Tom's Guide Verdict
The luxurious Saatva Latex Pillow is the best we've tested and we now recommend it to anyone shopping for a luxury cooling and organic pillow. During testing we discovered that the shredded natural latex core provides excellent head and neck support. The plush layer of down alternative is comfy, with a breathable organic cotton cover wicking away sweat and heat. The Saatva Latex Pillow is not adjustable like the top-rated Coop Home Goods model, but it does come in two loft options to cater to a wide range of sleepers. We recommend it for side sleepers and combi sleepers in particular. Yes, it's pricey and rarely on sale, but in this reviewer's opinion, it's well worth the investment if you want a top-performing cooling pillow made with natural latex to reduce overheating while you sleep.
Pros
- +
Two loft options available
- +
Washable cover and inner layer
- +
Remains cool throughout the night
- +
Good for sleepers with allergies
Cons
- -
Can't wash the latex core
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The Saatva Latex Pillow review in brief
The Saatva Latex Pillow is a thick, plush pillow that combines the durable support of latex with the plushness of down via microdenier fibers. It's also quite expensive, with a starting price of $165. So is the Saatva Latex Pillow worth the cost and how does it compare with this year's best pillows overall? Here's what I think of it after sleeping on it for over a couple of weeks...
Saatva is top recommendation in our best mattress guide for all sleepers and I currently have a Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress, so I wanted to see if the company top-selling pillow is just as impressive as the bed. Spoiler alert: yes, it is.
Type: Latex and down alternative
Best for: All sleep positions, hot sleepers
Dimensions: 28” x 18” (queen); (34” x 18" (king)
Trial period: 45 nights
Warranty: 1 year
Price: From $165 at Saatva
If you have latex allergies like I do, don’t worry, since this pillow uses 100% shredded natural latex that's been thoroughly cleaned to strip it of any allergy-causing proteins, according to the brand. It's encased in down alternative microdenier fibers and wrapped in an organic cotton cover.
The pillow also comes in two loft choices. Stomach and back sleepers can use the standard loft – which is 4" to 5" high. Side and combination sleepers would likely be more comfortable with the high loft pillow, which is 6" to 7" high. I slept on the high loft version and found it provided hotel-level comfort and support for my combination of side and stomach sleeping. The gusset around the perimeter is quite attractive but also practical, as it helps the pillow keep its shape.
The ability to launder the pillow in the washing machine makes it a hygienic choice – and both the cover and the layer of down-alternative fibers can be washed. However, the shredded latex core should be removed before laundering, since it is not machine washable.
It's a premium choice but I think the Saatva Latex Pillow is a high-end pillow that's worth the cost. Keep reading to see how it fares against other top-rated pillows on the market...
Saatva Latex Pillow review: Price & deals
- Retails from $165 in a queen-size
- Up to $60 off when you purchase in pairs
- Comes with a 1-year warranty and a 45-night trial
Saatva's lineup consists of five pillows, with the Saatva Latex Pillow sitting at the higher end of the pricing scale. A queen-size retails for $165; it's $185 for a king-size. Markdowns on individual pillows aren't common, but you can avail of multi-buy discounts. Purchase a pair of queen pillows for $40 off, or two king pillows for $60 off.
The Saatva Latex Pillow comes with a 45-night return window and a one-year limited warranty. Those seem meager relative to what you pay, especially given Saatva's reputation for providing outstanding extras with its mattresses.
Perhaps the closest competitor in terms of a down alternative/latex construction is the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Pillow from $179 at Stearns & Foster. However, the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate features a down blend fill on one side and a premium latex core on the other, essentially creating two pillows in one.
Another high-end choice that's similar to the Saatva Latex Pillow is the Purple Harmony Pillow from $199 at Purple. It comes in three loft choices and two sizes, as well as a generous 100-night trial, but the unusual feel of Purple's GelFlex Grid may not appeal to everyone.
Saatva Latex Pillow review: Design & materials
- Shredded natural latex core wrapped in down-alternative fibers
- Outer cover is made of breathable organic cotton
- Most components of this pillow are machine-washable
The Saatva Latex Pillow features a shredded natural latex core surrounded by a layer of microdenier fibers for a springy yet soft feel. The outer cover is made of organic cotton and has gusseted sides to help the pillow keep its shape. (The inner layer of alternative down is made of organic cotton, as well.)
Since the pillow is available in two lofts (5" and 6-7"), it can cater to the needs of back, stomach, and side sleepers. This is crucial since this is not a pillow with adjustable fill that you can remove or add to create the desired height and thickness.
The outer cover and microdenier fill layer are machine-washable but the shredded latex core isn't. You can also put the outer cover in the dryer on low, while the down alternative layer is air-dry only. Saatva recommends washing the pillow twice a year.
Saatva touts the hypoallergenic properties of its pillow. The brand explains that its latex goes through a rigorous cleaning process to eliminate proteins that may trigger allergies. The use of a down alternative (instead of natural down) makes it more allergy-friendly, too.
The Saatva Latex Pillow review: Performance
- Not vacuum-packed so you can sleep on it right away
- Plush without losing support or shape
- Breathable materials help prevent overheating
For over two weeks, I slept on a pair of high-loft Saatva Latex Pillows to see how they fared in various areas, including, setup, firmness and support, and temperature regulation. I alternated between my side, back, and stomach to see how the pillow performed in those positions. Here’s how I got on...
Setup
My pair of Saatva Latex Pillows arrived in one branded box. I’m not a fan of branded boxes (especially since this box contained two pillows with a total value of $330), so I was glad they didn’t get “lost” during the shipping process.
The box arrived in average shape – you could tell that it had been handled roughly during the shipping process, which isn't the brand's fault. Upon opening the box, the two pillows were securely wrapped in heavy plastic bags, each with a convenient carrying handle.
Unlike some latex pillows, they were not shrink-wrapped, which meant there was no need to wait for them to expand, nor were there any concerns about off-gassing odors.
Score: 5 out of 5
Firmness and support
I’m a combination sleeper: I usually fall asleep on my side and wake up my stomach – or vice versa. In either of those positions, I slept very comfortably on the Saatva Latex Pillows. It helps that the pillows are huggable - my favorite type. My head and neck were in alignment, and I never woke up with aches and pains. And since the pillow was so plush, it felt like I was sleeping on a cloud.
When I slept on my back, the pillow felt elevated, but that’s to be expected since I was testing the high loft version. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t as comfortable as the other positions, so a lower loft would have been a more suitable option if I regularly slept on my back.
The pillows are also firm enough that I never had to re-fluff them. Usually, when I finish testing pillows, I pass them on to family members. However, the Saatva Latex Pillows will remain in my home since I enjoy them so much.
Score: 5 out of 5
Temperature regulation
I tend to sleep hot, due in no small part to the fact that I sleep under the covers in every season – and I add my favorite faux fur throw to the bed in cooler seasons, although winters are quite mild where I live. Thankfully, I never woke up hot when sleeping on the Satava Latex Pillows.
Of course, natural latex is known for its breathability. The shredded latex core here is surrounded by a fill layer of alternative down fibers, and the cover is made of organic cotton. The result is a pillow that prevents heat from being trapped within itk with an outer cover that also wicks moisture away.
Score: 5 out of 5
Saatva Latex Pillow review: User reviews
- Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars at Saatva.com (October 2024)
- Most reviewers like the balance of softness and support
- Few complaints about overall feel and the high cost
On the Saatva website, the pillow has over 175 reviews with a 4.8-star rating out of 5 (October 2024). Positive feedback comes from sleepers who liked the balance of plushness and support, with several customers claiming the pillow helped with their aches and pains.
Among the few negative comments were those who thought it was too firm (or not soft enough). Some Saatva customers also complained about the high cost of the pillow.
Should you buy the Saatva Latex Pillow?
Hands down, the Saatva Latex Pillow is one of the best pillows that I’ve tested. And since I love the feel of down/down alternative and latex, this is the best of both worlds for me.
Besides the combo factor, the ability to choose your loft is another selling point. My preference is a higher loft, but you may prefer a lower loft. This allows Saatva to cater to as many sleepers as possible. Plus, being able to wash not only the cover but also the down alternative fill, is another huge bonus for keeping your bed fresh.
Sure, you'll be spending a little more than average, and we've seen better trial and warranty periods from competing brands for less, but for those who want a combo of latex and down (alternative), it’s hard to beat the Saatva Latex Pillow.
Buy the Saatva Latex Pillow if...
✅ You're a hot sleeper: The breathable materials of the Saatva Latex Pillow help air pass through easier, resulting in more temperature-neutral sleep. If you often wake up with a sweaty nape, consider giving this pillow a try.
✅ You want a low-maintenance pillow: The gussets do a great job of keeping the shredded latex and down-alternative fibers from dispersing too much, so you won't have to fluff it as regularly as other pillows. The machine-washable components (save the latex core) add to the convenience.
✅ You have airborne allergies: Natural down can trigger sniffles and sneezing. Saatva uses microdenier fibers to mimic the softness of down, minus the allergies. Saatva also says its washes the latex thoroughly to rid it of allergy-causing proteins.
Dont buy the Saatva Latex Pillow if...
❌ You want a fully adjustable pillow: Yes, the Saatva Latex Pillow has shredded latex within but it's not designed for sleepers to adjust themselves. You can choose the loft you want, but that's as precise as you're going to get.
❌ You want to keep your pillow for longer than a year: Experts say you should replace your pillow every 1-2 years. If you're hoping to keep your pillow for as long as you can, know the warranty will only be valid for one year.
❌ You're on a budget: With a starting retail price of $165, the Saatva Latex Pillow is more of a splurge. It's rarely on sale unless you purchase in pairs, but even then you'll still be paying quite a bit.
Saatva Latex Pillow: Top alternatives
