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Amazon / Walmart
If you’re in the market for a new pillow with support and exceptional contouring, look no further than a buckwheat pillow. As sleep consultant Kelly Murray explains, a buckwheat pillow “feels firm, but it conforms to the individual's head and neck.” We researched dozens of buckwheat pillows and read countless reviews to make sure we found the best options for a wide array of needs. Murray provided expert insight into what the benefits are of a buckwheat pillow, and who could use one.
Check out our top picks for the best buckwheat pillows.
Best Overall
Hullo Buckwheat Pillow
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Amazon
Machine washable
60-night money-back guarantee
Made in the U.S.
Adjustable support and filling
More expensive
Too heavy for some
Hullo really has it figured out with this buckwheat pillow. The pillowcases are made with a 100 percent cotton twill case, which is preshrunk and machine washable. The buckwheat hulls are grown and milled by American farmers, ensuring that every part of this pillow is cut, sewn, and handled in the United States.
Adjustability elevates this pillow to the next level. It comes filled fully with buckwheat, so you can remove as much as you need to find your perfect level of support. The buckwheat hulls that Hullo uses are also premium and promote breathability all night long while you sleep.
It’s a bit pricier than many other choices on our list, but Hullo’s pillow really checks all of our boxes. With more than 170 ratings on Amazon, 85 percent of them are 4 and 5 stars. Fast and free shipping means you’ll be on your way to a better night of sleep in no time. All of this and a 60-night money-back guarantee combine to make this a standout pillow.
Price at time of publish: $109 for a Standard size
Size Options: Small, Standard, King | Dimensions: 20 x 26 inches | Firmness Options: Adjustable | Fill: Buckwheat
Best Budget
Hehoilam Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow
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Amazon
Affordable
100% buckwheat hull filling
Breathable and cooling
Can adjust contours or support
Can’t remove cover
Filling isn’t adjustable
For the price, it’s hard to beat Hehoilam’s Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow. Despite the lower cost, it offers all of the benefits of a buckwheat pillow, from spine support to cushioning and comfort for back and side sleepers. The fill is 100 percent buckwheat hulls, which ensures more moldability to your specific needs when compared to other pillow materials. The cotton casing helps provide additional breathability so you can sleep cooler.
However, this pillow is not adjustable; you can’t alter the amount of fill, only the placement of it. There is no zipper, so you can’t remove the cover to wash it, either. Even with the limited adjustability, the pillow boasts plenty of perks, the standout of which is its budget-friendly price.
Price at time of publish: $30 for a Standard size
Size Options: Standard | Dimensions: 20 x15 inches | Firmness Options: Firm | Fill: Buckwheat
Best Splurge
Beans72 Organic Buckwheat Pillow
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Amazon
Machine washable
Variety of size options
Soft quilted cover
Adjustable filling
Expensive
Requires some breaking in
We love the beans72 Organic Buckwheat Pillow’s adjustability in a number of ways. First, you have five different size options to choose from, including a convenient travel size and an extra-large king size. At 5.5 pounds, this pillow comes with plenty of buckwheat hulls, which are hand-picked before winding up as filling. A convenient zipper allows you to customize the fill amount accordingly. It also comes with a three-layered, super soft, quilted cotton slip-on pillow cover, which can be washed.
However, this buckwheat pick is a bit pricier than the others on the list, making it a splurge, but it’s certainly worth the money. After using it, one reviewer said, “I'll never go back to a regular pillow again.”
Price at time of publish: $90 for a Standard size
Size Options: Travel, Twin/Standard, Japanese, Queen, King | Dimensions: 26 x 20 inches | Firmness Options: Adjustable | Fill: 100% buckwheat
Best Cooling
PineTales Cooling Pillow
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Amazon
Washable cover
Handcrafted
Good for all sleeping positions
Cooling cotton pillowcase
More expensive
Somewhat noisy
As Kelly Murray notes, buckwheat pillows are breathable. “The hulls move around in the pillow, which allows for proper airflow to help prevent overheating.” While other cooling pillows are made of harmful materials (or ones that don’t hold their shape well), buckwheat does just the opposite. Aside from the fill’s natural breathability, the PineTales Cooling Pillow takes it to the next level, thanks to its Star Constellation Design Cooling pillowcase. The case is made of leak-proof cotton and is also cool, breathable, and machine washable (which we love).
Inside, the buckwheat hulls are 100 percent U.S.-grown, and they don’t lump together like other pillow fill materials. However, some customers found this pillow to be a bit noisy for them.
Price at time of publish: $70 for a Japanese size
Size Options: Compact, Japanese, Standard | Dimensions: 14 x 20 inches (Japanese Size) | Firmness Options: Adjustable | Fill: Organic buckwheat hulls
Best for Neck Pain
Sachi Organics Buckwheat Neck Pillow
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Amazon
Smaller, travel-ready size
Handmade in USA
Firm support
Customizable
Harder to clean
Too firm for some
The cylindrical shape of Sachi Organics’ Buckwheat Neck Pillow offers additional contouring around your head and shoulders, ensuring that your neck is supported all night long. This firmer option aids in maintaining alignment, so your spine and head will stay aligned during its use. A zipper allows you to adjust the buckwheat fill to your liking and support needs.
One drawback for this pillow is that it doesn’t come with a cover and seems to get dirty quickly, making it tough to clean. Overall, though, it really does the job to help with neck pain, with one reviewer saying that it “really helped calm my neck pain at night. I’ve been able to sleep through the night instead of waking up or tossing and turning constantly.”
Price at time of publish: $41
Size Options: One size | Dimensions: 14 x 6 x 6 inches | Firmness Options: Firm | Fill: USA-grown buckwheat hulls
Best for Spinal Alignment
Bucky Natural Cotton Bed Pillow
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Amazon
Adjustable firmness
Natural hulls
Two color options
Long-lasting
Slight odor
Runs smaller than standard pillows
Bucky’s Natural Cotton Pillow uses premium and natural buckwheat hulls, so you can rest assured that there won’t be any clumping in this pillow to throw off your spinal alignment. You can adjust it to your own desired level of firmness to keep your head in a neutral position while you sleep. Sleepers who run warm will love the temperature-sensitive filling. In addition to offering passive all-night spinal support, this buckwheat pillow is breathable enough to keep you cool and dry.
One drawback for this pillow in particular is the smell. There seems to be a natural odor that comes with it that’s not overpowering but still present. This pillow also runs a bit small; it’s a few inches shorter than your typical standard-size product. Overall, however, it’s well built and made to last.
Price at time of publish: $47
Size Options: Travel, Standard | Dimensions: 23 x 16 inches | Firmness Options: Adjustable | Fill: 100% buckwheat hulls
Best for Side Sleepers
Sobakawa Traditional Buckwheat Pillow
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Amazon
Holds shape while in use
Odor- and fragrance-free
Great head and neck support
Reduces neck tension
Can’t remove cover to wash
May be flat for some
Sobakawa’s Traditional Buckwheat Pillow is great for side sleepers for a few reasons. For one, while buckwheat is conforming, it also holds its shape very well once you’ve settled. A side sleeper won’t have to worry about their neck being in a compromised position. With this pillow, you’ll enjoy adjustable support that cradles your head and neck, helping you drift off to sleep with proper spine alignment, and plenty of comfort! This can help reduce tension and fatigue across your neck, too, while you’re laying on your side.
One drawback of this pillow is that the cover isn’t removable, which makes it difficult to clean. For some sleepers, it falls a bit flat in terms of the level of filling. You may need to move the filling around to find just the right arrangement for your comfort.
Price at time of publish: $30 for a Traditional size
Size Options: Traditional, Queen | Dimensions: 19 x 15 inches | Firmness Options: Adjustable | Fill: Buckwheat hulls
Best Easy Care
Living Healthy Products Deluxe Comfort Organic Buckwheat Hull Bed Pillow
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Walmart
Machine-washable
Includes inner and outer cases
Non-allergenic materials
Exceptional comfort
Can’t be machine-dried
Only one color option
Your pillows see a lot of wear, and that means they can get pretty dirty. A great pillow is one that’s easy to keep clean, and that’s exactly what we love about the Deluxe Comfort Organic Buckwheat Hull Pillow. While buckwheat pillows are naturally durable, they won’t last as long if they can’t be kept sanitary. This particular pillow features inner and outer cases, both of which can be machine-washed to prolong the life of your pillow. There’s also an invisible zipper built in to easily adjust the buckwheat level and give the pillow a thorough cleaning. The non-allergenic and organic nature makes it great for those who are worried about allergies or dust.
One mild drawback to this pillow is that it needs to be hang-dried, but that hasn’t prevented it from boasting 4.3 out of 5 stars in reviews. Customers love it for its incredible level of comfort.
Price at time of publish: $40
Size Options: Standard | Dimensions: 18 x 13.5 inches | Firmness Options: Adjustable | Fill: Buckwheat
Best for Travel
Turmerry Buckwheat Pillow With Organic Zippered Cover
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Turmerry
120-day return policy
Organic unbleached cotton cover
U.S.-sourced hulls
Wide range of size options
Not enough fill for some
Travel size too small for some
If you’ve found that buckwheat is the must-have pillow material for you, then you’ll never want to be without it. Fortunately, the Turmerry Buckwheat Pillow is meant to be taken along for the ride—it’s available in multiple sizes, including a 12 x 16 inch travel option. Paired with an easy-to-clean organic cotton zippered cover, this pillow is ready to keep you comfortable on the go. Its adjustability helps make it a great choice, as you can add or remove fill for whatever seat or bed you’re in while away from home. You can stay in control of just how firm you’d like your pillow, using nothing but the U.S.-sourced buckwheat hulls inside.
There are some customers who’ve complained that this pillow doesn’t come with enough filling to meet their needs. However, there are plenty of others who love it for making their travel dramatically more enjoyable.
Price at time of publish: $45 for a Travel size
Size Options: Travel, Mini, Neck Roll, Lumbar, Standard, Queen, King | Dimensions: 12 x 16 inches | Firmness Options: Adjustable | Fill: Buckwheat
Best Luxury
Sweet Zzz Buckwheat Pillow
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Walmart
Filled with full 3D-shaped buckwheat hulls
Portion of purchase donated to 1% for the Planet
One-year warranty
50-night trial
More expensive
Only one size option on website
When it comes to fill, the Sweet Zzz Buckwheat Pillow doesn’t skimp out at all. It only uses hulls with a full 3D shape, ensuring maximal comfort through uniformity. It's also environmentally minded. The pillow is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, and the company donates 1% of every purchase to 1% for the Planet. But the attention to detail doesn’t stop with the pillow; it also comes in a sustainable fabric bag for packaging. The entire product is also organic certified, from the hulls inside to the cotton pillowcase and cover.
While it is a larger investment, the quality of the hulls means that this buckwheat pillow will last you much longer than alternatives. Unfortunately, there’s just one size option on the company’s website, which is a bit limiting.
Price at time of publish: $76 for a Traditional size
Size Options: Traditional | Dimensions: 14 x 20 inches | Firmness Options: Adjustable | Fill: 100% buckwheat
Most Comfortable
ComfyComfy Premium Buckwheat Pillow
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Amazon
8 pounds of buckwheat hull fill
Includes extra fill
U.S.-made
Machine-washable cover
Noisy
Can require frequent adjustments
ComfyComfy’s standard-size buckwheat pillow comes with 2 pounds of extra hull, which we love for optimized adjustability and comfortability. It also includes 8 pounds of buckwheat to begin with, which means that you’re going to be able to create the exact pillow you need—and you can increase or remove fill over time as your sleep needs change. The buckwheat used by ComfyComfy is high-quality and has a 3D shape to ensure uniformity and the utmost level of comfort, night after night. As you rest, the hulls will mold to the shape of your head and neck to offer lasting support and helpful alignment.
One drawback for this pillow, however, is the sound. Moving the buckwheat as you toss and turn can create some noise. Most people get used to it, though, and have no issues after a few nights.
Price at time of publish: $120 for a Standard size
Size Options: Toddler, Traditional, Classic Plus, Standard/Twin, Queen | Dimensions: 20 x 26 inches | Firmness Options: Adjustable | Fill: Buckwheat
Overall, our top pick on this list is Hullo’s Buckwheat Pillow. You can’t beat the expert craftsmanship every step of the way, and the easy washability makes it stand the test of time. If you’re in the market for something more affordable, we also love the Sobakawa Buckwheat Pillow by Hehoilam. It’s breathable and comfortable, all without breaking the bank.
What to Look for in Buckwheat Pillows
Loft and Support
When looking for any pillow, it’s vital to find one with the right loft and support for your needs. Preferences such as side, stomach, and back sleeping, as well as your desired dimensions, will help determine the best pillow for you. Fortunately, most buckwheat pillows are adjustable, so you can test out different lofts each night until you find your perfect fit. For us, the best option for loft and support is Hullo’s Buckwheat Pillow, because it comes fully packed and can be adjusted easily.
Firmness Level
Much like loft and support, firmness is a highly individualized need. While buckwheat pillows tend to be more firm than other materials, the hulls will conform to your own shape. So, while there’s really only going to be one firmness option, the adjustability comes in the shape of hull removal. We recommend beans72’s pillow for this; weighing in at 5.5 pounds, it provides plenty of firmness.
Shape
Buckwheat pillows are naturally adjustable. By shifting and removing/adding hulls, you can essentially create the shape you need; or rather, the pillow will shift itself, depending on your personalized needs. However, if you’re looking for a particular shape, there are different sizes and shapes available. For example, if you need a neck pillow, some brands do manufacture those specifically, like Sachi Organics.
Pressure Relief
A pillow that doesn’t conform to your needs will not help alleviate achy pressure points. When shopping for a buckwheat pillow, it’s important to look for one with plenty of hulls so you can adjust accordingly.
When you do adjust it, though, the pressure relief can be astonishing, according to sleep consultant Kelly Murray: “There are even reports that this pillow may help those who experience migraines. The reason it is believed to help is that it supports soft tissue and airways. It also provides soft pressure against your skull and spine. These pressure points help trigger relaxation and the release of endorphins.”
Our choice for this is The Bucky Natural Cotton Bed Pillow, because its ability to keep your spine neutral will also alleviate pressure points.
Temperature Regulation
The good news about buckwheat pillows is they’re naturally temperature-regulating. According to Murray, “The hulls move around in the pillow, which allows for proper airflow to help prevent overheating.”
If the hulls aren’t enough to ensure a proper night of cool sleep, make sure to purchase a buckwheat pillow with a breathable cover. Materials like cotton do their part to help you sleep through the night feeling cool. For us, it’s hard to beat Pinetales when it comes to a great cooling buckwheat pillow.
Lifespan
Buckwheat pillows outlive many other kinds of pillows. The durability of the hulls themselves promotes a longer lifespan. When considering pillows, you can see them as investments. Expensive pillows that only last three to five years aren’t necessarily wise to purchase. Meanwhile, buckwheat pillows with proper care can last you upwards of a decade. If you want one that’s especially durable, we recommend the Sweet Zzz Buckwheat Pillow.
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How long do buckwheat pillows last?
According to Murray, buckwheat pillows “can last up to 10 years with proper care.” Buckwheat hulls are known for being incredibly strong and long-lasting. Conversely, pillows made of memory foam may have a lifetime half of that (if not shorter).
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Can you wash a buckwheat pillow in the washing machine?
You cannot wash a full buckwheat pillow in the washing machine. Murray says that the pillow “can absorb water well, but [this] tends to break down the hulls.” However, you can sometimes wash the cover of the pillow if it’s removable. Make sure to read your specific manufacturer’s notes on washability to make sure you don’t damage your pillow.
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Can buckwheat pillows go in the dryer?
You shouldn’t place these pillows in the dryer. The hulls will be damaged, and the pillow will become useless. If the cover is removable and dryer safe, then that alone can be dried.
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How long does it take to get used to a buckwheat pillow?
Murray says that getting used to a buckwheat pillow can take up to five days, for a few reasons. Firstly, the fill is different—and it feels quite different from the materials you may be used to, like foam or down. Additionally, buckwheat pillows are more firm and offer less give, and while they can be adjusted, it may take a few nights to find your perfect amount of support. Overall, Murray says, “Fans of this pillow say it’s worth the adjustment period. It just takes patience.”
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How do you refresh buckwheat pillows?
It’s all in replacing or adding to the filling. Some pillow manufacturers and third-party companies will sell extra fill for your pillow. Some brands will even include extra hulls when you purchase the pillow.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Jack Byram is a commerce writer who has written about and tested countless pillows and other sleep-related products. For this article, he diligently researched buckwheat pillows and read countless reviews to find the best ones on the market for specific needs. He made sure that he included a variety of prices to reach all sleepers, while also addressing durability and brand reputability. He also interviewed sleep consultant Kelly Murray to get expert input on whom a buckwheat pillow could best serve.