior responds to the temperature and pressure of your head and neck for a more comfortable sleep.

The Miracle bamboo pillow costs $29.99 for a full or queen size, and $39.99 for a king bamboo pillow.

Xtreme Comforts Pillow

This bamboo pillow is unique in that it is designed specifically for those who sleep on their stomach. It’s thinner than other bamboo pillow options but still provides the same benefits and comfort. It’s slim shape also makes it more travel-friendly, but it may not be the best option if you’re looking for a thick and fluffy pillow.

The Xtreme Comforts bamboo pillow costs between $39.99 and $49.99.

Sleep Whale Bamboo Pillow

The Sleep Whale bamboo pillow is made with premium shredded memory foam and is resistant to dust mites and other allergens. Durable, this is an excellent option if you want a long-lasting pillow. It offers improved air circulation to keep you cool and extra support for your head and neck.

The Sleep Whale bamboo pillow is on the more expensive side, costing around $89.99.

Essence of Bamboo Pillow

The Essence of Bamboo pillow is soft, fluffy, and lightweight. Users report that it doesn’t lose its shape, even after months of use, and that it does not have the noticeable odor sometimes found in new bamboo pillows.

Essence of Bamboo pillows cost between $30-$40.

Serta Bamboo Pillow

Serta offers several bamboo pillow options at an affordable price. Their Ultra Rayon From Bamboo pillow offers the cooling properties of bamboo with a soft polyester casing. The Perfect Sleeper Zen Chill pillow also keeps you cool and comfortable throughout the night.

Prices for Serta pillows range from $12 to $20.

Takeaway

If your pillow is keeping you up at night, it may be time to try something new. Bamboo may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a soft and comfortable place to rest your head, but bamboo pillows offer comfort and support that standard pillows lack. Additionally, bamboo provides breathability and hypoallergenic properties that can help you sleep soundly.