I've been sleeping on pillows stuffed with polyester and memory foam fill all my life — odds are, so have you. These are the most common pillow types but organic latex pillows are becoming more and more popular thanks to their non-toxic, eco-luxury support.
So when I started testing sleep products (from white noise machines to the best mattresses,) I set my sights on the Birch Organic Pillow.
Filled with shredded organic latex and wrapped in a soft organic cotton cover, it seemed entirely different to the adjustable memory foam pillow and the polyester pillow I'd tried before.
And this month, I finally added this natural latex pillow to my bed. I've been sleeping on it for over three weeks.
Here's what I thought of the Birch Organic Pillow... and whether it'll be added to our best pillow guide anytime soon.
The organic latex pillow I've been testing...
First, let's take a look inside the Birch Organic Pillow, now $145.03 down from $198.86 at Birch with code TOMS27.
The Birch Organic Pillow is filled with shredded organic latex, which kinda looks like popcorn. While Birch doesn't state what kind of natural latex is used in the pillow, I suspect that as it's GOLS-certified, it's the more environmentally-friendly, firmer Dunlop latex.
(To read more about the two kinds of natural latex, take a look at my Dunlop vs Talalay latex comparison guide.)
Surrounding the latex fill is organic wool padding, used for insulation and to wick away moisture.
Topping things off is a cover made from organic cotton for a soft, hypoallergenic sleep surface.
Along with the standard size (the size I tested), there's a king size available. Whichever size you choose, you get a 30-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a one-year warranty.
My thoughts on the Birch Organic Pillow...
Most pillows I've tested (like the memory foam Simba Hybrid Pillow and the polyester-fill Squishmallow Pillow) were shipped in plastic, but my Birch Organic Pillow arrived on my doorstep in a tall, sturdy cardboard box.
Barring plastic wrapping on the pillow, inside the box packaging was kept to a minimum. There were no leaflets, superfluous plastic, or extra things to throw away. Just a plastic-wrapped pillow in a cardboard box — on brand from a company with an eco-ethos.
The pillow was not vacuum-packed or compressed, so I didn't have to wait for anything to expand after unboxing.
As soon as I unboxed the Birch Organic Pillow I detected the sweet aroma of natural latex, the same one I noted when unboxing the Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper.
The scent is reminiscent of cupcakes or cookie dough and it's much more pleasant than the off-gassing smell I associate with memory foam.
The cover, in a sandy-beige that's become Birch's signature color, was already on the pillow and I immediately unzipped it to spy on the little latex popcorn pieces inside. Alas, the shredded latex is contained within an inner cover.
I could, however, feel and see the wool insulation, which was as ultra-soft I'd hoped for.
I was a little disillusioned that I couldn't access the latex fill inside, as Birch described the pillow as "easily adjustable to fit your preferred level of plushness."
I took this to mean that the latex was removable, like the fill of the Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow. It's likely the brand means the pillow is easy to plump up or flatten down — which it is — but maybe the website's description could use a more accurate word.
Birch recommends this pillow to people of all three sleep positions and my initial impression was that the low to medium loft (height) is a good crowd-pkeaser. Especially after testing the Squishmallow pillow — they call it "medium", I'd say "ultra-high".
If you're someone who likes to stack pillows to reach your ideal height, the Birch isn't for you.
But for sleepers like me, who prefer the support of a single pillow, then the Birch Organic is a great pick. Not neck-strainingly high, but not pancake-flat either.
From the first night, I felt the loft worked in all sleep positions. I'm mostly a side and back sleeper but I've recently found I migrate onto my stomach when I'm stressed or restless.
Whichever sleep position I ended up in, the pillow was comfy and supportive. That's a huge plus, as I often find pillows are too high for my narrow shoulders.
When I initially rested my head on the Birch Organic Pillow, I was surprised by how firm it was. Birch classifies the Organic Pillow as medium-firm but my head would rate it as firm. (Although, I did test the marshmallow-plush Squishmallow beforehand, which might skew my impression.)
Firm pillows are great for people with shoulder or neck pain, or those with broad shoulders, but as I have neither, I was hoping for something softer.
However, three weeks late and I've either become accustomed to the firmness or the materials have gone through that 'break-in period' and loosened up. Either way, I now find the feel much more comfortable, while the loft has remained un-flattened — it's the Goldilocks zone (just right.)
As for temperature control, I've yet to find myself searching for the cool side of the pillow thanks to its breathable latex and moisture-wicking cotton and wool. But it's been a chilly few weeks where I live, so I'll reassess this whenever warm weather finally arrives.
Overall, I recommend the Birch Organic Pillow to back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers like me who have narrow shoulders or don't like their pillow too high. However, side sleepers with broader shoulders should look for something plumper.
The organic, non-toxic materials are also a bonus for eco-conscious shoppers and any hot sleepers looking for a pillow that provides cooling comfort through naturally-breathable materials.
It's also supportive, balancing plush comfort with durable firmness, which makes it an ideal investment for anyone who wants a long-lasting, high-quality pillow.
