As Plush as Down, But Minus the Allergies – Here's Everything I Loved About The Saatva Latex Pillow

As a contributor at H&G (and a mom of four), I am serious about sleep. I don’t always get enough of it, so those precious hours need to be great quality. A good pillow matters, so I put the Saatva Latex Pillow to the test. I slept on it for 30 days, taking notes on how I felt while falling asleep and upon waking. I examined the features of the pillow, such as the care routine and quality of the stitching, and finishes. I let my kids try it, too, as we enjoy lounging on my bed together, reading or watching funny videos.

The Saatva Latex Pillow Tried & Tested

While I generally fall asleep on my back or side, I move around a great deal in my sleep. I took note of how the pillow felt in various positions. Typically, I sleep with two pillows – a memory foam ergonomic pillow and a softer fiber-filled 'cheapie' to soften the feeling of sleeping on a slab. For the purposes of testing this pillow, I used only the Saatva Latex Pillow for all 30 days. I think it may have made me a one-pillow convert, actually.

I also took a look at the durability. Did the pillow retain its shape when crushed? Did it puff back up when I compressed it? How did it wash and wear well over the course of the month? At the end of the month, I compiled my thoughts and data to give Homes & Gardens readers the best evaluation of the Saatva Latex Pillow possible.

Who Would the Saatva Latex Pillow Suit?

• A range of sleeping positions: While I most often sleep on my side, I’m known to toss and turn a bit. The Saatva Latex Pillow, which has a shredded latex core rather than a solid core, adjusts to sleeping in all positions. This pillow offers more support than a down pillow and 'bounces back' faster when compressed. That means the pillow molded to my head in any position, without feeling flat.
• Those looking for a cooler sleep: As a middle-aged woman, I am no stranger to night sweats. This pillow feels cool nearly all of the time. I’ve had foam pillows that retain heat and leave me feeling clammy in the morning, but I didn’t have that issue with the Saatva Latex Pillow.
• People with allergies: While people commonly say they are allergic to goose feathers, that’s actually quite rare. What most people (like me) are allergic to is dust mites, which love down. Dust mites don’t love shredded latex, though, and I woke up without a stuffy nose or itchy eyes.

What is the Saatva Latex Pillow Like to Sleep On?

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The Saatva Latex Pillow with the High Loft option is comfortable and supportive for sleep in all positions. I usually start out sleeping on my back and wake on my side or stomach. No matter how I woke up, though, I did not experience any neck pain with this pillow. Aside from my allergies, I typically do not enjoy a down pillow and find it less supportive than I need. Before testing the Saatva Latex Pillow, I was using a memory foam pillow with a shredded core. It’s supportive, but fairly stiff. The Saatva Latex Pillow won me over as a perfect middle ground.

As for breathability, the Saatva Latex Pillow performed above my expectations. As mentioned above, I think this is a great pillow for hot sleepers. I used a cooling pillowcase on my Saatva pillow, which I use most nights. While the pillowcases perform great, it’s clear that this pillow does not retain body heat. I tested this pillow in August during a heat wave as well as during September when overnight temps drop, and found it to perform well in both environments.

As far as shape and size, I chose the King-sized pillow in High Loft, which Saatva says measures between 6 and 7 inches high, but that stomach sleepers may prefer their Standard Loft version. I didn’t have trouble sleeping on my stomach with the High Loft. I did find the pillow stuck out a bit from both the pillowcase – this wasn’t an issue for me personally, but someone who prefers a more polished bedscape might need to choose a longer King-size case.

The pillow retained its shape well, even when we weren’t careful with it. I folded it in half to prop myself up for reading at times, I caught my youngest riding it like a horse, and I just generally lived with the Saatva Latex Pillow. After a month of use, it is just as bouncy as the first day it arrived.

How Does the Saatva Latex Pillow Rate Online?

Customers on the Saatva website love this pillow – the average star rating is 4.7, and many comments mention a reduction in neck pain. Quite a few users claim this pillow is 'the best pillow ever.' I don’t think I’ve tried enough pillows to make that assertion just yet, but I plan to continue using the Saatva Latex Pillow instead of my previous memory foam one.

On Amazon, the feedback is also strong. The average star rating is 3.9, with 57% of users rating it 5 stars. Again, many comments cite a reduction in neck pain and a better night’s sleep overall. The few negative reviews note that the pillow was too firm, which likely means those shoppers just need a different type of pillow. Our guide to the Best pillows for different needs and sleep styles can help you to make that decision.

How Does the Saatva Latex Pillow Compare?

At Homes & Gardens, we look at a wide range of pillows, from foam to feather, and supportive to cooling. When we put the Saatva Latex Pillow up against similar shredded latex products, it came out on top in our Best Pillows guide. The shredded latex is eco-friendly, vegan, and great for folks with allergies like myself. And, starting at $165, it's an investment but actually less expensive than some other latex pillows on the market.

Should I Buy the Saatva Latex Pillow?

While this pillow costs a bit more than the standard options at your local big box store, I think it’s worth the hype. I have always loved the feel of down, but not the other things that come with it (like allergies). After a month cozying up with my e-reader on this pillow, I feel confident others will feel the same. The Saatva Latex Pillow retains its shape well, has high-quality stitching and finishes that should pass the test of time, and provides just the right support for those with moderate neck pain. If you have specific ergonomic needs, you might want to try the Luxome Layr Pillow, which is totally customizable to suit your preferred loft.

How We Test Pillows

Testing pillows is serious business. Here at H&G, we pride ourselves on giving consumers the info they need to make smart purchases. We’ve spent some time developing our rigorous process for testing the products we write about. I didn’t just sleep on this pillow—I took notes each morning when waking up. I jotted down feelings about my neck, my body temperature, and general restfulness over the course of 30 nights. I got up close and personal with the pillow, too. I examined the stitching and fabric quality and washed the pillow according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

I also had my family lie on it, jotting down notes about their observations. I scoured online reviews to see if common complaints arose, too. This process, which we apply to every pillow we test, is designed to give readers as much info as possible before they add to cart.